5 games behind the Cardinals in games played---a developing subplot to the season

by Ivy Walls on Jun 22, 2009 12:46 PM CDT

Cubs are tied with the Cards in the loss column, and for those old-timers the real thing you view in the standings since a team can control its destiny by winning games to be played but never make up losses. But this is one of the biggest differences in games played I have seen in my lifetime following MLB. In some respects it is caused by the Cubs having 2 more make up games than the Cards right now, but then that means the Cubs are three games behind them in the schedule over 40% into the season.

My count is that the Cards have 10 off days July through Sept/Oct to the Cubs 7 off days. It also appears that the make up games after the season is over are the Cards have the Nat's while the Cubs have the Chi Sox. All this could have a bearing as the season unwinds.

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I look at it this way...

The make up games are games that should’ve been played without Ramirez, but will be played with Ramirez, as he’ll be back for most of them. To me, day off lost or not, that’s a positive thing.

by kanderber on Jun 22, 2009 12:53 PM CDT reply actions

Yep

These are extra Aramis games, which means they are a good thing. Plus we have played like complete dog crap this season while the Cards have pretty much been what they can be, and we are only 2.5 games out.

We will take over the division simply by coming back to the averages of our players.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jun 22, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I look at it as a positive this year.

We have a whole roster that’s been used adn with ARam back, that will be our strength. If we can build on the positives the last 4 games, it’s a blessing we can make these up later.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jun 22, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Further, maybe some of these games will be against teams fallen out

who are now playing September call ups.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Jun 22, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Prediction

This year, as they did last year, the Cubs will not play a full 162 games

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Jun 22, 2009 1:45 PM CDT reply actions

The question though

is whether or not that will be because they are so far ahead in the standings that it wouldn’t matter anyway….or too far behind.

If they end the season in a virtual tie for first or wild card and the added wins or losses would determine the division winner, there’s no way those games go unplayed.

by cubsonWGN4ever on Jun 22, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

That's not that safe a prediction.

Since 1991, when they had two games cancelled, the Cubs have played the full schedule (except for strike years) every year since, until 2008 when one game was cancelled.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

True

I guess it depends if any of the make-up games get scheduled for the last week or so…

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Jun 22, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

So far, no, and...

… the Cubs have only one off-day after September 10 — 9/28. Which means likely any further makeups get scheduled before then.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

yes I saw that also....

The thing is unless the Cubs play those make up games inside a streak the likelihood is that they will play or win those games near the .500 mark.

But the real thought was that the schedule is so unbalanced anyway that the having 3 extra days off during the final 3 months is a genuine advantage.

To me it is another example of the failure of the league going to the computer instead of the two professors who scheduled the league using a brain.

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

by Ivy Walls on Jun 22, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions

They'd probably want the ticket revenue

at a minimum

by dr stabbingworth on Jun 22, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

as of now, we have six

guys who would qualify as no worse than a number 4 starter on most teams. it’s much easier to take on a wicked run of games when you won’t have to scurry to AAA if you have a doubleheader.

by tim815 on Jun 22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT reply actions