Cubs Lose

by sanman on Jun 23, 2005 6:15 AM CDT

I went to the game last night. Zambrano was just awful. I don't know if his toe still hurts or something else is wrong with him, but his last few games have not been good. Why does Baker persist in leading off with Patterson. His OBP is less than 300. For all the good things Nefi has done his OBP was 308 going into the game. These two have to be the worst 1-2 hitters in baseball. Although the Brews are not great, their 1-2 hitters do get on base. Hill did a nice job in relief. I don't know if it was the fact there wasn't any pressure since the score was 8-0 coming in to the game. As bad as it was last night, they still could have gotten back in the game with a clutch hit by Patterson with 2 out, but he barely hit a ball back to the pitcher and that was it.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Well,

at least my kids are getting a chance to know what it's like to really be a Cubs fan. The past few years have lulled them into the false sense that this team is always competitive. Welcome to mommy's world, kids.

Hey-Dawson backwards is Noswad!---Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on Jun 23, 2005 8:23 AM CDT reply actions

This is what I tell Mark...

.... when I was nine, the Cubs were awful. I have to remind him that 2003's playoff year isn't what it's always like.

He'll learn about failure soon enough.

<sigh>

by Al Yellon on Jun 23, 2005 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think they'll learn their lesson...

the Cubs will at least contend for a playoff spot this year, and i think they'll get one. Their second half schedule is easy, and their team will be much improved.

95 wins. You heard it here first.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jun 23, 2005 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Man...

... I sure hope you're right. I read your detailed schedule breakdown from the other day, and the key, of course, is getting the starting rotation healthy and in order...

and getting another bat in the lineup.

by Al Yellon on Jun 23, 2005 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

95 Wins?

That's .641 ball for the rest of the year. I don't want to call this a pipe dream. But without a couple significant roster moves by Hendry, it is.

by Thunderclap Newman on Jun 23, 2005 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

Roster moves that need to be done before this dream is realised

1) Release Borowski, Macias and Wilson.

Even having them on the roster is like giving up. I am sure that Baker should not be blamed for using them when that is all he has in his arsenal. This should be put directly on Hendry's column.

2) Get a competent LF.

The black hole we have a LF now needs to be enlightened.

3) Force Dusty to bat Korey no higher than 7th.

This should come from the GM. Corey's OBP is tooo anemic to be in the lineup let alone lead off.

I have always felt that signing $600,000-800,000 veterans for the bench is a counterproductive strategy. People like Macias and Wilson are below replacement level players. These spots should be reserved for the best prospects from the minor leagues. Same with the construction of the bullpen. Have some 3-4 million guys surrounded by the best prospects. Here I think Hendry is doing well (except for the failure to get a reliable closer at the begging of the year). The only stiff we have is Borowski, and he is not too far removed from being DFA'ed.

by victor @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jun 23, 2005 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

And there are still five weeks...

... till the trading deadline, plenty of time for Hendry to make big-time roster moves.

Two of them will come when Kerry Wood and Mark Prior return.

by Al Yellon on Jun 23, 2005 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions

gonna take more

than Prior and Wood. Personally I'm not sure what Wood will bring to the team. I know both Wood & Prior can hit better than 20% of the position players, but they're only in the line up every 5th game.

by Thunderclap Newman on Jun 23, 2005 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions

you're completely right

With the roster the Cubs have right now, this is a pipe dream. I would expect them to play somewhere between .550 and .600 the rest of the way with the roster they have as of today. I think the additions of Prior and Wood, the expected addition of a LF bat and maybe a bullpen arm (if we trade Remlinger and/or Mitre to get said bat), and the potential return of Nomar to the lineup are enough to get us to 95 wins. There are a lot of ifs there, but given the Cubs luck the last 2 years, i think we're due for a good long stretch of the good kind, meaining those ifs should turn our way.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jun 24, 2005 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Just remember

One loss is just one loss. Zambrano will remember this game for at least the rest of the year, and it WILL bring out his competitiveness.

AC026097

by gjdow on Jun 23, 2005 11:47 AM CDT reply actions

That is what I said with the boston game...

He gave up a a few runs and didnt look good and hurt himself minorly, but we won the game and overcame the defici so I acknowledged it but not much. The Yankee start was really bad for carlos and he walked so many, it looked like we were going to win but we didnt. That one was of more concern because he walked so many. Big Z is too good to let this happen again. Next start against the brewers is his worst start ever. So maybe its not just a loss, but Im hoping its as bad as it gets and theres no way to go but forward. And Big Z has to be pretty mad at himself.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Jun 23, 2005 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

bringing out zambrano's competitiveness

is the worst possible news. he becomes a whirling dervish, totally unreachable by his cathcer, his infielders, or his pitching coach. centered, mellow, collected zambrano would be unhittable.
by any team, either league, day or night.

by dc60123 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jun 23, 2005 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions