OSS: Back in business.
Three+ up:
- Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell were the most prominently struggling players on the offense going into this game, but their bats woke up in a big way tonight. Russell took Julio Urias deep in the fourth for a two run shot, and Rizzo hit a solo shot in the fifth. Both were making good contact all night, which was great to see. They combined to go 6-10 with two home runs, five RsBI, and four runs.
- Willson Contreras was the Cubs leader by WPA (.203), mostly due to the RBI single that plated the first run of the game. Not included in that number was his defensive performance – he threw out two baserunners, though one of them didn’t count since the pitch ended up being ball four.
- Joe made use of his big bullpen by pulling Lackey with two runners on in the fifth inning. Lackey was, uh, not happy about it. Maybe walk less guys next time, John.
- The pen was solid and should have been credited for shutting down the Dodgers, save for a easy double play ball deflecting off Montgomery’s glove in the fifth. Those runs got charged to Lackey anyway, so great job on the scoreless outing, guys!
Three+ down
- I was fine with Heyward starting this game, and at least he got to use his glove this time around unlike Game 2. He had another lousy game at the plate but at least one of his weak groundouts knocked in a run. I’m sure he’ll start tomorrow hopefully everyone else’s hitting is contagious.
- Joe left Montgomery in to bat for himself despite the giant playoff bullpen. He got a hit, proving all of us wrong (dying laughing). Still the wrong move, though.
- The Cubs bats woke up, but they got some help from the Dodgers booting the ball all over the damn place. The Cubs first run was scored when Zobrist was sent on a shallow single to left that Toles threw halfway up the first base line. A typical throw would have had him out by a mile.
- Carl Edwards left with some sort of injury, though it looks like it’s not that serious and the Cubs were just being super cautious with a big lead. Reports are that his hamstring tightened up, they’ll see how he feels tomorrow.
Next up: Jon Lester faces Kenta Maeda tomorrow night. I was convinced it was going to be Clayton Kershaw, but they sound pretty set on sticking with normal rest this time around. Stay woke, Cubs bats.
Comments
More wins this week, please.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Nice try, Cubs. I know you’re full of shit.
RynoQuote Reply
I did some Good Will Hunting style blackboard math last night, and it turns out that there is now almost no chance the Dodgers can win in 5. Although it’s not clear whether the game last night actually counted, since it was Urias first playoff start, and we all know that bad outings don’t count when it’s your first time( heh).
MillertimeQuote Reply
Millertime,
You’re the puppet.
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
Nasty commenter.
MillertimeQuote Reply
Yesterday, I made fun of someone on BN who called for an offensive plan of massive bunting. Naturally, the Cubs get a bunt hit which seemingly opens the floodgates of scoring. I fucking hate baseball sometimes.
MillertimeQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
Millertime,
Your entitled to your facts, but so is dodgers_in_5.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
It’s like 1 vs 3 on this blog. Sad!
MillertimeQuote Reply
My fears, exactly.
Wish I could believe the offensive momentum will carry over.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Maeda may be good for that. My fear is that they win tonight and then drop both of games 6 and 7.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
How #Cubs would it be to outscore the Dodgers in the series and lose in 6 games?
RynoQuote Reply
If it happens, I may not accept the results.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Wrong.
RynoQuote Reply
Yeah, he’s feeling his oats over there right now. Others have tried to explain the bunt had very little to do with the offensive explosion, but he’s not having it.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
If the Cubs win again in this series, Ryno should get put in the 3 down of the recap.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
No, he should be encouraged and praised. Clearly, he’s the catalyst this team needs.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrumpBookReport
RynoQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
He made sure to reply 5 times to me after last night, so clearly this is a big deal to him. It reminds me why I hate commenting at BN.
MillertimeQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
Smokestack Lightning,
I’m convinced the Cubs’ sole purpose is to infuriate me. They played well all season until I believed for a second they were capable of winning a WS, but I won’t be fooled again.
I think that makes me deserving of a spot in the 3 up and/or down.
RynoQuote Reply
Is it time to put up a haircut poll?
MylesQuote Reply
Guess at to night’s base ball squadron
Fowler
Bryant
Rizzo
Zobrist
Baez
Russell
Heyward
Ross
Lester
berseliusQuote Reply
Big if true.
I have the same guess.
MylesQuote Reply
Sup jabronis. Cubs in 6, right?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
SKQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I’m sticking with 7.
dmick89Quote Reply
I just want all of this to be over and we finally find out which occult custom mattress manufacturer is best.
umbraQuote Reply
I’m going with not 5.
ceruleanQuote Reply
To day’s base ball squadron:
Dexter Fowler, CF
Kris Bryant, 3B
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Ben Zobrist, LF
Javy Baez, 2B
Jason Heyward, RF
Addison Russell, SS
David Ross, C
Jon Lester, P
PerkinsQuote Reply
New Shit
mylesQuote Reply