Brewers Standing in the Way of the Cubs reaching .500

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

Hey All,

Assuming the Brewers and Cubs finish their sweeps today (I think we/they will), a Cubs series win this weekend (2-1 games) would get the Cubs back to .500

 

I'm not trying to start another "Here come the Cubs" thread, but many people had mentioned that they wouldn't even think about it until the Cubs reached .500 (which is very possible now by the all-star break)

 

Unfortunately for the Cubs, we've gone 11-2 during their "hot streak" and they are still 7.5 games back. I think with 2-3 wins we can send them tumbling back toward 4-5 under and have a 10 game lead at the break....

 

Question would be: Since the Cubs play essentially the same (easy) schedule, will we have that "looking over your shoulder" effect in the second half if the Cubs are on the winning side of .500?

[schwaby131647185073]

I just hope we dont see a replay like last yr b4 the break when the cubbies came in and took it to us. It was a downfall after that series. Gotta good feeling we will take at least 2 of 3 from them maybe even sweep seeing how we dont have to face Zambrano who has been lights out lately.

[igor67]

I prefer to look at it optimistically. After years of having "that series" whether it was the Cubs last year of the infamous Sweep suits let down against the Pirates, how satisfying would it be to watch the CUBS struggle to within a game of .500 while we keep winning and then crush them at home! Imagine the wailing that would occur.

[rluzinski]

Whether they finish the series at or below .500 is pretty irrelevant to me. If the Cubs take 2 of 3, they'll gain 1 game on the Brewers in the standings. That's what matters and it's a pretty small change. As long as the Brewers don't get swept, the one series has no chance of significantly improving the Cub's position in the NL. As long as the Brewer have a lead over 5 games, I'd say that's pretty comfortable.

 

On a related note, I guess I just don't worry about the "emboldening your enemies" theory. Fans might worry about that stuff but I don't think the Brewer players and management do.

[BrewCityUnit]

I think the Cubs have a chance to win the wild card due to the fact they have a lot of games against the Central...but I don't find them a threat to win the division. The Central is ours. I really don't see the Brewers falling below 10 games over .500 the rest of the year (which would give us a minimum of 86 wins) The Cubs would have to play unbelievable baseball to get to 86 wins the rest of the way. I would think the wild card winner will be around 84-88 wins when it is all said and done.

[rluzinski]

I really don't see the Brewers falling below 10 games over .500 the rest of the year

 

We are only two weeks removed from multiple people predicting the Brewers would be below .500 and in second place in the NL before the all star break. You are making the same mistake but in the opposite direction. The season is a roller coaster.

[jason21nl]

We are only two weeks removed from multiple people predicting the Brewers would be below .500 and in second place in the NL before the all star break

 

I was one of those people that predicted that. I'll admit that I was big time wrong. At the time they were playing very bad baseball but I never took into account the rest of the division losing right along with us. Not until Peavey and I were in the chat room one night and we were both amazed how they haven't lost any ground during their slide. Now it has been kinda the opposite. The Cubs have won 5 in a row and haven't made up any ground because the Brewers keep winning right along with them. Like Rluz said even if the Cubs take 2-3 from us they only make up 1 game. Its important that we don't get swept and I don't think thats going to happen. The Cubs can get to .500 all they want as long as the Brewers keep on winning, its not going to matter.

[brewcrewnation]

I am starting to get a little worried about the cuubs, no not them catching us for the central but them winning the wild card and having to play then is the nlcs, that would be a nightmare.

[vacin8r]

If all that needs to happen for the brewers to be in the world series is to have the cubs not be in the world series, ill be pretty happy with our chances. That is of course, unless they somehow acquire a bullpen between now and then. I really think we are better in every facet of the game than they are.

-Don

[bthurley19]

Quote:

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I am starting to get a little worried about the cuubs, no not them catching us for the central but them winning the wild card and having to play then is the nlcs, that would be a nightmare.

---

 

I believe that is not possible as two teams from the same divison can not play each other in the first round. So we would play the worst divison winner in that case.

[rluzinski]

At the time they were playing very bad baseball but I never took into account the rest of the division losing right along with us.

 

That has nothing to do with predicting the club to be under .500, though. I think you and Peavy both caught a major case of the negativities. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

I only pointed it out above to warn against over reacting in either direction. All teams have ebbs and flows over 162 games. The Brewers just decided to have really pronounced ones so far!

[jason21nl]

think you and Peavy both caught a major case of the negativities.

 

I wont speak for him, but yes I did. I was upset and really down. I'll admit when I'm wrong.

[brewmann04]

cubs rolling along again today man this team has been hot since the Fight.

[MillerParkSouth]

speaking of the Cubs, why hasn't Lee served his suspension yet? Shouldn't that be happening this weekend?

[SeriesFinale]

He hasn't been able to appeal yet...he'll be playing this weekend

 

Capp just got through his appeal process for plunking Pirnce, it could be a while

[BrewCityUnit]

We are only two weeks removed from multiple people predicting the Brewers would be below .500 and in second place in the NL before the all star break. You are making the same mistake but in the opposite direction. The season is a roller coaster

 

And when we were on that bad stretch of baseball, it seemed like you and me were the only people on here telling people to calm down. I am enjoying this season and until the leads get under 5 games (which I don't think it will) I will not be worried one bit about winning the division. All I am saying is that this team will stay 10 games over all year, especially with the schedule. I won't panic if they fall under that 10 game mark, but I just don't see it happening.

[rluzinski]

I'm not trying to tell anyone how to feel about their team, good or bad. I'm just pointing out that they may lose some objectively during those times, when they are trying to assess the team's talent. The tendency is to focus on the most immediate results and ignore all that occurred before.

[BrewCityUnit]

I'm just pointing out that they may lose some objectively during those times, when they are trying to assess the team's talent

 

I'm just pointing out that they won't ever fall below 10 games over .500 this year http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[mothershipconnection]

I see no way that the Cubs make the wild card. The west alone could have two teams with as good a record as the central champs. You aren't getting into the playoffs out of the central unless you win the division.

[Brian the Automator]

[ And when we were on that bad stretch of baseball, it seemed like you and me were the only people on here telling people to calm down. ]

 

I was there on the law of averages train as well... I was almost ready to hand out these:

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/phearinc/Lithium.gif

[SeriesFinale]

Wasn't it just last year that the NL West looked terrible in the 1st half and then had two playoff teams? I won't count the Cubs out of the Wild Card yet (Of course, I'm not counting them out of the division yet, either)

[DHonks]

I love that the Cubs have won 6 in a row, but the Brewers have actually increased their lead during their last 10 games

[BrewCityUnit]

Sorry Brian, I didn't forget about you. You were pretty chilled during that time.

 

As far as the wild card goes, the west teams have a lot tougher schedule down the stretch. If the Cubs beat up on the Central, they will be right around 84-90 wins easily.