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

[s2obed]

It doesn't matter what the Cubs give up. Cubs have scored 0 so far today. Can't win if they don't score. 

If they don't come back today you better hope the wind is blowing out tomorrow... 

[mul21]

4 minutes ago, SpongeWorthy said:

i would simply construct a roster where you have a better option to attack a very flawed lineup in game 2 of a playoff series than a pitcher who has been downright bad for 2 months

They did and Cade Horton had a freak injury 2 weeks ago that cost them their best pitcher.  Not much they can do about that, especially when they managed his workload like they did so he would be available in the playoffs.

[UMFan83]

Thielbar is certainly a choice

[PeanutPunch33]

2 minutes ago, Caesar said:

The Cubs offense is what will lose them the series things don’t change quickly. Yesterday’s offense was terrible as well other than the 2 homers. The offense is letting them down .

The offense has been terrible since the all star break.  That's why I was concerned going into the playoffs, that was supposed to be their competitive edge.  They sure as hell aren't going to blow anybody away with their starting pitching.  Cease dominating today was a predictable outcome 

Edited October 1, 2025 by PeanutPunch33

[Caesar]

1 minute ago, s2obed said:

It doesn't matter what the Cubs give up. Cubs have scored 0 so far today. Can't win if they don't score. 

If they don't come back today you better hope the wind is blowing out tomorrow... 

Agreed. This is on the offense!

[SpongeWorthy]

1 minute ago, Jason Ross said:

Well, it's October 1st. That's long gone. The Cubs would have had Justin Steele starting one of these games and Boyd the other but things happened. As well, the Cubs developed a roster that won 92 games. 

I have quibbles on the roster construction, but it's quibbles. I don't know what you wanted them to have realistically done at this stage. Imanaga was the correct call today. 

you have only quibbles about roster construction? after 5 years of not doing dick despite having the largest intra division resource advantage in sports. the soft tyranny of low expectations.

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, mul21 said:

They did and Cade Horton had a freak injury 2 weeks ago that cost them their best pitcher.  Not much they can do about that, especially when they managed his workload like they did so he would be available in the playoffs.

While true, Jed should have anticipated Boyd and/or Horton wearing down after greatly exceeded their innings from previous years.  

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

1 minute ago, UMFan83 said:

Thielbar is certainly a choice

I mean, Counsell was pretty much in punt mode pitching to Machado with Shota, so it tracks.

[Irrelevant Dude]

3 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Thielbar is certainly a choice

Might as well save the high leverage arms at this point.

[Hortonhearsawho]

5 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Thielbar is certainly a choice

they should just be using the Civale, Soroka of the world to finish up this game at this point.

Edited October 1, 2025 by Hortonhearsawho

[We Got The Whole 9]

7 minutes ago, SpongeWorthy said:

i would simply construct a roster where you have a better option to attack a very flawed lineup in game 2 of a playoff series than a pitcher who has been downright bad for 2 months

So simple. And Shota had a 3.2 ERA going into the deadline, wasnt bad yet, so this is ridiculous.

 

There were better options today and it feels like the organization gave a loyal nod here TBH. Rea and Taillon have been far better. 

[Rcal10]

Just now, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

I mean, Counsell was pretty much in punt mode pitching to Machado with Shota, so it tracks.

Well he isn’t going to use Keller, Pomarez or Palencia. Someone has to pitch. 

[Jason Ross]

Just now, SpongeWorthy said:

you have only quibbles about roster construction? after 5 years of not doing dick despite having the largest intra division resource advantage in sports. the soft tyranny of low expectations.

Stop moving the goalposts. Your initial complaint was that Taillon or Rea should have started today. Other than you're frustrated that they're losing, what does five years ago have to do with Shota Imanaga over those two today? 

I get it. You're upset. It's a bummer they're losing. But let's stay on the topic of the debate. The Padres are a bottom-10 team against LHP in almost any metric you can imagine. They're bottom-3rd for HR's. Shota's biggest issue has been the HR and the Padres just don't hit LHP or HR's. It was a fine decision. 

[Connor McConnor]

0 runs makes everything else a moot point.   

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

So simple. And Shota had a 3.2 ERA going into the deadline, wasnt bad yet, so this is ridiculous.

 

There were better options today and it feels like the organization gave a loyal nod here TBH. Rea and Taillon have been far better. 

Didn’t Taillon pitch Saturday? I don’t think he was ever an option for today. 

[Illiterate Scholar]

He put 2 on with no out so this might look silly but what's wrong with Thielbar? We doing the last 7 day arbitrary endpoint thing?

[chibears55]

Opener didn't work, and Imanaga only got through the 5th. 

Offense still can't hit, even against bad pitchers.

Game 3 theyll probably get blown away 

[s2obed]

At the end of the day the Cubs will go as far as their offense goes. If we get the 1st half offense tomorrow we will advance. If we get 2nd half offense, we’ll be eliminated tomorrow. 

[SpongeWorthy]

1 minute ago, Jason Ross said:

Stop moving the goalposts. Your initial complaint was that Taillon or Rea should have started today. Other than you're frustrated that they're losing, what does five years ago have to do with Shota Imanaga over those two today? 

I get it. You're upset. It's a bummer they're losing. But let's stay on the topic of the debate. The Padres are a bottom-10 team against LHP in almost any metric you can imagine. They're bottom-3rd for HR's. Shota's biggest issue has been the HR and the Padres just don't hit LHP or HR's. It was a fine decision. 

one man's moving the goal posts is another man's running interference for a billionaire who wouldn't stop to piss on you if you were on fire

[chibears55]

2 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Well he isn’t going to use Keller, Pomarez or Palencia. Someone has to pitch. 

Yea, might as well save those guys if they actually get a lead today and tomorrow you're all in.

[Jason Ross]

Just now, chibears55 said:

Opener didn't work, and Imanaga only got through the 5th. 

Offense still can't hit, even against bad pitchers.

Game 3 theyll probably get blown away 

The Padres are starting Yu Darvish tomorrow who has been pretty brutal. Even recently. If the Cubs can keep this game within three, the Padres will likely use all of their arms of consequence out of the (or most of it) BP a second straight day. They will be tired. 

I get we're all bummed but the Cubs still are in a decent position tomorrow.

[UMFan83]

With Rea going today and Taillon going tomorrow barring a comeback, not sure who starts game 1 against Milwaukee.  I mean yeah get there first but Assad?  Soroka?

[JHBulls]

Colin Rea?

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, SpongeWorthy said:

one man's moving the goal posts is another man's running interference for a billionaire who wouldn't stop to piss on you if you were on fire

So, you've got nothing, then? I'm not going to play into this nonsense. You're the one who said Taillon or Rea should have start. Either defend your position, or don't. But I'm not going to follow you into your random foxholes of debate so you can weasel out of making a cogent argument. 

I hate Ricketts as much as anyone. This is not the debate.

[We Got The Whole 9]

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Didn’t Taillon pitch Saturday? I don’t think he was ever an option for today. 

My bad