***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[Cyforce]

We can't afford to throw games away and that's what we did Sunday. It had all the feel of "well we got the first 2, what the hell". Now I know Tailion wasn't good, but Wisdom's play at first didn't help. And when ever game counts, you cant afford to have Tauchman and Candelario sitting on the bench in favor of Madrigal and Wisdom. You just can't.

Taillon gave up 8 ER IN 3 innings, Wisdom's defense was unexpected. Still he drove in 2 runs in an 11-4 loss. You play the same 8 guys in the field everyday the rest of the season and they wear down. Giving a guy an extra day of rest is more about how Candelario performs in the coming week then how his replacement did that day.

I suspect we're about to get Mervis back when they feel he's able to contribute on a part-time basis. Which isn't easy for a young player.

I also think Tauchman may start getting some play in left if Suzuki stays hot.

 

[Clonefan32]

Taillon gave up 8 ER IN 3 innings, Wisdom's defense was unexpected. Still he drove in 2 runs in an 11-4 loss. You play the same 8 guys in the field everyday the rest of the season and they wear down. Giving a guy an extra day of rest is more about how Candelario performs in the coming week then how his replacement did that day.

I suspect we're about to get Mervis back when they feel he's able to contribute on a part-time basis. Which isn't easy for a young player.

I also think Tauchman may start getting some play in left if Suzuki stays hot.

It was an objectively bad lineup and I get it's convenient to say "well Taillon gave up 8 ER". Sure, that's why we lost Sunday. But it doesn't change the fact Ross continues to make bizarre personnel decisions that have, and continue to, cost us games.

 

[Cyforce]

It was an objectively bad lineup and I get it's convenient to say "well Taillon gave up 8 ER". Sure, that's why we lost Sunday. But it doesn't change the fact Ross continues to make bizarre personnel decisions that have, and continue to, cost us games.

Wisdom drove in 2 of the 4 runs. How is that bizarre? Do you think Madrigal shouldn't get any time?

 

[ISUCubswin]

Wisdom drove in 2 of the 4 runs. How is that bizarre? Do you think Madrigal shouldn't get any time?

My two cents on Wisdom -

- He shouldn't have been at first. How he wasn't credited with two errors is a minor miracle, because he did have two Mancini-like plays.

- He 100% should be starting against lefties. As DH. There's no reason, barring injury, he should be in the field.

-Christopher ".210 BA against lefties" Morel should grab the pine against lefties. It is a fundamental failure that this organization, multiple times now, has trotted him out not just as a starter, but a ******* leadoff hitter, against pitchers he has shown time and time again he struggles with.

I would assume putting out a lineup like Sunday's does something to the psyche of the players. Everyone on the roster knew there was much better talent on the bench and you had 2 of the next 4 days off.

 

[NoCreativity]

I would assume putting out a lineup like Sunday's does something to the psyche of the players.

Lol, like what? Or it could give them some time to rest after just playing 26 out of the last 28 days since the ASB.

You want all the regulars to be dust by the end of September? Literally everyteam in baseball utilities their full roster to an extent.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Regarding Madrigal, dude should be starting as much as we can get him to.

If he's on the bench, his ass should be pinch hitting for anyone outside of Tauchman, Candelario, Bellinger, Hoerner, and Swanson if we're in a run scoring situation.

And by "pinch hitting," I don't mean "bunting"

 

[Cyforce]

My two cents on Wisdom -

- He shouldn't have been at first. How he wasn't credited with two errors is a minor miracle, because he did have two Mancini-like plays.

- He 100% should be starting against lefties. As DH. There's no reason, barring injury, he should be in the field.

-Christopher ".210 BA against lefties" Morel should grab the pine against lefties. It is a fundamental failure that this organization, multiple times now, has trotted him out not just as a starter, but a ******* leadoff hitter, against pitchers he has shown time and time again he struggles with.

I would assume putting out a lineup like Sunday's does something to the psyche of the players. Everyone on the roster knew there was much better talent on the bench and you had 2 of the next 4 days off.

I think that's hind sight on Wisdom prior to Sunday he hasn't been bad there albeit limited innings.

Last time you botched about Morel leading off he had a digger and a walk.

Fact is the team is limited and you can't play your better 9 everyday. I don't understand why you nitpick every loss when we're playing so well overall?

 

[ISUCubswin]

Lol, like what? Or it could give them some time to rest after just playing 26 out of the last 28 days since the ASB.

You want all the regulars to be dust by the end of September? Literally everyteam in baseball utilities their full roster to an extent.

I'm not arguing giving guys rest.

We've played 12 games this month. Tauchman has started 8 of them. I really hope he doesn't require rest 1 out of every 3 days.

 

[ISUCubswin]

I think that's hind sight on Wisdom prior to Sunday he hasn't been bad there albeit limited innings.

Last time you botched about Morel leading off he had a digger and a walk.

Fact is the team is limited and you can't play your better 9 everyday. I don't understand why you nitpick every loss when we're playing so well overall?

The nitpicking is prettty basic Baseball 101 stuff.

- When you're fighting for a playoff spot, don't start a 3rd string position player unless someone is injured. Especially when you have 3 of the next 8 days off.

- When you're fighting for a playoff spot, don't throw your worst bullpen arm against lefties against 3 out of 4 lefties in a tie game.

- Morel also watched strike 3 right down the pipe in the game you are referring to with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out. If he's leading off, he is getting more chances with the bat in his hand than Hoerner, Bellinger, Swanson, Candelario, and Tauchman. There is no justifying that.

 

[Cyforce]

The nitpicking is prettty basic Baseball 101 stuff.

- When you're fighting for a playoff spot, don't start a 3rd string position player unless someone is injured. Especially when you have 3 of the next 8 days off.

- When you're fighting for a playoff spot, don't throw your worst bullpen arm against lefties against 3 out of 4 lefties in a tie game.

- Morel also watched strike 3 right down the pipe in the game you are referring to with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out.

Tell me what you see in Wisdom's history that says he couldn't handle first?

2023 Chicago Cubs Fielding Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com

Chicago Cubs latest fielding stats including Standard Fielding, Sabermetric Fielding, Advanced Fielding stats and more on Baseball-Reference.com

www.baseball-reference.com

 

[cyfanatic13]

Lol, like what? Or it could give them some time to rest after just playing 26 out of the last 28 days since the ASB.

You want all the regulars to be dust by the end of September? Literally everyteam in baseball utilities their full roster to an extent.

Ronald Acuna, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley have played every single game for the Braves this season and Ozzie Albies had played every game until last night for an IL stint.

Trivia question: What team has the best record in baseball so far?

 

[ISUCubswin]

Bottom line, in my opinion, **** what arm the pitcher throws with, Tauchman, Hoerner, Swanson, Bellinger, Candelario, Happ, and Madrigal should be starting every day UNLESS it is a scheduled off day.

Wisdom should only start, as DH, vs. lefties.

Morel has started 25 of our 28 games post All Star break. He's hitting .223 in that time, and .143 the last two weeks. Unless someone needs a break, he shouldn't be playing at all. Yet he's leading off. He hit a lead off homer and a double in a big spot and people seem to ignore how poor he's been because those are 2 of his just 3 hits since August 2nd.

 

[Cyforce]

@ISUCubswin we're probably not that far apart on how to use the roster i just don't see a reason to vent after every loss.

Here's how I'd use the roster.

C split games with Gomes and Amaya by pinch hitting Mervis in key situations v. Righties

1B Bellinger and (Mervis plays v. Some rightness to get an extra lefties in the lineup

2B Hoerner SS Swanson basically everyday down the stretch

3B Candelario, rest him as DH v. Lefties

LF Happ v. RHP Tauchman v. LHP

CF Bellinger ( Tauchman when Belle is at first )

RF Tauchman v. RHP Suzuki v. LHP and occasional righty

DH Morel v. RHP Candelario or Madrigal v. LHP

Honestly I'd prefer Canario off the bench to Wisdom, similar pop better contact.

Then PCA on the playoff roster as PR/ D replacement.

 

[chuckd4735]

 

[TClone99]

I’m afraid this team is going to run out of arms. Meanwhile the Brewers bullpen is absolutely filthy.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

I’m afraid this team is going to run out of arms. Meanwhile the Brewers bullpen is absolutely filthy.

I’m still shell shocked we’re this good.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Wonder who you go with instead of Stroman. My guess is Assad, since he'll be fully rested, then you can go Steele/Taillon Friday/Saturday and hope Stroman is available Sunday.

White Sox are a lefty happy team. I'll puke if they go Wesneski or Smyly against the White Sox, since they are a lefty-happy team and both are absolute trash bags against lefties.

 

[Cyforce]

Wonder who you go with instead of Stroman. My guess is Assad, since he'll be fully rested, then you can go Steele/Taillon Friday/Saturday and hope Stroman is available Sunday.

White Sox are a lefty happy team. I'll puke if they go Wesneski or Smyly against the White Sox, since they are a lefty-happy team and both are absolute trash bags against lefties.

I'd go Wicks letting everyone get the extra rest.

 

[chuckd4735]

Wonder who you go with instead of Stroman. My guess is Assad, since he'll be fully rested, then you can go Steele/Taillon Friday/Saturday and hope Stroman is available Sunday.

White Sox are a lefty happy team. I'll puke if they go Wesneski or Smyly against the White Sox, since they are a lefty-happy team and both are absolute trash bags against lefties.

With the two off days this week, they don't need a 5th starter until next Tuesday. My guess is they will go Assad tomorrow, Steele Friday, Taillon Saturday, Hendricks Sunday, and then Assad again Monday. Strohman next Tuesday if ready.

 

[FarmClone]

I’m sure there is an easier way to look this up but I did the math and the cubs have played .640 baseball since July 1. For reference the braves on the season are .644. Wild stuff