Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Phillies Saturday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2018-09-02T09:30:01-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/175504512018-09-02T09:30:01-05:002018-09-02T09:30:01-05:002018 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 135
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<figcaption>Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cubs bats awaken, pitching still sharp in 7-1 win</p> <p id="yRTUBD">As I always say, you never want to read too much into one baseball game. However, for one night, it appeared that the best team in the National League just added another elite player. The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> cruised through the month of August with an 18-10 mark and now they’ve added <span>Kris Bryant</span>’s bat back to the mix. They also added <span>Addison Russell</span>’s defense back to the mix. If the Cubs can repeat their 18-10 month, they’d win 97 games. If they go just 11-17, they’ll win 90. If they win 90, then the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> need to finish out 14-12 which is certainly doable. The <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> would need to finish out 14-11 which is probably doable the way they are playing. The Brewers have six games against the Cubs in the next two weeks. </p>
<p id="iWCT86">The Cubs jumped out to an early lead like they did in Atlanta on Thursday. But this time, they held that lead but continued to add anyway. <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> was once again superb. I’ve pointed these numbers out in the past, but I’ll post them again. For his career, Kyle Hendricks has made 64 first half starts. In those 64 starts, he has 375⅔ innings and a 21-21 record with a 3.52 ERA. He has made 62 second half starts. In those 62 starts he has thrown 373 innings and has a 27-11 record with a 2.75 ERA. Kyle becomes a better pitcher down the stretch. </p>
<p id="eHZL47">On the offensive side, the Cubs lineup gets really, really long with Kris Bryant in the lineup. If they can get just a little bit more consistent production out of <span>Kyle Schwarber</span> and/or <span>Willson Contreras</span>, the lineup is really stacked. A lot of people spent a lot of time worrying about this team. But here we are creeping up on the end of the season and this team is right where it wants to be. Playing good baseball, consistently winning and with a healthy cushion. Every team has at least five more losses than the Cubs do and the Cubs now have just 27 games remaining. That translates to the Cubs having a magic number of 23 against the entire National League for home field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. To the extent that they’d want home field advantage in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>, the Cubs have the fourth best record in baseball now and have moved to within 2½ games of the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a>. With the caliber of player the Cubs would use as designated hitter, the only reasons for wanting home field advantage in the World Series have to do with the crowd and batting last.</p>
<p id="rDMzF4">With that, we turn our attention to yesterday’s game as we look at what WPA had to say about Heroes and Goats. As always the Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA (Win Probability Added — <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/3/28/17159170/cubs-heroes-and-goats-2018-season-primer">here’s a good explanation of how WPA works</a>) and are not in any way subjective. Many days WPA will not tell the story of what happened, but often it can give at least a glimpse to who rose to the occasion in a high leverage moment or who didn’t get the job done in that moment. Also note, for the purposes of Heroes and Goats, we ignore the results of pitchers while they are batting and hitters while they are pitching. With that, we get to the results.</p>
<p id="Kw3mIf"><strong>Game 135, September 1 - Cubs bats awaken, pitching remains strong in 7-1 win (80-55)</strong></p>
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<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=wins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2018-09-01&team=Phillies&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2018-09-01&team=Phillies&dh=0&season=2018">FanGraphs</a></span>
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<p id="bdLjvA"><strong>THE THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="SgpAy2">
<strong>Superhero - </strong>Kyle Hendricks (.235). Kyle threw six innings and allowed six hits, two walks and one run. He struck out four. </li>
<li id="rvMTqU">
<strong>Hero - </strong>Kyle Schwarber (.101). The extremely high center field wall cost Schwarber a home run to center field yesterday. It hit high off of the wall and bounced well back towards the field allowing Kyle to motor around with at triple. There were two men on at the time. </li>
<li id="PSjCLq">
<strong>Sidekick - </strong><span>Javier Baez</span> (.098). Javy continues to state his case for the National League MVP. He notches another three hit game. He drove in a run and scored a run. </li>
</ul>
<p id="hxVLVu"><strong>THE THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="gKlNbl">
<strong>Billy Goat - </strong><span>Anthony Rizzo</span> (-.043). There wasn’t anything particularly goat-like for the Cubs last night, so there’s some tough luck down here. Anthony had one hit in five at bats and scored a run. </li>
<li id="Xga3A6">
<strong>Goat - </strong><span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> (-.010). Albert came in late for defensive purposes but was hitless in two at bats.</li>
<li id="blhCRF">
<strong>Kid - </strong>Kris Bryant (-.008). He had two hits in four at bats, though he did strike out twice. He scored a run. He also played steady defense at third including starting an around the horn double play. </li>
</ul>
<p id="sW3hND"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>Kyle Schwarber batted in the third inning with the Cubs leading 2-0. There were runners on first and second and two outs. He flied one deep to left that just missed being a home run. He had to settle for a two run triple. (.135) This is Schwarber’s first involvement in the play of the game since July 22. </p>
<p id="3lyNwk">*<a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> Play of the Game: Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the first two Phillies each singled. That brought <span>Nick Williams</span> to the plate with runners on first and second. He also singled to give the Phillies their lone run. (.091). </p>
<p id="LZVCnO"><strong>Cumulative Leaders:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="QfGHnS">
<strong>Superhero - </strong>Javier Baez 21.5</li>
<li id="0wYPB1">
<strong>Hero - </strong><span>Pedro Strop</span> 21</li>
<li id="1e1enO">
<strong>Sidekick - </strong><span>Ben Zobrist</span> 15.5</li>
</ul>
<p id="395YRE"><strong>Up Next: </strong>The two teams complete this series as well as their season series. The teams have split two this weekend but the Cubs have already won three of five in the season series. If they win Sunday, they can win the season series. They also won the season series the last two years.</p>
<p id="xb3z9C">The Cubs will look to <span>Jon Lester</span> to get the job done. He is 14-5 with a 3.67 ERA. I know wins are a beloved stat these days, but if Jon gets the win today, he’ll move into a tie for second in the National League in wins with his mound opponent. It’s been rough going in the second half for Jon and though in his last three starts it’s been better, over the last seven starts he is just 2-2 with a 5.30 ERA. Jon hasn’t seen the Phillies yet this year. He’s won his three previous starts against them dating back to 2016. In fact, going back to September of 2014, he is 4-0 with a 1.62 ERA against them. Of course this team doesn’t much resemble their 2014 team. Last time out Jon pitched six innings in a no decision against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>. He allowed five hits, three walks and three runs. He struck out three. </p>
<p id="aX03uC"><span>Aaron Nola</span> will be the Phillies starter. Aaron is 15-3 with a 2.10 ERA. He is clearly one of the finalists for National League Cy Young. Over his last seven, he is 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA. He has not been dragged down with the Phillie struggles. Last time out he threw seven innings in a no decision against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>. He allowed only four hits, two walks and two runs (one earned) while striking out eight. Aaron started against the Cubs back in June. He was only so-so in that one. He threw six innings and only allowed four hits. But he did walk four and allow three runs. He struck out six. In two career starts against the Cubs (the other back in 2015), he is 1-0 with a 4.61 ERA. There is no way to be super confident against Nola, but the Cubs have fared extremely well against the best pitchers the National League has to offer. The recipe has been consistent. Keep the game close and then win late. So that’s what you are looking for. </p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/2/17811540/2018-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-135Thomas Smith2018-09-01T20:05:02-05:002018-09-01T20:05:02-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Phillies, Saturday 9/1, 6:05 CT
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<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="NlPL7Y">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/1/17786338/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-phillies-saturday-9-1-6-05-ctAl Yellon2018-09-01T19:05:02-05:002018-09-01T19:05:02-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Phillies, Saturday 9/1, 6:05 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="NlPL7Y">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/1/17786320/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-phillies-saturday-9-1-6-05-ctAl Yellon2018-09-01T18:00:02-05:002018-09-01T18:00:02-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Phillies, Saturday 9/1, 6:05 CT
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="GJmQkH">Go get ‘em, Kyle.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/1/17786208/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-phillies-saturday-9-1-6-05-ctAl Yellon2018-09-01T16:00:02-05:002018-09-01T16:00:02-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies preview, Saturday 9/1, 6:05 CT
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<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs look to even up their series with the Phillies.</p> <p id="9gtxkN">Lots of Cubs things that happened in August:</p>
<ul>
<li id="dIXyh3">
<span>Javier Baez</span> is the first Cub to end August with both 29 homers and 98 RBI since <span>Sammy Sosa</span> entered September 2001 with 52 homers and 135 RBI, and is the first Cubs middle infielder to reach 29 homers and 98 RBI by the end of August since Ernie Banks in 1960, who that year had 37 homers and 105 RBI heading into September. (H/T: Ed Hartig)</li>
<li id="kCrRyx">
<span>Anthony Rizzo</span> batted .340 in 28 games in August (35-for-103) with seven doubles, seven home runs, a .430 on-base percentage and a .612 slugging percentage, good for a 1.042 OPS.</li>
<li id="lQiqMN">
<span>Tommy La Stella</span> set a Cubs franchise record Friday evening with his 21st pinch hit of 2018. In the last 20 seasons starting in 1999, La Stella is one of only 10 players to reach 21 pinch hits in a single season.</li>
<li id="aE2GRi">
<span>Jesse Chavez</span> had a 1.88 ERA (three earned runs in 14⅓ innings) in 12 appearances in August, tied for the fifth lowest ERA of any National League relief pitcher last month with at least 14 innings pitched.</li>
<li id="TqSq0I">
<span>Cole Hamels</span> went 4-0 with a 0.69 ERA (three earned runs in 39 innings) in six starts with the Cubs in August, the lowest ERA of any qualifying pitcher in baseball and one of only three National Leaguers to go a perfect 4-0 or better.</li>
</ul>
<p id="tJRP1Y">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="Vergm4"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome back, KB! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EverybodyIn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EverybodyIn</a> <br><br>Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTubeTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YouTubeTV</a>: <a href="https://t.co/t4XvcdoeJc">https://t.co/t4XvcdoeJc</a> <a href="https://t.co/8KOsmZ8ou5">pic.twitter.com/8KOsmZ8ou5</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1035973618876993537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="paTjw6"><a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> lineup:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's tonight's lineup for our second of three against the Cubbies! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeBold?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeBold</a> <br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSPhilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCSPhilly</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTubeTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YouTubeTV</a> <br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsRadioWIP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SportsRadioWIP</a> <br> : <a href="https://t.co/ARAZL002yG">https://t.co/ARAZL002yG</a> <a href="https://t.co/2A4cLxhin8">pic.twitter.com/2A4cLxhin8</a></p>— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) <a href="https://twitter.com/Phillies/status/1035970033778868224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="fNWfkH">
<span>Kyle Hendricks</span>, RHP vs. <span>Zach Eflin</span>, RHP</h2>
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<cite>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<cite>Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="UAngnQ">At last, over his last four starts <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> has finally started looking more like the Kyle we’ve been used to over the last three seasons: 2.77 ERA, 1.192 WHIP, only four walks and no home runs allowed in 26 innings. In fact, Kyle’s almost completely stopped allowing the long ball: 16 HR allowed in his first 16 starts this year (92 innings), only four over his last 11 starts (66⅔ innings).</p>
<p id="AklURx">This game is a pitching rematch of the game <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201806050.shtml">June 5 at Wrigley Field</a>. That one didn’t go so well for Kyle, as he allowed five runs and a home run in five innings, and Zach Eflin threw 7⅔ solid innings, allowing just one run.</p>
<p id="jvYg0a">As good as Hendricks has been recently, that’s how bad Eflin has been. Last eight starts for Eflin: 5.53 ERA, 1.488 WHIP, nine home runs allowed in 42⅓ innings. Let’s hope the Cubs can get to him like that tonight.</p>
<p id="Jshm2i">Today’s game is on NBC Sports Chicago.</p>
<p id="0kjgKb"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2018/09/01">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="Xe5URc"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2018_09_01_chnmlb_phimlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2018/PHI201809010.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/534520/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p id="c01E3n">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> site <a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a>. If you do go there to interact with Phillies 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 id="4R9cxt">The 2018 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used during 2017. Here’s how it works.</p>
<p id="uNrOo7">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 id="Jy7Er2">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 id="F5ehVY">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/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). They will also appear in the game’s StoryStream as noted above.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">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 id="p3KWTQ">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/1/17786148/chicago-cubs-philadelphia-phillies-preview-saturdayAl Yellon