Lets' hope for reasonably good news on Z today, and that some additional rest might be the ticket to better health.

Following up to some of the posts last night on D. Lee, some appear skeptic on the prospects of Hoffpauer and Dubois. Obviously you never know with prospects, but I clearly recall many on this site in spring training expressing that "no way" Soto would have the year he's having. At some point we have to get Hoffpauer off the bench (it's never a good thing to sit when you're in rhythm) and give him some quality opportunities. Batting almost .400 is not a fluke, and I just don't see him being any worse than Lee's singles results. And perhaps a little competition will like a bit of fire under Derrick (as it did Konerko on the Sox when Junior was added).

Ultimately we were VERY fortunate that the Brewers struggled with the Mets, but their road eases a lot moving forward. Hopefully the day off today will get everyone refocused.

Lastly, regarding Texeira, the guy is fabulous and hits for power from both sides of the plate (and he's a solid clubhouse guy). Definitely worth pursuing...but he'll command a Soriano type contract, which right now has 6 more years on it (yikes!).

Let me see if Ive got all this straight......
Zambrano is having either shoulder or mental problems, or both.
Harden is experiencing some discomfort.
We have lost 5 in a row, and swept in the last series by Houston.
In the Chicago burbs right now, the remnants of Gustav is dumping buckets of rain on us.
And I'm at work.
Somebody please! Give me some good news here! Anything good!

Man, all of those articles really just suck to read.

Let's just hope we can get some information today, and with a little luck let it be some good news.

Bryan, I agree 100% with you. Obviously Hoffpauer can hit. You don't rake almost .400 with 100 RBI's in the minors, and then become viewed as mediocre. Most every other team would likely push to inject this guy into the lineup, and see what he can produce. As I recall, Soto crushed last year in the minors as well, and all he did was become NL Rookie of the Year. Let's get this guy some at-bats.

And if the feeling here (for whatever that matters) is that we shouldn't displace Lee, then put Hoff in RF. But for goodness sake, can Lou please find a spot for this guy that was just bashing it all year (not just a month or two).

Hoffpauer of course, needs to get some starts, he has deserved to be at the majors all season long but nowhere to put him. But if you think he's going to ,all of the sudden, take over first base(or RF) duties, that not going to happen. Plus it would be a mistake. We need Lee. Not the Lee that we have seen the last few months, but the Lee that is a good situational hitter and can be counted on in key at-bats. Hoffpauer, AT THIS POINT, is not that player. Batting .400 in the minors and all.

I think Neil's comments that Z didn't want his arm shot up with gadolinium, a requirement for an MRI, is the real story. He could be afraid of needles or could have had a hard time with the procedure the last time. He is emotional and superstitious, and he likely tells himself that my arm always gets better with rest. He's a big, little kid and seems to be acting that way.

Of course, the Cubs need to know what's really going on with Z's arm, and hopefully Z will get through whatever is required. Maybe he needs his teddy bear or pet chicken by his side, and I'm only half joking here.

I played first base and have seen Hoffpauir play the position a few times. The guy is an excellent defender. So I'm not sure where those who lament his defensive abilities are getting their info. Maybe it's because he only has so so footspeed in the outfield. But Hoffpauir had only 2 errors in 71 games at Iowa. DLee has made 8 in 135 games.

In our Cubs' year of mostly emotional highs, different players have stepped up at different times. As Lou has commented before, "Lilly may be our best stopper." How sweet it will be if the somewhat forgotten Ted stops our 5 game skid tomorrow in Cincy.

I got a feeling you guys are going to get what you want next year. Lee out Hoffpauer in.

Same on Howry. We need the veteran Howry of last year, not this year. Not the rookie shark(as much as I like him) or Weurtz.

Jimbo ... we saved a lot of money on car insurance by switching to gieco.

Hoffpauir has the reputation of being a good 1B, certainly above-average, and Adam Dunn-esque in the OF. I don't think anyone really projects him as a full-time OF'er.

I don't see the Cubs benching Lee for Hoffpauir next year. Hoff is a lock for the 25-man barring trade, but probably as a Darryl Ward replacement. While he had a fine season at AAA, and is a ML-hitter, most don't think he projects as a ML starter. Remember, he is 28; Dubois is only 11 months older, and had an equally fine season, and I don't see anyone getting exciting about him. In fact, DuBois had a monster AAA season 2 years ago, and I think we all agree he is fringy at best.

Hoff bats .400 with 100 RBI's....what more does this group of posters need to see? I really sense that many of the skeptics here are the same who thought Soto was not ready as well. While giving up some defense, do we really think he can't hit for a better average and power than Fukodome, as well as spell Derrick a day or so a week. Another power left handed bat would be wonderful.

I just don't like when we call up an extremely hot hitter, and make them get bench sores from sitting so much. A little (and I emphasize "little") change/tweak to the lineup I think would be healthy at this point, and perhaps create a wake up call for a few guys.

Mike, But that was in the Minors. That doesn't mean he will hit .400 in the majors, or .350 or even .300. All that means is that he deserves a chance, like Soto. Soto worked out. But he ain't Soto. Majors are full of guys that killed the ball in the minors but couldn't do anything in the majors. Off the top of my head. Cory Patterson, Matt Murton, Felix Pie(so far), and Dubois.

And there is examples the other way too. The sharks stats weren't exactly stellar in the minors but he seemed to do a pretty good job so far in the majors.

Does it mean that he will suck. No. But until he does something at the major league level we dont know. He did pretty good when he got called up this summer and he has definitely has earned a chance. But, you dont automatically replace a 10 year vet who has been a key player on the team with a guy that batted .400 in the minors.

I could see them doing it maybe next year but it would be talking a chance.

Remember 2004(I think that was the year might of been 2005) when they gave starting jobs to Murton, Cedeno, and Patterson. We finished last.

But thats why I'm not real big on prospects and Minor league stats. You got to show me at the Major League level first.

And I was happy with what I saw out of Hoffpauer, but not enough to give him the job over Lee.

I agree with jerjl, though as a clarification, he batted .362 at Iowa. He had an impressive 1.145 OPS. The RBI's are also because the guys ahead of him had great years too. And DuBois's lack of RBIs is mostly because Hoff was batting ahead of him cleaning the bases. DuBois's OPS was 1.062.

I'm not dogging Hoff, he has a great line-drive stroke that produces doubles and some home runs. I keep making that DuBois comparison because they are not that far apart statistically, but seemingly they are worlds apart in the minds of certain fans, for whatever reason.

People who seem convinced that Hoffpauir is not a top prospect are missing the evidence. He also has hit .378 in the bigs this year in 19 games--albeit in 37 AB's. That doesn't mean that he will replace Lee and his long time credentials and contract. That is unless Lee goes on the DL or slumps badly.

Hoffpauir could well be better than Conner Jackson of the Diamondbacks--whom I think he compares with. H didn't sign until he was 22 which explains in part why he hasn't spent more time in the bigs. Lee is the other reason. At worst, Micah will be a valuable trading chip during the winter. Hopefully, Lou finds a way to get him 2 or 3 back to back starts, and gets a couple of hits a game.

Other good news Jimbo;

Chi Cubs 85 55 .607 -
Milwaukee 80 59 .576 4.5
St. Louis 75 65 .536 10.0
Houston 74 66 .529 11.0
Cincinnati 61 78 .439 23.5
Pittsburgh 59 79 .428 25.0
Still have a 4.5 lead in the division after loosing five straight. Certainly this team has earned that cusion and when the time came to use it...their number closest rival [Brewers]failed to gain ground. To me that is very good news because on any other year we would have been tied up with our luck!

And Guys lets not go nuts changing the lineup that got us here with a comanding lead. It is too late in the season to screw around with your key players. DLee is not having a bad season he simply over achieved in one. Every player had multiple of chances to help win the games and did'nt come through. So the loss is a B.Howry loss and a team loss.

I still can't believe Lou calling B.Howry but it was clearly visible that he was experimenting with the bullpen that day. Maybe the team was over confident and a little pressure can heat them up and get much needed momentun into the playoffs.

We will win the Central and we will be in the World Series this year. If you don't believe it...Get lost and join the Candle in Florida.

Agustin, you made me feel a whole lot better. Thank you very much.

Dont blame Pinella too much about running Howry out there. Without Howry in the bullpen, we will have a very young going into the bullpen.

Has he sucked. Yes, very badly. Am I ready to ring his neck, yes. But we need that veteran, other than Woods that he can go to in that key situation during the playoffs.

If you remember correctly last year Marmol wasn't the same Marmol that we saw during the season. Because of his youth and the pressure he was under.

He keeps running him out there because he has to get out of this funk. Because we need Howry. He is a key player if we are going to win the World Series

jerljr, I don't disagree with a lot of things you say, but except for a couple outings Howry has been in a funk ALL year, I wouldn't mind a bullpen without him.

Well Faithful, IT'S GRADING TIME. We started the 14th 10 game sequence 5 and 0 with visions of kissing Julia Roberts or maybe Sandra Bullock wearing minimal clothing. We ended the sequence 0 and 5 staring in disbelief at Julia Child wearing no clothes at all and holding a squeeze bottle of French honey. The 5 and 5 won-loss grade is: "Kiss Your Sister." With a 61% cumulative winning percentage, the Cubs are projected to win 98 games.

The Showoffs were led by Soto with 16 H, 2 HR and 9 RBI's. DeRo scored 8 R and had 12 H while Aram drove in 9. Soriano and Lee had 14 and 12 (unproductive) H's, respecively, in a combined 83 AB's (BA of .169). DLee had 3 RBI and Sori 2. In contrast, Fontenot and Cedeno had 5 RBI's in 22 AB's.

Lilly and Marmol were showoffs among the pitchers. Ted was 1 and 1 in 14 effective innings while Marmol gave up nothing in 6 innings of relief.

Grading the "big people", i.e. stars, in a rigorous manner, the No Shows were Soriano, Lee and Z. Having only 5 RBI's combined (Soriano and Lee) and giving up 9 R's and 13 H's in 9 IP (Z) are way below their pay grades. Howry and Cotts also were ineffective.

In the 14 transpired grading periods, the grades are 3 High Pass, 5 Pass, 3 Kiss Your Sister and 3 Fails. There may be a little solace in continuing to Kiss Our Sisters over the remaining 22 games. Those 11 wins would give us 96 and a very likely playoff spot. But "Good Ol' MO" (momentum) would be out the door. We badly need "MO" on our side to do well in the post season--so PICK UP THE PACE BLUE!!!! Step 1 is to get to the post season.

jerjr, I also understand what Lou was trying to do and you are right, but you can't keep hoping for a good outing from a guy who keeps constantly giving up runs. He is smoked. I feel sorry for him but the team has to move on. And our bullpen will be just fine without him.

Thanks, Agustin. You crack me up.

Correction on Sori-Lee combined BA (above). Their combined BA for the last 10 games was .313 and not .169. They still were unproductive with 5 RBI's.

Guys, I love this site, but I get really perturbed when some of the "regular posters" really criticize others for their opinions, and then provide absurd comments like "We need Howry...he's a key player if we are going to win the World Series". I don't know what baseball you're watching jerljr, but Howry has sucked in probably 80+% of his outings. Just because he's a veteran, with a prior decent track record doesn't mean he has it any more. Nor is it proper to read Agustin's comments about "if you don't believe the Cubs will make it to the World Series, get lost".

Everyone has a right to properly express their thoughts without this blatant criticism from others who claim to be GM masterminds.

It just grows very tiring at times reading some of these "experts" here.

And for my nickles worth on Hoffpauer, he deserves several games to show his stuff in the lineup. I don't think you sit a guy on the bench who hit .360 with 100 RBI's, I don't care minors or not. So a question for the group? When would you displace a Derrick Lee? If we don't win the WS, when his average dips to .250, when he turns 35...?
A good GM will hopefully recognize when a really good player (though Lee is only average currently)is on the decline, and attempts to create/rotate change with new, better (and hopefully younger) talent. But again just my nickles worth.

Ryan, I'd like to see Hoffpauer gain his chance as well. In the midst of the pennant race though I'd prefer to see him eased into some games where he might match up well against an opposing pitcher, and hopefully gain some early confidence (similar to what Soto did last year in September). Then next spring I'd call it "open opportunity" for him to really win a FT spot (whether that be 1B for Derrick, or RF).

A lot of passion here on the site today (losing 5 straight will do that). Let's all stay constructive and respectful. We all want the same...Cub wins and an ultimate WS...otherwise we wouldn't be on this site.

At this time of the year, it's not where the team currently stands that is so important, its where they are headed, that is. Now that Fukudome has become a non-factor, the offense the Cubs have now, is essentially the one that got swept out of the first round last year. And after being shut out in 2 of their last 3 games, they look the part too. It's like, when the chips are down, instead of ralling around each other, they mope, sulk, and feel sorry for each other.
What happened to the Astros when they lost their league leader in RBIs? They ripped of an eight game winning streak. Besides Soto, the Cubs have no on the field leaders, like a Berkman, Tejada, or CLee. Soto will be that guy, but a rookie has to put in his time to earn respect. The Cubs have a ton of talent, but what good is it, if it's not guided by a mental toughness that not only get's them through the though times, but pushes them to be champions?

Gary...do you really believe that this team gets down on themselves and eachother "when the chips are down"? I am willing to bet that at least 50% of their victories this year are come from behind. (Meaning that in one point during the game they did not have the lead) Remember, it's not who you play, it's when you play them. We are cooling off a bit after a 7 game winning streak and the Astros are a hot team right now. We're totally fine, this isn't going to be like last year where we limp into the playoffs after winning a bad division. The NL Central is the most competitive division in baseball, more so than the AL East, so let's not crap ourselves after a 5 game losing streak. We should be more concerned with our pitching staff than our offense. Dempster hasn't looked bad, just not quite as good, Harden and Z...who knows what's going on with them. Marquis has filled his quota of good starts, so he's do for a real streak of garbage and Lilly is Lilly...HRs and Ks...if the wind is blowing out, look out, if not, who knows...never know what kind of game you're going to get out of him. If Zambrano rests until the playoffs that will be good for him, but maybe bad for the bullpen. If he and Harden both are taking time off that means lesser talent in the rotation and probably more innings for the bullpen. This is the perfect time for all this though. May not make sense to you, but think about it. With the extended Sept. rosters we are able to give some guys some rest without going on the DL or shipping guys all over the place. I think Marshall will do an okay job, and I'm really looking for Angel Guzman to surprise us out of the bullpen. I, for the most part, respect everyone's opinions, but at the same time I would really like some brains in the posts as well. (not directed at you Gary, just commenting on people saying we should respect every post.) We're a good team. Stay positive, this isn't 1908-2007, this is 2008, remember that.

I should say 1909-2007...

You guys are totally missing my point at least ryan is.

I'll reword it for Ryan.

We need a veteran, other than Woods because he is the closer and has to be saved for the 9th, out of the bullpen that Pinella can count on for those pressure situations in the playoffs and down the road.

And since Howry is the only one we have left with any playoff experience it has to be him.

He has sucked all year long. I agree. But in the past he has been good and Pinella needs him to find that again. I wish we had another option. This is Lieber's first year in the pen and has very little playoff experience. Zero in the pen. I wish they wouldn't have got rid of Eyre who would of been a slightly better choice then Howry and he sucked too. But they did. And if he doesn't find it or it gets down to the end of the season and the Brewers start to catch up with us. Then forget him and we will have to go with what we got. No veteran to count on. But it would be much better if we had one.

And as far as Ryan's comment about Agustin's comments, I dont know what your talking about. I dont remember commenting on anything he said.

I never said that Hoffpauer doesn't deserve to be a major-leaguer. He has earned that. But his chance is not in a middle of a pennett race and and a month before the playoffs start. Unless you are desperate, and the Cubs are not desperate, yet. Now we lose another five in a row. My opinion might change.

At no time have I insulted you and I even agree that he deserves a chance. Just not now. Next year. Lee's problems are some of the small problems. Big problems like are two of our top three pitchers hurt is a big problem.

You obviously like Hoffpauer, I do too. But, I think your panicing because of the losing streak and not seeing the big picture.

BREAKING NEWS...

Zambrano has rotator cuff tendonitis, will miss a start, throw a bullpen session in StL, if all goes well, will pitch against Houston in a week and a half. So, not terrible news, but possibly not all the news...

Have whatever opinion you want. I'm just debating it. this is why we are here.

My opinion is that it would be nice to have a veteran in the bullpen come playoff time and I believe Lou thinks the same because why would he keep running out Howry who's good night is not giving up the whole lead just part of it. Hell, I dont even think he will come around.

If he doesn't come around. Then we will go with the youth and hope it works out. Gaudin and Marmol have a chance to be a go to guy and/or guys.

The Shark has the mindset but has only been in the league for a month.

But they are unknown's in the playoffs. And I know that every Cubs fan can agree that the playoff games are not the same as a regular-season game. All new form of stress. Totally new factor.

And Howry, at one time, has done that job.

Howry is a fastball pitcher and he used to be able to get that up there in the 95-96 range. He hasn't touched that a.ll year. He ususally starts out slow then picks it up. Well I'm done waiting. If you are going to be a exclusive fastball pitcher and you can't touch 93 anymore well learn to throw a off-speed pitch or bye-bye

Two words: Jon Lieber. On top of being a veteran, he was a Cub before as well, so he has a longer idea of how important this all is. With Lieber active and healthy, Howry is no longer necessary.

On that note, IF we make the playoffs (I still haven't thought we would this entire season, and am hoping to get pleasantly surprised), there are a few players that need to play: Jason Marquis, Micah Hoffpauer, and Jon Lieber. Marquis, like I said time and time again last year, will pitch with a chip on his shoulder and, especially with this being his contract year, will outperform his actuall talent by 100%. Lieber, who is probably done after this year, will want to go out with a big bang and will pitch the best innings of his life. And Micah will go out there and make a huge bid to get himself a starting position, if not for the Cubs then for another team even, but at least he'll make the name for himself.

I'll even go as far as say that next year if Hoffpauer doesn't get a chance to at least take of Ward's sport on the bench, I will be right there with you protesting why not.

If they trade him they better get an Allstar, like Brian Roberts(just kidding) for him. He looks really really good. He's is my number one prospect.

Bruce Levine impliede on the radio that Theriot and Zambrano got into a rock em sock em robots type slugout over a play. And he also implied that the injury is in Z's head. Just reinterating what I heard.

Marquis has another year on his contract.

Boseph,

Do you think Lieber's lack of bullpen experience would be a problem? I hope your right. I've always liked Lieber.

Jim, I agree that Howry is done and for the same reason you do. One pitch pitcher with no real off-speed pitch. Why they didn't git rid of him instead of Eyre I don't know. Only thing I can think of is that he is more of a left handed specialist and isn't very effective against right handed batters.

Thats the point I've been trying to say. Howry sucks!!! I get that. I was trying to explain why Lou keeps throwing him out there. Hoping to see one more piece of magic before he's done.

Because a veteran is important in the bullpen in the playoffs.

Sorry, no fight just a heated argument and Z is not a clubhouse fav right now.

I bet he's not either.

In a projected playoff you would have Marquis, Lieber, and Gaudin (all veterans) in the pen with Sz, Marmol, Wood and Marshall. Howry is the farthest thing from "key" to us making the World Series.

Lows,
You really didn't address my example of a positive verses negative response to adversity, and my lament of the Cubs negative response to theirs. And yes, I do feel the Cub's position players are responding negatively to the pitching situation. That's why I wrote what I did. You don't need to have great baseball acumen to recognize what you see with your own 2 eyes. We are all human and thus have the ability to recognize bad outcomes as the result of adverse reactions to pressure, doubt, and self pity. Mentally tough people shove those things out of their mind and persevere. I am not questioning the physical abilities of a Soriano, Ramirez, and Lee, but I am their mental abilities. Do they have the types of personalities it takes to be champions? I hope so, but I am not confident.
You mentioned all the Cubs' come from behind wins, but personally, I would rather see a team that gets ahead and stays ahead, verses one that is always having to come from behind. The ones that always have to come from behind are exactly the types of teams that become very susceptible to offensive droughts when facing dominant pitchers in the playoffs. Like the 07 Rockies when they ran into the Red Sox. They think they can just turn it on when they want, and it just doesn't work like that against good teams in the postseason.

Ryan, I did not meant any foul by my comment. I'm sorry you took it personal...It was intended to help bring the hopes up of my CCO pals after a very bad week.

Btw why not think we can win it all? I would actually be surprised not to see the Cubs in the World Series.Honestly. And thank you for calling me an "expert", I had never had that compliment and it feels good to be recognized like that!lol no pun bro!

Agustin, Your the man!!!!!

I also will be suprised to not see the Cubs in the World Series.

Boseph, you don't think the Cubs will get to the playoffs?

I haven't really thought so since before the season started, not because we have a bad team, far from it, but because I just get this weird sort of 2004 vibe. In fact, my exact expectations were that I figured we'd finish with a better record than we did last season, but narrowly miss the playoffs (we've done the former already).

Right now, I see three big obstacles. #1 is the Brewers and the fact they just seem to be matching us move for move (when we lose, they lose, when we win they win). I don't like that. #2 is the Cardinals. I think they're out of it, I mean, they've overperformed to this point and I think NOW they'll come back down to Earth, but you just have to know they'd love to see the Cubs miss the playoffs and love it even more if they were the reason. And #3, believe it or not, is the Astros. Just for some odd reason, I could see them making a serious push in September. All they really need to do is get hot like the Rockies did last year and the division itself could be their's. On that note, I don't think they'll make it, but they could do just enough damage to not just the Cubs, but the Wild Card, to have both playoff slots fall out of reach.

Again, though, I would really like to be pleasantly surprised. Just not getting my hopes up.

All opinions posted here are not equal in terms of substance and merit--but they are welcome, and most of us can benefit from some criticism. It's overly simplified to say so, but one division of our legions is between those who come from an optimistic mind set and those who come from a pessimistic mind set.

The optimists understand that the 2008 outcome is still uncertain, but see a lot of positives and know that if you think you can win or think you can't win--you are likely to be right. So they think they can. The pessimists understand that the 2008 outcome is uncertain (as are individual performances in the short run), but they see a few near term negatives as almost certain predictors of dismal outcomes. Neither optimists nor pessimists have a monopoly on what will actually happen.

Some posters seem motivated to grab and promote positions or turf in a serious way that enables their ego trip of saying "I told you so"-- either undermining their assumed Cubs booster creds or outing their need to claim superiority--real or imagined.

The optimists think they don't criticise to a fault and that they maintain their booster creds through thick and thin. They have the advantage of being easily acceptable to most Cubs fans because most Cubs fans are optimists. The pessimists have some high ground as historical realists because the Cubs history speaks to their point of view. Their criticism can be right and constructive, but they may not be invited to fan appreciation night.

More to the point re. the Cubs: IMO, the veteran reliever argument lacks relevance. Wood, Marmol, Gaudin et.al. are veteran relievers, and nearly everyone here would rather see the youthful Marmol in a critical post season situation than anyone else in the pen. I don't see Howry on the post season roster--in part because guys like Samardzija and Marshall are veteran enough, and Samardzija in particular can get guys out.

Our offense is not the same as last year, because Edmonds Johnson adds a likely 25 HR's and 100 RBI's to the batting order. Dome may not rebound, but we have alternatives better than last year. I don't think the team is down on itself or each other--except in the short term sense after a loss. In the recent Z outing, Z, Aram, Sori, Edmonds and others were laughing and high fiving in the early innings. Some may see the exhibited indifference so many pros have these days as their being down. We have to hope that everyone on the roster still wants badly to win. There I (and Agustin) are again--being optimists.

Interesting analysis JimK. I just wanted to add that just because I am a jilted lover of the Cubs, and I wear my heart on my sleve, it does not mean that pessimism permeates the rest of my life. In fact, I contend that it takes the ultimate optimist to even be a dedicated Cub for 40 years. Some may see the observation of warning signs as some sort of chicken little syndrome, but as you stated, I do have history on my side. Do you think the fans of last years talented Met's team believed they were in one of those little in season valleys and they would pull out of it at any moment? How about the 04 Cubs?

OK friend Gary, re. your questions. I'll lead with my chin. The Mets lost 12 of their last 17--described as the worst collapse ever. They lost something like 6 or 7 games where they scored 6 or more runs. The collapse is attributed mostly to their pitchers. I don't think our pitching staff is as vulnerable at the Mets' staff was. If we have a 5-12 late season stretch, your fears will come true. Do you want to predict that or just live in fear that it could happen?

Of course the Mets aren't the team we're concerned about in this regular season or in general. My take on the '04 Cubs is that we weren't that good a team--compared to the current Cubs. The Cubs lost the wild card to the Astro's. But had we edged the Stros with their 92 wins (including a couple late season wins over the Cubs), we would have been 13 behind the Cards who won 105. The current Cubs have 7 or 8 all star picks. I don't recall more than about 3 on the '04 Cubs. The '04 Cubs did lose 6 of their last 8, but do you want to predict that for this Cubs' team?

It's one thing to look over your shoulder at history and fear that our Cubs could collapse. After all, anything is possible in the games yet to be played. But it's another thing to be saying that the Cubs will go 8 and 14 the rest of the way and be an also ran--even if that gets them a wild card spot.

Not seriously, I suggest that there is something called post-stress syndrome--where cold sweats and recurring nightmares affect coping abilities. Given your admitted "normalcy" in other aspects of your life, Gary, what do you really expect the Cubs to do in the last 22 games? With the recent dings and slumps and some restng of veterans, I'm predicting 12 wins and 10 losses. Our season record would be 97 wins and 65 losses. Assuming Z gets healthy and Harden stays healthy, I'm predicting that we get to the series. I'll await the match up and health of the teams should we make the series to predict a winner.

Why don't most of the posters on CCO lay it on the line and predict the Cubs record in the last 22 regular season games and any post season results too? Enough of the after the fact 20-20 vision and belated presence or abscence of good or bad vibes, Faithful. Go on record with your predictions.

Actually, I think that 8-14 record you mentioned is a realistic prediction. Especially if you factor in the level of competition (after the Reds)and the desperation mode their opponents will be in. The group of players that were on last year's "none and done", have a poor track record of performance in the postseason. So, until they prove otherwise, why would you expect more?

Gary and JimK now have their bets down for the Cubs' last 22 regular season games. Gary says 8 wins and 14 losses. JimK says 12 wins and 10 losses. Step right up folks and place your bets.

Yes, if you look at the schedule it shows a lot of away games against some quality teams, but let's take a look here, in our last 15 away games we have won 14, last month we went 20-8, without Big Z getting a win in that month. In that span of 15 road games seven of our wins came against Florida, Arizona, and the sweep of the Brewers, teams all playing for playoff spot. There is no reason we can't have a winning month.
With that being said I will join this little game and yes I drink the cubbie cool aid, but I don't care, I will take it three games better than JimK and say 15-7. This team has played great all year, we are hitting another bump in the road, we will get through it. We are not the best team in the NL for nothing.

Oh, and the Brewers aren't exactly playing their greatest ball right now either, losing thier 4th in a row. The lead is now 5 games.

I meant to say "a little bump" not "another bump", sorry.

22-0 my friends!

THE CUBS!

lol

That's my kind of prediction Gramps!