SonofaRoache

Sign a FA, Gio, DK, Kopech, Cease.

Yes, if he can get better control of his pitches. Not a playoff starter though.

Mazara scared to even swing.

Pressure doesn't have to be yelling and screaming. He needs to know that results are expected from him soon or he could lose his spot. If he wants that money bag, he will comply.

We support the team, that is why people are discouraged with Lopez starting. And he needs pressure turned up on him to get the best out of him. The training wheels are off, LFG!

That cannot happen today. We need to treat this game like a bullpen day with our best ready to go at a moment's notice. Especially with Monday and Thursday off.

We are 4 and 8 against teams with winning records. We are 9 and 1 against the Tigers and Royals. This is a very good thing for us and shows how far we've come. However, respect is still earned. If our guys want to be considered one of the best, they will need to prove themselves against the best. We have an opportunity to tell Minnesota and Cleveland that the end is near for them. So Let's do it!

I wouldn't call their schedule very easy. They have a lot of games against the Rays and Yankees left. Boston will start winning a few more games as will the Mets and Phillies.

Cubs fans are not happy with their lineup.

No McCann next year we need to get over it.

Ricky trying to determine if Lester is a lefty or righty.

The problem with this is that Mazara has most seen right handed pitching before he came aboard. He was a 0 WAR caliber player all in all. So his solid output facing righties was negated by his weaknesses.

Since 2015, when the Cubs became good, we are 10 and 14 against them. In 2005 when we were great and they sucked, we split with them 3-3. In 2000 when we were good and they weren't, we split 3-3 with them.

When you only play a rival 6 times, odds are the series will be 2-4 or 3-3. Separation in baseball occurs over time. Like if we played them 100 times in a year, they would have won 60 of them.

Remember we are only talking this season. Where overall, Engel has been the better player offensively and defensively.

Trading Sale, Eaton, and Q led to our losing. Drafting Nick, Vaughn, and our pitchers this year will also boost our future prospects. Vaughn and Nick are projected to be pretty good and valuable assets for out team. The idea of losing to get better sucks, but it may have worked well for us.

Here's a question for you. Are you comfortable with our rotation next season in a playoff series? It's a tough spot for Kenny and Rick because they want to develop guys, but it is also apparent that we can't count on Kopech, Rodon, Lopez, or Cease going into next season to be playoff ready.

I understand that perspective. We do need to recognize that us losing has led to us having a chance to have an 8 year run of very good baseball, something we've never seen in our lifetime. Hell, how many back to back playoff appearances have we ever accomplished? Losing is not ideal, but in this scenario it was the only way.

Engel's defense is elite, that is the difference. I understand why they are playing Mazara but if he isn't hitting by playoff time I'd make the switch. I'm not too concerned with handed balance as long as the guy can hit. I'd take a right hander that can hit well over a lesser hitting lefty.

You're not getting anything of note for a 2 month rental catcher that is a backup at the time of trade.

As I said before it began, this season is a best case for us in terms of results and growth. I know people will say a full 162 game slate allows guys to develop and that is true. However, because the season is 60 games, guys had to train hard and take practice seriously. Each game is full of pressure and guys have to be on top of it. Since the lackadaisical mindset is gone, our youngins are developing at a positive rate. A playoff run is the cherry on top as they will get post season experience before our real contention years. Part of the development I speak of is seeing how they are being pitched to and the need to make adjustments accordingly.

My phone autocorrects Engel to Engle for some reason, not sure if his did that. I think at this point you have to start Engel in RF. Neither guy can hit well, but elite defense in the outfield is a huge bonus. We wouldn't have to cringe when a ball is hit to the outfield, unless it is at the third base line and Robert can't run over to it.

The tank years are over ?. We always hope they win now.

Yeah Grandal is considered a top 3 catcher in baseball and we act like he is trash.

It's not a Collins love fest, it is just realizing McCann may not want to be a backup. And the Sox may not want to pay him 8 to 10 million to be a backup. Get used to Collins because McCann is gone after this year. It sucks, but it is the truth.