USA Today article covering this...
Quote:
The Cubs, in first place all but one game this year, running away with the NL Central, slapping the San Francisco Giants around in the Division Series, find themselves in trouble for the first time all season.
The Cubs, suffering the indignity of back-to-back postseason shutouts for the first time in franchise history, lost 6-0, to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and suddenly find themselves trailing this best-of-seven National League Championship Series, 2-1.
It was the first time in the Dodgers’ glorious history, even with Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale on the same staff, they ever pitched back to-back postseason shutouts in their 200-game playoff history.
It’s a little tough to win a pennant, let alone a game, when you’re hitting .193 team this postseason, producing just six hits in the last 18 innings, with three of their everyday players hitting less than .100.
Things have gotten so desperate that Cubs manager Joe Maddon used Jason Heyward, who hit just .230 during the season, and .105 this postseason, to pinch-hit for All-Star shortstop Addison Russell. Heyward struck out. Russell went home with a .042 batting average.
“I’m very surprised what’s happening,’’ Cubs catcher Miguel Montero says. “Very surprised. Obviously, we have high expectations of ourselves coming in, but we’re just not swinging the bats.
“I think we’re trying too hard. We’re all trying to be heroes here. We need to have a better approach as a team.’’
Maybe, it was suggested, the Cubs still are too young, and don’t have enough postseason seasoning to thrive on the big stage?
“No, that’s not an excuse,’’ Montero said. “We have a young team, but we got experience. We’ve got guys in here that have been here at least two full years. We just do not have a good game plan.
“We’ve got to grow to get better, and that starts now.
“We’ve got to rejuvenate ourselves, maybe have a few drinks, and forget about it.’’
It was the only laughter heard in the Cubs’ clubhouse as players quietly shuffled through the clubhouse door, heading toward the team buses.
“Peaks and valleys in this game sometimes makes you go crazy,’’ said third baseman Kris Bryant, who had two of the four Cubs’ hits, “but we have more games. We have time to get that confidence back, figure things out, and I’m sure we will.’’
Panic?
“No,’’ Bryant said. “It’s super calm. Nobody is throwing stuff. Sure, on the outside, you might want to think that’s what’s going on, but there is no panic. Not in here. It’s good.’’
OK, so concern?
“Nope,’’ Bryant said.
So why the optimism?
“Belief is very powerful,’’ Bryant said, “and we have that here. We’re here for a reason. We’ve done it all year.’’
Still, the team that showed up in October bears little resemblance to the one that scored 808 runs during the season. They’ve scored nine of their 25 total runs in just two innings. Their outfield actually has been out-homered by their pitching staff, 2-1.
i wouldn't say they "slapped around" the giants. that series was also a little concerning.
but if you're admittedly trying too hard...there's a part of you that *is* panicking and *is* concerned.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2016/10/18/cubs-trail-nlcs/92396794/what should happen tonight is that they do "slap around" a 20 year old pitcher with those godawful glasses and win 10-2, getting their confidence back.
well, they could've done that last night against a pitcher who didn't find his stuff until the cubs found it for him. i could totally see this kid pinning them down.
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