Wacha is capable of regaining his dominance (NLCS MVP a few years back) at any time.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Wacha is capable of regaining his dominance (NLCS MVP a few years back) at any time.

Jimmy, I really don't see either team able to sweep this series. But the photo is nice.

A few years back Soriano was an All-Star too. More current results tend to be better predictors of performance.

Wacha is capable of regaining his dominance (NLCS MVP a few years back) at any time.

Not really. What made him tough in 2013 was his devastating change. For some reason he now only throws a hand full per game. Like Lynn, his last 4 starts have been awful. I don't know if it's a case of their losing their edge due to the big lead in the standings or if they are gassed.

BTW, I agree with the poster that said if the Cubs win game one...it's over. And truth be told I would much rather go down to you than the fucking Mets that I have disliked since the 80's. And yes, I see no way in hell that the Dodgers get past 'em.

for all of the talk about lester and what kind of year he had, tonight really will determine for me whether his contract was worth it. i know his numbers weren't bad, as a matter of fact he had a pretty typical lester-like year, but this game tonight is going to cast a strong spotlight on whether he was worth it. he needs to do more than a 6-inning 3-run "quality start" tonight. The cubs need him to go out and go 7+ allowing 2 or less runs and give this team a chance to win. if he goes out and loses this game to john lackey by giving up big hits at bad times it will be pretty disappointing.

i feel pretty good about this cubs chances tonight, and i believe Lester will be ready to deliver. that being said i hope maddon has Richard or Cahill on speed dial if lester is getting worked over early, the cubs can't afford to roll over and hand this to the cardinals to not hurt jon lesters feelings or somehow justify his contract. if he sucks, get him the fuck out of there early.

I wouldn't want to face Kershaw and Grienke the most out of any other 2 starters from any team. I wouldn't count them out of any series at all.

Are you stoned or pissed off, or both, when you create these postings?

Don't like our chances in this one.

I wonder why Maddon is going with pitcher batting 9th (as he did in the WC). I'm against it (batting them 8th), but he pretty much did it all year so why change now?

Expecting/hoping starter goes deep into game so the flexibility of the spot means less

Just a guess

I wonder why Maddon is going with pitcher batting 9th (as he did in the WC). I'm against it (batting them 8th), but he pretty much did it all year so why change now?

I wonder why Maddon is going with pitcher batting 9th (as he did in the WC). I'm against it (batting them 8th), but he pretty much did it all year so why change now?

You guys seem to be going to great lengths to explain it when the obvious answer is "batting the pitcher 8th is stupid, so he isn't batting the pitcher 8th".

You guys seem to be going to great lengths to explain it when the obvious answer is "batting the pitcher 8th is stupid, so he isn't batting the pitcher 8th".

Are you stoned or pissed off, or both, when you create these postings?

I'm not real confident about it either, but as much as I see the Cardinals exposing Lester's weaknesses throwing to bases and holding runners, he was great against the Cardinals in his last start against them. He has a stellar record in post-season games too. I sure wish this game was starting at 1:20.....

i hate batting the pitcher 8th, and if Maddon or LaRussa or any other manager that has done this or continues to do it could give an explanation that makes sense i'd love to hear it. has Maddon ever come out and explained the advantage he feels they are getting by doing it?

I think the only reason to do it would be if you actually thought the pitcher was a better hitter than the worst guy in the lineup. I could see possibly batting Arrieta or Wood ahead of Ross. I could certainly see batting Gary Peters ahead of J.C. Martin.