6/26 Cubs (Arrieta) @ Cardinals (Lackey) 7:05 PM ABC7

[Careless]

Only complaint I had was pulled Arrieta after 7. Of course this probably doesn't happen if he doesn't send Arrieta out there for the 9th in a blowout last start.

 

This is one one of the dumbest narratives you guys have come up with this season, and that's saying something.

 

i wouldn't go quite as far. i'm probably just still reeling from dusty/the 2003 nlcs, but i despise leaving pitchers in for one more inning with a big lead. i don't think it's why we lost this game, but i do think it would have been better managing for arrieta to throw one less (meaningless) inning in the last game and one more (meaningful) inning tonight.

 

As excellent as the bullpen has been pitching lately he wasn't really downgrading all that much, if at all, by pulling Arrieta after 7 excellent innings. We're talking about maybe getting one more full inning out of him in a game where the offense failed spectacularly to push across more than 2 runs with 15 players managing to get on base, and they wouldn't have been any more likely to actually score if he had stayed in. It's the epitome of nitpicking.

 

It's a total 20-20 hindsight. If he leaves Arrieta in there and Arrieta gives up the lead, everyone is complaining that we should have brought Strop in. Strop's been great this year but he's going to give up runs.

[expletive]. People were asking why Arrieta was coming out for the 9th when it happened because we knew something like this could follow.

[Sammy Sofa]

Arrieta was pulled for a pinch hitter with a runner on base in the 8th inning of a 1-run game, with 9-1-2 due up the next inning('9' in this case meaning 'pinch hitter w/ platoon advantage'). Forfeiting one of the 4 outs you have left in the game in that situation is way worse than any imagined difference between 100 pitch Arrieta v. the back end of the bullpen.

[Guest]

[expletive]. People were asking why Arrieta was coming out for the 9th when it happened because we knew something like this could follow.

 

I'm just talking about yesterday. Even if they don't have Arrieta go out for the ninth in his last start, if they leave him in yesterday and he gives it up, Maddon gets ripped.

 

Just like if Strop and Rondon close it out and we win, nobody questions Maddon.

[Gilby]

Arrieta was pulled for a pinch hitter with a runner on base in the 8th inning of a 1-run game, with 9-1-2 due up the next inning('9' in this case meaning 'pinch hitter w/ platoon advantage'). Forfeiting one of the 4 outs you have left in the game in that situation is way worse than any imagined difference between 100 pitch Arrieta v. the back end of the bullpen.

 

Eh, that runner was on first base, it was arguably the slowest player on the team, and there were two outs. It would've taken at least two hits (off Siegrest no less) for Ross to score. With the lead, I think run prevention remains the most important factor, and to me, an Arrieta who didn't throw 120+ pitches his previous outing takes that AB and is the best option for the 8th inning.

[Sammy Sofa]

The team has been desperate to score runs; I think weighed far more heavily on the decision to pull him out as opposed to being worried over his pitch count.

[Sammy Sofa]

Man, the over team offensive numbers for the Cubs are kinda depressing to look at; they're firmly middle of the pack at best with just about everything. Until the dongs truly arrive they're going to have long stretches of middling bats. They have these moments where you can see a glimpse of what should be...basically I feel like me following the season has gone like this:

 

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--DFYJQMZ2--/1315801886432925612.gif

[Sammys Boombox]

Knowing that we'd have to deal with this for a 5 game series if we grab a WC spot and manage to win that game kind of takes the fun out of it.

 

Shut up just shut up you just ruined baseball for me you ass

 

I have been just ignoring the Cardinals existence this season. Well, except when we play them, which makes it so much worse. I am just begging the Nationals or Dodgers to catch them so we won't have to play the Cardinals in the Division Series. Playing the Cardinals in the postseason is like my worst nightmare. I wouldn't enjoy one second of it until the final out was made if we somehow managed to end up on the winning side.

I would normally totally agree. I have thought how much I would hate playing the Cardinals in the playoffs many times. Maybe it is because any playoffs would feel good after the past few years, but this year I sort of think the opposite. Can you imagine if the roles were reversed and the cubs were having a year where they comfortably win more than 100 games, only to have to play a young 2nd wildcard cardinals team in the first round? That would be the true nightmare.

 

And IF we did beat them it would be delicious, but that still doesn't mean that I would relax enough to enjoy the series. I mean, I'll flip out if they're up 2-0 in the series and 5-0 in the 8th and a 3-2 borderline pitch doesn't go our way to the lead off hitter. I don't think my nerves could handle that series.

[Guest]

Botox Bob Costas can go [expletive] himself.

[Sammy Sofa]

He was probably just getting in the spirit of things and was broadcasting completely hammered.