The Cubs are playing very well, and yesterday Rich Hill got going. So it seems we were all too concerned about Hill too soon. Like many inexperienced (people get on me when I say Rich Hill is young. Ok, he is late 20s. But he doesn't have a lot of major league time) pitchers, he is inconsistent. But he can still help us win.
The early stars are Derrek Lee-- 6 HR, 13 RBI, .357; Reed Johnson -- .375; Fukudome, .317, with a .431 OBP; Zambrano, 2-1, 3.04; and Dempster, 2-0, 2.37.
Right now, we are tied for second with Milwaukee, chasing St. Louis, 1.5 games ahead.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Matt Murton
Murton might be the most talented Cub I have ever seen not get a chance. His problem is that he is not versatile at all; he can handle left field, or maybe first base, and that's really it. After we moved Soriano to left field, there was no place here for Murton. Somehow, the trade never got done.
Now, Murton is back. No doubt he can help us while Soriano is gone. He should get an extended look while Soriano is out. And if Soriano were to keep getting hutr all year, Murton might just be here and put up good numbers. If Soriano gets healthy and stays healthy, they will look to trade Murton. That would be a good thing for everyone; there has to be a team out there that can use a legit 300 hitter.
Now, Murton is back. No doubt he can help us while Soriano is gone. He should get an extended look while Soriano is out. And if Soriano were to keep getting hutr all year, Murton might just be here and put up good numbers. If Soriano gets healthy and stays healthy, they will look to trade Murton. That would be a good thing for everyone; there has to be a team out there that can use a legit 300 hitter.
Marty Brennaman Rips Cubs Fans...
You guys who come here regularly know that I often steer clear of the controversies and focus on the game between the lines. That is my personality; I don't love this game because of who said what, I just want to watch these games and I want the Cubs to get that World Championship.
But this Brennaman thing is a BIG deal. He's talking about US, guys. First - this is not the guy who used to work here; this is his dad, who has been working for the Reds forever. Now on to what he said, and his repeated comments the next day.
The fact that Brennaman got so tightly wound up about this incident only shows how uptight and formalized American culture has become. The Reds' Adam Dunn hit a homer and Cub fans, in a bit of spontaneity and fun, launch 15 balls on to the field instead of just throwing the one back, as we often do.
Mr. Brennaman, this is our secret. Cub fans have turned Wrigley in to a place that allows actions like this; it gave everyone a good laugh. I think that anyone who thinks this disrespects the game has forgotten that the game is about having fun, at its very essence.
This sort of thing is what makes Wrigley the temple of baseball, not the sticky, ancient, wooden seat (though they certainly help). What else is it all about?
Its about throngs of people entering and leaving the stadium in random directions, ignoring traffic rules, and weaving around hucksters selling all things Cubs and many other items.
Its about insisting on day baseball as often as possible, sitting out in the sun on a day off or a half day from work, rather than rushing to the nice modern stadium after work in time for a 715 game.
Its about bars operating just outside the stadium, because some people just love being in Wrigleyville.
All this and so much more. Other stadium experiences are corporate and bland. Somehow, when the Cubs cram more ads in to Wrigley and stick some more screens where they can fit them in, it only makes it better. Why? Because it is all so chaotic. When I see those little signs that show the scores and count electronically along the upper deck, I am aware that they are on the margins, unlike at some stadiums where the big jumbotron IS the game. If I wanted to watch a huge screen, I could buy one and stay at home.
I've done some other stadium experiences and the conveniences are nice. But none of them have been worthy after Wrigley. And its fans have not forgotten the point of the whole deal.
But this Brennaman thing is a BIG deal. He's talking about US, guys. First - this is not the guy who used to work here; this is his dad, who has been working for the Reds forever. Now on to what he said, and his repeated comments the next day.
The fact that Brennaman got so tightly wound up about this incident only shows how uptight and formalized American culture has become. The Reds' Adam Dunn hit a homer and Cub fans, in a bit of spontaneity and fun, launch 15 balls on to the field instead of just throwing the one back, as we often do.
Mr. Brennaman, this is our secret. Cub fans have turned Wrigley in to a place that allows actions like this; it gave everyone a good laugh. I think that anyone who thinks this disrespects the game has forgotten that the game is about having fun, at its very essence.
This sort of thing is what makes Wrigley the temple of baseball, not the sticky, ancient, wooden seat (though they certainly help). What else is it all about?
Its about throngs of people entering and leaving the stadium in random directions, ignoring traffic rules, and weaving around hucksters selling all things Cubs and many other items.
Its about insisting on day baseball as often as possible, sitting out in the sun on a day off or a half day from work, rather than rushing to the nice modern stadium after work in time for a 715 game.
Its about bars operating just outside the stadium, because some people just love being in Wrigleyville.
All this and so much more. Other stadium experiences are corporate and bland. Somehow, when the Cubs cram more ads in to Wrigley and stick some more screens where they can fit them in, it only makes it better. Why? Because it is all so chaotic. When I see those little signs that show the scores and count electronically along the upper deck, I am aware that they are on the margins, unlike at some stadiums where the big jumbotron IS the game. If I wanted to watch a huge screen, I could buy one and stay at home.
I've done some other stadium experiences and the conveniences are nice. But none of them have been worthy after Wrigley. And its fans have not forgotten the point of the whole deal.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Reds Lying in the Weeds...
The Reds' lineup and bullpen yesterday impressed me. There are several competent relievers down in the Reds' bullpen, with Cordero closing, and Kent Mercker to set up along with David Weathers, last year's closer. Todd Coffey is another young reliever with some promise.
The Reds' lineup, 1-8, has only two weak points. One is in center field, where Corey Patterson leads off. Patterson did not impress last year, after scaring Cubs fans in 2006 by leading the league in steals with Baltimore. The Reds' homerrific park is maybe the best place for Patterson to try to revive his career. If Dusty is thinking anything sensible with this move, that's it.
Griffey is still here, and of course, he is not the player he once was, but who is at 38. Adam Dunn is in his prime, and a true homer threat at all times. Brandon Phillips leads the new generation of second basemen with pop, right along with Philadelphia's Chase Utley. Edwin Encarnacion and Jeff Keppinger are solid hitters, and Joey Votto is one the game's brightest stars.
CF prospect Jay Bruce is often called the best prospect in the game. In years to come, Reds fans will get to enjoy seeing him play alongside Cueto, Harang, and Votto. If baseball were at all serious in helping small-market teams compete like football does, the Reds would have the brightest future in the Central Division. But the good players they have now will be gone as soon as the younger players are good enough to need to be paid.
The Reds' lineup, 1-8, has only two weak points. One is in center field, where Corey Patterson leads off. Patterson did not impress last year, after scaring Cubs fans in 2006 by leading the league in steals with Baltimore. The Reds' homerrific park is maybe the best place for Patterson to try to revive his career. If Dusty is thinking anything sensible with this move, that's it.
Griffey is still here, and of course, he is not the player he once was, but who is at 38. Adam Dunn is in his prime, and a true homer threat at all times. Brandon Phillips leads the new generation of second basemen with pop, right along with Philadelphia's Chase Utley. Edwin Encarnacion and Jeff Keppinger are solid hitters, and Joey Votto is one the game's brightest stars.
CF prospect Jay Bruce is often called the best prospect in the game. In years to come, Reds fans will get to enjoy seeing him play alongside Cueto, Harang, and Votto. If baseball were at all serious in helping small-market teams compete like football does, the Reds would have the brightest future in the Central Division. But the good players they have now will be gone as soon as the younger players are good enough to need to be paid.
Cubs Juggernaut?
Maybe it is too early to get excited about the Cubs. Our teams frequently do well at the start of the year; this has been true even with our mediocre teams that came with less talent and even fewer expectations.
But last night we put the hurt on a weaker Reds team, despite playing without Soriano.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280416116
The Cubs have recalled Eric Patterson from Iowa to fill Soriano's roster spot. He got in the game yesterday. More interesting, strategically, was Piniella's use of Fontenot leading off at second, with DeRosa in left field.
If Patterson shows he is ready to play here, this could be Fontenot's last chance to prove he is good enough to keep Patterson waiting in Iowa. Or maybe now it is time to show the league what Fontenot can do, and trade him somewhere there is an opportunity for a second baseman with a little pop.
Should Patterson succeed, that will put the Brian Roberts rumors to rest for ever. DeRosa would not be happy about becoming a supersub once again, but hey, he's in the big leagues getting regular ABs. At the end of the day, most of us would take that.
Zambrano pitched like an ace yesterday; he beat a team that he should beat. And as always, he contributed with the bat too. Three hits. A personality as large as the body that carries it. This is why I love watching Zambrano, win or lose.
Kevin Hart continues to impress in his bullpen role. His job is to pitch when it is helpful for other pitchers to rest. As he improves his game, he will rise in the ranks of the Cubs' bullpen. It's a long way to the top here - unlike other years for the Cubs, in which after this much success, we would already be wondering if Hart could close.
But last night we put the hurt on a weaker Reds team, despite playing without Soriano.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280416116
The Cubs have recalled Eric Patterson from Iowa to fill Soriano's roster spot. He got in the game yesterday. More interesting, strategically, was Piniella's use of Fontenot leading off at second, with DeRosa in left field.
If Patterson shows he is ready to play here, this could be Fontenot's last chance to prove he is good enough to keep Patterson waiting in Iowa. Or maybe now it is time to show the league what Fontenot can do, and trade him somewhere there is an opportunity for a second baseman with a little pop.
Should Patterson succeed, that will put the Brian Roberts rumors to rest for ever. DeRosa would not be happy about becoming a supersub once again, but hey, he's in the big leagues getting regular ABs. At the end of the day, most of us would take that.
Zambrano pitched like an ace yesterday; he beat a team that he should beat. And as always, he contributed with the bat too. Three hits. A personality as large as the body that carries it. This is why I love watching Zambrano, win or lose.
Kevin Hart continues to impress in his bullpen role. His job is to pitch when it is helpful for other pitchers to rest. As he improves his game, he will rise in the ranks of the Cubs' bullpen. It's a long way to the top here - unlike other years for the Cubs, in which after this much success, we would already be wondering if Hart could close.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
MLB: Corey Hasn't Changed, Dusty Doesn't Let It Affect His Plans
Corey Patterson has not elevated his game AT ALL; he still doesn't hit .300, or get on base well, and these days, he hits for power a bit less. Now he is hitting .239; but Baker still has him leading off.
It's a very sad outcome for a guy who had been a blue-chip prospect. The question now becomes: what happened? He never did get hurt, or get involved with drugs (to our knowledge) or even get buried and not get his chance. He just simply failed to become what he should have become, and only because that is how life sometimes is. And that is how it normally is with Cubs prospects...
It's a very sad outcome for a guy who had been a blue-chip prospect. The question now becomes: what happened? He never did get hurt, or get involved with drugs (to our knowledge) or even get buried and not get his chance. He just simply failed to become what he should have become, and only because that is how life sometimes is. And that is how it normally is with Cubs prospects...
Take That, Dusty!
Dusty was booed each time he emerged from the dugout last night. I have to say, Cub fans in general have become like New York fans. Used to be, we were the most placid and forgiving group you ever wanted to see. Ironically, it was Dusty and 2003 that changed that. After the Bartman game, the feel-good vibe did not last for any reason beyond winning. Which is not normal here for our North Siders.
The Cubs pounded 3 homers against our Reds nemesis, Aaron Harang, and his reliever friends. If Harang doesn't beat us, I'm not sure who the Reds have that can. Maybe that young Jonny Cueto; he has great stuff, overpowering at times.
Felix Pie was overmatched again last night; he struck out 3 times. Now he has whiffed 10 times in 26 at bats. He has not walked once. Last year, he walked 14 times in 177 at bats, which isn't totally horrible. He probably needs to go back to AAA, and come back to us when he can dominate down there - not just succeed.
The Cubs pounded 3 homers against our Reds nemesis, Aaron Harang, and his reliever friends. If Harang doesn't beat us, I'm not sure who the Reds have that can. Maybe that young Jonny Cueto; he has great stuff, overpowering at times.
Felix Pie was overmatched again last night; he struck out 3 times. Now he has whiffed 10 times in 26 at bats. He has not walked once. Last year, he walked 14 times in 177 at bats, which isn't totally horrible. He probably needs to go back to AAA, and come back to us when he can dominate down there - not just succeed.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
MLB: LaRussa's pitcher bats 8th this year
The Cardinals and Brewers are trying something new this year; they are batting their pitchers 8th rather than 9th. LaRussa says that he is doing it so that he can have it both ways with Albert Pujols: he has Pujols to bat in the first inning for sure, as the #3 hitter, but after that, he is effectively a cleanup hitter. Having three hitters in front of him instead of two (following the pitcher's spot) increases his RBI opportunities.
The downside is that the pitcher is more likely to bat in the second inning, and more likely to mess up your third inning. After about 2 at bats, its not a very big deal, as the pinch hitters take over, or the guys who are double switched in to the lineup occupy that slot. Also, now your #7 hitter has no lineup protection.
This makes a lot of sense with the Cardinals' set up of having a relatively weak starting rotation, and a (normally) strong bullpen. I expect that despite whatever names you find on your Cardinals roster sheet, the bullpen will be good. LaRussa knows how to find guys Kiko Calero to come from the baseball wilderness and get outs in the late innings. It's a skill he shares with Jim Leyland and Piniella.
The downside is that the pitcher is more likely to bat in the second inning, and more likely to mess up your third inning. After about 2 at bats, its not a very big deal, as the pinch hitters take over, or the guys who are double switched in to the lineup occupy that slot. Also, now your #7 hitter has no lineup protection.
This makes a lot of sense with the Cardinals' set up of having a relatively weak starting rotation, and a (normally) strong bullpen. I expect that despite whatever names you find on your Cardinals roster sheet, the bullpen will be good. LaRussa knows how to find guys Kiko Calero to come from the baseball wilderness and get outs in the late innings. It's a skill he shares with Jim Leyland and Piniella.
Cubs Humming Right Along
... Until Soriano got hurt again. He is starting to remind me of Eric Davis; all muscle but not a huge guy, but strong and fast. I hope he is not as brittle in his later years. I'm not worried about the Cubs pitching at all; we have some pitchers who are off to slow starts, but those guys will get it together. Included in that group are Ted Lilly and Rich Hill. I'm not confident either of them can pitch as well as last year, but overall, we have a better team now than we did then.
The hitting looks better than I thought it would be, for sure. Derrek Lee looks like he is once again the awesome hitter he was in 2004 and 2005. I wasn't sure if he ever would be again, on this side of 30. But his wrist just needed more time to fully recover. Fukudome is the real deal, too. He works pitchers and fouls off good pitches. He will hit .300 for sure.
The bullpen is deep, with Wood, Howry, Marmol, Wuertz, Lieber, and Hart to with Scott Eyre when he returns. Lou and Hendry opted to go with the best pitchers they could get, rather than carry 2 lefty relievers. This works better.
Piniella uses his bench skillfully; he knows how to use guys like Mike Fontenot, and Daryle Ward to the maximum of their potential. With just about any other manager I can remember, the bench was not a weapon the Cubs really had. Maybe the last time goes way back to the Don Zimmer era.
The hitting looks better than I thought it would be, for sure. Derrek Lee looks like he is once again the awesome hitter he was in 2004 and 2005. I wasn't sure if he ever would be again, on this side of 30. But his wrist just needed more time to fully recover. Fukudome is the real deal, too. He works pitchers and fouls off good pitches. He will hit .300 for sure.
The bullpen is deep, with Wood, Howry, Marmol, Wuertz, Lieber, and Hart to with Scott Eyre when he returns. Lou and Hendry opted to go with the best pitchers they could get, rather than carry 2 lefty relievers. This works better.
Piniella uses his bench skillfully; he knows how to use guys like Mike Fontenot, and Daryle Ward to the maximum of their potential. With just about any other manager I can remember, the bench was not a weapon the Cubs really had. Maybe the last time goes way back to the Don Zimmer era.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
All's well that ends well. Looked like th Cubs might blow that one, but the Pirates just ran outr of relievers, and had to send Dumatrait out for the 15th even after he failed in the 14th.
The Cubs ran through pretty much the entire bullpen in getting this one done, as well as all the bench players. In the 15th, Sean marshall got the win. Did you know he was on the roster? Oh, you did? Well then, how IS your fantasy team doing!
The Cubs now have a 4 game winning streak, not having lost since falling to 1-3 after the opening loss to Houston. The hitters are hitting, and the pitchers are pitching. The offense has been led by Fukudome (.419/.526/1.139), and Lee (.415/.694/1.109), with the top pitchers being Dempster (13 Ip, 4 H, 0.69 ERA) and Zambrano (1 BB, 12 K, 1.32 ERA). The bullpen has been solid too, with Michael Wuertz and Jon Lieber sporting 0.00 ERAs. After seeing Lieber out of the pen, I have to say that myself and many of my friends were wrong. Dempster will not be losing his starting job to Lieber; at this point, Lieber makes a much better reliever than starter. He has complete command and rhythm out of the bullpen. It is a pleasure to watch him work.
I didn't dare hope that Fukudome would be this similar to Ichiro; I just thought that he would come here, show a good batting eye, hit for some power, and play defense well. But I've seen him work over the pitchers, wasting good pitchers' pitches until they give him one to destroy. I've seen running catches in the right-center gap. It is not just for something to do that some fans have taken to wearing Japanese samurai-style headbands. They're on to something.
MLB
We've had a few games now, and there have been some surprises in MLB. For example, the Tigers. I think they will turn it around; it was just a really high-profile time for everyone on the roster in Detroit. And after all, as the Tigers won pennants in 1908, 1945, and even 1984, a good Cubs winning because it is 100 years so its our turn scenario all but requires the Tigers as WS opponents. Other acceptable teams would include any of the AL's original 8, especially those 5 still in their original cities. Those would be: Tigers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, or Cleveland Indians. Funny, but any one of those would have special meaning; the Indians are long suffering, the Red Sox used to be, as were the White Sox who still are our true arch rivals, the Tigers have that connection with our best years, and the Yankees are more responsible than any of them for the Cubs not winning any WS between 1908 and 1945 despite all the pennants they did win.
The Cubs ran through pretty much the entire bullpen in getting this one done, as well as all the bench players. In the 15th, Sean marshall got the win. Did you know he was on the roster? Oh, you did? Well then, how IS your fantasy team doing!
The Cubs now have a 4 game winning streak, not having lost since falling to 1-3 after the opening loss to Houston. The hitters are hitting, and the pitchers are pitching. The offense has been led by Fukudome (.419/.526/1.139), and Lee (.415/.694/1.109), with the top pitchers being Dempster (13 Ip, 4 H, 0.69 ERA) and Zambrano (1 BB, 12 K, 1.32 ERA). The bullpen has been solid too, with Michael Wuertz and Jon Lieber sporting 0.00 ERAs. After seeing Lieber out of the pen, I have to say that myself and many of my friends were wrong. Dempster will not be losing his starting job to Lieber; at this point, Lieber makes a much better reliever than starter. He has complete command and rhythm out of the bullpen. It is a pleasure to watch him work.
I didn't dare hope that Fukudome would be this similar to Ichiro; I just thought that he would come here, show a good batting eye, hit for some power, and play defense well. But I've seen him work over the pitchers, wasting good pitchers' pitches until they give him one to destroy. I've seen running catches in the right-center gap. It is not just for something to do that some fans have taken to wearing Japanese samurai-style headbands. They're on to something.
MLB
We've had a few games now, and there have been some surprises in MLB. For example, the Tigers. I think they will turn it around; it was just a really high-profile time for everyone on the roster in Detroit. And after all, as the Tigers won pennants in 1908, 1945, and even 1984, a good Cubs winning because it is 100 years so its our turn scenario all but requires the Tigers as WS opponents. Other acceptable teams would include any of the AL's original 8, especially those 5 still in their original cities. Those would be: Tigers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, or Cleveland Indians. Funny, but any one of those would have special meaning; the Indians are long suffering, the Red Sox used to be, as were the White Sox who still are our true arch rivals, the Tigers have that connection with our best years, and the Yankees are more responsible than any of them for the Cubs not winning any WS between 1908 and 1945 despite all the pennants they did win.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Cubs' Lineup Issue
After 3 games, 1-2. A lot of excitement about Soriano's lineup placement, which caused the media to exasperate poor Lou Piniella. Sports teams are really in a fishbowl; every move is dissected endlessly. Really, it is a minor issue and not one that fans really care about.
A lot of ink is used to examine minor moves made by teams, and in the absence of a bigger piece of news, it gets magnified in the 24-hour news cycle. And so now Piniella has reversed the order of Soriano and Theriot. In years past, this would not warrant much interest. Now it is a major story, some kind of big deal.
Did it help the Cubs to win today? it is possible. But I think that if they got some hits today, it had a lot to do with Ben Sheets not being the starter.
A lot of ink is used to examine minor moves made by teams, and in the absence of a bigger piece of news, it gets magnified in the 24-hour news cycle. And so now Piniella has reversed the order of Soriano and Theriot. In years past, this would not warrant much interest. Now it is a major story, some kind of big deal.
Did it help the Cubs to win today? it is possible. But I think that if they got some hits today, it had a lot to do with Ben Sheets not being the starter.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Wow, What an Opening Day!
Wow, what an opening day that was! Only one thing would have made it better; it was definitely a good game. Of course the league does not have a good scouting report on Fukudome yet. After one day he has all the team's extra base hits and all 3 RBIs. I'm very happy with this pickup so far. It validates all my offseason rantings that we needed Fukudome.
Kerry Wood was not so great in the ninth; Howry was the losing pitcher in the 10th. Marmol was dominant in his inning and a third. I think Wood will make a fine closer; he has everything a closer needs, both in his arsenal and in his attitude. Marmol is the only reason that there could be any real controversy. He is so dominant in his appearances. Have the Cubs ever had such a great eighth-inning pitcher, ever in their history?
Recently Steve Stone was on AM-670 talking about why Kerry Wood was not going to be chosen as closer. He cited Wood's difficulty with the first batter, his long delivery (which makes it easy to steal bases against him), and maybe some other reasons. Stone is wrong here; Wood has overpowering stuff; that is why he can be a great closer. Opposing stolen bases matter much less when the opposing hitters cannot drive in the run because they strike out. Also in the vein of situational baseball, Woody would have to be considered VERY tough to bunt against, which weakens Stone's small-ball argument. Wood's level of power pitching makes OBP much less useful than against a typical pitcher.
Kerry Wood was not so great in the ninth; Howry was the losing pitcher in the 10th. Marmol was dominant in his inning and a third. I think Wood will make a fine closer; he has everything a closer needs, both in his arsenal and in his attitude. Marmol is the only reason that there could be any real controversy. He is so dominant in his appearances. Have the Cubs ever had such a great eighth-inning pitcher, ever in their history?
Recently Steve Stone was on AM-670 talking about why Kerry Wood was not going to be chosen as closer. He cited Wood's difficulty with the first batter, his long delivery (which makes it easy to steal bases against him), and maybe some other reasons. Stone is wrong here; Wood has overpowering stuff; that is why he can be a great closer. Opposing stolen bases matter much less when the opposing hitters cannot drive in the run because they strike out. Also in the vein of situational baseball, Woody would have to be considered VERY tough to bunt against, which weakens Stone's small-ball argument. Wood's level of power pitching makes OBP much less useful than against a typical pitcher.
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