The Dodgers Are Frustrated, the Cubs May Lose from the Front Office, and Other Bullets

Oct 16, 2018

The actual, non-mythological hydra apparently not only regenerates, but cannot die of old age. They can reproduce both sexually and asexually depending on the conditions, with the former category happening as they spontaneously develop either testes or ovaries. Nature is wild, man.

Although they loaded the bases against Jeremy Jeffress in the 9th inning last night, the Dodgers couldn’t punch through any runs, and wound up losing Game Three of the NLCS to the Brewers 4-0. The sentiment among Dodger fans sounds a whole lot like the sentiment among Cubs fans this year:

Given what they're capable of, it's amazing how regularly the Dodgers turned in games like this in 2018.

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) October 16, 2018

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal continues to turn in one of the most eye-poppingly horrible postseason series in recent memory. Having done nothing at the plate, having whiffed on a throw to the plate, having committed catcher interference, having slid into first base – feet first – on a double play, and having missed roughly 800 wild pitches and passed balls already in the first two games, Grandal added to the legend last night by striking out three times, stranding five runners on base, and allowing another wild pitch and a passed ball. He better hope that teams in free agency really, really, REALLY buy the idea that you can’t judge a player’s value solely on a single postseason series, because otherwise he’d have to pay his next team to sign him.

Grandal, himself, is unaffected, apparently (Dodgers.com): “I think it’s driving you guys more nuts than me. I blocked eight balls in the dirt today. I mean, the one ball that kicks off the plate, we had a man on third, it still hits me in a good spot. It just happened to be one of those plays where as the ball is coming down, it’s picking up speed and it hits the back of the plate, and picks up even more speed. I think any baseball person understands what it is to be able to block a ball like that. The way I see it is overall, I was pretty good. I don’t really hear the noise outside. I value my opinion way over everybody else. That’s what keeps me sane.” I get what you’re going for here, but it reads like a guy who keeps effing up saying that he’s actually doing just fine and stop worrying about it you bozos. Again, you don’t want to put too much into one series and one set of quotes, but Grandal isn’t doing himself any favors.

Enrique Hernandez, who has generally seemed an awesome dude, made things worse in his attempt to defend his teammate, tossing blame on the Dodger crowd for being lifeless and quiet except when booing Grandal (Dodgers.com). “You know, it’s the playoffs, it’s the big leagues, if they think that they can do it, go ahead. Put on your gear and go catch 99 [mph] with breaking balls that have a lot of movement.” Once again, I get the instinct in the heat of a loss to go there … but it just doesn’t play to rip your own fans for not being professional baseball players when they were paying to come watch actual professional baseball players play professional baseball.

Enrique Hernandez: "We had no energy. The stadium had no energy. The fans had no energy. Overall, it was a pretty bad game for everybody who calls themselves Dodgers.”
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) October 16, 2018

In sum, I sense that the Dodgers are frustrated. The Brewers have done that a lot this year.

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

This should not have gone well:

These nice people are Brewers social media folks about to distribute Brewers rally towels to fans at Dodger Stadium, ostensibly to Brewers fans. What could possibly go wrong? pic.twitter.com/A7GKOzSg2a
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 15, 2018

Cubs Insider is reporting that Cubs Assistant GM Shiraz Rehman, long a rising star on the analytical side, is departing for a similar gig in Texas. We’ll wait for official word and more details on how the front office will manage the change, but Rehman might not be the only departure given how many front office openings there are around baseball right now.

Fun factoid in Carrie Muskat’s inbox today: how many times do you think the Cubs used their *most common* lineup this year? A whopping five times: Albert Almora Jr., Javy Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell, Jason Heyward, and the starting pitcher.

In AFL action, Nico Hoerner had his second straight three-hit game after a slow start in the league. Given that he hadn’t played since mid-July with a strained elbow, a little lag was to be expected. Hoerner, 21, was the Cubs’ top pick this year, and was raking in his minor league debut before the injury. It’s rare for a draft pick to go to the AFL in his first year like this, which the Cubs are mostly doing with him to get him some at bats, but it speaks to their belief that he is uncommonly advanced. The former Stanford shortstop figures to have a shot to open the 2019 season at High-A Myrtle Beach.

Sheets, tools, swim trunks, and HALLOWEEN CANDY are your Deals of the Day at Amazon today.

written by

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Kyle Hendricks Will Start for the Big League Cubs Tomorrow

The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 10, Cubs 9 – May 11, 2024

The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (3:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...

Michael Cerami

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oh, Good, Yency Almonte is Now Also Hurt

Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Celtics vs. Cavaliers: Live Stream or on TV

The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers are playing in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 4 next to come.Last time out, the Celtics bested the Cavaliers 106-93 on Saturday. Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 33 points,...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Edmonton Oilers are moderate favorites (-218) at home versus the Vancouver Canucks (+180) at Rogers Place on Tuesday.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Oilers vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-218)Underdog: Canucks (+180)Total: 6.5Best Oilers vs. Canucks Promo CodesHow to Watch...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Oakland Athletics 2024 Schedule and How to Watch their games

MLB

How to Watch Athletics Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

It's a bittersweet season for the Oakland Athletics. As they prepare to begin their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the A's are looking to make their final year at the Coliseum one to remember. With a little...

Brian Twining

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Angels vs. Cardinals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) host Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) on Monday, with first pitch at 9:38 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Mariners vs. Royals: Live Stream or on TV

The Seattle Mariners (22-19), who will give the start to George Kirby, host the Kansas City Royals (25-17) with Brady Singer on the hill, Monday at 9:40 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

The Dodgers Are Frustrated, the Cubs May Lose from the Front Office, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular