Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview, Friday 5/27, 1:20 CT: Here Comes The Sun
by Al Yellon on May 27, 2011 11:00 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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PrintRemember when the Pirates came into Wrigley Field last year and won five of the nine games played there against the Cubs, even though they won only 17 games on the road all year in 2010?
This year, the Pirates have become road warriors. They're 9-14 at home, 13-12 on the road. This includes winning series at St. Louis and Colorado and going 5-1 in Cincinnati, as well as their opening series win at Wrigley in April. The Pirates are clearly an improved team this year and it's even possible that their 18-year streak of consecutive losing seasons could end this year.
Right now, for the Cubs, the task is to win this series and move ahead of the Pirates into fourth place; the teams are currently tied for that spot. As rough a time as the Cubs appear to have had lately, they have won five of their last eight games. OK, so that's not much, but a series win this weekend would be nice.
The sun is out in Chicago today. That's a rare enough event these days that it's worth mentioning; temperatures at Wrigley this afternoon are expected to be in the 50s, still about 20 degrees below average for this time of year.
Cubs lineup:
Fukudome rf, Barney 2b, Castro ss, Ramirez 3b, Pena 1b, Soriano lf, Campana cf, Hill c, Davis p
Pirates lineup:
Tabata lf, Pearce 3b, McCutchen cf, Walker 2b, Diaz rf, Snyder c, Overbay 1b, Cedeno ss, Correia p
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Doug Davis may not know what to do at Wrigley Field today with the sun shining; his first start on the North Side was made in the pouring rain on May 14. He pitched credibly well. In his second outing -- not so much. Current Pirates, though, are hitting only .197 against him (13-for-66); Andrew McCutchen has homered off him and is 3-for-5 lifetime.
Kevin Correia started against the Cubs on Opening Day at Wrigley Field; he threw six decent innings and the Pirates won. He has one relief appearance, oddly, this year; otherwise he has received a decision in all 10 of his starts, going 6-4. I mention that only because these days, it's pretty unusual for a starting pitcher to go one-third of the way through the season without a no-decision. Correia's performance so far this year makes him the poster boy for "league average"; he's got an ERA+ of 99. Kosuke Fukudome has gone 5-for-16 (.313) off Correia and Jeff Baker has homered off him.
Today's game is on WGN and ROOT Sports in Pittsburgh. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Pirates site Bucs Dugout.
Today's first pitch thread will be up at 1:15 p.m. CDT and the overflow threads will post at 2:15 pm, 3:15 pm and 4 pm CDT. If you need more overflows due to extra innings or rain delays, post them in the fanshot section.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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+1
That said, today’s reason to be angry is Hill is starting. That grinds my gears.
Umm, you do know Soto is STILL hurt?
I heard he could come back this weekend, but no sense in rushing it…
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 27, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
But why not see what you have is Castillo?
He has rotted on the bench ever since Soto went down.
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run FOR Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
In* castillo sry
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run FOR Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Koyie hasn't performed horribly since Soto went down.
We weren’t hiding Johnny Bench on our 25 man roster. The Cubs catching also has not been costing us games, so why mess with it? I know we all want to see Castillo tear the cover off the ball, but I believe he still has a nagging injury and doesn’t really call a great game. He has one plus over Hill, besides power ability, and that is throwing out base stealing threats.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
I think the crux of the issue
is playing time for a young player, not unlike Colvin.
Castillo and Hill are both very average backup catchers, seemingly pretty equal in total production, like you said. I think those advocating for Castillo aren’t suggesting he is the next coming of Joe Mauer. Rather, we know what we’ve got with Hill, while Castillo could still develop into more then he is now. For that reason, it doesn’t make much sense to call him up and then not play him.
I see what you and others are saying.
If Hill were struggling as we all probably thought he would, I would agree that Castillo should be getting more at-bats and also getting acclimated to the pitching staff (or what’s left of it). I think it comes back to Hill not being awful, actually surprising me for one with his on-field play and Castillo’s lingering injury.
The Johnny Bench comment was referring to Koyie, saying we shouldn’t be expecting a hidden All-Star on our team when Hill gets playing time, he is and forever will be a low-tier backup.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
I agree with this
I was not happy about the Cubs re-signing Hill, especially after what he did last year (.552 OPS). But he’s been better so far this year (.639 OPS), and even if he’s still not good, he’s been better than Castillo (.308 OPS, in a very limited sample) and actually not that far off of what Soto has done (.709 OPS) so far.
by Jody Jody Davis on May 27, 2011 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Hill is the current back up
Beef did not come up to play. He’s the back up to Hill. That is the way the pecking order works.
I do not know how nobody understands this.
We know he can’t hit. That’s a given. However, we do not know how he handles pitchers. He may do that very well. In an event, Hill is this team’s #2 catcher. Get over it.
The angst about Castillo not playing is misplaced, because he’s not here to play.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on May 27, 2011 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Clarify
“We know Hill can’t hit. That’s a given. We do not know how Hill handles pitchers.”
at work posting….too many errors
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on May 27, 2011 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Well...
I think those advocating for Castillo aren’t suggesting he is the next coming of Joe Mauer.
Let’s hope when Castillo gets some time he holds up better than Mauer has. Guy’s turning out to be rather damaged goods.
If I’m the Twins I’m thinking get him out from behind the plate soon, find someplace for him where he won’t break down as badly or as often.
That's precisely the conversation they're having about him right now
You can’t lose that bat. If/when he finally gets healthy again, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him DH for a few weeks while they figure out what to do with the roster.
"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
+2
He’s good. Like I want him on my fantasy team good.
But hopefully
Not I only want him on my fantasy team for a month like Sam Fuld good.
I guess I'm in the minority...
but I’d rather see Reed Johnson out there as a starter in CF
Q's postgame comments were that somedays RJ will need a day off to be careful.
So maybe he’s a little extra stiff from all the PT he’s getting… Just speculation on my part.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
I hadn't heard that
Johnson vs Campana is almost a wash on defense, but Reed’s been pounding the ball. We’ll see if he gets the next two starts. If not, I’ll start chirping louder.
By the way...
I was one who voted to bring Perez on out of camp ahead of Johnson. Boy was I wrong about that one!
Before ST started I thought it wouldn't even be a competition, I thought Perez would take it,
but RJ has proved he loves Cubbie Blue and pinstripes.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
I'm sure RJ will get the field Saturday and Sunday.
If not I’ll be with you on the chirping of the loud persuasion.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
+3
Let’s beat the Pirates this weekend.
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 May 27, 2011 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Woooooo! I was able to dump my tickets on some poor soul for a bit of profit!
With my luck, Davis will now pitch a perfect game and Campana will hit a grand slam.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
Poor soul?
The first day of sun at Wrigley and a Friday baseball game… sounds like you’re missing out.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
Meh. Davis vs. Correia in 50 degree weather
doesn’t sound all that exciting.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
That's the pooy-lining.
The silver lining: Wrigley. Friday. Sun. and also CAMPANA!!!!!!!
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
I wonder..
if the Cubs might try to unload Baker or Dewitt by the trading deadline. At least one of them is expendable with Barney’s awesome year so far. Tough to see they’re not in the line-up day after day.
Why not keep Pena in the clean up spot after hitting the HR yesterday?
ARam has proven this year that he does not enjoy batting with RISP or with the game on the line…..
Shocking yet cool to see Campna get another start.
WWED? (What would Essian do?)
"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 was asking the same question.
Q needs to let go and move ARam down. Hopefully ARam can not end innings with runners on base and let Pena bat.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
You get my point. Me flunk english? That's unpossible.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
I got it and agree....He has no idea what is going on....
He is scared to piss off his high priced buddies
I understand the sentiment
My guess is that Quade isn’t doing it as a gesture of good faith to Ramirez. Managers and players have pretty complicated relationships that fans don’t often understand. Once again, this is only a guess, but I imagine Quade is telling Ramirez that he trusts he will come out of his funk by keeping him in the 4th spot. In all honesty, a cleanup hitter like Ramirez has been in past years is EXACTLY what this team needs to compete, so Quade showing he still has faith in him isn’t necessarily a bad move in my book.
Most of last year he was not good and this year he is being out played by most.
Outside of Soriano, I think ARam is last person next to Hill I want up in a clutch spot right now. Wait Hill can at least bunt…..
But hit him 4th Essian!!!
I agree with the complicated relationship point,
but I feel that could be handled in an adult way by allowing the pressure to come off of him (no matter if ARam shows he is pressing or not) move him down in the order and when he relaxes, the clean-up spot shall be waiting with open arms for you. His BA is fooling Q, but as has been pointed out here it is a hollow BA. He may be on the verge of breaking out, just like the weather in the Chicagoland, on the road trip he did hit a few RBI doubles.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
when is the right time?
Look @ how long they let Sori in the lead off role?
by Madison Cub Fan on May 27, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions
this is b/c he has said he is not moving Rami out of the 4 spot on more than one time
by Madison Cub Fan on May 27, 2011 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I understand that he has said in not so many words,
my lineup is fluid, EXCEPT ARam in the clean-up spot. Just because it is stated does not mean it is a great move. Also, I understand questioning it on BCB will not change it either. I was just elated to see Pena in the clean-up spot yesterday, granted ARam was getting the day off, but a 2 run HR out of the 4 spot was quite a nice thing to see. You see how we may cling to that and want to see it on a more consistent basis.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
Here's why you're wrong:
Last year, Aramis posted sub-.500 OPS in April and May.
He then posted OPS over .800, including a June over .1000 in June-October, with the exception of September where he was still above average at .781.
Quade is doing the right thing for this team and waiting for him to get hot.
Your irrational hatred of Aramis, and perception he is lazy and not trying is blinding you.
Argh... reply fail
This is to TJ, obviously
Also, TJ
Ramirez has virtually the same OPS (.728 to .730, .731) as Darwin Barney and Carlos Pena.
While he has been outplayed by much of the team, the difference is not as significant as you would like everyone to believe.
TJ is just angry because he's an animal right's activist.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 27, 2011 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I am looking @ his stats though a 1/4 of a season
I don’t care what he makes, if he’s a good guy or what he’s done in his career. I don’t think he should get special treatment for any of those things. He has ONE hr and 13 RBI’s THIS year. How many other teams 4th hitter has that few RBI’s and they are a good ball club.? I don’t have time to look but I’m guessing they don’t.
If he starts performing like he has in the past then move him back to the 4 spot.
by Madison Cub Fan on May 27, 2011 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions
If you look at 1/4 season stats
To decide everything about your baseball team, you’re a poor manager. That type of short-sighted mentality is exactly what this franchise needs to avoid if they are finally going to win a World Series.
Also
Who will go in that spot?
Ramirez has the same OPS as Pena, the only other realistic option. Baker could, but his numbers are gaudy only because he has been played so well against lefties, as expected. There’s no one better to go there, with the possible exception of Reed Johnson. That’s ONLY if you’re going off 1/4 season stats. If you’re actually being a major league caliber manager and taking other things in to account you DO NOT move Reed Johnson into the 4 spot if it means Aramis Ramirez has to vacate it.
We aren't talking about Albert Pujols here
ARam isn’t going to be in the top 15 of the MVP race this likely. So why is he a sacred cow if no one else is in this line up?
by Madison Cub Fan on May 27, 2011 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I was never suggesting he was Albert Pujols
Aramis Ramirez has been the top slugger on this team for years, and has proven he gets hot in summer. History is on his side and there’s no one better to put in the 4 spot. If he’s going to get better, and until her gets better there’s no one to put there, why would you move him? Seriously. It doesn’t make any sense.
So do you keep him there all year? Do you wait until the AS break?
But the way he’s batted w/ RISP in 44 games in which he’s had quite a few opportunities worries me. I looked up his splits but the damn thing won’t let copy and paste it.
by Madison Cub Fan on May 27, 2011 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Now if Q would stop juggling line ups
I’m in favor of him batting 4th. But since we don’t have a change of that actually happening anytime soon…. since everyone else is being tried elsewhere I would with him also.
Personally I would Q stop playing musical chairs with the line ups all together.
by Madison Cub Fan on May 27, 2011 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions
At some point you have to quit moving everyone around in the lineup
These guys have just got to start hitting. That’s the only hope we have. Sliding guys up and down the lineup is just smoke and mirrors, and veterans hate it.
by JG23 on May 27, 2011 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
FWIW
Tango had a piece (more of an open forum than definitive answers) on static vs dynamic batting orders, usng our old friend Dusty as an example:
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/keeping_your_batting_order_static/
Rays/Cubs - ObstructedView.net - @Manu_P_Mishra on Twitter
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