2017 NLCS GAME 2 (Oct 15) Lester vs the old cub on the Hill. 6:30 CST TBS

[NMR1723]

This loss hurts. It was made even worse with Joe's comment about saving Wade for the save. I truly thought we were beyond that type of thinking with Theo/Maddon at the helm. There are very few good in-game managers (maybe just Francona?), and Joe has proven he's definitely not one of them. I love all the zen stuff and his ability to try and get the team loose, but the strategy-side of the game seems to be truly lacking.

 

I'm glad good Carl showed up tonight. He's a game changer when he's throwing strikes and staying ahead of hitters.

 

One more question...where the horsefeathers is Ian Happ? Get his arse in there.

[Agony and Ivy]

The only Lackey excuse is if Wade wasn't right when he was warming up at the same time as John. Especially with Kenley out of the game, just extend it. I'd still rather have Rondon but I really hope Joe is just covering for him.

 

Sharma adding some context that while Wade was available, he wasn't exactly free for any potential outing:

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

I'm not so sure I think that type of restriction is the right call given 2 days off and another tomorrow, but setting that aside, I can at least see the logic for not wanting to go to Davis for 1 out in the 9th knowing you need at least a scoreless 10th too to win the game. Even with all those caveats though, you don't double switch Lackey into the game. He's not the best or even 2nd best reliever for that spot, and by double switching him you're exposing your decision to let Almora hit with a man on base in the 9th as terrible.

 

Maddon just played that small ball-leave your better outfield in to face the deathman. He wanted Almora's glove because the big 3 couldnt get it done. We're just worn out

 

Sharma just responded to me on Twitter I think the save thing is semantics. Davis was basically just unavailable. I wish Joe would've just said that instead of invoking the "save" part of the equation.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Yeah but then he double switched Almora out in the 9th, so obviously he didn't value the glove that much.

 

Even setting aside Wade's status, that's Rondon's spot if Wade can't go. Making Lackey come in to that situation after pitching last night is a borderline fireable offense.

 

Oh, I dont doubt that.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

Sharma adding some context that while Wade was available, he wasn't exactly free for any potential outing:

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

I'm not so sure I think that type of restriction is the right call given 2 days off and another tomorrow, but setting that aside, I can at least see the logic for not wanting to go to Davis for 1 out in the 9th knowing you need at least a scoreless 10th too to win the game. Even with all those caveats though, you don't double switch Lackey into the game. He's not the best or even 2nd best reliever for that spot, and by double switching him you're exposing your decision to let Almora hit with a man on base in the 9th as terrible.

 

Maddon just played that small ball-leave your better outfield in to face the deathman. He wanted Almora's glove because the big 3 couldnt get it done. We're just worn out

 

Sharma just responded to me on Twitter I think the save thing is semantics. Davis was basically just unavailable. I wish Joe would've just said that instead of invoking the "save" part of the equation.

 

He shouldn't have warmed up in the top of the 9th if he was unavailable.

[Agony and Ivy]

Man, I thought Kaplan was stupid but I just heard his rant and he's gone to a new level tonight.

[Andy]

I'm almost as mad about Maddon letting Almora face Jensen. There are 3 lefties with much more power on the bench.

 

Yeah that was pretty bad too, especially considering he took him out the next half inning anyway.

And we didn't even need power. LaStella there would've been defensible because if he happens to whip one down the line it could very well be a run. We just needed someone to have a prayer of getting a hit, which Almora didn't.

 

It's not worse than not pitching Wade, but it's not much better.

[Agony and Ivy]

 

Maddon just played that small ball-leave your better outfield in to face the deathman. He wanted Almora's glove because the big 3 couldnt get it done. We're just worn out

 

Sharma just responded to me on Twitter I think the save thing is semantics. Davis was basically just unavailable. I wish Joe would've just said that instead of invoking the "save" part of the equation.

 

He shouldn't have warmed up in the top of the 9th if he was unavailable.

 

Lots of guys will warm up and not have it. And even if they won't say it, that's why you have a bullpen coach. I have no idea if that's what happened but it feels like it. Using the "save" to define the leverage seems weird to me, but who knows.

[Agony and Ivy]

I'm almost as mad about Maddon letting Almora face Jensen. There are 3 lefties with much more power on the bench.

 

Yeah that was pretty bad too, especially considering he took him out the next half inning anyway.

And we didn't even need power. LaStella there would've been defensible because if he happens to whip one down the line it could very well be a run. We just needed someone to have a prayer of getting a hit, which Almora didn't.

 

It's not worse than not pitching Wade, but it's not much better.

 

Rizzo isn't scoring from first on a ball to RF unless Yasiel Puig somehow horsefeathering dies while going to get the ball.

[imb]

I would hate to be one of you weirdo Cubs and Packers fans today

 

lmao erik316wttn

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I would hate to be one of you weirdo Cubs and Packers fans today

 

lmao erik316wttn

yeah, like he's still alive

[imb]

I would hate to be one of you weirdo Cubs and Packers fans today

 

lmao erik316wttn

yeah, like he's still alive

 

check that name on reddit

[Ding Dong Johnson]

 

lmao erik316wttn

yeah, like he's still alive

 

check that name on reddit

hahahahaha, no horsefeathering way

[Cubswin11]

Lackey didnt want to through that pitch. He and Contreras were baaack and forth. Lackey sucked, knew he sucked and Contreras made him through a strike. But Contreras HAD to. GOD DAMMIT that was all kinds of bat [expletive] crazy

I wouldn't be so certain Contreras won the argument/decision with red ass Lackey on what pitch to throw. Both the pitches to Taylor and Turner.

[David]

yeah, like he's still alive

 

check that name on reddit

hahahahaha, no horsefeathering way

 

twitter too

[Laura]

Welp, it took me 169 games, but I'm finally irate about the 2017 Cubs.

I'm more angry about this game than any single playoff game last year. That 9th was a managing apocalypse. The Red Sox would have probably fired Joe 3 times over for it by now.

 

And the Red Sox would have downgraded 3 times.

 

Hopefully they'll start hitting when they get to Wrigley.

[SouthSideRyan]

The only Lackey excuse is if Wade wasn't right when he was warming up at the same time as John. Especially with Kenley out of the game, just extend it. I'd still rather have Rondon but I really hope Joe is just covering for him.

 

That's clearly not the case due to the fact that Lackey was warming up to begin with.

[Cubswin11]

Was there any conversation after the game about Rizzo's hand? I assume he's okay but he isn't going to get x-rays or anything, right?

[KatJ]

Thinking aloud: how is it that John Lackey has 3 WS rings? Must be one of the luckiest SOBs ever.

 

Earlier in the thread someone posted how they felt like even though there wasn’t any score (this was an inning before Addy’s HR), they felt like we were four runs behind. Frankly, with the way the guys have (not) been hitting lately, I’m fine with not wasting an outing by Miller.

This offense got the pitcher they deserved.

[SouthSideRyan]

Thinking aloud: how is it that John Lackey has 3 WS rings? Must be one of the luckiest SOBs ever.

 

Earlier in the thread someone posted how they felt like even though there wasn’t any score (this was an inning before Addy’s HR), they felt like we were four runs behind. Frankly, with the way the guys have (not) been hitting lately, I’m fine with not wasting an outing by Miller.

This offense got the pitcher they deserved.

 

I probably would've rather seen Wade Miller than Lackey there

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Was there any conversation after the game about Rizzo's hand? I assume he's okay but he isn't going to get x-rays or anything, right?

[Cubswin11]

[David]

 

ah, horsefeathers it. he was right last time. i say let's believe him.

[Derwood]

yeah, like he's still alive

 

check that name on reddit

hahahahaha, no horsefeathering way

 

Is there a Type 2 Diabetes subreddit I don't know about?

[Vinestal]

I'm not happy about the use of Lackey last night but I'm far more frustrated with this offense which probably could have played another 10 innings without scoring a run.

[Moller]

 

ah, horsefeathers it. he was right last time. i say let's believe him.

 

Carl knows.