Cubs 9, Cleveland 3 (World Series Game 6)

In Commentary And Analysis by berselius127 Comments

OSS: One. Day. More. *

Three+ up:

  1. Kris Bryant got the Cubs rolling with a solo shot off Mike/Josh Tomlin/Timlin. If only the Cubs had done this in game three like they should have done. KB added three more singles on top of that bomb, clutching it up in what would be described as the biggest Cubs game of the season, except for this whole game seven thing.
  2. Pre-emptive congrats to Myles on the birth of his third kiddo following the Addison Russell grand slam in the third inning.
  3. Aside from the grand slam, which is the last play from this game that I’ll still remember when I’m in my dotage, Russell also had the highest WPA play in the game in no small part due to the defensive incompetence of the Cleveland OF. I swear Lonnie Chisenhall has had like 37 misplays in RF this series. Too bad the Cubs couldn’t hit a whole bunch of balls towards Carlos Santana when he was impersonating a statue in LF at Wrigley Field.
  4. Jake Arrieta was fucking dealing tonight, striking out nine in 5.2 innings and only running into real trouble in the fourth following a leadoff double by Lindor and Joe West being Joe West. The Cubs backs were against the wall in this elimination game and he delivered and then some. Fear the mother fucking beard y’all. Or don’t.  I can’t tell you what to fear.
  5. Anthony Rizzo also had a great game, going 3-5 while scoring in both of the Cubs early rallies and hitting an insurance HR in the ninth inning when a five run lead felt like the game was on a knife’s edge (dying laughing).
  6. The 3-4-5-6 batters of the Cubs lineup combined to go 11-19 with 9 RsBI. Not too shabby.
  7. Heyward and Baez didn’t have much going at the plate yet again today, but both brought their gloves today making great defensive plays to stand this lead up.
  8. Shoutout to Cubs diehards Dave and Jack at the dive bar down the street from my hotel, who bought way too many rounds of Jameson during and after this game. I am amazed I can even type right now (dying laughing). This is my first time in San Jose and I already feel welcomed like a local. Bonus shoutout to Bob, the stone cold badass quadriplegic Giants fan regular at the bar who was pounding Jack and Cokes that we managed to convince to root for the Cubs despite the fact that he had bet on Cleveland to win the series (dying laughing).

One down:

  1. I’ve only got one complaint about this game, and it is What the ever-living fuck was Joe thinking when he was trying to ride Chapman with a five run lead? I get that the guy will no longer be a Cub as of Thursday, but by DeRosa’s Stubble, you want to make sure you can use him in Game Seven. He threw 20 pitches to get his four outs but I may or may not be sweating bullets over a game seven appearance after this and how much he threw in game five.

 

Next up: Kyle Hendricks faces Corey Kluber, working on short rest for the second start in a row. This one is for all the marbles. All the palantir or some shit. I don’t remember LotR that well and am too drunk to look this up. Tomorrow we’ll discover what our Mark DeRosa has in store.

*h/t Aisle424

 

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  1. Author
    berselius

    dmick89:
    It’s 12:30 am and I’m wide awake. Not sure I’m going to get much sleep tonight.

    I would sleep in tomorrow, but for some reason San Jose decided to put their airport runway just outside of downtown so I can look forward to waking up to jet engines at 6 am tomorrow (dying laughing).

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  2. dmick89

    berselius,

    I would make some joke about how the Cubs were involved in the San Jose airport planning somehow, but these Cubs aren’t the one we used to make fun of. They’re a win away from a World Series Championship.

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  3. Smokestack Lightning

    Have to say after tonight’s Chapman debacle, I’m very concerned Maddon might freak out and do something dumb late tomorrow night that costs us our lifelong hopes and dreams.

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  4. SK

    Still totally cool with Joe’s bullpenning. None of the other RPs are lights out–all of them lately seem to be good only for one or two outs before shit happens. The Chapman narrative about needing to only pitch the ninth has been destroyed by the guy’s performance, but more importantly, his words. To paraphrase his post-game 5 comments “I am happy to come into the game early and pitch multiple innings. The only thing is that I need to know it’s going to happen because I take a long time to get ready.” Kind of like, I don’t know, a starting pitcher who also throws multiple innings?

    As far as over-use, I don’t know how to look it up easily, but I’m pretty sure Chapman’s monthly pitch count in October was probably half that of a normal month. Certainly, the number of off days scattered through the last 4+ weeks was more than double the normal. He had a day off on Monday, he didn’t pitch on Saturday, and last Thursday was an off day. Going into game 7, he has pitched 102 pitches in the previous 7 days. Is that a lot for a reliever? I don’t know. My guess is that it is slightly above average for a late inning reliever who pitches 5 games per week. With Chapman being a horse type person, I can easily live with that.

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  5. dmick89

    SK,

    I don’t think anyone is worried about overuse. He had the first month of the season off so he’s just fine. The point is that you’re now probably going to get less work out of him in game 7 because he threw in game 6. The worst reliever in baseball can hold a 5-run lead.

    That said, he only ended up throwing 20 pitches (plus a lot of warm up pitches). He is still good for more than an inning today. If Rizzo did not hit that home run, he’s probably good for no more than a two or three outs.

    But he’s not available to pitch two-plus innings tonight because Joe wasted bullets in a 5 and then 7-run game.

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  6. Rizzo the Rat

    SK,

    I mean, if you told me before the game that the Cubs would win and Chapman would throw only 20 pitches, I’d’ve been thrilled. But it just seems like a wasted opportunity.

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  7. SK

    dmick89: But he’s not available to pitch two-plus innings tonight because Joe wasted

    I think he’s available to pitch as many pitches as Joe wants. It’s the last game of the year.

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  8. SK

    ‏@KerryWood Kerry Wood Retweeted LaTroy Hawkins
    See, it’s not just me. #FlyTheWKerry

    LaTroy Hawkins @LaTroyHawkins32
    #JoeWest is the worst umpire geeeez !!! Stop acting like it’s all about you and call damn strikes

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  9. Author
    berselius

    SK: I think he’s available to pitch as many pitches as Joe wants.It’s the last game of the year.

    No question he’s available, just worried how many of those pitches will be effective.

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  10. SK

    dmick89:
    SK,

    That may well be considering how much Joe hates everyone in the bullpen,

    people were complaining about him having the 4th best reliever pitching in the 6th inning the other day. we can’t have it both ways.

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  11. dmick89

    SK,

    Even if that’s true, and it might be (I have no clue), it doesn’t change the fact that a 5 and 7-run lead is safe with literally any pitcher in baseball. If shit gets real you can always get Chapman up.

    Non-Chapman bullpen yesterday: 2 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs.

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  12. dmick89

    SK,

    That was a close game. Last night was not. The two are not the same and definitely nowhere close to wanting to have it both ways. If last night’s game was even 5-2, I could see using Chapman. I can even get behind using Chapman to finish the 7th last night and then going to another reliever for the 8th. I would have thought it was overkill, but whatever.

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  13. dmick89

    SK:
    Also, I am a total Joe fanboy.

    That’s fine. I think he’s a good manager overall. He sucks when it comes to strategy though. The good things he brings to this team outweigh the negatives. By far. But last night was stupid and even dumber than using Chapman in the first place (or at least sending him out for the 8th) was not having anyone ready in the bullpen just in case, you know, the Cubs scored a couple runs.

    Oh well. Game 7. Let’s go.

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  14. BVS

    My wife and I are having a little…um…discussion …about whether it’s appropriate for our 9 yr old to stay up as late as she can to watch the game tonight. She’ll never make it past 10:00 but bedtime is usually 8:30 and she’s got a math test tomorrow.

    Me: 108 years
    Her: Math test

    If the kid didn’t know the difference between Arrieta and Coghlan that would be one thing, but she even knows who Candelario and Victor Caratini are.

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  15. BVS

    To help reduce worry today….

    Joe West will not be behind Home plate.

    Not sure who will be. I think Hirschbeck is the crew chief.

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  16. SK

    Perkins:
    BVS,

    Math tests come and go. The Cubs in game 7 of the World Series hasn’t happened in any of our lifetimes.

    Exactly. And she sounds like a better fan a lot of us. No brainer. Wake her up when they win.

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  17. dmick89

    berselius,

    I wonder if Arrieta is available for an out or two. He threw 102 pitches last night so probably not, but I don’t think it would be too surprising if he is available. I imagine everyone is available tonight.

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  18. Author
    berselius

    dmick89:
    berselius,

    I’m not sure why everyone is so down on Contreras’s defense. He’s got some areas he can improve, but who doesn’t?

    Kyle Hendricks is such a hothead that he needs Ross’s veteran presence to calm him down (dying laughing)

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  19. BVS

    After some sleep, I think I basically agree with SK’s analysis of Chapman’s use. You want your dominant reliever to come in when there is a scoring opportunity and the middle of the line up is batting. That was the situation last night. Mitigated of course by a 5 run lead and the probable need to use Chapman today too.

    I assume Madden was going to let Chapman finish the game which would have been dumb. Assumption based on not having anyone warming up til Rizzo homered.

    Possibly the most important move of the game was Bosio talking Maddon into bringing Strop and Wood in last night. That’s what it looked like to me on the tube.

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  20. Smokestack Lightning

    SK: people were complaining about him having the 4th best reliever pitching in the 6th inning the other day. we can’t have it both ways.

    Fair enough. They got the W. Better we be bitching under those circumstances than the alternative.

    And I doubt Chapman will be limited in any way tonight. Adrenaline’s a helluva hormone. With it, I bet Kerry Wood could walk out of the stands and give us an inning.

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  21. BVS

    dmick89,

    Rookie mid season call ups can’t be that good, right?

    I think he’s far exceeded expectations and his D is better than 80% of the other Cs on MLB rosters.

    Also hit the wrong thumb. Sorry

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  22. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89:
    berselius,

    I’m not sure why everyone is so down on Contreras’s defense. He’s got some areas he can improve, but who doesn’t?

    I’m fine with either playing. I don’t expect either to do much against Kluber at the dish, so maybe take the more experienced guy in Ross, but again, I barely care, so long as Fowler, Schwarbs, KB, Riz, and Zobes are in the lineup.

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  23. Smokestack Lightning

    From FG:

    David Ross will put on a big-league uniform — at least as a player — for the last time tonight. The 39-year-old catcher didn’t sound too focused on his imminent retirement leading into Game Seven.

    “All I’m going to be worried about is winning the World Series,” said Ross. “Screw my career. Let’s win the World Series.”

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  24. dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning: With it, I bet Kerry Wood could walk out of the stands and give us an inning.

    After seeing how Joe has managed the bullpen this postseason, I’m surprised Kerry Wood isn’t in the bullpen. I’m also surprised Eddie Vedder isn’t. He might have the arm for a long man.

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  25. Author
    berselius

    dmick89: After seeing how Joe has managed the bullpen this postseason, I’m surprised Kerry Wood isn’t in the bullpen. I’m also surprised Eddie Vedder isn’t. He might have the arm for a long man.

    Carlos Zambrano is good to go, he passed his bullpen test already.

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  26. Edwin

    Is this Worlds Series thing still going on? I checked out a couple games ago when I decided that baseball didn’t matter to me anymore.

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  27. Perkins

    Ryno:
    Maybe I’m missing something. Do you guys really think the Cubs have a chance against Kluber tonight?

    Their third time facing him in a week, and he’s on short rest for the second time in a row. I’m not saying it’s probable, but it’s certainly possible.

    While I’m hoping they can tag him early, I’m mentally preparing for a nail biter or a blowout in favor of the Indians. It could go either way.

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  28. dmick89

    Ryno,

    The Cubs beat up Kershaw in game 6 of the LCS. He’s the best pitcher on the planet by a wide margin. Do I think they’ll win tonight? I think it’s pretty close a coin flip. I’d say Cleveland is slightly favored, but not by much.

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  29. Author
    berselius

    dmick89:
    berselius,

    I wonder if Arrieta is available for an out or two. He threw 102 pitches last night so probably not, but I don’t think it would be too surprising if he is available. I imagine everyone is available tonight.

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  30. Smokestack Lightning

    Myles: Kluber sucks. Let’s beat his face in.

    In spite of the enormous amount of evidence to contrary, I agree with this analysis, but more importantly, the recommended course of action.

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  31. Rice Cube

    I wish the SAT people allowed us to Tweet and post memes during test administration. Alas.

    Also, Cubs in 7. If I say it enough, it will come true.

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  32. Rizzo the Rat

    dmick89,

    I don’t know what it means to say Joe is a good manager if he sucks at strategy. Is he a great motivator? Maybe, but for all his “Respect 90” talk, there have been far too many Cubs who are slow to get out of the batter’s box, especially when they think they have home runs.

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  33. Jack

    Enough with the “dying laughing” schtick. Its old. The Cubs have brought it to a game 7, and basically a coin flip away from winning it all and ending a century + of misery. Either way, Cubs fans are no longer, and I repeat, no longer luvbl loozrz. Just ordinary fans of an ordinary (extraordinary) team. Which is great. When I signed up for Cubs fandom, I didn’t sign up for 40 years of “what the f*ck was I thinking? damn you Mark Grace.”

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  34. dmick89

    Rizzo the Rat,

    That’s a good point. I’d say that players like to play for him, which helps sign free agents. He seems to keep the clubhouse pretty loose and I’m not sure he’s terrible at all strategies. I think the 6-man rotation was really smart even though it irritated me at the time since I’d have to watch subpar starters too often.

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  35. Rizzo the Rat

    fwiw, I admire Joe’s tendency to put the best hitters toward the top of the lineup. I thought last night’s lineup was very good and I hope he uses it again.

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  36. Perkins

    Jack:
    Enough with the “dying laughing” schtick. Its old. The Cubs have brought it to a game 7, and basically a coin flip away from winning it all and ending a century + of misery. Either way, Cubs fans are no longer, and I repeat, no longer luvbl loozrz. Just ordinary fans of an ordinary (extraordinary) team. Which is great. When I signed up for Cubs fandom, I didn’t sign up for 40 years of “what the f*ck was I thinking? damn you Mark Grace.”

    (dying laughing)

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  37. Perkins

    From a tactical standpoint, bullpen usage is the only thing Joe does that I find infuriating. Specifically when he leaves a starter in to bat and then takes him out in the very next inning. I suppose also his usage of pinch hitters, but that’s generally less problematic.

    I like that he doesn’t call for the sacrifice too much, and that he doesn’t throw players under the bus when things go poorly.

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  38. Wenningtons Gorilla Cock

    dmick89: That’s a good point. I’d say that players like to play for him, which helps sign free agents. He seems to keep the clubhouse pretty loose and I’m not sure he’s terrible at all strategies. I think the 6-man rotation was really smart even though it irritated me at the time since I’d have to watch subpar starters too often.

    I like that he got the Cubs to Game 7 of the World Fucking Series.

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  39. josh

    berselius,

    Incidentally, I was at his book signing in Chicago the night the Cubs clinched the Pennant. He had a computer on stage and gave us regular updates, in addition to apologizing for the timing. After he was done talking, the Music Box put the game on-screen while he was signing books.

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  40. Perkins

    josh,

    I think it’s more that Jake looks like he lives on the frontier. And “boy” would be direct address (e.g., “Boy, you better get some more firewood before supper, or I’ll tan your hide.”)

    As to “dinner” vs “supper,” I think referring to lunch as dinner and dinner as supper is a somewhat archaic form. I remember first noting it in The Jungle, and it took a few repetitions to get it straight since Jurgis was eating “dinner” in the middle of his shift. I believe parts of the south and west still say “supper” in lieu of dinner, though.

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  41. josh

    Perkins,

    I guess it’s a consequence of living all over that I have no strong bias, though occasionally get corrected, which always throws me. I usually use dinner and supper interchangeably and call the mid-day meal “lunch.”

    I like to think I could make it on the frontier as a woodwright.

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  42. Millertime

    Jack:
    Enough with the “dying laughing” schtick. Its old. The Cubs have brought it to a game 7, and basically a coin flip away from winning it all and ending a century + of misery. Either way, Cubs fans are no longer, and I repeat, no longer luvbl loozrz. Just ordinary fans of an ordinary (extraordinary) team. Which is great. When I signed up for Cubs fandom, I didn’t sign up for 40 years of “what the f*ck was I thinking? damn you Mark Grace.”

    I signed up for a free T-shirt. Then the T-shirt shrunk. Now I can’t wear it.

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  43. Perkins

    WaLi:
    Perkins,

    I was so fucking confused when I moved to central Illinois from Florida and people would say “I’m going to go eat dinner” at noon.

    I’ve lived in Chicago, DC, rural Virginia, and New York, and “lunch” and “dinner” have been used everywhere. My old Battalion XO was from Mississippi, though, and he always used “supper” to refer to the evening meal. Hearing the midday meal referred to as “dinner” is pretty jarring.

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  44. Smokestack Lightning

    Millertime: I signed up for a free T-shirt.Then the T-shirt shrunk.Now I can’t wear it.

    Normally I would be (dying laughing) here. But it appears that might be verboten now, which is, of course, big, if true.

    Though I suppose it could go either way.

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  45. BVS

    josh: I usually use dinner and supper interchangeably and call the mid-day meal “lunch.”

    Me too, from Michigan and family from Indiana, but I heard dinner for lunch in Southern Indiana.

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  46. Perkins

    To day’s base ball squadron:

    Fowler
    Schwarber
    Bryant
    Rizzo
    Zobrist
    Russell
    Contreras
    Heyward
    Baez

    Same squadron as last night. Make the Indians hurt, Cubs. Make ’em wish they’d never been born.

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  47. SK

    In Ireland, it is usually dinner (evening) and lunch (mid-day) but that’s probably a recent Americanization. Historically, and in my in-laws’ generation, “dinner” means the main, cooked meal of the day, which could be in the afternoon or evening.

    In the UK, they still say tea for evening meal and dinner for lunch (except perhaps more modern or urban types who say lunch).

    School lunches in both countries, if provided/cooked in the school, are called “school dinners” and lunch ladies are called “dinner ladies”.

    I don’t hear supper much, but I do hear the occasional verb to sup(p) — to eat and drink.

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  48. Perkins

    Cleveland’s base ball squadron:
    Santana
    Kipnis
    Lindor
    Napoli
    Ramirez
    Chisenhall
    Davis
    Crisp
    Perez

    I guess Naquin’s defensive misadventures took him out of the lineup.

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  49. Myles

    Perkins:
    Cleveland’s base ball squadron:
    Santana
    Kipnis
    Lindor
    Napoli
    Ramirez
    Chisenhall
    Davis
    Crisp
    Perez

    I guess Naquin’s defensive misadventures took him out of the lineup.

    And yet Chisenhall is out there.

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  50. josh

    Tonight’s base-ball squadron for to-day’s match:

    Jimmy Sheckard LF
    Johnny Evers 2B
    Frank Schulte RF
    Frank Chance 1B
    Harry Steinfeldt 3B
    Solly Hofman CF
    Joe Tinker SS
    Johnny Kling C
    Orval Overall P

    Bowler Orval Overall is to take the onion and lob some dew drops while the cranks shout Huzzah! Johnny Evers has been a real artist with the daisy cutters, and we all know Frank Schulte is quite the muckle at the dish, if a bit of a muffin in the field! Hopefully them Cubbie’s hit a few skyers that go plumb out of the ball-park!

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