Lou Piniella said he expects the club to bring up at least outfielder Felix Pie and pitcher Kevin Hart from Iowa once they're done with the AAA playoffs.I've heard different. We'll see.
Rich Harden said Monday he'd rather be pitching but that he agrees with the Cubs' decision to rest him until next Tuesday's series opener in St. Louis.
The Cubs say they're playing it cautiously with Harden's right shoulder, which put him on the disabled list earlier this year when he was with Oakland.
"Yeah, let's make sure I'm feeling good and fresh for the stretch here, the last few games," said Harden, who is 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA as a Cub since coming over from the A's in July. "I've been feeling pretty good. I haven't felt too much strain or anything from throwing the ball.
"With a couple of days off, I definitely feel stronger. It can make a difference, especially late in the season when you get a little tired. I really want to be out there, but I agree with it."
In their last 14 home games, the Cubs are 8-6.
In their last 14 road games, the Cubs are 13-1.
Maybe the home/road split this month will work out after all.
There! That ought to keep you busy till gametime tonight.
0 recs | 265 comments
First!
Let’s start winning again!
bergs55 - September 2, 2008
Right now I'm thinking
get wins and Brewers losses to get that magic number dropping fast. I am very anxious to see how Z pitches tonight.
mrcubsfan - September 2, 2008
Are we sure that Z will go?
Just wondering if a few more day’s rest is in order.
Ihatethecards - September 2, 2008
Z is scheduled to go tonight, yes.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2008
Any idea what the rotation will be for the next 5 days?
I’ll be at the game on Sunday in Cinci and was wondering who’d take the ball.
Jettero2112 - September 2, 2008
Zambrano
According to ESPN
(Take with a grain of salt, but that would be 4 days’ rest.)
Shanghai Badger - September 2, 2008
The IMPORTANT Magic Number is 15
For a playoff spot.
The division MN of 21 is nice, but relatively insignificant.
Goat Whisperer - September 2, 2008
I disagree
Wild card = no home field advantage in any playoff series
Best NL record = home field advantage in NLDS, NLCS
Shanghai Badger - September 2, 2008
+1
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
Those would be nice
but when stacked against getting into the playoffs…. relatively insignificant.
Goat Whisperer - September 2, 2008
Yes, getting in is important
See: 2006 Tigers, AL Champions & late collapse to wild card
Still, I don’t think any of us would be happy with losing a 4 1/2 game lead with 24 to play.
Shanghai Badger - September 2, 2008
...
Wrigley is our secret weapon. I think having home field advantage will mean a LOT to this team.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
Home field
advantage would be huge for ths team.
sue369 - September 2, 2008
Considering how well this team...
…has played at home this year, I’m not sure how you can say having home field advantage is even relatively insignificant. Then again, they have improved their road record as of late. In any case, I want them to win the division.
daver - September 2, 2008
The right strategy is being employed with Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano
Rich Harden is here to serve as shutdown ace when it counts the most. With a several game lead in the standings and the fallback option of the NL wildcard clearly being handed to a NL Central team?? Yeah, it makes sense to get Harden (and Zambrano) in the best possible physical shape for a lengthy October baseball run.
I want a refreshed Harden when he goes up against Brendan Webb in game 1 of the playoffs. I want a rested and at peace Zambrano when he faces the Big Unit. I want a continuance of the Ryan Dempster we have seen all season when he faces Danny Haren. And for good measure I want Ted Lilly to be the dagger to the heart of the Arizona D’Backs in the event it is too soon for Harden to go again.
MDBNIU - September 2, 2008
+1
I said yesterday in another post Lou was setting things up with rest to go into the final 13 games as strong as he could. With the 3 off days coming up and skipping some turns, this is the only time to rest people. Yes, it may hurt us in the short term, but long term this is the correct gamble.
mrcubsfan - September 2, 2008
So you've shuffled both teams' rotations...
From Webb/Haren/Unit to Webb/Unit/Haren…and Z/Demp/Harden to Harden/Z/Demp?
dtpollitt - September 2, 2008
harden/z/demp
is the way i would set the lineup
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
that puts Dempster pitching
away from home.
Z, Demp, Harden. That ensures Harden is rested, lets Demp pitch at home, and puts our top Ace out there first, bringing the dynamite.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
Over Dempster's last 10 outings
He is 2-2 with a 3.34 ERA at home and 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA on the road. Your misconceptions about Dempster’s need to pitch at home are vastly overblown.
WashUBearCub - September 2, 2008
I don't think they are.
Don’t cherry pick. His first ten wins came at home.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
It's not cherry picking.
Dempster has pitched well the entire season. The fact that he won his first ten games at home have more to do with the Cubs being a far better home team than on the road in the beginning of the year.
Plus, his recent performances are a better indicator on how he will pitch in October than his early season starts.
WashUBearCub - September 2, 2008
+1
His home-away splits have been vastly overblown. His performance in the away games has not matched his record. The team played poorly in his road losses.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
pitching harden first
almost gurantees he will pitch twice
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
Little fuzzy on the schedule
but if something fluky happens and we need a game 4, doesnt harden have to come back on short rest?
I don’t like that.
halfblindcubbiegirl - September 2, 2008
he keeps forgetting that.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
My rotation for the playoffs would be
Demps/Z/Harden
unless Z gets his shit together and remembers that he’s Zambrano.
halfblindcubbiegirl - September 2, 2008
Playing along
Harden would throw Game 1 on Oct. 1 versus Webb.
Zambrano would throw Game 2 on Oct. 2 versus Johnson
Dempster would throw Game 3 on Oct. 4 versus Haren
Oct. 5 is Game 4
Oct. 7 is Game 5
So yes, it would be short rest. Better to start him in Game 2, IMO.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
you guys are right
are we all agreeing lilly doesn’t get a starting spot in the playoffs?
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
Depends
If you started Harden in Game 1, I think you have to throw Lilly in Game 4 (if necessary), especially if you’re playing in a big park (like Dodger Stadium).
If the Cubs made the NLCS, I could throwing him in Game 4, depending on the situation.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
which is one reason
you don’t start Harden in game one.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
Oh, I know
I’ve been building case for him throwing Game 2.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Why not worry about the playoff rotation in mid-to-late September?
You know, when we’ll all have a much better idea about whom the Cubs will be playing. Yes, right now it appears to be Arizona, but plannning a playoff rotation on September 2 seems a little foolhardy.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
bc it's 9 hours til game time
and we need something to discuss
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
understandable
but I hate this playoff projection business, especially coming off a loss. Stirs the nervous Cubs fan in me.
Personally, I’m pulling for LA to get into the playoffs. So can we talk about the merits of Lowe/Kershaw/Kuroda/Billingsley/Maddux?
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
I answered the question about resting Harden and Zambrano
Implied within is getting best prepared for October baseball. Cubs are not in a mode of looking at each game as a must-win right now.
MDBNIU - September 2, 2008
well then don't read it!
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
and good morning to you, sir.
guess i should have put the sarcasm sign up somewhere along the way.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
me too
haha
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
here we go
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
i don't get it
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
see now you're getting me confused
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
picture pwnage
daver - September 2, 2008
Totally agree.
DGU - September 2, 2008
Three-Game Losing Streak
It’s nice to still to be up by 4.5 games after losing three in a row. It’s better to have a three-game skid now than in the playoffs.
memphiscub - September 2, 2008
+1
and, the magic number still went down (ablbeit by only 1 during that time).
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
that was exactly what i said yesterday
“well, if we’re gonna struggle in Sept, lets get it over w/ now”.
halfblindcubbiegirl - September 2, 2008
Ready to win
Man I’m surprised I haven’t seen the old jumping off the Sears Tower post yet
carolinacub - September 2, 2008
I'll be racing up Sears Tower
in November… I’ll let you know if I spot our regulars along the way. I hope not, instead I hope they’ll still be celebrating our phantasmagorical 08 season.
Emelie - September 2, 2008
I think I see my dad.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2008
I can see
my house from here!
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
I'm waiting for a comment about Harden's quote...
“I haven’t felt too much strain or anything from throwing the ball.” Someone will over analyze.
I am also excited to see Z pitch tonight, he needs to have a good first inning to ensure he doesn’t have an early anger attack.
slocs55 - September 2, 2008
+1
it really helps z to get out of the first inning clean
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
Wow, surprised to see Al's more informed about Sept call ups than Lou
snley - September 2, 2008
Al, you mentioned that you heard something different,
I’m curious, what have your heard? (Or is it top secret?)
cowsarecool220 - September 2, 2008
Just that he won't be recalled.
FWIW, the PCL playoffs could go on until September 14, and if Iowa wins it, till September 16.
I can’t see them bothering to call up those two for the last 10 days. Kind of pointless.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2008
I imagine...
That HE refers to Pie?
Ryan at Cubshub - September 2, 2008
Why would a vauluable player (IMO) like Pie stay in AAA for the playoffs?
…I mean the AAA playoffs are totally meaningless exercise, so is that due to a shortage of players?
If so, that speaks volumes about how Lou feels about Pie.
JB 23 - September 2, 2008
Agreed.
Bring Pie up to pitch run or play defense late.
slocs55 - September 2, 2008
they literally cannot play
if he’s not there, they only have three outfielders.
I don’t know enough about the AA system to say if they can call someone up to replace him or not.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
I think Sam Fuld is available down in AA
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
and the conundrum is exposed! :P
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
Good morning to you, too!
Very nice comment.
dtpollitt - September 2, 2008
it's fun to come back and win games
but i’m ready to see us jump out to a 5-0 lead within the first three innings
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
100% agree
that is all we should need tonight is 3 or 4 early runs for Z.
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
Yeah, I'm getting a little tired...
…of waiting around for the Comeback Cubs. Let’s hope that tonight they start being the Get-ahead, Stay-ahead Cubs.
daver - September 2, 2008
Just thinking out loud this morning
what do people think about a six man rotation for the month of Sept. to get our guys a little extra rest?
The Cubs want to be cautious with Harden, and it would probably help Z’s tired arm a little too. Throw marshal out there every sixth day and give all of our starters a little extra rest.
gwood - September 2, 2008
I think we are effectively gonna get a 6 or 7 man rotation
With various starters being pushed back and shuffled around. Marshall or Lieber may start a game or two. I’m sure it will be hard to know what the regular “rotation” is until those last series against the Mets and Brewers, setting up for the playoffs.
Dan
dtpollitt - September 2, 2008
The four and a half game lead
allows us to be a little more flexible. I, personally, would like to see Marshall and/or Lieber out there for a couple starts each this month. I think it will help all of our pitchers down the stretch.
gwood - September 2, 2008
it's a thin line
sure we want to rest our guys as much as possible, however i don’t want to see us let our foot off the gas and lose home field advantage bc of it
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
+1
There is still a lot of time left and I don’t want the Cubs to back into the playoffs. Be cautious but things can change quickly. If the Mets didn’t pull that victory out yesterday there would be a lot of Cubs fans jumping off the ledge right now with the lead shrinking to 3.5 games.
slocs55 - September 2, 2008
plus you don't want to be losing going into the playoffs
you wanna have the big MO
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
The big MO aka P
For you science nerds out there.
slocs55 - September 2, 2008
Hard to argue with Pinella's Handling of pitchers
I have no beef with how Harden and Z have been handled. The reality is, assuming Z can regain some form of normalcy – that few of us are really worried about this team’s pitching. Sure, certain members of the bullpen (Cotts) look clueless at times, but as far as the guys that will be called up on in the playoffs to start and relieve everyone has to feel pretty good.
The offense on the other hand is very concerning. What happened the past 5 games is exactly what we saw happen against AZ in last year’s playoffs. How many good SP has this offense gotten to the past couple months outside of Sheets and CC? A pretty short list. Now good SP are good for a reason, but I think there is serious reason for concern that the offense seems to go into collective funks for games at a time and to have them get manhandled at Wrigley the past 5 games but decent (but not great) starting pitchers is a flashing danger sign for the playoffs.
BeltwayCubsFan - September 2, 2008
I disagree
I heard the same thing from fans calling in to Corey Provis on WGN radio post game, the Cubs have 85 wins, I can’t recall all the good SP they have beat but there must be a few in there.
slocs55 - September 2, 2008
Dan Haren and Jake Peavy come immediately to mind, and
I believe Roy Halladay as well.
philadelphiacub - September 2, 2008
They beat Oswalt on April 5.
Of course, he was apparently dealing with a lot of injuries earlier in the season.
daver - September 2, 2008
They have beaten
Harang on 4/15, 5/6 and 7/8, Haren on 5/9, Peavy on 5/14, Halladay on 6/14, Sheets on 7/29.
Those are probably the best they’ve beaten – I left out Glavine, Doug Davis, Cueto, Carpenter, Kuroda and Billingsley, too.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Well, one could quibble...
…with Harang’s name on that list. He’s just had an awful year.
daver - September 2, 2008
yeah, i did too.
but prior to this year, he’d pitched pretty well versus the cubs. and three wins against him this year is pretty solid.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Yeah, he was definitely a great pitcher '05 through '07.
daver - September 2, 2008
Either way,
I think the Cubs have beaten some good pitchers this season. Better to have the bats go a little quiet now than in October.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
What cracks me up
Is all the people calling up radio stations saying, “The Cubs don’t hit good pitchers!”
Most don’t, at least not consistently. That’s WHY they are good pitchers!!!
Shanghai Badger - September 2, 2008
The good thing about this team
is they almost always give themselves a chance to get back into the game. Even yesterday, despite Oswalt looking sharp, they brought the tying run to the plate twice, and from my seats, it looked like Lee’s ball would have gotten out had their not been a stiff wind blowing in from right.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
You win...
…common sense post of the year.
MPH73 - September 2, 2008
Who wants a no-hitter by something so lame as the scorer's judgement?
Scoring is so subjective and fielding percentages so closely grouped that errors don’t tell much at all. They should get rid of the official designation of “errors”.
If Sabathia had fielded the ball and threw the runner out he wouldn’t be crying today. Maybe he deliberately fumbled the the ball thinking the scorer will bail him out?
DudeVf11 - September 2, 2008
Actually, Sabathia isn't the one whining.
It’s Yost. But that’s not surprising.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2008
Yes, you are right...
But did Yost complain because his pitcher was miffed about it or did Yost just go off on it after the game without talking to his pitcher? Both the manager and the pitcher should have realized tat complaining about a play like this might make the pitcher look bad since he actually had control of the situation. Maybe Yost just went off on it after the game without thinking? if so, then he’s not doing his pitcher any favors here.
DudeVf11 - September 2, 2008
I have to believe it's Yost going off.
He’s done this sort of thing before.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2008
don't forget about melvin also
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
Gooden 1984 Game and Wood 1998 Game
Why not give Dwight Gooden credit for a no-hitter on September 7, 1984? Ray Knight could have handled that grounder hit by Keith Moreland. Why not give Kerry Wood a no-hitter for the 20-strikeout game on May 6, 1998? Couldn’t Kevin Orie have made that play on the Ricky Gutierrez grounder?
IMO, we should not go back and change those official scorers’ rulings to give those pitchers credit for no-hitters. Sabathia shouldn’t get credit for a no-hitter. I’m glad that CC feels the same way.
memphiscub - September 2, 2008
Ray Knight "Error"
I forgot after 24 years that Knight actually fielded the ball but couldn’t get the ball out of his glove to throw to first to get Moreland. This link is from the Mets perspective. I think it will refresh the memory of those who understandably are a little hazy about the details of that 1984 play.
memphiscub - September 2, 2008
All I know is that Sabathia is the best damned pitcher in the National League and the Brewers are going to make the playoffs
Sabathia is a monster on the mound. He has come into this league and utterly dominated even moreso than Rich Harden.
MDBNIU - September 2, 2008
but he's thrown far too many pitches at this point
I think he may be burnt out in October, again, just as he was by the ALCS last year.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
I agree with you...
…but Yost is a horrible manager, and the way he’s treating CC is proof. We’ve discussed here how CC is going to hit and far exceed his total pitch count and innings pitched this year, and Yost has shown a lack of respect for the pitcher and his future team (Yankees?). Was there a reason to keep CC in the game that was a shutout, up 7-0, against the asinine Pirates? I can understand a close game, but pitching a shutout against the Pirates, with much more important series looming, just makes me look in disgust at Ned Yost. He’s an idiot, and maybe I’m too much of a traditionalist, but I think it’s very disrespectful to be effectively “riding” CC’s arm to the playoffs…and not giving a shit if his career is ruined in the process.
Dan
dtpollitt - September 2, 2008
Does the player have any was to avoid this?
CC wants to be seen as a gamer and and ace. He wants to let his future employer know that he can go out there and pitch day after day. If he (or his agent) raised a stink about him being overused, it may tarnish his ability to get the contract he wants in the off season.
I agree with you that Yost is completely disrespecting CC and doesn’t seem to care whether or not CC’s career is wrecked by this overuse. Since it would be detrimental to CC to publicly raise this issue, it is on Yost and he is proving that he doesn’t care for CC’s future because he knows it isn’t with the Brewers
gwood - September 2, 2008
Throw fewer pitches for the inevitable CG
Clutch16 - September 2, 2008
a monster, maybe
but a de-fanged one against us.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
Yeah, I heard CC interviewed...
…on (IIRC) ESPN radio over the weekend. The interviewer asked him whether he’d feel any differently about the game if it was ruled a no-hitter and he replied something along the lines of, “No, not at all.” He basically said getting the win was the important thing, and could really care less about the ruling.
I really can’t find too much fault with Sabathia’s off-the-field attitude at all. He says all the right things and comes across as pretty down to earth. What he’s accomplishing right now with Milwaukee is pretty staggering.
daver - September 2, 2008
hopefully
“no-hitter-gate” is a distraction to the team and ends up ultimately biting yost in the butt, although i doubt it will if parra vs. princess didn’t
i did watch an interview with yost in which he said he wanted it to be a no hitter bc he always wanted to be the manager of a no-hitter and he wanted to tell his kids 20 years from now that he managed cc’s no-hitter…..what a tool
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
I think the baseball gods are exacting revenge for Nedly's rant
by punishing Ben Sheets.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
The thing is
scoring is subjective, and it always has been. One man’s error is another man’s hit, so to speak. However, the golden rule of scoring, so to speak, is to not let the moment of the game change the call. So, the OS cannot make a ruling to ‘keep’ a no-hitter in tact, so to speak. That’s not right.
I do think that teams need to do something other than make writers the Official Scorers; having been an OS for the past year, I know that it’s something that requires your full attention, rather than worrying about a game story or whatever else the writer is working on.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Writers stopped being the official scorer in 1980.
They’re currently employees of MLB, hired by the home team and paid by the league.
cwyers - September 2, 2008
Thanks, cwyers
I knew that’s what we did in Indianapolis in hiring, since none of us official scorers are writers, but I didn’t know the practice had stopped in the Major Leagues.
In that case, I really don’t have a problem with how the official scorers are operating, as long as they are willing to explain why they made the rulings they did.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Don't you think they should be umpires, not former sportswriters?
Al Yellon - September 2, 2008
Won't umpires be just as subjective as writers?
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
But at least umpires are trained in the rulebook.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2008
True
But all teams are required to have the rule book available for the official scorer. And I would think most scorers know the ‘extraordinary effort’ rule.
Plus, I like getting my $40 a game to score it. Really makes all those scorebooks I have from when I was little worth it.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
You get $40 per game for scoring minor league games?
Our recreational league will give you 60 euros per game for umpiring……there’s a serious shortage here (i.e. they’re non-existent….)
JohnM - September 2, 2008
60 euros, eh?
Tell me when and where.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
How does
Corkagh Park, Dublin, suit you for this Saturday morning?
JohnM - September 2, 2008
Looks lovely.
Unfortunately, I have to go to a wedding on Saturday, which will probably keep me away.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Damn
That means a player (and possibly one from the opposing team) will be wearing the tools of ignorance behind the plate this weekend. Again.
JohnM - September 2, 2008
Hey, send me the 2009 schedule
I’m sure the wife would like some time in Ireland, and if the Euro-dollar rate continues to worsen, I could squeeze some time in over there.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Brainstorm!
Fantasy Umpire Tours! Always wanted to ump some baseball games but couldn’t make the long term commitment, and worried that you wouldn’t know the rule book well enough? Always wanted to travel the world, but never figured out a way to pick up a few bucks along the way? Not any longer! Fantasy Umpire Tours take you directly to Europe, where you will know more about the game of baseball than pretty much everyone! Send your credit card details today – and we’ll do the rest!
JohnM - September 2, 2008
That sounds like a fantastic idea
I’m sure you could get some amatuer umpires to sign up. Plus, toss in some sight-seeing stuff for people to do in their down time, and now you’ve really got something!
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
If you're that hard up
I’ve a friend in the Netherlands who does a bit of umpiring for the clubs there. He may be interested in some extra weekend work in Dublin.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2008
I went to the Netherlands once for a youth tournament
Good umpires over there! (compared to here)
Although with usually all the games being on Saturdays, he’d probably only be able to do two …. it might cover a cheap plane ticket but that’s all. But if he needs an excuse to get to Dublin for extra-curricular activities, here it is on a silver platter.
JohnM - September 2, 2008
My e-mail address is in my profile
Drop me a line, and I’ll forward it on to him.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2008
Thanks
JohnM - September 2, 2008
since when??
lmao
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2008
Trained in the Rulebook?
Al, I have been scoring minor league ball for 10 years and an SID for 15-plus. I have a friend who has been a scorer for the Angels for several years. He partners with a writer who has been watching the game for 30 years.
We know what the rulebook says. It’s pretty straightforward when it comes to errors.
The problem is that people don’t respect the position, because everybody sees the game differently. But, like the umpire, only the scorer’s opinion matters.
Ross - September 2, 2008
Where do you SID?
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Was at UC Riverside until last october
Still here, just a different, non-athletics job now.
Ross - September 2, 2008
Nice
I’m in the same field, but at IUPUI.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
I think former umpires should be driven out to sea.
That said, they aren’t former sportswriters, either. There is (if I’m remembering correctly) a written exam and an apprenticeship period, but no formal requirements.
That said, I seriously doubt umpires spend any time at all reading section 10.00 of the official rulebooks, because none of it matters to them, and that’s where pretty much all of the “controversy” comes from in the decisions of the official scorer.
cwyers - September 2, 2008
Wasn't suggesting it be a former umpire.
I’m suggesting it be an ACTIVE umpire; assign 5-man crews to each game, that gives one of them a “break” from base umpiring.
And if you have to send them back to school to train them in the rulebook, so be it.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2008
Why not have 5-man crews anyways?
And give one ump a ‘day off’ and make him an observer of the crew, offering suggestions, etc., to his counterparts? I know MLB already has these, but I don’t know if they cover every game on a daily basis.
I don’t know if he needs to be the OS, but I like the idea of a 5-man crew.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
5th ump
Could be official scorer and replay official
gocubsgo22 - September 2, 2008
Exactly.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2008
That would work
My only problem is whether or not their are enough qualified umpires right now. It seems like the amount of AAA umpires that would be needed could severely dilute the umpire pool.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
15 more umpires, one per game.
They already have these guys available; they’re the vacation replacements. Yes, some of them are not very good. But at least they have some experience, even if they need more training.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2008
Agreed
I like bringing up the vacation replacements as the new ‘5th’ umpires. Use the offseason for replay and scoring training.
FWIW, I’m asking for a raise from the International League. I get $40/game, MLB official scorers are paid $135/game right now.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
And if you hired an umpire
on the major league level, it would cost, minimum, $600 a game plus benefits.
That’s why they’re not doing this.
Josh Timmers - September 2, 2008
I get 40 in the Cal League, up from 35 for the last 9 years
Ross - September 2, 2008
To be blunt
I don’t think MLB wants to pay the official scorer an umpire’s salary. An beginning umpire makes $84k a year. Someone like Joe West makes $300k.
I don’t think making an umpire an official scorer would really change these controversies at all, and it would cost MLB probably over $2 million dollars a year. It would make for some happy umpires and a happy umpires union, though.
Josh Timmers - September 2, 2008
Correct... people would still complain
God himself could be the scorer and people would still be bitching at him if they disagreed with a call.
Ross - September 2, 2008
I like Jesus very much....... but
he no hit curveball.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
Are you trying to say
that Jesus Christ can’t hit a curveball?!
slcathena - September 2, 2008
he got crossed up
CaliCub - September 2, 2008
The umpiring in this league is already wretched enough without those primadonnas have additional responsibility heaped upon
Bud the Dud Selig has allowed the umpiring in baseball to go down the tubes. Focus should be on holding the umpires to objective performance standards and firing the awful and malcontents. Not adding score keeping duties.
MDBNIU - September 2, 2008
I don't blame who the scorer is here...
…it’s having a category that is called “errors” and how they are determined that’s the problem. No hitters could better reflect the premium for team play required (v. the Pitcher threw a no-hitter) if errors wee eliminated from the scoring.
As fans, we cn always discuss amongst ourselves how “so-and-so” made a bad play and we’d likely characterize the hitter as lucky in those instances.
DudeVf11 - September 2, 2008
Who wants a no-hitter by something so lame as the scorer's judgement?
DeJon Watson of the Dodgers, for one.
http://www.insidesocal.com/marshall_law/2008/04/66ers-make-the-right-call.html
Ross - September 2, 2008
DeJon Watson the son of Johnny (Guitar) Watson??
Slamdog - September 2, 2008
Guitar Watson! There's a name from the past. He's gone on to that great gig
in the sky, you know.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
My worthless 2 cents.....
To me the Cubs are (barring injury) as good as their offense is on any given day. When our productive guys are being productive we are the best team in the majors. When D Lee, Edmonds, Soriano, Fukodome hit like they have during this homestand. Well……..we are average. Our pitching is solid, our bullpen is awesome and middle relief doesn’t matter when we are hitting. DeRosa and Rameriz are carrying this team right now with a little Soto help. The rest just aren’t showing up and the results speak for themselves. But we’ll come out of it, I just worry about the timing of these offensive spells, and I worry about D Lee lack of power, Sori’s lack of adjustments and Fukodome’s lack of anything offensively.
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
If the Astros were in the NL West...
…they’d be in first. What a horrible division. Yet I still have nightmares about the D-Backs.
dtpollitt - September 2, 2008
Unrelated question.
I’m trying to look at measurement error of run estimators. I’ve looked at R, AAE and RMSE. But I’m not sure any of those are appropriate for what I’m looking at. Runs Created seems to produce a much wider range of estimates at each run value than BaseRuns does. Do you have any suggestions?
cwyers - September 2, 2008
I'll try to get back to you tonight, Colin. Does that work?
Not sure i’ll have an answer, but I’ll think about it on the ride home!
dtpollitt - September 2, 2008
That'd be great.
I don’t publish ’till Friday.
cwyers - September 2, 2008
imgaine what their record would be...
….playing more teams from the west and less teams from the central
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
hope
Let’s hope that Sori is having one of his horrible streaks now. If he is hot going into the playoffs, he can almost carry this offense by himself.
KedzieKid - September 2, 2008
bat ball hitter....
and we’re lucky there are alot of bad pitchers out there. I watched these recent string of strong starters we have been facing and they absolutely chew him up. Any solid starter with a game plan makes him look like Sammy Sosa circa 1994. Fast ball up, Breaking pitch low and away all day long.
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
that should read BAD BALL HITTER
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
Yes, and yes
He swings at the low/away/in the dirt pitch all day long
Weeghman Park - September 2, 2008
moments of brilliance
Soriano does have a lot of disappointing moments against good pitchers. On the other hand, the way he handled CC Sabathia in the last series with Milwaukee set the tone for the sweep. He got to him early and removed the aura of invincibility.
It gives me hope that he can rise to the occasion, since that series is the closest to a playoff atmosphere so far this year. There will be more crucial moments in September in preparation for October.
The bottom line however, Sori or no, is that the playoffs don’t always go to the best team, they go to the team that is hottest at the moment.
vonde6 - September 2, 2008
Somewhat OT:
I’m not sure what Darth Vader is doing at the game on September 16th against the Brewers, but I hope he brings his light saber and kicks some serious Brewer ass. See for yourself Darth on the Cubs’ schedule! (new window)
Dan
dtpollitt - September 2, 2008
Did Indiana Jones bring the Cubs a win when he was on the schedule?
I can’t remember.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
it's a video game tie-in
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2008
I find your lack of faith disturbing.
GSG - September 2, 2008
Oh Man....No Darth Vader
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - September 2, 2008
Good thing the stormtrooper was there working security.
daver - September 2, 2008
NEWS: Darth Vader contract purchased from Hiroshima Toyo Carp by Brewers
Pitcher Darth Vader is going to be making his major league debut on Sept 17th for the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers purchased the right to Vader for a record $50 million.
Vader, pictured below, was excited about his chance to join the Brewers. “Together we will rule the galaxy,” said Vader after he learned he would be joining the Brewers for stretch run.
It is believed this move was made by the Brewers to compensate for injury of Starting Pitch Ben Sheets who is down with a groin injury.
Vader had spent 2008 in the Japanese Baseball League playing for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp where he had proved to be a dominate and controversial pitcher. In 22 starts Vader had a 0.52 ERA with 128K vs 0 BB. Vader also completed every game he started. An amazing fact but his manager said “every time I would go out to pull him, Vader would say he was fine and I would believe him.”
Vader’s 0 BB have come under some scrutiny. Other Japaneses baseball managers have complained that the umps call a much larger strikezone for Vader than other pitcher. At times Umps have called ball four but then they will change their call back to strikes.
As of time of print the number Darth Vader will wear is still unknown.
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - September 2, 2008
Vader is number will be
1138. Has to be.
Ross - September 2, 2008
Mechanical arm
Means that his pitch count is never a problem. As long as he stays focused out there, I can see a lot of batters choking against this guy.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2008
Good thing he's in Milwaukee then
because any forecast of rain could be a big issue with the mechanical arm.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Rain would be no problem..
Has a history of problems with lightning though.
Ummm, I think I should maybe go outside for a bit before the game….
GSG - September 2, 2008
Call up's
The call ups will help over the next month, add a little life and hopefully some time off.
Disagree on Pie,
He sould be up the minute Iowa wins or gets beat.
September calls up usually involve some SPEED. This team needs some station to station offense, SPEED when the bats cool off like yesterday. It might get them a few games down the stretch. Remember FLUD last year
also, Jason Dubois shoud be looked at, He had a good year big power #’s and I dont see any power righties off the Cubs bench right now. At Iowa 76 games, 29 HR, 74 RBI, 307 Avg. We have seen him in the past, but it cant hurt
Every little bit helps
parrotinct - September 2, 2008
as it's been said before
dubois would have to be added to the 40 man first
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
Aware, but a wish list
What about the Fox’s Chad or Jake Fox on the 40 man ???
Not sure what is up Chad was he moved off the 40
Just would like to see a another righty bat, besides McGehee
parrotinct - September 2, 2008
Chad Fox was placed on the 60-day DL
John Q Freejazz - September 2, 2008
Just Another Observation About Harden
A couple of days ago I brought up something that I observed while watching Friday’s game. I believe Sue saw the same thing that I did so I know I wasn’t dreaming.
After Harden left the game, the cameras showed him sitting in the dugout. He was rubbing his right arm/shoulder area.
The first thing that popped into my mind was — is something bothering him?
I really do not know and I want to believe that it was nothing at all.
But now we find out that Harden is being held back until next Tuesday against St. Louis.
That’s not 2 days because of a tired arm — that’s 6 extra days. No matter how you cut it, you do not hold back one of your best pitchers just to give him extra rest. It’s not like we are up by a dozen games.
I am not advocating putting him out there if he is not 100% but I believe there is more here than we are being told.
ceegeewow - September 2, 2008
If you threw 100 pitches...
…in a major league baseball game, you’d probably rub your shoulder, too. That doesn’t mean he’s injured.
daver - September 2, 2008
A Thought About DLee
I guess this is my day for medical questions —
After DLee’s day off last week because of back spasms — I just wondered about something.
In several stories, there was mention of these spasms and their reoccurence. Maybe I have not being paying enough attention but until this episode, I did not realize that this was an ongoing problem that flared up on occasion.
Back problems are nothing to be sneezed at — wasn’t that Sosa’s excuse a few years ago?
What really worries me is the fact that DLee does have back problems. Does this in some way explain why he does not seem to be driving the ball like he has in the past?
I just looked at his numbers in August — 4 doubles and 1 home run.
Sure his average was good but even his base hits don’t seem to be the line drive types that he has produced in the past.
A bad back is not a good thing to have when your body is subjected to toroque trying to drive a ball. The back may be the reason that his swing seems so much weaker than it has been.
Personally, I have not seen him drive the ball on a consistent basis — even when making an out. A lot of pop flies, weak grounders, and medium fly outs.
Maybe I am trying too hard to find a reason why DLee seems to look weak at times. By weak, I just mean the lack of that stinging swing that we have become used to seeing.
A good friend of mine mentioned the other day that too often DLee looks as though he isn’t feeling well. Body language?
Just some observations and enough paranoia for now.
ceegeewow - September 2, 2008
You are right. He is a shell of what he was in '05. I don't expect those
types of numbers , but his dropoff is really disturbing. ‘05 was a career year for him but he is still in his prime. I see him rolling over a lot of balls which produce grounders to short and with Theriot being the singles hitter that he is, that has produced a lot of DP’s.
The weak fly balls to right also concern me. He used to drive balls into the right-center gap for doubles and I can’t recall the last time I saw him drive a ball to that area. Maybe his wrist injury has left some lasting damage. Either way, I don’t see the same hitter from a few years ago.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
It's hard for me to believe...
…the wrist is the problem because of that huge power surge DLee displayed at the beginning of this season. (Unless maybe the wrist started “barking” at some point.)
If his troubles are injury related, I still find myself wondering whether his back/neck problems are making it difficult or even painful for him to try to elevate the ball and it’s throwing off his hitting mechanics. That said, he did elevate a ball pretty effectively during the final pitch of yesterday’s game. Unfortunately, the wind held it in.
daver - September 2, 2008
The reason I brought up
the wrist is that before the injury, he was hiting for some serioud power and average numbers. A weak wrist cannot produce the numbers he put up prior to the injury. His fall-off may be related to the back problem. Either way, his drop-off is larger than I would expect for a player of his age. He should be in his prime power-wise and he has declined significantly in that area.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
AS always
As always Al brings a calm to the proceedings with a reasoned posts where elsewhere on the net you see people jumping from the Sears Tower.
I wanted to ask these jumpers how the Bears did in their first 3 games because according to this panic it must be the last week of the season and the Cubs are out of 1st place.
puckishcubsfan - September 2, 2008
I'm not sure why everyone prefers the Sears Tower.
I will go for “Big John” … it has a nicer view, and the scenery near the beach there will be nicer for my last seconds on Earth :-)
zevkalman - September 2, 2008
Make sure you take your final dive
on a holiday weekend for maximum ogling before the splatter LOL
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2008
Injury Paranoia
It seems we are all getting injury paranoid and I know I am. Is it because we believe that we are the strongest team in MLB unless some of our guys arms fall off?
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
Rest of schedule
Right now the Cubs are 4 1/2 games up. That didn’t seem like too much of a lead to me until I started to actually look at the numbers. I went through the remainig schedule and looked at the series that are left. Here the are with the record that I would guess for each:
Cubs:
2 vs Houston (1-1)
3 at Cincinnati (2-1)
3 at St. Louis (2-1) – they look like they have quit
3 at Houston (1-2) – man are these guys hot.
3 vs Milwaukee (2-1)
3 vs St. Loius (2-1)
4 at NY Mets (1-3)
3 at Milwaukee (1-2)
I think that you will agree that I have been VERY conservative here and erred on the side of predicting more losses than I think that we will actually have. Even so, that shows a 12-12 record for the rest of the year. That puts our final record at 97-65. Doing this would require the Brewers to go 17-8 over their last 25 games to tie. Looking at their schedule, that is certainly possible, but it would require them to play really good baseball over the next month and the Cubs to play rather poorly. If the Cubs can find a way to split the NY series and take two of three from Houston in Houston or take both of these next two games, that pushes the record to 14-10 and 99-63, requiring Milwaukee to go 19-6 to tie. I don’t think that this will happen.
Anyway, I feel a good bit better about our lead now. It is certainly possible that the Cubs shuffle along to the finish at .500 ball, but their play to this point would suggest otherwise. I do think that we will likely win the division pretty handily (i.e. 2 or more games) and will have it sewn up by the last series in Milwaukee.
Knock on wood, but I feel pretty good about where we sit right now.
Archie - September 2, 2008
There's nothing to indicate the Cubs will only go .500 the rest of the way
unless you consider the last six games and none of the 132 others they have played.
So I feel pretty good about where they sit right now too. And I vaguely remember 1969 and have a good memory of 2004.
JohnM - September 2, 2008
The Brewers' September schedule...
…pisses me off. San Diego…Cincinnati…PITTSBURGH?! At least they have the current Mets series and four games against the Phillies mixed in there. And, yeah, at least the Cubs have six opportunities to put (keep) them in their (second) place.
daver - September 2, 2008
Why be pissed?
Both teams play approximately the same schedule. What difference does it make if the better teams are in June or September? The only thing I can see is, the also-rans may have traded off pieces.
That’s life. It’s not like it was to make things easier for the Brewers. A Brewer fan could say that the Cubs had it easier with weaker teams first, and a chance to build a lead.
Besides, who expected the Padres to be so awful after last year?
It is what it is.
Shanghai Badger - September 2, 2008
bc of the homer inside all of us
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
I suppose that's true...
…but I’m still pissed. I want to see the Brewers playing the ’77 Yankees every game.
daver - September 2, 2008
I can understand that
Let’s see how they fare after losing a tough one yesterday.
I actually don’t mind their sched — if they lose two or three to the Mets, then struggle against the Pads (with two tough pitchers scheduled in the four games), then right the ship against the Reds – only to struggle again in Philly, doubt could start to creep in — “Can we beat a good team?”
Shanghai Badger - September 2, 2008
The Brewers just went 20-7 in August.........it can be done
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
It can certainly be done
Particularly with the schedule that they will be playing for the rest of the season. However, it would require us to play out of character with the rest of our season as well. I think that the odds of both happening (Brewers staying red hot and the Cubs falling off significantly) are slim.
I don’t feel complacent about the rest of the year, just pretty good with where we are sitting right now. Sure beats the roles being reversed and trying to make up that deficit with this schedule anyway. Or where we have been historically at this point in the season…20 games behind.
Archie - September 2, 2008
I feel very good about getting into October...
either as division champs or the wild card. I’m a little more worried about winning the division. The Brewers are hot, their remaining schedule is easier than ours, and has more home games (15 remaining home games for Brewers, 8 for Cubs).
Carolina Cubbie - September 2, 2008
Yes
Taking the home road win % into account, the Cubs to this point have won 69.8% of their home games. With 8 left that means we should expect between 5 and 6 home wins. (5.6) Lets give a nod to a strong schedule and say they win 5. With 16 road games left and a 52.3% road record, they should be expected to win between 8 and 9 of these (8.4.) Again, give a nod to a strong schedule and say that they win 8. That gives a record for the rest of the season of 13-11 and an overall record of 99-63.
The Brewers have 15 games left at home where they have won 62.1% of their games. This would lead us to expect between 9 and 10 wins at home (9.3.) Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt due to a weaker schedule and say they win 10. They have 10 left on the road where they are winning at a 54.9% clip. This would indicate between 5 and 6 wins there (5.5). Lets say 5 since 4 of these are at Philly and 3 in Chicago against the Cubs. This leaves them with a 15-10 record the rest of the way and an overall record of 95-67. A 4 game division win. They will probably do a bit better than this, but this is what their season average would indicate.
My point is only that BOTH teams are going to have to play significantly different than their season norms in order for the Brewers to catch the Cubs. Not saying that it can’t happen, only that I feel pretty good about where we sit.
Archie - September 2, 2008
I like your calculations
Please Cubs, make it so!
Carolina Cubbie - September 2, 2008
Hey y'all...
…Was down in sTL for the Mizzou-Illini game this weekend…Left after watching Thursday and Friday’s heroics, and suffered through yesterday during the ride home. Let’s get ’em tonight!
PurpleLineToWrigley - September 2, 2008
where is the guy that argued with me the big ten was up this year...
…..instead of down? he was a big northwestern fan lol
i was glad to see zook and his boys lose
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
MIZ!!!
i wish i had made the trip in for that game. offense looks great, even better than last season as long as maclin’s ankle is ok. defense will get their S together just like last season
joeschmitt - September 2, 2008
try beating maine
and then talk to me…..go hawkeyes
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
The Big 10 pretty much sucks. Other than Ohio State, they
are being out recruited by the rest of the nation and I am a Michigan alum. I see dark days ahead for the Big 10. Michigan’s dead.. I mean spread offense was an embarassment against Utah. (Utah?) They will be lucky to win 5 games this year, even with two cupcakes on the schedule. I didn’t see much from the rest of the conference to impress me either.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
dead?
as in for good? i hope that’s not what you mean
and yes the big ten is down, but conference’s all go through their up’s and downs
this is why i believe my hawks will go 8-4 (my heart says 9-3)
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
That was a play on words referring to Rich Rodriguez's offense. The spread was
supposed to be the answer to all ills but they can’t run the ball. They lost a ton of good players and the defense was mediocre at best last year. Your hawks may be OK but until the conference recruits better talent, the Big 10 will get beat by the other super-conferences.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
the hawks went downhill
when they started getting 4-5 star recruits who came with big ego’s
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
You wanna see real college football?
Go watch the SEC.
Representing.
:)
Archie - September 2, 2008
the hawks do well against the sec
last three games i can remember we beat florida, beat lsu, and got hosed during the final seconds against florida…….i say bring them on
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
I wouldn't be surprised though
if the national champ came from somewhere other than the SEC. I can’t imagine having to get through LSU, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama to get to the title game. (And those are only the teams in the top 25 last week.) That’s got to be murder to try to play a schedule with 4 of those teams on it…
Archie - September 2, 2008
yah
ohio state should walk to the national championship game (even with beanie hurt)…..i gotta think one of these years they’ll just get lucky and win it all….the odds are with them
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
Walk to the national championship? Surely you jest.
If its one thing that Ohio State has proven, its that they struggle when they are favored to win. I’m not sure how, but they will find a way to blow it.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
Umm...
walk through USC in 2 weeks? If they lose that game, they HAVE to go undefeated the rest of the way to have a shot…
PurpleLineToWrigley - September 2, 2008
+1
They will have trouble beating USC. The Trojans have historically come up big in games like this under Pete Carroll.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
-1 me
first i screw up the harden rotation spot, now this…..i suck today
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
Florida seems to be the only SEC team that
has trouble with the Big 10.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
Wisconsin didn't impress me on Saturday
A lot of mistakes to fix. I think this probably is a down year for the conference, but we’ll see.
Shanghai Badger - September 2, 2008
ditto for the hawks
our qb situation is far from being settled and someone told me that’s important in football
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
ZOU!!!
Good news on J-Mac- He might even play this Saturday! They are calling it a strained tendon, nothing more…
PurpleLineToWrigley - September 2, 2008
Why not rest him until you really need him during Big 12 play?
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Because
they want him to have a shot at the Heisman. I think it is stupid, but they really might have him go…They technically could rest him for 4 weeks, with the 3 non-conference cake (knock on wood) games and then the bye-week before we head to Nebraska…But the quote from their Rivals page today is, “As for Saturday, Gary Pinkel said if Maclin is healthy, he will play. If it’s up to Maclin, he’ll be there for the first snap. ‘I want to be out there with my teammates, nobody wants to sit out,’ Maclin said. ‘At the rate I’m at now, I think I’ll be able to play.’”
PurpleLineToWrigley - September 2, 2008
Those ankle injuries can really nag
I hope for Missouri’s sake, they put the team ahead of a Heisman campaign. Won’t Maclin be back next year, anyways?
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Maybe...
My guess is he leaves after this year. He was a medical red-shirt his first year so he technically could enter the draft…And they lose a lot of key seniors. I hope too that he ONLY plays if he is TRULY 100%…
PurpleLineToWrigley - September 2, 2008
gotcha.
Since I don’t really follow Missouri, I didn’t know he had redshirted. But still, let him rest and make sure he’s healthy for the bigger games down the road.
Bill Potter - September 2, 2008
Damn me for missing most of the College Football talk
Stupid classes. Great freaking game on Saturday, and really the Moore injury is the only concerning thing to me. J-Mac can sit the next month like you said.
I swear that stadium almost exploded when J-Mac took that kick back.
nji232 - September 2, 2008
hey mizzou fans
remember a couple years ago when you were scheduled to play the hawkeyes…..then you realized that brad smith had a (small) shot at winning the heisman and took us off your schedule
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
LOL That really makes me laugh
Not at you, but at Mizzou. Doesn’t shock me at all. Then again Brad Smith’s Heisman hopes died in the battlefield against Troy.
nji232 - September 2, 2008
yeah it was too bad
i love the boarder state rivalries
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
Pretty humorous...
how after Game 2 of the Phillies series all you hear is SportsCenter anchors and talk show hosts crowning the Cubs the best team in baseball, the most complete team in baseball, etc..etc… Now, just three ugly losses later, I heard Colin Cowherd today claiming that IF we make the playoffs, we will be one and done just like last year… I swear, these clowns just like to get us all reved up… Cowherd’s show sucks anyways…
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
listening to cowherd is a waste of time.
I can’t stand that guy.
mjk83 - September 2, 2008
cowherd is dipstick
he wouldn’t know baseball if one hit him in the eye.
halfblindcubbiegirl - September 2, 2008
To be honest...
I don’t think that any of ESPN’s radio guys know their ass from their elbows… Scott Van Pelt? Mike and Mike? You take away Dan Patrick and its really unbearable radio…
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
I love Tirico & Van Pelt
And some of our local guys are good but on the whole yeah, its pretty underwhelming.
halfblindcubbiegirl - September 2, 2008
I like Van Pelt a lot...
…and he knows a TON about college football…Tirico is good too, IMO.
PurpleLineToWrigley - September 2, 2008
I know I already posted this below...
but I strongly suggest you all listen in on Dan Lebatard’s show at 3 ET… you can stream it live at 790theticket.com… its more of a general entertainment show with a sports edge but it really is hilarious
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
the DP show is awesome
are you playing with a full passion bucket?
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
I live in South Florida...
So its either ESPN national radio or Miami stations who bitch about the Marlins for about 15 minutes and then talk Hurricanes and Dolphins football… I have to listen to 670 The Score online to try and get any Chicago sports action down here lol
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
but I will say...
Dan Lebatard’s afternoon show 3-7 on 790 The Ticket is one of the best radio shows I’ve ever listened to… absolutely hysterical
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
Sure would be nice...
If Z came out looking strong tonight… put a lot of our collective uneasiness to rest…
LETS GO CUBBIES!!!!!!!
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
I'd settle for a few first inning runs.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
Yeah, like, 10.
daver - September 2, 2008
I'm just hoping that no water coolers will be harmed during the making of the Cubs Win tonight.
santoswoodenlegs - September 2, 2008
Those early runs...
would go a long way in keeping Z cool, calm and collected… Of course the f-ing Mets are throwing out a rookie tonight against Manny Parra and that damn brew crew…
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
A couple of wins would be really nice right now. Every
win thw Cubs get pushing the winning percentage the brew crew have to obtain to a high level. That puts a lot of pressure on a team and makes every out seem like life or death.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
Gatorade Water Cooler taunting Zambrano
“How was your extra day off big Z? Did you fishing with your buddies or watch NASCAR?”
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
He probably just mellowed out...
with a tall glass of Red Bull and coffee and watched reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
While he was IMing his brother.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
you know the Cubs banned him from that? Be realistic here!
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
One would think that coffee and red bull is not the easiest habit to break
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
Are you using my words against me grace?
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
whew arr yu? and wi donut yu leaf mi alon?
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
ok,il leaf yu alon.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
get it........i can't spell!
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
Neither can I, we're simpatico... sempetico...sam....
we think alike.
willie mays hayes' gloves - September 2, 2008
Playing Guitar Hero with Joel Zumaya
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
either way it is better than how Harden spent his week off..............
at the Luke Perry school of cool sideburns. Unreal!
graceunderpressure - September 2, 2008
I dunno about that...
Rich is already pretty busy running the Rich Harden School of Eyebrow Plucking. I’m pretty sure he’ll have to stay there and hold down the fort / man the tweezers.
schmifty - September 3, 2008
What do you all think...
would be the most favorable playoff scenario for the Cubs? (knocks on wood) Would you rather see the Dodgers of D-Backs come out of the West? Would you rather see the Mets or Phillies second round? (knocks on more wood If the Mets could straighten out their bullpen at all, they become a pretty frightening contender…
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
Pirates in every round.
We are pretty good against them.
PurpleLineToWrigley - September 2, 2008
Just as long as the Nats don't show up...
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
dodgers for sure. dbacks have better pitching.
i think mets/phils would be a toss up
RIOTSHIRTS.com - September 2, 2008
dodgers by a landslide
from most favored, to least
dodgers
mets
phillies
dbacks
cardinals
brewers
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
I'd prefer if the Dodgers..
…took the West. I think I’d rather see the Cubs face the Mets over the Phils at this point. Historically speaking, beating them would be poetic justice, as well.
daver - September 2, 2008
I agree about the Dodgers
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
But I think the Mets are a better team than the Phillies...
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
i dunno
phillies = batting
mets = starting pitching
phillies = bullpen
defense? probably mets, but not by a lot
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
I would probably take the Mets offense...
over the Phillies simply because they are able to manufacture runs, not rely on the longball like the Phils… Reyes is having an incredible year in the leadoff spot, Wright continues to produce… But you’re right, their pen is so suspect… I mean seriously, Luis Ayala is closing for the Mets now lol
Hard4Harden - September 2, 2008
maybe you're right
i guess my initial reaction was i’d rather see
wright, reyes, beltran, delgado
over
utley, howard, rollins, pat the bat
while that hasn’t changed, it’s not as big of a difference as i first thought
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
I like to look at winning percentage vs winning teams.
As of Sunday here’s how they ranked.
Cubs .604
Mets .554
Brew .510
St. L .500
Phil .475
LAD .455
AZ .404
So I think it’s going to be Cubs, Mets, Brewers and AZ. And we would want AZ in the first round. But we need home field.
Rick B - September 2, 2008
disagree
teams match up to each other differently and the only team i care about is whoever is facing the cubs
cubswynn - September 2, 2008
Very interesting numbers
Pretty eye opening. The Cubs look strong just about any way we can analyze it. Of course, in a best of five post season series, anything can (and will) happen.
Carolina Cubbie - September 2, 2008
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.