IST: Cubs @ Rangers — Season Opener

[SilenceS]

Javy just missed number 3

 

[A.C. Milan]

I have to watch the highlights. What a start my friends!

 

[SiDe WaYs]

Great start to the season

 

[CubsFaninMN]

Good to see a strong start. We haven't won on opening day since 2016, I don't think.

As for benching Schwarbs, it looked like a good idea when he went 0 for 2 after replacing Zags. But the double in the 9th -- off a lefty -- makes you think. He still didn't produce as well as Zags today, though, in roughly equal playing time.

-Doug

 

[Castor76]

I hope not. I think Maddon's greatest strength is playing the matchups, and yes I know you don't feel the same. If Russell comes back and performs and Happ figures somethings out then that situation changes. In this day and age having a regular starting 8 is neither effective or should be the goal. Let's hope guys like Bote and Caratini surprise us some. As far as pitchers going deeper, I think that has to happen until the pen stabilizes. At some point though you have to limit those aging arms.

How did playing to the numbers versus having a regular starting 8 work for the Dodgers versus the Red Sox?

 

[CSF77]

Javier Baez clubbed home runs in the fourth and fifth innings at Globe Life Park, becoming the first Cubs player to put together a multi-homer effort on Opening Day since Corey Patterson in 2003. Baez is just the seventh Cub to accomplish that, and the fifth shortstop to do so for any team.

 

[zack54attack]

Im happy for the strong start. Lets see what Hamels and Darvish have now.

 

[ijustposthere]

You must be new here.

Nah, that's how I know he whines too much lol.

 

[ijustposthere]

Im happy for the strong start. Lets see what Hamels and Darvish have now.

Hopefully Darvish is what they paid him to be.

 

[anotheridiot]

Good to see a strong start. We haven't won on opening day since 2016, I don't think.

As for benching Schwarbs, it looked like a good idea when he went 0 for 2 after replacing Zags. But the double in the 9th -- off a lefty -- makes you think. He still didn't produce as well as Zags today, though, in roughly equal playing time.

-Doug

Well, what you might have noticed early was the guys that got on base the first time thru the order were......lefties.

There is something to keeping a lineup balanced and not allowing pitchers to lock in on one side of the plate.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Great first game. Nice to see the offense is back after the end to last season.

Baez picking up where he left off, Bryant's shoulder looks fine... Rizzo still a walk machine. Lester looking young again. All good signs.

If Darvish can come back strong and KB stays healthy.. that's two huge additions this season for a team that didn't make a "splash" in FA like the Padres and Phillies did.

Still don't like this day off after opening day crap. I know its for weather concerns... but, when was the last time it snowed in Texas in late March?

 

[zack54attack]

Great first game. Nice to see the offense is back after the end to last season.

Baez picking up where he left off, Bryant's shoulder looks fine... Rizzo still a walk machine. Lester looking young again. All good signs.

If Darvish can come back strong and KB stays healthy.. that's two huge additions this season for a team that didn't make a "splash" in FA like the Padres and Phillies did.

Still don't like this day off after opening day crap. I know its for weather concerns... but, when was the last time it snowed in Texas in late March?

Yeah, the Friday off is stupid.

 

[anotheridiot]

Yeah, the Friday off is stupid.

I think it was even more stupid to have all 30 teams playing yesterday. Teams in domes or california should not need that opening day rain date, but its not going to change any time soon. I guess Texas will be in a retractable roof situation next year so they should be able to add two teams to day 2.

 

[zack54attack]

I think it was even more stupid to have all 30 teams playing yesterday. Teams in domes or california should not need that opening day rain date, but its not going to change any time soon. I guess Texas will be in a retractable roof situation next year so they should be able to add two teams to day 2.

Well they were also competing with NCAA tournament. Had Monday, Tues and Wednesday for Opening Day with no other sports..

 

[Castor76]

Great first game. Nice to see the offense is back after the end to last season.

Baez picking up where he left off, Bryant's shoulder looks fine... Rizzo still a walk machine. Lester looking young again. All good signs.

If Darvish can come back strong and KB stays healthy.. that's two huge additions this season for a team that didn't make a "splash" in FA like the Padres and Phillies did.

Still don't like this day off after opening day crap. I know its for weather concerns... but, when was the last time it snowed in Texas in late March?

I was listening to a sports betting show and the guy said his #1 pick this year was the Cubs going under the 87 1/2 wins, which he based on the additions made by division opponents. Granted, the Brewers added a great piece at catcher and the Reds added nice pieces, everybody going crazy about the Cards adding Goldschmidt probably don't realize the Cards got .271/355/.500 from 1B last year with 39 HR so Goldy won't be the improvement many think. Plus, if the Cubs can simply be healthy. they have a few WAR added just by that as well.

 

[CSF77]

I was listening to a sports betting show and the guy said his #1 pick this year was the Cubs going under the 87 1/2 wins, which he based on the additions made by division opponents. Granted, the Brewers added a great piece at catcher and the Reds added nice pieces, everybody going crazy about the Cards adding Goldschmidt probably don't realize the Cards got .271/355/.500 from 1B last year with 39 HR so Goldy won't be the improvement many think. Plus, if the Cubs can simply be healthy. they have a few WAR added just by that as well.

I would be shocked if they won less than 95. Last year's team was worse.

 

[Castor76]

I would be shocked if they won less than 95. Last year's team was worse.

I set my line at 92, but that's just me being overly conservative in my guess. I could see them winning over 100 if they are healthy once the guys who are out come back.

 

[CSF77]

I set my line at 92, but that's just me being overly conservative in my guess. I could see them winning over 100 if they are healthy once the guys who are out come back.

IDK. It would depend on health.

Last year:

Zobrist: .305/.378/.440 9 HR 58 RBI
Bryant: .272/.374/.460 13 HR 52 RBI
Rizzo: .283/.376/.470 25 HR 101 RBI
Baez: .290/.326/.554 34 HR 111 RBI
Schwarber: .238/.356/.467 26 HR 61 RBI
Contreras: .249/.339/.390 10 HR 54 RBI
Heyward: .270/.335/.395 8 HR 57 RBI
Almora: .286/.323/.378 5 HR 41 RBI

The line up was underwhelming. It didn't strike fear into anyone. This is a floor for this year.

Staff:

Lester: 3.32 ERA as the ace...
Darvish: 4.95 ERA in 8 starts
Hamels: 2.36 ERA in 12 starts
Hendricks: 3.44 ERA
Quintana 4.03 ERA

The staff was poor last year. Hamels gave it life and now Darvish is back. Far better. Again they were not striking fear into teams ouside of Hamels and a late push from Hendricks.

Pen was in disarray also. I really see a push on that.

Over all they won 95 games when this team could have won 81 based off of the production. Joe somehow equals wins and that is a simple as it gets. A healthy team with a mission is scary business.

So I get how some might view this team with a passive approach. I don't. This team is one of the top 5 talented teams in baseball as long as they are matching their career avg. I would be concerned if they were a under achieving bunch but as shown they over achieved 95 and healthy they are a 97 WIN TEAM AGAIN.

 

[CSF77]

I personally believe that it will be the little things that impact the most.

Zag platooning with Schwarber. That puts Schwarber in advantage in his AB's in general. VS L .224/.352/.303 VS R: .241/.334/.401 Basically he went defensive and pushed walks and lacked power. only 1 of his 26 HR came off of a lefty. For a 5 hitter that is unacceptable. That is why Joe said Zo drops to 5 and Almora leads off those games. Bote moves to 2B with Zag in LF. Get used to it until Russell returns which makes things interesting.

Pen is my main concern but as long as Montgomery and Chatwood turn out to be solid middle relief I'm less concerned.

Rotation is all about health. They are all 2-3 pitchers on a contender. Hamels and Darvish could be ace level on any given day. We have seen Hendricks just shut teams down for a month at a time when his mechanics are locked in. Q seemed to figure it out late last year and has added a change up. Which IMO will end up a big pitch for him. I believe it was his breaking pitch that has caused his downfall and adding a 3rd dependable offering will keep teams off that pitch.

That is my take. They had their feathers ruffled last year and got beat. It didn't matter that they had a long stretch of games or had to deal with injury. There was no excuse for getting bounced 2 games in a row. They are going to make teams pay for it. 12-4 blow out will not be this rare moment. 2016 this seemed common and that team lacked this team's impact.

 

[anotheridiot]

I personally believe that it will be the little things that impact the most.

Zag platooning with Schwarber. That puts Schwarber in advantage in his AB's in general. VS L .224/.352/.303 VS R: .241/.334/.401 Basically he went defensive and pushed walks and lacked power. only 1 of his 26 HR came off of a lefty. For a 5 hitter that is unacceptable. That is why Joe said Zo drops to 5 and Almora leads off those games. Bote moves to 2B with Zag in LF. Get used to it until Russell returns which makes things interesting.

so bench him against the guys he get on base better against.

As far as unaccpetable for a 5 hitter, I guess you cant bat two guys like 22 million dollar heyward 8th.