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MLB: ***Official 2018 Chicago Cubs Season Thread***

Another game. Same worthless approach on offense and zero ability to be clutch. But at least Joe keeps it light and fun in the clubhouse and has a million different lineups that can struggle to score.
 
Starting to wonder if the leadoff spot is the problem with this team. Ever since Dexter Fowler left the offense just has not been the same. I remember Maddon always said "when he goes we go" referring to how well Dexter handled the leadoff duties and worked counts to his favor to get on base which got the lineup behind him going and working counts too. His best OBP of his career was the 2016 season at .393 and also the highest WAR rating of his career at 4.3.

I don't know who that guy might be but if there is a proven veteran OF at the trade deadline that hits leadoff the Cubs should be interested. There isn't an OF on the roster that has earned the right to start every day right now. Every one of them has their flaws. Schwarber can be a defensive liability and is a streaky hitter, Happ strikes out too much and is basically a younger version of Zobrist. Heyward may be a gold glove RF but a liability with his hitting. Almora probably deserves more starts than any OF on the roster as he would be a gold glove OF as an everyday player and it is mind boggling how a career .291 hitter (only 440 AB though) has not been given more of a chance to play every day with the offensive struggles this team has in the OF.
 
  • Agree
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CYdTracked said:
Starting to wonder if the leadoff spot is the problem with this team. Ever since Dexter Fowler left the offense just has not been the same. I remember Maddon always said "when he goes we go" referring to how well Dexter handled the leadoff duties and worked counts to his favor to get on base which got the lineup behind him going and working counts too. His best OBP of his career was the 2016 season at .393 and also the highest WAR rating of his career at 4.3.

I don't know who that guy might be but if there is a proven veteran OF at the trade deadline that hits leadoff the Cubs should be interested. There isn't an OF on the roster that has earned the right to start every day right now. Every one of them has their flaws. Schwarber can be a defensive liability and is a streaky hitter, Happ strikes out too much and is basically a younger version of Zobrist. Heyward may be a gold glove RF but a liability with his hitting. Almora probably deserves more starts than any OF on the roster as he would be a gold glove OF as an everyday player and it is mind boggling how a career .291 hitter (only 440 AB though) has not been given more of a chance to play every day with the offensive struggles this team has in the OF.
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Was going to lose it on you, but then you wised up about Almora. That guy needs 20 ABs per week. Not sure what Joe has against him.
 
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FerShizzle said:
Another game. Same worthless approach on offense and zero ability to be clutch. But at least Joe keeps it light and fun in the clubhouse and has a million different lineups that can struggle to score.
Click to expand...

For as many dumb lineups and in-game moves that Maddon sometimes makes, he did 1 thing many other managers could not accomplish in 108 years which was win a World Series which puts him above Ditka in Chicago for job security and beloved by Chicago fans. The 2016 season is something that will go down as one of the most thrilling things I have ever witnessed as a fan of any team and sport I follow. There were so many nights I stayed up past midnight watching a crazy extra innings game that season but as it was unfolding you knew that team was special and fortunately the ending was as exciting as anyone could have scripted it.
 
  • Winner
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CYdTracked said:
For as many dumb lineups and in-game moves that Maddon sometimes makes, he did 1 thing many other managers could not accomplish in 108 years which was win a World Series which puts him above Ditka in Chicago for job security and beloved by Chicago fans. The 2016 season is something that will go down as one of the most thrilling things I have ever witnessed as a fan of any team and sport I follow. There were so many nights I stayed up past midnight watching a crazy extra innings game that season but as it was unfolding you knew that team was special and fortunately the ending was as exciting as anyone could have scripted it.
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Joe is lucky his players came back from down 3-1 and hung on to win game 7 in extras or his legacy in Chicago is drastically different. Joe did not manage a good series. It’s the difference between him being above Ditka to below Dusty.
 
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FerShizzle said:
Was going to lose it on you, but then you wised up about Almora. That guy needs 20 ABs per week. Not sure what Joe has against him.
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I just don't get why Almora doesn't start every day in CF. His career BA against righties is still .275 and he kills lefties. Only way for him to improve against righties is to give him the confidence of playing him every day regardless who takes the mound for the other team. Factor in his stellar defense put him on just about any team in the league and he would start every day. I don't think he is a leadoff hitter, I would bat him 2 or 6 in the lineup but seems like whenever he sees regular action he produces.
 
  • Agree
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FerShizzle said:
Joe is lucky his players came back from down 3-1 and hung on to win game 7 in extras or his legacy in Chicago is drastically different. Joe did not manage a good series. It’s the difference between him being above Ditka to below Dusty.
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No doubt! His management of Chapman was pathetic.
 
CYdTracked said:
I just don't get why Almora doesn't start every day in CF. His career BA against righties is still .275 and he kills lefties. Only way for him to improve against righties is to give him the confidence of playing him every day regardless who takes the mound for the other team. Factor in his stellar defense put him on just about any team in the league and he would start every day. I don't think he is a leadoff hitter, I would bat him 2 or 6 in the lineup but seems like whenever he sees regular action he produces.
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He could play any of the OF spots with gold glove caliber.

I believe Joe likes the flexibility of a good defensive replacement late in games, and handcuffs him with this role.
 
  • Agree
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CYdTracked said:
I just don't get why Almora doesn't start every day in CF. His career BA against righties is still .275 and he kills lefties. Only way for him to improve against righties is to give him the confidence of playing him every day regardless who takes the mound for the other team. Factor in his stellar defense put him on just about any team in the league and he would start every day. I don't think he is a leadoff hitter, I would bat him 2 or 6 in the lineup but seems like whenever he sees regular action he produces.
Click to expand...

I think Almora would be a good leadoff guy. Good contact hitter, good ABs, good baserunner.
He's just about ideal for this team. That would be 3 guys at the top of the order working counts and getting things going.
 
FerShizzle said:
Joe is lucky his players came back from down 3-1 and hung on to win game 7 in extras or his legacy in Chicago is drastically different. Joe did not manage a good series. It’s the difference between him being above Ditka to below Dusty.
Click to expand...




Above Ditka, seriously?
 
@Cubs: Today’s #Cubs-Cardinals game has been postponed due to the forecast for inclement weather throughout the day.

It will be played tomorrow at 1:20 p.m. CDT. Tickets to today's game will be honored for tomorrow’s makeup game. No ticket exchange is necessary.
 
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