21 runs in 9 games

by BeltwayCubsFan on Oct 5, 2008 7:02 AM CDT

21 runs. That is how many runs the Cubs have mustered during the 9 straight playoff losses. There is no way to try and explain it because it defies explanation. Some of the futility occurred against a team and player who now participates in the ineptitude (Derek Lee). Some of it occurred against a dominant pitcher (Beckett), while other times it occurred against mediocre bullpens.

The offensive flameout is exactly what I feared throughout the year - that the lineup 1-9 would go into the collective funk at the same time as they did against the diamondbacks and at varioust times this year.

In 1989 I attended 55 games in the bleachers and since that time have watched probably 90% of the games and lived and died with the team. Through the playoff failures of 89, 98, 03, 07 I never wavered from knowing I would start anew the following March. Today, I feel different. I feel betrayed by this team that has let me down beyond description.

Perhaps the offseason will thaw these feelings, but I think the link between myself and this team has been forever damaged by these 3 games.

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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Why didn't Lou...

Pinch hit for Soriano in the top of the 9th?

I mean, was already 2-whatever and you just knew he would strike out anyway. I would have used Reed Johnson in that spot (1. to have a better chance to get a hit, and 2. to send a very clear message to Soriano that overall performance really stunk)!

Sori showed no emotion at all.

Pathetic!

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Oct 5, 2008 7:51 AM CDT reply actions

Yep exactly the word I would use to describe this perfomance ...PATHETIC! you guys did it to me again

Fat , drunk , and ,stupid is no way to go through life son.

by alabebo on Oct 5, 2008 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions

STREAKY...

…that’s how you explain it. They may have led the league in runs scored, but remember all those big innings they had, leading the majors in that category? without that big inning, they were cooked. That’s OK during the regular season, but in the playoffs, when pitching is good and runs are at a premium, that 5 spot in one inning is harder to come up with. It also tells you that unless everyone clicks at once, they can’t score.

What pisses me off is that when this was pointed out earlier, everyone jumps on you and just says, “the offense is fine- they won 97 games this year.” But watching this team every day this year told you otherwise. I was hoping it was just irrational fear I had, but apparently it wasn’t. Despite leading the league in hitting, they can’t hit. How frustrating.

by reedjohnson on Oct 5, 2008 8:46 AM CDT reply actions

+1000

Personally I got very tired of hearing about “run differential” when, at the same time, the Cubs were under .500 in one run games; that’s the most telling stat.
The offense had the ability to put up crooked numbers but it was also maddeningly streaky and, as seems to be a tradition with Cubs teams, had very little ability to play "big boy baseball’-hitting to the opposite field, sacrificing, etc.
The Cardinals are a great example of a team that does those little things-sure injuries and an only slightly above average team caught up with them at the end but, as i said to a friend a few weeks ago, if the Cubs had a manager like LaRussa, they would have clinched the division at the beginning of September.

by bluekoolaide on Oct 5, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

I was duped a little bit...

…into thinking this offense had gotten over the hump as well, but it took playoff baseball to really reveal the warts that we say hints of during the year.

This team had a lot of games where they scored a boatload of runs and killed the other team, but also had streaks where they were leaving tons of guys on base and struggled to manufacture runs.

Its time for Hendry (with Lou’s help) to recognize what has played out in front of their eyes and do everything possible to make appropriate adjustments for 09.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 5, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions