JUSTgottaBELIEVE

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 21, 2016 -> 04:37 PM) Soxtalk majority has been so anti NL for a long time. Cmon anybody deny this? Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball regardless of league but he would not have a career ERA of 2.37 if he pitched in the AL. Also, AL is the superior league, just take a look at interleague results since 2004. http://www.stevetheump.com/interleague.htm

A strong DH can still offer a ton of value. If you believe in the second half Jose, he is worth 3-4 wins (even as a full time DH). If you think he's more like the first half Jose, then yea he has negative value. I tend to think the first half Jose is the outlier and the other 2.5 seasons are the Jose to expect over the next 3 years.

Maeda gave them a chance to win last night but Roberts use of the bullpen was very Ventura-like. Questionable at best. Cubs are heavy favorites to close this thing out but you never know. They were in a similar situation (I would say even better situation) in 2003 and couldn't get it done, so we'll see.

The numbers all point to an easy win for the Cubs tonight but I have this gut feeling that Maeda pulls a magic act and the Dodgers bullpen hangs on to a close low scoring game. I could be completely wrong but something tells me Maeda is due for a strong outing.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/page/playo...ge-knotted-nlcs Found this quote from a scout interesting: "They won't beat Kershaw," he said, unequivocally. "And I think they will struggle again with Hill. Anyone who pitches in and changes speeds will have success against the Cubs right now. Any kind of downer breaking ball destroys them."

Well if you are going to lose might as well get crushed and save the good relievers for tomorrow night. Tough decision for Roberts but I don't see how you hold Kershaw back for game 6. There's a very good chance that whoever wins tomorrow night wins the series so why wouldn't you want your best starter on the mound?

Pretty conclusive based on last replay

Thankfully Heyward and Russell are hitting like pitchers right now though Russell did send it for a little ride there

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 19, 2016 -> 05:55 PM) The Indians just perfected the Royals postseason bullpen plan. So many similarities between this team and 2014-2015 Royals (except much better manager). AL Central very well represented the last 3 years. Hahn has some work to do this offseason.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 19, 2016 -> 12:54 PM) Why would the Cubs not sign whomever they WANT to keep? Cubs have tons of money. They spend as much as anybody don't they? Why wouldn't they keep all their studs? Who's available? The only known commodities in their starting rotation beyond next season are Lester and Hendricks. Lester is at an age where I would expect to see a gradual decline in coming seasons and many saber folks have been saying Hendricks way over performed this season based on his peripherals (we'll see). Arrieta, Lackey, and Hammel all hit free agency after next season (aside from Arrieta, I don't think they would want to bring back Lackey and Hammel at their age). The free agent class of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 doesn't look all that promising for starting pitching either. Unless he falls off next year, I would think Arrieta is the headliner of the free agent SP class in 2017/2018. And what makes you think they have unlimited budget? I mean they already have $40M+ AAV locked into two players for a long time (Heyward and Lester) and Arrieta will likely command a similar contract to Lester after next year (maybe more if he reverts back to ace form next season). Also, they have a whole lot of very good players hitting arbitration starting in 2017.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Oct 19, 2016 -> 09:41 AM) An effective 4th or 5th starter is still pretty valuable though. Sure but I think that's best case. Just as likely to put up numbers similar to a 2015 John Danks. That wouldn't be a terrible thing but definitely a step back from the production they got out of the #4/5 slots this season.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Oct 19, 2016 -> 09:30 AM) Yea, im sure every time a trade is made, teams make sure every player traded away wont be good And heck, the Cubs started him 5 times after they acquired him so obviously they feel like he isnt worth starting Montgomery reminds me of Travis Wood. Effective in short spurts out of the pen but very average if used as a starter over the course of a full season. Best case scenario, he's a #4 or #5.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 19, 2016 -> 07:15 AM) Between Baez, Contreras, Schwarber, Soler and possibly Russell, they can afford to deal at least two of those guys... If they continue struggling the rest of the series with lefties, there's going to be a temptation to overreact and try to find another RH hitting power bat. Of course, Soler is the obvious odd man out, but he won't bring back much at this point. A lot depends on whether Fowler returns. I'm not sure they want to pay him $17.2 million next year. They can move Heyward back to center, which gives them room for another power bat on the corner but weakens the defense a bit. Schwarber can't be traded until his value is back up and he returns to form from his injury. Why would they trade Contreras? He's their starting catcher next year. I also don't see them trading Baez or Russell. Soler isn't bringing back anything of value and Schwarber still has a long road ahead. Even if he returns fully healthy, he's a DH which severely limits his trade value.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Oct 19, 2016 -> 06:55 AM) I think they end up dealing for a young, cost-controlled arm. Likely but they are going to need a few of those in the coming years and their minor league system isn't nearly as deep as it used to be.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 19, 2016 -> 01:52 AM) Schwarber has nothing to do with their losing this year. It would be quite easy to argue that it gave Baez an opportunity to emerge, and Contreras as well. Not to mention they had Soler there in reserve as well. The odds are greater of a pitching going down next season, and that will have much more of an impact than removing one cog in that offense. Pitching. Yes the Cubs offense has been very good and the defense has been excellent but it's their pitching that's done the heavy lifting this year and the one area that could lead to an unfulfilled dynasty. With very few top arms waiting in the minors, losing Chapman to free agency this offseason, Arrieta, Hammel, and Lackey next, and Lester approaching the back end of his career, they could have a serious pitching problem sooner than most foresee. It's the reason why I think this year and next year are their two best chances of winning a World Series before the young core of infielders hits free agency.

So he went from 5 pitches to 21 pitches by pitching the 9th. That's a big difference. If he isn't used tomorrow it's no big deal but I'd sure like to have him available for two innings tomorrow with young Urias starting.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Oct 18, 2016 -> 10:23 PM) They must of saw the Giants series. Cubs generally don't just give up. Who does in the playoffs? So they came back from a 3 run deficit in one game and now they need to burn out their closer to hold a 6 run lead? That doesn't make sense to me.

LOL. That's what it takes for Rizzo to get a hit these days. But those are also the kinds of hits that can break guys out of slumps.

Why bring back Jansen with a 6 run lead? Would be nice to have him available for both games 4 and 5 if needed.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Oct 18, 2016 -> 10:11 PM) do not do this It is annoying though. If you are going to troll and be extremely vocal when things are going well at least be there to face the music when things aren't. At least I could somewhat respect that. But to disappear when things go south is cowardly.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 18, 2016 -> 09:57 PM) I honestly hate it at this point. It's like "woe is us, we deserve the world series. We have to be the center of attention no matter what". Focus on the winning team fox. But that's not as fun

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Oct 18, 2016 -> 09:53 PM) All of the sad cubs fan faces, they just keep cutting to them It's my favorite part of the postseason

Was Addison crying?

Maddon nearing panic mode. Pinch hitting awful Heyward. Moving guys around in the lineup. I have to imagine he will have a VERY short leash on Lackey tomorrow.

Heyward pinch hitting for Russell? Yikes that's embarrassing for Russell