By Marty Gangler
Well, that escalated quickly.
Just seven days ago, the Cubs had fallen back to .500 after a losing week. Then they ripped off six of seven and now it looks like this season is legit.
I mean, this doesn’t mean they are going to win anything or they won’t completely fall apart, because who the hell knows. But now they have the opportunity to actually blow it.
Like, there is something here to blow.
Also this week, yours truly made his first trip of the season to the Friendly Confines. And I have to say it was, well, nice I guess. I did find myself mesmerized by the huge scoreboard in left field. So much so that at one point I was watching the screen and got really confused by a replay from a different game.
It was still the Cubs, but it felt like a rookie mistake. But then I thought I shouldn’t blame myself; I’ve watched my share of games there and this screen thing is pretty friggin new. Not to mention that the audio was pretty horrendous. I guess that’s what happens when you half-ass a stadium project. I couldn’t make out what they were saying over the loud speaker from the scoreboard at all. So I didn’t hold it against myself too much. But the whole thing was odd.
I did feel a little bad for the old scoreboard in center. I found myself looking at it just so it wouldn’t feel bad. Like watching someone else’s kid at a recital.
I also saw Tommy Boy Ricketts walk through the crowd handing out baseballs to little kids. I guess that’s a nice gesture, but it just doesn’t seem like the type of thing a badass win-at-allcosts type of owner would do. It’s more like the thing an owner who is just happy to be there would do. Like that guy in your fantasy football league who just wants to hang out at the draft and has no intention of fielding a good team. Don’t get me wrong, fantasy football drafts are typically great, but get a clue.
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The Week in Review: The Cubs took four straight from the hot-starting Mets and then took two of three from the mediocre-starting Pirates. So I guess the whole #wearegood thing is actually a thing and true.
The Week in Preview: The Cubs head west for three each with the Padres and D-backs. There’s nothing that says baseball like falling asleep with the game on and then randomly waking up and seeing what happened, or waking up at 2 a.m. with an old episode of Everybody Loves Raymond on.
The Second Basemen Report: Addison Russell is the real deal. And to think we got rid of this guy to get him. It’s like win/unbelievable win. The Shark is not missed.
In former Cubs second basemen news, Jeff Baker last played second base for the Cubs in 2012. Bakes is still in the majors and is currently with the Miami Marlins. He has six hits in 18 at-bats. He is missed.
Mad(don) Scientist: Big Poppa Joe is not a Friday night guy. He apparently doesn’t like to eat that much. Whatever that means. Luckily the Cubs don’t play near the amount of day games as they used to.
Wishing Upon A Starlin: You have to think that with the emergence of Addison Russell (and his name is Addison . . . ), Castro might actually be moved. You have to wonder what’s on the table if the Cubs stay in it.
Ameritrade Stock Pick of the Week: Shares of LCD televisions traded higher this week as old guys like me realize that even free tickets to a Cubs game cost you a crapton of money. Cold Old Style drafts just aren’t as sweet at $8.50 a pop.
Kubs Kalender: On Tuesday, the Padres will host Taco Tuesday Presented By Cholula Hot Sauce with the Cubs in town. You may receive a taco upon entry, or get them cheap, I do not know nor could find out on their Padres website. But it’s Tuesday and there is something to do with tacos. Everything is awesome.
East Coast Cub:Micah Hoffpauir last played with the Cubs in 2010. He last played for the Nippon Ham-Fighters in 2013. He is now playing for Grace Hospital in a marketing role, but I bet their softball team rules. He is hassled, and he is missed.
Over/Under: The number of runs the Cubs will give up in the 6th inning this week: +/- 16.5.
Beachwood Sabermetrics: A complex algorithm performed by The Cub Factor staff using all historical data made available by Major League Baseball has determined that this season is now blowable.
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* Touch ’em all: The Cub Factor archives.
* Know thy enemy: The White Sox Reports.
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Marty Gangler is our man on the Cub. He welcomes your comments.
Posted on May 17, 2015