All-Star Break

Here are the current standings for the NL Central:
W L Pct GB
Houston 50 44 .532 --
St. Louis 49 45 .521 1.0
Chi Cubs 47 47 .500 3.0
Cincinnati 43 50 .462 6.5
Pittsburgh 41 50 .451 7.5
Milwaukee 37 56 .398 12.5

GB=games back from first place. IMO, that's the key number. Our division is so bad that there's no way that the wildcard team will come outta here. There are four other teams in the National League who are far more ahead in the wildcard chase, so that's out for the Cubs. Last night, after another terrible loss (we're 4-6 in the last 10 games), the sports reporters started to mention the dreaded phrase: WHITE FLAG FIRE SALE/TRADES.

What's this mean, my non-baseball sweeties? It means the Cubbies would raise the white flag on the season, give up, and start trading away players (esp expensive players) for younger players with the hope that the youngin's will blossom into older better players.

At this point in the season you have to start thinking about this option. July 31st is the official trading deadline (I won't get into the technicalities cause well it's harder to explain than the infield fly rule) so you have to start putting feelers out soon.

Yet, I also have not given up on this season. As I age, I'm getting more realistic about my Cubbies (No, I haven't subscribed to the George Will school of baseball), but if we're still thisclose to first place, despite playing sucky baseball, I say give us the rest of July. If we're behind by 7-10 games on July 30th, then deal away. That gives the team 12 games to shape up, including three games with the division leader, Houston. After that weekend series in Houston, then we start to pull out the famous Cubbie slogan...

Wait 'til next year!

That said, I'm also not hopeful that we can pull it out of our asses. Then I'll be subject to just rooting that we can keep a better record than the White Sux.

Labels: sports