A Day Game, For A Change: Cubs vs. Reds, Sunday 6/7, 12:10 CT
by Al Yellon on Jun 7, 2009 10:45 AM CDT
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PrintThe Cubs have played five straight night games (record: 2-3), and it would have been six if not for the rainout on Thursday.
They have a much better record in day games -- 13-9 -- as opposed to the 14-17 record in after-dark affairs. A lot of this, of course, is due to the home schedule; they are only 2-4 in road day games so far in 2009. Time to change that this afternoon.
Despite Mike Fontenot's rough day at 3B yesterday, he gets the start again today, via Twittermyer:
Soriano, lf; Theriot, ss; Fukudome, rf; Lee, 1b; Fontenot, 3b; Johnson, cf; Hill, c; Blanco, 2b; Wells, p
If you can stand a little more talk about Z's "retirement" speech, Bruce Miles' take on it is about the same as mine:
Retiring? Yeah, sure. And I’m going to be the Cubs’ next left-handed relief specialist.
From what I’ve read, Z has been in a goofy mood all week after the hubbub surrounding his blowing off of the team charter to Atlanta. He’s grabbed reporters’ notepads and directed them to other "controversies," such as Lou calling Geo Soto into his office for "a nice chat" the other day. (Actually, Z can be a lot of fun to be around when he gets like this, and I kind of like the big goofball.)
So I’m not betting against Carlos Zambrano being the Cubs’ opening-day starter in April 2014 in the newly refurbished Wrigley Field (or whatever it will be called). Maybe they’ll even show the "Best of Big Z" on one of the new JumboTrons they're going to install.
New JumboTrons? Don't count on that. But I think Bruce is right regarding Z in April 2014, when Wrigley Field will begin its 100th anniversary year.
Lou echoes what the rest of us feel, and what I wrote about in the game recap earlier today: the Cubs really, really miss Aramis Ramirez:
"I told him we're not trying to rush him, but we are," Piniella said, smiling at that point. "No, I told him it's important we get him back as soon as we can. He's a big part of this team and a big part of our offense."
Overall, the Cubs are hitting just .233 with men in scoring position. They're 4-for-32 (.125) with runners in scoring position on this road trip -- 0-for-17 since they got to Cincinnati.
Ramirez is expected back around the All-Star break next month.
I'd settle for after the All-Star break, just to make sure. If the Cubs can hang in there right about where they are -- three or four games behind -- until then, and they have series with both the teams they are chasing right before the ASB -- I think they'll be fine after A-Ram's return, even if he's not 100%.
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Bronson Arroyo has a decent 7-6, 3.18 lifetime record vs. the Cubs in 18 appearances (16 starts). This year he's 7-4 -- the seven wins have him tied for the NL lead with, among others, Jason Marquis, again illustrating how meaningless individual pitcher wins are. However, the 5.37 ERA and 12 HR allowed are ugly -- the ERA ranks fifth-worst among all NL qualified pitchers, and the HR allowed are fourth-worst. The wins largely result from the 52 runs the Reds have scored in his 11 starts, one of the top run-support marks in the league. Mike Fontenot, who had a tough day yesterday, is 2-for-3 lifetime vs. Arroyo -- a double and a HR. It's going to be a warm, pleasant hitter's type day in Cincinnati. Time for the bats to come alive!
Randy Wells has never faced the Reds or anyone on their current roster. Let's hope that works to his advantage.
Today's game, as last night's, is on cable in the Cincinnati area, and also nationally on WGN. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Overflow comment threads will post today at 1 pm, 2 pm and 2:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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He has not looked good in the field or at the plate. He needs a couple days off!
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Woohoo - A day game!!!!
Night games are evil when you live in the Queen’s land… even if you are up until 1am each night talking on the phone to your NY-based girlfriend.
Is it July 6th yet? I can’t wait to get back to the friendly confines.
The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.
OT but I bet she loves that :)
"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 7, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's friggin get a w
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Let's see what incarnation of Bronson Arroyo we get today
I’m hoping for the 84 MPH flat-fastball throwing, cheesy Creed-lead singer wannabe.
In other news, I can’t turn on the TV or surf to other Web sites until 4. Fox decided to broadcast Formula 1 on tape delay, instead of the usual Speed live broadcast. I can’t read newspapers or check my e-mail or talk to my dad…
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Sori does need a day off
and today with the off day tomorrow would have been a good one even if it meant starting Hoff or Fox.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
I agree
Day game after night game with off day tomorrow, great way to get him a couple days off in a row without missing a couple games.
But. Thank goodness for a day game on WGN. :-)
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
I agree too.
I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.
by drewishdrewid on Jun 7, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Man, I can't help but look at that lineup every day and think
“Wow, this lineup is just pure rubbish compared to last year.” I mean, we have a handful of guys that wouldn’t make the cut on some teams, and some that would be back in the minors. It boggles the mind.
It’s just hard to get excited for a lineup that includes a third baseman that can’t throw the ball over the head of a player (or GET ANGLES ON A GROUNDER IN PREPARATION FOR A THROW HOME) and a 2B-SS-3B that combine for a OPS+ 179. Combined! Andres Blanco’s OPS+ is 1. ONE!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
i see it this way
last year: depth in DeRosa, Font, Cedeno (good w/ the glove), and even Blanco who is more reliable with the glove than Hill
this year: Scales, no DeRo, Font starting, Bradley, Fox, Blanco
Hendry really deserves a lot of the blame this year. At the time, i wasn’t really pissed at DeRo getting traded, but then i saw that there was really no reason too. They signed Miles right after for basically the same money. Ronny couldn’t hit a lick but he had the glove.
by lexmarklover on Jun 7, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Stop with the revisionist history
on Cedeno. He might be the dumbest player in baseball.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 7, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I never thought Neifi Perez was the smartest apple that fell from the tree...
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
being dumb has nothing to do with fielding
I guarantee you that if cedeno had to make that play that Fontenot didn’t make, he would.
by lexmarklover on Jun 7, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
And I guarantee you
he would have done something with his bat and/or his baserunning to negate it.
Remember, this is the same guy who once was thrown out at second base on a walk.
I can’t believe I’m actually reading posts pining for this guy. Don’t worry, I’m sure the Mariners would give him back for a box of baseballs.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 7, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Hendry and Piniella both...
Hendry’s offseason moves were in response to Piniella’s campaigning in the media to get more LH in the lineup. The two are culpable for the situation. Piniella was infatuated with Fontenot and felt he was a suitable everyday player.
But the biggest problem was that the team is not well suited to handle injuries. Last year, we were better-suited to handle an injury or two because we had 9-10 good hitters and guys who could legitimately play multiple positions.
Now granted, some moves had to be made. Expecting Edmonds to repeat his 2008 was probably not a good idea, and thus getting Bradley made some sense. Trading DeRosa for prospects was fine, assuming a suitable alternative was found to fill that utility role. That was not accomplished, which left the team exposed.
Right now, we’re seeing a bad scenario turn out. The guy who we didn’t have a fill-in for at all got hurt, and the guy we got to replace Edmonds has been hurt and ineffective so far. And Fontenot hasn’t shown he can hit LHP. And Soto and Soriano have played below expectations so far.
If Soto can get somewhere between god awful and where he was last year, that’ll help. When Soriano goes on a hot streak that’ll help. And when Bradley starts hitting, that’ll help. And when Ramirez returns, that’ll help.
Hopefully the other three things will happen soon, so that we can stay close to the top until Ramirez returns.
Obviously this has not been the optimal start. But the team, on aggregate, has been underperforming and has had to deal with injuries. Hopefully, the underperformance will cease and the injuries will subside.
I don't usually defend Aaron Miles, but...
… had everyone been healthy all year, Miles and Fontenot would have platooned at 2B. That might have made both of them valuable. Instead, both of them had to play nearly full-time, making them both virtually useless.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The Miles issue is a different issue...
If Miles had been brought in simply to be the RH portion of a 2B platoon, he’d be tolerable. But you aren’t going to convince me that the team paid him 2 years, ~$5 million to be the lesser end of a 2B platoon. If so, then that’s just an inefficient use of resources.
But you sort of echo my sentiments. The team was not constructed in a way to manage injury risk. Sure – had everyone been healthy, we’d have been fine with Fontenot/Miles at 2B. But assuming good health is not a good strategy – especially when you have an injury-prone lineup.
Right.
It was constructed imagining that everyone would play exactly where they were expected, up to career highs, and never get hurt.
There was no backup plan, and we are seeing the unfortunate results.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Who expects Aramis to miss over 2 months?
Esp b/c of a shoulder. He misses time every year, usually for leg issues. But rarely for 10 weeks in a row. A couple days, a week… Miles/Fontenot starting in place of him for that long and we’re probably fine…
Esp if Bradley/Sori/Lee/Soto are anything less than “ugh”.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
True
Ramirez never has had a major injury with the Cubs, just some nagging stuff that takes him out of the lineup for two weeks max.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 7, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
You don't EXPECT it...
but you don’t expect to get 160 games from him either. He’s missed 30+ games in two of the last four years with back/leg injuries – the type that typically come back.
But between Bradley (whom you DO expect to miss substantial time), Soriano (who’s missed 25+ games each of the past two years), and Ramirez, you should probably have better protection than Miles/Johnson.
The team took a gamble. Had everything worked out, we’d have had arguably a better offense than last year. But the approach opened the door to substantial risk, and we’re seeing the downside of that risk now.
I'll give you 10 weeks is a bit unexpected
but in 2005, Ramirez played in 123 games and in 2007 132 games. In fact, it seems like every other year with the Cubs he has injuries. Not having a decent backup is inexcusable.
Caption
I suck at baseball this year, but I finally hit a homer last night so naturally Lou sits me today.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
... waiting for the pigeon to crap on my head.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The problem with this
If the Cubs can hang in there right about where they are — three or four games behind
Is that we’d have to jump 3 teams, even though we’re only a couple games out.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
So?
Those other teams can lose games, too. Like today, for example, if the Cubs beat one of them.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
i have a feeling that
hendry is going to make a big move position player wise. Except, I don’t know which position and when the sale is going to be resolved.
I have a feeling this can't happen
with the impending owner change. But we’ll see.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
this name keep coming up
but chone figgins at 2nd? MIles and somebody else. Figgins will be a free agent after this season so maybe Angels decide to trade him
by lexmarklover on Jun 7, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Even if they would trade him
What is the hell would they want Miles for? So they can pay him again next year?
maybe not miles
but if i were the Cubs, I would give up anything in the minors for him except for Samardjiza and Vitters.
by lexmarklover on Jun 7, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
How many second basemen can we sign at once?
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
The team record appears to be seven, in 2006.
Walker, Cedeno, Neifi, Womack, Theriot, Bynum and Hairston.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Great point
Should there be a move, I doubt it’ll be for a 2B.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
in making a deal
i would hope that the cubs could get rid of some of the 2nd baseman
by lexmarklover on Jun 7, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions
I disagree
Between the no-trade clauses, big contracts, lack of ready prospects and impeding team sale, I don’t see a big deal.
I hope some of the team saw Dusty jumping and jiving yesterday after the win.
That got me a little heated, damn Dusty toothpicks!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
The Reds acted like they had just won the World Series
Instead of beating a team below them in the standings. Gotta get your joy where you can, I guess.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Harden not starting today
I posted this in the Josh’s minor league wrap but my only confirmation was a line buried in the DM paper. The I-Cubs web site earlier listed TBA for a starter today now it listed someone other than Harden. The paper said he was not starting due to sickness but as I wrote in the minor league wrap we’ve had a lot of rain and more chances this afternoon, Harden may have been pushed back so he does not slip and reinjure his back in wet conditions. That’s just my guess. How guys get sick in June is a little hard to fathom?
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Lots of crappy wet days
lots of travel.
Not surprising how many people have been fighting off something.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Just like Prior and Wood before him
Nothing will ever be on schedule for this guy. So very frustrating.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Lou
is really losing it. Soto starts to look like he might start hitting………so of course he sits today? Mike frikking Fontenot in the 5 hole???? Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fontenot
mike has looked pretty good at 3rd just not yesterday.fonzie needs a break as he looks pretty bad.we could use one of his hot streaks.pretty expensive 240. hitter. i doubt hendry will do anything because there is no owner to approve payroll. i think arroyo will be tough with the cubs hitting like girls lately.
Alright
I’m off. Babysitting a Great Dane puppy while his parents are out of town. :-)
Go Cubs!
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Jebus, Zambrano talking about bunting in the playoffs or World Series.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
If it's not him it'll be Marty.
Double ugh. The game’s on WGN, so you shouldn’t have to be exposed to the Brennamans.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I actually like Marty
He’s definitely no homer. I know what he said about Cubs fans, but …
Thom, on the other hand, is a blowhard who gets hysterical about everything.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 7, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed on little Thommy.
I have met him a couple of times. Have rarely met anyone in broadcasting — and I work there, remember — who is as full of himself as Thom Brennaman is.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Caption suggestion
“So it’s ‘Koy’? How does that work? ‘Koy-ye’, I can see – maybe ‘Koy-ee’, but ‘Koy’? That just seems wrong…”
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Jun 7, 2009 11:53 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Tweet from Gordo
Harden’s start pushed back to tomorrow, will (if all goes well) return to the rotation on Saturday.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I really wanna see Harden throw against Mauer, Cuddyer, and Morneau.
As a Minnesota transplant, I could use a few of the ’ol Harden backwards Ks to talk some trash to my Minny friends! Hopefully he can start this next weekend.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
In Harden's AL days...
… he was 1-0, 2.13 in four starts vs. the Twins.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
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