Cubs @ Cardinals: Hendricks vs Lynn (Game 159)

Submitted by CTSteve on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 5:26am

CHC (89-69): RHP Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.14)
STL (82-76): RHP Lance Lynn (11-8, 3.47)
First pitch: 6:15pmCST

Congratulations to the Cubs on their second straight division title and third consecutive trip to the post-season. If it hadn’t been for the previous 100+ years, we could get very used to this.

Hendricks gets a final tune up and will likely be flanked by the B-team, which is better than most B-teams. He had a no-decision his last time out, giving up 1 ER in 6 innings in Milwaukee. He’s 1-0 with a 3.86 in two starts against the Cards this season. Overall, they are 28-117 (239) against him. Carpenter is 7-23 with 2 HR.

Lynn—oh, boy—didn’t make it out of the first inning in Pittsburgh on Tuesday and was responsible for 8 ER. That’s a loss. In three starts against the Cubs this season, he’s 0-0 with a 4.30. For their careers, the Cubs are 28-113 (.248) against him. Rizzo is 11-33 with 2 HR.

Stephenson (5-6) and Quintana (11-11) start the first game of the final home stand of the regular season tomorrow at 1:20pmCST.

Go Cubs!--but not too much.

Tags: 
2017 Season Game Thread

Comments

Submitted by Rob Richardson  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 9:15am  
Rogers has the playoff being: Hendricks, Arrieta, Quintana, and Lester. http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/...

Submitted by Lester's rattle...  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 11:02am  
He fails to mention that the game 2 starter can actually pitch game 5 on regular rest. I’d go Hendricks, Quintana, Arrieta, and Lester, and leave game 5 open for either Hendricks or Q to pitch, depending on each of their first performances dictating the starter. I haven’t looked up the stats myself, but I remember JD bringing up that the Nats are weaker against LHP.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 11:01am  
From BLOCKHEAD after the "Cat" thing: "Cats. I hate cats. We lost the division to a friggin cat. Over. Done. No way the Cards don't go 40-10 the rest of the season after that." And, in full disclosure - The E-Man predicted in May, "This team is not making the Playoffs this year."

Submitted by blockhead25  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 3:03pm  
I did not know at the time that the Cat would be removed from Cardinals control and given to an animal rights organization. Had I known that, I would have correctly predicted that the Cardinals would not go 40-10, and we would win the division with 5 games below. Cats. Still hate them.

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 11:37am  
So does a Cardinal get hit today for payback for Rizzo yesterday for payback for Pham on Tuesday? Also, I hope Wilson and Maples each get an inning in 2 or 3 of the remaining 4 games. Have Joe tell them it is an absolute tryout to make the postseason roster.

Submitted by Lester's rattle...  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 1:52pm  
@the man from Wichita- I don’t think there’s any need for Cubs retaliation whether hitting Pham was intentional or not. The players health and being without suspension is much more important than getting caught up in who did what and intentions, no matter how big the rivalry is. Yes, I think we should be seeing a lot of the bottom of our barrel bullpen guys in the next 4 games so those last couple spots can be determined. Does anybody know if Tseng is still with the team? I kinda thought maybe they’d take a look at him out of the bullpen if they clinched the division early enough, but probably not enough time at this point. Just thought he could be an interesting option, but that start of his left much to be desired, though he did K a good amount of batters in his brief outing.

Submitted by blockhead25  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 3:04pm  
I would sure as hell hope not. Nothing to be gained by continuing a petty fight. We won the fight by winning the division.

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 5:16pm  
I'm all for leaving it in the past.

Submitted by Lester's rattle...  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 2:05pm  
Besides Hendricks, we have quite the B-team lineup playing today. Well deserved day off for the most regular of regulars.

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 3:18pm  
at least schwarber gets to play again. if maddon isn't gonna play him, it's time to trade him this offseason.

Submitted by blockhead25  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 3:25pm  
Schwarber must love the fact that he is now the "B" team.

Submitted by billybucks  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 3:28pm  
Either that, or spend the offseason working to make him a decent LF. I think he was limited last year because he was still rehabbing the knee. Hard to part ways with a LH 30-HR power bat, and the Cubs depth ain't what it used to be because of trading all the good kids. But, with the emergence of Happ and the improvement of Almora, as well as the presence of Hayward and Zobrist (assuming Baez is the primary 2B next year), Schwarber needs to raise his fielding game next year or head to the AL.

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 5:24pm  
As with absolutely any player, Theo should listen to offers on Schwarber. It just feels to me like after this season the Cubs would be selling low on him. I believe the Cubs will stand pat with each of Happ, Almora, and Schwarber and give them another year to develop, betting on each to be improved and then either being included into the core (Rizzo, Bryant, Contreras, Russell, and Baez) moving forward, or bringing more in a trade.

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 5:29pm  
And I'm going to type that again, just because it's so fucking pleasing....Rizzo, Bryant, Contreras, Russell, and Baez.

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 5:57pm  
given his 4 years of club control and his power he'd demand one hell of a premium. dude projects for 35-40 homers over a full season as a 1st-full-season 24 year old. his Ks are an issue (almost 1/3rd of his PA), but he has the ability to do better given that he has enough of an eye to take a decent amount of walks. his D is so limiting... he's not much of a LF'r even on his better days and something must be up with him and 1st base since he never gets a chance there. that would hurt a bit of his trade value. still, there's 15 AL teams and a few NL teams that would accept a meh LF'r with that much bat upside.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 3:18pm  
If they wanted to maximize the number of regulars and semi-regulars getting the post-clinch day off, Caratini has played LF before. They could have Rivera catch, play Avila at 1B, and sit Schwarber. Also, I think Jen-Ho Tseng played RF in Taiwanese little league, so there's that.

Submitted by Charlie  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 3:34pm  
Super premature question: How much of a long shot will the Cubs be to sign Otani? He's a potential solution to the desperate need for a top or mid-rotation starter, but the Cubs have no position to play him if he's really looking for that opportunity.

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 6:06pm  
cubs are unfortunately still under penalty for spending too much during the last CBA period. it would be next to impossible to compete with teams offering up to 10m-ish (max) unless otani -really- wanted to move to chicago.

Submitted by Charlie  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 8:15pm  
The weird development with Otani is that he is likely to be posted this offseason and he will be too young to get anything over, essentially, the league minimum. That's my understanding at least: https://www.theringer.com/2017/9/13/16300158/... So money won't be a factor in the decision.

Submitted by blockhead25  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 3:46pm  
I am sitting here realizing I'm STILL having trouble getting excited about the Cubs and the playoffs in the way I used to. Nothing can or will replace last season, so I'm just thinking "That's cool they won the division, would be nice if they could win a series or two". I just can't picture being too heartbroken if Washington sweeps them out of the playoffs.

Submitted by billybucks  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 4:52pm  
Definitely a different feel to it. The last two years were really more of a "Wow! I can't believe it!". This year, because of expectations and because of the way they started, was less joyful and more of a grind. A lot more of "C'mon, already!" Also, the lack of Dexter and Ross changed the feel a bit. As further proof -- I am heading out tomorrow to see my son at college, and he asked me to pick up a Cubs post-season t-shirt for him. Last year, they were piled on tables and people lined up to buy them. Today, I got to Dick's Sporting Goods at 9:30am -- I was the only shopper in the store and had to search for one relatively small rack of blah t-shirts. Having said all that -- the recent wins in Milwaukee and St. Louis were very exciting and enjoyable. The first win in Milwaukee, with the Baez 2-out 2-strike single and the KB HR in the 10th, was about as an exciting game as I have watched.

Submitted by blockhead25  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 4:58pm  
The last couple weeks has been intensely enjoyable, even several of the games Cubs lost. I just feel like being a Cubs fan is completely different now. I knew it days after the World Series too. Honestly, feels a bit more like the Bulls (90's version) or Blackhawks (this decade) where it is really awesome when they win their 2nd, 3rd (or 6th) championship...where we scream and celebrate, but it won't be life alterating like last year was.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil  on Fri, 09/29/2017 - 10:06am  
Don't forget, the Cubs are going to be less nervous in the postseason than they were last year, and less nervous than the other team, which, whoever it is, will never have been to a World Series. (I mean, any of the current players.) The Dodgers haven't been to a Series since 1988. KC and SF--did it get harder for them to win after the first time, or easier?

Submitted by The E-Man  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 5:06pm  
With both Martin AND Freeman in the lineup tonight, with Caratini, will the B Team get more than 4 hits?

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 5:14pm  
Yes. Absolutely more than 4 hits.

Submitted by blockhead25  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 9:16pm  
You win!!! 5 hits through 9.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 11:00pm  
Damn! By ONE hit! Until xtras.

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Fri, 09/29/2017 - 5:28am  
My level of confidence in the outcome was completely unsupported by rational evaluation.

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 9:15pm  
1ip 0h 1bb 3k for j.wilson. 22 pitches. maples also threw a 3k, 1bb inning. his slider thing is nasty.

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Fri, 09/29/2017 - 5:31am  
I think in time Maples can become a dominant reliever. Just not sure if/how much he can help in the next 30 days. I hope he makes 2 more appearances in the Reds series.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil  on Fri, 09/29/2017 - 10:00am  
Maples wasn't used in the recent crucial series with the Brewers or Cards (before the Cubs clinched), except in the 15-2 home loss to the Brewers. He's not ready for prime time. It would be malpractice to put him in against the Nats or Dodgers. He's auditioning for next year now (and doing quite well).

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 9:21pm  
oh boy! extra innings in a meaningless game. they should let schwarber pitch.

Recent comments

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The first 600 characters of the last 16 comments, click "View" to see rest of comment.
  • crunch 5 hours 3 min ago (view)

    side note...k.wong is on 1st putting on one of those "baserunning mitts" (hand protection for sliding) that's extending past the length of his hand/fingers by at least 2-3 inches.

    they're going to have to start regulating this piece of equipment if this keeps up...

     
  • crunch 7 hours 9 min ago (view)

    Q with LAA in his debut for them...HBP, a wild pitch, and BB through 7 pitches...then 3 pop-outs to follow.

    blah blah spring training...

    baseball on TV...neat.

     
  • First.Pitch.120 10 hours 24 min ago (view)

    We just traded for Maddux!!!   ......... nope, the other one.

     
  • crunch 22 hours 54 min ago (view)

    yeah, i'm just saying i did consider piling onto it with a troll-level post about the trade...it's practically asking to be written that way.

    jeff passan did it quite well... https://twitter.com/jeffpassan/status/136577746706...

    that said, i had no idea zach bryant existed before today, but his early numbers looked oddly good (which means nothing without context that early in his career).

     
  • Charlie 23 hours 34 min ago (view)

    Oh, I mean the trade. You were quite diligent in posting!

     
  • crunch 1 day 2 hours ago (view)

    i contemplated writing the post totally trolled out as hell with "zach" coming after a wall of text.

    i decided the cubs being cheap was enough pre-season punishment without piling on.

     
  • Charlie 1 day 3 hours ago (view)

    This is a straight up troll 

     
  • crunch 1 day 5 hours ago (view)

    rsox aquiring ZACH bryant from the cubs.

    https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player...

    ptbn from the josh osich deal.

    totally useless trade...hopefully not a terrible loss.

     
  • Hagsag 2 days 6 hours ago (view)

    Chase Strumpf and Andy Weber invited to the ML camp.

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 2 days 11 hours ago (view)

    Ryan Tepera returns. Major League deal

     
  • crunch 3 days 9 hours ago (view)

    spring training TV is usually fluid...adding and subtracting broadcast games...

    first cubs TV (as of now) is March 3 (wednesday) on ESPN at 3pm EST.

    radio broadcasts available for almost every game that's not televised.  the cubs get going on monday and some other teams will start the day before.

     
  • crunch 4 days 6 hours ago (view)

    dj snelton's left elbow is screwed up...6 weeks rest then re-evaluate.

    looks like he's going to try to avoid having surgery.

     
  • Arizona Phil 4 days 22 hours ago (view)

    AAA leagues really need to play through the month of September, because with September rosters being limited to 28 instead of 40, players will need to be moved back & forth between MLB and AAA throughout the month of September instead of just through the month of August. 

     
  • Mike Wellman 6 days 5 hours ago (view)

    I get you, SW. Here in Des Moines, Cardinal fans flocked to I-Cub games when Memphis Redbirds were in town. That won't happen in '21 and even if it does in '22 & beyond it won't be as frequent as when they were in the same division. Not that I'll miss seeing Cardinal gear @ our ballpark...

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 6 days 7 hours ago (view)

    Ervin claimed by Braves. So we lose a potential future (and also current) asset in exchange for one year of a very mediocre Jake Marisnick.

    This team has no direction at the moment.

     
  • Sonicwind75 6 days 7 hours ago (view)

    As a midwest kid now living in Texas, new scheduling is a bummer.  Only get a chance to drive and see Cubs once every 3 years with interleague.  Really looked forward to those games in Round Rock and the one season in San Antonio.  I understand it makes more sense in the big picture, just selfishly disappointed.

     
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