Posts tagged ‘2008 Playoffs’

Other than recording an episode (mp3) right after the Game 2 loss, we’ve been quiet here at Cubscast. At the same time, though, we’ve been listening intently to (and reading closely) the voicemails and e-mails from listeners decrying the Cubs bad fielding, Big Z’s emotional strength, the paltry TBS coverage, and more. We’ll be playing and reading many of these on our next episode.

As the hours dwindle before this potentially great win or utterly devastating loss, I want to share a message we received from longtime listener Roxan (aka georgiacub) yesterday morning:

Hey Ya’ll

Ok…this morning my head hurts but mostly my HEART HURTS!!! I literally had to talk my sister off the ledge last night. She was on one of the rooftops watching the game. Things definitely look bad right now, but we have all seen THIS team come back over and over again!!!

They did look scared and nervous but this could change. How many times have we won 3 or more in a row? Maybe the flight out and some rest will give them a new perspective. They will have the HOF guys, Dempster, Edmonds and other veteran players plus LOU PINIELLA encouraging them…they are on the ledge now, too!

I am a realist, but also an optimist. Until we are really out of this WE ARE NOT OUT OF THIS!!! Put your “sippy cup” lids on and don’t let any more water spill out! ( to Sheps) Okay, now someone needs to encourage me…

GO CUBS!!!
Peace out, Rox

p.s. I try not to pray about baseball because God has so much going on, but I will be slipping a few in there!

I hope posting this encourages Roxan a little bit, though of course a Game 3 win will go a long way in salving some wounds from the first two at Wrigley. Either way, we at Cubscast know without a doubt that we’re “in this thing together” with an awesome group of people from around the world. Thanks to those in the fan community that are helping others out of the doldrums.

Here’s hoping the Cubs make a game and series of things. Go Cubs!

Along with a preview of Game 1 & 2 of the Cubs NLDS matchup with the Dodgers, Wednesday’s episode (mp3) features a several interview clips from Tuesday afternoon’s Cubs Postseason Rally at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. I interviewed Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White along with a handful of fans including the venerable Ronnie Woo-Woo Wickers. It was a fun time and if you’re visiting Cubscast for the first time after hearing about it at the rally, welcome!

If you didn’t have a chance to see or hear the rally, here are a few clips from the event:

Jim Belushi (mp3)
Billy Williams, Ron Santo, and Ernie Banks (mp3)
Crane Kenney (mp3)
Mayor Richard Daley (mp3)
Governor Rod Blagojevich (mp3)

And a few photos:

Maybe the Cubs already put in their $.02 on this topic by winning today’s game…something about Ted Lilly’s hitless first 6 innings registered loud and clear. However, after Lou Piniella announced that Angel Guzman was starting in Milwaukee on Sunday instead of Carlos Zambrano, the answer to the above question clouded up a bit.

Ron Santo’s mind has to be racing tonight, knowing that the Cubs might not have to play in Shea Stadium next week. I just wonder if he’ll accidentally scream “Ohhh noooooooo!” if the Cubs win their final game of the season. If they don’t and the Brewers win, Milwaukee is that much closer to a Wild Card berth and would nudge out the NY Mets (if they lose to the Marlins). The Cubs can’t dispute that games 3, 4, and 5 of the NL Pennant-determining Series would feel a little more, um, in reach if played 90 miles north of Wrigley Field. And yet the Cubs weren’t doing Milwaukee any favors in today’s game. Then that pesky Big Z announcement came.

It couldn’t have been a hard decision for the Cubs to make. Yeah yeah there’s that nagging question of how effective Carlos will be in the playoffs, but let’s leave that to the conspiracy idiots to pontificate on. I’ll just say that Carlos Zambrano 2003-2007 doesn’t tell team officials that he’d feel more comfortable throwing long toss than facing batters. And there’s more to point at and question, but I’m not one to rain on the victory parade that we all pray takes place downtown at the end of October. I guess I’m just happier carrying an umbrella with me for those days with questionable forecasts.

Lucky for all Cubs fan pessimists/parade rainers, Miller Park has a roof that doesn’t leak.

Mainly, though, I just want to know who the Cubs are going to face in the first round, and it could be drawn out until Monday afternoon depending in part on how effective Angel Guzman’s fastball is. I’m anxious to see how much “Lilly” he has in him. Whether it’s the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs or those Mets, the Cubs are going to need that same spirit that bowled over Yadier Molina at home plate.

Who knows…Lilly himself might be called upon earlier than expected this week. But you didn’t hear it from me. Now seriously…get out of here and go play outside with your friends.

We’ve been getting a few e-mails lately from listeners that are starting to make plans to be in Chicago for October to watch the Cubs in the postseason. While the team hasn’t yet clinched, it’s never too early to make plans, right? Below we’ve posted the Cubs tentative postseason schedule. If you’re booking flight or hotel to Chicago this October, please consider our travel partners, CheapTickets and Orbitz.

* means that as of the standings on Aug. 23, those games would be played at Wrigley.

NLDS (Home field to the division leaders with the best two records)

*Wednesday, Oct. 1
*Thursday, Oct. 2
Saturday, Oct. 4
Sunday, Oct. 5
*Tuesday, Oct. 7

NLCS (Home field to the division leader with the best record)

*Thursday, Oct. 9
*Friday, Oct. 10
Sunday, Oct. 12
Monday, Oct. 13
Wednesday, Oct. 15
*Friday, Oct. 17
*Saturday, Oct. 18

World Series (Home field goes to the AL)

*Saturday, Oct. 25
*Sunday, Oct. 26
*Monday, Oct. 27

It’s shaping up to be an awesome month, and we can’t wait to cover the Cubs all postseason long on Cubscast. We’ll be stepping up the coverage and bringing you all kinds of new and special content. More details to come as it gets closer. See you in Chicago!

Until Sheps and I recorded today’s episode, it never crossed my mind that the Cubs might actually be able to clinch the division before the final series of the season in Milwaukee. Even thought I usually consider myself an optimist, it just wasn’t something that seemed doable. However, it is doable and the Cubs Magic Number (dare I post it) is only 31 after the Brewers lost yesterday and the Cubs won.

After naming this week’s Thread of the Week on the message board, Sheps brought up the idea of the Cubs having a large enough lead to be able to actually throw games at the end of the season depending on who Lou Piniella and others wanted to face in the first round of the playoffs. I can’t see the Cubs doing that no matter who they preferred to face, but I suppose stranger things have happened.

In the aforementioned Thread of the Week, the topic of when the Cubs will clinch is being discussed in fine form. CubsOptimist is staying true to form and currently has the earliest prediction — September 17.

When do you think the Cubs will clinch, and would you throw a game or two to face a certain team? Let us know in the comments or in the thread on the message board. Also, keep a lookout for the Cubs Magic Number to appear soon on our homepage. I originally decided that September 1st would be a tactful date to post it, but if it’s under 25 by the end of the weekend, it’s going up.

Go Cubs!