I have only two bad things to say about today's impressive 7-0 Cubs shutout of the Dodgers, the first time the Dodgers have been shut out this year:
Other than that -- the headline tells it all. We certainly have no complaints about one of the best games the Cubs have played all season. Ryan Dempster had outstanding stuff and command, allowing only three hits (and the first one was a freak, a double by Russell Martin in the 2nd that bounced off third base) and a walk and his seven scoreless innings dropped his season ERA by half a run, from 4.99 to 4.48. Angel Guzman -- quickly becoming a fine setup man -- threw a scoreless inning and fielded a comebacker neatly. Aaron Heilman -- um, not so much. He had little command, throwing only 12 strikes in 24 pitches, but did manage a double-play grounder to get out of a jam he had caused himself (and I'm sure Lou was not happy to have to get Carlos Marmol up and throwing in the bullpen) and another grounder to end it.
There were other heroes today. Little Babe Ruth (or, if you prefer, Wonder Hamster) Mike Fontenot doubled and tripled, and according to Lou in his postgame remarks, will now play third base every day, including, apparently, against lefthanders, since he started vs. the LHP Eric Stults today. Good sign: both of Fontenot's extra-base hits were off the lefty Stults, and both to almost the same spot off the right-center field ivy.
More heroes: Reed Johnson, laying down a perfect bunt that scored Ryan Theriot in the second inning, and later smashing a home run onto Waveland, despite the fact that the wind, which was howling out at first pitch, had shifted and was blowing off the lake by the time Reed's seventh-inning blast was caught on one bounce by Ballhawk Dave. Dave not only snagged the ball, but kept the drink cup that was in his hand intact.
That drink, had it been inside Wrigley Field instead of outside, would have been a tasty treat for the several dozen ring-billed gulls that swarmed the field just about then. Those birds must have been expecting that the 41,153 (the largest crowd of the year to date) people inside would have been gone by that time, as they usually are by 5 pm, and they could feast on the remains left behind. Quite a number of bleacher fans helped out by throwing them peanuts, and they didn't disperse until Milton Bradley ran out to right field for the top of the eighth and playfully ran among them, chasing them away. (I think they might have been afraid of him!) Bradley had a nice day at the plate, too, with three singles, bumping his average up to a season-high .223.
The Cubs also exhibited patience at the plate today, drawing seven walks, and might have scored more runs if not for two Dodger double plays, one of them coming with the bases loaded in the fifth inning after a run had already scored. This is the kind of offense that won many games for the 2008 Cubs; the ten hits included only one homer, Johnson's, and the game had long since been decided by then.
So there's a real shot at a very successful homestand and a series win tomorrow -- perhaps none of us would have given this team a chance at that two days ago -- and as I have said, there is still a long way (114 games) to go. Patience and optimism, please. This season is far from dead.
0 recs | 149 comments
Nice W
Actually enjoyed watching the Cubs today! Fly the flag!
kentmeister - May 30, 2009
here's to hoping
we keep things rolling and continue winning series…baby steps until fully healthy and on into the summer…
will be interesting to see what moves are made here and throughout baseball at the trade deadline
go cubs go
12to23to17 - May 30, 2009
08 Dempster
This was Dempsters best start of the year by far. If he throws strikes he is very good and worth his new contract, if not he’s a very average pitcher.
The hitting was suprisingly good today also, I had almost been accustomed to writing off scoring with guys on but they actually did it today…very nice.
I like Marshall vs Milton…although Milton has been good in his first 2 starts. Fox in left would be a good move.
Heilman is the guy that the Cubs need to replace when the trade market becomes available. He’s just walking way too many guys.
Seemingly the Cubs are now working with a 23 man roster as both Patton and Waddell are unusable lol
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
Who would take Heilman?
Al Yellon - May 30, 2009
I’m not saying anyone will take him….just give him the ‘Dave Veres’ role for the rest of the year.
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
Except don't let him into a playoff game like Dusty did with Veres.
Al Yellon - May 30, 2009
"Dude, Clement doesn't like coming into games as a reliever"
Another pearl of wisdom from the Dust-mite.
CaliCub - May 31, 2009
He said "Dude"
I’m not sure if that impresses or frightens me
chitownhawkeye - May 31, 2009
NO ONE.....
If they had any vision…….THey need to evaluate his role with this club soon…..
cubs north - May 30, 2009
Ramirez
I was wondering today if there has been any updates on how Aramis is progressing?
puckishcubsfan - May 30, 2009
I, too, would like to hear
If anyone knows anything. There’s been a whole lot of silence.
Brett Taylor - May 30, 2009
When it comes to rehab
and stuff like this: no news is good news.
Having to report anything means setbacks.
Allie - May 30, 2009
The thing I really liked about this series so far
How well the Cubs pitchers have handled the very hot Juan Pierre. Holding him to 2-11
jkobus - May 30, 2009
hey he was due for a slump no one keeps hitting 400 esp not slapstick Juan
Just in general this Dodger team has no power and no bullpen. I doubt if they keep it going with the best record all year.
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
Johnson's bunt
was a thing of beauty.
Too bad the Fox schedule threw the gulls’ whole day off kilter. They were probably late for their 7 pm reservation down on Navy Pier.
santo4hof - May 30, 2009
very well written recap
today’s game showed us just how good our team is when we perform to potential, and taking 3 out of 4 from the Dodgers with a win tomorrow will sure make the season feel a lot different than it did a week ago.
ambrosiadreams - May 30, 2009
I know its early but..
winning this series can maybe get some momentum going forward. The starting pitching has been great the last 10 games, and the team is only 4 and 6. With the injuries so far this year 3 games out is a pretty good place to be.
Soriano looks like he might need a DL trip if not a few days off.
wfree0104 - May 30, 2009
I was thinking the same thing about our pitchers
With a 7 run lead, get both Patton and Waddell some playing time. If they give up a few runs, then get Marmol or Guzman up, but it would have been the perfect game to get those guys some innings.
Sobenergy - May 30, 2009
Cubs looked like the team we thought we see all season today.....
…just brillant in all areas of the game today.
Lets hope this is the start of something……Reeds bunt was a thing of beauty!
JB 23 - May 30, 2009
Thoughts
1) I think Heilman is close to losing any sort of pitching job. He walks, can’t hold inherited runs on base and scares the crap out of me pitching even with a 7 run lead.
2) We have really good starting pitching. There’s been some rough patches but I truly believe by the end of the year we’ll be in the top 3 starter ERA in the NL.
3) I’m no pessimist but I really thought Cubs would take at most 1 out of the 4 games this weekend. If they can leave Wrigley winning 3 of 4 I think that’s such a big confidence booster for Atlanta/Cincy/Houston.
4) In case anyone noticed Cubs have a winning record for May. Not sure how that happened but always a good sign.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
Heilman is toast
Mets fans held their breath whenever he entered the game and opposing fans couldn’t wait for him to get into the game last season. Based on 2 months, it looks like he doesn’t have anything left in tank.
You need someone to step up and bridge the gap to Marmol in the 8th and Gregg in the 9th
PhillyCub - May 30, 2009
Guzman
is looking very capable of filling that role at the moment, IMHO.
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - May 30, 2009
Guzman
I feel he can be the 7th inning guy.
I live in NY/CT area so I know allll about Heilman. A few months ago I said people would wish Howry was here instead of Heilman and I still believe that.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
Phillies fans
couldn’t wait for Heilman to get into a game against the Phillies the past few seasons.
So far Guzman is looking like the 7th inning guy
PhillyCub - May 30, 2009
Haha
Every day Mets fans ask me how Heilman is doing. I think anyone who is in Chicago really couldn’t fathom how much pain Heilman caused for Mets fans.
I think the best comparison is if anyone wants to recall the end of the 2004 season. The cringing that bullpen would collapse. That was what happened every game Heilman pitched the last 2 years in NY…and shockingly they didn’t make it in the post season. Had Heilman not blown so many games I could have been in NY or Philly last year seeing the Cubs in post season. I really don’t like him :)
ak123 - May 30, 2009
When I heard Heilman
was a Cub, I wasn’t too happy.
I remember how he pitched for the Mets the past 2 season. He was always complaining how he should be a starter instead of in the bullpen.
PhillyCub - May 30, 2009
Looking at...
… Heilman’s numbers, he was actually a very good middle reliever in 2006 and 2007. I know he was hurt last year. Maybe he still is. Could a DL stint be far behind?
Al Yellon - May 30, 2009
I think the Mets trying to use him as a closer
last year hurt his confidence a lot.
If he can get “it” back, I don’t have any problem with him becoming the 6/7 guy.
Allie - May 30, 2009
we did the same
with LaTroy Hawkins
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
Hey Tim.
Missed you in the game thread today.
sue369 - May 30, 2009
between body hurting like
i was hit with a mac truck, and making the mistake of laying down during the first inning, i missed 75% of the game.
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
ouch!
what did you do to hurt that badly? :-(
Allie - May 30, 2009
its my own fault
and i welcome the pain. it is a “good” pain, so to speak
started a cardio class (first class yesterday) and I am out of shape big time.
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
Keep it up, Tim!
The pain goes away and, like you said, it’s “good” pain :D
Emelie - May 30, 2009
Ah
Nothing quite like the day after pain, huh?
Keep it up!
Allie - May 30, 2009
I can feel
almost every injury I have had over the years (and there have been a lot) and they are all telling me how dumb I was to get this out of shape.
Goal’s I have
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
The key one in all that
is cardio.
If your heart rate is up, you can burn fat and get your wind back.
Flexibility is a different beast though.
Allie - May 30, 2009
yuppers
and I look forward to this challange. cant be any more painful than watching the Cubs in the 90’s, right?
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
LOL
too true. :-P
Allie - May 30, 2009
Aw, hope you
feel better soon. Did you start your classes and that is why you are sore?
sue369 - May 30, 2009
exactly
so the pain is good and needed
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
I may
be strange but I like that feeling. Makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something.
sue369 - May 30, 2009
totally agree
Emelie - May 30, 2009
no doubt
and it is what i need as well. I just have to keep steady and on track now
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
Heilman
Heilman had a great spring and a decent first 2-3 weeks. He’s had Neil Cotts disease the last month or so though. I’m sure Lou’s patience is wearing thin. From his radio interviews he seems like one of the nicest guys on the team but he like so many other relievers can ‘lose it’ so fast.
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
Heilman now has 10 walks in his last 9 2/3 innings….
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
yuck!
i knew it was bad… but that is really bad.
Allie - May 30, 2009
2007 no
His numbers are hiding that he was horrible with inherited runners….something Lou seems to have Heliman pitch during.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
And today...
… when he had NO inherited runners, he put the first two men he faced on base.
Al Yellon - May 30, 2009
I know I'm repeating myself
But by the end of the year everyone will say they’d rather have had Bob Howry than Heilman. Just saying since we blasted Howry so much last year (rightfully so at times).
ak123 - May 30, 2009
Heilman does not
inspire confidence in me when he comes into the game. Stats can say one thing, the guy will drive you nuts!
PhillyCub - May 30, 2009
I just cant fathom
How people thought this trade was great when it happened. I know the obvious answer is they don’t live in the East but still was it that much of a secret that Heilman isn’t very good?
ak123 - May 30, 2009
I think there's a disconnect between the criticism of Heilman today on this thread...
and how he actually pitched. Yes, he did walk a guy, but if you watch the pitch sequences, the pitches were mostly all slotted fine. In his walk to Hudson in fact, the last two “balls” seemed to me to be right on the outer edge of the plate. Good pitches on fastball counts that might very well have gone the other way.
In other words, he wasn’t missing badly. The umpire was squeezing him on those calls (particularly because it wasn’t really consistent with the calls that were being made previously in the game). In the next at bat, after a few pitches where I think he was spooked by the umps zone, he settled down.
Obviously he’s had some rough outings, but I think that a lot of the people complaining here just already don’t like him and are looking for another reason to bash him. His pitching tonight was fine.
CubsWin!Oregon - May 30, 2009
Maybe so
I don’t like him and he hasn’t given me any reason to so far this year.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
I think a lot of the negative here about him
is more personal dislike by many. BCB has an easier doghouse to get into than Lou at times
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
I think that's sometimes true.
Cub fan passion can be a great thing. But it can also be self-defeating. (Sometimes it strikes me as a “the beatings will continue into morale improves” kind of situation).
CubsWin!Oregon - May 30, 2009
I disagree
When he was traded a good majority of people on here thought it was a good trade. I think myself and maybe 2 other people were completely against it.
I mean there’s hasn’t been an anti-Heilman thread yet.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
I do find it interesting
that on a day the Cubs beat the best team in baseball 7-0, and in a series in which the Dodgers have been held to three runs in as many games, most of the posts here focus on Heilman’s shaky inning and Soriano’s travails.
I guess the glass never is half full for some Cubs fans.
Not Bruce Froemming - May 30, 2009
Ehhhh
Since I did bring up Heilman to start these posts above I really can’t argue but I think everyone’s pretty positive today.
For me, I just don’t like Heilman on our team and I was more or less giving my thoughts on why he was pitching today instead of one of our rookies. I truly believe he was being tested today.
ak123 - May 31, 2009
Could be
I agree with Al that I would have preferred to see Waddell, but you might be right about Heilman being tested.
Not Bruce Froemming - May 31, 2009
I am in no way a Heilman apologist
but it seemed that after the first 2 men got on in the 9th, he started hitting his spots better. Don’t get me wrong, I was yelling at the TV as he threw a 4 pitch walk right after the lead off hit to Furcal. Maybe he needed to find his release point or whatever, but he threw better pitches and did the the DP and a dangerous Ethier out.
That being said, from what I have seen of him this year, he’s got to go.
Also, why in the HELL did Lou get Marmol up??? My God, if you can’t sit him with a 7 run lead, when can you? I mean, if it got to the tying run is in the on deck circle, maybe, but you have to let Heilman work out of his jam. Even with the first two men on base, he was only a ground ball from calming the inning down, which he got. Sometimes Marmol comes in and walks a guy or two before he finds his groove. Lou is going to eventually ruin this poor kid’s arm.
BigJohnAZ - May 31, 2009
No complaint, just asking.
Has Soriano ever hit 1 – 2 starting pitching? He may go on a two week terror but I can’t recall it happening against front line or playoff pitching, That’s ok if everyone else is raking.
Employee22 - May 30, 2009
sure he has
Soriano is just either red hot or ice cold. We should all know this by now. And right now he seems to have a nagging knee injury which isn’t helping anything. I predict out of nowhere he will get hot again…its happened plenty of times before.
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
Here are some decent pitchers he has faced at least ten times and had success against.
12-36 for a .333 avg vs. CC Sabathia
9-15 for a .600 avg vs. Kevin Brown
4-10 for a .500 avg vs. Jake Peavy
12-28 for a .429 avg vs. Chris Carpenter
13-35 for a .371 avg vs. Kelvim Escobar
10-24 for a .417 avg vs. Tom Glavine
6-17 for a .353 avg vs. Dan Haren
5-15 for a .333 avg vs. El Duque, Orlando Hernandez
11-27 for a .407 avg vs. Mark Mulder
11-36 for a .306 avg vs. Tim Wakefield
8-21 for a .381 avg vs. Dontrelle Willis
6-12 for a .500 avg vs. Andy Pettitte
Acapulco Taco Pie - May 30, 2009
Did you mean 400 BA vs Peavy?
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
Sure did. heh, sorry about that.
Acapulco Taco Pie - May 30, 2009
His OBP vs. Peavy is .500, my math skills aren't that bad. :)
Acapulco Taco Pie - May 30, 2009
o'tay
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
Well done.
slcathena - May 30, 2009
this is why he's an all-star every year.
his lowed avg is .306.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
I had to be out of town all day at a family function
And didn’t catch one pitch. Reading the recaps and the box score, I am thrilled about the patience at the plate and the hitting from Bradley.
I truly believe Friday’s game was a turnaround. To win after playing so poorly is a booster.
Regarding Heilman, I think Lou is trying to get him some confidence. Not sure it’s going to work, but that’s my guess as to Lou’s logic.
Worf - May 30, 2009
Heilman looked bad again.
But to his credit, he did induce a DP when the crowd was letting him have it. Hopefully he can build on that and do well moving forward.
kanderber - May 30, 2009
YAY!
Just got home, nice to see that they won. :)
slcathena - May 30, 2009
They did it just for you. :D
sue369 - May 30, 2009
You missed a really good game today.
Dempster pitched probably the best game by a Cubs starter this year. To hold the Dodgers to three hits in seven innings is very hard to do these days.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 30, 2009
I'm a huge Dempster
fan so I was very happy to see him do so well today. For me today was a perfect win. I hope this is the turn around we have all been waiting for.
sue369 - May 30, 2009
Great game. Just a wonderful, great game.
How I’ve missed them!
Emelie - May 30, 2009
AND YOU WERE
Able to fly your W Flag……Mine is up in Northern Michigan…..
cubs north - May 30, 2009
The Blackhawk players should be invited to every Dempster start.
Rick B - May 30, 2009
and Larry King singing too? lol
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
LOL
Let’s just stick with the Blackhawks.
Al Yellon - May 30, 2009
and hope they dont sign Larry King
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
eew and we missed RJ's hitting his HR because of Fox's idiotic enamoration of King
Emelie - May 30, 2009
I watched it back on DVR
and they cut to Reed the second the pitcher releases the ball. Larry just finishes the last note of “the old ballgaaaame” on the replay, and then BAM! If you blinked, you likely missed it.
Goodie1969 - May 30, 2009
I blinked
Emelie - May 31, 2009
It was a great win
2008-style Demp, Fonty raking, Reed blasting, and Milton Bradley went 3-4. Lee got some good lumber on the ball too.
It was a series of nice, positive gamethreads, too. Of course, leading from the first on will do that…
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Great game all around.
Demp looked like the Demp of ‘08, Reed Johnson was the man, Fontenot was outstanding (vs. a lefty, to top it off), Bradley had a great game, Guzman looked great again, and I continue to be impressed by Blanco with his great D. Great win, much needed. Let’s hope we can take the series tomorrow night!
kanderber - May 30, 2009
Reed Johnson
If he doesn’t stay with the Cubs after this year he’s going to rank up as one of my favorite 1-2 year Cubs.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
yep!
Emelie - May 30, 2009
Don't put too much into Dempster's start
This Dodger team is playing over it’s head. Juan Pierre’s hitting over .400 and Orlando Hudson is no 3 hitter.
CubFaninCA - May 30, 2009
Why thank you Debbie.
sue369 - May 30, 2009
lol
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - May 31, 2009
Id put more into it than any other Dempster start
Dempster probably wants to forget the NLDS and this was his day to take out those frustrations and pitch a gem to a team that embarrassed him in Game 1.
Now we can move on because Dempster got the win and any confidence booster he might have felt he needed.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
We should put plenty into Dempster's start
If he can start pitching like he did last year, the chances of this club making the post season just went up by a LOT.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Agreed
Demp is the key. Z will have his problems, and Lilly is pretty consistant, IMO. Marshall looks great and Harden will always be the X factor with his potential for injury. If Dempster can mimic 2008, we are in great spot for the division.
BigJohnAZ - May 31, 2009
Theres some merit to this but the Dodgeres also lead the league in runs.
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
Huh?
Dempster just shutout the best team in baseball for 7 innings. That’s HUGE.
kanderber - May 30, 2009
Meh
They’re 23-8 vs. the West. Lets see how good they are when they actually play outside their Division.
CubFaninCA - May 30, 2009
they did.
Today, yesterday, and the day before.
We beat them twice.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
And probably
should have won the game they lost, too.
Not Bruce Froemming - May 30, 2009
LA took 2 of 3 from the Phillies...
…and swept 3 vs.NYM — All w/ out Manny!
calicubfan - May 31, 2009
Not to bring negativity in after a great win, but...
Soriano has been AWFUL for the last month. Coming in to today, his OPS in the last 30 days was .630, with just a .248 OBP. And today’s 0-5 (while looking very, very bad) will bring those numbers down even lower. Obviously we need those to be significantly higher for our leadoff man.
I’d still let him play tomorrow night though. I think that he has a lot more pride in his game than the majority of MLB players, so since he looked terrible on today’s national broadcast, I’m hoping that he’ll snap out of it during tomorrow’s.
Remember a month in when people were talking about him being an MVP candidate this year (or maybe that was just me…)? Sure would be nice to get that guy back soon. If anyone could figure out what it takes to get Sori to snap out of his infamous cold streaks, that person would be a hero!
kanderber - May 30, 2009
I said it too about him being MVP
And I think he will be in contention if Cubs stay in contention.
He also has a sore knee. I have no problems with Hoff taking some time in LF or Jake Fox make a start there if it can rest Soriano.
When that bat heats up again he’s going to be on a major tear and if it happens with Ramirez in the lineup this team is going to be on a nice long winning streak.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
Some would say the reverse is true:
For the Cubs to get back in contention and stay there, Soriano will have to play like an MVP candidate.
Brett Taylor - May 30, 2009
Didn't realize he had a bum knee.
Since when?
I’d prefer his hot streak to be without Ramirez, as that’s obviously when we need him most. But, as you said, if it’s when Ramirez is back, the Cubs are going to win a lot of baseball games.
kanderber - May 30, 2009
They talked about it on TV or on Cubs.com don't remember
Sore left knee I think? It’s been going on since late April I believe. I guess it’s not that serious but he hasn’t been hitting well so perhaps that’s playing a part in it?
But you are right, if he’s hitting better when ARam is gone we’d be in good shape. But hey, we can’t change the last 2 weeks….I think we’ll be ok.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
he's been talking
about a sore knee for about a week. Pat and Ron said he was limping at one point today, but then other people said they didn’t see him limping at the end of that inning (7th?)
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Bears had Good Rex/Bad Rex
Cubs have Hot Soriano/Cold Soriano
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
been that way for 3 years
He’ll shock everyone again soon enough. He barely looks like a baseball player when he goes through these cold streaks.
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
exactly
and seems at tiems people forget that
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
Yeah...
When he’s hot, he’s unstoppable. But when he’s cold, he looks atrocious.
kanderber - May 30, 2009
And when he's cold
you can’t believe he ever hit anything!
Can be really frustrating.
Allie - May 30, 2009
He's a Heckle and Jeckle ballplayer
as Butch Goring would say.
CaliCub - May 31, 2009
The Cubs have sure been streaky this month
Two weeks ago it was all joy. A week ago it seemed like nothing could go right. And now they’ve won 4 of the last 5, 2 against the team with the best record in MLB, and things are looking up again.
ChipSet - May 30, 2009
Reds is an important series
Boy I’d hate to see Dusty win a division with them! I think we need to take 2 of 3 from them in Cincy. Houston should be OK and I haven’t followed Atlanta but I think they’re playing better than most thought they would?
ak123 - May 30, 2009
road trip is going to be tough
The Cubs seem to do much better offensively at home than on the road. If they could just not go on some long disasterous losing streak again though I’ll take it.
jeff_pico - May 30, 2009
That's every team though
Cubs have a very good record at home right now but if they can keep momentum going they should win a bunch of games.
Don’t forget, the last road trip the Cubs got good starting pitching. I think they just hit a cold spot in hitting (perhaps a lot of them were battling that flu bug —-no excuse but perhaps a reason)….I think they’ll have more success on the road this time around.
ak123 - May 30, 2009
just gotta be
.500 on the road. Be .500 on the road, and have a winning season at home, and you’ll get to the post.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
I will be in Cincy
Doing what I can to help the guys sweep the Reds.
Villeslgr - May 30, 2009
For the most part
it seems they have not played well in Cincy the last 4-5 years. Last year they were 2-4 there, I believe. Of course, they did clinch the division there in 2007.
Not Bruce Froemming - May 30, 2009
they did
but I think they lost that game too.
drewishdrewid - May 31, 2009
Atlanta's starting pitching has been performing above all expectations
However, the bullpen has been the usual Bobby Cox mishmash nightmare. They’re a fine team defensively, but generally struggle to score runs. Aside from the upgraded SP, they look a lot like the team that sputtered in August and September of last year.
Clutch16 - May 30, 2009
soriano does this weird wave to the fans in the left field bleachers. he has the palm of his hand facing his face and he waves his hand in front of his face while he looks up at the bleachers – does anyone know what this means (if anything)?
drodd - May 30, 2009
its from john cena
wwe guy.
Allie - May 30, 2009
You Cant See Me
is what the motion stands for. John Cena does it to his “opponents” in WWE
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
Good schedule news
I don’t know if anyone brought this up but Cubs don’t play Brewers or Cards until July and at that point Ramirez might be back? But boy this is going to be a cardiac arrest September! If all 3 teams are in a race still it should be a fun month of baseball (I know I’m really looking ahead)
ak123 - May 30, 2009
LAD tied their season long losing streak today
2 games
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
Make it 3
after tomorrow night!
PhillyCub - May 30, 2009
i like the way you think
Cubbie-Tim - May 30, 2009
It was also the first time they got shut out this year.
They had scored at least one run in every other game so far.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 31, 2009
Just to let you guys know...
That guy Josh Vitters is good. He had a double and a HR today.
Unique - May 30, 2009
That was today? I thought he did that a couple days ago?
Oh wait…he did. Along with the day before that and the day before that and….
santoswoodenlegs - May 30, 2009
Yeah.
Hope he gets promoted soon. He has proven himself, I think.
Unique - May 30, 2009
Soriano
I think we are getting a glimpse of what Soriano will look like as he gets to the later years of his contract. I cringe when I think of what Soriano will be like in years 6,7, and 8 of his contract
cubsmania - May 30, 2009
let's worry about 2009.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
BLou?
CyberCyclist - May 30, 2009
::crickets::
CyberCyclist - May 30, 2009
heh
And here I thought he’d show up to congratulate Dempster on a good outing. Oh wait….
chitownhawkeye - May 31, 2009
That's what steams me
BLou’s not the only one who sulks around when the Cubs lose and is nowhere to be found when they win.
If you’re going to run with the big dogs, you gotta crap with them sometimes, too.
Not Bruce Froemming - May 31, 2009
Not sure that analogy is completely right...
It might be more accurate to say that he tries to crap ON the big dogs, but only when they’re down…
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - May 31, 2009
everything steams you big dog
ol Pete - May 31, 2009
You buttered your bread, now sleep in it!
CaliCub - May 31, 2009
Bitching is King!
yeah, I stole that — from someone in yesterday’s game thread far wittier than I
Emelie - May 31, 2009
That's not how you do it...
You have to look in a mirror and say his name 3 times…
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - May 31, 2009
Not to be accused of being a moderator's pet
But, I have to agree 100 percent with Al on Waddell. Lou has done this before. The game is pretty well locked up. You have an advantage with the shadows. Put the kid in, Lou. Not only to see how he reacts in a MLB situation, but give the kid his shot. I know life isn’t always fair, but what if Harden comes off the DL and you are looking at this kid going down without an appearance? There is no guarantee he ever makes it back. I certainly don’t want him coming in tonight in a pressure packed national tv game never having been on the mound at Wrigley.
Nibbles - May 31, 2009
i was also wondering
why guzman was in.
patton and waddell shoulda closed it out
tim815 - May 31, 2009
I'm sure
Lou and Larry have their reasons.
Not Bruce Froemming - May 31, 2009
cubs
now thats the team we know and love.marshall goes tonight so start scoring some runs for this guy.losing soriano would be devastating so keep your fingers crossed.tired of all these injuries..been a couple of ears since we were this banged up.
NOMAR - May 31, 2009
Bradley and starting to heat up...
He’s up to .748 in OPS after the horrific start. His OPS in May is .801. Not great, but definitely solid. I’d expect an .800+ OPS each month moving forward, and he may well end up over .800 in OPS for the season despite the terrible start.
Similarly, Lee has been great this month. His line in May: .313/.397/.563 (.960 OPS). Much much better stuff from him, and if he keeps that up perhaps we will hear less of the begging for Hoffpauir to replace him.
I am liking the way the bench has been realigned. We now have a power RH bat on the bench in Fox. We have a legitimate defensive specialist backing up 2B and SS in Blanco. We have a platoon partner for Fontenot at 2B in Scales.
The only quibble that remains is the lack of a 3B, but hopefully Fontenot can fill in adequately enough. I don’t have much expectation that Fox will get much PT there, but who knows? Hopefully Fontenot (or whoever gets time there) can do enough, and Fontenot can get his bat going again.
It was nice to see some crooked numbers in the score column yesterday. Hopefully we can follow it up with another big game tonight.
SouthernCub - May 31, 2009
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