***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[Cyforce]

I just read a player only has to be on the 40man or 60 day IL prior to September to be eligible for postseason. I think that use to be active roster at any point during the season prior to September. That makes it easier to add PCA and use him like they did Almora in 2016. ( that tag up from 1st was legendary).

 

[ISUCubswin]

For arguments sake, Assad's starts this year:

4/20 vs. Dodgers, 3 IP, 2 ER on 3 H and 2 BB
8/5 vs. Braves, 3.2 IP, 2 ER on 5 H and 2 BB
8/11 vs. Blue Jays, 7 IP, 1 ER on 4 H and 1 BB

If we see more starts like we did against the Blue Jays, I'm all in on Assad starting over Hendricks. But take the Blue Jays game out of the equation and Assad has been far from someone I'd trust in October.

 

[Cyforce]

For arguments sake, Assad's starts this year:

4/20 vs. Dodgers, 3 IP, 2 ER on 3 H and 2 BB
8/5 vs. Braves, 3.2 IP, 2 ER on 5 H and 2 BB
8/11 vs. Blue Jays, 7 IP, 1 ER on 4 H and 1 BB

If we see more starts like we did against the Blue Jays, I'm all in on Assad starting over Hendricks. But take the Blue Jays game out of the equation and Assad has been far from someone I'd trust in October.

Agree, he still has to prove it down the stretch but the upside is there over Hendricks. I think what they do with KH in the postseason will tell if they plan on bringing him back next year..

Personally I'd like to see. Steele, Taillon Stroman and a big signing plus the young guys battling for the 5th spot in the rotation.

 

[gipper2001]

I just read a player only has to be on the 40man or 60 day IL prior to September to be eligible for postseason. I think that use to be active roster at any point during the season prior to September. That makes it easier to add PCA and use him like they did Almora in 2016. ( that tag up from 1st was legendary).

That play by Almora was the most underrated of that entire inning. It changed everything. It made them walk Rizzo and put clutch Zobrist up. If you watch the broadcast, Bryant comes up to him after he scores and tells him how big that was.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Agree, he still has to prove it down the stretch but the upside is there over Hendricks. I think what they do with KH in the postseason will tell if they plan on bringing him back next year..

Personally I'd like to see. Steele, Taillon Stroman and a big signing plus the young guys battling for the 5th spot in the rotation.

My guess is Hendricks spot is dependent on what Stroman does. If Stroman opts out, Cubs save $21 million and will opt in on Hendricks at a cheap $16 million. If Stroman opts in, Cubs opt out on Hendricks and save $15 million.

They have a **** ton of money for this offseason, I'd be pretty shocked if they don't sign themselves an ace.

 

[gipper2001]

My guess is Hendricks spot is dependent on what Stroman does. If Stroman opts out, Cubs save $21 million and will opt in on Hendricks at a cheap $16 million. If Stroman opts in, Cubs opt out on Hendricks and save $15 million.

They have a **** ton of money for this offseason, I'd be pretty shocked if they don't sign themselves an ace.

I want Ohtani.

 

[JP4CY]

Dear God:

 

[Rabbuk]

Dear God:

When the catcher sets up 4 feet off the plate that's a good clue to leave the bat on the shoulder.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

I want Ohtani.

Ohtani would be our ace and best hitter

 

[NoCreativity]

Morel completely redeemed himself.

 

[BigJCy]

Another series win...see if we can get the sweep tomorrow.

 

[CYdTracked]

Dear God:

I said it way back when he was with the Cubs, just throw him low and away ever AB until he lays off them. He's like me playing slow pitch softball where I would rather swing at a bad pitch than take a walk, lol.

 

[cyfanatic13]

I just wanted to not get swept by the Braves or Blue Jays. Winning both series is huge. Schedule is extremely favorable for the next 12 games before a large series in Wrigley against the Brewers

 

[RoseClone]

Nice to win the first game of the series

And it doesn't suck to win the 2nd either. Go Cubs Go!!

 

[CycloneErik]

Winning is fun. Let's keep this up.

 

[BigJCy]

I just wanted to not get swept by the Braves or Blue Jays. Winning both series is huge. Schedule is extremely favorable for the next 12 games before a large series in Wrigley against the Brewers

These are the type of games we have had some issues with. Hopefully we are past that now.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Brewers have to play 17 straight games against a team with a pulse after Sunday, so nows the time to put the foot down.

 

[ISUTex]

My guess is Hendricks spot is dependent on what Stroman does. If Stroman opts out, Cubs save $21 million and will opt in on Hendricks at a cheap $16 million. If Stroman opts in, Cubs opt out on Hendricks and save $15 million.

They have a **** ton of money for this offseason, I'd be pretty shocked if they don't sign themselves an ace.

Just sign an ace who also happens to be the best hitter in baseball. Simple.

 

[NorthCyd]

Dear God:

The catcher is set up like 2 feet outside the strike zone. Crazy.

 

[CYdTracked]

I love it and love these discussions. My only critiques is that I don't see a world Hendricks isn't a starter. 3.12 postseason ERA and his only poor postseason performance was the only game he came out of the bullpen. He's had a few blowups this season, but I think he has the mindset to keep that from happening in the postseason.

And I don't want to take anything away from Assas in saying all that - ******* love the balls that guy had last night.

My guess is as long as Hendricks isn't garbage to finish out the season he will be in the rotation and you will have both Assad and Smyly capable of pitching multiple innings out of the bullpen if Hendricks struggles early in his start. Maddon pulled the plug on him early at times, I didn't always agree with it back then but at his age now and recent health issues and struggles if he doesn't have it early on you know it's not going to get better the longer he is in.