Libby handing Oli the ball.

[Adam2]

This whole season for Liberatore has really surprised me. I thought this year he was certainly going to not just show improvement, but become a number 2 or 3 starter, sort of like a Max Fried light. I honestly don't know what happens from here, or what needs to happen. I hate sending him to the bullpen if there is still a chance at him becoming a solid mid rotation guy. There is still a lot of value and promise there, but it's just not being realized.

[Hoosier59]

Can we applaud Oli for not giving an atta boy while removing a starter in the 4th?

Were you watching. That’s the point. Libby obvious was frustrated. Bad body language. That’s all. No insinuation.

I suspect that Libby and the entire Cards pitching department has been working on getting him better results. When that doesn’t happen, it’s frustrating. That frustration can at times come out sideways.

He seemed flustered. Red faced. It was 95 ish there. Also, the Cubs got four easy singles hitting where second should be playing, but JJ was shaded up the middle.

Four. Easy outs and double play balls. Maybe the infield alignment factored in.

The Cubs’ infielders were playing the Cardinal hitters the exact same way, and they hit the ball right to them! Is that an alignment issue or a hitting issue? Seems to me the Cub hitters were content to hit the ball where nobody was playing, but Cardinal hitters just swing, with no initial planning or intent!
Two defenses playing exactly the same, but much different results!

[JuanAgosto]

This whole season for Liberatore has really surprised me. I thought this year he was certainly going to not just show improvement, but become a number 2 or 3 starter, sort of like a Max Fried light. I honestly don't know what happens from here, or what needs to happen. I hate sending him to the bullpen if there is still a chance at him becoming a solid mid rotation guy. There is still a lot of value and promise there, but it's just not being realized.

No move to the bp. Shut him down and send him to the pitching lab. Bring up Matthews for an audition. Insert Dobbins into May's spot.