Projections have no personal animosity. They’re just fancy algorithms and distillations of data in a thoughtful way. Generally, I like their ability to clue us into things that may not be obviously apparent on the surface heading into a season.
But sometimes, I still consider them to be jerks.
Such is the case with BP’s PECOTA projection for the Cubs in 2019, which has them finishing 80-82, dead last in the NL Central. Hey, it’s a competitive division and the Cubs did little to improve over last year when they struggled at the end. Maybe they will have a rough go of it this year.
Maybe not.
Either way, they aren’t about to let the projections bother them:
A. Rizzo, on PECOTA predicting an 80-82 season for them: "Yeah, and Bryce Harper is coming to the Cubs."
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 18, 2019
HA HA HA … oh. Ouch.
Anyway, that sentiment probably permeates throughout the Cubs’ facilities this Spring, and I dig it. I also really dig today’s inspirational message for the first full squad workout:
On lower left corner of Cubs workout schedule: pic.twitter.com/oOJfhKyo0q
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 18, 2019
Might as well use it, right? Don’t run from it or deride it too much. Just use it.