Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Brewers Monday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2018-09-11T08:01:54-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/175927492018-09-11T08:01:54-05:002018-09-11T08:01:54-05:00Brewers 3, Cubs 2: Where the wild things are
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<p>And now, we’ve got ourselves a race.</p> <p id="phvzqw">For many, many years, <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> fans dreamed of playing meaningful games in September, to be part of actual pennant races.</p>
<p id="aqr1ru">Well, we’ve got one now. How does it feel? (Don’t answer that this morning, you might not like what you feel.)</p>
<p id="xzuzCa"><span>Carl Edwards Jr.</span> entered the game in the sixth inning after <span>Jon Lester</span> departed with what was termed “lower back stiffness” and threw his first pitch to the backstop with a runner on third. That runner scored and that was the difference in <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2018_09_10_milmlb_chnmlb_1">a 3-2 Brewers win over the Cubs</a> that cut the Cubs’ lead in the N.L. Central to one game.</p>
<p id="wcoyhV">Yikes. That’s not what you wanted to read here this morning, was it.</p>
<p id="pM5TcX">Lester was in trouble from the very beginning of this one, though I didn’t think he threw that badly in the first inning. A soft liner just out of the reach of <span>Daniel Murphy</span> and a zillion-hopper into right field put Brewers runners on first and third with nobody out. Eventually Lorenzo Cain scored on a sacrifice fly, but Lester wound up picking <span>Christian Yelich</span> off second base to end the inning... even if it took far too many rundown throws to get him (Rundowns have been something the 2018 Cubs have not done well. Remedial work might be needed next spring training.)</p>
<p id="2S0kQ2">The Cubs tied the game in the bottom of the inning. <span>Kris Bryant</span> doubled with one out and <span>Wade Miley</span> tried what Lester did, but his pickoff throw sailed into center field and Bryant took third. <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> grounded to first, scoring Bryant.</p>
<p id="oofudK">But the Brewers came right back in the second. <span>Mike Moustakas</span> doubled to deep center, took third on a fly to left and scored on a single by <span>Orlando Arcia</span>.</p>
<p id="lf4CL5">And Miley kept mowing down Cubs. After Ben Zobrist singled with two out in the first, eight straight Cubs went down. Zobrist singled again in the fourth, but was erased on a double play.</p>
<p id="2yBeFO">Meanwhile, Lester was doing the same to the Brewers. He retired seven of eight from the second through the fourth, and finally, in the fifth, the Cubs broke through and tied the game. <span>Willson Contreras</span> hit what should have been a single to center, but Cain didn’t get to the ball quickly and Contreras hustled to second with a double. </p>
<p id="8MCsgt">The Cubs might have broken the game open at this point, but Cain made up for that defensive lapse big time when <a href="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/09/11/2481061783/1536630018834/asset_1800K.mp4">Lester sent a ball to deep center field [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="Z1GX4l">That ball was well-struck by Lester and one less step by Cain and it’s a run-scoring double. Contreras took third and Miley then walked the bases loaded.</p>
<p id="xTrnVL">But the Cubs could score only once; Bryant hit a fly ball to left and Contreras scored to tie the game. Rizzo grounded out to end the inning.</p>
<p id="TUqOOF">Then things fell apart in the fifth. Lester got the first two outs, seemingly easily, <a href="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/09/11/2481117683/1536634420138/asset_1800K.mp4">then Joe Maddon and Cubs trainer PJ Mainville came out [VIDEO]</a> after Lester struck out <span>Jonathan Schoop</span>.</p>
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<p id="Mru8Rs">You can see Contreras signaling to the dugout after Lester’s last pitch to Schoop, clearly he could see Lester was having trouble. But Lester remained and gave up a single to Moustakas and double to <span>Erik Kratz</span>.</p>
<p id="VSaXG2">Maybe Jon should have left after the strikeout. Instead, runners were on second and third when Maddon and Mainville came out for the second time and removed Lester in favor of CJ.</p>
<p id="cGez5k">I’m not sure what’s wrong with Edwards, but clearly, he’s having real problems with command and control. The wild pitch I noted earlier scored the lead run; eventually Edwards struck out pinch-hitter <span>Curtis Granderson</span>, but I suspect Joe is not going to use him in high-leverage situations for a while.</p>
<p id="7cSm7g">Good news: It doesn’t seem as if Lester’s back issue is anything serious:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> Lester on his back: "I think it'll be fine -- hopefully. It's not anything painful, it's just kind of uncomfortable. After I got out of the game and came up here, it felt a lot better."</p>— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/1039366292522913792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2018</a>
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<p id="UElKiN">The Cubs had virtually no chance after CJ’s wild pitch. <span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> singled with two out in the sixth, but was stranded.</p>
<p id="hsNOTp">And then <span>Josh Hader</span> entered. You know, I really don’t get why hitters can’t square up on Hader. He throws almost nothing but fastballs, and while they’re at decent velocity, they’re not 100-plus... he usually sits at 95 or 96, and good big-league hitters can hit those kinds of pitches. It must be something in his funky delivery that throws hitters off. Hader threw two innings, faced six Cubs hitters, and... not one put a ball in play.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brewers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brewers</a> Josh Hader struck out all six batters he faced. He is the first pitcher to strikeout all batters faced having faced at least six batters since Alfredo Simon on May 6, 2013.</p>— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) <a href="https://twitter.com/theaceofspaeder/status/1039348187688038406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2018</a>
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<p id="VCL468">“<span>Alfredo Simon</span>” was not the answer I was expecting to that bit of trivia.</p>
<p id="mewYh9"><span>Jesse Chavez</span>, <span>Steve Cishek</span>, <span>Justin Wilson</span> and <span>Brandon Kintzler</span> managed to get through the last three innings without giving up any more runs, even though they allowed three hits and two walks. Kintzler picked <span>Domingo Santana</span> off second base thanks to a nice move by Murphy to <a href="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/09/11/2481407183/1536636005332/asset_1800K.mp4">block the base with his foot [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="q3LjyK">The call was reviewed and confirmed.</p>
<p id="7zg0vx">And then, the last of the ninth against Jeremy Jeffress. With two out, Contreras walked. <span>Terrance Gore</span> replaced him on the bases. Terrance Gore is really fast. Terrance Gore stole second easily, so now the Cubs have a runner in scoring position with two out and <span>Tommy La Stella</span> up to bat for Kintzler.</p>
<p id="3VEmar">TLS battled, fouling off a couple of 1-2 pitches before striking out to end it.</p>
<p id="DTTHf1">So there it is. The Cubs lost a key game in a pennant race, but still lead the N.L. Central by a game, and still have a two-game lead over the Brewers in the loss column. Win Tuesday and they’re back to where they started the series.</p>
<p id="Vz6wdH">At least the Cubs didn’t have to deal with the rain that wrecked their weekend in Washington. It was a beautiful September evening at the ballpark, clear skies and temps in the upper 60s, with light winds. Similar conditions are expected in Chicago all week.</p>
<p id="idobeX">All the Cubs can do is pick up from this now-three game losing streak and try to even up the series Tuesday night. <span>Jose Quintana</span> will start for the Cubs and <span>Jhoulys Chacin</span> goes for the Brewers. Game time again is 7:05 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via WGN.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/11/17845434/cubs-brewers-recap-jon-lester-carl-edwards-jr-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2018-09-10T21:50:02-05:002018-09-10T21:50:02-05:00Overflow thread 3: Cubs vs. Brewers, Monday 9/10, 7:05 CT
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<p id="LCNtdh">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/10/17828584/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-brewers-monday-9-10-7-05-ctAl Yellon2018-09-10T21:05:01-05:002018-09-10T21:05:01-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Brewers, Monday 9/10, 7:05 CT
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<p id="LCNtdh">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/10/17828558/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-brewers-monday-9-10-7-05-ctAl Yellon2018-09-10T20:05:02-05:002018-09-10T20:05:02-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Brewers, Monday 9/10, 7:05 CT
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<p id="LCNtdh">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/10/17828552/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-brewers-monday-9-10-7-05-ctAl Yellon2018-09-10T19:00:02-05:002018-09-10T19:00:02-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Monday 9/10, 7:05 CT
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<p id="1Y6kMu">Go get ‘em, Jon.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/10/17828510/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-brewers-monday-9-10-7-05-ctAl Yellon2018-09-10T17:00:01-05:002018-09-10T17:00:01-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers preview, Monday 9/10, 7:05 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>One thing we know for sure: None of these three Cubs/Brewers games will be delayed or postponed.</p> <p id="K804fr"><a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-87.65587370842697&lat=41.94846832513741#.W5app0VKjKI">The weather forecast for tonight</a> is perfect — temps in the 60s at game time, light winds, clear skies. </p>
<p id="qfH3XP">The Cubs, having spent the weekend in waterlogged Washington, will likely feel great about not having any weather worries. In fact, this entire week’s supposed to be beautiful in the Chicago area.</p>
<p id="dZ2o33">Notes:</p>
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<li id="P2eMLw">If you think weather has affected a lot of Cubs games this year, you’re right. as the team has now had nine postponements this year. That’s the most since they had 10 in 1975 (including two due to snow). (H/T: Ed Hartig)</li>
<li id="JkZwZv">Beginning tonight, the Cubs will host each N.L. Central team one more time at Wrigley Field to account for all 13 home games remaining. The Cubs are 18-8 against divisional foes at home this season, a .692 winning percentage that exceeds their overall N.L. best home winning percentage.</li>
<li id="SOGG2K">The Cubs have the most home games remaining (13) of any MLB team (tied with the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>, <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a>, <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> and <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a>). And 16 of the remaining 20 games will be played in the city of Chicago, 13 at Wrigley Field and three on the South Side vs. the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>.</li>
<li id="1XrELo">Jon Lester’s start today marks the 80th start by a Cubs southpaw this season, which is approaching the single-season club record. Only twice in franchise history have the Cubs had more than 80 games started by left-handed pitchers in a single season: 2007 (85 starts) and 1966 (89 starts). More on Lester below. (H/T: Ed Hartig)</li>
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<p id="za8CR2">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="Vergm4"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup against the Brewers. <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/SQfHFNd78T">pic.twitter.com/SQfHFNd78T</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1039228695213432832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="KXYl9f"><a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> lineup:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brewers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brewers</a> lineup as we begin our final regular season series against the Cubs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThisIsMyCrew?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThisIsMyCrew</a> <a href="https://t.co/H6gBrHj0tl">pic.twitter.com/H6gBrHj0tl</a></p>— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brewers/status/1039253428373999616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2018</a>
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<span>Jon Lester</span>, LHP vs. <span>Wade Miley</span>, LHP</h2>
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<cite>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<cite>Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="bsoMYi">Jon Lester’s last four starts: 1.52 ERA, 1.225 WHIP, just four walks and one home run allowed in 23⅔ innings. That’s good! Jon had a rough patch after a good start, and in that good start his peripherals didn’t match the game results. Now those seem to have caught up, and he seems primed to have a good September... and October.</p>
<p id="AECJHb">Jon has faced the Brewers only once this year, and it was a good outing: six shutout innings, three hits, one walk, six strikeouts on <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL201804050.shtml">April 5 at Miller Park</a>.</p>
<p id="gfsZsx">Another one just like that one, please.</p>
<p id="u1eaGs">Wade Miley has been very good in 12 starts this year since coming off the DL, and his last start, against the Cubs <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL201809040.shtml">September 4 at Miller Park</a>, was excellent: six innings, three hits, one run, five strikeouts. I’m looking for something that might be a weakness here, and I’m not really coming up with anything.</p>
<p id="6RHXA7">About the only thing I can find is that in three career starts at Wrigley Field, he has a 5.21 ERA. On the other hand, the last time he pitched there, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201607300.shtml">July 30, 2016</a> when he was with the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a>, he threw seven innings and allowed just one hit.</p>
<p id="cUH8cd">So this one won’t be easy. Hopefully, this is the game where Miley’s good season blows up.</p>
<p id="DBDy5G">Today’s game is on NBC Sports Chicago.</p>
<p id="47IVCe"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2018/09/10">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_10_milmlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2018/CHN201809100.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/537042/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p id="c01E3n">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> site <a href="http://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>. If you do go there to interact with Brewers 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="Any2vq">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/9/10/17827288/chicago-cubs-milwaukee-brewers-preview-mondayAl Yellon