Cubs (Horton) vs Pirates (Skenes): 9/16/25, 5:40pm

[Derwood]

Horton over Skenes was a no-brainer. New sheriff in town, Paul

Edited September 17, 2025 by Derwood

[BKHoo]

Bullpen 4 innings 1 hit allowed. Awesome. 

[mk49]

1 minute ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

I know Jed hates paying for relievers but I hope the resign Keller.

And, Thielbar.  I know he's old, but he's having his best season right now.

[itisallpartoftheplan]

Magic Number: 1

[squally1313]

Just now, chibears55 said:

Maybe with McGuire, might depends on how Amaya looks the final week, i know hes playing tonight. 

 

Just DHing though. and only 5 games left down there. Can call him up after that, Santana is an easy cut and the games next week almost assuredly won't mean anything. I'm not going to lose any sleep over a mediocre McGuire or a very rusty Amaya, neither should be getting starts and Kelly doesn't have a platoon split. 

[UMFan83]

Damn I was really hoping the Brewers would lose tonight to put some pressure on them down the stretch.

[JHBulls]

What even is the point of the LA Angels? 

[chibears55]

W..  

Magic number is 1 over SF Cin AZ

Reds are losing, AZ and SF just starting 

Magic number is 8 over Padres 

Padres are losing 

 

Im good with them needing to get a W tomorrow to clinch, makes it a fun watch this way.  Doing it in Pittsburgh will bring memory of Harry's call in 1984 "Cubs are champions Cubs are champions " lol

[NorthsideAvenger]

Just now, JHBulls said:

What even is the point of the LA Angels? 

To waste Mike Trout (and part of Ohtani's) career?

[Tryptamine]

7 minutes ago, Derwood said:

Horton over Skenes was a no-brainer. New sheriff in town, Paul

I mean, NL ROY has to be all but locked up at this point no?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

2 minutes ago, JHBulls said:

What even is the point of the LA Angels? 

Such a ****** org from top to bottom.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Just now, Tryptamine said:

I mean, NL ROY has to be all but locked up at this point no?

Is there even anyone else on the radar at this point? Drake Baldwin?

[Tryptamine]

Just now, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Is there even anyone else on the radar at this point? Drake Baldwin?

Baldwin and Collins

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Just now, Tryptamine said:

Baldwin and Collins

Man, I had forgotten Isaac Collins existed. Didn't know how good I had it.

[BKHoo]

8 minutes ago, mk49 said:

And, Thielbar.  I know he's old, but he's having his best season right now.

The issue is that relievers are more sporadic than starters. Just because a guy is lights out this year doesn’t mean he replaces that. Has Thielbar’s velocity gone up? 

[BKHoo]

3 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

I mean, NL ROY has to be all but locked up at this point no?

Yes. I’d say so. He has been the best pitcher in baseball in the second half. 

[chibears55]

14 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Just DHing though. and only 5 games left down there. Can call him up after that, Santana is an easy cut and the games next week almost assuredly won't mean anything. I'm not going to lose any sleep over a mediocre McGuire or a very rusty Amaya, neither should be getting starts and Kelly doesn't have a platoon split. 

When asked, Counsell mentioned that for Amaya to get considered being on the postseason roster he will have to get ABs, so that the only reason why I think he'll be added.

Like I said i know the bench is somewhat meaningless in the playoffs now, thats why I was wondering and asking if maybe they'll add Hamilton to that roster just for his speed since baserunning will be mostly what the bench could be used for late in games. 

Catcher, a power bat, and 2 guys who can run which could be Castro and Hamilton 🤷‍♂️

Edited September 17, 2025 by chibears55

[Neuby]

Kelly is at a career high in innings behind the plate already would be nice to get either Moises, Amaya or McGuire some extra starts here now that we closing in on clinching. 

[squally1313]

3 minutes ago, Neuby said:

Kelly is at a career high in innings behind the plate already would be nice to get either Moises, Amaya or McGuire some extra starts here now that we closing in on clinching. 

Yeah he's gotten back on a good stretch of production but I'm still going to lean on the side that it's more important to have the guys fresh than to try and time some (potentially mythical) hot streak two weeks out. 

[BKHoo]

“I love pitching in high stakes situations.” - Cade said that tonight. 

The kid wants the ball in postseason. 

[squally1313]

10 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

When asked, Counsell mentioned that for Amaya to get considered being on the postseason roster he will have to get ABs, so that the only reason why I think he'll be added.

Like I said i know the bench is somewhat meaningless in the playoffs now, thats why I was wondering and asking if maybe they'll add Hamilton to that roster just for his speed since baserunning will be mostly what the bench could be used for late in games. 

Catcher, a power bat, and 2 guys who can run which could be Castro and Hamilton 🤷‍♂️

I just don't know if you have a need two pinch runners. It wouldn't be for PCA or Hoerner. Tucker, Happ, Shaw would necessitate Castro being available because they aren't going to throw a two years out of baseball Hamilton into the field. Busch or Turner and then the catcher? Because you couldn't pinch run for either position twice. 

Though I'm not totally sure there's much of a use for Ballesteros either. Do we really think he's a significant upgrade to any of the RHBs against RHPs that would also necessitate an immediate defensive sub?

This all goes out the window if Tucker stays on the shelf, but I think if that were a real concern we'd be seeing Caissie getting regular ABs with the team, so guessing this is still just them being cautious. 

[Tryptamine]

Nico doesn't get enough love. The guy is at 4.6 fWAR so far this year and 19.8 fWAR for his career. A very good chance he finishes his career with more than 30 fWAR, maybe even 35. That would put him in the same territory as guys like Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee.

[squally1313]

4 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Nico doesn't get enough love. The guy is at 4.6 fWAR so far this year and 19.8 fWAR for his career. A very good chance he finishes his career with more than 30 fWAR, maybe even 35. That would put him in the same territory as guys like Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee.

Happ, who is plenty good, has played in 435 more games than Hoerner post-2016 and will probably get passed in cumulative fWAR by the end of April next year.

[bukie]

Cubs magic number down to 1.

Cubs have clinched a better record than the Reds.

[chibears55]

21 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

I just don't know if you have a need two pinch runners. It wouldn't be for PCA or Hoerner. Tucker, Happ, Shaw would necessitate Castro being available because they aren't going to throw a two years out of baseball Hamilton into the field. Busch or Turner and then the catcher? Because you couldn't pinch run for either position twice. 

Though I'm not totally sure there's much of a use for Ballesteros either. Do we really think he's a significant upgrade to any of the RHBs against RHPs that would also necessitate an immediate defensive sub?

This all goes out the window if Tucker stays on the shelf, but I think if that were a real concern we'd be seeing Caissie getting regular ABs with the team, so guessing this is still just them being cautious. 

Yea, maybe Counsell just sticks with his regular 4 guys in Amaya McGuire Turner and Castro and if Amaya cant go then maybe Ballesteros or Santana if he wants a SH over a LHer.