Arrietta was fantastic for the first half of the game then he became vulnerable. Two hard hit balls with bases loaded right at an infielder could have tipped the game to the Pirates. I don't know whether to credit or criticize Maddon for not bringing in some relief.

 

Cubs are 8-11 against the Cards this year with 4 of those wins coming mid-late September when the Cards were resting players. The Cubs batting average is 29th in the league this year and I don't think they have enough fire power to win a long series. However, Lackey, Garcia, and Lance Lynn are all pitching well but Michael Wacha has be horrible his last few starts.

 

I was debating earlier this season with someone on this board (don't remember who) who claimed of all the sports baseball was the one of which the manager had the least impact on the team's success. He claimed you could manage purely by Sabermetrics alone.

 

Hmmmfff..........................look at the Cubs from last year without Maddon and this year with him.

 

Regards........................the Chiefjag

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