The pitching matchups drastically favor the Cubs in games 3, 5 and 6. I'll give the edge to the Indians with Lackey against Kluber on short rest in game 4, but if it makes it to game 7, I'd be more than happy to go with Hendricks on full rest versus Kluber trying to make his 3rd start in 9 days.
Chicago Cubs 2016 Season
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And just like that, Schwarber surpassed Heyward's 2016 postseason hit total...with 3.
In the postgame interview, Schwarber was asked if he would be able to play the outfield in game 3. His response was much more open-ended compared to the "absolutely not" declaration made just a few days ago. With a contact pitcher in Hendricks on the mound, my brain thinks there's minimal chance he starts, but after what he's shown in games 1 and 2, it's impossible to rule it out.
In the postgame interview, Schwarber was asked if he would be able to play the outfield in game 3. His response was much more open-ended compared to the "absolutely not" declaration made just a few days ago. With a contact pitcher in Hendricks on the mound, my brain thinks there's minimal chance he starts, but after what he's shown in games 1 and 2, it's impossible to rule it out.
Co-sign. Can't wait to see Hendricks Friday night. Tomlin is no slouch, but like Bauer, the Cubs match up well against him.
Staying on the topic of pitching, how about the job done by Mike Montgomery tonight? Such an underrated in-season pickup.
OrangeJacket
- North and Ashland
Montgomery has been so great lately, hope he continues to eat up late innings. His most memorable performance so far this postseason might be the "night" he lost Game 3 in SF. 4 scoreless extra innings until 1 ER at the end. Solid.
Tomlin is a fly ball pitcher who gave up the third most HRs in the majors this year. The wind is supposed to be howling out on Friday. He'll be matched up against maybe the best groundball pitcher in baseball in Hendricks. Sometimes baseball is weird, but this really should be a Cubs win in game 3.
I want to see the Cubs knock out Tomlin early and then wear out the Indians bullpen in game 3 with no days off before Kluber and Bauer go on short rest in games 4 and 5.
Montgomery has been excellent. People forget that this is only his second season in the Majors. Maddon has said that he's likely to be a starter next year, which means the Cubs have to make an interesting decision with regards to Hammels. That will give us something to talk about after the Series is over.
Ehhh, he's pretty much a slouch.
ChiCityHoops34
- DeKalb IL
Tomlin's 57 year old father randomly had complications with tangled blood vessels on his spinal cord and they are not sure if he will ever walk again. The hospital is releasing him so he can watch his son pitch at wrigley Friday.
Still think the Cubs will get after him but its always hard to tell on games like this in all sports when players have added family motivation.
Still think the Cubs will get after him but its always hard to tell on games like this in all sports when players have added family motivation.
His 2016 ERA and FIP are about a half-point higher than Hammel's. I wouldn't call Hammel a slouch.
Both serviceable #3 or #4 starters in my opinion, but as champaignchris stated, he is prone to the home run ball.
And we are prone to the HR hit!
I'm not so sure Schwarber will start tomorrow but it sure would be nice to have his power in the lineup.
Tomlin is a lot like Hendricks in terms of pitch variety and velocity. He doesn't strike out a lot of people and he never walks people. The big difference, of course, is that Tomlin tries to induce weakly hit pop ups while Hendricks tries to induce weakly hit ground balls.
The problem for Tomlin is that when one of those fly balls is sharply hit, it end ups in the seats. For Hendricks, when one of those ground balls is sharply hit, the worst case scenario is a single if it's not gobbled up by Russell or Baez.
And that explains the 2+ run difference in ERA.
The problem for Tomlin is that when one of those fly balls is sharply hit, it end ups in the seats. For Hendricks, when one of those ground balls is sharply hit, the worst case scenario is a single if it's not gobbled up by Russell or Baez.
And that explains the 2+ run difference in ERA.
Shane Walsh
aka "Captain Oblivious"
- Cynthiana, Kentucky
Schwarber would be valuable as a PH even if he does not play in the field. My prediction is that he does not play defense.
That being said, I am still trying to process what is happening not only with his return, but overall. The Cubs have won a World Series game. Let that sink in for a minute before we start worrying about tomorrow....
That being said, I am still trying to process what is happening not only with his return, but overall. The Cubs have won a World Series game. Let that sink in for a minute before we start worrying about tomorrow....
You're kinder than I
Definitely. There'll be a ton to talk about in the offseason with regards to depth in pitching and hitting (how the heck do you play Baez/Schwarber/Almora/Soler??). I would lean towards Montgomery staying in the long relief/replacement starter role for 2017, but moving into Hammel's rotation spot in 2018.
At least not in the first half of the season. Maybe we can just start saving him until after the all star break or something.
South Farms
- near Ogden & Rt 83
Schwarber not cleared to play defense . He will be limited to a PH role in Wrigley .
Indians are starting their DH Carlos Santana in left field for game 3 (according to my yahoo app). Apparently he has only played 4 innings in left his whole career.
Let's get a few line drives out to left and see how good his reaction time and judgment are.
Let's get a few line drives out to left and see how good his reaction time and judgment are.
Really makes me appreciate the depth of this Cubs roster.
Indeed. I tried to analyze the situation to see if I would have done the same thing.
When coming to Wrigley they have to play out of their comfort zone. (no DH) If they had done nothing, they would have 8 good good fielders plus 1 pitcher. While they bat, they would have 8 good batters but would have to subtract out their 9th good batter for an automatic (usually) out in the pitcher.
What they have done for tomorrow is taken another good fielder out with (I'm guessing) an alright bat and replaced him with a sub par fielder with a good bat. Now they have 7.5 fielders and 8 batters (since they still have to let the pitcher bat)
It's a gamble I guess but simple linear logic would say you want 8 batters and 8 fielders, not 7.5 fielders and 8 batters. I hope it comes back to bite them!
World Series game 3 lineup prediction:
1. Fowler, CF
2. Bryant, 3B
3. Rizzo, 1B
4. Zobrist, LF
5. Baez, 2B
6. Contreras, C
7. Heyward, RF
8. Russell, SS
9. Hendricks, P
1. Fowler, CF
2. Bryant, 3B
3. Rizzo, 1B
4. Zobrist, LF
5. Baez, 2B
6. Contreras, C
7. Heyward, RF
8. Russell, SS
9. Hendricks, P
The Indians are not where they are right now due to their outfield's bats or gloves. They won't be losing much by running Santana out there.
That'll put Crisp (3 for 23 in the postseason) on the bench. They'll keep their R/L platoon in center with Naquin and Davis. I imagine they'll bat Guyer for Chisenhall against lefties.
That'll put Crisp (3 for 23 in the postseason) on the bench. They'll keep their R/L platoon in center with Naquin and Davis. I imagine they'll bat Guyer for Chisenhall against lefties.
OrangeJacket
- North and Ashland
I paid a visit to Wrigley last night to experience the calm before the storm this weekend has surely already begun to bring. I stood on Waveland for a few moments just looking up at the scoreboard (I could see most of it from the outside). The names of only 2 teams were on it. All of the pennants of the NL teams were taken down.
It was a surreal moment. The World Series has returned to Wrigley and all eyes are on us and Cleveland. I'm excited.
It was a surreal moment. The World Series has returned to Wrigley and all eyes are on us and Cleveland. I'm excited.
I was quite off with 5-7, both with order and the actual players.
Actual World Series game 3 lineup:
1. Fowler, CF
2. Bryant, 3B
3. Rizzo, 1B
4. Zobrist, LF
5. Contreras, C
6. Soler, RF
7. Baez, 2B
8. Russell, SS
9. Hendricks, P
Actual World Series game 3 lineup:
1. Fowler, CF
2. Bryant, 3B
3. Rizzo, 1B
4. Zobrist, LF
5. Contreras, C
6. Soler, RF
7. Baez, 2B
8. Russell, SS
9. Hendricks, P
Hendricks with a HUGE pickoff!
Get some runs!
Get some runs!
Still think Tomlin is a slouch?
Tomorrow is a new day. A whole lot of fire from the Cubs resident spitfire Lackey might be just what the doctor ordered.
Namaste.
Namaste.
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