Cubs VS Pirates 5/2- 5/4

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 12:42 pm

The Cubs made the decision to skip Hendricks' start and go with the 3 starters that have performed the best early this season in this early season matchup of 2 top contenders in the National league. Pittsburgh comes into the game 15-10 and had won 6 straight, before dropping their last game VS the Reds 6-5. The pitching matchups are good ones, with Jason Hammel (3-0 with a 0.75 ERA) facing Gerrit Cole (2-2 with a 2.78 ERA) in tonight's opener. Hammel has been outstanding, but will be facing an offense that will certainly be tougher than those of the Braves, Brewers and even Reds trot out. Jake Arrieta (5-0 with a 1.00 ERA) will face Jonathon Niese (3-0 with a 5.08 ERA) in his first start VS the Cubs as a Pirate, after being traded this past winter over from the Mets in the deal that sent Neil Walker over to the Mets. Niese is a lefty and the Cubs have not hit southpaws all that well early in the season with all their left handed bats in the lineup, that should be no shock. In the final game of the series, Jon Lester (2-1 1.83) will face Juan Nicasio (3-2 3.33) . Unfortunately inclement weather may be an issue yet again, as rain is possible in the series. In the final game on Wednesday particularly. If Hammel can continue his early season excellence and get the best of Cole tonight, it could go a long way in putting some distance between the first place Cubs and 2nd place Pirates, who go into the series 3 games behind.

Frank Coztansa · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 12:51 pm

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=100110

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 12:54 pm

Frank Coztansa wrote:

http://score670.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=100110

If that thread was posted in the correct place, I would not have posted this thread. But it was not. No sense in Cubs fans slumming it to get to the thread.

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 2:50 pm

I am a bit surprised that Joe Maddon has chosen to take Heyward out of the lineup today, as Gerrit Cole pitches today and a left hander Niese will go tomorrow, when it might have been more expected that Heyward would be given a day off. But here is the lineup Maddon goes with tonight:

Fowler LF
LaStella 3B
Bryant LF
Rizzo 1B
Zobrist 2B
Russell SS
Szczur RF
Ross C
Hammel P

Maybe he gives Heyward a day off tomorrow, with Baez at 3rd in place of LaStella and Soler in place of Szczur? Or if Szczur has a good night, maybe he plays again tomorrow as well?

good dolphin · **Joined:** Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:35 pm **Posts:** 82152

giving your $25M per year, big off season acquisition the day off at the beginning of your biggest series of the year...ALL HAIL THEO!

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 3:02 pm

good dolphin wrote:

giving your $25M per year, big off season acquisition the day off at the beginning of your biggest series of the year...ALL HAIL THEO!

It is Joe Maddon's decision, not Theo's. But it is curious, with a lefty going the following day, that would have been a more natural day off. But with Heyward going 0-for the Atlanta series and hitting .190 over the past 15 games, I can see why Joe wanted to give him the day off. Cole is tough on everyone lefty or righty. Maybe he wants them to work on some things the next couple days before putting him back in the lineup against Nicasio. If he plays tomorrow night VS Niece, this is really going to seem odd.

IMU · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 3:02 pm

Jason Heyward traditionally starts extremely poorly. His March/April is consistently his worst month year after year. Hashtag not worried.

His numbers versus Gerrit Cole aren't great.

In the superior National League, teams play all 25 guys.

Matches Malone · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 3:03 pm

good dolphin wrote:

giving your $25M per year, big off season acquisition the day off at the beginning of your biggest series of the year...ALL HAIL THEO!

Wanny wrote:

We'll be fine.

America · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 3:07 pm

IMU wrote:

Jason Heyward traditionally starts extremely poorly. His March/April is consistently his worst month year after year. Hashtag not worried.

His numbers versus Gerrit Cole aren't great.

In the superior National League, teams play all 25 guys.

I remember when I was saying that to myself about Adam LaRoche last year.

Kirkwood · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 3:08 pm

America wrote:

IMU wrote:

Jason Heyward traditionally starts extremely poorly. His March/April is consistently his worst month year after year. Hashtag not worried.

His numbers versus Gerrit Cole aren't great.

In the superior National League, teams play all 25 guys.

I remember when I was saying that to myself about Adam LaRoche last year.

cool story. thanks for sharing

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 3:18 pm

America wrote:

IMU wrote:

Jason Heyward traditionally starts extremely poorly. His March/April is consistently his worst month year after year. Hashtag not worried.

His numbers versus Gerrit Cole aren't great.

In the superior National League, teams play all 25 guys.

I remember when I was saying that to myself about Adam LaRoche last year.

I don't see him being close to Adam LaRoche bad. He will improve his average to .250-.260 and walk enough to have a good OBP, but for the money he's getting, even if he is a superior defensive player, he just doesn't justify that contract.

good dolphin · **Joined:** Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:35 pm **Posts:** 82152

IMU wrote:

Jason Heyward traditionally starts extremely poorly. His March/April is consistently his worst month year after year. Hashtag not worried.

His numbers versus Gerrit Cole aren't great.

In the superior National League, teams play all 25 guys.

I am not implying that Heyward is not a good player.

Presumably, the guy you gave $25 million per only sits for a day of rest and not because of poor play/matchup problems. I know this will be taken as trolling but I would be saying the same thing if I were a Cub fan. His sitting in this situation may work out positively for Maddon but it is a situation the front office wouldn't have expected at the time of signing.

IMU · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 4:13 pm

good dolphin wrote:

IMU wrote:

Jason Heyward traditionally starts extremely poorly. His March/April is consistently his worst month year after year. Hashtag not worried.

His numbers versus Gerrit Cole aren't great.

In the superior National League, teams play all 25 guys.

I am not implying that Heyward is not a good player.

Presumably, the guy you gave $25 million per only sits for a day of rest and not because of poor play/matchup problems. I know this will be taken as trolling but I would be saying the same thing if I were a Cub fan. His sitting in this situation may work out positively for Maddon but it is a situation the front office wouldn't have expected at the time of signing.

You fucking know what good dolphin?!

That is a fair ass thought by you.

I'm a bit frustrated by Heyward's performance so far... but I guess I didn't expect an .850 OPS for the season anyway. But it does seem weird that your highest paid offensive player sits during Game 1 of the important season series.

Northside_Dan · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 4:26 pm

Sore Wrist for JHey is the reason for sitting tonight.

THE INQUISITOR · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 4:31 pm

good dolphin wrote:

giving your $25M per year, big off season acquisition the day off at the beginning of your biggest series of the year...ALL HAIL THEO!

this is thwe biggest series of the year...as Keyser would say
"GO AWAY TROLL"

Envious sock fan and more delusional posting....

good dolphin · **Joined:** Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:35 pm **Posts:** 82152

THE INQUISITOR wrote:

good dolphin wrote:

giving your $25M per year, big off season acquisition the day off at the beginning of your biggest series of the year...ALL HAIL THEO!

this is thwe biggest series of the year...as Keyser would say
"GO AWAY TROLL"

Envious sock fan and more delusional posting....

come on man, you know I am speaking truth with this

That is a troubling development

I don't mean to imply that this is some sort of huge series but it is relatively big and it is a series you would highlight on the calendar.

good dolphin · **Joined:** Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:35 pm **Posts:** 82152

Northside_Dan wrote:

Sore Wrist for JHey is the reason for sitting tonight.

you mean it is the reason given to the Jesse Rogers without any follow up

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 4:39 pm

THE INQUISITOR wrote:

good dolphin wrote:

giving your $25M per year, big off season acquisition the day off at the beginning of your biggest series of the year...ALL HAIL THEO!

this is thwe biggest series of the year...as Keyser would say
"GO AWAY TROLL"

Envious sock fan and more delusional posting....

I think GD meant the biggest series of the year to date. The Cardinals series was obviously important too, but the Pirates are probably the bigger competition this season.

Northside_Dan wrote:

Sore Wrist for JHey is the reason for sitting tonight.

Okay, so maybe he sits the first 2 and then back. In the meantime LaStella and Baez get a little extra playing time and hopefully they produce better than Heyward has lately.

Northside_Dan · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 4:40 pm

good dolphin wrote:

Northside_Dan wrote:

Sore Wrist for JHey is the reason for sitting tonight.

you mean it is the reason given to the Jesse Rogers without any follow up

I'll admit, the timing is questionable.

Matches Malone · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 6:13 pm

Big opportunity here in the 1st.

Let's go Rizzo!

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 6:13 pm

Get the feeling that taking advantage of this early opportunity could be important.

Frank Coztansa · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 6:15 pm

Elmhurst Steve wrote:

Get the feeling that taking advantage of this early opportunity could be important.

Dynamite drop in, Monte. That broadcast school has really paid off!

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 6:17 pm

Frank Coztansa wrote:

Elmhurst Steve wrote:

Get the feeling that taking advantage of this early opportunity could be important.

Dynamite drop in, Monte. That broadcast school has really paid off!

No hiding it.

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 6:25 pm

They got one heck of a deal with Freese. Batting #3 and didn't have him till March 11th. Got him at a great rate too, just 3 million.

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 6:36 pm

Getting hits/ runners in scoring position against Cole. Gotta start cashing in though. Love that ballpark (PNC) in Pittsburgh. Surprised at how many empty seats they have there tonight.

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 6:44 pm

Their lineup is very similar to the Cubs. No real soft spots. I thought they might miss Walker, who has hit real well for the Mets, but Harrison has plugged that hole very well so far.

Matches Malone · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 6:56 pm

R I Z Z O

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 6:56 pm

Gotta love 2 out, 2 strike hits that score runs. CLUTCH!

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 7:00 pm

Those goofy suits are kinda fun. Stupid, but fun.

Elmhurst Steve · **Posted:** Mon May 02, 2016 7:12 pm

Joe has em running tonight!! 2 SB by Fowler, 1 by Russell and now Szczur gets 2B after a throw to hold him gets away. Putting pressure on the Buc's defense!

Cubs VS Pirates 5/2- 5/4

Who is online