Cubs Offense Explodes For 12 Runs, Series Win Over Brewers
by Al Yellon on Jun 16, 2011 5:30 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintThe portal to the alternate universe that opened briefly for the first two games of this series, then closed last night, apparently opened again for today's 12-7 Cubs win over the Brewers.
Not only did the Cubs win, they scored more runs Thursday afternoon (12) than they did in all three games of the series combined. They hit three home runs -- their first three-homer game since May 4 at Los Angeles and it gave them seven home runs in this series. That's as many as they had in the 13 games prior to this series combined.
Not only that, it was a gorgeous day at Wrigley Field, with temperatures in the upper 70s and puffy fair-weather clouds scudding on by. That, in itself, is newsworthy, as we have had maybe three or four days like that all year, out of 35 home dates. The wind was blowing strongly out to right field, which helped a few of the home runs, but not the one hit by Alfonso Soriano in the seventh inning. That one clanked off the railing of the back of the bleachers directly behind our section, resulting in this photo of me looking disappointed that I couldn't snag it. Incidentally, also in that photo in the blue shirt is BCBer Vermont Cubs Fan, and in the red, BCBer Shanghai Badger, who joined us in Section 301 today.
I should point out that it was Shanghai Badger who predicted before this series began that the Cubs would take three of four. Many scoffed, including me. But credit where credit is due: he was right.
The game started out like one of those pickup games where you're glad you have last bats. The Brewers quickly scored a pair off Matt Garza on a home run by Ryan Braun. The Cubs came right back and got a pair of hits off Zack Greinke in the last of the inning, scoring one on a Starlin Castro double and then Castro scored himself on a wild pitch, the first of two runs that would score today on Greinke wild pitches. Greinke struck out 10 Cubs in 5.1 innings, but his fastball must have been fairly flat, because Cubs hitters were whacking it all over the yard, eight hits in all, three of them for extra bases, including Carlos Pena's 10th HR of the season, which gave the Cubs the lead they'd never relinquish at 6-5 after three.
By that time both teams had scored in every inning. But Garza settled down and gave up nothing except another single and a walk, while Greinke was being nibbled to death. After two singles and a K in the sixth, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke played "by the book" and brought in Daniel Ray Herrera, just off waivers from the Reds, because everyone knows you have to have a lefthanded pitcher face a lefthanded hitter in the sixth inning with runners on.
Kosuke Fukudome made Roenicke, Herrera and the Brewers pay with a three-run homer; by then he had a single, triple and home run along with four RBI, one of the best (if not the best) days he's had as a Cub, making the score 9-5. Soriano's home run off ex-Cub Sergio "Meat Tray" Mitre made it 11-5 and they eked another run off Mitre in the eighth; John Grabow tried very hard to give the lead back, but could only give up a pair of runs before inducing a game-ending double play. The only (mild) disappointment was Fukudome not hitting a double in the eighth inning, which would have given him the first Cub cycle since Mark Grace did it on May 9, 1993. But that's a minor quibble with a fine afternoon.
It hasn't been a good season, but the Cubs played good and winning baseball three of the last four days, and that ought to count for something, anyway. The Yankees, who went 12 innings and used four relievers today (including two innings from Mariano Rivera), will be at Wrigley starting tomorrow for a weekend series, with summer weather here at last.
Even in a season as miserable as this one has been so far, that ought to be fun.
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Most impressive was...
… two walks off Greinke, a pitcher who doesn’t walk a lot of hitters.
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he's got 5 walks in his last 8 games
me likey
flippity floppity floop
by jesus christos on Jun 16, 2011 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions
That's what I was very impressed with.
Get that OBP up and I’m a happy man.
R.I.P. to my grandfather, Andrew Wiley
The reason I am a Cub fan forever
Yeah, I'd love to see the plate discipline continue
Not just the extra walks (though those are obviously a great plus), but improved pitch selection should hopefully result in more extra-base hits.
I think Castro has power potential, but he hinders himself with very bad pitch selection. Improving discipline is hard to do, but hopefully he can do it.
It's almost as if he's gotten tired of people complaining about his lack of walks
And just decided that he’s going to walk a few times to shut everybody up and prove that he knows how to do that when he feels like it.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
by Invalid User on Jun 17, 2011 2:38 AM CDT up reply actions
I wish he'd quit making all those damn silly errors...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I'm sick-n-tired of Castro not driving in runners in clutch situations...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
What's up with that mop he's got on his head - he should get a hair cut...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
And get off your lawn?
"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
Castro Por Presidente
of my heart
"Playoffs?!" -Jim Mora
by Castro Por Presidente on Jun 17, 2011 1:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Al, how did they do with those $65.00 dollar bleacher seats?
How many empties out there today? Saw a lot on the highlights .Can they get any more arrogant with these prices? This game on a Thursday in the middle of June would have been completely sold out in years past, especially the bleachers.
I'd say the bleachers were about 90% full today.
They outsmarted themselves with the spreadsheet analysis of sales. This was not a $65 dollar date by any means. Their “analysis” showed that day games in the summer sold quite well. Sure, when the team was winning and there wasn’t a recession on.
The proof will be when this weekend series will be almost, but not quite, totally sold out. Prices are way too high.
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But did they take in more revenue in the long run?
90% full but 20% higher prices is still a net positive ticket revenue. The question is how much food and beverage revenue loss there is from that 10% that refused to pay.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
by Invalid User on Jun 17, 2011 2:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Interesting question.
I do not know the answer.
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Well you know what this means
who went 12 innings and used four relievers today
CG 90 pitch from the starter…
Now, if we can just take 3 of 4 the rest of the way…
And to add insult to injury (no pun intended), it's Freddy Garcia...
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
Garcia vs. Doug Davis.
It could be a 13-12 game tomorrow.
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Completed in 7 hours 56 minutes with no rain delays or nothing.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
No, it will be a 2-1 nailbiter...like THIS game was supposed to be.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 16, 2011 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions
It might be as a day game - harder to tell at night
Just like in most places, the wind goes down in the evening. I haven’t done the analysis but I suspect that the Wrigley = HR park story line comes more from afternoon games.
Fukudome is endearing himself to many GMs out there.
What a day for him. Both on the field and at the plate. Many kudos.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
If he waives his NTC.
I think Fukudome is comfortable here.
R.I.P. to my grandfather, Andrew Wiley
The reason I am a Cub fan forever
Yeah. He owns a house. But he also owns a family who's hungry and what not.
So let’s ship him over to Texas or Atlanta or whatever so we can get a couple kids.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
A couple of good players
kids or otherwise would be fine.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 16, 2011 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed...
If we’re definitely not re-signing him, I just want a positive return if we do trade him.
If he keeps getting on base like this, I'd be fine with keeping him for a year or two
at a reasonable price of course. Not at $12 million per year. With Colvin struggling so much, there’s less of a rush to get rid of Fukudome. Byrd’s the guy I’d prefer to move, as he’s the one blocking Jackson (though I think Jackson is still working his way back from that hand injury).
But assuming he’d be willing to waive his NTC, Fukudome would have to be .400 OBP, .800 OPS and great defense would be appealing. And he’s “only” got about $6-8 million or so on his contract anyway.
Of course, that said, he could always return to his old mid-season fade at any time.
The perfect scenario...
would include trading him in a month to a low-budget team, kicking in $1m or so to up the haul in return and then resigning him in the offseason, since the acquiring team wouldn’t dare risk offering arbitration (I would desperately hate giving up any draft picks to re-sign him). There aren’t many competitive teams which fit this description, but Cleveland would be a good target with Shin-Soo Choo struggling.
Disregarding arbitration, Philadelphia, Texas and Seattle are still good candidates, though Seattle’s LF situation is growing less and less murky by the day.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Unfortunately an unlikely scenario...
If we trade Fukudome, he’s unlikely to return. But yes, that would be a pretty good series of events if it played out that way.
There are other "perfect" scenarios
…as far as filling out RF. Didn’t mean to make it sound like that was the only one. I’m just one of the few Fukudome supporters around here, regardless of the month on the calendar. I would be more than fine with a Fukudome, Jackson, Soriano OF for the next two years. I wouldn’t expect anyone else from the system to be ready before then anyway.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd be very okay with a Fukudome/Jackson/Soriano OF...
Soriano is the guy on that list that I’d want to move, but that isn’t going to happen. I agree that there isn’t likely to be anyone else in the system ready to play for a few more years unless Colvin rebounds.
Eventually, hopefully a couple of guys from the Ha/Szczur/Flaherty crop are ready.
Even if Colvin rebounds...
He’d still only be a complementary player. I truly believe he’s poor performance this year is only because the team had a poor plan to use him from the start. There’s no excuse for him not to be in the lineup almost every day with the big club or down in Iowa. Nothing else should have been considered.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Not sure that I agree Colvin's ceiling is only as a complementary player...
He had an .816 OPS and 43 extra-base hits in only 424 PA as a 24 year old. That’s pretty good. He’s not going to be Mark Teixeira or Albert Pujols, but there’s no reason he couldn’t be an .850+ OPS guy. Maybe we have different definitions of complementary, but I’d say that’s pretty good.
But I agree that he’s been poorly managed this year, and so far it appears to be a lost half-year in terms of development for him.
Complementary...
meaning no matter what he’ll need a platoon partner and I haven’t seen him display plus defense either. Until he shows much, much better plate discipline, there’s no reason to think he can do an .850+ OPS… which doesn’t mean he’ll disappoint me if he never reaches that level.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
There's no reason he'd need a platoon partner...
His OPS versus LHP was .820 last year. His OPS versus RHP was .813.
by SouthernCub on Jun 17, 2011 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
It was only 113 PAs...
when you add this year’s to it, you see it get a lot worse. There’s no reason Colvin should take ABs against LHPs.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 17, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
+1 to that whole post.
With that OBP and his competent baserunning he wouldn’t be bad to keep around to possibly lead off for a year or two. He’s not bad really.
by SenorGato on Jun 16, 2011 7:45 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Yep
I like Kosuke,too, and think he’s finally found his niche in the US game. Loved seeing him take a lefty downtown today.
Interesting that he and Soriano are neck and neck for best OPS among Cub starters. I know it’s largely a commentary on the rest of the team, but still – if not for them, we’d be in even worse shape.
"It's cold in April and nobody likes hard stuff in April. You go right after them and get in on their hands and get them unexpected, and it's a lot of fun." -- Matt Garza, 3/2011
by CaughtInTheVines on Jun 16, 2011 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions
It's not about him finding his niche...
it’s the Cubs screwing around and trying to make him something he’s not for much of the last 3 years.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I think there's a little of both
The Cubs definitely mis-cast him as a lefty masher, when in reality he was simply an OBP-machine. That didn’t do him any favors. But he also had some problems adjusting to the MLB schedule (at least that’s all I can assume from his annual declines starting in May/June).
I do wonder what would have happened if the team had just moved him to the leadoff spot a few years ago.
I've always liked Kosuke.
He didn’t live up to expectations but he wasn’t a total dud, either.
We stinks. -- CZambrano
I'd rather see Jackson or Byrd in RF next year than resign Fukudome
I understand the value of his OBP, but I just think the Cubs need to move on.
I'd much rather Fukudome than Byrd...
Fukudome has a much higher OBP, about as much power, as much speed, and solid defense. Byrd offers no value at all in RF over Fukudome.
by SouthernCub on Jun 17, 2011 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
And he's left-handed...
we’re probably stuck with Byrd though. We can’t move him now. It’s a shame too since he was getting as “hot” as he gets when he got hit in the face. They could have moved him for something.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 17, 2011 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Can't we have games like this every day?
~Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs~ George F. Will
by unretrofied93 on Jun 16, 2011 5:42 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Now I'm really pissed.
We take 3 of 4 from a red hot division leading Brewers team and we are so far below .500 we can barely see our way up. Why oh why couldn’t we have done this more so we wouldn’t be in such a deep hole? It really tanks me to see us play good winning baseball and know how miserable we played just a few weeks ago (last week!). Does anyone know how to bottle this up and save it to be opened again day after day after day??
The Pirates are 3 games out (yes they are) and we could be right in the middle of this race. If they can do it with their budget we should be able to play like this more consistently too. Cripes cubs, let’s have a lot more series like this one, you’re killing me here!
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
by mrcubsfan on Jun 16, 2011 5:48 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
you celebrate success in a very strange way....
we won.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 16, 2011 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Well don't you agree? Where has this been all year?
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
by mrcubsfan on Jun 16, 2011 5:58 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes, they haven't done very well so far this year...but that doesn't make winning less fun when they acutally win.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 16, 2011 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed. Winning beats the alternative.
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
by mrcubsfan on Jun 16, 2011 6:09 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Gotta agree with SWL here
Enjoy the victory, for today.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 16, 2011 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Where have they been?
They are inconsistant and have had college of pitchers every 4th or 5th start. Also some teams for what ever reason seem to have other teams numbers.
But they played well for a few days, so I’m pondering more what did SB know that I didn’t as opposed to pondering how bad the first 2 1/2 months have been :)
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 16, 2011 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Well
<koolaid>We’re 10 games out now. Cards and Brewers are not doing anything right now. There are 3 weeks until the ASB. If this team can get to 5 or 6 back by the ASB I think we have a reasonable chance if we can get a healthy pitching staff</koolaid>
Geez.
Even the eternal optimist (me) is not that optimistic. Still, let’s see what happens this weekend.
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they
will win tomorrow – we will hope for a 3 game winning streak then they will lose the next two and be embarrassing on ESPN
Well, I wasn't very optimistic a week ago
But the fact that we were able to take 3/4 from the Brewers and the Cardinals are tail spinning like we were a couple of weeks ago give me some hope. It’s still a “lots of pieces have to fall into place” hope. If we won 3/4 vs the Brewers and the Cards were still winning I probably wouldn’t be so hopeful.
I like the way you think.
Even if the Cubs never win more than 2 in a row in 2011, they could still theoretically win 90 games.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Hey, it's a long season. It's a marathon, not a sprint. There's plenty of time left...
Insert additional baseball cliche here. ____________________________
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Because this kind of stuff happens, even to teams with issues
They aren’t as bad as the losing streak, they aren’t as good as 3 out of 4. Baseball is like that.
Al must be reminiscing about
80’s video game consoles. “Whacking it all over the yar.”
by tootle on Jun 16, 2011 5:52 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
No need for that matey
If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.
Ok...for all the people who say it can't be done...(me included)...
The Minnesota Twins were 16.5 games outta 1st place 2 weeks ago…there now 9 games out (with a depleted roster like the Cubs). It CAN be done…or not.
With the 1st pick in the 2012 Baseball Amateur Draft, the Chicago Cubs select...
If nothing else
If they play good baseball for the next couple weeks perhaps they can get 7-8 games out of first by All Star Break. At least it will be worth following to see if they keep up their winning.
That's because the Indians were playing out of their minds then...
and have since came way back. The Cubs can’t hope for St. Louis, Cincinnati and Milwaukee to all falter that bad. The Twins are still a 5th place team, just like the Cubs.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions
OK, let's look at what they need to do
The Cubs probably would need to go about 60-34 to have a shot at winning the division or a wild card slot – that would put them at 88 wins. That is pretty good baseball, even for a team with scads of talent – the Phllies haven’t had a winning percentage that good so far this year.
What is the biggest impediment to that kind of record? I think it’s the near-guaranteed “L” every fifth day when Quade has to reach into the grab bag and pull out the “starter surprise.”
What would be the quickest way to get a leg up from where the team is to where they need to be? Replace the grab bag with a lights-out starter. I think that even if they were to teleport someone like Pujols or Bautista into the line-up it wouldn’t change as many games as replacing the “college” with someone like King Felix.
Is that an easy deal to make? Heck no, or every “almost” team would do it. But unless the team can pull off that kind of improvement, I think they should be a seller instead of a buyer.
It's the lead story in the Wrap tonight
but I want to mention it now for those that don’t follow me on twitter. The Smokies became the first team in Southern League history to win four straight half-season titles this afternoon.
Yes, they’re Cubs. They even play “Go Cubs Go” when they win.
Yanks at disadvantage for series
I think Cubs can win the series if not sweep Yankees.
*Jeter on DL
*Posada is their hottest hitter yet he can’t really catch anymore. With no DH, where does he play? First base? Texeira’s spot. Maybe LF or RF? Who knows.
With Yankees playing NL rules it hopefully can make for a nice Cubs homestand.
Jeter wasn't hitting that well..
… but his replacement, Eduardo Nunez, can’t really hit at all. Posada’s likely reduced to PH for this series.
We’ll see.
Pitching matchups:
Friday: Davis vs. Garcia
Saturday: Wells vs. Burnett
Sunday: Dempster vs. Sabathia
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If we were playing at Yankee Stadium
I’d just concede games 2 and 3 :)
However, I think interleague play will favor Cubs this weekend.
It might.
The Cubs have hit Sabathia in the past. Maybe they can do it again.
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CC looked pretty mortal
when the Cubs played in Cleveland a few years ago and in Milwaukee in 2008.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 16, 2011 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep.
And though that 2008 team was better than this year’s, that 2006 team that beat Sabathia was not very good, and they won that series from a pretty good Cleveland team in Cleveland, coming off a six-game losing streak.
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what do you mean nunez cant hit?
ESPN told me he was the next SS superstar!
flippity floppity floop
by jesus christos on Jun 16, 2011 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I heard Jeter Jr.
they already have a statue outside the offices…
Interesting note involving ESPN, NYY and Boston - Mike and Mike were talking baseball realignment this morning and they mentioned 6 teams the entire time…Cubs, Cardinals, Giants, Dodgers, and (drum roll please) Yankees and Red Sox. They were debating if you would want to split up the Red Sox and Yankees – they decided to based on both of them making the world series and the ratings being huge…Cubs Cards Giants Dodgers were mentioned as the only other rivalries in baseball that they were worried about splitting up. Talk about low hanging fruit.
i can't wait for joba and hughes to win the cy young!
flippity floppity floop
by jesus christos on Jun 16, 2011 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Posada's...
they’re “hottest” hitter, but he’s far from their only hitter. They won’t miss him much, if at all.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Texiera
hit 2 HR’s in one game a few days ago – one from each side of the plate – the show I was listening to said he now leads history with 11 games like that
Yeah, he's really good.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Mark Teixeira is gonna love Wrigley this weekend...
from BOTH sides of the plate.
With the 1st pick in the 2012 Baseball Amateur Draft, the Chicago Cubs select...
I had a typo
above – he is tied for the lead – if he does have a great day we will get to at least see one bit of history this weekend…
Tied with whom?
"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'd guess Eddie Murray
But that’s merely a guess.
you would be partially correct...
Teixiera is tied at 11 with….
Chili Davis AND Eddie Muray (links to baseball-almanac.com page.
Tied at 10 are Nick Swisher, Tony Clark, Mickey Mantle, Ken Caminiti
by hansman1982 on Jun 16, 2011 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions
They still have the four best hitters in the series, even without the DH...
Teixeira, ARod, Cano, and Granderson are all doing much more than our best hitters. Jeter wasn’t hitting all that well anyway (.648 OPS). I’m not saying we can’t win the series, but I don’t think losing Posada and Jeter kills the Yankees lineup at all. They still would field a lineup of Granderson/Gardner/ARod/Teixeira/Cano/Swisher/Martin/Nunez. That’s a good bit better than what we’ll throw out there. I certainly wouldn’t be calling for a Cubs’ sweep (though it would be nice).
I'll be shocked and pleased if they take even one of these games.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions
thats what we
said before the Brewers came to town…this team seems to excel at playing to the level of their opponent
Sure...
I’m shocked and pleased they won more than 2 games against Milwaukee too.
These four games don’t counteract getting their clocks cleaned by Boston, Philly, St. Louis and Cinicinnati… so not sure where you’re getting that last part from. Until this week, Florida and Arizona are the only decent teams they’ve competed with.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
that road trip was aweful
but Al posted that we have a nearly .500 record against teams with a winning record and something around .400 against teams who dont.
Florida....
Has become a cellar dweller since the Cubs played them….pardon the cliche..but the Marlins are heading south…going nowhere fast.
The best defense is a good offense.....
Dusty Baker is the only manager in the last 100+ years to lead the Cubs to a post season series win....
"Take the hands off the clock, we're gong to be here a while"
I know...
it further makes my point. You can’t hope to contend after you lose a top 5 starter in all of baseball on a team that needed everything to go right to start.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Ask a team with a GM worth a damn
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 17, 2011 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd say we excel at playing slightly below the opponent's level..
as indicated by our below-.500 record against teams both above and below .500.
I certainly wouldn’t be shocked if we won the series, because anything can happen in an individual game. But I’d expect us to lose 2 of 3 in this one, and I’d be more surprised by us winning two than us getting swept.
I say one of out three
BoSox lost one of the games to the Cubs. Yanks wins 2 out 3.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 16, 2011 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions
No, we took two of three.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
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 Jun 17, 2011 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
I remember it being a sweep
Oh well I’ll remember Doug Davis and his great performance today better!
Sweep? Garcia may not have much left but the Cubs have to go with the "college" today
And the Yankees have always been a pretty patient group of hitters. Davis will have to be at 125% today to get far.
Baby steps
Few questions and comments. 1) sadly after this great series win we have a huge rally killer tomorrow named Doug:( Its so miserable knowing we are guarenteed to lose every 5th game. 2) As I’ve stated before I HAte the Brewers and was born and raised in Wisconsin. Everyone of my friends pretty much are Booer fans. They all say that if the Cubs had Ricki Weeks he would currently be hands down their best player. What do you think? I disagree but statistically it seems so..that’s sad! Help and say it isn’t so and why!
by bleedinblue76 on Jun 16, 2011 6:28 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Rickie Weeks is a good player.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Castro may be better than Weeks some day, but he isn't there yet
As for the rest of the roster, well,………..
It's not far off now...
because of the positional disparity. I wouldn’t trade Castro for Weeks, but I’d still want Weeks.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 17, 2011 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
BTW...
Cubs are losing about 2 of the other 4 games which aren’t your “guarantee”. Figure that out before I lose sleep over how many games Doug Davis, et al. loses.
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by jameslcrockett on Jun 16, 2011 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Doug Davis will put the Cubs in a position to win.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
Weeks is a terrific player...
He’s had OPS of .857, .840, and .866 over the past 2.5 seasons. For a 2B, that’s fantastic production. Sure, he’s no great shakes defensively, but getting that kind of production from a 2B is very good. I don’t see why it’d be sad that he’d be our best player. He’s one of the Brewers’ best players, too.
what your prediction for the next series
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 16, 2011 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions
No gut feel this time
I’d like them to win 2, but I don’t know that they will
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 16, 2011 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions
that was really cool,
I would never have thought we’d win 3 out of 4…love that instinct stuff.
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jun 17, 2011 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions
That was a great picture
Of you and Al after the game.
I wonder who took it. ;-)
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
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 Jun 16, 2011 8:53 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Was AWESOME
listening to the radio in the 2nd inning when we scored 2 runs with 2 outs after getting 1st and 3rd with no away…
Big dayfor the Fuku man!
All around not a bad watch. Garza could stand to do better, but for one the offense helped him out.
Lemahieu looks like he’s getting comfortable and loose up here. I liked his one AB.
Castro had a strong game offensively too…Garza did a decent job recovering.
by SenorGato on Jun 16, 2011 6:37 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Better than Opening Day 2008 for Fukudome
Where he went 3-3 with a single, double, and 9th inning game tying HR. And vs. who? The Brewers.
That’s when Fukudome-mania started and lasted about 2 months. Maybe three.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Jun 16, 2011 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Al and VCF, nice to join you for the game
And for Al and troutfishn, it doesn’t work on lottery tickets. I don’t know why I thought they would win three, I just did.
Fukudome had about as good of a game as a player can have today, and as I said during the game, Weeks sure did run the bases like Theriot the last couple of days.
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 16, 2011 6:47 PM CDT reply actions
Nice meeting you too.
Hope to take in another game with you at some point.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
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 Jun 16, 2011 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Missed the game but caught a little
of it on the radio. Very happy with the series. Go get those stinkin’ Yankees tomorrow.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Well the Astros are also helping the Cubs not be the worst team in the league
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 16, 2011 7:36 PM CDT reply actions
8-2 in last 10
If the Cubs could that even once I’d be excited
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 16, 2011 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Twins have won 11 of 13.
Do NOT count them out. That team knows how to win, and Mauer is coming back tomorrow.
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Count them out of what?
That is ALOT of ground to make up if you are talking WC or division champ. Now if you are talking about .500 season that is possible.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 16, 2011 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Nine games out in a weak division.
There are more than 90 games left. It can be done.
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It's not that weak...
Detroit and Cleveland are strong teams. KC’s kids are playing well. White Sox are a middle team with room to move up if Danks and Dunn get it together. Saying it can be done doesn’t really say anything. Mauer and Morneau can make a huge difference, but they can’t fix that horrid (and expensive) bullpen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Jun 17, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions
As a catcher?
"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
DH or even 1B
Is possible with Morneau back on the DL. If I were the Twins he would be playing anywhere other than catcher, whether he likes it or not.
They have two liter bottles now? To think I spent all that time demanding a liter!
If they had another catcher worth a damn...
I’d agree with you. But they traded his replacement for Matt Capps last year. He either needs to catch 4 times per week or stay on the DL for a couple more weeks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Jun 17, 2011 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think it's a coincidence that once Baker, Johnson, and Soriano got back...
this team hit a lot better. Also Wells needed a couple games to get back into form.
We were essentially a triple A team.
Will you forgive me
If I admit to sitting with the enemy on Saturday? Friends are coming in from New York and we’re doing a weekend including the game on Saturday. My brother still looks at me askance for going to a Northwestern/MSU football game with MSU fans.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
Al, don't forget...
Dome’s two outfield assists. I know, they were admittedly rather foolish decisions to send the runners, but still, those were two crucial Plays today.
Nice seeing you again btw. :-)
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
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 Jun 16, 2011 8:24 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Not sure why "plays" is capitalized there.
My iPhone is still acting up.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
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 Jun 16, 2011 8:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
have you been having problem with it?
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 16, 2011 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Stopped working for a brief period
After Soriano’s home run almost nailed me.
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
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 Jun 16, 2011 8:36 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Mine took a swim last week
Surprised it’s working again. The magic of rice.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 16, 2011 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions
They were very Important Plays, obviously.
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Glad the Cubs won.
I don’t know why, I do get enjoyment when they beat the Brewers, not as much as the Cards, but close.
Dome is putting together a nice season, sure makes the rest of the year interesting, Trade or no Trade, sign or let walk.
Give credit to Garza, he muscled through 6 innings.
Love nothing more to beat the Yanks 2 out of 3.
Looks like Fukudome's homer...
landed right around where Al’s group used to sit before the bleacher renovation. I may be mistaken.
BTW, when Soriano hit his homer, I was watching the ball sail towards the bleachers and I thought to myself, “hey isn’t that where Al’s group sits?” Sure enough, there’s Al on TV with his scorecard in hand on the move for the ball. That was a laugh-out-loud moment.
It would have been cool though to see Al use his hat as a glove to catch it like that fan did on Reed Johnson’s homer from Wednesday night.
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!"
Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on Jun 16, 2011 8:33 PM CDT reply actions
The only explanation
Is the Cubs have been kidnapped by aliens and cloned with talent injected into them.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
I thought I was watching a
game from 2008 . It is a big w going into the Yankee series . Dome was the man to be watched !! Lets hope this can continue .
Will there be any throwback jerseys worn this weekend?
It’d be cool if they wore jerseys from 1935 or something.
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie" -- Tony Montana
It would.
I haven’t heard anything about this. 1938 would be more historically accurate, as the Cubs played the Tigers in the WS in 1935.
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LOL
My bad…Thanks for the correction…I meant to say the 1932 WS..It seems they’d be able to promote this series by talking about Ruth’s “called shot”…I really like the throwbacks and it seems like a no-brainer from a sales perspective.
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie" -- Tony Montana
"Called shot"
What’s this “called shot” you refer to?
"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
It's gonna be a ginormous culture shock for the Yankees...
…coming from their clubhouse and each with their own separate “spaces”, to the visitor’s clubhouse at Wrigley. That should be worth about 1.5 runs a game right there.
With the 1st pick in the 2012 Baseball Amateur Draft, the Chicago Cubs select...
I always laugh when people get defensive about the players calling Wrigley a dump...
While the place has great character and history, it really is a dump compared to most of the other major league parks from a visiting player’s perspective.
That said, I don’t think it’ll make that big a difference. Many, if not most, of those guys have played in Wrigley before.
Here is a list of players on the Yankees current 25-man roster who have played in Wrigley before.
AJ Burnett, Freddy Garcia, Boone Logan, Mariano Rivera, CC Sabathia, Russell Martin, Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, Andruw Jones, Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada.
12 out of 25.
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Not that I hang out with ARod a lot, but when the Rangers came to Wrigley a few years ago...
…that was the first time I saw him with his guard down. Before the gates opened for the first game of the series, I saw ARod and a few other Rangers walking through the bleachers, in uniform. They kept looking around, stopping every ten feet or so, looking back onto the field, pointing out to the street, looking up at the rooftops, etc. ARod had a huge smile on his face – he looked just like a little kid.
It was nice to know that even the highest paid player in baseball is not immune to the charms of Wrigley Field.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I wouldn't be surprised if this team played .500 ball from this point
They were projected to be about .500 but the injuries will probably make them a 75 win.
Living in cheese-land
That series was extremely enjoyable in an otherwise dreary season.
by Mapmaker on Jun 16, 2011 10:47 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
The Cubs win 3-4 and all the sudden they are contenders....
for a lot of people!!Wow…….did you people just start watching them play during the Brewer series! If our pitching doesn’t improve there is NO WAY they will be close…..period!!
It might not be likely, it might not be even remotely likely,
but it is not impossible, and if it happens, it has to start sometime. And this might have been the series, where things turn around.
It might be delusional but it sure is fun.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
I agree with you completely Eths!
No better than time than the present, and I enjoyed the game thread after I got off work, and no matter what the teams needs to go out there and have fun and do their very best.
If we do that and continue in a 2 of 3 rhythm for the rest of the season, then 90 games is still possible...
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Eths, eths, eths.
Just how much of the blue stuff have you drunk?
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
**hick** d' ya **hick** weally wanna **hick** know, dude? **hick**
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Based on his self-portrait above, I'd say he's up to his eyebrows...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
But I'm wearing khaki shorts...
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Can't tell if you're wearing a belt
But your shirt is definitely not tucked into them.
"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 think after June, belts and shoelaces are usually taken away from the kool-aid drinkers...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Some of us are able to tuck our shirts in, pal
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 17, 2011 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions
You "old guys" and your belt/tucked in/suspenders/bi-focal arguments.
I just hope you’re all not going to Wrigley with your white socks hanging out of your Birkenstocks.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
There, there, now....
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
He's an 'American Band!'
In case the dudes and ladies around here have forgotten,
Starlin Castro is awesome.
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
It's happening!!!
Drove down Clark Street this morning – folks were hard at work, setting up for the Wrigleyville Block Party.
Looked like a minature county fair. No ferris wheel but lots of tents, attractions, booths, etc. Wonder if they’ll have Corn Dogs? Probably Corn Bison instead…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Funnel cake?
Tell me there’s funnel cake…
"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
They should set it up like the Iowa State Fair.
Anything on a stick… and said anything shall be fried.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
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