Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
First, the raw data: Cubs 5, Reds 2. Also, Phillies 9, Cardinals 2. By themselves, they're mere statistical noise, the July results that never determine anything of merit. Together, though, they're another sign of the apocalypse.
Yes, with the win, the Chicago Cubs have moved into first place in the NL Central. Their 51-45 record outpaces the Cardinals' 53-48 by half a game. By absolutely no account should the Cubs be in first place in any division. As a matter of fact, at 51-45, they would lead no division in the majors other than the Comedy Central; in the NL West, they'd be tied with the Giants and 10 games back of the Dodgers.
The Cubs outpace the Redbirds despite underwhelming seasons from, based on a reasonable assessment of expectations, all but two or three of their nine highest-paid players (salaries per USA Today):
1. Carlos Zambrano, $18.75 million: 7-4, 3.48 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 18 days on DL
2. Alfonso Soriano, $17 million: .253, 17 HR, 41 RBI, .760 OPS, 0 days on DL
3. Aramis Ramirez, $16.65 million: .311, 7 HR, 25 RBI, .950 OPS, 58 days on DL
4. Derrek Lee, $13.25 million: .285, 19 HR, 63 RBI, .881 OPS, 0 days on DL
5. Ted Lilly, $13 million: 9-7, 3.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 2 days on DL and counting
6. Kosuke Fukudome, $12.5 million: .266, 7 HR, 31 RBI, .812 OPS, 0 days on DL
7. Ryan Dempster, $9 million: 5-5, 4.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 20 days on DL and counting
8 (tie). Milton Bradley, $7 million: .248, 7 HR, 23 RBI, .767 OPS, 0 days on DL
8 (tie). Rich Harden, $7 million: 7-6, 4.55 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 22 days on DL
That's $114.15 million, more than the entire opening day payrolls of all but four teams, invested in nine players. Those nine combined for one All-Star bid (Lilly, a token reserve who was not one of the eight NL pitchers who got into the game) this year. None of them are among the league leaders in anything.
This is not to champion the Cubs as winning in spite of something or being "gamers" or whatever. They haven't warranted any praise, and no serious observer of the team should claim otherwise. This is all to say the NL Central is a miserable gathering of teams, one that really ought to just forfeit its playoff bid.
Oh, who are we kidding? The last time the NL Central was laughably bad, in 2006, the Cardinals took the division at 83-78 ... and then promptly won the World Series. It's all a crapshoot when the playoffs start.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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and this is what frustrates me as a Jays fan. If they were in any other division… they would be contenders all the time
by Brownsound on Jul 27, 2009 1:07 AM EDT reply actions
Really, like in 2004 when the Cardinals won the Central w/ 105 wins, or in 2005 when they won it with 100 wins? no, not then? or in ‘07 when they would’ve finished 2 back of the Cubs, or last year when they would’ve finished 11 back of the Cubs? Sorry, not picking on the Jays, just get tired of the convenient NL Central bashing CONSTANTLY as soon as several teams are in a slump. The NL Central has been the overall class of the National League since early this decade, not counting last year’s Philly championship. Look up the NLCS matchups, the records speak for themselves, a Central division team in (sometimes both teams from the Central, as in ’04 and ’05) almost every year.
by comoesjn on Jul 27, 2009 3:28 AM EDT reply actions
The fact that the NL central is very balanced doesn’t make it a joke. There are no Yankees or Red Sox in the division, but there are 3 teams in that division is capable of winning a championship if they play to their potential. As a Jays fan, it sucks having 3 of the top 5 AL teams in our division, but that’s no reason to assume we’d be guaranteed success elsewhere. Besides, no team in the league has had as many significant injuries to their pitching staff as the blue birds. Combine that with the fact that we have 2 of the most overpaid positional players in the league, and we’re guaranteed no success rather.
Ps. Selig is a fraud
by hab_rap on Jul 27, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions
Oh yeah, lets go back to 00 and 06 and even 87. all three won it all. It doesn’t matter what the record is, just ask the mariners the year they won 116 games, all that matters is getting into the playoffs.
by colnel09 on Jul 27, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions
What a load of garbage.
Most fans do not care how much money players are earning. Unless it hampers the teams ability to add even more expensive players.
The Cubs have battled injuries and extended slumps by all the regular players and injuries by 4 of the 5 starting pitchers.
To be above .500 at this time is pretty good.
This post reads like sour-grapes from a fan of a team with a lower payroll.
by domehead_1 on Jul 27, 2009 1:34 PM EDT reply actions
Im a cards fan, and I do have a concern that they may not have enough pitching come october if they make it. Of course, I don’t think the cubs have anymore than they do. Dodgers and phills are ok, but one thing is for sure with the cards, I really think they have taken care of the problem with facing lefties with all the accusitions of right handed hitters.
by colnel09 on Jul 27, 2009 1:35 PM EDT reply actions
Let me tell ya, the cards the passed two seasons have had injuries as well and they did pretty well. Just right now, the cards were on a rough road trip and are taking on the dodgers this next series. The cubs had to face the hopeless reds. That’s why the cubs are in first for now. But I like how things are going and could shape up by the end of the season. When’s the last time the cubs and cards competed this close for a playoff spot. It’s been mostly the cards and astros.
by colnel09 on Jul 27, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions
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