Andrew Cashner Injured In Cubs 6-5 Win Over Diamondbacks
by Al Yellon on Apr 5, 2011 5:30 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintBefore the season began, many wondered how Andrew Cashner would do in the Cubs starting rotation, especially since the longest outing he had in spring training was only five innings. Would he be stretched out enough to start?
He didn't throw that many pitches today -- 72, with 43 being strikes -- but after he walked Willie Bloomquist with one out in the sixth inning, trainer Mark O'Neal came out on the field and Cashner departed, at one point pointing to his shoulder. The preliminary word was "shoulder tightness", and let's hope it's nothing worse than a young pitcher's shoulder getting a little tight on a cold, windy day and the team being very cautious with him. His next start wouldn't be until next Monday in Houston -- indoors -- and if necessary, with the off day Thursday, the Cubs could skip his turn. A late tweet from Carrie Muskat indicates that Cashner is headed to have a MRI on the shoulder with this ominous quote from Mike Quade:
"He didn't have any trouble in camp. This caught us off guard completely."
Like I said, let's hope it's just the cold weather and he'll be OK.
The bullpen was a bit shaky after that -- James Russell gave up a game-tying two-run single after Jeff Samardzija and Marcos Mateo had loaded the bases with walks. Seriously, what is Mateo doing in the major leagues? Great arm, yeah, yeah, I know. But the guy cannot throw strikes and if he does, they wind up deposited in the seats. Nevertheless, after the Diamondbacks tied up the game in the seventh inning, the offense came through to get the lead back and the Cubs held on for a 6-5 win. Russell got out of the inning and had a decent eighth, and Sean Marshall allowed a run in the ninth when he couldn't quite handle what might have been a game-ending DP smash. Starlin Castro made a terrific play on it to get at least one out, and then Marshall K'd Bloomquist to end it.
This marks the first time the Cubs have been over .500 since the last day of the 2009 season. Yes, it's only a 3-2 record, but the team wasn't over .500 all of last year (they made .500 three times at 4-4, 10-10 and 13-13, then not again), and now, let's hope they can keep it that way.
Tyler Colvin played first base in place of the injured Carlos Pena -- who said he wanted to play today and could have pinch-hit -- and did a decent job at first base, including turning a slick 3-6-1 DP in the eighth inning. He also hit a two-run homer, his first of the season. But that wasn't all the Cubs offense was able to muster -- in all, they put together a nice long-sequence offense, drawing five walks and posting ten hits, three of them from Marlon Byrd, who also drove in a run.
The day started out sunny, but northwest winds blew some clouds in and the wind and cold temperatures made it just about the same day as Monday's chilly series opener. The announced crowd of 27,039 was about 800 people more than yesterday, some perhaps attracted by the Starlin Castro bobblehead that was given away; it pictures him in a Tennessee Smokies uniform. At first that was a bit of a head-scratcher, but I understand that this is part of a series depicting Cubs players, including Tyler Colvin and Geovany Soto, who were developed in the system wearing the uniforms of the minor league teams they played for. Makes sense, I guess.
Of that 27,039, maybe half that number, 12,000-13,000, were actually in the house today, including BCB'er elgato, who sat with us this afternoon. The bleachers were about 2/3 full; the rest of the park, not so much, and the wind-blown upper deck was mostly empty by the middle innings. I wouldn't expect many more -- if that -- tomorrow, when the forecast is for showers and temperatures near 50 degrees. The Cubs will have a shot at a series sweep (and their eighth straight win over Arizona dating back to last year) tomorrow; Ryan Dempster will face near-perfect pitcher Armando Galarraga.
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Call Silva!!!
( Tongue firmly planted in cheek.)
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
by mrcubsfan on Apr 5, 2011 5:34 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
good win
Considering we had to go with plan C in the bullpen
Hope Cashner is ok, he looked pretty good. Who gets the first shot at the starting rotation if Cashner goes on the DL? Coleman? Wellemeyer? Lets hope not.
Wellemeyer seems to be retired or not with the Cubs anymore
Guess Thomas Diamond or Chris Carpenter might be in the conversation also.
My guess is it'd be Coleman.
Last word I heard is that the trainers don’t think it’s anything serious, but they want to be sure, which is why the MRI.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
goes down?
Most likely Casher would go on the DL, if they wanted a spot start I’m guess Samardzija gets the duty.
But if Cashner is going to miss one turn, they will still need someone to start
Who is not Spellcheck. Mateo probably gets the axe because he has options, but this would be a fine time to bite the bullet and cut a wide receiver.
We have an off-day in there
He can miss one turn, but not two.
"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
couldn't Marshall
get the spot start?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd rather have Coleman spot start.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions
reallly bad idea
Putting Marshall in the rotation would be like trading a high quality reliever for a mediocre starter.
Coleman should take the spot if needed. Leave Marshall to do what he is best at, and where he seems more comfortable.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Apr 6, 2011 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Wellemeyer is still a Cub
He stayed in Arizona to work on a hip injury. Looper is the one who retired.
by Ron Swanson on Apr 5, 2011 7:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Doing my best
to not throw up. This is painful.
"When I die, I hope they don't cremate me 'cuz I'll burn forever." Harry Caray
TWSS
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 5, 2011 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions
what
no snazzy images to show up Mr. Blue Eyes there or do you reserve your hatred just for me…see I said you would rue the day you crossed me…
Good for revenue, that.
"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
First time the Cubs are above .500 since the Ricketts took over
by braziliancubsfan on Apr 5, 2011 5:44 PM CDT reply actions
Year Two!
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
by shoemile on Apr 5, 2011 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's... maybe happening!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Ask again later!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Colvin
Only watched the last few innings, but Colvin looked reasonably comfortable at 1st.
And Marshall as closer maybe helps explain why he threw to only one hitter yesterday—Quade wanted to save him for today with KW and Marmol likely unavailable.
I agree with Al about Mateo, but jeez, Shark just looks helpless whenever I see him. He needs to be the up by eight/down by 10 pitcher.
"It is history that teaches us to hope" -- R. E. Lee
But Lee wasn't a Cubs fan.
He did a good job in emergency relief
Got out of the inning after Cashner went down, but he should not have been trotted out again the next inning.
"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
To me Mateo is a consequence of having Grabow and Silva on your payroll.
Limits your ability to sign better help in the pen though I’m not convinced at all Hendry would with more money to work with.
"Fast Don't Lie"
by Sandberg's evil twin on Apr 5, 2011 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Or
a result of decades of neglect of the minor leagues (Tim Wilken and Dallas Green exempted). Good teams invest in their systems, and graduate MLB quality options routinely. That our system is ready to contribute in the pen soon is a tribute to Wilke.
Or of trading Gorzo
without getting a ML reliever in return.
by SouthWabashSoul on Apr 5, 2011 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions
would you really want a nats reliever?
He's my Hossa
HO-HO-HO-HO-HOSSA
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2011 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
The Nationals had a great pen last year.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2011 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions
When the manager uses 3 pitchers in a inning, there aren't any "mop up guys"
To be fair, Quade used 3 today because the first two couldn’t get outs. But yesterday?
Shark did OK when he was brought in...
why the hell Quade left him in to pitch the next inning is baffling to me.
Now, having said that…Mateo wasn’t any better. I’m hopeful that at some point Quade will begin to understand that whatever production he gets out of either of those two is going to come in very small increments and they won’t be allowed to pitch multiple innings. I also understand that if you have two bullpen guys that you can only count on to get you 2 or less outs an outing that it really hinders your bullpen management. This is one more reason neither of these guys should be up here with the big club. The alternatives could be worse, or better…but I’m not convinced that they would be worse.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 5, 2011 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Did Mateo record a single out?
I seem to recall he didn’t.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions
nope
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2011 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Minor correction
The Cubs were 5-5 last year, too.
"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 did a pretty good job predicting the game result
Predicitions are that Colvin and Ramirez take Enright deep. 6-5 Cubs
2 out of 3 not bad.
Almost
had all 3 then. Rami just missed a 3 run shot.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
Al where did you get the latest word?
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Why is Mateo in MLB?
Why the hell is Samardjerkweed stil on a roster?
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
Ugly as it might seem..........
……….sending Silva into that role could not be worse.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
he's the Milton Bradley of pitchers lol
Lets hope Mateo/Samardzija at least don’t cause clubhouse problems
I think they mainly lie low hoping no one notices they are there
If they can’t find you, they can’t cut you…..
Yes...just not all team's 10th or 11th pitchers make as much as Shark.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 5, 2011 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions
The still gamefully employed...........
……….Jim Hendry.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
gainfully employed?
Is this a typo or some clever pun that is over my head?
Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?
by jasperthepilot on Apr 5, 2011 8:00 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Pun indeed.
Thanks for noticing!
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
Just wanted to echo Al
Mateo can’t throw a strike and when he does, it gets hit hard.
I know he throws hard, but I’ve just never been a fan.
Exactly.
I’d rather have Caridad. Or pretty much anyone else.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
Stevens
I still think Jeff Stevens is the best of that bunch. There were moments when he looked dominant in the majors when he was first called up. I cannot say that Samardzija or Mateo have ever looked remotely dominant at any level.
just as Kyle Farnsworth
By all that's holy, I am going to attend the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp.
Well hopefully Cashner is fine.
Because if he is he could be be one heck of a fifth starter. Looked pretty good today and had a fairly low pitch count. I think he and Wells could make one of the best 4th/5th starter combos in the league. I’m very excited about both, especially Cashner.
by Dcr18 on Apr 5, 2011 6:24 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
That is the bright spot for today - he did a great job
Hope hie is OK.
And, of course, Starlin Castro is in the process of becoming a demi-god.
I believe the phrase "ridiculous upside"
Is not inappropriate.
"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
wait, wait
we haven’t played the White Sox yet, which means the Gorgon still lives!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Thats the thing..
For this team to be good, Cashner needs to develop to a point where he’s arguably the third starter or something like that. That’s why in this case potentially losing our “fifth” starter could hurt more than it would normally.
by Ron Swanson on Apr 5, 2011 7:26 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I was just invited to a party in Brian Wilson's beard.
Not sure if anyone else here is invited, but after that win I think I’d like to go. That game was sort of stressful to watch once Cashner left. Hope he’s OK.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
I knew the Young C's would come through
Castro, Colvin, and Cashner ftw.
I don't know about everyone else but,
I may have trouble sleeping because I need to know Cashner’s status. fingers crossed
by bleedinblue76 on Apr 5, 2011 6:45 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
me too
Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?
by jasperthepilot on Apr 5, 2011 6:58 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
um no trouble sleeping
I doubt it is anything long term and I think Coleman is good enough to hold the fort in needed.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2011 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep, I'm very concerned.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
That's a son of a B... because Cashner looked very good today.
I was at the game, and hoping it was just cramps.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
I haven't been this frustrated during a Cubs win in a loooong time.
You cannot mismanage the use of your pen to the point that neither of your top two closer options are available for a game.
Furthermore… you don’t leave Russell in to bat for himself with 2 out and the bases loaded in the 7th, when you’ve already pre-determined that you will be using Marshall, another lefty and your last man in the pen, to finish the game anyway. Marshall has shown his value as a 6 out guy for years now.
To make matters more interesting, Soriano had just made the second out of the 7th with the bags loaded. Great pinch hitting opportunity to put Reed Johnson to the plate, and then double switch and put Marshall in Soriano’s spot to start the 8th.
Then… the cherry on top: Quade makes a defensive replacement in the 9th, and puts RJ in for…. gulp… Fukudome in RF, and leaves Soriano on his island of outfield terror in LF.
Inexcusable. This kind of management day in and day out will lead us straight to the bottom.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
I did not understand these moves either.....
There has been a lot of moves like this so far…..I get the feeling we got away with one today.
I like the social skills in Quade, but see much of Jim Essian and Terry Bevington in the managing so far….
Maybe there is a reason it took a long time for him to get a MLB job.
Being Jim Hendry’s buddy cinched it I guess…
When it comes down to it
The difference between 80 and 90 wins is “getting away” with a few of those.
You're saying we can win 90 games BECAUSE our manager is an idiot?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 5, 2011 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep, Quade is really, really unimpressive right now.
If this kind of managing continues we can safely place his hiring squarely in the “another way Jim Hendry has crippled this team” column.
I really hope this is some sort of weird feeling his way around phase that Quade can snap out of.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 5, 2011 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions
I didn't get the Reed Johnson in RF thing either.
Still don’t.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
This attendance stuff bothers me.
When is the last time Wrigley has been so empty? It always seems so full, even when the Cubs are just about out of contention.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
Cold days, weekdays, and against a non-division opponent
And a couple of crap seasons before this one started. I’m not totally shocked.
"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
welcome to 2011
There has been a huge bump in attendence since 2003….that affect has seem to worn off.
I agree
I think you will see ALOT of 27-28000 attendance days this year unless we show competativeness…
There will be larger crowds on weekends.
But not until after Memorial Day.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
What do you think
about the small crowds, Al? Are you of the belief that if the team is no good, folks shouldn’t go out to the games? Obviously, you go no matter what. But what about the more casual fan?
Obviously, the casual fan has quit going.
That won’t change until the team starts winning again.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
On the bright side... I got my Castro bobblehead!!!!! And a Cubs W!
So, the day wasn’t that bad afterall.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
picture of said bobblehead please?
By all that's holy, I am going to attend the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp.
just look up
castro bobblehead on ebay.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
The bobblehead is worth more than my tickets cost
Glad my friend got two ( she went in with one ticket, out and back in, but alas could not stay for the game). Guess that makes up for not selling the tickets.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2011 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
And they say Cubs fans aren't good fans!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
were these left over from Tennessee or something
Why a Smokies Jersey and not Cubs? Have they done that before?
The explanation I got was...
… they are doing a series of young Cubs player bobbleheads in the uniforms of our farm system, to show the fact that the system is developing players.
That’s what they said, anyway.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
here
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
I don't know who the heck that is, but it look nothing like Castro.
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
His head is enormous
And it bobbles
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Is anyone going up to Cheeseland for the weekend?
I guessed right and picked Saturday so i could see Garza.
"It was a perfect situation for the Brewers," Hill said. "They had a guy up there at the plate [in Counsell] who takes a lot of pride in what he does and he practices those situations, so when it does come up, he gets the bunt down to the right side of the field. They have the perfect guy on first base [in Gomez], who is one of the fastest guys in the league, and they had one of the worst fundamental teams on the field, so it was a perfect situation for them."
You better hope that they've won a game before then
I don’t want to see those bats when they get desperate for a W.
"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 was thinking the same thing
If my calculations are right, we might see a Sergio Mitre on Saturday. They still don’t have a 5th starter
"It was a perfect situation for the Brewers," Hill said. "They had a guy up there at the plate [in Counsell] who takes a lot of pride in what he does and he practices those situations, so when it does come up, he gets the bunt down to the right side of the field. They have the perfect guy on first base [in Gomez], who is one of the fastest guys in the league, and they had one of the worst fundamental teams on the field, so it was a perfect situation for them."
by louslovechild on Apr 5, 2011 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, they did just take a 2-1 lead over Atlanta.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Excuse me.
1-0 lead over Atlanta*
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions
They won tonight.
Yovani Gallardo, CG two-hit shutout. Will we not see him during our series in Milwaukee?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes we will
They have him scheduled for Sunday.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2011 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
He can pitch - if they ever get a pitching coach that can help him figure it out, he will be the best starter in the division
And better than Greinke in his own rotation.
Wonder if he would like to move 90 miles south….
I wouldn
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I wouldn't mind that. :)
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm going Sunday.
My husband wants us to take his car because mine has Cubs plates.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
Good Idea
My car got keyed in the Miller Park parking lot a few years ago because I have a Cubs license plate holder.
When I went to Miller Park in June 2007,
We used my uncle’s car. They live in Menominee Falls, a western suburb of Milwaukee. Hence, Wisconsin license plates.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Any updates on how Cashner was doing.
Injury aside, I am very impressed by how he did, and I hope it’s just a minor injury and that he can return soon.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 7:02 PM CDT reply actions
It could just be...
…some tendinitis or it could be a tear in the cuff. The only way to make sure it the MRI.
What worries me, is tendinitis usually comes on slow and it gradually gets worse. This seemed to just happen, which means there is a chance it could be some kind of a tear, but hopefully not.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
DAMMIT QUADE! STOP PULLING A BAKER AND OVERWORKING OUR YOUNG ARMS!!!
Oh…wait…sorry, kneejerk reaction.
"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"
but...
he kind of didn’t. He had a plan. Maybe not a great one, I guess, but he did have a plan. Mateo wasn’t overworked. Even Spellcheck wasn’t. Russell gutted out two innings, and he probably won’t go for another few days. Woody & Marmol insisted that they could go.
It wasn’t great, but it did work.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think
my sarcasm came off too well.
"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"
you need to use the sign!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I will also say this.
It was great being the only day game today (Giants-Padres in SD is an evening game here).
Nice to be able to have the W flag flying after a win while everyone else is playing. Tomorrow, we are not as fortunate. Quite a few day games.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 7:07 PM CDT reply actions
Nothing on Cashner til Wednesday
The Cubs didn’t expect any update on Cashner’s shoulder until Wednesday.
No need to overreact to Cashner getting pulled.
On a different note, I just watched MLBNetwork’s 20 Greatest Games—#7 is Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS. Some notes from watching it:
1 – I haven’t sought out video of this game since it happened. It is sickening to watch.
2 – That Marlins team was stacked—Pierre, Castillo, Pudge, Cabrera, Lee, Lowell, Pavano, Beckett, Willis, Burnett. Wow.
3 – Prior was not of this world in 2003. His second-half stats included 10-1, 1.52 ERA, and only 14 R in 82+ IP (!). Oh, and he was striking out 10+ / 9IP and had nearly a 6-to-1 K/BB ratio.
4 – Randall Simon was and is awesome. And I miss Kenny Lofton.
5 – I forgot the Red Sox and Cubs were both in the LCS…what could have been?
6 – Paul Bako > Koyie Hill. Everyone > Koyie Hill
7 – Pee and all, Moises Alou was highly entertaining to watch for 3 years. The arm cock when in the box, the uniform (I just loved how he wore tape on the wrists, leg guard, huge dip in lower lip, and no batting gloves), and he always seemed clutch.
8 – Mike Lowell looks like George Clooney.
9 – I never knew Bernie Mac sung “root root root for the champions”. Stupid.
10 – I don’t put Bartman’s situation on Alou’s anger. Alou was never the calmest guy in the lineup, but any player would have been pissed off given the gravity of the situation. I’m still surprised fan interference wasn’t called. I hope the 30-for-30 film addresses this.
11 – I give Alex Gonzalez incredible props for coming on MLBNetwork and speaking about the game, especially his error.
12 – Dusty pulled Prior two batters too late.
13 – I hate the Marlins. Are there actual Marlins fans? Like people that cheer for them? Hold season tickets?
Wow, 12 pitches, less than 15 minutes, and it’s over.
Dan
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Fan interference
wasn’t called because it wasn’t fan interference. There is an invisible fence that goes up from the fence on the field to the sky. If a fan touches anything on the playing side field of the fence, it’s fan interference. But fans have the right to go after balls in the stands. Since that ball was clearly (if only barely) in the stands, the fans could mess with the ball all they want.
What if the fielder is clearly going after the ball? Does he take precedence?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
If I remember correctly,
The fans in that section were following the track of the ball. So I don’t know if they saw or even knew that Alou was coming to try to make a catch.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I never really thought
that the ball was playable.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
If that play happens in the 1st inning, no one thinks anything of it.
The reaction of ALL of the fans in the area was the same as you would have had in any other section of the ballpark. I never understood why SB got all the focus when at least a half a dozen people were also reaching for the ball- barely missing getting a hand on it. In any case…
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
OMG. That game, that season....burned into my memory....
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
#12
Your 12th point is what I have etched in my memory. No matter what anybody thought of that bullpen. Prior should have been taken out.
Dusty sat on his ass while Prior unraveled
All he had to do was go out there. Give prior a breather, inning over. Nope, sat in the dugout chewing his damn toothpick
By all that's holy, I am going to attend the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp.
by VegasCubFan on Apr 5, 2011 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Does Riggins
have a toothpick?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Nah, Prior was running on fumes - his pitches had lost their action
Dusty need to to just pull him when the first runner got on, then be prepared to use as many pitchers as it took to get 5 outs.
EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It wasnt a July game vs the Pirates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hindsight is 20/20, obviously.
But Prior was struggling, well over 100 pitches, and Dusty waited until the dam had broken open to start fixing the leak.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Second Guessing
The ultimate in second guessing would be to think that if anything different were to have taken place, involving Dusty or anybody else, then the chances of that error occurring would have been almost zero.
From what I thought was most to least likely, this is what I think happened with not changing pitchers:
1) Dusty didn’t recognize that Prior’s effectiveness had diminished the inning before the implosion. Prior was a strike-out pitcher, in part the reason for the high pitch counts, and the Marlins lineup was putting the ball in play for outs. Some relievers should have been asked to start throwing the inning before.
2) Dusty didn’t trust the bullpen. He instead wanted to go with one of the pitchers who got the team to the play-offs.
3) Dusty wanted to save the bullpen.
by AboutTheCubs on Apr 6, 2011 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
#8 - I'm still kinda mad that Mike Lowell wasn't on the Cubs for that series
Obviously, I’ll take Rami, but I was pretty ticked off that that deal didn’t get done.
- - How could you forget that? It was hugely hyped from the moment after the Cubs took out the Braves. There were many, many Cubs/Red Sox fans that post-season just due to the idea of seeing those two meet in the WS.
- - That story can’t be told enough.
- - Only during the playoffs. I lived a state away, and the only Marlins caps I ever saw were on wannabe gangbangers.
"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
Grr - that should be #5, #11, and #13
The Preview button is my friend.
"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
good win today
The 2011 team has issues. But it has more pluck and guts than last year’s squad.
And good times today, Al.
As we discussed
last year’s team would have folded up after blowing that lead. This year’s is different.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
Yeah.
I get the feeling last year’s team would have been trailing after the seventh inning, after how Arizona played then.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I think it's far...
too early to make a statement like that about this year’s team. But, I obviously love seeing the fight in them in the first 5 games.
by kanderber on Apr 5, 2011 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sure.
Probably too early to tell definitively. But it’s clear last year’s team would have folded after the D’backs tied the score.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
I would say
That so far we resemble the 2010 Sept. Cubs more than the 2010 April – June Cubs.
We don't know if this year is different yet
Wasn’t the 2010 team above .500 at a few points in April?
Nope
Not a single time all season, as Al stated
by thebluecrew1908 on Apr 5, 2011 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Huh
Well, they were at least at .500 I think. Either way. 5 games against subpar teams tells us nothing.
They were exactly .500 four times.
4-4, 5-5, 10-10 and 13-13.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
Nothing scientific, no.
But I’m gonna go on what I see on the field. The 2010 team looked like the cast of a sitcom that should have been canceled a year earlier. It was the 2008 cast with a few new characters — wacky cousin Marlon joins the show, replacing the evil Milton! — and the group had clearly seen better years.
I know that the team has a lot of the same guys back, but the subtraction of Lee, Theriot, Fontenot and Lou has changed the look of this team, IMO.
I’m not expecting huge things from the new group. I’m just saying that they have more grit and they don’t seem to have problems rallying after coughing up leads.
Even in the Sunday loss, the team rallied after Marmol blew the save. They came up short, but I think the 2010 squad would have gone down 1-2-3.
Admittedly, it’s a small sample size.
This argument holds little water with me for one simple reason:
I doubt even last year’s team folded EVERY time they fell behind. You may not remember the instances now because they were lost in a sea of ineptitude, but I heartily doubt they never, ever rallied last year.
Later in the year, the “fight” they’ve shown in the first five games could also be lost in that same sea of ineptitude. We just don’t know yet.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
I agree it's a small sample size.
But with that caveat, I get a different vibe with this group. I’m not usually among the optimists here, mind you.
but
we’ve watched two games against a bad diamond backs team and three against a bad pirates team and we’re happy we’re at .500.
"There had to be a place where the game could be fun again….that place is called Wrigley Field"---Andre Dawson
I don't think the Pirates are that bad.
They’re certainly not world beaters, but they’re not terrible. The Diamondbacks are pretty awful.
Here's a game in early April 2010 when the Cubs rallied
Scored 3 runs off of Hawkins in the 8th, the last 2 coming on a 2-run single by Theriot.
I remember this game because it was actually my first game of the season in person.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201004140.shtml
I think this is a transitional team
The 2007-2008 core is gradually exiting and players who will be part of the next contender (hope, hope) are gradually taking their place. But this won’t be a 1-year transition unless the Ricketts family decides to bite the financial bullet and clean house. We probably won’t see the full scope of the new core until 2013.
Possible.
I wasn’t really speaking to how far this team can go. They just don’t seem to be the “dead-ass” squad of early 2010.
Last year's team carried all their disappointments into the season and never got over it
That may be part of the reason they were better under Quade.
Yep, now if our manager can stop making the team win IN SPITE of him
and stop making mind numbingly odd decisions……we might compete
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Apr 5, 2011 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions
You get hung up on the manager way too much
I haven’t agreed with some of the stuff Quade has done so far this season, but a manager accounts for a couple wins a season either way. Quade really isn’t going to be the difference this season between winning a division or missing the playoffs.
by JSB on Apr 5, 2011 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Exactly
I always felt managers where given too much credit when a team wins alot, and way to much blame when they lose.
It's true.
But Quade has made some weird decisions in the first five games. The team won despite having a short pen yesterday and it lost, in part, because of the bad decisions he made Sunday.
Seriously. How in the hell do you put Reed up there against a righty throwing 99 when Kosuke (whose best skill is drawing a walk) and DeWitt (who had a big pinch-hit the day before) were both sitting on the bench?
True that was a strange choice
I’m also guessing Quade may have learned not to do that again. These kinds of decisions just don’t make that much of an impact over a whole season. So I just chose not to over analyze everything he does.
The Johnson decision could have cost us a game, though.
The Kosuke decision on Monday wasn’t a big deal. But if Kosuke had nursed a walk in front of Castro, the Cubs could have come back in that game.
Yeah, Kosuke could have walked....
He also could have got a hit, or grounded out, or struck out. Or IF he gets on, the next guy could have made messed it up. Too many things could have happened. I see no point in analyzing it to that extent.
Of course I’d like the manager to make the choice that could potentially get the best result. But I guess I don’t know the circumstances behind choosing Reed, so there is no point in trying to get into Quade’s head IMO.
I don't want to get into a big thing.
The smart play was to put Kosuke in for defense in the top of the ninth so he could lead off the bottom of the ninth if necessary.
Why? Because if you get to the bottom of the ninth in such a situation against Pittsburgh, you can pretty much bet than you’ll be facing Hanrahan, a righty who throws in the upper 90s. The percentage play is to have a lefty to face a righty (obviously) and the situation is amplified because Reed can’t hit righties very well and because Kosuke is at his best (I guess) as a table setter.
It’s fine if a manager goes against convention in such a situation IF IT WORKS. That’s where your point about Quade’s head is valid.
But it didn’t work. So Quade played against percentages and lost. It was a bad, bad move. I’ve said that I hope Quade had a different rationale than Reed’s “grittiness,” but regardless of the rationale, it was a play against percentages that failed. Miserably, I might add, because Reed looked awful at the plate.
BTW, Quade could have let Reed play defense in the ninth and pinch-hit with Kosuke or DeWitt. He still would have stupidly burned Reed, but at least he would have had a better leadoff hitter to start the inning.
Like I said, I agree it was a bad move.
I would much rather have a manager that makes choices only based on percentages. But that will never happen.
And since we know that these bad moves don’t make much of a difference to the outcome of an entire season. I just find it pointless to read into it so much.
He spelled out the circumstances
Reed is “gritty” or a “gamer” or other nonsense.
Even you have to admit giving an explanation like that isn’t helping his cause.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
Oh for sure...
Those are two words I absolutely hate when describing a cubs player. Because those two words usually describe a shitty player. lol
a win is a win is a win.
Give Quade a chance, huh?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions
He's made some pretty weird decisions, Drew.
His choice of Reed to lead off the ninth Sunday and Kosuke to start against a lefty on Monday were both downright bizarre. Also, he was very lucky that he had JUST enough guys available in the pen to get through yesterday’s game. If Marshall had allowed one more run, it’s quite possible Garza or Zambrano would have had to make a relief performance.
I’m not impressed by Quade’s in-game tactics so far.
I'm giving him a chance. Have I called for his dismissal?
He’s making some very odd decisions and all I’m asking for is ONE game where I don’t have a “WTF?” moment. Hopefully that will be today.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
hope you're right
and i think there’s reason to think so. this team has some talent, and i really like the veteran leadership from guys like Byrd + Pena. It’s not that hard to improve on that miserable record in 1-run games.
Pirates leading St. Louis again.
2-0, after the top of the first.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 7:23 PM CDT reply actions
Theriot's BA is .167. But I guess his defense evens that out.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
Theriot has a bad batting average.
But he makes up for it by committing errors.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions
What is Pujols doing with a .125 average? What will the Brewers think of that?
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
So Theriot intentionally plays bad defense
to take the attention off of his bad offense? It all makes SO much more sense now…
by thebluecrew1908 on Apr 5, 2011 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll take the W
a little worried about Cash though
Keep that Q Train rollin' in '11. Let's win it for Ronnie.
Then I'm glad
you weren’t umping today!
by thebluecrew1908 on Apr 5, 2011 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Great win, does anyone know if Castro can pitch too?
I mean the kid is a stud…
The Riot just walked. Wow.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
you sure you don't need
an eye exam?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2011 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Impossible!
Next thing you know he’ll be dividing by zero
by thebluecrew1908 on Apr 5, 2011 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions
AY seems a bit more
brutally honest this early. The tone of the comments about Mateo and Quade’s use of the bullpen seem a bit harsh for April. Not saying your opinion is off the mark, but last year you sounded more even keel and optimistic in the face of a meltdown. I like these guys. So far they have been gamers, which I haven’t seen for a while in Wrigley.
by Gabby Hartnett Where are You? on Apr 5, 2011 8:13 PM CDT reply actions
I'm trying to be balanced.
I like this team and like the wins so far. But there are still some flaws that need to be addressed.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
Agreed
We are the Cubs, after all. I check in to BCB because you are a rare blogger that is reasonable and shows some goodwill—not like I am a big Mateo fan, but I have admired Quade’s style and temperament for quite a while. So far, so good.
by Gabby Hartnett Where are You? on Apr 5, 2011 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
On to Cashner...
The one real advantage the Cubs had coming out of ST was that they were healthy up and down the lineup.
No matter how much we love Cashner, he is the 5th starter.
It’s not like one of the big 3 went down. He could be fine you know.
"It was a perfect situation for the Brewers," Hill said. "They had a guy up there at the plate [in Counsell] who takes a lot of pride in what he does and he practices those situations, so when it does come up, he gets the bunt down to the right side of the field. They have the perfect guy on first base [in Gomez], who is one of the fastest guys in the league, and they had one of the worst fundamental teams on the field, so it was a perfect situation for them."
by louslovechild on Apr 5, 2011 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, but he really needs the reps - with the right kind of year he could be #3 material by year end
Plus isn't that kinda our strength his year?
Our top two may not match up with most, but our back three are as solid as anyone’s I’ve seen (except the Phillies, i suppose)
by thebluecrew1908 on Apr 5, 2011 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions
you've got to include the Giants in there, too
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
Taking a moment out from stressing over the Blackhawks to say...
…yes, a win is a win…I’ll be going to be a little bit happier tonight.
Also, Starlin Castro is, indeed, a stud. Every time I see him come through I have to pinch myself to make sure that I’m not dreaming. I mean, a Cubs prospect that actually lives up to the hype? Bring on Brett Jackson while we’re on a roll.
Now, for the dark side: please, God, tell me why I have to waste precious moments of my life sweating over Jeff Samardzija. I see him on the mound and I swear I can hear funeral music in the background. This guy is beyond brutal. And, yes, I understand that Quade mismanaged the bullpen and backed himself into a corner but, still, expecting almost two innings out of a guy who really shouldn’t be in the major leagues is tempting fate way more than I’m comfortable with.
Wow, are the Bulls trying to lose tonight?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 9:30 PM CDT reply actions
W, 97-94.
Life is good. :)
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Is that what happened?
He sunk a GW shot tonight?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
He sunk one to put them up 4 with 30 seconds left.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 5, 2011 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Rose
To paraphrase the old Sox commercial with Rose and Noah on the Bulls, Castro, Colvin and Cashner on the Cubs (Let’s hope he’s okay) and Toewes and Kane on the Hawks THE KIDS CAN PLAY!
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Apr 5, 2011 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Im going to try and get a screen-cap of my bro at the bullpen!!
Says he loves cubbie nation already!
You've been Bourjos'd!
RIP Nick Adenhart.
My bro Andy Lane= Cubs Bullpen catcher!
Excellent
We can be a little harsh on our overpaid superstars (and underachievers in general), but the rest of the people who work for the club are (*) good folks in our book. They’re doing a job in one of our favorite places on Earth, and we’re both envious and grateful for the work they do to make it easier to be a fan. Tell your brother thanks from me.
(*) Usually – some of the security guards and ushers can get on our nerves, but those are the exceptions.
"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
we love him back
He's my Hossa
HO-HO-HO-HO-HOSSA
by jesus christos on Apr 5, 2011 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions
What the hell are we talking about?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
The bullpen catcher
And the love Jesus showers upon him.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
I must not be a very good fan.
I have no idea who the hell our bullpen catcher(s?) is.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I tried looking him up on Cubs.com after I saw WillGoAngels' sig line.
Nothing. Not one result.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
State high point count: 3/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 5, 2011 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Google says there used to be an Andrew Lane in the farm system.
But it also said he was an infielder. So who knows.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
Same guy
More info from the other day: http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/4/2/2087237/key-hits-solid-relief-cubs-5-3-comeback-win-over-pirates#62982817
"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
Mystery solved!
Now dtpollit can work on becoming a better fan.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
I should get some bobbleheads.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Yeah you better.
To physically go to the ballpark (and then leave instead of watching the game) and not just buy one online is TRUE dedication.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
Does your name have anything to do with running?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Truth be told
My name has nothing to do with anything. I’m not a runner, and I have no idea why I chose it. I was probably drunk or something.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
Cashner
When it first happened and he was testing his grip I immediately thought elbow because a friend has the Tommy John surgery and one of the things is you can’t get a grip. (he had to have the surgery because he’s a police officer and couldn’t fire his gun with the injury).
Let’s knock on wood its okay. An MRI doesn’t mean anything necessarily. It could just be a precaition.
This arm is precious though. Any risks I’d rather him miss a few starts to be extra careful then risk it getting much worse.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
He pointed at his shoulder.
The Cubs said it’s his shoulder. If prior history regarding injuries to Cubs players tells us anything, it’s probably his elbow.
Typing ‘prior history’ and ‘injuries to Cubs players’ in the same sentence just made me gag.
Twitter: @brandonrifkin
Blog: The Hot Glove || Heckler: The Heckler
Well.
I found out that the seat upgrade thing isn’t faked.
by Not Kevin Costner on Apr 5, 2011 11:52 PM CDT reply actions
somewhere
carlos sila is laughing out loud. we made it out of camp healthy as a horse and now the injuries start showing up.if cashner turns out to be a flop then casey coleman will get his chance. make the most of it casey.
Carlos Sila can laugh all he wants, he's got nothing on a MLB pitcher
Why Sila would be laughing at all is a mystery to me.
The same Carlos Silva ...
Who doesn’t have a job?
by elgato on Apr 6, 2011 7:25 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
No question.
But the point is that the Cubs should not miss Carlos Silva in any way shape or form.
I was of the "Cashner should start in Iowa" camp
5 and a third against the DBacks has me thinking I was probably wrong. Though Coleman may be up sooner than later anyway, and for a different reason.
This injury
could have happened in Iowa just as easily. There doens’t seem to be any indication that it was caused by the Cubs rushing him up.
by jerry morales rules on Apr 6, 2011 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't think
his secondary pitches would be good enough. They might be.
His changeup, especially
He’s always had the FB/SL combo, but I was pretty shocked in his last ST start as to how far along his changeup has come. It is downright filthy.
If you break the 162 game season down into five game chunks,
you make it much more manageable. Shoot for 3-2 in every five game block. If you can keep that steady, yet unspectacular-looking record up over the full season, you are in the playoffs with room to spare.
So far, so good in my book.
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
3-2
over the course of the season adds up to 97 wins – if we can do that I think half the posters on this site will explode
Bubbalas
John Williams of WGN used to say you can break the season down to Buballas named after his at that time producer.
18 9 game segments. IF you go 5-4 in each one you win 90 games.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
can I purchase
Those bobbleheads anywhere besides getting them at the game? I really want the Castro one. Sadly I couldn’t get to the game yesterday.
by bleedinblue76 on Apr 6, 2011 7:51 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
They should have plenty of left-overs
stop by the ballpark, maybe they’re willing to just give you one to get it off their hands.
Just win the next game...!
They had about 10,000 of them.
There were around 12,000 in the park yesterday. I doubt they have any leftovers.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
If you mean there haven't been any laughers ...
then I agree with you.
If they were 5-0,
It would be reported as undeserved because they played the Pirates and DBacks. If 0-5, people would be calling for Q’s head already. Same Chicago commentary, no matter what sport…
"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."
No, that's not true.
5-0 would be reported as a great start by Quade’s bunch, with a caveat that the team hasn’t faced great opponents. 5-0 is still 5-0, though.
I will compare apples and oranges
Look at the Bears from this year. They dropped every pre-season game and expectations (as reported) were to go at best 6-10. They start off the reg season 3-0 against decently rated teams. Then it looked like the wheels were coming off the wagon against horrible teams before righting the ship and going to NFC Championship. We don’t know chit yet about this Cubs team. It is fun to speculate though.
"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."
The only thing I would say ...
is that this team seems to have more life than last year’s team to start the season. That’s not scientific, and it’s also not something that I think is a sure sign of continued success.
But they're not
And there’s good reason for that.
by jerry morales rules on Apr 6, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
You see good reason,
5 games into the year? Let’s let the consistency of good or bad reasons develop before overgeneralizing.
"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."
I mean
I see good reason why they lost those two games. Bases loaded with no one out, Pena hits a double and still only 2 runs in the inning??? That game should have never been as close as it was, but the Cubs let them off the hook because they didn’t take advantage of their opportunities.
Saying “they could be 5-0” is meaningless. If they were a great team they could be 5-0, sure, but they aren’t a great team. Don’t get me wrong, with the exception of what happened to Cashner, I’m happy with how they’ve started out. This is somewhat better than the expectations I had.
If they had a real solid #3 hitter, if they had good team defense, if they had a real lead-off hitter … yeah … maybe they could be 5-0. But they don’t. They’re probably where they should be.
by jerry morales rules on Apr 6, 2011 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions
I got ya
It’s frustrating as hell seeing runners stranded with less than 2 outs, anytime of the year
"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."
What I meant by the "5-0" comment is that this team has been in every game they've played.
Granted, they’re against poor opponents, but the Cubs themselves aren’t a great team. It’s just nice to see them in games. Record wise, they’ve exceeded my expectations so far, but in terms of production I can definitely see them improving.
I believe the players themselves believe they’ve played better, and I think Quade believes that as well. There’s more fight in this team, and energy compared to last year.
by LoveForTheGame on Apr 6, 2011 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Anyone else agree that this team still feels like a complete mystery?
I am not sure what type of production we can get out of this team even when they’re healthy. I guess that’s what makes it exciting, though.
Yes, absolutely
The jury is still VERY much out on this team.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
yeah we're five games in.
I was simply agreeing with his comment
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
Obviously. But this Cubs team is unique in a way that there is not one player that I would trust.
It’s a very inconsistent team. I would say Ryan Dempster, and our bullpen (Marmol, Wood, and Marshall) are pieces we could rely upon. But I cannot think of one position player on this team that can be relied upon, yet there is potential for a couple of them to have big years.
by LoveForTheGame on Apr 6, 2011 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Not sure if this is clear. Dempster and our main guys in the bullpen are the only players I trust.
Because they’ve been consistently good in the past.
by LoveForTheGame on Apr 6, 2011 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Too early for you to make a decision on the kids?
Castro and Colvin both look pretty good to me.
"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
Both of them far exceeded expectations last year, which is great.
I still have no clue what type of production they’ll give us this year. Look at Soto from year one to year two. It’s tough to trust the young guys at this point, even though Castro appears to be for real. Hopefully Byrd can repeat the year he had last year.
Aramis and Lee had been the staple to this Cubs team for years. They were fabulous at times when they were healthy. But now it feels like the Cubs are in flux in terms of our position players because they’ve aged, and therefore there production has decreased.
by LoveForTheGame on Apr 6, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
The only thing that we know for sure is that the Reds and Orioles will be playing
for the World Series. Everything else is up in the air at this point, besides that.
BoSox losing all 162
will be interesting to watch.
Brace for impact, Cubs fans.
Cashner and Wells BOTH going on DL. News hitting Twitter now.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
That's lookin' on the bright side!
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What's wrong with Wells?
So Coleman and … Shark to the rotation?
Forearm problem.
Maybe a strain. Coleman looks like for-sure thing. Not sure about Shark. Maybe the Cubs can muddle through April with only four starters?
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
Russell?
Yuck. My stomach just turned. That Gorzo trade is looking pretty bad right now.
It really was an unforced error - getting minor league scraps for a usefule pitcher who isn't that highly paid
Oh, to root for a team whose general manager has a clue…..
He's on the DL to start the season, I believe.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
Yeah...and I just checked the schedule.
Doesn’t seem like they could get through April with only four starters. After tomorrow’s off day, they have a six-game stretch, then another Thursday off-day then another six-game stretch. Then another Thursday off-day then a THIRTEEN-game stretch finishing April and going into May.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
If that is true, then damn this business of playing in 40 degree weather
And even if it isn’t true, damn this business of playing in 40 degree weather…..
Per Carrie Muskat:
#cubs wells has strained right forearm, cash has strained right rotator cuff
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
Seems pitchers in the NL Central are cursed this year.
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
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
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