4/17 Cubs (Chatwood) vs St. Louis (Wainwright) 7:05 NBCS Chicago

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Meh

[profisme]

Is it ok to call the Heyward vs. a lefty, burn Almora for La Stella, and allowing Happ to hit sequence the worst this year by Maddon?

[squally1313]

Those horse crap 2 runs in the 8th are the difference

I think the difference was the Cubs scoring 1 run off Adam Wainwright

Well no the Cardinals won the baseball game 5-3, which means the 4th and the 5th run were the runs that they got that the Cubs didn't get, and therefore that was the difference between their run total and the Cubs run total, which decided who 'won' the baseball game.

 

But hey, we'll see you the next time the Cubs give up a run.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Things we can't (really) control: Those two worthless infield singles they got that turned into what were the winning runs.

 

Things we can control: Playing a game with three bench players and then using those three the way that we did tonight.

I mean we got a cheap ass run too so I don't really look at that as some egregious evil deed by the baseball gods.

[Perd]

With each passing day, I become more convinced the world should’ve ended directly after the World Series parade.

[squally1313]

Things we can't (really) control: Those two worthless infield singles they got that turned into what were the winning runs.

 

Things we can control: Playing a game with three bench players and then using those three the way that we did tonight.

I mean we got a cheap ass run too so I don't really look at that as some egregious evil deed by the baseball gods.

No totally agreed. This wasn't some pixie dust thing, I'm not just going to get too upset or worry about Strop or anything. It's annoying in a weird way that those two runs were the difference rather than Chatwood walking everyone in the ballpark or Strop making a bad pitch to Dejong, but that's it.

 

The way Maddon dealt with the 8th was questionable, but looking back I'm not sure how much you could have done. Lastella has pretty neutral splits in his career and should hit no matter what...he did, and struck out. If you put Almora in for Heyward, they bring in the righty then, and you're not getting much improvement. His hands were tied by Zobrist being hurt and (much more importantly) carrying 13 pitchers. Especially this early in the year, where there are days off, either scheduled or because of weather, every few days, you don't need 8 relievers. I get that Montgomery has earned more than mop-up/emergency reliever, but if Maddon is going to keep going to Duensing and we're going to keep trying to see if Wilson can recover, what's his role? Bring up another bat so we don't have to get so cute.

[CyHawk_Cub]

Which bullpen arm you willing to part ways with in that scenario?

[squally1313]

Which bullpen arm you willing to part ways with in that scenario?

 

Butler. If he can go to AAA, great, if not, fare thee well, oh well, there's plenty of others. Duensing and Wilson are your lefties until one of them implodes, Montgomery is your long relief/mop-up/extra innings guy for the time being.

[The_Achiever]

I am so sick of living in and watching baseball in horsesheet weather. Only then will the dongs truly be unsheathed.

[profisme]

Things we can't (really) control: Those two worthless infield singles they got that turned into what were the winning runs.

 

Things we can control: Playing a game with three bench players and then using those three the way that we did tonight.

I mean we got a cheap ass run too so I don't really look at that as some egregious evil deed by the baseball gods.

No totally agreed. This wasn't some pixie dust thing, I'm not just going to get too upset or worry about Strop or anything. It's annoying in a weird way that those two runs were the difference rather than Chatwood walking everyone in the ballpark or Strop making a bad pitch to Dejong, but that's it.

 

The way Maddon dealt with the 8th was questionable, but looking back I'm not sure how much you could have done. Lastella has pretty neutral splits in his career and should hit no matter what...he did, and struck out. If you put Almora in for Heyward, they bring in the righty then, and you're not getting much improvement. His hands were tied by Zobrist being hurt and (much more importantly) carrying 13 pitchers. Especially this early in the year, where there are days off, either scheduled or because of weather, every few days, you don't need 8 relievers. I get that Montgomery has earned more than mop-up/emergency reliever, but if Maddon is going to keep going to Duensing and we're going to keep trying to see if Wilson can recover, what's his role? Bring up another bat so we don't have to get so cute.

 

I really don't think Matheny burns Lyons if Almora pinch hits. Then you can still PH La Stella for the pitcher.

[squally1313]

I mean we got a cheap ass run too so I don't really look at that as some egregious evil deed by the baseball gods.

No totally agreed. This wasn't some pixie dust thing, I'm not just going to get too upset or worry about Strop or anything. It's annoying in a weird way that those two runs were the difference rather than Chatwood walking everyone in the ballpark or Strop making a bad pitch to Dejong, but that's it.

 

The way Maddon dealt with the 8th was questionable, but looking back I'm not sure how much you could have done. Lastella has pretty neutral splits in his career and should hit no matter what...he did, and struck out. If you put Almora in for Heyward, they bring in the righty then, and you're not getting much improvement. His hands were tied by Zobrist being hurt and (much more importantly) carrying 13 pitchers. Especially this early in the year, where there are days off, either scheduled or because of weather, every few days, you don't need 8 relievers. I get that Montgomery has earned more than mop-up/emergency reliever, but if Maddon is going to keep going to Duensing and we're going to keep trying to see if Wilson can recover, what's his role? Bring up another bat so we don't have to get so cute.

 

I really don't think Matheny burns Lyons if Almora pinch hits. Then you can still PH La Stella for the pitcher.

 

Why not? Maybe not for Norris, but he had a fresh bullpen with the day off yesterday. Could have thrown Bowman, Brebbia, Gregorson to get past him. Was already the bottom of the 8th and they were obviously set on Norris going 1+ innings to close it out.

 

Edit: Could be wrong here. If they pulled Holland right after the walk to Russell, Lyons would have at least had to throw one pitch, so you're right, probably unlikely they pull him there. Still, bigger issue is the 3 man bench.

[profisme]

No totally agreed. This wasn't some pixie dust thing, I'm not just going to get too upset or worry about Strop or anything. It's annoying in a weird way that those two runs were the difference rather than Chatwood walking everyone in the ballpark or Strop making a bad pitch to Dejong, but that's it.

 

The way Maddon dealt with the 8th was questionable, but looking back I'm not sure how much you could have done. Lastella has pretty neutral splits in his career and should hit no matter what...he did, and struck out. If you put Almora in for Heyward, they bring in the righty then, and you're not getting much improvement. His hands were tied by Zobrist being hurt and (much more importantly) carrying 13 pitchers. Especially this early in the year, where there are days off, either scheduled or because of weather, every few days, you don't need 8 relievers. I get that Montgomery has earned more than mop-up/emergency reliever, but if Maddon is going to keep going to Duensing and we're going to keep trying to see if Wilson can recover, what's his role? Bring up another bat so we don't have to get so cute.

 

I really don't think Matheny burns Lyons if Almora pinch hits. Then you can still PH La Stella for the pitcher.

 

Why not? Maybe not for Norris, but he had a fresh bullpen with the day off yesterday. Could have thrown Bowman, Brebbia, Gregorson to get past him. Was already the bottom of the 8th and they were obviously set on Norris going 1+ innings to close it out.

Fair enough. I guess I didn't think they had anyone else ready at that point. But regardless, do you think that Heyward vs a lefty is a better option than Almora vs a right?

[profisme]

No totally agreed. This wasn't some pixie dust thing, I'm not just going to get too upset or worry about Strop or anything. It's annoying in a weird way that those two runs were the difference rather than Chatwood walking everyone in the ballpark or Strop making a bad pitch to Dejong, but that's it.

 

The way Maddon dealt with the 8th was questionable, but looking back I'm not sure how much you could have done. Lastella has pretty neutral splits in his career and should hit no matter what...he did, and struck out. If you put Almora in for Heyward, they bring in the righty then, and you're not getting much improvement. His hands were tied by Zobrist being hurt and (much more importantly) carrying 13 pitchers. Especially this early in the year, where there are days off, either scheduled or because of weather, every few days, you don't need 8 relievers. I get that Montgomery has earned more than mop-up/emergency reliever, but if Maddon is going to keep going to Duensing and we're going to keep trying to see if Wilson can recover, what's his role? Bring up another bat so we don't have to get so cute.

 

I really don't think Matheny burns Lyons if Almora pinch hits. Then you can still PH La Stella for the pitcher.

 

Why not? Maybe not for Norris, but he had a fresh bullpen with the day off yesterday. Could have thrown Bowman, Brebbia, Gregorson to get past him. Was already the bottom of the 8th and they were obviously set on Norris going 1+ innings to close it out.

 

Edit: Could be wrong here. If they pulled Holland right after the walk to Russell, Lyons would have at least had to throw one pitch, so you're right, probably unlikely they pull him there. Still, bigger issue is the 3 man bench.

 

The three man bench sucks. But then you compound it by pinch hitting and completely burning someone who never sees a pitch.

[Cubswin11]

 

I really don't think Matheny burns Lyons if Almora pinch hits. Then you can still PH La Stella for the pitcher.

 

Why not? Maybe not for Norris, but he had a fresh bullpen with the day off yesterday. Could have thrown Bowman, Brebbia, Gregorson to get past him. Was already the bottom of the 8th and they were obviously set on Norris going 1+ innings to close it out.

Fair enough. I guess I didn't think they had anyone else ready at that point. But regardless, do you think that Heyward vs a lefty is a better option than Almora vs a right?

The decision really was do you prefer Heyward vs a lefty and LaStella vs a righty or Almora vs a lefty and LaStella vs a lefty

[squally1313]

In the above situation, give me the second option. But you're stacking the deck against yourself when you have to burn 1/3 of your bench and your backup catcher to pinch hit with no one on and one guy out in the bottom of the 6th. If it's that bad, just let Lester swing there.

[Irrelevant Dude]

 

I really don't think Matheny burns Lyons if Almora pinch hits. Then you can still PH La Stella for the pitcher.

 

Why not? Maybe not for Norris, but he had a fresh bullpen with the day off yesterday. Could have thrown Bowman, Brebbia, Gregorson to get past him. Was already the bottom of the 8th and they were obviously set on Norris going 1+ innings to close it out.

Fair enough. I guess I didn't think they had anyone else ready at that point. But regardless, do you think that Heyward vs a lefty is a better option than Almora vs a right?

Almora would have hit against the lefty, since the pitcher was just brought in to face Heyward and had to remain in the game to face one batter. So it would have been Almora and La Stella, both against a lefty, instead of Heyward against a lefty and La Stella against a righty. I'll take Option 1.

 

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[The_Achiever]

Free Almora

[soccer10k]

Is it ok to call the Heyward vs. a lefty, burn Almora for La Stella, and allowing Happ to hit sequence the worst this year by Maddon?

 

It's warm up Morrow too many times so he's unavailable the next day even though he only threw two pitches in an actual game for me.

[jersey cubs fan]

This deserved more attention than it got last night

 

[Sammy Sofa]

I am so sick of living in and watching baseball in horsesheet weather. Only then will the dongs truly be unsheathed.

 

Didn't really help them before the homestand.