Who else is loving the Cubs right now?

[Coach34]

a very good line-up with a great manager. 2 closers. They have to add a starting pitcher to Zambrano and Dumpster though I think. I like what Gallagher brings to the mound, just not sure I want him starting game 3 every series.

Oh, and thank you Padres for releasing Edmonds. Edmonds > Felix Pie

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

[No message]

 

[PBRME]

17 the Cubs. Their historical 2nd half collapse is right around the corner.

 

[Todd4State]

It looks like it might be the Cardinals and the Cubs for the Division. Hopefully there will be some great games in Sept.

Could be fun, and hopefully, it will distract ESPN from the Yankees/Red Sox lovefest for a little while.

 

[KingBarkus]

Let's see what they can do while away from the friendly confines most of June.

 

[RebelBruiser]

17 the Cubs. Their historical 2nd half collapse is right around the corner.

</p>

You mean just like last year's second half collapse where they went from a sub-.500 team in June to the division title?

Barring a major injury or two, the Cubs will be there at the finish. Depending on how things shake out, the Cards may be able to take the division, but if that happens, they'll still get the Wild Card. If and when they choke, it'll be in October. They are too good not to make the playoffs.

 

[RebelBruiser]

Let's see what they can do while away from the friendly confines most of June.

</p>

Off to a 3-1 start so far on this road trip. They haven't played that well on the road so far this year, but their road record is very comparable to the Cards' road record, and they've only played one fewer road game so far this year than the Cards, so I think they'll be fine.

 

[pujols.sixpack]

They are talented and seasoned.

The Cards are going to continue to improve, and if, big if, Carpenter can come back some time in August and be effective, it will get really tight.

The difference between the two teams so far, is the Cards have been losing some heartbreakers, while the Cubs win more of the tight ones.

The back end of the Cardinals bullpen is **** right now. Franklin is not a closer, and Izzy is probably done for good. I think Perez will become a good closer, but LaRussa probably won't put it on him until there is no other option.</p>

 

[PBRME]

Come on, It's the Cubs we're talking about. If something can go wrong it will. A couple of pitchers go down. Soriano has his yearly injury. Fukudome is offended by a mis-translation and heads back home. You being a Cub fan can understand what I'm saying. When this happens, the Cards will be there ready to take advantage.

 

[PBRME]

Izzy has been shaky for a couple of years now. It's time to stop pushing him out there at the end of the game.

 

[RebelBruiser]

Come on, It's the Cubs we're talking about. If something can go wrong it will. A couple of pitchers go down. Soriano has his yearly injury. Fukudome is
offended by a mis-translation and heads back home. You being a Cub fan can understand what I'm saying. When this happens, the Cards will be there ready to
take advantage.

</p>

I agree. Something will happen, but I don't think it'll happen until October. They will at least get the Wild Card even if the Cardinals do manage to catch them and win the division. In all likelihood, something funny will happen in the NLCS against the Cards to keep them from the Series.

 

[DowntownDawg]

....If the Cardinals had a closer, they'd be in first place right now. Izzy blew 5 saves by himself, and Franklin blew one last night. I realize that blown saves are going to happen, but Izzy was terrible, and as you said, Franklin is just not a closer, although he's been serviceable. The NL Central is a strong division this year. The Cubs have the best record in baseball, and the Cardingals would be in 1st in every division except the AL East and West, followed by the Brewers and Astros, who are both over .500, followed by the Reds and Bucs, who are barely under .500.

The other thing is that Dave Duncan has put together pretty rag tag pitching staff, and has them sixth in the NL in ERA, without two bonified solid pitchers like Carpenter and Mulder. Piniero is hurt. Izzy is MIA, and he's got guys like Kyle Lohse pitching well, and freaking Todd Wellenmeyere won NL pitcher of the month in May. Anybody that doubts Dave Duncan is crazy.

 

[PBRME]

I don't know what's more surprising, the no name pitching staff or the no names hitting home runs.</p>

 

[DowntownDawg]

...it's all a suprise. Ludwick is on fire. Ankiel has been good. The Mather for Duncan swap seems to be working out. Schumaker has been clutch. I seriously think this group has a very solid coaching staff. Put an average manager and pitching coach with this group and I don't think you get anywhere near these results.

 

[PBRME]

Like Hannibal used to say, I love it when a plan comes together.

 

[pujols.sixpack]

I think Ludwick will regress a little, but he is a solid hitter, lots of line drives. Schumaker is a bona fide player. I don't know that Ankiel is a keeper. I can't wait to see what Rasmus can do.

Adam Kennedy needs to be released, and Brendan Ryan should play a lot more, with Miles being the back up/utility.

Imagine if Mulder, Clement, and Carpenter all regain form, to go with Wellemeyer and Wainwright.

I know its a long shot, but that would be a nasty staff.

Mulder is probably done for good, but I think Wellemeyer's success is sustainable. He has nasty stuff, he just finally learned how to consistently throw strikes. Way to go Duncan!

The Cards also have a surlpus of outfielders to use as trade bait.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...and I am thinking/hoping Glaus is starting to come around. He's been hot lately.

From everything I read, it's going to be a long shot for Mulder to come back. His shoulder, even after two surgeries, won't let him pitch like he used to. He's now tinkering with his delivery. Not good news. However, Clement is on schedule and pitched well in his first outing the other day. I think Crap is on schedule as well.

It's just unbelievable what Duncan can do. He takes guys that are washed up or that have never done anything and makes them into very solid pitchers. Look at Weaver, he was totally washed up, came to St. Louis in the middle of the season. By the playoffs, he was pitching very well and was instrumental in the NLCS against the Mets and in the World Series. He leaves town and take the big money and falls off the face of the Earth again.

I hope Tony and Dave stay around a long time.

 

[GuyD770]

 

[Todd4State]

I don't know why LaRussa won't give some of the younger players a shot.

I agree that Mulder is probably done. He's grasping at straws right now, trying to change his delivery. Carpenter will probably come back, but I'm not counting on him to be back to 100%. Clement maybe has a chance to be OK.</p>

 

[PineGroveBully]

He started the Pirates game when we got blasted 14-4 and he started last night and although the defense didnt help him out he kept giving runs back everytime we would make a dent in the score.

I would be fine with McClellen or Perez either one closing.

And I agree Kennedy is as an automatic of an out as there is. I guarantee you our pitchers have a better BA, runs scored, and rbi's than he does. The freaking rookie reliever Worrell has more homers and he has only had one career AB.

And I want to know where all those people are that were spouting "Duncans overatted" non-stop. What he has done for Todd Wellemeyer should be enough to put him in the hall of fame.