NLCS Game 2: Dodgers 4, Cubs 1

In Playoffs, Postgame by berselius64 Comments

OSS: Showalter'd.

Three up:

  1. Addison Russell struck the only major Cubs blow in this one with a line drive homer to left that briefly gave the Cubs the lead.
  2. The bullpen proper performed much better in this one, especially Carl Edwards Jr. Foolish bottom of the ninth decisions aside, Edwards, Strop, and Duensing combined for four innings, allowing just one hit and two unintentional walks with four strikeouts.
  3. Um…Albert Almora made a great catch in the awful early game sun?

Three down:

  1. I thought we all learned about using your closer in a tie game on the road a year ago. Bonus points for pitching a guy who has never appeared in consecutive days in his entire career.
  2. That dumb decision aside, the pitching staff pitched well enough despite the nine walks for the Cubs to have won this game, but the offense looked like shit. Jansen is really good, but even then the supposed heart of the lineup was making Javy look like a selective hitter. Bryant, Contreras, and Rizzo combined for seven strikeouts in twelve PAs, but it felt like seventy.
  3. This deserves to show up twice. Pitching a 38-year old pitcher on back to back days in a high leverage situation while your closer is available is just stupid. Ugh.

Next up: The series heads back to Chicago, and as much as I'd love for my home state to host the Cubs, hopefully they don't touch down here again and actually manage to get some sleep. That ABQ Sheraton kind of sucks. Kyle Hendricks takes on Yu Darvish at 8 PM CT on Tuesday.

Share this Post

Comments

  1. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89:
    Davis should have started the 9th, but there was such a tiny chance the Cubs were going to win this game that I barely cared when he didn’t.

    This. This dumb Dodgers team is just better all-around. And not worn out. Hard to get too mad about stuff like Lackey instead of Davis. Instead of losing in the 10th or 11th, they lost in the 9th. And who knows? Maybe Davis gives up the losing run too. He’s pretty good, but he’s no Kenley Jansen.

    Once again, I am reminded how good it was to win it all last year when the Cubs were the clear best team in baseball. It would be a good idea if this FO would decide to try to do that again next year.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  2. Rizzo the Rat

    I think there’s probably too much focus in the question of why Davis wasn’t brought in and not enough on what the hell Lackey was doing there. I thought Lackey was only on the roster as a last result, not a high-leverage reliever.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  3. Ryno

    josh:
    Hey guys. we suck.

    This. The Cubs are completely overmatched and the fans should look at the next two games as what they really are: a tuneup match to help prepare the Dodgers to face the Astros in the World Series.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  4. dmick89

    Ryno,

    While I have thought the Dodgers would win this series before it started, I still think there’s a chance the Cubs could win it. It’s relies on a lot of things going right and nothing going wrong, but we’ve seen this team play that way. If Bryant, Baez and Contreras can get going at the plate, along with Russell who hopefully got on track in this one, the Cubs can score a lot of runs. If the starters can do what they’re more than capable of and they actually field their positions without making stupid errors, I can easily see this being 2-2 going into the game 5 rematch of Quintana and Kershaw.

    If the Cubs play like they did in the 2nd half, it’s not too hard to see this team leading 3-2 on their way back to LA.

    I think the problem is that the Cubs outperformed in the 2nd half while underperforming in the 1st half. Still, we know it’s possible.

      Quote  Reply

    2

    1
  5. dmick89

    dmick89,

    For what it’s worth, I now think the most likely outcome of this series is a sweep, but I’m just saying it’s not difficult to imagine the Cubs playing better baseball than the Dodgers. They did it for almost 3 months.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  6. dmick89

    It’s also worth pointing out the Cubs came back from down 2-1 against the Dodgers last year and won 3 in a row. They came back from down 3-1 against the Indians and won 3 in a row. The Cubs have won 3 in a row against really good teams before and they’ve done it in the postseason.

      Quote  Reply

    2

    0
  7. Ryno

    Less than a week ago, I was wishing CHC had the pieces to complete a trade for Verlander last month. Now I’m wishing they hadn’t traded for Quintana.

    The trade with DET has always sucked.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  8. Myles

    I mentally checked out of the playoffs Game 5 vs. the Nationals when Hendricks gave up that HR to Taylor. Honestly, it’s all been gravy after that.

    I also take solace in the fact that while the Cubs have some BIG holes to fill in the offseason (roughly half a rotation and bullpen), they also have many, many assets on lock for a long time.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  9. dmick89

    Ryno,

    I wasn’t a huge fan of Quintana at first, but the guy is good. I think he’s someone the Cubs should try to extend this offseason. I didn’t like the Wilson trade at all. The Cubs will have to spend this offseason to fill their holes. Hopefully they’re willing to do that.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  10. Smokestack Lightning

    Myles,

    Yep, I’ve pretty much been in house money mode outside of one temper tantrum this entire postseason. Perhaps this attitude is not the greatest, but I just can’t get too worked up one way or another over a team largely relying on short-series variance to help it get by better teams. Given the fact that this was a year where a lot of shit went wrong to begin with, I’m looking at the whole year as a successful one regardless of how bad it ends over the next few days.

    And there’s still a decent chance of a turnaround. Darvish has been inconsistent with the Dodgers. Wood hasn’t been the same since returning from injury. Kershaw isn’t Kershaw right now. The Dodgers offense hasn’t exactly dazzled the first two games either. It would take Joe doing things like putting together a LU with a decent chance of stringing together some hits, and the starting pitching being able to go longer than 2 outs in the 5th, but as others have said, we’ve seen the Cubs do it before. The offense can wake up at any moment. Kyle can put together the occasional dominant postseason start. Maybe Jake will be fired up for a last hurrah. I’m sold on Quintana. Taking 2 of 3 at Wrigley seems at least plausible.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  11. Perkins

    If the Cubs get swept by the Dodgers, it’s going to piss me off a lot less than it did in 2015. Mostly because the Cubs were better than the Mets then and not as good as the Dodgers now.

    But I really wish they’d been willing or able to sign Kenley Jansen last offseason.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  12. Ryno

    dmick89,

    I like Quintana just fine. I guess he’s just not what I think the team needs and I’m not sure that the pitching is where it needs to be moving forward.

    Assume Arrieta’s gone and Lester’s trending downward. Quintana, Hendricks, Lester just doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence for next season.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  13. AW

    I think someone needs to have a long talk with Joe Maddon about pitcher management during postseason games — or take that responsibility away from him and his overthink-? transmission.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  14. Smokestack Lightning

    Ryno,

    The Superfriends have their work cut out for them this coming offseason, no question. They opted to more or less tread water the last one, and that looks like it will be the difference this playoff run.

    I’m hoping they’ll view the upcoming offseason a bit differently. The Quintana, Hendricks, Lester trio can actually be a pretty strong 2-3-4 in a rotation. And the core offense is still pretty damn good. But they need to shoot higher this time filling in the remaining spots. And it’s probably time to make some hard decisions in regards to certain players.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  15. Ryno

    Smokestack Lightning,

    I agree about having a good 2-3-4. I think you have to add someone like Darvish and at least one back-end bullpen arm to be a legit postseason contender. And that’s likely to cost a pretty penny this winter.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  16. Edwin

    Ryno,

    More than a penny, I’d bet. Despite enhanced visual attractiveness, pennies are still worth just $.01. Those kinds of starters are going to cost att least $35 Million per season, possibly more.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  17. Myles

    I really hope they re-sign Davis, and add two of Kintzler/Minor/Nicasio. Grab two playoff-caliber starters as well, at least one (Darvish or Arrieta).

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  18. Rizzo the Rat

    I don’t remember any grumbling about the Wilson/Avila trade at the time. I thought it was fine, given their limited minor league resources and their desire for a veteran backup catcher.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  19. Rizzo the Rat

    Myles,

    Honestly, I think Davis is declining. His velocity has dropped steeply and his peripherals aren’t as impressive as they used to be. This year he’s been good in addition to being lucky, but not great.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  20. dmick89

    AW:
    I think someone needs to have a long talk with Joe Maddon about pitcher management during postseason games — or take that responsibility away from him and his overthink-? transmission.

    I agree. Just take it away from him during the season because I’m pretty sure it’s just something Joe doesn’t understand. Maybe Dave Martinez does.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  21. cerulean

    If the offense averages 1.5 runs a game, the Cubs are hosed. I think the pitching has been stellar all around, but it has been extremely lumpy in parts, mostly due to walks and homeruns. I thought it was crazy to leave Lackey in after he walked a batter, but it was crazy for this team after giving up a single run to ever have that as a high leverage situation.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  22. Myles

    Rizzo the Rat:
    Myles,

    Honestly, I think Davis is declining. His velocity has dropped steeply and his peripherals aren’t as impressive as they used to be. This year he’s been good in addition to being lucky, but not great.

    He may price himself out of the Cubs’ range, but I think he has some years of “good” left, and the Cubs need a lot of those in the bullpen.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  23. dmick89

    I’m guessing the Cubs go after Alex Cobb. Seems like a decent move and he has the connections to Joe. I wouldn’t mind the Cubs signing JD Martinez for LF and that gives the Cubs options on the trade market with Schwarber. Is that enough for Archer? Probably not and the Cubs don’t have much to add.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  24. BVS

    So some moral victories from last night?

    Addison hit the ball hard and did so in game 1 also.

    Bullpen did pretty good, until we put a starter in. (Jury out on Montgomery who didn’t pitch)

    KB didn’t strike out in every at bat.

    LA offense didn’t kill us. DPs helped.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  25. dmick89

    berselius,

    Expansion is inevitable, but I’d be surprised if baseball did that kind of realignment. I don’t see them getting rid of the AL and NL. More than likely they’d put one team in one league and one in the other. They may revisit that in several years and it’s also possible that they could move to four divisions in each league, but the two leagues will remain. It would also be nice if they did added the DH to the NL.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    1
  26. JonKneeV

    It’d be nice if KB figured out how to (1) put the ball in play (2) hit the ball hard (3) remember how to hit dingers.

    Disregarding NLDS Game 5, Cubs have 11 runs in 6 games. The only reason the Cubs scored 9 runs in game 5 instead of, say, 3 or 4 is because WAS completely imploded (passed balls, wild pitches, Werth error, etc.).

    This offense is tragic right now. Seems like only 2 players on the entire roster go up to the plate with any semblance of a plan of attack. Like, they’re not even paying attention the ABs ahead of them or their own previous ABs. It was maddening to watch 3 players in a row all swing at Kenley Jansen fastballs above their chin. It’s maddening in Scherzer’s Game 3 start to see 8 strikeouts via the low, out of the zone change-up.

    You’ve got to have players execute, but there’s gotta be some coaching missing here. Meanwhile, Ian Happ can’t get a start despite being solid on defense and the Cubs 4th best hitter this year.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  27. dmick89

    JonKneeV: It’d be nice if KB figured out how to (1) put the ball in play (2) hit the ball hard (3) remember how to hit dingers.

    Seems like it’s been awhile since KB did any of those. If the Cubs have any chance of coming back, he’s going to have to figure out how to do all of them and right now he looks lost.

    Even if you include the 9 runs in game 5, that’s only 2.9 runs per game and nearly half of it was in one game. They were lucky to be tied 2-2 with Washington and lucky to get out of that series with a win.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  28. dmick89

    Unless Hendricks throws a complete game shutout tonight, I don’t think the Cubs have a chance of winning. Even if Hendricks gets through 9 shutout innings, I don’t even think it’s a lock the Cubs win. After facing left handers three games in a row, I expect the Cubs hitters to look like they’ve never seen a right handed starter.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  29. Author
    berselius

    To-day’s base ball squadron

    2B Zobrist
    LF Schwarber
    3B Bryant
    1B Rizzo
    C Contreras
    CF Jay
    SS Russell
    RF Heyward
    P Hendricks

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  30. Perkins

    dmick89:
    How difficult is it to put Heyward in cf and Happ in rf?

    Or Jay in CF and Happ in RF. Jay’s probably the better hitter than Heyward, and I’m not sure his defense in CF is a huge downgrade.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  31. Rizzo the Rat

    I’m agnostic on Jay vs. Happ (though the Cubs FO is supposed to be smart, and their projection for Jay is apparently higher, so whatever), but I would definitely never rest Heyward against an RHP.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  32. Rizzo the Rat

    Also worth noting: Darvish has flyball tendencies, so groundball hitters like Jay, Heyward and Zobrist should match up well against him, while a flyball hitter like Happ would not.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  33. Edwin

    Today, on a website devoted to Mortal Kombat and other Netherrealm videogames, I got into an arguement with someone from Turkey about the Armenian Genocide, or as he (she?) put it, “that Armenian incident”. The internet sure is a strange place sometimes.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  34. Author
    berselius

    To be honest I’d rather see Happ in over Zobrist, though I admit that’s just a gut feeling and is probably wrong analytically.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

Leave a Comment