Overflow Thread 3: Cubs vs. Brewers, Sunday 7/5, 1:20 CT

But seriously, if there was any possible way in the off-season for them to convert him to 2B, next to Utley, he’d lead offense in that position in NL.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

footwork around 2nd is tricky

but it could happen

Allie - July 5, 2009 reply

Off-season can do it

If not, keep him in and then get him the hell of the AL in the offseason. We can get someone great in a trade because this guys stock is rising in value as a DH.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

I don't see it happening, but man would it be nice...

as long as Bradley, Soriano, Ramirez, and Lee are here though, he currently has no position.

I’m loving his bat, and wish the team had figured out to bring him up sooner.

SouthernCub - July 5, 2009 reply

At this rate

Just put Soriano at 2B. Let Fox play LF.

I don’t care about the criticisms of it.

Solid pitching, big hits > potential errors.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

agreed 10000% if Sori not to DL

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

I'm sorry

If Lou Piniella puts Alfonso Soriano at 2nd base full time, he should be fired.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

but you don't think they need Fox in everyday?

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

In our own defense

We’re talking this way because of his HR. He’s not going to do that every day.

Fox should be playing atleast 4 games a week though.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Ya

Fox is not the next coming of Babe Ruth – although I have noticed some band (cough) (Hoffpauir) (cough) wagon moments on this board.

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

gotta go with him until he proves different though

ya never know……..he might hit ALL year

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

Ya

Sub him where he can play (figure Aram is going to need at least 2-3 days off a week) until he goes cold.

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

And 1 day in LF a week

4 games a week = good contributions.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

figure

2 games at 3rd, 2 in the outfield, 1 at 1st…gives your key players a day off a week and lets aram come back

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

Well theres one big difference vs. him and Hoff

When Hoff came up and played more it was in September. Against bad/struggling teams and many AAA players getting call-ups.

Fox is playing in games that matter against top pitchers. And he’s succeeding. And with all hot players, you keep them going until they fail.

If Jake Fox was an every day player, he’d be ROY.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

I've never seen Hoff look as good

as Fox. Nice short….quick swing……….great plate coverage,,,,,,,,,he looks like a great hitter…….now anyhow……..I think we deserve to see

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

I like Fox as a late inning sub for ARam

until ARam is back in the groove.

CaliCub - July 5, 2009 reply

late inning subs are for defense

I am confident Ram’s defense is better……even at 80%

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

not at the expense

of putting Soriano at 2nd. I’d rather Sori go on the DL. Right now, there’s no permanent place for Fox on this team. Them’s the breaks.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

Soriano

Had some good cuts today – hopefully he can just relax and get a day or two off a week – can fox play right?

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

Well to be fair

Lou should have been fired for a lot of things he did or didn’t do this year already. Yet the team is chugging along.

1 more risk for the benefit of possibly getting more run support isn’t that big of a deal in my eyes anymore.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Up until today I've been against what I just said

But Soriano’s bat will be back.

Including that with Aramis + Lee + Bradley + Fox + Soto (who is hitting better) + Theriot getting on base - we are favorites to win every game.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Errors ruin solid pitching

Allie - July 5, 2009 reply

So does only getting 2 hits off a crappy opposing pitcher.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Sure

but you give up 1 unearned run… you have one more run to make up.

Allie - July 5, 2009 reply

Which is why

you keep White at the duece and Soriano in left…

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

not only that

we pass the Reds and we’re in third place now.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

We're Number Three! We're Number Three!

Eh – not really doin’ it for me either.

Clutch16 - July 5, 2009 reply

three with a bullet

is better than 4.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

The Sensei has spoken

no closets needed here

cubnational - July 5, 2009 reply

stay thirsty, my friends

ElHijoDelRonSanto - July 5, 2009 reply

jonathon goldsmith agrees

jesus christos - July 5, 2009 reply

He can speak Russian

in French.

Reddevil - July 5, 2009 reply

Yes

And without moving his mouth.

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

and he can arm wrestle John Gibbons

with his earlobe

cubnational - July 5, 2009 reply

I saw him pull

apart two phone books that had been leafed together page by page.

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

See here

http://mythbustersresults.com/episode-106-phone-book-friction

for details on how strong he is – I like how mythbusters referred to him as “an M551 Sheridan light tank and an M113 armored personnel carrier”…Way to go Theodore!

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

I really think they can win the next 7

They got the momentum and home field advantage.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Nice Win today

as for the roster……………….why not DL Soriano………send Shark down, and DFA patton? That way Fox goes to left for 2 weeks………….*(his bat has GOT to stay in the lineup) and just maybe after 10 days off Soriano can go to Iowa and maybe get his act together?

Fukudome CF
Theriot SS
Lee 1B
Bradley RF
Ramirez 3B
Fox LF
Soto C
Fontenot/Baker 2B

That looks better to me

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

True

Maybe top of the order will wake up Fuk’s bat

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

I've been anti-fukudome the last few weeks

But even as one of his biggest complainers this week, I can’t deny keeping him in leadoff a few more games.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Looks good to me to

the only thing is Blanco instead of Baker

Eric16 - July 5, 2009 reply

Ya

Blanco is a capable 2b

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

I heard Baker hits lefties well.........but I do love Blanco's glove......as for Fuko.........that obp looks good at the top

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

Let Baker stay on the team

Until they pick him off.

It’s Cubs tradition you know.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Huge series win today.

It’s never easy to take three of four, but to do so against a team leading you in your division is great.

Let’s keep the momentum going against Atlanta and St. Louis!

Vermont Cubs Fan - July 5, 2009 reply

A split would have left us under .500

So 3/4 was critical. It also keeps us tied in the loss column with the Brewers and Cards.

CaliCub - July 5, 2009 reply

Yes, it does.

My waving “W” flag is here, page up.

Vermont Cubs Fan - July 5, 2009 reply

Yes indeed! And check out my Bernie Brewer with the W mustache.

CaliCub - July 5, 2009 reply

Fox in the lineup is a MUST in any scenario

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

good numbers

Fukudome 2-4 with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored
Riot 2-4, 1 run scored
Lee 2-4 with 3 RBI, 1 run scored
Bradley 1-3 with a walk, 1 run scored
FoX 2-4 with 2 RBI, 2 runs scored
Soriano 2-4, both bloop singles
Soto 0-3 with a Sac Fly RBI
Fontenot 2-4 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

just like the good old days...of 2008

CaliCub - July 5, 2009 reply

Yes

Hopefully this will lighten up the boards here and loosen up bradley – 2 days in a row of 1 – 3?

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

The best number today for the Cubs:

5 for 9 with RISP. It helped us stretch the lead and took a lot of the pressure off Lilly.

Vermont Cubs Fan - July 5, 2009 reply

Fontenot is heating up

Remember his hot streaks last two years. This is not a team that needs to go on an All Star Break if bats are waking up!

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Glad you clarified Sori's contribution

We’ll still probably never hear the end of it, but you at least mentioned it.

Clutch16 - July 5, 2009 reply

I still say

getting out of the infield is progress. :D

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

This game was a great response to the loss on Saturday

CubfaninRaleigh(869milestoWrigley) - July 5, 2009 reply

lou sounds really lost in the postgame

jesus christos - July 5, 2009 reply

He should just let Ted Lilly talk for him

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Lou needs an interpreter more than Fukudome

jesus!!!!!!!!

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

He said the team was really energized

He certainly didn’t seem to feed off of it…great win! Let’s continue tomorrow, and we should have a potent lineup with Aram:

Fuku CF
Theriot SS
Lee 1B
Aram 3B
Bradley RF
Soriano LF
Soto C
Blanco 2B
Pitcher

cubswgnrocks - July 5, 2009 reply

has it been confirmed

that Rami is in the lineup? I wouldn’t throw him out there on his first day back.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

got to if he says he's ready

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

in other words

“no, it hasn’t been confirmed”.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

But Lou

has no choice…bleh

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

sure he does.

He can play Fox at third for a few more games, use Rami as a pinch hitter.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

I was being

fecicious

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

Yes Lou said he will start Aramis tomorrow.

sue369 - July 5, 2009 reply

plus

i think they might look at the Atlanta series as extended rehab assignment to get him MLB at bats prior to seeing St. louis

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

"Where's my soup?"

“Billy, is that you? Ooh, Matlock!”

Clutch16 - July 5, 2009 reply

What's your thoughts?

Had Lou let Jake Fox start at 3B the entire time Aramis was out. How many more wins do you think we could feasibly have had?

I know he was hurt for a little which might have delayed his delayed call-up.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

I think Lou has mentioned it

I’d say 2 or 3 more wins……….1st place maybe

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

A lot of 1-run games

Could have had a different story. I mean we can’t help the games when there’s bad pitching, bullpen blowups, etc.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Soriano to 2nd

is right if he’s not DL’d ak

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

Because our utter dearth of second basemen has been a real hindrance until now

Clutch16 - July 5, 2009 reply

I'm just saying

I know he’s not a good 2B………..but reality is that he will play if not disabled

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

Noooo

you would severly hurt the team on the defensive side…only place for sori right now is the dl

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

ok...........but as I keep saying

Fox MUST play…………I agree …Sori should sit awhile………..

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

Soriano will hit again

I bet you he will get 2 HR’s this week with Ramirez back in lineup. He will be more relaxed. Not what we want to say about our highly paid OF’er but I bet that’s the case.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Problem though

is you really should try to ride Fox right now since he must be seeing the ball really well

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

I've got a different theory

Rami’s going to take a while to find his stroke again, so if his absence has been (one of) the reason(s) that Sori’s been pressing, then Rami’s struggles may lead Sori to press harder. Not what we want to see…

Clutch16 - July 5, 2009 reply

but

him just being back might get sori to relax enough to start a hot streak.

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

Not that I wouldn't like to see it

But I get the feeling that a lot of people have been thinking that Rami in the lineup is a silver bullet. Truth is, after a long lay-off, most hitters need time to readjust to MLB pitching. I don’t think the offensive struggles will disappear at 6:00 tomorrow evening, and things may get worse before they get better.

Clutch16 - July 5, 2009 reply

No one ever said he's be starting tomorrow

I can Jake Fox getting hte start next two games. Ramirez either subbing in 6th inning on or just doing the pinch hit. Lou won’t rush him in unless he thinks it’s the best option for the team.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Ramirez is not coming back to be a sub, even if it is his first game back...

Jimmyeatworld - July 5, 2009 reply

Well I'm thinking back to 2006

And please correct me if I’m wrong. But when DLee when down with an injury Ramirez didn’t seem to have as good of season. To me these are similar circumstances.

Let’s just hope I’m right on my prediction. If he fails this week then lets see what happens after the All Star Break. Right now 5 out of 7 wins for a team that looked like they’d never win again a month ago is good.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Soriano

is there a real possibility here that considering he says he feels fine……that he has simply completely lost it and will never be worth a damn again?

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

Or....

whats the liklihood that he is simply having the opposite of a career year and will be fine next year.

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

if he hits .220 all year

I think he never comes back the same………ala Andrew Jones…….I hope not but it does happen

hope ur right

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

No

Because he had it only 2 months ago.

It’s a cold-streak. And hopefully the bat heats up in August and September and finally October.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Ya

Just like now we have a well-rested 3rd baseman and Zambrano’s dl stint will let him not have the drop-off in August.

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

dood hit

14 home runs in may. you don’t “lose it” in six weeks.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

he hit 5 in May

plenz - July 5, 2009 reply

My mistake.

7 in April, 5 in May. Still.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

The fact is

Only two months ago we were saying he might be “MVP” this year.

He’ll bounce back. Other known players that struggle but finished solid in last few years are:

Ortiz (playing better)
DLee (playing better)
Delgado (in 2008 – you want to talk about fan booing?)

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

It's always nice to win series,

But it’s especially hard to win three out of four games in a series like this one.

Let’s keep it going against Atlanta, and then St. Louis!

Vermont Cubs Fan - July 5, 2009 reply

Fontenot in July

15 at-bats. 7 hits average of .467.

I smell a hot-streak coming.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

I think it may be happening now.

Or starting, at least.

Vermont Cubs Fan - July 5, 2009 reply

Actually 3 multi-hit games in a row

Can’t ask for more than that from the struggling little guy.

Wow, can’t believe right now with this team and the way they played that Lou is going to have this much trouble finding spots for everyone to play.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

This

coming from a team that a month ago couldnt find 2 guys to play decent ball…hello June Swoon

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

They still have to play better on the road

That I guess is step 1 of winning the division post All Star Break.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

I think it may have already arrived :D

Clutch16 - July 5, 2009 reply

For the record

I stated only 2 days ago he should go to AAA. I’m happy to be wrong every time in these cases.

However, that being said, the second Fontenot starts going hitless, Lou needs to have someone bat for him.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

My theory was that he was scuffling because of too much PT

I say keep him at 2B until his bat cools off and let him platoon again, afterward.

Clutch16 - July 5, 2009 reply

Agree 110%

But in off-season they have to sign a real 2B which is what they would have had to do anyways if DeRosa was still playing here.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Thou

shalt not take his holiness’ name in vain!

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

lou's just waiting for the shower that's all

cubnational - July 5, 2009 reply

Wow easiest 6 series ahead

We should take 2 of 3 if not sweep Braves. Agree?
Cardinals are good but we have home field advantage so splitting or winning or potentially sweeping isn’t out of the question.

Phillies for 3 games. They suck at home (sweeping Mets at home isn’t really an accomplishment right now).
Nationals for 4 games. I don’t need to say anything.

Then Reds and Astros at home.

I’m sorry but unless barring any major injury (knock on wood), there is no reason by the end of July for this team not to be 10 games over .500.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

You do remember

you are talking about the 2009 cubs

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

Yes

The 2009 Cubs that have the 3rd best home record in NL.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

And only road series

Are against two teams that have the 2 of the 3 worst home record in baseball.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Yes

But remember you are talking about the 2009 Cubs – they could very well lose every game this month

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

Yes they can

But know this. I’m seeing them play 1 in DC and one in Philly. I’m riding my person 8 game winning streak. So I feel good about it :)

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Looking ahead is how you get your heart broken

One game at a time, bud.

Allie - July 5, 2009 reply

True

I am the guy who said June is our easiest month 6 weeks ago.

But facts are facts, and I want to believe this is a month to take advantage of like we already have 5 days in.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

It could work that way

But for my own sanity… I take it a game/series at a time.

Allie - July 5, 2009 reply

I was happy

to split with the Suds. We took 3. That’s awesome. I’ll be very happy to take 2 from the Braves and 2 from the Cardinals. I’m not looking any farther ahead then that.

drewishdrewid - July 5, 2009 reply

How about this

lets win tomorrow…Aram coming back isnt a magic cure all for this team so hopefully we can win tomorrow.

hansman1982 - July 5, 2009 reply

Not but

Having Randy Wells pitch is good and dominated Braves last time.

ak123 - July 5, 2009 reply

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Overflow Thread 3: Cubs vs. Brewers, Sunday 7/5, 1:20 CT

Comments

strike!

1st

Fail.

Winnin' time!

That's an interesting

Damn

Yeah, it looked painful.

Some guys can own the Cubs

Yikes

HUGE

ain't over yet

i refuse to relax

Poor Bradley

6th

I mean 7th

Marmol is dealing...

K!!!!

Got him

Nice Carlos.

EXCELLENT slider for strike 3 to Hall

+1

Cue up the Flags..

Keep it up Carlos!

Catellenato to pinch hit

I'll be glad to see these ugly red hats gone

Won't they be back for Labor Day?

ew

Agreed

The navy blue ones looked better

Ball

strike two!

They are showing the flag raising guy

Here's reverse psychology

US

Probably us

CUBS WIN!! CUBS WIN!! CUBS WIN!! FLY IT!!

FLY IT! CUBS WIN!

STRIKE THREE!

There's my girl!

FLY IT!!!!!!

What a big series this has been... hopefully we keep it going this week

CUBS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CUBS WIN!!!!!!!!!!1

W

FLY IT

good lookin' crew in the 2nd pic

we martinez' make good looking kids

the little one is adorable

Cue the music

The Good Carlos showed up today!

You know

Cubs win!!!!!

Cubs Win!

cutie

bet you wish you were 8 again, huh

lol no not really

And there's this!

yes!

Heading to dinner. Happy Sunday everyone!

bye

Cubs win!

TED LILLY HAS

yes he does

he was awesome

And this!

If only we could have put a broom on top of that

next time.

true

a men

I'm overly happy

i love this pic

How can you

That is where all good miller high life should be

THREE OUT OF FOUR, BABY!

And there's my guy!

love this

A fun series!