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

[UMFan83]

 

But you're still having to deal with bad defense for half the game in that scenario. Given the size of the park, it's effect on power numbers in general and the massive difference in defense between Soler and Heyward I just can't see how it makes any sense to start Soler.

 

If you're that concerned about Heyward v LHP, that you want to start a RHH, you're almost better off starting Almora.

 

Almora would be preferable to Heyward and his .586 OPS against LHP this year, because since you're already starting Montero against a LHP for defense and you can't punt the entire bottom 3rd of the order for defensive purposes. I'd still rather Soler hit because I don't trust Almora at the plate at all, and knowing what you want to do with Soler going in means you can maximize the upside while minimzing the downside. The last game was a perfect example, he got 4 plate appearances and had one fly ball hit his way. Against leftypalooza you can probably similarly hide him in LF with similar outcomes. I'm not 100% sure if I'd put him as high in the lineup because that puts you in a tricky late innings spot where Rizzo could be pitched around to get to Heyward/Almora, but we're splitting hairs at that point.

 

Are we sure Montero will be catching?

 

I'm pretty sure I read a note that the plan is for Montero to catch Jake tomorrow, so yes.

[DurbanJer]

For what its worth.

 

Cubs are -200 to win this series, exactly where they were going in to game 1. I'm pretty confident the Cubs come home up 3-2.

 

We're going back to Chicago to rest up for the WS, baby!

[BigSlick]

I cant be the only one that thought Heywards pop up was a homer.....how does a guy with that size hit a ball that looks like a home run and have it only go 150 feet

I thought the same thing given the swing and the sound it made off the bat

 

Of course the second the camera went to short right field immediately made me realize the folly of my ways

[TMan92]

people are acting like Soler is HR or nothing and that the rest of the time he has horrible ABs. Soler has actually improved his approach quite a bit this year to the point where I am much more confident in him having a good AB regardless of outcome than Heyward, especially against a lefty.

 

And people do hit HRs at night at Dodger Stadium. Yes its hard, but if anything its an advantage to have an extra bat in the lineup that does have the strength to knock one out.

 

It's going to be pretty warm Wednesday and Thursday with little or no marine influence. Also, the sun will be out for the first hour of the game. There should be a few homers in Games 4 and 5.

 

horsefeathers it, start Soler

 

I am going on Thursday and it looks like it is going to be hot as hell. I think the ball will be jumping at Dodger Stadium.

[David]

i need to stop relying on booze to get me through these games. i'm so exhausted.

[gobigred]

I live out here and the 5pm start combined with not wanting to be surrounded by 50k people rooting against me will have me on my couch

[minnesotacubsfan]

i need to stop relying on booze to get me through these games. i'm so exhausted.

 

Try meth. It's doing wonders for imb

[squally1313]

i need to stop relying on booze to get me through these games. i'm so exhausted.

 

Cubs are 0-2 the nights I decide 'I should probably take it easy and just stick to water' and 4-0 on 'Let's start slow but inevitably end up having a beer for every inning' nights.

 

Therefore, I apologize for last night....it won't happen again.

[BigSlick]

i need to stop relying on booze to get me through these games. i'm so exhausted.

 

Cubs are 0-2 the nights I decide 'I should probably take it easy and just stick to water' and 4-0 on 'Let's start slow but inevitably end up having a beer for every inning' nights.

 

Therefore, I apologize for last night....it won't happen again.

Same. Both games that I watched at home by myself they've lost, the 4 games where I went out with friends and got trashed and spent more money than I wanted to, they've won.

[Sammy Sofa]

Jesus, just watch a game for once without drinking, you animals.

[BigSlick]

no

[Sammy Sofa]

http://i.giphy.com/UmOmXxAtOCAvu.gif

[badger]

Jesus, just watch a game for once without drinking, you animals.

 

Well that might be the most jags fanny post that ever did jag's fan...

[Sammy Sofa]

Yeah, too bad I'm not a fan of a cool and awesome team like the Bears.

[squally1313]

To be clear this isn't really a "I'm terrified because I assume the worst" drinking habit as much as it is a "I newly live with my girlfriend who tries really hard to be a big fan in all the worst ways and alcohol makes it better slash makes her fall asleep on the couch" drinking habit. You know, the honorable one.

[Irrelevant Dude]

But you're still having to deal with bad defense for half the game in that scenario. Given the size of the park, it's effect on power numbers in general and the massive difference in defense between Soler and Heyward I just can't see how it makes any sense to start Soler.

Heyward's defense has yet to be a factor in a single playoff game this year. I'm just not convinced that it makes a lot of sense to use corner outfield defense as the primary factor in lineup creation for an individual game. There is a good chance that bad defense won't come into play, but bad offense certainly will. I know it isn't quite that simple, but this team needs offense right now and 6 innings of Soler probably isn't going to hurt them defensively.

[gobigred]

I end up following more on gameday than I do watching the actual game...It has its drawbacks like missing the grand slam but I also didnt see the pop ups by Either and Gonzalez

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I have done the same thing every playoff game, and they have had wildly varying results. it's almost like I don't matter

[minnesotacubsfan]

Yeah, too bad I'm not a fan of a cool and awesome team like the Bears.

 

wait, you're a jags fan? or was that some misguided projection

[jersey cubs fan]

my daughter was annoyed at me for watching a game on the tv while also looking at my phone. I'm going to have to stop doing that until she's asleep.

[tawfiqmp]

Hate this matchup for the Cubs. Rich Hill is a guy like Matt Moore that can completely shutdown this Cubs lineup with his breaking ball (Cubs were 24th in baseball this year hitting the breaking ball).

[badger]

Yeah, too bad I'm not a fan of a cool and awesome team like the Bears.

 

wait, you're a jags fan? or was that some misguided projection

 

 

No it was an allusion to the most famous gif on the internet* used when people say ridiuclous things* like "stop drinking during sports"

 

 

 

*IMO

 

http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/02/incredulous.gif

[Sammys Boombox]

But you're still having to deal with bad defense for half the game in that scenario. Given the size of the park, it's effect on power numbers in general and the massive difference in defense between Soler and Heyward I just can't see how it makes any sense to start Soler.

Heyward's defense has yet to be a factor in a single playoff game this year. I'm just not convinced that it makes a lot of sense to use corner outfield defense as the primary factor in lineup creation for an individual game. There is a good chance that bad defense won't come into play, but bad offense certainly will. I know it isn't quite that simple, but this team needs offense right now and 6 innings of Soler probably isn't going to hurt them defensively.

 

That's hard to say. Cubs may have won Game 3 of the NLDS if Heyward was in RF. Emphasis on may.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Yeah, too bad I'm not a fan of a cool and awesome team like the Bears.

 

wait, you're a jags fan? or was that some misguided projection

 

 

No it was an allusion to the most famous gif on the internet* used when people say ridiuclous things* like "stop drinking during sports"

 

 

 

*IMO

 

http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/02/incredulous.gif

 

I dont think I have ever envisioned Sofa to be anything like that gif

[jersey cubs fan]

Hate this matchup for the Cubs. Rich Hill is a guy like Matt Moore that can completely shutdown this Cubs lineup with his breaking ball (Cubs were 24th in baseball this year hitting the breaking ball).

bummer