jmog;1818308 wrote:Ripken and Vizquel's career BA are almost identical .276 vs .272 and Omar was a much better fielder. Ripken got his name by playing in every game.

431 HR vs 80. Top 50 All time, and other than AROD the most HR of all time for a SS.
1695 RBI vs 951. 27th all time, and only Arod and Honus with more for a SS.

but yea, he got his name only for playing in every game.

sleeper knows his baseball grates

sleeper;1818295 wrote:Jeter and Ripkin Jr. come to mind.

Killing me.

sleeper;1818266 wrote:He certainly is up there.

I would have like to see Visquel over Carlos.

Sleeper can't spell "Vizquel" book it.

Anyways...Schwarber expected to start at DH tomorrow. Bold move

Santana seen fielding flies in LF today... wonder if there is any chance that they try to get him in the field in Chicago


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Benny The Jet;1818314 wrote:Anyways...Schwarber expected to start at DH tomorrow. Bold move

From Middletown.

iclfan2;1818315 wrote:Santana seen fielding flies in LF today... wonder if there is any chance that they try to get him in the field in Chicago


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No way. He has played 1 career game in left field. A couple of years ago they tried him at 3rd...that didn't go well.

We cannot afford a defensive liability. Every out they give us...we need to take. I don't think we can risk any subpar defense opening up a big inning for them.

I've just settled with the fact that we'll have the best pinch hitter with either Santana or Nap hitting late.

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Benny The Jet;1818301 wrote:Kippnis unsure if he can play tomorrow due to ankle. You serious Clark? This is the most Cleveland thing ever.

I asked yesterday if anyone had heard anything further about his ankle.

Today Francona said he's probably not 100% but that it won't keep him from playing and he doesn't expect it to be a factor.

Ok, here it goes. tl,dr warning

What do the Cubs bring....

Dexter Fowler CF/lead off great athlete that is a very good fielder and an average arm. Gets on base better than expected. If he gets on above .300 clip this series it could be trouble. When Fowler gets on base regularly...Cubs win games

Kris Bryant 3B/bats 2nd....this 6'5 pretty boy is the NL MVP. He's a good guy. Right now his HR swing seems off and instead is getting over spin on his power swings and hitting doubles. His defense and base running are better than expected. He could get caught up in this series as he was goofily smiling from ear to ear after NLCS. Indians have to contain him a bit.

Anthony Rizzo 1B/bats 3rd...he was there during the 100 loss season about 4 years ago. One of the best defensive first baseman and the leader on this team. He was sucking until game 3 of NLCS when he started using Matt Szczur's bat, he's been on fire since. He's a top 10-12 MLB player. He might rub some Indians fans the wrong way.

Addison Russell SS....this kid is 3 months younger than Lindor. He's not quite Lindor but he can pick it and nearly drove in 100. His swing got going when Rizzo's did. I see Lindor as a guy that might end up being a 8-10x all-star, I see Russell making 6-8 all-star games. He's not as likable as Lindor but if there is any player most like Lindor in the NL, it's Russell.

Ben Zobrist LF/DH...as you probably know, a tough ass out and AB about every time. He was here last year.

Javier Baez 2nd base....If he plays decent or better you Indians fans will despise him like Draymond. His youthful exuberance and fiery passion are off the charts. Before the postseason he was a borderline starter, since then he's been maybe the best defender I've ever seen and he's been clutch as hell also. The only guy I can think of defensively to compare his style is Rey Ordonez back in the day. If I was Francona I would hit him in the ribs on the first pitch, regardless of situation. This kid is so comfortable but he can definitely be tricked into worrying about beating someone's ass instead of doing his job.

Jose Contreras C he'll catch when Ross doesn't. Another fiery passionate player that can rub the wrong way. He can turn on a pitch and very athletic at catcher position.

David Ross...will catch Lester and watch his throw down pickoff to 1st. Still excellent at getting ball thrown quickly to bases. Most like able guy on the team and has a knack for rising to the occasion in Wrigley.

Jason Heyward RF/bench....Cubs win despite his woeful offense. He's lost at the plate. I think I could get him out. His defense in RF is second to none and an excellent base runner

Jorge Soler OF vs lefties. He looks the part but not quite there yet. Good power but makes a lot of outs.

Kyle Schwarber....if he plays, beware. He can stroke it from the left side. If he DH's the Cubs are even better. I wouldn't be surprised if he missed all season, got 12 fall league AB and then went 10/20 in the series....IF he can play.

Bench: Montero good pinch hitter, Almora good speed and outfielder

Pitching: their bullpen minus Chapman isn't great and can all be worked. If Chapman is only pumping fastballs he can be had, but Dodgers already got him so he'll mix in his slower pitches.

Starters: Lester is a playoff ace stud. Cannot throw to bases. You have to steal, have to. You can get 20 ft leads and it's painful to watch. If you bunt to him he'll purposely bounce it to 1st. He gets pissed off but controls it well. He's special.

Arrieta....he's Kluber. Right now IMO his pitches aren't as active as last year. He's giving up some and Indians can get to him. Careful, he can hit.

Lackey...lol he's a grouch ass but man he competes on every pitch. He can get knocked out before 7 innings about every time. IMO he only starts game 4 but he's no slouch.

Kyle Hendricks...looks like Orel Hershiser and pitches like Greg Maddux. He's been masterful. A comfortable 0-3 for hitters. I think Indians being in the AL will help them get to him better...but don't be fooled, he is excellent.

Manager Joe Maddon, Francona has managed against two much lesser playoff managers. Maddon may not quite be Francona in the postseason but no manager keeps a team looser.

KEYS to Indians winning the series:

1. Win 2 of first 3. I don't think they can rally from 3-1, this ain't Golden St (yet kinda is though)

2. Can't let Fowler/Baez/Russell have good offensive series. If those 3 are good I don't think Cleveland can win.

3. Get to their bullpen BEFORE Chapman. They can definitely do it with Lackey but need to probably 2 more times to win this series.

Steal on Lester! Bryant plays in because teams bunt and force Lester to throw...but puts Bryant in bad position. Gotta take advantage.

4. Mike Napoli, they need him to be big.

5. Big offensive series from Lonnie.

Things favoring Cleveland:

Home field (thanks Bud Selig)

Bullpen...way better and deeper pen BUT I feel if Francona goes to them much Cubs hitters will get used to them and do what they do. Miller the exception. Miller needs to beware Baez and RH Fowler as guys who could run into one of his sliders.

Maybe the biggest....Cubs have better offense but young Cubs players don't know crap about Tribe pitching. Advantage goes to pitchers until batters get plenty of at bats vs them.

Pressure on Cubs

Things said I don't agree with....Indians defense is better. Both are excellent and beware Cubs infield dirt. It is the worst in MLB. Only Zobrist isn't above average for his position.

I hope if the Indians win it is in 6 or 7 at home. If Cubs must win I do want to see it in 5 in Wrigley.

TBone14;1818318 wrote:No way. He has played 1 career game in left field. A couple of years ago they tried him at 3rd...that didn't go well.

We cannot afford a defensive liability. Every out they give us...we need to take. I don't think we can risk any subpar defense opening up a big inning for them.

I've just settled with the fact that we'll have the best pinch hitter with either Santana or Nap hitting late.

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Holy Hell....LF in Wrigley is the worst place to just try a guy in the OF.

Here is the last time someone put a first baseman in LF in Wrigley

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2012/6/8/3069449/tony-campana-inside-the-park-home-run-cubs-highlight

Well done Ironman, thanks

HitsRus;1818263 wrote:I don't care who throws out the first pitch...just win, baby.

Agree.

Benny The Jet;1818333 wrote:Well done Ironman, thanks

No problem. I hope for a great series and fair umpiring.

Here's an example of the brash of Baez. This is game 6 of NLCS and completely ignoring the Cubs leader. Baez gives no fucks and is so loose. Seriously, bust him in the ribs. Make sure you it it through to check out Rizzo's reaction lol

http://mlb.mlb.com/r/video?content_id=1208631383

Indians in 6. Print the shirts

Matthew McConaughey just tweeted...."Thanks Ironman92"

Gardens35;1818340 wrote:Matthew McConaughey just tweeted...."Thanks Ironman92"

I don't get it but often lol at your randomness

Good rundown on the Cubs. Reps to Ironman92.

cat_lover;1818342 wrote:Good rundown on the Cubs. Reps to Ironman92.

All of it might be great and spot on but it's baseball and I might be farther off than kickers in football.

I'm very excited for this series.

A couple random predictions:

Lindor will have a 2 HR game

Napoli will take Arrieta crazy far

Jason Heyward, who is maybe the worst offensive player in baseball, will have a game winning hit

Indians will wear out 1 of the Cubs starters (not sure which one, my guess would be Arrieta in game 2)

David Ross HR in game 5

Its Tribe Time

Believeland

Windians

We Are All Kipnises

Party At Napoli's

Go Tribe

Classyposter58;1818339 wrote:Indians in 6. Print the shirts

Shut the fuck up.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207029002/javier-baez-francisco-lindor-share-mlb-bond/?partnerId=as_mlb_20161025_67200726&adbid=790756032100171776&adbpl=tw&adbpr=18479513

Boston University has sent the Indians some dirt from Nickerson Field, the sight of their last world series win, for good luck.