If the Cubs don't win this one Maddon is going to have a hard time explaining why he pulled Lester after 77 pitches.
I think the Dodgers may have shot their wad just getting to the NLCS. Again the Cub most unlikely gets a pinch hit salami to win the game. If Kershaw loses game two, looks most likely that the Dodgers could get swept.
...Cubs win!...Cubs win!. ...according to Maddon, Lester didn't have his best stuff last night and the Dodgers were squaring up on a lot of pitches...said he was also hoping to tack on a run in the 5th when he pinch hit for Jon...so he took a chance on his very well rested BP.
what looked imo like an off day for CK, turns out to give up 2 Hits, w/reporter's very ignorantly comparing Janssen to Mo, say WTF- Jansen will never be a Mo', in fact, there will only be one Mo'... and he's retired.....42...! (now I know why I miss Scully, fk u Rose, A=Roid & the rest of the crew)... 6 K's at Wrigley in 7 IP an off night for a tired CK; (his lifetime avg: with a 9.5 K per 9 IP), still a dull blade used the team more, than depending on his arm, and damn it when will the Cubs realize in most cases, CK likes the off-speed curve, like the one M. Adams launched into RF stands of St. Louis last yr..... According to Elias, Kershaw tied Jerry Reuss (Game 2, 1981 NLDS) and Sandy Koufax (Game 1, 1963 World Series) for the longest no-hit bid by a Dodgers pitcher in the postseason at 4 2/3 innings. I'd never believe this much, had it of not been mentioned here, I thought Koufax had better PS success than only 4 2/3 no hit PS innings, (and he did in many ways CK may never see)...
Game 4: Dodgers holding a 2 - 1 games lead. Cubbies break out in 4th inning for a 4-0 lead. Lots of game left.
All Cubs tonight as their offense wakes up and has put up ten runs so far. It looks like 2-2 heading back to Chicago. I can still see this going seven.
Roberts' relief pitchers leave much to be desired. If Dodger starters do not excel, they are in trouble. Javier Baez is elite; love the way this kid attacks the ball at the plate; exceptional fielder with excellent baseball instincts. Cubs' MVP.
I do not know how the rest of you feel about the Yankees bidding for Aroldis Chapman this off season, but I personally would stay away.
I'm hoping the Yankees will pass on Chapman myself, but with Cashman in charge anything is possible to include trying to sign Bautista or Enacarnation.
...Chapman runs a little too "hot and cold" to suit me...I'd rather the Yanx make other arrangements.
Were you aware Roberts has used the Bullpen in more innings than the Starters throughout the year; crazy eh...??? They look tired, broken down, ready to fall on their face any game now. Like CK, who will self destruct sooner or later, ie breakdown, back spasms...??? I feel the same. AC is not a shutdown, slam the door closed closer. He gives up too many runs, by runner's he's inherited on the basepaths. As a SP, I'd be pissed to see their ERA's go up, while AC seems to be inconsistent at times. A Closer s/b the model of consistency, but ye' all knew that....I still think Miller was the better of the two, as well as most others here...!
I'd like to see Sevey become a middle innings guy, did better at that than starting last year. Bring Mo to spring training to a closer that may be in house.
...^^^ yeah, indeed he did, nice tip Michael, he only got better after being introduced out of the BP in mid relief. Severino had a season high era of 7.46 as of May 13th. Once he seemed to become entrenched in middle relief, his stats in fact only got better. While working his era down to 5.83, mid relief seems tailor made for Luis...! Hope the kid explodes next year, He turns 23 in Feb...still very impressionable. Mo' I hope becomes a lifetime fixture during ST, then some. One can't have enough Mo' or Cowbell....!!~~!!
To me you know what you're getting in Chapman. The rest would be a lot of experimenting for a pen that lets face it after the trades wasn't very good. If you can grab Chapman back and then have him and Betances in the 8th and 9th they can set their sights on fixing other needs. It's all conjecture at this point because depending on what happens Chapman's asking price might have them think twice.
