IST: Cubs @ Phillies

[Diehardfan]

Grimm seems like the kind of pitcher that needs one more pitch. He's listed as throwing 3 but he almost never uses his slider....so if he can't get the curve over for strikes, they sit on his fastball. You gotta really have good control to get by in MLB with two pitches...he doesn't. The times he does, he's pretty good...but he needs another pitch that he can use confidently.

 

[SilenceS]

They are calling up Almora.

 

[SilenceS]

 

[Mr. Cub]

They are calling up Almora.

Just seen that. We could have the first Cubs debut of the yea. Pinch hit/run tonight?

 

[Parade_Rain]

So that means Soler to DL, right? So when he gets healthy he comes back and rakes like he did last year?

 

[SilenceS]

So that means Soler to DL, right? So when he gets healthy he comes back and rakes like he did last year?

15 day DL, but Im reading they expect him to be longer than 15 days.

 

[Omeletpants]

15 day DL, but Im reading they expect him to be longer than 15 days.

WTF will we do without his .213 BA?

 

[TC in Mississippi]

WTF will we do without his .213 BA?

He'll be missed, .308/.438/.590 over the last 15 games and a very respectable .250/.345/.421 in the last 30 days. He's been good for a month after a slow start.

 

[Omeletpants]

Bryant (LF)/Baez-LaStella (3B) is a significant offensive and defensive upgrade over Bryant/Soler

 

[chibears55]

Be interesting to see if Maddon bats Almora in 9 hole like he did with Russell last year.

Have to guess Almora will start after tonight, no sense bringing him up and sitting him on bench..
they could of brought up Kalish then

Possible lineup

Fowler
Heyward
Bryant
Rizzo
Zobrist
Montero
Russell
Pitcher
Almora


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[SilenceS]

Be interesting to see if Maddon bats Almora in 9 hole like he did with Russell last year.

Have to guess Almora will start after tonight, no sense bringing him up and sitting him on bench..
they could of brought up Kalish then

Possible lineup

Fowler
Heyward
Bryant
Rizzo
Zobrist
Montero
Russell
Pitcher
Almora


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I doubt it. You still have to get Baez and LaStella at bats and Matt Szczur can play all positions. Almora is eligible for rule 5 after this year, so they were going to protect him sooner or later.

 

[chibears55]

I doubt it. You still have to get Baez and LaStella at bats and Matt Szczur can play all positions. Almora is eligible for rule 5 after this year, so they were going to protect him sooner or later.

Still..

They most likely use him like Soler, getting all the starts against LHers and a fair amount against RHers.

Baez will get his ABs


Its not that important to get LaStella and Szczur a ton of AB
Just enough to keep them fresh


As long as they got about a month with this kid, might as well see if he can play with the big boys.



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[TC in Mississippi]

Still..

They most likely use him like Soler, getting all the starts against LHers and a fair amount against RHers.

Baez will get his ABs


Its not that important to get LaStella and Szczur a ton of AB
Just enough to keep them fresh


As long as they got about a month with this kid, might as well see if he can play with the big boys.



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Maddon indicated that Almora will be used more as a reserve with Bryant in LF and La Stella and Baez splitting time at 3B most days. Hey if the kid performs that could change but Maddon really stressed that he was going to use La Stella more.

 

[SilenceS]

Maddon indicated that Almora will be used more as a reserve with Bryant in LF and La Stella and Baez splitting time at 3B most days. Hey if the kid performs that could change but Maddon really stressed that he was going to use La Stella more.

It makes sense. Almora bat is not really ready. The Cubs are playing terrific ball and Baez and LaStella would start for the majority of the teams. Also, they have earned their playing time coming on and off the bench all year. Almora is getting a cup of tea to see what it is like before he goes back down and comes up in September barring injury.

 

[chibears55]

Maddon indicated that Almora will be used more as a reserve with Bryant in LF and La Stella and Baez splitting time at 3B most days. Hey if the kid performs that could change but Maddon really stressed that he was going to use La Stella more.

Looking for a Maddon quote via Twitter after reading you're post i found this..

@GDubCub: Maddon says he plans to use Almora much like he used Soler, with emphasis on matching him up vs. LHPs.


Kid going to play as long as he holds his own with bat..
Absolutely no reason to play LaStella more then what he has..





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[TC in Mississippi]

Looking for a Maddon quote via Twitter after reading you're post i found this..

@GDubCub: Maddon says he plans to use Almora much like he used Soler, with emphasis on matching him up vs. LHPs.


Kid going to play as long as he holds his own with bat..
Absolutely no reason to play LaStella more then what he has..





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Ok, that's not what he said on the SCORE earlier today. He stressed more time for La Stella more than once. I guess we'll all see.

 

[chibears55]

Ok, that's not what he said on the SCORE earlier today. He stressed more time for La Stella more than once. I guess we'll all see.

Yea...

Probably going to see LaStella more against tougher RHers
Which we might've seen Soler play against

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[TL1961]

WTF will we do without his .213 BA?

I'm sure some will find something else to ***** about on a team playing .714 ball.

 

[TL1961]

Bryant (LF)/Baez-LaStella (3B) is a significant offensive and defensive upgrade over Bryant/Soler

Better in LF. Not better at 3rd. Insignificant.

 

[TL1961]

Be interesting to see if Maddon bats Almora in 9 hole like he did with Russell last year.

Have to guess Almora will start after tonight, no sense bringing him up and sitting him on bench..
they could of brought up Kalish then

Possible lineup

Fowler
Heyward
Bryant
Rizzo
Zobrist
Montero
Russell
Pitcher
Almora


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I understand a little of the "let's see what he can do" theory, but I have always been amused that a guy not good enough to be in MLB starts shortly after being called up.

Almora won't tonight, and I won't mind if he does. But still a little odd.

No reason to elevate him over Tommy (don't call me Emily) LaStella or Baez. Pinch run him or play him late on D for a few.