Pointing out the obstacles in Cubs' path to 100 wins
With the Cubs a century removed from their last world championship, can they reach the century mark in victories this season?
They're on a pace that puts them close to it.
With a record of 76-48 heading into tonight's opener of a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, the Cubs are on pace for 99.29 victories.
To win 100, they would have to go 24-14 over their final 38 games. That's a tall order, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.
No Cubs team has won 100 since the 1935 pennant-winners, who then fell in six games to the Tigers in the World Series.
In other words, winning 100 games guarantees nothing, although it should be more than good enough for the Cubs to capture their second straight National League Central title and their third in six seasons.
Manager Lou Piniella led the 2001 Seattle Mariners to a record of 116-46, but that team fell to the Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
Still, 100 victories would be symbolic, and it would be the strongest showing by a Cubs team since the 1984 division winners captured 96 wins.
Let's take a look at the factors working for and against the Cubs winning 100.
Why they'll win 100
The schedule: The Cubs should be able to fatten up this week against the Reds (55-70) and Nationals (44-81) at Wrigley Field before heading to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates, whom they've owned.
Next month, the Cubs have the Reds in Cincinnati.
Starting rotation: One through five, the Cubs have the deepest starting-pitching staff in the NL.
Ryan Dempster has taken over as the ace of the staff, with Carlos Zambrano right behind and able to dominate any start. Rich Harden, obtained from Oakland, has wicked stuff. Ted Lilly is 12-6, and Jason Marquis is a creditable No. 5 starter.
The offense: After hitting the midseason doldrums last month, the Cubs found their offense again after left fielder Alfonso Soriano came off the disabled list. The Cubs have been on top of the NL in the key offensive categories all year, and if they remain patient at the plate and take their walks, they can score in bunches.
Why they'll miss 100
The schedule: Things toughen up considerably next month when the Cubs play 16 games on the road, where they're 31-31.
On top of that, they play three in St. Louis, and the Cardinals still are playoff contenders.
The Cubs' final week includes four games at Shea Stadium against the New York Mets, who currently lead the NL East, and three to finish the season at Miller Park, where the Milwaukee Brewers could be playing to make the postseason.
An early clinching: Let's say the Cubs clinch their division, or at least a playoff spot, with a week or more remaining in the season.
It's possible that Piniella will rest some of his regulars then or reconfigure his pitching rotation to get his preferred starter to open Game 1 of the division series. Of course, if the Mets and Brewers are still playing for something, the Cubs will be under pressure to put their best possible lineup out there every day for the integrity of the pennant race.
X-factors: Injuries can pop up at any time, changing the dynamic of the lineup or the rotation.
Piniella maintains that Alfonso Soriano's six-week absence finally took its toll on the lineup last month, when the Cubs had trouble scoring.
If the Cubs lose their way offensively, as they did against the Diamondbacks in last year's division series, the run spigot can run dry quickly.
"One hundred" has a nice ring to it, but in the end, the Cubs say it's a different kind of ring they're looking for, and they won't need 100 wins in the regular season to get it.
Can Cubs win 100? Looks more like 98
The Cubs have 38 games remaining in their season. Here is how it breaks down by series, with a predicted win total by Daily Herald Cubs writer Bruce Miles:
Reds at Wrigley Field, Tuesday-Thursday
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Nationals at Wrigley Field, Friday-Sunday
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Pirates at PNC Park, Aug. 25-27
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Phillies at Wrigley Field, Aug. 28-31
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Astros at Wrigley Field, Sept. 1-3
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Reds at Great American Ball Park, Sept. 5-7
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Cardinals at Busch Stadium, Sept. 9-11
• Prediction: Cubs win one
Astros at Minute Maid Park, Sept. 12-14
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Brewers at Wrigley Field, Sept. 16-18
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Cardinals at Wrigley Field, Sept. 19-21
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Mets at Shea Stadium, Sept. 22-25
• Prediction: Cubs win two
Brewers at Miller Park, Sept. 26-28
• Prediction: Cubs win one
Final victory total: 98