10/09 CUBS (LESTER) @ CARDINALS (LACKEY), 5:30 PM CT, TBS

[hawkeyecub]

I love David Ross. Certainly a thing I never expected to say back when we signed him.

 

Agreed, I've really enjoyed him. This is worth re-posting also: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/13824211/their-backup-catcher-176-hitting-david-ross?scrlybrkr=810d79eb#

[kujay]

I'm considering it. I have permission.

[bukie]

Do we go to an 11 man staff and bring in Hammel? Who gets swapped out?

One of Denorfia, Soler, or Berry. Probably Denorfia.

[Guest]

FiveThirtyEight's ELO gives the Cubs a 51.6% chance of beating the Cards, a 28% chance at the pennant and a 15% chance at the WS.

 

Fangraphs is 54.4% to beat the Cards, 24.9% to win the pennant and 12.9% to win the WS.

[Andy]

Do we go to an 11 man staff and bring in Hammel? Who gets swapped out?

One of Denorfia, Soler, or Berry. Probably Denorfia.

Got to be Denorfia unless Maddon really wants to put a premium on defense. The way Soler's power seemed to come back in September would lead me to believe he'll keep his spot.

[SouthSideRyan]

They could dump a 7th reliever too

[UMFan83]

FiveThirtyEight's ELO gives the Cubs a 51.6% chance of beating the Cards, a 28% chance at the pennant and a 15% chance at the WS.

 

Fangraphs is 54.4% to beat the Cards, 24.9% to win the pennant and 12.9% to win the WS.

 

So off hand it seems like the Cubs are slightly better than 50/50 chance of winning the NLCS if we were to advance and probably 55/45 to beat the AL team in the world series. Does that sound right?

[UK1679666180]

Toronto is the overall favorite.

[Banedon]

The Wrigley games had best be evening games. I'm going to be quite unhappy if they start before I'm off work.

[woodchip2153]

The Wrigley games had best be evening games. I'm going to be quite unhappy if they start before I'm off work.

 

Will the game times be announced today, or will they wait until Saturday to see if the ALDS games on Monday will be necessary?

[Guest]

The Wrigley games had best be evening games. I'm going to be quite unhappy if they start before I'm off work.

 

yeah i was worried when i saw the schedule

[Andy]

The Wrigley games had best be evening games. I'm going to be quite unhappy if they start before I'm off work.

 

Will the game times be announced today, or will they wait until Saturday to see if the ALDS games on Monday will be necessary?

They will probably be announced soon with contingencies if the AL series are sweeps.

[weis21]

[UMFan83]

The general theme on Gateway Redbirds while discussing this series is "the Cubs are all bandwagon fans" or something. Idiots

[Exile on Waveland]

The subject of this thread -- Cubs v. Cardinals in the playoffs -- is almost inexplicable to my brain. I can't imagine how stressful these games are going to be...

[Boris]

Stressful? Try beautiful. All of that tension has been building and building and building and the release will be glorious.

[NOLA]

The general theme on Gateway Redbirds while discussing this series is "the Cubs are all bandwagon fans" or something. Idiots

They should go watch video of the Busch stands during the Ray Lankford/Mark Whiten days and get back to us.

This is what I hate most about the BFIB. They're historically the most successful NL franchise, but it's not enough. They have to act like butthurt whiny bitches at the first sign anyone could challenge their "fandom". Or how they glorify McGwire but trash Sammy, as if there's a distinction other than McGwire roided up "the Cardinal Way".

Please win Cubs.

[apete6]

The general theme on Gateway Redbirds while discussing this series is "the Cubs are all bandwagon fans" or something. Idiots

They should go watch video of the Busch stands during the Ray Lankford/Mark Whiten days and get back to us.

This is what I hate most about the BFIB. They're historically the most successful NL franchise, but it's not enough. They have to act like butthurt whiny bitches at the first sign anyone could challenge their "fandom". Or how they glorify McGwire but trash Sammy, as if there's a distinction other than McGwire roided up "the Cardinal Way".

Please win Cubs.

 

Historical Attendance study. You can look by team/year and a bunch of other variable. In 1995 (the last "bad" Cardinals team), attendance was ~25K, 49% of Busch Stadium capacity. http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2015/4/6/8344399/baseball-attendance-trends-1890-2015-visual-analysis

[Omar]

Stressful? Try beautiful. All of that tension has been building and building and building and the release will be glorious.

 

Thats what she said.

[Brian]

MLB would be completely mental to put Cubs/Cardinals before prime time on week day

[bcl412]

The subject of this thread -- Cubs v. Cardinals in the playoffs -- is almost inexplicable to my brain. I can't imagine how stressful these games are going to be...

I'm not too stressed by the rivalry aspect just because the Cardinals historically own us. If we lose it just adds to a feeling I'm used to. On the other hand a win over then would be so sexy. Also, I just have confidence in this team so I'm never afraid of the "we're the Cubs and we'll screw this up" moment.

[Guest]

Stressful? Try beautiful. All of that tension has been building and building and building and the release will be glorious.

The Cubs haven't been unsuccessful, they've been tantric.

[bukie]

Let's play trivia!

 

1.Which team led the NL in starting pitcher fWAR?

2.Which team led the NL in bullpen pitcher fWAR?

[Fred Hornkohl]

CUBS are 8-3 when they score first on St. Louis.... 0-8 when they don't

CUBS are 5-2 when they score in the 1st inning against St. Louis.... 3-9 when they don't

CUBS are 5-3 when they get a quality start against St. Louis.... 3-8 when they don't

CUBS are 1-7 when St. Louis gets a quality start.... 7-4 when they don't

CUBS are 0-3 when Lackey starts for St. Louis; 3 QS, 21.7 IP, 3 ER, 1.25 ERA

CUBS are 1-4 when Lester starts against St. Louis; 3 QS, 31.3 IP, 9 ER, 2.59 ERA

CUBS are 5-3 vs. St. Louis in sunlight.... 3-8 at night

CUBS are 5-4 at home vs. St. Louis.... 3-7 on the road

CUBS have outscored St. Louis 17-9 in the 1st inning and 12-1 in the 3rd inning

CUBS have been outscored by St. Louis 12-1 in the 9th inning

 

Lester has pitched well.... but Lackey has pitched weller.

 

You're gonna need your "A" game now, boys.

 

 

 

Go CUBS !!

[bukie]

3. What are the top 4 starters in this series by fWAR?