Re: imaginary cubs Mets trade

The teams have matched up really well for a hitter and pitcher swap for a while. Cubs have been trying not to go down that road since that would be the route to a young controllable arm that would cost the most in terms of prospects. Right now, they're hoping Montgomery can be that guy and with the rotation set (I think Hammel is signed for next year, I'll have to look) with the emergence of Hendricks, they'll wait it out for now.

On another note, a pitching for hitting swap is very interesting now. A year ago I would have said the hitter is more valuable since we were at record low run production. Now with this odd as fuck spike in home runs, you wonder if a pitcher who can induce fewer fly balls and more ks is the better option .

they have a $10 mil option on Hammel for next year

Might not be sweating this one tonight.

This game has been a case study in why the NL should never get a DH.

Ya. You cant rob the fans of that moment the opposing teams manager is getting interviewed on live TV while a middle reliever goes up and hits a home run. I thought Botche was about to lose his shit.

Ya i just thought about it. If the Cubs face the Indians in the World Series, the Midwest may cave in on its self.

Big win for the Cubs. Now even if October Bumgarner does October Bumgarner things they'll still have 2 more chances to close it out.

Ballgame, Maggle

No it's not. It's a rare occurrence that you try to use as justification as to why pitchers should waste time hitting. Dh please.

No DH. NL ball is so much more fun for the strategy

Joe Maddon is the most NL manager ever. Why would you rob yourself of such joy?

Damian Rey hates fun

Also he's probably still butthurt about this

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I actually hated James Shields and loved that Bart finally got a homer. I'm not the fun police. I can take joy in those kinds of moments.

I just don't find any fun in watching a pitcher flail. Maddon's style hasn't changed. He's just had to learn to manage around an automatic out. There's no strategy in bunting and giving up an out every time you hit the 9spot.

Doesn't effect pitching changes either. Starting pitchers in each league average roughly the same innings. I just don't find it fun and the occasional pitcher dumping a duck fart single in on national television isn't going to change the fact that pitchers can't hit and I find it dire watching them try.

There's no strategy in bunting?? It's a strategy in and of itself. Some great conversation can be had over when to use it and when it's stupid to, especially in situations we normally would just assume a bunt HAS to be put down.

There will be more conversation about adding the DH to the NL when a pitcher of elite status gets hurt batting or on the bases (think the Buster Posey injury and subsequent rule change of blocking the plate), but ultimately Baseball is a game that is standardized but with quirks all over the place that make it unique. The DH in the AL and not in the NL is one of the things that make the game fun.

yeah putting the dh in the NL would just make me sad.

Bunting reduces the chances of scoring a run and those who delved into it concluded that is a futile strategy that doesn't work. The only real time therec should be a bunt is with the pitcher up. No excitement there and no thanks. I'd rather see a fringe major league hitter batting 9th than a useless pitcher who's just going to employ an archaic strategy.

Not saying anyone is wrong here. If you like the pitcher hitting great. I don't.

Hell, mr nl manager Joe Maddon has gone on record saying the bunt is overrated. If the strategy behind bunting and having the pitcher hit is to willingly surrender any of your finite number of outs in which you have to score a run, then I'd question your strategy.

I'm not talking about bunts, I'm talking about shit like putting Travis Wood in left for a batter so he can shift back to the mound for the next lefty.

Nevermind, I'm in favor of the NL DH just so I can see Kyle Schwarber make sure that everyone knows that it's SCHWARBERIN TIME every day.

I'd only bunt if I was being shifted with no one playing 3rd. Bunt it hard enough and its almost a guaranteed hit

Edwin and Martin with first inning dingers. 3-1 good guys.

I propose they pay Edwin all the money to stay

I think they'll try and keep him. But the window is now. Donaldson is probably gone after next year I think.

Slightly worried about Sanchez in this game...... seems to not be too in control thus far......

Edwin is fucking God

Sanchez' biggest knock as a prospect was his short stride to the plate would hinder him from throwing strikes. The few times I've seen him throw I can see what they mean.

Yeah, def worried about Sanchez

Being up 2, I wonder how conservative Gibbons manages his pen. If Sanchez keeps struggling I'm bringing in Liriano or Stroman if I need middle innings to get it to the 8th.

Liriano out with concussion

Sanchez strikes out the side..... could be hitting his stride......

Ohhhh anyone take his spot? And nice play there LJ.

He does have electric stuff when on.

Some dude took his spot, but forget who..... can't be bothered to look it up.....

6-6 back to square one heading into the 7th

Stressful

Bottom of the ninth, still tied..... here we go

And we're going to extras

The Rangers have played 27 innings of post season ball and have not led for 1 of them

Donaldson, E5 and Bautista. Probably our best chance of winning it

Donaldson leads off with a double!

And Bautista crap the bed

JJJJJJJJAAAAAAAAYYYYYYSSSSS