Baker hasn't given up on playoffs

by DrCrawdad on Aug 6, 2006 6:41 AM CDT

Keep on the sunny side...

http://www.nwherald.com/SportsSection/pro/342368553605551.php

[published on Sat, Aug 5, 2006]

CHICAGO - A part of being invested in the Cubs, whether as a player, a manager or a fan, means sometimes existing in alternate universe. It is there that you see things that others don't.

Which helps explain Cubs manager Dusty Baker, his team tied with Tampa Bay for the third-fewest wins in all of baseball as a sunny day dawned at Wrigley Field, saying before Friday's series opener with Pittsburgh that, in his mind, the Cubs are still alive in the National League wild card race...

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

This is old news...

I mentioned it in yesterday's game thread.

But thanks anyway.

by Al Yellon on Aug 6, 2006 7:16 AM CDT reply actions

And, FWIW...

... according to Baseball Prospectus' playoff odds formula, the Cubs' statistical chances of making the playoffs are .10738. That's approximately one-tenth of one percent.

Sounds about right. The only teams with lower numbers are the Pirates, Orioles, Devil Rays, Indians and Royals.

by Al Yellon on Aug 6, 2006 7:31 AM CDT reply actions

Re

And who said Dusty doesn't pay attention to stats....

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on Aug 6, 2006 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll take those odds...

...on gut I'd give it ~1%

by slink on Aug 6, 2006 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll be brave and give it

10%.

Weirder things have happened and it's not over 'til it's over.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 6, 2006 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions

So you're saying we've got a chance?

- L. Christmas

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 6, 2006 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

lol......

I still love watching my CUBS every game.....but I am not looking at the remainder of this season as any type of "playoff run." Most of us are keying in on development of younger guys in order to asses our situation for 2007. Is Rich Hill the Rich Hill from these past two starts or is he the pitcher that hadn't one a start in 48.1 innings? How good of a 4th OF option is Angel Pagan? What do we have with Cesar Izturis? etc.....

As for watching a team in preparation and aspirations of playoff contention, I'm zoning in on the GREEN BAY PACKERS!!

(Sorry guys ;)

by TheBeerBaron on Aug 6, 2006 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

one = won.....sorry

by TheBeerBaron on Aug 6, 2006 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

isn't it sad...

...that you even feel the need to apologize?

Gotta watch for the grammar sharks...

by slink on Aug 6, 2006 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I would be happy

to make it to 10 under .500 by the end of the season, irrationally exuberant to make to .500.

by JFCubFan on Aug 6, 2006 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions

10 under .500...

... would require going 29-22; as the Cubs have gone 13-10 since the ASB, that's not unreasonable.

.500 would require 34-17; that's .667 baseball for seven weeks, likely far out of range.

by Al Yellon on Aug 6, 2006 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Completely within reach..

..and considering how terrible this season has been I would take it. 10 games under .500 on a season like this is like saving par from the water.

"They X-Rayed my head and found nothing." - Jerome "Dizzy" Dean

by santo for prez on Aug 6, 2006 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

A good run

to end the season would go straight to hendry's head and they would go out and not sign anybody this winter

by cubfan1023 on Aug 6, 2006 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Fortunately..

..there isn't anything in Hendry's head..so it would probably rattle around for a bit and then shoot straight back out his a&$.

"They X-Rayed my head and found nothing." - Jerome "Dizzy" Dean

by santo for prez on Aug 6, 2006 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions

The Scary Part is

Yes, Hendry would sign someone in the off season -- Dusty Baker. Yup, if the Cubs go anything over .500 for the rest of the season, we Cub fans are going to be inflicted with Dusty Baker for two more seasons. I would love to see the Cubs do better and develop young talent. It isn't going to happen with Baker (in fact, dollars to donuts say that Wade Miller's going to get some starts this season). I want the Cubs to have a horrible last 2 months of the season and be at least 8 games under for the last two months of the season. And even that may not be bad enough to get rid of Baker, his enablers and his pets.

by Frustrated Fan on Aug 6, 2006 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions

can dusty do anything right

what would people have said if he came out and said that we have no chance whatsoever and he's not even sure why they bother to show up everyday. As stupid as it was what else could he have said without sounding like Lou Pinnella?

by cubfan1023 on Aug 6, 2006 1:14 PM CDT reply actions