Cubs/Marlins next wk - who has home field advantage?

by danimal15 on Sep 17, 2007 1:51 PM CDT Comment 26 comments

When the Cubs head down to Florida to play the Marlins next week, it could be the Cubs who have home-field advantage, at least the way I see it.

Attendance lately at the Marlins' games has been around 10,000 - officially, anyway. But according to the Tribune, only about 400 fans were on hand when the first pitch was thrown in a recent game. Assuming thousands of Cub fans show up, as they've been doing at other ballparks around the league, these games could end up being like home games for the Cubs, and give them one more advantage as they play a team that talent-wise, isn't in the Cubs' league.

Sure beats what the Brewers have to do: head to Atlanta for four games against a team with a winning record that's still nominally in the wild-card race. I hope the Brewers have to listen to lots of "Tomahawk Chops" while they're down there!

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There won't be as many...

... as there were in Miami during the 2003 NLCS, where I'd guess there were at least 25,000 Cub fans at all three games.

But their "announced" attendance could possibly double to around 20,000 -- maybe 5,000-7,000 Cub fans could show up. That'd be great -- it'd make it feel like a home game.

I'm guessing it will be like that in Cincinnati, too, the final weekend.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 17, 2007 1:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cincinnati

Hmm - it's only six hours away. Maybe I can head down there for one of those. Hopefully by then the Cubs will have things well in hand, but somehow, I doubt it.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Sep 17, 2007 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So I'm guessing

the Marlins use a bigger attendance bump figure than what I'm used to in my experience (10% for hockey, 75% lacrosse)

"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."- Harry Caray

by TkGoUWGB on Sep 17, 2007 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only time I've seen

more Reds fans than Cubs in Cincy was opening day this year. Other than that, it always seems, at least, to be a pro-Cubs crowd.

That said, I'll be there cheering on those Cubbies on their final weekend. Not sure where I'm staying yet, but I'll figure it out.

MCDONOUGH!

by secdelahc on Sep 18, 2007 1:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Braves fans don't show up...

Unless there's something riding on the games for the Braves, the Brews won't feel the chop.

"well the south side of Chicago is the baddest (worst) part of town" -Jim Croce

by section229beer on Sep 17, 2007 1:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Great question, too.

I've thought about going to Cincy, but they should have it wrapped up by then ;)

"well the south side of Chicago is the baddest (worst) part of town" -Jim Croce

by section229beer on Sep 17, 2007 1:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

home field advantage

Home field advantage is not just who the fans are rooting for. It is also the fact that an away team needs to travel to a place, stay in a hotel, not be around family, etc.

So while the large Cubs contingent will be nice in Miami, that doesn't necessarily mean that they have "home field advantage."

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Sep 17, 2007 2:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Very good point

Nothing like sleeping in one's own bed.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Sep 17, 2007 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

However

...sometimes this year, being at home hasn't been an advantage -- and I don't mean 'fan support,' whether it be standing ovations or the booing of closers -- the lack of normal wind patterns has kept the wind from blowing out.

That's part of the reason that the team's 'power put' is down. (Ironically, the Cubs closed out that last home stand losing a game on Andre Ethier's wind-blown pop-up.)

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Sep 17, 2007 2:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cincinnati

I will do a seperate diary on this later in the weekend but
basically WE NEED TO TAKE THE PLACE OVER and we can. Tickets
are easy to come by, hotels are very cheap if you stay 10 minutes away or not that much if you stay near the park. I am expecting TENS OF THOUSANDS of Cub fans to be there because
I just don't see us having a four game lead by 9/28

I already have my plane ticket ( from NYC) game tickets & hotel

FYI again I will post later but I am looking to share hotel & tickets if anyone is interestd.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Sep 17, 2007 3:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cincy

I've had this last series marked on my calendar for a few weeks now. I keep saying that hopefully it won't matter, but as we get closer and closer, it appears it might be huge.

Myself and a few guys booked a hotel already walking distance from the park (Garfield Suites Hotel). Their cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to your date of arrival, so we are safe and can cancel if it is clinched before then. I think that hotel is fully booked for the Saturday night already. We'd be staying Fri and Sat night. Probably arriving Friday night (leaving after work on Friday). We would then catch the Saturday and Sunday game (if necessary).

We're waiting it out for tickets thus far, but are looking into it.

by Swanny1981 on Sep 17, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tickets

I would be willing to share tickets again with you, depending on how things go. I can't take much more than tonight.

by MerigoldBowling on Sep 17, 2007 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hotels

I just checked, and most of the hotels right across the river from the park are booked.

Might I suggest, though, (if your'e still looking) that you try Priceline... I did this last September and ended up at the Millenium-great 3 * hotel just around the corner from the team hotel, and within walking distance to the ballpark.

MCDONOUGH!

by secdelahc on Sep 18, 2007 1:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are hotels next to the park available

The Millenium is $99 that way and the Hilton $119 but you have
to know where to look. If anyone wants the info e mail me at
jrosner at kino dot com. Tripadvisor indicates that you can often
get a room at the Millenium for less using Priceline but for now
I am sticking with the reservation ( which can be cancelled on 24 hours notice) I also have some info on discount tickets if someone wants to e mail me.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Sep 18, 2007 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Considering we've lost

7 in a row to the Marlins, dating back to 2006 and including getting swept there in 2006, I'd say the Marlins have the advantage.

We just need to play better baseball against them.

I'll be a believer once we beat Capuano. Updated 8/31/07: I guess I can be a believer now!

by cubbie08 on Sep 17, 2007 4:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The 2006 sweep there...

... is irrelevant. That team was far different than the one that the Cubs are putting on the field now.

In fact, so is the team that lost three straight to the Marlins at Wrigley Field in May -- the personnel may be the same, but the entire feel around the Cubs now is different.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 18, 2007 4:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

These 6 games at home

worry me more than the 6 on the road. This team appears to play looser on the road. Maybe they put too much pressure on themselves in front of the home crowd, let's hope that changes this week.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 17, 2007 4:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I will be at the gym on the 27th.

This will be my first Cubs game. I am very excited!!! We have seats behind home plate but I'm hoping to move near the Cubs dugout since nobody will really be there.

by FLCubsFan on Sep 17, 2007 7:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

*not gym......game

by FLCubsFan on Sep 17, 2007 7:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You can go to the gym too that day if you want.

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 18, 2007 4:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sweet

by IllinoisCubs on Sep 17, 2007 8:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

as a FL resident

let me tell you every time you go to a Cubs-Marlins game they draw closer to 15-20k

and 85% of it are Cubs fans

i'll be there for all 3 games, likely sitting in the RF "Fish Bowl"

I cant wait

by DartmouthCubsFan on Sep 18, 2007 8:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

oh

and tickets are 10 bucks... and you can get them on walk-up

what a great sports town.... (note sarcasm)

by DartmouthCubsFan on Sep 18, 2007 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I sat in that "Fish Bowl"

... for the 2003 NLCS. Those are decent seats, and even for the postseason the price wasn't too bad.

Hope we get 25,000 Cub fans for each of the 3 games.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Sep 18, 2007 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have seats behind home plate...

Do you think I will be able to move over to the dugout if there are seats available.

by FLCubsFan on Sep 19, 2007 6:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you'll

probably be able to move wherever you want. Even 15K in a stadium leaves a lot of empty seats

plus most people there will be Cubs fans and wont mind you sitting next to them. The ushers dont really check tickets, so you should be able to move freely

by DartmouthCubsFan on Sep 19, 2007 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs