Strength of Schedule

by john62 on Jun 28, 2007 11:58 AM CDT

After the comments in the summary thread of the schedule, I decided to do a little research into the Cubs and Brewers remaining schedule. They are remarkable similar; it seems there has been a mirror image all year and that continues. For example, after this weekend, we go to Washington and Pittsburgh. The Brewers go to Pittsburgh and THEN Washington. This happens MOST of the rest of the year.

Outside of the 2 remaining series with the Cubs/Brewers - BOTH at Wrigley; the teams are well balanced.

Cubs Brewers

Remaing Series 26 26
Home Series 13 12
Away Series 13 14 Note 2 at Wrigley
Teams with Winning 7 6
Teams with Winning 5 6
EXCLUDING Cubs/Brewers
Home/Winning 6 4
Home/Non-Winning 7 8
Away/Winning 1 2
Away/Non-Winning 12 12

Non-Common Opps Hou H Col H Mirror from last series
LA H SD H
Fla A Atl A

As you can see, pretty even. The only Cubs advantage seems to be the last month. The final 6 series we play are all vs. non-winning teams (Pit, Hou, StL, Cin, Pit, Fla, Cin) while two of the three last Brewers series are against winning teams (Atl, StL, SD). We both play many games against the poor NL Central- StL (3), Pit (3), Hou (4 Cubs 3 Mil) and Cin (4); or 18 out of 26.

While I was doing this, I looked at the Wild Card race schedule. As we all know, we are 7.5 out of the Central, but 6 out of the WC. The teams ahead of us in the WC are Phi, Atl, Ari, LA with NY and SD leading their divisions. Each of these teams play most of THEIR games against division foes, so they will be beating up on each other. It MAY be easier to get into the playoffs via the WC.

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Traveling partner

Back in the old days when the schedule made logical sense, the Cubs' traveling partners were the Cardinals and the Pirates. Which meant all three of us went out to the West Coast to play the same three California teams at the same time. Same with the Mets, Phillies and Expos.

That concept is mostly gone these days with a sixteen-team, three-division league, but to the extent that it continues, the Brewers are our traveling partner. So it wouldn't be a surprise that our schedule and the Brewers' schedule is almost identical.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 28, 2007 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

Wildcard

I think we will have a good chance at it just because now that every team will be playing there division teams, we have the weakest one. All of the west teams are good and most of the east is good. Even the Mets have big holes. I think they will all beat each other up and be on level playing field for the most part. As long as we can beat up on our crapy opponents, I think we can do it.

PC load letter, what the f*** does that mean?

by cubfaninSTL on Jun 28, 2007 1:41 PM CDT reply actions

Interesting...

the Cubs have a favorable sked coming up next week and right after the All-Star break with a long homestand...

But I'm beginning to think "strength of schedule'' doesn't mean much as how you're playing at the time...over the long season, maybe...cubs would do well right now, I think, against any team, whereas if they're playing poorly as they were a month ago, could lose to anyone...just a theory interesting to speculate!!

by writerinwrigley on Jun 28, 2007 3:41 PM CDT reply actions