So, about that whole “3-1 Lead” thing: While We’re Waiting
November 2, 2016The Cleveland Indians versus Kyle Hendricks
November 2, 2016Thud! The sound of World Series Game 6 could be summed up by such a sound as 30,000-plus fans helplessly slumped back into their seats. The Cleveland Indians gambled by starting Josh Tomlin on short rest, and the Chicago Cubs collected when the wheel landed on black.
After the most impressive hitting performance of their postseason, the Cubs have tied the World Series at three games by defeating the Indians, 9-3. The 2016 MLB season will crown a champion with a season-defining Game 7 on Wednesday.
Cubs won’t be cut
Pitch Selection
The worry with pitching Tomlin on short rest was that he would not have the elite control that is required out of his finesse style. The seven game stretch of incredible pitching the Indians have gotten out of Tomlin included cutting down on the cutter and increasing the randomness of his pitch selection. Without perfect control, it could spell trouble.
In Game 6, pitching coach Mickey Callaway apparently had other plans or had adjusted assuming Tomlin would not have his normal control. Out went the randomness, back came the cutter. Twenty-five of the 48 pitches Tomlin would throw would be of the cut fastball variety. A far departure from his previously working game plan.
Before blame get laid upon that cutter though, only once in these 25 pitches did a Cubs batter manage to crack that pitch for a hit.
Location
Tomlin only missed with his location once. Of course, Kris Bryant took that lone inside hanging curveball and gave it away as a souvenir. The curve was not kind to Tomlin on the night as he threw seven. Three were not close to the plate, one was a called strike, and the other three were whacked by the Cubs for loud-sounding hits.
While Tomlin, Callaway, and Perez had an obvious game plan of utilizing the cutter, the Cubs came in with a game plan of their own. They knew that Tomlin would be pitching away and that they need not worry about him blowing them away if they cheated. So, they sat on pitches to the outside zones and went the opposite way with them as Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall had a busy night fielding line drives and pop flies between them.
… and a bloop. pic.twitter.com/1v0jDpRJo8
— MLB (@MLB) November 2, 2016
And, when he went away from the cutter, the Cubs hitters had no trouble as his full arsenal just was not working.
Exit velos off Tomlin so far: 85.6, 93.3, 106.2, 102.6, 100.6. He's fooling no one.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) November 2, 2016
Poor Naquin
Let’s remember that Tyler Naquin is a rookie ballplayer who has had his share of struggles since MLB pitching adjusted to his hitting profile as he continues to be fed a steady diet of high heat. In the field, he has never been a plus fielder especially in center field. It was an obvious hole this past offseason that was only mildly addressed with the promotion of Naquin and signing of Rajai Davis.
Well, the weakness was exposed at the worst possible time. With Tomlin struggling to get outs in the first inning, an easy fly ball to right-center would have managed him to slip out with just a single run given up. Except, while Naquin was two feet from the ball, he never called for it and just let it drop. With two outs, the runners were going and both would score as Addison Russell was scored a Little League triple in the official books.
After the game, Chisenhall stepped up and took blame despite anyone who watched the play (including manager Terry Francona) clearly seeing that it was Naquin’s ball to catch. The Big Lon also was shown on camera in the dugout sitting next to Naquin talking with him (calming him down?) at several points. Leadership is not a passive task.
Lonnie Chisenhall took blame for the OF mishap. Tyler Naquin thought Lonnie was going to catch it. Terry Francona said it's Naquin's ball.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) November 2, 2016
In the third, again, a fly ball would venture out to a similar plot on the outfield. This time, Chisenhall would camp under it and box out to ensure that no one would deter him from catching it. Not even a sprinting Naquin who was desperately trying to make up for his first inning snafu as he called out for a ball he never would have reached.
And, who would be the batter to see the plate with the bases loaded and two outs? The batter that could tighten up a 7-1 game and help put a pit in the stomachs of curse-believing Cubs fans. Why, it would be Naquin again. Jake Arrietta struck him out.
A tough night for Naquin, but remember a few things before you rake the rook over the coals.
- Naquin didn’t decide to pitch Tomlin on short rest instead of a bullpen game when the Little Cowboy clearly (in hindsight) didn’t have it in him.
- Naquin didn’t give up the grand slam that pretty much put the game away.
- Naquin didn’t make the call to let the rookie bat instead of subbing out for a veteran bat in that spot with Brandon Guyer, Rajai Davis, and Yan Gomes on the bench.
Game 7
The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians have the two longest championship droughts in Major League Baseball. It is only fitting that a World Series between these two ballclubs would go the distance. Despite a media proclamation that the Tribe was overmatched from the beginning, the Indians have held their own and demonstrated that they are a worthy competitor to these Cubbies.
Expect an amazing finish to the 2016 baseball season. Given the injuries, the Indians pitching staff has been held together by bubble gum and shoestrings all postseason. It is a sports miracle that the team has made it this far.
The grit and determination might have been used up by the third win in the World Series. Then again, it might not be. Every single available arm, bat, and glove will be available for this season-defining game. Because Baseball anything can happen.
Momentum is that day’s starting pitcher. The Indians have Corey Kluber. The Cubs have Kyle Hendricks. Let’s play ball.
59 Comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdqyG3CcoLM
Should have mentioned above but felt the stench of Game 6 was long enough with what I wrote. Maddon’s usage of Chapman was perplexing. A big lead there was no reason to push him. The Tribe did themselves few favors by not racking up his pitch count, but we’ll see if it has any effect tonight. Or, maybe the Tribe has the lead and it doesn’t matter (hoping).
This recap makes me nauseous all over again 🙁
No offense to the good author.
11 hours and counting until Game 7
And another word to balance our involuntary vitriol against Naquin this morning. He’s had a good rookie year. Circumstances dictated that he obtain his seasoning on the fly, in the majors. Predictably, his quick bat and athleticism have been neutralized by scouting reports that exposed the holes in his swings and while the longest season of his life drags on, the pitching he faces is elite and the pressure ratchets up endlessly. He is out of in-season adjustments. He’s an 8 year old whiskey poured at a high level bourbon tasting, and that’s not his fault.
Few rookies are Francisco Lindor. Tonight he should only appear, if at all, as a pinch runner. He’s not our new Earnest Byner. He’s a tough and talented kid that, in most circumstances, would right now be consolidating what he learned, getting stronger and figuring out how to close gaps in his swing and game.
I would not let Naquin touch a bat again. I was positive he would strike out with the bases loaded. There was no doubt in my mind. I’m surprised Francona didn’t pinch hit for him.
Yeah, the use of Chapman is perplexing. Not only has he thrown 60 pitches in the last three days, he almost screwed up his foot making that play at first. Using him that way suggests a little panic by Maddon and a complete lack of confidence in his other relievers.
Oh well, let’s go get ’em tonight.
Don’t remind me. Not sure what is worse the wait or the thought of watching the game.
Trying to sell myself on this line: “Home field advantage matters BECAUSE of Game 7. Kluber won that advantage in the All-Star Game and tonight reaps the benefit.”
Not sure if is the first to ever do so but seems it is probably a very rare feat.
Game 5 is really starting to feel like the turning point. You’ll never convince me that Bauer was the right call in that game. This Cubs team is just too good not to step on their throats when the rare opportunity presents itself. They grabbed momentum in that one and certainly didn’t appear interested in giving it back last night. The best part of a Game 7 is that anything can happen. And we got the situation that Tito has been managing for since our Game 4 victory: our starting and bullpen aces, Game 7. No reason not to feel good about that part of the equation. But the bats and gloves still have to show up.
I’m still of the “playing with house money” mindset, and the odds are as good as they could be for us considering the stakes. But remember how many of us said that breaking the “curse” in Cleveland would OF COURSE demand that we come back from a seemingly insurmountable odds when things looked bleak? Maybe that’s true of the Curse of the Billy Goat. Maybe this is how it HAD to happen for the Cubs. No matter what, we’re going to witness history tonight.
36 G7
18 won by home team, 18 won by away team
18 won by G6 winner, 18 won by G6 loser
I’m looking back at 2014 where the SF Giants needed a 3rd round of Bumgarner to pull out the G7 victory. He’s our Kluber comp.
Time for Klubes to join the likes of Christy Mathewson, Smoky Joe Wood, our own Stanley Coveleski, Bob Gibson, et al, who (if I’m not mistaken) started and won three games in a Series.
He can do this!
Hey, well, at least JT is still a Brown.
https://media.giphy.com/media/Ni4gG13LxKasg/giphy.gif
Momentum is the day’s starting pitcher
Momentum is the day’s starting pitcher
Momentum is the day’s starting pitcher
Momentum is the day’s starting pitcher
Momentum is the day’s starting pitcher
2014, KC won G6 10-0. MOMENTUM! Except, Giants had Bumgarner (OK, he came out of bullpen but still pitched 5 innings – on TWO DAYS REST!)
I don’t put Game 5 on Bauer. The real turning point was our inability to get a lousy single with RISP. We were 1 for 10 that night. Cripes, if I remember correctly, Santana hit a lead-off double later on in the game and he died there.
Just two singles would have scored two runs during our stretch of getting RISPs, and we would have won 4-3, theoretically.
IMHO, Bauer didn’t lose that game. The offense did.
Naquin vs Hendricks’ offspeed stuff is probably better than Davis.
You are not wrong but man Naquin had those big ole deer eyes last night.
http://ct.fra.bz/ol/fz/sw/i53/5/9/6/frabz-False-45c2c2.jpg
The day’s starting pitcher is Corey Kluber.
agree about Bauer’s start. Like Naquin in center last night, this is part of the Francona package: fierce loyalty to his players, that can produce inspired performances or unsurprising collapses when the objective match-ups are analyzed.
I would have gone with Merritt, and hoped his stuff let him bob and weave for 4 innings, rather than Bauer’s better stuff that the Cubs had already conquered. Just hard for me to criticize Francona. May be that the shell game he’s played to neutralize the talent and depth gap was bound to be exposed as the series dragged on.
We may need a November surprise to win this thing. Coco or Perez, one of these two may be an eternal Cleveland sports legend tomorrow morning.
I don’t think Davis is seeing the release. He is guessing up there. During his ABs his head doesn’t even pivot towards home plate.
Trevor Bauer right now
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/a8/a8af4e20b7726c1bddd4d997eb5aa71f0a8dde8ceca26fa0f8fab0abcdff51c8.jpg
So you’re telling me it’s a crapshoot? Color me uncomforted…
I’m totally with you on Merritt.
You know what you were getting with Bauer. Good stuff, but afraid to be out there.
Even as a narrative-buster, I agree.
This is what Tito is paid the big bucks for though. More than the lineup card or the bullpen order. To get a guy like Naquin back on track.
yeah. Tonight is the ultimate steel nerve game in all of sports. I saw Naquin’s frustration at teammates and high heat, and his body language. Tonight is one for the old heads.
Re: four innings of Merritt. The issue was thinking that you needed four innings from anyone. Could easily have been a bullpen game.
agree in principle. Just don’t think Naquin can exploit his strengths given what happened last night. Tonight I trust my veteran to find a way.
I was happy to see that Naquin and Chis didn’t start jawing at each other in the field or the dugout. Saw them talking calmly. Don’t want to lose our composure now.
Kipnis looked really p.o.’d all night, though.
yeah, others predicted his intensity would translate well to the playoffs. Looks like the opposite to me, like he fights to remain calm and control his stuff. One day he might be great at this, but maybe not until his early 30s.
Better than what MSM is telling people today
Yeah, not pulling him last night (even though I think he should have pinch hit him) I’m sure was partially Tito preparing Naquin in case he needs him tonight.
Hope he pulled him into his office last night and said something along the lines of “Well Tyler, it’s not going to get any worse than that, so play loose tomorrow, OK”
That’s some good Momentum right thar!
Thought Bauer was fantastic in his start – until he wasn’t. Tito just needed a quicker hook.
I think the mistake is that Tomlin on short rest was a bad decision. Not going to kill Tito over it as it helped rest our bullpen for Game 7, but I think we had better odds last night had we gone a bullpen game route.
Hopefully the offense wakes up. Get a lead or tie game and you have a rested Miller and Allen ready to go.
Looks like I’ll be sacrificing, errrr, eating some Lindor tacos this afternoon.
Agree on going with with the oldies tonight. And a thing to remember is that Naquin starting was just as much about sticking a lefty against Arrieta as it was an indictment of Davis’ post-season performance. If Davis wasn’t so terribly lost at the plate waving wildly at pitches, I think we would’ve seen more of him and less of Tyler this series.
Hopefully exorcising the demons of Renteria! (or at the least just experiencing some type of ria)
The stat nerds will surely disagree, but I think this type is psychologically beat when we’re down early…not just post season but throughout the regular season. Starting out with the lead would be huge not only with the idea of our pen looming but as a shot of confidence for this offense.
The Lindor Cleanse
BTW, just to kick our pal Joe Buck one more time, he practically lost his mind when Baez bent down to catch a low toss from Russell and then turn the DP. “UNBELIEVABLE TURN AT SECOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
He bent down, Joe, he didn’t cartwheel over to second, make a behind-the-back catch, and then fire a blind strike to first. Jeez, gift us a break.
BTW II, Buck and Smoltz are REALLY annoying when your team is down by five runs. Shut up, already. I’m starting to long for McCarver. (Well not really.)
Regular season we had 11 walk-off wins from 9 different batters – so, the team was able to come back when down (that is almost 1 in 7 games at home!)
Postseason is tough because these teams trim their bullpen usage to the best guys and they are tough to scratch runs out against.
Getting that much strength on that throw and that quickly was pretty impressive
Of course, it was Baez bailing out yet another bad Russell play from SS (he’s not had a good defensive series)
They have Lester and Lackey off the bench for an inning if needed.
Yup. 1 game, in Cleveland, against the Cubs. Winner take all. It just had to be this way.
CLE has been putting up runs with KKKKKKKKluber on the mound too. 6-6-7 last 3 starts
Or the Merritt route?
MacGuyer is going to come up with a big hit tonight.
Just double checked. We have 3 Taco Bells, not 2.
Good thing I caught that.
That’s a good omen…for the Tribe. Right?
I am in MSM blackout mode.
Okay, mg, it was impressive. But it wasn’t UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I had no reason to unbelieve it.
Agree. The mistake was not to have someone (Salazar, Clevinger) warming up in the bullpen at the beginning of the 4th. Once the Cubs hit the leadoff home and then a double on the next pitch, Tomlin should have been removed.
After every single game this postseason, I think we’d all have taken the situation if it had been offered/guaranteed in April. Including the WS- and now it’s all about the Kluber start at home, with the rested pen, just as it had been set up.