*****Official Cubs 2019 thread*****
- Thread starter QChawks
- Start date
As crappy as the offense and bullpen have been these last few weeks, the starting pitching has been terrific. Last night was pure perfection from the professor.
Cubs are 11-0 when Hendricks pitches against the Cards.
There's something about right handed changeup guys that simply shut St. Louis down. And Hendricks is the best in the league at it (imho).
Seemed like StL went up trying to ambush early pitches hoping for get me over fastballs - but once runners got on base, Hendricks went higher with his fastballs off the changeup - and closed every door.
STL could very well win the NL Central..,however, I was flabbergasted that they did nothing to improve their team at the deadline. They have a hole at the end of their rotation and there were guys to be had.
I don't remember prior to 2015, but higher last four World Series champions all made at least one significant trade for the stretch run:
2015: Royals added Ben Zobrist and Johnny Cueto
2016: Cubs added Aroldis Chapman and Mike Montgomery
2017: Astros added Justin Verlander
2018: Red Sox added Nathan Eovaldi and Steve Pearce
Even bringing Mike Leake back would have been an upgrade over the Wacha/Poncedeleon duo. Plus, Wainwright can't pitch away from Busch.
Were you surprised?
I can't tell if joe finally has more faith in kyle or if he just hates the bullpen that much
Last night reminded me a bit of a game back in May where Hendricks just dominated the Cardinals. The main difference is that the Cardinals had more chances last night. Three of the four innings started off with doubles if I am not mistaken, yet the Cards could not punch a run across.
No, not surprised at all. The FO's hands were largley tied due to either high salaries or prospects...the "prices were simply too high", and their own decisions over the winter and spring largely tied their hands here.
The Cards' system right now is in decent shape, but at places where the future ML roster says "you keep those that project highly". And by trading for Ozuna and Goldy, a lot of overall tradeable depth they had a couple years ago is gone.
Add in injuries to kids like Gomber, Reyes, Helsley, etc. Then Carp being largely useless, Ozuna, Yadi, Hicks, etc. And the fact the payroll locked up guys like Carp unnecessarily binds things on that front.
They chose not to trade off guys like Gorman or Carlson for temporary pieces. A guy like Castellanos, we already got one of him in Jose Martinez.
Then you look that the Cubs and Brewers added compliments/depth and not "Greinke's"...they decided not to take on either salary (say for the Royals' Duffy/Kennedy) or lose prospects for largely rentals (Wheeler, Ray). Leake wanted to go to Arizona and Arizona only, so that was not an option at all.
So, "small solutions", lefty reliever depth. They badly needed a starter, but obviously felt the prices were too high or the return not all that different than what they already got.
We need guys under-performing to start performing. It is that friggin' simple. It's been a terribly frustrating year so far. Carp's cliff diving has hurt this club badly. The guy cannot hit ANYBODY right now, not even on his rehab assignment.
Cardinals Nation is largely in an uproar over the deadline results - mainly from MoGirsch's "all in" comments over the winter. But I thought it was fairly predictable given the injuries. They simply did not have the "current organizational depth" to deal with any strength.
I agree as well
However, anything can happen in a 7 game series. I've seen some average players get hot with the bat and they absolutely cannot miss regardless of who's on the mound.
That lineup.. it’s beautiful.
Although I am curious if Kemp can lead off and steal bases.
This year's playoffs will be nothing more than a opening act for a LAD/Houston WS.
There is simply no way in hell a pitching staff with Verlander/Cole/Greinke ever loses three games in a row. That means a home field advantage in the ALCS because the best record in the AL looks nearly guaranteed.
Given the Dodgers dominance, the NL is looking the same way.
But consolation prizes for the other eight teams making the post season.
There is simply no way in hell a pitching staff with Verlander/Cole/Greinke ever loses three games in a row. That means a home field advantage in the ALCS because the best record in the AL looks nearly guaranteed.
Given the Dodgers dominance, the NL is looking the same way.
But consolation prizes for the other eight teams making the post season.
This year's playoffs will be nothing more than a opening act for a LAD/Houston WS.
There is simply no way in hell a pitching staff with Verlander/Cole/Greinke ever loses three games in a row. That means a home field advantage in the ALCS because the best record in the AL looks nearly guaranteed.
Given the Dodgers dominance, the NL is looking the same way.
But consolation prizes for the other eight teams making the post season.
Back in 2003, when the Cubs led the Marlins 3 games to 1 in the NLCS, they had their pitching lined up for games 5-7 with Zambrano, Prior, and Wood (if necessary). I never would have thought the Cubs would lose those 3 games in a row either, but................
Point taken, but the Astros have Altuve/Springer/Brantley/Bregman/Correa if the pitching falters. The 2003 Cubs had nothing remotely similar as hitting stars.Back in 2003, when the Cubs led the Marlins 3 games to 1 in the NLCS, they had their pitching lined up for games 5-7 with Zambrano, Prior, and Wood (if necessary). I never would have thought the Cubs would lose those 3 games in a row either, but................
Who’s pitching tomorrow?
Heading to game but that’s odd there is no probable pitcher listed yet
Heading to game but that’s odd there is no probable pitcher listed yet
The cubs were waiting to see how Hamels was today before announcing their rotation for this weekend.
Pretty sure Quintana is pitching tomorrow with the question mark being saturday
It is Quintana's 5th day. They have limped through Hamel's absence with some spot starts, but thanks to an off day on Monday, and Hamels expected return this weekend, I think you get Quintana. Why it hasn't been announced is a bit of a mystery.
The episode of the Simpsons where Krusty hits the skids and becomes a hip, edgy comedian is on right now if you are interested.
Canyonero….
Canyonero….
To be fair, this series you guys caught Waino and Mikolas who have been borderline great at home. And the last 5 (now 5) starts, Flaherty has been rounding into shape as Who We Thought He Was Going To Be All Year. Plus, StL has a damn good pen too.
It happens. You're on the road. It's supposed to be harder against the better teams there. Yes, your offense is scuffling right now. But I'm thinking it will come around eventually.
It's a chance to rub shoulders with the elites, even if it's only for a few minutes before they have to go back to their miserable teams.
When one lives in eastern Iowa and is a baseball fan, the Cubs dominate what you see and hear. I don't know your system as well as StL, but I do know your ML club fairly well and see/hear a lot of their games.
Plus, being a radio geek, I have probably listened to more Cubs games than most Cubs fans here have watched over a lifetime. I go back to Brickhouse, Lloyd and Boudreau - and Old Style and Krausening. I can hear Boudreau's and Lloyd's voices describing it on commercials yet today.
I grew up on the Cubs during the day, Cards at night - both on the radio.
You guys still have a pretty good team, and seem to be an August/September club since 2014. Then given how StL has been mostly wheel-spinning since after 2015 - and the Brewers being historically a fading team (usually, last year an exception) - I find it difficult to simply "dismiss" the Cubs.
You still got good to great starters, you still got mashers...you're just not very consistently hitting the past two years, but seem to beat up on lesser pitching. Your bullpen is mostly reeling from Strop and Edwards' falls from grace - but if your starters can get healthy and stay steady good the pen should straighten itself out.
That's still a recipe for being at the absolute least in the playoff hunt.
And with sports, I'm more of a "close the books on the entire season" kinda guy. I take individual games very much less emotionally than most on the internet. I prefer to enjoy the games, not drive myself into a frenzy over them.
You just gotta be patient with your favorite sports teams, and keep a level head. Because if you live and die with every game and all the minutia, all you'll do is drive yourself crazy.
Me..I just like talking baseball, and this thread is where the most action is on this board. I come in peace, and being a Cards fan "know my place in this thread". I truly don't loathe or hate the Cubs at all given my past. I just find that...silly. "My team can beat your team" internet craziness. For crap's sake, we are all adults here aren't we?
You guys imho are still the team to beat in the central, and I see no reason to change that opinion again this season. And with MLB's current playoff design and given I'm a Cards fan and lived through 2006 and 2011's near miracles..."just get to the playoffs, then anything can happen" is my motto.
You just never truly know in the playoffs. Rotation gets hot, timely hitting, why the hell not? Hell, the Kansas City friggin' Royals won a recent world series for crap's sake.
I know you're not new here....Though this thread is better than most on this board.
Cubs utilityman Ben Zobrist will start his comeback Friday night with Class A South Bend.
He is expected to be the designated hitter for the game against West Michigan Whitecaps at Four Winds Field.
Zobrist, 38, who has been on the restricted list since May 8, hasn’t played since May 6. He and his wife, Julianna, filed for divorce in separate states in early May. Team President Theo Epstein said July 26 in Milwaukee on that Zobrist has been performing baseball activities and looked forward to returning before the Aug. 31 deadline for him to be eligible for the playoffs.
Zobrist was batting only .241 in 83 at-bats when he left the Cubs. But the veteran switch hitter delivered the game-winning hit in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series and is respected throughout the clubhouse for his leadership and batting skills.
“We’re excited he’s going to give us everything he can to try to help the team down the stretch,” Epstein said Friday. “We’re thrilled by the news, happy for him, happy for us. We understand there are still a lot of steps that must happen. We think there’s a chance he’ll come back and help our depth.
“He brings unique things to the table in the clubhouse and on the field. We hope for our sake and his he’s able to complete this process and contribute.”
Zobrist is in the final year of a four-year, $56 million contract.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/spor...0190802-vlv7ltdp2jh4vcurbn2ivtem2y-story.html
He is expected to be the designated hitter for the game against West Michigan Whitecaps at Four Winds Field.
Zobrist, 38, who has been on the restricted list since May 8, hasn’t played since May 6. He and his wife, Julianna, filed for divorce in separate states in early May. Team President Theo Epstein said July 26 in Milwaukee on that Zobrist has been performing baseball activities and looked forward to returning before the Aug. 31 deadline for him to be eligible for the playoffs.
Zobrist was batting only .241 in 83 at-bats when he left the Cubs. But the veteran switch hitter delivered the game-winning hit in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series and is respected throughout the clubhouse for his leadership and batting skills.
“We’re excited he’s going to give us everything he can to try to help the team down the stretch,” Epstein said Friday. “We’re thrilled by the news, happy for him, happy for us. We understand there are still a lot of steps that must happen. We think there’s a chance he’ll come back and help our depth.
“He brings unique things to the table in the clubhouse and on the field. We hope for our sake and his he’s able to complete this process and contribute.”
Zobrist is in the final year of a four-year, $56 million contract.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/spor...0190802-vlv7ltdp2jh4vcurbn2ivtem2y-story.html
Brickhouse, Boudreau, and Lloyd. Ah, memories.
Here's a news story from the Wrigley 80th birthday with snippets from all 3. And, look who hit the HR for the 'Hey Hey' from Brickhouse. His kid was the QB at Texas - now at SMU - Shane Buechele.
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