2015: The Back To The Future Season

[InternetApex]

[Quality Start Machine]

[Saul Goodman]

I was looking back to see if there were any other Cubs victories I've seen since I moved out here, but there's only been one.

It was Jeff Samardzija's first win of the 2014 season, when it was somewhat of a running story that he was winless despite pitching so well two months in.  It was May 26 and the Cubs were already 19-30, 9.5 games back in the division and hopeless.  Holy shit.  This season has been awesome.

[Quality Start Machine]

[InternetApex]

Is that David Ross and Clayton Richard?

[Quality Start Machine]

Is that David Ross and Clayton Richard?

Look, YOU try finding anybody wearing the Cubs' magic number.

[SKO]

Is that David Ross and Clayton Richard?

Look, YOU try finding anybody wearing the Cubs' magic number.

Actually I believe it's Ross and Funky Cold Medina. Both Medina and Richard have worn 33 this year.

33s Fork could have gone with instead:

HJE favorite Larry Riibner (Biitner)
Andy Pafko
Lance Dickson (and his arm)
Terry Adams
Bill Mueller
Glendon Rusch
The Fat Kangaroo
'Smilin Caridad
DJ LeMahieu (Nice choice, Epstink)
Dale Sveum
Carlos Villanueva.

Just to name a few. I agree the pickins are slim.

[InternetApex]

Is that David Ross and Clayton Richard?

Look, YOU try finding anybody wearing the Cubs' magic number.

Actually I believe it's Ross and Funky Cold Medina. Both Medina and Richard have worn 33 this year.

33s Fork could have gone with instead:

HJE favorite Larry Riibner (Biitner)
Andy Pafko
Lance Dickson (and his arm)
Terry Adams
Bill Mueller
Glendon Rusch
The Fat Kangaroo
'Smilin Caridad
DJ LeMahieu (Nice choice, Epstink)
Dale Sveum
Carlos Villanueva.

Just to name a few. I agree the pickins are slim.

Are we really going to do this? Just take 2 of 3 from the lousy Giants and the magic number is 1.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Is that David Ross and Clayton Richard?

Look, YOU try finding anybody wearing the Cubs' magic number.

Actually I believe it's Ross and Funky Cold Medina. Both Medina and Richard have worn 33 this year.

33s Fork could have gone with instead:

HJE favorite Larry Riibner (Biitner)
Andy Pafko
Lance Dickson (and his arm)
Terry Adams
Bill Mueller
Glendon Rusch
The Fat Kangaroo
'Smilin Caridad
DJ LeMahieu (Nice choice, Epstink)
Dale Sveum
Carlos Villanueva.

Just to name a few. I agree the pickins are slim.

Are we really going to do this? Just take 2 of 3 from the lousy Giants and the magic number is 1.

Seconded.

[SKO]

Is that David Ross and Clayton Richard?

Look, YOU try finding anybody wearing the Cubs' magic number.

Actually I believe it's Ross and Funky Cold Medina. Both Medina and Richard have worn 33 this year.

33s Fork could have gone with instead:

HJE favorite Larry Riibner (Biitner)
Andy Pafko
Lance Dickson (and his arm)
Terry Adams
Bill Mueller
Glendon Rusch
The Fat Kangaroo
'Smilin Caridad
DJ LeMahieu (Nice choice, Epstink)
Dale Sveum
Carlos Villanueva.

Just to name a few. I agree the pickins are slim.

Are we really going to do this? Just take 2 of 3 from the lousy Giants and the magic number is 1.

Seconded.

I also find a magic number countdown for a one game playoff has the potential to be anticlimactic and depressing. If they vault over the Cardinals I give Fork permission to resume the countdown to the division title.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Speaking of the Giants, I honestly feel that the main objective of this series is to not get swept.  Losing all 3 would slingshot the Giants right back into the Wildcard race with a head full of steam.

I'd be disappointed if the Cubs don't take 2 of the games but honestly I'm primarily concerned with them taking at least 1.

Take 2, on the other hand, and they've nearly pushed the Giants out of contention.

Sweep the series and I think we can start planning for at least one postseason game.

[SKO]

Speaking of the Giants, I honestly feel that the main objective of this series is to not get swept.  Losing all 3 would slingshot the Giants right back into the Wildcard race with a head full of steam.

I'd be disappointed if the Cubs don't take 2 of the games but honestly I'm primarily concerned with them taking at least 1.

Take 2, on the other hand, and they've nearly pushed the Giants out of contention.

Sweep the series and I think we can start planning for at least one postseason game.

I'm not going to be too stressed out even if the Giants sweep and cut the Cubs lead to 3.5. That's sizeable enough I feel they could hold them off with only 36 games remaining at that point. That said, they have a definite advantage tonight in Arrieta vs. Cain, so if they could take that one and make it 7.5 games I'm pretty sure that'll be all she wrote for the wildcard race.

[InternetApex]

Speaking of the Giants, I honestly feel that the main objective of this series is to not get swept.  Losing all 3 would slingshot the Giants right back into the Wildcard race with a head full of steam.

I'd be disappointed if the Cubs don't take 2 of the games but honestly I'm primarily concerned with them taking at least 1.

Take 2, on the other hand, and they've nearly pushed the Giants out of contention.

Sweep the series and I think we can start planning for at least one postseason game.

I'm not going to be too stressed out even if the Giants sweep and cut the Cubs lead to 3.5. That's sizeable enough I feel they could hold them off with only 36 games remaining at that point. That said, they have a definite advantage tonight in Arrieta vs. Cain, so if they could take that one and make it 7.5 games I'm pretty sure that'll be all she wrote for the wildcard race.

If they leave town with a 5.5 game lead, I'll feel pretty confident. But 3.5 will give me the creeps with all these games against the Cards and Pirates looming. 

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Speaking of the Giants, I honestly feel that the main objective of this series is to not get swept.  Losing all 3 would slingshot the Giants right back into the Wildcard race with a head full of steam.

I'd be disappointed if the Cubs don't take 2 of the games but honestly I'm primarily concerned with them taking at least 1.

Take 2, on the other hand, and they've nearly pushed the Giants out of contention.

Sweep the series and I think we can start planning for at least one postseason game.

I'm not going to be too stressed out even if the Giants sweep and cut the Cubs lead to 3.5. That's sizeable enough I feel they could hold them off with only 36 games remaining at that point. That said, they have a definite advantage tonight in Arrieta vs. Cain, so if they could take that one and make it 7.5 games I'm pretty sure that'll be all she wrote for the wildcard race.

It really is sort of ideal that Jake takes the bump for the first game.  Take that game and there's a good chance that the Giants will start playing with tightsphincteritis the rest of the series.  Part of me feels Jake may be due for a stinker, but on the other hand this just might be his fucking year and he'll just Sutcliffe his way into October.

[Brownie]

I also find a magic number countdown for a one game playoff has the potential to be anticlimactic and depressing. If they vault over the Cardinals I give Fork permission to resume the countdown to the division title.

Why wait? Saturday, I spoke to a Cardinal fan convinced the Methpocalypse is upon him this month. Cubs will win the division.


(over St. Louis)


(over Pittsburgh)