Meanwhile in Chicago……..

[Ryno23]

21 hours ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

If I didn't live amongst Cub fans for roughly half of my life, I'd struggle to understand what sort of logic they apply in assuming their team is just way better than the Brewers, and at some point the Brewers "luck" would run out and the Cubs will come out ahead of Milwaukee in the standings.  There's this belief on their end that the Brewers' success "isn't sustainable" - but they fail to see how much of the current state of the Brewer organization is incredibly sustainable in terms of draft and develop, increased quality minor league depth, an eye for pitching from all kinds of spots, and a MLB roster that is currently loaded with young players who may not be able to do 1 thing at an elite level, but can do many things well.

Diehard Cub fan here. Long time stalker of this site but I usually tend to not post. First off I want to say I did not watch the video, my wounds are to fresh and are still raw. Secondly I'd like to say how frustrating it is for me, if not most Cubs fans, that every year we seem to be out played by smaller markets like Milwaukee and St. Louis. It amazes me how good the Brewers seem to be almost every year with limited payroll while seemingly always losing good players to free agency. I personally never 'assume' we are or will be better then the Brewers, I personally picked the Brewers in 4 in this series, but I do feel there is no reason we shouldn't be. The Cubs are a big market team and have the money to be competing with the Dodgers and Yankees, but they would rather try to win like a small market team and keep more money in their pockets. The problem with that is they don't seem to have the same smart baseball staff that the Brewers/Cards have when it comes to finding unknown talent, and they spend money on the wrong players, like $20 million a year on Ian Happ. I believe that when talking about the Brewers sustainability its more for this specific year not for the long term. You have to admit that the 39-9 stretch the Brewers had mid June to mid August is not something that happens very often in baseball. The other 4 months of the season the Brewers were 58-56, which is about as average as you can get, so its more likely to believe the 39-9 was more of an aberration than the norm and that it would not be sustainable.

[Ryno23]

21 hours ago, Matt said:

Haven't watched this yet but having listened to national MLB podcasts over the last month or two there's definitely the sentiment out there that the Brewers really are getting by on luck, smoke, and mirrors. Whether it's the lack of stars (a legitimate talking point this weekend on one of the pods), BABIP, unearned runs, or [take your pick] the overwhelming consensus has been that what the Brewers did all season wouldn't matter much when going up against more talented teams in the playoffs. 

To be honest I would think you would be used to this by now. The Brewers will never get the same respect as the Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies or other big market teams even when they deserve it. Look back at the last 20 world series winners and tell me how many small market teams win. I'm guessing it'll be about 5 or so. That's why these MLB reporters or whatever you call them will always side with Goliath over David. I'm not saying I agree with them, but its just the way it is. I am superstitious when it comes to baseball though and want to remind you that you've only played 2 games and, since everyone's opinion on this site, including mine, is that the Brewers are a better team than the Cubs, you haven't faced those more talented teams yet. Don't jinx yourself😉

[CheezWizHed]

12 minutes ago, Ryno23 said:

Diehard Cub fan here. Long time stalker of this site but I usually tend to not post. First off I want to say I did not watch the video, my wounds are to fresh and are still raw. Secondly I'd like to say how frustrating it is for me, if not most Cubs fans, that every year we seem to be out played by smaller markets like Milwaukee and St. Louis. It amazes me how good the Brewers seem to be almost every year with limited payroll while seemingly always losing good players to free agency. I personally never 'assume' we are or will be better then the Brewers, I personally picked the Brewers in 4 in this series, but I do feel there is no reason we shouldn't be. The Cubs are a big market team and have the money to be competing with the Dodgers and Yankees, but they would rather try to win like a small market team and keep more money in their pockets. The problem with that is they don't seem to have the same smart baseball staff that the Brewers/Cards have when it comes to finding unknown talent, and they spend money on the wrong players, like $20 million a year on Ian Happ. I believe that when talking about the Brewers sustainability its more for this specific year not for the long term. You have to admit that the 39-9 stretch the Brewers had mid June to mid August is not something that happens very often in baseball. The other 4 months of the season the Brewers were 58-56, which is about as average as you can get, so its more likely to believe the 39-9 was more of an aberration than the norm and that it would not be sustainable.

"Welcome" to the site. 😉

While I don't think anyone thinks 39-9 is sustainable, you can't dismiss it either.   They had a nice confluence of health and people playing at their peaks.  But we also sustained a lead over the Cubs (and every other MLB team) to the best record in baseball after.  Their RS (3rd) and RA (3rd) also support them being far above average. Especially since that gives them the #1 net scoring in the league.

[Playing Catch]

1 hour ago, Ryno23 said:

Diehard Cub fan here. Long time stalker of this site but I usually tend to not post.

Welcome!

45 minutes ago, Ryno23 said:

Look back at the last 20 world series winners and tell me how many small market teams win. I'm guessing it'll be about 5 or so.

Speaking only for myself, I love being a fan of a small-market team. It makes nearly every game mean a little bit more when your team wins. I don't expect any Cubs fans to jump on the Brewers bandwagon if the Brewers are so blessed as to win the decisive game and move on, but I think baseball fans around the country will indulge in watching the plucky Brewers beat the Cubs, Dodgers, and Yankees to win their one and only World Series title. It will make a great story --- if they are so blessed.

47 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

"Welcome" to the site. 😉

While I don't think anyone thinks 39-9 is sustainable, you can't dismiss it either.   They had a nice confluence of health and people playing at their peaks.  But we also sustained a lead over the Cubs (and every other MLB team) to the best record in baseball after.  Their RS (3rd) and RA (3rd) also support them being far above average. Especially since that gives them the #1 net scoring in the league.

I agree. I think for many of us that watch religiously, we saw that their winning games wasn't fluky at all. They are a very young team, and many of them significantly improved as the season went on. It may prove to be a one-off season (I doubt it), but THIS team is every bit the best team in baseball based on my eye test, which is admittedly blindingly biased. In addition, after that 5-game series with the Cubs, the Brewers started shutting guys down, and planning for the postseason. Other than the significant loss of Woodruff, the Brewers have gotten their guys some rest, pitchers and position players alike.

[Fear The Chorizo]

50 minutes ago, Ryno23 said:

Diehard Cub fan here. Long time stalker of this site but I usually tend to not post. First off I want to say I did not watch the video, my wounds are to fresh and are still raw. Secondly I'd like to say how frustrating it is for me, if not most Cubs fans, that every year we seem to be out played by smaller markets like Milwaukee and St. Louis. It amazes me how good the Brewers seem to be almost every year with limited payroll while seemingly always losing good players to free agency. I personally never 'assume' we are or will be better then the Brewers, I personally picked the Brewers in 4 in this series, but I do feel there is no reason we shouldn't be. The Cubs are a big market team and have the money to be competing with the Dodgers and Yankees, but they would rather try to win like a small market team and keep more money in their pockets. The problem with that is they don't seem to have the same smart baseball staff that the Brewers/Cards have when it comes to finding unknown talent, and they spend money on the wrong players, like $20 million a year on Ian Happ. I believe that when talking about the Brewers sustainability its more for this specific year not for the long term. You have to admit that the 39-9 stretch the Brewers had mid June to mid August is not something that happens very often in baseball. The other 4 months of the season the Brewers were 58-56, which is about as average as you can get, so its more likely to believe the 39-9 was more of an aberration than the norm and that it would not be sustainable.

The Cubs were 56-48 from June through the end of the regular season once their teamwide offensive onslaught started regressing to their actual talent level, while the Brewers were 66-37 - which includes a 12-12 september while coasting to the finish line.  It should also be noted that as the Brewers were creeping up on the Cubs in the standings in late June, all we heard about was how the difference in schedule strength would likely sink the Brewers compared to what was left on the Cub schedule.  The exact opposite happened.

 

The fact that the Brewers went on an extended hot streak through what was perceived to be a difficult stretch of their schedule while the Cubs treaded water through what was supposed to be a cakewalk of a 2nd half slate of games should make it all the more obvious that there is a significant gap between the teams when it comes to talent and roster construction.  Vaughn was a former 3rd overall pick.  Turang was a 1st round pick out of high school who had some helium as a junior to be the 1st overall pick.  Frelick was a 1st rounder. Chourio is a generational talent.   These guys are far from unknown talent.  There is also pitching talent all over the roster with stuff that can mow through playoff lineups.  And, there is more impact talent in the minors league system on its way, as the Brewers are among the best systems in all of baseball.

Just because the payroll for this roster isnt $200+ million doesnt mean the Brewer roster isn't better than the Cubs.  I do agree that the Cubs have made some questionable decisions on who to hand bags of money to - starting with their manager.  I also think pitching injuries have really hamstrung the Cubs in the rotation....but then again after seeing Steele's workload and what they did with Horton in terms of innings pitched jumps it was pretty predictable (also why I think Boyd is scuffling down the stretch).  Ill point out the Brewers have dealt with plenty of significant pitching injuries this season, too.

 

All that being said, would it surprise me to see the Cubs win today and then we're all on pins and needles about losing this series?  Not at all, it's playoff baseball.  An 83 win dog of a Cardinal team won a world series.  Quite frankly it has and always will be the Dodgers and everyone else in the national league until baseball's insane economic model gets fixed.  But it's damn fun rooting for a Brewer team that plays hard and can win games so many different ways.

[Playing Catch]

9 minutes ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

Vaughn was a former 3rd overall pick.  Turang was a 1st round pick out of high school who had some helium as a junior to be the 1st overall pick.  Frelick was a 1st rounder. Chourio is a generational talent.

Indeed. The Brewers are coming to the park each day with a lineup loaded with very real, top-of-the-scale talent in guys like Chourio, Yelich, and Contreras, plus all-star level talent with the other names you mentioned. The pitching-staff, meanwhile, boasts a depth of nastiness that the baseball world is now seeing. Chad Patrick was throwing 97 mph the other day, and that was, I believe, the slowest best-fastball they threw all day. Abner Uribe has been one of the most dominant relivers in baseball in 2025, and he's been filling in for an all-star closer, who when right (and he's been right), has been outstanding.

I've been hearing it and reading it from opposing fans all week that have been watching. The Brewers. Are. Just. Better.

[Ryno23]

6 minutes ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

The Cubs were 56-48 from June through the end of the regular season once their teamwide offensive onslaught started regressing to their actual talent level, while the Brewers were 66-37 - which includes a 12-12 september while coasting to the finish line.  It should also be noted that as the Brewers were creeping up on the Cubs in the standings in late June, all we heard about was how the difference in schedule strength would likely sink the Brewers compared to what was left on the Cub schedule.  The exact opposite happened.

 

The fact that the Brewers went on an extended hot streak through what was perceived to be a difficult stretch of their schedule while the Cubs treaded water through what was supposed to be a cakewalk of a 2nd half slate of games should make it all the more obvious that there is a significant gap between the teams when it comes to talent and roster construction.  Vaughn was a former 3rd overall pick.  Turang was a 1st round pick out of high school who had some helium as a junior to be the 1st overall pick.  Frelick was a 1st rounder. Chourio is a generational talent.   These guys are far from unknown talent.  There is also pitching talent all over the roster with stuff that can mow through playoff lineups.  And, there is more impact talent in the minors league system on its way, as the Brewers are among the best systems in all of baseball.

Just because the payroll for this roster isnt $200+ million doesnt mean the Brewer roster isn't better than the Cubs.  I do agree that the Cubs have made some questionable decisions on who to hand bags of money to - starting with their manager.  I also think pitching injuries have really hamstrung the Cubs in the rotation....but then again after seeing Steele's workload and what they did with Horton in terms of innings pitched jumps it was pretty predictable (also why I think Boyd is scuffling down the stretch).  Ill point out the Brewers have dealt with plenty of significant pitching injuries this season, too.

 

All that being said, would it surprise me to see the Cubs win today and then we're all on pins and needles about losing this series?  Not at all, it's playoff baseball.  An 83 win dog of a Cardinal team won a world series.  Quite frankly it has and always will be the Dodgers and everyone else in the national league until baseball's insane economic model gets fixed.  But it's damn fun rooting for a Brewer team that plays hard and can win games so many different ways.

I will always hate the Brewers but that doesn't mean I can't cheer them on when the Cubs have been eliminated.  I will definitely be hopping on the Brewers bandwagon for the rest of the playoffs if/when they seal this series. It's always more exciting watching a team trying to get their first series win than watching the Dodgers or yanks win it again for the 367th time. The only bad thing about the Brewers winning it this year is I will no longer be able to tease my Brewer friends with this image anymore😁

[Samurai Bucky]

I had seem some YouTube videos from 670 the score.  It seems like they, along with some of the fans, are not as tough on Counsell as one would think.  The theme is that the front office isn't coming up with good players and making bad decisions.

The big difference is that the Brewers are finding players and developing them.  Murphy used a term that I had not heard before, "Cliffhangers."  These are players that don't know if their name will be on the locker the next day.  I don't think every player needs to be a cliffhanger, obviously, because Contreras and Yelich are not cliffhangers.  Hmmm... I'm sure Civale didn't think he was a cliffhanger...

Now, Counsell isn't off the hook.  The Justin Turner move on Monday reminded me a little bit of Jessie Winker.  Mind you, I think Turner is a better person that Winker, but similar logic applies.

[tmwiese55]

Wonder if these guys have dropped another Pod or are keeping quiet after the last two days.     Probably a comparable Brewers one with sky is falling talk like this too now

[ErnieRilesBrianGiles]

Was at the game last night, and sat by 5 Cubs fans. Have to give them props. They cheered hard and respectfully the entire game, and after the final out, they left quietly, and each shook my hand and wished the Brewers good luck. It's fun to rail on Cub fans, It's harder when the stereotype doesn't always match 

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

35 minutes ago, ErnieRilesBrianGiles said:

Was at the game last night, and sat by 5 Cubs fans. Have to give them props. They cheered hard and respectfully the entire game, and after the final out, they left quietly, and each shook my hand and wished the Brewers good luck. It's fun to rail on Cub fans, It's harder when the stereotype doesn't always match 

Lotta good Cub fans in my life. Living in on the IL/IA border, it's mostly them and the Cards, though more Brewer support recently.

This was a really good series, with two very tense, close games, and, when you get so many early runs, you get a lot of innings where one fanbase is feeling a lot of anxiety trying to hold the lead. It's crazy how good Game 5 was and how boring it seems in retrospect compared to the one in Seattle the night before. Puts in perspective what a GREAT divisional round this was. The Blue Jays/Yankees series was the only clunker in the bunch, and even that gave us a great Game 3, with an Aaron Judge homer off the pole turning the whole thing around. 

Obviously, the Brewers advancing has kept me interested and focused on baseball, and it might bias me. But when you think about having three WC series go all three games and the divisional round we just got? It's been a really, really fine October, with compelling storylines, good matchups, and really, really high-quality baseball.

Let's keep it going, however it turns out!

[James Zumstein]

2 hours ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

Lotta good Cub fans in my life. Living in on the IL/IA border, it's mostly them and the Cards, though more Brewer support recently.

This was a really good series, with two very tense, close games, and, when you get so many early runs, you get a lot of innings where one fanbase is feeling a lot of anxiety trying to hold the lead. It's crazy how good Game 5 was and how boring it seems in retrospect compared to the one in Seattle the night before. Puts in perspective what a GREAT divisional round this was. The Blue Jays/Yankees series was the only clunker in the bunch, and even that gave us a great Game 3, with an Aaron Judge homer off the pole turning the whole thing around. 

Obviously, the Brewers advancing has kept me interested and focused on baseball, and it might bias me. But when you think about having three WC series go all three games and the divisional round we just got? It's been a really, really fine October, with compelling storylines, good matchups, and really, really high-quality baseball.

Let's keep it going, however it turns out!

I think a lot of true baseball fans also appreciate that two of the final four teams still alive have never won a championship, and a third hasn't won one in over 30 years. Seeing new teams finally get their chance after a lot of suffering is great for the sport.

[greenlawler]

Meh, I live out of market. I think that makes a difference, I grew up with Cubs fans too. They are obnoxious when they win, quiet when they lose. 

[AKCheesehead]

Probably if they weren’t generally so liquored, most of those cub fans would be basically tolerable. But the word “if” is doing some serious grunt work here. 

[StearnsFTW]

22 hours ago, ErnieRilesBrianGiles said:

Was at the game last night, and sat by 5 Cubs fans. Have to give them props. They cheered hard and respectfully the entire game, and after the final out, they left quietly, and each shook my hand and wished the Brewers good luck. It's fun to rail on Cub fans, It's harder when the stereotype doesn't always match 

The exception that proves the rule.