Special Event: MLB baseball playoffs 2016: National League Championship Series (NLCS)
October 15, 2016 4:25 PM - Subscribe

The Los Angeles Dodgers face the Chicago Cubs, in a best-of-seven series to see who will go to the World Series.
posted by LobsterMitten (117 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Man Lester's looking mortal tonight.
posted by Carillon at 5:44 PM on October 15, 2016 [1 favorite]


Wow I'm not a base coach but that seemed like a poor wave through.
posted by Carillon at 5:47 PM on October 15, 2016


The Dodgers are completely failing to take advantage so far though.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:47 PM on October 15, 2016


Man are we sure the dodgers actually beat the nationals to be here?
posted by Carillon at 5:55 PM on October 15, 2016


What's with Maeda and the weird grin he has every time he gives up a run? Does he have money on the Cubs? Gas, maybe?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:56 PM on October 15, 2016


Stealing home? Are you KIDDING ME?

Javier Baez is on his way to being a folk hero.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:00 PM on October 15, 2016


I've always wanted to see someone steal home that's legit.
posted by Carillon at 6:00 PM on October 15, 2016


Has there ever been a young player called out publicly for not running balls out who turned it around this quickly and this completely?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:05 PM on October 15, 2016


Can we put this player in the announcers booth? He's better than the crew they have right now.
posted by Carillon at 6:08 PM on October 15, 2016 [1 favorite]


(yes I know it's arrieta)
posted by Carillon at 6:08 PM on October 15, 2016


I hope coverage of Game 3 starts early enough for people to see Arrieta roll around in the grass doing his pre-game yoga. It's like he's training to be a contortionist. It's a sight.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:12 PM on October 15, 2016


Holy crap. Fowler broke his belt on that catch.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:28 PM on October 15, 2016


Their defense tonight has been amazing
posted by Carillon at 6:28 PM on October 15, 2016


Wow that was a grab by Russell. My A's shouldn't have traded him 😥
posted by Carillon at 6:45 PM on October 15, 2016


There we go! Finally some action for the dodgers
posted by Carillon at 6:48 PM on October 15, 2016


Andre Ethier hits a pinch hit home run?

Damn. Now I have to throw away all of my Deadly Snakes records.

(Is today the day I meet the narrow Venn overlap of people who follow baseball and retro garage rock? Probably not.)
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:49 PM on October 15, 2016


Not me! Baseball and niche trance for me :)
posted by Carillon at 6:53 PM on October 15, 2016


I did live in Chicago for 8 years though and thus root for the white Sox as well.
posted by Carillon at 7:13 PM on October 15, 2016


I hereby dub Javier Baez "Señor Octubre."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:23 PM on October 15, 2016


Wonder if every seventh inning this year is contractually obligated to go at least 45 minutes and have 8 pitching changes.
posted by Carillon at 7:40 PM on October 15, 2016


Oh god, this is like Game 3 of the NLDS all over again.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:02 PM on October 15, 2016


Bases loaded and Chapman coming in talk about post season excitement.
posted by Carillon at 8:05 PM on October 15, 2016


That hit though
posted by Carillon at 8:11 PM on October 15, 2016


Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkkkkk
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:11 PM on October 15, 2016


Wow talk about a strategic walk
posted by Carillon at 8:26 PM on October 15, 2016


GRAND SLAM!

GRAND MOTHERFUCKING SLAM!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:28 PM on October 15, 2016


He crushed it!!!!! That's insane
posted by Carillon at 8:28 PM on October 15, 2016


(dies)
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:28 PM on October 15, 2016


Haha and a follow up homer
posted by Carillon at 8:29 PM on October 15, 2016


GRAND SLAM!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:29 PM on October 15, 2016


So, so great. I don't know how anyone in America can be rooting against the Cubs.

I thought there was only one thread for both league championship series and couldn't understand why nobody was talking about this game. Oh hello, new thread.
posted by something something at 8:34 PM on October 15, 2016


(Feel free to post replays of the bottom of the 8th so I can show them to my already-in-bed kids tomorrow!)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:40 PM on October 15, 2016


Sad well there's always the next game.
posted by Carillon at 8:48 PM on October 15, 2016


Go Cubs gooooooooo!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:50 PM on October 15, 2016


I live about a mile from Wrigley but beside traffic (people, buses, and cars), you'd never really know a game was going on when it is; when the grand slam happened, you could hear the crowd noise from the back of our apartment.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:01 PM on October 15, 2016 [4 favorites]


Is it still you and me dirtyoldtown?
posted by Carillon at 5:03 PM on October 16, 2016


Yep.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:12 PM on October 16, 2016


Foul! That was a hit
posted by Carillon at 6:14 PM on October 16, 2016


Perfect through four innings?

Jesus H Christ.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:14 PM on October 16, 2016


Gotta love his janky throwing motion
posted by Carillon at 6:24 PM on October 16, 2016


Why is russell so impatient
posted by Carillon at 6:29 PM on October 16, 2016


Señor Octubre!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:29 PM on October 16, 2016


If Heyward doubles right here, the entire season he had is forgiven.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:32 PM on October 16, 2016


Crap.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:32 PM on October 16, 2016


Haha tuviste razón
posted by Carillon at 6:38 PM on October 16, 2016


Meant about Senior October but also fits with heyward
posted by Carillon at 6:39 PM on October 16, 2016


All we need are like three more magical Javy Baez moments and we can do this thing.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:45 PM on October 16, 2016


Let's go reddick
posted by Carillon at 6:48 PM on October 16, 2016


Sad
posted by Carillon at 6:49 PM on October 16, 2016


I thought Baez was going to do it again.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:19 PM on October 16, 2016


Agreed
posted by Carillon at 7:20 PM on October 16, 2016


He's half in the box
posted by Carillon at 7:26 PM on October 16, 2016


That steal, Chapman has such a long wind-up
posted by Carillon at 7:44 PM on October 16, 2016


Last chance for the Cubs tonight.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:47 PM on October 16, 2016


Well, shit.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:54 PM on October 16, 2016


Now it's a series
posted by Carillon at 7:55 PM on October 16, 2016


I don't know how anyone in America can be rooting against the Cubs.


Amazing how quickly people forgot that the Cubs traded for a guy that got suspended for firing a gun at his girlfriend in his house. Fun fact: He was going to go to the Dodgers but they killed the deal when they found out about it.

Far as I'm concerned, they can wait another 108 years.
posted by dry white toast at 9:12 PM on October 16, 2016




I'm interested to see what kind of lineup changes the Cubs have in store for tonight. I sort of expect to see Soler over Heyward and possibly Russell being moved down in the order.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:38 AM on October 18, 2016


What time is the game tonight? 6:30 Central, I think?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:12 AM on October 18, 2016


Technically eight after, but basically 5 Pacific, 7 Central.
posted by Celsius1414 at 1:31 PM on October 18, 2016


Why does the baby Jesus hate my team?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:39 PM on October 18, 2016


This is fine. It's fine! I'm fine. Everything is FINE.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:01 PM on October 18, 2016 [1 favorite]


Why does the baby Jesus hate my team?

Well, Tommy Lasorda does tend to refer to God as "the Big Dodger in the Sky."
posted by Celsius1414 at 9:04 PM on October 18, 2016


Can I just say I loved watching old Rich Hill, who I always watched on when he was on the A's this year, throw amazing curve balls.
posted by Carillon at 10:09 AM on October 19, 2016 [1 favorite]


Fun post on him, from yesterday morning (before the start): "Rich Hill is a remarkable baseball weirdo"
posted by Celsius1414 at 12:49 PM on October 19, 2016


This is so much better.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:17 PM on October 19, 2016 [1 favorite]


So, so, so, so much better.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:51 PM on October 19, 2016


I'm excited to see the Cubs bats come to life. This is not good news for the Dodgers and Maeda for tomorrow.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:52 PM on October 19, 2016


Seven different Cubs have scored. Six different Cubs have driven in a run.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:10 PM on October 19, 2016


Did anyone else catch the bit where they showed Rizzo apologizing to the ump for making a stink about a call he didn't like?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:15 PM on October 19, 2016


There was even audio with Rizzo politely apologizing and the ump telling him that he understood and it just showed what a good guy Rizzo is for even saying anything.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:20 PM on October 19, 2016


Compare and contrast with Dave Roberts dragging a swearing Joc Pedersen off the field before he can be ejected.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:20 PM on October 19, 2016


So hey, this is here. Let me try to catch up.

Game 1: We were at Wrigley and Miggy's grand slam was the most amazing sports moment I've experienced. And I was there for the Schwarber HR onto the Video Board and beating the Cards in the NLDS last year. This was crazier.

Game 2: Also at Wrigley. Super intense. We were sure Baez had that homer, but of course, in hindsight, it wasn't even that close. Tough loss for Kyle Hendricks, who pitched pretty damn well to hold the Dodgers to 1 run. Sad it wasn't enough.

Game 3: Spent a whole bunch of time trying not to panic, telling my family not to panic, etc. It's a best of 7 series, for a REASON. Obviously, Jake wasn't as sharp as we'd hoped, but 0 offense isn't gonna get it done, no matter how well Jake would have pitched (See: Game 2). I watched this video more than once on Wednesday, and posted it to my Facebook feed as well. "Believe it or not..."

Game 4: What a difference a day makes. WE'RE BACK! RIZZO'S BACK! ADDY'S BACK! Outside of the actual baseball highlights, I loved the moment between Rizzo and the Ump (class act, that Rizz), and this heartfelt moment between Rizzo and Bryant in the dugout after the Rizzo HR. Won't vouch for Chapman, obviously, but the majority of these Cubs seem to be good guys, with a good head on their shoulders, who genuinely care about their teammates. It's nice to see.
posted by terilou at 7:07 AM on October 20, 2016 [4 favorites]


Game 5: BRING IT ON! WE GOT THIS!
posted by terilou at 7:08 AM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]


I also enjoyed Maddon warming up Chapman in the ninth as a clear "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here" sign: even if you do get a two out rally going, you'll have to face 104 mph fastballs, so... good luck with that.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:44 AM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]


The election has me so longing for genuine moments of people being nice to each other that finally watching the "Anthony Rizzo apologizes to ump" video made me tear up a little bit.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:32 AM on October 20, 2016 [2 favorites]


DirtyOldTown: Compare and contrast with Dave Roberts dragging a swearing Joc Pedersen off the field before he can be ejected.

Also, compare and contrast with Gonzalez scolding the Ump crew in New York that they better make the right call during the review of the tag play at home in bottom of the 2nd.
posted by terilou at 9:36 AM on October 20, 2016


Even putting aside that Rizzo's attitude (which seems entirely sincere) is nicer/the right thing to do, in terms of pure game theory, "Sorry, man.. I didn't mean to be out of line there!" is certainly a much smarter tactic to use when engaging with umpires than "Don't blow this, losers!" (LA) or "There is a conspiracy against us!" (Toronto.)
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:48 AM on October 20, 2016


Well, I like this already. I kinda hope they chase Maeda and eat their bullpen alive.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:19 PM on October 20, 2016


What on earth does Kíke Hernandez have on his left hand? It looks like a space age oven mitt.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:34 PM on October 20, 2016


I just had a 20-minute conversation with a 6-year-old about why Rizzo is his favorite so I FEEL GOOD ABOUT TONIGHT.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:51 PM on October 20, 2016 [2 favorites]


My spouse says that literally every single time Javy Baez does anything, I say immediately: "I love this kid!" So I guess he is my favorite player now.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:51 PM on October 20, 2016


Please don't be hurt, Javy!
posted by terilou at 8:52 PM on October 20, 2016


Joe Buck, just now, "...the important thing is the health of the Cubs' new star..."

DAMN RIGHT HE IS.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:57 PM on October 20, 2016


HOLY SHIT YOU GUYS... I JUST GOT A TICKET FOR GAME 7

I'm still hoping the Cubs win game 6 and make it moot, though. I'd give up my ticket for that.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:58 PM on October 21, 2016 [3 favorites]


Boom, 1-0 Cubs!
posted by languagehat at 5:22 PM on October 22, 2016


If only all those Dodgers had run into each other like the old Mets would have.
posted by languagehat at 5:33 PM on October 22, 2016


WHERE IS YOUR KERSHAW GOD NOW, JOE BUCK?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:36 PM on October 22, 2016 [2 favorites]


I'm listening on the radio (I don't have cable), which made my husband flee the room because he thinks the only thing more boring than watching baseball on TV is listening to baseball on the radio! (He does not understand at all when I do what all good and right-thinking people do and watch national-broadcast games on mute while listening to the radio commentators who are VASTLY SUPERIOR.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:37 PM on October 22, 2016 [6 favorites]


Picked off first! That was a satisfying inning.
posted by languagehat at 5:46 PM on October 22, 2016


Lead off double! Go go go!
posted by languagehat at 5:49 PM on October 22, 2016




Another double for the Cubbies!
posted by languagehat at 6:11 PM on October 22, 2016


Amazing they are even leaving Kershaw in.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:48 PM on October 22, 2016


97.4%
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:59 PM on October 22, 2016


Rosenthal just told a great story. Former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti is here with his 83 Y/o Uncle Frank. Frank and his two brothers grew up in Chicago and got two tix to Game 5 of the 1945 World Series (the last one the Cubs have ever played in.) The older brothers told him they would use the tickets and he could go to the next one. Uncle Frank is still waiting.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:00 PM on October 22, 2016 [1 favorite]


5 more outs and I just remembered y'all were hear. Crowd noise is such that you can here people not just at home runs but as the innings end and now as Hendricks leaves.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:25 PM on October 22, 2016 [1 favorite]


I AM FLIPPING MY SHIT YOU GUYS
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:37 PM on October 22, 2016 [6 favorites]


I'm flipping my shit and I don't even watch baseball like that.
posted by cashman at 7:41 PM on October 22, 2016


THE CUBS ARE GOING TO THE SERIES! THE CUBS ARE GOING TO THE SERIES!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:46 PM on October 22, 2016 [5 favorites]


Whoooooooooooo!
posted by LobsterMitten at 7:48 PM on October 22, 2016


I wasn't prepared to see so many people visibly moved in the crowd. The looks on their faces! God bless Cubs fans. Well done to whomever in the truck made sure to show so many faces in the 9th inning.

Awww, and now the "W" is going up and I'm sobbing you guys.
posted by ob1quixote at 7:48 PM on October 22, 2016 [2 favorites]


2016 is officially, officially, the craziest year
posted by cashman at 7:48 PM on October 22, 2016 [1 favorite]


God life is pain
posted by Carillon at 7:49 PM on October 22, 2016


As I just tweeted:
Congratulations, @cubs and @CubsJoeMadd -- now please go beat Cleveland and break the streak! @Dodgers -- ¡💙! #WorldSeries
posted by Celsius1414 at 7:51 PM on October 22, 2016


These were my tickets to tomorrow's game.

AND I DONT EVEN MIND!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:52 PM on October 22, 2016 [4 favorites]


Holy shit, you guys. Next Year is finally here.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:17 PM on October 22, 2016 [2 favorites]


Twitter roundup of a few things:
- photo of Hillary Clinton watching on her phone as they win
- Chicago Tribune posts its front page from 1945, when the Cubs last won the pennant
- Negro Leagues Museum posts pic of Buck O'Neil
- Baseball Hall of Fame posts pic of 1908 World Series winner pendant
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:27 PM on October 22, 2016 [2 favorites]


So in case y'all didn't know, Billy Sianis, the owner of the goat and maker of the curse (and the owner of the Billy Goat Tavern where we have our monthly Chicago meetup) died on October 22, 1970.

(In other Billy Goat Tavern Metafilter news, if the series goes seven games (it won't), Game 7 will fall on First Wednesday; we have already started planning contingencies for ensuring we get a table.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:34 PM on October 22, 2016 [3 favorites]


"- photo of Hillary Clinton watching on her phone as they win"

She had to pretend to be a Yankees fan in NYC but she's a northsider for lyfe.

My sole Obama complaint is that he cheers for the Sox.

My family has been Cubs fans since 1893. I AM HERE FOR THIS.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:26 PM on October 22, 2016 [4 favorites]


Joe Buck--whose father of course was famous Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck, and was thus raised to hate the Cubs--was basically a one person demonstration of how cognitive dissonance works last night. After the Cubs got their third and fourth runs against Kershaw--making their victory overwhelmingly likely--Buck actually started focusing his commentary on "what would normally happen in situations like this with Kershaw." Literally, he was describing the game he would rather be seeing. I've never seen anything like it.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:55 AM on October 23, 2016 [2 favorites]


> My family has been Cubs fans since 1893.

I hope they're still complaining about the move from the West Side Grounds to Wrigley.
posted by languagehat at 7:56 AM on October 23, 2016 [1 favorite]


Joe Buck--whose father of course was famous Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck, and was thus raised to hate the Cubs--was basically a one person demonstration of how cognitive dissonance works last night

I keep trying to stop myself from comparing everything to the election, and especially the Cubs playoff run which is also known as the Welcome Distraction around our house, but Joe Buck sounding like a Republican from a swing state making excuses for Trump made it very hard last night.

(On the other hand, it was a metaphor that helped explain my outrage to a household who otherwise wasn't getting my Joe Buck ire.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:51 AM on October 23, 2016 [1 favorite]


She had to pretend to be a Yankees fan in NYC but she's a northsider for lyfe.

Aw, I'm Cubs lifer and always thought this was a BS line against her. When I was a kid we always had a AL team of choice as a side dish to Cubs, mine was the Red Sox of Yaz and Fisk. Not the same passion, mind you, but her claim was credible.

My dad still golfs with some of the 1969 guys, and had a 45 series ball signed by the team when he was a kid. His uncles were those local kids who swept peanut shells for tickets. I first went when I was 4, my dad when he was 4, etc. My boys when they were 4.

I'm in London, but got back with my boys this summer. They got on the field pre-game, with a picture with Zobrist (who signed their game balls). Now back here, the middle of the night watching is hard but I just can't not.

My boy said something interesting today when he asked me about my following them, and I described the knots of 1984, 2003, 2008. He said that I (and we) were waiting for the right team, and I agree (despite loving many of those characters). I would seize up on every chance, knowing that if missed it was over. I just do not have the same knots now with this team no matter the result. We have built an incredible thing with this team, and it is not going away. Its like getting married and realising that all the torturous angst in previous relationships was leading to where you are but you couldn't see it at the time.

2016, y'all. But 2016 has Trump down, Cubs up, and a third act.

This is such a great great day.
posted by C.A.S. at 2:54 PM on October 23, 2016 [1 favorite]


> her claim was credible.

That makes it worse, not better!

/has hated the Yankees for sixty years
posted by languagehat at 3:19 PM on October 23, 2016 [1 favorite]


I've decided to look past Hillary voting for the Iraq War, so I'm throwing the Yankee support in that bucket too so it seems less of a big deal by comparison. The early part of the new millennium was full of mistakes.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:50 PM on October 23, 2016 [2 favorites]


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