I've really got to take my hat off to Hoyer where the organization is right now. Mistakes Heyward, Rios, Hosmer, Barnhart, Mancini all gone. Patrick Wisdom & Miles Mastrobuoni where they should be in minor roles at the end of the bench. Minor league system getting better. A good '23 draft. Home grown pitchers having command on the mound. Brilliant not resigning Rizzo, Baez, Bryant. Little iffy on extensions and free agents but no Heyward like bad. Taillon right now is the only untradable horrendous signing but he is a career 4 era so he could return to form. I'm a Sox fan also. But, where the Cubs and Sox are now and looking forward it's night and day. Even if the Cubs fade in '23 they're on the right track.

I dont think anyone really knows what to make of them. But they are no doubt fighters. They play hard every game. I have been entertained this season. Considering coming into the season I expected a below .500 team that was going to be sellers at the deadline it has been a nice surprise.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Exactly. Been saying that most of this season.

And Vito finally. Just enjoy it. The team is competing every night. We all know this is not a finished product, but it sure has the foundation to become one.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

They started winning (vs Brewers) when deni$ kept his ass north of the border.

and sometimes that can be a dangerous team heading into the playoffs. "the team no one wants to play", because they're an unknown commodity.

I had a conversation with another lifelong Cubs fan about three weeks ago, someone who generally doesn't believe in minor league prospects after decades of guys like Matt Alexander, Scot Thompson and Josh Vitters. We agreed that 84-76 going into the last two days of the season would fantastic even if that ends up falling short of a playoff spot. The last week of the year as playoff-like pressure would pay off down the road both in experience for the young players as well as the ability to attract a couple of better FAs next year over the mediocrity of Mancini, Rios, Hosmer, Villar, Simmons types.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

i was reading on baseball propsective that the cubs minors are now ranked #5 overall. Pretty good overhaul from what Theo left the team with.

I'm sure the dodgers are quaking in their kinky boots

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

that's the old school cub fans mo. Happy to have spent the summer getting drunk with their frat bros watching 7 innings of baseball

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

You're the guy cheerleading a team 30 games under "promoting from within" for their GM job

just like the whole MLB was when the sox were sleeping giants.

Oh bullshit you fucking Sox fan. Vegas had them winning 78. Winning 86 and missing the playoffs by a game isn't the worst outcome in the world. Also, this conversation was three weeks ago, before they went in a good stretch.

They are probably going to win 87 games and be the second WC.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

no PCA

Waves

They are only allowed 2 extra roster spaces (and at most one extra pitcher) in the new CBA. No more "call everyone up from your 40 man if you want to do so."

PCA is more likely to be a playoff promotion. They can go with one less pitcher during the first round since they won't need a fifth starter, and it won't start his service time. The Rays have done that a couple of times over the years, most recently with Shane McClanahan.

Canario hits the living shit out of the ball, the Reds are starting two LHP this weekend, and he can play RF. Morel hasn't done anything lately besides the walk off homer, and he's a liability in the outfield.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Bellinger clutch

Already HR and 2 RBI basehit.

Cubs up 3-1 in the 6th game 1

Wicks looked good. I think he’s done for the day after 5

Would be nice to get game 1

Bellinger is automatic.

About time you jumped on pbp

It is getting to the point where you almost have to resign him. He makes this entire line up tick.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

Just checked the Cubs’ 2024 payroll obligations, with Marcus’ $21M, they are at $130M. I assume they will try to get Hendricks back.

Hosmer and Heyward roll off. Hopefully Marcus opts out or is healthy and ready to contribute.

But the Cubs should have the money to resign Bellinger.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

I hope the Smurf opts out. It's a good market for SP

They got to bench Tauchman. Automatic out.

Yeah the clock has hit midnight on Tauchman

Meeryweather not sharp today.

The perfect hit ball to double up delaycruz!

Seya hr.

Caller Bob?

Wow Tauchman got a hit.

Happ 2 run bomb

That's huge. Don't have to use Azolye