If you go to MLB.com wildcard standings, you'll see that today there is an "E" behind the word "Cubs".
It doesn't stand for "error".
It's not a vitamin.
It's not a class of Mercedes Benz.
It means "eliminated".
Yesterday, there was a "1" behind the word "Cubs".
Yesterday, the "1" was an "elimination number".
Here's what an elimination number is (quoting from above link):
The Elimination Number for any team is determined by adding their number of losses to the number of wins for the team leading the wild card, and subtracting that total from 163. The Elimination Number for the second place team is the "Magic Number" for the first place team. "E" indicates that the team has been eliminated from winning the wild card.
Yesterday, I couldn't bring myself to do that simple math.
Probably because I already knew disaster was about to happen.
Luckily, we've had a little time to prepare for this, the first time in 3 years the Cubs did not make it to the playoffs.
Last night, Ryan Dempster showed he's still going strong - he threw a 9 inning shutout against the Pirates.
Final score Cubs 6.
No comment on the quality of players the Pirates had on the field last night.
Lets just say Ryan was brilliant.
Today...man if you had the day off what a day this could be.
A doubleheader with Terrible Ted and Carlos Zambrano.
So, you know, hang in there.
There are still 6 more games.
Meaningless?
Nah.
Turn on the radio and listen to Pat and Ron.
Turn on the tube and look at the park.
Watch Sam Fuld make a serious run at staying in the Bigs.
Keep that all in the back of your mind til next Spring.
