raw

Deadly combo of "can't reach the outside pitch" and "can't catch up to the inside heat"

Got Murphy out. Things already looking up from last time they faced him in the playoffs.

Late to this thread, but I think Lackey is on the roster for the reasons stated. He's there as insurance in case Arrieta can't start in Game 4 (which is where I think they'll slot him). And he's there out of respect for his career or whatever. If Almora is able to go, then the decision for 25th man basically comes down to a pinch runner, 3rd catcher, or 12th pitcher. I don't see Martin's baserunning having that much importance. He's not even as good a baserunner/stealer as Quintin Berry who didn't make the playoff roster in 2015. OF defense isn't an issue with Almora, Jay, and Heyward able to be out there late in games. Happ's been good out there. And Zobrist won't kill you in LF. Rivera has an interesting argument though. Taking a 3rd catcher could make Avila a primary LH PH late in games. He's a really good defensive catcher that can also throw out basestealers. Part of me wonders if they take him at the expense of Wilson or even LaStella. I'd say no for now with the Nationals LH bats and hard throwing RHPs. Those other 2 are shoe-ins to play big roles. Also, I think Maddon tries to minimize strikeouts while also getting LH bats in there vs. Scherzer. I'd definitely sit Javy if Max is able to go Game 1. But I'd think if that happens you'd see the combo of Zobrist, Jay, LaStella in LF, CF and 2B respectively. Zobrist's obviously has a ton of playoff experience and success, so I don't think you see him sitting in the playoffs, maybe ever. He also has 3 HRs vs. Scherzer in his career. Of course, you could use the same strategy vs. Strasburg, though he doesn't have any noticeable splits vs. LHBs. He did strike out 13 Cubs in 7 innings in his start this year. So, you could see an emphasis put on putting the ball in play as much as possible.

8 celebrations in 3 years. Never gets old.

Bryant may have had 1 more step.

ADDY!

Wacha is horsefeathering on tonight.

The Steelers' game plan was really bad. I follow one of the Steelers bloggers on Twitter, and he's pointing out several big running plays where the Steelers were just not equipped to stop the run at all. Bears would be in single back with 3 TEs, and the Steelers would be in a cover 2 shell, with 7 in the box (8 blockers for Bears, 5 OL + 3 TEs). Or they'd be in a 4-3 under with 300lb Cam Heyward having outside contain against the obviously fast Cohen. They even A-gap blitzed a few times when the Bears were gashing them with the outside zone, completely taking their LBs out of the play. Really looked like the Steelers gameplanned without taking into account their opponent. As for Glennon's performance and the drops......I wonder how much of drops can be related to the QB? Like a pitcher who is wild and either walks or Ks a lot of hitters then gives up a ball in play. The fielder may not be 100% into the game because he's been just standing there for 20-25 pitches, then boots a ball. Glennon misses open receivers or checksdown so much, it's gotta be hard for WRs to catch the ball when they aren't expecting it because they are being covered tightly. Read yesterday that Mariota has had the lowest # of drops this year and finished w/ the lowest drops last year. He has a quick release, spreads the ball around, and generally doesn't miss too many open opportunities.

Sit your bitch ass down PHAM

This ump has been pretty good.

The hell you do that for Almora? Reds now within 1.

Being a better pitcher There's really no evidence to back this up. Hendricks incredible 2016? Yeah, Quintana had a higher WAR. This year in total? Quintana. The last 30 days? Quintana. What are you basing it on? You're giving Quintana a boost for 5.1 WAR vs. 5.0 in 2016, but then going to last 30 days to dismiss 3.2 WAR to 2.5 in Hendricks favor this year? Main difference in 2016 was 18 innings more than Quintana pitched. Hendricks peripherals better across the board.

That plan may have been the plan before the season or before the last 2 games. Just reporting what I've read (Brad Biggs column). But the week 8 theory makes some sense using flawed John Fox logic. Didn't start him the first 3 weeks, this is a short week. Not enough prep for Mitch. Next 3 games are strong defenses: Minnesota, Baltimore, Carolina. New Orleans gives him a chance to start on the road without all the home game hype. It also gives him a chance to start and then the Bears have an extra week to evaluate him and fix whatever needs to be tweaked during the bye. Like I said, it's not very sound logic, but it probably makes sense to a person that is willing to start a QB after a 100 yard passing game following a disaster start coming off a bad preseason when you have a potentially elite player behind him......if Fox is in fact willing to start Glennon.

Just for fun let's start an IF of Caratini, Zobrist, Freeman and LaStella the day after we clinch and see how bad it gets And Schwarber is catching Jon Lester.

He's clearly our best starter right now. I dont really mind if Lester gets game 1. Even I kind of expect him to come up big in the big game even though he's been struggling, and he was improved last night. But then game 2 has to go to Hendricks. Lester/Hendricks/Q/Jake/Lester is what I expect. Hendricks/Q/Lester/Jake/Hendricks is what I would probably go with Lester/Jake/Q/Hendricks/Lester is what Dusty would do, and if Joe does it Ill jump on the fire Joe bandwagon What's the argument for Hendricks over Quintana? Being a better pitcher

Nacho guy's shirt is tight as horsefeathers.

Ahahaha. This is the best game ever!

There's been multiple people around the Bears hinting that the Bears have targeted the Saints game in New Orleans as the game Trubisky takes over the starting QB job. For those scoring at home, that's Week 8.

Goldman has been really good in the 2 close games. It's no secret why the Bears have had success shutting down the run despite shuffling ILBs in and out.

Starting him Thursday also gives a division rival little time to prepare for a QB change. The Texans started Watson week 2, on a Thursday night. Of course, he did get into the game week 1. It wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to start him this week. If you think he honestly gives the team the best chance to win and today's win may have salvaged the team's chances at competing this year....you kinda have to play him this week. if you play him, don't announce it Agreed.

Yeah in some ways I feel bad but man that kind of thing just cannot happen. Oh well, we won despite it and I'm sure he learned his lesson. Huge letters in the endzone. Run til you step on orange. No excuse for that play.

i mentioned this at some point before, but green bay's defense is so bad. i know everyone wants to give trubisky that long week to prep for minnesota, but that's a much better defense than green bay. there's not gonna be some ideal scenario, but the vaunted packers are as easy a target as any. Starting him Thursday also gives a division rival little time to prepare for a QB change. The Texans started Watson week 2, on a Thursday night. Of course, he did get into the game week 1. It wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to start him this week. If you think he honestly gives the team the best chance to win and today's win may have salvaged the team's chances at competing this year....you kinda have to play him this week.

They could win the 2nd wildcard and could face them in the NLCS.

We will see where Maddon puts him in the rotation. If he's the 4th starter his potential impact will be limited due to only having 3 starts at most. Eh. 4th in one series doesn't mean 4th in all of them. 4th in NLDS that goes 5, could mean 2nd or 3rd in NLCS....if that goes 6 or 7, he could be in line for Game 1 of the WS and potentially a 2nd or 3rd start if he's performing well.

That's pretty funny. Quintana 13 starts, Montgomery 13 starts, Butler 11, Hendricks missed about 7 starts.