Remember when weekend update used to be a funny thing? That segment on Saturday Night Live with Dan and Jane? And then Dennis Miller? And others? Well, it isn't funny this weekend.
Not when we blow a game like we did yesterday, and with it a chance to extend the lead on the Brewers. Horrible. That just can't happen. Even the Saturday game -- 8 runs in the final two innings? Come on. What's happened to the bullpen?
We got rid of Scott Eyre way too soon, for one thing. Now all you hear is that Cotts is alone as the only lefty out there. You can blame Cedeno for yesterday...but Wood is the one who put all those guys on base. That mighty murderers row of a Cincinnati Red lineup. There is a reason they've won all those what? 60 games?
Jon Lieber went home. Told Hendry that his arm has an owie and went home. He's done. Cut him loose.
Sean Marshall was terrific again yesterday. He deserves to be a starting pitcher, and he's good enough. He's got the mental fortitude. My guess is that he'll take Marquis' place next year -- even though Marquis, who has had his ups and downs, is an inning eater. During a year when other guys are in and out of the rotation, Marquis never misses a start. And could be about 13 - 5 with some support in the games he throws.
This just in: Japanese translation for Kosuke? Neifi.
Fukudome is a bust. No I won't be patient. Hoffpauir or DeRosa in RF everyday from here out. Neifi can pinch run.
Fontenot needs to be in the line up. Lou says "if you produce, you play. Period." And then once again Fontenot does not play. What's that all about?
Edmonds needs a week off. I'll say it again. Fuck Iowa, bring Pie back for a little while to: 1.) see if he can hit at this level and has learned anything, 2.) shore up the defense -especially if Hoffy is in RF, and 3.) put some more youth on the September roster. Enthusiasm is catching, or so they say.
Bench Cedeno for a week. I know I said not to blame him, but bench him anyhow.
We need to finish off the Cards once and for all this week, and hope that the remarkable Reds (that was dripping with sarcasm in case you didn't know it) can take care of the Brewers. Rumor is that Sabathia will be pitching the last nineteen games himself.
Today's question: who'd you rather have in left field? Soriano or Manny Ramirez?
Everyone is caught up in winning 100 games and all that kind of crap. I think we should concentrate on winning tomorrow. Win the division. Get that home field advantage in the NL playoffs.
Have a great Monday everyone. At least the Bears looked real good!
best to cb
Sherm
Monday, September 8, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Is it too soon to say "uh-oh"
Uh-oh. Just in case it isn't too soon.
Okay, so the Phillies beat us two straight...but they are a pretty good team fighting for their lives in the NL east, right? Good excuse. Let's let those go. (Not to mention that they easily could have swept us, and according to their fans...SHOULD have.)
Then the Astros came in and swept us. Spanked us pretty good at home. But, hey, they were the hottest team in baseball at the time, all fired up, fighting for their lives, trying to make the wild card...yadda yadda yadda -- Good excuse. Let's let those go. No reason to panic, right?
Then the lowly fucking stinking Reds kick the shit out of us? I'm having a tough time with that. I'm looking for the excuse. Maybe you can help me find it because I can't. Bronson Arroyo isn't THAT good. Our offense may just be THAT bad. At least we trotted (and I use that term VERY VERY VERY literally) our A-team out there. Lots of 0-fers -- lots of 'em. Nice big 0-fer from Suckodome again. Lee dribbled a single. Soriano nothing. Koyie "Mordecai" Hill was our offense.
So, after last night's game, I am officially saying "uh-oh."
I am not a pessimist, not am I jumping on and off any fictional bandwagon. Just calling it as I see it...and I, for one, don't like the way it looks. I say give every starter a day off (except the pitcher) and let the callups and backups have a shot.
Today's lineup:
Reed Johnson CF
Mike Fontenot 2b
Micah Hoffpauir LF
Casey McGeehee 3b
Daryl Ward 1b
Ronny Cedeno ss
Koyie Hill c
Mark DeRosa rf (sorry, Mark...there's no one else since Pie is still at AAA)
Jason Marquis
You could put Ward in right, Hoffpauir at first and let Cedeno play left and leave Theriot at ss, too. Mix it up, for goodness' sake. We're stinking right now...what's the harm in trying something new? Does that go against the "book?" Horrors.
Where's Matt Murton when we need him? (Please don't hammer me on that, Doc, I'm joking.)
The only upside is that most of these games aren't televised. My new rule? If I don't see it, it didn't happen. It's the ostrich theory of baseball. Try it.
Best to cb
Sherm
Okay, so the Phillies beat us two straight...but they are a pretty good team fighting for their lives in the NL east, right? Good excuse. Let's let those go. (Not to mention that they easily could have swept us, and according to their fans...SHOULD have.)
Then the Astros came in and swept us. Spanked us pretty good at home. But, hey, they were the hottest team in baseball at the time, all fired up, fighting for their lives, trying to make the wild card...yadda yadda yadda -- Good excuse. Let's let those go. No reason to panic, right?
Then the lowly fucking stinking Reds kick the shit out of us? I'm having a tough time with that. I'm looking for the excuse. Maybe you can help me find it because I can't. Bronson Arroyo isn't THAT good. Our offense may just be THAT bad. At least we trotted (and I use that term VERY VERY VERY literally) our A-team out there. Lots of 0-fers -- lots of 'em. Nice big 0-fer from Suckodome again. Lee dribbled a single. Soriano nothing. Koyie "Mordecai" Hill was our offense.
So, after last night's game, I am officially saying "uh-oh."
I am not a pessimist, not am I jumping on and off any fictional bandwagon. Just calling it as I see it...and I, for one, don't like the way it looks. I say give every starter a day off (except the pitcher) and let the callups and backups have a shot.
Today's lineup:
Reed Johnson CF
Mike Fontenot 2b
Micah Hoffpauir LF
Casey McGeehee 3b
Daryl Ward 1b
Ronny Cedeno ss
Koyie Hill c
Mark DeRosa rf (sorry, Mark...there's no one else since Pie is still at AAA)
Jason Marquis
You could put Ward in right, Hoffpauir at first and let Cedeno play left and leave Theriot at ss, too. Mix it up, for goodness' sake. We're stinking right now...what's the harm in trying something new? Does that go against the "book?" Horrors.
Where's Matt Murton when we need him? (Please don't hammer me on that, Doc, I'm joking.)
The only upside is that most of these games aren't televised. My new rule? If I don't see it, it didn't happen. It's the ostrich theory of baseball. Try it.
Best to cb
Sherm
Friday, September 5, 2008
Secret Weapon
The off day. Great way to pick up a half game and no one got hurt.
Now Big Z has rotator cuff tendonitis. This will limit his pitching in an attempt to have him available for the playoffs.
Harden is complaining of shoulder "discomfort." This is interesting. Let's delve a little deeper into the Harden thing. I said earlier that it's so rare to "win" a trade with Billy Beane. For a few weeks it seemed that we won this one. But now? Did Beane know that it was just a matter of when (not if) Harden broke down? Did we give him Murton, EPat, and Gallagher for a guy who's never really going to sustain? I think you do have to wonder about that. I hope that's not the case.
We are not markedly better than last year without those two pitchers in the rotation.
So that raises the following question: Did we make a mistake NOT pursuing and acquiring Sabathia? Thoughts? Comments? I mean the guy throws 200 pitches every fourth day.
As they say, you cannot unring a bell. So...on with what we have, I suppose...and we shall see what happens.
It's a distinct possibility that our playoff rotation will be: Dempster, Lilly, Marquis and Marshall. Which means that we'd better untrack the offense because those guys, while good, will need some run support to win a playoff series. Time for Lou "Mr. Keep Everybody Sharp and Rested" Piniella to use some of the call ups and give some of the struggling vets a rest. I demand to see Hoffpauir at first in the Cincy series at least once. As the starter. Fuck Iowa, call up Pie and let's see if he's learned anything at all in the last four months.
Soriano needs to bat third. Period. All there is to it. Lee is getting it done in the 3 spot. Soriano needs some fastballs to hit. That's the place for him. I spoke to Mojo about it and he agrees, so I know it's right.
Theriot
Fontenot
Soriano
Ramirez
Soto
Lee
DeRosa
Edmonds
Pitcher
You can work Fukuslappy in there if you want. I didn't want.
Have a great day. Let's beat the Reds, okay?
best to cb
Sherm
Now Big Z has rotator cuff tendonitis. This will limit his pitching in an attempt to have him available for the playoffs.
Harden is complaining of shoulder "discomfort." This is interesting. Let's delve a little deeper into the Harden thing. I said earlier that it's so rare to "win" a trade with Billy Beane. For a few weeks it seemed that we won this one. But now? Did Beane know that it was just a matter of when (not if) Harden broke down? Did we give him Murton, EPat, and Gallagher for a guy who's never really going to sustain? I think you do have to wonder about that. I hope that's not the case.
We are not markedly better than last year without those two pitchers in the rotation.
So that raises the following question: Did we make a mistake NOT pursuing and acquiring Sabathia? Thoughts? Comments? I mean the guy throws 200 pitches every fourth day.
As they say, you cannot unring a bell. So...on with what we have, I suppose...and we shall see what happens.
It's a distinct possibility that our playoff rotation will be: Dempster, Lilly, Marquis and Marshall. Which means that we'd better untrack the offense because those guys, while good, will need some run support to win a playoff series. Time for Lou "Mr. Keep Everybody Sharp and Rested" Piniella to use some of the call ups and give some of the struggling vets a rest. I demand to see Hoffpauir at first in the Cincy series at least once. As the starter. Fuck Iowa, call up Pie and let's see if he's learned anything at all in the last four months.
Soriano needs to bat third. Period. All there is to it. Lee is getting it done in the 3 spot. Soriano needs some fastballs to hit. That's the place for him. I spoke to Mojo about it and he agrees, so I know it's right.
Theriot
Fontenot
Soriano
Ramirez
Soto
Lee
DeRosa
Edmonds
Pitcher
You can work Fukuslappy in there if you want. I didn't want.
Have a great day. Let's beat the Reds, okay?
best to cb
Sherm
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sometimes it sucks to be so right
I'm going to quote from a comment I made earlier:
"Let's talk about tonight. Randy Wolf is a soft tossing lefty. He's going to tie our righties into fits with that change and slow curve. Just so happens that Edmonds, Ward and probably Fontenot could all hit him. Edmonds and Ward are very good on the change. Notice I didn't mention Fukusitdown. But we will have our all right handed lineup in the game tonight, and who knows what'll happen. We will see..."
Oops. Not a lefty in the lineup. Good thing we swung at so many first pitches, too, so that Wolf could go all nine. Guy had over 100 pitches in the seventh but we are still up there hacking at everything early in the count. Except Cedeno for some reason...who actually had a good night save getting thrown out at home. I didn't see it...so I can't comment.
Well, it's official. Hey world, the Cubs can't hit a change or slow curve!
What a pathetic offensive week this has been. Good thing we brough Hoffpauir up. Doesn't Iowa need him? Where's the shake up Lou talked about the other day? Or was this it? Might be, cause I feel pretty shaken.
This whole losing streak really messes things up. Look at the affect that it has on people. Look at Smitty, for God's sake. He can barely blog. And when he does, it's totally incomprehensible. Suddenly Ralph's litany of forwards aren't funny. (What's that? They were never funny? Right. See? Even my memory is fading.) Doc Weedwhacker is now taking his lunch to work and saving his sardonic predictions for his patients. They've begun begging for anesthesia. And he's an eye doctor. Mojo is just downright cranky. A. Orta, MD is considering Brewer camp. Madness!
Thank goodness the Mets swept the Brewers...but that has some scary historical roots, too. We finally get the big lead for most of the season and here come the Mets. Sounds too familiar for me.
Now we find out that Zambrano has a dead arm, or an injury, or a toothache, or whatever...and Harden is being pushed back for "caution" -- I have this nightmare. Our playoff rotation is Lilly, Dempster, Marquis and Marshall. Suddenly not so scary. Please let me be wrong about that.
Send McGeeheehaw back down.
Political note: I'm listening to Sarah Palin and gotta tell you...I like her. She's tough and will make a great Vice President.
best to cb.
Let's hope the Cubs win again eventually. That'd be nice.
js
"Let's talk about tonight. Randy Wolf is a soft tossing lefty. He's going to tie our righties into fits with that change and slow curve. Just so happens that Edmonds, Ward and probably Fontenot could all hit him. Edmonds and Ward are very good on the change. Notice I didn't mention Fukusitdown. But we will have our all right handed lineup in the game tonight, and who knows what'll happen. We will see..."
Oops. Not a lefty in the lineup. Good thing we swung at so many first pitches, too, so that Wolf could go all nine. Guy had over 100 pitches in the seventh but we are still up there hacking at everything early in the count. Except Cedeno for some reason...who actually had a good night save getting thrown out at home. I didn't see it...so I can't comment.
Well, it's official. Hey world, the Cubs can't hit a change or slow curve!
What a pathetic offensive week this has been. Good thing we brough Hoffpauir up. Doesn't Iowa need him? Where's the shake up Lou talked about the other day? Or was this it? Might be, cause I feel pretty shaken.
This whole losing streak really messes things up. Look at the affect that it has on people. Look at Smitty, for God's sake. He can barely blog. And when he does, it's totally incomprehensible. Suddenly Ralph's litany of forwards aren't funny. (What's that? They were never funny? Right. See? Even my memory is fading.) Doc Weedwhacker is now taking his lunch to work and saving his sardonic predictions for his patients. They've begun begging for anesthesia. And he's an eye doctor. Mojo is just downright cranky. A. Orta, MD is considering Brewer camp. Madness!
Thank goodness the Mets swept the Brewers...but that has some scary historical roots, too. We finally get the big lead for most of the season and here come the Mets. Sounds too familiar for me.
Now we find out that Zambrano has a dead arm, or an injury, or a toothache, or whatever...and Harden is being pushed back for "caution" -- I have this nightmare. Our playoff rotation is Lilly, Dempster, Marquis and Marshall. Suddenly not so scary. Please let me be wrong about that.
Send McGeeheehaw back down.
Political note: I'm listening to Sarah Palin and gotta tell you...I like her. She's tough and will make a great Vice President.
best to cb.
Let's hope the Cubs win again eventually. That'd be nice.
js
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Still waiting on that clutch
I'm going to post tonight, since I have an early morning tomorrow and I'm in Toronto. No WGN here, so I had to "watch" the game on gameday on the website.
Great game. Congratulations to the Astros for bitch slapping us around at home.
Nice job, DLee...wasting multiple game winning opportunities. Get him out of the 3 spot.
Aramis is tired. More errors than hits. There goes the Gold Glove he wanted.
Soto and Theriot produced again. Good thing they were down at the bottom of the order where they couldn't do more damage.
We scratch back and blow it. There goes all the rest the players had.
Note: Valverde through all fastballs. Something like 25 in a row in the ninth.
In the bullpen's defense -- all we need was a run in the 8th, 9th or 10th, and we sure had the opportunities. Bases loaded, one out in the eighth for DPLee. 2 on with no out in the 10th. And why bunt DeRosa in the 9th? For one, he has some pop and HAS been hitting, and also, ARam is running and he doesn't run fast even when he can. Stupid out.
I also disagree with pulling Fontenot for Blanco. I don't care who is pitching.
We had what? 15 hits and 8 walks? And can't win. With Zambrano starting? And now they announce that Harden will miss his next start "as a precaution." What the fuck does that mean? Precaution for what? He hasn't pitched on short rest and he hasn't gone deep into a game yet. What are we "precautioning?" Is his arm going to fall off any minute? What the hell? I'm not going to work Thursday "as a precaution." Because "something" might happen. Absurd, unless there is a problem. If so, say so.
Howry/Wuertz looked good. Or should I say Whackit and Smackit?
Blum beats us. He's the replacement third baseman because Wigginton is playing left for Carlos Lee. El Cafatso. Blum and his .235 average.
Thanks again to the Mets for keeping us insecurely ahead of the Brewers.
Wood and Marmol both go two innings, so they won't be available tomorrow. Need a complete game.
Being a Cub fan for as long as I have...this is starting to bother me. You can tell me to relax, but we all know how fast a season can turn. Lou needs to do something to end this slump and get this team "righted." We all know that the "hot" team gets through the playoffs, not the one that limps in. I want to feel comfortable about the rotation again. I want to see some clutch hits again...from the guys making the big $$ to produce clutch hits.
I want to see Micah Hoffpauir get some at bats and see if he can light up the bigs like he did the minors. He did pretty well last time he was up.
Bottom line? I am nervous. Anyone else?
best to cb
Sherm
Great game. Congratulations to the Astros for bitch slapping us around at home.
Nice job, DLee...wasting multiple game winning opportunities. Get him out of the 3 spot.
Aramis is tired. More errors than hits. There goes the Gold Glove he wanted.
Soto and Theriot produced again. Good thing they were down at the bottom of the order where they couldn't do more damage.
We scratch back and blow it. There goes all the rest the players had.
Note: Valverde through all fastballs. Something like 25 in a row in the ninth.
In the bullpen's defense -- all we need was a run in the 8th, 9th or 10th, and we sure had the opportunities. Bases loaded, one out in the eighth for DPLee. 2 on with no out in the 10th. And why bunt DeRosa in the 9th? For one, he has some pop and HAS been hitting, and also, ARam is running and he doesn't run fast even when he can. Stupid out.
I also disagree with pulling Fontenot for Blanco. I don't care who is pitching.
We had what? 15 hits and 8 walks? And can't win. With Zambrano starting? And now they announce that Harden will miss his next start "as a precaution." What the fuck does that mean? Precaution for what? He hasn't pitched on short rest and he hasn't gone deep into a game yet. What are we "precautioning?" Is his arm going to fall off any minute? What the hell? I'm not going to work Thursday "as a precaution." Because "something" might happen. Absurd, unless there is a problem. If so, say so.
Howry/Wuertz looked good. Or should I say Whackit and Smackit?
Blum beats us. He's the replacement third baseman because Wigginton is playing left for Carlos Lee. El Cafatso. Blum and his .235 average.
Thanks again to the Mets for keeping us insecurely ahead of the Brewers.
Wood and Marmol both go two innings, so they won't be available tomorrow. Need a complete game.
Being a Cub fan for as long as I have...this is starting to bother me. You can tell me to relax, but we all know how fast a season can turn. Lou needs to do something to end this slump and get this team "righted." We all know that the "hot" team gets through the playoffs, not the one that limps in. I want to feel comfortable about the rotation again. I want to see some clutch hits again...from the guys making the big $$ to produce clutch hits.
I want to see Micah Hoffpauir get some at bats and see if he can light up the bigs like he did the minors. He did pretty well last time he was up.
Bottom line? I am nervous. Anyone else?
best to cb
Sherm
I feel much better now
We've turned it around. Nice game yesterday. Should have played just the call ups as the rest of the team looked and played poorly. Marquis really wasn't too bad, but if you can't score, you usually won't win.
Not that it mattered much yesterday in the grand scheme of things, but batting Fukudome second? Another 0 - 4. Did anyone believe that he could hit Oswalt? He can't hit any lefty, or good righty. He is decent against below average righties who can't hit their spots. I do have to give him that.
Of course the middle of the order -- 2 through 6 -- went 0 for 17. Question. Gerald Perry is the hitting coach, right? Do they have team meetings about strategy against each pitcher before each game? I was wondering because sometimes the whole team looks equally out of sync. Does he tell them "good idea to look at first pitch strikes today" and "make sure you swing at that slider that dips out of the zone?" Just wondering.
Pie is apparently having a pretty nice finish to his minor league season, but they didn't call him up because Iowa is in the playoffs. I am glad that the organization has its priorities in line. Wouldn't want to cost Iowa in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Edmonds is slumping...I wouldn't mind seeing Pie get a shot at centerfield a few games here in September while we are in a pennant race. But I wouldn't want to get in Iowa's way. I mean, when was the last time Iowa won it all?
I'd like to see Hoffpauir get a few days of starts. Give DLee a rest. Maybe he can play right field, too? Don't know. Find him a spot in the lineup, though. The offense looks sluggish.
Zambrano should be fine today. His arm got an extra two hours sleep.
Side note: Greg Maddux has had a tired arm since 2002
I'll miss today's game -- traveling again. It'll be over by the time I get where I'm going. Hopefully it will have been a "W" -- tired of losing, and we can't count on the Mets bullpen every day.
Happy Birthday to my son in law, Steve the Met fan. Since it is your birthday, I'm rooting for the Mets today. Just for you.
Best to cb
JS
Not that it mattered much yesterday in the grand scheme of things, but batting Fukudome second? Another 0 - 4. Did anyone believe that he could hit Oswalt? He can't hit any lefty, or good righty. He is decent against below average righties who can't hit their spots. I do have to give him that.
Of course the middle of the order -- 2 through 6 -- went 0 for 17. Question. Gerald Perry is the hitting coach, right? Do they have team meetings about strategy against each pitcher before each game? I was wondering because sometimes the whole team looks equally out of sync. Does he tell them "good idea to look at first pitch strikes today" and "make sure you swing at that slider that dips out of the zone?" Just wondering.
Pie is apparently having a pretty nice finish to his minor league season, but they didn't call him up because Iowa is in the playoffs. I am glad that the organization has its priorities in line. Wouldn't want to cost Iowa in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Edmonds is slumping...I wouldn't mind seeing Pie get a shot at centerfield a few games here in September while we are in a pennant race. But I wouldn't want to get in Iowa's way. I mean, when was the last time Iowa won it all?
I'd like to see Hoffpauir get a few days of starts. Give DLee a rest. Maybe he can play right field, too? Don't know. Find him a spot in the lineup, though. The offense looks sluggish.
Zambrano should be fine today. His arm got an extra two hours sleep.
Side note: Greg Maddux has had a tired arm since 2002
I'll miss today's game -- traveling again. It'll be over by the time I get where I'm going. Hopefully it will have been a "W" -- tired of losing, and we can't count on the Mets bullpen every day.
Happy Birthday to my son in law, Steve the Met fan. Since it is your birthday, I'm rooting for the Mets today. Just for you.
Best to cb
JS
Monday, September 1, 2008
Auto parts
Wondering about the title to this post? I'll get to that.
I had a wonderful weekend in Phoenix at "Phoenix Cooks" -- a food and wine extravaganza at the Biltmore. It would have been better had the Cubs cooperated the final two games of the debacle, er, series with Philadelphia.
So, after a relaxing weekend you'd think I have no rants, right? Wrong. Real wrong.
1. I blame Saturday's loss on bad managing, pure and simple. Absolutely criminal that Lou replaces DeRosa in that double switch and leaves Stinkodome in the game. That hurt us twice. Two chances to win that game -- both lost thanks to one stupid move. What was he thinking? That Fukudome could possibly hit JC Romero? Come on. The line up rolls and now we have to pinch hit Cedeno for the pitcher's spot instead of having DeRosa up, and then it comes to Stinkodome for the inning ending whiff -- in what should have been the pitcher's spot and THEN we could have pinch hit Cedeno...depending on what DeRosa did. Awful decision. Worried about defense when you are losing and can't score? Poor decision.
2. The simple fact that we can't score runs on Jamie Moyer is a joke. Jamie Moyer? He's older than Ralph. Problem with us Saturday and Sunday? Our clutch went out. (auto parts reference explained.) Sunday's line for our 3 and 4 hitters? 0 for 9. Soriano with risp -- yuk. What the hell? We could have lost all four of those games. Easily. Here's another question for you re: Sunday's game. Any reason that Zambrano and his tired arm couldn't pinch hit? I'd have had no problem with that.
Brewers are creeping up -- I for one think we are going to be the wild card team. I'm not being negative, just realistic. Look at our schedule and look at theirs. Theirs is much easier -- and I've said all season long that we are exposed as the mediocre offensive team that we are against good pitching. Yes, we have a very good pitching team. Better with Big Z in the rotation, but still very good. And yes, we beat up bad pitching. Which will get us to the playoffs. But will our offense get us THROUGH the playoffs? I can't say.
I look at DLee hitting third. Or should I call him Judy, as in "Punch and Judy"? He does not hit for power much anymore. Fine. Let's deal with that. Put him somewhere in the order that makes more sense. Oh wait, we don't have anyone else who hits for power, either. Oops. Soto in the 3 spot, perhaps? Perhaps. Never happen. Just like Soriano leading off...Lou is set in some things.
Like using K.Wood in that blow out vs. the Pirates to "get some work" and then not having him available in the Philly series for a game because he'd had too much work. Thankfully, we didn't need him that game. But, seriously?
Our biggest hitter, ARam, is getting easier to pitch around since we don't have a bona fide number five hitter. Edmonds is tired. Reed Johnson is not a five hitter.
And don't tell the national league, but we can't hit a change up. Shhhhh.
Fontenot is a good hitter, but he doesn't play.
What happens if (here's a hypothetical for you) Hoffpauir comes up and hits .410 with seven homers in September? Does he take Lee's spot at first for the playoffs? Answer: No. Why? I have no fucking idea. Ask Lou.
I like leading the division. Don't get me wrong. I like this team. Don't get me wrong there, either. But we have some uphill battles to win this division with our schedule, and we have some offensive issues to work out to get to, and win the World Series.
Just my two cents. Glad to be back. Or not.
best to cb.
JS
I had a wonderful weekend in Phoenix at "Phoenix Cooks" -- a food and wine extravaganza at the Biltmore. It would have been better had the Cubs cooperated the final two games of the debacle, er, series with Philadelphia.
So, after a relaxing weekend you'd think I have no rants, right? Wrong. Real wrong.
1. I blame Saturday's loss on bad managing, pure and simple. Absolutely criminal that Lou replaces DeRosa in that double switch and leaves Stinkodome in the game. That hurt us twice. Two chances to win that game -- both lost thanks to one stupid move. What was he thinking? That Fukudome could possibly hit JC Romero? Come on. The line up rolls and now we have to pinch hit Cedeno for the pitcher's spot instead of having DeRosa up, and then it comes to Stinkodome for the inning ending whiff -- in what should have been the pitcher's spot and THEN we could have pinch hit Cedeno...depending on what DeRosa did. Awful decision. Worried about defense when you are losing and can't score? Poor decision.
2. The simple fact that we can't score runs on Jamie Moyer is a joke. Jamie Moyer? He's older than Ralph. Problem with us Saturday and Sunday? Our clutch went out. (auto parts reference explained.) Sunday's line for our 3 and 4 hitters? 0 for 9. Soriano with risp -- yuk. What the hell? We could have lost all four of those games. Easily. Here's another question for you re: Sunday's game. Any reason that Zambrano and his tired arm couldn't pinch hit? I'd have had no problem with that.
Brewers are creeping up -- I for one think we are going to be the wild card team. I'm not being negative, just realistic. Look at our schedule and look at theirs. Theirs is much easier -- and I've said all season long that we are exposed as the mediocre offensive team that we are against good pitching. Yes, we have a very good pitching team. Better with Big Z in the rotation, but still very good. And yes, we beat up bad pitching. Which will get us to the playoffs. But will our offense get us THROUGH the playoffs? I can't say.
I look at DLee hitting third. Or should I call him Judy, as in "Punch and Judy"? He does not hit for power much anymore. Fine. Let's deal with that. Put him somewhere in the order that makes more sense. Oh wait, we don't have anyone else who hits for power, either. Oops. Soto in the 3 spot, perhaps? Perhaps. Never happen. Just like Soriano leading off...Lou is set in some things.
Like using K.Wood in that blow out vs. the Pirates to "get some work" and then not having him available in the Philly series for a game because he'd had too much work. Thankfully, we didn't need him that game. But, seriously?
Our biggest hitter, ARam, is getting easier to pitch around since we don't have a bona fide number five hitter. Edmonds is tired. Reed Johnson is not a five hitter.
And don't tell the national league, but we can't hit a change up. Shhhhh.
Fontenot is a good hitter, but he doesn't play.
What happens if (here's a hypothetical for you) Hoffpauir comes up and hits .410 with seven homers in September? Does he take Lee's spot at first for the playoffs? Answer: No. Why? I have no fucking idea. Ask Lou.
I like leading the division. Don't get me wrong. I like this team. Don't get me wrong there, either. But we have some uphill battles to win this division with our schedule, and we have some offensive issues to work out to get to, and win the World Series.
Just my two cents. Glad to be back. Or not.
best to cb.
JS
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