Cubs (Imanaga) vs Brewers (Ashby): 10/6/25, 8:08pm

[Andy]

If I thought this absurd run of nonsense Milwaukee is on would go all the way through I'd be fine with it. I might even root for it!

But I know this ends with LA completely crushing them in the next round as all the stupid breaks they're getting against us start going the other direction.

[Rcal10]

6 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

I don't think it's really going to matter what the players want.

What? Two sides are negotiating. It absolutely matters what the players want. Now maybe provisions are made with a floor and a ceiling and free agency comes earlier or whatever provisions need to be made for the players to agree on it. But they do get a say and have to agree to it.

[I owned a Suzuki]

16 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

You're probably right. Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers will all overpay on Tucker and not bat an eye, even the the injuries the past two years.

I think the Phillies are going to be in the mix also

[Jason Ross]

Just now, gflore34 said:

I have to think they'll focus on starting pitching.

Would agree. I expect the Cubs will pick up Kittredge's option for the bullpen, maybe resign Brad Keller (like a 3-4 year deal), and add another good BP arm (but shy of elite). Then sign Michael King. I also think the Cubs will look to trade one or two of the expiring 2026 contracts - Nico, Taillon, Happ or Suzuki. Not all of them, but one or two. And then look to make a trade to acquire a younger, controlled option as well. 

Just a spitball of what I think is likely

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

What? Two sides are negotiating. It absolutely matters what the players want. Now maybe provisions are made with a floor and a ceiling and free agency comes earlier or whatever provisions need to be made for the players to agree on it. But they do get a say and have to agree to it.

If they got FA after 5 instead of 6 they'd probably sign the agreement now, cap or no cap.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Just now, Rcal10 said:

What? Two sides are negotiating. It absolutely matters what the players want. Now maybe provisions are made with a floor and a ceiling and free agency comes earlier or whatever provisions need to be made for the players to agree on it. But they do get a say and have to agree to it.

What I meant to say is, the players usually get the short end of the stick.  Public opinion tends to side with the owners and the players are much more likely to settle for less.

[I owned a Suzuki]

3 minutes ago, Andy said:

If I thought this absurd run of nonsense Milwaukee is on would go all the way through I'd be fine with it. I might even root for it!

But I know this ends with LA completely crushing them in the next round as all the stupid breaks they're getting against us start going the other direction.

Yeah Kiki effing Hernandez who is awful, will out Brewer the Brewers

[Jason Ross]

3 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

One of those should probably be a Nico extension, but I'm not sure how the work stoppage might impact that decision.

I think Hoerner and Keller would be the two guys I think will most likely be extended. Maybe a PCA 7 year contract + 2 or so options. 

[squally1313]

Andrew Vaughn also a gold glover now, nice 

[Andy]

Seeing Chourio reminds me how horsefeathers stupid it is that he had a hamstring injury and is back hitting 3 run jacks the next game while Tucker's calf effectively rendered him useless for over 6 weeks

I'm sure there's a rational explanation but I'm pissed 

Edited October 7, 2025 by Andy

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

What I meant to say is, the players usually get the short end of the stick.  Public opinion tends to side with the owners and the players are much more likely to settle for less.

Yeah, sadly while I think the players will throw up a fight, that they're likely going to get smashed here. Fans tend to get to a "well they're just overpaid babies" place with these things. Or grasp on to the idea of a cap/floor creating parity (which it doesn't really do). Public opinion will generally swing to the owners, or swing to apathy and the owners will outlast.

The players will also toss IFA and amateurs under the bus when they can, too. 

[Jason Ross]

Just now, Andy said:

Seeing Chourio reminds me how horsefeathers stupid it is that he had a hamstring injury and is back hitting 3 run jacks the next game while Tucker's calf effectively rendered him useless for over 6 weeks

I'm sure there's a rational explanation but I'm pissed 

Now's the time for irrationality. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Call me crazy but I dont think we will win many playoff games with 4 hits. 

 

The offense has been horrendous in the playoffs. Both compartments have been ass in this series, however.

[gflore34]

10 minutes ago, Andy said:

If I thought this absurd run of nonsense Milwaukee is on would go all the way through I'd be fine with it. I might even root for it!

But I know this ends with LA completely crushing them in the next round as all the stupid breaks they're getting against us start going the other direction.

They won't have the luxury of facing a tired Boyd or a struggling Shota.  They won't have many chances for their dribblers, etc.  Also, what the Brewers have done this season is a non-sustainable statistical outlier so, Brewers fans enjoy it while you can.

Edited October 7, 2025 by gflore34

[Wilson A2000]

1 minute ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Call me crazy but I dont think we will win many playoff games with 4 hits. 

 

The offense has been horrendous in the playoffs. Both compartments have been ass in this series, however.

The offense has been middle of the pack post All-Star break

[Irrelevant Dude]

If there's any reason for optimism, Taillon has been the Cubs best pitcher of late.  Put it on his shoulders at Wrigley and try to get back in the series.

[Frisbee Slider]

Brewers swept the Dodgers twice this season. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Irrelevant Dude]

2 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

The offense has been middle of the pack post All-Star break

Don't tell Ron Darling that.  This offense is a sleeping giant with no weaknesses 1 through 9.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Just now, Frisbee Slider said:

Brewers swept the Dodgers twice this season. 🤷‍♂️

 

Go away.

[abuck1220]

wild to see a guy light $100-200 mil on fire like tucker has done the last 3 months. 

[chibears55]

1 minute ago, Jason Ross said:

There will be next to no way they can accomplish that. They'll have to spend money this offseason if they don't extend Tucker. They can't go to the playoffs and lose to Milwaukee and optically spend less than they did (and they were well under the LT). There will be one, maybe two contracts signed that will extend past 2027. But they also lose most of their money after 2026. 

Tom Ricketts does care about his image. When he's about to be roasted he doesn't go to Cubs Con. He throws people under the bus. You can see how Hoyer speaks about how generous he is that reflected as well. Ricketts couldn't survive the media onslaught if they come in at a $180m payroll next year. 

I don't think they'll go on a spending spree. But they'll sign a decently sized contract or two. 

They'll sign a couple guys that'll get money for a year or two but not more than that.

Theyll get someone like Pham Marte or Kepler to play RF until Caissie is ready and overpay them for a year or two, same with a SP that they may go 3 yrs on but I doubt we'll see a 4+ year deal with anyone.

Realistically outside of RF and maybe a bench guy, unless trades are made the position players are all returning.

SP is basically set with Steele return in May/June, Horton, Imanaga, Taillon, Boyd, Assad, Rea club option so they probably just look to add one SP.

So, not sure if payroll will go up from this season but it'll probably be close to or a bit less then where it at this season

[gflore34]

2 minutes ago, Frisbee Slider said:

Brewers swept the Dodgers twice this season. 🤷‍♂️

 

Just like the Cubs went 7-0 against the Mets in 2015.  Go ahead and believe your Brewers have chance if it makes you feel good.

[soccer10k]

4 minutes ago, Frisbee Slider said:

Brewers swept the Dodgers twice this season. 🤷‍♂️

 

Cubs went 7-0 against the Mets in 2015. Want to guess how the NLCS went?

[ILMindState]

This reminds me of the 2004 team. Promising start to the season only for it to end in a complete dud. Just don't get swept i guess. 

[Jason Ross]

We're live if you want to vent with us.