IST: Cubs @ Pirates

[chibears55]

Before you go sticking your head in the oven, look at it this way:

If Cubs win only one of three against Brewers or against Cards, three games come off the schedule, and the other team gains ONE. Magic number drops two. That's if we lose 2 of 3.

Win 2of 3, and rest easier.

Avoid a sweep and it is tough on the other guy.

Best option. Sweep them out of contention.

Cubs need to play Cards as though it is a playoff series and don't let them squeak out a win with their crap youngsters who aren't really any good.

That basically what I said in my third line.

If they win it over.

So yea your head in oven or at least eyes on the stove ...
[emoji848][emoji848]

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[chibears55]

What aggravates me woth Schwarb and Rizxo at times..

Got a runner on 3rd 2 outs and they have the shift on them..
Why not attempt a bunt down 3rd base line force the pitcher to make a great play and throw..

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[chibears55]

Sac fly
Suicide squeeze

Old time baseball to score runs...
[emoji16][emoji16]

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[beckdawg]

What aggravates me woth Schwarb and Rizxo at times..

Got a runner on 3rd 2 outs and they have the shift on them..
Why not attempt a bunt down 3rd base line force the pitcher to make a great play and throw..

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I mean do you honestly think they've spent much time practicing bunts? I'm not really convinced they'd get it down.

 

[chibears55]

I mean do you honestly think they've spent much time practicing bunts? I'm not really convinced they'd get it down.

Rizzo actually really good at it..

Seen Schwarber lay a few good ones down from time to time..

Point Is, if their giving it to you with an opportunity to knock one in ..
Why not at least attempt it with 2 outs..



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[beckdawg]

Rizzo actually really good at it..

Seen Schwarber lay a few good ones down from time to time..

Point Is, if their giving it to you with an opportunity to knock one in ..
Why not at least attempt it with 2 outs..



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Well if you don't think they can get it down even trying just puts them in unfavorable counts.

 

[Diehardfan]

I mean do you honestly think they've spent much time practicing bunts? I'm not really convinced they'd get it down.

I have to agree with the emogi man on this one. You're a major league player that makes a living hitting a baseball...if you can't lay down an occasional bunt, there's something wrong with you.

 

[beckdawg]

I have to agree with the emogi man on this one. You're a major league player that makes a living hitting a baseball...if you can't lay down an occasional bunt, there's something wrong with you.

Whether they should be able to do it is kind of irrelevant. I mean how often do you think they practice bunting with bryant/rizzo/schwarber? In spring training sure but I strongly doubt any does it during the season. Way I see it, if you're not confident in the execution then you don't do it. And I think it's reasonable to question their ability to do it

 

[Globetrotter]

Good ol' Schwarber. Worthless.

 

[Diehardfan]

Whether they should be able to do it is kind of irrelevant. I mean how often do you think they practice bunting with bryant/rizzo/schwarber? In spring training sure but I strongly doubt any does it during the season. Way I see it, if you're not confident in the execution then you don't do it. And I think it's reasonable to question their ability to do it

Why is it irrelevant? Do you think everything someone is capable of doing needs to be practiced? That's ridiculous. Do you practice tying your shoes? I'm not saying wait till you got two strikes but first pitch strike, why not?

 

[beckdawg]

Why is it irrelevant? Do you think everything someone is capable of doing needs to be practiced? That's ridiculous. Do you practice tying your shoes? I'm not saying wait till you got two strikes but first pitch strike, why not?

I think comparing it to tying your shoes is disingenuous. Bunting isn't simple. Pitchers basically only practice that and have trouble getting it down all the time. If you're confident you can get it down fine then go for it. But I think if Maddon were confident in their ability to do it he'd have them do it. However, just handing them a free strike doesn't help anyone if you can't get it down and at least in Rizzo's case he's an MVP caliber bat. Think he's a higher probability to get a hit than bunting. Schwarber might be a different story.

 

[chibears55]

Well if you don't think they can get it down even trying just puts them in unfavorable counts.

I do think they can get it down and I've seen them get it down..

So there is a point..lol



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[chibears55]

I have to agree with the emogi man on this one. You're a major league player that makes a living hitting a baseball...if you can't lay down an occasional bunt, there's something wrong with you.

Thanks.. I think ???

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[beckdawg]

I do think they can get it down and I've seen them get it down..

So there is a point..lol



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Well you asked for a reason. I gave you one possible one. I can also tell you that stats heavy people don't like bunts. They are typically viewed as free outs by the stats community and that's when things go right. Either way, I think the long and short of things is Maddon trusts his hitters more with a bat in their hand than them trying to bunt for a hit. If you disagree then obviously that's your opinion but I don't think it's absurd to believe in Rizzo with a bat in his hands even with a shift and two outs. If you want debate whether or not Schwarber would be better off given his struggles getting base hits think that's another matter as I said. But I'd also say if you don't want a hitter swinging in that situation then why do you even put them in the line up?

 

[chibears55]

I think comparing it to tying your shoes is disingenuous. Bunting isn't simple. Pitchers basically only practice that and have trouble getting it down all the time. If you're confident you can get it down fine then go for it. But I think if Maddon were confident in their ability to do it he'd have them do it. However, just handing them a free strike doesn't help anyone if you can't get it down and at least in Rizzo's case he's an MVP caliber bat. Think he's a higher probability to get a hit than bunting. Schwarber might be a different story.

But they can do it..

Rizzo in laying down bunts for hits is 2 for 4 this year and 7 for 14 career..
So he doesn't do it a lot but he can do it..

Schwarber done twice this year and he 2 for 2..

Those were only time he attempted..

So they both can do it and are successful at it , they just choose not to..

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[chibears55]

Well you asked for a reason. I gave you one possible one. I can also tell you that stats heavy people don't like bunts. They are typically viewed as free outs by the stats community and that's when things go right. Either way, I think the long and short of things is Maddon trusts his hitters more with a bat in their hand than them trying to bunt for a hit. If you disagree then obviously that's your opinion but I don't think it's absurd to believe in Rizzo with a bat in his hands even with a shift and two outs. If you want debate whether or not Schwarber would be better off given his struggles getting base hits think that's another matter as I said. But I'd also say if you don't want a hitter swinging in that situation then why do you even put them in the line up?

Well yea I agree with Rizzo swinging away and all..
Schwarber ...........

My point is, I'm not saying do it all the time in any situation..

Runner on 3rd 2 outs, why not consider it now and then and get a run home that way over trying to drill one into a shift and hope it lands safely...

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[beckdawg]

But they can do it..

Rizzo in laying down bunts for hits is 2 for 4 this year and 7 for 14 career..
So he doesn't do it a lot but he can do it..

Schwarber done twice this year and he 2 for 2..

Those were only time he attempted..

So they both can do it and are successful at it , they just choose not to..

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Tell it to Maddon then. Like I said, you asked for reasons why he wouldn't do it. I've given you several. Clearly you disagree with that thought process but your beef isn't with me its with Maddon. The facts are the team doesn't like to bunt. They've only tried it 59 times out of 5384 plate appearances this year in any situation let alone with a hitter like Rizzo up. I'm sure there's a pretty good thought process behind it because Maddon generally is one of the smarter guys in the room.

 

[chibears55]

Ok I'm gonna ask cause it was brought up on sportstalklive..

Russell returns for playoff ..

Baez at 2B or SS
Russell 2B or SS

Maddon says it going to be who he feels gives him better D at 2B..

I'm going with Baez at SS Russell 2B..

Other scenerio..

Who plays LF and CF between Schwarber Happ Jay Almora Zobrist

I'd prefer Happ and Almora..

Maddon probably goes Schwarber against RH and Zobrist LH with Happ in CF



Who

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[Globetrotter]

Russell @ SS

Happ and Almora

 

[CSF77]

Honestly I wouldn't mind Schwarber traded to a team that was willing to let him catch (Cole for Schwarber + 2 Prospects).

Schwarber has solid upside but let's be real. He is very limited as a player.

Now I believe that Happ should be in LF and leading off. He has all the tools needed for the role with 20 HR power. Then that opens up CF for Almora every day. Just in the plus D it is win win.

At that point you run Baez/Russell/Zo between SS2B as it was originally intended.

I looked into Pit's catching depth and it is a black hole. So at worst he is a LF but he would not be blocked by a all-star ability young catcher.

Now I wouldn't concider a deal like this unless it was Cole or Archer in return. But honestly Kyle is very limited in his current role and has been miss placed by Joe.