Schwarber: Fully torn ACL and LCL. Out for 172 meaningless games.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

But I don't think Schwarber will start tomorrow. My guess is Joe is confident enough in Hendricks that he'll use Kyle as a key PH when there's a run scoring opportunity (and maybe keep him in the game if he's cleared to play defense). I think we'll see Zobrist in one corner with either Contreras or Soler starting in the opposite corner.

 

Since we have the last at bat, by starting a more defensive minded player you can maximize his innings on defense while minimizing his abs. Also, in theory, we won't need the defense as much later in the game, because our relievers strike out batters at a higher rate, but since we'll have the lead we can bring in the other defensive stud.

 

But you can do that at any point in the game. You can start with a guy like Soler in RF, who isn't great but isn't Schwarber (who may be inhuman as a hitter, but how many fly balls has he taken since spring training?). As the game progresses, if the need arises, you can insert Schwarber in a double switch or straight up for Soler to maximize the importance of his 1-2 ABs, then if the Cubs have the lead late, you take him out for Heyward or Almora. With that strategy, you have 1 or 0 ABs by a guy like Heyward that's been sucking out loud. And you have at least some potential for donging with Soler getting a couple ABs early in the game. If we get out to a nice lead, you don't bring in Kyle but go straight to Heyward in the middle innings. We have the flexibility in our roster to do that and I think you start the game assuming you're not PH for Hendricks until at least bottom of the 6th.

 

Again, this assumes he's medically cleared for the OF. But if he hasn't been taking fly balls since spring training, I can't see how you put him in the OF with a guy that pitches to weak contact like Hendricks. Get the lead off the Indians crappy SP, play good defense, and let Scwharber PH in a key spot if you need it - that'd be my plan for Game 3.

Yeah, I think something like this makes sense. I'd start the game with Almora in right and bat him 8th or 9th. See how the game is flowing (or see if Almora would have a high-leverage AB) and put Schwarber in whenever it makes sense...and pinch-run/replace him with Heyward whenever, again, it makes the most sense. Still lots of PH options, and Zobrist just hops around from left to right.

[Tracer Bullet]

I'm assuming that the ideas to play Soler stem from fears of Schwarber injuring himself, because there's absolutely no way that Soler is a better fielder than even a gigantic, hobbled sentient bat-dong hybrid.

Eh- its not just being hobbled, but just practiced. Obviously being medically cleared is the big step, but i can buy the argument that hitting is more stressful already, particularly the back leg.

 

Brisbee had a couple of the photos of Kyle face-planting out there last year. Soler isn't a gold glove, but he can play ok. And with the wind blowing hard, the last thing I want is a guy that primarily played catcher until last year and hasn't seen a live ball coming off an MLB bat in 6+ months trying to catch fly balls.

[Cubswin11]

I think the way I'd play it is get Schwarber as many reps in LF today and tomorrow as possible pre-game, without obviously over doing it. Then let him be a PH tomorrow and maybe keep him in the game for a bit when he does PH if we need offense. But then if they feel he looks decent enough, feels good enough, and don't think they risk any sort of re-injury have him start the Sat and Sunday games out there. Tomlin's reverse splits and Schwarber's time off not taking flyballs is enough for me to start Soler tomorrow over him.

[Tracer Bullet]

 

Since we have the last at bat, by starting a more defensive minded player you can maximize his innings on defense while minimizing his abs. Also, in theory, we won't need the defense as much later in the game, because our relievers strike out batters at a higher rate, but since we'll have the lead we can bring in the other defensive stud.

 

But you can do that at any point in the game. You can start with a guy like Soler in RF, who isn't great but isn't Schwarber (who may be inhuman as a hitter, but how many fly balls has he taken since spring training?). As the game progresses, if the need arises, you can insert Schwarber in a double switch or straight up for Soler to maximize the importance of his 1-2 ABs, then if the Cubs have the lead late, you take him out for Heyward or Almora. With that strategy, you have 1 or 0 ABs by a guy like Heyward that's been sucking out loud. And you have at least some potential for donging with Soler getting a couple ABs early in the game. If we get out to a nice lead, you don't bring in Kyle but go straight to Heyward in the middle innings. We have the flexibility in our roster to do that and I think you start the game assuming you're not PH for Hendricks until at least bottom of the 6th.

 

Again, this assumes he's medically cleared for the OF. But if he hasn't been taking fly balls since spring training, I can't see how you put him in the OF with a guy that pitches to weak contact like Hendricks. Get the lead off the Indians crappy SP, play good defense, and let Scwharber PH in a key spot if you need it - that'd be my plan for Game 3.

Yeah, I think something like this makes sense. I'd start the game with Almora in right and bat him 8th or 9th. See how the game is flowing (or see if Almora would have a high-leverage AB) and put Schwarber in whenever it makes sense...and pinch-run/replace him with Heyward whenever, again, it makes the most sense. Still lots of PH options, and Zobrist just hops around from left to right.

 

I'm not sure why you wouldn't start Soler in RF. You've got wind blowing out, a SP that give up 1.86 HR/FB and reverse splits that favor him. After 2 ABs, if the Cubs are ahead, he's out and Heyward or Almora comes in. Schwarber, Monty, and Ross are available to PH with Heyward and Almora available to run/play D late.

 

If you start Almora, you've given up a couple ABs with a power hitter in favor of a pretty low upside hitter and you've wasted a defensive replacement. You basically can't take him out without making 2 switches to get back to the same level of defense (Heyward). If you don't start Soler, you start Heyward and hope he gets lucky against a pretty weak SP and otherwise just take the stud defense all game long.

[davell]

I think the way I'd play it is get Schwarber as many reps in LF today and tomorrow as possible pre-game, without obviously over doing it. Then let him be a PH tomorrow and maybe keep him in the game for a bit when he does PH if we need offense. But then if they feel he looks decent enough, feels good enough, and don't think they risk any sort of re-injury have him start the Sat and Sunday games out there. Tomlin's reverse splits and Schwarber's time off not taking flyballs is enough for me to start Soler tomorrow over him.

 

I want him starting. We need to maximize his AB's against average pitching. The middle innings and later could just be Miller and Allen, no matter the circumstance.

[Tracer Bullet]

Yeah, with Tomlin on the mound and a crazy wind, it's an easy compromise to let Soler play RF and leave Schwarber as a pinch hitter. The conversation for Game 4 is much more interesting, I don't think I have a strong opinion on what the best option would be.

 

Still assuming he's medically cleared, I think Game 4 depends somewhat on Game 3. But if the Cubs win tomorrow, I'd still guess we'd see Heyward in RF on Saturday to start. If Kluber is killing us, Schwarber probably steals a couple ABs, Zobrist moves to RF for maybe 2-3 innings, and then after Schwarber's 2nd AB, if he doesn't dong, Almora comes in to run and finish the game in the OF.

 

I just really like the idea of Joe being able to pick a spot to unleash Schwarber when he can do the most damage and play only 1-2 innings in the field. If he comes up in an inning where there's 0 out, the lineup cycles around to him again more quickly and he may only play the field 1-2 innings while getting to hit twice. Or he comes in, hits a huge dong, knocks Kluber out of the game, and maybe doesn't have to play the field b/c we go defense to hold the lead.

 

I don't see how you can trust a guy to play OF who was pretty much a disaster out there last time he played in a game and hasn't played OF in MLB in 6 months. This isn't you, TT, but I know some people assume you can take any IF and just drop them in LF and they can be at least ok. But a windy October night game in Wrigley isn't exactly catching shag flys, esp for a guy like Schwarber.

[Tracer Bullet]

I think the way I'd play it is get Schwarber as many reps in LF today and tomorrow as possible pre-game, without obviously over doing it. Then let him be a PH tomorrow and maybe keep him in the game for a bit when he does PH if we need offense. But then if they feel he looks decent enough, feels good enough, and don't think they risk any sort of re-injury have him start the Sat and Sunday games out there. Tomlin's reverse splits and Schwarber's time off not taking flyballs is enough for me to start Soler tomorrow over him.

 

I want him starting. We need to maximize his AB's against average pitching. The middle innings and later could just be Miller and Allen, no matter the circumstance.

 

If Miller is pitching in the 3rd or 4th inning and we're not already up a few, then something has gone terribly wrong.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

 

But you can do that at any point in the game. You can start with a guy like Soler in RF, who isn't great but isn't Schwarber (who may be inhuman as a hitter, but how many fly balls has he taken since spring training?). As the game progresses, if the need arises, you can insert Schwarber in a double switch or straight up for Soler to maximize the importance of his 1-2 ABs, then if the Cubs have the lead late, you take him out for Heyward or Almora. With that strategy, you have 1 or 0 ABs by a guy like Heyward that's been sucking out loud. And you have at least some potential for donging with Soler getting a couple ABs early in the game. If we get out to a nice lead, you don't bring in Kyle but go straight to Heyward in the middle innings. We have the flexibility in our roster to do that and I think you start the game assuming you're not PH for Hendricks until at least bottom of the 6th.

 

Again, this assumes he's medically cleared for the OF. But if he hasn't been taking fly balls since spring training, I can't see how you put him in the OF with a guy that pitches to weak contact like Hendricks. Get the lead off the Indians crappy SP, play good defense, and let Scwharber PH in a key spot if you need it - that'd be my plan for Game 3.

Yeah, I think something like this makes sense. I'd start the game with Almora in right and bat him 8th or 9th. See how the game is flowing (or see if Almora would have a high-leverage AB) and put Schwarber in whenever it makes sense...and pinch-run/replace him with Heyward whenever, again, it makes the most sense. Still lots of PH options, and Zobrist just hops around from left to right.

 

I'm not sure why you wouldn't start Soler in RF. You've got wind blowing out, a SP that give up 1.86 HR/FB and reverse splits that favor him. After 2 ABs, if the Cubs are ahead, he's out and Heyward or Almora comes in. Schwarber, Monty, and Ross are available to PH with Heyward and Almora available to run/play D late.

 

If you start Almora, you've given up a couple ABs with a power hitter in favor of a pretty low upside hitter and you've wasted a defensive replacement. You basically can't take him out without making 2 switches to get back to the same level of defense (Heyward). If you don't start Soler, you start Heyward and hope he gets lucky against a pretty weak SP and otherwise just take the stud defense all game long.

In my scenario, Almora might well get zero ABs, but you get 2-3 innings of defense from him. If you want to swap out Soler for Schwarber in my above statement for rational reasons, fine, but that simply isn't as sexy. Schwarber defies all logic and physical constraints.

[Tracer Bullet]

Yeah, I think something like this makes sense. I'd start the game with Almora in right and bat him 8th or 9th. See how the game is flowing (or see if Almora would have a high-leverage AB) and put Schwarber in whenever it makes sense...and pinch-run/replace him with Heyward whenever, again, it makes the most sense. Still lots of PH options, and Zobrist just hops around from left to right.

 

I'm not sure why you wouldn't start Soler in RF. You've got wind blowing out, a SP that give up 1.86 HR/FB and reverse splits that favor him. After 2 ABs, if the Cubs are ahead, he's out and Heyward or Almora comes in. Schwarber, Monty, and Ross are available to PH with Heyward and Almora available to run/play D late.

 

If you start Almora, you've given up a couple ABs with a power hitter in favor of a pretty low upside hitter and you've wasted a defensive replacement. You basically can't take him out without making 2 switches to get back to the same level of defense (Heyward). If you don't start Soler, you start Heyward and hope he gets lucky against a pretty weak SP and otherwise just take the stud defense all game long.

In my scenario, Almora might well get zero ABs, but you get 2-3 innings of defense from him. If you want to swap out Soler for Schwarber in my above statement for rational reasons, fine, but that simply isn't as sexy. Schwarber defies all logic and physical constraints.

 

I don't understand the thinking, I guess. I'd rather have Soler in the OF and come up 1-2 times on a windy day against a RHP that gives up a lot of HRs and keep Russell and Hendricks at the end of the lineup. The likelihood that Soler hits a HR in those circumstances is higher than the chance that Almora saves a run playing defense in RF in the first 2 innings (knocking on wood now). Your situation has Russell 7th and Hendricks and Almora 8/9. I don't think you want to increase the number of times Russell and the pitcher's spot come to bat just to get a couple innings of Almora in RF at the start. If defense is the goal, put Heyward out there and let him hit 7th and hope he puts one into the wind.

[Banedon]

Joe Maddon says he hasn't talked to anyone re Schwarber just yet. Said if we see him taking fly balls today then they're giving it a shot. If not, it's probably off. Source says he will be out there.

 

Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer

[UMFan83]

Joe Maddon says he hasn't talked to anyone re Schwarber just yet. Said if we see him taking fly balls today then they're giving it a shot. If not, it's probably off. Source says he will be out there.

 

Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer

 

[tweet]

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[badger]

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[/tweet]

[Banedon]

Schwarber is out for warmups...

 

 

....and he has a glove.

[USSoccer]

Sigh...

[badger]

HE'S GOT A GLOVE GUYS....

 

[TheGifer]

http://a.fod4.com/images/GifGuide/michael_scott/tumblr_l5c1d3sb3q1qaggjuo1_500.gif

[Sammy Sofa]

Heck yeah. The rest of you can stuff your sorries in a sack.

[Thed Hoyerstein]

schwarber is making kirk gibson look like a wuss

[badger]

I want to stick a lot of people ('s opinions about schwarber pre game 1) in a horsefeathering sack. Edited October 27, 2016 by badger

[WrigleyField 22]

schwarber is making kirk gibson look like a wuss

Nah, just human.

[Gmoney08]

If Schwarber plays LF they're going to move Zobrist to 2B and Javy to the bench.

 

Baez puts so many flyballs on the track that I feel wind has screwed him on this year that I could see him hitting 4 HRs Friday. Any fastball.. even above his head is in danger of landing in the streets.

[mikeyt34]

He's going to play LF Friday night. You know it, the Cubs know it, the Indians know it, it's going to happen. All of this hand-wringing about who should play where defensively, which I'm guilty of myself, is pretty simple really. Zobrist plays right. Send Schwarbs out to left, tell him if it's in the gap it's Dexter's ball, and tell Dexter to cheat a little to left and to catch everything he's able that's not a can of corn. Do simple better.

[Thrilho]

I'm assuming that the ideas to play Soler stem from fears of Schwarber injuring himself, because there's absolutely no way that Soler is a better fielder than even a gigantic, hobbled sentient bat-dong hybrid.

 

Your love/hate relationship with Soler is fascinating.

 

Step off Jorgie

[davell]

They're not benching Javy. It'll be Zobrist in RF. The only other feasible option is starting with KB in RF, with Javy at 3B and Zobrist at 2B. But I'd guess there's not a big enough of an advantage with KB in RF over Zobrist to even go with that alignment.

[mikeyt34]

Jesse Rogers ‏@ESPNChiCubs 4m4 minutes ago

Schwarber headed to the OF