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IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

d'Kong76 Oct 14 2016 02:40 PM

I still think it would be hilarious if the Cubs got swept again. Hilarious, I tell ya.

themetfairy Oct 14 2016 03:23 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

d'Kong76 wrote: I still think it would be hilarious if the Cubs got swept again. Hilarious, I tell ya. So long as one of them slides straight into Chase Utley's knee on the way to being swept, I could get behind this.

Frayed Knot Oct 14 2016 03:28 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Whether it's because it was pre-decided by contract that FOX gets priority this year (AL series is on TBS) or if it was a decision based purely on the Cubs being the TV darlings this year, the first five games of this series will be in prime time: SAT, SUN, TUE, WED, THU Game 6 (next Saturday) will be a day game but only if it conflicts with AL Game 7.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 14 2016 03:42 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Games between teams from Chicago and Los Angeles will get a lot more viewers than games played between teams from Cleveland and Toronto.

Ceetar Oct 14 2016 04:06 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Games between teams from Chicago and Los Angeles will get a lot more viewers than games played between teams from Cleveland and Toronto. I always wondered if this called for the opposite though. The large viewership for the big market teams will manage to be there at 4, and might also stick around at 8, especially if they already have to alter their routine for their own game (i.e., if you leave work early to get to a viewing party/bar, why not stick it out?) Unless they think there are so many non-team fans that'll tune in to the big markets versus the smaller ones. Like, are Mariners fans more likely to tune in to LA-CHI versus CLE-TOR?

d'Kong76 Oct 15 2016 02:45 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

LA Dodgers at Chi. Cubs When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, October 15, 2016 Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois SportsDirect Inc. The Chicago Cubs avoided an anxiety-filled Game 5 at home in the National League Division Series with a remarkable ninth-inning comeback on Tuesday and then waited around until late Thursday to figure out who they would face in the Championship Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who authored their own dramatic road victory in the NLDS, were the lucky winners in the battle of teams fighting for the chance to go up against the best team in baseball and will visit Chicago for Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday. The Cubs got six RBIs from their pitchers in the NLDS and are hoping the momentum from a four-run ninth inning in Game 4 can carry over to the next series for the offense. "We struggled at the plate in that series," Chicago general manager Jed Hoyer told reporters. "Maybe that kind of rally is what we needed to open the flood gates. ... It's nice to know we can win a series without having our best offense." The Dodgers went into a decisive Game 5 in Washington on Thursday and battled through a seventh inning that saw them take the lead over the course of 1 hour, 6 minutes, and then they had to turn to ace Clayton Kershaw to close it out. "It's just one of those things that when you're in the middle of a game, you're trying to count outs and shorten the game and put guys in the best position to have success on the offensive side, the defensive side," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the win. TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, FS1 PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (0-1, 12.00 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (1-0, 0.00) Kershaw started Game 4 and closed out Game 5 of the NLDS, so Los Angeles will turn to Maeda in Game 1 of the NLCS. The native of Japan was roughed up for four runs on five hits and a pair of walks over three innings in his NLDS start and has lost three in a row while posting an 11.17 ERA going back to the regular season. Maeda, who is facing Chicago for the first time in his career, went 9-6 with a 3.74 ERA in 17 road starts this year. Lester is one of three legitimate Cy Young Award candidates on the Cubs' staff and will get the Game 1 nod over Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta after tossing eight scoreless innings in the NLDS opener versus San Francisco. The 32-year-old, who went 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA during the regular season, struck out five and did not walk a batter against the Giants to improve to 7-6 with a 2.63 ERA in 17 career postseason games (15 starts). Lester faced the Dodgers twice in the regular season and allowed a total of one run while striking out 16 over 15 innings. WALK-OFFS: 1. The Cubs, who lost to the New York Mets in the NLCS last season, have not reached the World Series since 1945 and have not won a championship since 1908. 2. Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner batted .400 with a .591 on-base percentage and five RBIs against the Nationals. 3. Chicago INF Javier Baez went 6-for-16 in the NLDS and likely will get the start at 2B in Game 1, with Ben Zobrist moving to the outfield.

Frayed Knot Oct 16 2016 01:07 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Hmmmm, (Cubs catcher) Ross seemed a bit pissed at Adrian Gonzalez following that play at the plate. Not sure why because I didn't see AG do anything wrong, but Ross seemed to be glaring and showing the ball back in the direction of the Dodger dugout for about 10 seconds after the play was over.

Zvon Oct 16 2016 01:31 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Anyone see the Fowler catches in this game? The Cubs are going all the way! 3-0

Zvon Oct 16 2016 01:33 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Frayed Knot wrote: Hmmmm, (Cubs catcher) Ross seemed a bit pissed at Adrian Gonzalez following that play at the plate. Not sure why because I didn't see AG do anything wrong, but Ross seemed to be glaring and showing the ball back in the direction of the Dodger dugout for about 10 seconds after the play was over. This was almost as bizarre as Werth the other night. I guess the new thing is to make them make the throw. AG did put up a wing.

Fman99 Oct 16 2016 02:06 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Joe Buck is insufferable to me.

Zvon Oct 16 2016 02:10 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Joe Buck is insufferable to me. Is droll the right word? OE: Nope, I looked it up. Too good for him. [url]http://www.dictionary.com/browse/droll?s=t morbid of voice?

Zvon Oct 16 2016 02:49 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Bryant is so tall if he didn't squat at the plate like that the catcher would have to stand up to cover the strike zone.

d'Kong76 Oct 16 2016 02:56 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Fman99 wrote: Joe Buck is insufferable to me. Dude makes like $5mil/year! It's just mind boggling! http://www.totalsportek.com/money/highe ... mentators/

Zvon Oct 16 2016 03:07 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

ugh man, he's trying to make a Bartman outta somebody!

Frayed Knot Oct 16 2016 03:13 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

So far you have to say that the Indians are getting more out of their mid-season MFY reliever pickup than are the Cubs. That's now the second lead Chapman has given up in just five games now - even if most of the runs he has allowed have been runners he's inherited.

Zvon Oct 16 2016 03:13 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Oh maaaaaan! TIED! If Buck tries to make that analogy again, Rizzo play and Bartman grab....I'll have to mute it. "Thanks for picking me up?" Dude, he made a fantastic effort for a ball he hardly had a chance for and no fan was near it. And his team-mates were not down on him for having it slip out, mid-dive, into the stands.

Zvon Oct 16 2016 03:24 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Just to torture us they remove the crowd noise and it's just Buck. Ha.

Frayed Knot Oct 16 2016 03:28 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Well THAT pretty much settles things for tonight.

Zvon Oct 16 2016 03:28 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

WOW! Montero rips a granny! 7-3 Cubs

Zvon Oct 16 2016 03:29 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

OMG, FowlerBOOM!

Frayed Knot Oct 16 2016 03:29 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Some icing for your cake sir?

Zvon Oct 16 2016 03:52 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Montero:(probly not exact) "It was a good slider that got on the barrel of my bat,...a good slider for me,..." Great game :)

MFS62 Oct 16 2016 01:56 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Zvon wrote: Anyone see the Fowler catches in this game? The Cubs are going all the way! 3-0 Two in one game. I had a Tommie Agee flashback. The Cubs are gonna' win it all. Later

d'Kong76 Oct 16 2016 02:30 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

LA Dodgers at Chi. Cubs When: 8:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 16, 2016 Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois SportsDirect Inc. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw will try to help the Los Angeles Dodgers avoid an 0-2 hole when he takes the mound on Sunday in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the host Chicago Cubs. Los Angeles battled back to forge a tie before giving up five runs in the eighth inning to fall 8-4 on Saturday in the series opener. Kershaw pitched in all three victories of the NL Division Series against Washington and owns a 5-3 career record with a 2.14 ERA against the Cubs, but he did not face them in 2016. Chicago will counter with Kyle Hendricks, who is healthy after suffering a forearm injury in the NLDS win over San Francisco and beat the Dodgers with eight innings of two-run ball on June 2. Miguel Montero belted a pinch-hit grand slam to break the tie Saturday while Kris Bryant and Javier Baez remained hot as both are 8-for-20 in the first five postseason games. The Cubs have won all three playoff games at Wrigley Field and finished a major league-best 57-24 at home during the regular season. TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 5.84 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 4.91) Kershaw has given up eight runs and 15 hits over 11 2/3 innings during the playoffs but got the final two outs for a save in Game 5 against Washington on Thursday. The 28-year-old Texan went 12-4 with a 1.69 ERA in the regular season despite losing three of his final four decisions. Dexter Fowler is 18-for-44 versus Kershaw, who is 3-6 with a 4.79 ERA in the postseason and went 4-3 with a 2.31 ERA on the road in 2016. Hendricks gave up two runs and four hits over 3 2/3 innings against San Francisco in the NLDS before getting hit by a batted ball and leaving the contest. The 26-year-old Dartmouth product went 7-1 in his last 10 starts during the regular season and had a 1.68 ERA after the All-Star break. Adrian Gonzalez and Justin Turner both have homered versus Hendricks, who was 9-2 with a 1.32 ERA at home this year. WALK-OFFS: 1. Bryant and Baez have hit in five straight games to start the postseason, one shy of the club record shared by Mickey Livingston and Moises Alou. 2. Gonzalez has belted six homers in postseason play for the Dodgers, tied for third in franchise history with Ron Cey and Davey Lopes. 3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo (1-for-20), RF Jason Heyward (2-for-18) and SS Addison Russell (1-for-19) have yet to heat up in the playoffs.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 17 2016 03:02 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Dodgers win 1-0. Cubs had 2 hits vs. Kershaw and Jansen

Fman99 Oct 17 2016 03:17 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Did it make anyone else sad to see a team's closer come in to a postseason game and shut down his opponents with nasty stuff? Or was it just me?

Frayed Knot Oct 17 2016 03:19 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

It's officially a series now.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 17 2016 03:37 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

That was fun, sorta.

bmfc1 Oct 17 2016 02:06 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Fman99 wrote: Did it make anyone else sad to see a team's closer come in to a postseason game and shut down his opponents with nasty stuff? Or was it just me? Me too. For all of his saves, he's not elite. If he has his "stuff" in that 9th inning against SF, maybe the Mets are playing the Cubs right now.

Centerfield Oct 17 2016 02:29 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Come on guys. The myth of Famila struggling in the post-season is just that, a myth. His stats from last year: NLDS: 4 Games. 5.1 IP. 0 ER NLCS: 4 Games. 4.1 IP. 0 ER WS: 4 Games. 5.0 EP. 1 ER His post-season ERA: 0.61 I take that any day. This is not even a discussion if Murphy catches the ball, or Duda makes a good throw. And yes, that HR against San Francisco sucked, but even with that his post-season ERA is 2.36. Blame is always disproportionately put on the closer.

d'Kong76 Oct 17 2016 02:46 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

You sound like one of those 'mando freaks!

Centerfield Oct 17 2016 02:50 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

d'Kong76 wrote: You sound like one of those 'mando freaks! No way man, that dude was a choker!

Frayed Knot Oct 17 2016 02:54 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Mostly with closers in the post-season (or ANYONE and post-season records although it's always more pronounced with closers) it's a matter of sample size. Familia's stats look a bit better than they should because they don't show the inherited runners he allowed to score, but neither do Chapman's and he's allowed a bunch of them so far in this year's playoffs. On the Dodger side, Kensley Jansen was about as dominant as it's possible to be last night: two 3-pitch Ks, two 4-pitch Ks, a pop-out and a line-out. Two innings, six straight outs, all on just 18 pitches. On the other hand, six days earlier he was yanked after retiring only one batter while giving up four runs in the 9th inning of a one-run game vs Washington. A few days after that he had to be relieved by Kershaw after issuing back-to-back 9th inning walks in a do-or-die game (albeit in his 3rd inning of work). Bottom line is that you have to take the good with the bad with these guys. It's easy to say that I'd rather have closer 'X' than our guy but then you have to take his shit outings too.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 17 2016 03:16 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I am coming around to realize the Gillaspie Incident needs to resonate with Terry and how the club approaches roles going forward. It was pretty clear from July on that Reed was the "real" ace of the bullpen staff, and arguably even as JF rung up all those early season saves: Way, WAY too many baserunners allowed, just an invitation to bad shit. I realize TC is taking the big picture into account (longterm results, egos, comfort in roles) etc., and that he appropriately broke the rules when appropriate - more often that event I woulda - last year when JF was going great. But it needs to be said: I had very little CAHNfidence after Reed departed that we'd win.

Frayed Knot Oct 17 2016 03:53 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I thought that Familia's 'consecutive save streak' and ultimately his team record for saves in a season combined to exaggerate in many minds how good a season JF was having - and GKR were as guilty as anyone at contributing to that image. But by baserunners/inning (.27 better for Reed) and ERA (more than 1/2 R/G) Reed was clearly better and was more efficient in his outings. Reed even had more Ks. Oddly the only place where Familia had the edge was in HRs (1 allowed vs 4 for Reed) until the HR that killed the season.

d'Kong76 Oct 18 2016 02:10 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Chi. Cubs at LA Dodgers When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, October 18, 2016 Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California SportsDirect Inc. Adrian Gonzalez and the Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming to continue Chicago's longstanding postseason woes, and have a chance to take a 2-1 lead when they host the Cubs on Tuesday in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers have the luxury of playing three straight games at home after splitting two in Chicago, with the 1-0 win in Game 2 coming courtesy of strong pitching and a home run from Gonzalez. The Los Angeles first baseman has driven in three of his squad's five runs in the series and manager Dave Roberts said the veteran's production is sometimes taken for granted. "He's one of the leaders on this club, and gets overlooked a lot because of his consistency, but certainly not in our clubhouse," Roberts said at Monday's press conference. "The value of a guy who posts every night regardless of the handedness of a pitcher or the spot, so, yeah, Adrian's been a huge lift to us. The consistent at-bats, and the big hits when we need them." Chicago attempts to regain the series lead behind right-hander Jake Arrieta, who pitched seven innings of two-hit scoreless ball in a no-decision against the Dodgers on May 31. Cubs second baseman Javier Baez is 3-for-7 in the NLCS and has hit in all six games of the postseason, going 9-for-23 with one homer. TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (0-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (0-1, 6.43) Arrieta, who won 18 games during the regular season, gave up two runs in six innings in a no-decision against San Francisco in the NL Division Series. The 30-year-old told reporters he is much more comfortable with the postseason expectations this time around after allowing four runs in two of his three 2015 outings. "I think going through that last year has prepared myself as well as the rest of the guys mentally for a longer run this year, and I think we've been able to handle the moments mentally a lot better as well as physically," Arrieta said at Monday's press conference. "So personally moving forward, I think I'm in a much better place, and I think a lot of our guys are as well. Hill won 12 games in the regular season but hasn't fared well this postseason. He lasted just seven total innings over two starts against Washington in the NLDS but defended his performance at Monday's press conference. "For me, I go out there and give everything that I have, that's it. That's the bottom line," Hill told reporters. "Your effort is everything. Your ability to go out there and stay in the moment and execute pitch to pitch and do the best that you can, that's it. Let everything else fall where it may." WALK-OFFS: 1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant, the probable NL MVP, was hitless in four at-bats in Game 2 but is 8-for-24 with a homer in the postseason. 2. Los Angeles RHP Kenley Jansen struck out four in two innings to get the save in Game 2 and has fanned 13 batters in 7 1/3 innings this postseason. 3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo is hitless in eight at-bats in the series and 1-for-23 in six games this postseason.

d'Kong76 Oct 19 2016 12:48 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

That number of feet while taking a lead graphic is most annoying. It's a baseball game, not a video game. Five years from now they'll be selling special glasses to see 'added' features. (I forget if I've kvetched about that before, just saying)

MFS62 Oct 19 2016 01:44 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I thought Yasmani Grandal was a character from Beowulf. Later

Mets Guy in Michigan Oct 19 2016 01:54 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Dodgers are making a series out of this.

dinosaur jesus Oct 19 2016 02:24 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I don't know exactly why, and I'm sure it makes me a terrible person, but it really makes me happy to see the Cubs losing in the postseason. I want their frustration to continue, even if it means seeing the Dodgers in the Series. It's weird, because I don't hate the Cubs at all, and I like Chicago. I think maybe the Cubs not making the World Series is one of those comforting old traditions that help keep us grounded while the world changes around us. I would have teared up if they'd won one while Banks was alive, though.

Fman99 Oct 19 2016 02:47 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I'm just too tired all the damn time to watch the ends of these games and I'm a grown ass man. Who stays up so late? Kids today and their Red Bull and their oxycontin, that's who.

Frayed Knot Oct 19 2016 03:21 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Dodgers are making a series out of this. The Cubs are making a non-series out of this. They're not just losing, they're barely showing. They've been shutout on 5 hits (4 singles & a double) over the last 17 innings. oe: 17-1/3

Zvon Oct 19 2016 03:30 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I am surprised by the lack of bats re:Cubs. My Cubbies are in trouble!

Zvon Oct 19 2016 03:34 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Oh, well, there it is. The Cubs can't hit the curve ball.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 19 2016 07:55 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

See, if the Dodgers beat the Cubs, well, then, you've got a rooting interest in the World Series.

HahnSolo Oct 19 2016 01:28 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I grew tired of the Cubs story lines so early in this postseason, and enjoyed Roberts' handling of Jensen/Kershaw so much that I am firmly on Team Mary Hart in this round. *My old man was also a big Dodgers fan, so they have that going for them too. **As always though, fluck Utey.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 19 2016 01:31 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

dinosaur jesus wrote: I don't know exactly why, and I'm sure it makes me a terrible person, but it really makes me happy to see the Cubs losing in the postseason. I want their frustration to continue, even if it means seeing the Dodgers in the Series. It's weird, because I don't hate the Cubs at all, and I like Chicago. I think maybe the Cubs not making the World Series is one of those comforting old traditions that help keep us grounded while the world changes around us. That's where I am. I like that the Cubs haven't won a title in 108 years and I'd like to see that tradition continue. I also like that they haven't played a World Series game in 71 years, and I'd like to see that continue as well.

Centerfield Oct 19 2016 01:41 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Plus, you know what? Fuck the Cubs fans for what they did to that poor headphones guy.

d'Kong76 Oct 19 2016 02:00 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Chi. Cubs at LA Dodgers When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California SportsDirect Inc. Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias becomes the youngest pitcher to start a postseason game when he takes the mound against the visiting Chicago Cubs in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday. Urias, who reached the majors in late May, looks to help the Dodgers take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Urias will be 20 years, 68 days old at the start of Game 4, surpassing Kansas City's Bret Saberhagen (20 years, 175 days in 1984) as the youngest postseason starter. "Julio, I think that we expect him to just go out there and compete, use his pitch mix and go after these guys," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said at a press conference. "Give us a chance to win a baseball game. It's what Julio's done all year long." Catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run homer and third baseman Justin Turner added a solo blast as the Dodgers recorded a 6-0 victory in Game 3 for their second straight shutout -- holding Chicago to six hits over the 18 innings. "We're not hitting the ball hard," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after Game 3. "They pitched well, obviously. I have no solid explanation. We just got to keep working at it. ... We're just not getting the results right now." TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH John Lackey (0-0, 6.75 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Julio Urias (1-0, 0.00) Lackey makes his 25th postseason appearance (22nd start) and is 8-5 with a 3.22 ERA, but lasted only four innings - allowing three runs and seven hits - in a no-decision against San Francisco in the NL Division Series. The 37-year-old first pitched in the postseason in 2002 with the Angels and later pitched in the World Series for Boston in 2013. "I had a long break in between World Series, so you realize how special they are and how hard it is to get there and how meaningful those games are for sure," Lackey said at a press conference. "They're tough to get to, and they're tough to win." Urias went 5-2 with a 3.39 ERA in 18 appearances (15 starts) in the regular season and said it is a much more stressful feeling to pitch in the postseason. "The pressure is always there. It's something that you have to deal with," Urias said at a press conference. "I felt the adrenaline when I was on the bench, so I'm thinking that it's something that I'm also going to feel. I felt it in Washington, but then I knew that it was something that I could handle and something I could do." Urias pitched against the Cubs twice this season - getting hammered for six runs (five earned) in five innings in his second major-league start and later giving up one run and six hits in six innings in 3-2 victory Aug. 27. WALK-OFFS: 1. Cubs 2B-LF Ben Zobrist is 1-for-10 in the series and 4-for-26 in seven games this postseason. 2. Los Angeles SS Corey Seager went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Game 3 after going 1-for-17 over the previous four games. 3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo got a broken-bat field single in the ninth inning of Game 3 to make him 1-for-11 in the series and 2-for-26 in the postseason.

MFS62 Oct 19 2016 03:02 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

d'Kong76 wrote: 3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo got a broken-bat field single in the ninth inning of Game 3 to make him 1-for-11 in the series and 2-for-26 in the postseason. In the movie Grease, Rizzo sings There Are Worse Things I Could Do. I guess the Cubs' Rizzo could be 0-for-12 in the series. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 19 2016 03:13 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

HahnSolo wrote: I grew tired of the Cubs story lines so early in this postseason, and enjoyed Roberts' handling of Jensen/Kershaw so much that I am firmly on Team Mary Hart in this round. *My old man was also a big Dodgers fan, so they have that going for them too. **As always though, fluck Utey. As always. I also can't forgive the Dodgers for letting a shitty San Francsico team sweep them in the season's final weekend w/o Bumgarner, putting the Mets in the absolute worst possible scenario to advance. I want 'em both to lose.

Centerfield Oct 19 2016 06:53 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Plus it pisses me off that Sandy let Turner walk for nothing. Such a stupid move.

TransMonk Oct 19 2016 07:01 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

C'mon, Turner wasn't worth all that much during his time with the Mets. He's blossomed as a Dodger, but I'm not sure anyone saw that coming. He was never more than a bench player in NYC (on some pretty bad teams, too).

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 19 2016 07:07 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

We've been over the Turner thing before. My take is that he got fat, then got hurt because got fat, and he wrote his ticket out because he was unavailable when they needed him. The other thing about Turner: He gives Marlon Byrd a lot of credit for helping his swing and approach at the plate but given Byrd's shape and being twice whistled for PEDs, I'd be surprised if some of that help he shared with Turner wasn't chemical.

Ceetar Oct 19 2016 07:35 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: We've been over the Turner thing before. My take is that he got fat, then got hurt because got fat, and he wrote his ticket out because he was unavailable when they needed him. The other thing about Turner: He gives Marlon Byrd a lot of credit for helping his swing and approach at the plate but given Byrd's shape and being twice whistled for PEDs, I'd be surprised if some of that help he shared with Turner wasn't chemical. I suspect the 5.1% BB rate had a lot to do with it. Someone got him to be more patient and wait for his pitch and drive it, because his BB% go up slightly but his ISO is what really drove the increase. 2014 had a lot of luck too, .400 BABIP, but significant power bump was the big thing. The Mets weren't getting through to him, but someone with the Dodgers did. happens. Ultimately maybe they should've fired Hudgens in the offseason and not May, and kept Turner, but hey.

Centerfield Oct 19 2016 07:40 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Sure, no one could have predicted how he blossomed, but that is the risk you take when you take a young, versatile player, who is under team control for several years, and cut him loose for absolutely no reason. I criticized it at the time, even before his breakout. Turner made $500k in 2013. How much could he possibly have made in 2014 that the Mets couldn't afford to keep him? Turner was a valuable player. He played 5 different positions in 2013, including 18 games at SS. He posted a .704 OPS. If he only held his performance for 2014, that would have placed him fifth on the team among regulars (minimum 150 PAs) in OPS. Only Travis, Murphy, Granderson and Duda were higher. While there, he showed glimmers of potential. He hit 30 doubles in one year. Plus, I felt like that team could have used more offense (even at the expense of defense) from SS. This is a team that gave AB's to Omar Quintanilla and Wilfredo Tovar. You're telling me you didn't have room on that roster for Justin Turner? It was a stupid move. If made for financial reasons, it was poundfoolish. If made because of some personal beef, then it was even dumber still. Sure, most of the time, cutting a bench player won't bite you in the ass. But if you make a stupid move enough times, you get Justin Turner.

Frayed Knot Oct 20 2016 04:40 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Fuck the Dodgers!

MFS62 Oct 20 2016 01:12 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Frayed Knot wrote: Fuck the Dodgers! Amen! And - Angel Hernandez made a controversial call? Shocking. He seems to be a magnet for them. Later

Lefty Specialist Oct 20 2016 02:09 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I want the Cubbies to come back. I think a Cubs-Indians World Series will be fascinating.

d'Kong76 Oct 20 2016 02:45 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Chi. Cubs at LA Dodgers When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 20, 2016 Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California SportsDirect Inc. The Chicago Cubs went 21 innings without scoring before the offense broke out and now aim to regain the series lead when they visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series. First baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Addison Russell each broke out of deep postseason slumps as Chicago racked up 13 hits in a 10-2 victory on Wednesday to even the series at two games apiece. Rizzo (three RBIs) and Russell (two) were each 3-for-5 with a homer to end deep postseason funks that saw them enter Game 4 with a combined 3-for-50 showing -- 2-for-26 for Rizzo and 1-for-24 for Russell. "We just got to keep fighting, and we know that," Rizzo said afterward. "We know what we're capable of in any inning. ... We have to keep going and keep believing and keep pushing." Los Angeles played sloppily and committed four errors in Game 4 but that didn't sway the decision announced earlier in the day by manager Dave Roberts to not pitch ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw again until Game 6 in Chicago. Roberts reiterated after the contest that right-hander Kenta Maeda will pitch Thursday as Roberts cited Kershaw was heavily used (three starts, one relief appearance) over a 10-day span. TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (1-0, 0.64 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (0-1, 9.00) Lester received a no-decision in Game 1 when he allowed one run and four hits and wasn't thrilled when manager Joe Maddon pulled him after six innings. "I don't get paid to make decisions," Lester said at a press conference. "I pitch as long as he tells me to pitch. And as competitors in that particular moment, you're not happy with the decision. That doesn't mean that I'm going to go in there and yell at him or I don't trust him or I don't like him or anything like that. That's just being a competitor." Lester has a stellar 2.57 ERA in 18 postseason appearances (16 starts) but owns only a 7-6 record. Maeda has pitched poorly in two postseason starts, including Game 1 when he gave up three runs and four hits in four innings. He has pitched five or fewer innings in six straight outings dating back to the regular season and admits his playoff performance has been shaky. "I'm not going to be too careful, even though I haven't been pitching well in the postseason," Maeda said during a press conference. "What I'm going to be really focused on is just pitching well (Thursday) and not worry too much about what I have done in the past." WALK-OFFS: 1. Cubs RF Jason Heyward was hitless in five at-bats Wednesday to drop to 2-for-24 in the postseason. 2. Los Angeles 2B Chase Utley is hitless in 10 at-bats in the series and 3-for-26 in the postseason. 3. Chicago RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (hamstring) departed Wednesday's contest and his status isn't yet known.

Zvon Oct 21 2016 12:18 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

If Rizzo's gonna keep hittin' forgettaboutit! Cubs ATW! 1-0 Chicago. 1st

Frayed Knot Oct 21 2016 03:44 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Maybe I've lost count, but I think that was just the 17th replay review tonight.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 21 2016 03:46 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Yeah this game is absolutely dragging

Zvon Oct 21 2016 04:08 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Why would they keep Baez in this game? The umping: atrocious. There is no way before replay that umps got such obvious calls wrong as much.

Zvon Oct 21 2016 04:27 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Cubs take advantage of LA, 8-4. Up 3 games to 2. If I was a Cubs fan I'd be a little worried about Chapman. lil bit. I wouldn't even have wanted him in there tonight. [fimg=500:j3uh9irs]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oHzSB19R98iCHD0BYGrBk4bQaFFFbS6Yf7TrKsaPT-h1WVjX47N0mpV0T57DcvWl57MgQSSUegTr3GM0Btc0cGJ8UIgPTFtg25cBHsCoURMmrOvbYq39WlIx-jcJA3hTV5uUnczvG4YkAJ0y-dtIROXK4mtrqmFWwsX2ybowlDjJ09RuwA5nGMOwCSzcOflhgz5j_l8OvVhhKrkqmiSuzTFIgeVqannBcRxK16em-YaplHvlDCkhsHeX7EpXlExjhFWtd5K_HCEvOgfAgAhVDbEwYAMsg76Hk9SL-10OoKO952mGOmv12F_MRBfQTvDdS0cYTNZemW1nL32JMahFIn0h2AznIwa4gIVam0aEIgdHG3akuQYjop2xPbxARzQM1Avp2aTMUil4ubCnR9w6VhLSJVRAdLToRRrYv4KL04LkOmBfgCsZoI3P_qoiMDffq_yQJxuk_S0SJLT-hecNaAcxT7tqmHcYJ5CUI8x3F7kobUK4APbBP9_wtNnhEh7QAsJINZFf7NM8shZykw5PgqzskAKZnbQDXTa4s2Xeq7XvYvtw9ZtbsqGZB8PzFSLVtMU9FJtGIXyjxMxG-LdVSB_DY3pXLhDIdOZE8PL1O5NVunQrtg=w1267-h1900-no[/fimg:j3uh9irs]

Fman99 Oct 21 2016 11:56 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Yeah this game is absolutely dragging I do like the commercial breaks though where they stay with game cameras in a small window at the same time. That's new to me.

Frayed Knot Oct 21 2016 12:30 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

They seem be doing that for unscheduled stops in the action such as pitching changes but not during the usual between innings breaks. Final time of this one was 4:16 Obviously the big Cubs 8th inning and all the pitching changes slowed things up but that game was slow from the beginning and was beyond the 3-hour mark when it was still a 3-1 game in the 7th. Lester worked slowly and Maeda even slower. And then came (LA's) Pedro Baez who's on his way to becoming the poster boy for how to get fans to turn the channel. As Smoltz said during Baez's time on the mound when Buck brought up the possibility of a pitching clock to enforce quicker play: "Oh it's coming"

metirish Oct 21 2016 01:10 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I just can't sty up for it. 4:16?, that's just nuts, but as FK pointed out previously it's not like Mets games haven't dragged the past few seasons

Frayed Knot Oct 21 2016 01:50 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

The Mets had a bunch of long games this past season and averaged over 3 hours on the whole, but only went above 4 hours a handful of times across the full 162 (five times to be precise) and all of them were extra inning games. Only twice this year did they top 3:45 in a 9 inning game. But the 27 (so far) playoff games have already topped 4 hours four different times (one was a 13-inning game) plus have come close to that in several others - and that's just a really bad trend if you want to keep fans of teams other than the ones playing from tuning out. The biggest culprits are easy to find, namely the increased commercial time (2:55 between innings vs 2:05 in most regular season games) and the increased number of pitching changes. But games like last night were just slow from the 1st inning on: slow pitchers, slow batters, lots of mound conferences, replay reviews, thinking about replay reviews, and mainly just a kind of malaise which has seeped into the game where it seems to take a minute or more to get from the end of one play to the first pitch of the next, like this is football where there's a designated 'dead time' period between each play. What they need to do is think more futbol rather than football which is how the game was originally intended to be, where the play is assumed to be live unless stated otherwise instead of the current way of thinking which treats it as the other way around.

Centerfield Oct 21 2016 02:39 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

That Cubs lineup is just sick. There are no holes in that lineup. And then they get Schwarber back next year. Fuck man. The Mets have some serious upgrading to do.

MFS62 Oct 21 2016 02:43 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Larry King might not be able to get tickets behind home plate for the games in Chicago. But the look on his face when LA was losing was priceless. Later

TransMonk Oct 21 2016 03:01 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

MFS62 wrote: Larry King might not be able to get tickets behind home plate for the games in Chicago. But the look on his face when LA was losing was priceless. He was conducting a sit-down-strike last year.

Edgy MD Oct 21 2016 03:02 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Ceetar wrote: We've been over the Turner thing before. My take is that he got fat, then got hurt because got fat, and he wrote his ticket out because he was unavailable when they needed him. The other thing about Turner: He gives Marlon Byrd a lot of credit for helping his swing and approach at the plate but given Byrd's shape and being twice whistled for PEDs, I'd be surprised if some of that help he shared with Turner wasn't chemical. I suspect the 5.1% BB rate had a lot to do with it. Someone got him to be more patient and wait for his pitch and drive it, because his BB% go up slightly but his ISO is what really drove the increase. 2014 had a lot of luck too, .400 BABIP, but significant power bump was the big thing. The Mets weren't getting through to him, but someone with the Dodgers did. happens. Ultimately maybe they should've fired Hudgens in the offseason and not May, and kept Turner, but hey. Following Twitter feeds, I got the idea that Turner and Hudgey were BFFs, and that Leprechaun Boy swears by Uncle Dave's methods.

Centerfield Oct 21 2016 03:02 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Oh no, Familia is pitching in the post-season. This is not going to end well.

Zvon Oct 21 2016 11:34 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

[fimg=400:3c0ls75h]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Z0geJxhDJ7ux4q80DN0lyFvu9GBF5qzQrY9IvUn06bz42sWgY68uhG_hEOSFWDZtpC-guCyAYJzmI5xEAjl0hy7tcApIVflNfq3cj-0IxAsd7AZ6kOn6HTZNG6vgXM58PYQtnlWgxkaCnHHiYJyjnRJI8ce3WTK0cWc-KasJtFxggyDU6VgMO3RbXPYlQTG8BzwoBamETdVw6HVKYmiGRvCaX8hjz8O4Rzd2AINTrLc0BqTkXvN8iuUwjUcdsRKsK5KS-W7dzJY06j2NcYP2aUirzPysu46xyxMKr_4GYdTTsW8PLo_pGoDUTjdNQOHRmV7WPlcGBZUIwVu4M7sxwvcvrjzpSouCAbnqoCMKUuns4_2oBlVLWboUC8BZvlVQCOB_fntG1igPZxWzg3sdWHhukCPUDn4bTPVjohjEk2S1HyiiUOweET1V2UPng6rtMbAnGQiF5lCM8qZXyZSBlLc3VChgqEg4G_l-JQgknfd_LizDE6-O80aokqSSmBMXcckI5AQ0BvAZXFEpYbQOR6_s5Ok14RwITL2YxNc9rrEzRMb6nlG4MhEBJO1T0hTZqfkLslZQ7uZ9sSfbaLO5P332naIGfIQVe2IM7GtPHFwy3d6Acg=w600-h756-no[/fimg:3c0ls75h]

Centerfield Oct 22 2016 12:07 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I love it. Lol To proceed in English, press 1, for Spanish, press 2. For whatever it is the Asrubal Cabrera speaks,hold for an operator.

MFS62 Oct 22 2016 12:40 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I'm sorry. I haven't had anything bad to say about Derek Jeter for a while, and that has disappointed you. So I'll let the best shortstop the Yankees have ever had (but Jeter never let him show it) do it for me. https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/alex- ... 55032.html And I promise to be more diligent in the future. Later

d'Kong76 Oct 22 2016 12:45 PM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

LA Dodgers at Chi. Cubs When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, October 22, 2016 Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois SportsDirect Inc. The Los Angeles Dodgers made the decision to save ace Clayton Kershaw for Game 6 instead of asking him to throw again on short rest in Game 5, and now they need him to save their season. Kershaw will take the mound on Saturday at Wrigley Field and try to prevent the host Chicago Cubs from clinching their first trip to the World Series since 1945. The Cubs were shut out in Games 2 and 3 to fall behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series but exploded for 18 runs in the next two contests behind a two-run homer in each game from Addison Russell and four RBIs apiece from Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez to take the series lead. "I think anybody in our lineup can turn the game our way," Baez told reporters. "When (Rizzo) and (Russell) didn't start hot, everybody was asking about them. And there you have it. They're both hot now. And we scored a lot of runs for our pitchers." Los Angeles now faces the task of winning two straight games on the road but is set up with its best two pitchers in Kershaw and Rich Hill in a potential Game 7. "We're down a game, but we've won on the road before," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "We've won two games before. And I think that for us it's an isolated focus on Game 6. We get a rested (Kershaw). So with that, we feel good. After we get through Game 6, we'll focus on Game 7. But I think our confidence hasn't wavered." TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 3.72 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 3.00) Kershaw allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings to earn the win in Game 2 at Wrigley Field after earning the save in the finale of the NLDS at Washington three days earlier. The former MVP is just 4-6 with a 4.39 ERA in his postseason career and has never won two games in the same series. "There's so much information," Kershaw told reporters. "They know every pitch that I throw and every count and every situation. So it's just a matter of not really focusing on that and just trying to compete every single pitch and execute every single pitch." Hendricks allowed one run on three hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings while going up against Kershaw in Game 2 and ended up with the loss in a 1-0 final. The regular-season ERA champion at 2.13, Hendricks took a liner off the forearm in his NLDS start but was not bothered by any lingering pain in Game 2. "After I had that last start against the Dodgers, now I know everything's healthy, I was able to go through my throwing program uninhibited basically," Hendricks told reporters. "Not having to go in the training room and check in on it all the time. So it's a hundred percent, and it's not in the back of your mind anymore at least." WALK-OFFS: 1. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner has reached base safely in 15 straight postseason games. 2. Chicago RF Jason Heyward is batting .071 in the postseason, including 1-for-16 in the NLCS. 3. Los Angeles committed five errors, leading to five unearned runs, in the last two games.

Frayed Knot Oct 23 2016 02:14 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

So will they still have to play the blues in Chicago when baseball season rolls around? I mean, they can't blow this one, can they?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 23 2016 02:25 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

geez, taking him out. I hope this blows up their faces.

Frayed Knot Oct 23 2016 02:28 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Yeah, one out in the 8th but after just 2 hits and with less than 6 average innings worth of pitches. And it's not like Chapman has been lights-out recently. oe: although 2-pitch GiDPs shirley help

Fman99 Oct 23 2016 02:31 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Yep, was thinking that too. Worked out this time.

themetfairy Oct 23 2016 02:35 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I'm just rooting against Buttley.

Frayed Knot Oct 23 2016 02:43 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Utley, who's getting PH'd for as I type, is 3-for-28 in the post-season this year ... one year too late.

Fman99 Oct 23 2016 02:46 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Cool. 71 years is a long time to wait for a pennant.

d'Kong76 Oct 23 2016 02:48 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Let's go Tribe!

themetfairy Oct 23 2016 02:50 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Fuck You Buttley!

Frayed Knot Oct 23 2016 02:50 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

Wait, Mattingly wants to challenge that last play at 1st

Frayed Knot Oct 23 2016 02:56 AM Re: IST 2016 NLCS - Dodgers vs Cubs

I didn't know that they were even allowed to play post-season games in 2:36 these days!! Just leaves more drinking time if you're a Cubs fan.