Baseball 2016

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack_Pine He actually improved a ton this season. A few of these guys have expanded the strike zone under the post season pressure. Even Rizzo did it but made the correction. As did Russel. Maturity...................

He added the no stride approach for some at bats. I like him batting ninth for now. If he get's on, then that makes him a table setter for Fowler and Schwarber. If not, that's okay too just have to play him for his defense.

I just hope in game 7 the team isn't caught fishing again at Kluber's breaking pitch.

[anethum]

Here's a great story about Bill Murray giving a ticket to a random Cubs fan who was outside of the stadium and seeking a ticket for last night's game. She got to sit next to him during the game.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...omepage%2Fcard

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningBum Unless it rains.

The forecast does call for chance of rain. But not enough to mess up the game...hopefully .

[GrayHare]

"Let's not kid ourselves, however, regarding the enduring legacy of this postseason... It will be the way that one of the underpinnings of modern sabermetric thought busted into the mainstream in a big way: the postseason that ace relievers, not 'closers' per se, became used more more optimally, in 'game' situations rather than merely 'save' situations."

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-l...16-postseason/

[Jack_Pine]

Problem (for me, as a Cub fan) is Cleveland's relievers are their strength. Last night I was cautiously optimistic. Tonight I am pessimistic but hopeful.

Either way hopefully the Cubs have a 5-7 year window. that is what Theo built them for.

[ziggy29]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack_Pine Problem (for me, as a Cub fan) is Cleveland's relievers are their strength. Last night I was cautiously optimistic. Tonight I am pessimistic but hopeful.

That's the concern I see, too. If Cleveland was to lose Game 6, they did it the best way they could -- losing in a blowout. That meant they didn't use their best arms in the pen and can have all of them rested for tonight.

Add to that the fact that the Cubs used Chapman last night, which puzzled me (then again, managers tend to overuse and overmanage with their pen in the WS), and I'd say Cleveland has the significant advantage if it becomes a battle of bullpens. I'm sure the Cubs could coax 1-2 innings and/or 30-40 pitches out of Jon Lester tonight since it would normally be his day to throw between starts anyway, which may help.

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack_Pine Problem (for me, as a Cub fan) is Cleveland's relievers are their strength. Last night I was cautiously optimistic. Tonight I am pessimistic but hopeful. Either way hopefully the Cubs have a 5-7 year window. that is what Theo built them for.

I think very well could be whichever team gets the first run wins sitting on the lead. I'm hoping that Hendricks has a dominating game like in past games this season and then turns the ball over to Chapman (yes, Maddon using him so much last night was puzzling) and surely hope the Cubs don't fall behind and have to climb out of facing the Indians' pitching, especially Miller.

[ziggy29]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer I think very well could be whichever team gets the first run wins sitting on the lead. I'm hoping that Hendricks has a dominating game like in past games this season and then turns the ball over to Chapman (yes, Maddon using him so much last night was puzzling) and surely hope the Cubs don't fall behind and have to climb out of facing the Indians' pitching, especially Miller.

The problem is, this is the World Series. No matter how well they are pitching, in the modern era, how often do you see a starter go more than 6? Even if they have only thrown 80-90 pitches, as soon as they give up one hit or walk that deep in the game..... gone.

That said, if Maddon has less trust in his other relievers he could try to use Hendricks long enough to get straight to Chapman, but after Chapman threw last night, I doubt he'd could go more than 20-30 pitches.

If they fall behind early and it gets to Miller time, that's pretty much doomed the Cubs in the past, but we'll see.

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy29 The problem is, this is the World Series. No matter how well they are pitching, in the modern era, how often do you see a starter go more than 6? Even if they have only thrown 80-90 pitches, as soon as they give up one hit or walk that deep in the game..... gone. That said, if Maddon has less trust in his other relievers he could try to use Hendricks long enough to get straight to Chapman, but after Chapman threw last night, I doubt he'd could go more than 20-30 pitches. If they fall behind early and it gets to Miller time, that's pretty much doomed the Cubs in the past, but we'll see.

Probably last pitcher going a long long time in World Series was Madison Bumgarner. Well, actually, the pitcher for the Mets last year. I would have left him in too, but he ended getting hit in the 9th. But like you said, give up one hit in later innings then here comes the hook. I hope Maddon didn't over manage and using Chapman too much and depending on using starters like Lester and Lackey as relievers instead.

Hoping somehow the Cubs can take an early lead like game 6 then make the pitching matchups thing non issue.

Of course, the game will probably be a pitchers dual and heat break city for one team. Just a hunch .

[Ronstar]

The Cubs will probably throw Hendricks, Lester, and Arrietta at the Indians before putting Chapman in

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronstar The Cubs will probably throw Hendricks, Lester, and Arrietta at the Indians before putting Chapman in

I'm glad you didn't add Lackey. I admire him as a bulldog but the thought of him in makes me more nervous than I already am.

[Jack_Pine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer I'm glad you didn't add Lackey. I admire him as a bulldog but the thought of him in makes me more nervous than I already am.

Exactly

[RunningBum]

Cueto pitched a CG in game 2 last year.

I could see Chapman coming in early like I thought he was going to be used yesterday, to get a key out or two against the middle of the lineup. Then they could start the next inning with Lackey or Lester. Arrieta threw a lot more pitches (102) yesterday than Chapman has in the last 3 games. I don't see him coming in before any of those others, plus Montgomery. Though, maybe to get an out.

[RunningBum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer I'm glad you didn't add Lackey. I admire him as a bulldog but the thought of him in makes me more nervous than I already am.

oops, sorry

[ziggy29]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronstar The Cubs will probably throw Hendricks, Lester, and Arrietta at the Indians before putting Chapman in

Lester, for sure; the usual timetable would have him throwing a few pitches anyway. Arrieta? Not sure since he just pitched yesterday. That said, apart from Montgomery against some lefties for a short time I don't know that Maddon wants to trust anyone in his bullpen right now.

It's becoming increasingly common for the Game 5 starter to be the reliever between the starter and the closer in a Game 7. Especially since on most pitching staffs, the Game 5 starter was also the Game 1 starter, AKA your "ace". Cleveland is changing it up this year but they have that luxury with a deep bullpen that allows the starters to be pulled sooner and with fewer pitches.

[Ronstar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy29 Lester, for sure; the usual timetable would have him throwing a few pitches anyway. Arrieta? Not sure since he just pitched yesterday......

The talk of Arrieta pitching came from Jake himself in the post game interview. Unlikely, but if Jake says he can throw and Maddon thinks he can, then it wouldn't surprise me if he came in for an inning.

[Just_Steve]

Indians playing small ball.

[RunningBum]

Go figure. Baez with 2 errors and a homer.

[ziggy29]

I think the ideal for the Cubs now would be Hendricks for 6-7 innings, Lester for 1-2, and Chapman in the 9th. But this is the WS and quick hooks are the norm.

[ziggy29]

Speaking of quick hooks.... I feel like this one may bite Maddon in the butt. ONE walk and you take Hendricks out after 4 2/3? Stupid baseball, IMO. And I think Maddon is one of the best managers in the game. They all do this stuff in the WS.