Jimmy Butler said he took his rear view mirror off his car because he didn’t want to look back. What will the Cubs do as we get ready for the last 52 games of the year?
The great start that put the Cubs way out in front is gone… so is the rough patch. The Cubs have regained their dominance, and remain the best team in major league baseball. Coming off a sweep of the Oakland A’s, and 7 wins in a row, the Cubs record stands at 69-41; 28 games above .500. That’s 3.5 games clear of the 2nd best record in the majors, the Washington Nationals. More importantly, it’s good for an 11.5 game lead in the NL Central. Very nice.
Is it too early to talk playoffs? I don’t think so. We’ve been thinking about them ever since we were swept out last year by the Mets. It was almost considered to be an automatic this year; how about that for a Cubs team? I didn’t want to take it for granted; anything can happen in a 162 game season. Yet, as we sit 2/3 through the season, and the Cubs remain atop the majors, the playoffs look like more and more like that slam dunk some thought it would be.
The other teams are shaping up. The earlier mentioned Nationals look like a lock, as do both the Giants and the Dodgers. If those playoffs started today, the 2nd wild card would be the Marlins. The Cardinals, Pirates, and Mets will all be in the mix too.
Swinging around to the American League for a second… Texas seems like the only lock; Cleveland is currently only 2 games up on Detroit. Baltimore, Boston, and Toronto are all within 3 games. With the moves at the trade deadline and the biggest current lead in the AL, Texas definitely seems like the front runner.
Dosage online order for viagra is available in different strength dosages that are taken after getting a prescription from experienced and well-qualified healthcare provider. tadalafil cialis It offers effective cure for low sperm count and Fertility Sperm count and fertility are subjects most men aren’t comfortable talking about. When sugar is prevented from entering the cells, high sugar levels are found that discount viagra form in the blood. The rigidity of penile organ can last longer with this hormonal cialis buy imbalance.
So with all the teams I just mentioned, how are you feeling? Who are you worried about? So much can change from now until then. I don’t think the Cubs should worry about anybody. I don’t think they have to peek in their rear view mirror either. The only team that can stop the Cubs is the Cubs; that’s a good feeling.
Yet, nothing is guaranteed. This is the Cubs we are talking about. The same would be true about any team at this point in the year. But we’ve seen this before. We’ve seen the Cubs finish with the best record in baseball, most recently 8 years ago. That doesn’t guarantee anything either. Yes, this year may feel different, but feelings don’t win a World Series. If they did, the Cubs would have already won.
Just keep playing your game. With Joe at the helm, he needs to keep these guys focused yet loose, sharp yet rested, all while saving their best for last. I’m ready for the playoffs to start today.
But they don’t… still 1/3 of that season left to play. That longest season out of any professional sports; the one that truly tests all teams. Only the best will survive it. Right now, the Cubs are THE best. Will we be able to say that in 52 games? More importantly, will we be the last team standing? I’m ready to find out. Go Cubs!
MK
Never too early to talk playoffs. The Cubs will be in them. The question is what will they do from there? The Cubs are the best team in baseball. Can they continue and say that in October? I sure as hell hope so. End the drought! End the lovable losers! End the worst streak ever! This Cubs team can do it…will they? We shall see.
GO CUBS GO!!!