The 2016 Cubs: SPLOOGE SPLOOGE SPLOOGE

[Wheezer]

A commendable effort indeed....

It could use some Edward Tufte.

[Canadouche]

Instead of bringing brooms to tonight's game, fans should have brought shovels.

[WTB...A RING FFS!!]

God Strop/Rondon need to get healthy in a hurry. Watching Cahill's dumpy ass come in the last 2-3 games has not been pretty or productive since he finished that game about 2 weeks ago.

[Tonker]

If the Cubs only play .500 ball from now on, they will still reach 100 wins, and the Deadbirds will have to go 30-0 just to tie them.

[SKO]

If the Cubs only play .500 ball from now on, they will still reach 100 wins, and the Deadbirds will have to go 30-0 just to tie them.

So you're saying there's a chan---nope nevermind there's really not:

[Canadouche]

If the Cubs only play .500 ball from now on, they will still reach 100 wins, and the Deadbirds will have to go 30-0 just to tie them.

So you're saying there's a chan---nope nevermind there's really not:

But the Cardinals are seriously like a bad rash that just won't go away. Their team has had shit luck this year, and they aren't even particularly deep, and yet they will probably make the post season.

[SKO]

If the Cubs only play .500 ball from now on, they will still reach 100 wins, and the Deadbirds will have to go 30-0 just to tie them.

So you're saying there's a chan---nope nevermind there's really not:

But the Cardinals are seriously like a bad rash that just won't go away. Their team has had shit luck this year, and they aren't even particularly deep, and yet they will probably make the post season.

Last year was a great argument for the second wildcard with the Cubs winning 97 games and going all of the way to the NLCS. This year is a great argument against the second wildcard with four very flawed teams (Cardinals, Mets, Pirates, Marlins) all mudhumping each other for a shot at 86 wins and the chance of getting their ass handed to them by Madison Bumgarner. As much fun as last year was I still think baseball overall is better without a second WC spot.

[Yeti]

If the Cubs only play .500 ball from now on, they will still reach 100 wins, and the Deadbirds will have to go 30-0 just to tie them.

So you're saying there's a chan---nope nevermind there's really not:

But the Cardinals are seriously like a bad rash that just won't go away. Their team has had shit luck this year, and they aren't even particularly deep, and yet they will probably make the post season.

Last year was a great argument for the second wildcard with the Cubs winning 97 games and going all of the way to the NLCS. This year is a great argument against the second wildcard with four very flawed teams (Cardinals, Mets, Pirates, Marlins) all mudhumping each other for a shot at 86 wins and the chance of getting their ass handed to them by Madison Bumgarner. As much fun as last year was I still think baseball overall is better without a second WC spot.

I'd be fine with them dropping the second wild card if they also drop division titles being automatic bids

[SKO]

If the Cubs only play .500 ball from now on, they will still reach 100 wins, and the Deadbirds will have to go 30-0 just to tie them.

So you're saying there's a chan---nope nevermind there's really not:

But the Cardinals are seriously like a bad rash that just won't go away. Their team has had shit luck this year, and they aren't even particularly deep, and yet they will probably make the post season.

Last year was a great argument for the second wildcard with the Cubs winning 97 games and going all of the way to the NLCS. This year is a great argument against the second wildcard with four very flawed teams (Cardinals, Mets, Pirates, Marlins) all mudhumping each other for a shot at 86 wins and the chance of getting their ass handed to them by Madison Bumgarner. As much fun as last year was I still think baseball overall is better without a second WC spot.

I'd be fine with them dropping the second wild card if they also drop division titles being automatic bids

I am fine with keeping divisions as an automatic bid, because they're never going to want a situation where maybe both the Dodgers and Giants have a down year and maybe no one on the west coast watches baseball. It adds to rivalries, etc.

I do disagree with giving them homefield advantage over a better wildcard team, though. Seeding should be by record.

[Oleg]

If the Cubs only play .500 ball from now on, they will still reach 100 wins, and the Deadbirds will have to go 30-0 just to tie them.

So you're saying there's a chan---nope nevermind there's really not:

0% chance at the wild card?  Epstink is terrible.

[Canadouche]

The significant lead over the Cardinals, and the almost certainty of home field advantage, gives Maddon a lot of room to rest his players. I'm looking forward to seeing his choices in the coming weeks.

[SKO]

The significant lead over the Cardinals, and the almost certainty of home field advantage, gives Maddon a lot of room to rest his players. I'm looking forward to seeing his choices in the coming weeks.

Going to see a lot of Albert Almora and Jeimer Candelario, I'm guessing. And probably Javy playing every position and pitching a few innings.

[Bort]

The significant lead over the Cardinals, and the almost certainty of home field advantage, gives Maddon a lot of room to rest his players. I'm looking forward to seeing his choices in the coming weeks.

Going to see a lot of Albert Almora and Jeimer Candelario, I'm guessing. And probably Javy playing every position and pitching a few innings.

I hear he's comparable to Doug Dascenzo.

[Brownie]

If the Cubs only play .500 ball from now on, they will still reach 100 wins, and the Deadbirds will have to go 30-0 just to tie them.

So you're saying there's a chan---nope nevermind there's really not:

But the Cardinals are seriously like a bad rash that just won't go away. Their team has had shit luck this year, and they aren't even particularly deep, and yet they will probably make the post season.

Last year was a great argument for the second wildcard with the Cubs winning 97 games and going all of the way to the NLCS. This year is a great argument against the second wildcard with four very flawed teams (Cardinals, Mets, Pirates, Marlins) all mudhumping each other for a shot at 86 wins and the chance of getting their ass handed to them by Madison Bumgarner. As much fun as last year was I still think baseball overall is better without a second WC spot.

I'd be fine with them dropping the second wild card if they also drop division titles being automatic bids

I am fine with keeping divisions as an automatic bid, because they're never going to want a situation where maybe both the Dodgers and Giants have a down year and maybe no one on the west coast watches baseball. It adds to rivalries, etc.

I do disagree with giving them homefield advantage over a better wildcard team, though. Seeding should be by record.

Expand twice more, teams in Montreal (NL) and either Portland or Las Vegas or Vancouver (AL), send the Brewers back to the AL and Houston back to the NL:

NL East
Montreal
Mets
Phillies
Nationals

NL North
Cubs
Cardinals
Pirates
Rockies

NL South
Reds
Houston
Atlanta
Florida

NL West
Dodgers
Giants
Padres
Diamondbacks

AL West
Mariners
A's
Angels
Vegas/Portland/Vancouver

AL South
Rangers
Rays
Royals
Orioles

AL North
White Sox
Twins
Brewers
Tigers

AL East
Boston
Blue Jays
Yankees
Indians

Play division rivals 18 times each (54) and league opponents 8 times each (96) and opponent in division in interleague rotation 3 times each. Then just admit the division winners to the postseason.

[Quality Start Machine]

Here's a fun thought - what if the Giants continue to crater, and St. Louis winds up with the first wild card?

Why is this a fun thought? Check St. Louis' record at home.