Last night's game kind of sucked so let's try it again. The Cubs had the advantage in last night's match-up in my opinion, but that's not so tonight.
Lineups
Cubs
Dexter Fowler, CF
Jorge Soler, RF
Kris Bryant, 3B
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Starlin Castro, 2B
Austin Jackson, LF
Miguel Montero, C
Kyle Hendricks, P
Addison Russell, SS
Cardinals
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Stephen Piscotty, 1B
Matt Holliday, LF
Jason Heyward, CF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Brandon Moss, 1B
Yadier Molina, C
Kolten Wong, 2B
Jaime Garcia, P
Comments
Glad to see Soler getting the start tonight. Dunno why he didn’t start last night, but c’est la vie.
SitrickQuote Reply
Sitrick,
Over schwarber though? He’s like 90% of the offense thus far.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Early runs, please.
dmick89Quote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
I would have started Schwarber and Soler tonight.
dmick89Quote Reply
It’s Go Time.
MillertimeQuote Reply
Soler hits the ball so hard.
dmick89Quote Reply
I wish The Cardinals would stop hitting home runs.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
If the game stays remotely close and Hendricks faces batters a third time, I’ll be pissed off.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It’s too bad this isn’t 1885. The Cubs would easily win this series. Jake Arrieta could start every game.
dmick89Quote Reply
The team that doesn’t hit home runs can’t stop hiring home runs.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Would prefer a pinch-hitter here, honestly.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Woah.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Fuck yeah
WaLiQuote Reply
Even better.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Nice. Hitting the ball hard is overrated.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Cubs get one of those “leads” I keep hearing so much about.
MillertimeQuote Reply
Time to get Jake warmed up to come in and close this one out. The reverse Bumgarner.
MillertimeQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I take that back.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Thank you
dmick89Quote Reply
Soler flare!
WaLiQuote Reply
The destruction has begun!
MillertimeQuote Reply
When it looks easy, it looks so easy. When it looks hard, it looks so hard. Today, it’s looking pretty easy.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Addison!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Russell, holy shit!
ceruleanQuote Reply
Whenever anyone tells you they have this game figured out, laugh in their face.
umbraQuote Reply
That’s how you defense, Cardinals.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
What happened? I just have gameday going in the background. No audio.
MillertimeQuote Reply
Millertime,
Life is good for the moment
WaLiQuote Reply
Millertime,
Russell made a spectacular diving play on a hard grounder.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Garcia already gone
WaLiQuote Reply
umbra,
Don’t tell me what to do
GWQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
It’s gonna be really fun watching him for the next 6 or more years.
MillertimeQuote Reply
Add on here, boys.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Another run!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’m not sure how I feel about all of the bunting, but as a guy who grew up in Cardinal country during the Whiteyball era it is extremely gratifying to watch these guys get nickeled and dimed to death.
uncle daveQuote Reply
I was fine with the Hendricks bunt. I don’t know about Russell, since there were 2 RISP. I’d prefer a swing there 99% of the time.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bunting, hitting home runs, whatever. We’ll destroy you your way, then we’ll destroy you our way. Until you’re double destroyed.
umbraQuote Reply
Wow @ that play by Russell
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I always prefer to see a guy with power swing the bat. I could see challenging the Cards to make a play there, though.
uncle daveQuote Reply
uncle dave,
Russell also strikes out quite a bit, so I’m sure Maddon figured that in.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Carpenter tries to kill lady, politely pops out to atone for his sins. It’s the Cardinal Way.
umbraQuote Reply
So far this is way much more fun than last night.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Be nice to get Bryant and Rizzo going.
dmick89Quote Reply
There’s just no pleasing some people.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Never underestimate the power of unpredictability. Like bunting away from the shift, it makes the defense have to execute—and if they don’t, there is a higher probability of things going wrong again.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Rizzo got a walk and scored, what more can you ask for?
umbraQuote Reply
And the Cubs get Arrieta next game.
dmick89Quote Reply
Apparently Garcia has a stomach virus.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Villanueva forgot to wax his mustache
umbraQuote Reply
Don’t tell me what to do.
But, yeah.
UrkQuote Reply
Stomach virus for Jaime? He just shit the bed in a big game—I bet it’s his own autonomic response telling him never to do what he just did again.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I’m still getting used to Hendricks figuring out how to rack up strike outs. Where did this come from?
MillertimeQuote Reply
Don’t tell me what I can’t do.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I can’t believe that bundling cable services together is still the dominant business plan. Talk about Stone Age.
umbraQuote Reply
Wong guessed Wright on that one.
Yeah.
MillertimeQuote Reply
He is becoming a two-outcome pitcher. I don’t like the other outcome.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Seriously. Cut it out.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Grichuk shouldn’t even be here today.
umbraQuote Reply
Just get an out, please.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Thank you.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Respect the game plz
umbraQuote Reply
umbra,
Cardinal Way
dmick89Quote Reply
This may be illuminating.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Wait, why was Travis Wood batting?
MillertimeQuote Reply
Millertime,
Dunno. It was pretty low leverage, though.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Piscotty doesn’t know.
MillertimeQuote Reply
‘Twas
umbraQuote Reply
Fowler4Prez
umbraQuote Reply
Bringing in a righty to face Rizzo? Weird.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
From a guy who hasn’t come out of the pen in 9 years.
umbraQuote Reply
I don’t think they overturn this.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Call should stand from these angles—so it will probably be overturned.
EDIT: phew.
ceruleanQuote Reply
TBS calling him out
umbraQuote Reply
Damn it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
umbra,
I think he probably was, but it was too close to overturn.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Maybe that’s just because I’m a Cubs fan. Hope so.
dmick89Quote Reply
Cardinal devil-magic. How do both of those line drives find leather?
mambochickenQuote Reply
dmick89,
A three-run lead in the late innings? What could possibly go wrong?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Not sure about that arch in the grass. Is it truly as wide as it is long? Get your tape measures out, gang.
umbraQuote Reply
Global thermonuclear war.
umbraQuote Reply
Silly cats, you don’t like beer
umbraQuote Reply
Waino’s curve is still filthy.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Yes, let’s bunt. You know, to test Wainwright’s Achilles.
umbraQuote Reply
I would not shy away from a five-out save here if needed.
uncle daveQuote Reply
I think Cahill and Arrieta use the same personal trainer.
uncle daveQuote Reply
K-Hill
umbraQuote Reply
Sad Mike Shannon is the best Mike Shannon.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Trevor Cahill looked great that inning. Wow
dmick89Quote Reply
uncle dave,
Agreed. Wonder how pissed he was last night with all those shitty calls.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
If the Cubs pull this out, he and Hrabosky will have to go out and find a dog to kick to death tonight.
uncle daveQuote Reply
“I had my first kiss ever on the kiss cam.”
If thousands of people saw my first kiss, I would never ever ever share that story. That is one memory of public embarrassment that would be repressed SO HARD.
umbraQuote Reply
Lick that snocone Wong
umbraQuote Reply
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JDDP0cx1QPE
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Hold on to your butts!
umbraQuote Reply
He was channeling MVP Koyie Hill.
ceruleanQuote Reply
For some reason, this is the first time I’ve been really nervous since the second inning.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It’s not as if Rondon hasn’t earned my trust (with a three-run lead, at least).
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Siddown, you redneck twat.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Russell sure likes to dive.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bryant looks like he’s having fun.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
How much chew does Castro have crammed in there?
umbraQuote Reply
Yes!
GWQuote Reply
Yuuuuuuuup.
uncle daveQuote Reply
That’ll move the chains!
umbraQuote Reply
I love these comfortable victories. My heart rate never got too elevated and I didn’t sweat much. I might survive this postseason yet!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I did some sweating until it got to the 9th.
dmick89Quote Reply
I never feel comfortable with any lead against the Cards. I’d love to see the Cubs take it home at Wrigley.
JoshQuote Reply
dmick89,
Opposite for me. I don’t know why. That save was very low leverage. I guess I’ve been conditioned by years of crappy Cubs closers never to feel safe with a ninth-inning lead.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bullpen game after Hammel, Cubs take it in 4.
There’s a non-zero chance that I am right.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Greinke gave up a homer. Not Cy Young worthy.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I feel really good about Monday. I hope like hell they can scratch it out Tuesday.
Then again, Cardinal devil magic being what it is it might be Arrieta’s worst game since April.
JoshQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Two now
JoshQuote Reply
Josh,
I think that officially retroactively disqualifies him for the CYA. Just give it to Arrieta!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Okay, but Arrieta damn well better single-handedly win the game Monday.
JoshQuote Reply
Josh,
A Cubs ace would never disappoint us in the postseason!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
dislike
WaLiQuote Reply
Ouch. Tejada just became the victim of a hard Utley slide.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Lots of people have gotten a hard one from Utley. He sometimes goes out of his way to give it to people.
JoshQuote Reply
Tejada status: fractured right fibula.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Damn. That would hurt.
Worst part was they ruled Utley safe.
JoshQuote Reply
Luckily for the Mets, Ruben Tejada is just okay.
JoshQuote Reply
Would be nice if this is what finally inspires MLB to take a look at changing the rule ala what happened to Posey.
berseliusQuote Reply
I think that kind of slide is illegal under the current rules as written, but the umpires have never really enforced it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I think Utley’s slide could be called interference under 5.09 (a)(13), which means the batter/runner should have been out. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2015/official_baseball_rules.pdf
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’m also pretty annoyed that Utley was called safe when he made no attempt to touch second. I agree that the situation would have played out differently had the ump not called him out, but there’s no way to be sure he would have been safe, since the defense may have tagged or forced him out first. This is a separate issue related to how replay is used, of course, but I hope it is addressed and clarified soon.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I was surprised they didn’t address this when they addressed home plate collisions.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Yeah. The 2B plays are way more serious than the home plate plays IMO.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
They’re far more frequent. I don’t know if they’re worse, but they occur more frequently.
dmick89Quote Reply
Houston about to go up 2-1 if they can hold this. Cubs/Astros would be a pretty cool WS.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m hoping more than anything that Texas wins today so tomorrow’s game is set to the later hour.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
TOR needs to win or else it’s the early game, methinks.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Looks like I got that backwards. I need Toronto to win to get the evening game.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Beat me to it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
So far so good, TOR needs to remember that they score like 20 runs a game.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Utley suspended two games, will appeal.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
When does the appeal take place? Assuming he loses the appeal, will he then be suspended for the NLCS if they make it there?
dmick89Quote Reply
Not sure how I feel about the suspension. Seems arbitrary.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The word through the grapevine is that MLB will schedule it before Game 3 to determine if he will be allowed to play.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wendy Thurm and baseball lawyer Twitter seems to think that without precedent, appeal will be granted but message of a rule change on the horizon would’ve been sent loud and clear which is ultimate purpose of what seems an arbitrary punishment.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
And if the Mets beat the Dodgers, then the Cubs road to destiny will travel through 4 current or former division rivals.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Anyone else having trouble accessing this web site over the last few days?
I couldn’t get on via PC or phone (two different ISPs). I tried using a VPN this morning to come in through another IP and that got me in, but I’m also getting kicked out.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Suburban kid,
Can you send me your IP address that you used that couldn’t access the site?
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
OK, sent you an email.
Now my phone is working, but my home/office broadband still won’t let me access the site.
/high maintenance
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Win or lose, playing your top rival in the playoffs is pretty awesome.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Pretty cryptic. If it was the normal number 4 pitcher you’d think he’d be told already.
Clayton Richard?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
That’s what I was thinking. Him or Jon Lester. I actually feel kind of bad for Jason Hammel.
dmick89Quote Reply
Suburban kid,
Joe’s decided to take the hill himself. Or he’s letting Castro finally realize his dream of pitching in the major leaguse. Why not, it’s playoff fun!
JoshQuote Reply
dmick89,
It might depend on whether they win today.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
I hadn’t thought about that until this comment. That would be really cool to see. It would also be fun to kick some Mets ass along the way too.
dmick89Quote Reply
I feel like when Jake takes the mound, Holst’s Mars the Bringer of War should be playing.
MillertimeQuote Reply
Millertime,
Duh-duh-duh-duh duh DUH-DUH-DUH!
umbraQuote Reply
I’d probably lean toward Lester if he’s comfortable going on short rest. Hope to get 5 or 6 from him. Jamel could be used if he doesn’t get through 6.
dmick89Quote Reply
Just saw that Utley slide. Didn’t the Cardinals (Holliday?) do the same shit to Castro a year or two ago?
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
Yes, although Castro didn’t break his leg on the play, and it was just a regular season game, so it didn’t get much coverage other than the usual fan outrage of something bad happening to their team.
MillertimeQuote Reply
dmick89,
If the Cubs win tonight, I’d rather go with Hammel and an early bullpen at home for tomorrow’s game and then have a fully rested Lester on the road.
MillertimeQuote Reply
If I recall, Holliday went into a ridiculously late slide at 2nd and was nowhere near 2nd base. It was bullshit, but that stuff happens far too often and they allow it. Glad to see they’ll try to do something about it this offseason.
dmick89Quote Reply
That’s probably the smart thing to do. I just have a bad feeling if this goes back to St. Louis, the Cubs are done.
dmick89Quote Reply
Tonight’s squadron:
CF Fowler
RF Soler
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
2B Castro
LF Schwarber
SS Russell
C Montero
P Arrieta
One of the most potent offensive line ups we have.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
I like that lineup a lot.
dmick89Quote Reply
If you have Schwarber batting 6th, your lineup is probably pretty damn good.
WaLiQuote Reply
Jason Hammel is starting tomorrow. Not too surprised.
dmick89Quote Reply
Give in to the dark side of the devil magic.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Fixed. That last hitter is something special.
ceruleanQuote Reply
game thread up: http://obstructedview.net/nlds-cardinals-cubs-game-3/
dmick89Quote Reply