Gut check Monday

Rather that doing any sort of write, I thought I’d list out a bunch of things I like, or didn’t like, or felt, after the first 2 games; plus how I feel about tonight’s game.

Things to like:
1. Javy.  It really speaks to how far he’s come all the ways he’s making an impact.  Sure, I’d love for him to run out of the box sprinting every time (more on that late), but he’s been exactly what the Cubs needed at the bottom of the lineup.  He hasn’t even had to do too much defensively yet, but the highlight play is coming.
2. The bullpen and how Joe’s managed it.  I think I saw the Giants have now gone over 33 innings against the Cubs’ pen this season without scoring.  Having so many lefties available really helps.  I think Joe pulled Lester at exactly the right time, and Chapman was coming in whether or not the Cubs scored.  I also think he used the matchups perfectly in game 2; the only question was Rondon because of how he’s looked lately, but even then Chapman was also warming and ready to come in if needed.  Rondon was throwing harder from the first pitch than we’ve seen in a long, long time.
3. John Smoltz.  I’m not a Costas fan, and Vasgersion or whatever is just a voice.  But Smoltz is really, really good at what he does.  He knows what he’s talking about, and does a great job of getting his points across in a very concise manner.  We’d be so lucky to have him call the rest of the Cubs’ postseason.

Things to worry about:
1. Rizzo.  2 games without a hit is nothing in the big picture.  I don’t want to say he’s pressing, or anything like that, but he just looks a little uncomfortable or unsure of himself.  He’s expanded the zone a bit at times.  He’ll be fine, but last postseason him and Bryant also started very slow and other parts of the lineup carried the team (Fowler, Schwarber, and Soler).
2. The lineup tonight.  I haven’t seen it posted, but this is the game I’ve been worrying about for a week or so.  Does Maddon start both Montero and Heyward, who both would project to be utterly helpless against Bumgarner?  Or does he try to get more offense by sneaking in Soler (say Zobrist in RF, Soler in LF, and Baez at 2b) at the cost of the overall defense. 
3. Hendricks.  He wasn’t going to pitch again this series anyway, and depending if/when the Cubs finish it off, they could use him in any of games 1-3 in the NLCS (technically game 4, but I’d rather not have Lackey lined up for 2 starts that series). 

Gut feeling about tonight:
I think we’ll see a good Arrieta start.  I think the offense is ready to break out, even if Bumgarner’s October magic is on the other mound.  I’m cautiously optimistic the Cubs can finish it out today.