kente777

You mean like the 2015 Cubs in the NLCS? This team has not hit well in the postseason. We did just enough to get by Washington. Bryzzo is 1-14 in this series and Baez is swinging at dirt balls and birds. We've got to win tonight (actually, I thought Game 2 was a must win). Our bats are certainly capable of breaking out at our home park, but this postseason sample size (so far) does little to give me great confidence that the Cubs can pull this out. Given that, I am not worried. I believe we will pass the test tonight. You...realize they got shut out two games in a row by the Dodgers in the 2016 NLCS right? By Kershaw and Rich Hill? Yes, and you....realize they rebounded and won the series to win the Pennant?

It does get easier though. We don't have to face Scherzer or Strasburg again. Darvish is good, but has been a little worse than Hill was this year when healthy. Alex Wood is a clear step down from every other starter we've seen (besides maybe Gio, who didn't pitch well) when you look at what he's done in the second half after only pitching 60 innings last year. I get that we're in a hole, and so odds are their prediction that it's too late to climb out is right. It's really hard to win four out of five against anyone, much less the best team in the NL and/or all of baseball. And it's impossible (or would be dumb) to draw conclusions one way or another over the next 2+ games because it's an even smaller amount of PAs. We were a slightly above average offensive team this year, much better in the second half. That's still the team going into tonight. Bryant isn't a 45% K guy, Baez has (multiple) hits in his career. There's 'righting the ship' in terms of getting our statistics back to a reasonable level, but there's no 'righting the ship' when it comes to 'remembering how to hit'. It's still the same guys. OK? My point is still that it's going to be equally not surprising if they don't do a damn thing tonight or if they score 10. It's not some crazy leap to worry that their beyond the pale offensive struggles can continue for just 2 more games when they're still facing pitchers who can most charitably be described as "maybe less good." You mean like the 2015 Cubs in the NLCS? This team has not hit well in the postseason. We did just enough to get by Washington. Bryzzo is 1-14 in this series and Baez is swinging at dirt balls and birds. We've got to win tonight (actually, I thought Game 2 was a must win). Our bats are certainly capable of breaking out at our home park, but this postseason sample size (so far) does little to give me great confidence that the Cubs can pull this out. Given that, I am not worried. I believe we will pass the test tonight.

I see we got the “we’re ahead late in this one” lineup.

Q looks fine, "and dare I say, better than (God)."

I'm assuming this is sarcasm. Faith doesn't win baseball games. Talent and execution does. Go Cubs! Really? Faith won that game last night? LMAO

NIce pitch.

Ladies and gentleman, may I present to you...the Bullpen.

Maybe there'll be a late game rain delay.

Maddon is making amends for pulling Hendricks early in Game 7. It's a small gesture, but I'm pretty sure that's why he almost got on base due to an error.

You can't serve a meatball like that and not expect to get spaghetti all over your face. Damn. Still early, but damn...

Nicely said.

Hell yeah, Javy!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suspect you're right. I hope you're wrong.

Don't use Q. Hendricks and Montgomery(and I guess Lackey) can get you 6 innings. I'd be stunned, STUNNED, if Hendricks runs into some early trouble and Joe doesn't panic and go to Quintana if the game is still relatively close. This is Maddon's weak link, IMO. I think it's something the team sees too. Maddon talks a lot about trust. Living up to the challenge. Etc. etc. But he contradicts himself when he panics and denies trust with those players who got them there in the first place. I like Maddon, but he seems to be "less good" of a manager in the post season than the regular season. I trust Hendricks. I hope Joe does as well. Go Cubs.

I'm assuming this is sarcasm. Faith doesn't win baseball games. Talent and execution does. Go Cubs!