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Overflow Thread 2: Cubs vs. Diamondbacks, Monday 7/21, 8:40 CT

Who closes tonight?

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This team is still gonna have a great chance to do some really good things, but they need to get their heads out of their asses.

Alfonso Soriano may be a frustrating hitter who makes fans go crazy but he is sooooo important to this offense. It gets Theriot in the 2-hole where he gets to see some better pitches (he has been great tho). It gets Fukudome back in the 5 spot where he has been at his best.
Lou cannot possibly justify Soriano not starting LF tomorrow night.

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 21, 2008 11:06 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well.

he can justify it. I want to see Soriano play game action in the OF before he comes back to the bigs.

I’d like DeRosa in the 2 spot. but maybe thats just me.

The weather at Wrigley Field may change in an instant, but Aramis Ramirez is always steady in the clutch. - Associated Press (7/11/08)

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jul 22, 2008 12:36 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

More Questionable Moves by Lou

Sorry, but I think Fukudome should have been the pinch hitter in the 8th with Edmonds at first. The reason is two-fold:

1) He’s more likely to stay out of the double play.
2) He’s a superior right fielder.

Yes, Ward could have put the Cubs in the lead with one swing, but you could see his bat just dripping the DP sap. DeRo played the Drew ball cleanly, but Fukudome likely makes a better throw to the cut off man, perhaps keeping the run from scoring.

Over the past few weeks I’ve seen a number of “head scratchers” with Lou, and in each case he’s chosen poorly. We’ll never know if these substitutions would have made a difference, but when the team is not playing well, he must push all the right buttons.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Jul 21, 2008 11:07 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One of the most (if not the most) frustrating games of the year tonight.

You could get the sense of frustration from BCB community too. Lots of unjustified heated arguements. Our bats were dismal again. Hopefully we’ll come out and get them tomorrow, and Soriano will provide a much needed spark. Harden pitched an amazing game. Not much to be said about him, he is as advertised (hopefully minus the DL stint). Let’s just hope we can get him another win (come Sunday?)

Night.

by GoCubbies34 on Jul 21, 2008 11:12 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think all this "sky is falling" talk is ridiculous...

but it’s worth pointing out that D-Lee hasn’t homered since the 1st game of that White Sox series at Wrigley, on June 20.

by WartburgCub on Jul 21, 2008 11:13 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, I'm

hoping all the ledge jumpers stay in the other thread.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 21, 2008 11:15 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I looked that up the other day

and saw that. Lee has still been hitting doubles, but his power stroke is way off again. I told my wife right before that DP that he would ground into one. You could feel it.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:19 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Completely agree.

I was chanting “don’t hit into a doubleplay, don’t hit into a doubleplay, don’t hit into a doubleplay…” right at my TV.

by WartburgCub on Jul 21, 2008 11:32 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If he gets a hit there, I bet we score 3 or 4 in the inning. Qualls is crap.

Lee bailed him out and now the middling Snakes have some confidence.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:34 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Derrek Lee is a quality ballplayer, but he is not the superstar some make him out to be

Therein lies the crux of the problem. Too many Cub fans (myself included) have too great of expectations on Derrek Lee.

Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!

by MDBNIU on Jul 21, 2008 11:23 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Very true,

however, D. Lee and J. Edmonds have both been on W.S. championship clubs. Those two, along with Lou, need to lead this team through this stretch. They know what it takes to go all the way, so they need to be a calming force to the other fellas, as well as kick them in the ass when necessary. I honestly do not worry about D. Lee, it’s Ramirez that’s got me scratching my head. What happened? Is he still having struggles at home?

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 21, 2008 11:28 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

HRs Since The Break

Am I right, that the only tater hit was Fontenot’s yesterday?

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 21, 2008 11:21 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Although this loss stinks to high heaven,

the fact of the matter is all the Cubs need to do is make the playoffs. Once you’re in, it’s a whole new season and the hottest team goes to the finals. That’s how I’m looking at this, just make the playoffs, wildcard wIll get it done fine IMO.
So, even if the Brewers should overtake them, which is not a sure thing by any stretch, all the Cubs need to do is make the wild card.

Don't blow it boys!

by Mr W on Jul 21, 2008 11:24 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't think this loss stinks to high heaven

it was a pitcher’s duel all night and that’s fine. It stinks because we finally got to their crappy BP and didn’t do anything with them. Qualls was one hit away from letting us blow it wide open in the 9th. Lee rolls into his 1,499th DP this season and A Ram continues his hitting woes. There you have it.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:28 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Movie Night!

That’s what the Cubs could use. A double feature of their 1st half highlights followed by “The Dark Knight”. A little reminder of what got them where they are followed by some mindless fun to get ‘em loose.

I’d recommend Charlie Grimm and his banjo but Jolly Cholly has since joined the Choir Invisible.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 21, 2008 11:29 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can't figure them out

the All Star break came at a time when they really needed it and they start the 2nd half like this? I would have thought they would have come out stroking the ball, refreshed and ready to grind out the rest of the season. They look dead tired already. They broke out on Sunday, but you would hope so, I mean, it’s only the Astros.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:31 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Welp

At least they waited until July to swoon. Maybe Alfonso can help them out for a few weeks until his next catastrophic injury.

by jmomls on Jul 21, 2008 11:32 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hopefully this isn't a swoon

but we better start hitting on the road or we’ll be looking at a new Central division leader this weekend. Johnson looked like the Randy of old tonight, I tip my cap to him. We still should have gotten runs off of Owings and Qualls.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:36 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Make that 4

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 21, 2008 11:40 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And that's a good thing?

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:42 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True, we havent beat the marlins since 05

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 21, 2008 11:43 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2006 April 25,actually

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:46 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh ya, i believe jacque jones hit the go ahead homer that game

and Z broke a bat over his knee

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 21, 2008 11:47 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

2-10 against them the last 2 years.

And that’s when they sucked. They are a better team this year.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:47 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can't take the negativity

I know tonight was a frustrating loss—I was frustrated, too. But the overreaction to it by a lot of people here is nauseating. We’re four games into the second half. The lead didn’t shrink tonight. It’s been a great season so far.

Slumps are part of the game. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to have one right after the ASB, but … then again, baseball is a funny game.

(BTW, getting schooled by Randy Johnson is tolerable. Getting schooled by Brian Moehler isn’t.)

Perspective is key here. Many Cubs fans seem to be lacking it. I understand this franchise’s past, but that has nothing - NOTHING - to do with this team. Leave it alone.

Tomorrow is another day.

by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 21, 2008 11:36 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree

I get pissed after a loss, ANY Cubs loss, but watching them lose here stings a little more. I also can’t help my gut feelings when certain situations come up and the hitter fails as I felt he was. I take no joy in that, just that the letdown is greater because I am hoping he will succeed.

I will be cheering them on tomorrow night, and hopefully we can win and start winning more consistently on the road.

I’ll have to withstand the “how did the Cubs do last night?” jeers from the guys at work tomorrow.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:41 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well Said (Not) Bruce

A lot happens in baseball that even the newest of sabermetrics can’t explain. Although it seems to me that we don’t win on the road largely because of key contributors having such ugly splits:

Fukudome – .213 road AVG, .311 road OBP
DeRosa – .236 road AVG, .312 road OBP
Ramirez – .218 road AVG, .263 road OBP

Until these guys heat up, it might be worth rethinking the idea of shuffling the lineup so the better road hitters occupy the middle of the order.

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 21, 2008 11:43 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It really doesn't make sense, baseball is a game it really shouldn't matter where it is played

It’s like were playing a completely different sport on the road

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 21, 2008 11:44 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Funny, Isn't It?

The only thing that’s really different is that the Cubs bat in the first half of each inning. Other than that (and a few contrived “nuances” in the dimensions of road ballparks) it’s the same game on the same field.

Superstition? Not “sleeping in your own bed”? Who knows? Better yet, who or what can change the perception that the road is an unfriendly place?

Eat More Katsui

by CaliCub on Jul 21, 2008 11:48 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't have any numbers, just perception

but I think we don’t play well in any of the domes, especially when the roofs are closed. Tonight, I think we would have hit 3 or 4 HR’s if it wasn’t 101° and the roof and outfield panels open.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:52 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

two words...

No Curfew! ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 22, 2008 12:08 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lou cancelled

batting practice for tomorrow. He’s not a happy camper.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 22, 2008 12:09 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Here's the thing

This road obsession is ridiculous. The last few years, all I’ve heard is bitching about how the Cubs can’t win at home but can win on the road. Now it’s reversed.

It doesn’t matter to me where the Cubs win, so long as they do.

by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 22, 2008 1:25 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree

Now can they please start doing that soon?

by Mapmaker on Jul 22, 2008 8:05 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's funny how it

has changed from one year to the next. I doubt there is any one clear way to explain it other than it happens. I have faith they will get things turned around at when the time is right.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 22, 2008 2:32 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whens the next time we play the pirates?

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 21, 2008 11:40 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't matter...

You remember a certain outfielder dropping a fly ball in the OF, grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory there?

There are NO pushovers on the road for the Cubs. What are they now – nine games under .500 on the road?

by The E-Man on Jul 21, 2008 11:51 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

8 games under

and there was a post the other day listing 4 “win”s that turned into losses by poor play late in the game. I think overall, they even out. We won a few games late where we had no business winning them. You compete until the final out is made and that’s baseball. Our problem is that we don’ t bring our hitting strokes on the road for some reason.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:55 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

August 1-3

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 22, 2008 12:08 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Goodnight all

Gotta get’em tomorrow!

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jul 21, 2008 11:58 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

night John

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 22, 2008 12:08 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sports Nite is on

and they showed some from Lou’s post game press conference and he is pissed about the lack of hitting. He said he’s tired of seeing them rip the ball in batting practice and then do nothing during the games. Good. hope it helps.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 22, 2008 12:04 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what else did he say in the press conference.

"We have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It's our confidence. "--Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 22, 2008 12:14 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He also cancelled

batting practice tomorrow. He just can’t understand how they can hit the ball out during practice and not in the games. I don’t understand it either. Hopefully he said these things to the team and we sill see some runs tomorrow.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 22, 2008 12:36 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If all it takes for this team to wake up is sorianos return then throw him in the lineup tomorrow

My god the cardinals lost pujols for 2 weeks and he is 10 times better offensively than soriano and that offense didnt miss a beat, and to be honest we are head over heels better than the cardinals in terms of offensive talent. What this team lacks is mental toughness

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 22, 2008 12:32 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Flat, completely flat.

Where’s the fire? Johnson isn’t an All Star and we got 2 hits? Pathetic. No more excuses, just go out and start proving you are better than this team that kicked your last year in the playoffs!! How can anyone believe this year is any different than last when the same guys don’t show up when it counts. We can’t keep wasting these great pitching performances. This road crap has got to stop or we can forget any playoffs.

by Itchy on Jul 22, 2008 12:38 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We're becoming eerily similar to the 07 brewers, like it or not

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Jul 22, 2008 12:39 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sometimes you just get beat

Lots of good contact (at least from the cracks i heard thru the radio) and really nice plays overall from their defense.

Sucks to lose the first game of a series, especially when we got such a great outing from our starter… but it happens.

I just hope Rami’s bat wakes up.. we miss ya, buddy!! Jet lag from the plane home to the DR, maybe?

The weather at Wrigley Field may change in an instant, but Aramis Ramirez is always steady in the clutch. - Associated Press (7/11/08)

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jul 22, 2008 12:55 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They'll turn things

around. It’s not good that they started the second half on the wrong foot but they will get things together. We’ll keep cheering them on won’t we?

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 22, 2008 2:35 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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