The Cubs come home after their best ever 9 game road trip, and promptly decide to stop hitting.
After the game was over, Mike Quade was told the Ryne Sandberg was currently interviewing with Jim Hendry for the manager position next season. When he heard this, the Dark Lord began to panic a bit and left his office, and went over to the other side of the ballpark to talk with Giants manager Bruce Boche about moving games 2 and 3 of the series to San Francisco, where he fully expected the Cubs to continue their winning ways away from Wrigley.
After a few minutes, he returned to the interview room and was asked if this was really a good move. He replied, “You can’t win at this ballpark. Look at it. It’s a dump. It’s the reason the Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1743. So the way I see it, we’ll just play on the road for the rest of the season.”
Quade seems to be taking the same view as hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, who has talked about the challenges that Wrigley presents for the players. “We have no hitting cages near the clubhouse. And I don’t even have a place to smack around these guys with my mace. It’s obvious…we score 13 runs in Florida on Sunday…tonight, we get shut out. The players aren’t scared of the ramifications of not hitting when they are here at Wrigley.” Jaramillo then got this crazy look in his eyes, “In Florida, I beat the crap out of these slackers when they would strike out. There is just now room to do that sort of thing in this old, crappy ballpark.”
Another thing that appears obvious, this club isn’t the same without Tyler Colvin. They now haven’t won since Wellington the Vampire Killer tried to drive a wood stake through Colvin’s heart. “I think it’s pretty obvious…the six games before Colvin almost died, 6 wins…and now 0 wins since. We need this guy back,” noted Cubs future ex-backup catcher, Koyie Hill. He continued, "Stupid Wellington didn't realize that Colvin couldn't have been a vampire...he wasn't all sparkly like the ones in those awesome Twilight movies. He's a shitty catcher too."
Zambrano did pitch well again last night, but after the game he quietly went over to Andrew Cashner, who gave up the game losing homerun and calmly told him that his mother was going to beat the crap out of Cashner. Z’s mom came up from Venezuela to see her son pitch for the first time last night.
But back to Quade…when asked about the potential of losing out to Sandberg for the job next year, Quade said, “Well, let’s face it, if I win the rest of the games this season, Sandberg is going to have to take a job with the Mariners…because Jim Hendry will have no choice but to pick me…or he’ll have to deal with my wrath! And by wrath, I mean that I will go to every game next year and sit in the stands and creep everyone out.”
Showing posts with label recap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recap. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Greatest! Roadtrip! Ever! (Not counting chest impalings)
So, the Cubs finished their roadtrip 8-1.
I was stunned to discover that this was the best such road trip in Cubs history. They have never gone 8-1 on a roadtrip before. How can that be? I don’t know…but one thing is for sure…this team is playing a hell of a lot better without Derrek Lee, Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot and Ted Lilly clogging up the roster.
So does this mean the Cubs are actually a really good team now? Well, no, I don’t think it does. September baseball is always hard to judge. Also, considering there is really very little to play for, and very little pressure right now, it makes sense that this team is playing looser. What this streak does tell us is that there is potential on this team…potential to play well in the future. The Cubs are still missing some pretty key components at this point.
At the same time, the Cubs lost two players for the rest of the season yesterday. Geovany Soto is out of the rest of the season as he will have surgery on his shoulder…which has been bothering him for a while now. Also, as just about everyone knows, Tyler Colvin was impaled by big section Welington Castillo’s maple bat yesterday. That was truly scary. At the same time, people from all around baseball have been warning that this was bound to happen sooner or later. Luckily for Colvin and the Cubs, it looks like Tyler will make a full recovery.
The debate over how safe maple bats are is probably going to escalate now. Personally, I’m not sure what the best thing to do here is, but at some point baseball is going to have to consider moving away from traditional wood bats. Am I advocating moving some sort of aluminum or other metal type bat? No, but there are other synthetic options that are out there that could be considered and it would not only help in safety, but also help with consistency the bats being developed.
Bud Selig has mentioned a number of times that the shattered bat issue is one that baseball is looking at very closely, but he’s been saying that for a couple years now. Being impatient as I am, I guess I expect something to be done quickly…but baseball is slow and very careful about making changes to the game. For an example of that, just look how slow they have been to implement instant replay.
But, back to the Cubs and their 17-7 under Mike Quade. The Q man seems to be making a pretty good case for getting the permanent job next season. I still haven’t sorted out my feelings on the manager job yet since Fredi Gonzalez told the Cubs to take a hike. It is very clear, though, that the team is playing more relaxed and seems to finally be getting some clutch hitting.
Not much more to talk about…but 6 straight wins including sweeps of the Cardinals and Marlins has been fun over the last week.
This week we see the final home stand of the year. The Giants come to town on Tuesday and they have a ton to play for right now. They just took the lead in the NL West over the struggling Padres…but they also have the red hot Rockies breathing behind them. This is going to be a good series…too bad I expect Wrigley to be very empty for the 3 straight night games this week.
I was stunned to discover that this was the best such road trip in Cubs history. They have never gone 8-1 on a roadtrip before. How can that be? I don’t know…but one thing is for sure…this team is playing a hell of a lot better without Derrek Lee, Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot and Ted Lilly clogging up the roster.
So does this mean the Cubs are actually a really good team now? Well, no, I don’t think it does. September baseball is always hard to judge. Also, considering there is really very little to play for, and very little pressure right now, it makes sense that this team is playing looser. What this streak does tell us is that there is potential on this team…potential to play well in the future. The Cubs are still missing some pretty key components at this point.
At the same time, the Cubs lost two players for the rest of the season yesterday. Geovany Soto is out of the rest of the season as he will have surgery on his shoulder…which has been bothering him for a while now. Also, as just about everyone knows, Tyler Colvin was impaled by big section Welington Castillo’s maple bat yesterday. That was truly scary. At the same time, people from all around baseball have been warning that this was bound to happen sooner or later. Luckily for Colvin and the Cubs, it looks like Tyler will make a full recovery.
The debate over how safe maple bats are is probably going to escalate now. Personally, I’m not sure what the best thing to do here is, but at some point baseball is going to have to consider moving away from traditional wood bats. Am I advocating moving some sort of aluminum or other metal type bat? No, but there are other synthetic options that are out there that could be considered and it would not only help in safety, but also help with consistency the bats being developed.
Bud Selig has mentioned a number of times that the shattered bat issue is one that baseball is looking at very closely, but he’s been saying that for a couple years now. Being impatient as I am, I guess I expect something to be done quickly…but baseball is slow and very careful about making changes to the game. For an example of that, just look how slow they have been to implement instant replay.
But, back to the Cubs and their 17-7 under Mike Quade. The Q man seems to be making a pretty good case for getting the permanent job next season. I still haven’t sorted out my feelings on the manager job yet since Fredi Gonzalez told the Cubs to take a hike. It is very clear, though, that the team is playing more relaxed and seems to finally be getting some clutch hitting.
Not much more to talk about…but 6 straight wins including sweeps of the Cardinals and Marlins has been fun over the last week.
This week we see the final home stand of the year. The Giants come to town on Tuesday and they have a ton to play for right now. They just took the lead in the NL West over the struggling Padres…but they also have the red hot Rockies breathing behind them. This is going to be a good series…too bad I expect Wrigley to be very empty for the 3 straight night games this week.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Greatest manager ever.
The Cubs went out last night and destroyed a pitcher who had given them fits for years.
It can mean only one thing…Mike Quade is the greatest manager ever.
In reality, even though the Cubs approach at the plate was greatly improved last night, they team still showed some poor behavior including a failed hit-and-run (or, if that was a straight steal by Castro…bad move against Pudge!), Soriano dogging it out of the box resulting in a lost chance at an easy inside-the-park homerun, and some poor defense from Blake DeWitt.
But the Cubs won easily, and both Casey Coleman and Mike Quade earned their first big league wins.
But, back to the Soriano thing…I’m getting absolutely fed up with this crap. The Cubs are going to try to trade him this offseason and right now they really need him to be playing some great baseball to help increase his potential value. He’s not helping, though. We’ve seen the Cubs playing Kosuke more frequently hopes that his production improves and thus his trade value increases (which he has done slightly). But Soriano has been a joke this year. He’s has a couple of weeks where he pounded the crap out of the ball, but for the most part, this has been a most disappointing season. He might reach 25 homers, and is look at 75 to 80 RBI…so what are we to do with him?
I thought his production would increase this season, being his first full season as a Cub where he hit outside of the lead-off spot. That has proved to not be the case. Tyler Colvin’s production has been just as good (if not better). Colvin has one less homer and 13 fewer RBI than Soriano while batting in non-run producing spots in the lineup. Also, Colvin has 100 fewer plate appearances than Soriano.
So how will the Cubs use Soriano from here on out? It seems the more he plays, the less his trade value becomes. He’s like the anti-Kosuke.
But it has become apparent that Mike Quade is going to do things his own way. He stopped (at least temporarily) the foolish move of playing Tyler Colvin at first base, and I suspect he’ll bring some other saneness to the line up in an attempt to convince Jim Hendry to give him the permanent job next season.
And as for first base, the Cubs need to keep Nady there for the rest of the season. What he needs are ABs, and if gets to play on a consistent basis, he will show you how good of a hitter he actually is. I truly believe that the Cubs could have their first base solution already on the team with Nady. Nady is a player that needs to play every day. If you look at his splits for this season, his worst months have been the ones where he had the least at-bats. In fact, his OPS-per-month is almost directly correlated to how many plate appearances he has had.
With that being said, I’d love to see Adam Dunn in a Cubs uniform next year.
It can mean only one thing…Mike Quade is the greatest manager ever.
Mike Quade's magic leads to a Cubs victory.
In reality, even though the Cubs approach at the plate was greatly improved last night, they team still showed some poor behavior including a failed hit-and-run (or, if that was a straight steal by Castro…bad move against Pudge!), Soriano dogging it out of the box resulting in a lost chance at an easy inside-the-park homerun, and some poor defense from Blake DeWitt.
But the Cubs won easily, and both Casey Coleman and Mike Quade earned their first big league wins.
But, back to the Soriano thing…I’m getting absolutely fed up with this crap. The Cubs are going to try to trade him this offseason and right now they really need him to be playing some great baseball to help increase his potential value. He’s not helping, though. We’ve seen the Cubs playing Kosuke more frequently hopes that his production improves and thus his trade value increases (which he has done slightly). But Soriano has been a joke this year. He’s has a couple of weeks where he pounded the crap out of the ball, but for the most part, this has been a most disappointing season. He might reach 25 homers, and is look at 75 to 80 RBI…so what are we to do with him?
I thought his production would increase this season, being his first full season as a Cub where he hit outside of the lead-off spot. That has proved to not be the case. Tyler Colvin’s production has been just as good (if not better). Colvin has one less homer and 13 fewer RBI than Soriano while batting in non-run producing spots in the lineup. Also, Colvin has 100 fewer plate appearances than Soriano.
So how will the Cubs use Soriano from here on out? It seems the more he plays, the less his trade value becomes. He’s like the anti-Kosuke.
But it has become apparent that Mike Quade is going to do things his own way. He stopped (at least temporarily) the foolish move of playing Tyler Colvin at first base, and I suspect he’ll bring some other saneness to the line up in an attempt to convince Jim Hendry to give him the permanent job next season.
And as for first base, the Cubs need to keep Nady there for the rest of the season. What he needs are ABs, and if gets to play on a consistent basis, he will show you how good of a hitter he actually is. I truly believe that the Cubs could have their first base solution already on the team with Nady. Nady is a player that needs to play every day. If you look at his splits for this season, his worst months have been the ones where he had the least at-bats. In fact, his OPS-per-month is almost directly correlated to how many plate appearances he has had.
With that being said, I’d love to see Adam Dunn in a Cubs uniform next year.
I loved Dunn when he was on SNL.
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Lou-less update: The march toward 100 losses.
It was almost 2 weeks ago when I asked the question if the Cubs were going to lose 100 games for only the 3rd time in their history.
In the end, I said that it was very unlikely, but possible. With the current trend, I said it was likely the team would hit 97 losses.
So, we've had about 10 games since then, and where do we stand now?
Well, when I did the story a few weeks ago, the Cubs, based on the full season trend, were on pace for 93 losses. If the trend for the second half of the season continued, that would have put them at 97 loses.
Well, now, the Cubs record stands at 51-74. That puts them, besed on the full season trend at a 66-96 record. So, the overall trend does appear to be worsening.
If I again look at the trend since the All-Star break, with the 12-24 record since the All-Star break, that gives the Cubs 25 more loses over the last 37 games of this season.
99 losses.
Now look at the trend over the month of August.
The Cubs are 5 and 16 during this month. based on that trend, the Cubs are on pace for 28 more losses this season.
102 losses.
So there you have it. As you look closer and closer at the current trends, things get uglier and uglier. And if the current trends continues, the Cubs might be knocking at the door of their all-time single season record for losses of 103.
Still, is it likely? No, but this team is going to have to start playing a little better to avoid it.
In the end, I said that it was very unlikely, but possible. With the current trend, I said it was likely the team would hit 97 losses.
So, we've had about 10 games since then, and where do we stand now?
Well, when I did the story a few weeks ago, the Cubs, based on the full season trend, were on pace for 93 losses. If the trend for the second half of the season continued, that would have put them at 97 loses.
Well, now, the Cubs record stands at 51-74. That puts them, besed on the full season trend at a 66-96 record. So, the overall trend does appear to be worsening.
If I again look at the trend since the All-Star break, with the 12-24 record since the All-Star break, that gives the Cubs 25 more loses over the last 37 games of this season.
99 losses.
Now look at the trend over the month of August.
The Cubs are 5 and 16 during this month. based on that trend, the Cubs are on pace for 28 more losses this season.
102 losses.
So there you have it. As you look closer and closer at the current trends, things get uglier and uglier. And if the current trends continues, the Cubs might be knocking at the door of their all-time single season record for losses of 103.
Still, is it likely? No, but this team is going to have to start playing a little better to avoid it.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Cubs beat Cardinals…and Marty Brennaman is rolling in his grave (and a bit about Ron Santo).
Yes, I know Marty Brennaman is still alive…but the old, senile man isn’t too far away from, well, you know.
With the exception of the fact that Dusty Baker is managing a first place team, things couldn’t have gone better this weekend for the Cubs. They got to see Tony LaRussa sitting in a sky box as he served a much deserved 2 game suspension. They beat up the Cardinals “ace” on Saturday. Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee (before his usual back problems) looked…well…good! And Marty Brennaman has to thank the Cubs for putting the Reds back into first place.
The Cubs head back home today to play the first place Padres. First place? Really? UGH!
But I wanted to talk about the Cubs radio booth today.
Ron Santo is great…he’s a legend…he probably belongs in the Hall-of-Fame. There are aspects of his radio color-commentary job that I enjoy, including his banter with Pat Hughes.
Unfortunately, as anyone who regularly listens to the games on the radio, he has begun missing a large number of games over the last couple years including the entire series this past week. Ron has not been in very good health for a number of years now, and it has become apparent that long road trips are increasingly difficult for him to go on (especially if the Cubs suck).
The fact that he missed a series in St. Louis this weekend speaks volumes about his ability to continue to be the full time color commentator for the Cubs. After his trip to the hospital earlier this year, he has significantly cut down on the number of road trips he has taken.
Now, I’m not saying that he should retire, but I think the time has come for the Cubs to consider putting a third man in the booth with Hughes and Santo. This would keep a little more continuity in the booth when Santo isn't able to go on road trips. It isn't without precedence that the Cubs would have a 3 man radio team. When Santo first started on WGN radio, he was joined by Bob Brenly and Thom Brennaman (Marty's boy! full circle see!) and before that, when I first started listening to Cubs games, the radio team was Milo Hamilton, Vince Lloyd and Lou Boudreau.
They don’t have to name anyone immediately. The first thing that needs to happen is to see if Bob Brenly remains in the booth on the TV end. If Brenly leaves, he should be immediately be replaced by Keith Moreland. Moreland has filled in for both Brenly and Santo a number of times over the last few years and he has easily demonstrated that he could be one of the best color commentators in the game.
If Brenly doesn’t leave…easy enough, just throw Moreland into the booth with Pat and Ron.
Others to consider for the job? Dave Otto seems to be a favorite of everyone that doesn’t listen to him. Many people would hope the Mark Grace would come back at some point (though he seems to be comfortable in the Arizona sun right now). Promoting Andy Masur 3.0 (a.k.a Judd Sirott) had better not be an option as he has proved quite inferior to the previous two Andy Masurs (Andy Masur…who is currently in San Deigo and Cory Provus…who is in Milwaukee).
I’m sure there are plenty of other options out there too…anyone have any thoughts on this?
With the exception of the fact that Dusty Baker is managing a first place team, things couldn’t have gone better this weekend for the Cubs. They got to see Tony LaRussa sitting in a sky box as he served a much deserved 2 game suspension. They beat up the Cardinals “ace” on Saturday. Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee (before his usual back problems) looked…well…good! And Marty Brennaman has to thank the Cubs for putting the Reds back into first place.
The Cubs head back home today to play the first place Padres. First place? Really? UGH!
But I wanted to talk about the Cubs radio booth today.
Ron Santo is great…he’s a legend…he probably belongs in the Hall-of-Fame. There are aspects of his radio color-commentary job that I enjoy, including his banter with Pat Hughes.
Unfortunately, as anyone who regularly listens to the games on the radio, he has begun missing a large number of games over the last couple years including the entire series this past week. Ron has not been in very good health for a number of years now, and it has become apparent that long road trips are increasingly difficult for him to go on (especially if the Cubs suck).
The fact that he missed a series in St. Louis this weekend speaks volumes about his ability to continue to be the full time color commentator for the Cubs. After his trip to the hospital earlier this year, he has significantly cut down on the number of road trips he has taken.
Now, I’m not saying that he should retire, but I think the time has come for the Cubs to consider putting a third man in the booth with Hughes and Santo. This would keep a little more continuity in the booth when Santo isn't able to go on road trips. It isn't without precedence that the Cubs would have a 3 man radio team. When Santo first started on WGN radio, he was joined by Bob Brenly and Thom Brennaman (Marty's boy! full circle see!) and before that, when I first started listening to Cubs games, the radio team was Milo Hamilton, Vince Lloyd and Lou Boudreau.
They don’t have to name anyone immediately. The first thing that needs to happen is to see if Bob Brenly remains in the booth on the TV end. If Brenly leaves, he should be immediately be replaced by Keith Moreland. Moreland has filled in for both Brenly and Santo a number of times over the last few years and he has easily demonstrated that he could be one of the best color commentators in the game.
If Brenly doesn’t leave…easy enough, just throw Moreland into the booth with Pat and Ron.
Others to consider for the job? Dave Otto seems to be a favorite of everyone that doesn’t listen to him. Many people would hope the Mark Grace would come back at some point (though he seems to be comfortable in the Arizona sun right now). Promoting Andy Masur 3.0 (a.k.a Judd Sirott) had better not be an option as he has proved quite inferior to the previous two Andy Masurs (Andy Masur…who is currently in San Deigo and Cory Provus…who is in Milwaukee).
I’m sure there are plenty of other options out there too…anyone have any thoughts on this?
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
UGH!!! Now we can't beat the Brewers?
So I went to bed last night after the sixth inning and the Cubs were down 11-1.
And I woke up to an 18-1 loss. Four days after the Cubs gave up 12 runs in the 8th inning against the Rockies.
17-2 against the Rockies…fine. I can handle that. The Rockies are about a million miles away. I know a total of 1 Rockie fan…and he doesn’t really care. And the Rockies aren’t that bad of a team.
But last night? To the Brewers? UGH!!!!
My mom’s cousin bought the tickets that I had for last night’s debacle. I feel like I need to give her a refund. In fact, I don’t feel comfortable in selling any more tickets for this season because it would just be too mean to make someone watch this cruel joke that is playing on the field.
The Cubs have the most expensive tickets in baseball…even higher than the Yankees and Red Sox.
I have a question for you all…when was the last time the Yankees or Red Sox put up a season like this one?
Honestly, I can’t remember.
The Red Sox have missed the play-offs a couple times in the last 15 years…but they still seem to have, at the very minimum, 85 wins every year. And the Yankees? I don’t even want to know.
The thing is, the Cubs are now, financially, supposed to be at the same level as, at least, the Red Sox. Yet, when their team falters, they only win 85 games and miss the playoffs by only a few games. When a Cubs team falters, they are a joke. Why is that?
And it would be different if the Cubs flopped and they were playing in the AL East where it seems at last one team always wins 100 games…but they aren’t. They are playing in the Comedy Central where the winner of the division seems to barely crack 90 wins every year.
Yes…I’m venting here…and I have no solutions, but all of us Cubs fans have been ripped off this season. When you have a $145 million payroll, you should NEVER have a season a pathetic as this one. On top of that, you should never have to go into a rebuilding process that may take 2 or 3 years. We all expect the payroll to be greatly reduced after this season…but in the end, the Cubs are still going to spend $120 million next year on a team that likely will not be competitive enough to make a run at the NL Central title.
So where do we go from here? I don’t know, but only 37,000 fans bought tickets to a game against our #2 rival last night (and even fewer showed up). So that’s a start.
If payroll is to be reduced, and a true rebuilding process is to begin, then ticket prices MUST BE reduced next season. I know this will be a bitter pill for the Rickettses to swallow and it will likely result in the Cubs going further into debt…but this must be done for the long term viability of this fan base. Lowering ticket prices might even result in them foolishly altering or reducing in scale the renovation plans for Wrigley. But ticket prices cannot remain at the level they are at this year. You can’t charge Yankee and Red Sox prices for fans to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates.
There is a new generation of fans that the Cubs brought in during the 2003 season, and those fans are bordering on the edge of leaving this team forever. They have other things to take their attention now. And the next generation of fans, as of right now, has nothing to draw them to the team. The games aren’t on nationally as much anymore (via WGN), and the Cubs don’t have a superstar player draw anyone in.
On top of that, as more and more Cubs fans experience what it is like to see a game in a stadium in other cities that is actually nice, the willingness to go and spend a college fund on watching a game at the dump that is Wrigley Field will continue to drop.
You can’t expect fans to spend $55 dollars a ticket on a bad team that has not one single superstar and expect them to be happy sitting in a cramped seat, and pay $7.50 on a crappy italian beef sandwich and $6.75 for Bud Light (and pissing it away in a joke of a bathroom that only has things to pee in that should be used to feed cattle) and then pay all this in the worst economy that this country has seen in the last 70 years.
***************************
Ok…enough of that.
On the good news, I will finally be closing on our new house this afternoon, which hopefully means that I’ll be able to focus more on this blog and attending a few more games over the next couple months. It’s been a roller-coaster ride and after 9 months of hell trying to sell our old crappy house, and then trying to buy a nice new house, it will all come to an end. In a way, I feel fortunate that the Cubs decided to suck this season, because if they hadn’t, I would have felt like I missed a lot.
And I woke up to an 18-1 loss. Four days after the Cubs gave up 12 runs in the 8th inning against the Rockies.
17-2 against the Rockies…fine. I can handle that. The Rockies are about a million miles away. I know a total of 1 Rockie fan…and he doesn’t really care. And the Rockies aren’t that bad of a team.
But last night? To the Brewers? UGH!!!!
My mom’s cousin bought the tickets that I had for last night’s debacle. I feel like I need to give her a refund. In fact, I don’t feel comfortable in selling any more tickets for this season because it would just be too mean to make someone watch this cruel joke that is playing on the field.
The Cubs have the most expensive tickets in baseball…even higher than the Yankees and Red Sox.
I have a question for you all…when was the last time the Yankees or Red Sox put up a season like this one?
Honestly, I can’t remember.
The Red Sox have missed the play-offs a couple times in the last 15 years…but they still seem to have, at the very minimum, 85 wins every year. And the Yankees? I don’t even want to know.
The thing is, the Cubs are now, financially, supposed to be at the same level as, at least, the Red Sox. Yet, when their team falters, they only win 85 games and miss the playoffs by only a few games. When a Cubs team falters, they are a joke. Why is that?
And it would be different if the Cubs flopped and they were playing in the AL East where it seems at last one team always wins 100 games…but they aren’t. They are playing in the Comedy Central where the winner of the division seems to barely crack 90 wins every year.
Yes…I’m venting here…and I have no solutions, but all of us Cubs fans have been ripped off this season. When you have a $145 million payroll, you should NEVER have a season a pathetic as this one. On top of that, you should never have to go into a rebuilding process that may take 2 or 3 years. We all expect the payroll to be greatly reduced after this season…but in the end, the Cubs are still going to spend $120 million next year on a team that likely will not be competitive enough to make a run at the NL Central title.
So where do we go from here? I don’t know, but only 37,000 fans bought tickets to a game against our #2 rival last night (and even fewer showed up). So that’s a start.
If payroll is to be reduced, and a true rebuilding process is to begin, then ticket prices MUST BE reduced next season. I know this will be a bitter pill for the Rickettses to swallow and it will likely result in the Cubs going further into debt…but this must be done for the long term viability of this fan base. Lowering ticket prices might even result in them foolishly altering or reducing in scale the renovation plans for Wrigley. But ticket prices cannot remain at the level they are at this year. You can’t charge Yankee and Red Sox prices for fans to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates.
There is a new generation of fans that the Cubs brought in during the 2003 season, and those fans are bordering on the edge of leaving this team forever. They have other things to take their attention now. And the next generation of fans, as of right now, has nothing to draw them to the team. The games aren’t on nationally as much anymore (via WGN), and the Cubs don’t have a superstar player draw anyone in.
On top of that, as more and more Cubs fans experience what it is like to see a game in a stadium in other cities that is actually nice, the willingness to go and spend a college fund on watching a game at the dump that is Wrigley Field will continue to drop.
You can’t expect fans to spend $55 dollars a ticket on a bad team that has not one single superstar and expect them to be happy sitting in a cramped seat, and pay $7.50 on a crappy italian beef sandwich and $6.75 for Bud Light (and pissing it away in a joke of a bathroom that only has things to pee in that should be used to feed cattle) and then pay all this in the worst economy that this country has seen in the last 70 years.
***************************
Ok…enough of that.
On the good news, I will finally be closing on our new house this afternoon, which hopefully means that I’ll be able to focus more on this blog and attending a few more games over the next couple months. It’s been a roller-coaster ride and after 9 months of hell trying to sell our old crappy house, and then trying to buy a nice new house, it will all come to an end. In a way, I feel fortunate that the Cubs decided to suck this season, because if they hadn’t, I would have felt like I missed a lot.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Hey…these guys are finally playing like we expected them to
Derrek Lee is getting on base.
Aramis Ramirez is hitting home runs.
And Carlos Silva sucks.
That's more like it! This is what I expected after the Cubs left Mesa this spring.
After having the worst 3 months of his career, Aramis Ramirez is having, perhaps, his best stretch of his career…and in the matter of 4 weeks he has raised his average from .165 to .226. His OPS has gone from a historically horrendous .513 to a Fukudomesque .734. It’s hard to say if there is enough time for Ramirez to get his numbers all the way back to his career averages, but it is possible he could get close if he continues to hit well for the rest of the season.
Derrek Lee hasn’t improved nearly as much as Ramirez, but Lee is making the best contact with the ball now than he has any time since April. In fact, he is hitting the ball with some serious authority since the All-Star break. His batting average had been hanging around the .230 mark for quite a while, and in the last week he has improved it to .247. He, like Ramirez, might have a hard time making it back to his career averages, but the rise has been impressive.
And then there is Carlos Silva. It is very possible he is becoming who we though he was…a bad pitcher. It has only been two bad starts…but they have been two really really bad starts. I said after the Bradley trade that I didn’t expect Silva to make the team, and, in fact, I thought the Cubs would flat out release him. Regardless of what happens for the rest of the season, Silva will stick around (unless he goes on the DL) just based on his success during the first 3 months of the year. What happens after that? Who knows.
As you look at the rest of the team, though, is anyone really playing significantly better or worse than we expected? I honestly can’t think of anyone that has. Maybe Sean Marshall. Soto possibly. But that really is it. You could argue that Byrd is playing better than expected. Defensively he definitely has. Offensively, while he does have a much better average than we thought he would, he has hit about as many homers as we thought he might. Same with his RBI totals. His OPS is only slightly above what he did in Texas.
So we have an offense that is doing well now…as opposed to the struggling bats we’ve had most of the year. The reason? D-Lee and A-Ram….It’s as simple as that.
Aramis Ramirez is hitting home runs.
And Carlos Silva sucks.
That's more like it! This is what I expected after the Cubs left Mesa this spring.
After having the worst 3 months of his career, Aramis Ramirez is having, perhaps, his best stretch of his career…and in the matter of 4 weeks he has raised his average from .165 to .226. His OPS has gone from a historically horrendous .513 to a Fukudomesque .734. It’s hard to say if there is enough time for Ramirez to get his numbers all the way back to his career averages, but it is possible he could get close if he continues to hit well for the rest of the season.
Derrek Lee hasn’t improved nearly as much as Ramirez, but Lee is making the best contact with the ball now than he has any time since April. In fact, he is hitting the ball with some serious authority since the All-Star break. His batting average had been hanging around the .230 mark for quite a while, and in the last week he has improved it to .247. He, like Ramirez, might have a hard time making it back to his career averages, but the rise has been impressive.
And then there is Carlos Silva. It is very possible he is becoming who we though he was…a bad pitcher. It has only been two bad starts…but they have been two really really bad starts. I said after the Bradley trade that I didn’t expect Silva to make the team, and, in fact, I thought the Cubs would flat out release him. Regardless of what happens for the rest of the season, Silva will stick around (unless he goes on the DL) just based on his success during the first 3 months of the year. What happens after that? Who knows.
As you look at the rest of the team, though, is anyone really playing significantly better or worse than we expected? I honestly can’t think of anyone that has. Maybe Sean Marshall. Soto possibly. But that really is it. You could argue that Byrd is playing better than expected. Defensively he definitely has. Offensively, while he does have a much better average than we thought he would, he has hit about as many homers as we thought he might. Same with his RBI totals. His OPS is only slightly above what he did in Texas.
So we have an offense that is doing well now…as opposed to the struggling bats we’ve had most of the year. The reason? D-Lee and A-Ram….It’s as simple as that.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Many people think the Cubs are still losing...even after winning
Here is the problem...
Many Cubs fans are so upset with the crappy play of the core of this team that they want the team to be blown up.
And then they take 3 out of 4 from the reigning NL Champs.
I have to admit...I'm having some problem with this myself.
Is it possible the Cubs are doomed to mess up everything at this trading deadline?
Look, I don't see any way in hell they will ever be "buyers" this year, but if the team goes on a bit of a streak as the trade deadline occurs, I get the feeling that management is going to back off on the "blow the team up" movement that most people (including, I think, the Rickettses) want them to do.
So what do you do?
You can't half-ass your way to the playoffs this year. And you harm the team's future by half-assing the dismantling of the the core of this team.
So what do you do? If Jim Hendry does nothing...he'll be criticized for either not improving the team to make a run or for not dumping some cumbersome salaries to help with rebuilding. If he does sell, and the team is in the middle of a resurgence, he'll get criticized for not letting this group of players, that won 97 games two years ago, have another run at the playoffs.
The thing is, in the four games against the Phillies, the Cubs actually looked, well, pretty damn good. If it wasn't for a bad inning by Carlos Marmol and a dropped ball by "Butterfingers" Soto, the Cubs would have swept. Yes, the Phillies aren't the same team they had been the previous two years, but anytime you sweep a team in a four game series, whether that team is good or bad, that is a very good sign.
Ok, now to flip this around a bit. With the Brewers, Cardinals and Reds all in the way right now, even with a good second half, it seems very unlikely that the Cubs could make a run.
In 2007, a year where the Cubs just eked out the division title, at this point of the season they were 49-44. In 2003, where the Cubs had a great second half to win the division, they at a 47-46 record at this point. Right now, the Cubs are 42-51. Let's, for a moment, say that the Cubs need 85 total wins to win the division, they would have to go 43-26 for the final 2 1/2 months of the season. Not an easy task. If the Cardinals, (currently the division leader) get 85 wins this year, they only need a 34-36 record for the rest of the season. If 90 wins is the point for the division title...the numbers are 48-21 for the Cubs and 39-31 for the Cardinals.
The likelihood is that 87 or 88 wins will be the winning total for the Central this year, but any way you look at it, the Cardinals and the Reds would both have to fall off over their first half performance to even give the Cubs a chance to win this year. One of those teams (likely the Reds) may indeed fall, but I don't think both of them will.
So the best thing right now is for the Cubs' management to realize that this season is a loss...continue to move forward on trading off some of the core components of this team before the trade deadline and publicly announce their intentions of rebuilding. This will allow the fans to accept the fact they won't win this year, and make us more comfortable about cheering on this team for the rest of the season.
Many Cubs fans are so upset with the crappy play of the core of this team that they want the team to be blown up.
And then they take 3 out of 4 from the reigning NL Champs.
I have to admit...I'm having some problem with this myself.
Stop this...you're messing everything up!
(photo via the Chicago Tribune)
Is it possible the Cubs are doomed to mess up everything at this trading deadline?
Look, I don't see any way in hell they will ever be "buyers" this year, but if the team goes on a bit of a streak as the trade deadline occurs, I get the feeling that management is going to back off on the "blow the team up" movement that most people (including, I think, the Rickettses) want them to do.
So what do you do?
You can't half-ass your way to the playoffs this year. And you harm the team's future by half-assing the dismantling of the the core of this team.
So what do you do? If Jim Hendry does nothing...he'll be criticized for either not improving the team to make a run or for not dumping some cumbersome salaries to help with rebuilding. If he does sell, and the team is in the middle of a resurgence, he'll get criticized for not letting this group of players, that won 97 games two years ago, have another run at the playoffs.
The thing is, in the four games against the Phillies, the Cubs actually looked, well, pretty damn good. If it wasn't for a bad inning by Carlos Marmol and a dropped ball by "Butterfingers" Soto, the Cubs would have swept. Yes, the Phillies aren't the same team they had been the previous two years, but anytime you sweep a team in a four game series, whether that team is good or bad, that is a very good sign.
Ok, now to flip this around a bit. With the Brewers, Cardinals and Reds all in the way right now, even with a good second half, it seems very unlikely that the Cubs could make a run.
In 2007, a year where the Cubs just eked out the division title, at this point of the season they were 49-44. In 2003, where the Cubs had a great second half to win the division, they at a 47-46 record at this point. Right now, the Cubs are 42-51. Let's, for a moment, say that the Cubs need 85 total wins to win the division, they would have to go 43-26 for the final 2 1/2 months of the season. Not an easy task. If the Cardinals, (currently the division leader) get 85 wins this year, they only need a 34-36 record for the rest of the season. If 90 wins is the point for the division title...the numbers are 48-21 for the Cubs and 39-31 for the Cardinals.
The likelihood is that 87 or 88 wins will be the winning total for the Central this year, but any way you look at it, the Cardinals and the Reds would both have to fall off over their first half performance to even give the Cubs a chance to win this year. One of those teams (likely the Reds) may indeed fall, but I don't think both of them will.
So the best thing right now is for the Cubs' management to realize that this season is a loss...continue to move forward on trading off some of the core components of this team before the trade deadline and publicly announce their intentions of rebuilding. This will allow the fans to accept the fact they won't win this year, and make us more comfortable about cheering on this team for the rest of the season.
Friday, July 9, 2010
That's more like it...Cubs back in sell mode.
After the Cubs swept the D-Backs this week...a bit of terror overcame me. No...it had nothing to do with the stress of trying to sell and buy house right now.
I fully expected, after that sweep this week, that Jim Hendry would believe this team would actually be buyers and attempt to add to the team to make a run at the division title.
You know...something like trading Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin and Andrew Cashner to the Mariners for Cliff Lee. (Or maybe trading that trio to the Astros for Roy Oswalt.)
I can' breath again...the Cubs reverted back to that shitty team we've all grown to know and hate. Last night was bad...sloppy...and, well, a loss.
This game had just about everything we've come to expect from the Cubs this year. A solo homer by Soriano, a TOOTBLAN by Theriot, a pitcher that was left in the game one batter too long, less than stellar defense, little offense, Cubs batters striking out 13 times, and an ejection.
Offensively, the third inning was the best example of how the Cubs season has gone this year...a base hit by Theriot, he gets picked off. Then Byrd gets a hit to right and gets thrown out by 50 ft trying to inexplicably stretch the single into a double.
Positives?
Well, Ramirez is starting to look better...but he is still swinging at pitches you never saw him swing at in previous seasons, but his average is climbing.
Also, Randy Wells pitched well for the second start in a row. After almost 2 months of crap from Wells, this is a good sign.
On the depressing side, Derrek Lee is severely broken still, Starlin Castro has started to get figured out by opposing pitchers and the Cubs dropped another winnable series opener.
So back to a higher level here...unless Jim Hendry has completely lost his mind (which is not out of the realm of possibility), the Cubs are going to be sellers at the trade deadline approaches, and that trade deadline is approaching rapidly. When that switch is flipped, expect things to go quickly.
Who's gone? Theriot, Lilly.
Who else is being offered? Lee and Fukudome.
Who would we like to see traded? Fontenot and Ramirez
Who isn't going anywhere? Soriano and Zambrano (ugh!)
What else to expect as the trade deadline approaches? Well, I'm thinking that an announcement will be coming from the Cubs ownership pretty soon to address the direction of the team and to unveil renovation plans at Wrigley Field.
I missed out on the Season-Ticket holders appreciation day at Wrigley yesterday which I actually really wanted to go to but couldn't due to house issues (it's an easy excuse for everything right now)...so I'm hoping the Tim over at Aisle 424 will have some info for us on that event. I hope they do a similar thing next year so I could actually attend. (Last year they had "lunch with the management" sessions for season ticket holders.)
Another busy weekend of working, packing and stressing out....oh, and exciting Chicago Cubs baseball...*giggle*
I fully expected, after that sweep this week, that Jim Hendry would believe this team would actually be buyers and attempt to add to the team to make a run at the division title.
You know...something like trading Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin and Andrew Cashner to the Mariners for Cliff Lee. (Or maybe trading that trio to the Astros for Roy Oswalt.)
I can' breath again...the Cubs reverted back to that shitty team we've all grown to know and hate. Last night was bad...sloppy...and, well, a loss.
You are supposed to catch the ball and throw it to first base. Don't just let it lie there.
(Getty Image/Stephen Dunn)
This game had just about everything we've come to expect from the Cubs this year. A solo homer by Soriano, a TOOTBLAN by Theriot, a pitcher that was left in the game one batter too long, less than stellar defense, little offense, Cubs batters striking out 13 times, and an ejection.
Offensively, the third inning was the best example of how the Cubs season has gone this year...a base hit by Theriot, he gets picked off. Then Byrd gets a hit to right and gets thrown out by 50 ft trying to inexplicably stretch the single into a double.
Positives?
Well, Ramirez is starting to look better...but he is still swinging at pitches you never saw him swing at in previous seasons, but his average is climbing.
Also, Randy Wells pitched well for the second start in a row. After almost 2 months of crap from Wells, this is a good sign.
On the depressing side, Derrek Lee is severely broken still, Starlin Castro has started to get figured out by opposing pitchers and the Cubs dropped another winnable series opener.
So back to a higher level here...unless Jim Hendry has completely lost his mind (which is not out of the realm of possibility), the Cubs are going to be sellers at the trade deadline approaches, and that trade deadline is approaching rapidly. When that switch is flipped, expect things to go quickly.
Who's gone? Theriot, Lilly.
Who else is being offered? Lee and Fukudome.
Who would we like to see traded? Fontenot and Ramirez
Who isn't going anywhere? Soriano and Zambrano (ugh!)
What else to expect as the trade deadline approaches? Well, I'm thinking that an announcement will be coming from the Cubs ownership pretty soon to address the direction of the team and to unveil renovation plans at Wrigley Field.
I missed out on the Season-Ticket holders appreciation day at Wrigley yesterday which I actually really wanted to go to but couldn't due to house issues (it's an easy excuse for everything right now)...so I'm hoping the Tim over at Aisle 424 will have some info for us on that event. I hope they do a similar thing next year so I could actually attend. (Last year they had "lunch with the management" sessions for season ticket holders.)
Another busy weekend of working, packing and stressing out....oh, and exciting Chicago Cubs baseball...*giggle*
Monday, June 28, 2010
Oh Crap! The Pirates are coming to town!
The Cubs have become very good at not getting swept this season.
At the same time, they've been really good at losing a three game series...so go figure.
People have started getting all excited saying that the Cubs played with a renewed intensity yesterday.
IT"S ONE GAME, PEOPLE!!!!
Of course they are going to look like a better team with renewed energy...they won! They've won 33 times this year...and in a majority of those games, they've looked good....because that's how you win 33 games. On the other hand, they've lost 42 games, and in almost every single one of those, they've looked like a joke...especially the offense.
*************************
Whatever...Carlos Zambrano isn't all that is wrong with this team just like Milton Bradley was all that was wrong with last year's team.
And with Zambrano gone right now, don't expect this team to go on a rampage...the team played to an 8-7 record after Bradley left the team last year...that's hardly tearing it up...and Bradley was an everyday player. Z's absence will have just as little impact, if not less.
And what happens when Z comes back? This isn't like the Bradley situation where it happened at the end of the season...we aren't even half way through the year...Jim Hendry doesn't have the offseason to try to sucker somebody into taking Z off our hands.
Z is coming back whether we like it or not and he's going to pitch for this team in the bullpen. How is the rest of the team going to react to it? Well, Z is probably going to what a couple of disreputable source said he had already done a month ago...completely shut out everyone around him and be, not a cancer, but a black hole inside that locker room. And without a true leader on this team, that is going to have a negative impact.
So now what?
The Pirates come to town...and there will be a ton of empty seats at Wrigley for this series. Empty seats...in the middle of June? It's been a long time since we've seen that. They are 2-7 against Pittsburgh this year...and the truth is, if it wasn't for the Cubs, the Pirates would easily be the worst team in baseball...well below the level of the Orioles.
Another note about this series...this is the fourth series between the Cubs and Pirates since the beginning of May. They've been averaging playing the Pirates once every other week. You have to love that dartboard they use to make the MLB schedule.
At the same time, they've been really good at losing a three game series...so go figure.
People have started getting all excited saying that the Cubs played with a renewed intensity yesterday.
IT"S ONE GAME, PEOPLE!!!!
Of course they are going to look like a better team with renewed energy...they won! They've won 33 times this year...and in a majority of those games, they've looked good....because that's how you win 33 games. On the other hand, they've lost 42 games, and in almost every single one of those, they've looked like a joke...especially the offense.
*************************
Whatever...Carlos Zambrano isn't all that is wrong with this team just like Milton Bradley was all that was wrong with last year's team.
And with Zambrano gone right now, don't expect this team to go on a rampage...the team played to an 8-7 record after Bradley left the team last year...that's hardly tearing it up...and Bradley was an everyday player. Z's absence will have just as little impact, if not less.
And what happens when Z comes back? This isn't like the Bradley situation where it happened at the end of the season...we aren't even half way through the year...Jim Hendry doesn't have the offseason to try to sucker somebody into taking Z off our hands.
Z is coming back whether we like it or not and he's going to pitch for this team in the bullpen. How is the rest of the team going to react to it? Well, Z is probably going to what a couple of disreputable source said he had already done a month ago...completely shut out everyone around him and be, not a cancer, but a black hole inside that locker room. And without a true leader on this team, that is going to have a negative impact.
So now what?
The Pirates come to town...and there will be a ton of empty seats at Wrigley for this series. Empty seats...in the middle of June? It's been a long time since we've seen that. They are 2-7 against Pittsburgh this year...and the truth is, if it wasn't for the Cubs, the Pirates would easily be the worst team in baseball...well below the level of the Orioles.
Another note about this series...this is the fourth series between the Cubs and Pirates since the beginning of May. They've been averaging playing the Pirates once every other week. You have to love that dartboard they use to make the MLB schedule.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Dear Cubs, Stop Being an Embarrassment. Love Doc
It was bad enough last year with Milton Bradley complaining about everything, Z throwing umpires out of games, and Soto's waist line expanding faster than the BP oil spill.
At least that team finished above .500.
This year, is now, officially worse. Like Milton Bradley at the end of last season, Carlos Zambrano has been suspended indefinitely after his little tirade in the dugout that got the normally robot-like Derrek Lee all pissed off.
We have Aramis Ramirez putting together a season that is so bad that historians are starting to talk. Derrek Lee went from being the best player in the NL for the last 4 months of last season to looking like an 80 year old man as he watches ball after ball slide past him into left field because he appears to have lost the ability to bend at the hips.
Soriano, one of last year's goats, has started to look pretty goaty again.
No body wants to watch this team...well, except to laugh at them. I have actually heard fans saying that they want to see this team lose because they dislike this team so much.
I fully expect the Cubs will still have a relatively full ballpark for the next month and a half...but come the middle of August, Wrigley Field will become very empty and very quiet as fans abandon this once unabandonable (is that a word?) franchise.
We've seen it before in 2006. Cubs fans expect a winner now. Wrigley Field is not enough. As fewer and fewer games are broadcast nationally on WGN, the global appeal of the Cubs will also drop.
The attendance boom that started in 2003 didn't happen because of Wrigley Field or WGN...it happened because of winning baseball...and the Cubs have had a streak of good teams over the last 7 years that we haven't seen since the late 60's and early 70's. And the fans in this city expect a winning team...or attendance will drop.
The embarrassment of having a team with a $146 million payroll that is now sitting 9 game below .500 and has now fallen behind the Brewers in the standing is hard to deal with for the die-hard people out there...and the casual fans who use Wrigley as a local tavern will find a cheaper bar to sit in to watch and boo this team from.
So then we have to ask...what do we do? I have already said that the front office needs to change. Jim Hendry must go. Could Jim Hendry be the guy that turns this thing around? Yes, possibly, but the truth is, someone's head needs to role here.
If you want to read a really well balanced story about Jim Hendry as GM, to a look at this story by Bruce Miles. This is one of the best, well researched, stories that Miles has ever done, and that's saying something as I consider him to be the best of all the Cubs beat reporters right now.
As Aisle 424 reported yesterday, the Ricketts family has sent out notices to season ticket holders about a "Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day" on July 8th...where season ticket holders can come to Wrigley, run around the field and meet with Cubs executives. Whoopee! That will get me to come to the ballpark more frequently. Blah!
Do I have the answers? No...not really. But I do know people don't like this team and they don't like most of the high priced talent (and I use the word talent loosely) on this team.
This is embarrassing.
At least that team finished above .500.
This year, is now, officially worse. Like Milton Bradley at the end of last season, Carlos Zambrano has been suspended indefinitely after his little tirade in the dugout that got the normally robot-like Derrek Lee all pissed off.
We have Aramis Ramirez putting together a season that is so bad that historians are starting to talk. Derrek Lee went from being the best player in the NL for the last 4 months of last season to looking like an 80 year old man as he watches ball after ball slide past him into left field because he appears to have lost the ability to bend at the hips.
Soriano, one of last year's goats, has started to look pretty goaty again.
No body wants to watch this team...well, except to laugh at them. I have actually heard fans saying that they want to see this team lose because they dislike this team so much.
A typical Cubs fan.
I fully expect the Cubs will still have a relatively full ballpark for the next month and a half...but come the middle of August, Wrigley Field will become very empty and very quiet as fans abandon this once unabandonable (is that a word?) franchise.
We've seen it before in 2006. Cubs fans expect a winner now. Wrigley Field is not enough. As fewer and fewer games are broadcast nationally on WGN, the global appeal of the Cubs will also drop.
The attendance boom that started in 2003 didn't happen because of Wrigley Field or WGN...it happened because of winning baseball...and the Cubs have had a streak of good teams over the last 7 years that we haven't seen since the late 60's and early 70's. And the fans in this city expect a winning team...or attendance will drop.
The embarrassment of having a team with a $146 million payroll that is now sitting 9 game below .500 and has now fallen behind the Brewers in the standing is hard to deal with for the die-hard people out there...and the casual fans who use Wrigley as a local tavern will find a cheaper bar to sit in to watch and boo this team from.
So then we have to ask...what do we do? I have already said that the front office needs to change. Jim Hendry must go. Could Jim Hendry be the guy that turns this thing around? Yes, possibly, but the truth is, someone's head needs to role here.
If you want to read a really well balanced story about Jim Hendry as GM, to a look at this story by Bruce Miles. This is one of the best, well researched, stories that Miles has ever done, and that's saying something as I consider him to be the best of all the Cubs beat reporters right now.
As Aisle 424 reported yesterday, the Ricketts family has sent out notices to season ticket holders about a "Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day" on July 8th...where season ticket holders can come to Wrigley, run around the field and meet with Cubs executives. Whoopee! That will get me to come to the ballpark more frequently. Blah!
Do I have the answers? No...not really. But I do know people don't like this team and they don't like most of the high priced talent (and I use the word talent loosely) on this team.
This is embarrassing.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The joke is on us.
So I just personally witnessed one of the worst defeats I have ever seen today at Wrigley.
You can think whatever you want...but the truth is, this team is going nowhere unless some drastic change happens.
So what are we going to do?
Well, there was 40,008 at wrigley, today. That doesn't help much.
Lou Piniella, in his post game press confrence basically said he didn't know what else to do.
Well, if he doesn't have anymore ideas, then he should be removed as manager. This play is not acceptable if this organization thinks it can compete.
And if this orgnization doesn't think it can compete, then a lame duck manager probably isn't the best thing for this ballclub right now.
Well, I'm on a bus right now, and don't have the ability to complain much more. I'll bitch more about this later...when I get home and am more sober.
You can think whatever you want...but the truth is, this team is going nowhere unless some drastic change happens.
So what are we going to do?
Well, there was 40,008 at wrigley, today. That doesn't help much.
Lou Piniella, in his post game press confrence basically said he didn't know what else to do.
Well, if he doesn't have anymore ideas, then he should be removed as manager. This play is not acceptable if this organization thinks it can compete.
And if this orgnization doesn't think it can compete, then a lame duck manager probably isn't the best thing for this ballclub right now.
Well, I'm on a bus right now, and don't have the ability to complain much more. I'll bitch more about this later...when I get home and am more sober.
Friday, June 18, 2010
It's a win streak! Cubs petition to join AL West.
So far this season, the Cubs are 4-2 against the AL West with 6 games left.
Yes, the Cubs finally won a series...their first series win since the Dodgers series in May.
There isn't a whole lot to say right now.
For any of you that don't actually read LOHO, tomorrow is the official LOHO meetup. Anyone who wants to go, you can sit with the gang in the bleachers (there are plenty of tickets available at or below face value on StubHub right now) and we are meeting at Rockit Wrigley on Clark at 10:30. I won't be sitting in the bleachers with everyone else because I'm an anti-social jerk...and I really didn't want to spend money on another set of tickets when I had my regular tickets already...especially as I'm trying to save to buy a new house right now.
Anyway, things are just kinda ho-hum right now as the Cubs season sits on the brink. I've already said what must be done...now it is up to everyone else to realize what must be done.
The Angels come to town now. They have recovered from a Cubs-like start to the season and are now only 2.5 games behind the Rangers.
Now...off to try to find a new house again.
Yes, the Cubs finally won a series...their first series win since the Dodgers series in May.
There isn't a whole lot to say right now.
For any of you that don't actually read LOHO, tomorrow is the official LOHO meetup. Anyone who wants to go, you can sit with the gang in the bleachers (there are plenty of tickets available at or below face value on StubHub right now) and we are meeting at Rockit Wrigley on Clark at 10:30. I won't be sitting in the bleachers with everyone else because I'm an anti-social jerk...and I really didn't want to spend money on another set of tickets when I had my regular tickets already...especially as I'm trying to save to buy a new house right now.
Anyway, things are just kinda ho-hum right now as the Cubs season sits on the brink. I've already said what must be done...now it is up to everyone else to realize what must be done.
The Angels come to town now. They have recovered from a Cubs-like start to the season and are now only 2.5 games behind the Rangers.
Now...off to try to find a new house again.
Monday, June 14, 2010
I'm an idiot.
No...Lou Piniella should still be fired...I'm not an idiot for saying that.
This is why I'm an idiot...
I passed up an opportunity to go to the game last night.
That was really stupid.
Two near no hitters...
The Stanley Cup...
I'm an idiot.
Instead, I spent the day glazing and painting windows...in the rain. Believe me when I say that I really know how to party.
So...last night the Blackhawks paraded the Stanley Cup around Wrigley Field...my question is, this fall, will the winner of ocean destroying BP Cup go to the United Center and parade that trophy around the ice before a Blackhawks game?
So the Cubs did indeed win last night, but it was another bad series overall for the Cubs. The last series that they have won (not counting the makeup game against the Pirates a week ago) was against the Dodgers in May. That is 5 straight series loses. Four of those were to teams with losing records.
I stand by what I said on Friday...Piniella should be fired along with Jim Hendry (and add to that corporate paper weight, Crane Kenney).
This season is quickly slipping away.
But there is hope.
If the management of this team (not Lou...further up)...were to make some changes, the Cubs could actually salvage this season. Neither the Cardinals or Reds will run away with this division.
Why do I say this? After 63 games, the Cubs are 28-35 this year.
In 2007 after 63 games they were (take a wild guess)....
28-35
So, it can be done.
But the Cubs can't keep the status quo here. The Cubs dumped some dead weight (and dead brain cells...Michael Barrett)...and added some interesting pieces during the stretch run in 2007.
Do they have the flexibility to do the same this year? Maybe not...but something needs to be done to shake this team up. Lou doesn't appear to want to go put on some manic performance in front of an umpire anytime soon, and I don't think any Cubs are going to get into a fight with each other this year....
The Cubs don't seem to be able to have the flexibility to make too drastic of a move with their payroll...
So fire the manager. Fire something. Hell...we just need some fire in general.
This is why I'm an idiot...
I passed up an opportunity to go to the game last night.
That was really stupid.
Two near no hitters...
The Stanley Cup...
I'm an idiot.
Instead, I spent the day glazing and painting windows...in the rain. Believe me when I say that I really know how to party.
So...last night the Blackhawks paraded the Stanley Cup around Wrigley Field...my question is, this fall, will the winner of ocean destroying BP Cup go to the United Center and parade that trophy around the ice before a Blackhawks game?
So the Cubs did indeed win last night, but it was another bad series overall for the Cubs. The last series that they have won (not counting the makeup game against the Pirates a week ago) was against the Dodgers in May. That is 5 straight series loses. Four of those were to teams with losing records.
I stand by what I said on Friday...Piniella should be fired along with Jim Hendry (and add to that corporate paper weight, Crane Kenney).
This season is quickly slipping away.
But there is hope.
If the management of this team (not Lou...further up)...were to make some changes, the Cubs could actually salvage this season. Neither the Cardinals or Reds will run away with this division.
Why do I say this? After 63 games, the Cubs are 28-35 this year.
In 2007 after 63 games they were (take a wild guess)....
28-35
So, it can be done.
But the Cubs can't keep the status quo here. The Cubs dumped some dead weight (and dead brain cells...Michael Barrett)...and added some interesting pieces during the stretch run in 2007.
Do they have the flexibility to do the same this year? Maybe not...but something needs to be done to shake this team up. Lou doesn't appear to want to go put on some manic performance in front of an umpire anytime soon, and I don't think any Cubs are going to get into a fight with each other this year....
The Cubs don't seem to be able to have the flexibility to make too drastic of a move with their payroll...
So fire the manager. Fire something. Hell...we just need some fire in general.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Ok...ok...things are getting out of control now. It's time.
Lou Piniella should be fired.
Yes...I've said it. Lou must go.
He has completely lost control of this team.
Don't get me wrong...Jim Hendry needs to go to...but the time has come...Lou has to be shown the door with big Jim.
Clean house.
The Ricketts family should have done that when they took over the team.
Rocky Wirtz completely turned around his team in a year and a half and now we have 2 million people celebrating in the streets of downtown Chicago. He did so by replacing virtually everyone in his organization.
The Rickettses took over, everything remained the same (except ticket prices) and the team has gotten worse.
So why have I so quickly changed my mind on this?
The reports have continued to pile in over the last few days of Cubbie behavior that I would deem unacceptable. All these reports coming while the city is completely focused on the Blackhawks right now...just image what would happen if the media actually cared about baseball?
In my post this morning, I mentioned the rumors about Z and Ramirez pretty much quitting on the team. Now, according to the Score this morning, Randy Wells, who is starting today, was out last night with Ryan Dempster partying until 3AM.
And then there is this little clip from one of the players that I most respect on this team (as you all know), Koyie Hill...
Um...wow.
Basically, Hill just said that the Brewers practice on executing for these particular situations, which he wouldn't have said unless it is something different than what the Cubs do. So the Cubs were not capable to doing, in the tenth inning, what the Brewers did mainly because they were prepared. The Cubs would not have been able to do that.
Then the most damning thing, "They had one of the worst fundamental teams in the field." which refers to the Cubs defense. The truth is, Koyie, if Soto had been out there instead of you, it would have been worse...
But back to the point...Koyie Hill has basically said that the Cubs are unprepared. You can say whatever you want about talent on the field, but if a team is not prepared, and not practiced up to perform the little tasks it takes to win games, that falls entirely on the manager.
The Cubs have had more talent on the field than most all of the teams they have faced this season. Now they stand 7 games under .500.
I have given the coaching staff the benefit of a doubt all season. No more. Heads must start to role. For a team that is being paid this much, be be carried by players like Castro, Colvin and Cashner is ridiculous.
Of the long time veterans on this team...Aramis, Z, D-Lee and Dempster, only Lee seems to be acting appropriately...but he is still sucking at the plate right now and has never been a vocal leader in the clubhouse and is unwilling to approach any teammate about anything. Dempster? Taking Randy Wells out to party the night before a start? Not a real good role model there. Z and Ramirez...whatever...
Those 4 players should be the ones that are leading this team. I supposed, in a way, they are leading them...and they are leading it right into a pile of horse manure. In a situation like that, the manager must take charge. Lou isn't. He had a meeting earlier this week and told the hitters basically if you don't hit, you'll be benched. I get the impression that many of those veterans would just as well sit. You need to do more than threaten them....especially if they don't care anymore. At this point, I'm not sure there is anything Lou can do to fix the situation. The players don't appear to want to play for him any more.
I have supported Lou ever since he came in here. And I have stuck by him when others thought he needed to go, or had said that he had gone insane.
I still say he was the best manager the this team has had since at least Jim LeFebvre...
But he needs to go. And he needs to go before Castro, Colvin and Cashner are polluted by the garbage that this team has become.
Yes...I've said it. Lou must go.
He has completely lost control of this team.
Don't get me wrong...Jim Hendry needs to go to...but the time has come...Lou has to be shown the door with big Jim.
Clean house.
The Ricketts family should have done that when they took over the team.
Rocky Wirtz completely turned around his team in a year and a half and now we have 2 million people celebrating in the streets of downtown Chicago. He did so by replacing virtually everyone in his organization.
The Rickettses took over, everything remained the same (except ticket prices) and the team has gotten worse.
So why have I so quickly changed my mind on this?
The reports have continued to pile in over the last few days of Cubbie behavior that I would deem unacceptable. All these reports coming while the city is completely focused on the Blackhawks right now...just image what would happen if the media actually cared about baseball?
In my post this morning, I mentioned the rumors about Z and Ramirez pretty much quitting on the team. Now, according to the Score this morning, Randy Wells, who is starting today, was out last night with Ryan Dempster partying until 3AM.
And then there is this little clip from one of the players that I most respect on this team (as you all know), Koyie Hill...
It was a perfect situation for the Brewers. They had a guy at the plate who … practices those situations (and) … he got the bunt down on the right side of the field.
They had the perfect guy (Gomez) on first base who is one of the fastest guys in the league and they had one of the worst fundamental teams in the field.
Um...wow.
Basically, Hill just said that the Brewers practice on executing for these particular situations, which he wouldn't have said unless it is something different than what the Cubs do. So the Cubs were not capable to doing, in the tenth inning, what the Brewers did mainly because they were prepared. The Cubs would not have been able to do that.
Then the most damning thing, "They had one of the worst fundamental teams in the field." which refers to the Cubs defense. The truth is, Koyie, if Soto had been out there instead of you, it would have been worse...
But back to the point...Koyie Hill has basically said that the Cubs are unprepared. You can say whatever you want about talent on the field, but if a team is not prepared, and not practiced up to perform the little tasks it takes to win games, that falls entirely on the manager.
The Cubs have had more talent on the field than most all of the teams they have faced this season. Now they stand 7 games under .500.
I have given the coaching staff the benefit of a doubt all season. No more. Heads must start to role. For a team that is being paid this much, be be carried by players like Castro, Colvin and Cashner is ridiculous.
Of the long time veterans on this team...Aramis, Z, D-Lee and Dempster, only Lee seems to be acting appropriately...but he is still sucking at the plate right now and has never been a vocal leader in the clubhouse and is unwilling to approach any teammate about anything. Dempster? Taking Randy Wells out to party the night before a start? Not a real good role model there. Z and Ramirez...whatever...
Those 4 players should be the ones that are leading this team. I supposed, in a way, they are leading them...and they are leading it right into a pile of horse manure. In a situation like that, the manager must take charge. Lou isn't. He had a meeting earlier this week and told the hitters basically if you don't hit, you'll be benched. I get the impression that many of those veterans would just as well sit. You need to do more than threaten them....especially if they don't care anymore. At this point, I'm not sure there is anything Lou can do to fix the situation. The players don't appear to want to play for him any more.
I have supported Lou ever since he came in here. And I have stuck by him when others thought he needed to go, or had said that he had gone insane.
I still say he was the best manager the this team has had since at least Jim LeFebvre...
But he needs to go. And he needs to go before Castro, Colvin and Cashner are polluted by the garbage that this team has become.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Hawks win the Stanley Cup! (oh...and I think the Cubs won last night too)
The Cubs didn't win this.
So I started thinking...in major professional sports (no, soccer doesn't count), is there a trophy that has such a respect associated with it?
Really...the NHL names its finals after their trophy. It's not the NHL championship...it's the Stanley Cup finals. The NFL's prize, the Vince Lombardi trophy is probably close...but their isn't "one" Lombardi trophy. A new one is made every year. The Stanley Cup is a traveling trophy, going from one team to the next and has the names of all the players who have one it inscribed on it. And the NFL hasn't named their championship game the Vince Lombardi Trophy Bowl.
Ok...what does this have to do with baseball? Well...here is baseball's World Series trophy...(blandly named the Commissioner's Trophy):
Woopie.
I think I saw one of those at Walmart. Don't lift it to high over your head, you might break off the Pirates flag.
It's not named after anyone. Outside of a little itty bitty crown and a little itty bitty baseball on it...it has no fancy decor. Bland...dumb...it looks like something that you'd win in little league...in fact, I think I have a nicer trophy than than from when my little league team one their division back about 25 years ago.
I'm curious to find out how many of those World Series trophies are out there that are completely in tact. There's no way in hell you'd be able to let each member of the winning team keep it for a day like the tradition is with Stanley Cup. The dog's tail might knock out an entire division of team from the trophy.
Baseball is the National Pastime...and while that statement doesn't have quite the meaning it once did, it is still important and it's popularity is still enormous. It would be nice if these guys had a little more to play for than this cheap crap-ass trophy.
****************
Zambrano pitched (as anyone would expect) 5 innings last night and gave up (as anyone would expect) 3 runs. Unlike Ted Lilly, the offense gave Z some support last night knocking Randy Wolf all over the place. Supposedly, Lou had a chat with the hitters yesterday and told them to shape up or they'll be benched. Benched for who? I don't know. Maybe they'll bring Sam Fuld up again, or better yet, Micah Hoffpauir. Anyway, Byrd and Soto hit 2 homers a piece and Derrek Lee hit his 300th (of his career, not of the season...because that would be a record or something).
Today...Dempster vs. Cubs whipping boy, Dave Bush.
If the Cubs can't win today...then they officially suck donkey balls. It's as simple as that. They have crushed Dave Bush in the past. They have no choice but to win today.
So the two of the three teams that at the beginning of this century were sitting with the biggest championship droughts of any team in their league...the White Sox and the Blackhawks...have now won a championship. It's time for the Cubs to do the same. But it looks like we are going to have to wait a few years before that happens.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Um...wait, the Brewers beat us now?
I was out until about the 5th inning looking at homes last night...
It was 0-0...pretty good game going on.
Why I stayed up to watch the rest of it? I don't know. I should have known that it wasn't going to end well. I just never imagined that Carlos Marmol would be the one to blow it for the Cubs last night.
Booooooo!!
So now we can't even beat the Brewers.
On the positive side, Ted Lilly is back to being Ted Lilly again.
After this week, if the Cubs don't appear to have turned this thing around, then it will be time to blow the team up. But I'm waiting until the White Sox series is over.
On a more 'blah' note...
Stephen Strasburg demolished yet another AAA team last night by beating the Pirates and striking out 14 batters (including the last 7 guys he faced) over 7 innings. He hit 101 on the radar gun at one point. I'll just say this, he's legit. It's just a matter of not breaking him at this point.
So, I really don't have much more to say today outside of I plan on watching the Blackhawks tonight. I don't think I really have any reason to see Carlos Zambrano get torched tonight.
Go Hawks!!!!
Monday, June 7, 2010
The Cubs sweep the Pirates!!!!
I've been debating all day what I should use as a headline. This one seemed to be the most positive, optimistic and overstated...so I went with it.
Carlos Silva was fantastic once again.
You can say whatever you want, but this guy is our All-Star this year. I don't believe any other player on the team even close to qualifying at this point...except maybe Koyie Hill.
So we head to Milwaukee to face the now Jeff Suppan-less Brewers. Being surrounded by Brewers fans, I can tell you that there was much rejoicing at work today when news of Jeff Suppan's ouster from the Brewers roster reached the masses.
The sad thing for them is that Brewers fans think they are actually a better team now. They are not. While the Cubs may be considered one of the biggest disappointments in baseball, the Brewers aren't far behind. Their pitching has been flat out horrible. They have one starting pitcher even worth mentioning, and their bullpen is a joke....an even bigger joke than the Cubs' pen has been.
Offensively, the Brewers are starting to get a bit better. Prince Fielder is finally starting to hit. Casey McGehee has had a very good year to this point. Ryan Braun has been Ryan Braun. And even Corey Hart has played well as he is tied for the league lead in home runs.
But back to Suppan for a minute...
Earlier this year I talked about how the Suppan contract was such a problem for the Brewers and that his contract was, if fact, much worst than any contract the Cubs had given out to any of their current players.
The Brewers will have to eat the remaining part of the $12.5 million they gave him for this season...and they will also have to pay him $2 million to buy out his contract for next season (they had a $12.75 million option they could have picked up for next year).
Here is something very frightening, though...on the news that Suppan had been cut, Cardinals fans of all types started to come out an say that they should take a chance at signing him and let Dave Duncan work his magic on him.
I say, why not let Larry Rothschild have a stab at him? He's going to be cheep...send him to AAA for a few weeks, see what he has left, and if he's useless, then just let him go again.
On the down side, he is 35 years old, so he obviously has had his best days behind him.
But after the turnaround made by Carlos Silva (to this point), why not take another flying chance on Jeff Suppan?
***********************
The matchups this week:
Tomorrow: Ted Lilly vs. Yovani Gallardo
Gallardo, after starting the season rather shaky, has become the ace that the Brewers have expected for the last couple of years. He has given up 2 or fewer runs in 9 of his last 10 starts. This guy is as good as it gets next to Ubaldo Jimenez right now. This is going to be a tough game.
Lilly has pitching in some tough luck since coming off the DL. He has gotten very little run support, but has continued to look better and better as the shoulder regains strength.
Wednesday: Carlos Zambrano vs. (presumably) Randy Wolf
Zambrano will pitch his traditional 5 innings, throwing 110 pitches and giving up 3 runs. Wolf...blah blah blah...just watch the Blackhawks on Wednesday.
Thursday: Ryan Dempster vs...???? Dave Bush or Chris Capuano
.....Honestly...whatever....
If Zambrano pitches well on Wednesday, the Cubs should win 2 out of 3. Otherwise, this will be another series lost. The Cubs have just hammered the Brewers this year, but this Cubs team is looking rather defeated right now...even after the win today.
Carlos Silva was fantastic once again.
8-0
You can say whatever you want, but this guy is our All-Star this year. I don't believe any other player on the team even close to qualifying at this point...except maybe Koyie Hill.
So we head to Milwaukee to face the now Jeff Suppan-less Brewers. Being surrounded by Brewers fans, I can tell you that there was much rejoicing at work today when news of Jeff Suppan's ouster from the Brewers roster reached the masses.
The sad thing for them is that Brewers fans think they are actually a better team now. They are not. While the Cubs may be considered one of the biggest disappointments in baseball, the Brewers aren't far behind. Their pitching has been flat out horrible. They have one starting pitcher even worth mentioning, and their bullpen is a joke....an even bigger joke than the Cubs' pen has been.
Offensively, the Brewers are starting to get a bit better. Prince Fielder is finally starting to hit. Casey McGehee has had a very good year to this point. Ryan Braun has been Ryan Braun. And even Corey Hart has played well as he is tied for the league lead in home runs.
But back to Suppan for a minute...
Earlier this year I talked about how the Suppan contract was such a problem for the Brewers and that his contract was, if fact, much worst than any contract the Cubs had given out to any of their current players.
The Brewers will have to eat the remaining part of the $12.5 million they gave him for this season...and they will also have to pay him $2 million to buy out his contract for next season (they had a $12.75 million option they could have picked up for next year).
Here is something very frightening, though...on the news that Suppan had been cut, Cardinals fans of all types started to come out an say that they should take a chance at signing him and let Dave Duncan work his magic on him.
I say, why not let Larry Rothschild have a stab at him? He's going to be cheep...send him to AAA for a few weeks, see what he has left, and if he's useless, then just let him go again.
On the down side, he is 35 years old, so he obviously has had his best days behind him.
But after the turnaround made by Carlos Silva (to this point), why not take another flying chance on Jeff Suppan?
***********************
The matchups this week:
Tomorrow: Ted Lilly vs. Yovani Gallardo
Gallardo, after starting the season rather shaky, has become the ace that the Brewers have expected for the last couple of years. He has given up 2 or fewer runs in 9 of his last 10 starts. This guy is as good as it gets next to Ubaldo Jimenez right now. This is going to be a tough game.
Lilly has pitching in some tough luck since coming off the DL. He has gotten very little run support, but has continued to look better and better as the shoulder regains strength.
Wednesday: Carlos Zambrano vs. (presumably) Randy Wolf
Zambrano will pitch his traditional 5 innings, throwing 110 pitches and giving up 3 runs. Wolf...blah blah blah...just watch the Blackhawks on Wednesday.
Thursday: Ryan Dempster vs...???? Dave Bush or Chris Capuano
.....Honestly...whatever....
If Zambrano pitches well on Wednesday, the Cubs should win 2 out of 3. Otherwise, this will be another series lost. The Cubs have just hammered the Brewers this year, but this Cubs team is looking rather defeated right now...even after the win today.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Big surprise...randomly constructed lineup still can't score runs.
If you took one look at the line-up last night, you would have to assume that Lou Piniella just randomly assembled it by throwing darts at a roster list. I was actually surprised we didn't see Zambrano playing catcher or something.
At one point last year, Lou said something along the lines of "I'm out of ideas" when trying to figure out why the offense wasn't producing.
Much of the comments Lou has made this year have had that same tone.
During the early part of the season, the Cubs offense wasn't horrible, just inconsistent. Now it is horrible.
Marlon Byrd, Kosuke Fukudome, Ryan Theriot, Geovany Soto and Alfonso Soriano have all cooled off considerably. Derrek Lee, while showing some signs of live, still isn't driving in many runs, and Aramis Ramirez is MIA still.
As a result, we are seeing a lot of 1 and 2 run totals in the box scores under the totals column. Last night it was a 2...Xavier Nady (who's not playing too bad lately) hit a two run homer.
More on Nady...he went 4 for 4 yesterday, and if Kosuke continues to struggle, Xavier should receive more and more playing time in right field. Yesterday Nady subbed in for Derrek Lee at first base, which makes you wonder if that has a possibility of working long term if the Cubs decide that Lee should take a hike (either before the trade deadline or after the season is over).
Here is the dilemma...Tyler Colvin needs more playing time. It is hard to think that it will come in left or center fields...the Cubs took a risk bringing Nady in, and Nady has gradually improved over the last month. With Nady's prior injury history, putting him a first base might be a better option leaving right field for Colvin (with an eventual trade of Fukudome).
Sorry, just rambling here...
Anyway, the Cubs will try again claim an elusive victory over the Pirates tonight...but the bigger news tonight is the return of Carlos Zambrano to the starting rotation.
I don't want to sound negative here, but I'm expecting this to be a really painful game. I just don't see Z being effective at all at worst. At best, I expect him to be able to pitch about 3 innings effectively.
The Pirates send Zack Duke to the mound. Early in Duke's career, he was great against the Cubs. I personally witnessed 2 or 3 games in which he pitched against us back 4 or 5 years ago. It was strange how the Cubs hitters could not get to him at all. But, over the last 2 years, fortunes have changed and Duke has struggled against the Cubs lineup. Even though the Cubs have faced the Pirates 8 times already this year, they have yet to have had the chance to face Duke. So hopefully fortunes change tonight.
At one point last year, Lou said something along the lines of "I'm out of ideas" when trying to figure out why the offense wasn't producing.
Much of the comments Lou has made this year have had that same tone.
During the early part of the season, the Cubs offense wasn't horrible, just inconsistent. Now it is horrible.
Marlon Byrd, Kosuke Fukudome, Ryan Theriot, Geovany Soto and Alfonso Soriano have all cooled off considerably. Derrek Lee, while showing some signs of live, still isn't driving in many runs, and Aramis Ramirez is MIA still.
As a result, we are seeing a lot of 1 and 2 run totals in the box scores under the totals column. Last night it was a 2...Xavier Nady (who's not playing too bad lately) hit a two run homer.
More on Nady...he went 4 for 4 yesterday, and if Kosuke continues to struggle, Xavier should receive more and more playing time in right field. Yesterday Nady subbed in for Derrek Lee at first base, which makes you wonder if that has a possibility of working long term if the Cubs decide that Lee should take a hike (either before the trade deadline or after the season is over).
Here is the dilemma...Tyler Colvin needs more playing time. It is hard to think that it will come in left or center fields...the Cubs took a risk bringing Nady in, and Nady has gradually improved over the last month. With Nady's prior injury history, putting him a first base might be a better option leaving right field for Colvin (with an eventual trade of Fukudome).
Sorry, just rambling here...
Anyway, the Cubs will try again claim an elusive victory over the Pirates tonight...but the bigger news tonight is the return of Carlos Zambrano to the starting rotation.
I don't want to sound negative here, but I'm expecting this to be a really painful game. I just don't see Z being effective at all at worst. At best, I expect him to be able to pitch about 3 innings effectively.
The Pirates send Zack Duke to the mound. Early in Duke's career, he was great against the Cubs. I personally witnessed 2 or 3 games in which he pitched against us back 4 or 5 years ago. It was strange how the Cubs hitters could not get to him at all. But, over the last 2 years, fortunes have changed and Duke has struggled against the Cubs lineup. Even though the Cubs have faced the Pirates 8 times already this year, they have yet to have had the chance to face Duke. So hopefully fortunes change tonight.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Why the heck can't we beat these guys?
The good news for the Cubs, after this week, they only face the Pirates six more times...three more times at the end of this month, and then only 3 times in the 2nd half of the season. All six of those game will be at Wrigley.
The Pirates have just dominated the Cubs...their hitting, their pitching and even their defense. Overall, the Pirates have played slightly better of late, but if it wasn't for the Cubs, they would be fighting with Houston and Arizona for the title of "Worst Team in the National League".
This is what most people would call "playing down to your opponents". I hate that term (though I've probably used it a few times here) but something just isn't right here.
So far this season, the Cubs schedule has been quite easy, and believe it or not, it remains easy through the month of June. The Cubs will play only one team with a record over .500, and that is Oakland, who I suspect won't be over .500 for very much longer. The only other good team on their schedule this month is Los Angeles-Orange County-Pasadena-Long Beach Angels of Anaheim, who have played surprisingly poorly to start this season. I still expect them to win the AL-West this year and I figure they will turn their season around when the face the Cubs in the middle of the month.
Anyway, back to the point, the Cubs are in the process of blowing a huge opportunity to really dominate the first half of their season. The second half of the season is quite a bit more difficult...include 12 of their 15 games against the Cardinals occur after the All-Star break. All seven of their game against the surprising Giants have yet to occur. Ten more games against the division co-leaders, Reds, happen in the second half. And the Cubs have a lot of games against the tough NL East yet including the Marlins who they haven't played yet. Not a single team in the NL-East is below .500 at this point of the season.
***************************
Ok...so the Cubs actually did everything that they should have yesterday as far as roster moves are concerned. Andrew Cashner was called up, Gorzelanny went to the pen, and John Grabow was placed on the DL with a problem with his *cough cough* knee. I think the problem is that he can't pitch, but I'm not sure that is a legal reason to place a player on the DL. I'm hoping he goes on an extended rehab assignment and that we don't see him again until at least the end of July. To those of you who think the Cubs should just dump him...that isn't likely to happen with the contract he was given this off-season.
Cashner made his debut yesterday and got former Cubs failure, Ronny Cedeno, to pop out weakly. Cashner has a bit of a Kerry Wood look to him....he doesn't throw like him, but his stature on the mound and his goatee remind me a lot of Wood. And his fast ball is about as impressive as Wood's was.
Now the Cubs have 3 of their top prospects playing on their team with Castro, Cashner and Colvin (the three C's!) That isn't a great sign for a team that many people thought should be competing for a division title.
Derrek Lee is really disgusted by those white hats (or the Cubs offense).
(pic via the Associated Press)
The Pirates have just dominated the Cubs...their hitting, their pitching and even their defense. Overall, the Pirates have played slightly better of late, but if it wasn't for the Cubs, they would be fighting with Houston and Arizona for the title of "Worst Team in the National League".
This is what most people would call "playing down to your opponents". I hate that term (though I've probably used it a few times here) but something just isn't right here.
So far this season, the Cubs schedule has been quite easy, and believe it or not, it remains easy through the month of June. The Cubs will play only one team with a record over .500, and that is Oakland, who I suspect won't be over .500 for very much longer. The only other good team on their schedule this month is Los Angeles-Orange County-Pasadena-Long Beach Angels of Anaheim, who have played surprisingly poorly to start this season. I still expect them to win the AL-West this year and I figure they will turn their season around when the face the Cubs in the middle of the month.
Anyway, back to the point, the Cubs are in the process of blowing a huge opportunity to really dominate the first half of their season. The second half of the season is quite a bit more difficult...include 12 of their 15 games against the Cardinals occur after the All-Star break. All seven of their game against the surprising Giants have yet to occur. Ten more games against the division co-leaders, Reds, happen in the second half. And the Cubs have a lot of games against the tough NL East yet including the Marlins who they haven't played yet. Not a single team in the NL-East is below .500 at this point of the season.
***************************
Ok...so the Cubs actually did everything that they should have yesterday as far as roster moves are concerned. Andrew Cashner was called up, Gorzelanny went to the pen, and John Grabow was placed on the DL with a problem with his *cough cough* knee. I think the problem is that he can't pitch, but I'm not sure that is a legal reason to place a player on the DL. I'm hoping he goes on an extended rehab assignment and that we don't see him again until at least the end of July. To those of you who think the Cubs should just dump him...that isn't likely to happen with the contract he was given this off-season.
Cashner made his debut yesterday and got former Cubs failure, Ronny Cedeno, to pop out weakly. Cashner has a bit of a Kerry Wood look to him....he doesn't throw like him, but his stature on the mound and his goatee remind me a lot of Wood. And his fast ball is about as impressive as Wood's was.
Now the Cubs have 3 of their top prospects playing on their team with Castro, Cashner and Colvin (the three C's!) That isn't a great sign for a team that many people thought should be competing for a division title.
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