1 00:00:11,960 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 1: I mean, really, twenty twenty, you had to go there. 2 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 1: For the first time in seventeen years, the Miami Marlins 3 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:23,240 Speaker 1: have returned to the post season. Of course, the Marlins 4 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:25,680 Speaker 1: have won the World Series both times that they've been 5 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: to the postseason, and this year they look to make 6 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: it three. And who else do they run into in 7 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 1: the first round but a team that they faced back 8 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:39,360 Speaker 1: in three in their last postseason appearance, my beloved Chicago Cubs. Yes, 9 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: for those of you that don't know, I love both teams. 10 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,239 Speaker 1: I've always had Chicago in my blood. I fell in 11 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 1: love with the Cubs a few years ago when I 12 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 1: went to Wrigley Field. It's not really a big deal. 13 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: People can like two teams, but yes, I do like 14 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: two teams. And of course, in this year that just 15 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: never ends and never gets any better. They run into 16 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 1: each other in one of them's first postseason appearance in 17 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 1: seventeen years, and the Cubs are back in the postseason 18 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: after missing out after a disappointing finish till last year. 19 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:13,679 Speaker 1: Let's jump right into it. I mean, it should be 20 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:16,759 Speaker 1: a really, really entertaining series. You know, these two teams, 21 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 1: like I said, they've got some history. They had obviously 22 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: the dramatic you know, seven game series in the NLCS 23 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:26,119 Speaker 1: in two thousand and three. The Cubs were about six 24 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 1: outs away and then the whole apartment thing happened, and 25 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,920 Speaker 1: the rest after that, of course, is history. The Marlins 26 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:34,679 Speaker 1: ended up World Series Champions for the second time in 27 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:35,680 Speaker 1: franchise history. 28 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 2: You can see a steady flow of cars and trucks 29 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 2: and vans with people inside streaming and chanting, waving pictures 30 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 2: in the posters and banners and flags. They're hawking their horns. 31 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 1: I even saw somebody. 32 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 2: Blowing a horn. And again look over there on the 33 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 2: people at the side, people hitting those pots and pants, 34 00:01:55,440 --> 00:02:00,000 Speaker 2: blowing whistles, holding up baseball bats and t shirts. 35 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: Ain't crazy. It was nothing like this. 36 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 2: About forty minutes ago where our first to Roger. But 37 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,640 Speaker 2: just as Josh Beckett made that last out of the game, 38 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:12,239 Speaker 2: this hit the second that people around there started going crazy. 39 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 2: People started coming out of the seven eleven over there, 40 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 2: People started to come out of the Latin At cafe 41 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:19,520 Speaker 2: across the street, and then of course all the cars 42 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:23,079 Speaker 2: started strolling down, coming down forty ninth Rae. And here 43 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 2: on the side, you canna have these people chanting let's 44 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:28,399 Speaker 2: go Malins, Let's go Marlins. 45 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:31,079 Speaker 1: But let's jump right into this series. It's gonna look 46 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 1: a lot different. First of all, it's a three game 47 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: series in this wild Card round, as all of these 48 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 1: first round series will be, and it's gonna be an 49 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 1: interesting one. We have some tremendous pitching matchups here on 50 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 1: the pad that I'm gonna be talking about here, and 51 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:50,680 Speaker 1: let's just jump right into it. Game one, We've got 52 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:54,800 Speaker 1: Sandy Alcontra going up against Kyle Hendrix, the two aces 53 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:58,040 Speaker 1: of the staff. Sandy's been tremendous this year. I'm really 54 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 1: happy for him that he's getting this game one start. 55 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:03,920 Speaker 1: He earned it. He was really fantastic down the stretch 56 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: after he returned from COVID and he, you know, on 57 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:09,799 Speaker 1: opening Day he looked like the ace of this staff 58 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 1: and he did nothing but prove that he belongs. He 59 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: called his shot in the clinching in the clincher in 60 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: New York last Friday. He was tremendous that night, and 61 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:23,679 Speaker 1: he was really good all year. You know, he went 62 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 1: I think seven and a third two run ball. The Marlins, 63 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 1: you know, had we had to go to extras, but 64 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 1: they ended up pulling it. Off, and we were so 65 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 1: happy to see them pull it off and pull it 66 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 1: off on, you know, the four year anniversary of the 67 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: passing of Jose Fernandez. It was truly a tremendous day 68 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: for the Marlins. And to do it to honor Jose 69 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 1: like that, I thought was a beautiful thing. And Don 70 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 1: manningly talked about what it meant to him after the game, 71 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: and it was it was just a beautiful thing for 72 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 1: them to clinch on that day. 73 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 3: Right now, I just thought about it Jose, you know, 74 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 3: four years ago, what we went through, and then to 75 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 3: do this on his day, What a what a feeling, right, 76 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 3: And these guys not to mention what these guys have 77 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 3: been through, what we've been through as a group and 78 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 3: as an organization in the last couple of years, I mean, 79 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 3: fighting back and and kind of getting beat up last year. 80 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:20,600 Speaker 3: And these guys are believing. 81 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:23,239 Speaker 1: In themselves, and that's what I love. They believed themselves 82 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 1: in spring. 83 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:26,720 Speaker 3: We came back in the summer, and they believed in themselves. 84 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 3: Anytime we got in trouble this year, they came back 85 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 3: and showed up and did it right, just like tonight. 86 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 1: And Sandy delivered and he said he was going to 87 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: and now he gets the ball in Game one, in 88 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 1: the Marlins first postseason appearance again since two thousand and three. 89 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 1: But it won't be easy. He's got to go up 90 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 1: against a really, really good pitcher, a guy that you've 91 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,119 Speaker 1: probably heard me talk about a lot if you listen 92 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 1: to the podcast, in terms of comparing him to Marlin 93 00:04:55,120 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 1: starters you know, in their in their farm system. You know, 94 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: I've said that a lot of these guys, the softer 95 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:08,280 Speaker 1: throwers that use control and stuff over velocity, like Nick Knider. 96 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 1: You know, I've compared them to Kyle Hendricks, and now 97 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 1: we get to see him here in Game one. Hendricks's 98 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 1: numbers like they don't stand out a ton, but he 99 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 1: was really fantastic this year. You know, I watched a 100 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 1: lot of his starts just from watching the Cubs, and 101 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 1: he was really tremendous. He's got a two point eight 102 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:32,679 Speaker 1: eight e ER three point five to three fielding independent pitching, 103 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: which basically takes some of the defensive factors out of 104 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,039 Speaker 1: the e RA it's on the same scale, and he's 105 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:41,440 Speaker 1: got a one point zero zero whip. It's the lowest 106 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: walk rate of his career, and his k's were around average. 107 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:46,680 Speaker 1: Nobody was getting on base against this guy. He wasn't 108 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 1: letting up a ton of hits, he wasn't letting up 109 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 1: a ton of runs. He had a couple stinkers, but overall, 110 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:52,839 Speaker 1: I mean the first game he had a you know, 111 00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 1: complete game, three hit shutout, and all three hits were 112 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:00,720 Speaker 1: actually to the same guy in that start. But Hendricks tremendous. 113 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:03,279 Speaker 1: He's been so fun to watch as a you know, 114 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:07,160 Speaker 1: as a Cubs fan. He was so big in twenty sixteen. 115 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 1: He probably should have won the Cy Young that year, 116 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 1: and he was great in that postseason as well. He's 117 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 1: got He's this guy that's got this calm demeanor out 118 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:16,720 Speaker 1: on the mound. Like I said, he uses you know, 119 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:19,840 Speaker 1: his command and the movement of his pitches rather than 120 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 1: just Peter stuff in terms of you know, velocity. His 121 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,880 Speaker 1: curveball is filthy, his changeup is filthy. He's only gonna 122 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 1: run it up at around ninety miles an hour with 123 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 1: the fastball and the sinker. But he's gonna get a 124 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:32,799 Speaker 1: lot of swing and miss and and it's it's gonna 125 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 1: be tough for this Marlins lineup. They haven't really faced 126 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:39,839 Speaker 1: a ton of guys like him and and he's he's certainly, 127 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:42,839 Speaker 1: you know, a guy that is really tough to go against. 128 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:45,799 Speaker 1: The numbers for Sandy on the other side, it's pretty 129 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:49,360 Speaker 1: much an exact opposite matchup in terms of makeup when 130 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 1: you look at these two pitchers. Sandy's a guy that's 131 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 1: coming in, you know, with high velocity and good breaking stuff, 132 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 1: you know, a nasty slider. And the numbers for Sandy 133 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: this year are pretty good. He had a three point 134 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 1: zero zero e er, a three point seventy two fielding 135 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: independent pitching, one point one to nine whip in an 136 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 1: eight point three six K per nine. That was the 137 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 1: he had the highest K percentage of his career, which 138 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: you know, it's been a concern with him that he 139 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:15,440 Speaker 1: hasn't been getting a lot of swing and miss with 140 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 1: his stuff, but he really turned it on this year. 141 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 1: And he also most importantly had the lowest walk percentage 142 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: of his career. That's something that the Marlins are looking 143 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 1: from him in as he continues to develop and as 144 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 1: they hope that he will be their you know, their 145 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 1: future acer. Their number two six, though takes over the 146 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 1: you know, the number one spot. That's something that really 147 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 1: needs to improve and it was good to see him 148 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:42,680 Speaker 1: limit the walks this year. Speaking of six though, in 149 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: game two, I like the idea of getting him in 150 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 1: game two, because let's say you go up in game one, 151 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 1: he's on the mound with the chance to close it out, 152 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 1: and if you go down in game one, well you 153 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:55,679 Speaker 1: give him a shot to get you to Game three, 154 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: where you've got your steady hand in Pablo Lopez, who 155 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 1: will talk about in a second, But I really like 156 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: the way that maddingly put this staff together for this 157 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 1: three game series. I'm happy Sixt's going in this spot. 158 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 1: And another tough matchup on the other end for the 159 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,520 Speaker 1: Miami Marlins. This is going to be brutal. They've got 160 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: to go up against you Darvish, who is a legitimate 161 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 1: cy young candidate. I maybe would vote for him. You know, 162 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 1: it's hard to go vote against de Gram. I think 163 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:27,240 Speaker 1: to Gram is easily the best pitcher in the National 164 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:30,680 Speaker 1: League and probably the best pitcher in baseball, So it's 165 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 1: hard to vote against the Grom. But when you actually 166 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 1: compare Darvish's numbers to de Gram, he you know, he 167 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: threw more innings, he's got a better FIP, a better war, 168 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:46,160 Speaker 1: better walks per nine better case for K to walk ratio, 169 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: so the numbers kind of match up actually, and he 170 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: was just fantastic this year. He had a two point 171 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:56,319 Speaker 1: oh one e r A, a two point two to 172 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 1: three FIP, eleven point oh one case per nine. He 173 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 1: had a three re war in just twelve starts, which 174 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 1: is just fantastic. Career highs in every category. He had 175 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:09,719 Speaker 1: a point ninety six WHIP, thirty one point three K percentage, 176 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:12,719 Speaker 1: and a four point seven walk percentage. He led the 177 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 1: NL and WAR, He led the nl NFIP. He was 178 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:18,439 Speaker 1: second in the NL and ERA fourth and whip, second 179 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 1: in walk percentage, fifth and K percentage. He was unreal 180 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: this year. Every time he was out on the mound, 181 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 1: it was bad news for the opposing lineup. It's bad 182 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 1: news for the Marlins lineup that he will be out 183 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:32,120 Speaker 1: there in this second game again. A guy with just 184 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 1: tremendous stuff. You know, he throws hard. He's got all 185 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:38,320 Speaker 1: kinds of weird pitches with weird movement. He's got a cutter, 186 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: a slider, this kind of breaking ball, that kind of 187 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 1: breaking ball, he can break it off a change up. 188 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 1: I mean, he's gonna throw maybe seven eight pitches. With 189 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 1: that have different looks to them, even though they're all 190 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: kind of similarly. You know, one might be the same 191 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 1: pitch as the other, but it just kind of looks 192 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 1: a little different in terms of the way it breaks. 193 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: He's a I don't even know what how to describe 194 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:04,280 Speaker 1: the way he pitches, but he's gonna make some batters 195 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:07,679 Speaker 1: look funny in this game two matchup. It's gonna be 196 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 1: a really tough matchup for this one two punch that 197 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 1: the and even Lester, you know who struggled this year, 198 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: but it's playoffs, John Lester. This is a tough pitching 199 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:19,280 Speaker 1: staff that the Marlins are going up against. And Darvish 200 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: was as good as it got this year. On the 201 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 1: other end, six though, you know we talked about him 202 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 1: when you know, his first start, he was tremendous. You know, 203 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: he looked untouchable in his first few starts, but he 204 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 1: really struggled the last couple of times out and one 205 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 1: thing that really came back to bite him was the walk. 206 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:38,439 Speaker 1: He actually had a two point five to four walks 207 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:40,320 Speaker 1: for nine this year, which is not something that you 208 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 1: expect from him. That will go away. I'm not concerned 209 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 1: about six to so long term. You know, he had 210 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: a couple of bad starts his last time's out, his 211 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 1: last times out. You know, he faced at Land in 212 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 1: Washington again, they had seen him, and they jumped on him. 213 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: The numbers kind of didn't, you know, add up at 214 00:10:57,520 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 1: the end to how good he looked three point five 215 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 1: to zero FIP one point two nine whip seven point 216 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: six to two ks per nine. I mean, he settled 217 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 1: in in that Atlanta start and you know, came back 218 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 1: and fought, and we know the kind of stuff he has, 219 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:15,560 Speaker 1: so it's gonna be difficult. And this is the first 220 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 1: time the Cubs are seeing him, and when he saw 221 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:20,840 Speaker 1: teams for the first time, they couldn't touch him. So 222 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 1: I I, you know, I don't I don't know what 223 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 1: to expect, but I, like I said, I'm glad he's 224 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:28,560 Speaker 1: in this spot because if you win, he has a 225 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 1: chance to close out the series for you. If you lose, 226 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:32,839 Speaker 1: that guy's on the hill. That's the guy you want 227 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:35,720 Speaker 1: on the hill, with that mentality that he's shown trying 228 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 1: to get you to Game three. In Game three, if 229 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:43,360 Speaker 1: it happens, the pitching matchup will be Pablo Lopez against 230 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:46,760 Speaker 1: John Lester, A legend of the game. A legend in 231 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:51,800 Speaker 1: the postseason is Lester, and Pablo has been the steady 232 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: hand for the Marlins this year. So I like the 233 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,440 Speaker 1: idea of if it gets to game three, you got 234 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: your steady hand out there, and you go and give 235 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 1: him the ball and you try and win a ball game. 236 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: Let's take a look at the numbers. Lester actually had 237 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: maybe the worst year of his career this year. It 238 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:10,080 Speaker 1: was a struggle a lot for John Lester. You know, 239 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 1: I watched him at times and he labored through a 240 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 1: lot of innings. It was a struggle for him to 241 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 1: get through five or six and the numbers kind of 242 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:19,600 Speaker 1: reflect that. You know, he had a five point one 243 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:21,840 Speaker 1: six e r A, a five point one four whip 244 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:25,000 Speaker 1: that's by far the highest in both those categories of 245 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:28,160 Speaker 1: his career. His whip was actually pretty average at one 246 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:31,199 Speaker 1: point three three. He had a six point two case 247 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:33,720 Speaker 1: per nine, which is easily the lowest of his career. 248 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:38,000 Speaker 1: But it's John Lester in the playoffs that we're talking about. 249 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 1: You know, it's not John Lester on a Tuesday night 250 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 1: at Wrigley Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates. We're talking about 251 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:46,439 Speaker 1: John Lester in the playoffs. He has been one of 252 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:51,559 Speaker 1: the best postseason pitchers of this generation of baseball. It's 253 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,440 Speaker 1: it's wonderful to watch him pitch in the postseason. And 254 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 1: if you're a Cubs fan, you know, like I am, 255 00:12:57,559 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 1: usually it's you're really excited about see John Lester in 256 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 1: the playoffs. But now rooting for the Marlins, it's not 257 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 1: gonna be fun to see John Lester in the playoffs, which, 258 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: by the way, I am going to be rooting for 259 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: the Marlins. Don't worry about that. I will be rooting 260 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: for the Marlins. I will not be rooting against the Cubs, 261 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:15,960 Speaker 1: but I will be rooting for the Marlins, So you 262 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:18,320 Speaker 1: don't have to worry about that if you were wondering. 263 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,320 Speaker 1: Let's take a look at the numbers for Pablo. You know, 264 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: going up against John Lester is no easy task, and 265 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:29,680 Speaker 1: he's intimidating. He gets fired up when it's October. So 266 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:32,720 Speaker 1: the Marlins have a challenge on their hands for sure, 267 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:35,079 Speaker 1: and Pablo's gonna have to go toe to toe with him. 268 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 1: But Pablo's numbers were good this year. His ERA is 269 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 1: actually pretty significantly higher than his FIP. He's got a 270 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 1: three point six one ERA and a three point h 271 00:13:45,280 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 1: nine to five. The numbers suggests that he should have 272 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:50,439 Speaker 1: been better than his era reflects. He's got a one 273 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:54,120 Speaker 1: point one nine whip, nine point two six k's per nine. 274 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 1: That was really good. That's the high of that, you know, 275 00:13:56,880 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: good number for him. That's high, the highest of his 276 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 1: career so far. And like I said, he's been the 277 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:03,400 Speaker 1: steady hand for the Marlins. He was huge down the 278 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 1: stretch his last three starts, seventeen point one innings, pitch 279 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 1: three runs on, eight hits allowed, and nineteen strikeouts and 280 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 1: the best part of it, three Marlins wins. He has 281 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 1: been the guy down the stretch for the Marlins so far, 282 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: and like I said, if you get there, he's the 283 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 1: steady hand, he's the guy you want with the ball 284 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: on down. In Game three, let's quickly talk about the offense, 285 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: because this is the part of the series that could 286 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 1: win the Marlins the series because of how good their 287 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 1: pitching has been and because of how bad the Cubs 288 00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 1: offense has been. Even though the Marlins are absolutely overmatch 289 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 1: talent wise, there's no doubt about that. I don't think 290 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 1: anybody doubts that the Marlins are overmatch talent wise. If 291 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:49,040 Speaker 1: they want to win this series, It's gonna come down 292 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 1: to pitching. If the Cubs want to win this series, 293 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 1: it's gonna come down to pitching unless their bats get hot. 294 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 1: If their bats get hot, I'm not sure the Marlins 295 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 1: have a chance in this series because I'm not sure 296 00:14:59,880 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: that they can score with the Cubs. But the good 297 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: news for the Marlins is the Cubs offense was really 298 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:08,040 Speaker 1: bad this year. I mean, the team slash line was 299 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 1: two twenty three eighteen three eighty seven with a ninety 300 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 1: one rated runs created plus. So that's nine percent below average. 301 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 1: And you know, you talk about the main guys on 302 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 1: the Cubs, you talk about this core, you talk about Bias, Bryant, Schwarber, Rizzo, Controller. 303 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:26,960 Speaker 1: So the guys had you know, been around that they drafted, 304 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:29,840 Speaker 1: came up through this organization, won the World Series with them, 305 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:33,080 Speaker 1: and you know, we're supposed to build this dynasty. I mean, 306 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: they had a really tough year. Bias a five ninety 307 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 1: nine ohps and a fifty seven weighted runs created plus. 308 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 1: I mean, that's just terrible. That's not what you want 309 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:46,320 Speaker 1: from Hobby Bias. It was hard to watch at times. 310 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:49,680 Speaker 1: He's really struggled with the breaking ball this year. He's 311 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 1: striking out more than I've ever seen him, and he 312 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:54,520 Speaker 1: strikes out a lot. It was a really tough go 313 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: for at it for Bias this year. Chris Bryant battled 314 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,760 Speaker 1: injury all year, struggled at the plate six forty four 315 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: ohps seventy six weighted runs created plus. Kyle Schwarber struggled 316 00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: seven oh one ops ninety weighted runs created plus. Anthony 317 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 1: Rizzo had a pretty bang ass average year seven to 318 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 1: fifty five ops one oh three weighted runs created plus. 319 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:20,440 Speaker 1: Contreres was the guy out of these five that was 320 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 1: the best. He had a seven to sixty three OPS 321 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:25,480 Speaker 1: and a one oh nine weighted runs created plus. So, 322 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: I mean, Rizzo and Contreres were above average, but it's 323 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 1: not what you expect from those guys, you know. It's 324 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 1: not what Cubs fans have gotten used to watching over 325 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 1: the past few years. So it's been frustrating at times, 326 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 1: you know, watching the Cubs this year has been hard 327 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 1: for me because the offense has struggled so much. The 328 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 1: bad news for the Marlins. The good news for the 329 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 1: Cubs is they really got hot in this last series. 330 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 1: I mean, Chris Brian I think he had two home runs. 331 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 1: You know, BIA's hit one, Schwarber hit a couple. I 332 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 1: think Rizzo was hot. At the end of the year. 333 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 1: Contreras had the just most insane batflip that I've ever 334 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 1: seen in my entire life. I'm gonna try and put 335 00:17:01,680 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 1: the video on here. If you haven't seen it, go 336 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:08,720 Speaker 1: find it. It's amazing. So, yeah, the Cubs offense is 337 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:10,119 Speaker 1: getting a little hot at the end of the year. 338 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:11,760 Speaker 1: And then I've been saying to one of my Cubs 339 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:14,199 Speaker 1: buddies all year that if the Cubs get hot, you 340 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 1: know in the playoffs, watch out. Anything can happen. With 341 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 1: the way the pitching is and with the talent on 342 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 1: this team. Who led the way for the Cubs this year, 343 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 1: it was happened Hayward. Hap had a two fifty ian 344 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 1: Hap had a two fifty eight, three sixty one five 345 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:31,640 Speaker 1: or five eight sixty six slash line, one thirty one 346 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:34,800 Speaker 1: weighted runs created plus. He was absolutely tremendous. He's a 347 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:39,119 Speaker 1: switch hitting center fielder, carried the Cubs offense all year. 348 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:42,440 Speaker 1: Jason Hayward had a good year, a bounce back year. 349 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: You know, it's been a struggle for him in a 350 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 1: Cubs uniform. But he was really good this year. Two 351 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 1: sixty five, three ninety two, four fifty six, eight forty 352 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:52,880 Speaker 1: eight ops and a one thirty weighted runs create a plus. 353 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 1: So I know I talked about a lot about the 354 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 1: Cubs Marlins fans, but I just want to give you 355 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 1: guys a grasp of you know of what you're going 356 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 1: up what we're going up against here, because this is 357 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 1: a team that was built to win. They've won a 358 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 1: World Series. They've been here already. They went to the 359 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:11,360 Speaker 1: NLCS three times in a row, including the World Series 360 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:14,080 Speaker 1: in the middle. You know they went. They've been to 361 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:18,200 Speaker 1: the playoffs five of the last six years. I want 362 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:21,639 Speaker 1: to say they're backing the playoffs. They're hungry, they've got 363 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:24,200 Speaker 1: a new manager. You know, it might sound like I'm 364 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:26,359 Speaker 1: hyping up the Cubs, but I'm not. I'm just trying 365 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:29,880 Speaker 1: to give you a feel of what we're up against 366 00:18:29,880 --> 00:18:32,480 Speaker 1: because I know what we're up against because I've watched 367 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:35,239 Speaker 1: this really closely. I watched this team really closely, and 368 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:38,520 Speaker 1: the Marlins are in for a battle. This this series 369 00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:41,600 Speaker 1: is gonna be a battle because, like I said, if 370 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 1: you know the Marlins pitching can hold this Cub's offense down, 371 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: the Marlins will have every opportunity to win this series 372 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:51,840 Speaker 1: because of how good their pitching can be when it's on, 373 00:18:52,080 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: how good Sandy can be, how good six Do can be, 374 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:57,159 Speaker 1: how good Pablo can be. You know, I don't need 375 00:18:57,200 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 1: to talk about the Marlins offense because you guys watch 376 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:01,280 Speaker 1: the Marlins offense all year. You know what it is. 377 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: There are holes in the Marlins offense. But if Brian Anderson, 378 00:19:05,680 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 1: Hazus Aguilar, Corey Dickerson, even Lewis Brinson when he faces 379 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:12,760 Speaker 1: lesser and if he gets a start I would like 380 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: to see him get a start in one of the 381 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 1: first two games. He's been one of the you know, 382 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:19,720 Speaker 1: one of the guys this year. I would like to 383 00:19:19,760 --> 00:19:23,600 Speaker 1: see him face hendrixs or Darvish. It's a tough matchup, 384 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 1: but it's the playoffs. He helped you get here. Throw 385 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:30,520 Speaker 1: him in there. You know. If if some of these 386 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 1: guys can give you some big hits. Miguel Rojas is 387 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:37,160 Speaker 1: another one. He's given you big hits all year. If 388 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:39,760 Speaker 1: some of these guys can get some big hits and 389 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 1: Sandy and SIXO and Pablo can pitch up to their potential, 390 00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:45,879 Speaker 1: the Marlins absolutely have a chance to take two or 391 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:48,439 Speaker 1: three from the Cubs at Wrigley Field. But if the 392 00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:52,080 Speaker 1: Marlins bats go silent, and if the Cubs offense continues 393 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:54,639 Speaker 1: what we saw in Chicago against the White Sox this 394 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:57,960 Speaker 1: past weekend, I'm just being honest here. This isn't the 395 00:19:57,960 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 1: Cubs fan in me. The Marlins are gonna have a 396 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:02,440 Speaker 1: real tough time with this team because this is a 397 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 1: good team with playoff experience, and the Marlins don't have 398 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 1: playoff experience yet. But they're getting playoff experience, and they're 399 00:20:08,840 --> 00:20:12,359 Speaker 1: getting playoff experience ahead of schedule, and they have the 400 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 1: young guys here so that they can see what it's 401 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:17,200 Speaker 1: like to be in the postseason. Derek Jeter talked about 402 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:19,720 Speaker 1: how they're carrying young guys on the taxi squad on 403 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:22,399 Speaker 1: purpose so that they know what the feeling is like 404 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:24,159 Speaker 1: in the postseason. They know what it's like to be 405 00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:26,840 Speaker 1: in October, so that when they get here they are 406 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 1: prepared to be in October year after year after year. 407 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:33,000 Speaker 1: This is part of the winning culture that the Marlins 408 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:35,520 Speaker 1: are building. This is not the end for the Marlins. 409 00:20:35,560 --> 00:20:37,960 Speaker 1: Whether they win this series or not, this is not 410 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: the end for the Marlins. This is only the beginning 411 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:42,439 Speaker 1: of what is building in Miami down here. Sure it 412 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 1: might be a struggle next year. Maybe they won't be 413 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 1: in the playoffs because of the circumstances, you know, if 414 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:48,760 Speaker 1: they go back to a regular postseason or whatever it is. 415 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 1: But the Marlins are here now and they have a 416 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:55,119 Speaker 1: chance to make a run if they can just get 417 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 1: some big hitting in some big situations and if their 418 00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:01,600 Speaker 1: pitching can hold up. But if that doesn't happen, it's 419 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 1: gonna be tough for the Marlins because again they're going 420 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:09,120 Speaker 1: up against a team with good playoff experience that overmatches 421 00:21:09,160 --> 00:21:12,200 Speaker 1: them in talent and has three really good starting pitchers, 422 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:15,719 Speaker 1: including arguably the best postseason pitcher of our generation on 423 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:19,399 Speaker 1: their team. I've been talking for a long time, and 424 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 1: I've been thinking about this series for a long time. 425 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 1: It's gonna crush my soul this series one way or 426 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:27,680 Speaker 1: the other, because either the Marlins are gonna go home 427 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:30,600 Speaker 1: or either the Copies are gonna go home, and it's 428 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 1: gonna be at the hands of either the Marlins or 429 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:36,120 Speaker 1: the Copies. So it's brutal, but it's gonna be fun. 430 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 1: The Marlins are in the postseason. That's all I really 431 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:41,600 Speaker 1: care about is that the Marlins are in the postseason. 432 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:44,800 Speaker 1: They made it here. Everything from here on out is icing. 433 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:48,320 Speaker 1: It's just the beginning for this team. Like I said, 434 00:21:49,480 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna make a series prediction. I'm not that guy. 435 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:55,159 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna do it. But I've given you what 436 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:58,200 Speaker 1: the Marlins need to do to win this series. Will 437 00:21:58,200 --> 00:21:59,919 Speaker 1: they do it? Let's find out.