Autumn Dreamin

They're calling him Ur-K-dy

Gotta think Holmes would struggle much more in front of a different IF defense

Bradon Lowe walks off Detroit with a HR off Jansen Braves tie it up on a balked in run, go ahead run 2nd 1 out

And now the Pirates tie the game bottom 9 against Detroit.

Braves showing signs of life, tying run on 2nd with 1 out

And the Cubs arguably have been worse with RISP, 2-12 yesterday and 4-16 in game 1 (which includes two hits that don't happen if the ump called Hicks' K's correctly).

I like the challenge system, I would just give teams more than 2 challenges per game. I'm annoyed by the 1B ump granting time for the pitchcom issue and then the HP ump overriding that to call a violation instead.

Have not enjoyed this ump crew at all

Looks refreshed after the day off

Holmes only had 3 whiffs in his last start despite the good line. They can make him work if they don't chase.

The first inning HRs have been the margin in the first two, so good start

Even this year, Cubs lost the first crosstown and it started a 9L for them. But this Sox team has shrugged off worse than a couple close losses.

The pen always takes the heat, but not every game you lose late is fully on them. Cubs have been held to 2 or fewer runs at home only 4 times all season, Wrigley just has not been the place for even the best and freshest arms to try ekeing out a 3-2 win. They needed to get more than 3 runs out of 10 hits + a few walks. But the Sox have certainly been burned by an especially taxing run of incidents with the Martin rainout, Schultz 1 inning start, Martin ejection/blister, some extra innings games, and the loss of Thurday's off day (which I imagine impacted strategy for this series) all happening in quick succession on top of the expected workload concerns.

Anyway, the Sox lead the division by 4 games, which is more than they led it by the last time the season ended because they lost a series. Next two games are the last time they play a team that currently has a better record than them. Just keep winning division series and stay afloat otherwise, rosters expand soon for more arms to refresh the pen.

Agreed. Holding a good offense to 4 runs in regulation with this staff is not an underperformance by the arms (or manager). Scoring 3 runs and then cruising to win on the road against a contender is not a thing you can count on with ANY staff. The offense needed to get another hit when it mattered. Asking your offense to score their season average is a lot more reasonable than expecting the arms to hold the Cubs to 2.

Didn't love our options for extras after Taylor got burned by the delay, so I almost rather it be over in 9 and still have him/Newcomb possibly available for tomorrow. It's been a close series where the home team comes out on top both times. Don't give up 2 HR in the first and I think our odds will be much improved.

And despite the limited options, they've mostly pitched okay? It's been the first inning HRs that have burned them and then solid work otherwise.

I might just let Richards go for it honestly. Don't really want to burn Newcomb if they don't have a lead.

He's a fine runner

He walked two last night and threw 20+ pitches, maybe he'll be tired

Every other AL game is wrapped up. Tigers lost, Twins and Guards won, so Sox will be 4 up at worst and 5 up at best. For seeding watch, Houston lost but still lead the AL Worst with their .500 record. Seattle look done after a 22-0 loss (but of course, it's hard to be done in this year's AL...) 5 teams in the AL with a positive run diff: the top 4 records (NYY, TBR, BOS, CWS) and a team tied for the 5th worst (DET)

Is an hour delay enough time to get over to the Rate for a few rounds of Trajekt vs. the Cubs pen guys?

He doesn't have 240 ABs (maybe you're looking at PAs?) , and Vargas had a very similar 5 HR in 206 ABs 2 years ago. No idea what the rush is to write Braden off a couple months in.

I think this is the plan if Newcomb is available, not 100% sure if he is though

Chase!