Like the 'March to the Sea' Cubs continue to ravage their opponents

by Ivy Walls on Aug 27, 2008 3:29 PM CDT Comment 22 comments

Cubs have swept 11 series: In April @Pittsburgh, home vs. Pirates & Mets (2-game); May home vs. D-Backs, Dodgers & Rockies; June home vs. Braves, ChiSox; July @ Milwaukee; August @ Atlanta & @ Pittsburgg-representing an interesting number 33, which is the number of games the club is currently over .500.

They were swept twice both times in June, @ Tampa's [Just call me] Rays & @ ChiSox (revenge series), so basically in 13 series the Cubs are 33-6 (+27).

This August they are an incredible 18-6, (23-7 since Soriano's return) where in consequence they have won 9 series (22-6 in that span) and 26-12 since the ASG, they struggled a bit going 15-16 in Soriano's absence, their one weakness was road games. Now they have turned that around and are making it their strength.

The Cubs continue to win this time an unexpected quality shut out start by Marquis who won his 9th game of the season winning on getting 2 runs from 3B with less than one out, (swinging bunt & lucky or fortunate suicide bunt by two bench players Cedeno & Blanco). Last night it was a banner night for their ROY catcher, the night beforehand it was Ramirez's continued hitting and another good start by Lilly.

THIRTY-THREE over .500 represents one more than the high water mark of the famed '69 Cubs, and now they are tied with '45 and the unbelievable '35 team that basically almost didn't lose down the stretch in September.

If I were the opposition (meaning the Phillies fans) I would not be happy coming into Chicago where the Cubs are 30 over .500 this year and facing the 4 top starters. If I a Brewers fan I would feel frustrated and resentful each day my team wins and gains no ground. They too have been playing fantastic ball (except for the Cubs sweeping them in Milwaukee at the end of July) where they are 16-6 in August and 24-8 since the ASG and they remain 5 1/2 games back.

Once the hope that the Cubs schedule will catch up with them with away games the Cubs are 18-8 since being swept in June by the CHISOX (where they were 7-10 in June on the road). Cubs have 16 more games on the road and 13 more at home.

This is almost like how many thought when Sherman marched to the sea, who is going to stop them!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief (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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Might want to stay away from the Sherman references next time....

by Canseco's Roid Party on Aug 27, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

just a metaphor

I could have used Patton’s 3rd Army or Alexander’s March to India…..If it is a Southern culture thing, I am an old scholar of the War Between the States as the South have tried to describe this ultimate political trajedy where they got caught up in a delusion rebelling against the Union.

Sherman was merciless but each day the war waged on was even worse.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 27, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sherman had no real opposition in Georgia

Much like the Cubs in the past many days (good historical comparison). The Phillies will be a good test against a worthy adversary; I’m looking forward to the battle.

by Cajuncub on Aug 27, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phil's will hit a buzz saw

one at a time but they could be limping home.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 27, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Atlanta No Match For Either...

Cubs or Sherman. The Cubs swept the Braves in a 3-game series earlier this month. That doubleheader sweep at Turner Field was the most dominating one day performance by the Cubs I have ever seen.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 28, 2008 7:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Today it's described as the war of Northern aggression.

The classy Cincinnati Reds: " (Josh) Hamilton acknowledges that he sensed some resentment in the locker room from three or four players." SI-May 2008

by cubfever7 on Aug 28, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Starting from the 22-31 mark in 07

The Cubs are 146-96. 50 games over 500.

Go Cubs

by cubstoseriesby100 on Aug 27, 2008 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

Hadn’t realized that.

Also, since game 133 of last year (162 games) they are 100-62. (17-12 in the last 29 games of ’07 and 83-50 this year).

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

by Al on Aug 27, 2008 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes I forgot that prism of perspective

After Piniella and went out and argued on that call at 3B over Pagan’s attempted steal the Cubs are 146-96.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 27, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

…Lou’s message when he sent Izturis and Barrett packing and installed talent he recognized (Theriot, Marmol, Fontenot), that was what sent the message he was in charge.

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

by MPH73 on Aug 27, 2008 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes Fonty got hot

I think he moved DeRosa to RF often, Jones to CF but he said take a walk and walk no one.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 27, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got that sense

early last season even before that June 2nd game. It was a night game, can’t remember who we were playing, but Dempster was trying to be all careful and pick at the corners of the strike zone. He walked a batter or two, and Lou calmly walked out to the mound:

“There’s two outs. Throw f___ing strikes.” Then he walked back to the dugout.

I love Lou! He is the Un-Dusty.

"Why does that man drop his club before he runs? I would bring it with me." ~Stewie Griffin

by Goodie1969 on Aug 27, 2008 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, that was very early last season.

I want to say Cincinnati in April on a very cold night. Perhaps the first classic Lou moment with the Cubs.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 27, 2008 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was...

… this game.

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

by Al on Aug 27, 2008 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I loved that too...

…and it reminded me of the pitching coach on my college team. If a pitcher was walking guys, he would stroll out to the mound and ask all the infielders to join him. He would then tell the pitcher this:

"Do you see these guys standing here? They are here to help you and they can’t help you if you don’t throw mother f____ing strikes. Then he would turn and calmly stroll bag to the dugout.

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

by MPH73 on Aug 28, 2008 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did it work?

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

by Al on Aug 28, 2008 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like a charm...

n/t

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

by MPH73 on Aug 28, 2008 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It did for Dempster too...

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

by Al on Aug 28, 2008 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was pagan?

i thought it was theriot and then when i started thinking about it i thought it was cedeno or theriot

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Aug 27, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, it was pagan.

by sackings108 on Aug 27, 2008 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree on refraining from Sherman references..

As a born and bred Chicagoan who has lived in Tennessee the last 18+ years, I am ashamed at what the Northern army did down here in the same of the preservation of the union.

Americans should have never destroyed the lives, property and homes of other Americans. It was a sort of cleansing—maybe not ethnic, but at least cultural.

The classy Cincinnati Reds: " (Josh) Hamilton acknowledges that he sensed some resentment in the locker room from three or four players." SI-May 2008

by cubfever7 on Aug 28, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs