Soriano Splits - Cubs Runs Per Game

by BeltwayCubsFan on May 6, 2008 11:12 AM CDT

So did some crunching and the Cubs offense is registering 7.4 runs per game with Soriano absent from the lineup and 4.7 runs with him. The team is also 10-5 without him and 8-9 with him. Small sample size, and you can talk about various factors skewing these early results but the bottom line is that this is a split that bears watching.

More relevant is his early season splits with bases empty versus RISP. He is actually hitting .240 with RISP and a jaw-dropping .133 with the bases empty. We can argue all we want that he only officially bats "leadoff" once a game, but it is clear that Soriano is not getting on base to start innings or at least potentially start something if an out is already on the books. THIS SCREAMS TO GET HIM OUT OF THE LEADOFF SPOT.

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He's in everyone's doghouse!

We all know he’s having the worst time getting on base and we all know that automatic out to start games is a killer. I think we’re all going to have to bite our tongues and wait him out. Lou is going to wait him out. It’s not going to change. We can complain about individual players having off days but Sori is the only guy we have struggling. Even Pie is doing some things right with his glove or getting an occasional hit; at least things look a little brighter with him lately.

I think Lou is doing some sorting out with the pitchers and hitters, much like he did last year learning his new team. By June 1 I think we start to see a more set lineup and if Lou gives up on somebody, he gives up! But, he’s not going to give up on Sori, not with that much money invested. I’ll continue to bite down harder when he comes to the plate!

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on May 6, 2008 11:26 AM CDT reply actions

It's more A-Ram than Soriano

Aramis is in the top 20 for doubles. Doubles will usually lead into RBIs when you have Theriot and DLee getting on base. A-Ram needs to be healthy and the heat will be off Soriano for a few days if we start winning.

by ak123 on May 6, 2008 12:06 PM CDT reply actions

Also

You have to look at who they were playing while Soriano was out. How many games did they have with the Pirates? Now that their schedule got a little tougher and on these short road trips back and forth… the numbers wont be the same. Its hard to say what it is, but as a team they are not playing smart baseball or hitting great. This is why in 162 games we have so many highs and lows.

by chicagodave on May 6, 2008 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

Mets

They swept The Mets which is always challenging. Scoring 10 runs in one game.

by ak123 on May 6, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

He laid off

those down and away pitches in the 9th last night. I thought that was cause for some hope.
I should change my name to “glass half full.”

by goldglove on May 6, 2008 1:31 PM CDT reply actions

Positive

One of the few bright sides coming from last nights’ cubs at bats

by heine41 on May 6, 2008 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

ugg

I get so tired of people saying something to the effect “I know it is a small sample size but….”. When something is a small sample size it means that the numbers by themselves have NO MEANING. None. you have to wait until the sample size becomes bigger or you realize something wrong mechanically, mentally ,etc. Just don’t make judgments about Soriano with small sample sizes. The bottom line is that every split is worth watching, but if there’s a small sample size, it’s not worth complaining about yet.

As you have seen in the past few games, soriano’s strike zone recognition, while still shaky, has improved steadily over the last few days.

by ecbc on May 6, 2008 9:01 PM CDT reply actions