Does Schwarber play LF on Friday?

[cubsmann]

What do you think the chances are the Kyle Schwarber plays LF on Friday at Wrigley? I'm thinking like at least 75-90% depending on what the Dr's tell him on Thursday. How can they not clear this guy to play the field? He's running fine and swinging the bat like he never had 6 1/2 months off. I love Schwarber and want to see him drill another few bombs over the Budweiser sign in right field.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

What do you think the chances are the Kyle Schwarber plays LF on Friday at Wrigley? I'm thinking like at least 75-90% depending on what the Dr's tell him on Thursday. How can they not clear this guy to play the field? He's running fine and swinging the bat like he never had 6 1/2 months off. I love Schwarber and want to see him drill another few bombs over the Budweiser sign in right field.

It's such a huge risk. I just heard an orthopedic Dr. discuss it on the radio and he doesn't let his patients do any lateral athletic movement until month 12 at the earliest.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Please don't play him. I want this to end well.

There is no telling if he might be more valuable in the right situation as a Pinch Hitter.

I'm so glad he could be part of this, he is my favorite Cub for sure, although Rizzo is a lefty and battled back from fucking cancer so its more like a tie, then Arrieta, Lester, Hendricks, Fowler in the second tier of personalities I respect.

Bryant/Baez and others I like but want to see mature emotionally.

Its a likeable team. but please don't put Schwarber in that situation.

But why make your defense definetly worse for a maybe boost in production, with Hendricks on the mound vs Tomlin just play defense and have kyle a bullet in the chamber when you need it most. You could even pinch hit for Russell if you need a run late in the game, move Zobrist and put Almora out there.

With this type of roster flexibility, Kyle is just as valuable as a pinch hit weapon to Maddon as he would be with 4 AB's and bad defense.

 

[DanTown]

He shouldn't take the field until Mesa.

 

[Omeletpants]

What do you think the chances are the Kyle Schwarber plays LF on Friday at Wrigley? I'm thinking like at least 75-90% depending on what the Dr's tell him on Thursday. How can they not clear this guy to play the field? He's running fine and swinging the bat like he never had 6 1/2 months off. I love Schwarber and want to see him drill another few bombs over the Budweiser sign in right field.

You really dont care if he hurts himself and endangers next year

 

[Diehardfan]

It's such a huge risk. I just heard an orthopedic Dr. discuss it on the radio and he doesn't let his patients do any lateral athletic movement until month 12 at the earliest.

I agree, it would be risky. Unless that Dr. you mentioned was in pro sports, it's doubtful that any of his patients rehabbed their injuries like Schwarber has. Jake was saying he couldn't remember seeing him when he wasn't sweating...he hits the rehab like 5 or 6 hours a day. I'll bet the World Series was his target from the gitgo.

 

[DanTown]

It's one thing to hit and run in mostly straight lines; it's completely different to run in circles like OF do.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

It's one thing to hit and run in mostly straight lines; it's completely different to run in circles like OF do.

Correct. He can run in a straight line but any cutting could be very dangerous. I'm fairly sure that's what the doctors are going to say so this will all be moot. I'm sure Kyle wants to do it and the Cubs brass owes him their due diligence but no, it doesn't feel like a good idea.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I agree, it would be risky. Unless that Dr. you mentioned was in pro sports, it's doubtful that any of his patients rehabbed their injuries like Schwarber has. Jake was saying he couldn't remember seeing him when he wasn't sweating...he hits the rehab like 5 or 6 hours a day. I'll bet the World Series was his target from the gitgo.

I tuned in halfway in but he sounded like he works with college athletes which, admittedly is different due to the time commitment. One of my best friends is a doctor though, not an orthopedic, and he said he would be shocked if the doctors clear him for the field. All that's anecdotal though and we'll know the decision shortly.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

I want to see Schwarber hitting bombs for them for the next 10+ years. Must rely on the doctors 100%.

 

[xer0h0ur]

What do you think the chances are the Kyle Schwarber plays LF on Friday at Wrigley? I'm thinking like at least 75-90% depending on what the Dr's tell him on Thursday. How can they not clear this guy to play the field? He's running fine and swinging the bat like he never had 6 1/2 months off. I love Schwarber and want to see him drill another few bombs over the Budweiser sign in right field.

Its called the Schwarboard you pleb

 

[xer0h0ur]

Please don't play him. I want this to end well.

There is no telling if he might be more valuable in the right situation as a Pinch Hitter.

I'm so glad he could be part of this, he is my favorite Cub for sure, although Rizzo is a lefty and battled back from fucking cancer so its more like a tie, then Arrieta, Lester, Hendricks, Fowler in the second tier of personalities I respect.

Bryant/Baez and others I like but want to see mature emotionally.

Its a likeable team. but please don't put Schwarber in that situation.

But why make your defense definetly worse for a maybe boost in production, with Hendricks on the mound vs Tomlin just play defense and have kyle a bullet in the chamber when you need it most. You could even pinch hit for Russell if you need a run late in the game, move Zobrist and put Almora out there.

With this type of roster flexibility, Kyle is just as valuable as a pinch hit weapon to Maddon as he would be with 4 AB's and bad defense.

Exactly, Maddon should keep Schwarber in his back pocket as a pinch hitter to keep Francona guessing

 

[bears5150]

Keep him on the bench use him at DH or PH. He is not that good of an outfielder anyway

 

[DrGonzo]

So, right field then?

 

[xer0h0ur]

Keep him on the bench use him at DH or PH. He is not that good of an outfielder anyway

He can't be a DH while the Cubs are in Chicago.

 

[Boobaby1]

Keep him on the bench use him at DH or PH. He is not that good of an outfielder anyway

I guess Soriano and Matt Holiday were good fielders? If the Doctors think he can go, then go. You never know if you will have this chance again, and you put your very best in there.

Here is Schwarbers bat stats for the post-season against really good pitching.

Kyle Schwarber has played in 11 postseason games and is 12-for-34 with a double, five home runs, seven runs scored and 10 RBI. Schwarber is hitting .353/.450/.824 with a 1.274 OPS in the postseason. Schwarber has the highest slugging percentage (.824) and OPS (1.274) in the history of the game among players with at least 40 plate appearances (Willie Aikens: 1.215; Lou Gehrig: 1.214; Babe Ruth: 1.214)

He flat out has energized this team to a higher level if that is even possible.

Yep! Lets worry about his defense. :thinking:

 

[Boobaby1]

Furthermore, and this is predicated on the Doctors point of view, but why can't you play him 5-6 innings in certain games, and then move Zobrist to left and Heyward to right late in the game if you have the lead for defensive purposes? That could be a strategy that Joe employs.

 

[xer0h0ur]

I mean you are playing with fire there by potentially sacrificing defense to keep him in the batting rotation not to mention you are risking his career going forward...on a guy who is clearly very gifted and dedicated. All for what? A couple extra at bats? Not worth it. Let him pinch hit.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

I'd freaking start Schwarzilla at SP. He could probably throw 8 shut out innings and still hit 2-3 bombs. This morning I prayed to the Holy One, Jesus of Schwarzareth.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Seriously though, he hasn't even been medically cleared to play in the field. I would not put him in the OF. But best believe the first key at-bat with a PH, The Babe is coming out there.

What an ace in the hole to have. You can tell even Kluber danced around him a bit. Kluber was dealin' as good as any pitcher and even he didn't really want to go at him.