Open Thread: Cubs vs. Mets, Friday 8/3, 1:20 CT

by Al on Aug 3, 2007 9:44 AM CDT in Game Threads

When last we saw the Mets, Scott Eyre was dejectedly walking off the field after allowing two straight hits to give Ryan Dempster, who had given up four hits and a walk himself, as the Cubs, stunningly, blew a four-run ninth-inning lead and lost 6-5 on May 17.

The Cubs were 18-21, seven games out of first place. The Mets were 26-14, 1.5 games ahead of the Braves.

Much has changed. The Cubs have gone 39-29 since then and made up all seven games. The Mets have increased their lead to 3.5 games, but have basically treaded water, playing just over .500 (35-33) since that date.

Biggest series in three years. Let's win it!

Today's Starting Pitchers


C. Zambrano Cubs	vs.	O. Hernandez Mets


14-7	W-L	7-4
3.47	ERA	3.02
128	SO	85
65	BB	41
17	HR	13
vs. NY	--	vs. Cubs

Z, as you know, has been nearly unhittable since hitting Michael Barrett on June 1. In 11 starts since then, he's 9-2, 1.41; batters have hit .141 off him, and he has 77 strikeouts in 76.2 IP. He won the only game the Cubs won in the four-game series in New York, a 10-1 victory on May 15, when he threw 8 innings, allowing six hits and one run.

Orlando Hernandez has finally admitted that he is 42, rather than 38. Whatever his age, he's still throwing very well; in the absence of Pedro Martinez, he has solidified the Mets rotation. He has faced the Cubs only once -- last July 16. The Cubs roughed him up, but the Mets won anyway. That's kind of the way last year went. From his time in the AL, he faced Jacque Jones (.333/.385/.417) and Alfonso Soriano (.417/.462/.917) frequently.

This weekend's games are all available on a more-or-less national basis; today's on WGN and at the Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2006 version)

I'll post a Gameday link for tonight's Phillies/Brewers game in my recap later this afternoon.

Finally, I answered a few questions about the Cubs for our SB Nation Mets counterpart Amazin' Avenue, and also for D. J. Short at MetsBlog. My answers are here. If I have time I may send them a few questions about the Mets that I'll post tomorrow.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Watching Sportscenter

this morning while running, I caught that clip of the Brew Crew scuffling in the dugout. Sounds like the team was mad about somebody not getting enough playing time? Either way, they played Yost's after game comments, and he did not have a good vibe. Almost seemed like he doesn't have a clue what to do.
Contrast this to the Cubs fight, it seemed like the players quickly took responsibility and everyone was quick to apologize. Yost took no responsibility and simply said "we'll see" when asked if he thought this was bad for his team.
Any Thoughts?

In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein

by cubbieblue86 on Aug 3, 2007 9:53 AM CDT 0 recs

Poor leadership

by a young manager. A perfect example of what I like about Lou

Jeters Never Prosper

by jbgindy on Aug 3, 2007 9:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

Rebellion against the manager.

That's what's going on there. On first take, they said Estrada was arguing with Yost because he thought he had mistreated a fellow player. And in the video you could see another player talking back to Yost in the dugout steps. If Yost doesn't know how to handle his team in pressure situations the Brewers are going to implode.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 3, 2007 10:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

Definitely Agree

It is one thing when players are fighting with players, but last night really struck me because Yost was in the fight, not trying to break it up.

In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein

by cubbieblue86 on Aug 3, 2007 10:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yup.

See: John Gibbons and last year's Toronto Blue Jays. Ask Ted Lilly how that went over.

"One thing you learn as a Cubs fan: When you bought your ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth." - Joe Garagiola

by gary varsho on Aug 3, 2007 11:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

Difference in Fight

Brewers were OVER-achieving and relize it's OVER.

Cubs were UNDER-achieving and realized they needed to turn it around.

Different mind-set completely.

Ryne Sandberg Game, June 23, 1984, he was 5 for 6, 7 RBI's

by mweil on Aug 3, 2007 10:01 AM CDT 0 recs

Kerry Wood?

So is he on the roster today?

by slink on Aug 3, 2007 10:02 AM CDT 0 recs

Not yet.

Here's the active roster.

But they can activate him any time up to game time.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Aug 3, 2007 10:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

ESPN 1000

has been reporting all morning that Wood will be activated by game time and Rocky Cherry will be sent down, though now mention of what move gets Wood back on the 40-man...

"One thing you learn as a Cubs fan: When you bought your ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth." - Joe Garagiola

by gary varsho on Aug 3, 2007 11:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

Was Guzman moved to the 60-day DL?

If not, that'd be the logical solution to me.

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 11:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

It's official....

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070803&content_id=212731 4&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs today activated right-handed pitcher Kerry Wood from the 60-day disabled list after optioning right-handed pitcher Rocky Cherry to Triple-A Iowa following yesterday's game vs. Philadelphia. In addition, right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

by kaseyi on Aug 3, 2007 12:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pitching rotation.

Lou singled out Rich Hill because he has failed to pitch six innings in five of his last eight starts, including outings of three, three and 4 2/3 in that run.

''We really need Hill to kick it in a little bit,'' he said, ''probably more than any of these other guys.''

Thinking out loud, why not put Gallagher in the rotation as an experiment and move Hill to long relief? Because that's what he's doing, anyway, 3 or 4 innings per game.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 3, 2007 10:03 AM CDT 0 recs

I wouldn't be against it

But just seeing that good run that Hill had end of last year/beginning of this year has me thinking he's going to turn it around. Unfortunately though he's not so maybe one more start and then make a switch if he doesnt improve.

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." -Jason Kidd

by tony412 on Aug 3, 2007 10:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

Hill is right around 130 innings...

...so it's very possible that he could use a "breather" for a little while. He and Marshall are probably both pitching more than they're used to at this point of the year, and still have more time to go. Now how exactly you start doing that -- I personally would install Gallagher as a sixth starter, keep Zambrano going every fifth day regardless, to keep guys fresh for a while. There are some other ideas that could be tried.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 10:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

Agree.

I'd be in favor of skipping Hill once to give him some rest. I don't have any expectations for Marshall. I like him but he does not have enough innings in his career to be counted on regularly. I am still inclinded to think that the weakness of the team is the bullpen but primarily because we may favor going with the veternas who should be pushed out.

by DudeVf11 on Aug 3, 2007 10:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

Didn't

Hill get a break though at ASB?

This was supposed to be good for him the. Correct me if I am wrong but he has kinda sucked since the ASB.

MMMMM...Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 3, 2007 10:33 AM CDT up 0 recs

and

Hill usually keeps a low pitch count

PC load letter, what the f*** does that mean?

by cubfaninSTL on Aug 3, 2007 10:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

TO BE MORE PRECISE

After the ASB, (7/16) Hill pitched 8-IP, won 3-2 and 2-ER, then 7/21 ND 2-3 against AZ 6-IP 1-ER (Cubs lost), lost 7/27 against Cinci ND 6-IP 2-ER (Cubs lost), then went 4.2-IP 3-ER ND (Cubs won),

to be fair 7/04 against Wash he had 6-ER and 6-IP, previous to that start against Mil 5-ER and 3-IP, and before that 5.2-IP and won against the ChiSox 2-1 (1-ER), but against SD 5-ER, 5-IP losing big where that came after 6.2-IP 3-ER in losing to Seattle, back in first of June he beat Atl 8-IP 1-ER.

My take is that unless Hill can spot a devastating curve ball for a strike he gets in trouble into the middle innings with his 87-88 MPH fastball. What he needs is to learn and spot a devastating straight change. That will force teams to try to wait on the FB and swing at off speed pitches.

Milw-09-24-98--Brown in for defense--bases loaded--flyball--HE DROPPED THE BALL!!!NO NO NO, cubs lose 8-7

by Ivy Walls on Aug 3, 2007 1:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hill's not exactly young

He was never stretched out in all his time in professional baseball? I find it hard to believe this year's workload is a big jump for him. Seems to me he should be able to handle it. Marshall might be a different story.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 10:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

Last year he pitched 200 innings....

...50 more innings than at any other point in his career. It may be a bit trite and cliched to bring up, but the sophmore slump IS a time-honored tradition in baseball.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 11:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

Aren't they trying

to protect ego?

It seems important for him not to lose confidence when he is struggling. I have to say though, I like what Marshall has to offer more lateley.

MMMMM...Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 3, 2007 10:11 AM CDT 0 recs

I like what Zambrano has to offer lately!

& I want more of the same today. Let's put some distance between ourselves and the Sud-heads while they're busy dealing with clubhouse problems!

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." ~Andy Warhol

by BlueW on Aug 3, 2007 10:25 AM CDT 0 recs

wood activated?

has wood been officially activated, and if so who's is how did they account for it with the roster

When in doubt punch Barret in the face

by jds2 on Aug 3, 2007 10:27 AM CDT 0 recs

see above

Not activated yet, but can be up til game time. And Rock Cherry will probably go down, Blanco to 60 day DL

In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein

by cubbieblue86 on Aug 3, 2007 10:29 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ego and Zambrano

I think that it is a given that Zambrano carries a big ego. Up until the rumble in the dugout with Barrett, Zambrano had been underachieving this season. In my mind's eye, I think that the conversation between Zambrano and Barrett went down like this:

(In reference to Barrett throwing a ball into LF which allowed a run to score.)

Z: "What were you thinking out there? (Points to his own head.) Use your head?"

B: (Points to scoreboard.) "Hey, I'm not the one lighting up the scoreboad out there."

(Z goes for Barrett's throat.)

Of course, within the next couple of days Zambrano declares that he's going to "begin a new season."

Personally, I think Barrett punched him in his pride ridden ego which resulted in a couple of hay makers and the such. However, I think it woke Zambrano up in the end.

Hurting someone's pride (depending on the individual) is a very powerful motivator and can produce productive results. Zambrano's ego is a classic example of someone who you can motivate by holding up a mirror so that they can see their own poor performance and make improvements.

Perhaps the best thing that Barrett did for the Cubs before being traded was waking Zambrano up?

</speculation>

There's always next year.

by BJ Simpson on Aug 3, 2007 10:39 AM CDT 0 recs

re: Ego and Zambrano

There's no disagreeing with the notion that Big Z has a big ego, but I wouldn't give Barrett any such credit.

Plain and simple, I think what happened in the dugout that day was Z got sick and tired of Barrett's lack of focus/execution and decided to call him out on it.

(And I believe it was established to a fair degree of certainty that, when Barrett pointed outside the dugout, he was referring to Mark DeRosa, who supposedly confirmed that he saw Barrett deliver a sign for a different pitch than the one Carlos threw.)

My impression of the dugout fight was that Barrett was caught completely off-guard by the vociferousness of Big Z's, shall we say, "constructive criticism." (IIRC, those who overheard the fight could discern Barrett saying something along the lines of, "Why is he doing this?")

I don't even think Zambrano intended to get physical with Barrett. If you watch the clip, Zambrano doesn't start throwing punches (slaps, actually) until Barrett sort of leans/lunges into him. It seems like when Barrett went a little too far into Z's personal space, Carlos just snapped.

In any case, I think the wake up call that day was delivered by one Carlos Zambrano who, let's face it, probably would have snapped out of his early season slump one way or the other anyway. He didn't need Michael's help with that. And Barrett's subsequent trade drives home the point that, in the 2007 Cubs clubhouse, Carlos is the one in charge.

Brew Crew: We have arrived -- now step aside.

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 3, 2007 11:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

Zambrano's ego is large.

I will agree with that statement. But a pitcher has to be able to use his best pitch in key situations. Barrett has a ton of past balls and his % in 2007 was higher versus 2006. This bothers the star pitchers as this markes them afraid to use their "go to" pitch in key situations.

When a high paid pitcher can't throw a slider as low as he wants, he has a right to get angry at his catcher. Did Zambrano go overboard? Of course he did. But to be honest with you, given that Barrett messed up with another passed ball and compounded it with the throw to left field, I at least understood why Zambrano blew his cool.

This was two plus years of increasing #s of pass balls and forcing Z to change how he throws and he is in a contract year. Z doesn't want a catcher back there impacting games and his economics. That is ego and being practical.

Soriano: rub two of those big bats together and you will catch fire!

by LAcarl519 on Aug 3, 2007 10:51 AM CDT 0 recs

ESPN 1000 is reporting...

Wood activated, Cherry sent down.

Also Cubs lineup according to WMVP is

Soriano LF
THeriot SS
Lee 1B
Ramierz 3B
Floyd RF
Fontenot 2B
Jones CF
Kendall C
Zambrano P

by kaseyi on Aug 3, 2007 10:59 AM CDT 0 recs

CORRECTION ON LINEUP

WMVP just made the following correction to the lineup they just announced...Instead of Fontenot at 2nd, DeRosa will be playing 2nd.

Kasey

by kaseyi on Aug 3, 2007 11:03 AM CDT up 0 recs

I was gonna ask about that.

n/t

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 11:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

WOODY!!!

sorry can't help it...can't wait for this!!

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs" - Alvin Dark

by holycow07 on Aug 3, 2007 11:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

Why wouldn't it be a better . . .

to leave Fontenot at 2nd, put De Rosa in right and use Floyd as a pinch hitter?

Did we really put Jose Macias on the field? Really???

by ksreed on Aug 3, 2007 11:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

n/t

MMMMM...Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 3, 2007 11:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

Or we could leave DeRosa at second...

...and use either of our fourth/fifth outfielders. Just a thought.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 11:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'd do that...

considering that Floyd hasn't really hit much this year and Fontenot has been pretty bad for the past month or so, I'd go with DeRosa and Pagan or Murton.

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 12:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Floyd hasn't hit much

so instead you go with guys who hit worse (Pagan/Murton)? Huh?

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 12:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

No...

Pagan has hit just as well, and adds speed and better defense. Murton hit terribly early, but I'm in the camp that believes his early-season struggles were due to limited playing time.

So I feel that you'd get better defense and speed without a reduction in offense with Pagan, and/or I'm hoping that Murton will rebound to 2005 and 2006 form at the plate.

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 12:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

And I'm in the camp

that says I'd put a lot more stock in Cliff Floyd starting to hit with the power he's displayed his entire career when healthy and outperforming both Murton and Pagan down the stretch. And Sweet Lou apparently agrees.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 12:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't care what camp you're in...

You questioned my rationale, so I gave it, that's all. I can understand your rationale as well, I just don't happen to agree. You have your opinions, I have mine. Good luck proving one way or the other who would have been right.

Also, not that it really matters, but managers aren't infallible. They make decisions they think are for the best, but they aren't always right. The fact that you happen to agree with Lou doesn't make your opinion right - it just makes it the same as Lou's opinion.

Anyway, I've had this exact same argument about Murton with you numerous times. We know each other's view, and it's pretty clear neither of us will budge and neither can be proven right or wrong. No one gets anywhere with it, so I'm not go through the cycle again here.

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 12:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

Your rationale was poorly stated

You originally said you wanted Pagan/Murton in there because they hit better than Floyd. When I pointed out that in fact Pagan/Murton aren't hitting better than Floyd you backtracked. You changed your rationale to say that Pagan was hitting just as well as Floyd and gave the Cubs better defense and that you were simply hoping that Murton would start to hit better. And anyway, I thought this discussion was about Floyd not Murton. But you appear to be very sensitive about anything that tangentially relates to Murton so I suppose it's best to drop it. Me and Sweet Lou have our opinion and you have yours.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 12:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Re-read my first post please...

I said, and I quote: "considering that Floyd hasn't really hit much this year and Fontenot has been pretty bad for the past month or so, I'd go with DeRosa and Pagan or Murton." I said nothing to suggest they've hit better than Floyd this year. If I had realized that I needed to be more clear to appease you, I'd have added: "Pagan has hit as well as Floyd, and I think Murton will turn it around." And I might also add "I fear Floyd's injuries have robbed him of the great offensive ability he used to have."

But I didn't write those things, so I'm doing it now. But I never changed my rationale, you just took what I said and interpreted it wrong. I can't help that you misinterpreted what I wrote.

So remember how you complained about me putting words in your mouth in the past? Well, you're doing the same to me now. Please stop. :)

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 12:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Silly me

I assumed when you said "Floyd hasn't really hit much this year . . . so, I'd go with DeRosa and Pagan or Murton." that you were implying that Pagan/Murton hit better than Floyd. I stand corrected, although I don't think my interpretation was unreasonable.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 1:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

It's not an impossible interpretation...

but considering that you KNOW I check the stats, I can't believe you'd honestly think I'd say Pagan and Murton have hit better than Floyd this year.

But no harm done by the misinterpretation. I just felt I needed to set the record straight there.

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 1:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

History

If you are going to go with Floyd's history, perhaps you should consider the statistic that, historically, Floyd's power decreases, not increases as a season progresses. The idea that an older player with serious injury problems is going to act contrary to career norms and show an increase in power in the second half of the season is simply not logical.

by frustratedfan on Aug 3, 2007 4:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

Did you know?

Cliff Floyd and Angel Pagan have hit the same number of home runs in the majors this year? And just guess which one of them has had 60 more at-bats.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 12:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

So that must

mean Pagan is every bit the power hitter that Floyd is, right? Anyone with eyes can see Floyd has more power than Pagan. Bababenti freaks out when I say this but get your nose out of the stat book once in a while.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 12:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

The statbook statement is just pointless...

I watch a lot of baseball, and I'm sure cwyers does too. What value does saying what you said have, other than to attempt to be offensive? Does it make us wrong that we ALSO look at stats, in addition to watching a lot of baseball?

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 12:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

See I told you

He freaks out. The point of course is that stats don't tell you everything. In this case the stats might indicate that Pagan is every bit the power hitter that Cliff Floyd is. Anyone who's watched the two play this year knows better.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 12:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's freaking out?

Wow, you must be the one who's sensitive. I was just pointing out how it adds nothing to the conversation.

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 12:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Disagree

It makes a point that stats are not the be-all-end-all that certain people obviously think they are.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 1:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

There's quite a difference...

between saying "stats aren't everything" and saying "get your nose out of the stat book and watch a game." The first is a completely reasonable and unoffensive statement. The second is an inaccurate assumption and is kind of offensive.

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 1:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

It's a colorful

way to make the point. But alright, if you're offended I won't say it to you anymore.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 2:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

"colorful"

is that a euphemism for "inaccurate?" :)

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 2:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Obviously

I understand that anyone who would post on a Cubs message board has probably watched a baseball game or two. It's just a bit of hyperbole not meant to be taken literally.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 2:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sorry...

I tend to take people too literally - it's a vice of mine. Perhaps I'll need to start coming up with some colorful ways to say things too.

by SouthernCub on Aug 3, 2007 2:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Really?

I'm trying to figure out if you're insinuating that I don't watch baseball games or that I simply lie because of some stats-based Stockholm Syndrome.

Cliff Floyd had three extra base hits in July, all doubles. Now, maybe you're using some very different definition of "power" that seems to escape the rest of baseball, but Cliff Floyd -- this year -- has mostly been a singles hitter. The only evidence that Cliff Floyd hits for power has occured in previous years. Anyone who watched baseball games instead of living in the past could tell that Cliff Floyd's power is in a decline phase. It's not that hard, people.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 12:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

ole Cliffy

racked up 11 extra base hits in 123 AB's after the ASB last year

and has 12 in 200 ABs this year

this isnt a new phenomenon, this is an aging player losing his power quickly

he's lost tons of bat speed and tries to cheat on fastballs now, which is why he has some awful looking swings on breaking balls

23 extra base hits in over 330 AB's is not particularly exciting

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 3, 2007 1:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

You're doing it all wrong!

You're trying to find a baseball player's power production on a stat sheet and in a scouting report. That's ridiculous! There are intangibles in baseball, dontchaknow, and cubsbak is absolutely right in reminding us that power production is one of them. It's all about how a player makes you feel. If you feel like Cliff Floyd is hitting for power, well, then there you have it.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

LOL!

Good one. :-)

I love this team!!!!!

by sue369 on Aug 3, 2007 1:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Look who

comes out of her hole...

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 1:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

Look who is

in yet another arguement with not one but two people. Why am I not surprised?

I love this team!!!!!

by sue369 on Aug 3, 2007 2:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

At least this

is an intelligent argument rather than a regurgitation of a bunch of stats taken out of context by someone who obviously doesn't understand the game of baseball.

It could be that Floyd has lost tons of bat speed in the last year, but I'm not so sure. I think he's just in a bit of a power slump, which seems to be going around with this team, and I'm hopeful it returns.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 1:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

When it lasts for a season and a half...

...it stops being a slump and starts being a decline phase.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 1:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Could be

But I don't think so. And to say it's a season and a half is a bit disingenuous. He was injured most of last year and only had 330 AB's.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 1:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

He's been injured most of this year, too!

I swear if I have to keep repeating this, I'm going to lose my mind, but here goes one more time: the only way to keep Cliff Floyd healthy is to stop letting him play baseball. Since that sort of defeats the purpose of keeping him healthy from a team perspective, you have to accept that a hobbled, injury-ridden Cliff Floyd is the Cliff Floyd you have left. Talking about a healthy Cliff Floyd is like talking about how the Cubs pitching would be so much better if it was still the deadball era. It's not relevant.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 1:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

He's been

healthier this year than last, believe it or not. And he's driving in runs when he gets the chance. His numbers with RISP are good. I think his power will come around. He's not the only guy on this team who's underachieving in the power department.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 1:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

From what I've seen

the ball still jumps off of Floyd's bat more than it does off of Pagan's. He hasn't been getting the barrel of the bat on the ball much lately, but I think that'll turn around. We'll see where things end up at the end of the year. You just keep examining your "evidence" (i.e. stats) and I'll trust Sweet Lou to continue to make good lineup decisions.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 1:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

...can we use "evidence" at the...

...end of the year? Or are we going to have to try to figure out which games you watched to see if Cliffy is really making the ball jump as much as you seem to recall?

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 3, 2007 1:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

As I said

I'd be very surprised if Cliffy doesn't end the year with better power numbers than Pagan. We'll see.

by cubsbak on Aug 3, 2007 1:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Brew Crew now trying to spin it!!

Funny how Milw. is now the team in "turmoil'' because of recent (tough) losses hope this doesn't spark them as it did the Cubs!!

Such incidents can go either way i suspect depending on how deep the root of problem is...there were rumors around time of the Z-Barrett-Pinella blowups that Lou had "lost'' the clubhouse and hearing same things about Yost now not being popular with players.

Winning solves a lot of problems.

by writerinwrigley on Aug 3, 2007 10:59 AM CDT 0 recs