Cubs Lose 3-2 To Braves In 2009-Feel Game
by Al Yellon on Apr 8, 2010 8:00 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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WASHINGTON, DC -- I am in Washington on business and took in the Nationals' 8-4 loss to the Phillies last night, thus missing the carnage of the Cubs' 3-2 come-from-ahead loss to the Braves.
But there's good news! The Cubs play the Nats at the end of this month and let me tell you, they are just as bad as they were last year. (Although, I wondered why the Phillies had to use four relievers to beat a team as bad as Washington.) When the Nats come to Wrigley, that should be a blessed relief for the Cubs.
I'm sure there are a ton of ledge jumpers after last night's loss. May I remind you that the 2008 Cubs, winners of 97 games, also started 0-2 against a pretty good Brewers team? And that the 2007 Cubs, a playoff team, lost two of its first three against a bad Reds club? And that the Braves aren't the Nationals, but in fact a good team that has a shot at contending even in a division that has the powerful Phillies?
Stop panicking, right now. Chipper Jones is a good hitter and he hit a home run. It happens. And Lou even picked the correct handed pitcher -- Chipper doesn't hit quite as well against lefties, although I might have stuck with Sean Marshall, who's been unhittable in two games. This is one thing that drives me nuts about Lou, particularly the last two years -- overuse of the bullpen when you have a guy (Marshall) who can give you extended outings. It's no wonder the Cubs need a 12-man pitching staff. If the manager would use his pitchers properly, they could easily get along with 11.
Give credit to Ryan Dempster, who pitched himself into a real jam in the third, striking out Troy Glaus and Yunel Escobar with the bases loaded, already trailing 1-0. Dempster wound up with nine strikeouts and looks like a man who wants to get back to the way he threw all of the 2008 season.
That might have been enough if the bullpen had been able to hold the lead. This is, unfortunately, all too reminiscent of last year. This does NOT mean that the bullpen is going to do this all year, though.
There's really not much more to say about this game. It's one of those woulda, coulda, shoulda types of games; many here have complained about the inexperience of the bullpen, but it wasn't that inexperience that lost today's game, since John Grabow is one of the more experienced arms the Cubs have. Games like this are going to happen; the Braves, as I said, are a good team, and if the Cubs can take tomorrow's game, I'm satisfied that they still have a pretty good shot at coming home 3-3.
Come off the ledge, please, settle down and remember there are 160 games to go.
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Comments
First!
We wasted a three hitter by Demp, a game we should have won. He was very good last night, I hope more to come. Go Wells!
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
I'm with you about Marshall.
Don’t understand why he took him out. Why take out a guy that’s pitching well for a question mark? I don’t get it.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
Lou's lefty use.........
Was correct. Glad you pointed that out Al. Some people were calling for Caridad or someone else. Chipper has less power from the right side than the left. Going with a lefty was the right call, period. Lou played the odds and lost.
Not sure if Marshall would’ve been the right call or not. Remains to be seen if he would have had enough gas given that he pitched lengthy innings Monday, although it was Monday, so I guess I see other’s point here.
Grabow hurt. Rami grounding into the DP with 1st and 2nd and one out hurt. Lost a close game. Lots of frustration but lots of good things too.
Marshall was not throwing big fat gopher balls over the heart of the plate.
He has a starter’s experience and so is used to having to pitch to all batters — righty, lefty, switch hitters. One run game! One mistake kills you! Marshall wasn’t making any mistakes.
Is the term “gopher ball” still used? I don’t think I’ve heard it for a while.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
I heard it a lot last year with Gregg.
The Heckler did a great article about how he was getting a job at Olive Garden because he did such a good job of serving meatballs right over the plate.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
Why does Lou always play the odds?
Sometimes you’ve got to go with what is working. Lou always plays the :this should work game" and fails a lot.
I remember a ton of times Marshall was pulled in games last year where I was thinking, “WHY?” Lou plays this lefty – righty approach too much. It’s like he has no feel for momentum in a game when it comes to the pitchers.
THE FONZ HAS ARRIVED!
I totally agree
about Marshall. He has been awfully effective the last couple of years in my eyes, and yet Lou seems like he’d rather have eight proctologist appointments in one day than let Sean pitch more than one inning. I just don’t get it either.
I simply don't understand....
… in general, Lou’s fetish about starting new innings with new relievers, even if the pitcher’s spot doesn’t come up to bat. There’s really no need for this, in many cases.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Such as yesterday.
I didn’t understand it.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Monday was worse
Pulling Marshall your only long guy in the 5th inning
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 8, 2010 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions
This.
Yesterday was annoying, if predictable.
Monday made no sense – there was every reason in the world to let Marshall finish out what Z couldn’t.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Apr 8, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Which is why he was probably taken out.
I really believe Lou under-appreciates Marshall’s value.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Sigh...he does. And it pisses me off.
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
I just think
he values Marshall differently.
Look at it this way. If Marshall had pitched five innings on Monday — which would have taken him into the 7th — he would have been unavailable yesterday, right?
Which means, probably, that Grabow would have come in for the 7th. Now, we’ve no idea what would have happened, but…
I think Lou doesn’t trust most of the pen, but he DOES trust Marshall. So he instinctively doesn’t use Marshall enough, because he ALWAYS worries about tomorrow.
Now, that goes against the idea of playing to win today, but we’ve seen Lou do THAT before…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
yes. So there’s also that LOOGY thing, but Lou could use Grabow to do that, but he doesn’t trust Grabow…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
I am still going withe Derek Lowe's view
that Lou has a hitter’s mentality and does not trust or understand pitcher period.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 8, 2010 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Totally agree
I’d love for Bruce Miles or another respected reporter to ask Lou about this. If it comes from someone credible, maybe Lou is more likely to give a reasonable answer.
oh, silly details ;-)
"I mean, if we can’t take Colvin after the spring he’s had, something is wrong," -- Lou
he was part of the Fuld trade, right?
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by digitalbenjamin on Apr 8, 2010 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions
for ADAM LIND!!!!1
"I mean, if we can’t take Colvin after the spring he’s had, something is wrong," -- Lou
Were any of you listening to that 8th inning on the radio?
Right before the pitch to Chipper, Pat warned about throwing a fastball to him… them BAM it was gone. :( And of course there was some classic moanings and “GOSH!’s” from Santo.
Check out the Video Blog I host: WebSmart TV
I believe
it was a high change up that Grabow left over the plate to Chipper- think I remember reading this from Lou’s postgame comments. Regardless, it wasn’t a good pitch.
"Chicago Cubs fans are ninety percent scar tissue." - George F. Will
Grabow only HAS two pitches he throws, if he can't throw a fastball, they're going to eat him alive on his change-up!
Well… he has 3, but only 2 for each hitter (LH, RH).
The offense was pretty anemic last night.
If not for theTroy Glaus error, the Cubs don’t score at all, and completely waste the Dempster performance.
()runs as far away as possible)
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
I took the same identical picture
a couple years ago on a vacation to San Francisco. I thought it would be fun to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and got a kick out of seeing this sign. “Bridge jumping is hazardous to your health”… LOL
What ever shall we do?
We’re down 0-2, which is only a few digits away from 0-162. I’m losing my mind over the comparisons here.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I'm not jumping off a ledge at this point ...
but reading all these posts making fun of ledge jumpers is about as fun as reading posts BY ledge jumpers.
no kidding
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Burying your head in the sand
If you’re going to point out the few times the Cubs have contended after starting 0-2, you probably should list all of the times they haven’t contended after starting 0-2…or worse. Otherwise it’s just wishful thinking.
The middle infield should have been your lead story as Theriot and Fontenot have already combined to cost the team mulitple runs in two games. If that continues, and if those two are the main players there in 2010 it surely will, this team has absolutely no chance to contend for the Central division.
The bullpen woes are already known as well yet there isn’t much that can be done about them right now. The lack of timely hitting and a lineup lacking athleticism is identical to the one thrown out there in 2009. The only thing different so far is that the injury card hasn’t been used as an excuse. Given time I’m certain it will be but so far, two games or 200 games, this club has shown absolutely nothing that should lead even the most Utopian fan to feel that this club can contend. In fact, the stark reality is that this team quite probably will be worse.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
by krummy12 on Apr 8, 2010 8:32 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm glad someone
pointed out the multiple logical fallacies in pointing out that the last two playoff teams started the season off 1-2, implying that this has some sort of effect on the Cubs current season.
Bottom line is the cubs need to go about 92 -68 the rest of the way to sniff playoff contention. Games won and lost in 2007 and 2008 have no effect on the current season.
How on earth can you make that prediction after two games?
They need to win 92 games to “sniff” contention. Can you tell me what you see in my future? Will I find love? Is she a blonde?
"75 wins is optimistic with this staff. Optimistic." and "Cubs are looking at 4th place in 2010." BLou, March 17, 2010.
by BleedsbluinMI on Apr 8, 2010 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Pretty easy.
90-92 wins is probably what it will take to win the wild card. Therefore, to be in playoff contention, the team would have to win around that many games. 88 wins might do it. 86 probably wont. I know this requires some statistical research, but my point isn’t to be contentious to the cubs. My point is they just have to win a slightly higher percentage of games having lost the last two. If you think the Cubs are going to be playoff contenders and not win around 90 games, well, I don’t really know what to say . . .
And no, you will not find love with a blonde. Sorry dude.
Also, my "prediction"
has nothing to do with the substance of the last two games. The cubs have to win a certain number of games to make it to the playoffs. They now have 160 games instead of 162 games to win that total amount. That’s my point.
Gee, so they only have 98.7% of the season left?
Panic in the streets! Jump off the ledge! Wait till next year!
Can you see how silly this is? Two games and you’re worried? Please.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Who's worried?
I’m just saying the cubs have to win. That’s all. All the last two games mean is there is they have to win at a very slightly higher percentage.
Sure.
92-70 is a .568 percentage.
92-68 is a .575 percentage.
Still no big deal.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
way to go, Al
you jump in on a guy and call him silly when he’s making the same point you did above but just didn’t need to uselessly reference records of previous seasons to do it. Might want to consider an apology.
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Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions
I misread his post.
Sounded like he was arguing the opposite point that I was.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
wow. Considering we won the division with under 90 wins in 07…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Will I find love with a blonde?
If so, do I know her already?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 8, 2010 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't steal my blonde!!
"75 wins is optimistic with this staff. Optimistic." and "Cubs are looking at 4th place in 2010." BLou, March 17, 2010.
by BleedsbluinMI on Apr 8, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
ok, a brunette?
"75 wins is optimistic with this staff. Optimistic." and "Cubs are looking at 4th place in 2010." BLou, March 17, 2010.
by BleedsbluinMI on Apr 8, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
No! She's mine, mine, mine, mine, and has been for over 20 years now
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
if pointing out that the playoff teams had slow starts is a logical fallacy that has no effect on the current season, so is pointing out all the other years the Cubs started slow.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
That's not the fallacy.
Those years have nothing to do with this year.
my point.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
So, if our points are the same:
what’s the point in arguing with me? Instead of saying 92 games, should I just use a variable and say the cubs have to win X games to make the playoffs? And, the only effect that the last two games have on that is they have a very slightly less number of chances to achieve X wins?
look, you said “you can’t compare them to 2007, because look at all the other times they started 0-2, and stunk up the place.”
I said “if you can’t compare them to 2007, you can’t compare them to any other time either.”
That’s it.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I never said anything
about any other season. That was the original poster. I said you can’t look to any other season for predictive results for 2010.
100% correct
for all the times people want to point out them winning the division with less than 90… there’s plenty of times when they had a winning record and got bupkus.
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Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
previous season records...
are completely irrelevant to how the team will perform this year. It’s not worth talking about, and it sure wasn’t worth bringing up in the first place.
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Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Of course it's relevant.
People do this all the time with past performance. Granted, every season is different. The point is, there’s no reason to jump off the ledge because the team is 0-2.
Conversely, teams have had great starts and stunk it out.
The 1987 Brewers started 13-0 and finished at .500.
The 2005 Dodgers started 12-2 and lost 91 games. (While the 2005 White Sox started 12-2 and won 99.)
It’s absolutely relevant to cite these examples.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Middle infield defense
I totally agree with Krummy. It’s not ledge jumping to be mortified by the horrible defense up the middle so far. Fontenot dropping the ball on the strike ‘em out, throw ’em out was horrible and cost a run. And with Theriot, its not just the balls that he gets too, (and doesn’t have the arm for) but the balls that just get under his glove that a real shortstop would have. Pitching and Defense win ball games and right now, the defense is horrible.
I don’t know whether Starlin Castro is ready or not. None of us do. But this team becomes MUCH better when he gets here whether that is later this year or next.
You're missing the point.
The point of mentioning that some Cubs teams who went 0-2 did make the playoffs is to suggest that starting the season with two losses doesn’t guarentee your season is over. It doesn’t guarentee anything meaningful about your season.
Al isn’t making the argument that 2 opening losses = making the playoffs (that would be absurd). He’s merely reinforcing that two games in April don’t write the story of your season ahead of time. Were he to mention that some teams didn’t make the playoffs as well would only reinforce his point; not the doom ’n gloomers point that we might as well pack it in.
Bottom line is that it’s only two games. Nothing is written in stone. The season isn’t over.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 8, 2010 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm sorry everyone. I think this all might be my fault.
I couldn’t find Old Style in the Cubs cans so I just bought a case of the regular Old Style. Either that or both my lucky Cubs caps lost their luck over the winter.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
ditto
I could not find Old Style in the Cubs cans either… I’m gonna send Ricketts and email right now.
Check out the Video Blog I host: WebSmart TV
by digitalbenjamin on Apr 8, 2010 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Hmm.
I think actually having to drink Old Style is bad luck in itself.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 8, 2010 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Beer Snob!
why don’t you just go and get that $8/bottle micro-brew from the fridge and rethink those words
Check out the Video Blog I host: WebSmart TV
by digitalbenjamin on Apr 8, 2010 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
hehe, I wore my lucky pigtails, shirt, and something else....but I didnt have hot dogs and beer
I had stupid stupid wine and popcorn! :(
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
"Something else"
"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 KNOW :)
searching tattoo shops as we speak
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
I'm not so sure about about this... {backing away slowly}
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
To expound on the 2009 "feel" of last night, I fully agree with krummy12
Is that I also feel that the post mortem on this board and in the papers has a 2009 feel as well. By that I mean the overwhelming focus of the game recap is on Grabow, Marshall, how Lou uses the bullpen, etc.
Yes, Grabow gave up a 2 run HR and maybe Marshall would not have but to me that is besides the point. I personally think Grabow is the weakest link of this bullpen and will be out of any critical role in short order.
I also think Starting Pitching will far and away be the strength of the team and I actually think the bullpen will be relatively decent as well over the long term.
But once again, the bullpen “failure” masks what 2009 was truly about – an offense that time and time again failed to pull away and create breathing room for the pitching staff, instead leaving the bullpen with zero margin for error in the late innings. The middle infield is god awful and the bottom of the lineup is just painful.
by BeltwayCubsFan on Apr 8, 2010 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
"2009 Feel" Dead-on
I was at the Ted last night with my son and that’s the first thing I thought after Chipper hit the homer – Great starting pitching, decent defense, no hitting and lousy bullpen. Its 2009 all over again.
If Grabow is one of our more “experienced” arms in the bullpen, that’s not very comforting. The 3-1 pitch that Martin Prado hit before Chipper was SMASHED off the wall.
"I'm just giving the fireworks guy time to re-load".
~ Former Pitching Coach Billy Connors
You sure on the decent defense?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 8, 2010 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe Lou was thinking like Bob Brenley
Who repeatedly referred to what a player had done “last night” (and driving me crazy-er in the process) … Maybe Lou didn’t want to tax Marshall’s arm two nights in a row.
But it wasn't two nights in a row.
There was a day off in between.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
Drove me up the wall for some reason as well.
It seems like one of those minor details that should at least be known.
Or just a slip of the tongue
Len did it at least once too. I was able to figure out what they meant, however.
"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 Apr 8, 2010 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Grabow is dangerous
for Lou. Whatever he had in the early part of 2009 is long gone. Anyone who watched him over the last month of 2009 and spring training can see this guy cannot be relied upon. I only hope Lou realizes that quickly, rather than 5 or 6 blown holds into the season.
Grabow this years Howry?
gulp!
Check out the Video Blog I host: WebSmart TV
by digitalbenjamin on Apr 8, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Big Gulp.
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
Grabow is this years Aaron Miles.
Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.
by section229beer on Apr 8, 2010 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Dempster was great especially after Z's last game
But not having a shortstop with any range and constantly leaving men on base has got to change.
Dempster was great last night
He out pitched a potential Cy Young candidate. However, we can’t go back to 2008 where we get these great pitching performances to see one bullpen player blow it. Grabow cannot become our Aaron Heilman or Kevin Gregg this year. Lou has to figure out quickly if he can trust him or not in tight games.
I'm willing to give Grabow another chance.
This was Chipper Jones after all.
Although I was under the impression that Grabow would be our guy if Marmol was struggling. I’m not sure I like that.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
I think I'd prefer to see Carridad become the main setup guy.
He has electric stuff and completely overwhelmed Glaus.
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
had there not been
more lefties in the Braves lineup, we probably would have seen Grabow.
Lou did the textbook thing. Grabow made a bad pitch, and Chipper Jones is SUPPOSED to take advantage of that.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't have a problem with Grabow pitching.
I would prefer more of a power arm, which Carridad has. I think by May, Carridad is the Cubs’ main setup guy.
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
I mean
Caridad.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Anyone can overwhelm Glaus
Dude swings at just about anything.
by Pre on Apr 8, 2010 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Except he is LH....
….but the early results seem to be very similar. Letter high change ups that didnt change.
If it weren't for the dumb "save" statistic I bet we would have seen Marmol in the 8th.
Up against the heart of the order in a one run game you want your best reliever out there, not Grabow. Marmol would have faced Prado, Jones, McCann. In fact, since he hasn’t thrown in a week he could have pitched the ninth as well and still picked up his valuable “save”. By not leveraging him when he’s really needed, it probably costs the starter a “win” and him a chance at the “save” and the team another game.
by Jerry Mumphrey on Apr 8, 2010 8:56 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Welcome to DC Al! Hope you enjoy your visit.
Gotta agree for the most part about the Nats, although I do think that they have made some improvements over last year and I think they will do better than last year. Heck, they might even finish in next to last place! At least the weather was beautiful for baseball.
Now I’m probably going to invoke a lot of ire, but when Demp came up to bat in the 5th with the bases loaded I had a feeling that at-bat was gonna make or break the ballgame. And as well as Demp was pitching (and he was electric last night), I was yelling at Lou to pinch hit Colvin for him. Just seems to me that against a good team like the Braves, you have to go for it in that situation when the score is so close. Then Lou could have gone to Marshall or someone else out of the pen. Then again, maybe the bullpen would have given up more runs, but a loss is a loss so what’s the difference? Anyhow, I think Lou mis-uses Marshall a lot by not letting him go longer when he is obviously on top of his stuff. It drives me crazy when Lou yanks a reliever who is doing well for another one who is a question mark, just because of the averages.
OT Does anyone know if Ted Lilly is still pitching tomorrow in Des Moines?
I plan on going but have not seen anything in the last few days. The weather here has been cool and rainy but sunshine today and Friday is supposed to be 68. I would think the weather would be right for him to throw here.
By the way, the Des Moines newspaper has Sandberg’s picture in every section and every sportscast has him on. Sunday’s game is a Sandberg T-Shirt giveaway. They are playing him here to the hilt. Last night was a rain out, the Iowa Cubs were supposed to play the University of Iowa baseball team (with wooden bats).
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
I think someone did a study
and Ryne Sandberg added about 500-1000 fans in the stands when the Smokies or Chiefs played on the road.
That a big chunk of change to a minor league club. And the I-Cubs are going to get that for every home game.
There aren’t many drawing cards in the minor leagues, but a beloved Hall of Famer is one of them. And Sandberg has been very good about this—he realizes that part of his job is to sell tickets.
If you go to the I-Cubs, please share your thoughts on the game with us in the Minor League Wrap.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
by Josh Timmers on Apr 8, 2010 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I was planning on it Josh.
In fact I’m looking forward to seeing Ted Lilly and the Sandberg experience.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Really
bringing up playing the Nationals already. That is ledge jumping:) I must admit, I have always thought Theriot to be decent. But I am seeing what many have seen. The man covers no ground at all at SS.
As for the relievers. History will tell us that almost all (outside closers) relievers are up and down year and year out. They are failed starters that tend not to be consistent year after year.
Al is correct though, Pinella pulls the hot arm to soon. This brings me to this. Say Marshall is mowing them down in the 7 & 8th. What happens in the 9th? The closer comes in automatically. Why? Is there a baseball law that says Marshall or the pitcher of your choice can not finish the game. Most frustrating.
Trade Doug Deeds to Washington.
You know what?
The Nationals let Phillies fans buy tickets to their home opener BEFORE letting Nationals fans buy tickets to the same game.
No joke.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Be fair now
You mean the Nationals let Philies fans WHO BOUGHT GROUP PACKAGES LAST YEAR buy tickets to the opener before letting National fans who DIDN’T buy group packages last year. It’s not like they were specifically marketing to Phillies fans. This isn’t a case of internal fan sabotage. This is a case of incompetent ticket sales planning.
I hear about that. That's awful.
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
Heard*
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
I might have stuck with Sean Marshall, who’s been unhittable in two games. This is one thing that drives me nuts about Lou, particularly the last two years — overuse of the bullpen when you have a guy (Marshall) who can give you extended outings. It’s no wonder the Cubs need a 12-man pitching staff. If the manager would use his pitchers properly, they could easily get along with 11.
Marshall’s spot came up in the lineup. I expect Lou decided to play the odds and pinch hit for him.
Grabow just left it slow and up. Red meat for Chipper.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
Marshall's spot did NOT come up and no one batted for him.
Lou just put Grabow in the game, even though Marshall had thrown a grand total of 13 pitches. Ridiculous.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I thought the same thing
why replace effective lefty with…another lefty, after 13 pitches? This is why I am disappointed in Lou.
Now you know why he wants 7 relief pitchers
So he can put one in the Dog House and still have 6! Grabow – you’re up!
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 8, 2010 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
TJ - could you do me a favor?
Could you change your avatar/profile picture? Just anything but He Who Has Been Shipped to Seattle.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 8, 2010 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Be nice now
LOL. Maybe he just forgot. But I think in the photo, He Who Has Been Shipped to Seattle is holding one of those Pink Bats for Breast Cancer.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 8, 2010 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
He didn't forget.
TJ took a special interest in stirring the Bradley debate last season. I’m sure it pains him that dude is gone – now he has nobody to get red in the face over.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
Didn't know I had stepped into that mine field
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 8, 2010 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions
I asked in a nice way... I really want to know why its still there
if he wants it still…that’s cool :)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Gotcha
And sorry to say, the Cubs Home Opener is not looking as nice as it was 24-hours ago. Are you still trying to go?
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 8, 2010 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions
I can decide the day before....if it's icky I think I'd rather be here,
dont even know if my friend will go if its bad out…are you going?
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Oh yeah, I'm All In
Day off from work, drop my daughter off at school, breakfast near Wrigley with a couple of buddies and then off to the game.
If I can do the 1997 Home Opener (Start Time Weather: 29° F, Wind 22mph from Left to Right, Sunny, No Precipitation.), I can do this one.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 8, 2010 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions
the weather wouldn't bother me either, at all, if....
I had tickets for sure….she’s just not sure we can have them. I’d stand outside of WF all damn day if it was nice out, but….hell, I’m just waiting for her to make the call.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
You have a better chance of getting a ticket from your friend
if the weather is just so-so, or bad. There will be a lot of people around Wrigley, but not a lot of extra demand for tickets if the weather is not great.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Apr 8, 2010 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions
probably too much
Lou has had three great bullpens to manage in his career. The Nasty Boys, the 95 Mariners and the 2001 Mariners. Those results were off the charts. Mediocre bullpens have put more grey hair on the guy’s head than time ever will. This one can only hope to be mediocre, IF Caridad pans out.
Rothschild has never, ever impressed me. He’s had so much to work with, and I’ve yet to see a pitcher impress me under his tenure and plenty have failed to live up to expectations. I’m not going to give him total blame for that, but he’s had a lot to work with. As bad as Lou can be, same crap happened under Dusty and Rothschild is a constant there.
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
wait
Tracy batted for Marshall, didn’t he? Or did Tracy bat for Demp?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions
oh, ok.
My mistake. Mea culpa.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with Al
It seems silly to yank Marshall, who has the ability to go several innings, particularly when his stuff is as good as it was last night. Lou’s bullpen management is not good, IMHO.
five letters... LOOGY
He’s trying to systematically shorten Marshall up so he can just bring him in to face one hitter. Can’t really do that when he’s stretched his arm out to get so many batters out per appearance. So last night was a bullpen management win for Lou. Good job!
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Marshall is wasted as a LOOGY
his ability to get both sides out AND go multiple innings is what makes him a valuable piece.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
well...
he’s wasted in the pen, period. Dude can start… dude should start… or dude should get traded for value like a dude who can start.
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
I think he should be starting over Silva.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I like having Silva in there...
I’d start him over Gorzo
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
The Marshall Plan
I’d prefer him to be starting too. Or used as a multi-inning reliever. He’s needlessly wasted being used as a LOOGY.
Which has me wondering – if dealing Marshall would bring in a bona fide shut-down LOOGY on the order of a George Sherrill, would you make that deal?
No...
because I think Ryno will use him correctly next year ;)
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
i don't know, Al
Why? :D
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know, Al
Why? :D
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Because that would me too much sense, Al
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions
make*
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions
It looked like Grabow wanted nothing to do with Chipper
Remember, first base was open. Give Chipper credit for reaching out and pulling a pitch on the outside corner. But if you want to walk somebody – you better go ahead and walk him. Heartbreaking loss after Dempster threw a gem… Gotta win tonight…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
I never understood pitching around someone. If you don't want to face the guy, just put him on.
Too many bad things happen when you are jacking around like that. See last night for example…
Of course it seems to work vs Cubs hitters.
five letters.. LOOGY
He’s trying to systematically shorten Marshall up so he can just bring him in to face one hitter. Can’t really do that when he’s stretched his arm out to get so many batters out per appearance. So last night was a bullpen management win for Lou. Good job!
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
sorry...
this not where it’s supposed to be.
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Was Grabow trying to pitch around Chipper?
I was listening to the game on the radio and Ron said, “Lou wouldn’t put the the go ahead run on first” when Grabow started out 2-0 on Chipper. Of course I love Ron, but this didn’t make any sense to me.
If Grabow walks Chipper, it sets up the DP and gets Lou his coveted lefty-lefty match up against McCann. If Grabow gets McCann (assuming he does double him up), then he can bring in Caridad for Glaus.
Does Lou really think he’s gonna get Chipper to chase? And if he is pitching around Chipper at 2-0, wouldn’t you just fold and him on first?
We shall overcome
That was a tough spot. Grabow didn’t need to be in that game. Everyone knows that. Marshall should have been left in there to close the darn thing, with Caridad ready in the wings.
But we shall overcome.
Milty will return tonight.
Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we shall go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..
coda
ELO, 1975
Tough loss
Demp was brilliant. I am concerned about up the middle. Theriot looks heavier. He never had range to begin with, I think it has gotten worse. Baker should get the majority of the starts, and I don’t care if a righthander is throwing.
heavier?
the weight of having the impending arrival of Starlin Castro around his neck, methinks.
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
would it surprise you?
A Cubs veteran coming to camp out of shape… seems to happen every year. We want players who are hungry like us fans are… not in the same way though. However, if Theriot wants to give up his day job and swill beer and shove cubbie dogs in his face and let Castro take over, I’d be fine with that.
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions
He's in his 30's now.
And is naturally going to fill out some and have less range. Unless he starts tearing it up offensively, (0-13 at present) I think we see Castro or even more likely, Darwin Barney sooner rather than later. Fontenot should be fine. He’s always been a plus defender and without playing every day should hit more like ’08 than last year.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
Ooops
Theriot is 0-7…..Him and Lee are a combined 0-13.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
I think it looks like he bulked up like from lifting weights.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
I'm not a ledge jumper because I thought we would lose of two of three to Atlanta.
Although this was the game I thought we would win. I also thought we would come home with a 3-3 record. But it is not the inexperience that bothers me about the bullpen. It’s the “badness”. I hope they get better and they could. But there is nothing more disheartening to a team than having the bullpen blow it late. They also have to score more than 3 runs. And Grockcubs, you know Theriot doesn’t catch anything unless it’s hit right at him.
not me...
This was not the game I thought we would win. Even with Demp on his game. Jurrjens is a far better pitcher than Derek Lowe. If Zambrano was on his game, we win yesterday… I don’t expect the Cubs to score enough runs off guys like Jurrjens to consistently count them as wins, not with Marlon Byrd hitting fifth.
The Cubs at their best are going to be in close games all year… that’s what happens when you have a poor defense and a mediocre offense. Get used to the Cubs bullpen being a factor one way or another… unfortunately, Hendry didn’t load that gun with many bullets this year.
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
This game has already been picked pretty clean
but what bothered me was Grabow’s nibbling and getting behind. When you have to get one over…and the pitch to Chipper looked like a ‘get me over’ pitch…good hitters like Jones know what to do with it. And a great starting and relief pitching effort by Demp and Marshall were quickly up in smoke and the dark mood sets in. Dunno if it’s just me, but as soon as the ball left the park the loss seemed an inevitable certainty. 0-2 isn’t the end of the world but the way these first two played out seems like a forboding start to a season. As Al mentioned, this is a good Atlanta team and thus far the Cubs have paled in comparison to them on most offensive and defensive fronts.
nibbling and getting behind
is what John Grabow has done his entire career….
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 8, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
yup...
and when they could have spent good money on good LH relievers in the 2009 season, instead they dump prospects and money into a mediocre one. Hendry continues to make poor decisions with the money he spends, especially when the bullpen comes into it.
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Who could of Hendry got that
was avaliable in the offseaon? From what I remember there were not alot of good options. I could be wrong though.
He did overpay for Grabow.
2010 is OUR year.
This is going to sound creepy...
…but I thought of you last night when Grabow gave up that home run.
that's not creepy at all.
now, snuggle closer.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
right...
it’s a good, potentially great team… but still just a wild-card contender given how strong their division is, and they look far superior on paper and in reality. Kinda limits the options the Cubs might have to even make the playoffs and then think about how good the Cardinals look.. yikes. These boys better get it together while Lilly is out.
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by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Why wasn't Dempster the Opening Day pitcher instead of Z?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
I have thought Dempster has been our
best pitcher since 2008. Even after the no-hitter by Z. But I understand why Z got the nod for Opening Day. Opening Day starter is a tad over rated and Z was alot better than what he showed us Monday.
2010 is OUR year.
I think he probably should be/have been
I dunno if maybe Z just get’s too amped up for OD. Seems a role more suitable for Demp.
"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 Apr 8, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
I repectfully disagree.
Ted Lilly has been awwwwfully good. If I had to pick one guy from ‘08 on, I think I’d take Teddy.
Ok, that's fine
I wouldn’t grumble about handing the 1st start of the year to Theodore, either. I’d be totally fine with either Lilly or Demp on the bump for the first game of the year. My main point was somebody other than Z on Opening Day. Hell, I’d give Randy David Wells the chance ahead a Z.
"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 Apr 8, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Would take Dempster.
Dempster:
2008: 17-6, 2.96 ERA (5.1 WAR) (Worth: 22.7 M/yr)
2009: 11-9, 3.65 ERA (3.6 WAR) (Worth: 16.4 M/yr)
Lilly:
2008: 17-9, 4.09 ERA (2.7 WAR) (Worth: 12.0 M/yr)
2009: 12-9, 3.10 ERA (3.7 WAR) (Worth: 16.6 M/yr)
I love Lilly but I think Dempster has been a tad better.
2010 is OUR year.
If he keeps going like this,
He will probably be Opening Day pitcher as he is much more reliable.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Carlos Zambrano's........
ego would like to have a word with you.
I like Lou,
I really do. I think he’s a good manager. Certainly a better manager than I expected – and alot of expected. He’s better than Baker was.
I do understand his logic on putting Grabow in. It happens.
However – I do think it’s time to see what Baker can do at second. I was not too thrilled to see Fontenot win the job just because of the spring. Baker showed an significant improvement in hitting righties last year – hell – he’s even younger than Fontenot and I believe Baker has some upside.
I know we would be dominated by rightes in our lineup but did that really prevent us from success in 2008? It doesn’t make a damn difference. We just need to hit the ball.
I hope Geovany Soto turns it around though. I’m seriously worried about him.
2010 is OUR year.
I'm hoping we see
Baker and Colvin today.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Would you put Hill in there too?
I would. Give him some ABs.
Where are we playing Colvin? Soriano had a decent day yesterday. Maybe in right, I guess.
2010 is OUR year.
Is the Braves pitcher tonight
a lefty?
I dunno about Hill.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Tommy Hanson scheduled.
According to his MLB page, he throws right-handed.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
well
I dunno then. but if Colvin’s getting three starts a week, he has to play today, tomorrow and Saturday.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
No Hanson is righthanded.
Well I just want him to see some live game action .. so his bat isn’t completely useless when he does start.
2010 is OUR year.
I'll bet she didn't need a pill, to catch that thrill.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
I'd like to see Baker start today, too.
He was a pleasant surprise late last year.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Too bad - tonight you could've gone to Bowie
to see the first game ever played by the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
I’ll be at next Thursday’s home opener. They’re expected to be pretty good this season – some of their players were on the San Jose High-A team that won the Cal League last season. Glad pro ball is back here in Richmond.
Not too upset about the game, actually..
Jurrjens is a very good pitcher, and people don’t do crap against Wagner 90% of the time. The cubs scattered some hits, and on another day may have scraped together another run or two. We’d need about 2-3 more weeks of a losing record (or about 1 1/2 weeks of mostly losing) before I would say that the cubs problems have been shown to be chronic as opposed to luck.
by DisCUBbobulated on Apr 8, 2010 10:20 AM CDT reply actions
With regards to Wagner...
…it would have been nice to see the guys take some swings though. My god, take the GD bat of your GD shoulder!
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
Especially Soto.
Just stood there looking at strikes.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
It'll take him some time to regain his confidence after last year.
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
Yeah.
I’m lacking confidence in him too.
Wondering if that 2007-2008 was an exception and not the rule.
2010 is OUR year.
we'll find out.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep.
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
Way too early for me to get upset
The ’08 team started 0-2 and they ended up winning 97 games.
I know, ’08 results have nothing to do with ’10 results…
but point is, it’s a long season, and anything can happen.
Randy can stop the bleeding tonight, and if he doesn’t, BIG DEAL!….0-3 is nothing.
But I sure do hope they can get that 1st win tonight before I see them in Cincinnati tomorrow.
A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.
I'm going to say this
but you know what – this team has alot of the same pieces as 2008 and it wouldn’t surpise me to see this team win 90 games.
Our bullpen sucked to alot of people that year too (our setup guy (Marmol) and closer (Wood) were the only good parts).
IF Caridad can pitch like he did last year and have that electric fastball – and Marmol pitch like his stuff indicates … this team will be fine. We do need to make some proper moves in the pen though.
What we NEED is our offense to hit like it did that year. With an Aramis Ramirez at his peak and a healthy Derrek Lee we are good but what we NEED is Alfonso Soriano and another player (either Byrd, Soto or Baker/Fontenot) to have a good year.
This team isn’t as bad as it’s record so far..
2010 is OUR year.
Which game(s) are you going to in Cincinnati?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
0-3?
I’ll raise you! How about 0-10, or 0-17! Then when we come back and win it all that’ll show ’em!
Good gawd, what is the perfect opposite of ledge jumper?
This team will not be 0-10.
Or 0-17.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Sarcasm detector.
Turn it up, just a few notches. :)
Ah, didn't see the sarcasm font.
My bad.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Sunshine pumper or kool-aide drinker
Take your pick
"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
maybe I should get this guy for a tattoo?
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
You could do a lot worse.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
mine too
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Like this?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 8, 2010 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
ISWYDT
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Yeah. I used to tell my kids I had eyes in back of my head.
I hope they didn’t imagine them like that or I may have scarred them for life.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
yeah, a big red one, right on my a$$
I wonder if it would ruin the looks of it? :D
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
"Stop panicking, right now"
No panic, just natural disappointment that the Cubs lost a game they should have won. Remember, spring training was only last week and the Cubs looked pretty darn good in AZ. There seems to be a disconnect (at least for these two first games at least) between how they played then and now in Atlanta which will eventually be corrected. All teams eventually play to their capabilities over the season anyway, so the wins will come.
Hey Soto
Is anyone frustrated with his approach at the plate or is it just me? No wonder he has a donut under his hit stat. Mr. Soto… in order to get a hit you actually have to swing at the ball. It’s like he’s scared. I won’t discount his play behind the plate. Demp did throw a great game. While we’re at it why do catchers get praise when they catch a game with great pitching but get no blame when pitchers barf up runs to the opposing team (i.e. Z’s donation to the Nationals 2010 hitting stats). If this continues I say we get Colvin up in pads. That would solve at least one of Soto’s issues.
by Marcel Esguerra on Apr 8, 2010 10:46 AM CDT reply actions
the catcher
can’t MAKE the pitcher throw well. Monday was clearly a problem with Z, not Soto.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Ummm
Soto was 1-3 last night with a walk. Not exactly the guy that should be getting flogged for last evening. Change the rant to Theriot or Fontenot and add the subject of defense into the mix and perhaps I’d agree with you. That Soto didn’t handle Billy Wagner throwing straight cheddar is not concerning. Speaking of which, if Wagner throws like he did last night for the entire season, he’s going to set all kinds of single-season records. He was beyond filthy last night. Of course his arm is hanging by a thread so those expectations are foolish.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
THERE IS A RUMOR ON THE INTERNETS THAT THE CUBS MIGHT WIN A BASEBALL GAME TODAY.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 8, 2010 10:47 AM CDT reply actions
I wonder if we'll see the highlights to tonights game...
on ESPN.. I think they might have an hour SportsCenter dedicated to Tiger. I swear if the man farts it’ll be breaking news.
2010 is OUR year.
Who?
Tiger? Who’s that?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
they played
the new Nike commercial during sportscenter this morning. (I swear I was only watching during commercials on CSNs morning show).
THEY PLAYED THE COMMERCIAL.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 8, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
One thing about that.
He definitely is a player, in more ways than one.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
ISWYDT. Lol.
Everyone's thought process with this team is that the playoffs start now. Tomorrow is going to be Day One of our run to October.
-- Marlon Byrd
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 8, 2010 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
That must have been
What all those women were telling him.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
what the heck?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
my thought...
My only thought, is with the 3rd highest payroll in all of MLB, we do not have a single hitter that pitchers are afraid of enough to pitch around. You would think with that high of a payroll, we would have at least one or two hitters that pitchers really think, man I should be careful with this guy.
Samething with our bullpen, granted we have Marmol that can be dominate most of the time, but do we really have any pitchers in the bullpen that hitters say, man this guy is unhittable.
There are very few teams which meet the criteria you've put forth.
Even the in the top 10 payroll $ teams.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 8, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Do even the Yankees
have a guy that is unhittable in the pen? Rivera comes to mind, I guess. But his location is key at this point of his career.
And do the Red Sox have a guy that brings more fear than either Lee or Ramirez?
2010 is OUR year.
the yankees have Joba
The Red Sox have Pedroia, Martinez, Drew, Youkilis. Whether or not Joba is “unhittable” or Pedroia, Martinez, Drew or Youkilis “bring more fear” than Lee or Ramirez is a question of fact that is up for debate.
I'm not arguing that any of those players are better than Lee or Ramirez.
However, a Catcher with an OPS+ of 127 is not overrated.
Also, Pedroia puts up very impressive numbers at a more difficult defensive position, so I wouldn’t dismiss him as a “feared hitter” so easily.
sure,
and I just named who I thought the four best hitters on the red sox were. Than I said whether any of these guys are better than Lee or Ramirez is debatable.
Yes..
As a pitcher would you want to face Jeter, Texeira, or Arod?
I hate the red sox, but Youklis is a much better hitter than DLee IMO…
I agree
Yeah, that was my bad on the much better hitter…
I was just expressing a thought, I did not mean to make anyone mad…
I'm not mad at all.
But you are undervaluing the presence of both Ramirez and Lee.
2010 is OUR year.
fwiw,
Lee and Youkilis posted the same OPS+ (145) last year.
Over the last three years: Youkilis OPS+ 135; DLee 127
I"d say Lee and Youklis is a toss up...
Even though Lee posted the same OPS with less protection last year.
and I’d bet the Red Sox"s would swap martinez or Drew for Ramirez right now
I say this just because
that kind of offensive production from a catcher is special. No knock to Ramirez.
I see your point.
As a whole. But don’t you think Ramirez is feared just as much as Martinez – not taking in their defensive position.
2010 is OUR year.
I would say though...
from top to bottom the Sox’s line up is better than the Cubs
salary
my main argument i guess is, it seems like the cubs are overpaying a bit or just have huge bloated contracts on the books
Granted the Youk example is just one example but would you take Youk over DLee for 4 Million less?
Would you take Dustin P. over Theriot? They are getting paid about the same…
Youk and Pedroia are great examples of developing your own players
which is something that the Cubs seem to be working on getting better at. Hopefully the days of overpaying for someone like Soriano are over. This is the first time that I can remember the Cubs having the talent that they do in the minors
Martinez isn"t a very good catcher
If Big Papi wasn"t the DH Martinez would be there< and Varitek would be catching
While admitedly catching defensive metrics haven't been perfected
UZR has him at -.3, which is average.
well...
didn’t he spend alot of time at first in the past? I’m just saying catcher is a position that I would almost prefer Koy Hill starting over Soto because his defense and the way he handles pictures is more important than offense
And I would argue
that 2008 Soto’s Bat and fielding capabilities, taken as a whole, are worth more to a team than Hill’s Bat and Fielding.
Last years Soto, maybe not so much.
I'll give you that...
long tern I would take Youk over Lee
LOL.
Actually the more I read this..
You would think with that high of a payroll, we would have at least one or two hitters that pitchers really think, man I should be careful with this guy
The more I laugh. Lee and Ramirez BOTH fit that description. I promise every team that faces the Cubs says “watch how you pitch to Lee/Ramirez they are their best hitters”.
2010 is OUR year.
Glad you quoted that...
Took me forever to sign in (internal blonde and passwords…) and I was laughing and signing in because of that. The only thing I was going to add other than my humor at it was that we haven’t exactly been in a position where anyone has had to pitch around either of them.
Marmol
Is the unhittible guy… when he throws strikes. His batting ave. against and strike outs against is among the best in the league over the last 3 years
WAY too early for ledge jumping
But not too early to point out certain troubling signs: like last season, the Cubs leave too many runs on the bases with less than two outs. When rami grounded into the inning ending DP, I just had a bad feeling that not capitalizing on an opportunity like that (with, arguably, our best clutch hitter at the plate) was going to come back to haunt us.
Another thing: I’m not a Theriot basher by a long shot-I like the guy, I like what he brings to the team. I can even live with his limitations at short until the powers that be deem castro ready. But he is not now, nor will he EVER be a lead-off man. It’s simply not his game. I get that we don’t really have a lead-off man but I would much rather see Fukudome run up there. Until Lou comes to this same conclusion, getting such little production out of our “table setter” is going to continue to cripple this team offensively.
Anybody know what Kenny Lofton is doing these days?
This cubs team is going to be good...
Atlanta has all the makings of being a special team this year, and we"re playing in their ball park. I’m not making excuses…. but if that blown call on Mon. had gone different that game could have been alot different, and last night they got beat on a home run by a future Hall of famer.(i think I would have prefered walking Jones to have Grawbow face McCain)
on the positive side, dempster and marshall looked great….. and Sori had a couple off hits of a really good pitcher
and...
there really aren’t too many 3-4 hitters better than Lee and Ramirez
On the plus side
I suddenly look like a genius for grabbing Chipper in the late rounds of my fantasy draft.
BOOOOOOOOOOO!
How dare you discuss the plus side of losing by citing fantasy baseball.
For shame!
"You’re playing a baseball game. You’re not playing Tiddlywinks. There is competition, for God’s sake."— Lou Piniella
I look good
for going after Billy Wagner. I hated last night having to say “Screw my fantasy team. Light him up!” I usually have no problem doing that, but since it was Wagner’s first save chance of the year, I thought it would make my co-owner want to dump him if he did blow the save.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
by Josh Timmers on Apr 8, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
I DO feel slightly ashamed
Just doing what I can to take the sting out of last night.
But I seriously was surprised that Chipper was still around in the last couple of rounds of the draft-it looks like he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
Oh brother....
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 8, 2010 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I refuse to admit that spring training has ended.
Opening day may or may not be today, depending on what my mood is
Scores of very early games.
Cardinals 0, Reds 0 (going to top 2)
Dodgers 1, Pirates 0 (top 2)
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 11:57 AM CDT reply actions
And for LA,
Some guy named Reed Johnson has started in LF and doubled in the first inning.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions
I HATE hearing that
I loved Reed Johnson but was willing to go along with the idea that his back was too tempermental to trust signing him to a new contract.
No ledge hoppin yet
I’m not on a ledge…just on the edge of my seat gritting my one tooth
"It was a wise Man that invented Beer" (Plato)
2010 - get used to it
When you have terrible middle infield defense and a suspect bullpen, we’re going to see a lot more games like this.
Last night or in general?
Hamster dropped an easy throw to second which would have prevented the first run from scoring. That, and the usual I-Have-No-Range Ryan Theriot can’t get to balls in the hole or even keep them in the infield.
Other than that and going 1-6, they were great.
by salparadise23 on Apr 8, 2010 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I've always heard its important to be stong up the middle
How much stronger would the cubs be if they moved theriot to second where he belongs and brought castro up to play short?
I'm fine with any move that gets Fonty out of the regular lineup
He offers nothing.
by salparadise23 on Apr 8, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Please tell Lou that
I’ve always been against Hamster as an everday player-his limitations get exposed pretty easily. Lou, however, seems to have the kind of fascination with him that Dusty had with Niefi.
2 things
Thank God there is a game today, the great thing of baseball. When the Bears blow a game we have to wait another week, despite the rough game we have hope tonight to go 1-2. I’m not anywhere near the ledge and still think this team is an 85-90 win team as long as the pen can be middle of the league in performance.
Marshall is solid in any role the Cubs have put him in. It may take him a little bit to be comfortable, but the Cubs constantly bounce him around and he never complains and always performs well. Extremely undervalued Cub over the past 2-3 years.
Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air...
I'm itching for a win tonight...
I did some photoshop magic…
Our buddy Milton has some vacation photos he wants me to share…
chuckles
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
Oh my.
I’m wondering if I should get ready to prep my eyes or ready for them to start bleeding.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Nah...
Milton has been spreading the Cubs all over the place…
Trust me…
They are family friendly…
Think of it as a Where’s Waldo version of our buddy Milty…
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
Oh, I get it.
Those I have seen before.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
unfortunately
The pics are at home and I’m in class…
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
Oh wait...
I forgot… I have them on my web account…
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
Scores:
Dodgers 4, Pirates 0 (top 6)
Cardinals 1, Reds 1 (top 7)
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 1:20 PM CDT reply actions
In the course of a season
teams lose two games in a row many, many times and the Cubs will again.
I’m more worried about leaking runs up the middle and an offense that needs Soto and Soriano to return to ’08 form.
I think the bullpen will eventually be sorted out .
2 losses not alike
I don’t look at these 2 losses as being the same. The first was bad pitching and a bad call. The second was a 1-run loss with too little offense. Neither game featured the kind of defense we’d like to see.
I think they will do something about the middle infield because the defense isn’t going to correct itself with the same players. I don’t think any of his will turn the season around unless the offense can put up some numbers. It might make it easier to win more 1-run games.
The only thing I’m miffed about after these losses is Zambrano’s outing. Too many of his bad outings really take the team out of it. They can do something about Samardzija and his 108 ERA, but Zambrano just has to start pitching well.
For me, the problem is approach.
What reminded me of last year were the poor approaches at the plate. For an example, Soto’s AB when he drew the walk setting up a bases loaded situation for Dempster. With runners on first and third and 1 away and the pitcher due up next you cannot be as picky as Soto was in that at bat. He left one perfectly placed fastball he could have driven, and one hanging curveball right down the middle. I don’t see the hunger in hitters to drive in runs. Soto should have been licking his chops hoping to get just one pitch to hit. Well, he got two, and didn’t take the bat off his shoulder until he had 2 strikes. Mercifully, Dempster got lucky. Also, there is no better DP candidate that a poor hitting pitcher. In that situation you absolutely have to be hungry and not relying on your pitcher hitting behind you.
As for the Jones AB. I’m shocked Lou didn’t just put up 4 fingers. He’s OK walking McCann early in the game, but not Jones in the 8th with first base open? Once you fall behind there just let him take first. It’s not like he’s some speed demon. I also thought it should have been Marmol. Sure, Jones has more lefty power, but it didn’t matter last night. Marmol vs. Jones left handed is a better match up at that point in the game than Grabow facing Jones right handed. You can’t worry about saving Marmol for the stretch run if you’re not in it.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
YES!!
I just hit post, and checked the Cards vs. Reds… walk off bomb for Gomes. Reds win.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
Not jumping yet
I’m not ready to call it a season yet, but these first two games have been incredibly painful to watch. To me, the most glaring deficiencies in game one were Theriot’s range at SS, Soriano’s weak hitting, and Smaarjidizia inability to pitch. Game two made me feel better. Ryan Dempster is an absolute stud. Looks like 2008 Ryan Dempster again. Sean Marshall looks solid too and Caridad made Glaus look silly (as has everyone else so far). Let’s hope things get better starting today.
"They give each other a kiss after every pitch. He kisses her on the strikes and she kisses him on the balls." - Harry Caray
If Soriano looks bad
what does Derrek Lee look like? I didn’t think Soriano looked bad at all yesterday.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
Soriano looked bad in game one
Yesterday he looked better, especially his last single. Didn’t make that clear above.
"They give each other a kiss after every pitch. He kisses her on the strikes and she kisses him on the balls." - Harry Caray
ATTENTION LEDGE JUMPING CUB FANS
The St. Louis Cardinals were just defeated via a walk off bomb by Johnny Gomes. Johnny Gomes is not Chipper Jones. He is not as good. Therefore the Cardinals are now doomed and their season is rubbish!!!!!!!!!
Cubs win tonight, they’re 1 game back. I think we can breathe.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
by TCobb1911 on Apr 8, 2010 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
lol
you’re in a good mood today. :D
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I just happened
to pull the ol’ work from home and have watched baseball all day. Dodgers Pirates is not thriller however.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
I was gonna do that
buy Monday is my anniversary, so I’m taking that day off instead.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Did you take it off because
it’s your anniversary or because it’s the home opener? or both? and are you going to be there?
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
because it’s my anniversary. My wife has said more than once that she’d be happy to go to the game, but we’d have to find a sitter for the boy, and it’s a school night, so…
No, we’re probably not going.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions
That is sweet. Congrats!
My husband still takes off for our anniversary too (it was 23 years on the 3rd).
If the weather is like today, you will probably be much more comfy at home anyway. Enjoy.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
it's our 2nd
and the weather doesn’t bother me, it’s the school night part that’s a problem.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions
you bought Monday? I imagine it was less expensive than Saturday, but still... anniversary present?
"I mean, if we can’t take Colvin after the spring he’s had, something is wrong," -- Lou
Turn this green!
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Apr 8, 2010 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Lineup: Colvin, Hill, Baker in...
Theriot SS
Fukudome RF
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Byrd CF
Colvin LF
Baker 2B
Hill C
Wells P
"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens
and dipshit still leading off....
sigh.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 8, 2010 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Sori out
interesting. Thank goodness for shaking up the lineup a little. Should be a significent increase in defense.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 8, 2010 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions
How much will it take for Lou
to bat Dome as leadoff?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 8, 2010 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably about 6 more weeks of Theriot batting leadoff.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu……….
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 8, 2010 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Baker and Colvin!
good. Now all we need to do is fix the left side of the infield…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 8, 2010 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions
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