what do you think Arrieta's goal is tonight, to go out and give normal five? or go an and do something exceptional, maybe seven or eight innings of zero or one run ball? there is no way he or any of the cubs starters at the beginning of this series were aiming to do five decent innings and leave it to the bullpens. and so far all of them have disappointed. this PALES in comparison to the hitting issues and the terrible bullpen issues, but they shouldn't get a free pass.

Lester was on 3 days rest. Not sure you could expect much more.

That's overstating it just a bit, Marty.

They have a core of Rizzo, Bryant, Hendricks, Quintana, Russell, Contreras, Baez and Happ.

That's not even counting Lester or Schwarber (or whatever he turns into via trade)


Basically, they'll have to replace Arietta and Jay and add some bullpen arms.

Their entire infield is set for a few years . That’s not multiple holes .

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

that's fair, but at the same time if that is the best we could have expected for our "ace" with all the playoff experience, our expectations got seriously watered down somewhere along the line.

Mofo and Frank owning IMU in a baseball debate. Didn't expect to see that when I clicked on the thread.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp#e ... 8&split=sp



Their starters are averaging as many IP per game as the Dodgers, and only 2 outs per start less than Houston. The results are better than any team that still remains, and at the time Washington was eliminated, the best in the postseason. The Cubs have had the best starting pitching in the postseason. Being the single best out of 10 (or 8 teams) is amazing.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

I'm not a fan of Russell or Hendricks and let's see what they are left with position player wise after trades to upgrade the staff. They are in a very tricky spot going forward.

Stats are deceiving in this case.

you think they are trading one of their starting infeild?

Get that weak shit out of here.

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

Hendricks is a pitcher so they are always iffy by nature.

Russell is a solid player at the very least. Great defender with pop. Barring injuries, that's his floor.

I don't think you can get a frontline starter without trading one of the middle infielders.

Not sure many front line starters will be available via trade. That is probably a Free Agent thing.


Who do you think has a better next 3 years? Tim Anderson or Russell?

two of their better playoff performers and you want them gone?! what is wrong with people.

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

He is a Sox fan trying to position himself for sargent of the subdivision

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

I thought there weren't any front end starters in FA this year?

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

There is good pitching available. Cubs don't necessarily need a #1. There are plenty of 2-3 guys out there to be had.

Id take Yu Darvish but I should have clarified.

I didnt mean they'd get front end starter. I dont think the Cubs will be adding a front line guy. I think they will sign a back of the rotation guy.

So says someone whose stance is supported by nothing.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

I like Anderson's upside more than Russell's. I'll take Anderson understanding it comes with considerable risk.

I have a database of over 6,000 MLB games observed.

The Cubs are not the best in WHIP, Walks, or the most important playoff stat, wins. What you posted is also relative to the other teams. I refuse to call outings of 5 innings, 4.2 innings, and 5+ innings with zero wins "Amazing." I highly doubt that if the Cubs did that in May against the Braves that you would call it "amazing," and if you did, you would be wrong, IMU.

The Cubs had very good starting pitching for 4 of the 5 NLDS games. Hendricks in Game 1, and Lester were indeed amazing against the Nats. The starting pitching in the NLCS has not been amazing. If it was, your team probably would not be in an 0-3 hole.

Still want to claim that Carl Edwards has not been awful this postseason, or after a bases loaded walk to a pitcher, are you willing to concede that point?

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throw all the numbers you want at it, but it doesn't erase the fact that the cubs starting pitching has failed to pitch deep enough to protect the Cubs from the opposition pummeling their terrible bullpen. But hey, I personally hope Jake has an equally amazing 100-pitch 5 inning domination of the Dodgers tonight. I am sure that is all Jake and Maddon and the whole team is looking for him to do. I doubt they are hoping for him to step up and pitch 7 solid, they just want a normal 5 innings.

Look at my avatar.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Proper move.

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If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Now THAT was a legit starting pitching performance they needed. Fuck that weak-ass five inning “but their ERA is so good” bullshit. Jake stepped up like a man tonight.

Absolutely.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Give him ALL the money

I did get a bit emotional seeing him walk off the field there. He did a lot for us. hope he goes to the AL.