NL Central Discussion 2026

[markedman5]

14 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Regression monster finally coming for the Cubs bullpen? They had so many guys performing way over their underlying numbers. Like Thornton coming into today had a 2.32 ERA, 4.26 xERA, 4.26 FIP. I get they have a historically good defense but guys should not be overperforming their peripherals to that degree.

They just said on the stream that the Cubs are on pace to give up the highest pct of runs via the home run since the 70s…….great defense doesn’t help much when the ball is flying over the wall …….

[cragi]

just feel this has been the cubs for a while now and have to wonder about the manager at some point. counsell seems like a high stress individual and the team doesnt play loose. They come out like gangbusters with all the hype at each phase and then come crashing down 

[wiguy94]

22 minutes ago, markedman5 said:

They just said on the stream that the Cubs are on pace to give up the highest pct of runs via the home run since the 70s…….great defense doesn’t help much when the ball is flying over the wall …….

I mean it definitely does still help. 2, 3, 4 run HR hurt a lot more than a solo HR does. Coming into today they were over performing their FIP by .57 runs which was most in MLB.

[markedman5]

Reds bullpen trying to give this one back

[markedman5]

Cubbies have now given up 202 homers this year…….second most to the As……15 more than the Nationals!

[nate82]

At this rate the Cubs will have to sweep the remaining 7 games against the Brewers just to have a chance.  It’s not over yet but the Cubs haven’t really taken advantage of their easier schedule compared to the Brewers in August.  They are basically where they were at the end of July.  

[dlk9s]

6 hours ago, nate82 said:

 It’s not over yet 

It's over

[Brian]

7 hours ago, cragi said:

just feel this has been the cubs for a while now and have to wonder about the manager at some point. counsell seems like a high stress individual and the team doesnt play loose. They come out like gangbusters with all the hype at each phase and then come crashing down 

LOL, Counsell looks like he is ageing rapidly or has Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome

[MrTPlush]

The Cubs are nearly twice as close to missing the postseason entirely than they are to us in the division. Fangraphs gives us 4x betters odds to win the WS than the Cubs winning the division.

 

let me know if they get within 4 games. Till then, there is no race.