World Series IGT: Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Indians Game 2

[TC in Mississippi]

Contreras at C like most folks wanted to see. Soler scares the hell out of me in RF but here we go, the offensive lineup. Let's score early and often!

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Holy shit, Maddon going for the knock out punch. This lineup is YOKED. Not an easy out in the entire line up. Maddon is coming for you, Bauer.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Contreras at C like most folks wanted to see. Soler scares the hell out of me in RF but here we go, the offensive lineup. Let's score early and often!

Soler in RF is my only issue. I would consider switching him and Zobrist, but perhaps they see more balls going to LF.

 

[fatbeard]

I think we all saw last night how a home plate umpire can influence a game...his huge strike zone for Kluber for at least 3 or 4 innings had Cub hitters wondering what is or isn't a strike. Conversely, Lester was not given the same large zone...I doubt Vanover was doing this purposely but the different stances he took between right handed and left handed pitchers probably was the culprit. Regardless of how this happened...it did happen and it was on MLB's biggest stage which makes it unforgivable.

I can't wait for the day when we have a strike zone that is not subject to human error or pique. No framing, no arguing, no working the ump, no make-up calls, just the same strike zone day after day after day for every player.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Tonight has to be the best offensive lineup in Chicago Cubs history, no?

 

[clonetrooper264]

Soler in RF is my only issue. I would consider switching him and Zobrist, but perhaps they see more balls going to LF.

That's my guess. I'm guessing the spray chart or whatever favors having Zobrist in LF.

 

[clonetrooper264]

No shit. Leaving the bases loaded what 3 times last night with no runs. Not good.

Well with that lineup they got tonight hopefully scoring runs shouldn't be an issue.

 

[fatbeard]

Holy shit, Maddon going for the knock out punch. This lineup is YOKED. Not an easy out in the entire line up. Maddon is coming for you, Bauer.

I'm looking at this lineup as Trevor Bauer and trying to figure out where I'm going to get my outs, and it's really, really hard. I guess I'm going to throw a bunch of sliders to Soler and Russell and hope for the best?

 

[Ej63090]

I think I'd rather see contrearas at LF and Zobrist at RF with Montero at C, but who knows, we could light it up.

 

[czman]

Didn't know much about Bauer, but I found this.

According to Bauer, he throws the following pitches:

Four-seam fastball – thrown at 93–94 mph (tops out at 97)
Changeups – thrown 80–84 mph. Bauer says, "I have two variations of it; I can make it cut or I can make it run."
Curveballs – "curve one" thrown at 74–78 mph, "curve two" thrown at 80–81.According to Bauer, "I have two different grips, one that I use for a strike pitch and then another grip I use when I really want to bury it."
"Dot slider" – a traditional slider, 84–86 mph
"Circle slider" – a slider with movement more similar to a cutter. Bauer: "I use that one primarily early in the count to hit tunnels to righties, disguise it, make it look like a fastball or a changeup and keep it in the zone."
"Reverse slider" – thrown at 88–91 mph, it is designed to act as a "left-handed cut fastball ... It's a cross between a sinking fastball and a screwball—it's a little bit slower than a sinking fastball and a little bit harder than a traditional screwball would be."
Split-finger fastball – a traditional splitter, 86–88 mph

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Didn't know much about Bauer, but I found this.

According to Bauer, he throws the following pitches:

Four-seam fastball – thrown at 93–94 mph (tops out at 97)
Changeups – thrown 80–84 mph. Bauer says, "I have two variations of it; I can make it cut or I can make it run."
Curveballs – "curve one" thrown at 74–78 mph, "curve two" thrown at 80–81.According to Bauer, "I have two different grips, one that I use for a strike pitch and then another grip I use when I really want to bury it."
"Dot slider" – a traditional slider, 84–86 mph
"Circle slider" – a slider with movement more similar to a cutter. Bauer: "I use that one primarily early in the count to hit tunnels to righties, disguise it, make it look like a fastball or a changeup and keep it in the zone."
"Reverse slider" – thrown at 88–91 mph, it is designed to act as a "left-handed cut fastball ... It's a cross between a sinking fastball and a screwball—it's a little bit slower than a sinking fastball and a little bit harder than a traditional screwball would be."
Split-finger fastball – a traditional splitter, 86–88 mph

He's really only using 4 or 5 of those right now. He's amped up use of his curve since early September, throws the four seam fastball, a slider (no idea which one based on that description) and the changeup. The curve is a really good pitch but he sets it up with the fastball which lacks any real movement. I've seen him pitch 3 or 4 times this year and did some YouTube scouting this morning. When he's on he can be good but if that fastball is flat guys like Schwarber will be smiling.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Maddon tinkering a bit heavy for me in this series.

Contreras/Arrieta had some issues in the regular season so for starters those can't flare up.

Russell in the 9 whole gives some speed there so better than yesterday.

Putting Schwarber 5th again though, could give Bauer a place to escape after the heart if he isn't quite right, and how does anybody know? Kyle should be 7th or 8th until his bat demands being featured.

I like this lineup particularly because this is what the future should have been. It might be the only chance to see it all together. If Fowler leaves, Soler is traded, and Zobrist gets old this is a one time magic to check out.

All because they signed Heyward, which takes Fowler/Soler out of the future.

 

[fatbeard]

Putting Schwarber 5th again though, could give Bauer a place to escape after the heart if he isn't quite right, and how does anybody know? Kyle should be 7th or 8th until his bat demands being featured.

You clearly watched precisely zero of Schwarber's ABs last night.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Putting Schwarber 5th again though, could give Bauer a place to escape after the heart if he isn't quite right, and how does anybody know? Kyle should be 7th or 8th until his bat demands being featured.

Kyle had 3 great AB last night and looked sharper than he had any right to look. He's clearly seeing the ball well. I'm not sure what you're saying here.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Francona just announced Kluber is the starter game#4. Pretty scary if he would still be as sharp as last nite on short rest.

Announced on ESPN AM1000

 

[bamainatlanta]

You clearly watched precisely zero of Schwarber's ABs last night.

He did. But you know, marijuana.

 

[SilenceS]

Francona just announced Kluber is the starter game#4. Pretty scary if he would still be as sharp as last nite on short rest.

Announced on ESPN AM1000

They said that last night. He is going games 1,4, and 7 if necessary

 

[SilenceS]

He did. But you know, marijuana.

Do not blame Marijuana for his thoughts. Thats just wrong to the weed.

 

[anotheridiot]

so the cleveland forecast is rains will start around 8 central, and stay thru thursday. If the game is suspended, they will finish Friday.

dont know if there is still a travel day, but the cubs organization have got to be praying for their weekend series

 

[Ej63090]

1,4,7 is tough but may be doable. Let's not see game 7.