People should use qualifiers is because it's accurate. The division race is not yet over.

It has nothing to do with "tempting fate" or any such supersition.

It's simply the truth. The division race is not yet over.

I totally agreed with you on not tempting fate. If fact, I sent up a little prayer for the Cubs. It included how we have waited for so long and in the name of thousands of Cubs fans that have been born and passed that we are humbled and will not take for granted the opprotunity to enjoy this for everyone. The unfortunate truth is that if there is a baseball team around that can lose a totally winable game, it's the Cubs. It is something I have kept in the dark places in the back of my mind I guess so as to dull the pain when a loss happens for my beloved team.

But these guys have been playing their butts off. This team is something different. There is a determination there that I don't remember seeing in 2003. I am as skeptical as they come, but why not just gush love and positive vibes for the Cubs now? Especially now that they are in a really great position? Will I be totally crushed if they don't make the playoffs? Totally 100% crushed actually, but what is life if you don't enjoy times like this? They have all ready given me so much more than I expected this year, that I will still be happy and really look forward to next year even if they don't make the cut this year.

Still a lot of baseball left, let's just win tomorrow and go from there.

1. I agree that talking about the playoffs is premature.
2. HOWEVER, those who do talk about the playoffs are not jeopardizing any "fate" or "baseball gods".

the baseball gods were tongue in cheek.  But the fact is that the Cubs haven't clinched the division.  And I don't want to provide the Brewers with bulletin board material to inspire them to win out the rest of their games.

long way to go......look at SD just a few days ago and how dominant they seemed, now just reeling to stay in 3rd place in the West.  A look ahead at the pitching the Cubs will have to face (and those pitcher's history against the Cubs) is not an easy one.  They need to continue to take each game one at a time.  I still think this thing is going to come down to the  weekend

Al can put up a section made of virtual wood for all of us to knock if we find ourselves tempted to talk of postseason play prematurely.  You know, somewhere by the logo just a square of wood to prevent all possible jinxing?

Look at their week. Two more against a dead St. Louis. Then four (at home!) against a San Diego team that just lost two of their best players. San Diego and Florida may end up screwing the Cubs once again.

I am not celebrating anything, but I feel much better with a 3 game lead rather than a 1/2 game lead going into the last week. I had to tell my son that it's not over yet as he is such a young Cubs fan.

SD is hurting right now with Cameron and Bradley out. I was counting on them taking it to the Brewers for the final set. We need to take care of business on our end. Go Cubs!

i like to be superstitious, makes it more fun. Milwaukee has a great home record this year and they finish out at home against two sliding teams. The Cubs may have to win four to get in, so let's cheer them on just like we have the last few games and all season for most of us.

If we can win series out, and try to finish up by game # 161 (this Saturday), then it doesn't matter what Milwaukee does, and we are set with Lilly for next Wednesday.

"Oh well, The season may be over but on the bright side, next year will be the first time in a long while that I've actually been genuinely excited about a Brewers  team before the season starts.  And even if the Cubs win the Central, they are going to get swept in the first series they play anyways."

"Ok... I'm holding off Assessments until...
we are either dead or in.
Look, It ain't over until that board on MLB.com says E next to us.  We may be in a really deep hole, but frankly, we still got a shot.  
It's the cubs remember."

...in spirit. As hard as this is to admit emotionally at times, nothing we do sitting in front of our TV sets or computer monitors is going to have any affect on what happens on the field.

That said, we Cubs fans should have the same killer mentality that the Cubs players should have. Nothing has been won, nothing has been accomplished yet. Our laser focus should be on assessing the opponent at hand, distinguishing its weaknesses and then exploiting those weaknesses.

In other words, forget the playoffs (for now) and FRY THE FISH!!!

Obviously, while three games up is better than three down at this point, I'm not going to rest easy until they clinch.  

We're going to Arizona (Or new york or...)  Magic number shmagic number, we're in the playoffs boyee!!!!!!  

cause if not, I think some here will be lookin for you Bartman!

There's nothing wrong with positive thinking...that's different than arrogance. Believe it first, let it happen.

And FYI, of course -- people have in their hands tickets for a game not yet played, and still not a sure thing. If that isn't a positive belief....

But I appreciate your thoughts.

2-thousand times burned......

or

"When's it gonna spill?"

and I'll say it again: If Cubs culture ever is going to change, this "waiting for the other shoe to fall" fatalism among its fans has to go away.

Not to say Cubs fans need to be arrogant -- just realistic.

Things are looking good right now, but the division race is not over. If the Cubs take care of business, they're in. If they fall on their faces and Milwaukee wins out, they'll deserve not to make it.

And it won't be the fault of curses, goats or whatever.

Believe.

Division champs t-shirts already being sold.

http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2874182

I have started new jobs in the state of Virginia in the following years:

1984
1989
2003
2007

n/t

of Dontrelle Willis reverting to his 2005 form. He really is unhittable.