Cubs - Road Warriors? - Bleed Cubbie Blue

Cubs - Road Warriors?

by Basman on Aug 6, 2008 5:43 PM CDT Comment 24 comments

I was just taking a look at the schedule the rest of the way, in particular, the remaining road games. I think the Cubs are on their way to taking their winning ways with them away from Wrigley.

They are currently at 26-30 on the road so in order to get over .500 by the end of the season they have to play .600 ball and go 15-10 the rest of the way. I think this is certainly achievable for this team, especially if they play up to their potential. I also think that they may have to play that good to win the division considering their schedule vs the easier schedule that the Brewers have the rest of the way.

I was just thinking about this b/c the road record seems to be the only "weakness" that has bothered me about this team until the Massacre at Miller Park & I was hoping that momentum would carry them the rest of the way. What are your thoughts out there?

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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I hope you're right.

They should do OK in Atlanta—they split four games there last year and this Braves team isn’t very good. I worry about the games in Florida, where the Cubs have not won since July 10, 2005.

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

by Al on Aug 6, 2008 5:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I can personally attest...

...that Florida has become the Cubs’ Waterloo. Really don’t know why.

I am refusing to go to Miami this year because I keep wondering if it’s me…

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Aug 6, 2008 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm.

How many losses in a row have you seen there?

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

by Al on Aug 7, 2008 3:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's see....

2003 NLCS Game 4 – win, Clement vs. Willis (the Ramirez grand slam game, best personal Cub moment)
2003 NLCS Game 5 – loss, Zambrano vs. Beckett (the Beckett 2 hit shutout game, 3 Marlin HRs, worst personal Cub moment)

I distinctly remember the parking lot conversations….”Hey, we’ve got Prior and Wood going home for Games 6 and 7, NO PROBLEM!”

Sept 20, 2004 win, Prior vs. Pavano
Sept 20, 2004 loss, Clement vs. Weathers (Weathers )

These were the hurricane makeup games. Thus began the personal losing streak.

2005 – didn’t go to games, Cubs won all three in Florida….

2006 – didn’t go to games, Cubs lost all three in Florida….

Made one game, September 27th, 2007, Trachsel vs. Olsen, loss (forever known to me as “the Trachsel game”, the day Trachsel stunk out the joint in what should have been his last major league appearance, but unfortunately for the Orioles, wasn’t.

2008 – Tampa Bay vs. Cubs, 3 losses, need we say more. Except that in the third game, I couldn’t take the losing, went out to the concourse (upon which the Cubs mounted their brief rally. Upon my return, the whole Zambrano injury, Marmol blowup and Eyre grand slam occured).

So, since the 2003 NLCS Game 4, I am 1-5 in Florida Cubs games (combined FLA and TB) with 4 in a row.

I anxiously await your advice…should I stay or should I go (to the games)?

by NotSure on Aug 7, 2008 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OOOOOMMMMMMM........OOOOOMMMMMMM...........

The Spirits say you can go…but you must not wear any underwear and you can only pick up food and beverages with your left hand. Also, you have to take a slice of bologna (the kind with the red plastic around the edge, don’t ask why The Spirits are just picky today) cut it in half and place a half into each shoe that you wear to the game. The Spirits have spoken.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 7, 2008 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no problems with the first two requirements...

...but bologna slices in the Florida heat are a deal-breaker…think I’ll stay home and watch in HD…

by NotSure on Aug 7, 2008 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LMAO

You didn’t go to NLCS game 3? That was a terrific game. I was at all three of the games in Miami.

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

by Al on Aug 8, 2008 3:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Finally got to a computer where the "reply" function works...

IIRC, Game 3 was a Friday….

I couldn’t get out of work in time to get there….at the time I was managing a major construction project.

With my record, you should be glad I didn’t make it.

by NotSure on Aug 8, 2008 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey....I was wrong...

The Zambrano injury was in the second game, the Marmol/Eyre debacle was in the third game….

I guess I was blocking the bad memories…

by NotSure on Aug 7, 2008 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who do we play on the road the rest of the year? Yes, I'm too lazy to look it up.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 6, 2008 5:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OK, here it is.

Next week, 3 Atlanta, 3 Florida.

Aug 25-27 at Pittsburgh.

Sept 5-7 at Cincinnati, Sept 9-11 at St. Louis, Sept 12-14 at Houston (9 game trip).

Finish the season with four at NY (9/22-25) and three at Milwaukee (9/26-28).

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

by Al on Aug 6, 2008 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Odd.

That first line should have at signs in it.

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

by Al on Aug 6, 2008 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well 13 of those games are against teams that aren't very good....

and you could make the case that the Brewers may fall into that category by the time we play them.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 6, 2008 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't count on it

The Brewers’ near-term schedule isn’t exactly loaded with powers.

It would be nice if the Cubs had a playoff spot locked up, either division title or wild card, by the time they return to Miller Park.

by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 6, 2008 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it seems like we tend to struggle

against teams who supposedly aren’t very good.

i’m not taking anything for granted.

by nathew on Aug 7, 2008 1:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like the Pirates?

And most of the NL West? And the Braves?

by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 7, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Other than sweeping thoae 4 games in Milwaukee (Wrigley north)

We haven’t had a single kick butt road trip all year.

Would be nice to kick some butt next week.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Aug 6, 2008 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cubs were...

... 4-2 on the trip to Pittsburgh and Philly in April, sweeping the Pirates, but losing 2 of 3 to Philly.

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

by Al on Aug 6, 2008 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The source to winning the road:

I think has to be Soriano. I’ve stated how I didn’t like him in the past. I’m starting to change my tune. He is helping this team. Just look at how many lead changing hits he’s had this season. If Soriano can hit on the road (and definitely can in Atlanta!) I think we will be fine.

by ak123 on Aug 6, 2008 9:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Soriano had a 3-HR game in Atlanta last year.

He’s hot right now. Let’s hope that continues through next week.

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

by Al on Aug 7, 2008 3:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love to see him repeat that feat

but don’t want to see Lilly thrown out of the game in the first inning the next day.

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Aug 7, 2008 3:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, Edgar Renteria isn't a Brave any more.

That should help.

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

by Al on Aug 7, 2008 4:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm still fumin

about Renteria’s slap to Fonty’s face. Somebody ought to slap that motha back! Not a big fan of the Braves these days…they also hit Sori after his 3 HR too. kind of a bitchy team under Cox if you ask me.

Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 7, 2008 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll slap that motha!!!

I too started looking ahead this morning… the Brewers easy schedule, all those Card/Brewer games in Sept., looking at where/what I’ll be doing, thinking of all the what ifs, and possibilities, and…, and… it’s enough to drive me crazy!!! Shouldn’t have looked this soon.

by Matty G on Aug 7, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs