Yeah...if this was the pre-3 batter minimum era, I'd be ok with letting Cuas pitch until someone gets on base, but would be brutal to bring in Alzolay with the tying run at the plate because you tried to get cute and avoid using him.
So do you take no chances and bring Alzolay in with 2-3-4 coming up and a 4+ run lead, or do you get cute and try to steal 3 outs with Cuas to try to keep Alzolay fresh?
I'm really looking forward to that 3 off days in 8 days stretch coming up after 16 straight games. Good chance to recharge, skip a Stroman start and get the pen rested.
OK, would have loved to get the runner from 2nd home with 0 outs, but a lot more comfortable with a 4 run lead and 6 outs to get instead of a 3 run lead with 9 outs to get.
OK Leiter is done and Merryweather is in. Wonder if they'll try to get 2 from Merryweather and if he can't get through, another 4+ out save attempt for Alzolay.
Cubs have 3 other pitchers besides Kay and whats left of Leiter (if he's still in) to get the last 9 outs so we can avoid it but the margin for error is low
It's a bullpen game so those 3 are almost certainly going to have to pitch. Assuming Fulmer couldn't go any further, I'm ok with Palencia coming in but he had absolutely no command today and shouldn't have been allowed to walk the bases loaded for the top of the Braves lineup.
I get that Ross wanted to avoid using Leiter for more than an inning at all costs but it was plainly clear Palencia couldnt find the strike zone. Even 2 of the strikes he did get were balls that the ump called incorrectly.
That was still so bad. 2 runs allowed and now we're really going to have to stretch out Leiter and Merryweather or put someone like Cuas or Kay in there to survive the game.