Bleacher Bums Forum

Phillies are down 9-1 in the 6th, Raley getting another loss for them. 
With the outstanding Braves team coming for 3 games, it would sure be nice for the Cubs to win tomorrow and actually get a sweep.  Last weekend, they won a tough game with Marlins on Saturday to be up 2 games, but then lost the Sunday game and got swept by the mighty Brewers.  Would prefer not to repeat that cycle, be up 2-0 on Pirates with tought win today, only to lost on Sunday and then walk into a 3-game series with mighty Braves.  Lets win tomorrow, please?  Then don't get swept by Braves, either? 


Sale pitched on Friday, so not sure if he'll pitch in the Cubs series on Wednesday or not?  He usually has not been used on 5-day schedule in the last month or two, so hopefully Cubs won't see him on Wednesday?  In the ideal, Braves would beat Phillies today and then also tomorrow, to create a pretty big lead, and then kinda be in position to pace their best starters and maybe not give the Cubs their absolute most killer matchups? 

I trust Ramirez at the plate more than just about anyone else on the roster.

Boyd escapes the first with just one run, the run scoring thanks to a walk.  Seems like when he walks guys, runs will score.  But only one run, thanks to O'Neill oversliding 3B with no outs.  Cubs will need to score some runs today.  Wind blowing in, so might help Boyd with HR's.  But might make it hard for Cubs, too.  Lets get some runs. 

Civale comes in and lets in Bpyd's 2nd and 3rd baserunners, but then escapes.  4-2 Pirates. 

He allowed the inherited runners to score today, but Civale has 8 straight appearances over 17.2 IP without allowing an ER. 7 hits and 22 Ks over that span. Maybe he's just good as a reliever?

Busch errors a one-hop throw on a great play by Bregman, Yas with a 2-out HR.  7-3 game.  Glad PCA got the extra 2-run homer. 

Peterson has had pretty good control tonight, 7-0 into the 7th. 

Counsell is a good smart manager, so I rarely 2nd guess his decisions. 

I do admit that his usage of Assad kind of puzzles me.  Counsell has had trouble getting competitive relief.  To me it would make so much sense to give Assad some opportunities in leverage innings, especially with Thornton out.  Why waste Assad in blowout innings?  Heh heh, this might be an occasion to give cabrera an inning, or more if he's semi-effective. 

Might have been a chance to get Cabrera some work, since he clearly doesn't trust him in leverage situations at this point.

Cabrera can get work in spring training.  Too much at stake to trot him out there and see if he's fixed now.

With a 7-run lead?

Cabrera was throwing 100 in his last Iowa appearance and our bullpen has been a dumpster fire for most of the 2nd half. I think you have to at least see what he can do in that role.