squally1313

I like Castro over Baez here. Find a hole.

DONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

"Baez swings and misses....looks like a change up that was up near the shoulders" Less than ideal.

The confident Cubs fans feel like we already have a playoff spot locked up and focus on things that aren't probable but still possible. The other fans like me get annoyed at the confident ones because we haven't in our mind clinched a spot and just want to focus on whatever makes that the most possible. No doubt that it's more fun to be a confident Cubs fans, but I still want you all to screw off. Fine, but how would the Cubs winning when the Cardinals lose, today, negatively impact the Cubs' playoff chances in any way, shape or form? Unless they're playing the Giants or the Dodgers, why would anyone be bothered by people wanting the Cardinals to lose? I think it's just when it's phrased in a "Cardinals are doing this, Pirates are doing this, therefore (implied), it'd be really nice if the Cubs win". Unless the Pirates have suddenly become a hated rival, I assume they are being listed for playoff purposes. I agree ARCubswhatever seems to have a Cardinals obsession, it's just a little weird when you put it like that. And yes, I get a little surge of joy when I see the Cardinals losing too, but at this point it's more for its intrinsic value than it is when i see the Pirates losing.

Those look like...favorable estimates. Montero and Schwarber specifically. Yeah wow, Montero is way high. Thought he had a season in the upper 20s. Schwarber might be a little high, but I think putting around 90 on Schwarber/Bryant/Rizzo for a year wouldn't be too far off.

Just running some quick math, this lineup over a full season could pretty easily put up 195 home runs just from these 8 guys. Dodgers are leading the NL and are on pace for 193. Which is fun. Fowler 15 Schwarber 35 Coghlan or Soler 20 Bryant 30 Rizzo 30 Montero 25 Baez 25 Russell 15

BAPIP!

HAHAHAHAHA radio guys are discussing how Pearl Jam came up with the name of the band. Ummmmm.....

You wanted the coaching staff to make him take an 0-1 pitch....in an effort to strike out less? Yes? Like he said, that particular 0-1 pitch; it was pretty likely he was going to try to go outside. It's not like he's saying that should have him lay off all 0-1 pitches. I mean, in the sense that most pitchers who go up 0-1 are going to intend to go outside the zone against Baez, sure. But I think having to give a take sign there would be the sign of a much bigger issue. Pitchers, especially bums like this guy (tonight being a dumb exception), do miss spots occasionally.

You wanted the coaching staff to make him take an 0-1 pitch....in an effort to strike out less?

I know, right? Hendry would have got Joe Blanton and Johnny Gomes and only given up 3 of our top 10 prospects. I still curse Brendan Harris and Ray Sadler's names. you make a good point, Hendry really never traded any good prospects at the trade deadline changing subjects, who do you guys think will win AL MVP this year Just saying....you also could have gone with the AL Cy Young.

You don't have a spot for Javy or just taking a wait and see approach? I also think they might be holding a spot for Berry as their Dyson. Who do you take off for Javy or Berry? Do you really need a 3rd backup OF, especially with Coghlan also being able to play there? Javy will have to really hit his way on the team, unless Soler doesn't make it back. I really think Jackson makes Denorfia expendable. You'll have Jackson and Bryant capable of covering all three positions if needed, and then Coghlan too. I'm pulling for Baez as much as anyone, but I don't know if he'd be the type to contribute much in a situation where he'd be getting one at bat a game against, most likely, a top reliever. Barry on the other hand...I don't see how Denorfia, as the second or third RH option off the bench, offers more than he does The way Maddon has been talking Javy up and the way he's willing to put young players right in there for regular playing time, I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the lineup 3-4 times a week or more in September Yeah I think Coghlan is the real wild card in all of this. While the metrics like him defensively, it's pretty clear to anyone who watches that he's a liability wherever he plays. If Baez shows any sort of offensive output, it gets to be a real debate on which two of Coghlan/Baez/Jackson/Soler get the 2B/RF spots. Jackson and Baez gives you the best defense, but probably the least offensive production. Guess we have a month to see what they all can do. In terms of actual roster, is there any chance we can convince Lester to leave Ross off the roster? Or is his defense too important with Lester's yips? In an ideal world, I'd love to roll with these 13: Montero Rizzo Coghlan Russell Bryant Schwarber Fowler Jackson Soler Baez Castro Berry LaStella If Ross has to make it, then I think it comes down to punting Castro or LaStella. Castro is the better player, but LaStella gives you the lefty bat.

You don't have a spot for Javy or just taking a wait and see approach? I also think they might be holding a spot for Berry as their Dyson. Who do you take off for Javy or Berry? Do you really need a 3rd backup OF, especially with Coghlan also being able to play there? Javy will have to really hit his way on the team, unless Soler doesn't make it back. I really think Jackson makes Denorfia expendable. You'll have Jackson and Bryant capable of covering all three positions if needed, and then Coghlan too. I'm pulling for Baez as much as anyone, but I don't know if he'd be the type to contribute much in a situation where he'd be getting one at bat a game against, most likely, a top reliever. Barry on the other hand...I don't see how Denorfia, as the second or third RH option off the bench, offers more than he does

don't think it has anything to do with soler's health Yeah, maybe it's just a Denorfia/Sczcur upgrade. I just wonder if they're worried about Soler getting healthy right at the end of the year since there won't be anywhere to go for a quick rehab assignment. I guess just hope we've got a spot locked up with a week to go so we have some games to play with.

This is such a low risk move that it doesn't necessarily imply anything, but I would think this doesn't look good for seeing Soler again this year.

I was really, really hoping this was going to be the full scene and I could watch it on loop until this game starts.

I was really, really hoping this was going to be the full scene and I could watch it on loop until this game starts.

That should just about do it. It's been fun.

All of baseball is OPSing 546 against him this year. Please. Just stop.

James Russell is (somehow) 1-2 against him in his career. Is there any way we can get his bat into the lineup?

Counting today, Haren has faced Locke, Jungmann, Sale, Williams Perez, and Bumgarner Since the deadline Hendricks has faced Garza, Cain, Samardzija, Miller, and Peavy Please stop, you have no idea what you're talking about The only good pitcher Arrieta has faced in the 2nd half is Shelby Miller and Cole Hamels The only good pitcher Lester has faced in the 2nd half is Kluber. The rotation got all messed up when maddon started lester on short rest after the PPD game vs. the pirates. Jesus you would be so much more tolerable (and that's saying something, because you still wouldn't be) if you would just admit when you're wrong. Have your weird opinions and ideas on what's going on. When you get proven wrong, very explicitly, just take it. Like every other poster in here is capable of doing.

There's one more.

Just watching through Gameday, but the first strike to Belt was about the worst called strike I've seen on there.

Yeah and they are effing delicious. You'll taste them for about 4 days though.

That's an interesting hypothetical. You might have been talking about the old old system (pre-any wild card), but given how we're playing now, would you rather have the current set up which pretty much guarantees a one game playoff, or just have one wild card team get in and be forced to overtake Pittsburgh by the end of the year?