Cubs (Brown) vs Phillies (Luzardo): 6/11/25, 12:05pm

[Brian707]

The only way that matters is if they finish tied for 2nd as Division winner vs Philadelphia or NY Mets. Otherwise its just noise in a long baseball season.

[gflore34]

it really, really annoys the horsefeathers out of me that the supposedly stumbling Phillies righted the ship vs. the Cubs twice.  But, you know, these type of things have a tendency to turn around in the playoffs.  Maybe, they come in facing the Cubs, all confident, with the National Media predicting a relative easy series win for the Phillies.  And the Phillies' weaknesses finally show up - the bullpen and defense - helping the Cubs to a series win.

Edited June 11, 2025 by gflore34

[Brian707]

2 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

it really, really annoys the horsefeathers out me that the supposed stumbling Phillies righted the ship vs. the Cubs twice.  But, you know, these type of things have a tendency to turn around in the playoffs.  Maybe, they come in facing the Cubs, all confident, with the National Media predicting a relative easy series win for the Phillies.  And the Phillies' weaknesses finally show up - the bullpen and defense - helping the Cubs to a series win.

I remember the 2015 NLCS- Cubs went 6 or 7-0 vs the Mets in the regular season and then were swept 

Edited June 11, 2025 by Brian707

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, Brian707 said:

I remember the 2015 NLCS- Cubs went 6 or 7-0 vs the Mets in the regular season and then were swept 

Yep. 7-0 and got swept

[Geographyhater8888]

You knew the Phillies weren’t going to lie down after getting swept vs Pittsburgh, at home. They’re too good to keep losing even without Harper. 

[gflore34]

2 minutes ago, Brian707 said:

I remember the 2015 NLCS- Cubs went 6 or 7-0 vs the Mets in the regular season and then were swept 

It'd be even sweeter if the Cubs are facing Luzardo in the deciding game and kick his ass.

[Derwood]

I casually looked at the Cubs record vs other playoff teams in 2016 and they were equally "meh"

[gflore34]

Just now, Geographyhater8888 said:

You knew the Phillies weren’t going to lie down after getting swept vs Pittsburgh, at home. They’re too good to keep losing even without Harper. 

Sure but, their weak bullpen and defense have not been factors at all.  That's OK, they'll show up in the PS.

[Rcal10]

28 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

We see alot of playoff contenders upgrading their bench every deadline with adding someone that can help them.

Is there a way to see outside of backup catchers teams bench statistics, cause I would bet that just about all the other playoff teams has at least one guy they can count on unlike the Cubs with Turner,  Berti, or Brujan. Those 3 are probably at the bottom end of bench bats.

 

Since Shaw has come back how many AB has the trio of Turner, Berti and Brujan had? I don’t know how to see stats of all teams bench, but I did take a look at the Yankees bench. I don’t see it any better than the Cubs. I agree they can upgrade for either Brujan or Berti. I just don’t think it will be nearly as big a deal as getting a solid starting pitcher. And, if they didn’t get someone for the bench it wouldn’t upset me all too much. Again, there isn’t much out there. 

[Hot Sauce]

Breaking News: Beating good teams isn't easy. Next up, a new study claims ice is cold and rocks are hard. 

[Geographyhater8888]

7 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

Sure but, their weak bullpen and defense have not been factors at all.  That's OK, they'll show up in the PS.

They’re 10 games over 500 inspite of those weaknesses and the Cubs haven’t exactly blown me away with how they’ve been playing either. Very predictable roadtrip. 

[JHBulls]

1 minute ago, Hot Sauce said:

Breaking News: Beating good teams isn't easy. Next up, a new study claims ice is cold and rocks are hard. 

Username somehow checks out. 

[NorthsideAvenger]

19 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

it really, really annoys the horsefeathers out of me that the supposedly stumbling Phillies righted the ship vs. the Cubs twice.  But, you know, these type of things have a tendency to turn around in the playoffs.  Maybe, they come in facing the Cubs, all confident, with the National Media predicting a relative easy series win for the Phillies.  And the Phillies' weaknesses finally show up - the bullpen and defense - helping the Cubs to a series win.

We had this conversation when the Brewers were curb stomping the Phillies. So apparently the Cubs are the only NLC team Phillies care about beating. I guess that is a compliment to the Cubs and an insult to the rest of the central.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

43 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

We see alot of playoff contenders upgrading their bench every deadline with adding someone that can help them.

Is there a way to see outside of backup catchers teams bench statistics, cause I would bet that just about all the other playoff teams has at least one guy they can count on unlike the Cubs with Turner,  Berti, or Brujan. Those 3 are probably at the bottom end of bench bats.

 

 

Even the good teams have bad benches.  With the DH that's another spot to spend money on and even less opportunity to spread across the rest of the bench.

[Rcal10]

9 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

 

Even the good teams have bad benches.  With the DH that's another spot to spend money on and even less opportunity to spread across the rest of the bench.

Also, counting today, since Shaw has come back (21 games) Turner, Brujan and Berti have had 40 PA. Of those 40, Turner (who they are not replacing) had 31 of them. So we are talking about 9 PA from Berti and Brujan in that time. Sure, if they were better maybe they would have a few more. But with the DH the bench becomes less important. 

[KCCub]

 

[mul21]

28 minutes ago, KCCub said:

 

I was about 80% sure that's what was going on because you don't go from nearly unhittable to awful like that unless there's something else going on when there aren't any other telltale signs like velocity drop or a sudden inability to throw strikes.

[sweetpeteman]

Well, at least Pittsburgh was the only NL Central team to win today. 

[Rcal10]

Cubs lost 2 of 3 in Philly and gained a game on the Cardinals. Also stayed the same with Milwaukee who were at home against the Braves. So all is not too bad. 

Edited June 11, 2025 by Rcal10

[Soul]

This did suck but fortunately the Cards are 3-7 and Brewers 5-5 in the last 10.

[Rcal10]

10 minutes ago, Soul said:

This did suck but fortunately the Cards are 3-7 and Brewers 5-5 in the last 10.

Both are coming back to reality. Neither is a bad team. But neither is a high 80 win team either. 

[Stratos]

11 hours ago, mul21 said:

Eh, I really think this is a mental thing in the first inning.  Go with an opener for the next couple turns and see if that makes a difference.

Yeah I think they need an opener for Brown.

Edited June 12, 2025 by Stratos

[Stratos]

10 hours ago, gflore34 said:

Really did we expect anything of Brujan?  Is realistic to do so? Soon, could Alcantara be an option?  Don't know his splits however, I'm certain he'd be more of threat than Brujan has ever been.  Guess, then you have to keep Berti.

Alcantara needs to play every day.  Brujan sucks but he doesn't really need to play much so not a big deal.  He only has 21 PA total before today, kind of a waste of a roster spot, but we have a lot of everyday players so not much opportunity for the bench and they still need backups for INF and OF no matter what in case of injury.

[Stratos]

10 hours ago, profisme said:

Convince him to retire to open up a roster spot and pay him the difference in his salary as a hitting consultant and keep him in the dugout/clubhouse.  He is a wasted roster spot and he won't get a contract next year, surely he has to see that writing on the wall.

Turner is hitting .306/.344/.450 over the last 30 days including today's game.

[Stratos]

19 hours ago, gflore34 said:

it really, really annoys the horsefeathers out of me that the supposedly stumbling Phillies righted the ship vs. the Cubs twice.  But, you know, these type of things have a tendency to turn around in the playoffs.  Maybe, they come in facing the Cubs, all confident, with the National Media predicting a relative easy series win for the Phillies.  And the Phillies' weaknesses finally show up - the bullpen and defense - helping the Cubs to a series win.

Probably a combo of seeing good teams/pitching on the road and half the batting order hitting a bit of a lull lately.  I'm sure the lads will start hitting again soon enough.  Hopefully getting back to Wrigley will help.  Seems kinda like Tucker leads the ship.

Edited June 12, 2025 by Stratos