***2016 MLB Playoff thread: Cubs win for first time since sliced bread hit market (2 Viewers)

[Bruce Dickinson]

Billy Williams will throw out the first pitch tonight.

Fall Out Boy lead singer Patrick Stump will sing the national anthem.

And confirmed for Take Me Out To The Ballgame during the 7th inning stretch... Bill Murray.

 

[Bobcat10]

1 since Sept 1st.

Tomlin?  Really?

I'd rather take my chances with him on the mound with the wind blowing out and chilly versus 85 and humid.

 

[Tom Servo]

I think the confidence comes from knowing we have a team that hits the long ball.  While Tomlin has been better, he's still given up 32 HRs this season 

Wind blowing out is to our advantage 

Again, 1 HR from Tomlin since September 1st. But, you know, narratives.

 

[Wrigley]

Again, 1 HR from Tomlin since September 1st. But, you know, narratives.

If you take away everything before Sept 1st he was awesome 

 

[Bobcat10]

To be fair, he only started 4 regular season games after Sept 1st.  Before that, he had given up at least 1 homer in 15 straight starts (and 22 of 23 or something ridiculous).  Basically, every game he's started this year besides 2 before Sept.

 

[Donkey Derp]

Cubs fans seem pretty excited to see Josh Tomlin. What's weird is that Indians fans are also excited to have Josh Tomlin going. The guy has been awesome for the last 7 weeks.

Very interesting article on MLB about the matchup tonight.  Cubs had the eight lowest BA, lowest exit velocity, and lowest contact rate vs. curveballs this season.  Since joining Cleveland in 2010, his two starts with the highest percentages of curves thrown were in his two postseason starts this season.

Top 5:

42.4% 10/15/16 (ALCS)

33.8% 10/10/16 (ALDS)

29.9% 7/23/16

25.3% 7/20/11

25.0% 9/20/16

 

[ChiefD]

Indians Fans Are Awesome.

 

[[icon]]

Vegas line after the Indians lose tonight? 

Indians +350? 

 

[Tom Servo]

A lot of people want to throw dirt on the Indians' chances. I'd really hate for you to be wrong...  

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Indians Fans Are Awesome.

I remember some Royals fans doing a Buck Family Christmas Card that had Joe centering Bumgarner and Syndergaard.  But this is next-level.

 

[pollardsvision]

Can only speak for myself here. I only watch the Indians, so I don't really know anything about Hendricks or pretty much anyone else in the National League. I hear he's very good and obviously being at Wrigley is an advantage, so it's probably going to be tough sledding for the Tribe.

I really wasn't trying to talk smack. Only pointing out that Tomlin might not be the easy win a lot of Cubs fans seem to think he will be.

It's going to be a fantastic match-up. The winner tonight will very likely win the series, first WS game back at Wrigley in a long time, blah, blah, blah. The viewing public will be treated to a pair of studs throwing about 86-87 MPH. I absolutely love Tomlin, but he's basically a poor man's Hendricks (kind of fitting for this series, really). 

Not that I doubt Tomlin can go blow for blow with Hendricks tonight. Cubs like to hit HR's. So did BOS and TOR. 

 

[Statorama]

What are you Chicago guys doing for the game?

B-Dubs in the burbs.  As much as I'd love to be in that human tsunami by Wrigley, I'll pass this time

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Kyle Schwarber: 

He once grounded to third into a 450 foot Grand Slam

Seismologists recommend he not jump

He's even the favorite player of other Cubs players' Moms

His beard wax can be used to fuel the Space Shuttle

 

[Yankee23Fan]

World Series at Wrigley. Nice.

 

[Harris]

For all the hoopla they coulda done better than Fall Out Boy

 

[Zow]

 love the thread title change as it exemplifies exactly why I'm rooting for the Indians. 

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Santana in LF? 

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Josh Tomlin is a career .500 hitter FWIW

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Um, how old is that Cubs bat girl? 

 

[top dog]

Santana in LF? 

Really interesting to see how that works out.  

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

You really knocked the crap out of that one, Kipnis.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Looks out

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Santana in LF? 

FOX showed graphic he has 4 innings of MLB experience in outfield.  And as we've discussed, the wind is blowing out.  This should be good.

 

[top dog]

Sure looks out.

 

[eoMMan]

So this is why games are 4 hours long?

When did this gay replay #### start?

 

[eoMMan]

The umps are so for the Cubs. 

This is rigged.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

FOX showed graphic he has 4 innings of MLB experience in outfield.  And as we've discussed, the wind is blowing out.  This should be good.

Yeah you would have thought they might throw him out there during the season in NL parks or something.  Just read he played 26 games in LF in the GCL and Florida League.  That was awhile ago. 

 

[Harris]

Widest strike zone I've ever seen. And I say that from my couch about 2 miles from Wrigley.

 

[Juxtatarot]

So this is why games are 4 hours long?

When did this gay replay #### start?

The umps are so for the Cubs. 

This is rigged.

Clearly informed, logical assessments here.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Widest strike zone I've ever seen.

Ever?  That's a long time, even for baseball. 

 

[Beef Ravioli]

The umps are so for the Cubs. 

This is rigged.

Wonder why Fox did not show that strike two call on the strike zone chart? It appeared low and just a bit outside!

 

[Harris]

Ever?  That's a long time, even for baseball. 

It's my first game. What's a baseball?

 

[Glass Joe]

Ridiculous strike zone

 

[Bobcat10]

Santana!!

i missed most of the pitches in the 1st inning but that2nd strike called to Naps was horrid.

 

[top dog]

It was one inning.  Ump will settle in..

 

[Limp Ditka]

Wrigley Field, Marlins Man free since 10/28/2016

#FTHATGUY

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Excellent Criscoball there to get Rizzo on the weak groundout.

 

[pollardsvision]

Excellent Criscoball there to get Rizzo on the weak groundout.

Cool night for a couple of 87 MPH throwers. Should be some nice Crisco and Tabasco snot balls.

 

[eoMMan]

I wish Bob Uecker was calling this game.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Cool night for a couple of 87 MPH throwers. Should be some nice Crisco and Tabasco snot balls.

Hendricks threw a perfect Vaseline ball to get that double play.

I love this pitching matchup.  And the bullpen arms will seem even livelier after these two check out.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Z-Man

 

[Doctor Detroit]

It was one inning.  Ump will settle in..

Hirschbeck has always been known to be somewhat pitcher friendly, but he's no Ron Kulpa. 

 

[pollardsvision]

Hendricks threw a perfect Vaseline ball to get that double play.

I love this pitching matchup.  And the bullpen arms will seem even livelier after these two check out.

Soler down on a couple Vaseline balls.

 

[pollardsvision]

Ump squeezing Tomilin. 

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Soler down on a couple Vaseline balls.

That 1-2 Vaseline was FILTHY.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Ump squeezing Tomilin. 

He might have to get Tabasco or some diced jalapeños and snot it up for the second trip through the order.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Busted! 

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Mike Napoli had to poop!

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Mike Napoli had to poop!

Should've had an Italian Beef instead of going to Beef-O-Brady's.

 

[Beef Ravioli]

Home plate ump needs to be consistent!