In 2015, Pirate OF Andrew McCutcheon was on top of the baseball world. He was an All-Star. He was 5th in the MVP voting. He was only 28 years old. He was a leader in a resurgent, young Pittsburgh club.
He was rumored to be in trade talks (his contract expires in 2017). But the Pirates kept him to anchor CF and hit third in the lineup.
In 2015, McCutcheon hit .292, 23 HR, 96 RBI, .401 OBP, 4.9 WAR. Great production. Great teammate. Great clubhouse leader.
Then in 2016, things quickly began to turn. He hit .256, 24 HR, 79 RBI, .376 OBP and a negative 0.7 WAR. At age 29, his plate discipline (OBP) and defense began to diminish.
Now, 51 games into the 2017 season, writers are saying it is shocking that a 30 year old former All Star is a shell of his former self. He is hitting only .217, 8 HR, 24 RBI, .290 OBP, and negative 0.4 WAR. He can no longer handle center field duties. For an entire season, he projects to hit .217, 24 HR, 72 RBI, .290 OBP and negative 1.2 WAR.
One would think that injuries would be the cause of the massive production drop. In 2014, he had an oblique injury. In 2015, he was hit by a pitch on his elbow. Since then, there has been no reported major injury news.
This season he has been benched for lack of production, and dropped in the lineup to #6 (where he has recently responded with a GW HR).
But no one is seeing a great turnover by the former All Star.
Baseball is a hard and cruel game. There are so many moving mental and physical parts that a break down in one element can signal the end of a career. It is still shocking to see it happen so quickly to a player of the caliber of McCutcheon.
Showing posts with label Pirates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pirates. Show all posts
June 3, 2017
February 24, 2016
NL CENTRAL COMPARISON
Spring training begins for players to solidify their positions as major leaguers.
The NL Central's starters are pretty much locked in stone. It will be the bullpen and bench players that may have the most activity and evaluation to get to Opening Day rosters.
But fans will debate which team is best now.
One way is to compare each player position by position to rank which of the three is better. Trying to be as objective as possible, here is the breakdown:
Using the team's own current depth charts, which NL Central team is the best
by player to player position comparison? 3= best, 1 = worst
CUBS CARDINALS PIRATES
LF Schwarber 1 Holliday 2 Marte 3
CF Heyward 2 Grichuk 1 McCutheon 3
RF Soler 1 Piscotty 2 Polanco 3
3B Bryant 3 Carpenter 2 Kang 1
SS Russell 1 Peralta 3 Mercer 2
2B Zobrist 2 Wong 1 Harrison 3
1B Rizzo 3 Moss 2 Jaso 1
C Montero 1 Molina 2 Cervilli 3
SP Lester 1 Wainwright 2 Cole 3
SP Arrieta 3 Garcia 1 Liriano 2
SP Lackey 1 Wacha 2 Locke 3
SP Hendricks 2 Leake 3 Niese 1
SP Hammel 2 Martinez 3 Vogelsong 1
CL Rondon 1 Rosenthal 2 Melacom 3
24 28 32
Starting Rotation: Cubs 9, Cardinals 11, Pirates 10. Very close.
The Cubs infield is tops while the Pirates is the worst.
Columnists have speculated that the Cubs could win from 101 to 92 games this year. Most believe the Cardinals will not repeat their victory total from 2015 because of the loss of Heyward and Lackey.
The NL Central's starters are pretty much locked in stone. It will be the bullpen and bench players that may have the most activity and evaluation to get to Opening Day rosters.
But fans will debate which team is best now.
One way is to compare each player position by position to rank which of the three is better. Trying to be as objective as possible, here is the breakdown:
Using the team's own current depth charts, which NL Central team is the best
by player to player position comparison? 3= best, 1 = worst
CUBS CARDINALS PIRATES
LF Schwarber 1 Holliday 2 Marte 3
CF Heyward 2 Grichuk 1 McCutheon 3
RF Soler 1 Piscotty 2 Polanco 3
3B Bryant 3 Carpenter 2 Kang 1
SS Russell 1 Peralta 3 Mercer 2
2B Zobrist 2 Wong 1 Harrison 3
1B Rizzo 3 Moss 2 Jaso 1
C Montero 1 Molina 2 Cervilli 3
SP Lester 1 Wainwright 2 Cole 3
SP Arrieta 3 Garcia 1 Liriano 2
SP Lackey 1 Wacha 2 Locke 3
SP Hendricks 2 Leake 3 Niese 1
SP Hammel 2 Martinez 3 Vogelsong 1
CL Rondon 1 Rosenthal 2 Melacom 3
24 28 32
Starting Rotation: Cubs 9, Cardinals 11, Pirates 10. Very close.
The Cubs infield is tops while the Pirates is the worst.
Columnists have speculated that the Cubs could win from 101 to 92 games this year. Most believe the Cardinals will not repeat their victory total from 2015 because of the loss of Heyward and Lackey.
September 8, 2015
May 16, 2015
BUMBLING VICTORY
Oh, what a strange one.
I got home and saw the end.
But before, my gawd, sending Castro on the short fly ball to right field was stupid.
He was out by a country mile.
Then the exact same inning unfolded for the Cubs.
Bases loaded, one out, same batter up (Szczur) and
same runner at third (Castro). Same lazy fly ball to
short right and . . . Polanco trips over some grass blades,
falls - - - game over.
What a bumbling, stumbling, lucky victory for the Cubs.
The game could have been lost by over-managing by both Maddon and Hurdle.
You don't run out of players by the 10th inning.
The Pirates were out of position players, and had no relievers left.
The Cubs had one position player, an injured Ross, and one reliever left, Coke.
Starters were pinch hitting for gosh sakes.
Edwin Jackson was pitching in the extras, so he should have been told he was
going to throw to the conclusion of the contest. But no, the pitcher's spot in
double shifts wound up 4th - - - meaning in a tie game, Jackson was pulled for
a short reliever.
Lucky for Maddon, it never got that far as the Cubs won at that at-bat.
I got home and saw the end.
But before, my gawd, sending Castro on the short fly ball to right field was stupid.
He was out by a country mile.
Then the exact same inning unfolded for the Cubs.
Bases loaded, one out, same batter up (Szczur) and
same runner at third (Castro). Same lazy fly ball to
short right and . . . Polanco trips over some grass blades,
falls - - - game over.
What a bumbling, stumbling, lucky victory for the Cubs.
The game could have been lost by over-managing by both Maddon and Hurdle.
You don't run out of players by the 10th inning.
The Pirates were out of position players, and had no relievers left.
The Cubs had one position player, an injured Ross, and one reliever left, Coke.
Starters were pinch hitting for gosh sakes.
Edwin Jackson was pitching in the extras, so he should have been told he was
going to throw to the conclusion of the contest. But no, the pitcher's spot in
double shifts wound up 4th - - - meaning in a tie game, Jackson was pulled for
a short reliever.
Lucky for Maddon, it never got that far as the Cubs won at that at-bat.
December 27, 2014
NL WINTER OF DISCONTENT
The easy road to the playoffs is winning your division.
How have the NL Central teams fared so far this off season?
CUBS:
In: Jon Lester, David Ross, Jason Motte, Jason Hammel, Miguel Montero, Tommy La Stella
Out: Justin Ruggiano, Carlos Villanueva, a bunch of prospects
CARDINALS
In: Mark Reynolds, Matt Belisle, Jason Heyward, Jordan Walden, Dean Anna
Out: Daniel Descalso, Shelby Miller, Justin Masterson, A.J. Pierzynski, Jason Motte, Mark Ellis, Pat Neshek
BREWERS:
In: Adam Lind, Juan Centeno, Luis Jimenez
Out: Marco Estrada, Rickie Weeks, Francisco Rodriguez, Tom Gorzelanny, Zach Duke, Mark Reynolds, Lyle Overbay
PIRATES
In: Corey Hart, Radhames Liz, Sean Rodriguez, Antonio Bastardo, Pedro Florimon, Francisco Cervelli, Jake Elmore, Jung-Ho Kang
Out: Gaby Sanchez, Ike Davis, Justin Wilson, Russell Martin, Edinson Volquez, Clint Barmes
REDS:
In: Anthony DeSclafani, Chad Wallach, Eugenio Saurez, Jonathon Crawford, Ramon Cabrera, Neftali Soto, Matt Magill, Jose Flores
Out: Mat Latos, Alfredo Simon, Chris Heisey
At first glance, it appears the REDS are in complete demolition, tear-down mode. By trading away two starters from the deepest rotation in the division (because they would be free agents at the end of 2015) is a White Flag move before the season starts. Reds fans cannot be happy, even though the team has tried to stock pile young arms. Cincinnati appears to be a .500 club at best.
The BREWERS have been less active than the Reds, picking up one potential starter in Lind (6 HR, 40 RBI in 96 games). The Brew lost a lot of pitching depth so far this off season, so the team does appear to be falling below .500.
The CARDINALS lost a lot of pitching by trade and free agency, but the big exchange was to get Heywood to bolster a good line up of hitters. Reynolds appears to be a bench signing (insurance) in case Adams eats his way off first base. St. Louis will have to count on their young pitching pipeline to contend in 2015.
The PIRATES lost two key components: Volquez and Martin. But the addition of slick fielding Korean SS Kang is an upgrade, and upgrading the bullpen may help the starting staff. If Hart can get back to his 2012 season (30 HR, 89 RBI, .270 BA) then the Pirates will again be near the top of the division.
The CUBS player departures are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Lester may be the best starter in the division, but the other additions do not help the team which has real trouble scoring runs. There is a concern that a Montero-Ross catching tandem is a down grade from a healthy Castillo. The Cubs may still be a sub .500 team due to the prospects trying to become major league professionals.
Overall, the NL Central has not been as active as one may have thought this winter.
How have the NL Central teams fared so far this off season?
CUBS:
In: Jon Lester, David Ross, Jason Motte, Jason Hammel, Miguel Montero, Tommy La Stella
Out: Justin Ruggiano, Carlos Villanueva, a bunch of prospects
CARDINALS
In: Mark Reynolds, Matt Belisle, Jason Heyward, Jordan Walden, Dean Anna
Out: Daniel Descalso, Shelby Miller, Justin Masterson, A.J. Pierzynski, Jason Motte, Mark Ellis, Pat Neshek
BREWERS:
In: Adam Lind, Juan Centeno, Luis Jimenez
Out: Marco Estrada, Rickie Weeks, Francisco Rodriguez, Tom Gorzelanny, Zach Duke, Mark Reynolds, Lyle Overbay
PIRATES
In: Corey Hart, Radhames Liz, Sean Rodriguez, Antonio Bastardo, Pedro Florimon, Francisco Cervelli, Jake Elmore, Jung-Ho Kang
Out: Gaby Sanchez, Ike Davis, Justin Wilson, Russell Martin, Edinson Volquez, Clint Barmes
REDS:
In: Anthony DeSclafani, Chad Wallach, Eugenio Saurez, Jonathon Crawford, Ramon Cabrera, Neftali Soto, Matt Magill, Jose Flores
Out: Mat Latos, Alfredo Simon, Chris Heisey
At first glance, it appears the REDS are in complete demolition, tear-down mode. By trading away two starters from the deepest rotation in the division (because they would be free agents at the end of 2015) is a White Flag move before the season starts. Reds fans cannot be happy, even though the team has tried to stock pile young arms. Cincinnati appears to be a .500 club at best.
The BREWERS have been less active than the Reds, picking up one potential starter in Lind (6 HR, 40 RBI in 96 games). The Brew lost a lot of pitching depth so far this off season, so the team does appear to be falling below .500.
The CARDINALS lost a lot of pitching by trade and free agency, but the big exchange was to get Heywood to bolster a good line up of hitters. Reynolds appears to be a bench signing (insurance) in case Adams eats his way off first base. St. Louis will have to count on their young pitching pipeline to contend in 2015.
The PIRATES lost two key components: Volquez and Martin. But the addition of slick fielding Korean SS Kang is an upgrade, and upgrading the bullpen may help the starting staff. If Hart can get back to his 2012 season (30 HR, 89 RBI, .270 BA) then the Pirates will again be near the top of the division.
The CUBS player departures are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Lester may be the best starter in the division, but the other additions do not help the team which has real trouble scoring runs. There is a concern that a Montero-Ross catching tandem is a down grade from a healthy Castillo. The Cubs may still be a sub .500 team due to the prospects trying to become major league professionals.
Overall, the NL Central has not been as active as one may have thought this winter.
October 19, 2014
THE HIGH COST
It has been reported that the Pirates will make a qualifying offer of $15.3 million qualifying offer to star free-agent catcher Russell Martin.
Rumor around Chicago talking heads believed the Cubs would make a major pitch for Russell in free agency.
The Pirates had tried to re-sign Martin with a multiyear offer during the season, but it was rejected. The qualifying offer itself represents quite a raise for Martin, although a huge season has set him up to prosper in free agency. Martin hit .290 with 11 home runs and 67 RBI, posted a .402 on-base percentage and a 5.5 WAR.
Martin's big season would seem to make the qualifying offer logical for the Pirates, who don't have revenue to match big-market teams in the open market. If the Pirates lose Martin, they would get a compensatory pick in the June draft.
Even though Martin has premiere numbers for a catcher, paying a backstop $16.0 plus million per season is a risky gamble for any club. Martin will want a multiyear deal in excess of the current "floor" of $15.3 million. And some team will probably meet his demands.
The Cubs may want people to think they are in the discussion on Martin, but there is no compelling need to overspend on a catcher at this time. The priority is on pitching. The Cubs have an adequate catcher in Wellington Castillo. And the front office has high hopes for Kyle Schwarber, who tore up the minors in his first professional season. Scouts think Schwarber could be a solid #3 hitter.
Rumor around Chicago talking heads believed the Cubs would make a major pitch for Russell in free agency.
The Pirates had tried to re-sign Martin with a multiyear offer during the season, but it was rejected. The qualifying offer itself represents quite a raise for Martin, although a huge season has set him up to prosper in free agency. Martin hit .290 with 11 home runs and 67 RBI, posted a .402 on-base percentage and a 5.5 WAR.
Martin's big season would seem to make the qualifying offer logical for the Pirates, who don't have revenue to match big-market teams in the open market. If the Pirates lose Martin, they would get a compensatory pick in the June draft.
Even though Martin has premiere numbers for a catcher, paying a backstop $16.0 plus million per season is a risky gamble for any club. Martin will want a multiyear deal in excess of the current "floor" of $15.3 million. And some team will probably meet his demands.
The Cubs may want people to think they are in the discussion on Martin, but there is no compelling need to overspend on a catcher at this time. The priority is on pitching. The Cubs have an adequate catcher in Wellington Castillo. And the front office has high hopes for Kyle Schwarber, who tore up the minors in his first professional season. Scouts think Schwarber could be a solid #3 hitter.
July 25, 2013
PITTSBURGH OR KANSAS CITY?
There is a great debate on how long will it take Epstein-Hoyer to rebuild the Cubs into a championship caliber club. By stuffing the low minors with prospects may be part of The Plan, but there have been other teams doing the same thing for a longer time. The question may come down to what path the Cubs are on: the road to Pittsburgh (currently in 2nd place in NL Central) or to Kansas City (a club in perpetual rebuild mode).
Pittsburgh began pro ball in 1882. It's first playoff team was in 1903 (21 years later). In 1909 and 1925 it won the World Series. In 1927 it lost the series. In 1960, after a 33 year playoff drought, the Pirates won the World Series. In 1970, the Pirates started another playoff run. In 1971, it won the World Series. In 1972, 1974 and 1975, it lost in the NLCS. Then in 1979, it won the World Series. The next year, the team missed the playoffs with a 83-79 record.
The next playoff run for the Pirates began in 1990, and for three season they lost in the NLCS. In 1993, the team record fell to 75-87. Since 1994, the Pirates did not have one .500 team. It has been 20 years since a playoff berth.
The Pirates history indicates that it usually takes 20 years to get champion caliber teams.
The Royals began in 1969 as an expansion team. It had to build an organization from the ground up. It's first playoff team happened 7 years later in 1976, losing in the ALCS. This was repeated in 1977 and 1978. In 1980, it lost in the World Series. In 1981, it lost in the first round of the playoffs. In 1984, it lost in the ALCS. Then, in 1985, it won the World Series. The next year, the club went 76-86.
Since 1987, the Royals have had seven above .500 teams. The last .500 team was in 2003 (83-79). The Royals have gone 10 years since being a .500 squad. The Royals have gone 27 years without a playoff team.
From what the Cubs plan on doing, these comparisons are valid even though Chicago is not a small market team. At best, it may take seven years of building to get a playoff team (which would mean 2018). At worst, it could around 15 years or 2025 to have a championship caliber team. And the worst case scenario is a possibility because ownership will be borrowing most of the $500 million to redevelop the Ricketts properties. The Cubs ball club only rents Wrigley Field. It does not own it. Separate legal entities own the three main parcels to be redeveloped. The new revenue streams will flow into those separate businesses to pay down the massive debt and maintenance for the new buildings. For all the assumption that the Cubs will suddenly have unlimited resources to spend on free agents in the near future is a myth. The Cubs will be rebuilding like a small market team since the new revenue will be diverted to pay construction and land development expenses first, with very little trickle down to the club (only the improvements inside Wrigley).
Pittsburgh began pro ball in 1882. It's first playoff team was in 1903 (21 years later). In 1909 and 1925 it won the World Series. In 1927 it lost the series. In 1960, after a 33 year playoff drought, the Pirates won the World Series. In 1970, the Pirates started another playoff run. In 1971, it won the World Series. In 1972, 1974 and 1975, it lost in the NLCS. Then in 1979, it won the World Series. The next year, the team missed the playoffs with a 83-79 record.
The next playoff run for the Pirates began in 1990, and for three season they lost in the NLCS. In 1993, the team record fell to 75-87. Since 1994, the Pirates did not have one .500 team. It has been 20 years since a playoff berth.
The Pirates history indicates that it usually takes 20 years to get champion caliber teams.
The Royals began in 1969 as an expansion team. It had to build an organization from the ground up. It's first playoff team happened 7 years later in 1976, losing in the ALCS. This was repeated in 1977 and 1978. In 1980, it lost in the World Series. In 1981, it lost in the first round of the playoffs. In 1984, it lost in the ALCS. Then, in 1985, it won the World Series. The next year, the club went 76-86.
Since 1987, the Royals have had seven above .500 teams. The last .500 team was in 2003 (83-79). The Royals have gone 10 years since being a .500 squad. The Royals have gone 27 years without a playoff team.
From what the Cubs plan on doing, these comparisons are valid even though Chicago is not a small market team. At best, it may take seven years of building to get a playoff team (which would mean 2018). At worst, it could around 15 years or 2025 to have a championship caliber team. And the worst case scenario is a possibility because ownership will be borrowing most of the $500 million to redevelop the Ricketts properties. The Cubs ball club only rents Wrigley Field. It does not own it. Separate legal entities own the three main parcels to be redeveloped. The new revenue streams will flow into those separate businesses to pay down the massive debt and maintenance for the new buildings. For all the assumption that the Cubs will suddenly have unlimited resources to spend on free agents in the near future is a myth. The Cubs will be rebuilding like a small market team since the new revenue will be diverted to pay construction and land development expenses first, with very little trickle down to the club (only the improvements inside Wrigley).
April 4, 2013
MID SEASON FORM
I got home last night in time to see a few innings of the Cubs-Pirates game. The broadcasters said it was a breezy 32 degrees. The Cubs offense was as cold as the weather. Two measly hits off of former Astro lefty Wandy Rodruiguez.
The Cubs were in mid-2012 season form. Edwin Jackson was cruising along in his Cub debut, until he lost his command in one long inning. And that was the ball game. Unless you can throw a shutout like Samardzija, the Cubs have trouble coming from behind.
Castro looked weird in his modern chain mail hood. Lillibridge looked like an escaped Wonka employee when he played third base. Sappelt at the plate looked like he was trying to capture butterflies with a garden rake.
No wonder the Cubs cannot sell out Opening Day. The PR department emails continue to flood our in-folders on a daily basis.
The story of this year's Cubs is more to do with the off-season business arbitrage between the owners and the city than fielding a real competitive team. Reduced payroll, emphasis on prospects at the Class A level and below, and a triage for journeymen pitchers to trade is a blueprint that most fans deep into year three of a recession won't afford to watch.
Further dampening the historic Cub town vibe is the fast start of the White Sox, who had back to back quality starts from Sale and Peavy. And the White Sox offense has hit 6 home runs in two games. As Greg Maddux said, "chicks dig the long ball." The White Sox are poised to surprise the national stage to be better than expected while the Cubs are no surprise at all.
The Cubs were in mid-2012 season form. Edwin Jackson was cruising along in his Cub debut, until he lost his command in one long inning. And that was the ball game. Unless you can throw a shutout like Samardzija, the Cubs have trouble coming from behind.
Castro looked weird in his modern chain mail hood. Lillibridge looked like an escaped Wonka employee when he played third base. Sappelt at the plate looked like he was trying to capture butterflies with a garden rake.
No wonder the Cubs cannot sell out Opening Day. The PR department emails continue to flood our in-folders on a daily basis.
The story of this year's Cubs is more to do with the off-season business arbitrage between the owners and the city than fielding a real competitive team. Reduced payroll, emphasis on prospects at the Class A level and below, and a triage for journeymen pitchers to trade is a blueprint that most fans deep into year three of a recession won't afford to watch.
Further dampening the historic Cub town vibe is the fast start of the White Sox, who had back to back quality starts from Sale and Peavy. And the White Sox offense has hit 6 home runs in two games. As Greg Maddux said, "chicks dig the long ball." The White Sox are poised to surprise the national stage to be better than expected while the Cubs are no surprise at all.
March 14, 2013
NL CENTRAL PROJECTIONS
As spring training begins to wind down, opening day rosters are becoming quite clear. CBS Sports published this week a projected opening day lineup and rotation with closer for each team.
Our focus is on the NL Central. In 2012, the NL Central teams (excluding the Astros, now in the AL West) won a total of 408 games. If you divide 408 wins by 5 teams, the average is 81.6 wins/team. That is consistent with the average of 81 wins for a .500 club.
Using the published projected lineups, I ranked each team position player with his divisional peer. The ranking was 5 (for the best) to 1 (for the worst). This would equate to a total possible of 210 points. For each team rank point, it would project to 1.943 wins.
For the positional players, the points from the rankings finished as follows:
Reds 29
Cards 27
Brewers 25
Pirates 24
Cubs 15
For the pitchers (5 starters and closer), the points from the rankings finished as follows:
Reds 25 & Cards 25
Pirates 15
Brewers 13
Cubs 12
Total points were:
Reds 54 = 104.92 wins
Cards 52 = 101.04 wins
Pirates 39 = 75.78 wins
Brewers 38 = 73.83 wins
Cubs 27 = 52. 46 wins
From last year's standings and this projection:
Reds 105 wins = +8 wins from 2012 (97)
Cards 101 wins = +13 wins from 2012 (88)
Pirates 76 wins = +3 more losses from 2012 (79)
Brewers 74 wins = +9 more losses from 2012 (83)
Cubs 52 wins = +9 more losses from 2012 (61)
The Cardinals may project on paper as the most improved in the division, but the difference between the Reds is not enough to overcome the gap; even if the Reds repeat the same season, the Cards gain of +5 would still leave them only with 93 wins (6 GB). There will be a battle for first place, and a close battle for third place. The Cubs appear to be the bottom feeder by a wide margin.
Our focus is on the NL Central. In 2012, the NL Central teams (excluding the Astros, now in the AL West) won a total of 408 games. If you divide 408 wins by 5 teams, the average is 81.6 wins/team. That is consistent with the average of 81 wins for a .500 club.
Using the published projected lineups, I ranked each team position player with his divisional peer. The ranking was 5 (for the best) to 1 (for the worst). This would equate to a total possible of 210 points. For each team rank point, it would project to 1.943 wins.
For the positional players, the points from the rankings finished as follows:
Reds 29
Cards 27
Brewers 25
Pirates 24
Cubs 15
For the pitchers (5 starters and closer), the points from the rankings finished as follows:
Reds 25 & Cards 25
Pirates 15
Brewers 13
Cubs 12
Total points were:
Reds 54 = 104.92 wins
Cards 52 = 101.04 wins
Pirates 39 = 75.78 wins
Brewers 38 = 73.83 wins
Cubs 27 = 52. 46 wins
From last year's standings and this projection:
Reds 105 wins = +8 wins from 2012 (97)
Cards 101 wins = +13 wins from 2012 (88)
Pirates 76 wins = +3 more losses from 2012 (79)
Brewers 74 wins = +9 more losses from 2012 (83)
Cubs 52 wins = +9 more losses from 2012 (61)
The Cardinals may project on paper as the most improved in the division, but the difference between the Reds is not enough to overcome the gap; even if the Reds repeat the same season, the Cards gain of +5 would still leave them only with 93 wins (6 GB). There will be a battle for first place, and a close battle for third place. The Cubs appear to be the bottom feeder by a wide margin.
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