NL WC game

nattysez

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The second- and third-best NL teams face off tonight in a one game playoff.
 
Interestingly, the Cubs have decided to go extremely lefty-heavy, which means putting Kris Bryant in LF, Kyle Schwarber in RF and Tommy La Stella at 3b.  Further, they've got La Stella batting fifth.
 
I'm pretty surprised that they're rolling the dice on the defense behind Arrieta in what's likely to be a low-scoring game.  Schwarber isn't quite Hanley in LF, but he definitely looks like a catcher playing OF, and now he's going to be in RF.  Schwarber has 14 innings in RF this year.  Bryant has 39 innings in LF. 
 
This feels like they're being too cute by half, but I'm comfortable assuming there is a method to this seeming madness.
 
Here's the full lineup:
Fowler CF, Schwarber RF, Bryant LF, Rizzo 1B, La Stella 3B, Castro 2B, Montero C, Russell SS, Arrieta P
 
Edit:
 
Meanwhile, the Pirates are benching Pedro Alvarez for the recently-hot and superior defender Sean Rodriguez.
 
Edit #2:
 
This is apparently the first time this season either team is using the lineup they're trotting out tonight.
 
Edit #3:
 
Arrieta apparently a believer in the G38 "I love to make 55,000 people from [Pittsburgh] shut up" approach...
 
https://twitter.com/jarrieta34/status/650799923017945088
 
https://twitter.com/JArrieta34/status/651184722270261248
 

JimD

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The cherry on top is ... the return of Pedro Martinez, studio analyst  :bravo:
 

Dehere

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adam42381 said:
Sad that it's come to this. Pathetic actually.
 
Welp.....I'm just going to pretend that card was never printed or even discussed. Let's Go Bucs!
 

InsideTheParker

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Why will no one think of the children? And me? 8 pm is too damned late. Start at 7 EST and all the kiddies on the left coast will be home from school to watch. But their parents won't, and they have the money to spend on the crap advertised during the game. I only wish I could live long enough to see this strategy bite MLB in the ass. 
 
I prefer the Bucs, and I don't know why, except: Maddon.
By the way, has anyone followed the Lester-doesn't-throw-over-to-first-base thing? I don't hear about it lately, so I wonder if he's gotten better. I could see that playing a big role in the games to come, if the Cubs advance.
 

Al Zarilla

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Mike Greenwall said:
+1  That's pretty bush league.  Though I always wondered if basketball arenas should yell right at the moment of the visiting teams' free throws.  Could startle some.
Home fans waving those things in the seats behind the glass during free throws may be more distracting. You always hear athletes say somehow crowd noise is blocked out and they don't hear it. Pirates fans did the same stuff as the crap on that card when the Pirates hosted the Reds in the WC game two years ago. 
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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InsideTheParker said:
I prefer the Bucs, and I don't know why, except: Maddon.
By the way, has anyone followed the Lester-doesn't-throw-over-to-first-base thing? I don't hear about it lately, so I wonder if he's gotten better. I could see that playing a big role in the games to come, if the Cubs advance.
He's still not good at it.
 

Lowrielicious

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Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat said:
He's still not good at it.
I haven't seen anything written about it, but I did recall seeing him catch someone stealing in a play by play recently. looked it up.
 
Turns out it was Marte when he threw a complete game against the pirates Sep 15
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/chicago-cubs-pittsburgh-pirates-350915323/
 
Stepped off when Marte broke too early and got him in a rundown.
http://m.mlb.com/video/v480941083/chcpit-lester-starts-rundown-to-nab-marte-stealing/?game_pk=415807
 
No idea if he even attempts to actually step towards 1st (as oppose to step back off the rubber first) anymore.
 

E5 Yaz

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1. Dexter Fowler (S) CF
2. Kyle Schwarber (L) RF
3. Kris Bryant (R) LF
4. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
5. Tommy La Stella (L) 3B
6. Starlin Castro (R) 2B
7. Miguel Montero (L) C
8. Addison Russell (R) SS
9. Jake Arrieta (R) P
 

1. Gregory Polanco (L) RF
2. Josh Harrison (R) 3B
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
4. Starling Marte (R) LF
5. Francisco Cervelli (R) C
6. Neil Walker (S) 2B
7. Jordy Mercer (R) SS
8. Sean Rodriguez (R) 1B
9. Gerrit Cole (R) P

 
Two surprises in the Pirates starting lineup -- Harrison for Ramirez at 3B and Rodriguez for Alvarez at first base. Guessing it's an Arrieta factor, plus defense in regards to Alvarez
 

riboflav

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Really a shame this isn't the NLCS. I hate Maddon but love Theo. I like the Pirates but hate the Steelers and their fans (I assume most fans root for both). Still not sure who I'll end up rooting for.
 

dynomite

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I like both of these teams, so honestly I'm just rooting for a close game.

If I have to pick a winner... I think the Cubs have the edge, both with Arrieta and a considerably better top of their order (look at the #2 hitters).
 

mauidano

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I saw a Cubs game at Wrigley in August so I'm cheering for the Cubbies. Love that place; the new giant TV/scoreboard? Not so much.  Go Jake.
 

InsideTheParker

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Up until now, I have really enjoyed the MLBN pre-game, talking about the pitchers and how they work. And now, how these hitters usually approach their ABs. featuring Jeremy Affeldt. But I am soon switching over toTBS. because that's where Pedro is, right?
 

DJnVa

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That lineup is Joe trying to show how smart he is--4 guys playing spots that they played less than 20 games at this year.
 

LogansDad

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adam42381 said:
Sad that it's come to this. Pathetic actually.
I don't think that is supposed to be taken seriously, to be honest.  I think it's pretty damn funny.
 
And it also looks like it was made by a radio station (KDKA?)  not the Pirates themselves.  
 
I don't care who wins, but this game should be awesome.
 

tims4wins

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DrewDawg said:
That lineup is Joe trying to show how smart he is--4 guys playing spots that they played less than 20 games at this year.
Yep. Can't get past him so rooting for the Bucs. Hope the lineup bites him in the ass. So chances are it will all work out swimmingly.
 

CarolinaBeerGuy

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So, I have to pay $9.99 to watch the postseason through mlb.tv even though I already paid for the season and have DirecTV? I can't watch it on the tv, so I'm looking for a way to watch online. Thanks.
 

CarolinaBeerGuy

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adam42381 said:
So, I have to pay $9.99 to watch the postseason through mlb.tv even though I already paid for the season and have DirecTV? I can't watch it on the tv, so I'm looking for a way to watch online. Thanks.
Looks like I can watch on TBS.com.
 

CarolinaBeerGuy

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adam42381 said:
Looks like I can watch on TBS.com.
Nevermind, it's showing America's Next Weatherman. Is there a legit place to watch this or do I need to find an illegal stream? I pay for TBS via Comcast and DirecTV along with mlb.tv. This shouldn't be this difficult.
 

JoePoulson

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adam42381 said:
Nevermind, it's showing America's Next Weatherman. Is there a legit place to watch this or do I need to find an illegal stream? I pay for TBS via Comcast and DirecTV along with mlb.tv. This shouldn't be this difficult.
 
I'm watching on TBS.com right now, so check again to be sure you're unable to watch.
 

Dehere

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Home plate ump seems to be calling it tight. Not sure who it favors.