Early Morning Thread -- Post Win!
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 5:56 AM CDT
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PrintWith the late start and all I thought I'd start a thread for those of us who had to sleep but rise early.
Caught the recap and I have to say that despite the fact that the bullpen is being used A LOT recently I love how this team comes back. I'd love to hear the conversations on the bench during the games.
I'd like to believe that Edmonds is beginning to heat up. Being on a winning team does something to players who are used to winning. I wonder if all Edmonds needed was to be back in a "comfortable" position? Like Yogi says, "Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical."
It's a great way to start a West Coast trip. Let's keep it going tonight!!
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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Domer off tonight
Just saw a SunTimes blurb mentioning Kosuke-san will have the night off as his wife and baby are in SD visiting him for the first time since the season started.
I believe he's earned it
I know there were high expectations for him but he has really been a great addition.
Plus, gotta play with that new baby. :)
Teach him to switch hit Kosuke!!!
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 6:39 AM CDT up reply actions
His baby, Hayato
already got Cubbie pacifier and all the merchandises so he should be Cubs fan, already!
I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.
by dragonsfanatic on Jun 3, 2008 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Is there a specific meaning to the name?
It’s very strong.
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Here is my post
I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.
by dragonsfanatic on Jun 3, 2008 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Hadn't seen that
Very cool. It’s amazing how fully Kosuke has embraced the Cubs and Chicago in such a short amount of time.
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Thank you, Kosuke, for choosing the Cubs over the Padres (and White Sox)
back in December.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I hope you’re enjoying the same ride that we are.
FU-KU-DO-ME!
Go Cubs!
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
He hasn't seen his wife since the season started?
No wonder he’s been in a mini-slump.
By the way, great idea with the early morning post for us eastern time zone folks.
Another point about the record
After a May 1st loss to Milw (Shouse was the winning pitcher; are you kidding me?!) the Cubs were 17-11. Not horrible but it was their second consecutive series loss and many were looking at amazement of the snakes, who were 20-8. AZ was thought to be the best in the NL by some, then came the startling comment that made me look deeper.
They played almost all of their games in the NL West (duh) at that time. Now just a month and a day later, the Cubs are 37-21 and the snakes are 32-26; an eight game swing. In that time, the Cubs record against the NL West? 14-1 (their only loss to SD at Wrigley to Shawn Estes; another are you kidding me?!)
great idea, bama Fan
I hope Kosuke has been able to hide away somewhere nice and quiet where he and the mrs can be themselves with their child. The Japanese media are known for their guerilla tactics in stalking their subjects, making paparazzi look like pikers ..
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
FYI .. the Extremely Self-Centered Pansywaist Network ..
seems to finally be recognizing the Cubs’ almost stellar spring
Watching Sportscenter this AM, the little sidebar read (with my one liner opines)
Penguins-Flyers – what a GAME .. any hockey fan would have to agree
Game 5 – go Pengies – I hate any team from Detroit
David Ortiz – surprised they didn’t have a live reporter outside his home
Pacman Jones – slap on the wrist
Terrell Owens – a showboat who can deliver
Cubs-Padres
I guess since the Yanks and BoSox aren’t playing lately, they’re too bored to do anything else.
Ah, Al is right .. Cub Nation, remember where you were this past weekend!
GO CUBBIES!!
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
Guess I never used E-S-P-N that way
but it is what it is. I try to filter out the East coast bias just because they have good [Chi] coverage at times and it’s better than watching Chicago Tribune Live on the homer-network here. I ignore NFL stuff until it’s TIME for their season.
‘Guins won 4-3 after 110 minutes playing the toughest team sport in the world. Game ended at 11:45 CDT. I go back to the Cubs game and Marmol was a little off. Luckily EDMONDS got that hit to drive in run #7. Woody seemed to have closed it out right at mid-night.
As for remembering where we were, I want to remember where I was when they clinch the division and all the playoff series. I have a manually written count-down clock on the dry-erase board in my office and use it for the pitchers and catchers report date, first day of ST games, season opener and division clinch day. That last number now stands at 109 days.
My only real problem with ESPN
Is when they use their platform to hype some ridiculous “best” (fill in the blank). This year it’s “Titletown U.S.A.”. Really? This is something sports fans sit around talking about?
I’d also like to see more European soccer highlights but I realize I’m WAY in the minority on that so really no big deal.
The Cubs are a national team so they get more coverage than a lot of teams. Plus Wilbon is a real fan and if the season plays out the way we all hope it will the coverage is going to be insane.
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Seconded
on more Euro Soccer highlights!
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Maybe at least his month with Euro 2008
I won’t have to wait for the ESPN DePortes 30 sec to see something. LOL
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't hold your breath!
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I fast-forwarded through
the game this morning, mostly watching the top halves of the innings, so I didn’t really see much of Z’s performance on the mound. I gather he was not his usual cool, calm and collected self. But I saw that triple, coming after a really bad, late swing on a fastball the pitch before. Z is always doing that – looking horrible on certain swings and then destoying the ball 20 seconds later.
I was not happy at all to see Marmol go back for a second inning. There was a 4-run lead. Someone else should have gone in, with Wood ready in case of trouble.
"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella
lou
really needs to calm it when it comes to marmol. Marmol’s like his little security blanket, anytime something goes wrong Marmol gets the call and he has been abused lately IMO. When Lou was blowing his top watching Wuertz you could just tell he was thinking, “enough of this nonsense, wheres Marmol to clean up the mess? Get in here Carlos!”
The Aramis BB/K Watch: 34 walks to 33 strikeouts. Im not sure who the last Cub to have more bb's than k's was, but Im sure it was a very long time ago.
Okay so...
I have one complaint and this is Lou’s tendency to use Marmol as if this is 2003 and he is Dusty Baker. We have plenty of pitchers…some likely here for a short stretch…why must we over use Marmol?
The guy has a strong arm and we are going to need it all year. To use him AGAIN when up 4 runs in the 9th is ridiculous. I love everything else Lou does but Lou, if you’re reading this…stop overusing Marmol!
He is the most dominant pitcher in that pen IMHO, and he needs to get his rest too.
Calm down.
There was a post in last night's thread
That mentioned the problem Marmol has when he pitches a 2nd inning. Relievers have funky heads already. I’m not a stats guy but it would be interesting to see his numbers broken out over two innings.
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah though
I am not even making it that complex. I have watched him march out for (I think) like 5 of the last 7 games. This is not the first stretch like this IIRC. I just want his filthy stuff around come Aug, Sept, and hopefully Oct.
OT: Any rumblings on that Millwood rumor that Al mentioned yesterday?
I like what I have seen of Millwood in the past. Not sure on how he has been pitching but I would welcome a potential #3 starter to bolster our rotation.
Calm down.
Is Millwood better than Marquis?
Again I’m not really talking about stats, more about team chemistry.
I’m by no means the president of the Jason Marquis fan club but he’s a “part of the team”. Does Millwood (or someone else of similar talent) really add that much or is it counterbalanced by the disruption it would cause to the rotation?
Now with a player like Sabathia there isn’t even a discussion, but I’m not sure Millwood is worth the chance.
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions
What is +1
I am confused however in response to the Marquis thing. Unless there is reason to believe that Millwood would be a disturbance in the clubhouse, I see no reason to think Marquis is such a valuable piece of this club that we cannot upset him by trying to improve this pitching staff.
Just sayin.
Calm down.
If you look at the numbers below
you’ll see that Millwood doesn’t look like much of an improvement.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I guess I am fearing the Marquis breakdown....
any stats on Millwood’s second half performances?
Calm down.
3.51 2nd half ERA for Millwood,
vs. 4.97 for Marquis. Those are both career.
That said, Millwood hasn’t had a 2nd half ERA below 4 since 2005. Add in his substantial injury risk, and hoping that we get 2005 Kevin Millwood is probably a risk the Cubs shouldn’t take. I’d rather take a stab and reinserting Hill or Marshall into the rotation, or maybe even tossing a start or two at Kevin Hart, and those moves would cost the Cub nothing. Texas will want prospects for Millwood.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Exactly why I don't think the Cubs need Millwood.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Certainly better
but I suppose everyone declines. You know, unless you are Clemens.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 3, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Looking at Millwood's stats.
He and Marquis are kinda the same pitcher:
Millwood: 10 GS, 54 IP, 67 H, 19 BB, 34 K, 5 HR, 4.50 ERA, 1.55 WHIP
Marquis: 10 GS, 56 IP, 70 H, 22 BB, 32 K, 6 HR, 4.98 ERA, 1.60 WHIP
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Exactly.
Maddux before Millwood.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Actually that +1 was for BRINGING Maddux back
Not the played out comment.
Sorry Kinky, I want Greg to go out as a Cub
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
It would be nice but...
well, I don’t know. Just seen that game before. I love the guy for everything he has done here and elsewhere but…well..I suppose his wisdom is always, without quesion, a plus.
Whatever..I guess I am undecided.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 3, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm with you.
Maddux numbers away from Petco are not good: 5.01 ERA, 53 H in 41 IP vs. 1.84 ERA 29 H in 24.1 IP at Petco. Oddly enough though, he’s surrendered just 2 HR on the road, while surrendering 4 at Petco.
I’d love to see Maddux back in pinstripes, but I’m not sure he can help the Cub at this point in his career.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Yes...
... I too would like to see Maddux do better on the road before I pull the trigger on a deal for him.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Cubs do with him tomorrow night; they hit him pretty hard in Chicago last month.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Yeah, but I think
he knows exactly how to pitch in Petco: just throw where they hit hard and in the air, because once it gets up there, it’s going to be an out. I don’t expect the Cubs to get a lot off him, maybe 3 runs.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
What we want does not matter
I think it is unlikely Maddux is going to pick up and leave
California. Certainly the situation in San Diego is a lost season
but I am far from sure he wants to retire. His road ERA is slightly
scewed by the disaster in AZ. His last start was more typical
6 innings ,2 runs and of course no decision after the BP blew
a one run lead. Anyway I can MAYBE see him going back to
LA but Chicago or Atlanta seems remote.
In any event he is going to call the shots so if Scott Boras calls and whispers in Jim Hendry’s ear that Maddux misses Chicago ribs, he is back ( and per previous post for little more than the salary , he won’t “cost” as much as other potential starters) otherwise he enjoys the warm weather.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Jun 3, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
There isn’t a player (no Cub) I root for more. I just think, we have done this dance. Hate to trash the nice exit he had as a Cub by replaying it.
Ats all.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 3, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
That's part of the point of getting him back...
... not just that I think he can help the team, which I do, but leaving in the middle of the worst season in recent memory isn’t exactly “a nice exit”.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
WHAT IS THE +1??
I am lost. I suppose Al, I have to say on my list of wishes. The Cubs winning ranks well above Maddux getting an even more touching send off.
Now of course, if they win and he wins with them…PERFECT! If not though, and his pitching is not good enough to help, it would be less than a wash IMO.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 3, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
+1
is an agreement with the post. I s’pose it stems from RPG games, or at least that’s what I infer.
"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08
by neverAcquiesce on Jun 3, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Unfortunately, it is also a constant reminder of a stupid column by Mike Rogers
or was it Phil Downey? I can’t tell them apart any more…. well, I could if I saw them in person, but not by what they write.
Anyway, I wish folks would just say “Agreed” or “Yep” instead of +1. Heck, I’d even settle for the occasional “yeah, what he said”....
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
TWHS
?
"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08
by neverAcquiesce on Jun 3, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
OK...
... someone’s gonna have to translate TWHS for me.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I think
it’s “That’s What He Said”.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
lets put this in perspective
millwood has been pitching in the AL and in 2005 posted a 2.86 era. His career era is 3.99 and a 1.29 whip. Millwood also has the ability to strike a batter out, something Marquis stumbles upon by luck and facing the opposing pitcher.
The Aramis BB/K Watch: 34 walks to 34 strikeouts. Im not sure who the last Cub to have more bb's than k's was, but Im sure it was a very long time ago.
So you like the Millwood idea?
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 3, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
i think he's better than marquis
in a perfect world rich hill would pull his head out of his ass and the cubs would DFA marquis. if that never happens then yes i would be in favor of them trading for millwood if it meant marquis time with the team was done.
The Aramis BB/K Watch: 34 walks to 34 strikeouts. Im not sure who the last Cub to have more bb's than k's was, but Im sure it was a very long time ago.
Yeah
I cn’t help but wait for the other cleat to drop with Marquis. With Hill gone to AAA, he remains, IMHO, the weakest link and the most probable bust.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 3, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
The other thing I want to say is
we can say that to hope for a 2005 Millwood is a stretch but let us not forget we took a chance on pre-2008 Edmonds and currently, he may be proving us wrong. I know it is too soon but…
As far as what we have to give up. In the ideal world we dump Marquis in the trade and perhaps a couple pieces from the farm..not sure who.
I guess i am just tired of Marquis…
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 3, 2008 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
i have a feeling
that sentiment is felt by a few hundred thousand cubs fans. i am confident though that marquis will be gone, in one way or another, by august.
The Aramis BB/K Watch: 34 walks to 34 strikeouts. Im not sure who the last Cub to have more bb's than k's was, but Im sure it was a very long time ago.
Of course Sabathia...
not sure that piece is available now though. Perhaps the offseason.
Calm down.
I agree I was just using him as an example
Of someone who’s talent would overshadow any clubhouse disruption.
As opposed to say Barry “Bighead” Bonds
by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 3, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
I know
I actually want the Cubs to make moves like this again to the staff for 2009. Not going there yet though, sittin pretty in 1st with the best record in MLB!
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 3, 2008 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not thinking 2009 at all right now.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
My point exactly.
Just sayin where I saw CC if ever on the north side.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 3, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
last nights game
i will honest i thought the streak was over. i agree about marmol-he’s starting to wear out i gotta believe. if we cant trust the others—get rid of them. by august marmol is going to be toast at this pace.
It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!
Marmol
needs about three days off. Then three days off after he pitches his next game. I’d rather have Kerry completely worn out than Marmol.
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
We need to win some games by big scores...
... and keep the setup and closer guys on the bench for a couple of days.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Which is the position we were in last night.
Four runs up in the ninth and I was SHOCKED to hear Pat Hughes says Marmol was going out again.
"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08
by neverAcquiesce on Jun 3, 2008 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I meant more like winning by 7 or 8 runs...
... a couple days in a row. A 10-0 blowout tonight would be a big help.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
We'd probably use Marmol again
Just to be safe.
"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman
Gotcha.
Tonight’s as good a night as any to do so.
"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08
by neverAcquiesce on Jun 3, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I think...
.....besides the first batter walk, Neil Cotts had some amazing stuff last night.
Strikeouts are boring - besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. More democratic. ---Crash Davis
by carmen_fanzone on Jun 3, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Expect to be "shocked" at least 30-45 more times this season
and then you can celebrate a 95+ win season.
The record for most wins by a team in a single season is 116 games by the 1906 Chicago Cubs (152-game season) and more recently, the 2001 Seattle Mariners during a 162-game season. Yep, Lou was the manager of that Mariner team.
The most wins on the road in one season is 60, done by the aforementioned 1906 Cubs, who were 60-15 (.800) on the road. The 2001 Seattle Mariners hold the AL record for wins on the road, winning 59, losing 22. That’s .728 on the road!
Ain’t it sweet to feel the 2008 Cubs can win every time they take the field? They are on pace to win 103 games (losing 59).
Go CUBS!
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
The club record for wins in a season at home is 57.
That’s doable.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Let's do it!
n/t
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
Let's do it!
n/t
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
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