2015 NLCS Thread: Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets

[InternetApex]

I watched as Baez, Bryant, Soler and then Schwarber Codys'd a fucking playoff game into the toilet and clogged it with a shit-caked PANK helmet. I laid down on the floor in my apartment trying to cry but nothing came out.

Then I got on Twitter and saw all my friends dumping gallons of white-hot hate on anybody who suggested that this team full of rookies should get a back pat and an attaboy as we look forward to a bright and glorious future.

And I woke up in a world in which this team that brought me so much joy is on the brink of elimination.

And after all of that, I still say they're going to be damn good for a long time. Fuck the Nationals. Theo isn't hiring Matt Williams to piss out the fire these kids have burning for all to witness. Fuck any of you who want to rain on that parade yourselves once this probable loss settles in and the pain subsides.

Go Cubs Go.

[Oleg]

Honest question--

Should Schwarber start behind the plate tonight?

If Joe continues to bat Bryant-Rizzo 3-4, then he's not going to pull Montero from catcher.

I don't understand this photoshop at all.

There's been some argument that it might've been wiser to move Bryant to 5th and find a hotter bat for the 3-spot. While Maddon has been impressive in his willingness to pull starting pitchers as soon as they start to flail, he hasn't don't anything surprising with the lineup this series.

I'm guessing that Maddon thinks that lineup construction (or, the difference between hitting Bryant 5th vs 3rd) is not nearly as important on winning baseball games as pulling a starter who turns into a pumpkin after a batting order has seen him twice in a game.  I think he's rather correct in this thinking.

[SKO]

I watched as Baez, Bryant, Soler and then Schwarber Codys'd a fucking playoff game into the toilet and clogged it with a shit-caked PANK helmet. I laid down on the floor in my apartment trying to cry but nothing came out.

Then I got on Twitter and saw all my friends dumping gallons of white-hot hate on anybody who suggested that this team full of rookies should get a back pat and an attaboy as we look forward to a bright and glorious future.

And I woke up in a world in which this team that brought me so much joy is on the brink of elimination.

And after all of that, I still say they're going to be damn good for a long time. Fuck the Nationals. Theo isn't hiring Matt Williams to piss out the fire these kids have burning for all to witness. Fuck any of you who want to rain on that parade yourselves once this probable loss settles in and the pain subsides.

Go Cubs Go.

I have no problem with anyone who thinks the Cubs have a bright future. I agree they do. I have a problem with anyone spouting the "year ahead of schedule!" garbage. They're not, and fuck, what about the Mets? It's not like the Dodgers or Cardinals or Giants doing this. It's the fucking Mets. They were good enough to make it to the NLCS and better by every metric than the team they drew in said series, and they're getting the shit kicked out of them. It sucks, and it was a golden opportunity, and they've probably let it slip away.

Again, I think it goes back to the worst part of Cubs twitter being the large number of Cubs bloggers who feel like they have to tell you how to fan. If losing a fucking national league championship series doesn't bother you, fine, don't tell me it shouldn't bother me.

[Canadouche]

Honest question--

Should Schwarber start behind the plate tonight?

If Joe continues to bat Bryant-Rizzo 3-4, then he's not going to pull Montero from catcher.

I don't understand this photoshop at all.

There's been some argument that it might've been wiser to move Bryant to 5th and find a hotter bat for the 3-spot. While Maddon has been impressive in his willingness to pull starting pitchers as soon as they start to flail, he hasn't don't anything surprising with the lineup this series.

I'm guessing that Maddon thinks that lineup construction is not nearly as important on winning baseball games as pulling a starter who turns into a pumpkin after a batting order has seen him twice in a game.  I think he's rather correct in this thinking.

I'm not criticizing him for keeping his lineup consistent during the playoffs (particularly since the middle of the order does a lot better at home than on the road); rather, I'm observing that, if he hasn't changed his lineup, then he's probably not going to start Schwarber at catcher. Please don't construe what I'm saying as some kind of criticism. I'm just making an observation.

[Armchair_QB]

And as far as changing the line-up goes - other than Schwarber - who's hit well enough to replace Rizzo & Bryant at 3-4?

[Canadouche]

And as far as changing the line-up goes - other than Schwarber - who's hit well enough to replace Rizzo & Bryant at 3-4?

Soler and only Soler. Maybe he can bat back-to-back.

[Quality Start Machine]

And as far as changing the line-up goes - other than Schwarber - who's hit well enough to replace Rizzo & Bryant at 3-4?

Soler and only Soler. Maybe he can bat back-to-back.

He's Baseball Dylon. Bat him 5 times in a row.

[Canadouche]

And as far as changing the line-up goes - other than Schwarber - who's hit well enough to replace Rizzo & Bryant at 3-4?

Soler and only Soler. Maybe he can bat back-to-back.

He's Baseball Dylon. Bat him 5 times in a row.

He spits fire, man.

I actually have a fringe criticism I could lob at Hoyer, but I'm pretty sure it would wash away all the goodwill of the people on this forum, and I'd rather not be unwelcome again.

[Slaky]

I watched as Baez, Bryant, Soler and then Schwarber Codys'd a fucking playoff game into the toilet and clogged it with a shit-caked PANK helmet. I laid down on the floor in my apartment trying to cry but nothing came out.

Then I got on Twitter and saw all my friends dumping gallons of white-hot hate on anybody who suggested that this team full of rookies should get a back pat and an attaboy as we look forward to a bright and glorious future.

And I woke up in a world in which this team that brought me so much joy is on the brink of elimination.

And after all of that, I still say they're going to be damn good for a long time. Fuck the Nationals. Theo isn't hiring Matt Williams to piss out the fire these kids have burning for all to witness. Fuck any of you who want to rain on that parade yourselves once this probable loss settles in and the pain subsides.

Go Cubs Go.

I have no problem with anyone who thinks the Cubs have a bright future. I agree they do. I have a problem with anyone spouting the "year ahead of schedule!" garbage. They're not, and fuck, what about the Mets? It's not like the Dodgers or Cardinals or Giants doing this. It's the fucking Mets. They were good enough to make it to the NLCS and better by every metric than the team they drew in said series, and they're getting the shit kicked out of them. It sucks, and it was a golden opportunity, and they've probably let it slip away.

Again, I think it goes back to the worst part of Cubs twitter being the large number of Cubs bloggers who feel like they have to tell you how to fan. If losing a fucking national league championship series doesn't bother you, fine, don't tell me it shouldn't bother me.

yeah agreeing with SKO isn't a great look but that's where I am.

Yes the Cubs have a sunny outlook. And I'm really glad that I can go into next season with a realistic hope at watching another good team.

But they're here now. And people (media, mostly) wants to talk about how they have to learn to lose and how they're too young to win quite yet. What's the Mets' schedule? When was their mettle forged by fire? They just FUCKING GOT HERE. And they're tearing the Cubs a new asshole.

Fuck that narrative and fuck next year. I'm happy to have a wonderful discussion about the 2016 Cubs once this is over.

Until it is I'm upset and disappointed the Cubs didn't take advantage of being here now. If you have a problem with it go ahead and study next year's schedule. Get excited about it.

[R-V]

I watched as Baez, Bryant, Soler and then Schwarber Codys'd a fucking playoff game into the toilet and clogged it with a shit-caked PANK helmet. I laid down on the floor in my apartment trying to cry but nothing came out.

Then I got on Twitter and saw all my friends dumping gallons of white-hot hate on anybody who suggested that this team full of rookies should get a back pat and an attaboy as we look forward to a bright and glorious future.

And I woke up in a world in which this team that brought me so much joy is on the brink of elimination.

And after all of that, I still say they're going to be damn good for a long time. Fuck the Nationals. Theo isn't hiring Matt Williams to piss out the fire these kids have burning for all to witness. Fuck any of you who want to rain on that parade yourselves once this probable loss settles in and the pain subsides.

Go Cubs Go.

I have no problem with anyone who thinks the Cubs have a bright future. I agree they do. I have a problem with anyone spouting the "year ahead of schedule!" garbage. They're not, and fuck, what about the Mets? It's not like the Dodgers or Cardinals or Giants doing this. It's the fucking Mets. They were good enough to make it to the NLCS and better by every metric than the team they drew in said series, and they're getting the shit kicked out of them. It sucks, and it was a golden opportunity, and they've probably let it slip away.

Again, I think it goes back to the worst part of Cubs twitter being the large number of Cubs bloggers who feel like they have to tell you how to fan. If losing a fucking national league championship series doesn't bother you, fine, don't tell me it shouldn't bother me.

Right or wrong, many/most of us point to what the Cubs did in the 2nd half as being the "real" version of the team. MLB team WAR ranks in the 2nd half:

Position players:   Mets 2nd, Cubs 3rd
Starting pitching : Cubs 1st, Mets 5th
Bullpen:              Cubs 4th, Mets 13th

They were both damn good teams in the 2nd half, and the bullpen spread isn't nearly as important as how close the position players and starting pitchers were. Especially when the Cubs Cy Young and MVP candidate - who contributed significantly to the above rankings - have not really been themselves in either the NLDS or NLCS.

[R-V]

And as far as changing the line-up goes - other than Schwarber - who's hit well enough to replace Rizzo & Bryant at 3-4?

Soler and only Soler. Maybe he can bat back-to-back.

He's Baseball Dylon. Bat him 5 times in a row.

He spits fire, man.

I actually have a fringe criticism I could lob at Hoyer, but I'm pretty sure it would wash away all the goodwill of the people on this forum, and I'd rather not be unwelcome again.

Dude. If you've got something to say, just say it. Tip toeing around whatever it is you want to say is very likely far more annoying than the actual content.

[Eli]

And as far as changing the line-up goes - other than Schwarber - who's hit well enough to replace Rizzo & Bryant at 3-4?

Soler and only Soler. Maybe he can bat back-to-back.

He's Baseball Dylon. Bat him 5 times in a row.

He spits fire, man.

I actually have a fringe criticism I could lob at Hoyer, but I'm pretty sure it would wash away all the goodwill of the people on this forum, and I'd rather not be unwelcome again.

Dude. If you've got something to say, just say it. Tip toeing around whatever it is you want to say is very likely far more annoying than the actual content.

No kidding. This place is far more interesting with some diversity of opinion.

[Oleg]

And as far as changing the line-up goes - other than Schwarber - who's hit well enough to replace Rizzo & Bryant at 3-4?

Soler and only Soler. Maybe he can bat back-to-back.

He's Baseball Dylon. Bat him 5 times in a row.

He spits fire, man.

I actually have a fringe criticism I could lob at Hoyer, but I'm pretty sure it would wash away all the goodwill of the people on this forum, and I'd rather not be unwelcome again.

Dude. If you've got something to say, just say it. Tip toeing around whatever it is you want to say is very likely far more annoying than the actual content.

No kidding. This place is far more interesting with some diversity of opinion.

I would like to agree with these two posts.

[Slaky]

And as far as changing the line-up goes - other than Schwarber - who's hit well enough to replace Rizzo & Bryant at 3-4?

Soler and only Soler. Maybe he can bat back-to-back.

He's Baseball Dylon. Bat him 5 times in a row.

He spits fire, man.

I actually have a fringe criticism I could lob at Hoyer, but I'm pretty sure it would wash away all the goodwill of the people on this forum, and I'd rather not be unwelcome again.

Dude. If you've got something to say, just say it. Tip toeing around whatever it is you want to say is very likely far more annoying than the actual content.

No kidding. This place is far more interesting with some diversity of opinion.

I would like to agree with these two posts.

Boring.

[Canadouche]

And as far as changing the line-up goes - other than Schwarber - who's hit well enough to replace Rizzo & Bryant at 3-4?

Soler and only Soler. Maybe he can bat back-to-back.

He's Baseball Dylon. Bat him 5 times in a row.

He spits fire, man.

I actually have a fringe criticism I could lob at Hoyer, but I'm pretty sure it would wash away all the goodwill of the people on this forum, and I'd rather not be unwelcome again.

Dude. If you've got something to say, just say it. Tip toeing around whatever it is you want to say is very likely far more annoying than the actual content.

No kidding. This place is far more interesting with some diversity of opinion.

Ok -- what if the Cubs had managed to trade for Cole Hamels? Assuming they'd have had to give up at least one useful player on the current roster, they arguably wouldn't have won more games (and might have even won less) during the regular season, but if he'd started Game 3, then the Cubs might not be in this horrible position.

For the record, I'm not saying I wish the Cubs had made that trade, because what they would've given up would probably be, long-term, not worth what they'd have gotten in return. But that was a thought I kept returning to as Lester and Arrieta got beat earlier this series.