The Cubs won't host the NL Wild Card game against the Pirates unless the Reds complete some sort of magical comeback (they trail 4-0 late), but this team just won their 97th game of the season. They finished 97-65 and it's the 9th most wins in franchise history. It's tied with the 2008 club in wins, which was the best team in my life. That team did lose only 64. It's just crazy how good this team became over the course of the season. So. Much. Fun.
Here are the only teams that won more than the 2015 Cubs did:
1906: 116 wins
1907: 107
1910: 104
1909: 104
1935: 100
1908: 99
1945: 98
1929: 98
2008: 97
2015: 97
And still only barely scratched their way into the playoffs, Ah baseball.
joshQuote Reply
This season was magic.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
josh,
And that 1906 team lost the World Series to a team that hit .230/.301/.286.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Back then striking the baseball with your bad was considered rude. You gently place the bat near the ball and then don’t dodge as you are pelted with the ball whilst running to first basebag. It was a much more gentlemanly time. Also, no negros.
joshQuote Reply
So. Cubs are good, but two others are gooder.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Pretty great season.
MillertimeQuote Reply
I’m not sure either is gooder. I think the Blue Jays might be, but it’s kind of amazing how good this team really is.
dmick89Quote Reply
Aaaaand scene.
joshQuote Reply
Wow. The Braves shut out The Cards for the third straight time.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I really wish I believed in momentum. The Cubs have all of it and The Cards have none.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Still is
WaLiQuote Reply
Also, I’m glad Haren got to end his career on a high note. He actually had a decent season, to be honest, despite ugly peripherals and greatly diminished velocity.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
And there’s that thing with his batting average being exactly .200. That’s something for a pitcher to be proud of.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
I meant record-wise. Every team in the mix seems to have a flaw (obviously) but Cubs may have edge in terms of manager and depth/versatility. I like Chicago’s chances very much. I’m also well aware that I could be disappointed on Wednesday, but I’m choosing to think that Arrieta will do his thing.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Yeah, I’m assuming Arrieta will show up. Just hope the offense does. And the bullpen if needed.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
They’ve always made Cole work this year, results just aren’t what you’d like.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I really don’t feel like any team has the Cubs overmatched in a series. They can and have beat anybody. So any deliciously heart-rending failure—as I imagine the Hope Monster might say—will probably come from within.
Given that assumption, which is most likely to do them in?
A) Frozen bats
B) Poorly-laced gloves
C) Starters bomb(ed)
D) Cloud-gazing
E) Bullpen beanball
ceruleanQuote Reply
They finished 13 games ahead of the next best team.
aisle424Quote Reply
Bats. Cole could mow them down as easily as Arrieta can mow down the Pirates. Hopefully they have good ABs and grind out the game to get to the bullpen before the Pirates can get to the Cubs’ bullpen.
aisle424Quote Reply
The Pirates have a great bullpen, though. The Cubs… not so much.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Knocking Cole out to get to The Pirates’ pen is very much a frying pan/fire sort of situation.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I will take my chances with any bullpen over Gerrit Cole any day of the week.
aisle424Quote Reply
aisle424,
Agreed.
dmick89Quote Reply
1A) Stranding seven runners on third base.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
How are there 7 runners on 3rd base? Such a (former) Cubs thing to do.
WaLiQuote Reply
new podcast by berselius and sitrick up http://obstructedview.net/uncategorized/ov-podcast-no-9/
dmick89Quote Reply
And now it’s over. Hope you enjoyed it. Because that’s probably it.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply