Tonight the real season begins.
by Fukumania on Apr 21, 2008 10:49 AM CDT
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PrintI am very proud of our Cubbies for the 8-1 record so far against the Bucs and Stros (11-4 overall), and that matters in a very big way to be sure. But tonight, in a home nightcap on ESPN with our ace starting... this is when it really gets good. If the Cubs pull off either a dominating performance to the two game series or even better a dramatic walk-off win, expect that media respect to explode.
And lets be honest, who doesn't like watching our Cubbies get national respect?
Lets go Big Z!
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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8-1?
I’m pretty sure they went 1-2 against Milwaukee. Personally I’d like to see them do better against some better teams. Going 1-2 against the Brewers and 1-2 against Philly is not going to get it done. Now 2-0 against the Mets would sound nice…
by dr stabbingworth on Apr 21, 2008 10:54 AM CDT reply actions
I mistyped, sorry.
8-1 against the Bucs and Stros is what I meant. We are 11-4 against the NLC. Not too shabby.
Forever devoted
I agree but i will take..
the wins at this point in the season. It would be really nice to get about 20 games over .500 and not worry about who is nipping at our heals. I have a feeling that the brew crew will be the only team in the central that can sustain any type of winning baseball over the next month or so.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with you on this one
And Ben Sheets is having his health issues again, he is starting on wednesday, I don’t ever wish for players to ever get hurt but I don’t think I have to point out the fact that it weakens their rotation drastically
"We Are Not Fair Weather But Foul Weather Fans, Brothers In Arms In Streets and The Stands." -Eddie Vedder, Someday We'll Go All The Way
by ryanbrixenivy on Apr 21, 2008 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I meant to say he isn't starting on wednesday, which is when he was scheduled for his next start
"We Are Not Fair Weather But Foul Weather Fans, Brothers In Arms In Streets and The Stands." -Eddie Vedder, Someday We'll Go All The Way
by ryanbrixenivy on Apr 21, 2008 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions
This week's games
will really give us a good idea of our Cubs. First these two against the Mets and then two against the Rockies in Colorado and then another series against Milwaukee next week. Let’s get another home sweep against the mets and go from there.
Speaking of ESPN, i really wish there wasn’t a delay in the MLB audio broadcast, then I wouldn’t have to listen to the ESPN announcers.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
Agreed.
It’s amazing how they can atke a half-way decent game and make it un-watchable. The only thing worse than listening to ESPN announcers is listening to them broadcast a yankee-bosox game.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I'll be listening to Pat and Ron
over the ESPN broadcast. If that fails, I’ll just put a bloody CD on.
Kinda sorta an oaky afterbirth.
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 21, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
I think that sounds like a plan.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
So you're saying, so far it's just been the pretend season?
And since when do the Cubs play for media respect? I’d rather not be paid any attention all season. Much easier and less annoying that way.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
And that's your perogative.
Pretend season? Hardly. This team is playing with wheelbarrow loads of heart. And that’s all I ask of them, I just like browsing sports media sites and seeing our boys getting respect. And that’s my perogative .
Forever devoted
Then what do you mean by "real" season?
EVERY game counts. Not just ones that more people happen to be watching.
And I never said they’re not playing with heart.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
Really no need to take anything personally.
Of course every game counts. But tonight will be a great test on a lot of levels.
Forever devoted
No question it's a test.
I’m just trying to point out that sports media are very fickle, and looking for their respect will be a lifelong, exasperating endeavor.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
Not looking for it
It’s just nice, that’s all. Doesn’t matter in the long run, I know that this team has all the potential in the world.
Forever devoted
We could always
up and move to the east coast. ESPN’ll love us then.
Kinda sorta an oaky afterbirth.
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 21, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Long season folks...
...this early on, I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on who you are beating and who you aren’t.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Agreed. I think
at this point it is much more important that you win games and getting you winning percentage up that who you beat.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed. I would almost say...
that you really have to look how they are winning the games and/or losing. First month is a tester to see where the team is at and then May you make the adjustments, and hopefully by June you are full stride into the season.
I think the main adjustments that need to be made would be limiting the walks from our pitching staff, and extend the starters to 6-7 consistently.
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
And that's what I mean by "real".
It’s the first big test on a big stage this year. We can learn a lot about our team and our ace tonight.
Forever devoted
Agreed...
...the first 35-40 games, it’s really important to recognize what type of team you have and start to develop your game plan for prioritizing holes and getting them filled.
After 18 games, you can certainly be misled if you overreact either in a posiitve or negative way to what has gone on so far. What I like the most so far, is how Dempster has pitched and how patient the hitters have been – both great signs.
Sometime in early June, Hendry and Piniella will have to determine where they are going to focus to improve the club. Will they need another starter? Or will the top of the order be the priority? We won’t know the answer to that until you have another 25 games or so in the books.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Exactly.
What’s more important is finding out what you have and determining who merits playing time and who doesn’t. Then you alter what needs to be altered and go from there. Whether it’s the Mets or Pirates, I don’t need the media respecting the Cubs in April to feel confident about the team.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
A real test....
if you wanted to get technical, would be if Big Z was going against Santana tonight. But, as has been pointed out already, the important thing early in the season is just to collect W’s. It’s not about auditioning for October or anything like that. Just win ballgames and win series. So if we miss the opposing team’s ace, all the better.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
I am not in a big hurry to
face Santana either. His change-up can really screw with your timing and a couple of the big bats are really going good now. I just hope the we can sustain consistent offensive production. Too many times in the past we have followed-up big-run games like we saw over the weekend with a couple of 1 and 2-run output performances.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm actually expecting a 2-3 run game tonight.
I’m just hopeful that Z can limit the Mets (and D.Wright) to a couple or less.
Forever devoted
That's fine if
we score 3 and they get 1. I like the fact that we are getting out to early leads. It puts so much less pressure on the pitchers to put up zeros.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I like the Cubs to win big tonight.
Gonna say 7-2. Mets travelled from Philly and lost a close game to a divisional rival. Now they have to face one of the toughest pitchers in the League. No easy task.
Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen
One of the great things about sweeping the Pirates...
...besides, y’know, sweeping the Pirates is doing so guaranteed the Cubs a winning homestand. If they can split this two-game series with the Mets, I’ll (continue to) be ecstatic about this team.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Good point. Ithink it's time for
us to have a real home-field advantage. In the past few years our record at home has been really poor and I would like to be about 30 games over at home this year.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks. And yeah...
...establishing some dominance at home is huge for this team. Your comment got me wondering what the Cubs home/road splits have looked like over the last few years. Here’s what I found:
2003
Home: 44-37
Road: 44- 37
(Exactly the same—weird!)
Total: 88-74
2004
Home: 45-37
Road: 44-36
Total: 89-73
2005
Home: 38-43
Road: 41-40
Total: 79-83
2006
Home: 36-45
Road: 30-51
Total: 66-96
2007
Home: 44-37
Road: 41-40
Total: 85-77
It really does appear that, as Pat Hughes likes to say from time to time, when a team can play above-.500 ball at home and at least .500 on the road, good things will happen.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Thanks for reminding me about 2006
Grumble.
"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman
Not exactly stellar.
I haven’t checked but Iwould think that the home records for the world series winners are scary good. Wrigley should be a big advantage for our hitters and pitchers just because of the familiarity and the home crowd. If we want to go all of the way we have got to be better at home.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually the season started March 31
The Cubs will play more games against division opponents than any other, the most important games are those. You beat the teams in your division consistently and you make the playoffs.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Im with
the poster on this one.
Id like even a semi-mention of the cubs on espn.
My 08 Cubs record 4-0
Updated April 19th
If there ever was a year
for us to have a really good record against the division I think this is it.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 11:33 AM CDT reply actions
I completely agree with this
THIS IS the biggest game of the year THUS FAR for the Cubs.
Yes i know 1 win against the pirates=1 win against the mets, but this game lets us know where we are at more then any game so far. A win here will mean much more to the boys then a win against the pirates. Lets keep the bats coming!
My 08 Cubs record 4-0
Updated April 19th
do you really believe that?
Maybe Z has an off day or Maine has an off day or they both pitch great, this is not going to make me think any different of this team, regardless of the result of tonights game.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Hey, don't mess with him! The guy's got a 4-0 record!
Rudey, please tell me you’re going to either tonight’s game or tomorrow’s!
Nanika Ga Okoru!
No sry :P
But yes I do believe this could give the guys a big confidence boost. A 2-0 sweep of the mets means much more imo then a 3-0 sweep. I know I also want 3-0 over 2-0 but you cant tell me beating the mets now means more.
Either way Im seeing a big win by the cubs tonight, not 13 runs but a very Sure win.
My 08 Cubs record 4-0
Updated April 19th
sounds good.....
thanks for clarifying, I agree it would boost confidence
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Bummer. Then again, maybe you're due for a loss. ;-)
In any case, I don’t like to tempt fate by predicting sweeps—even two-game sweeps. I’ll take a win tonight, though, to avoid the mystery of whether they’ll at least split.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Does it count that Im going?
Im 4-2 this year. Not too shabby.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Win games.
Then it doesn’t matter who you’re playing. Just win. I like the Cubs’ chances tonight—Z has been superb at home this year so far.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
It's all in the Blue Jerseys! ;)
n/t
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
I hope not - I hate the blues. Looks like a cheap softball uni.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Theyre not my favorite
but I dont mind. People clammor about Soriano hitting leadoff because he is more comfortable there, well apparently Z is more comfortable in those. It doesnt matter to me at all. Ill bet one Cinci announcer thinks theyre the worst unis in sports. At least the Cubs wear sleeves.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
If we could get 25 more wins
ouf of Big Z in those blues, I would take it. Otherwise I would perfer to only see them in a Saturday afternoon beer lague.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 21, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
They're 12-6....
....and that’s about it. They won most of the games they could have, beaten the teams they should have and started nicely.
Nothing is ever won in April. Things are lost in April (see Cubs 1997) but nothing is ever won.
Positives seen are Cedeno and Theriot continuing to improve, Hill/Marquis getting their first W’s and D-Lee absolutely on fire. Let’s just see them continue playing solid ball. This will help when they play better teams.
Local television?
Does anyone know if there’s a possibility of tonight’s game getting blacked out? I’m in Rockford and hope to watch it on ESPN but can’t find anything as to whether we’ll get the feed or be stuck watching the Bassmaster Classic or something due to stupid blackout rules. Thanks!
I'm in St Louis so I'm watching ESPN
but locally it’s on WCIU. That help?
Ok, Wendy. Hot and juicy redhead. Give this a try.
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 21, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, the WCIU thing scares me. Sometimes we get WCIU games on Comcast Plus, sometimes we don’t.
by worldcupfever on Apr 21, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I just saw on the ESPN bottomline...
...that the game will be on ESPN in all markets, including New York and Chicago.
That's what I heard too.
I’ll post this in the game thread so everyone knows.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Thanks for the info! That’s excellent news. Now I just need to find a way to replace whatever awful commentators that ESPN sticks on the job with Pat and Ron and I’ll bet set.
by worldcupfever on Apr 21, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions
hmmm
i do understand what you are saying, but “national respect” has absolutely nothing to do with winning a championship. it’s far more important to fans than it is for helping the team win anything. i don’t think the rockies had a single national broadcast last year and they won the national league.
the fact is that if we dominate teams like the astros, pirates, and reds – and then split things with teams in other divisions we will make it to the playoffs…. the season has already begun.
"I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty," -- Lou Pinella
How true
It seems in almost all sports there are areas that get much more broadcast time/”national respect”. ESPN rarely broadcasts teams who don’t draw crowds. The Rockies are a perfect example in baseball. Think about USC football before they started their three-peat (or, depending on how you view it, one-peat). The attention ESPN started giving the Trojans after they got hot was incredible, but before that, it was teams from the Eastern United States.
"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"
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