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I'm really trying to not get too excited. I'm really, really trying. And I'm also really, really trying to not hyperventilate as I watch the final innings of each game even when there's a three-run or four-run lead.
All I know for sure is that I'd give anything for the Cubs to get it done at home in Game 4. I don't think I'd be able to take a Game 5 at Busch and not go crazy.
Graphs for NLDS Game 3 (courtesy of Fangraphs):
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Stats for NLDS Game 3:
|
Pitcher |
IP |
H |
HR |
ER |
BB |
SO |
pLI |
WPA |
|
T Wood |
0.1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.58 |
.039 |
|
C Richard |
0.1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.35 |
.037 |
|
P Strop |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0.48 |
.035 |
|
H Rondon |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0.28 |
.011 |
|
T Cahill |
0.2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0.56 |
.000 |
|
J Arrieta |
5.2 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
9 |
1.22 |
-.188 |
|
Total |
9 |
8 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
13 |
0.97 |
-.066 |
|
Batter |
AB |
R |
H |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
pLI |
WPA |
|
K Bryant |
5 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0.74 |
.264 |
|
J Soler |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0.74 |
.212 |
|
S Castro |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0.54 |
.132 |
|
K Schwarber |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0.46 |
.101 |
|
C Coghlan |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0.43 |
.028 |
|
A Russell |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.52 |
.021 |
|
J Baez |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.39 |
.007 |
|
A Jackson |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0.04 |
-.001 |
|
M Montero |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0.75 |
-.020 |
|
A Rizzo |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0.92 |
-.042 |
|
D Fowler |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0.78 |
-.059 |
|
J Arrieta |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1.51 |
-.079 |
|
Total |
33 |
8 |
13 |
6 |
8 |
5 |
10 |
0.67 |
.566 |
Writer's Note: The daily selections of the three Heroes and three Goats are based solely on the top three and bottom three WPA scores for the game. The selections are not based on my subjective opinion.
THE THREE HEROES:
- Superhero - Kris Bryant (.264). I was yelling so loud on his homer that I'm pretty sure that my neighbors heard me.
- Hero - Jorge Soler (.212). So just to recap Soler's plate appearances in the postseason, here they are in order: walk, double, home run, walk, walk, walk, walk, single, home run.
- Sidekick - Starlin Castro (.132). He may not be at the top of the podium, but he definitely wins an award for shifting the momentum in the game with his game-tying homer in the fourth.
THE THREE GOATS: There's another bump on the Goat podium as Jake Arrieta's -.079 hitting is moved out. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to step out of the way of the incoming flying pitchforks...
- Billy Goat - Jake Arrieta (-.188). So as it turns out, Jake Arrieta is actually still human.
- Goat - Dexter Fowler (-.059). (Watches one volley of pitchforks land) Yes, I know he hit a homer. Unfortunately for him it was his only hit and he hit it when it was a 7-4 game in the ninth inning, making it very nice for another insurance run but not all that good for a WPA impact.
- Kid - Anthony Rizzo (-.042). (Watches another larger volley of pitchforks land) And yes, I know that he too hit a homer. Honestly, part of the reason that he landed here can probably be put on Soler for getting doubled off of second in the first inning. Without that double play, Rizzo's off the podium in this game.
Game 4. Jason Hammel against John Lackey. Please let this be the final game of the series.