The Day Before Sudden Death Baseball (Again): Game 5 NLDS Eve Thread

[Brandon Glick]

Well, the Cubs have been here before this October. Thanks to a few Wrigley W's, the series shifts back to Milwaukee for one final game.

How are you feeling right now? Who do you want to see take the start? Can the offense hit another first-inning home run?

[mul21]

I have absolutely zero metrics and I'm working off vibes here, but I think Colin Rea is the guy I'm most comfortable with sending out there to start the game and get 6-9 outs.  He's been throwing the ball well of late, he's a veteran who's less likely to get rattled by the moment, and he's pitched a ton of games in Milwaukee.  Hopefully the offense can score off (likely) Misiorowski early and give the pitchers some breathing room.

[The_Achiever]

I have no idea what Craig is going to do.  But it feels like we've got some mojo back so that is great.

But I'm glad our Game 5 isn't until tomorrow night and I can enjoy the other Game 5 tonight without any jitters.

Amazing night of ball last night.  Wrigley rocking and that unfortunate ending in LA.  Was hoping that series would go to Game 5 as well.  

Edited October 10, 2025 by The_Achiever
clarify point

[Chicago Al]

It’s good to have momentum on the Cubs’ side going into the final game of this series. I feel like either Rea or Brown can start the game, Civale can give you a few innings too. I’m assuming all hands on deck. Put the pressure on the Brewers from the start by scoring first and keep it going. Really good feeling the Cubs can come out on top.

[BKHoo]

Side note - Did you all see Bellinger opted out? He had one year and 25 million left and now he is a FA. You look at his overall numbers, including defensively, and he had a tremendous year. 

[CubinNY]

1 minute ago, Chicago Al said:

It’s good to have momentum on the Cubs’ side going into the final game of this series. 

Momentum is only as good as the day's pitching. The things that the Brewers do well are the things that Cubs pitchers also do well. They don't strike out much and put the ball in play. That is right up our alley. I do really like our chances so long as the Cubs pitchers can limit damage. 

[s2obed]

11 minutes ago, BKHoo said:

Side note - Did you all see Bellinger opted out? He had one year and 25 million left and now he is a FA. You look at his overall numbers, including defensively, and he had a tremendous year. 

I’d love to see Belli back in Chicago. He’ll cost a fraction of what Tucker will likely get (I still prefer Tucker , but don’t think TR will get into a bidding war).

Edited October 10, 2025 by s2obed

[WhyCantWeWin]

I wouldn’t pitch Imanaga, would feel better with Rea

[Dfan25]

Keller’s velo was down last night . That’s a bit concerning . Hopefully it was just a case of the back to back as he threw 19 pitches the day before .

[Bertz]

14 minutes ago, BKHoo said:

Side note - Did you all see Bellinger opted out? He had one year and 25 million left and now he is a FA. You look at his overall numbers, including defensively, and he had a tremendous year. 

That ballpark was tailor made for him, sending him to New York for a potential contract year was definitely doing right by him

[s2obed]

7 minutes ago, WhyCantWeWin said:

I wouldn’t pitch Imanaga, would feel better with Rea

I think it’d be a mistake to pitch Imanaga due to the long ball issues. His velo was trending down in his last start as well. 

[KCCub]

My blueprint would go something along the lines of Kitt as the opener (Maybe 1 hitter in the 2nd depending on the Brewers lineup)  > Shota for 6ish outs (Basically until he gets to the first righty of Chourio/Contreras) > Rea for 6ish outs > Then best arms/matchups the rest of the way.

[Cuzi]

15 minutes ago, s2obed said:

I’d love to see Belli back in Chicago. He’ll cost a fraction of what Tucker will likely get (I still prefer Tucker , but don’t think TR will get into a bidding war).

No thanks.

If it were Tucker vs rookies, I'll take Tucker any given day. If it's Bellinger vs rookies, give me the rookies.

[I owned a Suzuki]

5 minutes ago, Bertz said:

That ballpark was tailor made for him, sending him to New York for a potential contract year was definitely doing right by him

I think the Yankees will do what it takes to keep him. But I think he will have a strong market. Hits LHers real well, plays solid defense. Good ballplayer. I think if the Tucker money gets too high, several teams could pivot to Belli

[Bertz]

1 minute ago, KCCub said:

My blueprint would go something along the lines of Kitt as the opener (Maybe 1 hitter in the 2nd depending on the Brewers lineup)  > Shota for 6ish outs (Basically until he gets to the first righty of Chourio/Contreras) > Rea for 6ish outs > Then best arms/matchups the rest of the way.

[BKHoo]

Tucker does not stay healthy now, right?  Look at his last two years. He is a top 10 hitter when healthy but his D seems to be regressing and his health too. 

[Cuzi]

I personally would rather see Ben Brown than Shota. The Brewers have not faired well against Brown and Shota is serving up HRs on a platter right now.

[Bertz]

6 minutes ago, I owned a Suzuki said:

I think the Yankees will do what it takes to keep him. But I think he will have a strong market. Hits LHers real well, plays solid defense. Good ballplayer. I think if the Tucker money gets too high, several teams could pivot to Belli

Yeah I expect the Tucker/Schwarber/Bellinger musical chairs to be one of the biggest stories this winter.  I could see it going several different ways.

[I owned a Suzuki]

2 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Yeah I expect the Tucker/Schwarber/Bellinger musical chairs to be one of the biggest stories this winter.  I could see it going several different ways.

Unfortunately I think the Cubs are going to be one of the 1st teams without a chair

[Bertz]

8 minutes ago, I owned a Suzuki said:

Unfortunately I think the Cubs are going to be one of the 1st teams without a chair

I'm still thinking it through, but I'm leaning towards being okay with that.

[KCCub]

7 minutes ago, I owned a Suzuki said:

Unfortunately I think the Cubs are going to be one of the 1st teams without a chair

It's a real possibility. IF it happens, I know Cubs fans are going to have a meltdown, but I also don't think it's the end of the world. They would need production from the combo of Mo/Caissie AND would need to add a horse at the top of the rotation with their large amount of cash. Also add a decent BP arm or two. If that all happens, I think we could still be a damn good team next year, especially if one of Mo/Caissie end up having a solid year at the plate. 

[Backtobanks]

40 minutes ago, KCCub said:

It's a real possibility. IF it happens, I know Cubs fans are going to have a meltdown, but I also don't think it's the end of the world. They would need production from the combo of Mo/Caissie AND would need to add a horse at the top of the rotation with their large amount of cash. Also add a decent BP arm or two. If that all happens, I think we could still be a damn good team next year, especially if one of Mo/Caissie end up having a solid year at the plate. 

If Long could make the team, we would be in great shape.  He could be a platoon DH/1B.

[Rcal10]

10 minutes ago, Backtobanks said:

If Long could make the team, we would be in great shape.  He could be a platoon DH/1B.

Long hit way worse against left handed pitching than he did right handed pitching. Not sure why he would be the guy to platoon with Busch. His average at AAA was lower against lefties than Turner’s was in the majors. And we all hated Turner platooning. So why would we want along? 

[BigSlick]

This has been a long, up-and-down season with some real high high's and some real low low's. BUT, I'm very happy with how they have fought back time and again, even when it looked totally hopeless, and very excited to see them play a do or die game against who is definitely their biggest rival at the moment (suck it Cardinals). Whatever happens, I can look back on the 2025 season with pride. 

Would be awesome to move on though. 

[squally1313]

whoever has a (fancier) defector subscription, go get this guy to come join us asap

Edited October 10, 2025 by squally1313