Chicago Cubs 2026

#1,826      
Second place is 1st loser
Impossible situation for Counsell here. Boyd is rolling along, is under 90 pitches, but only has a 2-1 lead in the 8th. He's also be prone to the long ball.

However, you've built your bullpen to have control of games in the 7th, 8th and 9th, but they've struggled. If you want to win in the playoffs, those three have to perform.

Craig is going to be second guessed if his decision goes wrong, but neither option is ideal given how they've all performed.
 
#1,827      
Warren Carter Fanclub
Second place is 1st loser said:
Impossible situation for Counsell here. Boyd is rolling along, is under 90 pitches, but only has a 2-1 lead in the 8th. He's also be prone to the long ball.

However, you've built your bullpen to have control of games in the 7th, 8th and 9th, but they've struggled. If you want to win in the playoffs, those three have to perform.

Craig is going to be second guessed if his decision goes wrong, but neither option is ideal given how they've all performed.
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I don't care how bad the bullpen has been, absolutely ZERO reason for Counsell to leave Boyd in for that last batter he faced.
edit: Zefferjahn sucks too.
 
#1,831      
madillini4
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#1,832      
Illiniaaron
Warren Carter Fanclub said:
I don't care how bad the bullpen has been, absolutely ZERO reason for Counsell to leave Boyd in for that last batter he faced.
edit: Zefferjahn sucks too.
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It’s kind of like, who out of the pen doesn’t suck at this point. Who’s even going to be available for the playoffs. I can’t see Cabrera being on a playoff roster. Palencia has a couple weeks to figure something out or you won’t be able to pitch him either.
 
#1,835      
Second place is 1st loser
Warren Carter Fanclub said:
I don't care how bad the bullpen has been, absolutely ZERO reason for Counsell to leave Boyd in for that last batter he faced.
edit: Zefferjahn sucks too.
Click to expand...
Agree. I was ok going hitter by hitter with Boyd. If he gets the first guy, he gets a second, but if one gets on, he's done. The walk should have been the end of the outing. Going through the order for the 4th time just wasn't a great idea.

Now, Zefferjahn was no better, but who knows how his approach differs if he starts the inning clean.

This all started with the Series in Seattle. That pen has taken them from a home playoff series in the WC round to looking over their shoulder at Arizona and San Diego. The Cubs have a very difficult schedule down the stretch.
 
#1,837      
Illinirog70
When you're leading the majors in runs, hits, on base percentage and defense, you'd think they would be closer to the top. It's relief pitching EVERY DAY. Every single day! It comes down to a lead blown by the relievers.

I wish there was a way to charge the relievers with inherited runs allowed, especially if the guy is only on first base. All the starters can do is bury their heads in a towel.

As long as I've been following the Cubs (73 years!) I don't remember a year like this-- such a dichotomy between hitting, fielding, starting and relief pitching.
 
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