After Jason Marquis had had yet another one of those innings that you'd think would produce a pitchfork-bearing mob ready to run him out of town -- the first, giving up a double and two-run homer -- I started talking to Dave about whether he'd be tradable, and who would take him.
His response: "I'll make you a small wager he goes six today."
I didn't take the bet, but damned if he wasn't right. Marquis settled down after Adam LaRoche's jack in the first inning, retiring 13 of the next 14 hitters he faced, and givng up only two more hits and an unearned run, finishing with six strong innings and his second win of the year, as the Cubs walked all over the Pirates 4-3, drawing seven walks off Phil Dumatrait, producing all the runs, and then the bullpen performed as Lou had envisioned it in spring training -- Bob Howry in the 7th (shaky, yes, but he got out of it with no runs), a solid Carlos Marmol in the 8th (please, please win some blowouts so that Marmol can sit for a while; that makes 22 appearances in 44 games, way too many), and then the kind of save that we all dreamed about from Kerry Wood when the season began, his 10th -- a ground ball for the first out on two pitches, and then two strikeouts, mixing up fastballs and sliders and breaking pitches.
Eight out of ten on this homestand -- you could get greedy and ask for more, but really, that's about all we could have asked for. It's the first time the Cubs have won eight games on any homestand since 1978, and after winning bunches of games this week with the longball, today the Cubs played small-ball; in addition to the seven walks, the only hits were four singles, one each from Alfonso Soriano (the sixth straight game he's led off with a hit), Mark DeRosa (setting up Kosuke Fukudome on second where he would steal third and score on a Reed Johnson sac fly), Ronny Cedeno (driving in a run), and Fukudome, driving in the fourth run in the fifth inning.
Let's talk a little bit more about the walks. Seven more walks today give the Cubs 201 for the season. That's second in the NL to the Cardinals, but the team OBA -- .373 going into today, and I don't have time to calculate it including today's game, but that's at least seven points better than St. Louis, and is forty points higher than last year's .333, and fifty-four points better than the last season, 2006, under the hackalicious teachings of Dusty Baker. The 2006 squad drew 395 walks all year. The current total is 51% of that -- in 27% of the schedule. If I have time tomorrow, I'll try to put up a Walk-Meter, showing the progress toward passing the execrable 2006 total. The 201 walks are 4.56 per game; I doubt the Cubs can keep up the pace, but that would translate to 740 walks over the full season, a total that would demolish the club record, 650 set in 1975. More history: the Cubs have started 27-17. Since 1900 -- 109 seasons -- only eleven Cub teams have started better than that in their first 44 games:1907, 35-9 1918, 31-13 1903, 30-14 1910, 29-15 1969, 29-15 1906, 29-15 1904, 28-14 (two ties) 1938, 28-16 1909, 28-16 1977, 28-16 1908, 27-16 (one tie)
In that group there are six pennant winners (1906, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1918, 1938), a team that won 104 games and finished second (1909), two other 90+ game winners (1904, 1969), a team that finished 82-56 (1903), and the only outlier, 1977.
Can you tell this is a special team? They can find many different ways to win, and to me, that's the sign of a team ready to come to the ballpark every day and adapt to the situation. Today, the wind was blowing in and it was coolish and cloudy most of the time -- LaRoche's HR sliced through a pretty good breeze. Otherwise nothing came close to going out of the ballpark all afternoon.
Now it's on to Houston; I asked Dave if he thought they were for real and he said he did. I wonder, due to their pitching; the Cubs won't have to face Roy Oswalt, and now it's uncertain if Oswalt will make his next start against the Phillies on Thursday.
Micah Hoffpauir, called up when Daryle Ward was put on the DL today, made his ML debut pinch-hitting for Marquis in the 6th, wearing uniform #6. He struck out and looked pretty bad doing it, though, to be fair, it's not likely he's going to be sent up against too many LHP in the time he's on the roster.
Rumor heard today: it may not be too long until the Brewers, who lost to the Red Sox 11-7, getting swept and falling into last place, decide they've had enough and fire Ned Yost. Look for this to possibly happen as soon as this week.
Finally -- thanks again to BCB reader Shanghai Badger for picking up the slack I left by forgetting to schedule an overflow comment thread today. Much appreciated. Enjoy and revel in this homestand and this team's play so far.
0 recs | 176 comments
Judging from Lou's postgame comments
and Gallagher’s and Marshall’s performances in their last starts, I don’t know if Jason did enough to keep his job. It’s going to be an interesting week….
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
I'd say he probably has.
Now, with the off day Thursday, his turn could be skipped again. We’ll see.
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
Perhaps.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens.
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
What'd he say?
cwyers - May 18, 2008
Lou said
"Six innings of 3 run ball is good…..we’d like to see 7 innings of 3 run ball, but 6 is good."
Emelie - May 18, 2008
That sounds like...
... an endorsement of Marquis’ performance, not a hint he’ll be dropped from the rotation.
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
agree
Emelie - May 18, 2008
yeah
but he had this bemused look on his face. The tone of voice indicated that he might be happy with this from a rook, but not from a multi-million-dollar established pitcher.
drewishdrewid - May 18, 2008
Exactly.
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
Lou's crazy like a fox
I think he’s crafty with his responses, but I took that one as an endorsement.
Emelie - May 18, 2008
I dunno.
I kind of think Lou is fed up with Jason. And don’t discount the fact that Jason has ticked him off twice already—last year’s playoff kerfuffle and during ST this year. I think Marquis is on a shorter leash than most.
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
What is there to be fed up about?
EVERY MLB manager would take their number 5 starter going six giving up 3 ER. You are fooling yourself if you think other wise.
For whatever reason all of us want Marquis to pitch like Z, and it just isnt going to happen. Keep us in games and give us a chance to win. That is his job, especially as a number 5. We cant get caught up in the numbers.
HIGGY - May 19, 2008
Solid Point
I just not a big fan of Marquis and sometimes that influences my opinion of him. I still think Lieber should get a few starts in the rotation to see if he can be useful in that role. I know he got shelled a few weeks back in Cincy but he makes me feel more comfortable when he is pitching, more stable.
slocs55 - May 19, 2008
i would not disagree with that.
HIGGY - May 19, 2008
yeah, but
ever MLB wants their #5 to do that all the time.
Now, maybe Marquis has figured out what he’s doing. I’m not holding my breath. He was lucky yesterday.
drewishdrewid - May 19, 2008
What is that saying?
I rather be lucky than good?
When you play a game of inches – luck is usually a factor.
HIGGY - May 19, 2008
If their #5 did that all the time...
They’d not be a #5. Moreover, Marquis gave up 2 ER, not three. So if the #5 went 6 IP and gave up 2 ER every time out, that would be a #1 or #2 starter, not a #5.
SouthernCub - May 19, 2008
That's a good point.
It’ll be intersting to see how Lou handles him going forward. I don’t think Jason was terible yesterday, but he was a couple windgusts away from 5-6 ER instead of 3.
gary varsho - May 19, 2008
Yeah, he COULD have been terrible...
But thankfully the wind was blowing in. I do have to make a slight correction: Marquis only gave up two ER, not three (did give up three runs though, obviously).
If Zambrano had had this performance, people would be praising him for battling through not having his best stuff. It was a solid performance in spite of his command problems, in large part due to the wind blowing in. But the result was still a very solid result.
SouthernCub - May 19, 2008
Agreed,
but understand that Zambrano has earned that slack that we give him….we only begrudge it to Marquis. If Marquis peppered 3 hits, 0ER starts with these outings, fine, but the problem is that Marquis peppers 8 hit, 5 ER outings with outings like this…
gary varsho - May 19, 2008
Yeah, I don't disagree...
Marquis is VERY mediocre. But today was a pretty solid result. That’s all I’m saying.
SouthernCub - May 19, 2008
By today I mean yesterday, of course!
SouthernCub - May 19, 2008
Someone (Jesse Rodgers?)
asked Lou what he thought of Jason’s performance today. Lou hemmed a bit a bit and then says: “6 innings of 3 run ball is nice, it’s good (pause) 7 innings of 3 run ball would’ve been nice, but we’ll take 6 innings.” Damning with faint praise, IMHO.
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
I agree...
...and I think “damning with faint praise” pretty much sums it up. Marquis was signed to eat innings and, though he made a nice comeback today, he still didn’t quite go far enough. I think Lou is frustrated by the fact that, after eight starts, his “trusty innings-eater” still has seen the seventh only once.
daver - May 18, 2008
Well...
... I think you guys are reading too much into this. Marquis threw well and the Cubs won, so why would you change now?
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
The Cubs won.
Marquis didn’t throw well. He got decent results, but that’s not the same thing at all. It didn’t look like he had good command of his pitches and he seemed to be laboring the whole afternoon.
cwyers - May 18, 2008
I agree
Remember how Blue Mike is talking about how the Cubs win in spite of Soriano?
Today,. the Cubs won in spite of Marquis. He worked WAY too hard, had very little control, and it’s only because we have better hitters and their pitcher was (if possible) WORSE than Marquis that we won.
I saw a stat about the game - four hits, not one of which was more than a single. THAT is small ball - and the walks we got.
Marquis gets the W, but I’d say he didn’t earn it. He survived it.
drewishdrewid - May 18, 2008
1st inning
I think first impressions are hard to shake, and Jason’s 1st was bad. But he had a good day overall.
californiachicagoan - May 18, 2008
We didn't win in spite of Marquis...
Marquis wound up with 6 IP, 2 ER, and a WHIP around one. That’s a solid outing. He didn’t have his best command, but he had a solid outing. It might have been even more solid had DeRosa not had a brain fart to allow a runner to get to 2B.
No, it wasn’t a spectacular performance. But Marquis got very decent results today on the mound. The team did not win in spite of him. We only scored four runs, and managed to win. That indicates that we won in good part due to the fact that he didn’t give up a lot of runs.
SouthernCub - May 19, 2008
Disagree
I thought he did have pretty good command and had a better looking slider than usual. He threw a few mistakes, and the HR was a meatball meant to be in that he left out over the middle. But he passed my “eye” test.
Statistically, he only had one walk and four hits (2 singeles, 1 double, 1 hr) allowed in 6 innings, and only 2 of runs were earned. Thats a good day.
californiachicagoan - May 18, 2008
Nice win, Cubs.
In other wins, Northwestern eliminated DePaul in the NCAA softball regional championship today. Woo-hoo! (I was on the call.)
northsider - May 18, 2008
Al, the Brewer fans
are calling for Yost’s head. One of them mentioned Brenley as a possibility. What do you think?
Rick B - May 18, 2008
Possible, I suppose.
But I wonder if Brenly wants to dive into that troubled pitching staff.
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
I would guess that Brenly is enjoying this gig tremedously
...and would need some big dollars to take over in Milwaukee and the Brewers arent going to pay a manager millions of dollars.
JB 23 - May 18, 2008
Well
On the one hand, I think Brenly wants to manage a team a lot more than he wants to broadcast, no matter how much he enjoys the broadcasting. On the other hand, you could be on to something with the pay issue. I seem to recall Brenly scoring an unheard of contract for a local broadcast color analyst—something like $800K per year for four years. If I’m totally misremembering this, someone please correct me, but I believe the gist is true. So if money is a factor (and for a guy that played before salaries skyrocketed, I’m sure it is), then a MIL job might not cut it. No idea what Yost is paid, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not much more than Brenly.
JohnM - May 19, 2008
He wanted in
on that Cincinnati job opening, for example—even though last year was a great year to be a Cubs broadcaster.
JohnM - May 19, 2008
I don't think
there is any way Brenly leaves the booth in mid-season. If they wanted him, they’d have to hire an interim coach and then talk to him in the off-season.
I’ll toss another Cub name out for the Brewers job though—Pat Listach. That makes more sense with Listach’s Brewer connections. But again, I don’t know if the Cubs let the Brewers talk to Listach mid-season. But he’d probably be a better choice for the Brewers than Brenly (who I really don’t think is a very good manager.)
Josh Timmers - May 18, 2008
I'm of a similar mind.
I think the Brewers go the hometown route, as well. Molitor, Listach, or, provided Houston would elt him leave, Cecil Cooper.
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
Paul Molitor would be a popular choice.
So would Robin Yount.
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
Me too
I agree with the Brew crew going hometown.
Rumblings in Detroit have Leyland on the hot seat. They’re only 5 or so games out in what’s turned out to be a not so strong division. That would be more up Bob’s alley.
Who would replace Bob if he left? Otto or Plesac would be my guess. I’d like to see Dan given a chance he impresses me in the postgame and this could be a 4 month tryout.
puckishcubsfan - May 20, 2008
Here's hoping
we can pick up the pace on the road and bring some of our home game as visitors
Emelie - May 18, 2008
It'll be nice to go to Pittsburgh again.
The last series there was very productive.
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
Even though
we’ll have to put up with that bloody parrot
Emelie - May 18, 2008
I hate that damn parrot.
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
lol
fischisgod - May 18, 2008
Of course,
if it was a Norwegian Blue Parrot, I might be more amenable to its presence….
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
It would just spend all the time
pining for the Fjords.
Josh Timmers - May 18, 2008
Better that than the bump and grind!
Emelie - May 18, 2008
True.
But there’s a chance it might VOOM against the bars and be gone…
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
Remember...
... it is an EX-parrot!
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
Yes,
bereft of life, it now rests in peace.
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
Lovely Plumage!
The Lip - May 18, 2008
It was also very, very loooooooooonnnnggggg.....
DeRoMyHero - May 18, 2008
Happy to Be Wrong!
Going to the game today (and posting yesterday), I felt Marquis would implode in an inning, yet again. He did, yet made it through 6 innings. I am shocked. The 6th inning, facing LaRoche, he couldn’t close the deal with two outs and two strikes…but at least he stemmed the damage.
Personally, I’d rather see Marshall or Gallagher now, and make Marquis the 5th starter – or trade him altogether.
The E-Man - May 18, 2008
Keep in mind...
... that inning should have been over, and no run would have scored if not for DeRo’s error.
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
I was impressed
to see them win a game on only four hits. They took advantage of those walks. The team really looks good right now. I also had a bad feeling with Marquis going today, but he did a decent job.
qccub - May 18, 2008
I was impressed that they won....
when they looked so flat. No one was really ripping the ball, though the two sac flys (Soriano’s and I think, Onedec’s) were hit really well. Other than that, the hitters looked tired. It didn’t help that Dumatrait was all over the place, and was impossible to get a read on.
But, they did what good teams do, they took what they could get and made the most of it.
I hope Aram and DLee can wake up tomorrow night.
Cubfansince1957 - May 18, 2008
Correction. That's Reed Johnson's sac fly, not onedec's.
Cubfansince1957 - May 18, 2008
Cedeno singled in the run that tied it at 2.
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
Homestead
r u kidding me??? 8 out of 10 babyyyy!! i will take that every one this year and guarantee a shot at the you know what if we do this. beat em bad,beat em barely,claw or scratch em out.
just get the W and move on. extremely happy about this homestead.
i know its early and i’m gonna get flamed big time for this but this just may be the most pivotal time in this 2008 season. the other teams in the division are starting to struggle and for lack of better words. its time to put are foot on the divisions throat and kill em dead. we need distance and breathing room and nows the time.
lets get on the train to houston and stomp their little small fire right on out.
i wanna see just what the 2008 cubs got and i hope like heck its a killer instinct. so lets take care of business and start singing ding dong the centrals dead.
go cubbies!!
cubsluver22 - May 18, 2008
Surprising stat
DLEE and A-Ram 0-22 during the homestand. Even with this, their balance now got them an 8-2 record the last 10.
The E-Man - May 18, 2008
That's an unbelievable stat, just amazing!
Ilan - May 18, 2008
Pat made that same comment during the game today.
I was shocked when I heard it
Madison Cub Fan - May 18, 2008
When you have
Soriano driving in runs at the pace he was over this homestand, DLee and ARam are needed. But they do need to get themselves figured out soon because Soriano isn’t going to keep up this pace.
gwood - May 19, 2008
I wish somehow
we could get firing on all nine cylinders.
Imagine Lee, Aram and Dome hitting at the same time Sori, Soto and DeRo are. That’s dynasty baseball.
drewishdrewid - May 18, 2008
Let it happen in September!
HIGGY - May 19, 2008
continuing
into October!
JohnM - May 19, 2008
And November
If necessary!
Bump Bailey - May 19, 2008
I've always thought
that Baseball should be year round. LET’S PLAY TWELVE (months)!
drewishdrewid - May 19, 2008
Actually
They were 0-22 during the series, not the homestand, but still amazing.
OB - May 18, 2008
Showing all of us...
... how this team picks each other up; when its two best hitters are cold, others picked up the slack.
I really like this team.
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
Thank you!
I knew “during the homestand” couldn’t be accurate, but I didn’t have time to go back and figure it all out. As others have said, the fact that the hitters at the top and bottom of the lineup were able to pick those two up is a really encouraging sign about this team.
daver - May 18, 2008
It's just
fun right now.
sue369 - May 18, 2008
Today was...
Probably the most boring game out of the five or six I’ve been to this year. I understand that it’s baseball, but every time Jason Marquis pitches it just feels so looooong.
Or maybe I’m just scared that he’s gonna implode every time he pitches, and it makes the game feel longer. Who knows?
Keith - May 18, 2008
The latter.
Jason is not known as a particularly slow worker. In fact since he isn’t really a strikeout pitcher his at bats go pretty fast. Doesnt help if they keep hitting you all over the yeard, but today he only gave up 1 walk, 4 hits, 1 error.
Maybe it was the lack of extra base hits by the Cubs that had you bored? No Fonize bomb today.
californiachicagoan - May 18, 2008
I would LOVE to have that to complain about
but yep it is fun. Just makes the day a lil brighter :)
Madison Cub Fan - May 18, 2008
This ESPN sunday night game of the week is terrible
Mets and Yankees theme songs for at least the last 10 minutes, you can tell ESPN is just loving every minute of this
CubsBall2202 - May 18, 2008
Oh, joy.
I was hoping for a rainout.
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
Im watching it
painfully….
but without extra innings im trying to get as much baseball as i can. God plz be merciful and somehow make this commentary stop.
Rudey - May 18, 2008
I have two words for you....
“mute button”. That invention which was created expressly as the antidote to Jon Miller and Joe Morgan.
DeRoMyHero - May 18, 2008
Yep, give it a try some time. It's a very "pure" way to watch a game.
daver - May 18, 2008
Would be nice
but i really do enjoy the sounds of the game
Rudey - May 18, 2008
SAP
I have heard a rumor that you can switch your TV to spanish mode and sometimes it will remove the commentary while keeping game sounds. Never actually had that work for me. But even if you get spanish commentary you would be better off!
californiachicagoan - May 18, 2008
It used to work with FOX games, kind of...
With my stereo system, If I turned off my main (front) speakers and pumped the volume up on the rear speakers…I would hear only crowd & game noise.
I haven’t tried it a few years though…so that method may not work anymore. During FOX games nowadays, I just listen to whichever team’s broadcast is on XM radio.
MillsChC - May 18, 2008
Try listening to the ESPN radio broadcast
I think the radio team is much easier to listen to.
cowsarecool220 - May 18, 2008
Isn't it funny
that the computer scheduling is so warped? Yet the Yanks and Mets are hitting ESPN on Sunday night…
crazymountain - May 18, 2008
Got a question
catchers fielding stats.
I am reading it correctly that Jason Kendall is throwing out about 50% of the runners? That seems INCREDIBLY high.
Madison Cub Fan - May 18, 2008
.469 % rate
Yeah, it’s really high, and really good.
NittanyCub - May 18, 2008
That's extremely weird.
What is the explanation for this? How can you go from being one of the worst at throwing out runners, as he was last year, to one of the best? Makes no logical sense.
Al Yellon - May 18, 2008
According to THT, it's only 39.3% CS.
Which is still very good, mind you, and a vast improvement over last season.
The explanation? Dunno off the top of my head. Remember, though – you don’t just steal off the catcher, you steal off the battery. Maybe Brewers pitchers are really good at holding runners on.
cwyers - May 18, 2008
Well Soto is my favorite Cub this year… so I plan on checking on his fielding stats regularly so I will also check Kendalls and see if goes down.
Madison Cub Fan - May 18, 2008
I read somewhere tha Kendall
worked on fixing his mechanics over the off season. He was painfully aware of his performance and reputation and tried to do something about it. Good for him, if he was able to improve his game a little bit coming into a new job.
JohnM - May 19, 2008
And the high success rate so far
...might be down to the fact that many baserunners are still running on him, not convinced yet that he’s improved. Once he proves himself and gets a little more respect, his numbers will probably moderate to something more toward league average.
JohnM - May 19, 2008
Some games you win
when it ain’t pretty, and today was one of them. I agree with above once Lee and Ramirez get going this will be even a better hitting team. I like the idea of Cedeno gettting some starts.
Pirates announcers are borderline unlistenable, correction, don’t listen to them. Woody strikes out Paulino looking and the comment from, I believe Jim Rooker, ” That ball was at least an inch outside” An inch Jimbo, nice work. Woody strikes out Bixler looking to end it, and nothing for at least 10 seconds, then ” well Marquis gets his second win of the year….
Just horrible, And I thought the D-backs annoucners were bad .
Lets get 2 out of 3 in Houston fellas!!
Grockcubs - May 18, 2008
Another stat question
As I am looking @ Soto’s stats… it shows ground outs, flyout and strike outs. What percent does a player ideally want with that stat?
Madison Cub Fan - May 18, 2008
Nothing's necessarily better than anything other...
...when you’re talking about GO/FO/SO rates. There are reasons where you might want to know about that (although I’d rather look at a player’s fly ball and ground ball rate on all batted balls, not just on outs), but the value of an out is pretty much the same (flyouts are a little better than ground outs, which are a little better than strikeouts, but not enough so that you’d care 99% of the time).
cwyers - May 18, 2008
so it's a fairly useless stat
for the most part.
Madison Cub Fan - May 18, 2008
It's not totally useless
It might be useless in terms of comparing players, but that’s not all that statistics can be used for. It might help predict how well a batter will do in particular match-ups or in particular stadiums. It might be interesting when looking at how a hitter changes over his career. And a player might look at those numbers and notice what spread of trajectories he hits in when he’s playing well and poorly.
aldimond - May 18, 2008
Good Homestand
8 out 10 is a good homestand. After coming into the homestand not playing well, this is what the Dr. ordered. Even better 8 out of 9 vs. Pitt. With Pitt being only 2 games under .500, this is even better. This team is finding ways to win and fun to watch.
With a week on the road, 4 and 2 would be a great road trip. Just keep winning series.
FSArkCubsFan - May 18, 2008
not good
excellent. we’re playing immaculate baseball.
columbusOHcubsfan - May 18, 2008
The nice part
about this homestand is that we took 8 of 10, while not playing immaculate baseball, IMO. Lee and Aram going 0-fer in this series isn’t immaculate. Just imagine how well we will do once we are playing immaculate baseball.
gwood - May 19, 2008
yea but...
as a TEAM we were playing immaculate baseball
columbusOHcubsfan - May 21, 2008
marquis makes me nervous...
but he pitched ok today. a few shaky innings but kept us in the game and we won. that’s what we need.
columbusOHcubsfan - May 18, 2008
Got the job done but.......
Marquis was o.kish but I was glad the wind wasn’t blowing out, and a few of their batters missed connecting on the screws by a few millimeters….... would few liked to have seen a few more ground ball outs or two….. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth however….
James031 - May 18, 2008
A good spot in a bad day
Guys my friend’s sister lost her battle with cancer today. It has been a very tough day but it also emphasized baseball’s ability to take your mind off things even just for a few hours while putting wins and losses in perspective.
I want to take Soriano’s bat and bash cancer with it. I’ll settle for participating in various walks and such.
puckishcubsfan - May 18, 2008
My condolences
To you, your friend and the family
Shanghai Badger - May 18, 2008
Sorry to hear that.
You have my sympathy.
gary varsho - May 18, 2008
Hey, my best wishes to all of you. I'll make it a point to go on a 5k race or some such
fund-raising opportunity to battle against cancer. It’s touched all of us in some way.
zevkalman - May 18, 2008
Aww. Your family will be in my prayers.
northsider - May 18, 2008
My prayers to all....
crazymountain - May 18, 2008
Condolences to you and to your friend and her family.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
My thoughts and prayers go out to you all...
Tangled Up In Blue - May 19, 2008
I lost my father to cancer last New Year's Day.
You have my condolences. I know how you feel. I felt the same the way with wanting to take a bat to cancer.
inukjim - May 19, 2008
Thank you to all the responses
Thank you to all the responses. I just got back to the board for the first time since this post.
puckishcubsfan - May 20, 2008
mine also
Madison Cub Fan - May 18, 2008
Marmol
So Marmol has appeared in 22 of 44 games. I wouldn’t worry. Even if he ends up appearing in 81 games and throwing 95 innings, that’s not out of this world kind of numbers even for a modern-day relief pitcher, let alone compared with the numbers relievers put up 25 or 30 years ago (check Kent Tekulve’s stats). But you don’t have to go back that far to find relievers who take on this kind of work load. Heath Bell put up similar numbers last year for the Padres.
danimal15 - May 18, 2008
Just because ...
.... it was done that way 25 years ago, doesn’t mean it should happen that way today. The game is different today. We know that in a perfect world, you’d have every pitcher throw a CG every day.
Carlos Marmol isn’t Kent Tekulve, who was a submarine pitcher who threw the ball about 58 MPH.
We just don’t want to see Marmol’s arm blown out, especially with the torque he puts on it with that slider, and we don’t want to see him throwing the 9th inning of blowout games in May, because by September and October, he may not be throwing the way he is now, if that’s the way he’s going to be used.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
Agree we shouldn't waste him
in unimportant games. On Saturday, for instance, I was surprised that Lou brought him into a tie game in the 9th after Lieber pitched very effectively the previous inning (although it was against the lower part of the lineup). My strategy would have been to leave Lieber in for at least one more inning.
And I know you like teasing me, Al, but I’m not in favor of CGs every time out. Once every two or three weeks, however, a CG would sure save some arms in the pen – arms like Marmol’s.
danimal15 - May 19, 2008
Agreed with that.
And further agreed about Lieber on Saturday. There was really no point to bringing in Marmol at the time—Lieber was having a good outing and hadn’t thrown that many pitches, and was going to have to be batted for in the 9th anyway (if they hadn’t done the double-switch with Fontenot).
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
And now the long and winding road on the road begins...
Outstanding homestand. Things are really starting to click.
Observations…
Looks like Marquis has held onto his job in the rotation, at least for now. Good gritty performance on his behalf today.
I like Gallagher a lot. I think Piniella and Rothschild do too. If he can keep chipping away like he has then he just might be on the cusp of becoming “permanent” member of the rotation.
The sour news on Hill is disconcerting. The Cubs need Hill to get things sorted out at Iowa, as well as obviously stay healthy. I was hoping he could be back after the All Star break helping this team, but now I’m not so sure.
Regardless developments with Marquis, Gallagher and Hill I still strongly believe this team needs to be actively searching for a quality starting pitcher leading up to the deadline. Despite what too many of you think to the contrary, I want the drums for Rich Harden to beat loudly.
Thank you Soriano for waking up. I still can’t stand you in a Cub uniform, but at least the team has finally benefitted for a stretch from its $136 million investment. Write yourself a note to do this again come playoff time.
Big, big test for this ballclub coming up. The schedule has been bizarre to this point and the Cubs have played too big a crapload of home games already.
MDBNIU - May 18, 2008
Those aren't drums for Harden, those are surgeons and physicians ordering the sunroof option on their new Mercedes.
northsider - May 18, 2008
Exactly.
I’d put up the “beat a dead horse” picture again, but that would be beating a dead horse. The over/under on Harden getting hurt again is 4 more starts.
Besides, the A’s look to be a decent team this year, maybe even contending. Why would they trade Harden if he’s not hurt?
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
Yep.
102 pitches in 7 innings his last start. That shoulder is a ticking time bomb.
gary varsho - May 19, 2008
wow
big sarcastic claps to you for recognizing Soriano’s contribution. Without him, that’s a 5-5 homestand, not an 8-2 one. Maybe even 4-6.
Sheesh.
drewishdrewid - May 18, 2008
Then blow him an extra kiss if you'd like...
MDBNIU - May 18, 2008
recognize
that he’s a good ball-player.
And your signature is laughable.
drewishdrewid - May 18, 2008
MDBNIU,
you really are a horses ass…..whoops, didn’t mean to demean horses…..
crazymountain - May 18, 2008
MDBNIU, since you know all
why don’t you just take over spots 4 and 5 in the rotation?
crazymountain - May 18, 2008
Ah, the ol' bait and switch.
You sidestep the fact that the “guess-hitting hack” put the fear of God into the National League this past week and try to divert our attention with Rich Harden. It ain’t happenin’, son. I would hope that, if Hendry is smart enough to avoid getting a truckload of his propsects whisked away by Andy MacPhail, he’s smart enough not to let Billy Beane do it either.
By the way, isn’t Rich Hill on your “hate” list. Seems to me you’ve relegated him to a two-pitch throwing hack along with Sean Marshall. Now you seem to be waffling. Care to clarify?
daver - May 19, 2008
Marquis got bailed out
By the Pirates. I was following closely on Gameday and on several key moments of the game where he was in jams they bailed him out by swinging at pitches way outside. A better, more experienced team, would have let Marquis implode just like the Cubs let the Pirate pitcher give all those walks.
Luis - May 18, 2008
the wind helped too.
Marquis gave up several long fly-balls that were on the warning track. Marquis got lucky—not gritty.
drewishdrewid - May 18, 2008
Yeah, but...
Marquis did a decent job all things considered. Looks like Sweet Lou is going to going to stick with him in the rotation for now.
MDBNIU - May 18, 2008
Al,
even though you forgot the Overflow Thread I still don’t think you’re human.
Dave57 - May 18, 2008
I think that's a compliment, so thanks.
I’ll try to remember the overflow thread today.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
MDBNIU..
I would love to get Harden at the all star break as well. Would they bite on Hill (Zito), Gallagher (Hudson) and Cedeno?
ARAM FOR MVP - May 19, 2008
Just look at how many games Harden has started the last few years
Why? I’d prefer the Cubs just give Gallagher the opportunity.
rlpete - May 19, 2008
+1
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
indeed.
Especially considering Gally isn’t coming off the DL, is just starting his career, and if we treat him right, could be a long-term star for the team.
drewishdrewid - May 19, 2008
I'll say it again
Gally = not a good nickname.
Someone tried Big G. I liked it at first, but now I’m not so sure.
JohnM - May 19, 2008
Yeah, thumbs down on "Gally" from me, too.
I can’t think of an alternative at the moment.
daver - May 19, 2008
The best I can think of is . . .
Sean-G. Don’t think I like it thought
gwood - May 19, 2008
Kid G?
He’s not Kid K, of course…
drewishdrewid - May 19, 2008
Does he really need a nickname?
We sound like Hawk and DJ over here….
gary varsho - May 19, 2008
It's not a requirement
JohnM - May 19, 2008
nah.
he doesn’t, not really, Varshie. :P
drewishdrewid - May 19, 2008
Hahahaha....
gary varsho - May 19, 2008
I'd say, in honor of the last name...
....we call him Sean “Sledgehammer” Gallagher…..but that’s just me.
Chadnudj - May 19, 2008
LOL, I was trying to come up with a Gallagher reference, too, but couldn't quite go there.
I actually don’t mind “Sledgehammer”...though he’s not exactly a “power” pitcher, is he? Maybe I’m thinking too hard about this.
daver - May 19, 2008
SLEDGE HAMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hammer - May 19, 2008
Wow, that's a hell of a lot to give up...
...for a pitcher who’s a proven injury risk. No thanks.
daver - May 19, 2008
Exactly
We just got rid of our injury prone pitcher, why do we need another? More importantly, why give up two young guys (Gallagher and Cedeno) who look to be very important pieces of this team now, and possibly into the future, for a pitcher who is likely to be a repeat of Wood as a starter and the Employee?
gwood - May 19, 2008
Why can't i quit you?
I hope Johnny Cakes doesn’t leave to manage the Brewer. I wonder who would step in to do color on WGN?
louisiana lumberman - May 19, 2008
That's exactly the reason it won't happen.
First, the broadcasters don’t work for WGN, they work for the Cubs (since the games are on several different outlets). I can’t imagine the Cubs wanting to search for a replacement in the middle of a season.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
I think the broadcasters DO work for WGN...
at least according to the WGN Sports website, which has their blog:
http://blogs.trb.com/sports/custom/weblog/wgnsports/2007/02/
That, and the fact that they use WGN mikes and promo WGN shows lead me to believe they are WGN employees and not Cubs employees.
SouthernCub - May 19, 2008
When they are on
CSN they use CSN mikes and wear CSN shirts and coats. Len said in an interview he interviewed with John McDonough to get his broacasting job. McDonough was with the Cubs organization then. They use the mikes and wear the clothes of whoever is broadcasting the game.
sue369 - May 19, 2008
Agreed.
Just because WGN hosts their blog doesn’t make them WGN employees. I think Sue is right. They work for the Cubs.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
Fair enough
SouthernCub - May 19, 2008
I think
I think they’d let Bob interview but may make it harder to have him interview with a division rival.
I still think Detroit is more likely of a destination for him either now or in the offseason.
puckishcubsfan - May 20, 2008
Outlook is sunny in Texas and Pennsylvania...
...even though five of six of the games are night games, meaning I won’t be able to watch.
I like the Cubs’ chances for this road trip. In Houston, the Astros will be facing a different Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly firing on all cylinders, and Gallagher, who they’ve not faced and who is picking up steam as well (the Astros, for their part, are throwing Moehler, Sampson and Chacon). Either A-Ram or Lee is bound to break out of their slump, and I recalled A-Ram jacking many a HR over that short LF fence at Minute Maid (not to mention his Cub career dominance over his former team in Pittsburgh). For the Pirates series, Lou might skip Marquis again due to the off day, making it a Z-Train, Lilly and Dempster series. I’ll be disappointed if they don’t go 4-2 on this trip.
JohnM - May 19, 2008
Sampson...
... has been tough on the Cubs in his short career. I hope they’ve got a good scouting report on him.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
Yabbut
have you seen his game log this year? He hasn’t gotten past the fourth inning in half of his starts.
JohnM - May 19, 2008
Let's hope that continues on Tuesday.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
Wed forecast
High of 90, low of 73. I’m in town for business and will be at Minute Maid with my green Cubs hat and blue home Fukadome shirt screaming my allegience. We’re up against Shawn Chacon (does that rhyme??) who looks like a pitcher the Cubs should be all over. He looks like he gets stronger as the game goes on but gets pounced pretty good early on. Hasn’t allowed a leadoff HR yet….maybe Wed will be the night.
iluvryno - May 19, 2008
Len and Bob
thought that Dome would like those LF boxes as well.
drewishdrewid - May 19, 2008
Al -
Alright i have to ask why compare the walk numbers to 2006 instead of last year? I know i know Dusty and his clogging the bases, but honestly how many guys in the starting lineup are the same from 2006???
Aramis? You really cant even say DLee played that year he was hurt most of the season. I just think it is silly to continue to go back to Dusty and his team. THEY ARE DIFFERENT TEAMS WITH DIFFERENT PLAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HIGGY - May 19, 2008
I'm with you Higgy
We all agree that Dusty didn’t preach patience at the plate. If we want to do comps let do it vs our previous couple seasons of ‘being close to the big prize’. Not 2006…..rather 2003 and 2007.
iluvryno - May 19, 2008
Well...
...it doesn’t appear Dusty’s influence has reduced the Reds walk rate through 43 games. Compared to 07, the Reds are actually drawing 3.5 walks per game this year compared to 3.3 walks per game last year.
MPH73 - May 19, 2008
Agreed...
Piniella wouldn’t have been any more successful with the 2006 team than Baker was.
The difference I see is that Piniella seems to have a better understanding of OBP than Baker, and thus his influence on player personnel moves has been more positive than Baker. He also has a better understanding of the value of avoiding walks and throwing strikes, unlike Baker.
Another difference is that Baker wouldn’t try new things when it was clear that the status quo wasn’t working. Piniella doesn’t have that problem.
They have their similarities, too (lack of patience with young players, for example), but there are definite differences. Baker definitely gets more blame than he deserves in 2006, but he certainly wasn’t helping the situation.
SouthernCub - May 19, 2008
Bingo
And therin lies the problem with Baker—worse decisions on talent.
Shanghai Badger - May 19, 2008
Good assesment...
...and besides Piniella’s obvious strength in evaluating a players ability, he has also instilled a culture of; if you produce you play. If you don’t, you don’t play. This culture creates expectations of performance that I really think lacked in Dusty’s last couple of years.
What Piniella’s influence does, is weed out the players who are either not ready to perform with those expectations, or simply don’t do as well under pressure. This is called instilling a winning atmosphere.
MPH73 - May 19, 2008
excellent analysis
I couldn’t agree more
Emelie - May 19, 2008
Samardzija getting shelled:
Samardzija has struggled mightily this year: 43 1/3 IP, 47 H, 27 R, 27 ER, 29 BB, 24 SO and a 5.61 ERA. Those numbers include the results of his two outings this week, in which Samardzija lasted a combined six innings, allowing 16 hits and 13 runs (all earned) for an 18.87 ERA with three strikeouts and an alarming nine walks.
Itchy - May 19, 2008
page down?????
i have tried to get the c or z to work. it doesnt move anything.
is there something one has to do to get it work
Madison Cub Fan - May 19, 2008
Every once in a while
it doesn’t work for me either. I end up logging out and then in again and it seems to work.
tucsoncubsfan - May 19, 2008
Send this to...
... bugreport (at) sbnation (dot) com. I have noticed this intermittently as well.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2008
questions about expanding my knowledge of the basement
now c works z still doesnt work. but i’ll settle for c working.
thanks for the idea.
also im curious… Offensive stats I have a pretty good understanding of. i’ve never been much into defense stats besdies the basic ones. i’d like to learn more about them.
is there anyone who knows somethings i could read about it. or even someone who won’t mind me peppering them with some questions.
thanks
heidi
Madison Cub Fan - May 19, 2008
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