Chicago Cubs 2026

#2,083      
Emerson Bigguns
I can’t recall a Cubs playoff game that had zero moments where i was optimistic, excited, angry, or had some kind of emotional response…
I can now.
King looked like Pedro in 98 tonight. Whiffle balls to the corners all night.
First AB of the game, I knew we were in trouble.
Ralph Wiggum Danger GIF
 
#2,084      
DeonThomas
Happy World Series GIF by San Diego Padres


Reliving 1984......except we now have the 2016 trophy in our back pocket. (And I'd like to get at least one such trophy in Illini football and Illini basketball at some point in the next 30 years.)
 
#2,086      
Second place is 1st loser
EllderIlliniFan said:
Wait till next year. Going to bed.
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Yeah, I agree (if we have baseball next year).

We knew they were going to get out pitched. That was a bit of a given. Letting up 8, so everything beyond this is a bit moot, but ...

Unfortunately, the way the offense has played the last month, the warts have shown that they are extremely one dimensional. They can't manufacture runs, which includes getting runners on, creating traffic, making the pitcher uncomfortable, putting pressure on and of course getting the runner in. It showed itself when the wind was blowing in at Wrigley and it's going to show against a playoff caliber team's #1, #2 and #3.

The good news is that there are a bunch of contracts that come up after this year. They need to reinvent this roster and change philosophy. Doing the "little things" and giving up ABs for the benefit of the team is what wins. There were way too many K's, leaving guys on second and third with less than two outs, etc. The amount of games they lost because of that is easily over 10. At that point, you're looking at being close enough to the Brewers to make it uncomfortable and at worst, they're holding these games at Wrigley.

Even Hoerner, who was exactly that type of player, regressed because he got away from hitting to the opposite field, hitting line drives, playing gap to gap, etc. You obviously need your slug in the order, but a balance is most definitely needed.
 
#2,089      
Emerson Bigguns
champaignchris said:
Shota, Peterson and Holmes were clearly the best three starting pitchers for the Cubs down the stretch. So, we’re not going to start any of the three in the first two games of the playoffs?
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Tough calls. Boyd has been the most consistent all year. Obviously, last night was not his night.
Gausman has the best stuff, and is probably best equipped to shut them down… It’s a matter of which version of him shows up. He was really good in the playoffs last year.
We are basically choosing from a list of 5 #2-3 type SPs. This team is in desperate need of an ace.
 
#2,090      
mattcoldagelli
champaignchris said:
Shota, Peterson and Holmes were clearly the best three starting pitchers for the Cubs down the stretch. So, we’re not going to start any of the three in the first two games of the playoffs?
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I think the word "clearly" is doing some heavy lifting there
 
#2,091      
Emerson Bigguns
mattcoldagelli said:
I think the word "clearly" is doing some heavy lifting there
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Agreed. Holmes lost his last two starts, and his game scores suggest he wasn’t as good as the other guys down the stretch.
Shota just pitched on Sunday. He’d be on short rest.
Peterson has a decent argument, but Gausman is more rested, and misses a lot more bats than the other guys.
 
#2,092      
Mr. Roberts
Emerson Bigguns said:
Agreed. Holmes lost his last two starts, and his game scores suggest he wasn’t as good as the other guys down the stretch.
Shota just pitched on Sunday. He’d be on short rest.
Peterson has a decent argument, but Gausman is more rested, and misses a lot more bats than the other guys.
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They have a staff of good #4 or #5 starters, so its a crap shoot. Any of rhem could go 6 IP and 1 ER, or go 3 IP and 5 ER.
 
#2,093      
Mr. Roberts
Emerson Bigguns said:
Agreed. Holmes lost his last two starts, and his game scores suggest he wasn’t as good as the other guys down the stretch.
Shota just pitched on Sunday. He’d be on short rest.
Peterson has a decent argument, but Gausman is more rested, and misses a lot more bats than the other guys.
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This staff is a bunch of decent #4 or #5 starters, so its a crap shoot no matter who he picks. Any could give you 6 IP and 2 ER, or 3 IP and 5 ER.

In 2016 terms, there is no Arrieta, Lester or Hendricks to be found. Just a bunch of Hammels or Lackeys (at best).
 
#2,094      
Illiniaaron
I really didn't have a problem with starting Boyd last night. The problem is like many have posted here, they don't have a good #1 or #2, but they are a bunch of 3, 4s, and 5s depending on the start. To be honest I have less faith in Gausman tonight than I did with Boyd going into the start last night. I'm not optimistic, but hey anything can happen in a best of three. Somehow just find a way to win tonight.
 
#2,098      
Mr. Roberts
ChiefGritty said:
Horton obviously hasn't shown he can stay healthy over a long period but his stuff is ace-level without any question.
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Absolutely great stuff, but the best ability is availability. I'd love to see him pitch 180+ innings, but until he does, he can't be counted on as an ace.
 
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