Drinking the Kool-Aid

In a time of armageddon death thunderstorms, killer floods, hurricanes, and winter storms, there is a lot of crazy things that happen in this world, and time may be running out for all of us.  That means if the world really is to end in 2012, the Cubs have got to get down to business.  They seem to have found their spark coming out of the All-Star break, and maybe even all of July.  They just took 3 of 4 from the 2 time defending National League Champion Phillies.  They’re 8-7 so far in July, but more importantly, they’re scoring runs and Lou suddenly has an affinity for using a squeeze play or two.  Granted, 8-7 isn’t that great, but the way they played against Arizona and the Phillies gives you a shimmer of hope that there is still time to turn it around.

I know, it would take a comeback of historic proportions.  It would have to rival some of the great regular season comebacks of all time.  The Astros went 36-10 in 2004 to win the Wild Card.  In 2007 the Rockies started September six games back and won 14 of 15 to win the Wild Card.  It is doable, and it will take a magic run.  The schedule for the Cubs sets up nicely, but they will have to win a few games against the current NL Central leader St. Louis Cardinals.  6 out of the Cubs next 9 games are against the second worst team in the division, Astros.  Luckily, the Astros have shown no sign of their normal second half run.  The Cubs won’t have to face Oswalt in the first series, and depending on the status of his ankle from a line drive yesterday, may not have to face him next week either.  The Cubs do face the Cardinals in between the series’ with the Astros however, which is a golden time to gain a little ground on the division leader.

The games to watch out for for the Cubs come in the middle of August, a brutal stretch against Cards (away), Padres, and Braves (home) from the 13th to the 22nd.  San Diego shows no signs of entering a tail spin, but that would be a good time for them to come to Chicago struggling.  The rest of August has very winable series’ against the Brewers, Giants, and Nats, as well as a chance to gain more ground against the Reds (I’m guessing the Reds soon become a non-factor now that the spotlight has been turned on them).  The Cubs close August with Achilles heel Pittsburgh.

In September, the Cubs will have a chance to make up ground on the Cardinals although I don’t expect the Cubs to come all the way back and win the division.  September matches the Cubs up against other teams that will be vying for the Wild Card.  A series at home against the Mets, at Florida, and home again against the Giants gives the Cubs multiple chances to make up some ground in the Wild Card chase, or at least go out and earn it.

Suddenly, I’ve turned into Joe and am the optimistic guy of the group.  The Cubs are finally scoring some runs, A-Ram is finally hitting the ball, and even the middle relievers seem to have remembered how to pitch.  Given that Carlos Marmol will occasionally blow a save, there’s only about 2 or 3 other closers I’d take over him in the entire league, so I’m not worried about him.  I’m not saying they’re going to win the division.  I’m not saying I guarantee a Wild Card berth, I’m saying it’s possible the Cubs can catch fire and go on a run.  Winning is contagious, and we’ve seen comebacks like this before in recent history.  So sure, as of today, I’m all in.  I’m back to actively paying attention to the Cubs.  I’m officially drinking the Kool-Aid.  It starts tonight with a win against the Astros, and getting a split with the Cards this weekend.  If that doesn’t happen, I may just switch back to beer…such is the life of a Cubs fan.