the day that does come is going to be a dark day for pitchers. that would have a noticeable impact on the game, it would be a feeding frenzy for the hitters. i am guessing here, but i would suggest that in each game there are probably 10-12 pitches that are called strikes that technically don't scrape the corners or the upper/lower edge of the zone but are traditionally accepted (if not always agreed upon) strike calls. if the hitters knew those weren't going to get called, and the pitchers couldn't nibble the corners and get calls anymore, the game would be affected forever and there would be a lot of 10-8 games.

I agree. But that may not be so bad with the way offense is down right now. The pitchers don't need any help.

And the other thing is that a good pitcher won't be able to expand the plate. People always complain about Maddux and Glavine getting a "big plate", but they made a big plate by hitting spots perfectly. Arrieta did the same thing the other night. That's a human factor. The umpire, a human being, gets in a rhythm calling strikes and starts to have what I might call a "belief" in that pitcher who clearly has pinpoint control. It's not that the umpire is trying to give him strikes off the plate, the pitcher has lulled and eased him into doing it.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

I believe 6 called 3rd strikes and 4 of those were outside of the strike zone. To say the strike zone didn't have a major role in yesterday's game is just stupid.

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The Curse of The Goat

The Curse of Bartman

The Curse of the Umpires


Which one is worse?

One lose does not make a playoff

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I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

The calls were consistent though.

Umpire had the same zone throughout the game.

Once you know what is being called, you have to adjust.

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How have the Cubs fared against Garcia?

With the lefty going we going to see Soler or Denorfia in the lineup?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

From what I saw, it was a fairly consistent zone. Lester had a wide outside corner as well.

That said Phil Cuzzi is pretty awful.

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The funny thing is, nobody ever talks about the umpires when their team won the game.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

See my previous post.

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Elections have consequences.

I have to believe the issue is with the system TBS uses to track pitch location. I haven't seen such a disparity between the calls and the electronic location all year. It seems unlikely that both umpires (Wednesday and Friday) suddenly became incompetent.

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Here is your study

http://www.gammonsdaily.com/the-case-for-electronic-ballstrike-calling-was-made-yesterday/

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Garcia has been a ground ball machine this season. His home ERA is just 1.70, compared to 3.25 on the road. However, his ERA rose in September/October to 3.44 the highest it was for any period in the season. Left handed hitters have actually hit for a higher average against Garcia .248 VS .215 for right handed hitters. Garcia has had 5 starts against the Cubs and is 2-1 in those starts with a 2.06 ERA. The last time they faced Garcia was back in April. If I am being honest, I have to give the edge to the Cardinals in this matchup. Hendricks has not gone past the 6th inning in a single start since the All Star game and though he was very good in his last 3 starts, they were against the Brewers (twice) and a Royals team he was facing for the first time. He has been good against a lineup twice through the order of late and if he can do that much tonight, the bullpen can go from there. I have a feeling that with his lack of success VS the Cardinals ( 0-1 in 4 games started with a 3.97 ERA including a no-decision and 7.20 for this year) Maddon will have a quick hook. He has particularly had problems with Matt Holiday, who is 6 for 12 against Hendricks with 2 HR. Matt carpenter is licking his chops too, as he is 6 for 10 against Hendricks, including a HR. But it's Baseball and often things don't follow the numbers. If you like trends, Hendricks has been on a good roll and Garcia has not been at his best over the last month.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Cubs have no chance today.

CUB +124
CARD -134

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

I hate you.

Bryant and Rizzo start hitting again.

Cubs win 5-3.

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if the cubs lose tonight i have some suggestions for the cubbie music bumper selections. but hey that aint gonna happen cuz it's gonna happen!

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What do you mean, "...hitting again?"

Probably referring to the 87 runs, 26HR 99RBI 77BB and 273 total bases Bryant amassed to become Rookie of the year and the 94 runs, 31 HR, 101 RBI 78 BB and 300 total bases Rizzo had to be an N.L. MVP candidate.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Tonight is gonna make or breaks some posters weekends. They won't admit it, but a split will leave them overjoyed or on the verge of self harming.

Be safe out there.

SG got pawned by STEVE.

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Eh... Not really.

I am aware of the reference SomeGuy is making.

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That's not a defense.

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No.

But Steve took it as a serious statement rather than an attempt at mockery.

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I don't buy it. Steve never misunderstands.

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Hmm...

That's a cromulent point.

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No, I took it as a stupid statement.

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Go Cubs!!!!

As I thought might happen, Maddon has the pitcher batting 8th again tonight.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Not sure why he did it for 2 games, but at least he switched back.

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Not sure why he did it in the Pittsburgh game. but I understand why he might have last night. With Ross and Lester, you have 2 near automatic outs. Rather than have Ross and Lester kill a rally in the 7th and 8th slots before Russell might get a chance to hit, he decided to give the offense a chance to extend a rally another spot.

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Go Cubs!!!!