Cubs-Padres Game Three Thread: Sudden Death Baseball

I predict that during a critical part of this game, the ghost of Ryno will cause a Padres infielder to completely whiff on a routine grounder Leon Durham style which will lead to multiple runs. 

If the Cubs win today, that next round matchup vs. Milwaukee will be so nuts.  They owe it to the fans to find a horsefeathers way to win today 

1 hour ago, Bruno7481 said:

I fully expect Morejon and Miller to pitch if they need them to.  I don’t think they are off limits at all.

Miller’s been lights out, there’s no way he’s sitting today. If the Padres are in a situation where they have to neutralize the Cubs in any way I would bet he comes in. 

32 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

People are crapping on PCA and Happ for not hitting, but he's been as bad as them without anyone commenting on it.

Mainly because PCA, and Happ are supposed to be more of the main guys in the offense than Shaw, you're expecting more from them.

1 hour ago, Bruno7481 said:

I fully expect Morejon and Miller to pitch if they need them to.  I don’t think they are off limits at all.

I doubt they will fully be off limits, but with the 3-batter minimum it takes one PA to swing that into a very tired reliever. I'd imagine neither have more than a hitter in a critical spot in terms of "ideal usage" today. So either you don't use them or the Cubs will face guys who will at the very least be tired and if you can get them into a place where they have to face three hitters, the fatigue is going to set in.

Morejon just went his season's high in usage last night. And while eh didn't throw a ton Tuesday, still threw. He's going to be running as close to on fumes as you'll see him.

15 minutes ago, Chicago Al said:

Miller’s been lights out, there’s no way he’s sitting today. If the Padres are in a situation where they have to neutralize the Cubs in any way I would bet he comes in. 

While there's a good chance we're going to see Miller (and even Morejon, maybe), they're most likely not going to be able to get 4 innings worth of outs out of them like they did yesterday. Guessing we'll see Estrada for a couple, but he's a step below those two. 

Either way, the first couple innings are going to be big, both in terms of facing bad pitchers and also just to get a little bit of pressure off. 

7 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I doubt they will fully be off limits, but with the 3-batter minimum it takes one PA to swing that into a very tired reliever. I'd imagine neither have more than a hitter in a critical spot in terms of "ideal usage" today. So either you don't use them or the Cubs will face guys who will at the very least be tired and if you can get them into a place where they have to face three hitters, the fatigue is going to set in.

Morejon just went his season's high in usage last night. And while eh didn't throw a ton Tuesday, still threw. He's going to be running as close to on fumes as you'll see him.

Hopefully we get a Chapman in WS game 7 type performance with these guys.

Cut Shaw some slack. He’s still dealing with the death of his close racist podcaster friend a month ago. 

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

- Are Miller or Morejon available?  The answer *should* be no, but the Padres have an almost pathological need to fail the marshmallow test.  And this is probably their last run (mayyybe next year)

Of course they are, and I absolutely expect Miller to pitch unless it is a blowout one way or the other.

Please score a run today, preferably several, or even many 

1 hour ago, Outshined_One said:

People are crapping on PCA and Happ for not hitting, but he's been as bad as them without anyone commenting on it.

the fact that he had a month where he was indisputably the best hitter on the team and carrying the offense was far more than i ever expected from him (as a player, not a human) 

It's been a while since I have been to Wrigley.  Are the shadows still a factor with a 5 PM start in early October?

1 hour ago, Bertz said:

Craig playing it straight

 

Hopefully they do well because all Cubs batters in lineup have a terrible numbers against Darvish. 

5 minutes ago, Connor McConnor said:

It's been a while since I have been to Wrigley.  Are the shadows still a factor with a 5 PM start in early October?

I wouldn't think so.

1 hour ago, Outshined_One said:

People are crapping on PCA and Happ for not hitting, but he's been as bad as them without anyone commenting on it.

To be fair - No. 1 he's our 9 hole hitter and the expectations were not as high for him. 

12 minutes ago, Connor McConnor said:

It's been a while since I have been to Wrigley.  Are the shadows still a factor with a 5 PM start in early October?

4PM but shouldn't be an issue

8 minutes ago, Caesar said:

Hopefully they do well because all Cubs batters in lineup have a terrible numbers against Darvish. 

Pretty small sample size by all of them. And all when Darvish was a better pitcher than he is now. Darvish has really regressed this year. Not sure comparing what the Cubs did against him years ago, when he was actually good, is relevant today. But your right. They didn’t hit a younger, better, Darvish in the past.

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Pretty small sample size by all of them. And all when Darvish was a better pitcher than he is now. Darvish has really regressed this year. Not sure comparing what the Cubs did against him years ago, when he was actually good, is relevant today. But your right. They didn’t hit a younger, better, Darvish in the past.

I hope you’re right. They need 4 runs to win today anything less and you’re asking the pitchers to be perfect. Score 5 and I guarantee a win..

2 minutes ago, Caesar said:

I hope you’re right. They need 4 runs to win today anything less and you’re asking the pitchers to be perfect. Score 5 and I guarantee a win..

I almost forgot! Yu Darvish is a mental ****** and cracks under pressure so hopefully this will come into play.

10 minutes ago, Caesar said:

I almost forgot! Yu Darvish is a mental ****** and cracks under pressure so hopefully this will come into play.

This tracks as his career playoff ERA is all of 0.12 runs higher than his career regular season ERA, good call. 

Just put up a 10 spot in the 1st and coast to victory

2 hours ago, Outshined_One said:

People are crapping on PCA and Happ for not hitting, but he's been as bad as them without anyone commenting on it.

Probably because people expect less than nothing from him.

36 minutes ago, Caesar said:

I almost forgot! Yu Darvish is a mental ****** and cracks under pressure so hopefully this will come into play.

Guy who can't figure out the Quote button is calling a hall of fame athlete a mental ******, sure

I'm fully expecting Darvish to give up 5 in the 2nd, and then, as he is walking off , he'll rip off his Padres jersey to reveal a "FO23VR" t-shirt.  Then laugh maniacally as he shouts "I've been a Cub this entire time!"  The long con is the best con!

12 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Guy who can't figure out the Quote button is calling a hall of fame athlete a mental ******, sure

Relax keyboard monitor ! Is he related to you? Calm down Sally!