MLB - the 7th Inning Stretch

[lakerevolution]

Go Cubbies! Those damn Giants are also having a heck of a season, grabbing 1st place and making this season a nail-biting division race for all California baseball fans. Should our Lakers fall today, we'll all have the boys of summer to keep us intrigued.

As of today (all of our teams won yesterday )

Ken's Yanks are 3.5 games out of 1st in the AL East with a 2-game win streak.

Your Cubs are 1.5 games in front with the hottest win streak in baseball.

Jesus' Mets are 4.5 games in the lead - they should be able to take the NL East with no problems as long as Jacob DeGrom keeps up his historic ERA pace - though they're still without their their other ace, pitcher Noah "Thor" Syndegaard, for another two months with an elbow injury. (by the way Happy Birthday Jesus Valdez!!)

Me & Craig's Dodgers have played hot-potato with the NL West lead so far - starting out strong then flaming out, allowing the powerful Padres and scrappy Giants each a chance to have their turn in first place. Only 1.5 games separate the three teams as of today, and that battle will go on all summer.

The top four of the AL East (TB, BOS, NYY, TOR) sport a very strong plus-run differential, but not as strong as the top three (SF, SD, LAD) in the NL West. The White Sox (+79) have been outscoring opponents all year, as have the Astros (+62). Your Cubs (+38) are doing well, while my Dodgers (+83) top everybody. Games like last night's where we scored 11 runs in the first inning, let Walker Beuhler pitch with no pressure, and won 14-3 are an example of that blowout capability a team needs to get far in the playoffs.

[3Peatkb24]

Go Cubbies! Those damn Giants are also having a heck of a season, grabbing 1st place and making this season a nail-biting division race for all California baseball fans. Should our Lakers fall today, we'll all have the boys of summer to keep us intrigued.

As of today (all of our teams won yesterday )

Ken's Yanks are 3.5 games out of 1st in the AL East with a 2-game win streak.

Your Cubs are 1.5 games in front with the hottest win streak in baseball.

Jesus' Mets are 4.5 games in the lead - they should be able to take the NL East with no problems as long as Jacob DeGrom keeps up his historic ERA pace - though they're still without their their other ace, pitcher Noah "Thor" Syndegaard, for another two months with an elbow injury. (by the way Happy Birthday Jesus Valdez!!)

Me & Craig's Dodgers have played hot-potato with the NL West lead so far - starting out strong then flaming out, allowing the powerful Padres and scrappy Giants each a chance to have their turn in first place. Only 1.5 games separate the three teams as of today, and that battle will go on all summer.

The top four of the AL East (TB, BOS, NYY, TOR) sport a very strong plus-run differential, but not as strong as the top three (SF, SD, LAD) in the NL West. The White Sox (+79) have been outscoring opponents all year, as have the Astros (+62). Your Cubs (+38) are doing well, while my Dodgers (+83) top everybody. Games like last night's where we scored 11 runs in the first inning, let Walker Beuhler pitch with no pressure, and won 14-3 are an example of that blowout capability a team needs to get far in the playoffs.

I didn't realize how good the Giants are. I watch quite a bit of baseball, probably more than just the average fan because most people don't pay attention to baseball until July. I follow the Cubs every game and watch a lot their games when I can. As of now through 3 games we have nothing for the Giants, they have dominated our series. What puzzles me is they really have no big name guys, I know who Posey is and Gausman is a good pitcher - having a great year, outside of that they have guys that look like fireman lol = Crawford, Dickerson, Duggar, etc.. I have never even heard of these dudes. The Giants are one of the better teams I have seen in years after watching the first 3 games of this Cubs series vs them.

[3Peatkb24]

Go Cubbies! Those damn Giants are also having a heck of a season, grabbing 1st place and making this season a nail-biting division race for all California baseball fans. Should our Lakers fall today, we'll all have the boys of summer to keep us intrigued.

As of today (all of our teams won yesterday )

Ken's Yanks are 3.5 games out of 1st in the AL East with a 2-game win streak.

Your Cubs are 1.5 games in front with the hottest win streak in baseball.

Jesus' Mets are 4.5 games in the lead - they should be able to take the NL East with no problems as long as Jacob DeGrom keeps up his historic ERA pace - though they're still without their their other ace, pitcher Noah "Thor" Syndegaard, for another two months with an elbow injury. (by the way Happy Birthday Jesus Valdez!!)

Me & Craig's Dodgers have played hot-potato with the NL West lead so far - starting out strong then flaming out, allowing the powerful Padres and scrappy Giants each a chance to have their turn in first place. Only 1.5 games separate the three teams as of today, and that battle will go on all summer.

The top four of the AL East (TB, BOS, NYY, TOR) sport a very strong plus-run differential, but not as strong as the top three (SF, SD, LAD) in the NL West. The White Sox (+79) have been outscoring opponents all year, as have the Astros (+62). Your Cubs (+38) are doing well, while my Dodgers (+83) top everybody. Games like last night's where we scored 11 runs in the first inning, let Walker Beuhler pitch with no pressure, and won 14-3 are an example of that blowout capability a team needs to get far in the playoffs.

I didn't realize how good the Giants are. I watch quite a bit of baseball, probably more than just the average fan because most people don't pay attention to baseball until July. I follow the Cubs every game and watch a lot their games when I can. As of now through 3 games we have nothing for the Giants, they have dominated our series. What puzzles me is they really have no big name guys, I know who Posey is and Gausman is a good pitcher - having a great year, outside of that they have guys that look like fireman lol = Crawford, Dickerson, Duggar, etc.. I have never even heard of these dudes. The Giants are one of the better teams I have seen in years after watching the first 3 games of this Cubs series vs them.

We did have a shot at the end but lost 4-3. It just wasn't in the cards to pull out the win. One of these series we can flush, maybe we can salvage a game by beating them tomorrow but I am not sure. As great as the Giants are this year, the D-Backs are as bad as it gets. The Brewers have took full advantage of beating up on that team 3 straight games and now are tied with the Cubs for 1st place in the NL Central at 32-26. Cards got swept by the Reds and fall to 31-28, 1.5 back still. Rev, the Dodgers have serious competition in the NL West this season with the way the Giants look. Padres are good too.

[3Peatkb24]

YES BABY! Finally a win over these guys. Cubs beat Giants 4-3, we gave you a little help Rev lol. A much needed win to stop the bleeding.

NL Central standings through June 6th are:
1. Brewers 33-26
Cubs 33-26 (tied for 1st)
3. Cards 31-29 (2.5 back)
4. Reds 28-29 (4 back)
5. Pirates 23-35 (9.5 back)

-Cubs remain tied for 1st in the NL Central despite this tough stretch of schedule. Brewers just played the D-Backs 4 straight in Milwaukee and took full advantage of it. They won all 4. It all even's out though because later in the year the Brewers will have to in SF and we draw the D-Backs . Very huge/nice win today. This new player Patrick Wisdom is on fire for us! He looks special so far.

[3Peatkb24]

Through June 9th, the NL Central Standings look like this:

1. Cubs 35-27
2. Brewers 34-27 (.5 back)
3. Cards 32-30 (3 back)
4. Reds 29-30 (4.5 back)
5. Pirates 23-37 (11 back)

The Cubs just finished off the Padres today to win the series 2-1. Fun facts, the Cubs are 5-1 vs the Padres this year and 3-0 vs the Dodgers this year. In the month of June so far, the Cubs are 5-4 = respectable, really good considering the schedule they have had. The Giants are the 1 team so far we have failed to figure out. At the moment the Cubs hold 1st place in their division

[lakerevolution]

Through June 9th, the NL Central Standings look like this:

1. Cubs 35-27
2. Brewers 34-27 (.5 back)
3. Cards 32-30 (3 back)
4. Reds 29-30 (4.5 back)
5. Pirates 23-37 (11 back)

The Cubs just finished off the Padres today to win the series 2-1. Fun facts, the Cubs are 5-1 vs the Padres this year and 3-0 vs the Dodgers this year. In the month of June so far, the Cubs are 5-4 = respectable, really good considering the schedule they have had. The Giants are the 1 team so far we have failed to figure out. At the moment the Cubs hold 1st place in their division

Gotta take the Cubs seriously. The Padres are falling back, and WHO THE FUCK WOULD THINK that the Giants would be the best team in baseball??? This shit don't sit right

[3Peatkb24]

Through June 9th, the NL Central Standings look like this:

1. Cubs 35-27
2. Brewers 34-27 (.5 back)
3. Cards 32-30 (3 back)
4. Reds 29-30 (4.5 back)
5. Pirates 23-37 (11 back)

The Cubs just finished off the Padres today to win the series 2-1. Fun facts, the Cubs are 5-1 vs the Padres this year and 3-0 vs the Dodgers this year. In the month of June so far, the Cubs are 5-4 = respectable, really good considering the schedule they have had. The Giants are the 1 team so far we have failed to figure out. At the moment the Cubs hold 1st place in their division

Gotta take the Cubs seriously. The Padres are falling back, and WHO THE FUCK WOULD THINK that the Giants would be the best team in baseball??? This shit don't sit right

I honestly did not see the Giants being this good. They are to me the best team in Baseball as of now but things can change. We still have roughly 100 games to play. Hard to believe every team has already played at least 60 or more games except for the Mets and Nats. Season is flying by.

[3Peatkb24]

3Peat's Power Rankings through June 12th, top 8 teams: Elite 8
1. Giants 40-24 (1st in the NL West, they are at a +74) - I think they are a hair better than the Rays overall but it is a matter of opinion. Between them and the Rays either could be #1. I seen how much trouble the Cubs had against the Giants so they made me a huge believer.

2. Rays 41-24 (1st in the AL East, they are at a +78)

3. White Sox 40-24 (they are at a +103, tops in the league, 1st in the AL Central)

4. Dodgers 38-26 (2nd in the NL West behind the Giants, they are at a +89)

5. Red Sox 39-26 (2nd in the AL East behind the Rays, they are at a +43)

6. Cubs 37-27 (tied for 1st in the NL Central, they are at a +41)

7. Oakland A's 39-27 (1st in the AL West, they are at only a +18 but they have a solid team)

8. Astros 36-28 (2nd in the AL West behind the A's, very talented team and they are actually at a +75)!

-These teams have their stuff together as of now. Who would've thought 1-2-3 would be the Giants, Rays, and White Sox before the season through June 12th?? They are though with strong arguments. The White Sox are at a +103 . Dodgers are a +89 which is outstanding as well.

[3Peatkb24]

3Peat's Power Rankings through June 12th, top 8 teams: Elite 8
1. Giants 40-24 (1st in the NL West, they are at a +74) - I think they are a hair better than the Rays overall but it is a matter of opinion. Between them and the Rays either could be #1. I seen how much trouble the Cubs had against the Giants so they made me a huge believer.

2. Rays 41-24 (1st in the AL East, they are at a +78)

3. White Sox 40-24 (they are at a +103, tops in the league, 1st in the AL Central)

4. Dodgers 38-26 (2nd in the NL West behind the Giants, they are at a +89)

5. Red Sox 39-26 (2nd in the AL East behind the Rays, they are at a +43)

6. Cubs 37-27 (tied for 1st in the NL Central, they are at a +41)

7. Oakland A's 39-27 (1st in the AL West, they are at only a +18 but they have a solid team)

8. Astros 36-28 (2nd in the AL West behind the A's, very talented team and they are actually at a +75)!

-These teams have their stuff together as of now. Who would've thought 1-2-3 would be the Giants, Rays, and White Sox before the season through June 12th?? They are though with strong arguments. The White Sox are at a +103 . Dodgers are a +89 which is outstanding as well.

It's probably time to start to taking the Mets serious. They look like the team to beat in the NL East. I watched them beat the Cubs tonight and they have a solid ball club. The Cubs are still tied for 1st place in the NL Central as the Reds took out the Brewers 10-2. Cubs and Brewers both are 38-28 but the Brewers have benefited from playing a weak schedule lately.

[lakerevolution]

This is the time of the season when teams make pushes to be great. The Giants are just flat-out playing professional baseball and making the talent-rich Dodgers look like underachievers. The Cubs are facing adversity in their division race, and the Mets are trying to convince New York fans that they are real. Shout out to the A's who are once again putting a fantastic season together despite all the rumors of them moving out of town or even state.

[3Peatkb24]

This is the time of the season when teams make pushes to be great. The Giants are just flat-out playing professional baseball and making the talent-rich Dodgers look like underachievers. The Cubs are facing adversity in their division race, and the Mets are trying to convince New York fans that they are real. Shout out to the A's who are once again putting a fantastic season together despite all the rumors of them moving out of town or even state.

All Right, All Right, All Right as Matthew McConaughey would say . As of June 17th, the NL Central standings look like this:

1. Cubs 39-30
2. Brewers 38-31 (1 back)
3. Reds 35-32 (3 back)
4. Cards 35-34 (4 back)
5. Pirates 23-44 (15 back)

-it is a great feeling to say heading into June 18th that the Cubs are in 1st place in the NL Central. They have had a brutal schedule here in June. The Brewers have played a soft schedule in June and couldn't even take advantage of it. We are in great shape now with the Marlins coming to Wrigley for 3 games. About damn time we get a break in the schedule. Cubs had a much needed and nice win at NY tonight, the Mets have a solid ball club.

[3Peatkb24]

The Cubs have struggled a little of late as the bats have been cold. They are still tied for 1st in the NL Central though so I will take it.

NL Central Standings through June 21st look like this:

1. Cubs 40-33 = tied for 1st
Brewers 40-33 = tied for 1st
3. Cards 36-36 (3.5 back)
4. Reds 35-36 (4 back)
5. Pirates 25-45 (13.5 back)

-The Black and Blue division at its finest . Rev, we start a 4 game series Thursday at LA. You guys are catching us at a good time as we have struggled over the last 8 games only going 2-6. The Indians beat us tonight 4-0. We have 1 more with the Indians (have an off day) than it is off to LA Thursday-Sunday.

[3Peatkb24]

The Cubs have struggled a little of late as the bats have been cold. They are still tied for 1st in the NL Central though so I will take it.

NL Central Standings through June 21st look like this:

1. Cubs 40-33 = tied for 1st
Brewers 40-33 = tied for 1st
3. Cards 36-36 (3.5 back)
4. Reds 35-36 (4 back)
5. Pirates 25-45 (13.5 back)

-The Black and Blue division at its finest . Rev, we start a 4 game series Thursday at LA. You guys are catching us at a good time as we have struggled over the last 8 games only going 2-6. The Indians beat us tonight 4-0. We have 1 more with the Indians (have an off day) than it is off to LA Thursday-Sunday.

Cubs won tonight, played the best all-around game they have played in over a week. Cubs 7 Indians 1. I hope this carries over into the Dodgers series, we are going to need it. Hendricks pitched another gem, he has been almost un-hittable lately and the bats came alive. Bryant HR'd again and Joc Pederson had a couple of RBI's. Cubs are currently in 1st place in the NL Central at 41-33.

[3Peatkb24]

We no hit the freakin Dodgers, I didn't think that was possible! It was a combined no hitter by Davies (6 innings), Tepera (1 inning), Chafin (1 inning), and Kimbrel (1 inning) . Cubs are now tied for 1st again in the NL Central with the Brewers at 42-33 through 75 games. The Brewers have had an easy schedule in June and we have had a brutal one, but they haven't been able to take advantage of it. The schedule will even out in July and August, I looked at it. Cubs are in good shape. This little team I root for in Chicago isn't too bad huh? Still chasing that 2nd WS win with the core of Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, Contreras, Heyward, Hendricks, and Arrieta. This 2021 team has the best Bullpen in the league, if we have a lead entering the 7th inning you might as well turn the TV off because it's over. I will always be biased toward the 2016 Bullpen because we won the WS and had Chapman but this years Bullpen is almost un-hittable. Tepera and Kimbrel are just lights out.

Are the Cubs currently a Top 5 team in the league?
-I would say yes based on, we are 4-0 vs the Dodgers and 5-1 vs the Padres this year. We have manhandled 2 very good teams and I still consider the Dodgers great as they are the Champs.

What are concerns for the Cubs right now?
-Jake Arrieta has been struggling of late and is only 5-8, if the Cubs want to get back to at least the NLCS they will need him to pitch better. One other concern is, the Cubs go in stretches for 3 or 4 games where the bats are flat and can't produce any timely runs.

What is Cubs ceiling and what is their floor?
-Cubs can win the WS regarding their ceiling. Regarding their floor, they could also miss the playoffs if they don't win their division (Brewers are good) because I can see the Giants, Dodgers, and Padres all 3 making the playoffs. Only 5 teams get in and the winner of the NL East will get in regardless.

[lakerevolution]

AAAARGH!!! For a team like the Dodgers to be NO-HIT is inexcusable. We just got SWEPT by the Padres, now the Cubs use four pitchers to throw a no-hitter on us. Dave Roberts, you're on the hot seat again!