Cubs' 11-6 Loss To Astros: Mental Mistakes, Bullpen Failures
by Al Yellon on Jul 29, 2009 7:30 AM CDT
in Recaps
285 comments
Last night's 11-6 Cubs loss to the Astros, which dropped them back into second place by 1/2 game after the Cardinals beat up on the Dodgers, turned on two plays.
The first was Kosuke Fukudome's inexplicable decision to try to stretch a routine single to center field into a double. The play was right in front of both him and Astros CF Michael Bourn; it was the leadoff play in the bottom of the first inning; why would you risk taking a runner off base when your team is already trailing 1-0? It wasn't a good idea at the time and it seemed to take a lot out of the Cubs; the next nine hitters went down in a row until there was one out in the fourth inning.
The second bad play was Ryan Dempster's decision to try for a double play with the score 2-0 and runners on first and third with nobody out in the top of the third. Miguel Tejada hit a comebacker that Dempster snagged in front of the mound. It was clearly a contact play -- Bourn, who was on third base, broke for the plate. He would have been out easily had Dempster thrown to Koyie Hill, who, according to Paul Sullivan, was yelling for the ball:
Catcher Koyie Hill was yelling at Dempster, who paid him no heed.
"I did hear him, and I think that's why I threw it in center field. When I went to throw to second, I heard 'home.' I should have known to go home. ... Bad baseball."
Don't know whether that was the rust of not pitching for four weeks or what -- even if Dempster doesn't throw the ball into CF and gets the double play, there was nobody out. A run would have scored anyway. If he throws home and gets Bourn, there might have still been time to turn a DP by getting Tejada at 1B, and even if that didn't happen, the next two hitters were routine outs. That would have left the score 2-0 instead of 4-0, because one of those outs became a sacrifice fly.
And the Cubs would have had a better shot at the game that way. Roy Oswalt left the game in the second inning with a lower back strain. Reliever Wesley Wright retired the first five batters he faced but then completely lost his control. This isn't totally surprising -- Wright is generally used as a LOOGY and the 13 batters he faced last night was the most in his major league career. Five walks, a sacrifice fly and a single later, the Cubs were back in the game trailing only 4-3. The single was by Reed Johnson -- a very early use of a PH in the fourth inning if you're not going to leave him in the game. This, and a double-switch made in the sixth after Lou again failed to understand that Sean Marshall could actually throw to more than four batters, left the Cubs short of bench players quite early in the game.
Dempster gave it back in the fifth, allowing a two-run HR to Tejada, but the Cubs tied it in the last of the fifth on Aramis Ramirez's three-run shot.
And then the bullpen failed. They got out of the sixth with no damage, but Angel Guzman gave up a HR to Geoff Blum and then in the eighth, Kosuke Fukudome just missed a diving catch on a Jeff Keppinger ball that wound up as a two-run triple. It wouldn't have been an easy play, but if Fukudome can grab that ball, the score remains 7-6 going into the last of the 8th -- an entirely different game.
The Cubs' five-game winning streak is over; it happens. The Cubs had enough baserunners, despite having only five hits; Astros pitchers issued ten walks -- all unintentional -- but the Cubs really took advantage of them only in the fourth inning, when the five walks given led to three runs. Dempster's pitching and defense showed the rust from his layoff; maybe a rehab start wouldn't have been such a bad idea. Speaking of rehab, B.J. Ryan made his first appearance for Iowa (OK, technically, it's not a rehab assignment, but the Cubs are trying to "rehabilitate" him), throwing 11 pitches (five strikes) in a scoreless inning with one walk. It's a start, anyway. He'll make up to six appearances there before the Cubs decide what to do with him; he has to be recalled within 15 days of last night or be released.
With Ted Lilly on the DL, they may need him before the 15 days are up. Today's pregame thread will post at 11:30 am CDT.
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Aaron heilman
is terrible. That’s all I have to say.
by ndcubs on Jul 29, 2009 7:47 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Yep
15 of 31 inherited runners have scored. That is all you need to know.
by niuhuskie224 on Jul 29, 2009 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions
maybe he's hurt
an a DL stint until September first would help.
maybe his manager keeps forgetting not to use him in a game where runners are already on base
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
BINGO
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 29, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
BINGO
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 29, 2009 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Should've just left Stevens in there to wrok himself out of it.
Maybe he’d still have a 0.00 ERA right now, if it weren’t for Heilman.
"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)
.
You know I saw him grabbing his
shoulder/leg/head/arm/nose last night we should put him on the DL
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
This is why Lou should be stopped whn yanking Sean Marshall from a game.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
agreed
I was amazed when he pulled him after one batter Monday night. He’s been a starter and I thought earlier this year he was considered the long relief guy.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
Lou doesn't have a "long relief guy".
Or, at least, doesn’t use the guy he has that way. This winds up overworking the entire pen.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The pen is overworked as it is
Today’s game will be decided by which starter goes the most innings.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Agreed.
Wells really needs to go seven today. Marmol & Gregg didn’t throw yesterday so they should be available.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's the only bonus
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I'd rather have our bullpen situation
than the Astros. We are probably going to get one inning too many of the Houston starter, so that will be our chance to score a ton of runs.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Oswalt's problem doesn't help the Astros in the long run
For the short term, these things don’t always make a difference. The Cubs do need to win today so they can keep putting pressure on the Cards.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
At this point
it seems clear that Heilman should be the long relief guy – the guy called to go two innings, expecting him to give up a run every three innings.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
Lou has never used a long-reliever since he's been with the Cubs.
That’s why Jon Leiber wasted away in the pen last year. It’s one of his biggest failings as a manager, IMO.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Bill Potter on Jul 29, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
to be fair
two of John Leiber’s starts ended up with Cincinnati hitting over 10 HRs.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions
True.
But then he was buried for the better part of the year, not filling the role he was signed for.
He was awful in those starts, but Lou never used him as a long man (or a mop-up man for that matter), and I think it could have saved some wear-and-tear on some arms.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Bill Potter on Jul 29, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
I remember skipping some work to watch that 11:35 a.m. start...
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Brenly said on the telecast that Keppinger kills lefty.
Keppinger was up with two on I think it was first n third. Marshall as unable to retire the lefty bourn. Keppinger was already 2/2 I believe. With the great numbers vs lefty I did not have a problem with it. Also if Sean would have gone 2 innings he would probably be burnt for today’s game. You do sort of have to protect marshall since he is only lefty in the bullpen. You want to at least have him available to go a batter or two the next day.
by MandMexpress12 on Jul 29, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I think Lou
believes he can throw Marshall every day and get those 1 or 2 outs that a lefty can get. Will be interesting if BJ Ryan joins the team if Lou then leaves Marshall in the game longer knowing he has another lefty in the pen. Why else does he pull him after a couple batters? Stupidity?
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Would it be crazy to hope that Marshall would go back in the rotation
instead of Hart if Ryan comes up?
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I was thinking about that.
I really like what Marshall gives you in the bullpen though. I have a hard time messing with that.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
This drove me crazy at first, too
But it seems clear that Lou wants to use him for very short outings so that he can go to him more often, because he is the only lefty available.
We need to get another lefty before the deadline.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
I'm usually not one to defend Lou
But, for his career, Keppinger hits LHP at a .349 clip—as opposed to .259 against RHP.
Given that it was a key situation in the game (6th inning, tie game, runners on the corners), I can understand Lou’s logic in this particular situation.
Turns out that it worked since Guzman got Keppinger to strike out.
Eamus Catuli!
It worked in the SHORT term
but it eventually forced Lou to go to Stevens who had thrown 36 pitches the night before. Again he just does not think ahead. Take the risk on Keppinger and let Marshall pitch TWO or more innings. In hindsight he should have pulled Dempster for a pinch hitter and let Marshall start the 5th but I give you that one was not so obvious as keeping Marshall in . Also not going to Gregg who was WELL rested instead of Heilman with runners in the 8th a mistake that you COULD see coming. Granted Gregg is not my favorite guy to put in with runners on but better than Heilman and he is certainly capable of 4 out performance.
"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
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 29, 2009 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions
This is a key point.
During pregame interviews, I’ve heard Lou repeatedly mention batters’ splits rather pitchers’ – meaning I think he looks at how the batter hits vs. a pitcher rather than looks at how the pitcher throw vs. lefties/righties. This probably explains why Lou makes many of his baffling bullpen moves.
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 29, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
with the poster above.
However, it’s ben the rare time that the pitching did not hold up and the offense did its share last night.
We’ve been playing well, shake this off, and go get it today!
"Don't give me any of that ole' bulls#!t." - Lou Brown
Related to Lou
It’s not really Heilman it’s Bob Howry in his skin ….. and both of these guys are Lou’s Sons……… He loves them.
Just like Hendry loves K. Patterson, Jacque Jones, Milton.
Dome's out wasn't an issue for me
That was aggresive base running and sometimes it backfires and sometimes it fires up the team. The throw to second was a basic mental error and to be honest it dosn’t tick me off all that much either. As a realist I just try to remember " If the world didn’t suck we would all fall off".
If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.
I think "inexplicable" is going a little too far.
The play was right in front of him and the CF fell down. But Dome did stop and start again around first base. If he’s running hard the entire time, he’s probably safe at second.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Once he stops, he probably should have just stayed at first base.
It’s the first inning and you’re the leadoff hitter. Get on base, don’t get thrown out like that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It was an inconceivable decision
No matter if he was told the CF has a poor arm and what not. A blockhead move.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Inconceivable?
I do not think that you know what that word means…
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
No hablo ingles cabron, que putas quieres que haga?
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
LMFAO
Aqui viene el Toro Venezolano, Carlos Zambrano, a batear...el lanzamiento...A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 29, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Por cierto, me encanta tu screen name. :D
Aqui viene el Toro Venezolano, Carlos Zambrano, a batear...el lanzamiento...A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 29, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmmmm
No “Princess Bride” fans online this morning.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 29, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Have fun storming the castle!
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 29, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Al,
You usually have great writeups that I anxiously anticipate. This one is off, though. Bourn fell down when fielding the ball and somehow managed to quickly throw a strike to a relay guy who got Dome. It happens. It was an aggressive play and had a very good chance of success. Would you have thrown a fit if he got gunned down trying to steal second? Because given Bourn was on his bum, Dome probably had a better chance getting to second on this aggressive baserunning play then stealing a base.
Dempster made a mental error. It happens.
We lost this game because our pitching was bad. Period. Demp was rusty and Heilman was his usual awful self.
by paulucla on Jul 29, 2009 7:58 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Agreed
The first half of the game was pretty “wacky” as Len and Bob said. After Aram went deep in the sixth to tie the game 6-6, I liked our chances – especially after having trailed 4-0. Blum taking Guzman deep with two out was the momentum changer in my book.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Wacky?
When was the last time you saw a batted ball go into a pitchers shirt? Yes, wacky is correct.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
I loved Ron Santo's comment about that
“There’s something you don’t see every day.”
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
About 4 or 5 hours before the game
last night in the Joe E. Brown movie “Alibi Ike”. TCM was showing a Joe E. Brown marathon and yesterday was his birth date. A noted goof in the movie from IMDB, “The plot hinges on the lights being turned out at the Chicago Cubs’ ballpark during a night game, so the hero can change into a uniform. Wrigley Field, the Cubs’ home field, did not have lights installed until 1988.”, led up to Brown changing into a uniform that was too large and having a ground ball to him get lost in the uniform top. It was odd seeing it happen last night after seeing it in the movie.
Blum usually has our number
That’s the third game winning run he drove in against the Cubs this year. Maybe my memory is fried, but does anyone else in the league that we’ve faced have three game winning RBIs against the Cubs? I’m too lazy to go over box scores, but it seems that Blum is in a league of his own there. You probably don’t want to give him anything to hit now if you have a tie ball game late.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Dempster was terrible.
He had nothing, just meatballs up in the zone that were getting hit all over the field. He should have been pinch hit for when we had the bases loaded in the 4th. Heilman should not appear in anything but a blowout.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 29, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes, I noticed
he was throwing them right down the middle.
Actually, everyone pitching was doing that. Everytime someone took a swing, I was a fraid it was going to go deep.
Aqui viene el Toro Venezolano, Carlos Zambrano, a batear...el lanzamiento...A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Jul 29, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Aaron Heilman is just awful
Why Jim Hendry has had a several year fascination with the guy is beyond me. Heilman is as awful as he was in New York.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
Heilman was definitely awful in 2008
He’s still awful in 2009, which leads me to believe that Heilman’s problems are the result of either decline or he simply should not be pitching for a large market team.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
There isn't a person outside of Heilman
his mother, Lou, and Jim Hendry that doesn’t agree with that statement.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
I can forgive college loyalties
as long as its identified as such.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
the real problem
is that his inconsistency has become consistent. This outing, he was bad. Last outing, he had a 1-2-3 inning. The outing before, he was bad. The outing before that, didn’t he strike out the side?
Somehow we need to fool his arm into thinking it pitched badly the day before.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Not a bad idea.
I haven’t been able to hate him like a lot of people here, for that very reason. Whenever I groan that he’s coming in, he actually does OK. Yesterday I didn’t groan. I will today.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 29, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
SO DO I .....
Heilman is getting any better that for sure . Are we the only ones that can see this ???
The Aaron Heilman Sucks Fanclub approves of this here message
You’re invited to apply for membership.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
I think I already
have a membership. If not please accept my appication.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
You're Chairwoman of the Committee to Run Heilman Out of Town
We would like to see your agenda for the next meeting please.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
My committee
is meeting soon. I’ll get back to you.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
I never thought I'd say this... but...
I miss Michael Wuertz
"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)
.
Check Wuertz's numbers with the A's.
He’s getting a lot of attention in trade talks.
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 29, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
and the BCB leader in CLPCL
makes his usual appearance after a Cubs loss
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 29, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Dempster should have been pitching in Iowa last night
I applaud him for sucking it up and trying to help the team last night, but when a mediocre pitcher pitches hurt its going to get ugly. I’m sure he will improve from this start, but man oh man that was brutal.
The offense did a good job, and Lou pulling Mike Fontenot had to make a lot of people happy.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
In a perfect world, Dempster might have rehabbed in Iowa
In that same perfect world, Ted Lilly would not be on the DL.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Yep
Hindsight is a wonderful thing…But at the same time with the success of the rotation during these injuries (against tough teams) and a manager who is always looking to rest for the players, another five days or so certainly wouldnt have hurt. Aaron Miles should have been called up to start this game…. :) A new day!
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Jul 29, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't fault Kosuke for the baserunning play
It was a play of aggressiveness based on his read of Michael Bourn’s play on the ball. Those are the kind of mistakes you can tolerate.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
I wonder if Milton Bradley makes that play
or Soriano what the reaction would be from people here. Al was right to call out Fukudome because it was a horrible mental error.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on Jul 29, 2009 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
You and I already
know what the reaction would be if either of the two you mentioned had done that.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Exactly
It was a bad play early in the game. Why he gets a pass from so many people today is beyond me.
by Mike Martin on Jul 29, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
That was fun
when Kosuke’s grounder got stuck in Fulchino’s jersey. Never saw that one before.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I don't think I have ever seen that one, either.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It looked like the umpire called the play dead
And awarded Koske first base. Did anyone else see this?
Hard to tell
What I remember: Pitcher- Pathetic look toward ump. Ump waved right arm horizontaly as if to say throw it to first, its in play. This will be in the next baseball comedy.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Jul 29, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
The ump did make a gesture...
…that seemed to indicate he called the ball dead and awarded Kosuke first base. Maybe someone else can confirm.
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 29, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Ump definitely called the play dead
After Fulchino realized ball was inside jersey, he turned towards the ump while fishing the ball out and kinda shrugged his shoulders. Ump stepped out behind plate and raised both arms up which I assume means play is dead. I think he also pointed towards 1st base but I’m sure by that time Dome had already reached the bag.
I checked the box score and Dome did get credit for a hit on that play.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I did some checking
It looks like Dome was awarded a hit and the ump pointed to first base indicating that is where/when the play was called dead. If the pitcher could not “locate” the ball in his jersey, Dome would not have been able to advance past first. Very strange.
I know there is an official rule covering this.
But I can’t find it right now.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
maybe when Pat does the fashion report
from now on, he has to tell us if the top button is buttoned, or if a ball could get down there…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Ronnie thought that it was his girth that popped that button open.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 29, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
the ball gets lost in the vines,
it’s a ground rule double. Maybe this should be, too.
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 29, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
No
That was just a little come-backer. No way should that be ruled a double.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 29, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
sorry,
I forgot the sarcasm/joke indicator :)
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Jul 29, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know why?
if we’re just basing this on distance? if a batted ball were to hit the pitchers rubber and bounce into the stands, I believe it would be ruled a ground rule double. why would this be different? I’m not trying to be difficult here, but I don’t see the difference? and I don’t know the answer….I’m just asking?
"This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings." -- Bill Veeck
that would be
a very interesting hit.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
it's baseball
it’ll happen eventually. be nice to know the answer when it does.
"This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings." -- Bill Veeck
In a recap that was pretty thorough in what-went-wrong, I found a glaring hole.
Once again, Lou made the very basic mistake of thinking that Micah Hoffpauir belongs – in any capacity – on a major league field. Since May 23, his last 100 ABs, SwingnMissMicah is “hitting” .190/.229/.340 with 24 Ks and 2 GDPs. His ABs are consistently embarassing to watch.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
by DGU on Jul 29, 2009 8:14 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Agreed.
Time to send Micah to Iowa and bring Sam Fuld back. Fuld can play the outfield positions and hit better than Hoffpauir; if you need a backup 1B, Jake Fox can do that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Jul 29, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm on board with this
simply so Fox can get the at-bats that Hoffpauir is taking away.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Sounds good to me
Maybe when Soto returns?
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Jul 29, 2009 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions
I would have no problem with this move.
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 29, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Hmm what a good idea
wish I had thought of it myself.
"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
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 29, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions
He shouldn't be allowed to face a lefty ever
We have too much of that on this team though. Fontenot, Fukudome, and Hoffpauir all cannot hit against left handed pitching.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
The Micah Hoffpauir Major League Era has come to a close
Hardly surprising. This is what happens when the best fruits of your minor league system are oldish journeyman types like Hoffpauir, Fox, Fontenot, Hill, Fuld. At some point the gig is up.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Hoffpauir just yet
Baseball is a game of adjustments. If he needs to go down to Iowa to work on that so he can help the team down the stretch, I’m fine with that.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
or hill
With the exception of LBR, all get looks here and there..the life of a bench player. A little AAA swap for a while may do some of the guys good. Hill, batting left handed and stuck in the 8 slot for eternity makes for a confident opposing pitcher. Where is Murton these days?
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Jul 29, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Baseball is a game of adjustments
and Micah Hoffpauir has shown an inability to adjust. His approach at the plate always forecasted that would be a problem.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
D-Lee's adjustments last season...
He finished second in the league in GDP, but he was our best hitter in the postseason. Sometimes it just takes a while.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
D-Lee has a longer track record of success and more consistent ABs to work out those adjustments
Sending Micah back to AAA would give him a chance to adjust by the time rosters are expanded.
Nice pivot and jab -
“the best fruits of your minor league system” and you find a way not to include Carlos Marmol, Angel Guzman, Ryan Theriot, Geo Soto.
But we are agreed that the only reason Micah Hoffpauir’s ML career isn’t over, is the favoritism of Lou Piniella.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
Geovany Soto was a one year wonder in my estimation
And I don’t believe I was talking pitchers. Ryan Theriot? He too is a former aging “non-prospect” who was given opportunity. But in the case of Theriot he was one of the rare types who has been able to carve out a viable role ala David Eckstein and Craig Counsell who can be considered his best comparables.
The “can’t miss” prosects of this system continue to fail spectacularly while the Triple A filler types have become pipeline material to Chicago. That’s a problem. A big problem.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
But it's important to recognize what the problem is.
The farm system is developing players. The drafting system was – and for the sake of argument I’ll concede that it may still be – drafting poorly at the top levels, either for the dubious reason of “bad luck” or because the Cubs were missing important factors in the Ryan Harvey era.
If all we got was a little more than one year out of Soto – and it’s way too early to conclude that – then that’s a lot more than anyone expected to get out of him. That the system keeps producing over-achievers like Randy Wells is something to be glad about.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
i just analyzed our 2008 draft
30 players from that class have stats this year. Many of them are performing well. Results may vary. But we seem to be drafting players who can play baseball now, instead of YouTube specialists (“See how far he hit that ball in a high school game?”)
We are fighting with Cinci and Milwaukee for best system in the division, now that St. Louis broke open their piggy bank. We have passed the Earl Cunningham stage, people.
Now Blou is back
since the Cubs are losing and you expect him to be rational and keep with the facts ? What are you thinking? Pitchers we don’t need no pitchers out of farm system . The guy who has been our most consistent bat all year is just a fluke.
"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
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 29, 2009 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
In this case (not defending his stances on specific players' opinions) but
he’s been around. He has not eaten crow or nothing, but he’s still defending his points of view.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
AGREE 100 % ....
Back to Iowa he goes ..Not sure if Lou will see it this way though .
Get Fuld back up here
Micah had a nice run, but he is taking at bats away from Fox
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
If...
You send Hoff to Iowa, then who is the power hitter off of the bench? Fox? He is the backup catcher right now, so he would not be the first option to come off the bench. While Hoff has struggled he is still capable of hitting the occasional HR. He is basically this team’s Daryle Ward. Sam Fuld, while he is a nice player has no pop. Unless Lou plans on using Fontenot off of the bench full time (he has some power) or Soto comes back soon, sending Hoff down makes little sense.
Seems to me right now
Hoff has no pop. That’s the problem. Why not give someone else a shot at it.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Pinch Hitting
Is not an easy thing to do, he has basically had to learn it on the fly this season. His power will come back. If you know of a better lefty power option that can come off of the bench who is already in the organization right now, I’d be all for it. Here is a hint… It’s NOT Sam Fuld, he just hit his first HR of the season last week at AAA.
.703 OPS and a 79 OPS+
He has homer potential, sure, but the whole package doesn’t add up to much production.
Fox can definitely pinch hit and get put into the outfield if we’re worried about someone backing up Hill if he gets hurt during a game. Lou seems incapable of thinking of this though.
Micah Hoffpauir is no Daryle Ward.
Ward knew how to work an AB. Micah knows how to swing his mighty thunder stick and hope the pitcher didn’t throw the ball 2 ft from the strike zone again.
Keeping Hoff up is what makes no sense. There’s nothing he brings to an AB that Carlos Zambrano doesn’t bring. It’s that simple.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
That is a good point
About Z, I never thought of that, they are pretty similar hitters once you think about it.
I tried making this point in the off season -- about Hoff vs. Ward.
people didn’t listen then either.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Unfortunately
We saw last season that Daryle Ward is no Daryle Ward anymore, either.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
Still took a lot of walks despite the bad average
.319/.402/.721 on the season with an 84 OPS+. I’d take it over what we’re getting from Hoffpauir right now.
As someone pointed out in the game thread last night
It’s good to see everyone who was screaming for Lou to play Hoff over DLee has turned their backs on him.
by Mike Martin on Jul 29, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
In defense of Lou,
Jeff Keppinger is hitting .324 against lefties and just .261 against righties. I really don’t have an issue with Lou bringing Guzman in to face him in last night’s situation (runners on 2nd and 3rd, 2 outs). If Marshall would have stayed in and Keppinger would have driven in those two runs, I think people would be wondering why a righty wasn’t brought in.
Keppinger is a Cub killer in the mold of Blum
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
This is very very true
At least when Carlos Lee kicks our asses I know its coming from a good player.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Kudos to Houston for not throwing at people last night
Roy Owsalt realizes the antics of his closer, and make the right decision to play baseball.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Who else saw Valverde do the "You can't see me"?
Boy that guy really pisses me off! Same with that Hunter Pence clown.
Valverde is an idiot
He deserves to be beaten about the face and neck. Pence really doesn’t bother me, other than he’s goofy and gangly looking.
by dedfishflote on Jul 29, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Noted
Stros rubbed it in a bit. Good for them. Winning is better than giving someone a bruise. I wish Alf would stop that nonsense.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Jul 29, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Valverde takes hot dogging to the next level.
Normally I can’t stand showboating of any kind, but with him I find it amusing to watch because it’s so over the top. If he was on my team though I would hate it.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I've been told
That hotdogs are hard to digest. I agree. Someone on here sugested skinless weiners..
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Jul 29, 2009 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions
I wish Valverde would choke on his own arrogance.
and then Miguel Tejada would walk by and trip over it.
I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted - George Best
Whoever coined the phrase...
“the quiet dignity of Jose Valverde” in yesterday’s recap thread should get some sort of award.
by hokie316 on Jul 29, 2009 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
and that was after strike 1
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
by nji232 on Jul 29, 2009 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's impossible...
to look at that picture and not burst out in laughter.
Did I hear Ron
say on the radio that het met him and was suprised how nice of a guy he is
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Jul 29, 2009 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions
yes he did
Not to pick on Ron because I love him, but it cracks me up when he calls someone else out for showboating considering he was one of the biggest ever with the ole heel click.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
didnt he do it on the
way back to the clubhouse in left field??
by cozmotaylor123 on Jul 29, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
he was
requested to do that in every game, and it’s not like he did it after throwing someone out. It was at the end of every game.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I believe he did it once and it was such a big hit that they asked him to keep doing it.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 29, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
personally I think it's silly
like when the players bump after a game now
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 29, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Think he still does it in the booth after every game?
Oh… Nevermind…
by Mike Martin on Jul 29, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Did he do it at the very end of the game?
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 29, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes
K’d Z
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Jul 29, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh man...I'll have to find that highlight. (Or lowlight, as it were.) Thanks.
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 29, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Part of the celebration & irrational exuberence
everyone felt at the time before the frickin’ Mets spoiled the party.
I didn't like some of Lou's moves
1. Bottom of the 4th. Dempster is on a pitch count and getting rocked. The Astros’ starting pitcher is out of the game. We’ve scored 3 runs in the inning, and have the bases loaded with 2 outs. Having Dempster bat here is a sure out. I think you have to pinch hit here and commit to Marshall throwing a few innings (though Lou rarely does this). The rally was killed before the at bat, really. Dempster is an easy out at the plate and gives up 2 more runs the next inning.
2. Pinch hitting Jake Fox and putting the Hoff in RF. Why pinch hit our only emergency catcher? What if Hill got injured? PH Fox and put him in RF and he can come catch if we had to have another catcher. Plus Fox hits better than Hoff.
3. Putting in Heilman in a close game. It’s a one run game in the bottom of the 8th, 2 men on and 2 outs. Kevin Gregg is one of TWO bullpen guys that didn’t throw last night. Bring in your closer to try to get out of the jam and throw the final 4 outs. Maybe Gregg wasn’t available here, I’m not sure why he hasn’t been pitching. Either way, Heilman was / is not the answer.
Add this to Dempster giving them at least an extra out and a run, and that was a craptastic performance.
Your points.
1. Yeah, they could have done this — if you could ever convince Lou that Marshall could actually go three innings.
2. Agreed. If Hill got hurt — you’d have had a real problem.
3. Gregg HAS been pitching — threw in three straight games Fri/Sat/Sun. Lou’s not going to use his closer in the 8th inning when the Cubs are losing. But you’re right, Heilman wasn’t the answer either.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You're wrong about Heilman - He's the best pitcher ever!
His college coach says so
by dedfishflote on Jul 29, 2009 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Disagree per above
Gregg should have gone in. He can do a 4 out performance and there was no one else left besides Shark so go for it.
"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
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 29, 2009 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Should have stayed with
Stevens. Heilman is never the answer.
Might be the answer
If the question is “who do you cut from the roster ?”
Seriously I don’t hate Heilman like everyone else. Try him in a blowout at the START of an inning and go from there.
He is a LONG relief guy not someone to put in in the middle of an inning.
"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
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 29, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I hate Heilman because Lou uses him in the wrong spots
He has allowed 15 of 31 inherited runners to score, that is beyond awful. How does no one let Lou know that he shouldn’t be coming in with runners on? Bring him in at the beginning of an inning or when the bases are empty, thats it.
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
Point 1 is especially critical.
The Cubs had Wright on the ropes and the Stros didn’t have another arm ready. With the sacks jacked, it was clear Wright was very comfortable throwing to Dempster. Much easier to throw “get me over” fastballs to the opposing pitcher than say, oh, a Jake Fox who could have done some damage and put the game out of reach.
Dempster was supposedly on an 80-pitch count for the game, and he left the top of the 4th with about 65 tosses. Get him out in the bottom half, go for the jugular, and leave the bullpen to close it out.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
they'd already burned reed johnson in a gutsy move
then they’d be really short on the bench.
not saying you’re wrong.
Using Johnson at that point........
……….was part of the problem because it meant Lou would have to “burn” two players. Why not have Baker or Blanco hit for Fontenot? Fortunately, Reed delivered, but killing two spots on the bench in the 4th inning doesn’t make much sense.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
by tville on Jul 29, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
But it was Reed
Because he has good numbers against lefties.
And it paid off.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
Are Johnson's numbers against lefties...........
…………….that much better than Baker’s and Blanco’s that it was worth reducing the bench by two players?
As we know, it worked, but given the way Wright was throwing, Neif! might have been successful in this situation.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
i agree. that was a bad move, and it was obvious.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 29, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
DEMPSTER BATS IN FOURTH ???
Gotta wonder what Lou was thinking here ?? Made no sense to me at all . Strikes out as most of us thought he might do ….
I thought this was the wrong move on Lou's part.
You almost HAD to pinch hit for Dempster (he clearly had a lot of rust last night). They had Wright on the ropes and the whole ’Stros pen. Who knows if the pinch hitter would have gotten the job done but that was their best chance to break the game WIDE open and make a shambles out of the ’Stros pen for the rest of the series. I think it furthers the point that Lou wanted to get Dempster his work in… not the place to do it.
"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
wright was also really wild and dempster is super aggressive.
i don’t know if i would have used fox, maybe baker. but that was one of the biggest at bats of the game.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 29, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Well I am going to the game today (and I'm pumped)
but I was hoping to see the Cubs flag in that top spot…
"Brant Brown...DROPS THE BALL!!!!"
CLOSE YOUR EYES.....
And try to forget last night ..IT just might do the trick.
Mental mistakes are stacking up for Lou,
and he has had a rough couple of nights. On Monday, letting Z pinch hit for himself, putting Fontenot in to squeeze instead of Fox in to get a sac fly, were dumb mistakes.
Last night, letting Demp bat w/bags loaded in the 4th was indefensible. Wright was holding on by the barest of threads, any professional hitter would have coached a walk in that situation. Plus, letting Soriano steal, completely let Wright off the hook – Hill was then IW, and Lou gave up and let Demp bat. Clearly it wasn’t Demp’s night, in even the best case he only had 1 inning left, and in fact gave up the Tejada HR in the 5th.
+1
I have a feeling they used this as Demp’s rehab stint. IF he wasn’t coming back from injury and Dempster was pitching like that on a normal night, I think he would have been lifted.
"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
I don't think that was a double steal...
I think was a completely botched run and hit.
Or… at least I’d like to think it was. No manager should be that stupid to open up 1st base with the pitcher on deck.
"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)
.
I actually think Soriano went on his own...
he had a running lead and Wright was paying no attention to him.
"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
No, you don't ...
R/H or H/R with runners on 1st and 2nd, or with someone as wild as Wright was.
Soriano probably did go on his own which only shows:
1) what clueless fool he his when it comes to baseball IQ
2) why Soriano only thinks of his stats – not team
3) Lou – has either last control over the team or is making too many mistakes
Again the steal left 1b open, giving the astros the gift of walking Hill to pitch to Demp. Lou failed by ordering or allowing the steal, and failed again by letting Demp bat w/bags loaded.
what?
I agree that Demp shoulda been pulled earlier, but if Soriano steals and then Hill is IW, how is that different from Hill pulling a walk, and how the hell does it have ANYTHING to establish that Soriano “only thinks of his stats, not the team”???
He’s getting in scoring position. That’s his job. I’m fairly certain this is the first time I’ve seen someone argue AGAINST successfully stealing a base.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Were we watching the same game?
Here is what I recall.
There had been a string of walks, Wright was as wild as anyone I’ve seen all year, and at that time Houston had no one warming up. RJ had just hit an RBI pinch-hit single (an aggressive managerial move by Lou). So, men on first/second two out, #8 hitter Hill at bat.
Soriano steels third, Johnson follows to 2nd.
And that, completely killed the inning by giving the gift of allowing Hill to be IW, and Lou giving up by letting Demp bat. If we stay 1st and second, or even RJ stays at first. Wright is forced to pitch to Hill. I’m thinking it is very likely another walk (wonder if Demp still bats if Hill draws a walk rather than the IW), at least its a better opp than Demp hitting.
My point then, is a more intelligent approach to the inning is not to steal in that situation. So if Lou allowed it – it’s bad managing. If Sori did it on his own – it’s either dumb or selfish.
BTW, taking, or not taking, the bat out of someone’s hands is a very common baseball strat. Stealing a base is not unconditionally a good move or “his job”. Think Larussa, would allow someone to steal ahead of Pujols, so that he can get IW? Hill is no Pujols, but that move cost us a real good opp to get more runs.
you said it yourself - very likely another walk
So how is the situation any different? Bases are still loaded and Dempster is up. Whether or not Lou decides to PH for Dempster does not depend on whether Hill walks or gets an IW to first.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Disagree with your logic
If it was better to have the bases loaded facing Dempster than 2 men on facing Hill, the Astros would walk Hill regardless of the steals. It may have forced their hand, but that doesn’t mean that we were worse off afterward. Lou should have used a PH at that point anyway, so if there was one piece of bad managing to call out, I would say that was it.
Here's my top 10 of players I can't stand...
1) A.J.
2) Braun
3) Manny
4) Yadier Molina (when he throws his bat at strike 2 and claps his hands, oh man that’s the worst)
5) Ludwick
6) Valverde
7) Pence
8) Jose Reyes
9) Heilman (he sucks, and everyone except Hendry and Lou understand that)
10) LaTroy (bad memories)
Try it everybody, it’s fun!!!
Too early for this exercise
Gimme a couple hours, when I’m ready to go postal at colleagues…
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Why don't you like Ludwick?
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 29, 2009 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Because he's a 30 year old career minor leaguer...
Who comes up in St. Louis and puts up unbelievable numbers. Only St. Louis could have a player do that.
In fact, that team pisses me off. Al was saying how they haven’t played the Dodgers yet, well they’re kicking the Dodgers ass. Come on L.A.!!
yeah, they are annoying. it just seems like they always get some no name
guy or lousy player to come in and be an all star. see: ludwick, piniero, and franklin this year. not to mention, they are always playing guys out of position and it rarely bites them in the ass.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 29, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, that is annoying...
…but it doesn’t make me dislike Ludwick. He seems like a fairly innocuous “put your head down and play the game” type of guy.
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 29, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
FWIW
He was a hightly touted prospect who was besieged by injuries in his early career….
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
by TheRiot Police on Jul 29, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
My scars are finally healing from LaTroy.
It was fun seeing him ejected the other day.
Heilman doesn’t make my top ten (yet) simply because I like his stirrups.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
OK, that took less than two hours
1- Pierzynski
2- Manny
3- Braun
4- Counsel
5- Tejada
6- Pence
7- A.Rod
8- Carpenter
9- Joba
10- Danks
It WAS pretty fun. You were right.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
What about Chris Carpenter and John Danks bothers you?
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 29, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Carpenter's face...
His fart-smelling mug just bothers me. Oh, and the fact that he’s a good pitcher playing for the Cards.
And I made a mistake: it should read Jenks, not Danks. Danks’ only fault is that he plays for the Sox.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Fair enough.
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 29, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
You know, I just feel sorry about Berkman and his yellow belly
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Several other key points
HAven’t read every post – so excuse if mentioned:
1. Bourne’s catch of Theriot’s deep cf hit – would have made the score 7-6 Cubs
2. Lou (Retire, please, retire) decides to bat Demp, with bases loaded two outs, already up to 68 pitches. WHY?!!
3. Then, Demp as if on cue, gives up a HR to Tejada in the top of the next frame.
I will say also that Ryan Dempster really cashed in from a career year in ‘08. I realize he’s had a lot of stuff going on this year, but $48MM over four years for this guy??? HENDRY!!!!
The Dempster contract is going to look awful at the end of this year
and downright horrid in 2011 and 2012
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Agreed...
Chan Ho Park did the same thing. One good year and then back to your career norms.
Look, I think Dempster seems like a nice guy and I’m very sorry about the terrible situation with his daughter. But from a strict baseball decision, giving a guy $56 million for a career year, not to mention his total meltdown in the biggest start of his career, is crazy.
It is par for the course
for our GM. – sigh -
Look at the Fanpost “Bad Contracts” post.
OY!
Hopefully, SOME YEAR, we will have an understanding owner who will be willing to eat a few of these bad Hendry-isms.
The playoff start really soured me on Dempster
and should have shown that he wasn’t a capable of stepping up in the big moment. I don’t know that I’ll ever get the image of that awful start out of my head.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
i think every cub fan was scared like a little girl going INTO that series
Please don’t let us get swept, please let us make it to the WS, please let this be real.
Now go and try and PITCH that game. Get off your high horse.
Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2012
Funny
Derrek Lowe didn’t have an issue pitching in that game. Those guys in 2003 didn’t have a problem pitching in “all this intense pressure”.
Dempster crapped his pants don’t make excuses for him.
Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.
Just defending someone on my team who will be around for awhile
I can understand choking under the pressure having never been there before. Derrek Lowe had.
The ’03 was EXPECTED to win the world series. Some of the players on the ’03 team had also been to the postseason before, I.E. Kerry Wood.
Not making excuses for him, but you need to realize that these people ARE human
Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2012
I'll add a couple...
4. Marshall giving up a double to Fulchino with 2 outs in the 6th. He’s a bullpen pitcher. That should be an automatic out. If he gets that out, he stays in to face at least Bourn in the 7th.
5. Dempster giving up a single to Wright to start the 3rd. He’s a bullpen pitcher. It’s his first career at bat. Get him out, and maybe the inning plays out differently.
Oh well. On to this afternoon.
I think both bullpen-pitcher hits were flukey.
There’s really no such thing as an automatic out. Both Cubs pitchers threw the ball over the plate and dared the ‘Stros relievers to hit it and, well, they did. Fulchino’s double was his first career hit. Just bad luck, really.
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by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah, demp's unreliable. he cashed in.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 29, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Gals and guys,
It was just a measly little loss. Yes, we saw Heilman sucking it hard and Spellcheck messing up, but losses happen. For some reason, yesterday’s wasn’t painful.
Let’s move on to today, so by 4 or so we had forgotten about last night.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
the bigger deal is that the cardinals are a legitimate powerhouse.
their top three, closer, and lineup are all among the best in the majors. meanwhile, pujols is mired in a horrible slump. they are going to win a lot of ballgames.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 29, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, tell me about Pujols slump
my fantasy team scores show it mightily, I can’t imagine what it will do for the Cardinals when he comes back.
Let’s just hope the rest of the team quits hitting once he comes back
Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2012
I'm not going to get too worked up about the Cardinals
I know Cubs fans seem to have an irrational fear about them constantly. I still think, when fully functional, the Cubs’ everyday lineup/pitching is better.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 29, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed, and hopefully we are just at the beginning of our stretch of good baseball
It is so nice to watch and I just laugh sometimes thinking about what our team would be like if BCB would have their way and sold off Lee and kept Hoff for everyday 1b.
Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2012
Wow
You have no idea how quickly I’m over this loss. Atleast we’re not losing a series to the Nationals….badly like the Brewers are.
Completely baffled by Lou's management of the roster
There’s so much “concern” over the back-up catcher, that he pretty much refuses to use Fox on most days… who he keeps saying “we need to get this guy’s bat in the line-up”
Then, last night he burns Fox in the 7th, at least giving him an opportunity to drive in runs with the bags loaded (finally a right move)… but keeps Hoffpauir in the game in RF, when he could’ve put Fox there. Now, with 2 innings to go, in what was a 1 run game at the time, your backup catcher is done and your best bat off the bench is done.
By the 8th, Lou had exhausted his entire bench. How do you do that? That’s unbelievable.
"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)
.
Will Fox get a start today?
Day game after a night? It’s about time isn’t it? Koyie has to have some sore legs.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Welcome to my world
After Lou exhausted his entire bench IN A TIE ROAD GAME by the 9th inning last year in Philly is when I realized he was a bad manager. I know most of you think I am nuts but a good manager does NOT use an entire bench in 9 innings or less with a full roster.
"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
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 29, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions
NO YOUR NOT NUTS.....
I remember that game . It was Lou 101 all over again he does not think his moves out . Last nights game could have been won …
Also... as has probably been mentioned above.
Dempster wasn’t going to deep into that game regardless of the situation… so Marshall was going to be planned ahead of time as #1 man out of the pen. And, well… he only lets him go 2/3 of an inning. Absolutely dumbfounding.
"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)
.
I don't think many here can defend Lou much longer
Even when they win he seems to do something very questionable. I don’t remember it happening much in ’07, more in ’08, and definitely more this year.
What is he to do?
In 07 and 08 there was at least a glimmer of consistancy. This year there is not. Lou keeps mixing things up looking for a formula that works.
I can only imagine what Cubs fans would say about TLRs moves…
by Mike Martin on Jul 29, 2009 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions
A couple injury notes on last night's Astros pitchers via Twitter:
Oswalt flying to Houston Wednesday to be checked out by Drs. Doesn’t look good.
Wright went to hospital with possible appendicitis.
Both of these are from Astros MLB beat reporter Alyson Footer.
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by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2009 9:34 AM CDT reply actions
Wow...
And I thought we had bad/weird injury luck.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jul 29, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Wright probably just has tummy trouble
from running the bases since he was so shocked to be doing so.
"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
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 29, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Wright was rushed to a hospital
With possible dehydration. When leaving Wrigley in the 9th last night there were a bunch of ambulances.
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)
by Fukudometer on Jul 29, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep, here's the update from Ms. Footer:
Wesley was dehydrated. No appendicitis.
He won’t be at the park today – not that he would’ve pitched again anyway.
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by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I would be over this loss quickly
But I have to live with a Cardinal’s fan, so all I head last night was about how I should turn the TV to a first place team over and over. Can we win tonight so I dont have to listen to him?
Tweeting about the Cubs most of the time from @jmkobus
RE: Dealing w/ Cards fans
The ghost of DeRosa continues to haunt, especially in light of his recent home-run tear in St. Louis. If he had been able to put up the same numbers while staying in a Cubs uniform he would currently be second on the team in HR (19) behind D. Lee (20), second in OPS (.818) [tied w/ Fukudome] behind D.Lee (.904), and second in RBIs (60) also behind D.Lee (64). I agree that the idea of a trade-back was never realistic, but the mind continues to boggle at Hendry’s foolishness in giving up this player.
it's not going to stop. it was a bad trade initially that hurt us
and now it’s coming back and biting us in the ass. it’s a legitimate lament. i hate to see him on the cardinals. moreover, i just hate looking at the cardinal lineup. it’s right up there with the phillies.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
by buckmulligan on Jul 29, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Take a sedative
and lie down, pull up the covers. It’ll all be OK. At least until DeRo’s face goes up on Mount Rushmore or something.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 29, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Is it just me or is Andres Blanco a pretty incredible defensive IF?
…there might be only one or two 2b in baseball that have the range and awareness to make that play. I just cant believe he made it to that ball and made that throw….
Blanco is batting .216, .546 OPS
Fontenot is batting .228, .668 OPS. If I were in charge, once GeoBarney comes back, I’d start Blanco consistently. His defense is outstanding and hopefully his batting can be covered by other players.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
no question....when Turtle gets back, Blanco should start....
…..I think he’s worth starting from time to time right now…
It's not you - Andy White can work the leather.
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by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Just a bad game
Chalk it up, Demp not sharp at all, Lou’s moves looks like he should retire soon, but this happens. This team has it flaws, but the rest of the division has flaws also.
Win the next two and go from there.
Just please no more Heilman, no more.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
Can anybody tell me something about this Mitch Atkins who's coming up?
new fanshot
http://espn.go.com/chicago/story?id=4363279&campaign=rss&source=CHICAGOHeadlines
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
They sent Stevens down for him...
Lou wanted a fresh arm. I know they liked him in ST but he had a rough spring. Not sure if he turned it around or not.
"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
No... he hasn't turned anything around.
He’s got a 6.92 ERA in over 100 innings pitched.
"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)
.
He sucks
"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)
.
LOL - elaborate, please?
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by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't expect to sweep this series
I wish we’d been able to turn on these Astros relievers, but sometimes… well.
Win today, win tomorrow.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
Yeah, when I saw that Oswalt had been taken out...
…it felt like Fate was handing the game to the Cubs on a silver platter. For a variety of reasons, they declined.
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by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Blanco is awesome defensively,
compared to the no range Fontenot.
For hansman1982....
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 29, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions
When this team is on
they are on. When they aren’t we get last night. I hope we have more on games than last night games.
Hendry: Heilman needs to go. It may hurt for a few days but you’ll get over it. I think Lou is only playing him to show you just how awful he really is. I think he did the same thing with Howry last year.
Go get ’em today Cubs!
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Flaws still there
Should have won with Oswalt injured and Wright replacing him. Still concerned about Cubs offense. 9 hits over 13 innings in the first game and 5 last night isn’t enough. Worried about starting pitching. Lily out for now, Dempster rusty and not really having a good season, and Wells might have had some beginners luck. As for the bullpen, there is no way they can handle 3 or more innings on any consistent basis. The Astros can hit.
They’ve done as well as they have because pitching, more often than not, keeps them in games. And this is how it is when the offense falls short.
Less than 8 hits 37 games and 6 wins (16%)
8-10 hits 37 games and 25 wins (68%)
11 or more hits 24 games and 21 wins (88%)
A second lefthanded pitcher in the bullpen might help if the starting staff can’t go as many innings. Hard to use Marshall as both a LOOGY and a long reliever.
What's your point?
Our pen had a poor game and Dempster was rusty. it’s no secret the Astros can hit.
The knee jerk reactions around here are laughable (not speaking to you specifically)
Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2012
I thought the game would be a shootout
We stopped hitting after Rami tied the game 6-6 and they kept hitting. Give them credit.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
I did give them credit, by saying 'it's no secret the astros can hit"
Last night, their bullpen was better than ours, thats all
Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2012
You can worry all you want
but I’m going to enjoy the season. I think I’ll have more fun.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 29, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
they scored six runs
I’m not sure you can say the bats weren’t there to win. Scoring six runs should win you the game. Demp was rusty, and the pen was stretched.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep, in fact, this teams has won most of the games...
…in which they’ve scored 5 or more runs. Can’t recall the exact stat.
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by dat cubfan daver on Jul 29, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Right. The important thing to take from last night is that we still scored 6 runs
Our pitching won’t be that collectively inconsistent often, and if we keep up with the run scoring, we’ll go 7-3 the rest of the year
Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2012
Beginners luck?
Love this in-depth analysis.
Are you Steve Stone?
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
I'll second that.
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 29, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
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