Series Thread: NLDS: Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals

[Clayton]

100 Win Cardinals squad against a 98 Win Cubs squad.
Cardinals went 11-8 against the Cubs this year but lost 4 of the last 6.
Cards have the history. Cubs have the hot streak.


Game 1 TBS 5:45 on Central Time. Should be two experienced former Sox Lester vs Lackey in Gm1. Lester has done well against the Cardinals in the past. No one has a HR off Lackey on the Cubs. Lackey also has had a much better season in STL than on the road.

Who do you got?

I'm going with Cardinals in 5

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Cubs in 4

 

[Fountain City Blues]

I kind of like the Cubs starters more than I do the Cardinals right now. No CarMart is going to be the difference- just a hunch. Arrieta looks frighteningly hot as well- Bumgarnerish.

 

[whywork2]

I'm pinching a nut for the Cubs but not making any prediction. I have a go to left testicle, works damn near every time. Go Cubs!

 

[ElTexan]

Cubs in 4.

 

[moxie]

Cubs in 5

 

[anotheridiot]

cubs are as hot as the royals were last year, if the bullpen is on they can close out games. Interesting part is the last two series, Hendricks, Hammel and Haren all got wins, close to dominating performances against St Louis, while the cubs are suggesting there could be one or two bullpen starts. If the cubs throw Wood and Cahill in a game, there is no reason not to throw Hendricks and Hammel in a game. Hendricks last two games were 4 2/3 perfect and 5 1/3 perfect. On the same note, I do not see why Wainwright is also considered just a bullpen arm. If he can go three or 4, then start him for 3 or 4. Its really gonna be a weird series for pitching matchups.
Personally, I expected the cubs to compete for the second wild car this year, they are already ahead of schedule, but one injury could finish off this run next year.
I do think Maddon has a tendency to overthink himself, I was worried about three guys basically out of position with Bryant, Schwarber and LaStella, but it worked, while the pirates chose defense and rodriguez blew two plays. He will not pull Lester or Arrieta, which seems to be against wanting to tighten up the days between starts. Yesterday ahead by 4, Arrieta struggled, could have done a baker and pulled the starter planning for the next game.
I predict a real good series, I also think it sucks this is not the NLCS series, while two of the three best records in baseball will be out after this 5 game series.

 

[rmilia1]

Cubs in 4

 

[Clayton]

Looks like the Cards bandwagon is totally empty. Usually the only time they win in the playoffs

 

[mrwallace2ku]

If it aint the Pirates it might as well be the Cubs in 5 and onto LA.

 

[ROMOTOOWENS]

Cards tee off on Strop. Lester has to set the tone. Cubs in 5

 

[Red_Chaos]

Cards in 4



We can't lose this series, it would just leave a sour taste

 

[Villain]

Jason Hammel is probably the most underrated starter in MLB.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Cards should be counting their blessings since they only have to face Arrieta one time.

 

[Bolts]

Cards in 5.

 

[Clayton]

Cards should be counting their blessings since they only have to face Arrieta one time.

Best way to make it past a team with an unhittable pitcher is in the DS round. Not sure the rest of the pitchers on either staff are all that bad, though

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Best way to make it past a team with an unhittable pitcher is in the DS round. Not sure the rest of the pitchers on either staff are all that bad, though

Yeah, I have my worries about harden, Hammel, and Hendricks. Altogether I think the cards staff is better, but the Cubs top end of the rotation is better. It'll be an interesting series. If the Cubs can beat the Cards, I think they will be in the World Series unless Kershaw figures it out in the post season.

 

[anotheridiot]

Yeah, I have my worries about harden, Hammel, and Hendricks. Altogether I think the cards staff is better, but the Cubs top end of the rotation is better. It'll be an interesting series. If the Cubs can beat the Cards, I think they will be in the World Series unless Kershaw figures it out in the post season.

Thats the whole thing though, we do not know if they are going to use any of them or all of them in the series. Haren would be pumped against his old team, Hendricks is solid, Hammel is just pissed he does not get the same chance LEster and Arrieta does. I guess it depends on winning game 1 and whether or not they need Jake in game 3 or save him for a clinch game.

 

[Clayton]

Yeah, I have my worries about harden, Hammel, and Hendricks. Altogether I think the cards staff is better, but the Cubs top end of the rotation is better. It'll be an interesting series.

I think the Cards have officially announced they are putting their guys with better STL pitching in game 1 and 2 with Lackey going game 1 and Garcia going game 2. Wacha is getting game 3 which probably will be the Arrietta matchup so that will be tough sledding. Wacha was solid all year and then totally fell off at the end. If his arm is done then thats pretty much an automatic win for the Cubs.

The big worry I have with the Cardinals is their hitting. The Cubs have been averaging over 4 runs a game lately so It'll probably take 5 runs a game average to beat the Cubs even with the Cardinals staff. Thats a tall task.

 

[ElTexan]

Thats the whole thing though, we do not know if they are going to use any of them or all of them in the series. Haren would be pumped against his old team, Hendricks is solid, Hammel is just pissed he does not get the same chance LEster and Arrieta does. I guess it depends on winning game 1 and whether or not they need Jake in game 3 or save him for a clinch game.

???
If we split the first two games, you have to start Jake to get the 2nd win.
If we lose the first two, you definitely need to start him.
If we win both games, the first game of the nlcs wouldn't be until 5 days after the third of the NLDS. Why not start Jake and finish it off in three?