Cubswin11

Hot start

We’ve scored 1 less run than the Astros in 13 less innings. They’ve won 2 games in their series. Playoff baseball is a mysterious beast

Maybe they come back and win this series. Maybe they don't. Great teams end most seasons with a playoff series loss. Either way, 3 straight NLCS trips is pretty effing sweet. Before this run, there had been 8 NLCS games ever played at Wrigley Field. We're guaranteed to have 7 in the last 3 years and probably 8. Yup, and this core should be in the playoffs more times than not in the next 5-8 years (Russell will be a year younger and Bryant a year older than Justin Turner is right now 8 years from now, lol, and Hendricks will probably still being shutting guys down with a 75 MPH fastball) with multiple NLCS trips in there. That being said, horsefeathers it. Just win this series you jerks.

Looks like a winner

In Games 2 and 3 last year in the NLCS we scored 0 runs on 7 hits combined in those 2 games. This horsefeathers happens in the playoffs, I’m optimistic we can overcome it.

Well, I haven't been posting much lately, but I vehemently disagree with your take and specifically the "MLB doesn't need more teams" part. That's weird on so many levels. IF and I can only assume if you've ever wondered what you'd do as the hypothetical commissioner of MLB if you were given that power... well, you certainly can't make that statement. Some reporter asks you about possible expansion and your response is, "Nah. I'm good. We're good... We have enough teams and don't want to expand to new markets and potentially create new fans/TV markets. Why bother? I mean who gives a horsefeathers about expansion teams amirite?" That's how I interpreted your response lol. It's idiotic and dumb because expansion happens in every sport and it's ultimately a good thing. A lot of posters on here complain about the amateur draft and the horsefeathers rules for signing Int. FA's (I agree with some of their points about how unfair it is), but no one complains about the lack of expansion teams in MLB. Expansion teams create new jobs and opportunities for the players. It creates more competition in free agency, especially in the beginning when they have no salary commitments. The Players Union will ALWAYS be in favor of expansion and rightfully so. There are other benefits too. Another trading partner for the Cubs (and for other teams too). It creates a new generation of fans who grow up rooting and supporting that team. There were NO Nationals fans going back a couple decades and obviously there are many now. More fans and increased viewership is always a good thing. It also makes realignment easier with 32 teams instead of the 30 teams we have currently. Sorry about the rant, but I really hate people and posters that complain about expansion (in any sport). It's always a good thing. I don't really care where they expand as long as they do their due diligence and go to a market that will properly support the team. Montreal and Portland/Charlotte seem fine to me in that regard. I get the commish can't publicly make that statement but he can have the anti-expansion feelings. And I have thought about things I'd do and have posted them before I don't remember all but off top of my head they'd be 1. DH both leagues 2. Expand 25-man roster to 26 or 27 (more jobs!) 3. Automate K-zone/Robot Umps 4. Go back to old rules or near old rules on the amateur draft/IFA (teams should be able to spend whatever they want) 5. Change the qualifying offer/compensation a bit. I don't like just the blanket rule now, I think there should be 3 tiers of QO's teams can offer a pending FA. Tier one would be like it is now, basically only given to top line talent/teams only losing first round pick for signing top line talent. A tier 2 QO would be for less money to the player (let's say $5-7 mil less) and the signing team would forfeit a 3rd or 5th round pick roughly, tier 3 would be another ~$5 mil less on the QO and the team signing would forfeit some IFA money/10th round pick. Tier 1 teams who tender the QO and lose a guy would be compensated back like now, tier 2 maybe add another supplemental round around after round 4/5 and they get a pick there, and tier 3 the team gets compensated some additional draft/IFA pool money. 6. Do better policing of the teams taking advantage of the 10-day DL rule like the Dodgers did this year As for expansion, no it is not always good and I have problems with it. First it potentially dilutes the talent pool, or at least is a cause for concern for a sport that isn't necessarily growing (especially at youth levels). Second there's already teams in the league that are struggling like many have pointed out. These teams struggle to stand by themselves and are basically subsidized/underwritten by larger markets/massive national TV deals/revenue sharing. Adding two teams potentially strains that and makes it harder for some teams to really make it. Also I think it takes a decent assumption of risk to assume these massive national TV deals are always going to be there and keep getting larger to help support and underwrite everything. A lot of the major networks are struggling and who knows what's going to be there in future for these massive deals that are needed to support growth. If you want to go to new markets fine, but do it through relocation and not expansion.

I’m fine with the idea outside of the expansion part. MLB doesn’t need more teams.

Betances has gone full Marmol

He's only 33 still. A little early to start talking about drafting an heir apparent unless this injury shortens his career. Plus unless they Really suck without Rodgers, they aren't finishing top 5 pick. How are they not going to really suck? They are going to suck but already at 4 wins they probably will win 1 to 3 more games, they have the Browns, Bears, Vikings, Lions x2, Bucs and Ravens left on the schedule. There’s a win or 3 in there and that’s enough to keep them closer to pick 10/12 than top 5 probably.

What a dumb inning and stupid HR

This is something

I don’t remember Charlie Morton having stuff like this on the Pirates

Was there any conversation after the game about Rizzo's hand? I assume he's okay but he isn't going to get x-rays or anything, right?

I wouldn't be so certain Contreras won the argument/decision with red ass Lackey on what pitch to throw. Both the pitches to Taylor and Turner.

Also KB probably had 3 beers Thursday he’s probably still hungover. Should be good to go by Tuesday.

This is all so dumb but also not that different of a spot we were in, in the CS/WS last year where the offense looked like horsefeathers then got going in a series. Bad news is I don’t think we are getting any short rest starts vs us but I’m still cautiously optimistic that after Wednesday this series is tied 2-2

No Davis and no Schwarber or even LaStella for Almora is just horsefeathering awful

Or like the CS and WS last year

He should’ve started yesterday and just gone until his arm fell off the let everyone get rested

MF’ers

Ugh

No Schwarber here??

I think, like Wade, he moves the velo around a bit on the cutter

Bryant saw so many good pitches to hit tonight