It was *kind* of a joke yesterday, but it did happen: with their 80th win of the season, the Cubs topped the infamous initial pre-season PECOTA projection of 79 wins from Baseball Prospectus. The Cubs are likely to end with considerably more than 79 wins, as we all suspected from the get-go, though I think you could argue PECOTA deserves some credit for spotlighting/underscoring what a challenging year this could be for the Cubs – as it has, indeed, been, particularly with respect to the older pitching staff.
But, yeah, they seem a little salty:
Congratulations to the @Cubs for officially beating their preseason PECOTA projection of 79 wins! 🎉 🎈 🎊 It turns out PECOTA had an anti-Cubbies bias after all, apparently.
— Baseball Prospectus (@baseballpro) September 14, 2019
Join in the fun, take the L, and roll along. You’re only a computer system, after all!
Joe Maddon about to go after the Pirates. pic.twitter.com/r2M7WxaG1m
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 14, 2019
17 RUNS = 17% OFF EVERYTHING! Code: 17RUNS at checkout. Ends at midnight on Sunday. https://t.co/Wz2sIjzUP3
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) September 14, 2019
“1,000 percent,” Kris Bryant believes that Joe Maddon’s contract situation, the trade/free-agency rumors and the clock ticking on The Core has contributed to this atmosphere around the Cubs. And that there is enough time left to live up to expectations. https://t.co/ZgcDtJkcFX
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) September 15, 2019
“That whole one-game-at-a-time mentality is harder to maintain when Maddon is a lame-duck manager, Bryant’s name has been floated in trade rumors, the media is predicting a shake-up, Cubs Twitter is melting down and this core group is getting closer and closer to the free-agent market.
‘I’d say so 1,000 percent,’ Bryant said. ‘Everybody in this clubhouse is human. When you start hearing things like that, when Joe starts hearing things like that, myself included, you start thinking a little bit. The past four years, none of that has happened and it’s just kind of been we’re cruising along.
‘But personally, whatever happens for me happens. All I can do is really focus on these last (14) games and doing all I can to help the team win. And I think I’ve been doing that for five years here now. I’m willing toot my own horn a little bit — I think I’ve done a pretty good job of it.'”
Kris Bryant ties Ernie Banks for the most homers by a Cub in his first five MLB seasons (136).#EverybodyIn @FellowesBrands pic.twitter.com/xqP5rYZmUB
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 15, 2019
Who is Matt Martin and why does Nick Castellanos swear by his teachings? @sahadevsharma talked to the charismatic coach: https://t.co/u9F9lY6EgX
— The Athletic (@TheAthleticCHI) September 14, 2019
On the night we celebrate one of the best to ever do it, Ichiro Suzuki addressed the crowd during the pregame ceremony. 5️⃣1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/bhy3dfGHe9
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 15, 2019
Congrats and best wishes to #Cubs organist @GaryPressy who will retire at the of this season. More later in @dailyherald
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) September 14, 2019
We have no words.
Just…..Mike Fiers…..wow. pic.twitter.com/pdUQmoo7aW
— Subscribe to Cut4 on YouTube!!!! (@Cut4) September 15, 2019
Mitch Trubisky Explains What Went Wrong With the RPOs https://t.co/hiRW21EWq1
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) September 14, 2019