Yeah its by no means perfect, and Im not defending the policy. Its horribly outdated. However, it has nothing to do with fans being in the stands.
MLB: 2020 Chicago Cubs Season Thread
- Thread starter Cyched
- Start date
Yeah its by no means perfect, and Im not defending the policy. Its horribly outdated. However, it has nothing to do with fans being in the stands.
My biggest gripe with the blackout rules is that Iowans got screwed over by this. Brewers, Twins, White Sox, Cubs, Royals, Cardinals all have Iowa claimed as their area. Maybe the Rockies too?
After two games
Encouraged by
- Pitching, other than two bad innings, has been lights out. Cotton has the excuse that he didn't have time to get ready (Hendricks was phenomenal and going to stay in through 5 until he gave up 3 straight hits)
- I actually feel like these guys realize it's do or die time and they could be throwing away something special if they don't prove it this year.
- Excited to see Hoerner getting time in CF last night; we can't be dependent on Almora and Happ locking down that part of the field until they prove they deserve to be out there.
Discouraged by
- The White Sox might have a more lethal 1-5 than we do.
- Our outfielders have looked just plain terrible defensively
- Still think our lineup is best if Kris can move to the 2-3-4 spot but we have no one that could take the leadoff spot. Hoerner is the only one I can imagine, but I don't see him doing much more than platooning a ton.
Encouraged by
- Pitching, other than two bad innings, has been lights out. Cotton has the excuse that he didn't have time to get ready (Hendricks was phenomenal and going to stay in through 5 until he gave up 3 straight hits)
- I actually feel like these guys realize it's do or die time and they could be throwing away something special if they don't prove it this year.
- Excited to see Hoerner getting time in CF last night; we can't be dependent on Almora and Happ locking down that part of the field until they prove they deserve to be out there.
Discouraged by
- The White Sox might have a more lethal 1-5 than we do.
- Our outfielders have looked just plain terrible defensively
- Still think our lineup is best if Kris can move to the 2-3-4 spot but we have no one that could take the leadoff spot. Hoerner is the only one I can imagine, but I don't see him doing much more than platooning a ton.
Prediction for Friday:
(R) Bryant 3B
(L) Rizzo 1B
(R) Baez SS
(L) Schwarber LF
(R) Contreras C
(L) Kipnis 2B
(S) Happ CF
(L) Heyward RF
(R) Hoerner DH
It'll be tough to keep Hoerner out of the lineup against righties - he hits righties better than lefties despite being a righty himself. But I also think Kipnis is going to be the leader we've needed for 4-5 years and would like to see him get a shot.
(R) Bryant 3B
(L) Rizzo 1B
(R) Baez SS
(L) Schwarber LF
(R) Contreras C
(L) Kipnis 2B
(S) Happ CF
(L) Heyward RF
(R) Hoerner DH
It'll be tough to keep Hoerner out of the lineup against righties - he hits righties better than lefties despite being a righty himself. But I also think Kipnis is going to be the leader we've needed for 4-5 years and would like to see him get a shot.
As for the blackout stuff - I've read a lot on that ending after the 2021 season, along with all the other major changes that will be happening within the sport.
I'm not reading too much into Hendricks and Darvish last starts as Hendricks used his curveball more than he had any game last season so he obviously was trying to work in it some in his last tune up start. Darvish was fine after that first inning, if he pitches like he did in the 2nd half of last season I'll take it. Have to take pre-season baseball with a grain of salt as pitchers are just trying to stretch their arms out while working on some pitches that they may not use as much when the games start to count towards the standings. Would rather a guy work on his secondary pitches in training camp games and maybe find something that works that he can use later on because at least if it doesn't work out in training camp no harm is done in the W/L column.
I'm not getting my hopes up this short season turns into a playoff ride. Just too many question marks and holes on this roster that the room for error is a lot less over 60 games where every game is going to matter. I hope they find lightning in a bottle and are competitive but on the plus side if they stink up the joint you chalk it up to a bad start and an awkward situation and you move on and hope they can re-tool the roster in the offseason.
With all the uncertainty with the economics with baseball right now and the looming CBA issues too I would be thrilled if they could make some ground on extensions for Bryant and Baez in hopes that they would rather take the money now than take their chances on what could be sketchy free agent markets coming up. I could see even this offseason turning into one like the Machado & Harper offseason where the big names are still waiting on deals right up until training camp because teams right now are going to be tight on money and uncertain what the future economics hold too.
I'm not getting my hopes up this short season turns into a playoff ride. Just too many question marks and holes on this roster that the room for error is a lot less over 60 games where every game is going to matter. I hope they find lightning in a bottle and are competitive but on the plus side if they stink up the joint you chalk it up to a bad start and an awkward situation and you move on and hope they can re-tool the roster in the offseason.
With all the uncertainty with the economics with baseball right now and the looming CBA issues too I would be thrilled if they could make some ground on extensions for Bryant and Baez in hopes that they would rather take the money now than take their chances on what could be sketchy free agent markets coming up. I could see even this offseason turning into one like the Machado & Harper offseason where the big names are still waiting on deals right up until training camp because teams right now are going to be tight on money and uncertain what the future economics hold too.
Bryan Smith out of Bleacher Nation is predicting a "good day" for Cubs fans, and he's usually in the know on things. I'm guessing 1 of 3 things, in order of likelihood
1) Comcast/Marquee announce their deal; this has been expected all week
2) Cubs announce the extension of KB or Baez
3) Cubs cut DescalsNO and sign Dietrich, for @cyfanatic13
1) Comcast/Marquee announce their deal; this has been expected all week
2) Cubs announce the extension of KB or Baez
3) Cubs cut DescalsNO and sign Dietrich, for @cyfanatic13
Yes, believe you will be blacked out on ESPN. I'm sure there are web streams out there if you know where to look.
Thought so. Might have to peruse streams. Or free trial of Hulu plus if it comes down to it.
Hey cubs fans, Twins fan here. Nice exhibition win the other night. What’s the deal with Rizzo? Has lost like 40 lbs? Doesn’t even look like the same guy.
Also, Wilson Contreras, not looking forward to seeing that guy again later in year. That second homer, good lord...
Also, Wilson Contreras, not looking forward to seeing that guy again later in year. That second homer, good lord...
IMO Contreras is the best hitting catcher in the league when he has a fire lit under his ass. He and Baez are at their best when their emotions are high. He was rumored to be on the block this offseason; I think the FO was just doing this to try and wake him up after a poor couple seasons.
Glad we didn't extend Hamels, looks like a waste of $18 million (pre-prorated, of course) for the Braves.
I'm feeling really good about our bats this year; I am concerned about the question marks with our pitching.
I'm feeling really good about our bats this year; I am concerned about the question marks with our pitching.
Rizzo worked out all off season and during covid. Lost roughly 25 pounds. hopefully it helps him run a little faster.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
He used the "down time" to get ripped.
I don't have it handy, but there was a nice story about it a few months ago. He really transformed himself.
Good for him. Not a cub fan but they would be my back up team. Always thought Rizzo seemed like a awesome guy.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
He's on my short list of "please don't let them have a scandal in their background" guys. Really does seem like an incredible guy.
