4/12: Dodgers (Brandon "OK Dude" McCarthy) @ World Champeen Cubs (DONKEY TEETH) 7:05PM CST on ABC7 & MLBN (Out o/Market)

[Bull]

I wonder if part of the reason for all his starts early on is that, while he needs to improve a ton to get there, his ceiling is still right up there Russell/Schwarber, if not Rizzo/Bryant, and given our projected cushion in the division, Theo/Joe know they can afford to put out a suboptimal lineup (one that is still far and away better than any other team in our division) and not have it impact our chances of making the playoffs (while giving Javy the best chance to reach his peak).

 

Or basically what Cubswin said.

Baez was in the lineup for game 7. I doubt they think he's "sub-optimal".

[Brian707]

homeboy can't get nothin right

 

He's 3-0 as a starter, so I'd say he's getting the important parts right

 

Related note, but I just remembered that Heyward Fan managed to go 0-3 as a game thread starter in a year that the Cubs won 103 games.

 

 

I went to 5 games last year including one postseason game, the Cubs went 1-4. Their lone win was the Heyward game, I left right before the 13th inning. I am going tonight.

[Brian707]

Man, I think they should totally demand that the reigning WS champ gets to wear those baller gold trim uniforms all season.

 

Too subtle. Need to go full 1906 Giants.

 

 

 

They should have a ceremony of some sort before every home game.

[mikeyt34]

I wonder if part of the reason for all his starts early on is that, while he needs to improve a ton to get there, his ceiling is still right up there Russell/Schwarber, if not Rizzo/Bryant, and given our projected cushion in the division, Theo/Joe know they can afford to put out a suboptimal lineup (one that is still far and away better than any other team in our division) and not have it impact our chances of making the playoffs (while giving Javy the best chance to reach his peak).

 

Or basically what Cubswin said.

Baez was in the lineup for game 7. I doubt they think he's "sub-optimal".

 

I've been blasted for this opinion but I say it anyway. I believe the Cubs should play Javy and Almora as much as possible whether it's a RHP or LHP. These are the guys of the future, not Jay and Zobrist. What you lose in offense while Javy and Almora are learning, you gain spectacular defense when they are on the field. As good as the Cubs line up is I think they can withstand a couple of young guys struggling a fair amount and still score a lot of runs. There's not really a way to quantify the energy and spark Javy and Almora bring to the everyday line up but from a purely eye-test level it's substantial over Jay and Zobrist. Also, Jay and Zobrist are better equipped to come off the bench and produce more consistently than Javy and Almora coming off the bench. Doing this now could pay off tremendously for 2018 and beyond.

[jersey cubs fan]

. I believe the Cubs should play Javy and Almora as much as possible whether it's a RHP or LHP. These are the guys of the future, not Jay and Zobrist. What you lose in offense while Javy and Almora are learning, you gain spectacular defense when they are on the field. As good as the Cubs line up is I think they can withstand a couple of young guys struggling a fair amount and still score a lot of runs. There's not really a way to quantify the energy and spark Javy and Almora bring to the everyday line up but from a purely eye-test level it's substantial over Jay and Zobrist. Also, Jay and Zobrist are better equipped to come off the bench and produce more consistently than Javy and Almora coming off the bench. Doing this now could pay off tremendously for 2018 and beyond.

 

I believe they are and will play those two as much as possible.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The Cubs have to balance two of the strengths that make them incredibly successful: Out of this world defense, and a patient offense that grinds pitchers to dust. Almora and Baez help a lot with the former, but probably are never going to be all that great at the latter, even if they're good players. Zobrist isn't going to help a ton with the former, but he's incredible at the latter(and probably the best hitter on the team outside Bryant/Rizzo/Schwarber). This is not really much of a problem though, as the odds of the season progressing without any of Rizzo/Bryant/Russell/Schwarber/Heyward needing days off or getting hurt are not very high, and then you have no logjam outside of Jay(who is nice, but who cares if he's benched),

[mikeyt34]

The Cubs have to balance two of the strengths that make them incredibly successful: Out of this world defense, and a patient offense that grinds pitchers to dust. Almora and Baez help a lot with the former, but probably are never going to be all that great at the latter, even if they're good players. Zobrist isn't going to help a ton with the former, but he's incredible at the latter(and probably the best hitter on the team outside Bryant/Rizzo/Schwarber). This is not really much of a problem though, as the odds of the season progressing without any of Rizzo/Bryant/Russell/Schwarber/Heyward needing days off or getting hurt are not very high, and then you have no logjam outside of Jay(who is nice, but who cares if he's benched),

 

Great points across the board, it's tough to sit Zobrist. I have however been a bit frustrated that Almora hasn't seen as much playing time as I think he should, but Joe has shown he loves getting Javy into the game as much as possible so I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. Javy strikes me as the type of guy who will get frustrated if he's not playing regularly so maybe Joe senses that too, Almora is the type that is just thrilled to be on the big league roster no matter how much he plays.

[Banedon]

[Brian707]

I can't believe pictures of the ring haven't leaked yet

[Omar]

Jostens? Jostens.

 

Its amazing how one company has a monopoly in this field.

[jersey cubs fan]

Jostens? Jostens.

 

Its amazing how one company has a monopoly in this field.

The field of unnecessarily garish nonsense?

[JasonMath]

Jostens? Jostens.

 

Its amazing how one company has a monopoly in this field.

 

Yup, and they seem to do plenty of the high school graduation rings and yearbooks as well. They're actually owned by Newell Brands now, who have many pen companies (i.e. Sharpie, Papermate, Expo) and small appliance companies (i.e. Sunbeam, Crock-Pot, Mr. Coffee) as subsidiaries.

 

As for the game, the ring ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:20 PM. Weather looks great today, but it will be a bit chilly (mid-upper 40's) at first pitch.

 

"I didn’t come here for a haircut... I came here for jewelry" - John Lackey, August 2016

 

Go CUBS !!

[mikeyt34]

I have Direct TV out here in Arizona so I get the regular feed on my MLB Ticket which shows it starts for game time. Anyone know if MLB Network is cutting away for the ceremony prior to the start of the game?

[itisallpartoftheplan]

[Omar]

Jostens? Jostens.

 

Its amazing how one company has a monopoly in this field.

The field of unnecessarily garish nonsense?

 

you'd think they would have some competition with those jacked up prices.

[Omar]

 

http://i.imgur.com/98KZOXF.png

[mul21]

The super offense line up. I like it.

[Derwood]

[gobigred]

http://m.cubs.mlb.com/chc/video/v1272357483/live-chicago-cubs-ring-ceremony

 

 

link for those who cant watch on tv

[David]

Apparently literally everybody who works for the Cubs in just about any capacity is getting some form of a ring.

 

A lady who is a part time seasonal wrigley field tour guide (said she works like 80 hours a year) called into the score and said she is getting one. Said it will be real gold (but obv not real diamonds)

 

Seems pretty generous of the organization

[Cubswin11]

Apparently literally everybody who works for the Cubs in just about any capacity is getting some form of a ring.

 

A lady who is a part time seasonal wrigley field tour guide (said she works like 80 hours a year) called into the score and said she is getting one. Said it will be real gold (but obv not real diamonds)

 

Seems pretty generous of the organization

I hope they sell replica ones, hopefully on the level of the tour guide lady, so I can buy one for my office.

[gobigred]

wouldnt surprise me at all if Eddie Vedder gets a ring

[mikeyt34]

wouldnt surprise me at all if Eddie Vedder gets a ring

 

No ring for Cusack? You cold-hearted horsefeather.

[gobigred]

Bill Murray too

[Splendid Splinter]

wouldnt surprise me at all if Eddie Vedder gets a ring

 

No ring for Cusack? You cold-hearted horsefeather.

 

I imagine Bill Murray is 1st in line.