Post-season Prospects

The Cubs look like they are going to lose to the Cards today, which will even up the season series with one game remaining between them.  The Cubs are likely to win that one with Lester on the mound, but I was rather hoping they would sweep and move St. Louis closer to wild card elimination.  Frankly, I do not like the idea of playing them in the first round.  They play so often in the regular season that there is a risk of the same thing happening to the Cubs as happened to the Cards last year, although last year the teams were more evenly matched.

Hammel today pretty much pitched himself off the post-season roster.  You cannot afford to get blown out early in any post-season game.  That's the risk with him, and it is a risk they cannot afford to take.

It is going to be a challenge to stay sharp through the last week of the season and intonthe mini-break that comes after with the wild card games.  Maddon has been clever at manipulating the team sobfar, but it is a factor.

A final thought on the batting order for the playoffs, one the network guys made today.  Ibreally do not like Zobrist batting cleanup.  He should be hitting second even though he hits a lot of grounders.  The other thing the Cubs are going to have to consider is not playing Heyward against lefties.  He is a great outfielder, but his season so far is a little like having Sam Fuld in the lineup every day.  Cannot afford to concede an out every time he hits.