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Around SBN: Post-UNC Thoughts

The Second Half: A New Beginning And Hope - Cubs vs. Nationals Preview, Thursday 7/16, 6:05 CT

Sam Fuld teaching Sean Marshall how to play left field during Sunday's second game.

More photos » by Paul Beaty - AP

Sam Fuld teaching Sean Marshall how to play left field during Sunday's second game.

WASHINGTON -- Finally arrived early this afternoon in the nation's capital, or more correctly, in suburban Virginia where I'm staying with friends. By the time you see this post, I should be on my way to Nationals Park; it's my first visit there. Email me if you are going to be at any of the four games and I'll try to meet up with you. I know there are a ton of expatriate Chicagoans in Washington and also there are quite a few people I know who have headed east for this series. With the Nats doing poorly and not drawing well (averaging 23,413, 24th in the majors), I expect the entire weekend to be filled with Cub-centric crowds.

At this writing the Cubs have made no roster moves, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they had made a deal, or more, or signed B.J. Ryan to a minor league contract, before they take the field tonight.

Paul Sullivan details five things the Cubs must do to improve in the second half and reports that Milton Bradley swears, yes, swears, he'll be better:

"When I tell you I'm back, I'm back," he said. "You can mark it down. I'm going to be hitting for the rest of the year."

All I can say is this: I sure hope he's right. If he can put together a second half even close to what we all expected when he was signed to the big-money deal last winter, the Cubs' offense will be markedly improved.

Bruce Miles has a similar take on the second half. So does Gordon Wittenmyer in the Sun-Times.

Update on the Cubs' sale: Tribune Co. is going to file for bankruptcy for the Cubs, as first predicted a couple of days ago. This procedural move will make it easier for the sale to be completed to the Ricketts group and will apparently help protect the new owners from Tribune Co. creditors after the sale is done:

In the Cubs' case, a Chapter 11 filing says nothing about the team's solvency or its ability to pay player contracts. But it could prevent Tribune creditors from chasing a new Cubs owner for partial satisfaction on Tribune debts.

The tactic for the Cubs "would deliver as clear a title as possible to the new owner of the team," said a source close to the talks. "It's a way in some respects of inoculating the team."

Soon. Very soon, maybe as soon as next month, we'll have new owners. In the meantime, there are games to be played. And won.

Star-divide

Today's Starting Pitchers
Rich Harden
Rich Harden
Cubs
vs. John Lannan
John Lannan
Nationals
5-6 W-L 6-6
5.47 ERA 3.70
83 SO 50
36 BB 39
16 HR 12
vs. Was -- vs. Cubs

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Rich Harden 5-6 15 14 0 0 0 0 74.0 78 49 45 16 36 83 5.47 1.54


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - John Lannan 6-6 18 18 1 0 0 0 112.0 117 52 46 12 39 50 3.70 1.39

Ross Detwiler was supposed to start this game, but he was sent to Triple-A Syracuse right as the break began. Instead, we get John Lannan, an actual good pitcher. I'd love to see the Cubs try to get him someday -- he's a lefty sinkerballer who would do very well at Wrigley. He is 2-0, 3.38 lifetime vs. the Cubs; the last start he made vs. the Cubs was August 22, 2008 at Wrigley. In that game, the Cubs actually hit him pretty well (5 ER in 6.1 IP), but the Nats teed off on three Cubs relievers, pounding Chad Gaudin for six runs including a grand slam by Willie Harris. Obviously, that won't happen tonight. Derrek Lee is 2-for-5 vs. Lannan with a HR.

If only the Rich Harden who threw seven two-hit, one-run, no-walk, eleven-strikeout innings vs. the Nationals on August 24, 2008 at Wrigley Field would show up tonight, we'd have no problems. The only Nat who has more than one hit off him is ex-Pirate Nyjer Morgan (3-for-4). This might be a real good game to get Harden back on track.

The Cubs are back on cable today -- CSN Chicago and MASN, the Washington/Baltimore area cable sports outlet. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Overflow comment threads will post today at 7 pm, 8 pm and 8:45 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs  |  Comment 133 comments |

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No kidding.

This has been one hec of a long week. Makes me wonder how I make it through the winter.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Jul 16, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

answer:

football

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yucky

I may try college basketball though. My daughter will be starting at Marquette in the fall. My husband went to DePaul and is a big Blue Demon fan. It will be fun to start a rivalry with him.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Jul 16, 2009 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

College basketball is fun.

But I love football most of all.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not more than baseball though...?

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Jul 16, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like football

and basketball better than baseball.

by sue369 on Jul 16, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You’re killin me here, Sue.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 16, 2009 6:05 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Way more

Swimming > football > baseball > basketball > other sports.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I live for baseball.

Beyond absolute basics, I don’t even know the rules for most other sports. I just never was interested.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Jul 16, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I swam for 15 years

and my first living memory is of dancing around my grandad’s study wearing my older brother’s Payton jersey singing the “Super Bowl Shuffle”

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I still have that song in vinyl.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Jul 16, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have it on video cassette

and theres a polaroid of me in mid dance somewhere.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Swimming 15 yrs

you must be very good.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Jul 16, 2009 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was pretty good

I blew out my shoulder while training for the paralympic trials.

Now, I’m just a fan and might coach someday.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

sorry about your shoulder :(

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Jul 17, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Me too

but it was fun while it lasted.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 17, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"When I tell you I'm back, I'm back..."

To show you

I can really

SHAKE ’EM DOWN!!!

♪ ♫ Do ya love me?! (do ya love me) Do ya love me?! (do ya love me) Do ya love me?! Now that I can dance. ♪ ♫

WATCH ME NOW!

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:04 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

We had issues with this team last season

Hopefully that won’t continue.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 16, 2009 4:04 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Lineup!

RJ
Theriot
Bradley
DLee
Aramis
Soriano
Baker
Hill
Harden.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 16, 2009 4:11 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

guess Lou

didn’t hear all the talk around here about hitting Milton in the two hole.

by elgato on Jul 16, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, I assume Milton will be batting right-handed vs. the LHP Hannan.

So I like him batting third. His numbers from the right side are pretty impressive – .918 OPS, though in only 67 PAs.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I also like putting him

in the 3 hole—it’s a nice show of confidence by Lou. Also, with Milton announcing he’s back—what better way than hitting 3 for us the remainder of the year?

by socalbob on Jul 16, 2009 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here comes BJ

Just got a tweet from ESPNChicago saying he signed a one-year deal.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 16, 2009 4:11 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

link

here

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 16, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Summarize for me? MU rulz??

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 16, 2009 4:36 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

1 year

minor league deal.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 16, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

TWSS

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why is Harden starting?

Lilly, Z, and Wells could all be on normal rest periods.

This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09

by Kansas25 on Jul 16, 2009 4:11 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Because there isn't a better way to start the second half

than throwing your worst pitcher.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 16, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

get his start

out of the way?

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 16, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ensure his start...

is against the worst team in baseball?

This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09

by Kansas25 on Jul 16, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

BINGO.

Confidence builder.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

But doesn't it line him up to face the Phillies?

Rich Harden + power hitters + hitters park= disaster.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 16, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Every time I see that W on the Washington hat

I think of the Walgreens logo.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Jul 16, 2009 4:11 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Let's hope the Nationals...

…are like medicine for what ails the Cubs.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 16, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL!!!

I think the same thing

by bigz38fan on Jul 16, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Cubs have a sickness...

…and the prescription is more Washington Nationals.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The cure for what ails you?

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I prefer,

Ales what cures you.

"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Jul 16, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is a big series

A perfect opprtunity to get things started out heading in the right direction by taking at least 3 of 4.

Need Harden to pitch well. Hopefully he is well rested.

by Ryanocm1 on Jul 16, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Will Ryan...

start in AAA or come straight to the club?

This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09

by Kansas25 on Jul 16, 2009 4:20 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I would tend

to believe that he would make an appearance or two down at Iowa, but I don’t know that for sure.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jul 16, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, that's good. Arm strength is good.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You mean... to inject arm strength...

j/k

"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)
.

by SackMan on Jul 16, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who is the backup Catcher?

Are the Cubs going to trade for a veteran, or call up someone from Iowa? Or go with Fox?

by tripdenten on Jul 16, 2009 4:22 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

As of now,

still Fox.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jul 16, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This 2nd half especially...

…I think it is crucial for the Cubs to come out like it is opening day and run off a good record for the first 6-7 games. If they don’t, I fear the funk will continue and you could see some guys underachieve for the duration. If that happens, they have no chance.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 16, 2009 4:22 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

SWL get the Jays symbol off and the Cubs symbol on

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 16, 2009 4:22 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

You need to reverse the image so he's left-handed.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is a disgrace to The Chosen One.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 16, 2009 4:37 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

EXPELLIARMUS!

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 16, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The "Z" function is not working for me

I’ve e-mailed SBN about it and they told me it would be fixed by now, but it’s still happening: every time I press “z” to go to the next unread comment, the page jumps to the top, but it un-highlights comments.

Anybody else having this issue? I’m on Safari 4.0.2.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jul 16, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I have it occasionally

But I have google chrome.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 16, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No Chrome for Mac just yet

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jul 16, 2009 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I had the same issue last night on my laptop

No problems today at work though.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 16, 2009 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

with all apologies to the White Sox

… my pick to click tonight: Milton Bradley

by elgato on Jul 16, 2009 4:32 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Milton is that you?

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jul 16, 2009 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You can put it on the (message) booooooooooard...........aw hell yes!

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

?

The reference is lost to me.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jul 16, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hawk and Stone

always select a “pick to click” at the start of every game.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jul 16, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks man

Guess I didn’t need to know that after all.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jul 16, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's a very old Sox tradition

Going back, at least, to the days when some guy named Wimpy did games with Hawk.

by elgato on Jul 16, 2009 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay

Vote here

Who is more likely to come out and have a good 2nd half

Bradley or Soriano?

I think both are. We’re not talking about bad hitters here.

But if I had to pick one I have more confidence in Soriano.

I had to delete my twitter account. But you can still find me at fanfiction.net under puckish prosecutor.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 16, 2009 4:34 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'll take Milton, but let's hope they both do.

Why did you have to delete your Twitter account?

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It’s a long story but basically I was spammed. Long story I will be reestablishing a new one soon.

I had to delete my twitter account. But you can still find me at fanfiction.net under puckish prosecutor.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jul 16, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, I get tons of spam followers, too.

I just choose not to follow them, so I never receive any of their tweets.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I block the spammers on mine.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 16, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i block 'em too

spammers… and anyone i don’t like.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They usually get banned within a week anyway

I just let them go.
Im glad you didnt block me Allie.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by jkobus on Jul 16, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

why would i not like you?

you haven’t blocked me for talking about the cubs too much. :-)

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If I had to pick one it would be Milton.

Milton does not swing at balls and unhittable pitches like Soriano does.

by MandMexpress12 on Jul 16, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pick one?

I’d say Milton-he gets on base much more frequently

"You can't win a dobleheader if you don't win the first game" Bob Brenly

by cubswgnrocks on Jul 16, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gameboard

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jul 16, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll take Milton

sure feels good to have baseball back again. Hopefully our second season goes better than our first.

"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg

by gwood on Jul 16, 2009 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Milton

healthy and low BABIP which will improve. He’s still able to get his walks which means he’s not swinging at crap.

I hope you are right on the “both” call.

by socalbob on Jul 16, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

7-4 Cubs tonight.

This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09

by Kansas25 on Jul 16, 2009 4:40 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'll vote for that.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 16, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good to see you're in a democratic mood

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jul 16, 2009 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sure, why not?

I’m in the nation’s capital!

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 16, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lobby to bring Joe Mauer to Chicago...

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jul 16, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Couldn't agree

more with this statement

"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg

by gwood on Jul 16, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dream on, my friends.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 16, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can we give Soriano's money to Mauer?

Surely there’s a way you can lobby for that!

"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)
.

by SackMan on Jul 16, 2009 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think

Soriano’s money will be enough for Mauer if he ever leaves the Twins

"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg

by gwood on Jul 16, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

There are many Chicago people in D.C. nowadays

I’m sure at least one or two have some sort of power to draft a bill that decrees Joe Mauer will sign for life with the Cubs.

Too bad most of them people are Sux fans…

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jul 16, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mauer would play third, first, or catcher. I don’t see a big need at those spots. But if I were starting a team my top 3 would be Mauer, Hanley, and Pujols.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 16, 2009 5:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

I would probably

take Mauer, Pujols, and Lincecum (or Harren)

"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg

by gwood on Jul 16, 2009 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wouldn’t take a pitcher to start a team. And I’d pick Johan over Lincecum any and every dAy.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 16, 2009 6:07 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Dan Haren is really good

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Apparently, Albert is, uh, stiff.
@JoeStrauss: Albert arrived at clubhouse around noon today. Exhausted from A-S frenzy. Did not come on field. Experiencing “mild stiffness.”

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I pray to god the home run derby f'd up his swing

"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)
.

by SackMan on Jul 16, 2009 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Him and Fielder both

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jul 16, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, I don't want to tempt the Baseball Gods by wishing for injuries...

…but let’s just say it’s worth keeping an eye on. In other Cards news, DeRo swung a bat with no wrist pain today and may be activated over the weekend. Should be interesting to see whether his power is all there still.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll buy that for a dollar.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Spending the rest of the day in the car, on my way to Wisconsin for my ninth straight year of 2 days of DMB @ Alpine Valley.

My Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Bradley is forthcoming.

Dan

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 16, 2009 4:42 PM CDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

See ya there dan! Sorry you have so far to drive!

Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2012

by heine41 on Jul 16, 2009 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Going to see DMB in KC...

in September Dan.

This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09

by Kansas25 on Jul 16, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe we’ll meet up? That’s the 2nd to last show of the tour, which essentially started in February.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 16, 2009 5:03 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Sounds good.

We’ll talk on down the road.

This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09

by Kansas25 on Jul 16, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Al ...

is the trade you alluded to not happening?

by elgato on Jul 16, 2009 4:49 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Apparently not right now.

I’ll see if I can find out any more information.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jul 16, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lannan

Light em up!

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 16, 2009 5:01 PM CDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

I'm gonna watch the game on delay

because I can’t miss people watching over at Wrigley and to catch the first song

I’m going to the concert Tuesday. Thanks to my fiancé, if she’s lurking, for the tickets

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 16, 2009 5:03 PM CDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Lannan's numbers are interesting.

He has a decent ERA (3.70) – and he had a good one last season, too (3.91 in 31 starts). But he’s really hittable, and he doesn’t strike guys out much (4.09 K/9, 1.28 K:BB so far this season). In fact, he’s a good example of why it’s good to look at a starter’s FIP. Lannan’s is 4.77 thus far – compare that with his ERA.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 16, 2009 5:13 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Lannan's ERA has been significantly better than his FIP for his whole career.

About a run lower, in fact. His strand rate is fairly high and his BABIP quite low, which usually indicate luck, but if he keeps it up for the rest of this year it might be something like a trend. Hard to say after basically a season and a half. As Al’s summary suggests, he’s an extreme ground-ball pitcher. Maybe his pitch selection (the Internets say he has five pitches: FB, CB, SL, CH, and a cutter) makes his ground balls especially prone to becoming outs, for some reason. Or maybe he’s just lucky. There are a few pitchers whose ERA is routinely different from their FIP (IIRC Javier Vasquez is the typical example of a guy who underperforms his rate stats).

by aldimond on Jul 16, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

More Lannan stuff.

He outperformed his FIP considerably at every level he pitched at in 2007 also (he had 8 starts at A+, 5 at AA, 6 at AAA, 6 in the majors that year). Not so in 2006, where he struck out a lot more batters but had a high BABIP and low strand rate. He struck out fewer and fewer batters as he moved up the ranks (one can say that with some confidence, as K rate stabilizes very quickly). I don’t have a source for GB/FB stats in the minors, but he was ridiculously good at HR prevention there. In the bigs his HR/FB rate is pretty normal, but it’s hard to imagine a guy giving up few enough fly balls to have a HR/9 around .5 with a normal HR/FB. If it’s not just luck keeping his BABIP down it might be the same thing that kept his minor-league BABIP and (presumably) HR/FB down.

by aldimond on Jul 16, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the additional info.

Colin Wyers recommended FIP in one of his posts here a season or two ago and it makes for an interesting comparison to ERA. I find it gives a little more insight into a pitcher’s performance.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 17, 2009 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whoa there.

FIP? Haven’t come across that one yet. Quick summary?

This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09

by Kansas25 on Jul 16, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

According to google

it is Feline infectious peritonitis or the Federation of International Polo.

I don’t think thats right though.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Haha...

thanks for the effort tho

This season IS over. -BLou 6/30/09

by Kansas25 on Jul 16, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well it wasn't just for you

I was really curious, myself.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

FIP stands for Fielding-Independent Pitching

The idea behind it is that pitchers have a fair amount of control over their K, BB, and HR rates but not over much else. FIP is a formula that predicts ERA based on K, BB, and HR rates. In practice it predicts a pitcher’s future ERA better than past ERA does, but there are some caveats. First, some pitchers’ ERAs routinely over- or underperform their FIP. Second, another study found that pure fly-ball rate is a better predictor of HR rate than is past HR rate, so an “expected HR rate” might be a better input to the formula than true HR rate (well… most ML pitchers have a very similar HR/FB rate but there are, again, exceptions to this).

by aldimond on Jul 16, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I didn't think most fly ball pitchers gave up many home runs

Or have I been not doing enough math?

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've only read the articles, not crunched the numbers personally.

They say that for most ML-quality pitchers the rate of home runs allowed per fly ball is sort of like BABIP (batting average on balls in play): all pitchers are about the same, but the value fluctuates wildly over time. The tradeoff of being a fly ball pitcher is that you usually give up more homers and extra-base hits and fewer singles — this isn’t a great tradeoff on the face, and so most fly-ball pitchers that make it in the majors strike out a lot of batters, too.

There are a handful of pitchers that seem to give up fewer homers per fly ball. I don’t remember who they are. I think a typical number is about 10-12% of fly balls. Carlos Zambrano, who’s given up about 32% fly balls in his career, is at 9.1% HR/FB; Ted Lilly, who gives up about 50% fly balls, is at 11%. So Lilly, as a fly-ball pitcher that gives up lots of home runs, has to limit baserunners to be effective. With the Blue Jays his walk rate was pretty bad, and he gave up lots of runs as a result. Since coming to the Cubs he’s cut down on the walks while continuing to strike out lots of hitters — this means fewer baserunners which minimizes the impact of those home runs.

by aldimond on Jul 16, 2009 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ah

thanks!!

Glad I came back to read it, very well explained. Thank you. :-)

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 16, 2009 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fielding Independent Pitching

idk what that means though

wells4roty

by jesus christos on Jul 16, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ok nevermind

wells4roty

by jesus christos on Jul 16, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Harden on the road

04/10 @MIL 6.0 innings 2 runs
04/26 @STL 6.0 innings 2 runs
05/06 @HOU 7.0 innings 3 runs
06/24 @DET 5.1 innings 4 runs
06/29 @PIT 7.0 innings 1 run

Hopefully this is a trend that will continue tonight!! Let’s get this second half started on a good note!!

by Freddyd on Jul 16, 2009 5:17 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

So in other words you're saying

pitch Harden all you want as long as it’s not in Wrigley.

by JFCubFan on Jul 16, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You said Harden…and long…(snickers).

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 16, 2009 5:42 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Some pitchers

Have these years where they pitch better at home than on the road and vice verca. Same as day games vs. night games.

Hopefully we’re seeing a trend where Harden is having one of those road warrior years which would be a bonus for the Cubs because we need to improve that road record

by Freddyd on Jul 16, 2009 5:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

is randy wells injured?

i ask only because he’s not listed as being sunday’s starter

by John T. Unger on Jul 16, 2009 5:35 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

my guess is because kevin hart will probably start that game sunday.

that way hart won’t start vs phillies and wells can start game one of the phillies series.

by MandMexpress12 on Jul 16, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

unfortunately it does.

nothing SHOULD make sense when it involves Kevin Hart starting a major league game. Early line on Kevin Hart’s total walks. Ill set the line at 6.5 over or under?

by MandMexpress12 on Jul 16, 2009 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

6.5

is that per inning? lol.. j/k

by Gocubsgo1977 on Jul 17, 2009 1:58 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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