Cubs Fans...

[IrishJayhawk]

idk how I feel about Lester out of the pen... I guess it's fine if you have a lead and are going into a new inning... I can't possibly see him coming in if the Cubs are tied or ahead by 1 or whatever and the Indians have any base runners.

Going to be very interesting, that for sure, I'm excited.

You'd want him to enter in a clean inning. No runners. But maybe Hendricks can go for 4-5, Lester gives you 2-3, and then Chapman gets 1-2. It could work. Fill in any gaps with Montgomery, Edwards Jr., or Strop to get one out when needed.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm jealous of the Chicago/Cleveland peps here though... The 2002 Angels run was easily, by far, the greatest sports experience of my life... nothing comes even remotely close. If any of you are having a time like that then you're straight up living the dream.

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm jealous of the Chicago/Cleveland peps here though... The 2002 Angels run was easily, by far, the greatest sports experience of my life... nothing comes even remotely close.

I'm sure Sully would agree with me... we loved your '05 run!

But hey, you were the only ones to hang a post season L on that year's Champs.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm sure Sully would agree with me... we loved your '05 run!

But hey, you were the only ones to hang a post season L on that year's Champs.

That was our Series.... until the Playzinski....


I remember it like it was yesterday, it was 02 all over again, Halos going to win it all... the second that play happened I knew they were toast, you could just feel it... and that was BEFORE the Sox actually won the game... it was one of those all time momentum swing moments where you could just tell a team wasn't recovering.

 

[Irish2155]

I'm not too sure about Lester coming out of the pen either. He's a good pitcher but not lights out and can't hold runners. The only way I'd go with Lester is in long relief/extra innings if needed. Cubs have to have better options in the pen to get to Chapman...don't they?

 

[Southside Sully]

That was our Series.... until the Playzinski....


I remember it like it was yesterday, it was 02 all over again, Halos going to win it all... the second that play happened I knew they were toast, you could just feel it... and that was BEFORE the Sox actually won the game... it was one of those all time momentum swing moments where you could just tell a team wasn't recovering.

I was at this game, and it was mayhem. I was in left field right by the foul pole. We had no idea what was going on. Sox Staff will never be matched for what the accomplished in that post season. 4 Complete Games in the ALCS unreal.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I'm not too sure about Lester coming out of the pen either. He's a good pitcher but not lights out and can't hold runners. The only way I'd go with Lester is in long relief/extra innings if needed. Cubs have to have better options in the pen to get to Chapman...don't they?

I think that's how they would use him. He's not going to come in during a high-leverage situation. It would be to start a clean inning and hopefully throw 2-3 scoreless.

 

[Irish#1]

I am not a Cubs fan at all, lifelong Sox fan and Chicago resident of 35 years. I have never seen something like this for sports in my life including the Bears Super Bowl try 10 years ago, all the Hawks wins, Sox WS etc. This is so much different Every store is packed, bars already slammed, anywhere you go someone asks you about the Cubs. Some schools have taken field trips just to take class photos outside of Wrigley this week. Regardless of the outcome this has been great for the city. No matter who wins tonight it is history for both cities that I do not think anyone in either town will forget anytime soon.

I mentioned this before and think it's worth repeating. Discussed on Fox Sports radio. The Cubs and their fans are the Cubs because of the "Lovable Losers", The Goat, Bartman, never won a WS uniqueness. If they win tonight, all of that gets wiped out and they are just another team that had their moment and won the WS. Red Sox carried a similar uniqueness until they won. What do the Cubs do to maintain that uniqueness if they win or can they?

 

[ACamp1900]

They'll still have the uniqueness of Wrigleyville and all that,... I'm sure they'll be fine.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I mentioned this before and think it's worth repeating. Discussed on Fox Sports radio. The Cubs and their fans are the Cubs because of the "Lovable Losers", The Goat, Bartman, never won a WS uniqueness. If they win tonight, all of that gets wiped out and they are just another team that had their moment and won the WS. Red Sox carried a similar uniqueness until they won. What do the Cubs do to maintain that uniqueness if they win or can they?

My thoughts...

1. They're good and they're going to be for a long time.
2. Wrigley Field and the neighborhood ballpark.
3. Chicago is a big market.
4. There will always be more Cubs fans around because it's passed down. And they were always on WGN...before other teams got the same air time outside of local markets. I root for the Cubs because my dad did and we could watch nearly every game on TV.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I think that's how they would use him. He's not going to come in during a high-leverage situation. It would be to start a clean inning and hopefully throw 2-3 scoreless.

Yep.

See Bumgarner Game 7 2014. Already had two starts under his belt. Came in Game 7 and pitched 5 scoreless innings in relief.

 

[NDdomer2]

I've seen a lot of places about Lester being available. If it's close do you really wNna pitch a guy who would let someone steal second and third as soon as he gets on base?

 

[ab2cmiller]

I mentioned this before and think it's worth repeating. Discussed on Fox Sports radio. The Cubs and their fans are the Cubs because of the "Lovable Losers", The Goat, Bartman, never won a WS uniqueness. If they win tonight, all of that gets wiped out and they are just another team that had their moment and won the WS. Red Sox carried a similar uniqueness until they won. What do the Cubs do to maintain that uniqueness if they win or can they?

Bring in a bar owner with a sheep to put a new curse on the Cubs.

 

[ACamp1900]

I've seen a lot of places about Lester being available. If it's close do you really wNna pitch a guy who would let someone steal second and third as soon as he gets on base?

this is my thinking... obviously he's a great pitcher, but you talk about potentially opening up the next chapter of the Cubs heartbreak book... Here comes their Ace in a relief role in game 7, lets the Tribe run wild on him and that decides the game......

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Have to get on base first...

Lester's post season WHIP is 0.89

Indians are 2 of 4 in stolen base attempts.

Idk why people keep thinking it's automatic base advancement the second Lester comes in.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Have to get on base first...

Lester's post season WHIP is 0.89

Indians are 2 of 4 in stolen base attempts.

Idk why people keep thinking it's automatic base advancement the second Lester comes in.

Depends on who's catching. But Lester has done a much better job of keeping people on by changing up his delivery. If they time him, it's pretty much a done deal though.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm still confused as to why the Dodgers didn't go on him more... they were taking just laughably extreme leads on him, but wouldn't go.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I'm still confused as to why the Dodgers didn't go on him more... they were taking just laughably extreme leads on him, but wouldn't go.

Huge lead without a good jump is still an iffy steal. But it was interesting.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I'm still confused as to why the Dodgers didn't go on him more... they were taking just laughably extreme leads on him, but wouldn't go.

I'm more confused that Lester didn't pick off the runner in one instance where the runner started to go, Lester just happened to step off, and then he literally let the runner safely go back to first. It's one thing to never throw to first out of your stance. But he stepped off and it's literally a basic throw to first at that point. He has to have some sort of psychological block, else that's an easy out 100% of the time.

Anyways, maybe this is all moot. I trust Maddon to do what's right. Honestly, what's more important in this game is that the Cubs don't get shut out. They HAVE to get on base against the Indians pitchers. That's an obvious point to make, as this will most likely be a 1-0 game based on stellar pitching. But if the Cubs want to win, they have to hit Kluber. Get on him early.

 

[BobbyMac]

I think that's how they would use him. He's not going to come in during a high-leverage situation. It would be to start a clean inning and hopefully throw 2-3 scoreless.

This. Only starts an inning. Gets the Cubs to the 8th if he cruises. Gets yanked if the lead is 1 or 2 and one of the base stealers gets on.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

This. Only starts an inning. Gets the Cubs to the 8th if he cruises. Gets yanked if the lead is 1 or 2 and one of the base stealers gets on.

If Lindor is up at any point during an inning, Lester should not be considered an option. That dude is money. He's always on base and if Grandpa Ross isn't catching, his steal % is going way up.

I agree that Lester could/should be used for 1 or 2 innings, particularly if it just so happens to be the bottom of the order.

 

[mango4]

I've seen a lot of places about Lester being available. If it's close do you really wNna pitch a guy who would let someone steal second and third as soon as he gets on base?

Guys can steal on Chapman pretty easily as well if they get on.

 

[Southside Sully]

They'll still have the uniqueness of Wrigleyville and all that,... I'm sure they'll be fine.

Disagree on this completely. Wrigleville is not what it was.. Everything that made it Wrigleyville is getting torn down or sold. Look at how disgusting the fight was over the Rooftops with the Cubs and the Owners of those rooftops. That IS what Wrigleyville WAS. There is a Sheraton going up soon across from the Stadium where the McDonalds stood. Where Goose Island/Mullens/Improv Olympic was at is going to be a huge new development with a best buy, Audi Dealership etc. It is not what it was at all. Many Chicagoans or Cubs will tell you the same. The only thing that hasn't changed is the people who go to those bars on the weekends who still think they are in college from the suburbs and almost always some fights break out.

 

[ACamp1900]

Disagree on this completely. Wrigleville is not what it was.. Everything that made it Wrigleyville is getting torn down or sold. Look at how disgusting the fight was over the Rooftops with the Cubs and the Owners of those rooftops. That IS what Wrigleyville WAS. There is a Sheraton going up soon across from the Stadium where the McDonalds stood. Where Goose Island/Mullens/Improv Olympic was at is going to be a huge new development with a best buy, Audi Dealership etc. It is not what it was at all. Many Chicagoans or Cubs will tell you the same. The only thing that hasn't changed is the people who go to those bars on the weekends who still think they are in college from the suburbs and almost always some fights break out.

Sure. I'm not from Chicago so I'll take your word for it... it's still "Wrigleyville' though... What I mean is Dodger Stadium has changed a lot from when I was a kid... it's still, "historic Dodger Stadium"... areas change in layout, feel, corporatism and it sucks... Wrigley will still be unique in it's location and layout within the larger neighborhood and the Cubs fans, if they lose 'lovable losers' will still have the ball park and it's surrounding area, which is unique to them and their team in a way that almost no other sports team has, which was my point.

 

[NDdomer2]

Guys can steal on Chapman pretty easily as well if they get on.

He at least has a pickoff move. People are 2-4 against Lester because Lindor was still waiting for him to committed to home. Where the other two they got huge lead and just went.

I promise of Lester comes in and someone gets on in a close game they aren't waiting.

 

[ACamp1900]

I love these mock headlines,... the Browns one that is linked on top of the page is a good one too... both made me giggle.

https://thekicker.com/god-desperate...nic&utm_source=TKFacebook&utm_medium=pagepost

 

[mango4]

He at least has a pickoff move. People are 2-4 against Lester because Lindor was still waiting for him to committed to home. Where the other two they got huge lead and just went.

I promise of Lester comes in and someone gets on in a close game they aren't waiting.

Not much of one. People are 6-for-6 against Chapman in the playoffs this year, including Cleveland going 2-for-2 in Game 5.

 

[ND NYC]

I am not a Cubs fan at all, lifelong Sox fan and Chicago resident of 35 years. I have never seen something like this for sports in my life including the Bears Super Bowl try 10 years ago, all the Hawks wins, Sox WS etc. This is so much different Every store is packed, bars already slammed, anywhere you go someone asks you about the Cubs. Some schools have taken field trips just to take class photos outside of Wrigley this week. Regardless of the outcome this has been great for the city. No matter who wins tonight it is history for both cities that I do not think anyone in either town will forget anytime soon.

Love it.

Always felt that major league baseball is a "city game", and always will be.
nothing compares to major big city having a baseball team on a world series run.

Enjoy!

 

[NDdomer2]

Not much of one. People are 6-for-6 against Chapman in the playoffs this year, including Cleveland going 2-for-2 in Game 5.

He has no slide step.

Hopefully cubs can pull ahead early and it won't matter.

 

[wizards8507]

Jawn Fawkin' Lestah