30 Days Left

[Brownie]

Of the 141 teams the Chicago National League entry has fielded since 1876, 53 have managed to amass at least 82 wins.  The Cubs of 2016 have the 32nd-most wins in franchise history (77th percentile)

Top Cubs teams in history by wins:

1. 1906 --  116
2. 1907  --107
3. 1909 -- 104
3. 1910 -- 104
5. 1935 -- 100
6. 1908 -- 99
7. 1945 -- 98
7. 1929 -- 98
9. 2015 -- 97
9. 2008 -- 97
11. 1984 -- 96
12. 1989 -- 93
12. 1904 --93
12. 1937 -- 93
15. 1911 -- 92
15. 1905 -- 92
15. 1969 -- 92
18. 1912 -91
18. 1928 -- 91
20. 1998 -- 90
20. 1930 -- 90
20. 1932 --90
20. 1886 -- 90
24. 1938 -- 89
24. 2004 -- 89
26. 2003 -- 88
26. 2001 -- 88
26. 1913 --88
29. 1936 -- 87
29. 1885 -- 87
29. 1967 -- 87
32. 2016 -- 86
32. 1933 -- 86
32. 1934 -- 86
35. 2007 -- 85
35. 1898 -- 85
35. 1927 -- 85
35. 1972 -- 85
39. 1970 -- 84
39. 1968 -- 84
39. 1939 -- 84
39. 1931 -- 84
39. 1918 -- 84
39. 1993 -- 84
45. 2009 -- 83
45. 1971 -- 83
45. 1923 -- 83
45. 1890 -- 83
49. 1926 -- 82
49. 1891 -- 82
49. 1903 -- 82
49. 1946 -- 82
49. 1963 -- 82

Since World War II, there have been 17 teams to do that in the 71 seasons. This team is already the 10th best (86th percentile):
1. 2015 -- 97
1. 2008 -- 97
3. 1984 -- 96
4. 1989 -- 93
5. 1969 -- 92
6. 2004 -- 89
7. 2003 -- 88
7. 2001 -- 88
9. 1967 -- 87
10. 2016 -- 86
11. 2007 -- 85
11. 1972 -- 85
13. 1970 -- 84
13. 1968 -- 84
13. 1993 -- 84
16. 2009 -- 83
17. 1946 -- 82
17. 1963 -- 82

[Tonker]

I'd be very surprised if we're not looking at the best Cubs' team since Tinker, Evers and Chance.

[Eli]

They still have 13 games left against the Reds and Brewers, but the rest of the games are against teams better than .500. They'll be resting some guys (right, Joe?) so we probably shouldn't expect them to keep playing at a .650 clip.

So, winning 8 of 13 against the dregs of the division, then splitting the remainder of the games gets them to 102 wins. That seems like a reasonable over/under point. I'd probably bet on the over, but I'd rather see guys get rest -- I don't really care if they win 105 games vs. 101 games.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Going another way with the data, here's a ranking of the top 20 teams by the number of games they finished over .500

Year     G     W     L  Ties  Games Over .500
1906   155   116   36   3    80
1885   113    87    25   1   62
1907   155   107   45   3   62
1886   126   90    34   2    56
1909   155   104   49   2   55
1910   154   104   50   0   54
1880    86    67    17   2   50
1935   154   100   54   0   46
1929   156   98    54   4   44
1908   158   99    55   4   44
1945   155   98    56   1   42
1918   131   84    45   2   39
2016   133   86    47   0   39
1876    66    52    14   0   38
1904   156   93    60   3   33
2008   161   97    64   0   33
1912   152   91    59   2   32
1937   154   93    61   0   32
2015   162   97    65   0   32
1905   155   92    61   2   31

If they can somehow climb to, and finish at or above, 47 games over .500, it'll mark the most games over .500 since the 1910 team (+54).

Unless and until this team eclipses 46 games over, the 1935 Cubs remain the standard-bearer of all post T-E-C teams.

Next up are the Cubs of 1918 (+39), 1945 (+42), 1908 (!) and 1929 (+44).

We're in rarefied air, folks.

[Bort]

They still have 13 games left against the Reds and Brewers, but the rest of the games are against teams better than .500. They'll be resting some guys (right, Joe?) so we probably shouldn't expect them to keep playing at a .650 clip.

So, winning 8 of 13 against the dregs of the division, then splitting the remainder of the games gets them to 102 wins. That seems like a reasonable over/under point. I'd probably bet on the over, but I'd rather see guys get rest -- I don't really care if they win 105 games vs. 101 games.

Yeah, I'd rather have a well rested, well prepared team in the postseason, than pointless bragging about how many wins above 100 they go.

[Quality Start Machine]

I'd be very surprised if we're not looking at the best Cubs' team since Tinker, Evers and Chance.

With the hubris you've all come to know and love, I'm calling it - this team wins both more pennants and World Series than that aggregate.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

They still have 13 games left against the Reds and Brewers, but the rest of the games are against teams better than .500. They'll be resting some guys (right, Joe?) so we probably shouldn't expect them to keep playing at a .650 clip.

So, winning 8 of 13 against the dregs of the division, then splitting the remainder of the games gets them to 102 wins. That seems like a reasonable over/under point. I'd probably bet on the over, but I'd rather see guys get rest -- I don't really care if they win 105 games vs. 101 games.

Yeah, I'd rather have a well rested, well prepared team in the postseason, than pointless bragging about how many wins above 100 they go.

Agreed, though for completely irrational reasons I would like them to hit the arbitrary 100 at least.

[Brownie]

They still have 13 games left against the Reds and Brewers, but the rest of the games are against teams better than .500. They'll be resting some guys (right, Joe?) so we probably shouldn't expect them to keep playing at a .650 clip.

So, winning 8 of 13 against the dregs of the division, then splitting the remainder of the games gets them to 102 wins. That seems like a reasonable over/under point. I'd probably bet on the over, but I'd rather see guys get rest -- I don't really care if they win 105 games vs. 101 games.

Yeah, I'd rather have a well rested, well prepared team in the postseason, than pointless bragging about how many wins above 100 they go.

Agreed, though for completely irrational reasons I would like them to hit the arbitrary 100 at least.

I think we all know what the point of September is, and even with Joe resting guys, 100 wins is very likely, and 97 or more (which puts them in the top 10 of all Cubs teams in history) is a slam dunk. The whole purpose of this thread was just to give another measure of what the team has accomplished already with a month of play left.

[Brownie]

Of the 141 teams the Chicago National League entry has fielded since 1876, 53 have managed to amass at least 82 wins.  The Cubs of 2016 have the 29th-most wins in franchise history (79th percentile)

Top Cubs teams in history by wins:

1. 1906 --  116
2. 1907  --107
3. 1909 -- 104
3. 1910 -- 104
5. 1935 -- 100
6. 1908 -- 99
7. 1945 -- 98
7. 1929 -- 98
9. 2015 -- 97
9. 2008 -- 97
11. 1984 -- 96
12. 1989 -- 93
12. 1904 --93
12. 1937 -- 93
15. 1911 -- 92
15. 1905 -- 92
15. 1969 -- 92
18. 1912 -91
18. 1928 -- 91
20. 1998 -- 90
20. 1930 -- 90
20. 1932 --90
20. 1886 -- 90
24. 1938 -- 89
24. 2004 -- 89
26. 2003 -- 88
26. 2001 -- 88
26. 1913 --88
29. 2016 -- 87
29. 1936 -- 87
29. 1885 -- 87
29. 1967 -- 87
33. 1933 -- 86
33. 1934 -- 86
35. 2007 -- 85
35. 1898 -- 85
35. 1927 -- 85
35. 1972 -- 85
39. 1970 -- 84
39. 1968 -- 84
39. 1939 -- 84
39. 1931 -- 84
39. 1918 -- 84
39. 1993 -- 84
45. 2009 -- 83
45. 1971 -- 83
45. 1923 -- 83
45. 1890 -- 83
49. 1926 -- 82
49. 1891 -- 82
49. 1903 -- 82
49. 1946 -- 82
49. 1963 -- 82

Since World War II, there have been 17 teams to do that in the 71 seasons. This team is already the 9th best (87th percentile):
1. 2015 -- 97
1. 2008 -- 97
3. 1984 -- 96
4. 1989 -- 93
5. 1969 -- 92
6. 2004 -- 89
7. 2003 -- 88
7. 2001 -- 88
9. 2016 -- 87
9. 1967 -- 87
11. 2007 -- 85
11. 1972 -- 85
13. 1970 -- 84
13. 1968 -- 84
13. 1993 -- 84
16. 2009 -- 83
17. 1946 -- 82
17. 1963 -- 82

[/quote]

[Brownie]

Going into a three-game series in Milwaukee:

1. 1906 --  116
2. 1907  --107
3. 1909 -- 104
3. 1910 -- 104
5. 1935 -- 100
6. 1908 -- 99
7. 1945 -- 98
7. 1929 -- 98
9. 2015 -- 97
9. 2008 -- 97
11. 1984 -- 96
12. 1989 -- 93
12. 1904 --93
12. 1937 -- 93
15. 1911 -- 92
15. 1905 -- 92
15. 1969 -- 92
18. 1912 -91
18. 1928 -- 91
20. 1998 -- 90
20. 1930 -- 90
20. 1932 --90
20. 1886 -- 90
24. 1938 -- 89
24. 2004 -- 89
26. 2016 -- 88
26. 2003 -- 88
26. 2001 -- 88
26. 1913 --88
30. 1936 -- 87
30. 1885 -- 87
30. 1967 -- 87
33. 1933 -- 86
33. 1934 -- 86
35. 2007 -- 85
35. 1898 -- 85
35. 1927 -- 85
35. 1972 -- 85
39. 1970 -- 84
39. 1968 -- 84
39. 1939 -- 84
39. 1931 -- 84
39. 1918 -- 84
39. 1993 -- 84
45. 2009 -- 83
45. 1971 -- 83
45. 1923 -- 83
45. 1890 -- 83
49. 1926 -- 82
49. 1891 -- 82
49. 1903 -- 82
49. 1946 -- 82
49. 1963 -- 82

Since World War II, there have been 17 teams to do that in the 71 seasons. This team is already the 7th best (90th percentile):
1. 2015 -- 97
1. 2008 -- 97
3. 1984 -- 96
4. 1989 -- 93
5. 1969 -- 92
6. 2004 -- 89
7. 2016 -- 88
7. 2003 -- 88
7. 2001 -- 88
10. 1967 -- 87
11. 2007 -- 85
11. 1972 -- 85
13. 1970 -- 84
13. 1968 -- 84
13. 1993 -- 84
16. 2009 -- 83
17. 1946 -- 82
17. 1963 -- 82

[Brownie]

Another day, another win. Tomorrow, a chance to pass that reviled 2004 squad.

1. 1906 --  116
2. 1907  --107
3. 1909 -- 104
3. 1910 -- 104
5. 1935 -- 100
6. 1908 -- 99
7. 1945 -- 98
7. 1929 -- 98
9. 2015 -- 97
9. 2008 -- 97
11. 1984 -- 96
12. 1989 -- 93
12. 1904 --93
12. 1937 -- 93
15. 1911 -- 92
15. 1905 -- 92
15. 1969 -- 92
18. 1912 -91
18. 1928 -- 91
20. 1998 -- 90
20. 1930 -- 90
20. 1932 --90
20. 1886 -- 90
24. 2016 -- 89
24. 1938 -- 89
24. 2004 -- 89
27. 2003 -- 88
27. 2001 -- 88
27. 1913 --88
30. 1936 -- 87
30. 1885 -- 87
30. 1967 -- 87
33. 1933 -- 86
33. 1934 -- 86
35. 2007 -- 85
35. 1898 -- 85
35. 1927 -- 85
35. 1972 -- 85
39. 1970 -- 84
39. 1968 -- 84
39. 1939 -- 84
39. 1931 -- 84
39. 1918 -- 84
39. 1993 -- 84
45. 2009 -- 83
45. 1971 -- 83
45. 1923 -- 83
45. 1890 -- 83
49. 1926 -- 82
49. 1891 -- 82
49. 1903 -- 82
49. 1946 -- 82
49. 1963 -- 82

Since World War II, there have been 17 teams to do that in the 71 seasons. This team is already the 7th best (90th percentile):
1. 2015 -- 97
1. 2008 -- 97
3. 1984 -- 96
4. 1989 -- 93
5. 1969 -- 92
6. 2016 -- 89
6. 2004 -- 89
8. 2003 -- 88
8. 2001 -- 88
10. 1967 -- 87
11. 2007 -- 85
11. 1972 -- 85
13. 1970 -- 84
13. 1968 -- 84
13. 1993 -- 84
16. 2009 -- 83
17. 1946 -- 82
17. 1963 -- 82

[/quote]

[Saul Goodman]

Another day, another win. Tomorrow, a chance to pass that reviled 2004 squad.

1. 1906 --  116
2. 1907  --107
3. 1909 -- 104
3. 1910 -- 104
5. 1935 -- 100
6. 1908 -- 99
7. 1945 -- 98
7. 1929 -- 98
9. 2015 -- 97
9. 2008 -- 97
11. 1984 -- 96
12. 1989 -- 93
12. 1904 --93
12. 1937 -- 93
15. 1911 -- 92
15. 1905 -- 92
15. 1969 -- 92
18. 1912 -91
18. 1928 -- 91
20. 1998 -- 90
20. 1930 -- 90
20. 1932 --90
20. 1886 -- 90
24. 2016 -- 89
24. 1938 -- 89
24. 2004 -- 89
27. 2003 -- 88
27. 2001 -- 88
27. 1913 --88
30. 1936 -- 87
30. 1885 -- 87
30. 1967 -- 87
33. 1933 -- 86
33. 1934 -- 86
35. 2007 -- 85
35. 1898 -- 85
35. 1927 -- 85
35. 1972 -- 85
39. 1970 -- 84
39. 1968 -- 84
39. 1939 -- 84
39. 1931 -- 84
39. 1918 -- 84
39. 1993 -- 84
45. 2009 -- 83
45. 1971 -- 83
45. 1923 -- 83
45. 1890 -- 83
49. 1926 -- 82
49. 1891 -- 82
49. 1903 -- 82
49. 1946 -- 82
49. 1963 -- 82

Since World War II, there have been 17 teams to do that in the 71 seasons. This team is already the 7th best (90th percentile):
1. 2015 -- 97
1. 2008 -- 97
3. 1984 -- 96
4. 1989 -- 93
5. 1969 -- 92
6. 2016 -- 89
6. 2004 -- 89
8. 2003 -- 88
8. 2001 -- 88
10. 1967 -- 87
11. 2007 -- 85
11. 1972 -- 85
13. 1970 -- 84
13. 1968 -- 84
13. 1993 -- 84
16. 2009 -- 83
17. 1946 -- 82
17. 1963 -- 82

Fixed.

[Yeti]

I mean, WWII ended in August 45, and the MLB season ended in September 45... I think they should probably be included in the lower list

[Brownie]

I mean, WWII ended in August 45, and the MLB season ended in September 45... I think they should probably be included in the lower list

Maybe. I was just using the only Game 7 of a World Series the Cubs played in as a line of demarcation.

[Brownie]

Sayonara, 2004 Cubs. Nice to beat the Astros to remind me of how much I disliked that team.

1. 1906 --  116
2. 1907  --107
3. 1909 -- 104
3. 1910 -- 104
5. 1935 -- 100
6. 1908 -- 99
7. 1945 -- 98
7. 1929 -- 98
9. 2015 -- 97
9. 2008 -- 97
11. 1984 -- 96
12. 1989 -- 93
12. 1904 --93
12. 1937 -- 93
15. 1911 -- 92
15. 1905 -- 92
15. 1969 -- 92
18. 1912 -91
18. 1928 -- 91
20. 1998 -- 90
20. 1930 -- 90
20. 1932 --90
20. 1886 -- 90
20. 2016 -- 90
25. 1938 -- 89
25. 2004 -- 89
27. 2003 -- 88
27. 2001 -- 88
27. 1913 --88
30. 1936 -- 87
30. 1885 -- 87
30. 1967 -- 87
33. 1933 -- 86
33. 1934 -- 86
35. 2007 -- 85
35. 1898 -- 85
35. 1927 -- 85
35. 1972 -- 85
39. 1970 -- 84
39. 1968 -- 84
39. 1939 -- 84
39. 1931 -- 84
39. 1918 -- 84
39. 1993 -- 84
45. 2009 -- 83
45. 1971 -- 83
45. 1923 -- 83
45. 1890 -- 83
49. 1926 -- 82
49. 1891 -- 82
49. 1903 -- 82
49. 1946 -- 82
49. 1963 -- 82

Since World War II, there have been 17 teams to do that in the 71 seasons. This team is already the 6th best (91st percentile):
1. 2015 -- 97
1. 2008 -- 97
3. 1984 -- 96
4. 1989 -- 93
5. 1969 -- 92
6. 2016 -- 90
7. 2004 -- 89
8. 2003 -- 88
8. 2001 -- 88
10. 1967 -- 87
11. 2007 -- 85
11. 1972 -- 85
13. 1970 -- 84
13. 1968 -- 84
13. 1993 -- 84
16. 2009 -- 83
17. 1946 -- 82
17. 1963 -- 82

[/quote]
[/quote]