SonofaRoache

No thank you.

We've scored 23 runs in our last 8, less than 3 runs per game. Something has got to give by the end of this weekend. Who will help carry this team with Abreu Eloy and Tim? I hear EE can carry a team for a few weeks.

Based on that thread, we are where most fans here thought we'd be. Competitive wire to wire with an expectation of the playoffs. We have a shot to win the division as most expected for this season. That was also before we knew the amount of games played and against whom. This being said, last week we were up 3.5 and really 4.5 after the tiebreaker. We are down now.

True. But I think in our hearts we probably wanted to go 90. Our overall roster was just as good as those two coming into this season. I believed the Twins would regress somewhat and the Tribe's offense was below average. Wins speaking, I would have guessed 97 for Twins and 90 for Indians and Sox. Depending on player development and regression of Twins, that gap could narrow further.

That's because people were afraid to think big and go against pundits. Most of us wanted the division this year and believed it was possible after our offseason. But again, expectations change based on current circumstances. Cubs fans didn't expect the NLCS in 2015 but the disappointment of being swept by the Mets stung. None of my Cubs friends used anything about arriving a year earlier or not expecting to be that good as a crutch to downplay a disappointing end.

Which still may be the case by Sunday night. It is possible that we would not qualify for the real playoff format. The thread made about pre season predictions here shows that we are about were fans thought. After this offseason, many people thought we could take the Central if breaks went our way. A few years back, 2020 was the season we expected to take over the division. But again, that argument is always weak. What we thought before the season means nothing. Minnesota fans probably didn't think they'd win more than 100 games last year, but they still aren't happy with how their season ended. Expectations change based on current circumstances.

I don't mind keeping Ricky, but someone clearly needs to intervene with the decisions made by this staff. It's good enough to compete for a playoff spot, but not the multiple championships they want. We went from terrible to about 91 wins this season in a normal year. It's not easy going from 91 to 98 and title contender. Everyone has to pull their expected weight.

Yes we did expect to make the playoffs. A week ago we expected to win the division before the Cubs series.

Game 3 the first series will be pitching by committe anyway. Dunning until first sign of him sucking. Cease until first sign of him sucking. Rodon until first sign of him sucking.

Maybe we should have a robo manager. A tablet that tells RR what to do in any situation based on complex data analysis and odds. The program would also construct the lineups for him after he inputs the opposing team's pitcher name in and stadium.

It's not just good pitchers though. Guys are getting bad pitches and making weak contact or no contact. Guys are in slumps that are almost impossible to have as good players. EE is better than he's played all year, as is Mazara. Luis was 6 for 66 and now has started to look shaky on D. Moncada looks old. These have been all hear problems and for Luis about 3 weeks. We don't have time to wait it out, so the problems are magnified. This season is like a football and basketball season in that regard. We are in crunch time and need positive results. The team leader has said the team has relaxed, which is the issue I have with things. The play shouldn't be bad because we relaxed at the end of a close division race with playoffs around the corner. I can't tip my cap to that.

I'll give you the over the top reactions. But in general, there has been issues with our offense against solid pitching all season. Our starters have been a mixed bag all season and have walked too many and pitched too short in games. . This doesn't mean we suck or anything, just that improvements need to be made. True, teams go through ups and downs, but the issue this week is that it seems we called it in after that Minnesota series. The front office on down to the players have gotten complacent when there is more work to do. Winning your division is an important feat, as is playing solid baseball going into the playoffs. I believe we should have went all out to sweep the Reds and win the first one or two against Cleveland. Then you can rest and set up the rotation. I suppose for me it is not necessarily the result, but how the team viewed these last 10 games, as if they aren't important. Banners matter, and you could see the pain in Abreu's face last night. You can't fake pain and frustration.

Your optimism is fine, nothing wrong with it. The problem is long posts from you acting like people shouldn't be realistic about this team. This team has a great record, but there has been signs that the offense is inconsistent, the pitching is inconsistent, and so is the manager. The reason people bring up us beating up on the Tigers, Royals, and Pirates is because it is true. We will not see those guys in the playoffs, thus posters are analyzing how things will look against the quality teams we face. Odds are we will face Cleveland, Minny, or the Yankees. We are 7 and 12 against the Twins and Indians. We have lost 5 of 6 series against those two teams. And the Yankees are healthy and playing better. This season is an overall success but limping to the playoffs at 2 and 8 in the last ten won't be it. Punting the division isn't it either. They have a chance to right the ship starting tonight and need to do so.

The Yankees are better than Cleveland. They would easily put us out next week.

It's hard for these guys not to be down. Things have blown up on them quickly and guys are hitting impossibly bad right now. Confidence is important so that we don't want them to lose.

If we lose tomorrow and Friday might as well just lose out and rest everyone. Tomorrow is needed to win this division. Can they do it?

There is a picture floating around of sad and dejected Abreu. I didn't watch all of the game but hopefully these guys aren't sulking.

The Cardinals are consistently competitive. One other team has had a nice 5 or 6 year run. One is on the rise with very good starting pitching. The Royals, Tigers, and Pirates are slouches right now and have been for a few years.

The last two games it looked bad until Donaldson got ejected.

I'm sure the Sox players are concerned about their play since they were talking to each about it. And that has nothing to do with the fact we had a 6 game lead on Cleveland a few days ago and it may be 1 tomorrow. Or that we had a 3.5 game lead on Minnesota a few days and that may be gone shortly. It is penant race time so the play needs to pick up. Even if we lose, it is important for them to get some good vibes back.

True, but the saying goes those who are hot heading into the playoffs are at an advantage. And who cares about the winning percentage prediction before the season? The data has changed and so do expectations accordingly. Also, I believe a majority of fans here thought we'd win between 33 and 36 games, which is the likely scenario.

No. The division is on the line and the playoffs start Tuesday. No one wants to hear that peaks and valleys mess. Or that players have taken it easy after clinching. Our guys are who they are for the most part. They have a shot if Moncada and Robert can bounce back to reach the ALCS. But that may be asking for a lot.

Some of us said this last week. But others were blinded by clinching, thus unable to have realistic conversation. If you paid attention to this season, it was obvious we were gonna struggle these first 8 of our final 10. And if you wanted to qin the division, you'd see our play and coaching was a problem for this week.

Then why did they say they wanted to win the division last week? Mighty convenient to switch to we don't care after you start choking.

No point in worrying about that series. The Tigers are done.