Post by dbackhon on Dec 7, 2018 10:42:15 GMT -5
Miami Marlins (29-27) @ Chicago Cubs (44-12)
MIA: Daniel Norris (3-1, 4.33)
CHC: Jake Arrieta (5-4 3.33)
The Cubs have cemented themselves as the cream of the crop in the national league, a rare team that leads the league in runs scored and has also allowed the fewest runs, there do not seem to be any weaknesses on this team. Even their lowest ranked player by OSA (CF Albert Almora) is on pace for a 3.7 WAR season. The Cubs has succeeded to the point where it is difficult to point out any particular players on the roster as stand-outs as every all-star and MVP candidate on the roster is flanked by two more All-world caliber players.
The rest of the regular season is almost trivial to the Cubs who are on pace for 127 wins and lead their division by 10 games. Their roster is as close to perfection as we've ever seen in the PBA and does more than enough to justify its league leading $250 million payroll.
At the other end of the payroll scale are the Miami Marlins. The Marlins have been a good story this year, remaining competitive in a tough NL east despite having far fewer monetary resources than every other team in the division find themselves entering June 8th only five games back of the Washington Nationals in the NL East. Led by young players like Isael Soto and Willi Castro these young Marlins have shown that they can compete and field an effective team at the PBA level perhaps a year or two before they expected to. While these young scrappy Marlins find themselves as the David to the Cubs' Goliath, they certainly have the upside to win a game or two against the juggernaut.
The Cubs will start 34-year-old Righty Jake Arrieta. Arrieta has preformed very well for the Cubs for the past two years posting of 3.50 and 2.47 in 2018 and 2019 respectively and the Cubs rewarded his production with a new 2 year $70 million contract extension. At $35 million per year starting next year the Cubs show that they believe Arrieta to be one of the best pitchers in the game and certainly expect him to live up to his new contract.
The Marlins counter with Dan "The Van Man" Norris, a 27-year-old lefty in his second season with the Marlins. The Van Man has posted a respectable if unspectacular 4.33 ERA thusfar and looks to extend his good season as he faces a star studded Cubs lineup that has absolutely throttled lefties this season. In fact Norris looks to be just the second left handed starter to have beaten the Cubs this year.
Questions for the GMs
To Miami: Many of your impact players this season (especially the positional players) are young rookies, is this the young core of players that Marlins fans can expect to be the center of the team for the next five years? Or are there other players lurking in the upper minors who you expect to contribute soon, and if so who?
To Chicago: To what extent has your massive lead in the division and all but assured playoff spot impacted the way you manage your team on a day-to-day basis?
MIA: Daniel Norris (3-1, 4.33)
CHC: Jake Arrieta (5-4 3.33)
The Cubs have cemented themselves as the cream of the crop in the national league, a rare team that leads the league in runs scored and has also allowed the fewest runs, there do not seem to be any weaknesses on this team. Even their lowest ranked player by OSA (CF Albert Almora) is on pace for a 3.7 WAR season. The Cubs has succeeded to the point where it is difficult to point out any particular players on the roster as stand-outs as every all-star and MVP candidate on the roster is flanked by two more All-world caliber players.
The rest of the regular season is almost trivial to the Cubs who are on pace for 127 wins and lead their division by 10 games. Their roster is as close to perfection as we've ever seen in the PBA and does more than enough to justify its league leading $250 million payroll.
At the other end of the payroll scale are the Miami Marlins. The Marlins have been a good story this year, remaining competitive in a tough NL east despite having far fewer monetary resources than every other team in the division find themselves entering June 8th only five games back of the Washington Nationals in the NL East. Led by young players like Isael Soto and Willi Castro these young Marlins have shown that they can compete and field an effective team at the PBA level perhaps a year or two before they expected to. While these young scrappy Marlins find themselves as the David to the Cubs' Goliath, they certainly have the upside to win a game or two against the juggernaut.
The Cubs will start 34-year-old Righty Jake Arrieta. Arrieta has preformed very well for the Cubs for the past two years posting of 3.50 and 2.47 in 2018 and 2019 respectively and the Cubs rewarded his production with a new 2 year $70 million contract extension. At $35 million per year starting next year the Cubs show that they believe Arrieta to be one of the best pitchers in the game and certainly expect him to live up to his new contract.
The Marlins counter with Dan "The Van Man" Norris, a 27-year-old lefty in his second season with the Marlins. The Van Man has posted a respectable if unspectacular 4.33 ERA thusfar and looks to extend his good season as he faces a star studded Cubs lineup that has absolutely throttled lefties this season. In fact Norris looks to be just the second left handed starter to have beaten the Cubs this year.
Questions for the GMs
To Miami: Many of your impact players this season (especially the positional players) are young rookies, is this the young core of players that Marlins fans can expect to be the center of the team for the next five years? Or are there other players lurking in the upper minors who you expect to contribute soon, and if so who?
To Chicago: To what extent has your massive lead in the division and all but assured playoff spot impacted the way you manage your team on a day-to-day basis?
