9/9 - Diamondbacks (Kelly) vs Cubs (Steele): 1:20pm, Marquee

[abuck1220]

remember all that stuff a while back about how Swanson was the best FA signing? lol. 

[s2obed]

1 minute ago, abuck1220 said:

remember all that stuff a while back about how Swanson was the best FA signing? lol. 

Swanson is a huge streaky guy. Always has been. 

[abuck1220]

at least the cubs also used all their good relievers in losing these last two games. 

[UMFan83]

Only 4-5 in our last 9 at least

[WhyCantWeWin]

What a waste of a brilliant Steele start. 

[UMFan83]

3 minutes ago, s2obed said:

Swanson is a huge streaky guy. Always has been. 

It’s no longer streaky when your slump lasts 6 weeks 

ok fine it probably is but this is a ridiculously long slump

Edited September 9, 2023 by UMFan83

[17 Seconds]

oh yeah, the collapse is on baby

[abuck1220]

Just now, UMFan83 said:

It’s no longer streaky when your slump lasts 6 weeks 

ok fine it probably is but this is a ridiculously long slump

I mean the streakiness is fine if he ends up with overall good numbers, which he currently does not have. 

[Irrelevant Dude]

Does Jed still have Theo on speed dial so he can come back and give his "the offense broke down the stretch" speech.

[UMFan83]

Last 8 days:

-Smyly and Wesneski combined for 1 ER in 6.1 IP.  Cubs lose 3-2

-Assad pitches 8 scoreless innings.  Cubs lose 2-1

-Taillon pitches 6 scoreless innings.  Cubs lose 1-0

-Steele pitches 7 scoreless innings. Cubs lose 3-2

Painful

[17 Seconds]

we'd probably have at least 1 more win if jed got any decent reliever at the deadline

[UMFan83]

Before the series I said we had to get at least 1.  It sucks that they lost the first thing, but we should be ok if we can win tomorrow and then, you know, start to actually hit the ball.  If we lose tomorrow panic mode is completely acceptable as we might be down to 0.5 game lead with facing our 12th game in the last 11 days.

I wonder how much the consecutive games are getting to them.  They are 4 days away from finishing a stretch of 27 games in 27 days.  They have a solid core, but not sure the team is deep enough to avoid getting gassed.  Same 8 guys most days because your other options are Mastrobuoni, Wisdom and Canario.  Same 3 bullpen guys because your other options are Palencia, Wesneski and Cuas.  The starting rotation has 1 guy who the Cubs never intended to be in the majors this year (though he's raking) and another guy who was a long reliever most of the year. 

Edited September 9, 2023 by UMFan83

[Irrelevant Dude]

I don't completely disagree with Ross' "play the guys who got you here" approach, but it may be time to start exploring alternatives to Tauchman.

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

I don't completely disagree with Ross' "play the guys who got you here" approach, but it may be time to start exploring alternatives to Tauchman.

His .116 BA over the last 3 weeks not doing it for you?  (and that includes a 4-6 game)

[soccer10k]

3 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

I don't completely disagree with Ross' "play the guys who got you here" approach, but it may be time to start exploring alternatives to Tauchman.

Or maybe batting Bellinger higher than 4th and Suzuki, who is on a tear, higher than 6th.

[Irrelevant Dude]

1 minute ago, UMFan83 said:

His .116 BA over the last 3 weeks not doing it for you?  (and that includes a 4-6 game)

*Pencils him in the lineup for tomorrow"

[UMFan83]

On Thursday night the Cubs playoff odds were at 93%. Down to 79% now. 14% drop in 44 hours is pretty bad but still decent position 

[soccer10k]

Win tomorrow and beat up on the Rockies and we’re still in good shape. 

[UMFan83]

5 minutes ago, soccer10k said:

Win tomorrow and beat up on the Rockies and we’re still in good shape. 

Rumors that KB is coming back to the lineup on Monday.  Not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing.

 

Also since we're in panic mode, concerned about Assad, Wicks and Taillon being lined up to start at Coors Field.  Assuming this is the first time Assad and Wicks have played at this elevation

Edited September 9, 2023 by UMFan83

[muntjack]

I'm skeptical that they'll turn it around by beating up on bad pitchers.   This offense is the kind that will hit everybody or nobody.  It's a bit bizarre.

[17 Seconds]

things looked so great 3 days ago

[UMFan83]

2 minutes ago, muntjack said:

I'm skeptical that they'll turn it around by beating up on bad pitchers.   This offense is the kind that will hit everybody or nobody.  It's a bit bizarre.

Exactly how I feel.  We've been shut down by a high amount of "bad pitchers" of late.  We've also lit up a few, and hit some good ones.  It seemingly doesn't matter *that* much who is starting.

[UMFan83]

3 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

things looked so great 3 days ago

As many know, I lean pessimis but try to reign it in (sometimes better than others).  All through this season I was excited but wouldn't accept that we were in good shape to make the playoffs.  Until Wednesday.  On Wednesday I started saying things like 'when we make the playoffs'.  The rational part of me that fights to get attention in my brain still knows that we're in good shape but kind of funny after playing like a 100 win team for 3 months, I finally get to the point where I accept that we're gonna make the playoffs and then they give up a significant portion of their cushion over about 64 hours.

Edited September 9, 2023 by UMFan83

[UMFan83]

Because I like pain, Brewers up 5-2 over the Yankees in the 8th.  Went from potentially being 1 back on Thursday to being 4 back on Saturday

[WhyCantWeWin]

It's joever bois