IST: Cubs @ Pirates

[chibears55]

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.

But it not really up to Maddon..

That not really something he going to signal for them to do..
It's their decision on whether or not they want to attempt to bunt for a hit..

It something you basically decide to do in box waiting on pitch after you see where the corners are playing you..

Anyways.. bottom line is , it just something I wish they'd consider doing sometimes...

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[Globetrotter]

Limited = sucks

 

[CSF77]

IMO bunting should only be done if the 3B is behind the bag and the hitter has solid bunting skills.

Rizzo actually sets up very well in the box and has shown good athletic skills in putting down a bunt. Kyle on the other hand looks like a amature at it and is not what I would call fleet of foot to 1B.

Honestly your highest reward with Kyle has been in HR's and BB. That is it. And honestly depending on a .200 hitter to have the bat skills to lay down a bunt to 3B?

 

[beckdawg]

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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I'm not 100% sure Russell will be healthy enough for SS if he's even able to play. But assuming he ends up fine I still think you play him at SS and Baez at 2B. Just think Russell is the most consistent guy there not just on the cubs but possibly in the league. There's other flashier guys and Russell's arm isn't always great but almost nothing gets through him if it's reachable.

In reference to the OF, I really wish Maddon would take the training wheels off Almora. Almora's gonna start in CF LHP. That's a given. He's absolutely destroying LHP this year(.350/.422/.505) and obviously he's the best defensive CF they have. What I was curious on after his HR vs RHP tonight is if he's been better with that since say June. So I looked it up.

Almora vs RHP by month
April - .194/.242/.258 5.9%/20.6% bb/k rate 34 PAs
May - .194/.219/.226 3.1%/12.5% bb/k rate 32 PAs
June - .255/.300/.383 6.0%/26.0% bb/k rate 50 PAs
July - .350/.318/.450 0.0%/13.0% bb/k rate 23 PAs
August - .296/.296/.370 0.0%/18.5% bb/k rate 27 PAs

Not 100% sure what's going on there with his walk rate because clearly at 11.2% vs LHP he's capable of laying off bad pitches. Maybe he's not seeing the ball well. His power is also some what mediocre but it does look like he's improving. And what I like about Almora is he's one of the few guys in the line line up that's going to put balls in play consistently. I feel like I've brought up this gripe for 3 years now but it's great having high walk rate guys at the top of your line up but eventually you want someone to get a hit and drive them in. I think one of the reasons that Almora seems so clutch is because most of the rest of the team are walk/power hitters not guys who put balls in play. I really love the idea of him as your #5 or #6 hitter behind guys with stellar OBP. If I'm being honest though I think Almora is basically being used now how Maddon is going to use him which is as a premium bench bat for PH/def in late game situations which at least in my eyes is sad. As mentioned he'll also see LHP I suppose but I feel like he's more than the cubs are using him as.

As for the rest of the guys, if we're assuming health on baez/Russell and we're assuming they are your 2b/SS then I'd personally rotate 3 guys in LF/CF between Schwarber Happ and Almora. I know full well that Zobrist is going to get a bigger portion of that mix than I'd want but I honestly would rather see Schwarber out there with his struggles than Zobrist right now. Schwarber has substantially more power and basically a similar walk rate on the year which is actually better if you're just talking june forward. On Happ I'd assume he's going to start a lot in CF and start in LF vs LHP with Almora in CF.

Long story short if you want to know what probably will happen I'd say it's likely Happ/Almora then the regulars vs LHP and either Zobrist/Happ or Schwarber/Happ in LF/CF vs RHP.

 

[CSF77]

Limited = sucks

Limited= avg to sub avg D. Low contact. Not fast to 1B. But good BB skills and high impact power.

He is basically Greg Luwinski

 

[chibears55]

IMO bunting should only be done if the 3B is behind the bag and the hitter has solid bunting skills.

Rizzo actually sets up very well in the box and has shown good athletic skills in putting down a bunt. Kyle on the other hand looks like a amature at it and is not what I would call fleet of foot to 1B.

Honestly your highest reward with Kyle has been in HR's and BB. That is it. And honestly depending on a .200 hitter to have the bat skills to lay down a bunt to 3B?

Schwarber only attempted twice and succeeded twice...
So...

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[Globetrotter]

Limited= avg to sub avg D. Low contact. Not fast to 1B. But good BB skills and high impact power.

He is basically Greg Luwinski

Solid comparison, sir. Haven't heard that name in ages.

 

[chibears55]

My thing between Russell and Baez , i look at it this way..

IMO

I think Baez has a much better advantage over Russell in making difficult plays then Russell has over Baez making routine plays..

Which is why is prefer Baez there

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[CSF77]

I'm not 100% sure Russell will be healthy enough for SS if he's even able to play. But assuming he ends up fine I still think you play him at SS and Baez at 2B. Just think Russell is the most consistent guy there not just on the cubs but possibly in the league. There's other flashier guys and Russell's arm isn't always great but almost nothing gets through him if it's reachable.

In reference to the OF, I really wish Maddon would take the training wheels off Almora. Almora's gonna start in CF LHP. That's a given. He's absolutely destroying LHP this year(.350/.422/.505) and obviously he's the best defensive CF they have. What I was curious on after his HR vs RHP tonight is if he's been better with that since say June. So I looked it up.

Almora vs RHP by month
April - .194/.242/.258 5.9%/20.6% bb/k rate 34 PAs
May - .194/.219/.226 3.1%/12.5% bb/k rate 32 PAs
June - .255/.300/.383 6.0%/26.0% bb/k rate 50 PAs
July - .350/.318/.450 0.0%/13.0% bb/k rate 23 PAs
August - .296/.296/.370 0.0%/18.5% bb/k rate 27 PAs

Not 100% sure what's going on there with his walk rate because clearly at 11.2% vs LHP he's capable of laying off bad pitches. Maybe he's not seeing the ball well. His power is also some what mediocre but it does look like he's improving. And what I like about Almora is he's one of the few guys in the line line up that's going to put balls in play consistently. I feel like I've brought up this gripe for 3 years now but it's great having high walk rate guys at the top of your line up but eventually you want someone to get a hit and drive them in. I think one of the reasons that Almora seems so clutch is because most of the rest of the team are walk/power hitters not guys who put balls in play. I really love the idea of him as your #5 or #6 hitter behind guys with stellar OBP. If I'm being honest though I think Almora is basically being used now how Maddon is going to use him which is as a premium bench bat for PH/def in late game situations which at least in my eyes is sad. As mentioned he'll also see LHP I suppose but I feel like he's more than the cubs are using him as.

As for the rest of the guys, if we're assuming health on baez/Russell and we're assuming they are your 2b/SS then I'd personally rotate 3 guys in LF/CF between Schwarber Happ and Almora. I know full well that Zobrist is going to get a bigger portion of that mix than I'd want but I honestly would rather see Schwarber out there with his struggles than Zobrist right now. Schwarber has substantially more power and basically a similar walk rate on the year which is actually better if you're just talking june forward. On Happ I'd assume he's going to start a lot in CF and start in LF vs LHP with Almora in CF.

Long story short if you want to know what probably will happen I'd say it's likely Happ/Almora then the regulars vs LHP and either Zobrist/Happ or Schwarber/Happ in LF/CF vs RHP.

Joe has said that he is looking at LaStella and Freeman as late inning D right now. He is fine with Baez as the every day SS and Zo at 2B.

Basically he is going with O early inning and D late inning. We have seen this with today's line up and I'm pretty sure that this will be the game plan.

He is not going into it with Russell in the plans. If he comes back or not he would have to outplay Baez right now.

Now next year who knows honestly. I'm partial to trading Schwarber as he has more penalty vs promise at this point. Add to it Almora/Baez/Happ should all be playing every day. I would rather sit with plus D vs a big bat potential

 

[beckdawg]

Joe has said that he is looking at LaStella and Freeman as late inning D right now. He is fine with Baez as the every day SS and Zo at 2B.

Basically he is going with O early inning and D late inning. We have seen this with today's line up and I'm pretty sure that this will be the game plan.

He is not going into it with Russell in the plans. If he comes back or not he would have to outplay Baez right now.

Now next year who knows honestly. I'm partial to trading Schwarber as he has more penalty vs promise at this point. Add to it Almora/Baez/Happ should all be playing every day. I would rather sit with plus D vs a big bat potential

Well that's why I said assuming Russell is back 100% which I'm doubtful he will be. If we're talking without Russell then I'd go with Baez at SS, Happ at 2B, Schwarber in LF and Almora/Jay depending on CF match up. But like I said, I think Zobrist is going to get more playing time than he really deserves. He's at a 83 wRC+ this year. Schwarber is at 95. He's not that far off what Heyward was last year and he doesn't give you Heywards defense either. Plus in his case I feel like having an experience switch hitter coming off the bench who can play multiple positions would be handy in the playoffs.

 

[TL1961]

Solid comparison, sir. Haven't heard that name in ages.

I've never heard it, because it's Luzinski.

Monica Lewinsky

Greg Luzinski

 

[TL1961]

Joe has said that he is looking at LaStella and Freeman as late inning D right now. He is fine with Baez as the every day SS and Zo at 2B.

Basically he is going with O early inning and D late inning. We have seen this with today's line up and I'm pretty sure that this will be the game plan.

He is not going into it with Russell in the plans. If he comes back or not he would have to outplay Baez right now.

Now next year who knows honestly. I'm partial to trading Schwarber as he has more penalty vs promise at this point. Add to it Almora/Baez/Happ should all be playing every day. I would rather sit with plus D vs a big bat potential

I agree you go with the best D. I think it comes down to whether Russell outplays Zobrist or Happ. And offense on the bench for PH is a good thing, too.

But I think trading Schwarber would be a mistake, especially selling low.

 

[TL1961]

My thing between Russell and Baez , i look at it this way..

IMO

I think Baez has a much better advantage over Russell in making difficult plays then Russell has over Baez making routine plays..

Which is why is prefer Baez there

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Russell has no experience playing second base and turning the DP from that position. You can't just throw him there in the postseason, IMO. IF he's healthy enough for SS, he has to be SS, and Baez at 2nd due to his experience and versatility.

Don't discount Addy. He was a huge factor last year in the postseason, even after a very slow start.

 

[beckdawg]

Russell has no experience playing second base and turning the DP from that position. You can't just throw him there in the postseason, IMO. IF he's healthy enough for SS, he has to be SS, and Baez at 2nd due to his experience and versatility.

Don't discount Addy. He was a huge factor last year in the postseason, even after a very slow start.

I agree with your conclusions but you're forgetting Russell came up playing 2B to Castro's SS so he does have experience there to nit pick a bit.

 

[TL1961]

I agree with your conclusions but you're forgetting Russell came up playing 2B to Castro's SS so he does have experience there to nit pick a bit.

Yeah, I realized that after posting. He played 2nd for a month or six weeks. But that's at least enough that he has experience turning from that side, which would make me feel a lot better if they decide he's not ready for SS.

 

[chibears55]

Yeah, I realized that after posting. He played 2nd for a month or six weeks. But that's at least enough that he has experience turning from that side, which would make me feel a lot better if they decide he's not ready for SS.

Hopefully he back before the postseason starts to get a few games in for both hitting and fielding purposes..

Maddon already said he going to decide who play 2B when he does, he didnt give Addy a direct nod I think mainly because he liking what Baez brings defensively at SS..

We'll see

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[brett05]

StL 4 games back. MIL 4.5 back. Utter collapse? No. This race is fairly close and the Cubs play the majority of their games the rest of the way against both of those teams.

Utter Collapse. Yes. 5 games back both teams now. Cubs are just too good, too experienced. Yes, it would be an epic collapse. For me, the Cubs have always been the best team in the Central. And they were the only ones to really take it seriously with trades this year as well. I get your pessimism. But you are entitled to start the kool-aid drinking.

 

[brett05]

I'm sure you do think that. I just saw the Cubs lose 12-0 and also lose 2 games to the Pirates. Baseball is a lot about when you catch teams. Right now, they are kind of meh. Do I think they will win the division? Sure, but if they don't, I also wouldn't call it an "utter collapse", which is the point I wss specifically addressing. Now 13 game lead at the beginning of September would be another story.

Just a bigger collapse is all

 

[Parade_Rain]

just an actual utter collapse is all

ftfy. :d

 

[fatbeard]

Yeah, I realized that after posting. He played 2nd for a month or six weeks. But that's at least enough that he has experience turning from that side, which would make me feel a lot better if they decide he's not ready for SS.

Small sample size, but Russell graded out extremely well in the ~750 innings he played at 2B in 2015. Certainly passed the eye test as a GG-caliber defender there. Not sure where these phantom concerns over his ability to turn a double play there are coming from.