One of Red's predictions that didn't come true

[JB White]

You put the politics in it when you accused me of... "pulling a fast one" by deleting my post That was a flat out personal attack on my integrity. Up until you lied about that, I never said anything political on this thread. You stab me in the back and then claim I am being political? That sure sounds like twisting and turning to me.

Sitting here thinking if the roles were reversed....never mind.

Sudden death for Cubs and Brewers. This is getting more and more interesting.

[togor]

Well whatever happens Monday, JB, there's still at least one more game to play. That will factor into the game thinking for both managers.

Weather would be better in Miller Park! Best October venue in upper Midwest.

[m1ashooter]

Astros are in and may be peaking at the right time.

[JB White]

Well whatever happens Monday, JB, there's still at least one more game to play. That will factor into the game thinking for both managers.

Weather would be better in Miller Park! Best October venue in upper Midwest.

Nah. Nothing better than baseball at the Friendly Confines. Here's the kicker. Our game kicks off first so the loser won't know who they'll be playing for the WC game. Mirror image divisional playoffs. Talk about a shootout!

Astros are in and may be peaking at the right time.

A few weeks ago I bought another Cubs hat. The deal was 'buy one-get one 50% off'. So, I bought yet another 'stros hat!

[leftyo]

Sitting here thinking if the roles were reversed....never mind.

Sudden death for Cubs and Brewers. This is getting more and more interesting.

unless you want him running around spreading nasty disgusting lies about you and your family, dont waste your breath on him.

[togor]

Astros are in and may be peaking at the right time.

Better Houston IMO than one of the Evil Empires in the AL East. MKE had 95 wins which is nothing to sneeze at but in the playoffs you need starting pitching to go anywhere. Good off-season project for Stearns, their GM.

[JB White]

I have a lot of faith in Houston and see no reason they shouldn't be able to go for a repeat. I could use another Astros World Series hat. My '17 version looks as though it's been worn hard for a year.
That having been said, if the Cubs regain the spark they showed in '16 then all bets are off.


If anyone is scratching their head about my loyalties, I have only actually LIVED in two cities. Chicago and Houston. Way back when, I even worked part time on the grounds crew at the Astrodome for a while. But....I blame the Texican family that moved in across the street from me in the 60's. Living a couple of blocks from Wrigley (we still called it Cubs Park back then) we made sure we saw at least one Cubs home game against Houston whenever they were in town. Same with me for the Cubs at the 'dome when I lived there.
In 2005 I may have been one of the few Chicagoans who didn't jump on the White Sox bandwagon just because they were from Chicago. I wore an Astros jersey and my old .45's cap throughout

[JB White]

A new flag to fly at Miller. Congratulations Brewers. They most certainly earned it.
I hope the Dodgers/Rockies game goes 17 innings. The Cubs need to go up against someone not so hot. LOL

[togor]

I'll enjoy it while it lasts, JB. Most years the Brewers are not in sniffing distance of the playoffs. Only one WS appearance in '82, where they lost in 7 to the hated Cardinals. If Rollie fingers doesn't go down with arm trouble that year, it's Brewers in 5. The Brewers are sort of the Detroit Lions or Jacksonville Jaguars of MLB, except that the Lions did have the 1950's.

[togor]

JB it looks like the Rox are coming to town. Gotta think it's advantage-Chicago but anything can happen in one game.

[JB White]

I'd hate to see the Cubs miss the playoffs this year. I painted myself Cubbie blue, burned goat hair and White Sox jerseys, and howled at the moon 13 times. Next I bring out the Cubs fan secret weapon. I'm going to cross my fingers and repeat the words, "Don't choke-dont' choke-ohhhhh-please don't choke" for 9 innings"

[JB White]

Oh well...
Reminder for the 2019 Cubs. No clutch hits = No runs on the board.

[togor]

Oh well...
Reminder for the 2019 Cubs. No clutch hits = No runs on the board.

Tough deal JB but yeah hard to win if a club doesn't score.

When the true off season is upon us I would like to start a thread about the watchability problem of MLB. I'm conflicted because the same changes that slow the pace of the game also help small market clubs compete.

[JB White]

I'm conflicted because the same changes that slow the pace of the game also help small market clubs compete.

I'm not sure where you're going with that, but it'll be interesting to find out.
(typed while wearing a Houston cap)

[togor]

I'm not sure where you're going with that, but it'll be interesting to find out.
(typed while wearing a Houston cap)

Don't want to rush the conversation, but consider starting pitching. Anyone who has played or watched enough baseball knows that each time through the order the advantage shifts from the pitcher to the hitters. The pitcher tires, and the hitters get dialed in. Starting pitchers who can consistently go deep in games and average less than 3 runs per 9 innings pitched have been one of the best ways to get into the playoffs and stay in them, but there are never enough of those guys to go around in the league and consequently they make a boatload of money. If a club assembles 2 or 3 top tier pitchers on the staff it requires a huge payroll commitment outside the range of all but a few major market clubs. So there is a huge incentive for poorer clubs that want to compete to dive into the data and see if they can't put together a different formula for getting adequate pitching.