Chicago Cubs 2016 Season

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#1,376      
champaignchris
Trying to reign myself back to cold rationalism until game time... some observations.

It really bit them hard last night, but the Indians outfield defense has been horrible all series.

While they've had their ups and downs, if you look at the playoffs as a whole, Rizzo and Bryant have BY FAR been the best offensive players for the Cubs.

Whoever wins, both of these teams have to be considered the favorite to win their respective leagues next year. The Indians have everyone coming back except Napoli at a position of relative depth in the free agent market. They can also reasonably expect to be more healthy next year than this, with Brantley, Gomes, Salazar and Carrasco all out for significant chunks of time. The Cubs have everyone coming back except Fowler and Chapman, with more than enough resources to replace them and the prospect of a healthy year from Schwarber.
 
#1,378      
KBLEE
IanKEvans2 said:
With Contreras struggling in the WS (1/17), it might be interesting to see Ross behind the plate.
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I had this conversation w/ a co-worker this morning. Contreras has also had some defensive issues and seems to have annoyed some of the pitchers with his trips to the mound. I think we see Ross and his "veteran presence", unless Maddon just wants to throw everyone for a loop and start Miggy.
 
#1,379      
IanKEvans2
KBLEE said:
I had this conversation w/ a co-worker this morning. Contreras has also had some defensive issues and seems to have annoyed some of the pitchers with his trips to the mound. I think we see Ross and his "veteran presence", unless Maddon just wants to throw everyone for a loop and start Miggy.
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As much as I love Miggy, I don't think there's a chance they risk having his arm behind the plate.
 
#1,380      
IanKEvans2
Well, Maddon is using the same lineup as last night.

I will be interested to see if the Cubs get a lead, will Ross comes in to catch Lester? That is of course, if it is decided that Lester can work as a bridge for Chapman in the 9th.

Seeing the official lineup sealed it for me. Now I am ready to puke.
 
#1,381      
Hoppy2105
I was going to write a post about how you guys were way too nervous and weak stomached.

And then I puked...
 
#1,382      
champaignchris
IanKEvans2 said:
Well, Maddon is using the same lineup as last night.

I will be interested to see if the Cubs get a lead, will Ross comes in to catch Lester? That is of course, if it is decided that Lester can work as a bridge for Chapman in the 9th.
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If the Cubs don't have a lead, I have a hard time seeing Joe taking Contreras' bat out of the lineup no matter how much he's struggled lately. Especially with Miller looming. You want your right handers in there.

But with a lead, yeah, I could see Ross replacing him with Lester coming in. Lester will pretty much only come in at the beginning of an inning.

I could see Hendricks for 5, reliever du jour depending on matchups in the 6th, Lester for 7 and 8, with Chapman ending it.

Unless Hendricks is dealing NLCS-Game 6-style (which very well could happen), I think he only goes through the lineup twice.
 
#1,383      
champaignchris
In the playoffs, Kluber, Miller and Allen have combined to give up 4 earned runs in 59 innings - a .61 ERA. Everyone else has giving up 28 runs in 65 innings - a 3.88 ERA.

Basic difference between the Indians and Dodgers is that the Dodgers had their three elite guys and everyone else was horrible. The Indians have their three elite guys, and everyone else is at least mediocre.

Still, if there's any way to grind out some at bats against Kluber, get his pitch count up and get him out of there early so that the Cubs can see some relievers other than Miller and Allen, that would make things a whole lot easier.

Figure, if Kluber, Miller, and Allen are the only pitchers the Cubs see, they've probably lost.
 
#1,384      
JoseyWales83
I will be at the game tonight so I'm hoping to bring back a W. Lots of Cubs fan here and they are loud lol.
 
#1,385      
frozenrope9190
I can see Kluber for 4, Miller for 3, and Allen for 2, with Shaw thrown in there for good measure. That's all we'll see unless it goes more than 11. We're going to have to crack these guys for a couple of runs to win, period. It doesn't have to be a ton, just 3 or so.

For the Cubs, Hendricks for 5 or 6 (hoping 6), Lester for a clean inning and Chapman to finish, come hell or high water. Maybe Monty or Lackey for a situational at-bat.

I have never been more anxious for a sporting event in my entire life. Not the '85 Bears, not any of the Bulls championships, not even the Illini NC against North Carolina. This wins for nerves, hands down.
 
#1,386      
South Farms
Joe might let Gramps come in and catch Lester and stay in and be on the field for the win. its his last game afterall
 
#1,387      
Illiniaaron
KBLEE said:
I had this conversation w/ a co-worker this morning. Contreras has also had some defensive issues and seems to have annoyed some of the pitchers with his trips to the mound. I think we see Ross and his "veteran presence", unless Maddon just wants to throw everyone for a loop and start Miggy.
Click to expand...

Like some others here I would have liked to see Ross in place of Contreras tonight. Contreras has no concept of the strike zone on offense and he's letting his hitting troubles affect his defense now imo. Also kind of amazing how lost Baez is at the plate as well.
 
#1,388      
bdutts
champaignchris said:
In the playoffs, Kluber, Miller and Allen have combined to give up 4 earned runs in 59 innings - a .61 ERA. Everyone else has giving up 28 runs in 65 innings - a 3.88 ERA.

Basic difference between the Indians and Dodgers is that the Dodgers had their three elite guys and everyone else was horrible. The Indians have their three elite guys, and everyone else is at least mediocre.

Still, if there's any way to grind out some at bats against Kluber, get his pitch count up and get him out of there early so that the Cubs can see some relievers other than Miller and Allen, that would make things a whole lot easier.

Figure, if Kluber, Miller, and Allen are the only pitchers the Cubs see, they've probably lost.
Click to expand...

They better be ready for Kluber's two seamer that cuts back over the plate against lefties. Game 1, he ate them up with that. Not sure how they did in Game 4.

I think if Hendricks keeps the ball down and if the Cubs approach today's game like the last two, they should be in good shape.
 
#1,389      
bdutts
Illiniaaron said:
Like some others here I would have liked to see Ross in place of Contreras tonight. Contreras has no concept of the strike zone on offense and he's letting his hitting troubles affect his defense now imo. Also kind of amazing how lost Baez is at the plate as well.
Click to expand...

Bryant, Rizzo, Russell, Zobrist and Schwarber are all having good ABs. Baez and Heyward's D has still been really good during their offensive struggles.
 
#1,390      
IanKEvans2
bdutts said:
Bryant, Rizzo, Russell, Zobrist and Schwarber are all having good ABs. Baez and Heyward's D has still been really good during their offensive struggles.
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Yep, not everyone can play like superheroes every night. But I'm sure hoping to see it tonight!
 
#1,394      
Hoppy2105
So, I'm loving that we are up 3-1 right now. But, I have to know, when was the last time Hayward hit a ground ball or a line drive? It seems he pops it up every single time he is at the plate. It's crazy...
 
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