10/18 NLCS Game 3: Cubs (Jake) @ Dodgers (Rich Hill) & Stupid Old Umpire 7:00 PM CT FS1/670

[OleMissCub]

http://i.imgur.com/HFC2hb3.gif Edited October 19, 2016 by OleMissCub

[jersey cubs fan]

straight and to the point, javy time

[Bull]

One pitch Rich

[imb]

plz be good jake http://i.imgur.com/ZCQDDDh.jpg?1

[UMFan83]

Cubs win this one and then all the sudden everyone is wondering if we will sweep in LA instead of being swept

[trushar]

Jake is going to be locked in. Dodgers are in trouble.

 

Some sports radio listening friends are panicking.

 

There is no panic here.

[Smack]

It's now a best of 5 with 3 in LA. I feel like I should panic. I'm not though for some reason. I think we win 2 out of 3 in LA and clinch Saturday in Chicago.

[Banedon]

It's now a best of 5 with 3 in LA. I feel like I should panic. I'm not though for some reason. I think we win 2 out of 3 in LA and clinch Saturday in Chicago.

 

LA has not yet won a game in the playoffs in which Kershaw hasn't pitched. No need to panic.

[Old Style]

It's now a best of 5 with 3 in LA. I feel like I should panic. I'm not though for some reason. I think we win 2 out of 3 in LA and clinch Saturday in Chicago.

Look at the pitching match-ups for games 3 & 4 and that should calm any panic.

[USSoccer]

If the Cobs are the team we think they are, there's no way they lose a game Rich Hill starts.

[tawfiqmp]

Maddon should consider moving the bats around. If Rizzo and/or Russell get going, he can always go back to his original lineup later. These games are too important at this point to keep the status quo going. As someone said, it's now a best of 5 with 3 in LA. The Cubs will absolutely need to grab the next 2 with Kershaw pitching game 5.

[Sammy Sofa]

Great, if the off chance they lose this series I'll be the one starting the final game thread. DON'T YOU PUT THAT EVIL ON ME, CUBS.

[jersey cubs fan]

Great, if the off chance they lose this series I'll be the one starting the final game thread. DON'T YOU PUT THAT EVIL ON ME, CUBS.

if you're too scared I'd be happy to fill in for you

[Sammy Sofa]

Maddon should consider moving the bats around. If Rizzo and/or Russell get going, he can always go back to his original lineup later. These games are too important at this point to keep the status quo going. As someone said, it's now a best of 5 with 3 in LA. The Cubs will absolutely need to grab the next 2 with Kershaw pitching game 5.

 

I think Russell is the only one that should be moved; Heyward was already dropped in the lineup, and moving Rizzo doesn't seem very wise.

[USSoccer]

Leave Rizzo where he is. Russell should be moved to 8th.

[ConstableRabbit]

Rich Hill looks like the squirrel thing from Ice Age.

[Flames24Rulz]

How about Contreras in LF, Baez at SS, Zobrist at 2B, Soler in RF, and Ross at C tomorrow? I'd feel pretty good that they'd be able to generate some runs with that kind of lineup.

[Brian]

I'm really loving the emergence of Javy Baez: National Treasure.

[squally1313]

I would have assumed Hill has strong platoon splits, but he seems to be equally effective against both sides, which oddly makes me feel a bit better. Given that Montero has turned into Jake's personal catcher lately, it's good to know he'll have a chance, and that Rizzo isn't totally screwed in his quest to break out of his slump.

 

The key to the next couple games is getting back to our patient approach. Obviously there's very little you can do against Kershaw in that department, but overall 15 walks in 6 games isn't encouraging. Hill has gone more than 6 innings one since his injury (and that was just 7 innings, albeit dominant). He doesn't issue a lot of walks, but I think you can get deep into counts against him. For as good as Jansen is, the rest of the bullpen isn't exactly shut down. Getting to them early tomorrow and leaving them in rough shape for Urias' shortened outing will put a ton of pressure on them and on a short rest Kershaw in game 5.

 

A dominant Jake would be amazing, but even 2016 Jake with a rested bullpen should be enough. Then I'll take my chances winning 1 out of the next 2 and closing it out at home.

[squally1313]

How about Contreras in LF, Baez at SS, Zobrist at 2B, Soler in RF, and Ross at C tomorrow? I'd feel pretty good that they'd be able to generate some runs with that kind of lineup.

 

I can't see Maddon putting out an outfield defense like that. I wouldn't mind him using this option if the situation calls for it...he seems way more willing to go into a super defensive alignment late with a lead than go for all offense if trailing. But the Dodgers outfield is pretty big and I can't see him putting two bad defenders in the corners around Fowler.

[USSoccer]

How about Contreras in LF, Baez at SS, Zobrist at 2B, Soler in RF, and Ross at C tomorrow? I'd feel pretty good that they'd be able to generate some runs with that kind of lineup.

 

How about leave Soler on the bench where he belongs, because he's terrible defensively and according to my unofficial stat tracking has struck out 100 times this postseason.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It's now a best of 5 with 3 in LA. I feel like I should panic. I'm not though for some reason. I think we win 2 out of 3 in LA and clinch Saturday in Chicago.

Look at the pitching match-ups for games 3 & 4 and that should calm any panic.

 

The Cubs do not have the pitching advantage in game 3

[USSoccer]

It's now a best of 5 with 3 in LA. I feel like I should panic. I'm not though for some reason. I think we win 2 out of 3 in LA and clinch Saturday in Chicago.

Look at the pitching match-ups for games 3 & 4 and that should calm any panic.

 

The Cubs do not have the pitching advantage in game 3

 

Based on what?

[mul21]

I wouldn't be shocked to not see Montero the rest of the series. I think he tweaked his back on the strike 2 swing last night. If you look at the replay, he swings and then kind of stretches and reaches for his back while trying not to look obvious about it.

 

Also, the fact that the Dodgers have yet to win a game the Kershaw doesn't pitch in isn't being given enough attention. Like I said the the game thread from yesterday, those pen arms can only take so much work before they stop being effective. Yes, they've mostly had 2 days off, but that fact that many of them have worked 4-5 of the 7 games they've played so far in stretches of 30+ pitches is going to leave them dead armed by game 6.

[imb]

It's now a best of 5 with 3 in LA. I feel like I should panic. I'm not though for some reason. I think we win 2 out of 3 in LA and clinch Saturday in Chicago.

Look at the pitching match-ups for games 3 & 4 and that should calm any panic.

 

where is this horsefeathers coming from? You realize rich hill was better than Jake this year, right? (3.8 WAR, same as arrieta, in 90 FEWER INNINGS.)