General Cubs Chit-Chat

[Transmogrified Tiger]

re: La Stella, only 34 of those PA against LHP have come in the last 2 years, and while he's actually been even better(.912 OPS), the sample leads me to believe they aren't going to trust him against playoff caliber relievers. Which is fine, there isn't going to be a shortage of LH pinch hitters that you'd *need* TLS, and if you add Rivera you're also making it easier to PH with Avila too.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I think it basically all comes down to Martin vs Lackey depending on how many pitchers they want. I've got La Stella, Rivera, Rondon, and Wilson as virtual locks.

 

Martin is fast, but he's not a tremendous basestealer and Joe has been using Almora as the defensive replacement for Schwarber instead of him. I don't think he's someone you rush to put on the roster, unless you can fit everyone else who can actually hit.

 

Rondon, Wilson, La Stella, and Rivera make 25 unless you're not including someone from my locks.

[squally1313]

Based on the last week or so, it seems like Maddon considers Jay the starting center fielder. If that pushes Almora to a full time bench role, doesn't that make Martin a little redundant? Especially if they give Russell and Baez most of the starts at SS/2B and push Zobrist to the outfield. You'd have Heyward and Almora ready to come off the bench for pinch running/defensive replacement purposes.

 

The Rivera decision probably rests on if they have any faith in Schwarber filling the emergency catcher role. I know we carried three last year, but those were different circumstances with Ross having to catch Lester and all three of them at that point being candidates for getting pinch hit for. Regardless on if you start Contreras or Avila, no real reason to sub either of them out of the game.

 

I'd bring on LaStella and probably a 12th pitcher, Koji if he's healthy, Grimm if they think he's in one of his hot streaks, or even Lackey to just guard against worst case scenario (going down 8-0 in the second inning or something like that). Given the questions with Wilson/Duensing, Monty is too valuable against a team like Washington to have to waste him as a mop-up guy where he'd be out of commission for 3 days after.

[squally1313]

I think it basically all comes down to Martin vs Lackey depending on how many pitchers they want. I've got La Stella, Rivera, Rondon, and Wilson as virtual locks.

 

Martin is fast, but he's not a tremendous basestealer and Joe has been using Almora as the defensive replacement for Schwarber instead of him. I don't think he's someone you rush to put on the roster, unless you can fit everyone else who can actually hit.

 

Rondon, Wilson, La Stella, and Rivera make 25 unless you're not including someone from my locks.

 

I'm reading it as you having Martin over LaStella in what you posted.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I think it basically all comes down to Martin vs Lackey depending on how many pitchers they want. I've got La Stella, Rivera, Rondon, and Wilson as virtual locks.

 

Martin is fast, but he's not a tremendous basestealer and Joe has been using Almora as the defensive replacement for Schwarber instead of him. I don't think he's someone you rush to put on the roster, unless you can fit everyone else who can actually hit.

 

Rondon, Wilson, La Stella, and Rivera make 25 unless you're not including someone from my locks.

 

I'm reading it as you having Martin over LaStella in what you posted.

 

Right, that's my guess, his post is saying Wilson, Rondon, La Stella, Rivera, AND Martin/Lackey if I'm reading it right.

[squally1313]

 

Rondon, Wilson, La Stella, and Rivera make 25 unless you're not including someone from my locks.

 

I'm reading it as you having Martin over LaStella in what you posted.

 

Right, that's my guess, his post is saying Wilson, Rondon, La Stella, Rivera, AND Martin/Lackey if I'm reading it right.

 

Good call. I'm dropping Rivera for Lackey/Grimm/Koji, agree with the rest.

[Gilby]

I think it basically all comes down to Martin vs Lackey depending on how many pitchers they want. I've got La Stella, Rivera, Rondon, and Wilson as virtual locks.

 

Martin is fast, but he's not a tremendous basestealer and Joe has been using Almora as the defensive replacement for Schwarber instead of him. I don't think he's someone you rush to put on the roster, unless you can fit everyone else who can actually hit.

 

Rondon, Wilson, La Stella, and Rivera make 25 unless you're not including someone from my locks.

 

Oops, you're right, I took 3 catchers but only accounted for one on my bench. So forget what I said about the last spot.

[Hunter]

With Harper coming back tonight, I would imagine we would want to have another lefty in the pen. This is assuming Koji isn't dead. Martin doesn't seem like he really offers anything than a late inning defensive specialist or a pinch runner. Edited September 25, 2017 by Hunter

[ConstableRabbit]

With Harper coming back tonight, I would imagine we would want to have another lefty in the pen. This is assuming Koji isn't dead.

Koji has reverse splits. Monty, Duensing, Wilson should be enough given how much rest is built into the playoffs.

[Hunter]

With Harper coming back tonight, I would imagine we would want to have another lefty in the pen. This is assuming Koji isn't dead.

Koji has reverse splits. Monty, Duensing, Wilson should be enough given how much rest is built into the playoffs.

 

I was thinking you wouldn't want to burn any of those 3 in a 1 off at-bat though. I also just checked the splits, and you are indeed correct.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

With Harper coming back tonight, I would imagine we would want to have another lefty in the pen. This is assuming Koji isn't dead.

Koji has reverse splits. Monty, Duensing, Wilson should be enough given how much rest is built into the playoffs.

 

I was thinking you wouldn't want to burn any of those 3 in a 1 off at-bat though. I also just checked the splits, and you are indeed correct.

 

Duensing could be used as a pure LOOGY in a short series pretty easily. Murphy hits in the heart of the order too so Wilson/Monty could be lined up for a full inning that overlaps them both.

[Banedon]

How big of a stink will Lackey make when he's left off the playoff roster?

[Old Style]

How big of a stink will Lackey make when he's left off the playoff roster?

I'd be somewhat surprised but happy if it indeed happens.

[Banedon]

How big of a stink will Lackey make when he's left off the playoff roster?

I'd be somewhat surprised but happy if it indeed happens.

 

I just don't see him fitting. He's sure as hell not gonna start, and with his first inning woes he's not cut out for the bullpen either.

[UMFan83]

Thinking about the playoff schedule and games times for Round 1. While the Cubs are still popular picks for night games, I am guessing that we will be seeing much of the 1st round in early-late afternoon time slots.

 

Lets assume the current playoff spots hold and the WC1 teams both win. We'd be looking at:

 

Astros-Red Sox

Indians-Yankees

Nationals-Cubs

Dodgers-Diamondbacks

 

This is 4 ET teams, 2 CT teams, and 2 PT teams (both playing each other). Each series has one of the premiere MLB teams playing in it, and the Indians-Yankees series as the the longest drought team playing the Yankees.

[Cubswin11]

Thinking about the playoff schedule and games times for Round 1. While the Cubs are still popular picks for night games, I am guessing that we will be seeing much of the 1st round in early-late afternoon time slots.

 

Lets assume the current playoff spots hold and the WC1 teams both win. We'd be looking at:

 

Astros-Red Sox

Indians-Yankees

Nationals-Cubs

Dodgers-Diamondbacks

 

This is 4 ET teams, 2 CT teams, and 2 PT teams (both playing each other). Each series has one of the premiere MLB teams playing in it, and the Indians-Yankees series as the the longest drought team playing the Yankees.

Only Monday Oct 9th is a day all 4 series would be going on at once (both AL series would have to hit 4 games). Other than that it's just the two series in each league each day. EDIT: Friday the 6th everyone plays guaranteed, I missed that.

 

 

But yeah with Dodgers-D'backs both being West Coast time I'm guessing we get the earlier start time for the most part (which is what usually like 4:15 or 5:15 CT)?

 

Here's the schedule, FYI

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/page/playoffs17_schedule/2017-mlb-playoff-schedule

Edited September 25, 2017 by Cubswin11

[Cubswin11]

Assuming no injuries or whatever I kinda the rotation to go Arrieta Game 1, Quintana Game 2, Hendricks Game 3, Lester Game 4, Arrieta Game 5.

 

Hendricks/Lester both pitch better at Wrigley, having both them going at home to either clinch or extend the series I like too and Quintana seems to pitch better on the road (or at least his 2 best starts were on the road). And assuming health I like Arrieta the most for 2 games with how he's been going.

[Gilby]

Looks like all 4 series play Friday Oct. 6 as well.

 

Go Twins in that wild card game. horsefeathers playoff day games.

[Cubswin11]

Looks like all 4 series play Friday Oct. 6 as well.

 

Go Twins in that wild card game. horsefeathers playoff day games.

Oh yeah, idk how I missed that. That one is a guarantee for all 4 to be played. I bet we get the 2nd game in terms of time, with one of the AL series going earliest.

[UMFan83]

Looks like all 4 series play Friday Oct. 6 as well.

 

Go Twins in that wild card game. horsefeathers playoff day games.

 

It's crazy, I can only think of 3 Cubs playoff games out of the...47 that have happened since 1989 that have been weekday afternoonish. 1998 Game 1 against the Braves was early afternoon, 2008 Game 1 against the Dodgers I believe was very late afternoon, something like a 4 or 5 PM start, and then 2015 Game 4 against the Cardinals started sometime around 3:30 PM. We've been quite fortunate in that regard.

[bukie]

How big of a stink will Lackey make when he's left off the playoff roster?

I'd be somewhat surprised but happy if it indeed happens.

 

I just don't see him fitting. He's sure as hell not gonna start, and with his first inning woes he's not cut out for the bullpen either.

At some point you have to seriously consider that Lackey is a better option than Lester as a postseason starter this year.

[Bull]

I'd be somewhat surprised but happy if it indeed happens.

 

I just don't see him fitting. He's sure as hell not gonna start, and with his first inning woes he's not cut out for the bullpen either.

At some point you have to seriously consider that Lackey is a better option than Lester as a postseason starter this year.

BLASPHEMER!!!

[UMFan83]

I'd be somewhat surprised but happy if it indeed happens.

 

I just don't see him fitting. He's sure as hell not gonna start, and with his first inning woes he's not cut out for the bullpen either.

At some point you have to seriously consider that Lackey is a better option than Lester as a postseason starter this year.

 

I think Lester still gives you a higher upside that makes it worth giving him a start in the NLDS. If it's a must win situation, you have Monty right there to back him up. Or that might be a reason to include an extra pitcher on the roster and include Lackey. If Lester struggled early you bring Lackey on right away to face a lineup that has likely been optimized to face a LHP.

[Thed Hoyerstein]

Looks like all 4 series play Friday Oct. 6 as well.

 

Go Twins in that wild card game. horsefeathers playoff day games.

 

It's crazy, I can only think of 3 Cubs playoff games out of the...47 that have happened since 1989 that have been weekday afternoonish. 1998 Game 1 against the Braves was early afternoon, 2008 Game 1 against the Dodgers I believe was very late afternoon, something like a 4 or 5 PM start, and then 2015 Game 4 against the Cardinals started sometime around 3:30 PM. We've been quite fortunate in that regard.

 

And maybe game 2 in the 2003 NLDS against the Braves?

[UMFan83]

Looks like all 4 series play Friday Oct. 6 as well.

 

Go Twins in that wild card game. horsefeathers playoff day games.

 

It's crazy, I can only think of 3 Cubs playoff games out of the...47 that have happened since 1989 that have been weekday afternoonish. 1998 Game 1 against the Braves was early afternoon, 2008 Game 1 against the Dodgers I believe was very late afternoon, something like a 4 or 5 PM start, and then 2015 Game 4 against the Cardinals started sometime around 3:30 PM. We've been quite fortunate in that regard.

 

And maybe game 2 in the 2003 NLDS against the Braves?

 

Pretty sure that was a night game. I remember because I was anxious waiting for the game to start so I signed up for some crappy north side Cubs board and made my first post there.

 

Game 4 was a day game but was on a Saturday