THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME!

It's early. I know that. The Cubs come to St. Louis tonight for the beginning of a three-game series. This may not dictate what will happen in October but bear in mind that the games in April count. 

That being said, it is interesting that many of the "experts" were ready to crown the Cubs the 2016 World Series winners when they made the playoffs and beat St. Louis last year.  One would have thought they were the defending World Series Champs judging by the slobbering over this team this past off-season and spring training.  But wait a minute.  Didn't the Mets play in the World Series? Didn't the Royals win it all?  

I get it.  Joe Madden has the Midas touch.  He is great with the media and his players love to play for him.   I understand the Cubs "arrived" sooner then expected last year. This is a good team with loads of talent but look at how well the experts have done picking the last few years.

After a ton of trades a couple of years ago the Blue Jays were picked to win it all. For the past three years many have been picking the Nationals to go all the way. Last season, the media darlings were the Padres. The White Sox made some big moves a couple of off seasons ago and many jumped on the band wagon.

It all comes down to what I always say: "That's why they play the games." None of those teams won the World Series or the pennant. Some didn't even make the playoffs!

This is not the first time the Cubs have had talent. Some could argue that they had more talent in the 60's than the Cardinals. In the infamous 1969 season Chicago had FOUR Hall of Famers: Ernie Banks Ferguson Jenkins, Billy Williams and Ron Santo.

They also had a HOF manager in Leo Durocher. 

While the Cardinals were winning the pennant in 1964 (thanks to the trade of Lou Brock to the Cardinals from Chicago) and in 1967 and 1968, the Cubs were finishing 8th, 3rd and 3rd those same seasons. St. Louis also won the WS in '64 & '67.

The Cardinals did have some Hall of Famers too. The aforementioned Brock, Bob Gibson, Orlando Cepeda and Steve Carlton.  It just goes to show you that in the words of Joaquin Andujar, "You never know." 

Regardless if the Cubs or the Cardinals sweep this series...it counts. It means something! It counts in the standings and it counts for bragging rights for every fan of both teams. BUT...there will still be lots of baseball to be played. 

As for me, I am not ready to crown any team champion yet. Let's just play the games!

Thanks for reading!

Jeff