Yesterday's Lineup Shakeup Did Nothing. What Now? Cubs vs. Mets Preview, Tuesday 4/20, 6:10 CT
by Al Yellon on Apr 20, 2010 5:00 PM CDT
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PrintSo, Lou switched around the lineup yesterday and it accomplished nothing. Marlon Byrd did a nice job leading off -- but no one could get any hits with RISP.
What to do, then, today? The Cubs will face a RHP for the only time in this series. Ryan Theriot needs a day off, so Lou is starting Mike Fontenot at SS with Jeff Baker at 2B. Here's a case where the team really misses having Andres Blanco. Not that Blanco's a great hitter, but he could hardly be worse than Theriot has been so far this year.
Lou should have given Chad Tracy his first start of the year. Aramis Ramirez has been scuffling and could use a day off, and eventually you have to give your bench players some regular AB's, or they get too rusty and then can't hit off the bench when you need them to. As you'll see after the jump, Tracy has a good career history off Mike Pelfrey, too. I'd expect Tyler Colvin to get the start in LF, also. Some may say this is an "obsession", but at this point, let's get some hitters in the lineup who can hit. What Lou did instead, via Twittermyer:
fuke, bake, lee, rami, byrd, sori, font, hill, z
Kosuke Fukudome leading off: good. Fontenot at SS: um, er, maybe. Why isn't Tracy starting? If he's not going to start at all, why is he on the team?
More attendance woes: last night, the Blue Jays, Nationals and Mariners all drew the smallest crowds in the history of their ballparks. The Mariners will probably be OK due to advance sales, but there are some teams who could be in financial trouble if they don't draw this year.
Something I didn't know until today: new Mets 1B Ike Davis is the son of former Cubs reliever Ron Davis, who had his best years with the Twins. He was drafted by the Cubs in 1976 and traded away for a washed-up Ken Holtzman in 1979. By the time the Cubs got him back in 1986, he himself was washed up. (How many times have we heard that story?)
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Mike Pelfrey has made one career start vs. the Cubs, last September 6 in New York; he threw well against a makeshift Cubs lineup. As noted above, Chad Tracy, who has not yet started a game, is 3-for-9 with 4 RBI vs. Pelfrey; he probably should have started tonight.
In Z's one good start this year, he threw seven strong innings against the Reds and got the win. In the other two starts, he has allowed 11 earned runs in 6.1 innings for a 15.43 ERA. Which Z do we get tonight? And if he pitches badly again, is he the one sent to the bullpen when Ted Lilly comes back? In nine career starts (ten total appearances) vs. the Mets, Z is 4-2, 3.71 with an unseemly 27 walks in 51 total innings. Jason Bay has hit him hard: 14-for-39 (.359), four doubles, a triple, five HR, 16 RBI, eight walks.
Today's game is on WGN and SNY. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Mets site Amazin' Avenue.
This afternoon's first pitch thread will be up at 6 pm CDT, and the overflows will post at 7:15, 8:15 and 9 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Tracy ...
if he’s not going to occasionally start, makes you wonder why he was picked over Millar. Millar, I believe, would be better as a bat off the bench, whereas Tracy would be better as a bat off the bench/occasional starter.
I bet Z will do well tonight. But who knows what our offense will do …
And if Colvin is not going to occasionally start
makes you wonder why he was put on the roster as well.
Wait, because Lou and Jim have absolutely no idea what they are doing, that’s why
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 20, 2010 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bat off the bench comparison
Actually, you have it backwards regarding the starter/bench bat comparison.
Tracy’s career numbers off the bench (142 PAs) – .366/.556/.923
Millar (177 PAs) – .316/.336/.652
Don’t ask me how Tracy has been so good at being a sub (especially compared to his starting numbers), but if Lou’s reasoning was that he was looking for the guy who is a better bench bat, he made the right (or at least logical) choice.
Even though...
he’s yet to get a start, Tracy was kept on this team because he can play third base. Something Millar can no longer really do. Although, Baker can also play third, so I guess there would not have been any harm in keeping Millar around.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
It's tough for Lou to put inexperience in. Like pulling teeth.
Agree it would have been nice to give Ramirez a rest, not only physically, but mentally. He’s struggling.
I agree that Lou doesn't like inexperience
but Tracy’s a veteran who started for a few seasons with Arizona.
It makes no sense to me though that Lou won’t give him a start even when it means spelling someone who’s struggling as badly as Ramirez.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 20, 2010 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions
when we're hemming and hawing over
Aramis Ramirez being in the starting lineup… i think its gone a bit too far
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on Apr 20, 2010 5:05 PM CDT reply actions
Nobody's talking about benching him
…just giving him a day off to get his head together.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 20, 2010 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions
in terms of missing the big picture
the big picture is the roster just isn’t good enough. Sure if Ramirez hits like he usually does (which he eventually will) we’re around a .500 team, but all this complaining about him needing a day off and presuming that will suddenly make things better is silly
we have far bigger problems than Aramis Ramirez needing a day off
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on Apr 21, 2010 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions
He *is* scuffling
A night off isn’t out of bounds to suggest. And that’s me saying this…
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Damn, Zambrano.
First the Cubs, then LOST. I don’t know what to expect in the next 4 hours of my life.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Rest assured....
either way, an old guy is going to be at the center of it and appear to not know what’s going on.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 20, 2010 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Uh, correction:
John Locke, aka The Smoke Monster, aka Esau, knows EXACTLY what’s going on.
Don’t mess with my LOST knowledge. I listen to podcasts.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
He's just a pawn in the story Dan....
someone else us using him. It’s all a shadow on the wall of the cave.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 20, 2010 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions
How Platonic of you
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
I have no issue with Fonty getting the start at SS
I mean… I’m against him being the back-up SS in principle, but since he IS the back-up SS, he should get a start there on occasion. Particularly with Theriot struggling.
ahhh lou
a pitcher who’s at his best when he’s getting ground balls… so we put the worst possible defense out there.
well, if z can pitch today WITHOUT killing someone, I guess he really has turned over a new leaf. might be worth watching just to see THAT!
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
It's because Fukudome is so hot right now
/s
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Tonight could be REALLY ugly
it’s sad when you’re almost dreading a game that your supposed “ace” is pitching.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 20, 2010 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions
So we don't give Ram a day off despite the fact that everyone
BESIDES Lou thinks he could use one, and we’re batting a guy in a 1 for 13 slump at leadoff.
Also that kid the club said was imperative to get 2 to 3 starts a week? Yeah, he’s had one start in 10 games now.
I tell you what, Lou is either a genius, or a complete and total moron. I think you know where I’m leaning
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
and since a lefty is pitching tomorrow, it's almost a given that number will be one start in 11 games
Is Lou TRYING to make sure Colvin doesn’t work out?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 20, 2010 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions
For fun, I would like the club to fire Pinnella
and have the lineups and other roster decisions made by the collective wisdom of internet blogs and sports talk radio. Kinda like the old ‘College of Coaches’ approach, but 21st century style.
Could it be any worse than today?
I'm with you on the firing Lou thing
100% behind you on that one
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 20, 2010 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Is Tim monitoring the threads again?
Is so, everyone better be careful to listen to him. This is what happens when people don’t take his advice. 
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
You're normally calm with Theriot @ SS?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 20, 2010 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
at least he's played more than a few spring training innings there
Which also brings up the question, why didn’t Fontenot play more innings at short this spring? Do Jim and Lou ever actually do any PLANNING
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 20, 2010 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions
No but not as much as Fontenot.
I’d only be comfortable with someone that’s not on the roster that can play shortstop.
Like Starlin Castro.
2010 is OUR year.
yeah!
lets make our stud prospect a backup SS!
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Apr 20, 2010 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I think it's pretty clear he's advocating Castro be called up and start
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 20, 2010 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Do you really think that it matters?
This team is obviously going nowhere. There’s no team leadership, no adequate team management, no adequate coaching (I don’t want to hear another word about the “hitting guru”), and the team overall just looks dead.
They mine as well have Ronnie Woo-Woo Wickers play shortstop. At least that would make the game enteraining to watch.
LET"S GET A DAMN WIN!
"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
LET'S GET ADAM LIND!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 20, 2010 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I am so confused by the Adam Lind thing...
What did I miss?
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
Eric Hanna's infamously dumb
fanpost about the Cubs making a trade for Adam Lind last year.
Its now the in-joke that never dies.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
And Al,
something else we disagree on, that I saw last night. I still think Castro needs to be our SS. He’s ready. What else is he going to learn? He’s dominating his league.
That way, Theriot can play 2nd … and rest Castro every now and again.
2010 is OUR year.
uh oh... i better go pick him up before you do... ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
If Castro were tearing up
at Iowa, I’d totally be on board with the “Bring him up now” crowd…
but think Al has a point. Rushing him and hurting his development doesn’t help. If he comes up, isn’t ready and loses confidence (always a concern when you’re young)… You’ve just set yourself back a long way.
I still don’t understand why Blanco got dealt, options or no options. I’d rather have plus defense and neutral offense at SS than Theriot.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
The good young pitchers get left in AA most of the time.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 20, 2010 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions
okay...
i guess that kinda makes sense.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Yeah, he's doing pretty in AA too.
.380 AVG, 3 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run and 12 RBI in 50 ABs. OPS is 1.016.
He also has 4 steals.
2010 is OUR year.
Isn't he at Double A because they thought he'd actually face better pitching there?
It seems to me that the Cubs have always planned to have him jump AAA.
Also, they dealt Blanco because Lou is absolutely in love with the platoon. I think he’d have a platoon at every position if they could carry enough players to do it
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 20, 2010 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions
AAA
is mostly filler. AA is where the real quality arms are.
I just think he’s better than Theriot. He’d make this team better. Too bad he can’t pitch in the bullpen though.
2010 is OUR year.
So AAA
Is like the cheap american cheese I ate as a kid!
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
LOL pretty much.
Jay Jackson — one of our top prospects, is in AAA but he’s more of an exception to the rule.
2010 is OUR year.
For one,
he’s basically not in Chicago because the depth we have in our rotation. Two, there has been red flags on his character. Nothing too serious, but they had to discipline him last year for it.
He will be the first one called up, IMO, in case we start to lose starters to injury or trade.
2010 is OUR year.
It has lots of over-the-hill cast-offs, too
So combine that American cheese with <Casu Marzu/a>
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Oh man
What excellent timing! Earlier in the week video of that stuff was going around some of us in the office. All I had to do was see the name in your comment – Yuck!
Well played!
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Trade for Peavy.
"If I wasn't in our band I'd hate us, just to be cool." -Daniel Johns
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Apr 20, 2010 5:59 PM CDT reply actions
caption:
cooliogirl! You’re here! let me get a beer for you!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Lucky you!
Such good service. Looks like you have a good seat right on the field too. Watch out for foul balls.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Apr 21, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
This thread has bad mojo in it
I’ll wait for the game thread.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Judd Sirott made me blush
because he is SO FREAKING BAD AT HIS JOB. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. He was interviewing Jeff Baker in the pre-game about what Baker would be doing if not baseball. When Baker mentioned he has friends in the FBI and CIA, Brilliant Judd asks: “Do they tell you anything about what they do? Can they tell you anything like that?” DUH.
My ears began to bleed at that point.
I'm actually surprised that most of the sports talk radio people have jobs.
Most of their programs are spent making jokes about each other and talking about complete nonsense. When they do finally talk about sports, they talk about stuff that everyone already knows about and try to act like they are reporting it for the first time.
Not to mention a “baseball” program the other afternoon that turned into a half hour of talking about the Bulls. I couldn’t change the channel fast enough.
I'm glad to see that some people are waking up.
Even some of the Kool-Aid drinkers on this board are starting to come back to reality.
I think that this year is obviously going nowhere, so let’s see how Alan Trammell can do at managing, see if Greg Maddux can handle the GM spot, call up Cashner and Castro, and start playing Colvin EVERY DAY in left field. Make this into a rebuilding year—we mine as well.
On a side note, bravo to Bob Brenly to have the courage to say it like it is.
Look….Zambrano’s walk to the pitcher just caused a 2-run inning. Good luck getting one run on the board with this line-up. I think I said in February that this team wasn’t going to score any runs.
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