FTWS:
Three+ up:
- Kyle Hendricks was absolutely amazing tonight, allowing just two hits and striking out six in 7.1 innings. There were just two baserunners in the first seven innings, a leadoff single on the first pitch of the game that got wiped out by a slick double play turned by Baez, and an error by Baez was wiped away by a great pickoff by Cyle. He was starting to fall behind guys in the 8th when Joe brought him out but I think he could easily have completed the shutout if not the Maddux under normal non-playoff situations. Adding “beat the best pitcher in baseball in an elimination game” to “best ERA in MLB” is quite the added spice to an amazing season.
- Dexter Fowler got things going right away with a ground rule double off of Kershaw, scoring the much needed first Cubs run. He later added on with a RBI single/TOOTBLAN.
- Rizzo was technically the Cubs WPA leader, the best kind of WPA leader, but a big chunk of that came from a huge error in the first inning by Dodgers LF Andrew Toles that extended the Cubs rally. But he still was part of that pickoff play and hit a home run, so I GUESS he did okay today.
- Speaking of home runs, Willson Contreras also had a solo shot off Kershaw. He didn’t even look like he had never been behind the plate before when catching Chapman.
- The defense all around was fantastic as usual tonight, with the best play of the day by who else but Javier Baez. He was well deserving of his share of the NLCS MVP, and no one would have batted an eyelid if it was him alone.
- This bottle of Abt 12 was pretty fucking great (dying laughing)
Far too many down:
- Too many people that would have loved to see this didn’t make it this far. Hopefully the Cubs can win four more for them.
Next up: The Cubs play the Cleveland Indians in the WORLD FUCKING SERIES. Game one is in Cleveland on Tuesday at 7 PM CT. I’m guessing it will be Lester vs Kluber, but I’m too lazy/drunk/happy to actually research any of this. (dying laughing).
Comments
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Hey everybody! We’re all gonna get laid!
umbraQuote Reply
I love this team.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2016/10/22/13369318/cubs-lose-game-6-of-nlcs-in-horrific-fashion-prewrite-do-not-publish
GWQuote Reply
Billy Williams talking about Ernie and Ronnie and it’s getting dusty in here
berseliusQuote Reply
Can’t help but think of Ronnie and my grandfather. Thanks for making me a Cub fan Gramps!
FrysredjacketQuote Reply
berselius,
Yeah, I’m starting to have problems with my contacts…
FrysredjacketQuote Reply
It’s extremely difficult to imagine a “Dodgers in 5” scenario panning out at this point.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Had to take a moment to get rid of all the sand that flew in my eyes.
Indescribable.
Thanks for putting up with my dumb opinions, jabronis. It’s nice to share this with y’all.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
GW,
Oh, that Grant…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nice touch with the MVP.
FrysredjacketQuote Reply
I like the MVP(s) choice(s).
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Kris Bryant is UNBELIEVABLE.
ceruleanQuote Reply
First time anyone has been happy to go to Cleveland.
Myles HandleyQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ/status/790024469251186689
GWQuote Reply
Grampy, why are your eyes so red?
ceruleanQuote Reply
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwLwyHGuAnk
berseliusQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/based_ball/status/790026510346444800
GWQuote Reply
THE CUBS WIN THE PENNANT! MAYBE I’LL GET TO HAVE THIS “SEX” THING TOO!
Pinch-Running Tom GoodwinQuote Reply
cerulean,
Lot of meth in the Chicago area.
dmick89Quote Reply
I don’t think he should give up hope.
dmick89Quote Reply
0-2, BB so far for Schwarber.
dmick89Quote Reply
This team is possibly my favorite team I’ve ever rooted for. The 2013 ‘Hawks are a close second.
Good
At
Fucking
Sports
FonteYESQuote Reply
I am still rather speechless.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Gah, who was dusting in this room before the 9th inning?
This is for you Dzaidzi. Who watched baseball with me and taught me the game and gave me an opportunity to watch Sammy Sosa when I was young.
I remember crying listening to Pat and Ron describe the 8th inning of game 6 of the 2003 NLCS. Same reault in 2016, but for much happier reasons.
Pennant babyyyyy!
FonteYESQuote Reply
There is nothing creepier than a wall of cameras on an intimate scene. Blech.
ceruleanQuote Reply
You go, we go!
ceruleanQuote Reply
So amazing. Thanks for being here you guys/gals. Love this team
WaLiQuote Reply
Huh huh huh. Tom Ricketts likes the moisture.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Speedos!
ceruleanQuote Reply
I’ve been so focused on this team winning the World Series that I didn’t even stop to think about how awesome it would be to watch them celebrate getting there. It’s been fun watching this celebration.
dmick89Quote Reply
I think he was there when they clinched the division too.
dmick89Quote Reply
cerulean,
It’s apparently time for me to walk the dog (I’m thankful for the quick game) and then go to bed.
dmick89Quote Reply
Nice to see Hammel enjoying the celebration.
dmick89Quote Reply
That baby in the cubbie-bear pajama-onesie-dealy-o—Almora’s kid?—is the highlight of the celebration to me.
ceruleanQuote Reply
So, Rob Neyer sent out a shout-out tweet to Al.
Somehow that’s fine.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
One sack of shit to another
berseliusQuote Reply
The last time the Cubs won a pennant, it was a big deal to win a pennant.
GWQuote Reply
They’d have been good choices for the NLDS as well.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Post updated
berseliusQuote Reply
National League champion Chicago Cubs. I could get used to this.
Rice in limboQuote Reply
You better get used to it. I don’t think this team will let that one go very easily.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Stopped by the beach on the way home to tell my dad’s ashes that the Cubs were going to the world series.
Today was a good day.
Four more W’s.
fang2415Quote Reply
See ya Tuesday, Kyle.
http://www.mobypicture.com/user/SpikeLundberg/view/19455291
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
So a week ago, I’d said NLCS game 1 was the best game I’d ever been to…
Yeah, about that…
4 wins to go, jabronis. This team is fucking awesome.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Also not sure if this came through on the TV, but for some reason Joe Buck was going to say something after all the awards and stuff, got roundly booed, and then his audio got cut and they played “Go Cubs Go” again.
It was fucking glorious.
PerkinsQuote Reply
If he’d actually do his job with a shred of professionalism, that wouldn’t happen.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Eh, Joe Buck is okay, and Smoltz was fantastic. I wish they wouldn’t use the national guys for games like this though, it would be much cooler if they did the local broadcasters while each team was in their respective home cities. I’m missing Len and JD, though at least we get a little bit of Len on the radio.
berseliusQuote Reply
That was an NL pennant I recently enjoyed.
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
To me, both were straight up terrible. Smoltz was wrong nearlt every time on strategy/tactics and gave the audience outdated, bullshit platitudes.
Both of them together were a dumpster fire of St. Louisian proportions.
FonteYESQuote Reply
My grandmother was 98 and she never saw this. My dad is 74 and I’m glad he saw this. Four more, kids.
uncle daveQuote Reply
No, seriously, KYLE FUCKING HENDRICKS was wot won it.
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
uncle daveQuote Reply
Going back and reading the comments from last night/this morning was awesome- has been all year. So happy for everyone/everything!
BottleasmokeQuote Reply
Never thought I’d see Hendricks out-pitch Kershaw in any postseason series. I think Kyle has not been given enough credit by the media since the postseason started. I’ve heard he entered the season as “just a 5th starter” a dozen times. I never bought the starter controversy in spring training and even if it was real, the guy was really good in 2014 and it wasn’t like he was bad last season. He was about league average.
dmick89Quote Reply
How awesome would it be to have Sammy Sosa throw out the first pitch for Game 3?
Myles HandleyQuote Reply
This can’t be true, unless you are your own grandpa. I’ve been operating under the assumption that you threw out the first pitch the last time the Cubs won the WS.
Myles HandleyQuote Reply
Whoever picks the music they play (other than the players’ walk-ups) was on point last night. “In the Air Tonight” right before the game, “Lose Yourself” entering the 9th inning, and a couple others I’m not remembering that seemed appropriate. It was also amazing that I think I only saw a couple of Dodgers fans in the entire stadium. I’m sure there were more, but it felt like the entire crowd was Cubs fans. Moreso than at any game I can remember.
For nearly every pitch he threw, the crowd was loudly chanting “Ker-shaw!” and there was much cheering every time he spiked a curveball (which was nearly all of them). And while I’m sure his command was off irrespective of the crowd, it was cool to feel like we may have had some part in rattling him. It was also hilarious to prove to AGon that the crowd could indeed get louder. (dying laughing)
PerkinsQuote Reply
Myles Handley,
It hope they do it for at least one of the games.
dmick89Quote Reply
Perkins,
Did AGon say something about the Wrigley crowd?
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m assuming the World Series rotation order is Lester, Arrieta, Hendricks and Lackey. The best ERA in baseball lined up for game 7, but I think the Cubs win this one in 6.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
He made a comment before the series came back to Wrigley that the atmosphere wouldn’t be a big deal because it couldn’t get any louder than it had in games 1 and 2. It was in fact quite a bit louder.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/adrian-gonzalez-challenges-cubs-fans-noise-wrigley-field-397929141.html
PerkinsQuote Reply
Toles ran out of the baselines on that double play in the 1st and the umpire didn’t look like he cared at all. When it first happened I didn’t think Javy got the tag on him (seemed impossible), but the umpire just didn’t care about him running out of the baselines.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Nah cubs in 4.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
Dodgers in 5.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Also possible
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Holy shit that was a fun fucking series you guys. Still can’t believe the cubs are going to the world series. Can’t wait for the surprise schwarber dinger.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Also kind of hilarious when Joe Maddon was getting interviewed on the field:
“Joe, what were you thinking about going into this game?”
“I wanted to watch football tomorrow.”
PerkinsQuote Reply
And great pic b. Warmed me right up to see ronnie at the top of the post.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
The impact on the game was minimal if any, I’m sure, but what a clown Adrian Gonzalez was in this series.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
Yeah, I’m sure the players are great at tuning that stuff out. Really glad Kershaw didn’t have his curve last night.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Pat and Ron suggested that the ump did call Toles for being out of baseline, and once Javy knew it, he fired ASAP to 1B. Either way it was an excellent play.
Rice in limboQuote Reply
Rice in limbo,
That’s what I thought when it happened last night, but when I watched some highlights this morning, it didn’t appear that the umpire did that. Usually the umpire signals out of the baseline in some way, but the replay I saw this morning only showed the umpire calling him out when the tag was applied.
dmick89Quote Reply
Yeah, excellent play. I still don’t know how Javy actually applied that tag and got the out at first. He’s crazy good.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I think maybe he crossed the boundary of the baseline right around the same time he was tagged. I think he gets 3 feet either way.
EDIT
I don’t really get it.
http://umpirebible.com/rules/basepath.htm
SKQuote Reply
Four Dodgers reached base—three double plays and a pickoff. Only the second time in postseason history that a team faced the minimum.
I clearly was right about Hendricks facing the minimum*. I take credit for it all. (dying laughing)
*After Chapman took care of that last one.
ceruleanQuote Reply
SK,
So once Javy attempted the tag, Toles was out regardless of Javy making the tag. That’s how I read it.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Perkins,
I noticed the playlist wins too. They played “Sweet Emotion” a couple of times, including when Hendricks left the field for the last time to a standing ovation.
SKQuote Reply
SK,
They busted out Jump a few times too from what I remember
berseliusQuote Reply
I believe that Javy could’ve just fired to first and appealed successfully later, but he did get the tag so the point was moot.
Rice in limboQuote Reply
That’s Hendricks’s walkup music, so they play it when he takes the mound in the first and when he comes up to the plate. They gave him an extra round as he left in the 8th to send him off, which they don’t usually do.
Also, Hendricks clearly has the best taste in music among the Cubs’ starters. Lackey comes out to “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places” and Lester comes out to some pop-country song. I forget about what Arrieta uses, but I don’t recall being impressed.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
Arrieta uses a slightly stoopid song http://youtu.be/XGFivqLhJTU
WaLiQuote Reply
berselius,
Yeah, I’d forgotten about that. Good song.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Can’t get enough of stuff like this.
http://www.foxsports.com/video?vid=791692355587
Couldn’t get the embedded video to not autoplay. That’s lame.
aisle424Quote Reply
Your downvotes matter. Please downvote such user hostility on this totally appropriate forum that will make a real difference.
ceruleanQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
aisle424Quote Reply
aisle424,
To be technically correct everyone else in the league has a day off today.
WaLiQuote Reply
Also, I learned last night that the Jed Hoyer “spanking it” tweet was probably Theo’s work. I want it to be true so badly. I love this fucking team.
aisle424Quote Reply
I emailed that dodgers in 5 clown. I really need to know if they’re still going to win in 5 or not.
dmick89Quote Reply
63% chance the Cubs win the World Series according to 538’s ELO ratings. http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-mlb-predictions/
dmick89Quote Reply
Any response? I’m getting my popcorn ready.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
dmick89,
Is that good?
SKQuote Reply
I don’t really get how a guy can be “ready to contribute” in the World Fucking Series when guys take 6 weeks and 30 games of ST get ready for the year, and if they take any time off for an injury, they have to play at least a few games in the minors to get their game readiness back.
Schwarber has not been out for 15 days. And he wouldn’t be coming back to a road series in Cincinnati in June. This whole 1 game and he’s ready for the WS after six months off sounds completely wrong.
ON THE OTHER HAND. They removed someone from the 40 man roster for him. He missed the clinching game after spending the entire postseason with the team. Statements from Thoyer sound like they actually want this to happen. Could Schwarber be the kind of player who is special enough to be able to make a snap return to a World Series? Or the kind of player worth risking it for? Perhaps he has been doing more behind the scenes SIM game type work than we realize. I know he got the doctor’s note last Monday – did they wait until then on purpose to get him examined? It’s all so wild…..
SKQuote Reply
SK,
He only has to be more valuable than the guy who would be the DH. That would probably be Soler, but I kind of think it’s safe to assume he’s still injured or we would have seen more if him in the field in late September and this postseason. Since Almora started yesterday, I don’t think the Cubs are comfortable using Soler.
I also think it would be kind of crazy, but the Cubs being in the World Series sounds crazy. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
I wonder what restaurants Plaschke is going to eat at this week in Cleveland.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Johnny’s Downtown, Swenson’s Drive In, and Golden Corral on Brookpark Rd, are all looking for dishwashing staff.
Indians_in_4Quote Reply
I’m not really in limbo
Rice in limboQuote Reply
Indians_in_4,
Golden Corral sounds fancy.
dmick89Quote Reply
Holy shit the Cubs are playing in the World Series
SKQuote Reply
Since it was brought up earlier, I also thought Smoltz was fantastic for the most part. Can’t stand Joe Buck though. I was also a big fan of ARod during the post game and even grew to appreciate Pete Rose. Frank Thomas was pretty good too.
dmick89Quote Reply
Jim Hendry is a classy dude.
dmick89Quote Reply
Are the Indians the weakest team they’ve faced in the postseason?
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I believe that is the consensus. Rotation is kind of a patchwork right now, and it wasn’t like they scored at will…
Rice in limboQuote Reply
Rice in limbo,
However, having Andrew Miller kind of helps.
Rice in limboQuote Reply
I wasn’t impressed by Smoltz. He said some really silly things that put me off. The worst was when he said that it didn’t matter that Almora failed to advance Russell from second to third, since Hendricks would just lay down a sac bunt. WTF?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
That was definitely dumb, but all announcers say dumb shit. I thought he was about as good as any announcer could be that’s calling a team that he’s not regularly watching.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rose is an idiot, but he did keep things loose. As we all know, he is immune to critical thinking, including the introspective variety that leads to embarrassment, which can lead to some interesting moments—equal parts funny and cringeworthy. What I am saying is, maybe he’ll be the 2020 presidential nominee.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
Exactly. He’s ridiculously behind in his knowledge of baseball, but he stopped irritating me as much as the postseason has progressed.
dmick89Quote Reply
I think so. One ace in the rotation followed by a bunch of #4’s at best. Carrasco, Salazar, and maybe Bauer out. Tomlin is good at throwing strikes, but the stuff is not good. Merritt is replacement-level. The outfield is not good; Brantley has been out all season.
The infield is very good. Lindor is a stud. They tried to trade for Lucroy, but he vetoed it.
Bullpen is good. Miller is great and everyone else is fine.
Now watch them steamroll the Cubs.
GWQuote Reply
Do NOT fucking tell me what to do.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Indians catchers this year have been shockingly bad for a team this good. Lucroy’s trade veto really hurt.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Dodgers_in_5
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
If he makes the team, he takes the Zas/La Stella spot. The latter had one PA in the DS, and the former pitched not at all during the LCS.
I think it’s worth a spot the Cubs weren’t really using anyway. Whether he should start is something else entirely, but I’d give him the Mr. Irrelevant spot.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
That he did. His eloquent analysis, “Man, that was a stinko bullpen” re: SF game 4 still cracks me up.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
Yeah, I was thinking there is no harm in giving him Zastryzni’s spot.
dmick89Quote Reply
I tune out all that extra shit, it’s replacement level stuff anyway. What I focus on with Smoltz is his analysis of pitch selection/location/etc which has been amazing. Obviously we are spoiled by JD, who I would much rather see, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Compared to what I expect from a national broadcast booth analyst he’s aces.
Too bad Fox can’t do what it did for some of its Saturday games and just hire some ringers, didn’t they have Len and Bob do games a while back?
berseliusQuote Reply
If he makes maybe one pinch hit appearance then sure. But saying he’s an upgrade over Soler at DH right now seems like a stretch. This is a masterful job of trolling everyone by the FO, whatever happens (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
GW,
Sounds like there’s a shot that Salazar might be back, but even if he starts he’s not going deep.
berseliusQuote Reply
Schilling/Rose 2020
berseliusQuote Reply
I assume aside from Lindor, Indians defense isn’t all that good. It was amazing how easily they ran through the Rex Sox and Blue Jays for a team that seemed so flawed.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
He rarely goes deep even when fully healthy.
GWQuote Reply
Second-best defensive efficiency in the AL (behind Toronto). They rate above average in other defensive metrics, too.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
berselius,
I don’t know if he’s an upgrade over Soler or not. I think Soler is more injured than they’re letting on, but I don’t see any reason both can’t be on the roster.
Out of curiosity, what good would Thoyer suggesting this possibility accomplish if it weren’t real? My first thought yesterday was “no way” and that they were just trying to confuse Cleveland, but I can’t figure out what good it would do. Do they submit rosters at the same time? I suppose they could carry another lefty if Schwarber was thought to be on the team. I don’t know.
dmick89Quote Reply
Okay, I know every winning team has some crazy narratives woven together post hoc, but the Cubs lost one of their sluggers in the third game of the season with an injury that takes a year to recover from, that some never really recover from, and now there is a coinflip chance of that slugger—the Cubs all-time postseason homerun leader—being on their World Series roster!?
This postseason script is some ridiculous saccharine shit. Is his miraculous return because of his great love for the game? I think Lifetime rejected this script and MLB picked it up.
Nobody is going to believe this.
ceruleanQuote Reply
dmick89
The other easy DH candidate is Contreras, especially if Arrieta pitches game 2. Soler is a question mark but I’d take Willson over a guy who hasn’t seen much live pitching in six months
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Good point. I wish Contreras would just catch Arrieta and that would solve that problem.
dmick89Quote Reply
It’s not going to be a problem in a week or two (dying laughing). I think next year Montero catches Jake and Willson gets everyone else, unless Montero retires.
berseliusQuote Reply
Glad you were paying attention (dying laughing)
I guess their FO guys and coaching staff are maximizing positioning and stuff.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Man. We live in strange times. Here, a Ricketts/Theo history-of-the-Cubs-rebuild piece written by… A-Rod.
http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/chicago-cubs-theo-epstein-tom-ricketts-organization-world-series-102316
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
Why does a billionaire have to write articles for websites, and wear a tie and hold a microphone on TV?
Insert poll options
A. Wants to be in HOF and thinks this will burnish his image with writers
B. Wants to be relevant in some way
C. Loves the game of baseball and still wants to be involved as much as possible
A seems most likely. If HOF is important to him (which it seems to be to all players), then this is perhaps the only way for him to make a difference on his vote totals.
For B and/or C, there are other ways for a super rich man to accomplish that without having to take a TV job. He could afford to buy a stake in a team, he could get a coaching or scouting gig, or become an agent. If I have hundreds of millions in the bank, I’m not applying for any more jobs let alone showing up to work.
SKQuote Reply
I’ve heard some discerning people including Len Kasper rave about Buck but I just don’t see it. Especially when it comes to the basic PBP — just terrible. Listen to him call Bryant driving in the Cubs’ first run of the last game.
so bad – doesn’t even mention the fantastic batting by KB, down in the count, waiting back on that low and outside pitch and pushing it oppo.
SKQuote Reply
(dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) at that Schwarber champagne celebration in AZ.
http://m.cubs.mlb.com/chc/video/v1208783283/?affiliateId=clubMEGAMENU
SKQuote Reply
SK,
Doing what ARod is doing accomplishes all three. What I think your poll is missing is the gobs of money that Fox is paying him for one month of his services. He’s basically delaying his retirement for a bunch of money.
dmick89Quote Reply
SK,
Just about all his calls are like that. There’s no way a visually impaired person would have any clue what’s going on when Buck does PBP.
Len Kasper has to be nice.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I don’t understand why he needs to put on a suit to make gobs of money when he already has all the money.
I do understand the self-interest of a free agent who takes the highest offer no matter what, but he has already done that twice and had more than anyone. It’s not like a Ron Santo licensing his name to frozen pizza. I think players who made more than 10 million in their careers should leave the TV jobs to those who didn’t.
SKQuote Reply
Thank you for putting up a pic of Ron Santo. I loved that guy, and he should have been hear to see it (and narrate it right along side Pat Hughes).
IamNotARobotQuote Reply
dmick89,
Well, berselius and my son both say there is no way Schwarber plays. I’m not so sure…
SKQuote Reply
SK,
I’m not either. I still think it’s a long shot, but I don’t think this is some con by the front office. I think it has more to do with the Cubs knowing Soler isn’t healthy and that most of the Cleveland starters are right handed.
dmick89Quote Reply
SK,
Most of the jobs are left to those guys. ARod probably isn’t taking a regular tv gig. I think it’s pretty cool that one of the greatest to ever play is actually doing it and that he’s pretty fucking good at it.
dmick89Quote Reply
Indians have scored 3.0 runs per game in the postseason.
Cubs have allowed 3.0
Cubs have scored 4.8 runs per game
Indians have allowed 1.9
/stats that anyone can look up
SKQuote Reply
I’m surprised at how much I enjoy the Arod/Rose/Thomas panel & Arod is definitely the best of the three. Regarding motivations, I figure it’s all of the above, plus the pile of money. It certainly puts a better public cap on the end of this season than the Yankees deciding it was better to pay him not to play anymore.
Regarding Schwarber- I think that they must figure that the combination of a few of potential pinch hit at bats, and the boost to team morale of him coming back is worth the roster spot. I can’t imagine that he’ll start, & I bet that he takes the La Stella/Zas spot.
UrkQuote Reply
Given that ARod is consistently (albeit in a small sample size) the best dressed announcer I’ve seen on TV, and that his clothes actually fit, I don’t get the sense he sees it as “has to” put on a suit. He may enjoy it.
It’s also possible that he just enjoys going out and working. Even if I had the type of money he had, I’d still probably want to run a business or something to keep busy. He’s talking about what he knows, and he’s been a step above the other analysts I’ve seen (though I like Frank Thomas as well). I can’t begrudge a guy who seems to have a pretty high baseball IQ the chance to share it with regular folks, even if he’s worth half a billion dollars.
PerkinsQuote Reply
He’s certainly a step up over CJ Nitkowski, who was doing this last year.
berseliusQuote Reply
Perkins,
This. I could understand some resentment if he wasn’t very good or even if there were some players that could be named that would do as good a job as he did. He clearly did his homework and enjoys talking baseball. He’s probably one of the best player analysts FOX has had on.
dmick89Quote Reply
berselius,
Eric Byrnes annoyed me the most whatever year that was. That was probably partly because everything that man did was annoying.
dmick89Quote Reply
Ugh, Joe West and Larry Vanover are on the World Series umpiring crew:
http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/10/24/world-series-umpiring-crew-announced-hi-joe-west/
PerkinsQuote Reply
I guess.
SKQuote Reply
(dying laughing) I haven’t even seen any of his TV work in any depth and I don’t begrudge him. I’m just curious about people’s motivations, especially when they do the non-obvious thing.
SKQuote Reply
That “someone” was Giovanni Soto, beloved Cubs player from a simpler time. They released Geo for some flash-in-the-pan from the Arizona Fall League who hasn’t hit a ball in months? SMH. Fire Epstink.
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
Wenningtons Gorilla Cock,
Nope, different guy.
mambochickenQuote Reply
Regarding A-Rod: There is a persistent fallacy in thinking that once you’ve “made it” you can just laze away the day being fed grapes and caviar. But one of the necessary conditions for becoming one of the best is never being content—as evidenced by his use of drugs to remain great.
Money simply doesn’t provide any meaning for most, but performing often does. It’s the human condition. I am not surprised A-Rod isn’t immune to it—he seems to have a decent amount of wit.
ceruleanQuote Reply
mambochicken,
Wrong. Geovanny Soto washed out of the league. He lost some weight, started throwing left handed, and changed his name to Giovanni
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Schwarber is 0-1 so far.
dmick89Quote Reply
Lester is starting game 1 (officially official). I’d assume it’s Arrieta, Hendricks, and Lackey after that.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
I agree, though it would be a shame to waste their best-hitting starter (by far) in AL games.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Schwarber 0-2. Just watched him line out to the second baseman who was playing in shallow right field in a shift.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
How are you watching?
mylesQuote Reply
myles,
MLB at bat has it.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
True, though they could always forego the DH (dying laughing).
PerkinsQuote Reply
myles,
http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7617858/v1208894783/live-surprise-saguaros-mesa-solar-sox
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
He draws a walk.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It just hit me that the Cubs made it to the World Series before they ever rekindled their relationship with Sosa. Nice.
Pinch-Running Tom GoodwinQuote Reply
Perkins,
Don’t give Joe any ideas.
dmick89Quote Reply
Thanks, guys.
mylesQuote Reply
It’d be great if they brought him back to throw out the first pitch in one of the WS games. Not holding my breath on that, though.
PerkinsQuote Reply
He walks and is clearly ready for baseball’s biggest stage.
mylesQuote Reply
Come on, Kyle.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
A double!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Schwarber doubled down the right field line.
dmick89Quote Reply
Double down the line on a hard-hit grounder. He is making good contact but has yet to elevate. 1–6 with 2 BB and 0 K—put him on the roster!
The elevation will come.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Rob Z. or Kyle Schwarber? Pretty easy choice for me. If the Cubs are going to need Rob Z at any point, they probably lost the series so I’ll take Schwarber.
dmick89Quote Reply
I was disappointed that Z didn’t get any mop-up time in games 4 and 5, or even game 3. No extras, he wasn’t needed.
I really want to see at least one Miller vs Schwarber matchup.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Anybody get selected to buy tickets?
ceruleanQuote Reply
I thought about trying to get tickets to one of the first two games in Cleveland, but then I remembered two things: it’s Cleveland and I’d rather watch on tv from the comfort of my own chair.
dmick89Quote Reply
cerulean,
I am not looking forward to Miller/Heyward matchups. Or any Indians pitcher and Heyward matchups for that matter.
dmick89Quote Reply
cerulean,
3 x entries, 3 x rounds = 9 x unfortunatelys
SKQuote Reply
dmick89,
I have lost hope for Heyward being anything but a defensive specialist in this upcoming, rather inconsequential series that I won’t pay any attention to.
ceruleanQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/wboor/status/790667147856850944/video/1
This might be an error in the big leagues, but I’ll take it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
SK,
Same here. Standing room is going for $2500. At least I got to go to game 2 against the Giants.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Did that go through the wickets? When I saw it live, I thought it really hugged the line.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I’m going to at least two of the home games, depending on how the first two in Cleveland shake out (might go to all 3), but I’m a STH.
It was also a lot easier to be homo economicus with postseason tickets last year when I lived in New York. This team is too fun to watch.
PerkinsQuote Reply
cerulean,
Looks as if the first baseman deflected it. He was definitely in a position to field it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
It’s really hard to track the ball for that far away at that resolution. It does look like it ate him up.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
To be clear, that’s not the double, right?
SKQuote Reply
SK,
That is the double.
dmick89Quote Reply
1-6 with a gift double, a couple of walks and at least two of the balls were squared up. His timing is off, but his eye is pretty good and he didn’t strike out. Good enough for me. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
Perkins,
It’s hard to pass up a single ticket paying for an entire season of tickets.
ceruleanQuote Reply
dmick89,
I’m sorry. I had just read a tweet that said he reached on an error.
I did not see the text on this one that clearly says “double”.
SKQuote Reply
More important than anything, Schwarber ran pretty well and ran great for a guy who had a couple ligaments repaired just 6 months ago.
dmick89Quote Reply
SK,
Sorry for what? You didn’t do anything.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m ready for game one. Come on, clock.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m guessing he’s a better hitter than Coghlan. Joe might want Coghlan for defensive versatility. He can play four or five different positions poorly.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
How many reliever plate appearances will Joe give out in the series? I’ll go with one since there are really only three games that should even possibly become a consideration.
dmick89Quote Reply
That’s the crux of it. If they split the first two games in Cleveland, I’ll probably sell game 3 for exactly that reason. If either team is up 2-0, I probably won’t end up selling any because I’ll want to get to one with my wife and another with my dad.
And whatever happens, there’s no guarantee they’ll see another World Series in my lifetime, so this is definitely a “take the cookies when they’re passed” moment. The experience in the two NLCS games I went to felt worth a lot more than what I could have gotten for the tickets on StubHub. Then again, I may be shitty at valuing experiences. (dying laughing)
PerkinsQuote Reply
dmick89,
For not reading every word.
SKQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
BerzeliusQuote Reply
Can’t possibly be any worse than Heyward.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
According to Morosi, Schwarbs on his way to Cleve. Will DH Game 1.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
According to Morosi, Schwarber will DH tomorrow night.
dmick89Quote Reply
I can play all 9 positions poorly. I await my call.
Myles HandleyQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
Kyle Hendricks could bat left handed and would be better than Heyward.
dmick89Quote Reply
Fine with him being on the roster. But would rather Contreras DH g1.
But maybe the plan is for Contreras to play the field. Have Heyward come in middle to late innings.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
I hope War Bear proves me wrong on this one
berseliusQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
I hope we’re done with the all defense crap. I’d prefer Heyward be a defensive replacement the rest of the way. Zobrist in RF and Contreras in LF is what I’d do.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m just glad that a bunch of rich dicks who watch 2 games a year are going to go to the most important games in history and couldn’t name one player on the starting rotation in 2011.
Ugh. I’d be willing to pay $700 for STO and I’d have to pay 4x that amount. I need to be friends with more season ticket holders.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
I’m not sure I can anymore either. (dying laughing)
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Justin Germano’s mom is very disappoint.
berseliusQuote Reply
Apparently the exit velocity on the first at bat today was 110 mph for Schwarber. http://mlb.com/r/article?ymd=20161024&content_id=206997854&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc
dmick89Quote Reply
that was 2012
GWQuote Reply
Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster are the two I can think of.
dmick89Quote Reply
Carlos Zambrano
dmick89Quote Reply
Randy Wells!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Had to look. Rodrigo Lopez and Casey Coleman. Doug Davis made some starts, Ramon Ortiz made a couple starts and Andrew Cashner made one.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m actually a ghost. I died on the “Randy Wells is actually good” hill 5 years ago.
berseliusQuote Reply
IIRC Cashner had a great spring, then left in like the 6th inning of a dominant first start with an arm injury. 2011 Cubs in a nutshell. Well, a slightly smaller nutshell than the Garza trade.
berseliusQuote Reply
I don’t think she knows what year Germano pitched for the Cubs either (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Sounds like it is indeed Arrieta in game two
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
Worst part of 2011 was when they’d take Marshall out of the game in the ninth to let Marmol try to close it. I wanted to yell, “Leave Sean in the game! He’s doing fine!”
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
https://mobile.twitter.com/D2_Derpinator/status/790578220945006593/photo/1
berseliusQuote Reply
Man, do I miss White Castle Marmol
berseliusQuote Reply
Don’t tell him what he didn’t do!
ceruleanQuote Reply
I think they gave Doug Davis just enough starts that he could retire with a pension. I thought that was pretty cool.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I’m also pretty sure 2011 was when Zambrano said he was going to retire and ended up getting suspended for the rest of the season. That was an unfortunate end to his tenure.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
At least they were able to trade him for Chris Volstad!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Oh yeah, Chris Volstad. Then he can hand the ball to Rafael Dolis to close it out.
The Cubs being in the World Series feels even better while thinking of those really really bad years.
PerkinsQuote Reply
All you suckers are talking about how much tickets are going for, but what genius decided to schedule a week on the road with his special ladyfriend who can’t stand baseball during the World Series? This guy, that’s who.
Pretty sure that decision singlehandedly allowed the Cubs to punch their ticket this year.
mobile daveQuote Reply
New Shit
http://obstructedview.net/series-positon-players-preview/
mylesQuote Reply
He was no Esmailin Caridad, that’s for sure.
berseliusQuote Reply
By Grabthar’s Hammer, Manny Corpas made 48 appearances for the 2012 Cubs.
berseliusQuote Reply
All the Cubs first pitch throwers should be people who they need to rekindle relationships with. Game 3: Sammy Sosa. Game 4: Steve Bartman. Game 5:…Manny Alexander?
Pinch-Running Tom GoodwinQuote Reply
Fuck Lester…
WaLiQuote Reply
Love it when Ross/Baez hooks up for an out.
They need to make it so that if there is any delay when a coach considers reviewing, it is automatically reviewed.
WaLiQuote Reply