The Cubs announced their playoff roster, but will wait until later to announce today's starting lineup. From cubs.com:
PITCHERS (10)
Jake Arrieta
Trevor Cahill
Justin Grimm
Kyle Hendricks
Jon Lester
Clayton Richard
Fernando Rodney
Hector Rondon
Pedro Strop
Travis Wood
CATCHERS (3)
Miguel Montero
David Ross
Kyle Schwarber
INFIELDERS (6)
Javier Baez
Kris Bryant
Starlin Castro
Tommy La Stella
Anthony Rizzo
Addison Russell
OUTFIELDERS (6)
Quintin Berry
Chris Coghlan
Chris Denorfia
Dexter Fowler
Austin Jackson
Jorge Soler
There aren't really any surprised here except for the Cubs opting to go with two backup starting pitchers. We knew for sure that Jon Lester would be available in case something happened to Arrieta early in the game. It's surprising to see Kyle Hendricks on the roster. I was pretty sure Jorge Soler would be on the roster, but Maddon didn't play him a whole lot after he came back from injury so I wasn't sure. I'm glad to see he's on the roster.
hendricks over soler doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. granted, i realize it’s not going to matter one way or another. but i see the rare scenario where you really need soler being at least slightly more likely than the rare scenario where you really need hendricks.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Soler is on the roster
dmick89Quote Reply
According to what Cubs.com and others have said, it came down to Neil Ramirez, Tommy Hunter or Kyle Hendricks. I’d have taken Hendricks too.
dmick89Quote Reply
Soler is on there. EP. It was Hendricks over Ramirez/Rosscup/Hunter etc
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Lester is there in case Arrieta had lunch at the same burrito joint in LA that Lou ate at in ’08.
Hendricks is there in case of a 19 inning game.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Is there a game today or something?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
yeah i’m an idiot.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I know Berry is super fast, but did he do anything in September? I only saw him get thrown out or stranded.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
YES AND IT DOESN”T START FOR 7 MORE FUCKING HOURS
WHY CAN”T IT BE ON RIGHT NOW
WHY
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Work productivity is at a stand still. 1908 can’t come soon enough. Only seven more hours.
WaLiQuote Reply
Suburban kid,
Correct.
uncle daveQuote Reply
i seem to recall him being the walk-off run in an extra-innings game where rizzo batted him in
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Not sure if this will be enough beer for tonight.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
are you ok with a light buzz? You may need more to get drunk. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89, Not pictured: bourbon, bailey's, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, bleach, etc.
berseliusQuote Reply
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/arrieta-cole-objectively-one-of-best-playoff-matchups-ever/
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
i read that earlier. i don’t think the methodology comes close to supporting the clickbait-y headline.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
I just pretend it’s a stealth “objectively hot” joke tailored specifically for this website.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
That was the first thing I thought of
dmick89Quote Reply
6 hours
dmick89Quote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
Fowler
Schwarber (RF)
Bryant (LF)
Rizzo
La Stella (3B)
Castro
Montero
Russell
Jake Arrieta, Destroyer of Worlds.
berseliusQuote Reply
Pirates
RF Polanco
3B Harrison
CF Cutch
LF Marte
C Cervelli
2B Walker
SS Mercer
1B Rodriguez
P Cole
berseliusQuote Reply
so no josh harrison at 2B.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
No Alvarez?
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Correct.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Woah, going with the unproven batting pitcher 9th.
Cubs only played 12 games batting the pitcher 9th, first one game 123, and then most games starting with game 144. In that they went 10-2.
WaLiQuote Reply
dmick89,
Guess they figured defense would be needed in this game.
berseliusQuote Reply
glad to see harrison and rodriguez start over aramis and alvarez but having those two able to come off the bench against our bullpen is gonna be nerve-wracking
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
berselius,
I can understand no Ramirez to an extent. No Alvarez is baffling.
Now watch them score 6 runs thanks to their replacements.
dmick89Quote Reply
In a surprise move, Maddon delcares himself starting pitcher.
JoshQuote Reply
I didn’t realize Jung-ho Kang was as good as he was.
JoshQuote Reply
Fixed
berseliusQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
That’s awesome
dmick89Quote Reply
4’33”
Suburban kidQuote Reply
berselius,
That’s fantastic. Hopefully you won’t need it all tonight (except maybe in celebration).
WaLiQuote Reply
Maybe the Pirates are hoping for better defense, and then having the option of solid pinch hitters off the bench in high leverage situations.
MillertimeQuote Reply
Millertime,
Keep it close until you get Arrieta out of the game. Probably a good strategy, frankly.
JoshQuote Reply
IV
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m so excited!
I’m so excited!
I’m so excited!
I’m so…SCARED
umbraQuote Reply
Go get ’em boys!
Suburban kidQuote Reply
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU4pyiB-kq0
MillertimeQuote Reply
3 hours
WaLiQuote Reply
Apparently the pirate strategy for Arrieta is being passed out on leaflets (dying laughing)o(dying laughing)
WaLiQuote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/commentary-and-analysis/who-is-going-to-win-cubs-or-pirates/
dmick89Quote Reply