Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Cardinals Thursday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2019-09-20T10:00:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/206344712019-09-20T10:00:00-05:002019-09-20T10:00:00-05:002019 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 153
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dGVOfBIYXvVDRBJHhzP5Qw3pO_g=/490x155:2725x1645/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65286201/1175153848.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cubs lose third straight game and drop into third place</p> <p id="I1JCdl">Oh boy, did I want to be writing the story about the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>‘ epic comeback. The Cubs were stifled by young <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> ace <span>Jack Flaherty</span> for eight innings. Meanwhile, the Cardinals just kept chipping away at <span>Kyle Hendricks</span>, ultimately plating four runs against him. I told you in yesterday’s preview that Flaherty had a 1.07 ERA over his last 13 starts. He’ll have done little to damage that with one run over those eight innings. It’s an Arrieta-like run and I’ll say again that some sportswriters, absent a runaway favorite, will likely use their Cy Young vote like a pitcher MVP vote and give Flaherty some votes. He was already 11th in the NL in fWAR heading into the start and this will only boost that. </p>
<p id="QZSNMl">The Cubs did manage an excellent comeback in the ninth inning, plating three runs off of old pal <span>Carlos Martinez</span> to tie the game. But <span>Andrew Miller</span> slammed the door before the Cubs could walk it off. <span>Craig Kimbrel</span> returned from the injured list to allow a homer in the 10th that ended up being the difference in the game. Some pitchers have been particularly harmed by this year’s power surge in baseball. Kimbrel has certainly been one of those, allowing seven homers in just 19⅔ innings on the back of a 30.4% HR/FB rate. Even with this year’s numbers mixed into his career totals, he was at 10.2% for his career (prior to this game). He has managed 13 saves (and counting) this year, but this move just didn’t work out. I have little doubt it will pay future dividends, but it is just one more disappointment as part of the 2019 season. </p>
<p id="ltNQQ5">Baseball rarely makes one game be too amplified. So, this game, this three game losing streak, they don’t end anything. Not officially anyway. With the loss to the Cardinals, Fangraphs now estimates the Cubs’ playoff changes at 41%. That’s a stunning change from 76.7% after the win on Monday night. Two weeks earlier than that, on September 2, they were at 79.3%. But the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> have once again been able to pull basically every single possible rabbit out of their hat in September. They’ve gained five games in the standings since August 31 and are now ahead of the Cubs for the final playoff spot. </p>
<p id="K6V1G4">The scenarios have been laid out over and over again. The Cubs almost certainly need to take five of the remaining six games against the Cardinals. Four will give them a chance and they’ll need some outside help. Today is another day. Hopefully, it is the one where things turn back positive for the Cubs. </p>
<p id="McDego">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="81Ekay"><strong>Game 153, September 19: </strong>Cubs 4, Cardinals 5 (82-71)</p>
<div id="315XIy">
<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2019-09-19&team=Cubs&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/livewins.aspx?date=2019-09-19&team=Cubs&dh=0&season=2019">FanGraphs</a></span>
</div>
<p id="PJfNwJ"><strong>THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="oH0bZD">
<strong>Superhero: </strong><span>Ben Zobrist</span> (.115). Despite missing quite a bit of time this year, Ben Zobrist remains one of the Cubs you most want to see up in a key situation. He batted with runners on first and second and one out in the ninth inning. He doubled, driving in one and setting up the game tying runs. </li>
<li id="NShY9D">
<strong>Hero: </strong><span>Anthony Rizzo</span> (.081). The ghost of Anthony Rizzo returned to the field and gave the Cubs a boost with a third inning solo homer, tying the game at 1-1. The homer was his 28th and kept alive the slim chance to reach 30 homers for the fifth time in his career and the RBI was his 94th, keeping alive the chances of him reaching 100 RBI for the fifth straight season. Of course, Anthony is more interested in wins than personal accomplishments. </li>
<li id="Tyf8XS">
<strong>Sidekick: </strong><span>Willson Contreras</span> (.061). Willson didn’t hit it far, but it drove in a run. His infield single cut the deficit to 4-3. </li>
</ul>
<p id="fKDV4g"><strong>THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="uhT8x5">
<strong>Billy Goat: </strong>Craig Kimbrel (-.315). Feast or famine. He faced three batters, struck out two and allowed the decisive homer in between.</li>
<li id="nkLB6q">
<strong>Goat: </strong><span>Nico Hoerner</span> (-.182). The kid was hitless in four at bats. He’s been thrown into an impossible situation and performed more than adequately. Even with the hitless night, he is at a .289/.333/.467 with a 101 wRC+. Not bad for a guy who hasn’t seen a single Triple-A pitch. </li>
<li id="8XxL68">
<strong>Kid: </strong>Kyle Hendricks (-.156). He’d won his last five starts against the Cardinals. They are too good a team for that to continue forever. He allowed eight hits, a walk and four runs in 5⅓. He struck out six. </li>
</ul>
<p id="KxGaZI"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>With one out in the 10th inning, <span>Matt Carpenter</span> took Craig Kimbrel deep for the winning run. (.384)</p>
<p id="g8FSZ3">*Cubs Play of the Game: Ben Zobrist’s one-out double in the bottom of the ninth with runners on first and second cut the deficit to 4-2. </p>
<p id="dFd3Ae"><strong>Cumulative Standings Top/Bottom 3:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="FzAB9h">Anthony Rizzo 35</li>
<li id="BEfMRx">
<span>Kris Bryant</span> 34.75</li>
<li id="jXBo3z">Kyle Hendricks 16</li>
<li id="79xvy8">!<span>Carl Edwards Jr.</span> -12</li>
<li id="DymyYm">
<span>Pedro Strop</span> -20.5</li>
<li id="h5a9ig">
<span>Jason Heyward</span> -21</li>
</ul>
<p id="Nm2AbT"><strong>Up Next: </strong>The teams are back at it for the second of four games Friday afternoon. <span>Alec Mills</span> will make the start for the Cubs. Alec has made two starts this year and has allowed five runs over 10⅓ innings. He’s thrown 26⅓ innings in total with a 3.42 ERA at the MLB level. This will be just his fifth major league start and the first against the Cardinals. Current Cardinals have just 11 PA against Mills with a .167 OPS, for what little that’s worth. The team has drawn two walks and had no hits. They’ve struck out four times. </p>
<p id="jehmzy"><span>Michael Wacha</span> starts for the Cardinals. Wacha is 6-7 with a 4.76 ERA over 121 innings on the year. Over his last seven starts, he is 0-2 despite a 2.56 ERA in 31⅔ innings. Last time out, he threw five scoreless innings against the Brewers. He allowed five hits, no walks and struck out one. He hasn’t pitched past five innings in the month of September as teams embrace getting into the bullpen early with the expanded rosters. He’s only pitched once against the Cubs this year and got hit hard. Back on May 4, he allowed five runs (four earned) in five innings of work. He allowed six hits and four walks. He struck out four. </p>
<p id="ROIOvw">The 27-year-old right-hander has reverse splits this year, allowing a .904 OPS to RHH and only a .789 to LHH. He’s been a bit better at home (.819) than on the road (.893). Current Cubs have 274 PA against Wacha with a 1.003 (!) OPS. Both Anthony Rizzo (52, 1.121, two doubles, three homers) and Kris Bryant (42, 1.221, two doubles, two triples, four homers) have hit Wacha hard. Those two lead seven current Cubs with more than 10 PA and an OPS over 1.000. </p>
<p id="qVG3S1">The Cubs need to continue to hit Wacha and get the offense back in gear as the weekend series continues. </p>
<div id="3T3Wvn"><div data-anthem-component="poll:8855543"></div></div>
<p id="j8nSYF"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/9/20/20875258/2019-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-153Thomas Smith2019-09-20T08:00:00-05:002019-09-20T08:00:00-05:00Cardinals 5, Cubs 4: Anthony Rizzo’s miraculous return is not enough
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/46keKGcFnggypnztqBgmjWAYl8g=/0x0:1974x1316/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65285228/1169636324.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Four days after a serious ankle injury, Rizzo came back and homered, but the Cubs lost.</p> <p id="YpoikW">Usually, when the starting lineups are announced at Wrigley Field, I pay little mind. By then, I’ve already seen them via the teams’ Twitter accounts and filled out my scorecard, ready for the game to start.</p>
<p id="evtpcK">And then, from Cubs PA announcer Andrew Belleson, came words no one was expecting to hear: “Leading off, the first baseman, number 44, <span>Anthony Rizzo</span>.”</p>
<p id="Xsq5dQ">Wait, what? The same guy who had to be helped off the field just four days earlier and whose season we thought might be over?</p>
<p id="Ow4jDZ">This was a surprise to everyone:</p>
<div id="3wDPae">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">There was no indication Rizzo would be back at all . Nobody in the media even asked Maddon about him today .</p>— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBBruceLevine/status/1174822427030958080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="dPkcDC">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rizzo did lots of rice and ice and compression and elevation. Felt better every day. Passed all tests pregame and gave it a go.</p>— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNChiCubs/status/1174891298664472576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="MDWpTQ">The announcement alone energized the crowd. And then Rizzo led the team, HIS team, onto the field. If you ever, ever doubted that man’s dedication to his work, or the Chicago Cubs, that should have laid those to rest forever. Rizzo’s return was one of the most amazing things I’ve seen in recent <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> history, and even before this he was the acknowledged team leader and one of the more beloved players in Cubs history. </p>
<p id="2kVCtY">He wants to win so badly. You can feel it. We all can feel it. And then he further gave the full house at Wrigley some excitement on leading off the bottom of the first inning:</p>
<div id="okkka0">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">OH MY GOD!!! THAT'S <a href="https://twitter.com/ARizzo44?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ARizzo44</a> MUSIC!!!!<br><br>Rizzo returns with the <a href="https://twitter.com/undertaker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@undertaker</a> theme song as his walk-up!<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/Cut4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cut4</a>)<a href="https://t.co/bmELvOwFGp">pic.twitter.com/bmELvOwFGp</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1174837974615261184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="xT4EI3">Does this guy know how to work a crowd or what? Unfortunately, he struck out in that at-bat.</p>
<p id="NsQybE">Rizzo’s mobility was still not very good. It was easy to see that when, with two <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> on base in the top of the third, <span>Jack Flaherty</span> laid down a bunt in Rizzo’s direction, something you had to figure they’d try. Rizzo had no chance to field it in time for an out, and the bases were loaded.</p>
<p id="nMeVRo"><span>Kyle Hendricks</span> induced a double-play ball, but a run scored to make it 1-0.</p>
<p id="o4VkQ0"><a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/ecca2e6b-314a80ce-294597a0-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">And then you knew, just <em>knew</em>, this was going to happen [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="NYRcUr"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/ecca2e6b-314a80ce-294597a0-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="aQztIC"></p>
<p id="zopMxd">Who writes these scripts, anyway? The game was tied 1-1.</p>
<p id="MyPdff"><span>Kyle Hendricks</span> got touched up for another run in the fifth, on a leadoff triple by <span>Tommy Edman</span> and single by <span>Harrison Bader</span> . Meanwhile, Flaherty was shutting down the Cubs. After Rizzo’s homer, <span>Nicholas Castellanos</span> singled... and then 10 straight Cubs were retired through the end of the sixth.</p>
<p id="9aik2f">In the top of the sixth, the Cardinals appeared to break the game open. <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> doubled and after <span>Marcell Ozuna</span> struck out, Hendricks hit <span>Paul DeJong</span> with a pitch. That turned out to be critical, an extra baserunner. <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/d14ab1da-35afab90-36b14d29-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Yadier Molina batted next [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="qicT6c"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/d14ab1da-35afab90-36b14d29-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="rYltjs"></p>
<p id="JfaivP"><span>Kyle Schwarber</span> made a strong throw home, likely in time to get Goldschmidt, but <span>Willson Contreras</span> couldn’t hold on to the ball and the Cardinals had a 3-1 lead.</p>
<p id="dHHRKM">That was it for Hendricks, who deserved a better fate. <span>Brad Wieck</span> struck out Edman, but Bader doubled in DeJong for the fourth Cardinals run.</p>
<p id="uiqeUL">In the bottom of the seventh, the Cubs threatened again. Schwarber led off with a single, was wild-pitched to second and went to third on an infield out. Contreras hit a comebacker and Schwarber was hung out to dry between third and home, and eventually tagged out.</p>
<p id="sYtU70"><span>Danny Hultzen</span> and <span>Duane Underwood Jr.</span> threw scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, and those are names you would not have expected to see pitching high-leverage innings in relief in an important pennant-race game. <span>Pedro Strop</span>, who has struggled mightily much of the year and likely has never completely recovered from an earlier hamstring injury, threw a 1-2-3 ninth.</p>
<p id="LVUsXD">Three outs left. Wrigley Field was mostly silent.</p>
<p id="l2W7Ef">Cubs batters woke up the crowd, finally. Castellanos led off with a walk off Cardinals closer <span>Carlos Martinez</span>. <span>Kris Bryant</span> singled him to second, and the tying run was at the plate. Schwarber struck out, but <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/bc23ef11-4df72ea2-4be05642-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Zobrist brought the full house to life again [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="uZGGlG"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/bc23ef11-4df72ea2-4be05642-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="3xvNNZ"></p>
<p id="GCMcMO">Now it’s 4-2. It soon became 4-3, <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/bb317c83-87b6855a-1c72e71e-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">thanks to Contreras [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="Li87qp"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/bb317c83-87b6855a-1c72e71e-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="rWLCAc"></p>
<p id="uRrDFP">Willson hit the ball about 30 feet, but it was enough when Martinez threw wide of the plate. </p>
<p id="5TVPAG"><span>Jason Heyward</span> batted next. How many times have we seen him ground to second? <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/3b4cc751-535dc63a-a27c7541-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">This time, it tied the game [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="cpsXbx"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/19/3b4cc751-535dc63a-a27c7541-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="lKdk2j"></p>
<p id="jDn3dl">Yes, that’s <span>Javier Baez</span> scoring the tying run. Javy had been cleared for pinch-running duty before the game, and he ran for Zobrist. <span>Robel Garcia</span>, running for Contreras (still being careful with Willson’s hamstring), represented the winning run on second base. <span>Nico Hoerner</span> had a chance for a walkoff hit, but flied to center.</p>
<p id="3hPlf1"><span>Craig Kimbrel</span>, also activated Thursday, entered to throw the 10th inning. He struck out <span>Dexter Fowler</span>.</p>
<p id="UMjleo">Then disaster struck, in the form of <span>Matt Carpenter</span>. Carpenter, a longtime Cubs nemesis, has been reduced to spot duty with the emergence of Edman as the Cardinals’ regular third baseman. And keep in mind that Carpenter is only in this game because of a hamstring injury suffered by <span>Kolten Wong</span>. Kimbrel left a fastball in the middle of the zone and Carpenter parked it for a home run.</p>
<div id="qkYT5b">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most HR allowed in a season by Craig Kimbrel is 7. Done twice.<br><br>2019 - in 19.2 IP<br>2018 - in 62.1 IP</p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1174887356832391169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="58jNAF"><em>But yeah, that’s Joe Maddon’s fault. (Sarcasm intended.)</em></p>
<p id="0Zzk0h">The Cubs went down 1-2-3 in the last of the 10th, though Castellanos briefly gave the crowd a thrill by driving a ball deep to center for the final out. He had earlier, in the first inning, hit a baseball 334 feet at nearly 100 miles per hour for an out:</p>
<div id="jxpw2y">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nicholas Castellanos (49) off RHP Jack Flaherty (32) - 99.5 mph, 30 degrees (334 ft Flyout)<br>96.3 mph Four-Seamer<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLCards?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STLCards</a> @ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> (B1) <a href="https://t.co/ph01Oez6ED">pic.twitter.com/ph01Oez6ED</a></p>— MLBBarrelAlert (@MLBBarrelAlert) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBBarrelAlert/status/1174829094963429376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="VvKoSK">That one got knocked down by the wind blowing in, in the first inning, otherwise we might be having a different discussion this morning.</p>
<p id="6ZWjVp">On the subject of bad ball-and-strike calls: Yes, there were many. Some went against the Cubs, some in their favor, those are not the reason the Cubs lost this game. They are, again, an argument for the automated strike zone. I hope we get it soon.</p>
<p id="OlJ364">This was a game the Cubs really needed to win. They now trail the Cardinals by four games in the N.L. Central with nine remaining. That’s not impossible, but now we are getting into “miracle comeback” territory. They’re one game behind the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> for the second wild card spot, which seems doable... except the Cubs have the three with the Cardinals this weekend, while the Brewers play the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> in Milwaukee, and you saw how the Pirates basically phoned it in last weekend at Wrigley. The Cubs likely have to win the three remaining games in this series just to keep pace with the Brewers. If they do that and finish the weekend one game back of St. Louis, well then, we’ll be in for a fun final week.</p>
<p id="hx8g67"><a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2019_09_19_slnmlb_chnmlb_1">Thursday’s 5-4, 10-inning loss</a>, then, was a microcosm of the season. Some absolutely thrilling moments, but in the end, there wasn’t quite enough against an opponent who appears to just be better. </p>
<p id="jpiZiE">Perhaps this team will prove that statement wrong over the next three days. I hope so. Meanwhile, Rizzo’s comeback will be something we will talk about for a long, long time:</p>
<div id="rLr4nH">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The expectation was that Anthony Rizzo would need at least a couple more days before returning to the field.<br><br>Rizzo: "We don't have a couple more days. We have to win now."</p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1174892222434725888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="zz6fra">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rizzo: "We know the Brewers' schedule here on out and ours here and out. We've got to win and we've got to find ways to win against the team that's in first place in front of us."<br><br>Ten days, nine games to go, and the Cubs are not in playoff position for first time since April 30.</p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1174913792477548544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="Jfgqgd">More on how Rizzo’s return felt, as well as why you should never give up on this team, coming up from BCB’s Sara Sanchez here at 9 a.m. CT.</p>
<p id="F21gzq">Meanwhile, <span>Alec Mills</span> is the guy who’s going to have to help find those ways to win Friday afternoon. He’s replacing <span>Cole Hamels</span>, who was scratched from Saturday’s start. <span>Jose Quintana</span>, who was originally slated to go Friday, will get an extra day of rest and start Saturday. St. Louis’ Friday starter is <span>Michael Wacha</span>. Game time is 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via ABC7 Chicago, and nationally on MLB Network outside the Cubs and Cardinals market territories.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/9/20/20875388/cubs-cardinals-recap-anthony-rizzo-craig-kimbrel-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2019-09-19T21:00:00-05:002019-09-19T21:00:00-05:00Overflow thread 3: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Thursday 9/19, 6:15 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4LwBbcWFC-W9vuNJL0sZRXBmq6U=/131x240:2875x2069/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65283640/usa_today_13377579.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="5pQiok">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/9/19/20870429/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-cardinals-thursday-9-19-6-15-ctAl Yellon2019-09-19T20:15:00-05:002019-09-19T20:15:00-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Thursday 9/19, 6:15 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Gb82oqVAeoxkPT8Wxznx44jy2CU=/0x0:3669x2446/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65283473/usa_today_13377576.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="5pQiok">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/9/19/20870426/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-cardinals-thursday-9-19-6-15-ctAl Yellon2019-09-19T19:15:00-05:002019-09-19T19:15:00-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Thursday 9/19, 6:15 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PXaH20okaeem9s0n2ksunjaQk_A=/336x246:3869x2601/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65283316/usa_today_13377577.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="5pQiok">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/9/19/20870420/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-cardinals-thursday-9-19-6-15-ctAl Yellon2019-09-19T18:10:00-05:002019-09-19T18:10:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Thursday 9/19, 6:15 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3CaOMtdQAl3JM4qO-e2RrMMScWs=/0x180:3109x2253/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65282967/usa_today_13357612.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="5pQiok">Go get ‘em, Kyle.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/9/19/20870417/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-cardinals-thursday-9-19-6-15-ctAl Yellon2019-09-19T16:00:00-05:002019-09-19T16:00:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals preview, Thursday 9/19, 6:15 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O-dDGXxrcazJMg52m98xXsUey7s=/334x108:4173x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65282190/1175622603.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Just win, baby.</p> <p id="JL779o">A couple of memorable moments from recent Cubs/Cardinals September series:</p>
<h3 id="sY5MvF">2015</h3>
<p id="MMbPni">The Cubs took two of three from St. Louis in a Wrigley series where Joe Maddon accused Cardinals pitchers of deliberately throwing at <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> and said, famously, “We did not start this, but we will end it.”</p>
<p id="FsUpGY">One of the wins, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201509190.shtml">September 19</a>, ended on this terrific play at second base:</p>
<div id="0UQMw3"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yv4Yjf2EDBc?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<h3 id="cTP5tl">2017</h3>
<p id="hkyJ8b">The Cubs clinched the N.L. Central with <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN201709270.shtml">a 5-1 win over the Cardinals</a> in St. Louis September 27.</p>
<p id="WFkgXe">The next day, they eliminated the Cardinals from the postseason with <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN201709280.shtml">a 2-1 win</a> that ended with <a href="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2017/09/29/1854820783/1506653757881/asset_2500K.mp4">this fantastic catch by Leonys Martin [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="Mn2MD8"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2017/09/29/1854820783/1506653757881/asset_2500K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="LAtTJk"></p>
<p id="ZMWhNp">Since 2015, the Cubs are 15-6 against the Cardinals after September 1. That, I think, is a good sign for this series. The Cubs always seem to step up their game against their biggest rival. There’s no more important time to do that than right now.</p>
<p id="xYjnow">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="3IvQgQ"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="7B5i50">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<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. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EverybodyIn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EverybodyIn</a><br><br>Game preview: <a href="https://t.co/4YowEpqd1x">https://t.co/4YowEpqd1x</a> <a href="https://t.co/jvj622poFC">pic.twitter.com/jvj622poFC</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1174751747534983168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="ao1n2Y"><a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="5Nu9rF">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The biggest game of the season! <br><br>⚾️ <a href="https://t.co/2G3EWSiD9N">https://t.co/2G3EWSiD9N</a> <a href="https://t.co/wMcUE9G8Y8">pic.twitter.com/wMcUE9G8Y8</a></p>— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1174782860504522757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="Z5GU3q">Also of interest (note, this tweet lists Eastern time):</p>
<div id="mZYNSk">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Umpires for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLCards?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STLCards</a> (85-67) at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> (82-70):<br>HP: Bill Welke<br>1B: Mike Everitt<br>2B: Lance Barrett<br>3B: Chris Guccione. <br><br>First Pitch: 7:15 pm<br>Venue: Wrigley Field</p>— Umpire Crew (@UmpCrew) <a href="https://twitter.com/UmpCrew/status/1174747190390132739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h2 id="V5jSYv">
<span>Kyle Hendricks</span>, RHP vs. <span>Jack Flaherty</span>, RHP</h2>
<div class="c-float-left"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Y4ylQkbBDaAzwhrzqgQWO9JokvA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13174259/usa_today_10737403.jpg">
<cite>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uvbSpHs6zBnR8qPf0dqDmofUKeQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16207731/usa_today_12381786.jpg">
<cite>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<p id="V6LI8J">You all know about Kyle Hendricks’ excellence at Wrigley Field this season. His 1.75 home ERA (13 starts, 87⅓ innings) is the best in the major leagues this year.</p>
<p id="hHp6GO">But perhaps more important is his dominance of the Cardinals. In three starts against them this year he has an 0.39 (!) ERA and 0.829 WHIP. He’s given them one run in 23 innings, with 13 strikeouts and no walks. Cardinals hitters are batting .224/.224/.306 (19-for-85) against him in 2019, and on <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201905030.shtml">May 3</a> he threw an 81-pitch, four-hit complete game shutout against them.</p>
<p id="ZhMoIO">Let’s hope this continues... and seriously, the Cubs should think about holding Kyle back from his next scheduled start Tuesday in Pittsburgh, or somehow flip around the rotation, so he can start against the Cardinals next weekend in St. Louis.</p>
<p id="gVN5Ge">Jack Flaherty since the All-Star break: 12 starts, 1.05 ERA, 0.789 WHIP, 99 strikeouts and 19 walks in 77⅓ innings.</p>
<p id="BtZ4EU">Wow. That’s pretty good. No, that’s outstanding. In September: three earned runs in 22 innings, all of them in his last start against the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>.</p>
<p id="W81Aob">The Cubs have actually done pretty well against him: 3.80 ERA, 1.078 WHIP, four home runs in 21⅓ innings. On the other hand, the last time he faced the Cubs, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN201908010.shtml">August 1 in St. Louis</a>, he allowed just one hit in seven innings.</p>
<p id="DRVkEQ">He’s not quite as good on the road (3.59 ERA, 1.270 WHIP in 15 starts) as at home (2.55 ERA, 0.818 WHIP in 15 starts). He’s also more hittable in night games (3.90 ERA in 19 starts) than day games (1.64 ERA in 11 starts). I’m trying to give you some hope here!</p>
<p id="nCy08J">Flaherty is really good. Glad the Cubs have Hendricks going against him.</p>
<p id="nxrszG">Today’s game is on Fox-TV (regional — <a href="https://506sports.com/mlb.php">coverage map</a>). A reminder that if you subscribe to MLB.tv or MLB Extra Innings, you can watch this game even if it’s not on the Fox station in your market.</p>
<p id="SZWZdJ">Fox announcers: Joe Davis, John Smoltz and Ken Rosenthal. </p>
<p id="cxuSIp"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2019/09/19">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=2019_09_19_slnmlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2019/CHN201909190.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><span>SB Nation game preview</span></p>
<p id="c01E3n">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> site <a href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Viva El Birdos</a>. If you do go there to interact with Cardinals 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 2019 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used in previous years. 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="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
<p id="eIfxWT"></p>
<p id="hDZG5w"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/9/19/20868454/chicago-cubs-st-louis-cardinals-preview-thursdayAl Yellon