IGT - NLCS Game 3 - Mets at Cubs - Tue, 10/20/15, 8:07 PM

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm still not one of those fans. But it's not unreasonable to be aware that things can go wrong, even if you don't believe in fate. Anything can happen in a single game, and the stakes are still fairly high, because there's a significant difference between being up 3-0 and 2-1.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

I keep remembering the last time a "cursed" team lead by Theo Epstein went down 0-3 in the LCS to a team from New York .

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I don;t often buy into "character" arguments like this but Mike F. Francessa of all people yesterday noted a key difference between the Mets & Cubs is our side has a lot more experience and whatever added value that Crusty Veteran Savvy provides.

We got plenty of distinguished elder statesmen like Grandy, Cuddy, Colon, Uribe, Johnson & Wright. Their side only has old farts like David Ross and veteran fuckups like Fernando Rodney.

I think Houston didn't hold on in part because they were just younger and dumber than Kansas City. What do you think?

[Guest El Segundo Escupidor]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: I'm an optimist and the Mets being up 2-0 with deGrom starting against an average pitcher is about as good as it gets. So why do I feel so anxious about this game?

I guess because coming back from a 0-2 deficit will be validation for their franchise that there is no curse. The BoSox had a similar epiphany in '04.

I've already grown weary of their fans, ftr - constantly referring to Murphy as "the homophobe", among other things.

El Segundo Escupidor wrote: With that said, onto the game -- I'd like to see Lagares start because he's seeing the ball so well and I'm afraid Conforto will get lost in the Ivy of left field.

Let me quickly withdraw this suggestion. I think Conforto will pop one tonight.

[Edgy MD]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I think Houston didn't hold on in part because they were just younger and dumber than Kansas City. What do you think?

It certainly was a factor.

[soupcan]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: I keep remembering the last time a "cursed" team lead by Theo Epstein went down 0-3 in the LCS to a team from New York .

I can guarantee you that should the Cubs go down 3-0, they ain't gonna win the next 4.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I don;t often buy into "character" arguments like this but Mike F. Francessa of all people yesterday noted a key difference between the Mets & Cubs is our side has a lot more experience and whatever added value that Crusty Veteran Savvy provides. We got plenty of distinguished elder statesmen like Grandy, Cuddy, Colon, Uribe, Johnson & Wright. Their side only has old farts like David Ross and veteran fuckups like Fernando Rodney. I think Houston didn't hold on in part because they were just younger and dumber than Kansas City. What do you think?

I think that veteran presence stuff is vastly overrated. What does the veterean teach you - to focus more in the postseason? Talent & luck baby, talent & luck.

[Guest El Segundo Escupidor]

soupcan wrote: Mets � Willets Point wrote: I keep remembering the last time a "cursed" team lead by Theo Epstein went down 0-3 in the LCS to a team from New York . I can guarantee you that should the Cubs go down 3-0, they ain't gonna win the next 4.

If they beat Matz, Harvey, Syndergaard and de Grom (the last two on the road) then they deserve to be given the World Series and quite possibly next year's, as well.

[seawolf17]

You know, it's been in the back of my head since the ninth inning Sunday; we were SUPPOSED to win the first two. They were at our park. That's why I'm just moderately worried, deGrom or no deGrom.

[Benjamin Grimm]

seawolf17 wrote: You know, it's been in the back of my head since the ninth inning Sunday; we were SUPPOSED to win the first two. They were at our park. That's why I'm just moderately worried, deGrom or no deGrom.

I don't think we were supposed to win Game 2. Beating Arrieta was stealing a win from the Cubs' column.

[Centerfield]

Agreed. Game 3 is the one we are supposed to win. That is why the pressure is on and we feel nervous.

Also, BECAUSE ITS A FUCKING PLAYOFF GAME AND THIS HAPPENS ONCE A DECADE.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, who's on the mound makes a whole lot more difference than does where the game is being played. HFA barely exists in baseball (usually around 53-54%)

[Lefty Specialist]

dgwphotography wrote: Mets � Willets Point wrote: I'm an optimist and the Mets being up 2-0 with deGrom starting against an average pitcher is about as good as it gets. So why do I feel so anxious about this game? As long time Mets fans, we've been conditioned to expect the other anvil to drop

Fixed that for you.

[Edgy MD]

I don't buy that conditioning stuff. I'm certainly not conditioned. Any more than any fan of any other team, leastaways. Winning baseball is elusive. For everybody.

Look at the team they're facing, for Pete's sake.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I agree! The other shoe drops for 29 teams each and every year.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Twice already today I've asked my Amazon Echo to play Lazy Mary.

[Guest d'Kong76]

@cgrand3 RF
#DavidWright 3B
Murphy 2B
@ynscspds CF
Duda 1B
d'Arnaud C
@mConforto8 LF
Flores SS
@JdeGrom19 P

@kcmets #cpftoocool

[TransMonk]

The regs.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Fowler 8
Schwarber 7
Bryant 5
Rizzo 3
Castro 4
Soler 9
Montero 2
Hendricks 1
Baez 6

[Benjamin Grimm]

Someone named "Fowler" shouldn't be expected to ever hit a fair ball.

[Frayed Knot]

So what's up with this Hendricks guy? (other than him not being a left-handed guitarist from Seattle)

- 25 y/o RHP in his 2nd ML season -- 13 starts in 2014 [7-2, 2.46, 7th in ROY] and a full season this year: 8-7 (not many decisions for 32 starts), 3.95, 1 CG, 180 IP
- Two lifetime appearances vs the Mets: a win on June 30 of this year: 6 shutout innings on 3 hits, 1 BB. Also won a game last season: 7 IP, 1 R, 3 H
- originally an 8th round draft pick by Texas out of Dartmouth. Dealt to Cubs July 31 of 2012 for Ryan Dempster.
- 6' 3" / 190 from Mission Viejo, CA (Keith, tell us about his high school)
- doesn't walk many (2.2/g) or give up the long ball (< 1.0/g) very often.
- Tougher on RHBs but doesn't have extreme splits. ERA rose somewhat in the 2nd half.
- Started Game 2 of the series vs StL. Had a 6-1 lead heading into the 5th but, when he served up back to back HRs w/2 outs, Maddon yanked him one out short of qualifying for the 'W'. Cubs won the game, he didn't.

[dinosaur jesus]

Hendricks has been mediocre this year, and his manager doesn't trust him at all, which explains all the no-decisions. But he was excellent when called up last year, his minor league numbers are impressive, he's still young, and he could be a good one. Let's postpone his rise to greatness for at least one game.

[TransMonk]

Hendricks isn't as dominant as Kershaw, Greinke, Arrieta or Lester, but I'm hoping the Mets aren't looking past him.

[soupcan]

d'Kong76 wrote: Fowler 8 Schwarber 7 Bryant 5 Rizzo 3 Castro 4 Soler 9 Montero 2 Hendricks 1 Baez 6

Pitcher batting 8th...?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Is he better than Matt Wisler?

[Lefty Specialist]

I'd like to get a bunch of early runs so deGrom can cruise. But the Mets are occasionally guilty of playing down to the level of the opposition. Let's hope they come out sharp.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Just follow the Brett Anderson template from NLDS Game 3 and they'll be fine.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I think veteran leadership can help... in terms of players' long-term development, or weathering the vagaries of a long, bumpy season. But with this? Not so much.

Except for Colon. Be they championships or sundae dishes, a rising Bartolo lifts all boats.

[Zvon]

Lets go Mets and

[Edgy MD]

d'Kong76 wrote: @cgrand3 RF #DavidWright 3B Murphy 2B @ynscspds CF Duda 1B d'Arnaud C @mConforto8 LF Flores SS @JdeGrom19 P @kcmets #cpftoocool

Pick your hero.

[Guest El Segundo Escupidor]

@mConforto8