IST: Cubs vs. Brewers

[beckdawg]

Hendricks hasn't given up more than 3 runs since May 17th. After that he's pitched 118.0 innings with a 1.60 ERA, 102 K's, 30 BB's and opponents are hitting .197/.258/.321 against him. Also, that doesn't include tonight as the numbers haven't updated yet.

 

[Parade_Rain]

After next wave of call up , I wouldn't mind seeing this lineup for a game or two..

C. Contreras
1B Rizzo
2B Baez
SS Russell
3B Candelario
LF Bryant
CF Almora
RF Soler

Sent from my LG-V495 using Tapatalk

I'd hope that's against a LHP.

 

[beckdawg]

More random stats.... the cubs starter ERA this year is 2.87. Since the league expand in 1969, there's been 14 teams who've done better.

1981 Astros - 2.43
1972 O's - 2.54
1972 A's - 2.56
1985 Dodgers - 2.71
1972 Dodgers - 2.75
1972 Twins - 2.76
1981 Dodgers - 2.77
1975 Dodgers - 2.80
1969 Cardinals - 2.80
1972 Tigers - 2.80
1972 Indieans - 2.83
1985 Mets - 2.84
1969 Mets - 2.84
2011 Phillies - 2.86

Clearly something odd was going on in 1972. Considering I'm not even sure my parents were together then, I'll leave that up to someone older to speculate as to why but if we also remove those there's only 8 teams who've posted better ERA's and of them only 5 of them have occurred since 1980 and only the 2011 phillies are post steroid ERA starting. That 2011 Phillies team was Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, and Vance Worley/Joe Blanton/Kyle Kendrick making 44 starts.

The only other teams post 1990 that are even close are
1992 Braves - 2.95
2015 Cards - 2.99
2014 Nationals - 3.04
1997 Braves - 3.05
1998 Braves - 3.06
1991 Dodgers - 3.06
1993 Braves - 3.13
2013 Dodgers - 3.13
2014 Dodgers - 3.20
1992 Cubs - 3.21
1992 Expos - 3.23
2015 Dodgers - 3.24
1995 Braves - 3.25
1992 Pirates - 3.25

This just in... apparently the 1990's braves had a decent pitching staff. WHO KNEW!?

 

[Boobaby1]

More random stats.... the cubs starter ERA this year is 2.87. Since the league expand in 1969, there's been 14 teams who've done better.

1981 Astros - 2.43
1972 O's - 2.54
1972 A's - 2.56
1985 Dodgers - 2.71
1972 Dodgers - 2.75
1972 Twins - 2.76
1981 Dodgers - 2.77
1975 Dodgers - 2.80
1969 Cardinals - 2.80
1972 Tigers - 2.80
1972 Indieans - 2.83
1985 Mets - 2.84
1969 Mets - 2.84
2011 Phillies - 2.86

Clearly something odd was going on in 1972. Considering I'm not even sure my parents were together then, I'll leave that up to someone older to speculate as to why but if we also remove those there's only 8 teams who've posted better ERA's and of them only 5 of them have occurred since 1980 and only the 2011 phillies are post steroid ERA starting. That 2011 Phillies team was Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, and Vance Worley/Joe Blanton/Kyle Kendrick making 44 starts.

The only other teams post 1990 that are even close are
1992 Braves - 2.95
2015 Cards - 2.99
2014 Nationals - 3.04
1997 Braves - 3.05
1998 Braves - 3.06
1991 Dodgers - 3.06
1993 Braves - 3.13
2013 Dodgers - 3.13
2014 Dodgers - 3.20
1992 Cubs - 3.21
1992 Expos - 3.23
2015 Dodgers - 3.24
1995 Braves - 3.25
1992 Pirates - 3.25

This just in... apparently the 1990's braves had a decent pitching staff. WHO KNEW!?

I guess I'm a little older. First off, there were many teams (if not a lot) that had 4-man rotations. Second, the AL did not adopt the DH rule until '73 which didn't hurt things.

Teams like the A's that could throw out Hunter, Blue, and Holtzman, or the Orioles with Palmer spearheading the crew, or Lolich winning the amount of games he did for the Tigers, certainly helped.

I know Gaylord Perry pitched back then for the Indians, but I am not sure who else they had. I do know his stuff (literally) was nasty.

I can see the A's and O's since they were the cream of the crop and flat out dominated that span in the early 70's. The others, I have no answers for.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I guess I'm a little older. First off, there were many teams (if not a lot) that had 4-man rotations. Second, the AL did not adopt the DH rule until '73 which didn't hurt things.

Teams like the A's that could throw out Hunter, Blue, and Holtzman, or the Orioles with Palmer spearheading the crew, or Lolich winning the amount of games he did for the Tigers, certainly helped.

I know Gaylord Perry pitched back then for the Indians, but I am not sure who else they had. I do know his stuff (literally) was nasty.

I can see the A's and O's since they were the cream of the crop and flat out dominated that span in the early 70's. The others, I have no answers for.

Yes. Offense had been declining, or at least that was the perception, so by the time 1972 rolled around and pitching really had the upper hand, the AL voted in the DH for 73. Lowering the mound in 1968 obviously wasn't the only answer.

 

[anotheridiot]

there have been a few "dead ball" era controversies over the years as well that moved the advantage to the pitcher also.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/HR_leagues.shtml

there are years that home run leaders could not even hit 40 home runs.

 

[fatbeard]

Javy Baez has 11 DRS in ~350 innings at 2B this year.

The MLB leaders at 2B are Pedroia and Kinlser with 12 DRS in ~1100 innings each this year.

Javy Baez, ladies and gentlemen.

 

[CSF77]

Javy Baez has 11 DRS in ~350 innings at 2B this year.

The MLB leaders at 2B are Pedroia and Kinlser with 12 DRS in ~1100 innings each this year.

Javy Baez, ladies and gentlemen.

They made a commitment to Zobrist

 

[TC in Mississippi]

They made a commitment to Zobrist

I'm not predicting this by any stretch but if you think that Zobrist is a 3 WAR player next year, 2 the next and 1.5 in the last year he is not untradable at all. It's becoming a very crowded roster. The argument against is that if you presume Fowler is gone you're talking about losing 2 switch hitters, replacing them both with righties and only picking up one lefty in Schwarber.

 

[SilenceS]

What does Maddon write on his scorecard? "Dont be a fan". It doesnt matter if the Cubs commited to Zobrist. They are not going to trade out Baez with that defensive potential up the middle with Russell and him plus his versatility. He also has really come on with right handers. I think he is in the .250's now. He was low .200's until he started playing more. I will say Bryant admitted that he thinks the best defense is when Baez is at third. Baez has said he is fine playing so many positions, but he would to be at one in a couple of years. So, we will see. The more comfortable on D he gets the better his bat will become. Im excited to his work in the off season. You are talking about him and Russell being GG types with each popping 25 plus home runs a year. That is crazy for MI in today's game.

 

[fatbeard]

They made a commitment to Zobrist

Not arguing that Baez should be the everyday 2B at this point.

 

[Diehardfan]

What does Maddon write on his scorecard? "Dont be a fan". It doesnt matter if the Cubs commited to Zobrist. They are not going to trade out Baez with that defensive potential up the middle with Russell and him plus his versatility. He also has really come on with right handers. I think he is in the .250's now. He was low .200's until he started playing more. I will say Bryant admitted that he thinks the best defense is when Baez is at third. Baez has said he is fine playing so many positions, but he would to be at one in a couple of years. So, we will see. The more comfortable on D he gets the better his bat will become. Im excited to his work in the off season. You are talking about him and Russell being GG types with each popping 25 plus home runs a year. That is crazy for MI in today's game.

I wouldn't think of arguing this point as I firmly believe players get much better defensively when playing their prime position every day....BUT, as long as these guys are still young enough and eager enough to move around the diamond, you gotta go with it. This is a very, very unique team. Letting Maddon play the "mad scientist" has become a strength that no other team can duplicate.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Not arguing that Baez should be the everyday 2B at this point.

Could you use some better stats?

 

[Parade_Rain]

I wouldn't think of arguing this point as I firmly believe players get much better defensively when playing their prime position every day....BUT, as long as these guys are still young enough and eager enough to move around the diamond, you gotta go with it. This is a very, very unique team. Letting Maddon play the "mad scientist" has become a strength that no other team can duplicate.

Moving people around keeps everyone fresh. Even the bench players adding utility allows them to come to work everyday thinking they will contribute to the team winning. It's healthy. For too long players have been stuck in one spot. It isn't rocket science, if the brain thinks ahead and a player has the physical tools to play multiple spots.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Moving people around keeps everyone fresh. Even the bench players adding utility allows them to come to work everyday thinking they will contribute to the team winning. It's healthy. For too long players have been stuck in one spot. It isn't rocket science, if the brain thinks ahead and a player has the physical tools to play multiple spots.

It's so ingrained in us as fans, especially those of us who played at some level, that guys do best sticking to one position but I'm not sure that's the right mentality to have. One of our frequent posters here has consistently railed against Maddon keeping a short bench and an extra deep pitching staff but the roster flexibility has allowed him to do that and you can't really argue with the results. I think as some of these young players come up with more athleticism than ever before you might see more managers try this approach, it's a copycat league after all. That said some will never believe in it and you're going to do it you have to believe. I find it fascinating to watch Maddon tinker with the game and win at the same time.

 

[CSF77]

What does Maddon write on his scorecard? "Dont be a fan". It doesnt matter if the Cubs commited to Zobrist. They are not going to trade out Baez with that defensive potential up the middle with Russell and him plus his versatility. He also has really come on with right handers. I think he is in the .250's now. He was low .200's until he started playing more. I will say Bryant admitted that he thinks the best defense is when Baez is at third. Baez has said he is fine playing so many positions, but he would to be at one in a couple of years. So, we will see. The more comfortable on D he gets the better his bat will become. Im excited to his work in the off season. You are talking about him and Russell being GG types with each popping 25 plus home runs a year. That is crazy for MI in today's game.

Not be a fan is exactly it. Fans want Baez starting.

They made a financial agreement with Zo for him to start. Add to if they traded the starter last year to give him what he wanted.

Zo has done nothing to be diminished.

Now Baez is that good. But I still see him as a 6th man because it keeps the troops fresh with out losing production. The Cubs are this good largely due to Baez in this situation. No major bang ups in the IF. OF has taken it's lumps but it is due to Zo, Bryant and Baez's flexibility that they have absorbed it.

Only exception I see is Heyward to CF and either Bryant or Zo in RF. This is very unlikely to happen but is a option never less.

 

[SilenceS]

 

[SilenceS]

Mike Petriello ‏@mike_petriello 10m10 minutes ago

Three important notes on the Carl Edwards Experience. 1): He's almost unhittable in-zone: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/199843784/carl-edwards-dominant-for-cubs-with-high-spin/ …

 

[SilenceS]

Mike Petriello ‏@mike_petriello 10m10 minutes ago

2) Edwards has truly elite FB spin. Hitters hit .109 on his FB. (MLB avg FB spin: 2264 rpm) http://m.mlb.com/news/article/199843784/carl-edwards-dominant-for-cubs-with-high-spin/ …

 

[A.C. Milan]

Finally we hit a homer