This team is still gonna have a great chance to do some really good things, but they need to get their heads out of their asses.
Alfonso Soriano may be a frustrating hitter who makes fans go crazy but he is sooooo important to this offense. It gets Theriot in the 2-hole where he gets to see some better pitches (he has been great tho). It gets Fukudome back in the 5 spot where he has been at his best. Lou cannot possibly justify Soriano not starting LF tomorrow night.
Sorry, but I think Fukudome should have been the pinch hitter in the 8th with Edmonds at first. The reason is two-fold:
1) He’s more likely to stay out of the double play. 2) He’s a superior right fielder.
Yes, Ward could have put the Cubs in the lead with one swing, but you could see his bat just dripping the DP sap. DeRo played the Drew ball cleanly, but Fukudome likely makes a better throw to the cut off man, perhaps keeping the run from scoring.
Over the past few weeks I’ve seen a number of “head scratchers” with Lou, and in each case he’s chosen poorly. We’ll never know if these substitutions would have made a difference, but when the team is not playing well, he must push all the right buttons.
One of the most (if not the most) frustrating games of the year tonight.
You could get the sense of frustration from BCB community too. Lots of unjustified heated arguements. Our bats were dismal again. Hopefully we’ll come out and get them tomorrow, and Soriano will provide a much needed spark. Harden pitched an amazing game. Not much to be said about him, he is as advertised (hopefully minus the DL stint). Let’s just hope we can get him another win (come Sunday?)
and saw that. Lee has still been hitting doubles, but his power stroke is way off again. I told my wife right before that DP that he would ground into one. You could feel it.
however, D. Lee and J. Edmonds have both been on W.S. championship clubs. Those two, along with Lou, need to lead this team through this stretch. They know what it takes to go all the way, so they need to be a calming force to the other fellas, as well as kick them in the ass when necessary. I honestly do not worry about D. Lee, it’s Ramirez that’s got me scratching my head. What happened? Is he still having struggles at home?
the fact of the matter is all the Cubs need to do is make the playoffs. Once you’re in, it’s a whole new season and the hottest team goes to the finals. That’s how I’m looking at this, just make the playoffs, wildcard wIll get it done fine IMO. So, even if the Brewers should overtake them, which is not a sure thing by any stretch, all the Cubs need to do is make the wild card.
it was a pitcher’s duel all night and that’s fine. It stinks because we finally got to their crappy BP and didn’t do anything with them. Qualls was one hit away from letting us blow it wide open in the 9th. Lee rolls into his 1,499th DP this season and A Ram continues his hitting woes. There you have it.
That’s what the Cubs could use. A double feature of their 1st half highlights followed by “The Dark Knight”. A little reminder of what got them where they are followed by some mindless fun to get ‘em loose.
I’d recommend Charlie Grimm and his banjo but Jolly Cholly has since joined the Choir Invisible.
the All Star break came at a time when they really needed it and they start the 2nd half like this? I would have thought they would have come out stroking the ball, refreshed and ready to grind out the rest of the season. They look dead tired already. They broke out on Sunday, but you would hope so, I mean, it’s only the Astros.
but we better start hitting on the road or we’ll be looking at a new Central division leader this weekend. Johnson looked like the Randy of old tonight, I tip my cap to him. We still should have gotten runs off of Owings and Qualls.
I know tonight was a frustrating loss—I was frustrated, too. But the overreaction to it by a lot of people here is nauseating. We’re four games into the second half. The lead didn’t shrink tonight. It’s been a great season so far.
Slumps are part of the game. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to have one right after the ASB, but … then again, baseball is a funny game.
(BTW, getting schooled by Randy Johnson is tolerable. Getting schooled by Brian Moehler isn’t.)
Perspective is key here. Many Cubs fans seem to be lacking it. I understand this franchise’s past, but that has nothing - NOTHING - to do with this team. Leave it alone.
I get pissed after a loss, ANY Cubs loss, but watching them lose here stings a little more. I also can’t help my gut feelings when certain situations come up and the hitter fails as I felt he was. I take no joy in that, just that the letdown is greater because I am hoping he will succeed.
I will be cheering them on tomorrow night, and hopefully we can win and start winning more consistently on the road.
I’ll have to withstand the “how did the Cubs do last night?” jeers from the guys at work tomorrow.
A lot happens in baseball that even the newest of sabermetrics can’t explain. Although it seems to me that we don’t win on the road largely because of key contributors having such ugly splits:
The only thing that’s really different is that the Cubs bat in the first half of each inning. Other than that (and a few contrived “nuances” in the dimensions of road ballparks) it’s the same game on the same field.
Superstition? Not “sleeping in your own bed”? Who knows? Better yet, who or what can change the perception that the road is an unfriendly place?
but I think we don’t play well in any of the domes, especially when the roofs are closed. Tonight, I think we would have hit 3 or 4 HR’s if it wasn’t 101° and the roof and outfield panels open.
This road obsession is ridiculous. The last few years, all I’ve heard is bitching about how the Cubs can’t win at home but can win on the road. Now it’s reversed.
It doesn’t matter to me where the Cubs win, so long as they do.
has changed from one year to the next. I doubt there is any one clear way to explain it other than it happens. I have faith they will get things turned around at when the time is right.
and there was a post the other day listing 4 “win”s that turned into losses by poor play late in the game. I think overall, they even out. We won a few games late where we had no business winning them. You compete until the final out is made and that’s baseball. Our problem is that we don’ t bring our hitting strokes on the road for some reason.
and they showed some from Lou’s post game press conference and he is pissed about the lack of hitting. He said he’s tired of seeing them rip the ball in batting practice and then do nothing during the games. Good. hope it helps.
batting practice tomorrow. He just can’t understand how they can hit the ball out during practice and not in the games. I don’t understand it either. Hopefully he said these things to the team and we sill see some runs tomorrow.
If all it takes for this team to wake up is sorianos return then throw him in the lineup tomorrow
My god the cardinals lost pujols for 2 weeks and he is 10 times better offensively than soriano and that offense didnt miss a beat, and to be honest we are head over heels better than the cardinals in terms of offensive talent. What this team lacks is mental toughness
Where’s the fire? Johnson isn’t an All Star and we got 2 hits? Pathetic. No more excuses, just go out and start proving you are better than this team that kicked your last year in the playoffs!! How can anyone believe this year is any different than last when the same guys don’t show up when it counts. We can’t keep wasting these great pitching performances. This road crap has got to stop or we can forget any playoffs.
Lee closes
gocubs40 - July 21, 2008
with A-Ram.
nji232 - July 21, 2008
This team is still gonna have a great chance to do some really good things, but they need to get their heads out of their asses.
Alfonso Soriano may be a frustrating hitter who makes fans go crazy but he is sooooo important to this offense. It gets Theriot in the 2-hole where he gets to see some better pitches (he has been great tho). It gets Fukudome back in the 5 spot where he has been at his best.
Lou cannot possibly justify Soriano not starting LF tomorrow night.
nji232 - July 21, 2008
well.
he can justify it. I want to see Soriano play game action in the OF before he comes back to the bigs.
I’d like DeRosa in the 2 spot. but maybe thats just me.
halfblindcubbiegirl - July 22, 2008
More Questionable Moves by Lou
Sorry, but I think Fukudome should have been the pinch hitter in the 8th with Edmonds at first. The reason is two-fold:
1) He’s more likely to stay out of the double play.
2) He’s a superior right fielder.
Yes, Ward could have put the Cubs in the lead with one swing, but you could see his bat just dripping the DP sap. DeRo played the Drew ball cleanly, but Fukudome likely makes a better throw to the cut off man, perhaps keeping the run from scoring.
Over the past few weeks I’ve seen a number of “head scratchers” with Lou, and in each case he’s chosen poorly. We’ll never know if these substitutions would have made a difference, but when the team is not playing well, he must push all the right buttons.
tville - July 21, 2008
One of the most (if not the most) frustrating games of the year tonight.
You could get the sense of frustration from BCB community too. Lots of unjustified heated arguements. Our bats were dismal again. Hopefully we’ll come out and get them tomorrow, and Soriano will provide a much needed spark. Harden pitched an amazing game. Not much to be said about him, he is as advertised (hopefully minus the DL stint). Let’s just hope we can get him another win (come Sunday?)
Night.
GoCubbies34 - July 21, 2008
I think all this "sky is falling" talk is ridiculous...
but it’s worth pointing out that D-Lee hasn’t homered since the 1st game of that White Sox series at Wrigley, on June 20.
WartburgCub - July 21, 2008
We are getting our All-Star left fielder back. The sky will be picked back up.
nji232 - July 21, 2008
Yeah, I'm
hoping all the ledge jumpers stay in the other thread.
sue369 - July 21, 2008
I looked that up the other day
and saw that. Lee has still been hitting doubles, but his power stroke is way off again. I told my wife right before that DP that he would ground into one. You could feel it.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Completely agree.
I was chanting “don’t hit into a doubleplay, don’t hit into a doubleplay, don’t hit into a doubleplay…” right at my TV.
WartburgCub - July 21, 2008
If he gets a hit there, I bet we score 3 or 4 in the inning. Qualls is crap.
Lee bailed him out and now the middling Snakes have some confidence.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
It was such a crap pitch too...
2-0 pitch WAY inside
WartburgCub - July 21, 2008
Derrek Lee is a quality ballplayer, but he is not the superstar some make him out to be
Therein lies the crux of the problem. Too many Cub fans (myself included) have too great of expectations on Derrek Lee.
MDBNIU - July 21, 2008
Very true,
however, D. Lee and J. Edmonds have both been on W.S. championship clubs. Those two, along with Lou, need to lead this team through this stretch. They know what it takes to go all the way, so they need to be a calming force to the other fellas, as well as kick them in the ass when necessary. I honestly do not worry about D. Lee, it’s Ramirez that’s got me scratching my head. What happened? Is he still having struggles at home?
Mr W - July 21, 2008
HRs Since The Break
Am I right, that the only tater hit was Fontenot’s yesterday?
CaliCub - July 21, 2008
We shouldn't have to live and die via the long ball....but we are
MDBNIU - July 21, 2008
Edmonds
gocubs40 - July 22, 2008
Although this loss stinks to high heaven,
the fact of the matter is all the Cubs need to do is make the playoffs. Once you’re in, it’s a whole new season and the hottest team goes to the finals. That’s how I’m looking at this, just make the playoffs, wildcard wIll get it done fine IMO.
So, even if the Brewers should overtake them, which is not a sure thing by any stretch, all the Cubs need to do is make the wild card.
Mr W - July 21, 2008
I don't think this loss stinks to high heaven
it was a pitcher’s duel all night and that’s fine. It stinks because we finally got to their crappy BP and didn’t do anything with them. Qualls was one hit away from letting us blow it wide open in the 9th. Lee rolls into his 1,499th DP this season and A Ram continues his hitting woes. There you have it.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Movie Night!
That’s what the Cubs could use. A double feature of their 1st half highlights followed by “The Dark Knight”. A little reminder of what got them where they are followed by some mindless fun to get ‘em loose.
I’d recommend Charlie Grimm and his banjo but Jolly Cholly has since joined the Choir Invisible.
CaliCub - July 21, 2008
I can't figure them out
the All Star break came at a time when they really needed it and they start the 2nd half like this? I would have thought they would have come out stroking the ball, refreshed and ready to grind out the rest of the season. They look dead tired already. They broke out on Sunday, but you would hope so, I mean, it’s only the Astros.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Welp
At least they waited until July to swoon. Maybe Alfonso can help them out for a few weeks until his next catastrophic injury.
jmomls - July 21, 2008
Hopefully this isn't a swoon
but we better start hitting on the road or we’ll be looking at a new Central division leader this weekend. Johnson looked like the Randy of old tonight, I tip my cap to him. We still should have gotten runs off of Owings and Qualls.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
The Cubs do have three home games
against the Marlins this weekend.
Not Bruce Froemming - July 21, 2008
Make that 4
CubsBall2202 - July 21, 2008
And that's a good thing?
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
True, we havent beat the marlins since 05
CubsBall2202 - July 21, 2008
2006 April 25,actually
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Oh ya, i believe jacque jones hit the go ahead homer that game
and Z broke a bat over his knee
CubsBall2202 - July 21, 2008
2-10 against them the last 2 years.
And that’s when they sucked. They are a better team this year.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Well, let's just pack it in
Christ on a bike.
Not Bruce Froemming - July 22, 2008
I can't take the negativity
I know tonight was a frustrating loss—I was frustrated, too. But the overreaction to it by a lot of people here is nauseating. We’re four games into the second half. The lead didn’t shrink tonight. It’s been a great season so far.
Slumps are part of the game. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to have one right after the ASB, but … then again, baseball is a funny game.
(BTW, getting schooled by Randy Johnson is tolerable. Getting schooled by Brian Moehler isn’t.)
Perspective is key here. Many Cubs fans seem to be lacking it. I understand this franchise’s past, but that has nothing - NOTHING - to do with this team. Leave it alone.
Tomorrow is another day.
Not Bruce Froemming - July 21, 2008
I agree
I get pissed after a loss, ANY Cubs loss, but watching them lose here stings a little more. I also can’t help my gut feelings when certain situations come up and the hitter fails as I felt he was. I take no joy in that, just that the letdown is greater because I am hoping he will succeed.
I will be cheering them on tomorrow night, and hopefully we can win and start winning more consistently on the road.
I’ll have to withstand the “how did the Cubs do last night?” jeers from the guys at work tomorrow.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Well Said (Not) Bruce
A lot happens in baseball that even the newest of sabermetrics can’t explain. Although it seems to me that we don’t win on the road largely because of key contributors having such ugly splits:
Fukudome – .213 road AVG, .311 road OBP
DeRosa – .236 road AVG, .312 road OBP
Ramirez – .218 road AVG, .263 road OBP
Until these guys heat up, it might be worth rethinking the idea of shuffling the lineup so the better road hitters occupy the middle of the order.
CaliCub - July 21, 2008
It really doesn't make sense, baseball is a game it really shouldn't matter where it is played
It’s like were playing a completely different sport on the road
CubsBall2202 - July 21, 2008
Funny, Isn't It?
The only thing that’s really different is that the Cubs bat in the first half of each inning. Other than that (and a few contrived “nuances” in the dimensions of road ballparks) it’s the same game on the same field.
Superstition? Not “sleeping in your own bed”? Who knows? Better yet, who or what can change the perception that the road is an unfriendly place?
CaliCub - July 21, 2008
I don't have any numbers, just perception
but I think we don’t play well in any of the domes, especially when the roofs are closed. Tonight, I think we would have hit 3 or 4 HR’s if it wasn’t 101° and the roof and outfield panels open.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
two words...
No Curfew! ;-)
ballhawk - July 22, 2008
Lou cancelled
batting practice for tomorrow. He’s not a happy camper.
sue369 - July 22, 2008
Here's the thing
This road obsession is ridiculous. The last few years, all I’ve heard is bitching about how the Cubs can’t win at home but can win on the road. Now it’s reversed.
It doesn’t matter to me where the Cubs win, so long as they do.
Not Bruce Froemming - July 22, 2008
I agree
Now can they please start doing that soon?
Mapmaker - July 22, 2008
It's funny how it
has changed from one year to the next. I doubt there is any one clear way to explain it other than it happens. I have faith they will get things turned around at when the time is right.
sue369 - July 22, 2008
Whens the next time we play the pirates?
CubsBall2202 - July 21, 2008
Don't matter...
You remember a certain outfielder dropping a fly ball in the OF, grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory there?
There are NO pushovers on the road for the Cubs. What are they now – nine games under .500 on the road?
The E-Man - July 21, 2008
8 games under
and there was a post the other day listing 4 “win”s that turned into losses by poor play late in the game. I think overall, they even out. We won a few games late where we had no business winning them. You compete until the final out is made and that’s baseball. Our problem is that we don’ t bring our hitting strokes on the road for some reason.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
August 1-3
sue369 - July 22, 2008
Goodnight all
Gotta get’em tomorrow!
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
night John
sue369 - July 22, 2008
Sports Nite is on
and they showed some from Lou’s post game press conference and he is pissed about the lack of hitting. He said he’s tired of seeing them rip the ball in batting practice and then do nothing during the games. Good. hope it helps.
sue369 - July 22, 2008
what else did he say in the press conference.
Madison Cub Fan - July 22, 2008
He also cancelled
batting practice tomorrow. He just can’t understand how they can hit the ball out during practice and not in the games. I don’t understand it either. Hopefully he said these things to the team and we sill see some runs tomorrow.
sue369 - July 22, 2008
If all it takes for this team to wake up is sorianos return then throw him in the lineup tomorrow
My god the cardinals lost pujols for 2 weeks and he is 10 times better offensively than soriano and that offense didnt miss a beat, and to be honest we are head over heels better than the cardinals in terms of offensive talent. What this team lacks is mental toughness
CubsBall2202 - July 22, 2008
Flat, completely flat.
Where’s the fire? Johnson isn’t an All Star and we got 2 hits? Pathetic. No more excuses, just go out and start proving you are better than this team that kicked your last year in the playoffs!! How can anyone believe this year is any different than last when the same guys don’t show up when it counts. We can’t keep wasting these great pitching performances. This road crap has got to stop or we can forget any playoffs.
Itchy - July 22, 2008
We're becoming eerily similar to the 07 brewers, like it or not
CubsBall2202 - July 22, 2008
Sometimes you just get beat
Lots of good contact (at least from the cracks i heard thru the radio) and really nice plays overall from their defense.
Sucks to lose the first game of a series, especially when we got such a great outing from our starter… but it happens.
I just hope Rami’s bat wakes up.. we miss ya, buddy!! Jet lag from the plane home to the DR, maybe?
halfblindcubbiegirl - July 22, 2008
They'll turn things
around. It’s not good that they started the second half on the wrong foot but they will get things together. We’ll keep cheering them on won’t we?
sue369 - July 22, 2008
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