Post by dbackhon on Aug 30, 2018 12:40:12 GMT -5
Cubs vs Rockies
Overview: Any team in facing the Cubs have reasons to be worried. The Cubs have been by far the best team in the national league and one of the best teams in the history of the PBA. Winning 110 games this year, the Cubs had the most runs scored in the NL, and fewest runs against in the league leading to a +298 run differential. That is not only tops in the PBA but it blows the rest of the league out of the water. In the National league the second best team in terms of run differential is the Washington Nationals at +201. That is 97 runs difference between the 1st and 2nd place finishes. Suffice it to say the Cubs are an absolute juggernaut.
Furthermore, the Rockies have not beaten the Cubs once in 2019. In the six games between the Cubs and Rockies the cubs have won 11-0, 8-3, 6-2, 5-2, 6-2, 5-3. In other words in six games this season the Rockies have not scored more than 3 runs against the Cubbies and the Cubbies have never failed to score 5 runs. And keep in mind that all six of these contests were before the Cubs added their trade deadline acquisitions such as superstar third baseman Josh Donaldson to their already stacked lineup.
Rockies Bats vs Cubs Pitching:
The Cubs pitching has been nothing short of untouchable this whole year. Both the starters and bullpen lead the NL in ERA, the staff leads the NL in Hits allowed, runs allowed, batting average against, and home runs allowed not to mention that the defense is the most efficient in the NL as well. Colorado certainly has a potent offense and should be able to manage more than three runs in a game at some point in the series but this is not a pitching staff where you can count on a few 8-7 games and take a series. That being said, the Cubbies are missing Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta so Mike Montgomery has been thrust into a starting role this postseason. The Rockies will need to win all the games that Montgomery pitches ace lefty Chris Sale will give them fits.
Another point in the rockies favor is the the Chicago bullpen despite it's dominance this season features only one left-handed pitcher: specialist Chasen Shreve who can not be counted on to deliever consistent innings throughout the series or really ever in his career going forward. There certainly are opportunities for the Rockie hitters if they are able to chase the Cubs starters early in the game.
Cubs Bats vs Rockie Pitching:
Here we have a matchup between the number 1 offense in the NL based on runs scored vs a mediocre pitching staff that needed to use two of its top starters to even make it to the NLDS. Chi-Chi Gonzalez and Tyler Anderson are just not the top 2 you want against a lineup with Lindor, Donaldson, Rizzo, Freeman, Bryant, and Bogaerts. The Cubs lineup is "similar" to the Mets lineup in that there is really only one easy out in the lineup (CF Albert Almora) but unlike the Mets the Cubs players aren't solid young pieces but are genuine mega-stars and MVP candidates up and down the lineup. Plain and simple the Rockie pitchers will struggle to contain this lineup, the best that they can hope for is to keep them close, hold them to 5-6 runs per game and hope that their offense can explode that day.
Keys to the Series (Colorado)
Keys to the Series (Chicago)
Prediction:
Cubbies win the series in a gentleman's sweep
Furthermore, the Rockies have not beaten the Cubs once in 2019. In the six games between the Cubs and Rockies the cubs have won 11-0, 8-3, 6-2, 5-2, 6-2, 5-3. In other words in six games this season the Rockies have not scored more than 3 runs against the Cubbies and the Cubbies have never failed to score 5 runs. And keep in mind that all six of these contests were before the Cubs added their trade deadline acquisitions such as superstar third baseman Josh Donaldson to their already stacked lineup.
Rockies Bats vs Cubs Pitching:
The Cubs pitching has been nothing short of untouchable this whole year. Both the starters and bullpen lead the NL in ERA, the staff leads the NL in Hits allowed, runs allowed, batting average against, and home runs allowed not to mention that the defense is the most efficient in the NL as well. Colorado certainly has a potent offense and should be able to manage more than three runs in a game at some point in the series but this is not a pitching staff where you can count on a few 8-7 games and take a series. That being said, the Cubbies are missing Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta so Mike Montgomery has been thrust into a starting role this postseason. The Rockies will need to win all the games that Montgomery pitches ace lefty Chris Sale will give them fits.
Another point in the rockies favor is the the Chicago bullpen despite it's dominance this season features only one left-handed pitcher: specialist Chasen Shreve who can not be counted on to deliever consistent innings throughout the series or really ever in his career going forward. There certainly are opportunities for the Rockie hitters if they are able to chase the Cubs starters early in the game.
Cubs Bats vs Rockie Pitching:
Here we have a matchup between the number 1 offense in the NL based on runs scored vs a mediocre pitching staff that needed to use two of its top starters to even make it to the NLDS. Chi-Chi Gonzalez and Tyler Anderson are just not the top 2 you want against a lineup with Lindor, Donaldson, Rizzo, Freeman, Bryant, and Bogaerts. The Cubs lineup is "similar" to the Mets lineup in that there is really only one easy out in the lineup (CF Albert Almora) but unlike the Mets the Cubs players aren't solid young pieces but are genuine mega-stars and MVP candidates up and down the lineup. Plain and simple the Rockie pitchers will struggle to contain this lineup, the best that they can hope for is to keep them close, hold them to 5-6 runs per game and hope that their offense can explode that day.
Keys to the Series (Colorado)
- Chase the Cubs starters from game early and try to wear out their bullpen and exploit the handedness matchups there.
- Make sure to convert scoring opportunities to score into runs, do not leave anyone in scoring position if you can avoid it.
- Hope for the performance of a lifetime from Chi-Chi Gonzalez and Tyler Anderson.
Keys to the Series (Chicago)
- Exploit Colorado's tired pitching staff, chase their starters early and expose the bullpen. You may not need to see Fulmer or Gray until game 3.
- Don't be crazy aggressive on offense: the whole lineup has serious power and - especially at Coors field - the dingers will come and runs will be scored in buckets. In the meantime take walks and ensure that those homers are three-run blasts not solo shots.
- Utilize Chasen Shreve sparingly but in key situations where handedness matchups really matter.
Prediction:
Cubbies win the series in a gentleman's sweep
