The Official Cubs Win The World Series Thread

[CTWarrior]

Just thought I'd mention something about the Cubs.  I've been laid up recovering from a kidney transplant (I highly recommend Yale if you ever have to do something like that), and I've watched pretty much every inning of playoff game since during most of the playoffs I wasn't able to do much but rest.  I have been working some from home the past few weeks, but this week is my first back in the office (today is 5 weeks since the transplant.)

At any rate, whoever is responsible for defensive positioning for the Cubs is amazing.  Throughout the playoffs, I have been very impressed by the number of hard hit balls by the Cubs opposition that have been hit right at someone.  Their pitchers rightly get a lot of credit because they are good, but besides being good defensive players, that team seems to be in the right place all the time.  I think that gives a big boost to the low ERAs their started have.  As an American League fan, I haven't seen the Cubs much during the season, but is that the norm or have the playoffs been unusual?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Just thought I'd mention something about the Cubs.  I've been laid up recovering from a kidney transplant (I highly recommend Yale if you ever have to do something like that), and I've watched pretty much every inning of playoff game since during most of the playoffs I wasn't able to do much but rest.  I have been working some from home the past few weeks, but this week is my first back in the office (today is 5 weeks since the transplant.)

At any rate, whoever is responsible for defensive positioning for the Cubs is amazing.  Throughout the playoffs, I have been very impressed by the number of hard hit balls by the Cubs opposition that have been hit right at someone.  Their pitchers rightly get a lot of credit because they are good, but besides being good defensive players, that team seems to be in the right place all the time.  I think that gives a big boost to the low ERAs their started have.  As an American League fan, I haven't seen the Cubs much during the season, but is that the norm or have the playoffs been unusual?

It's been the norm throughout the season.  According to Fangraphs they had by far the highest defensive runs saved in baseball at 82 (the Astros were second at 51). 

They don't shift a ton but the positioning has been very good.  They also have some naturally gifted defensive players and versatility. 

Their staff also does an excellent job at inducing soft contact, which contributes to the very low BABIP. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Just thought I'd mention something about the Cubs.  I've been laid up recovering from a kidney transplant (I highly recommend Yale if you ever have to do something like that), and I've watched pretty much every inning of playoff game since during most of the playoffs I wasn't able to do much but rest.  I have been working some from home the past few weeks, but this week is my first back in the office (today is 5 weeks since the transplant.)

At any rate, whoever is responsible for defensive positioning for the Cubs is amazing.  Throughout the playoffs, I have been very impressed by the number of hard hit balls by the Cubs opposition that have been hit right at someone.  Their pitchers rightly get a lot of credit because they are good, but besides being good defensive players, that team seems to be in the right place all the time.  I think that gives a big boost to the low ERAs their started have.  As an American League fan, I haven't seen the Cubs much during the season, but is that the norm or have the playoffs been unusual?

And glad to hear your surgery went well!

[MerrittsMustache]

Here's to a speedy recovery CTWarrior!

Prediction time!

Unfortunately, I think the Indians are going to get it done tonight. I like Schwarber hitting #2 and hope his magic continues but I'm afraid that there are just too many cold bats for the Cubs. Game 5 was a lot of fun, but looking at it closer, the Cubs had 5 of their 7 hits in one inning and did basically nothing otherwise. It should be another low-scoring game and I hope Arrieta is on tonight but I just think Tomlin and his curveball will do enough to get it to the bullpen - wouldn't surprise me to see Miller and Allen go the final 4+ innings tonight if Cleveland has a lead.

Indians 3, Cubs 1

That said, if the Cubs win tonight...Game 7: Cubs 10, Indians 8 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Here's to a speedy recovery CTWarrior!

Prediction time!

Unfortunately, I think the Indians are going to get it done tonight. I like Schwarber hitting #2 and hope his magic continues but I'm afraid that there are just too many cold bats for the Cubs. Game 5 was a lot of fun, but looking at it closer, the Cubs had 5 of their 7 hits in one inning and did basically nothing otherwise. It should be another low-scoring game and I hope Arrieta is on tonight but I just think Tomlin and his curveball will do enough to get it to the bullpen - wouldn't surprise me to see Miller and Allen go the final 4+ innings tonight if Cleveland has a lead.

Indians 3, Cubs 1

That said, if the Cubs win tonight...Game 7: Cubs 10, Indians 8 

Cubs get to Tomlin early and win 5-2, forcing an insane game 7. 

[Lennys Tap]

You should have said "no live animals".

C'mon, chili, you're making me feel worse and worse about myself. Don't bring me down in what once was my only 'safe space".

[MU82]

Koufax became Koufax when the Dodgers moved into Dodger Stadium with its ridiculously high mound.  Prior to that he had been pitching in some great hitters parks in Brooklyn and in the old park in LA where they used to do Home Run Derby.

This would be a good point ... if it were true.

Koufax was still nothing special the first several years in L.A. For example, in 1960 (the Dodgers' third season in L.A. and his sixth as a big-leaguer), he was 8-13 with a 3.91 ERA, 197 strikeouts and 100 walks. Even the following year, when he went 18-13, he had a 3.52 ERA and walked 96.

It was when he realized that he didn't have to throw the baseball a bazillion mph on every pitch and learned how to pitch rather than throw that he truly became the Koufax of baseball lore.

In his final 5 seasons (1962-66), Koufax went 111-34 with a 1.95 ERA and a .0926 WHIP. Yes, the high mound had much to do with it, and yes so did pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium, but none of the other Dodger pitchers (not even Drysdale) were putting up Koufax's insane numbers. Mostly, it was his ability to harness his incredible stuff that made him what we all think of when we talk about Koufax. He averaged only 63 walks in an average of 275 IP those last 5 years.

P.S.: Glad your kidney transplant went well. I wish you a full, speedy recovery, my fellow Nutmeg Stater!

[jesmu84]

This would be a good point ... if it were true.

Koufax was still nothing special the first several years in L.A. For example, in 1960 (the Dodgers' third season in L.A. and his sixth as a big-leaguer), he was 8-13 with a 3.91 ERA, 197 strikeouts and 100 walks. Even the following year, when he went 18-13, he had a 3.52 ERA and walked 96.

It was when he realized that he didn't have to throw the baseball a bazillion mph on every pitch and learned how to pitch rather than throw that he truly became the Koufax of baseball lore.

In his final 5 seasons (1962-66), Koufax went 111-34 with a 1.95 ERA and a .0926 WHIP. Yes, the high mound had much to do with it, and yes so did pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium, but none of the other Dodger pitchers (not even Drysdale) were putting up Koufax's insane numbers. Mostly, it was his ability to harness his incredible stuff that made him what we all think of when we talk about Koufax. He averaged only 63 walks in an average of 275 IP those last 5 years.

P.S.: Glad your kidney transplant went well. I wish you a full, speedy recovery, my fellow Nutmeg Stater!

Bullshit. PEDs

[real chili 83]

C'mon, chili, you're making me feel worse and worse about myself. Don't bring me down in what once was my only 'safe space".

Lenny, just looking out for you.  If you weren't that specific, who knows what ZFB or 'Never would show up with.

[brewcity77]

I think the warm weather could help the Cubs' cold bats. As a team, they're oddly better able to take advantage of AL rules than Cleveland due to Schwarber.

I don't know what happens tonight, and any pick I make will be colored by my fandom. I just want a game 7 and something to watch tomorrow.

[Lennys Tap]

Lenny, just looking out for you.  If you weren't that specific, who knows what ZFB or 'Never would show up with.

LOL - good point.

[brewcity77]

Good start, though runners on is where the Cubs have struggled. One run is good, but they need to do damage before Miller comes in.

[brewcity77]

Wow, what a mistake. 

[real chili 83]

Me likeee

[real chili 83]

Pretty sophisticated, eh ^^^^^

[#UnleashSean]

This is going well

[brewcity77]

Big being able to hand Arrieta a three run lead. Hope he's dialed in. And man, Baez makes it look so easy out there.

[real chili 83]

Si

[real chili 83]

Lindor is juicing.....his do. 

[real chili 83]

Just wonderful.

Crowd sound more Cubs than injuns.

[brewcity77]

Just wonderful.

Crowd sound more Cubs than injuns.

I thought the the same when Russell drilled that grand slam. If the Cubs hold on, I hope Arrieta can go deep and spare the pen.

[real chili 83]

That drum beat is kinda odd.  Perhaps in person it has more "ambiance ".

[tower912]

Tiger fan wants to warn that Cleveland is hard to put away.

[brewcity77]

I really hope we don't see Chapman brought in for no reason.

Up by 5 in the seventh? Sorry, but what the f___?

[GGGG]

Play for tonight. Don't worry about tomorrow.