How important is scheduling during a season? How much stock do you put into it? How does it exactly go down? Regardless of what sport we’re talking, scheduling can come into play at different times of the season.
Let’s take a look at the Cubs this year. In their “rough” stretch leading up to the All Star break, I believe the Cubs played on 49 of 52 possible days. Their starters struggled… the team looked gassed at times. After jumping out to that big start, that big lead in the division, the Cubs came back down to earth a bit. That was a pretty tough part of the schedule for the boys. Still, made it to the All Star break with a healthy division lead. Since then, the schedule has certainly turned in the Cubs favor.
They played their first 19 games after the break without having to get on a plane. Yeah, pretty cool. Home series wins against Texas and the Mets were followed by the “road” games at Milwaukee, another series win, and at the Sox.. losing both. Then back home for 2 wins against the Sox, another series win vs the Mariners, and a sweep vs the Marlins, which all adds up to a 13-6 record in the first 19 games. Does scheduling really make a difference?
On Thursday, the Cubs enjoyed a day off before traveling to Oakland for a 3 game set. Then another day off, then a 10 day home stand. So really, out of the first 32 games after the break, the Cubs had to get on a plane twice… once to Oakland, and once back home from Oakland. Wow.
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My buddy was just bitching at me about the Raiders schedule… and how the NFL always tries to screw them. Back to back road games in Florida this year is his complaint; it does suck to have to travel across the country 4 times in less than 2 weeks. I hear about how the Pirates play so many games against the Reds and Brewers down the stretch; I don’t think it will matter. So many teams, so many scheduling quirks… some good, some not so good.
As for the Cubs, I can’t really complain. Whoever was responsible for this start of the 2nd half schedule, is awesome. And yeah, I think it does have an impact on how a team does. Yet, it doesn’t make or break them. If you’re a good team, there are no excuses. Yes, everybody is human, but you have to play through it. You have to play at a high level whoever the opposing team is, wherever you play them. Teams will go through ups and down regardless of the schedule; you just hope it all evens out in the end.
In the Cubs case, that evening out should equal a division crown. That’s what I want to see. After these 32 games above, it’s a 9 game west coast road trip. After that, the season ends with 16 of 26 on the road. Will we complain about the schedule then? No.. it’ll just suck to have to clinch that division crown on the road. We’ll play them and win them wherever they’re scheduled. Go Cubs!
MK
Cubs were definitely winding down heading to the all star break. I think the whole team needed some days off, and now they look like they did starting the season…hungry, fresh, and rolling! I am sure every team has their share of tough scheduling, long road trips, cross country games, and consecutive games without days off. That is where it helps to be as deep as the Cubs are. Still, the starters feel it the most. Either way, good teams overcome. And the Cubs are the best team! GO CUBS GO!!!