First of all -- happy birthday Doc!
Congrats on the incredible birthday comeback. Reminiscent of the comeback against the Astros back in the previous century. Way to go Cubs!
Nice game, Jimmy! Considering we gave up NOTHING for him -- nice acquisition. Even if it's just one game, DB, it's a nice game to win. Plus, how do you quantify the value of this kind of comeback? It's HUGE. HUGE.
I was in Lynchburg at the Jack Daniel's distillery when the Cubs pulled it off. All in all, a perfect day.
Happy Birthday, CR -- I really mean it. Remember Sandberg's big day against the Cards -- two homers off Sutter? My birthday. Mark DeCarlo's birthday, too.
Go Cubs.
I'll be home later this weekend, and will return to my usual early morning rant.
JS
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Font and Fonz
Nice job. Fontenot had a terrific at bat in the tenth, as did Soriano. Fontenot needs the at bats to stay sharp - he's not a pinch hitter by nature -- but don't bat him two when he's not in the groove. That was my point the other day. I'm happy for him...he needed that.
Did we go too long with Big Z? Is 130 pitches too many? Comments?
from Nashville...
js
Did we go too long with Big Z? Is 130 pitches too many? Comments?
from Nashville...
js
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
What a gem!
Gallagher pitched a beaut! Marmol pitched into and out of trouble. Wood shut the door. Nice.
Not much to say today -- on my way out of town for the balance of the week...
Go Cubbies!
Not much to say today -- on my way out of town for the balance of the week...
Go Cubbies!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Finally closed one out
Nice to see the bullpen stop a team from scoring. Had the opportunity to sweep the Pirates and blew it. Wood needs to stop hitting batters - that's just ridiculous. He's hit five so far. Seems like all have scored.
Team needs to make defensive changes late if Soriano can't catch the friggin ball. The sun? Come on. This is major league baseball.
Anyone else think that Brenley will be handed his ass for this "dart in the dugout comment?" I hope not. I found it refreshing.
Dempster is a nice surprise. He's pitching very well.
Soto needs to learn situational hitting. He swings for the fence all the time, regardless of the count. There are some take situations. There are some move the runner situations. They need to teach him that, or drop him back down to the 7 hole.
I'm still okay with Edmonds. I really hope he starts hitting the ball. Had a base hit yesterday. He's always under the ball out in the field..."some" may call him slow, but he gets to everything.
C'mon, Gallagher...pitch well today. We are all pulling for you.
Go Cubs.
JS
Team needs to make defensive changes late if Soriano can't catch the friggin ball. The sun? Come on. This is major league baseball.
Anyone else think that Brenley will be handed his ass for this "dart in the dugout comment?" I hope not. I found it refreshing.
Dempster is a nice surprise. He's pitching very well.
Soto needs to learn situational hitting. He swings for the fence all the time, regardless of the count. There are some take situations. There are some move the runner situations. They need to teach him that, or drop him back down to the 7 hole.
I'm still okay with Edmonds. I really hope he starts hitting the ball. Had a base hit yesterday. He's always under the ball out in the field..."some" may call him slow, but he gets to everything.
C'mon, Gallagher...pitch well today. We are all pulling for you.
Go Cubs.
JS
Saturday, May 24, 2008
7 hits, 6 rbis
from the 8 and 9 spot. Nice.
Reed Johnson chokes up on the bat. That is what I like about him most. His willingness to just put the ball in play and see what happens. How did we ever get this guy for so little? Lock him up. I'd like to see him in CF for another year or two -- barring the acquisition of a monster outfielder. Or the evolution of Pumpkin Pie. Or the resurgence of the Doxie Diddler.
I am so glad that we didn't give up the farm for Brian Roberts. He's hitting about .260 and not stealing much. Let's hope we still don't try to pull that one off.
I wouldn't mind seeing another starting pitcher added, if the right one can be had. Rumor is that the Padres will soon be firesaling -- could we get Peavy or Young? How about Halladay? He'd look good in a Cub uniform, wouldn't he? The Mets are fading...think they'd sell Pedro for the stretch run? Think he's got anything left in his tank?
If Houston and St. Louis are for real, we just may be in the toughest division in the NL. How's that for irony, after hearing all offseason how the central was the weakest?
Erik Bedard is awful so far. Another good "non-move" for us. The more I see this team, and the better their chemistry develops -- the more I like our chances. We will keep getting better, too, as the season rolls on. The bullpen is starting to look like what we thought it would. We're hitting. I like R. Cedeno this year and I would get him more at bats. I like his approach this year. Thank goodness we kept him, too -- he was almost a throw in a few times. I think Fontenot is trade bait -- he's not getting it done. He needs at bats, and he won't get them here. He is not a good pinch hitter. Too bad, because I like the kid, but we should send him off for something we can use. Same with Murton.
That is all.
Reed Johnson chokes up on the bat. That is what I like about him most. His willingness to just put the ball in play and see what happens. How did we ever get this guy for so little? Lock him up. I'd like to see him in CF for another year or two -- barring the acquisition of a monster outfielder. Or the evolution of Pumpkin Pie. Or the resurgence of the Doxie Diddler.
I am so glad that we didn't give up the farm for Brian Roberts. He's hitting about .260 and not stealing much. Let's hope we still don't try to pull that one off.
I wouldn't mind seeing another starting pitcher added, if the right one can be had. Rumor is that the Padres will soon be firesaling -- could we get Peavy or Young? How about Halladay? He'd look good in a Cub uniform, wouldn't he? The Mets are fading...think they'd sell Pedro for the stretch run? Think he's got anything left in his tank?
If Houston and St. Louis are for real, we just may be in the toughest division in the NL. How's that for irony, after hearing all offseason how the central was the weakest?
Erik Bedard is awful so far. Another good "non-move" for us. The more I see this team, and the better their chemistry develops -- the more I like our chances. We will keep getting better, too, as the season rolls on. The bullpen is starting to look like what we thought it would. We're hitting. I like R. Cedeno this year and I would get him more at bats. I like his approach this year. Thank goodness we kept him, too -- he was almost a throw in a few times. I think Fontenot is trade bait -- he's not getting it done. He needs at bats, and he won't get them here. He is not a good pinch hitter. Too bad, because I like the kid, but we should send him off for something we can use. Same with Murton.
That is all.
Friday, May 23, 2008
strange things happen on off days
Like Doc can spell ecdysiast correctly, but little else.
Like Smitty emailing and saying to lay off Edmonds, that he kind of likes the guy, and that he "has a puppy" for him -- whatever that means.
Like Doc Mike returning from the ether to weigh in on Edmonds. By email. Guy is all over xm radio because "it's the future" and cannot figure out how to access a blog.
Like Felix the Out hitting 1 for 23 at triple A. He's actually getting worse. Have you noticed that the Cubs have that effect on centerfielders? Why is that? Wrigley. Where centerfielders go to die?
Naming rights. It'd been fun to pool our resources and buy the Wrigley field naming rights. We could then change the name of the park depending on who came to play us. Imagine the "Cardinals Suck" stadium. Or "Milwaukee's our bitch" Park.
Out. JS
Like Smitty emailing and saying to lay off Edmonds, that he kind of likes the guy, and that he "has a puppy" for him -- whatever that means.
Like Doc Mike returning from the ether to weigh in on Edmonds. By email. Guy is all over xm radio because "it's the future" and cannot figure out how to access a blog.
Like Felix the Out hitting 1 for 23 at triple A. He's actually getting worse. Have you noticed that the Cubs have that effect on centerfielders? Why is that? Wrigley. Where centerfielders go to die?
Naming rights. It'd been fun to pool our resources and buy the Wrigley field naming rights. We could then change the name of the park depending on who came to play us. Imagine the "Cardinals Suck" stadium. Or "Milwaukee's our bitch" Park.
Out. JS
Thursday, May 22, 2008
2 pitches
One to Hunter of Pence, and one to Carlos Lee -- seven runs and two losses.
Bend, but don't break.
Did you know that in a 20 year, Hall of Fame career that Jim Palmer gave up exactly NO grand slams? Because he refused to lay one in for a guy just because people were on base. He believed that he was good enough to get people out...so if he walked a guy with the bases jammed, it was no big deal. One run is better than four. So he'd work the hitter and if he lost him, he lost him, and he'd get the next guy. No grand slams. Pretty impressive.
Ryan Dempster has given up more grand slams this week than Jim Palmer did in 20 years. Just saying. I am not saying nibble. I am saying "don't groove." There is a difference.
I hate to throw Mojo under the Buss (been waiting to use that) but it's his fault we lost for not giving Edmond the Labradoodle Doodler some positive karma. It's all about the Karma. For our sake, DB -- say something nice about Jimmy Boy.
Today's assignment. Name three current players you dislike more than Jim Edmonds.
js
Bend, but don't break.
Did you know that in a 20 year, Hall of Fame career that Jim Palmer gave up exactly NO grand slams? Because he refused to lay one in for a guy just because people were on base. He believed that he was good enough to get people out...so if he walked a guy with the bases jammed, it was no big deal. One run is better than four. So he'd work the hitter and if he lost him, he lost him, and he'd get the next guy. No grand slams. Pretty impressive.
Ryan Dempster has given up more grand slams this week than Jim Palmer did in 20 years. Just saying. I am not saying nibble. I am saying "don't groove." There is a difference.
I hate to throw Mojo under the Buss (been waiting to use that) but it's his fault we lost for not giving Edmond the Labradoodle Doodler some positive karma. It's all about the Karma. For our sake, DB -- say something nice about Jimmy Boy.
Today's assignment. Name three current players you dislike more than Jim Edmonds.
js
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hunter Pence
How do you singlehandedly lose a game to a guy named Hunter Pence? Sounds like a Britisher who scrounges for loose change.
Hated that loss. Plus losing to a nobody pitcher. It sounds like sour grapes, and maybe it is...but that strike zone was pathetic -- for both teams. CB Buckner should not be allowed behind home plate.
Another loss in the Edmonds era. Darn it. Maybe if DB would quit badmouthing the poor guy, the negative karma was be eradicated from his airspace vibe and he'd start playing great. Yeah. I think that's it.
I have nothing more to say about that game.
Hated that loss. Plus losing to a nobody pitcher. It sounds like sour grapes, and maybe it is...but that strike zone was pathetic -- for both teams. CB Buckner should not be allowed behind home plate.
Another loss in the Edmonds era. Darn it. Maybe if DB would quit badmouthing the poor guy, the negative karma was be eradicated from his airspace vibe and he'd start playing great. Yeah. I think that's it.
I have nothing more to say about that game.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Have to agree with Doc
Nice effort for a dog fucker. Articulate and spot on.
That was a hell of a catch -- and despite what DB says...I don't think Pie gets that ball. I know Johnson doesn't, but I don't think Pie does, either. And if that ball lands, it is a different game.
4 - 1 in the JE era.
Theriot is off to a great start this year -- his pitch selection is vastly improved, and with it his average and obp. Every so often a smart player comes along.
Nice win. C'mon, Dempster...your turn to beat the Astros.
JS
That was a hell of a catch -- and despite what DB says...I don't think Pie gets that ball. I know Johnson doesn't, but I don't think Pie does, either. And if that ball lands, it is a different game.
4 - 1 in the JE era.
Theriot is off to a great start this year -- his pitch selection is vastly improved, and with it his average and obp. Every so often a smart player comes along.
Nice win. C'mon, Dempster...your turn to beat the Astros.
JS
Monday, May 19, 2008
Great weekend
We should have swept the Pirates, though.
Nice to see Soriano is back.
But enough about baseball. I went to another Blues Fest this weekend (Doheny) and it was awesome, although I have a few comments:
1. Just because a person is a woman, it does not automatically mean she can dance good and that everyone wants to watch. Sit your fat ass down already.
2. Come November, I want to vote for the guy with the: I "heart" Cameltoe T-shirt.
3. Drunk people are funny to watch.
Okay, back to baseball. Need to kick ass in Houston this week -- put some room between the top and the rest of the Central. Edmonds should play all three games against the righties they throw -- we'll find out if he can hang. We're 3 and 1 in the Edmonds "era."
Nice to see Soriano is back.
But enough about baseball. I went to another Blues Fest this weekend (Doheny) and it was awesome, although I have a few comments:
1. Just because a person is a woman, it does not automatically mean she can dance good and that everyone wants to watch. Sit your fat ass down already.
2. Come November, I want to vote for the guy with the: I "heart" Cameltoe T-shirt.
3. Drunk people are funny to watch.
Okay, back to baseball. Need to kick ass in Houston this week -- put some room between the top and the rest of the Central. Edmonds should play all three games against the righties they throw -- we'll find out if he can hang. We're 3 and 1 in the Edmonds "era."
Friday, May 16, 2008
Heating up
Soriano is heating up -- this is a good thing.
I am starting to become a Ronny Cedeno fan. Had a nine pitch at bat today. Gotta like that. Means he's developing some discipline and seeing the ball well.
Nice day, Mark DeRosa. Some catch for a second baseman.
I saw John Southsider in the stands, I think. He was the blonde with the pink sweater and big tits, right?
Sean Gallagher is going to be very good. Needs to learn not to nitpick when he has a big lead. Go after those guys.
Let's trade Jason Marquis and Felix Pie to the Pirates for Nate McClouth.
Good game. Good day.
Smitty has a blog? Really?
We are now 2 and 0 in the Jim Edmonds era.
I am starting to become a Ronny Cedeno fan. Had a nine pitch at bat today. Gotta like that. Means he's developing some discipline and seeing the ball well.
Nice day, Mark DeRosa. Some catch for a second baseman.
I saw John Southsider in the stands, I think. He was the blonde with the pink sweater and big tits, right?
Sean Gallagher is going to be very good. Needs to learn not to nitpick when he has a big lead. Go after those guys.
Let's trade Jason Marquis and Felix Pie to the Pirates for Nate McClouth.
Good game. Good day.
Smitty has a blog? Really?
We are now 2 and 0 in the Jim Edmonds era.
Smitty has a blog?
Wasn't aware of that.
Lot of good cross talk on yesterday's game. Bottom line? We are undefeated in the Edmonds era. Despite the runners stranded, eye makeup and everything else. I don't like him against lefties. I don't like him back to back with Fukudome. In fact, I don't like him at all...but we got him for next to nothing and I still say it's too soon to rip into Hendry for it.
Nice run the team is on. Too bad Marquis exploded that one inning. How do you give up a three run dinger to Khalil Greene? Guy is a strikeout machine. Not the good kind.
Johnny Southside is gonna be in the bleachers today, and I have to admit I am a little bit jealous. Hopefully, he won't have to throw anything back. Bring a sign, John, and hold it up for the camera. Something about the Bash Brothers would be great. Or my blog.
Two odd comments yesterday from the email thread. 1.) Dave Buss is God. 2.) Jim Edmonds is the anti-Christ.
I have trouble believing that God is a mortgage banker who spends his days sitting around in his underwear daydreaming about Jose Canseco. Less problem with the Jim Edmonds thing. Edmonds wins a few games for us, however, and I'm willing to accept him "as a temporary guest" and nothing more. I'd call him more the anti-Cub at this point. Hey, at least it isn't Steve Kline. What next, we hire Marty Brennamann?
Smitty has a blog? Who knew?
Sherm
Lot of good cross talk on yesterday's game. Bottom line? We are undefeated in the Edmonds era. Despite the runners stranded, eye makeup and everything else. I don't like him against lefties. I don't like him back to back with Fukudome. In fact, I don't like him at all...but we got him for next to nothing and I still say it's too soon to rip into Hendry for it.
Nice run the team is on. Too bad Marquis exploded that one inning. How do you give up a three run dinger to Khalil Greene? Guy is a strikeout machine. Not the good kind.
Johnny Southside is gonna be in the bleachers today, and I have to admit I am a little bit jealous. Hopefully, he won't have to throw anything back. Bring a sign, John, and hold it up for the camera. Something about the Bash Brothers would be great. Or my blog.
Two odd comments yesterday from the email thread. 1.) Dave Buss is God. 2.) Jim Edmonds is the anti-Christ.
I have trouble believing that God is a mortgage banker who spends his days sitting around in his underwear daydreaming about Jose Canseco. Less problem with the Jim Edmonds thing. Edmonds wins a few games for us, however, and I'm willing to accept him "as a temporary guest" and nothing more. I'd call him more the anti-Cub at this point. Hey, at least it isn't Steve Kline. What next, we hire Marty Brennamann?
Smitty has a blog? Who knew?
Sherm
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Miscellaneous Mumbo Jumbo
after some thought, I like the Edmonds signing. Why not? Cost us no players and very little money. Pie was not doing anything. If he returns to form, he'll help us, and if not, he's gone anyway. I would like to see some left handed power in the middle of the lineup. Rumor is that Lou is going to bat Fukudome in the two spot and move Edmonds to 5. Where does that leave Theriot? He's the hottest hitter on the team, and his OBP is skyrocketing. He should lead off, but we all know how that story ends. Lou will most likely move Theriot to the 8 spot, where he will get fewer at bats, and poorer pitches to work with. If Ramirez can "accept" the move to the five spot, I'd rather see:
Soriano
Theriot
Fukudome
Lee
Ramirez
Edmonds
Soto
DeRosa
Pitcher
Nice use of lefties to break up the RH power...thoughts?
Nice to see Ted Lilly finally join the team.
Maddox will not be able to get Fukudome out.
More later. or not. JS
Soriano
Theriot
Fukudome
Lee
Ramirez
Edmonds
Soto
DeRosa
Pitcher
Nice use of lefties to break up the RH power...thoughts?
Nice to see Ted Lilly finally join the team.
Maddox will not be able to get Fukudome out.
More later. or not. JS
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
That's the way
uh huh, uh huh, I like it. Fine. I stole that line from KC and the Sunshine Band. Someone had to.
When you give up a solo home run to Jody Gerut...your offense should get pissed and pile on a load of runs. Nice job.
Randy Wolf should be fined. 0 - 2 on Soriano and he threw a pitch in the same time zone. What was he thinking?
Cedeno needs more at bats. He was on fire there for a while. Next lefty starter we face, I'd put DeRosa in right and start Cedeno at second.
Soto is off to a great start, but needs to learn a little more patience. Swung 2 - 0 with the bases loaded, one out and a pitcher having trouble finding the strike zone. That's a take all the way. Every time. For a rookie. And most veterans. Popped out. Not a quality at bat.
Let's keep it up. Keep winning. Time to pull away from this division. Time to get some more coffee. Later. JS
When you give up a solo home run to Jody Gerut...your offense should get pissed and pile on a load of runs. Nice job.
Randy Wolf should be fined. 0 - 2 on Soriano and he threw a pitch in the same time zone. What was he thinking?
Cedeno needs more at bats. He was on fire there for a while. Next lefty starter we face, I'd put DeRosa in right and start Cedeno at second.
Soto is off to a great start, but needs to learn a little more patience. Swung 2 - 0 with the bases loaded, one out and a pitcher having trouble finding the strike zone. That's a take all the way. Every time. For a rookie. And most veterans. Popped out. Not a quality at bat.
Let's keep it up. Keep winning. Time to pull away from this division. Time to get some more coffee. Later. JS
Monday, May 12, 2008
THAT'S what I'm talking about!
Nice sweep of the DBacks. Well played. Offense came through when it needed to. Clutch homer Reed Johnson. Well pitched...except for walking in the two runs yesterday. Tight dp to end the game. Good team effort all around. Even Soriano played well in this series. Wood pitched well (gotta stop hitting people if you want to close, Kerry)
Nice effort by Gallagher -- tried to be a little too fine. Too many first pitch slow curves that didn't make it over the plate. Mix it up, kid.
It's fun to watch games when we win. It's even more fun to watch sweeps! Do you agree with shelving Big Z for a better day? I didn't until we won anyway...now I do. We'll see how he pitches on extra rest. Some guys don't do as well. Hopefully, he'll be as good as he's been.
Go Cubs!
Nice effort by Gallagher -- tried to be a little too fine. Too many first pitch slow curves that didn't make it over the plate. Mix it up, kid.
It's fun to watch games when we win. It's even more fun to watch sweeps! Do you agree with shelving Big Z for a better day? I didn't until we won anyway...now I do. We'll see how he pitches on extra rest. Some guys don't do as well. Hopefully, he'll be as good as he's been.
Go Cubs!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Why?
Can we beat the DBacks, but not the Reds?
If we can play the rest of the season like we have the last two days -- this team will go far. Timely hitting. Good pitching.
I don't know that DeRosa can hang all season and keep the numbers up. I'd consider playing Cedeno as the everyday 2B if he can keep hitting the way he has, and use DeRosa as a super sub.
I can only imagine that they sent Marshall down to let him get back into starter ready shape -- because he needs to come back and be the number five starter. Hill sucks right now, and Leiber is not the answer. Keep Leiber in long relief -- he did good at that.
Soriano seems to be heating it up a little. Nice thing about him is that we all know he'll get hot and carry us for a while.
Vegas was fun -- the weather was perfect. Saw "Jersey Boys" -- very good. Back here for a while...Nashville is next. Pretty sure I'll ignore the blog then, too.
More later. Or not.
Sherm
If we can play the rest of the season like we have the last two days -- this team will go far. Timely hitting. Good pitching.
I don't know that DeRosa can hang all season and keep the numbers up. I'd consider playing Cedeno as the everyday 2B if he can keep hitting the way he has, and use DeRosa as a super sub.
I can only imagine that they sent Marshall down to let him get back into starter ready shape -- because he needs to come back and be the number five starter. Hill sucks right now, and Leiber is not the answer. Keep Leiber in long relief -- he did good at that.
Soriano seems to be heating it up a little. Nice thing about him is that we all know he'll get hot and carry us for a while.
Vegas was fun -- the weather was perfect. Saw "Jersey Boys" -- very good. Back here for a while...Nashville is next. Pretty sure I'll ignore the blog then, too.
More later. Or not.
Sherm
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
6 - 5 - none
that wraps it up. Reds get six hits, five runs, none earned. Got to play better baseball against a great manager like Dusty Baker. Bright side? Soriano went 1 for 4 and raised his average to .177.
I'm in Vegas all week. Don't expect much.
JS
I'm in Vegas all week. Don't expect much.
JS
Monday, May 5, 2008
They are all wrong
Lou Piniella made comments during the game last night about leaving Soriano in the one spot because he likes it there and is comfortable there. So fucking what? It's a team sport and he should bat wherever he most helps the team. It is as simple as that. Right now, he's not helping us as a leadoff hitter. Sure he got a hit yesterday. Doesn't matter. He's O and 2 every at bat.
Not as upset about the loss yesterday as the one on Friday. Cards were a little luckier...got some broken bat singles. Is it just me or does Soriano play WAY TOO DEEP? I thought the ball Miles hit should have been caught.
Marquis was decent. Never a good idea to walk the guy before Pujols time and time again. That'll burn you eventually. Is it really that tough to throw Adam Kennedy a strike?
DeRosa is not swinging the bat well right now. Flip flop him with Soto. He shouldn't be hitting 5 with Ramirez out.
Worst at bat of the night? DLee with bases loaded and no outs. Guys walking people like he's Rich Hill and Lee takes ball one and then swings at a marginal pitch -- that I thought was ball 2 -- and pops up. Poor choice. That hurt. That was the turning point in the game for the Cubs. Hate to hang it all on him, but a hit there changes everything.
High points? The Seans. Marshall was again quite good. Composed. Threw strikes. Gallagher was terrific. Hitting 95 and blowing people away. He looked great. I am surprised that Lou didn't use Marmol as his arm has not fallen off yet.
Oh, well. We had some chances and didn't make the most of it. We'd better up our game if we hope to win the Central. The Cardinals aren't going to just fold. We have more talent. They have a better manager. Sorry, Lou, it's true. LaRussa just manages to win with whatever team he has.
Houston is back to .500.
Gonna be an interesting and long year. Go Cubs.
JS
Not as upset about the loss yesterday as the one on Friday. Cards were a little luckier...got some broken bat singles. Is it just me or does Soriano play WAY TOO DEEP? I thought the ball Miles hit should have been caught.
Marquis was decent. Never a good idea to walk the guy before Pujols time and time again. That'll burn you eventually. Is it really that tough to throw Adam Kennedy a strike?
DeRosa is not swinging the bat well right now. Flip flop him with Soto. He shouldn't be hitting 5 with Ramirez out.
Worst at bat of the night? DLee with bases loaded and no outs. Guys walking people like he's Rich Hill and Lee takes ball one and then swings at a marginal pitch -- that I thought was ball 2 -- and pops up. Poor choice. That hurt. That was the turning point in the game for the Cubs. Hate to hang it all on him, but a hit there changes everything.
High points? The Seans. Marshall was again quite good. Composed. Threw strikes. Gallagher was terrific. Hitting 95 and blowing people away. He looked great. I am surprised that Lou didn't use Marmol as his arm has not fallen off yet.
Oh, well. We had some chances and didn't make the most of it. We'd better up our game if we hope to win the Central. The Cardinals aren't going to just fold. We have more talent. They have a better manager. Sorry, Lou, it's true. LaRussa just manages to win with whatever team he has.
Houston is back to .500.
Gonna be an interesting and long year. Go Cubs.
JS
Sunday, May 4, 2008
You'd think
You'd think I'd have nothing to rant about having beaten the Cards handily yesterday...but that's not the case.
For starters, what the hell was he thinking pitching Marmol two innings? In a blowout, I'd think you may just want to protect the only guy you have out of the bullpen that's worth a shit.
Put Marshall in the rotation right now. He's got more intestinal fortitude than Hill will ever have. He's done the job in the pen and deserves a chance to start. He's better than a "situational lefty" pitching to one batter every other game.
If Ramirez is out for a while -- don't bat Fukudome 4th. Bat him first or third, and bat Lee fourth with Soto behind him. DeRosa is doing well, but he's no 5 spot hitter. Other option is Soto in the three spot, Lee fourth and Fukudome stays at 5. Soriano can't hit three or five -- he's the human rally killer. I'd bat him 7 for now and make him hit his way up in the lineup. He's signed for a thousand more years, who cares where he WANTS to bat? Oh, and get him a helmet for playing left field, will you?
More tomorrow...depending on tonight's game. Go Cubbies.
JS
For starters, what the hell was he thinking pitching Marmol two innings? In a blowout, I'd think you may just want to protect the only guy you have out of the bullpen that's worth a shit.
Put Marshall in the rotation right now. He's got more intestinal fortitude than Hill will ever have. He's done the job in the pen and deserves a chance to start. He's better than a "situational lefty" pitching to one batter every other game.
If Ramirez is out for a while -- don't bat Fukudome 4th. Bat him first or third, and bat Lee fourth with Soto behind him. DeRosa is doing well, but he's no 5 spot hitter. Other option is Soto in the three spot, Lee fourth and Fukudome stays at 5. Soriano can't hit three or five -- he's the human rally killer. I'd bat him 7 for now and make him hit his way up in the lineup. He's signed for a thousand more years, who cares where he WANTS to bat? Oh, and get him a helmet for playing left field, will you?
More tomorrow...depending on tonight's game. Go Cubbies.
JS
Saturday, May 3, 2008
what do you want me to say?
about last night's game?
I cannot comment. I cannot think about the misplays in left field.
I try not to think about the leadoff hitter batting .161 and the announcers apologizing for him and saying that it is an okay thing.
I want to not think about why Cedeno wasn't left in the game yesterday to possibly get another at bat. He burned his two best pinch hitters and cost Cedeno an at bat that could have been important later in the game.
I can't think about Rich Hill. I refuse to wonder why Leiber and Marshall are not both in the starting rotation yet.
I will spend most of today not thinking any of that.
JS
I cannot comment. I cannot think about the misplays in left field.
I try not to think about the leadoff hitter batting .161 and the announcers apologizing for him and saying that it is an okay thing.
I want to not think about why Cedeno wasn't left in the game yesterday to possibly get another at bat. He burned his two best pinch hitters and cost Cedeno an at bat that could have been important later in the game.
I can't think about Rich Hill. I refuse to wonder why Leiber and Marshall are not both in the starting rotation yet.
I will spend most of today not thinking any of that.
JS
Friday, May 2, 2008
Rant
Yesterday I didn't have much to rant about. Today? Different story. Are you kidding me?
Game was in hand. Zambrano was excellent. Marmol was filthy. And Wood comes in and completely fucks it up. Let's just admit it. This guy is not a closer. He may or may not be a middle reliever, but believe me...he's not closer. He's blown what? 3? 4? Already. It's May freaking second. Pie could hit him -- that's how bad it is.
I'm upset about that loss. Every single Cub played well except one and we lose an important early season game. One, it was to the Brewers who are going to be a pain all year. Two, it precedes a series with the Cardinals, and kills some momentum and what would have been a nice two game streak. Well, every Cub but Wood and Pie...Pie did hit into the game ending DP. Way to go, Felix.
You know what? Make Marmol the closer. End of problem. It's kind of sad. We don't even NEED a closer. We HAVE one, but he's playing set up man. He's lights out and he's wasting away getting the game to the ninth so that Wood and/or Howry can blow it. Trade Wood. There. I said it. Let some other team work it out. He's never been successful under Rothschild. He's piping that fastball. Don't go away mad, Kerry. Just go away.
You know what else? Bat Soriano where he belongs in the line up and not where he and his .164 average want to be. Another rally killing 0-fer yesterday. I'd sure like to see Fukudome's on base percentage in that one spot. He and Theriot are both over .400 in that category. Come on, Lou. Wake the fuck up.
I have work to do.
Sherm
Game was in hand. Zambrano was excellent. Marmol was filthy. And Wood comes in and completely fucks it up. Let's just admit it. This guy is not a closer. He may or may not be a middle reliever, but believe me...he's not closer. He's blown what? 3? 4? Already. It's May freaking second. Pie could hit him -- that's how bad it is.
I'm upset about that loss. Every single Cub played well except one and we lose an important early season game. One, it was to the Brewers who are going to be a pain all year. Two, it precedes a series with the Cardinals, and kills some momentum and what would have been a nice two game streak. Well, every Cub but Wood and Pie...Pie did hit into the game ending DP. Way to go, Felix.
You know what? Make Marmol the closer. End of problem. It's kind of sad. We don't even NEED a closer. We HAVE one, but he's playing set up man. He's lights out and he's wasting away getting the game to the ninth so that Wood and/or Howry can blow it. Trade Wood. There. I said it. Let some other team work it out. He's never been successful under Rothschild. He's piping that fastball. Don't go away mad, Kerry. Just go away.
You know what else? Bat Soriano where he belongs in the line up and not where he and his .164 average want to be. Another rally killing 0-fer yesterday. I'd sure like to see Fukudome's on base percentage in that one spot. He and Theriot are both over .400 in that category. Come on, Lou. Wake the fuck up.
I have work to do.
Sherm
Thursday, May 1, 2008
what to rant?
Hard to rant after a pasting like that.
How about that Ronny Cedeno? Another bases loaded hit. Kid has 19 rbi's in limited playing time. Where to put him with Soriano coming back is going to be a problem -- the way he is hitting the ball, he needs to play. Theriot is doing well, too, so Cedeno's not taking shortstop away from him. Ideas? DeRosa's playing great...so he'll go back to second. Does Cedeno just become that first guy off the bench?
Dempster 4 and 0. Good for him. Even with a sub-par outing last night (he didn't need to be spot on, which is important every now and again for pitchers) he looks like a real starter. I was wrong. I guess that off season ass-busting program he undertook is paying dividends. I'll say it again...good for him.
The Angels have two starters at 5 and 0 -- and neither one is a front of the rotation guy. They could be scary when they get Lackey back. I am not an Angel fan, but I like the way they play and built their teams, and I've become a Mike Scioscia fan. He is a great manager.
That's all for now. Nothing to rant about.
JS
How about that Ronny Cedeno? Another bases loaded hit. Kid has 19 rbi's in limited playing time. Where to put him with Soriano coming back is going to be a problem -- the way he is hitting the ball, he needs to play. Theriot is doing well, too, so Cedeno's not taking shortstop away from him. Ideas? DeRosa's playing great...so he'll go back to second. Does Cedeno just become that first guy off the bench?
Dempster 4 and 0. Good for him. Even with a sub-par outing last night (he didn't need to be spot on, which is important every now and again for pitchers) he looks like a real starter. I was wrong. I guess that off season ass-busting program he undertook is paying dividends. I'll say it again...good for him.
The Angels have two starters at 5 and 0 -- and neither one is a front of the rotation guy. They could be scary when they get Lackey back. I am not an Angel fan, but I like the way they play and built their teams, and I've become a Mike Scioscia fan. He is a great manager.
That's all for now. Nothing to rant about.
JS
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