There isn't a whole lot more to say about the Cubs' 7-2 loss to the Diamondbacks than is expressed in the headline to this post. The Cubs are now 14-28 all-time in Bank Holding Company Ballpark, and that doesn't even include the two NLDS losses in 2007.
Having to wake up at 3:30 am for work, I shut the TV off after the fifth inning when it was 5-1; Dan Haren seemed to have the makeshift Cub lineup (Reed Johnson hitting cleanup? Seriously?) baffled. Only Mike Fontenot broke through after that, capping a 12-pitch at-bat with a solo homer. Another solo homer, Alfonso Soriano's third leadoff jack of the season (and 52nd of his career; his next one will tie him with Craig Biggio for second on the all-time leadoff home run list behind Rickey Henderson), provided the only other Cubs run.
Can we now knock off all the Soriano-has-to-be-dropped-from-leadoff talk? He produces in that spot. He hits better in that spot. The Cubs don't have a reasonable alternative. And guess who's leading all MLB leadoff hitters in runs scored? That's right, Soriano, who now has 19 (Brian Roberts -- ever heard of him? I haven't -- is leading AL leadoff hitters with 18 runs.)
It's also difficult to win when three of your best hitters are out with injuries. Milton Bradley will be back in the starting lineup tonight, and hopefully, so will Aramis Ramirez. Fontenot has done as good a job as possible filling in at 3B, but he doesn't really have the arm for the position. Justin Upton beat out an infield hit in the fourth inning -- I think Ramirez would have thrown him out, and the next hitter, Ryan Roberts, flew out. That would have ended the inning -- instead, the D'backs went on to score four runs, after Ted Lilly loaded the bases with a walk and Dan Haren, who threw the first CG against the Cubs since CC Sabathia threw one on the last day of the 2008 regular season, doubled in two runs and then Chris Young doubled in two more. The inning should have ended in a 1-1 tie; instead, the game was essentially over.
Thus, I want to spend the rest of this post discussing something that has begun to bother a number of regular posters here who have contacted me, and it's also bothering me, too. That issue is the large number of FanPosts that involve tired old topics that have been discussed over and over and over, or posts that discuss a mishmash of things in one single post. "Cub fan rant" from yesterday is, unfortunately, an example of both. Touching on the Milton Bradley issue, the bullpen, and the DeRosa and Marquis deals all in one quick paragraph, it was both unnecessary and went over ground that we have covered over and over and over and Peavy.
We have a lot of new members here since the SBN-Yahoo partnership was announced. And I welcome all of you, and I know all the longterm regulars do, too. However, I want to call everyone's attention again to the Community Guidelines, specifically to this portion that has to do with FanPosts:
Some of the qualities that the most popular FanPosts often have in common are:Keep in mind that if your post contains only one point or idea that is not developed, expanded on, or supported with arguments or data, it is really not a FanPost -- it is a comment that should be posted in an existing thread, or posted as a FanShot. (emphasis added, not in original post)
- They expand upon the main idea with supporting examples, or statistical data, or a link to a relevant article, or a "thinking question" for others to consider, etc. -- something beyond just the main idea itself. Don’t just post a large quote from an article and say "What do you think?" Post your own opinion, too.
- They explore a topic, idea, or question that has not been explored recently, or at all, at BCB. Please check both the FanPost and FanShot recent post lists to see if your topic is already being discussed.
Some examples of good recent FanPosts can be found here, here, here, here, and here. All of those posts explore interesting ideas that had not been discussed previously or recently, are written well, and don't simply regurgitate something from another source (that might be better as a FanShot). There are several posts permanently on the right sidebar that give good tips on how to write and format good posts, under "BCB Specials & Site Info"; if you are new here (or even if you aren't, for a review), please read these carefully before you post. It's simple courtesy when you join a new internet community, to find out the customs of that community before you dive in -- I've heard from many people who have told me they lurked here for many months before posting. It's simple courtesy and those who have been here a while will be happy to help you out if you're new.
Finally, a reminder, related to the above: BCB is not a message board. If you just want to post a rant or a one-line comment, post it under an existing post -- don't start a new one. Thanks for understanding.