IST: Cubs @ Cardinals (9/7-9/9)

[Boobaby1]

This one is on maddon

He yanks lester.....why
He inserts strop....why, he gets pounded by stl
He continues to insert richard vs tough lhp late in games....why, the guy was a waiver wire reject about 4 weeks ago

This one is not on Maddon. It is on the bullpen. He doesn't magically know who is going to pitch well and who isn't.

Strop was facing the bottom of the line-up and gave up a walk, and a hit to the number 8 hitter.

This is just a realization that the bullpen needs to be overhauled. Rondon, Grimm and Ramirez would be my only keepers out of it, and I would get Edwards and Johnson in it too.

They have a lot of work to do in the off-season in the bullpen, as well as finding another TOR. Once again, it will be an off-season of looking for pitching.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

Normally I'd happily take 2/3 from STL any time but that finish was turrible. I'd call it predictable but I always predict doom and gloom against the cards

 

[FrankieLyrical]

This one is not on Maddon. It is on the bullpen. He doesn't magically know who is going to pitch well and who isn't.

Strop was facing the bottom of the line-up and gave up a walk, and a hit to the number 8 hitter.

This is just a realization that the bullpen needs to be overhauled. Rondon, Grimm and Ramirez would be my only keepers out of it, and I would get Edwards and Johnson in it too.

They have a lot of work to do in the off-season in the bullpen, as well as finding another TOR. Once again, it will be an off-season of looking for pitching.

A complete overhaul may be a bit much, but yeah we still need some guys to shut the door. Our bullpen is too shaky for my liking

 

[Diehardfan]

This one is on maddon

He yanks lester.....why
He inserts strop....why, he gets pounded by stl
He continues to insert richard vs tough lhp late in games....why, the guy was a waiver wire reject about 4 weeks ago

Not really sure what Richard did to garner all this trust....I felt more comfortable with Russell. The best thing that came out of this series is the fact that if the Cubs get by the Pirates...they can beat this Cardinal team. I kind of felt that way before this series...I definitely feel it now.

 

[Diehardfan]

This one is not on Maddon. It is on the bullpen. He doesn't magically know who is going to pitch well and who isn't.

Strop was facing the bottom of the line-up and gave up a walk, and a hit to the number 8 hitter.

This is just a realization that the bullpen needs to be overhauled. Rondon, Grimm and Ramirez would be my only keepers out of it, and I would get Edwards and Johnson in it too.

They have a lot of work to do in the off-season in the bullpen, as well as finding another TOR. Once again, it will be an off-season of looking for pitching.

Ramirez loss was a big one....he was just as good or better last season than Grimm is this season. Would've been nice to have them both. If he comes back strong, a rebuild is not a necessity for the pen. They do need a lefty out there that can get lefties out.

 

[willycat]

Not really sure what Richard did to garner all this trust....I felt more comfortable with Russell. The best thing that came out of this series is the fact that if the Cubs get by the Pirates...they can beat this Cardinal team. I kind of felt that way before this series...I definitely feel it now.

I agree and let's bring Russell back. Thinking besides a TOR and another starter the Cubs need to look for bullpen help, possibly a shut down closer.

 

[Boobaby1]

Ramirez loss was a big one....he was just as good or better last season than Grimm is this season. Would've been nice to have them both. If he comes back strong, a rebuild is not a necessity for the pen. They do need a lefty out there that can get lefties out.

They definitely need two guys out in the pen, and yes, a lefty specialist is in tall order.

To me, they also need to get a guy who commands the zone. The Cardinals bring in three that are usually lock down guys in Maness, Siegrist, and Rosenthal. Same goes with the Royals.

I don't feel safe when guys like Strop come in, especially in a crucial spot. Whether it is finding a true closer like Kimbrel or Chapman for example, and letting Grimm, Ramirez, and Rondon set him up? I don't know.

All I do know is that we need to get our team to the point where other teams fear getting to the bullpen. Right now, I feel if they can get to the bullpen, they have a strong chance of making the Cubs pay dearly. I don't think I am too far off base on this one. No pun intended.

 

[SilenceS]

The offense should have never allowed it to be that close. they had many opportunities and left high probability runs get stranded. I have said this so many times in this thread. You have to step on the Cardinals throats. We are not the first team they have done this to.

 

[Diehardfan]

Ramirez came off the DL yesterday. It's anybody's guess if he's anywhere near his 2014 form....doubtful. He is an option, though.

I also just saw that the Cubs called up Medina....again. Fail.

 

[greg23]

Anyone seen strop pitch vs stl this year?

I have, and its 50-50 at best if he can get out the hitter....no matter who it is

He just isnt trust worthy late and close

Bigger issue is why was lester yanked? Even the cardinals announcers on mlb network were questioning it as it happened...103 easy pitches, not alot of stress the entire game.

 

[SilenceS]

Lol, Strop has been great. He has had two bad performances against the Cards and a bad one against Detroit. He has been lights out besides them. Step off the ledge. The loss was a group effort. We took 2 of 3 from the Cards. Ill take it. This is what young teams do. They didn't all of the sudden became grizzled vets in a 130 plus games.

 

[TL1961]

Controlled the series for 25 1/2 innings, and gained one game.

if pen does its job, they gain three times that.

Hurts.

 

[Parade_Rain]

This one is on maddon

He yanks lester.....why
He inserts strop....why, he gets pounded by stl
He continues to insert richard vs tough lhp late in games....why, the guy was a waiver wire reject about 4 weeks ago

I didn't have a problem with Richard or the AB. It was a very weak, single. It had to find the right spot to get through. Maddon may want a re-do though. I think he's managed games better.

 

[CSF77]

Sad loss. Looked at the game on lunch 3-1. Sucked seeing the end result.

Cards got to be scared right now after both the Cubs and Pirates got to them. If I had to guess they would rather face the Pirates at this point. We pretty much owned them up until the bull pen let down.

What I'm taking from the series: I expected 0-3 coming in and they almost sweep. So way better. Baez looks really sharp at 3B. I believe they should make the change. Baez would not be on the play off roster but they have to go with the best team up until that point. Baez is becoming invaluable.
Out side from that Castro has looked much better in a reserve role. He is looking like that guy again

 

[chibears55]

Lmao at the pedro strop bashing, ok he gave up runs yesterday and today but do you guys realize in his 66 appearances he only given up runs in 12 of those..

So that 54 games out of 66 he did his job perfectly and didn't give up a run and some are complaining about him..

Replace him ? Be hard to find someone to be better then that
in the 7th and 8th inning of close games. .

He just a big of a reason they have been successful and have 80 wins now as anyone else. .

Pedro Strop not the problem in the pen and i guarentee he will be back next year...

 

[chibears55]

Controlled the series for 25 1/2 innings, and gained one game.

if pen does its job, they gain three times that.

Hurts.

If the bats didnt go 2-11 w/ Risp and leave 9 on base, they win 3 games. .

Pen don't get total blame here, the bats going cold when it counted gets a share too...

Yea it sucks losing a winnable game today late, but bright side is they took 2 of 3 in SL. .. showed cards they can hang with them if they meet in playoffs...

Now they get to go to philly for 4 games and hopefully give them an ass whoopn as pay back for that sweep. ..

 

[JZsportsfan]

Still a great series by the Cubs

Bullpen needs to really step up to have any shot at making a run this postseason

Getting another TOR arm, Fowler, and the pen are going to be the issues addressed this offseason

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Sad loss. Looked at the game on lunch 3-1. Sucked seeing the end result.

Cards got to be scared right now after both the Cubs and Pirates got to them. If I had to guess they would rather face the Pirates at this point. We pretty much owned them up until the bull pen let down.

What I'm taking from the series: I expected 0-3 coming in and they almost sweep. So way better. Baez looks really sharp at 3B. I believe they should make the change. Baez would not be on the play off roster but they have to go with the best team up until that point. Baez is becoming invaluable.
Out side from that Castro has looked much better in a reserve role. He is looking like that guy again

If Soler isn't 100% why wouldn't Baez be on the playoff roster?

 

[brett05]

If Soler isn't 100% why wouldn't Baez be on the playoff roster?

Baez wasn't brought up in time, right?

 

[chibears55]

Baez wasn't brought up in time, right?

Playoff eligibility are set from who on their 40 man roster by Sept. 1. Baez is eligible