Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Giants NLDS Game 1 ThreadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2016-10-08T10:00:03-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/129258672016-10-08T10:00:03-05:002016-10-08T10:00:03-05:00Cubs Heroes and Goats: NLDS Game 1
<figure>
<img alt="Yeah, I'd be pretty pumped too after a game like that one." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EdNl3paqUIoM5-Jc5tUBP3LcEIA=/0x94:2992x2089/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51258417/usa-today-9593277.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Yeah, I'd be pretty pumped too after a game like that one. | Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While Javier Baez provided the game's only scoring in the eighth, it was the eight scoreless innings that preceded it from Jon Lester that sent him to the top of the Heroes in a huge 1-0 win in Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday night.</p> <p><i>(11:45pm)</i></p>
<p><i>(Checks heart rate)</i></p>
<p><i>(Still over 100)</i></p>
<p><i>(Is that normal?)</i></p>
<p><i>(It's the playoffs, so... <b>yes</b>.)</i></p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">World, meet Javy Baez. <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs">@Cubs</a> Game 1 hero. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NLDS?src=hash">#NLDS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/postseason?src=hash">#postseason</a> <a href="https://t.co/qwmAAyRBO9">pic.twitter.com/qwmAAyRBO9</a></p>
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSports/status/784606885932589056">October 8, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Graphs for NLDS Game 1 </b>(courtesy of <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2016-10-07&team=Cubs&dh=0&season=2016">Fangraphs</a>):</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Game 163 Chart 2016" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0kjbjfcgN5v_oQBZsEEMbCj3xpU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7241483/Game-163-2016.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p><b>Stats for NLDS Game 1:</b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="319">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="103">
<p><b>Pitcher</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p><b>IP</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p><b>H</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>HR</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p><b>ER</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p><b>BB</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>SO</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p><b>pLI</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p><b>WPA</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="103">
<p>J Lester</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p align="right">8</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.11</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.535</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="103">
<p>A Chapman</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">2.54</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.155</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="103">
<p><b>Total</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p align="right"><b>9</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right"><b>6</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>0</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right"><b>0</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right"><b>0</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>6</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right"><b>1.28</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right"><b>.690</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="327">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p><b>Batter</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>AB</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p><b>R</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p><b>H</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>HR</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p><b>RBI</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p><b>BB</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>SO</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p><b>pLI</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p><b>WPA</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>J Baez</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.97</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.294</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>K Bryant</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.68</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.019</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>T La Stella</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.27</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.007</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>C Coghlan</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.37</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.009</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>J Lester</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.89</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.045</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>D Ross</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.91</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.048</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>A Russell</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.87</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.065</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>D Fowler</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.97</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.072</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>J Heyward</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.03</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.076</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>A Rizzo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.15</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.084</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>B Zobrist</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.26</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.097</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p><b>Total</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>27</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right"><b>1</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right"><b>3</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>1</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right"><b>1</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right"><b>0</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>10</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right"><b>0.93</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right"><b>-.190</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><i><b>Writer's Note: </b></i><i>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. <b>The selections are not based on my subjective opinion.</b></i></p>
<p><b>The Ramirez Catalyst of NLDS Game 1:</b> With a full count and one out in the bottom of the eighth, <span>Javier Baez</span> crushes a fastball into the wind in left field with<a href="http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/94783854/v1203971583/sfchc-gm1-baez-breaks-the-tie-with-a-solo-home-run" target="_blank"> enough oomph to get the ball into the basket</a> and put the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a> ahead 1-0. <i style="font-weight: bold;">WPA impact: </i>+.302.</p>
<p><b>THE THREE HEROES:</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Superhero -</b> <span>Jon Lester</span> (.535 / .490). He had a decent amount of traffic to navigate in the first four innings of the game, including the first three innings in which he allowed the lead runner to reach base, but he got a good amount of help from <span>David Ross</span> on a caught stealing and a pickoff to end two threats and then got out of a second-and-third jam in the fourth with a routine grounder to short. After that, he then proceeded to retire the next 12 batters in order. That's called bringing your A-game right there. Maybe even your A-plus-plus-game.</li>
<li> <b>Hero -</b> <b>Javier Baez</b> (.294). I'm pretty sure that people within a five-mile radius of Wrigley Field heard the ballpark erupt as soon as Baez made contact on that pitch in the eighth. Even Matt Vasgersian was going crazy for it. Thankfully he didn't break out a "Santa Maria" on it because that would have been a <i>tad</i> too much.</li>
<li> <b>Sidekick -</b> <span>Aroldis Chapman</span> (.155). It wasn't without its tense moments, including two straight 3-2 counts that ended in a check-swing strikeout and a jam-shot grounder to second, topped off by a smash first-pitch double by <span>Buster Posey</span> to up the collective heart rate a few notches, but in the end he got it done on a grounder to second with another nice play by Baez in the field.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>THE THREE GOATS:</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Billy Goat -</b> <span>Ben Zobrist</span> (-.097). Got a bit of a visit from the BABIP overlords in this game as a hard shot to second was gobbled up by a diving <span>Kelby Tomlinson</span> to end the fourth with <span>Kris Bryant</span> on third.</li>
<li> <b><b>Goat </b>-</b> <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> (-.084). Suffered a similar fate as he hit a sharp grounder to the right side that Tomlinson gathered up in short right. Also had a groundout before Zobrist's in the fourth that moved Bryant over to third.</li>
<li> <b>Kid -</b> <span>Jason Heyward</span> (-.076). Unlike his podium counterparts above, he didn't have any chances in this game with anyone on; it was just a game of two popouts and a routine grounder to first.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>RANKINGS THROUGH NLDS GAME 1:<br></b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="327">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p><b>Heroes</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>1st</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>2nd</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>3rd</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center"><b>Total</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Jon Lester</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Javier Baez</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Aroldis Chapman</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="319">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p><b>Goats</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>1st</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>2nd</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>3rd</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>Total</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Ben Zobrist</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Anthony Rizzo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Jason Heyward</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="363">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p><b>Overall</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center"><b>Hero</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center"><b>Goat</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center"><b>+/-</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center"><b>pWPA</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Jon Lester</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center">0.535</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Javier Baez</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center">0.294</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Aroldis Chapman</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center">0.155</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Jason Heyward</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center">-0.076</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Anthony Rizzo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center">-0.084</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="164">
<p>Ben Zobrist</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="47">
<p align="center">-0.097</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/10/8/13208906/cubs-heroes-and-goats-nlds-game-1Russ La Croix2016-10-08T08:00:07-05:002016-10-08T08:00:07-05:00Cubs 1, Giants 0: The Jon and Javy Show
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fdYnJe6gjZCYX-8a2QAY_qnc4AA=/0x0:2717x1811/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51260099/613264928.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs won Game 1 behind outstanding pitching and defense, and a homer that just made it.</p> <p id="rAH2W1">A little less nervous now?</p>
<p id="a36y0m"><span>John Lackey</span> earlier this year famously called the playoffs “big-boy games,” and his friend and teammate <span>Jon Lester</span> stepped up to that description big-time Friday night at Wrigley Field. Behind eight innings of shutout ball from Lester, and <span>Javier Baez</span>’ homer into the basket beneath the left-field ribbon board, the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> took a 1-0 lead in their National League Division Series against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> with a 1-0 win. Of course you want to see that homer again!</p>
<div id="BsBuGo">
<iframe id="dd000" data-src="https://securea.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=1204119083&topic_id=73955164&property=mlb&" data-aspect="1.7857" style="width:100%" frameborder="0"></iframe><script>(function(){var f=document.getElementById("dd000"),a=parseFloat(f.getAttribute('data-aspect')),w=f.offsetWidth,h=Math.round(w/a),s=f.getAttribute('data-src');f.removeAttribute('id');s+='width='+w+'&height='+h;f.setAttribute('src',s);f.style.height=h+'px';})();</script>
</div>
<p id="tJZ11Z">That ball was <em><strong>crushed</strong></em>:</p>
<div id="RtbENN">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">107.4 MPH and projected at 381ft for Javier Baez... What a clutch HR <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs">@cubs</a></p>— Daren Willman (@darenw) <a href="https://twitter.com/darenw/status/784596587590905856">October 8, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="q8ElSn">At first, it looked like it might be headed well into the bleachers. A biting northwest crosswind blowing from the left-field corner into right field knocked it down a bit, fortunately not enough to keep it from landing in the basket.</p>
<p id="1WJvaw">When the game began, the Giants clearly had a game plan — to work off Lester’s supposed fielding weakness and inability to hold runners. <span>Gorkys Hernandez</span> led off the game with a bunt, and reached when <span>Anthony Rizzo</span>’s throw got past Baez.</p>
<p id="Hh5mhE">The Giants didn’t count on <span>David Ross</span>, though. He didn’t waste any time throwing Hernandez out trying to steal second:</p>
<div id="8nvv9V">
<iframe id="87378" data-src="https://securea.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=1204119283&topic_id=73955164&property=mlb&" data-aspect="1.7857" style="width:100%" frameborder="0"></iframe><script>(function(){var f=document.getElementById("87378"),a=parseFloat(f.getAttribute('data-aspect')),w=f.offsetWidth,h=Math.round(w/a),s=f.getAttribute('data-src');f.removeAttribute('id');s+='width='+w+'&height='+h;f.setAttribute('src',s);f.style.height=h+'px';})();</script>
</div>
<p id="2veMkI">That video includes Ross picking <span>Conor Gillaspie</span> off first base after a leadoff single in the third. Gillaspie, the Giants’ wild-card game hero, strayed a bit too far off base. This is one of Ross’ signature plays; he picked off four runners during the regular season, one off the league leader -- <span>Willson Contreras</span>. Have I mentioned that the Cubs have good catchers?</p>
<p id="ZRy6vY">The Giants briefly threatened in the fourth when <span>Buster Posey</span> singled with one out, and one out later <span>Angel Pagan</span> looped a double into short left field. Posey had to hold at third and Lester got <span>Brandon Crawford</span> to ground to short to end the inning.</p>
<p id="NsEjWA">While all this was going on, the Cubs were having trouble with our old nemesis <span>Johnny Cueto</span>, with whom we are all quite familiar from all his years with the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a>. Cueto retired the first 10 Cubs he faced before <span>Kris Bryant</span> hit a one-out double in the fourth. Bryant went to third on a groundout by Rizzo, but was stranded. That was an impressive blast by Bryant, though:</p>
<div id="OlGWkm">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kris Bryant's double was hit 111.3 MPH... That's his 3rd hardest hit ball ALL year. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crushed?src=hash">#Crushed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs">@Cubs</a></p>— Daren Willman (@darenw) <a href="https://twitter.com/darenw/status/784580072103608321">October 8, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="DLGMwW">After that was when Lester really began to shine. Following Pagan’s double, he retired 13 straight Giants. Those 13 outs were recorded on just 41 pitches — a little more than three pitches per batter!</p>
<p id="3gewPx">One of those outs, to end the sixth inning, was a comebacker to Lester. Maybe he needs to get the lacing in his glove’s webbing tightened, because — just as we saw last May in Pittsburgh — the ball got stuck there:</p>
<div id="OI0L7h">
<iframe id="eb9d4" data-src="https://securea.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=1203950783&topic_id=94951848&property=mlb&" data-aspect="1.7857" style="width:100%" frameborder="0"></iframe><script>(function(){var f=document.getElementById("eb9d4"),a=parseFloat(f.getAttribute('data-aspect')),w=f.offsetWidth,h=Math.round(w/a),s=f.getAttribute('data-src');f.removeAttribute('id');s+='width='+w+'&height='+h;f.setAttribute('src',s);f.style.height=h+'px';})();</script>
</div>
<p id="Ei3oY4">This time, instead of throwing his entire glove to first base, Lester simply ran to the bag himself, outrunning Posey for the out. Here’s what Lester said about this play after the game:</p>
<div id="snjAq6">
<iframe id="eeb14" data-src="https://securea.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=1204108183&topic_id=94951848&property=mlb&" data-aspect="1.7857" style="width:100%" frameborder="0"></iframe><script>(function(){var f=document.getElementById("eeb14"),a=parseFloat(f.getAttribute('data-aspect')),w=f.offsetWidth,h=Math.round(w/a),s=f.getAttribute('data-src');f.removeAttribute('id');s+='width='+w+'&height='+h;f.setAttribute('src',s);f.style.height=h+'px';})();</script>
</div>
<p id="xMCyCl">The Cubs, though, could still do nothing against Cueto. Baez singled to right with two out in the fifth, but Ross struck out to end the inning.</p>
<p id="CLCQkd">When Lester came out for the eighth, so did <span>Aroldis Chapman</span> — the man who said earlier this year he didn’t care to pitch more than one inning at a time. It seems certain that if Lester had gotten into any trouble in the eight, Chapman would have been in the game. But Lester calmly put down the Giants 1-2-3 in the eighth, including a groundout by Cueto.</p>
<p id="QbV5VK">Right there you see how much Bruce Bochy trusts his bullpen. In a scoreless game in the eighth inning, with Cueto already at 99 pitches, Bochy let him bat for himself. This means Bochy hasn’t used his bullpen at all since the regular season ended. This can’t be anything but positive news. If the Cubs can get Giants starters out of the game early, good things should follow. Yes, that’s in “master of the obvious” territory, but it seems more applicable to this year’s Giants, whose bullpen has been pretty bad, than most teams.</p>
<p id="EXHH6N">Then came the eighth. <span>Jason Heyward</span> popped to first. Up came Baez. Good thing this didn’t happen:</p>
<div id="s9jglZ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Baez says he was thinking about bunting in the 8th. Seriously. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a></p>— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/784610709791502340">October 8, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="pdv8P2">More on this from Javy:</p>
<div id="pv3c8H">
<iframe id="eaae6" data-src="https://securea.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=1204113083&topic_id=94951848&property=mlb&" data-aspect="1.7857" style="width:100%" frameborder="0"></iframe><script>(function(){var f=document.getElementById("eaae6"),a=parseFloat(f.getAttribute('data-aspect')),w=f.offsetWidth,h=Math.round(w/a),s=f.getAttribute('data-src');f.removeAttribute('id');s+='width='+w+'&height='+h;f.setAttribute('src',s);f.style.height=h+'px';})();</script>
</div>
<p id="cEJxdj">It wasn’t a terrible idea, but what happened in that at-bat was obviously better. Javy had worked good at-bats all night against Cueto, and ran the count full on him before launching that baseball into the night and making the already-loud crowd delirious with joy.</p>
<p id="9BD0Sl">After pinch-hitters <span>Chris Coghlan</span> (strikeout) and <span>Tommy La Stella</span> (fly to center) were retired, it was Chapman time.</p>
<p id="b0zslW">He wasn’t sharp, his command and control were all over the place, perhaps not surprising for a man who had pitched just once in the last 10 days. (I’m guessing his workload could increase significantly over the next four weeks). Hernandez waited him out for a full count before striking out. Bochy, apparently not wanting a lefthanded hitter anywhere near Chapman, sent <span>Eduardo Nunez</span> (who didn’t start due to a minor injury) up to bat for him. Nunez grounded harmlessly to Baez.</p>
<p id="N0TTqD">Nervous time followed. Posey doubled to deep left-center:</p>
<div id="VZy4Zm">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Buster Posey's double off Aroldis Chapman was hit 102 MPH at a 26 degree launch angle... Similar batted balls are a HR 65% of the time <a href="https://t.co/Ll8qJ8blat">pic.twitter.com/Ll8qJ8blat</a></p>— Daren Willman (@darenw) <a href="https://twitter.com/darenw/status/784603470372409344">October 8, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="sleORo">Well, yikes. Good thing for the wind!</p>
<p id="O9AtFX">Chapman bore down and threw two strikes past <span>Hunter Pence</span>, then two pitches out of the zone. On Chapman’s 21st pitch of the inning, Pence hit a ground ball right to Baez, appropriately enough, to give the Cubs a 1-0 win and 1-0 lead in the series, and here’s a fun 1-0 fact:</p>
<div id="bpamuq">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">First <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a> 1-0 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash">#Postseason</a> win since Game 4 of the 1906 World Series vs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteSox?src=hash">#WhiteSox</a></p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/784600827067531268">October 8, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="8eAajL">Well, that series didn’t work out too well for the Cubs. How about a better fact? This game was just the 12th in all of postseason history where a team won a 1-0 game with the only run being a solo homer. <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/fFlxm">Here are all of them</a> — the last one before Friday night was in the 2013 ALCS. Just four of those games, including Friday’s, were won with three or fewer hits. More: it was <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/BEHq2">the 12th shutout in Cubs postseason history</a>. They had one last year in the wild-card game; before that you have to go back to <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN198410020.shtml">Game 1 of the 1984 NLCS</a>. And, it was just the eighth game in <em>all of postseason history</em> where there were no walks, and the only one not in a World Series. The last one before Friday night was <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL198310110.shtml">Game 1 of the 1983 World Series</a> between the Orioles and Phillies.</p>
<p id="yWEG7a">I hope the electric atmosphere at Wrigley came across to those of you watching on TV. It was everything you could hope for from a postseason game, everyone watching with full, rapt attention. There were loud cheers for everyone when the team was introduced before the game, the loudest reserved for Bryant, Rizzo and Ross, and the loudest for a player not in the game went to <span>Kyle Schwarber</span>. A funny moment happened when <span>Jake Buchanan</span> (yes, everyone on the 40-man who was there in September got introduced) was named -- but he wasn’t there! Cameras found <span>Pedro Strop</span>, next in line. With a smile he shook his head, then nodded and pointed at himself when his name was announced.</p>
<p id="4nytzh">The Cubs passed out blue “W” towels with the “W” containing the last names of everyone on the team. These weren’t as visible as the white towels given out last year, plus — c’mon. Everyone knows the “W” flag isn’t blue! Hopefully, white “W” towels will follow for future home postseason games. The announced crowd of 42,148 was the biggest at Wrigley since Game 4 of last year’s NLCS. I did not see a single empty seat anywhere, and as far as I could tell everyone stayed till the end of “this thriller,” as Jack Brickhouse might have put it. The Cubs did sell what appeared to be a significant number of standing-room tickets, as I walked over to the main part of the ballpark about 45 minutes before game time and saw a lot of people already staking out spots behind the seats in the usual standing-room area.</p>
<p id="NbeiGH">And the later-than-usual 8:15 p.m. CT start turned out not to matter in terms of the lateness of the ending. The game time of two hours, 30 minutes was the fastest for any Cubs postseason game since <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN198410030.shtml">Game 2 of the 1984 NLCS</a>, which ran just 2:18.</p>
<p id="0f85z6">A couple more fun facts about this one:</p>
<div id="iD7y9m">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Home Runs in 1-0 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash">#Postseason</a> Games. <br>Javy Baez on a list of twelve. <a href="https://t.co/qVrJ3wSzqp">pic.twitter.com/qVrJ3wSzqp</a></p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/784606247634997250">October 8, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="hVGncP">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a>: 21st time a team won a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/postseason?src=hash">#postseason</a> game despite collecting 3 or fewer hits. First time since Cardinals (2 H) in Game 2 of 2013 NLCS</p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/784616722867314688">October 8, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="qwKUMl">One of the reasons the Cubs’ rotation for this series was set up the way it was, was Lester’s domination at Wrigley Field this year. That continued Friday night:</p>
<div id="luOcs7">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jon Lester last 8 starts at Wrigley (including tonight)<br>0.95 ERA, 57.0 IP, 33 Hits, 44 K, 0.772 WHIP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a> won all 8 games</p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/784613266333073408">October 8, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="4Vq8Fl">And, with <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> having similar excellent results at home this year (1.68 ERA. 0.920 WHIP in 16 home starts, including just four runs allowed in 41⅓ innings after the All-Star break at Wrigley), the Cubs should be set up well for a Game 2 matchup with our old buddy <span>Jeff Samardzija</span> (who got roundly booed during introductions Friday).</p>
<p id="RuIFOC">Game on, Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT. Can’t wait.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/10/8/13209920/cubs-giants-recap-jon-lester-javier-baez-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2016-10-07T22:52:21-05:002016-10-07T22:52:21-05:00Rapid Recap: Cubs Win Game 1 1-0!
<figure>
<img alt="MLB: NLDS-San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tlwk2y8LMI_jMqn0bN2SQivK90s=/0x218:4214x3027/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51258161/usa-today-9593413.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Jon Lester pitches, Javier Baez homers. Chapman saves. Cubs win.</p> <p id="u8RUeh"><a href="http://m.mlb.com/gameday/giants-vs-cubs/2016/10/07/487607#game_tab=box,game=487607,game_state=final">One down,</a> ten to go. </p>
<p id="2A7vRm">Two years ago, the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> made a huge push to sign <span>Jon Lester</span>. Depending on how you count it, the Giants offered more money than the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> did, although the number of years and California taxes make the actual issue of who offered more money more complicated. But Lester felt comfortable with the Theo Epstein braintrust that he knew from Boston and Chicago was just a lot closer to his Georgia home than San Francisco was.</p>
<p id="heX9Uc">Tonight, we know why both the Giants and the Cubs wanted Lester so badly. Jon Lester threw eight brilliant innings (with a lot of help from Grandpa David Ross) of five-hit, no-walks and no-runs baseball. Three of those five hits came to lead off each of the first three innings. But Gorkys Hernandez was thrown out by Ross trying to steal second base in the first inning and <span>Conor Gillaspie</span> was picked off first by Ross in the third inning. </p>
<p id="VuqC5T">The only time Lester was really in trouble was in the fourth inning, when <span>Buster Posey</span> singled with one out and <span>Ben Zobrist</span> misjudged a fly ball by <span>Angel Pagan</span> with two outs that went under his glove for a double. But Buster Posey, for as wonderful as he is, is still a catcher and only made it to third base on the double. It’s also not entirely clear he knew how many outs there were. Lester then got <span>Brandon Crawford</span> to ground out to end the threat. It was the last baserunner the Giants would get until two outs in the ninth. </p>
<p id="wpjrxU">Meanwhile, the Cubs were stymied by Johnny Cueto. The Cubs didn’t even have a baserunner until <span>Kris Bryant</span> doubled with one out in the fourth inning. But that threat went nowhere and the two aces traded zeros until the eighth inning.</p>
<p id="9TPRtE">Then, in the bottom of the eighth, Cueto got one up to Javier Baez. Baez crushed it. The wind caught it. A ball that easily would have been on Waveland Avenue any other night had us all holding our breath. But the ball dropped into the left field basket and the Cubs had the only run of the game.</p>
<p id="Da8W0o">Joe Maddon’s no fool, so he turned over the ninth inning to Aroldis Chapman. Chapman struck out Hernandez on a check swing and got <span>Eduardo Nunez</span> to ground out to second base. But with two out in the inning, Buster Posey crushed a Chapman fastball to left-center field. But once again, the wind held up the ball and it bounced off the ivy for a double. Chapman then got <span>Hunter Pence</span> to ground out to second base to end the game and win a crucial game one.</p>
<p id="8jZ5EW">Al Yellon will have a full recap in the morning. Meanwhile, fly the W, folks.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/10/7/13208670/rapid-recap-jon--lester-javier-baez-win-game-1-of-nlds-1-0Josh Timmers2016-10-07T22:15:02-05:002016-10-07T22:15:02-05:00Overflow Thread 2: NLDS Game 1, Cubs vs. Giants, Friday 10/7
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qy5dI_lzq-GFvg9ZzjI6WUFu3zU=/0x456:3123x2538/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51223989/usa-today-9554438.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/10/7/13163814/overflow-thread-2-nlds-game-1-cubs-vs-giants-friday-10-7-8-15-ctAl Yellon2016-10-07T21:15:02-05:002016-10-07T21:15:02-05:00Overflow Thread 1: NLDS Game 1, Cubs vs. Giants, Friday 10/7
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E4dVSP0nIu6FKTsgltC3pFPvJvE=/0x181:4272x3029/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51223983/usa-today-9573542.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/10/7/13163790/overflow-thread-1-nlds-game-1-cubs-vs-giants-friday-10-7-8-15-ctAl Yellon2016-10-07T18:00:03-05:002016-10-07T18:00:03-05:00NLDS Game 1 Preview: Cubs vs. Giants, Friday 10/7
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G_R3sZkVaE7wAYNJOZdfObDqx4E=/0x0:4540x3027/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51223699/GettyImages-598581440.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Banks/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Here. We. Go.</p> <p>Crawling out of your skin yet?</p>
<p>Or are you serene and calm about this postseason series against the Giants?</p>
<p>Either is a reasonable response. We're almost here, just a couple hours to the first pitch.</p>
<p>The Cubs' all-time record in postseason games is uninspiring. No, check that: it's awful. Four postseason series wins in 17 postseason years (1907 and 1908 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series" class="sbn-auto-link">World Series</a>, 2003 and 2015 division series).</p>
<p>All-time Cubs postseason W/L record: 33-60-1 (the tie was in <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1907_WS.shtml" target="_blank">the 1907 World Series</a>). In the divisional play era, it's 13-27.</p>
<p>Personally, I have attended 31 Cubs postseason games of the 40 played in my lifetime. My personal record: 11-20.</p>
<p>It's way past time to make all those numbers better. Go Cubs!</p>
<p><b>Site note:</b> As we did here last year, Josh Timmers will post a "Rapid Recap" very shortly after the end of every postseason game. I'll follow that up with my usual recap in the morning at 8 a.m. CT.</p>
<p>Here are today's particulars.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<blockquote>Fowler CF, Bryant 3B, Rizzo 1B, Zobrist LF, Russell SS, Heyward RF, Baez 2B, Ross C, Lester P</blockquote>
<p>Giants lineup:</p>
<blockquote>Hernandez CF, Belt 1B, Posey C, Pence RF, Pagan LF, Crawford SS, Tomlinson 2B, Gillaspie 3B, Cueto P</blockquote>
<center>
<p><span><img src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6215607/jonlester2016.0.jpg"></span></p>
<span> </span>
<h2><span>Jon Lester</span></h2>
<h2>vs</h2>
<p><span><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6774747/johnnycueto.0.jpg"></span></p>
<span> </span>
<h2><span>Johnny Cueto</span></h2>
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<p>Jon Lester nearly threw a no-hitter last time he faced the Giants, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201609020.shtml" target="_blank">September 2 at Wrigley Field</a>. <span>Hunter Pence</span> broke up the no-no with a home run with two out in the seventh. Lester wound up with a three-hit complete game. Lester had a 1.74 ERA and 0.890 WHIP in 15 starts at Wrigley this year, and 1.13 (six earned runs in 48 innings) after the All-Star break.</p>
<p>Johnny Cueto held the Cubs to one run in seven innings <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201609040.shtml" target="_blank">September 4 at Wrigley Field</a>. We are very familiar with him from his long history with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a>. He has made 24 career starts vs. the Cubs and posted a 3.24 ERA and 1.193 WHIP in 150 innings. Those are very close to his career numbers. At Wrigley Field he's made 15 lifetime starts and been a bit better: 3.07 ERA, 1.260 WHIP in 93⅔ innings.</p>
<p>Cueto had a good September: 1.78 ERA, 1.047 WHIP in five starts. Lester's September was better: 0.48 ERA, 0.696 WHIP and the Pitcher of the Month award. (Trying to ignore that bad start he had October 1 in Cincinnati).</p>
<p>Today's game is on FS1. Announcers: Matt Vasgersian, <span>John Smoltz</span> and Ken Rosenthal.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?ymd=20140401#date=10/7/2016">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_10_07_sfnmlb_chnmlb_1#game=2016_10_07_sfnmlb_chnmlb_1,game_state=Live">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/CHC.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/514534/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p>Please visit our SB Nation <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> site <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mccoveychronicles.com">McCovey Chronicles</a>. If you do go there to interact with Giants fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p>The 2016 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used at the end of 2015. Here's how it works.</p>
<p>You'll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p>At the same time, a StoryStream™ containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.</p>
<p>You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/game-threads">this section link</a>). They will also appear in the game's StoryStream™ as noted above.</p>
<p>The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p>Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/10/7/13078532/national-league-division-series-game-1-cubs-giants-previewAl Yellon