2016 NLCS LA Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs

cubs gotta start lester tomorrow

and all the other games

Ugh

I'd imagine having such a loopy curve specialist like Hill following a power pitcher like Kershaw did provide some disconnect at the plate for the Cubs hitters tonight.

Kershaw, who the possesses of an even loopier curveball, is a power pitcher?

Be sure to loop loop loop loop

The pitching was good but the Cubs had chances against Kershaw and Hill and couldn't take advantage of them.

That replay ruling appeared to be horseshit.

You pitch a reliever with #68 at this point in a playoff game, most likely it's not going good.

I think this is when Rizzo busts out of his funk.

And there it is...

Zobrist looks like he should be a dentist. Cubs were overdue to bust out like tonight.

I love Zobrist and his crazy batting stance.

If i was a GM, I would make a team out of dudes like Zobrist and Hunter Pence. Kinda surprised the Giants didn't sign him, he seems like their type of dude.

Russell has some power for his size. It's not quite Mookie Betts level, but it is impressive. That shot earlier tonight was a blast in that ballpark.

It felt like LA made the conscious decision to concede the game when they left in Stripling to face Rizzo with the score 6-2.

i wasn't actually watching the game so i didn't see it til this morning but yeah how did they call gonzalez out even after the replay? he was obviously safe

https://twitter.com/RYDesignLA/status/789205749268230144

Justin Turner has a similar vibe to the bad guy in Outlaw Josie Wales.

http://content6.flixster.com/photo/11/35/29/11352988_ori.jpg

Going to the pen with the pitcher coming to the plate? Maeda seemed to be doing ok to me.

yeah a little odd to me too

Maeda seemed pretty much in control to me. It's not like Lester is Bumbarner at the plate. He's had a couple hits this year but for his career he's terrible.

Maeda looked kinda puzzled about it too. Hadn't seen him throw much until this post season, he's a good pitcher. I'm missing Ryu, that's dude I like to watch pitch. He's like the Korean David Wells.

I feel like Dave Roberts heard it's cool to go to the bullpen early in postseason games now and so that's his move.

I could see it if he was going to pinch hit anyway and double switched, but that wasn't the move.

Bryant kinda reminds me of A-rod at the plate. He's scary good now and he might have another gear.

I think he felt that Maeda was getting good up there in pitch count and might only have a couple of batters left in him, and with the reliever coming in maybe there's a tiny chance that the Cubs pinch hit for Lester with runners on.

yesss, Russell

joe blanton

If the Cubs would have someone already warming, I could see the pinch hitting being the case, but they had not yet gotten anyone up yet. Roberts is playing for seven with Kershaw going in game 6 either way. Thinking about it today, it seemed a solid move to me.

Want the Cubs to win, but really didnt' want to see seeing Blanton being the goat being a UK baseball player.

Rizzo went a little ole on that one.

that pick by baez was completely insane

That dude I think could become a superstar, he is crazy talented.

yeah i can't remember the last time i saw someone who just screams "baseball player" like he does

Baez kinda reminds me of Sheffield at the plate. Add a bit of bulk and wiggle the bat, he's there. I'm really impressed how much control he has gotten in a season on the strike zone.

Crazy thing about this club, they might not be at 'peak' at all and could have another step up. They did this season losing big boy in game one in left and their big free agent signing forgetting how to hit, not to consider that it is possible that Russell, Baez and Soler might have another notch to move up at the plate. They got a bunch of guys that could play regularly for other clubs sitting on the bench. Travis Wood would be starting for a bunch of clubs. They are as deep as I think I have seen anyone in a long, long time (like mid 80s Mets deep).

so. many. reviews

baez

Baez is my new favorite player

same

I have had trouble trusting the big improvement he's shown this season after watching him take huge hacks at bad pitches over the past couple of seasons but at this point it looks like a real change.

Hasn't he fucked up a couple of times this season for misreading his own hits and not hustling on the basepaths? He's been 100% hustle in the playoffs afaict.

there was a game against the giants in these playoffs where he thought he hit a homer and so he jogged down the path but it hit off the wall. should've been a double but he ended up with a single.

he has always had great speed and good power and defense but his plate discipline and defense have gotten a lot better this season

https://theathletic.com/22964/2016/10/22/fall-classic-kyle-schwarber-to-fall-league-with-hope-of-playing-in-world-series/

Heyward out, Almora in for starting lineup tonight.

this will be the first ball game i watch this season

My Sling trial ended so I don't have a way to watch live :(

i got u:

http://hehestreams.xyz/mlb/games/ed0126f0e8f0edcc

go cubbies

that. double. play.

was hoping for a 3 pitch inning but turner had to ruin it

gasp

Lmao