IST: Chicago Cubs (5-3) hosting San Diego Padres (6-4)

[JosMin]

(5-3, 3-2 vs. Division, 5-3 vs. NL)


at

(6-4, 6-4 vs. Division, 6-4 vs. NL)

Series taking place at Wrigley Field AKA the Port-o-Potty Capital of Chicago
1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613
Capacity: 41,072

Game times and probable starters


April 17th, 2:20 pm EST
Jason Hammel (1-0, 4.50 ERA) versus James Shields (1-0, 2.08 ERA)

April 18th, 2:20 PM EST
Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 10.38 ERA) versus Tyson Ross (1-0, 3.75 ERA)

April 19th, 2:20 PM EST
Jon Lester (0-1, 7.84 ERA) versus Andrew Cashner (0-2, 4.09 ERA)​

 

[Shawon0Meter]

I don't feel great about the first 2 games (would be happy with a split) but I'm predicting Lester's first win until I'm right.

 

[JZsportsfan]

Gonna be a good matchup.

These are the type of games that could comeback to haunt us at the end if we let a couple of them slip away

 

[JosMin]

It's time, Cubs fans.

BruceMiles2112 19 minutes ago
Mike Olt to go on DL with hairline fracture of ulna. Will be in cast 3 weeks. Bryant coming up for Friday. #Cubs

 

[Boobaby1]

Would love to see the Cubs somehow manage to take at least two of three against the Padre's before going on the road, so Chicago and the whole media world can go nuts about it. :X

 

[brett05]

Put me down for 1 for 4 with 2 k's and a run for Bryant today

 

[Boobaby1]

Put me down for 1 for 4 with 2 k's and a run for Bryant today

Buzz killer. :tongue:

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Pretty exciting day and an important early series. This is the second best team the Cubs have seen this year and all three pitching match ups are tough. I'm hoping everyone can brace themselves a bit and realize that Bryant is going to struggle early like all young players do. No freaking out over that fact allowed. Now, let's have fun with this thing.

 

[brett05]

Buzz killer. :tongue:

Put me down for 1 for 4 with 2 k's and a run for Bryant today

EDIT: 2 for 2, 2b, HR, 3 RBI and 2 BB (One Intentional)

 

[Parade_Rain]

EDIT: 2 for 2, 2b, HR, 3 RBI and 2 BB (One Intentional)

You haven't lost our bet yet, Cubs fan.

 

[brett05]

You haven't lost our bet yet, Cubs fan.

True, but I also am a fan of his. Growing up I loved Mike Schmidt and.....George Brett. If Bryant can be another top 3b, I'll be quite happy. I just need to figure how to get him off of the Cubs like the Cards did with Brock



Seriously, 1 for 4 run scored, two k's official pick today. I also think he homers in one of the three games this weekend.

 

[brett05]

Saw this on twitter...I hope this doesn't happen

2005 Brandon Wood
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wood--002ric

Compare that to 2014 Bryant
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=bryant001kri

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Saw this on twitter...I hope this doesn't happen

2005 Brandon Wood
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wood--002ric

Compare that to 2014 Bryant
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=bryant001kri

A cautionary tale for sure, but Brandon Wood was never ranked quite as high by scouts as Bryant has been. There were mental make up questions and coachability issues if I recall correctly. Dude was given every chance and didn't get it done. Is it possible Bryant bottoms out like that? Of course, but given his background, his batting coach father and his seemingly unflappable will I don't think so.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Fowler CF
Soler RF
Rizzo 1B
Bryant 3B
Coghlan LF
Castro SS
Castillo C
Hammel P
Herrera 2B

 

[CSF77]

Fowler CF
Soler RF
Rizzo 1B
Bryant 3B
Coghlan LF
Castro SS
Castillo C
Hammel P
Herrera 2B

Pretty much what I was thinking. Sad that Herrera has been better than Alcantara thus far.

 

[chibears55]

Fowler CF
Soler RF
Rizzo 1B
Bryant 3B
Coghlan LF
Castro SS
Castillo C
Hammel P
Herrera 2B

bryant and castillo makes this a much better looking lineup 1-7

 

[brett05]

Boy I still hate Soler 2 and the pitcher 8.

 

[CSF77]

Boy I still hate Soler 2 and the pitcher 8.

Come on now. It makes sense now with Bryant hitting 4. Wait for Russell to come up and take over #9. That will really mess ya all up then.

 

[brett05]

Come on now. It makes sense now with Bryant hitting 4. Wait for Russell to come up and take over #9. That will really mess ya all up then.

No one ever accused Joe of being 100% straight but this really is getting nuts IMO

 

[CSF77]

lol tell me about it. But seriously if you look at it it makes sense.

I'm seeing it play out with Russell taking over 2B long term. Basically he is a 2nd Castro in the line up. So it makes sense that he should be used as a run.

Soler is an all around hitter. .310/.382/.586 .382 OBA is #3 behind Coghlan and Rizzo.

And Coghlan. Again underrated. .304/.385/.696 Leads the team in SLG. #2 in OBA #3 in BA. #5 hitter is where he belongs right now.


So plugging in Russell #9 where he can be another RBI? Ya it works fine for a kid adjusting to the league.