With all the discussion of "Who should the Cubs acquire to fill in for Aramis Ramirez" focusing on Mark DeRosa, among others, lately, maybe the answer was right in front of the Cubs' faces the last two days.
This isn't a replay: Geoff Blum drove in the winning run in a 2-1 Astros win over the Cubs. Yes, he did it last night, too. This afternoon it took until the bottom of the 13th inning instead of the bottom of the ninth. Blum likes these sorts of heroics in Houston -- you may remember that he won game 3 of the 2005 World Series for the White Sox with a 14th inning home run, the only hit he had that entire postseason.
Blum isn't really a "Cub-killer", either, though it feels that way after the last two days; the definition of such is a guy who doesn't do much against anyone else, but when it comes to beating the Cubs, he has a knack for key hits or hits much better against the Cubs than the rest of the league. Blum, a .251/.311/.387 lifetime hitter coming into today's game, has a .229/.305/.345 mark vs. the Cubs in 223 career at-bats, not exactly the guy you'd expect to win two games in the way he did today. I'm only half-serious when I say "Get Blum", but if he were a Cub, at the very least he wouldn't be able to lose any games for the Cubs.
He couldn't be any worse than Aaron Miles, could he? Miles didn't start today but wound up 0-for-3 anyway, his average right at the Mendoza line at .200 now. It appears that the shoulder issue that he claims has been bothering him since spring training wasn't fixed by the two weeks on the DL. Frankly, I'd rather have him back on the DL and Jake Fox back. Or acquire Blum. Or anyone. Something has to jump-start this offense, because it has now ruined two outstanding starting pitching performances in a row. The Cubs entered today's game ranked fourth in the NL in team ERA at 3.91, and if the Reds, at 3.85, give up some runs to the Nats tonight, the Cubs could come home with an even higher ranking. The Cubs allowed Houston only five runs in 31 innings in the series, yet won only one of the three games. On the entire road trip -- eight games -- the Cubs allowed 21 runs, less than three per game, but went 4-4.
Ryan Dempster gave the Astros a run in the first inning and then nothing else; he didn't walk anyone and got his ERA under 4.00 (3.87) for the first time all year. Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg threw two shutout innings each and then Jose Ascanio chipped in with one before he was victimized by Blum.
The Brewers cooperated by losing today, so the Cubs remain only 2.5 games behind them, and still only one in the loss column. They will host the Twins tomorrow, and Minnesota lost again on the road to Oakland this afternoon to run their road record to 9-20.
Finally, I wanted to call everyone's attention to this si.com article which is a discussion between Bill James and Joe Posnanski on the value of walks. We all saw how the patience of Cub hitters last year helped lead to their highest run total in decades. Maybe they need to do the same thing again; more baserunners has to lead to more scoring. The Cubs drew five walks today (one intentional), yet their only run scored on a solo homer. Get baserunners... and eventually some of them will score.
Right?
0 recs | 262 comments
Was at the game last night
The Cubs had Wandy on the ropes multiple times but couldn’t come up with the timely hit.
dedfishflote - June 11, 2009
I just hate
to waste these good pitching performances. We’re OK if we keep it up but I fear starting to hit and pitching suffers at the same time. LET’S GET SOME RUNS!
mrcubsfan - June 11, 2009
This is just brutal to watch
When you have Scales, Miles, and Blanco in the lineup at the same time, with Soriano’s and Bradley’s struggles it is just plain bad. How in the world did the Cubs score 7 runs on Tuesday? The way this lineup is contstructed I really can’t see any improvement. They have been is such a long funk I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. They are stuck with what they got. Cubs need more than Blum or some other role player they need a legitimate hitter, and I am sure Lou and Jimbo are saying they are already here in Bradley,Soto and Soriano.
6 hits in 14 innings today, Your kidding me.
Grockcubs - June 11, 2009
Well I would still rather have lights out pitching
and total crap hitting than the other way round. I believe hitters will wake up and bad pitching is forever but Cubs
hitters are sure in a deep slumber.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
Disgusting to watch
This game was really awful. They get shut out by Russ Ortiz of all people? They just keep wasting and wasting pitching. Its unforgiveable.
And I don’t blame Pinella, Hendry or Aram’s injury. This is all on the players that are out there today. They just aren’t getting the job done. Plain and simple. I don’t have an ideas on how to fix it but it is particularly ugly.
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
I'm not asking for Ichiro, but
how about someone who can hit a fly ball or a chipshot onto the infield when it’s first and third and nobody out? Against Russ Ortiz or Wandy-Rod (for God’s sake). Can we find a couple of those. Please? Can we afford not to have Jake Fox right now?
All kidding aside, we do seem to have a lack of contact hitters on this team. I’m sure it is driving Lou insane (or into a funk).
cubmudgeon - June 11, 2009
We have a couple of contact hitters
the problem in that inning is that Theriot was swinging from his heels on ball four and Dome is starting his twirling circus again.
We needed a GB to the right side or a fly out, if you are looking for a productive out. We got neither. When we actually put wood on the ball and GOT the GB, it was the third out. Brutal AB’s by the top of the order in a game situation. Brutal.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
I think you hit the nail on the head
We have the hitters, at least we had guys up in that inning that should be able to make contact. But they seem to lack a basic situational-hitting clue right now. Whatever plan we are going to the plate with, it ain’t the right one..
cubmudgeon - June 11, 2009
Matt Murton
Just saying he was good for contact. Got ragged on for little power but he was a good contact hitter.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
Matt Murton was not clutch, though.
mic - June 11, 2009
Maybe
In 2006, he had 508 PAs, which is about half of his career.
Batting with RiSP: 299/.389/.417
Batting with 2 outs and RiSP: .283/.358/.400
In 2007, with limited playing time, the stats were not nearly as good.
dr stabbingworth - June 12, 2009
So we bring him back
Let him play full time and he is pretty clutch. Works for me.
Doggie Stalker - June 12, 2009
yep he was good for grounding into DPs left and right thanks to his "contact"
WanderingWanderer - June 12, 2009
A double-play from Theriot in the 6th would have scored a run
Shanghai Badger - June 12, 2009
Murton was often good for a sacrifice
and I think he could actually bunt. However I would be perfectly happy if the Cubs called up Fuld instead. He has speed
( not as much as he used to but enough) knows how to bunt etc. What fun that might be. Too bad he is not a crappy infielder.
Doggie Stalker - June 12, 2009
Most of the right players are there
But they’re not doing their jobs.
They better start soon. You can’t guarantee the Brewers and Cardinals will be skidding forever.
Not Bruce Froemming - June 11, 2009
Yeah, they don't play the Rockies all year lol
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
I'm all for more walks
Better patience translating into more baserunners, higher pitch counts for the opposing teams leading to see their bullpen earlier and more frequently. And we all remember how much we enjoyed walked in runs earlier in the year.
However, I don’t think this team will have that sort of patience as long as they aren’t hitting. Right now they’re all pressing, trying to win games instead of getting on base or moving runners over.
chitownhawkeye - June 11, 2009
The answer is simple
Every hitter has to take steroids before and after every game.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
It's disgusting to watch.
I don’t know how long this amazing pitching streak is going to last, and we haven’t been able to take advantage of it at all. Ugh.
Soriano, Bradley, Fukudome, Soto: you better start hitting the damn ball and driving in runs.
SackMan - June 11, 2009
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Didn't you post this
twice in the game threads?
Not enough, huh?
The E-Man - June 11, 2009
today
it’s an aaugh-worthy thread.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Al has asked for no profanity
This is as close as we can get to being honest.
Allie - June 11, 2009
That is true
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
I was surprised Dome...
wasn’t lifted for Johnson or Soto when they brought in the LHP with runners on first and third. It actually would have been an ideal spot for Fox.
Last night Lou was quick to throw Dome in against a RHP; seemed like the game-changer when we couldn’t score with runners on 1st and 3rd and nobody out.
Kansas25 - June 11, 2009
Wow.
I just keep waiting for things to get better (since I am of the belief that management is handcuffed from making any moves this year – with the possible exception of something like a cheap-to-acquire bullpen arm), but the offense is too consistent these days.
I would like to see more inconsistency from the offense soon — like timely hitting, some power, four or five games in a row with 5+ runs on the board instead of 6-8 games in a row where each time a Cubs player crosses home plate makes you want to hold a parade. The offense is just way too consistent and predictable these days.
The last time I saw anything like this was the McGriff year, where 4-6 guys in the lineup were batting sub .250, but the team was holding-on because of the strength of the pitching. Eventually, just adding a sub-.290 McGriff didn’t prove enough to overcome the problem. This year, I’ll be shocked if more than one Cub finishes over .290.
The offense either needs to just get better, or Hendry (if even ALLOWED) needs to suck-up the pride and admit he goofed while there’s still time left to correct the problems on offense. Miles, Scales, Bradley,…the list goes on and on. And as a guy who likes Soriano, even I think the cold spells are getting a little too extended to excuse the next time he has a three-game explosion at the plate.
Something’s gotta give here — there’s an AWFUL lot of salary right now going to players whose numbers could be equalled by someone much, much less expensive.
The Jade Scorpion - June 11, 2009
Are you sure?
“I would like to see more inconsistency from the offense soon…”
They’re not inconsistent enough for you?
sniffy the bee - June 12, 2009
Sox just blew a 3-1 lead
3-3 in the 9th. Milw is licking their chops.
Itchy - June 11, 2009
well thats no good
I have Jenks on my fantasy team lol
This AL central isn’t that hot other than Detroit it seems…maybe we can win a few series vs those teams. Maybe Bradley can actually hit AL pitching?
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
Stat-wise
we used to need to score 4+ runs per game to win. The problem is now that we are giving up 4.1 runs per game. That’s a .500 ball club. Now we need to score more, on average.
After today’s game, we are averaging 4.3 runs scored per game and giving up 4.1 RPG. That ain’t gonna get it done. Last year we averaged giving up 4.16 so the pitching is there, not the offense.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
If you're interested in Posnanski's walk article...
…check out a similar one about walks on his blog.
KC beat writers rule!
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
probably my favorite Missouri based writer
he always does good work
nji232 - June 11, 2009
I think he lives on the Kansas side.
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
but he writes for the KC Star
which is on the Missouri side. Either way he is way better than the crap that STL turns out.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
I'm just giving you crap.
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
i know
we can share the go to writer for everything Mizzou and kU. Since the Star sends him to write about both
nji232 - June 11, 2009
Where's SWL?
My disdain for Miles may be growing larger than that of Bradley’s.
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
Its about time
Though its okay to hate both.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
I'm annoyed with Bradley
But Pepe just isn’t very good at baseball. Bradley just sucks at staying healthy.
Allie - June 11, 2009
More numbers
I think this tells where we are getting killed.
When we give up 3 runs or less, our record is 17-10. When we score 3 runs or less, we are 3-19. The close, low scoring games are our demise.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
if you give up 3 runs or less
you should be better than 17-10 IMO
nji232 - June 11, 2009
Agree
that’s where the team is failing. We waste good pitching with lousy offense. And the games where we are not scoring more than 3, we are losing. You would think that overall, both records should be close to equal.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
As I brought up in
the game threads, unfortunately, the Cubs are .001 percentage points of being worst in MLB with RISP.
This scenario occurred to the White Sox in 2006. It lasted the entire season.
How is it possible that this trend will continue much longer?!
Also, I heard Kap on the CSN Sportsnight Show today. He has heard from Crane Kenny not to expect any “significant” player acquisitions due to the bs ownership issue. As per usual, us fans will be the ones suffering this year because of Zell.
The E-Man - June 11, 2009
if the pitching stays ok and the hitting keeps sucking
Just who do we add to the offense and where? This is whats so frustrating. We have guys that SHOULD be able to do the job but just aren’t.
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
Forget adding
Shake it up a bit. Sit Soriano. Sit Theriot. Sit Geo for a week. Send Miles and/or Scales down, call up Fox, and have him bat clean-up. Throw RJ out there against righties and lefties. Intersperse your good hitters with your crap for a couple of games. Have Piniella hit Lilly in the face with a pie. Freaking anything except this same old tired crap that Just. Isn’t. Working.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
I love all of that
I hope every bit happens tomorrow.
And that they catch the Lilly face smash on camera!
Allie - June 11, 2009
I’m not convinced anyone in either Chicago or Iowa or Tennessee for that matter is going to spark this team. Where is Fox going to play defensively?
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
3B
He’s been practicing!
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
I was going to ask that.
Although I guess we could do it for the interleague series’.
If you sit Sori, Reed can go in for him. If you sit Riot, Blanco can go in for him. You can’t send Miles back down, so Scales has to go.
That means that at some point, you have this kind of lineup:
Dome (who else is going to hit first)
Johnson
Lee
Bradley
Fox (DH)
Fontenot
Soto
Blanco
Miles
I’m not entirely sure that’s significantly better than any other lineup we’ve put out there. If you put Hoff in for Bradley or Lee, I think you get the same net product.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Reed's lead off before
He could do it instead of Dome… esp if we’re going against a LHP
Allie - June 11, 2009
alright
so you switch Dome and Johnson. But either way, one of them is exposed to pitching they don’t hit well. Fonty’s still at third.
I mean, I’m not opposed to it, because the “normal” way isn’t working either, but this doesn’t fill me with any more confidence than the regular lineup.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Drop Bradley to 8th, too
Break up that weak-sauce middle-infield tandem.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
ok
so now we have
Johnson
Dome
Lee
Fox
Fontenot
Soto
Blanco
Bradley
Miles
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
What's that look like?
Speed, speed, power, power, contact, contact, blech, on-base, blech
Tell MB to keep the bat on his damned shoulder, and you could probably score more than 2 runs in 23 innings with that line-up.
And I still say Ted needs to get a pie to the face.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
you wanna know what I wanna know?
where the hell is Ryan Freel?
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Hanging with Farney, naturally
Is he on the 25-man roster, still?
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
Farney
or Freel?
On the injury updates page, it says:
Freel, Ryan (CF) 06/04 15-day DL Mid-June Strained left hamstring Worked out at Cubs’ Arizona facility on June 1.
Center field???
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Oh, why not?
Riiiight – power numbers. That’s why not.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
Freel has played the outfield before
he’s a true utility man, he just isn’t very good anymore. Which naturally meant Hendry had to have him
WanderingWanderer - June 12, 2009
On the DL
Hammy pull.
(Dangit Prince, thats not a meal!)
Allie - June 11, 2009
Good spot for him.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
We played the Astros and missed Oswalt
and still only scored 2 runs in 23 innings.
Allie - June 11, 2009
I didn't expect too much vs. Wandy
Lefties with decent command and off-speed stuff give us fits. I still expected more than one run.
Russ Ortiz was washed-up 2 years ago – I guess that stint in the bullpen did all sorts of good things for his confidence, but he still shut us down. That’s. Not. Good.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
Ortiz now has an 18 IP scoreless streak
You’re welcome, Russ.
Allie - June 11, 2009
Give a game
It doesn’t fill me with a whole lot of confidence either… but something needs to be done. Or we’re going to be the Giants: killer pitching and can’t buy a run.
Allie - June 11, 2009
How many more W's
would the team have now with DeRo and A-Ram playing for them?
5? 6?
1st PLACE BABY!
The E-Man - June 11, 2009
Maybe one or two with A-Ram
Probably none with DeRo.
Sorry, E. This is much, much bigger than DeRo.
Not Bruce Froemming - June 11, 2009
I think you might agree that
DeRo may have saved a game or two with his glove, maybe.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Maybe, maybe
I’m not sure either one of them saves a net of even one game at this point, however, considering how profound the offensive slump has been.
Not Bruce Froemming - June 11, 2009
The game where Fonty made a bad throw to the plate
which was the winning run is one in recent memory. I have a feeling DeRo makes that play.
I’m not going to get on the topic of who we have or don’t have. It’s all moot. If the guys we have were hitting, we wouldn’t even see it in these discussions.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Exactly
Not Bruce Froemming - June 11, 2009
I know you hate to admit that letting DeRo go was a mistake to the point that you refuse to believe he would contribute at all
but DeRosa would be second on the team in homers, and first (by a mile) in RBIs if he was putting up the numbers he is in Cleveland.
You really don’t think that production would have won ANY more games? Despite the number of one run losses we have? You need to look past your pre-dispositions
WanderingWanderer - June 12, 2009
while I valued Mark DeRosa as much as the next guy
I don’t think you can just say “well, he’s done this with Cleveland, so you can pick up those stats and plunk them down with the Cubs, and he’s be awesome.”
It’s possible he could have done well. It’s possible he would have been better at third than Fonty. On the other hand, it’s also possible that he could have choked like he did in the 2007 playoffs.
It doesn’t matter anyway. We have the here and now, and not Mark DeRosa.
drewishdrewid - June 12, 2009
Rec'd
Shanghai Badger - June 12, 2009
Another funny thing
as much as it seems we wait for the long ball to win games, Sori leads the team with 14, your lead off guy, and the next hitters close to him are Theriot, Fonty and Lee with 6. Are you kidding me?
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
the hitting has been so awful
What do you expect? If they hit more homers they would probably have scored more runs by now. But homers aren’t the solution just the simple things like being able to hit sac flys or get hits in general are the problems with this team.
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
I agree
but we don’t hit HR’s either. Other than Sori, NO ONE has double digits yet!
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
And Sori's your team RBI leader with 27!
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
As streaky as he is, and we all know it
he’s the only one hitting the baseball to this point. Your lead off man is your HR and RBI leader. And Theriot leads in total hits.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Soriano's batting average is .237 and he's the only one hitting the baseball?
zevkalman - June 11, 2009
He's the only one driving in runs
how’s that?
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
If memory serves
his BA with RISP is pretty awful. Not that anyone elses is better.
chitownhawkeye - June 11, 2009
True, but if your leadoff guy is your RBI leader, isn't that saying something
about the rest of the lineup?
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Saying something alright
mostly “blech”.
Other than Derrek, everyone sucks.
Allie - June 11, 2009
We need another Peanuts graphic
I’m pretty sure there’s a picture of Snoopy spitting out a ball saying “Blech”
chitownhawkeye - June 11, 2009
heh-heh
well, I found this:
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Wasn't able to find that one
But this struck me as appropriate:
“Where’d all my run support go?”
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
I found this one, but it's on a coffee cup.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 11, 2009
Here are some others we could use.
For a walk-off home run (this is the only size I could find this):
If Lou does something strange (I used this today when he sent in Miles today to bat):
If we strike out looking:
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 12, 2009
I got something going on
with the top one, but haven’t been able to use it yet.
drewishdrewid - June 12, 2009
We haven't been able to use that one since June last year.
Or April this year.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 12, 2009
And this one for a rain delay
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 12, 2009
No offense to anyone...
…but I think these Peanuts graphics are plain stupid.
dtpollitt - June 12, 2009
I'm gonna chalk this up to an 'age' thing and move on
Schultz was never my favorite, but he did love the game.
Clutch16 - June 12, 2009
That's worse than hating Lance Berkman
Shanghai Badger - June 12, 2009
nothing is worse than hating The Great Faker, aka Fat Elvis
what he did in that AB against Remlinger several years ago will go down in the annals of cowardice, sleaziness, and all-around big-pile-of-crappiness.
ballhawk - June 12, 2009
Yep
That’s what I’m talkin’ bout when I say I don’t like ol’ Lancie
Shanghai Badger - June 12, 2009
I don't remember this.
Please tell me what happened.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 12, 2009
2004 in a game in Chicago
He pretented to be really hurt when Remlinger threw high and inside.
Shanghai Badger - June 12, 2009
Academy award for acting.
Sounds like someone in Atlanta we saw earlier this year, only worse.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 12, 2009
That was Yunel Escobar
who acted like he was hit in the face despite the ball clearly hitting the bat and not him.
For a while, he was the only thing separating Randy Wells from a perfect game.
Bill Potter - June 12, 2009
And let me guess.
The ball didn’t come close to hitting him.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 12, 2009
Hit his bat
Clutch16 - June 12, 2009
There are lots of people that aren't going to find funny what others do
But I’m someone if I notice it’s on will watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special.
Madison Cub Fan - June 12, 2009
in the end
they’re all silly.
drewishdrewid - June 12, 2009
And what's the point of being grown up if you can't be childish now and then
Shanghai Badger - June 12, 2009
You know it's bad when Allie is saying that
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
That is sad
Beat a dead Horse, DeRosa has 40 RBI’s
Grockcubs - June 11, 2009
Irrelevant
I think the Indians might be leading the AL in baserunners. He has more opportunities to drive in runs.
Seriously, enough pining for this guy. He’s not the answer. The answer is on the team already, but they’re not doing what they’re supposed to do.
Not Bruce Froemming - June 11, 2009
Sad, but true
that’s why our RISP is so crappy. We may not get as many on base, but we aren’t driving them in at all. Seems lately we’ll have a good game with RISP and the rest all suck.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
"He has more opportunities to drive in runs."
But everyone on the cubs has had plenty of opportunities…
mic - June 11, 2009
we've had plenty of guys on base. We aren't driving them in
therefore it’s not irrelevant.
WanderingWanderer - June 12, 2009
Reds lose 3-2
Nats score two in the 8th. Pathetic to care but every loss helps.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
Not pathetic to care.
Pathetic that the Reds lost to the Nats. They almost lost to them last night, too, after a two hour rain delay the Nats scored two runs in the 9th, but lost in extras.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2009
No one is going to lose EVERY game
Shanghai Badger - June 11, 2009
Reds and Cubs have similar no punch offenses
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
Red's offense is much better than the Cubs
Right now at least. Votto will likely be back before A-Ram.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
Hard to say.
Votto’s problem is really hard to fix.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2009
What is wrong with Votto
Concussed?
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
no one knows
Could be anything from just physical concussion stuff to much more serious stuff like drugs? No one really knows.
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
Anxiety
and some kind of inner ear thing.
The Reds’ best pitcher is on the shelf too.
Allie - June 11, 2009
Mr.Cueto begs to differ with that statement
I think Volquez got injured because his hair weighed him down too much.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
much better? They've scored 10 more runs but have a lower ba, opb, slg %
Reds: 256 runs 248/323/398 reds
Cubs: 246 runs .250/330/409 cubs
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
oh yeah because of the rainouts the reds have played 2 more games. I'd say they are pretty much even.
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
Don't rag on the Nats too much.
Cubs will probably end up going 3-3 against them.
mic - June 11, 2009
Agreed!
Wouldn’t it be great to have said, “Wow, we had a GREAT ROAD TRIP!” sigh…
The E-Man - June 11, 2009
actually this road trip was ALOT better than the last one :)
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
You're lucky you added that smiley at the end lol
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Sad
but true.
Allie - June 11, 2009
Should have walked Blum too.
When they walked Berkman to get to Blum I had a bad feeling. I was hoping they would walk Blum too in order to get to Pudge, especially after being beat by Blum last night. And Pudge has been aweful at the plate. If you’re conceding the game to a base hit with two outs anyhow, why not?
DCCubsFan - June 11, 2009
Pence was already at 2nd when they walked Berkman, which was the right call
30 out of 30 managers choose to face Blum over Rodriguez in that spot. And another walk means a walk, wild pitch, passed ball, etc. wins the game.
Shanghai Badger - June 11, 2009
Wasn't Pudge 0 for the series?
I’d take my chances.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
Thankfully, we are STILL in this thing
If the hitting woes continue, then we are toast and we’ll know why we didn’t make the post season. Eventually, these guys are going to start hitting, right? RIght? Bueller? Anyone…?
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
I don't know
Cubs with Miles, Blanco, Scales, K. Hill getting starts, that is a weak bunch. I can see this team struggling to score runs all year. Thinking Ramy is the all to end all, is wishful thinking. Hendry is stuck, he spent all the money in the piggy bank, so this is the team.
Grockcubs - June 11, 2009
this is the million dollar question
once Aram comes back things should be a little better. These games against the AL teams come pretty huge. A change of pace maybe things will change. I’ve been a fan for 26 years and I don’t remember a Cub team that had this much trouble putting up even a few runs.
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
And ARam most likely isn't going to be the 2nd coming of Ted Williams
when he comes back. His first 2 or 3 weeks are going to be like Spring Training again.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
I'll take Aram-spring training level over Blanco/Scales
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
A big ten four on that!
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Spring Training recovering from an injury, on top of it
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Freedom!!!!!!!!
exams are done, hurray!
Chanman25 - June 11, 2009
Congrats
So now what do you do ?
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
eh I guess wait til the Fall
LOL
Chanman25 - June 11, 2009
Gawd....
does their offense suck. This is so depressing.
jimvanders - June 11, 2009
They would have to get better to suck
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Cubs and Sox offensive woes.
I heard Comcast Cubs Expert Todd Hollandsworth on the Score. Hollandsworth said that the Cubs & Sox offenses are very similar. I hadn’t thought of that before Hollandsworth’s comment and I haven’t seen an examination of the stats, but it does now appear to me that they are quite similar. And that’s not a good thing.
DrCrawdad - June 11, 2009
They are when it comes to runs scored
They have scored one more than us before play today. They have given up 44 more than us, so that shows the pitching we have and they don’t.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Big games.
That pitching run difference has one game the Sox gave up 20 runs. That one game skews the numbers.
DrCrawdad - June 11, 2009
I forgot about that one
so they are closer to each other than the numbers say. I don’t watch any of their games, so I don’t have a feel for the team at all.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Judging from what I've seen, I'd say that in general so far...
The Cubs starters have done better than the Sox.
The Sox BP has been better.
DrCrawdad - June 11, 2009
I think it's safe to say Cubs and Sox fans
both wish it was 2008 again.
Goodie1969 - June 11, 2009
Yeah, IF...
… the Sox had Carlos Quentin and Joe Crede healthy in the playoffs then yes.
I know it’s a cliche but there is a lot of baseball left to be played. If I were betting, the Cubs have a better chance. I don’t think either the Brewers or the Cardinals are all that. The Tigers are playing very well and if their pitching continues (Verlander & Jackson) they’ll be really tough for the Sox to pass. Fortunately for the Cubs I don’t think they’ll face those two.
DrCrawdad - June 11, 2009
Bullpen
I have said it time after time after time after time after time after time since the offseason that bullpen would be the death of us. Yet everyone keeps blaming it soley on the offense. They find a way to lose the game for us almost every game. Marmol’s arm is gonna freaking fall off if we don’t quit pitching every damn day or getting him like he’s coming into a game. He can’t do it alone. Ok I feel better now. I will now proceed to climbing off the ledge and being a lifelong Cub fan again even though I’m disgusted!
cubsluver22 - June 11, 2009
bullpen?
Just how long is our bullpen supposed to hold off teams until the offense scores?
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
your referring to
just tonight I’m referring to the season as a whole. Aramis will be back with a vengeance and Soto has began to hit. That will allow us to move our 2b back to 2b. I think our offense will be ok eventually.
This bullpen has been horrible all year long and will continue to do so. I believe without a shadow of a doubt if we don’t find Marmol some help he will be under going some sorta medical repaid surgery on his pitching arm soon. If I’m wrong so be it but I will stand by that opinion!
cubsluver22 - June 11, 2009
repair
cubsluver22 - June 11, 2009
I think the bullpen has improved lately
They’ve been working with 0 margin of error which makes it tough but I think there is alot more hope that the bullpen is somewhat improved compared to the constantly struggling offense.
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
The bullpen has been much better of late
and the extra inning games are putting a lot more pressure on them. The lack of offense is the problem for last few weeks.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
Not looking at any numbers
but I don’t think any team has a stellar bullpen. Ours has been pretty inconsistant generally, but the last couple of weeks I can’t really fault them.
How many games are we going to go into late innings with one or two runs on the board? That has been our demise lately. If the bullpen only gives up one run in the last 3 innings and extra innings, that’s a good thing. We have to be able to put runs on the score sheet. Not RUN, but RUNS.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Isn't that
kinda like their job??
cubsluver22 - June 11, 2009
Sure, it's their job
it’s also the hitters todrive guys in. You tell me who’s doing their job lately?
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
The big 4
Lilly, Z, Dempster, Wells
Have all been awesome.
Allie - June 11, 2009
And we get Richie back on Saturday
5 1/2 starting pitchers is a damned fine thing to have.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
Yep
Zambrano should bat clean up.
Allie - June 11, 2009
No he should bat third
TED should bat clean up.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
Or Lilly 3rd
so that Z can hit the sac flies to knock him in after he hits his 3Bs
Allie - June 11, 2009
Hell even Dempster got a hit today
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
incorrect...
Lilly should bat 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, AND the 10th, yes Ted gets an extra AB spot.
desmoCubbie - June 12, 2009
I personally
think if you look at the last couple of weeks…next Tuesday as the outlier…the bullpen has been pretty good with the exception of Marmol. Guzman seems to be emerging and Ascanio seems to be pretty decent. We have jettisoned Cotts, added Marshall, etc.
For the most part this season, the offense has not give the pitching staff any type of breathing room. Imagine how mentally taxing it is too constantly have to pitch in 1 run games or tied games.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
Marmol’s arm is gonna freaking fall off if we don’t quit pitching every damn day or getting him like he’s coming into a game. He can’t do it alone.
Uh. The bullpen (or the rest of it) has had to bail him out more than once already.
I remain unconvinced that this is an overuse thing. He only had two days of rest this time, and he still struggled with command today.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
I wonder if Carlos has some sort of physical thing
that’s bothering him. Some sort of discomfort or something. He doesn’t seem to get locked in like he used to. Or, we all know about Z’s arm slot issue, maybe Marmol has a mechanics issue? I’m just trying to think of some other reasons.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
When you
Can’t even throw your fastball for a strike…it is probably mechanics..at least that is what I would wager.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
Marmol and Z are similar
When they don’t feel they’re getting the ball across, they drop their shoulder and try to muscle it in there. Zambrano is slowly coming to the realization that that doesn’t work most of the time, where someone’s going to have to drill it into Marmol’s head eventually.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
I've asked those who watch
if Marmol’s arm has dropped. Thing is, he’s still hitting 94, 95 mph. I don’t think that it can be THAT much mechanics. He just can’t get it over the plate.
Frankly, he got lucky tonight, especially for the last few batters he faced in the second inning he pitched.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
He is missing wide left or wide right
with his fastball. That leads me to believe he is flying open and/or his release point is all jacked up. But I am not pitching coach and my last official pitch was when I was 11 years old.
He does not exactly have textbook mechanics to begin with so I am not surprised that from time to time he struggles with command
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
Maybe I need
to watch a coupla games. Use the work laptop. :D
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
He went through this last year
for a few weeks and then he righted the ship.
Everything pitching is being magnified this year cause the offense has struggled so mightly.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
That's what I've noticed, too.
He does fly open, which leads to the arm doing one of two things:
1. Trying to catch up with the body and missing wide left.
2. Staying behind the body and missing wide right.
Bill Potter - June 12, 2009
He looked like Dontrelle Willis to me last time I watched him pitch
Arms and legs going everywhere with no idea of where the ball was going.
Allie - June 11, 2009
Word of advice:
Don’t start your argument with ranting about how long and how many times you’ve been saying this.
It’s annoying.
mic - June 11, 2009
I don't believe that the walks will come back
until they start to hit again. Right now, nobody in the lineup is striking fear in the opposing pitchers. They are pounding the zone and daring us to hit the ball.
I will repost something that I said during the 8 game losing streaks…they have to start hitting for more power as well…not homeruns per say…but more doubles power. It is hard to score runs or have big innings when you have to string together three hits in an inning to plate one run. We have also seen where sometimes three hits is not enough to plate the run either.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
Part of that is our inability
to steal and goes first to third. How many bases have we stolen in the last 20 games? have we had more than one SB in a game lately? Our offense has totally dried up, no steals, no doubles, only solo HR’s, yadda yadda. It’s getting old. We have no room for error for our starters or relievers.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Yes...
Team Speed is an issue. I would certainly like to see some more hit and runs, double steals, anything to get the infield moving around and opening more holes for the hitters. Of course, for some of this to work successfully it depends on the ability of our hitters put the ball in play and to also hit to the opposite field something that I don’t think we have done particular well this year.
I certainly would like to see this more for the bottom of the order when runners are on. Those guys (Scales, Blanco, Miles) are not going to get a lot of ringing hits so they need those holes.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
We only have 25 SB's as a team
we aren’t forcing the defense to make plays, either. We aren’t making the pitcher work or take notice of us on the basepaths. Situational hitting is poor. Houston got their first run on a sac fly. If we do that in the 6th? it may have been a different outcome. It’s not like we need to bat around in an inning to get back into the game, all we needed today was a ground ball to the right side or a sac fly.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
As a subscriber to EI
I watch a lot of baseball…I see teams fail with the runner on third with less than 2 outs a lot…but it sure seem like we are failing all of the time this year.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
It sure seems like it.
To add insult to injury regarding stolen bases, we have also been caught 15 times. That means 37.5% we make an out. I don’t know what the league average is, but wow, that seems a lot to me.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Theriot
Theroit started off his career with a bunch in a row, but ever since then he’s been pretty awful. He’s really not a great base stealer. Soriano has bad legs. I really don’t know who else we have that could steal bases on a regular basis. This just isn’t part of this team. They are supposed to put up numbers like they did last year or at least come close, so far not so good on that front.
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
You are correct
this team is not built with any speed. And our speed guys are hurt or not getting on base.
We aren’t hitting dingers or playing small ball. There you have it so far this year.
I hope the starters can hang in there until some semblance of offense returns. They have been outstanding this season.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
"He’s really not a great base stealer."
And the rest of the league knows it. Pudge, Quintero, and the entire Astros pitching staff tried to pick Theriot off multiple times. That CS may have actually been an SB, but the catcher knew to look for it, and was on his feet and throwing the moment the ball was in his mitt.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
Soriano's leg injuries are REALLY frustrating
when you think about it. A major reason we gave him that truckload of money was to be one of the few guys in baseball with 40/40 ability….and about a month into his 8 yr contract his leg issues began. Now he’s no longer a leadoff hitter because of his speed, but simply because he’s comfortable leading off (translation: he likes leading off because he has no pressure with no one on base!)
With his bad legs at #1, it’s like having Jack Cust leadoff. And we’re stuck wtih him for 5 more years. Ugh.
reedjohnson - June 12, 2009
Yeah..
We don’t have too many trailblazers on our team. We have some guys who have decent speed and can steal a base from time to time but nobody who is a legit threat. Soriano will probably never steal 20 bases again. Theriot tends to pick the wrong time to steal. Johnson is okay. Dome is probably the one guy who could steal a little bit more but because he is hitting in the third hole they probably don’t want him taking the chance of getting caught with Lee and Bradley coming to the dish. However, at this point, it should be all hands on deck.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
I agree
if your RBI guys aren’t getting hits and driving in those runs, you have to get them over to second and third somehow and hope for a sac fly or another productive out to get them plated.
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
the cubs have
historically been, a slow team. i started following in the late 60’s. rarely has speed been a key component.
i’m not sure speed is highly valued or well-taught in the system.
hopefully i’m wrong. and/or hopefully this changes.
tim815 - June 11, 2009
Speed would matter less
if we weren’t idiots on the bases.
Smart baserunning is more important that speed, IMHO.
Allie - June 11, 2009
So we're 0 for 2
Woo hoo!
chitownhawkeye - June 11, 2009
Isn't being a bad baserunner required to be a Cub?
Doesn’t it seem like historically smart players look like complete dunces running the bases once they put that Cub uniform on? It seems like we lead the league in baserunning gaffes every year. Why is this?
reedjohnson - June 12, 2009
So...I looked at our Situtional Stats for this year
with runners on third and less than 2 outs. We are dead last when it comes to that run scoring. We also are just about at leage average for the number of PAs in that situation. We are also near dead last with advancing the runner to third with no outs in the inning.
Here is the linky if you care
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
I will take your word for it
Don’t need the link, my eyes have seen enough.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
And for comparision
Last year, the did lead the league in the runner scoring from third stat and were near the top of advancing runners to third with no outs.
However, in fairness, three playoff teams were near the bottom in the category last year. It is just magnified on our team this year since the current offensive climate is bleak and any run we can get is uber important
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
Does that link (or BRef in general)
have a break down of how runs come? It feels like we’ve scored a lot of runs on HRs, but BRef is hard on my eye.
Allie - June 11, 2009
That particular
stat does not indicate in how the runner got home. I am not enough of a stat geek to know if such a stat exists.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
Well, time to tie on the old feed bag.
Have a good night whomever is still out here. We’ll go get’em tomorrow!
BigJohnAZ - June 11, 2009
Farnsworth, DeRosa & Eyre
In out of town news Mark DeRosa scores the winning run for the Indians of Dr. Tightpants while Scott Eyre gets the win for the Phillies over the Mets. This is all as I would like it but unlike everyone who pines for DeRosa I am still MORE upset about how the Cubs treated Eyre. Eyre is having a great year just as he had a great season for the Phillies last year after being dumped by Lou. He is the ultimate LOOGY and Manual has used him very sparingly. This year he has only given up an earned one in one appearance ( though he did give up 4 runs in that game). Can you imagine how valuable Eyre would have been both last year and this if he had not been sent to the doghouse ? A effective lefty I mean why would we want one of those.The Cubs didn’t trade him for players or to save salary , they dumped him more or less in favor of Howry. Of all the roster decisions I still find this the most senseless and worthless.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
Eyre was wasted b/c Lou doesn't know how to use a LOOGY
Allie - June 11, 2009
alright
but how long are we going to pine for traded players? Someone said that they thought McGhee was someone to miss.
Fine. DeRosa could have stayed. Fine, Eyre was misused. It doesn’t MATTER. They’re GONE.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Yes
People need to realize that there is no savior who is going to ride in and fix this team. Either the players they got start producing or they don’t. It is just that simple.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
absolutely
This team SHOULD be able to score 3 or 4 runs a game on a consistent basis. I’d take even that.
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
Eyre matters to me
because he is the prime example of Lou’s mismanagement . We lost several games this year because of his clueless use of the bullpen . I mean maybe shaking up the batting order or a different pinch hitter might help here and there but really only so much he can do re hitting but I replay those bullpen foul ups over and over. We did not TRADE Eyre. we DUMPED him because Lou did not trust him but trusted Howry. The Cubs won 97 games so it got glossed over but there ARE things we have & had control over . Those who do not remember their past are condemned to repeat it and I don’t think Lou remembers much.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
and I say again
it doesn’t matter.
Do you really think that Scott Eyre would have given us what we needed for wins? The man is a LOOGY anyway. He’d only have been coming on for ONE batter.
Fine. He’s an example of Lou’s mismanagement. We have examples of that ON THE FREAKIN’ ROSTER. Eyre is gone. It’s over.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Besides
even if we had him, he still wouldn’t be used, or used as a proper LOOGY. So you’d be screaming at Lou for misusing him again.
chitownhawkeye - June 11, 2009
even if he WAS used
as a proper LOOGY, it’s unlikely that it would make THAT much of a difference…
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Agreed
chitownhawkeye - June 11, 2009
Yes I do think he would make a difference
but yes it would probably require Lou to know how to use a LOOGY. You really think we would not have won some more games if we did not have a real LOOGY instead of Cotts ? If Lou did not overuse Marmol ? Eyre is both an example of what was done wrong in the past but also of what continues to be done wrong ( at least up until this past week when Lou was forcecd by circumstance to let the dog pound pitch in a crucial game). If our hitters wake up but Lou falls back to using Marmol and Gregg only it won’t get any better.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
+1
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
You really think we would not have won some more games if we did not have a real LOOGY instead of Cotts ?
I’m trying to remember how many games Cotts actually gave up the winning runs on. I can only think of two, which doesn’t mean that there aren’t more, that’s just what I can remember.
Can you guarantee that Scott Eyre wouldn’t have given up those runs? EVERY reliever gets lit up from time to time.
I remain unconvinced that Marmol’s problems are overuse. He’s still throwing 95 mph; overuse would prevent him from doing that. Maybe his mechanics are screwed up, maybe his confidence is low. Hopefully yesterday helped with that, but he STILL threw a lot of balls.
drewishdrewid - June 12, 2009
Cotts did not really give up winning runs
but it was a domino effect. He would come in , WALK BATTERS be totally useless and then Lou would have to go
deeper into the pen. I think Eyre’s record since he left the Cubs speaks for itself. Use him to get one or maybe two outs and he is TERRIFIC especially with a manager who TRUSTS him.
Marmol has clearly been abused and it just sends him spiralling down.
Doggie Stalker - June 12, 2009
I like McGehee
ol Pete - June 11, 2009
That's fine, but he wouldn't be the difference between
The Cubs being 29-28 and, say, 34-23. Someone earlier today was making a big deal out of it.
Shanghai Badger - June 11, 2009
Blums not any better
than my man Wilson Betemit…. and Betemit is much younger, why love for Blum but none for Betemit???
DartmouthCubsFan - June 11, 2009
I was half joking about Blum.
The guy isn’t really that good, but he seems to have a knack for hitting in clutch situations. (Yes, I know. No numbers back this up. Don’t start quoting me numbers.)
Al Yellon - June 12, 2009
From the CNNSI article
Joe Morgan is only 5’7"? No wonder he talks such trash – Napoleon syndrome, anyone?
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
is that a real 5'7"
or a Fontenot 5’7"?
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
It's baseball
Obviously, a Fontenot 5’7"
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
So thats what?
5’3"?
Allie - June 11, 2009
No 5'3" is Pedroia
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
At least the BoSox have the sense
to put their small undertalented scrappy IF at his correct position.
Allie - June 11, 2009
Oh, I'm sorry
I was just polishing my MVP trophy.
Pretty sure we’ll never see Riot in the remake of that spot.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
if we do
i’ll eat my shoe.
Allie - June 11, 2009
and I will
eat my hat…
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
Hell, I'll buy a new hat
And eat it.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
I will build an alter to Theriot....out of shrimp...
in my stomach.
santoswoodenlegs - June 11, 2009
Will that require surgery?
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
just a fork.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Joe Morgan might be a lot of things, but he happens to also be one of the all-time greats to ever play the game
One of the most dynamic leadoff man the game ever saw. Got on base, ran exceptionally well and stole bases, and had pop. Also was a very good 2nd baseman. A vital cog to the Big Red Machine dynasty teams.
BLou - June 12, 2009
He was a great player
But he’s a crap analyst.
Allie - June 12, 2009
Thats prolly one of the nicer things someone has said about him as an analyst
Madison Cub Fan - June 12, 2009
An arm worse than Theriot
Shanghai Badger - June 12, 2009
SI Power Rankings. Cubs at #11
Allie - June 11, 2009
Link?
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/06/11/power.rankings/index.html
Allie - June 11, 2009
"New Fans"???????
Ha. I fell for Ted at the 2007 Convention before he ever threw a pitch for the Cubs and I had not even followed his career much.
He was on a panel of new players and when they asked them which current player they most like to be play with , he flashed his little smirk and said “Greg Maddux” . So basically he had me at hello.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
Yeah
the “new fans” killed me too.
We’ve been Tedheads for years now.
Allie - June 11, 2009
exactly
he’s been my favorite pitcher for a while now
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
I know this link is in the Lillyism post
But thought I’d post it for anyone who hasn’t checked it out. I loved todays post.
http://tedlillyfanclub.blogspot.com/
Madison Cub Fan - June 12, 2009
I won't shed a tear
when SI is reduced to nothing but paper shreds and circuit board bits. They know not the power they tempt.
chitownhawkeye - June 11, 2009
They just don't get it
but Ted will make sure they do in the future.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
They will loathe the day
they decided to question the awesomeness of Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt Lilly III.
Reddevil - June 11, 2009
They didn't get the name of this site right, either.
Al Yellon - June 12, 2009
Well...I will exit with
this…every team loses 60 and wins 60. Lets hope some of these frustrating loses are part of the 60 bucket.
TheRiot Police - June 11, 2009
Unfortunately, I think these are the definition of the middle ground...
I feel like that everyone wins 60 and losses 60 is a toss-away statement to begin with. But any game that goes extra-innings is, by definition, a winnable game.
SouthernCub - June 12, 2009
One fellow
I would love to see some how matriculate to the Cubs would be Dusty Baker’s favorite… Jerry Hairston.
I didn’t like Hairston when he was here. But since then he’s become an offensively productive, defensively versatile player. I have no idea what his contract situation might be, but he would really fill our needs.
Too bad Blum and Hairston are both in the NL Central.
Reddevil - June 11, 2009
Hairston has been brutal at 3rd...5 errors in 19 games
jeff_pico - June 11, 2009
Walks
Looking at numbers in aggregate, and that was after 54 games played, they were way off on hits and not that far off on walks. When there are more hits there are more walks too. There would be more intentional walks, rattled or compromising opposing pitchers, and fewer Cubs flailing away like fools, etc.
Soriano should sit for a while. Bring Fox back up and play him. Keep throwing Bradley out there, if he can play, and hope he comes around. As suggested, look for a 2nd baseman or a SS where Theriot can move to 2B. Leave Fontenot at 3rd till Ramirez is back.
Never liked losing in extra innings. If you’re going to lose, lose in 9. Hard to worry about D when there is no offense going.
Disappointing.
AboutTheCubs - June 11, 2009
Soriano, Bradley and Soto continue to do nothing
I am so beyond disgusted with Alfonso Soriano wearing a Cub fan. What else can be said about Soriano? 5 1/2 more years of this hack.
Can somebody draw up divorce papers between the Cubs and Milton Bradley? Can the marriage still be anulled? Ugh.
Geovany Soto? Send him to Triple A, banish him to the DL, do SOMETHING with him.
BLou - June 12, 2009
Soriano had 5 dingers in May but still...
…OPS of .657, not a good month in that regard but still useful power. Hopefully he’ll come out of the slump soon.
DudeVf11 - June 12, 2009
excellent typo
A fan as what, a hat, cape, shoes?
Soriano – to enjoy his hot streaks, we’re lucky enough to endure the periods when his bat is shut off.
The Bradley experiment is short lived anyway and a dollar amount well below market. He will either hit as the RF’er or as the PH or he will rot on the bench.
I thought Soto was out of options, so AAA may not work. I don’t care if Soto hits for power, but some hits would be nice.
N Oakley - June 12, 2009
Maybe he skins them
like in Men in Black. He’s wearing a Cubs fan suit.
chitownhawkeye - June 12, 2009
What do you make of this Johnny?
This? Why I could make a hat, or a brooch, a pterodactyl…
Clutch16 - June 12, 2009
Yep I'd send Soto to Triple A to work on his hitting
Since May 12, Soto is hitting .308/.422/.500 with all three of his season HR, 10 walks, and 11 RBI.
With our lack of offense, I want Hill whose 4 for his last 29 in there every day.
I understand you have Sori hate, but why the Soto hate? Is a players w/ the first letter of their last name as S.
Madison Cub Fan - June 12, 2009
I hadn't seen his last couple of weeks broken out.
That’s great – Soto doesn’t need to be the 2008 Soto, but he can’t produce like a #8 hitter on this team and needs to be more of a #6 the way this team is rostered.
N Oakley - June 12, 2009
I totally agree
He’s @ .218 which looks bad, but if you consider he ended April @ .109. To get up to .218 he had to have been hitting pretty good.
Madison Cub Fan - June 12, 2009
Thanks for the Si article link!
I enjoyed the whole thing but especially the comment addressing what appears to be the inconsistent view that walks are bad for pitchers and also bad for hitters. Well, maybe that’s actually consistent for those (Dusty, etc…) who would like walks prohibited by rule change (and in tat same rule change allow the stealing of first base). Also appreciated the comment that at the MLB level it’s reflective of the hitter and his skills.
DudeVf11 - June 12, 2009
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