Cubs-Padres Game Two Thread: Imanaga's Opener Is A Necessary Evil

[Jason Ross]

Regardless of what the wind is doing at Wrigley today. Cleveland's wind-insanity wins the day. Woof. What a rough day to be an outfielder. Even rougher; Chase DeLauter is making his MLB debut in this nonsense after not playing since July due to injury.

[soccer10k]

Not a great start!

[Jason Ross]

Pfft. Annoying. Back-to-back chases lead to singles.

[chibears55]

Opener already failed, first 2 guys reached

[UMFan83]

34 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Yankees, Dodgers, Redsox in that order will always get the priority when it comes to national viewing. 

It's interesting to see the Cubs standing in the national hierarchy after winning the title.  I feel like we almost always had prime time prior to winning the title.  We're probably still highly regarded but a level down from the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox.  

[SparkMark1]

Shota could've done this.

[Jason Ross]

Big K(ittredge)

[UMFan83]

BIG first out

[UMFan83]

Just now, SparkMark1 said:

Shota could've done this.

Those wouldn't have been singles if it was Shota

[UMFan83]

Padres bats definitely look livelier today.  Even foul offs are being hit well

[Manny Trillos Brother]

If you somehow wriggle out of this, the opener worked even better than expected because that's deeper in the game till you get to the 3rd time through for Sho.

[Hortonhearsawho]

The opener idea completely failed let's not do it again. 

[Post Count Padder]

Honestly allowing just 1 there is fine. Not ideal but it could've been worse.

Edited October 1, 2025 by Post Count Padder

[Outshined_One]

Considering the Padres only got one run out of 2 men on, no outs, I'll take that outcome.

[JHBulls]

It could have been worse. The end. 

[Rex Buckingham]

Ugly, but only a run. Bats were always going to need to score more than 1 anyway

[Cubbies1996]

Opener’s have maybe worked once this yr 

[UMFan83]

xBA on batted balls that inning:

.900

.600

220 (sac fly)

.670

 

Edited October 1, 2025 by UMFan83

[Nolansomebody]

Just hope the offense can be slightly better at the beginning than yesterday.

[chibears55]

Was thinking about this earlier, wouldn't it have been better to use someone other than Kittredge since they just saw him yesterday?

 

[Jason Ross]

I know the feeling is going to be that the opener totally backfired, but it may not have entirely. The goal of an opener is to get your SP deeper into the game - in this instance when Shota would be facing Tatis and Machado for a third time it will still only be his second. 

Giving up a run certainly is not optimal, but I wouldn't classify it as a total bust if Shota gets 5 innings of good quality behind it. 

[Hortonhearsawho]

Just beat up on Cease and make it not matter. 

[SpongeWorthy]

i can't believe this color commentator is white sounds like katt williams impersonating steve harvey

[UMFan83]

2 minutes ago, Hortonhearsawho said:

The opener idea completely failed let's not do it again. 

I'm fine with the opener.  A little concerned that he chose a guy who Tatis and Arraez both got to see 22 hours ago.

[chibears55]

Let get that run back and start over with Imanaga 

Edited October 1, 2025 by chibears55