MLB Postseason Thread

[zinfamous]

I'm going to respond to this again because I have new thoughts today. The more I thought about the move to bring Chapman into the game in the 7th, it just seems it was done not so much to win the series in 7 games, but rather more so to deflect criticism if game 6 were lost. If Chapman blows the game, Maddon always has the excuse that "I put my best guy out there."

Game 5 the Cubs had a 1-run lead and an off day before playing next. Extending Chapman made sense. With a 5-run lead and another critical elimination game tomorrow, different situation entirely. There is a reason why closers are 1-inning pitchers during the regular season and do not pitch in all 162 games.

I don't buy it because at that point, they had a 5 run cushion to at least get out of the 7th, unless they ended up with a 2-on, 1 out situation or whatever. I think Chapman should only be a desperate move at that point in the game, unless Maddon thought that giving him some reps in a more relaxed situation was somehow beneficial to his psyche. I don't know that dude's body or mind and frankly, neither do the rest of us, but it was ~70F at game time last night and I'm wondering if the trainers and Maddon felt that whatever the game conditions and situation were, it was probably a good place to at least bring him out and relax him going into game 7.

Now, the problem I have with my own argument there is that when you bring out Chapman, you expect him to end the game. An expected 2.3 innings with that lead? I don't see the strategy there if they thought it would "relax" him. That's just too many pitches...unless they wanted to get him comfortable with more reps thinking that they may have to go really long with him tonight.

Anyway, crazier things have happened in the world series and the playoffs. You just can't manage each game as if it were a regular season game. This is the last game of the year, and I think all options are on the table. Cubs need to come out patient, yet aggressive at the plate, if that makes any sense: No 1 pitch outs but no 3 or 4 pitch outs, either, against Kluber. I hope we see the first 3 batters take the first 1 or 2 pitches each. At least see what kind of stuff he has before you start swinging. But whether or not you get hits in the first inning, he has to work for those outs.

This game could go either way and I think it will be the best WS game in a very long time. This Indians team has been expertly managed like nothing I've seen before.

Oh, and please move Schwarber to 4th or 5th FFS.

 

[manly]

So often, sports chat is dominated by stories of coaches that dial down the intensity and "play not to loose" .. which ultimately results in losing the game.
I'm glad Maddon go into "prevent defense" mode and loose game 6.

It was a gamble, we will see how it goes in game 7, but at least we have a game 7.

Assuming "prevent defense" is an analogy to football, you actually have the comparison backwards. IMO going to and staying with Chapman is more like continuing to blitz in order to seal the win.

 

[renz20003]

I don't buy it because at that point, they had a 5 run cushion to at least get out of the 7th, unless they ended up with a 2-on, 1 out situation or whatever. I think Chapman should only be a desperate move at that point in the game, unless Maddon thought that giving him some reps in a more relaxed situation was somehow beneficial to his psyche. I don't know that dude's body or mind and frankly, neither do the rest of us, but it was ~70F at game time last night and I'm wondering if the trainers and Maddon felt that whatever the game conditions and situation were, it was probably a good place to at least bring him out and relax him going into game 7.

Now, the problem I have with my own argument there is that when you bring out Chapman, you expect him to end the game. An expected 2.3 innings with that lead? I don't see the strategy there if they thought it would "relax" him. That's just too many pitches...unless they wanted to get him comfortable with more reps thinking that they may have to go really long with him tonight.

Anyway, crazier things have happened in the world series and the playoffs. You just can't manage each game as if it were a regular season game. This is the last game of the year, and I think all options are on the table. Cubs need to come out patient, yet aggressive at the plate, if that makes any sense: No 1 pitch outs but no 3 or 4 pitch outs, either, against Kluber. I hope we see the first 3 batters take the first 1 or 2 pitches each. At least see what kind of stuff he has before you start swinging. But whether or not you get hits in the first inning, he has to work for those outs.

This game could go either way and I think it will be the best WS game in a very long time. This Indians team has been expertly managed like nothing I've seen before.

Oh, and please move Schwarber to 4th or 5th FFS.

I don't think chapman pitching last night is going to have much of an impact on him today... Because Cleveland is gonna kick ass tonight and win!

 

[cubby1223]

I don't think chapman pitching last night is going to have much of an impact on him today... Because Cleveland is gonna kick ass tonight and win!

In other words your opinion is backed up by no baseball knowledge.

 

[zinfamous]

Let's get in the right mind for this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cs5O0PEnYs

 

[renz20003]

In other words your opinion is backed up by no baseball knowledge.

Kid I've forgotten more baseball knowledge then you will ever know.

The greats get it done in game 7, no matter the pitch counts.

Jack Morris pitched 10 innings in the 91 series, im sure chapman can tough it out and still be effective.

 

[13Gigatons]

I'm going to respond to this again because I have new thoughts today. The more I thought about the move to bring Chapman into the game in the 7th, it just seems it was done not so much to win the series in 7 games, but rather more so to deflect criticism if game 6 were lost. If Chapman blows the game, Maddon always has the excuse that "I put my best guy out there."

Game 5 the Cubs had a 1-run lead and an off day before playing next. Extending Chapman made sense. With a 5-run lead and another critical elimination game tomorrow, different situation entirely. There is a reason why closers are 1-inning pitchers during the regular season and do not pitch in all 162 games.

Chapman can rest during the off season. Only one game left....leave it all on the field.

 

[dmoney1980]

I'm just hoping for a clean, competitive, controversy- free game. The last thing I want is a big error or some crazy thing to happen to shift the tide of the outcome.

To add, I'm praying the Cubs win but I think the Indians are heavily favored and much better set up for this game. All they need is a 1 run lead to hand over to the bullpen.

Only way I see Cubs winning is if Kluber is off out the gate and the Cubs build a good lead early.

Go Cubs, 108 no more!

 

[zinfamous]

Kid I've forgotten more baseball knowledge then you will ever know.

The greats get it done in game 7, no matter the pitch counts.

Jack Morris pitched 10 innings in the 91 series, im sure chapman can tough it out and still be effective.

yeah, no worries for his endurance. dude didn't deal below 99 last night. He's crazy erratic, though, so what I'm looking for is if all this extra work has made him more erratic or have helped him to dial it in more than usual.

But he's not the problem for the Cubs. They need to figure out Kluber early and large. I'm not confident about this: but they need to put something like 3 or 4 runs on him fast, somehow, before he gets pulled. I think Francona will pull him very early if he isn't finding the plate and the Cubs manage to eek out 2-3 runs and a hit or two beyond that. If they get past Kluber with only a 2 run lead, I don't think they are scoring more off of the pen, which would be bad.

If they can't score off of Kluber in ~5 innings, then all is lost.

 

[renz20003]

yeah, no worries for his endurance. dude didn't deal below 99 last night. He's crazy erratic, though, so what I'm looking for is if all this extra work has made him more erratic or have helped him to dial it in more than usual.

But he's not the problem for the Cubs. They need to figure out Kluber early and large. I'm not confident about this: but they need to put something like 3 or 4 runs on him fast, somehow, before he gets pulled. I think Francona will pull him very early if he isn't finding the plate and the Cubs manage to eek out 2-3 runs and a hit or two beyond that. If they get past Kluber with only a 2 run lead, I don't think they are scoring more off of the pen, which would be bad.

If they can't score off of Kluber in ~5 innings, then all is lost.

Kyle is about the best you can ask for in this situation. No matter the outcome a great series that has really been good for the sport.

:cheers:

 

[lupi]

Something about tired arms and lulz.

 

[lupi]

Wow 2 batters and 5 bases alteady.

 

[zinfamous]

Scream like a girl!

 

[Ns1]

going well for Cleveland already

 

[zinfamous]

Kyle is about the best you can ask for in this situation. No matter the outcome a great series that has really been good for the sport.

:cheers:

yeah, it's been amazing. I still think 2001 is the best series of my lifetime (OK, well, personal affection for '86), but I was out of the country and really only saw a day-late video tape of that game 7 in some bar in Berlin.

This is easily the best series that I have watched through in my lifetime. I never realized how awesome Francona is managing a series. Well, that ALCS ~2003 or 4 whatever it was, was awesome, of course, but that WS was super lame.

 

[lupi]

3 and 4 didn't make it to base, but putting strong contact on the ball. game already feels different than most.

 

[zinfamous]

lol what ACL?

 

[zinfamous]

lol @ camera in chicago bleachers bar: dude spills beer all over his buddy's shoulder.

 

[lupi]

yeah, it's been amazing. I still think 2001 is the best series of my lifetime (OK, well, personal affection for '86), but I was out of the country and really only saw a day-late video tape of that game 7 in some bar in Berlin.

This is easily the best series that I have watched through in my lifetime. I never realized how awesome Francona is managing a series. Well, that ALCS ~2003 or 4 whatever it was, was awesome, of course, but that WS was super lame.

Would probably have yanks diamondbacks and yanks soxs as my top 2.

 

[A Casual Fitz]

This is easily the best series that I have watched through in my lifetime. I never realized how awesome Francona is managing a series. Well, that ALCS ~2003 or 4 whatever it was, was awesome, of course, but that WS was super lame.

Don't remind me of the 2003 ALCS when Grady Little kept Pedro in past 110 pitches, blowing the game and then the series.

 

[pete6032]

lol @ camera in chicago bleachers bar: dude spills beer all over his buddy's shoulder.

I saw that too lol. Can't imagine having to spend the next 3 hours with a beer soaked sweatshirt.

 

[pete6032]

Fuck this they're showing Christmas commercials.

 

[renz20003]

If it was any indication for Cleveland, the national anthem reminded me of the titanic lol

 

[gorcorps]

lol @ camera in chicago bleachers bar: dude spills beer all over his buddy's shoulder.

That was funny

 

[zinfamous]

I saw that too lol. Can't imagine having to spend the next 3 hours with a beer soaked sweatshirt.

The best part was how he only cared for about 2 seconds. I mean, it's Wednesday night in Chicago. nothing new.