9/1 - Cubs (Wicks/TBD) vs Reds (Ashcraft/TBD): 12:10pm/5:40pm, Marquee (Let's Play Two!)

[itisallpartoftheplan]

Anyone still pounding the table for more Drew Smyly starts??

[Transmogrified Tiger]

10 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

I know its like "how do you want to die" but I think I'd rather play the Dodgers.  I like our hitters matchups against their pitchers more and their offense is not quite as deep as the Braves.  Heavy underdogs against either of course, but I think we'd have better odds of pulling off an upset against LA.

For me it's mostly about Strider being easily the best SP/worst matchup on either team, and that carries more weight than marginal differences in rotation or offense when you face their best starter twice in a 5 game series.

[UMFan83]

Also apparently the Reds are having a COVID outbreak right now so hope that doesn't make it into the Cubs locker room

Hunter Greene was already on the COVID IL, just announced that Fernando Cruz and Ben Lively have it

[bukie]

Cubs apparently going with Cuas to start game 2, according to MLB.com.

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, bukie said:

Cubs apparently going with Cuas to start game 2, according to MLB.com.

Was not expecting him to be part of the equation today

[Bobson Dugnutt]

16 minutes ago, TomtheBombadil said:

I really get the sense Theo’s up there smiling rn

This is easily your best running bit. I laugh every time. Keep up the good work.

[WhyCantWeWin]

35 minutes ago, itisallpartoftheplan said:

Anyone still pounding the table for more Drew Smyly starts??

Yeah it's weird how some were deluding themselves to think he was the best option. 

[UMFan83]

The Cubs are now 46-26 since their low water mark of 26-36.   46-26 translates to 104-58 over 162 games.  So they've been playing at a 104 win pace for 44% of the season now.

[bukie]

The 100 win dream stays alive for at least one more game.

[bukie]

This series has very similar vibes to me to that 5 game STL seties in 2003.

I'm hoping for similar results. 

[itisallpartoftheplan]

Just now, bukie said:

This series has very similar vibes to me to that 5 game STL seties in 2003.

I'm hoping for similar results. 

Just hope we don’t have the Alou foul ball/Alfonseca ump bump game.

[UMFan83]

Dammit Dansby

[UMFan83]

The Cubs somehow do not score despite making him throw 37 pitches and walking 3

[itisallpartoftheplan]

Pathetic 

[Rex Buckingham]

can't believe we didn't get one... need a shutout inning from Cuas

[abuck1220]

smarter teams are gonna absolutely refuse to pitch to bellinger if swanson and his bat with a hole in it continue to bat behind him. 

[Irrelevant Dude]

What is wrong with Swanson?

[chibears55]

I told my buddy after he walked Bellinger,  watch him strike out both Swanson and Suzuki now..

Wasted a great opportunity to score a bunch and get into their bullpen in the first inning 

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

What is wrong with Swanson?

Not sure but not including today he has a .158/.244/.250/.494 batting line with a 30% k rate in his last 21 games

Edited September 1, 2023 by UMFan83

[chibears55]

Watch the Reds score a bunch now

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

Watch the Reds score a bunch now

I’d rather not

[Rex Buckingham]

Feels like the pitching moves are just a bit too cute right now

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So basically they want Smyly to do near-starter things and Cuas can't get extended just off bereavement anyway, so they open with him to get something out of him in the DH and set up the lineup for Smyly?

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, Rex Buckingham said:

Feels like the pitching moves are just a bit too cute right now

Yep. I do get making De La Cruz bat righty but it’s a strange move in the 1st inning even as an opener 

Edited September 1, 2023 by UMFan83

[Rcal10]

Why Smyly???? This sucks!