You absolutely have to love that -- Soriano and Theriot on base TEN times...outstanding!
Too bad the 3/4 hitters weren't. Jeez. These guys are paid to put runs on the board and put the bat on the ball hard.
Dempster was aces. Pitched a great game, changing speeds and keeping the free swinging Brewers off balance. Hopefully Harden can do the same. This would be a huge sweep.
I agree with Mojo -- Reed Johnson in the five spot was a great idea. Not just because he did well tonight, but because it helps roll the lineup differently. I like Fukudome in the 7 spot and would put Soto in the 8 spot. DeRosa is fine as the 6 guy because he can do a lot of things and is a decent clutch hitter. Strikes out a lot less than Soto. If Fontenot plays, bat HIM fifth...
Too bad that the Braves folded against the Cardinals. Almost as if they didn't even try to win the last couple of games.
Glad to see Sutcliffe back. He looked great, and as always did a good job.
I'm posting tonight, because who knows what tomorrow morning will bring. A flood?
js
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Fire!
So, at 5am this morning (fortunately I was already up) the hotel I'm in here in St. Pete apparently catches on fire. Not unlike the Cubs! But I'm not going to talk about the Cubs because I am very happy about everything that has to do with them right now and I just want the good karma to continue.
So. Where was I? Oh, yes. On the sidewalk with 1200 other people. I'd say that 1199 of them were pretty sleepy. At 5am. By the way, people don't look so good when they haven't had a chance to "freshen up."
Major alarm went off. I could smell the smoke when I opened my door. Voice comes over some loud speaker saying (I'm paraphrasing here) "Get out!"
Two and a half hours later they let us back in. It was like being in an episode of Rescue Me. Some electrical something or other. By then, I didn't really have time to update the old bloggeroo.
Weird, huh? I miss the earthquake and almost burn up in a Hilton in Florida. Well, I didn't almost burn up, but whatever. At least the TV works and tonight is televised.
Go Dempster. Go Cubs!
Who's Smitty?
JS
So. Where was I? Oh, yes. On the sidewalk with 1200 other people. I'd say that 1199 of them were pretty sleepy. At 5am. By the way, people don't look so good when they haven't had a chance to "freshen up."
Major alarm went off. I could smell the smoke when I opened my door. Voice comes over some loud speaker saying (I'm paraphrasing here) "Get out!"
Two and a half hours later they let us back in. It was like being in an episode of Rescue Me. Some electrical something or other. By then, I didn't really have time to update the old bloggeroo.
Weird, huh? I miss the earthquake and almost burn up in a Hilton in Florida. Well, I didn't almost burn up, but whatever. At least the TV works and tonight is televised.
Go Dempster. Go Cubs!
Who's Smitty?
JS
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Good thing we have a heart doctor in the group
These guys are going to cause all kinds of cardiac problems before it's over.
Just when I think Lee is no longer clutch, he gets a couple of big hits.
Note to Alfonso. Good game. Run them all out, bozo.
Soto has to put the ball in play with runners on base and one out. Whiffs in that situation are unacceptable.
Fukudome is hitting .205 in July. With a ton of strikeouts. Not good.
I'm glad Lilly's game is out of the way -- he was the one I was most worried about.
Can anyone explain to me why we don't try to steal second base on Jason Kendall every time we can? He couldn't throw out Mark DeCarlo on a pitchout.
There is no timetable now on Kari Wood's return. Great.
When I threw out the idea of Dempster back to the closer role? It was food for thought. You know, discussion fodder. Still...if the other starters are getting it done, and we can't close games...it is an option. (That doesn't make me borderline retarded)
I'd bat Kosuke 9th tonight with Zambrano pitching -- or not play him at all. I like Fontenot against Sheets better. Leave DeRosa in right for a while.
I thought Theriot was safe at first.
Marmol looked good last night...for a welcome change. Still didn't like the walk of Kendall...he's a guy you have to make hit his way on, but he looked sharp and did his job.
I'm a fan of Howry, but every pitch he threw last night was a fastball. Um, Bobby? Mix it up a little.
Look for the Brewers to add bullpen help before Thursday.
js
Just when I think Lee is no longer clutch, he gets a couple of big hits.
Note to Alfonso. Good game. Run them all out, bozo.
Soto has to put the ball in play with runners on base and one out. Whiffs in that situation are unacceptable.
Fukudome is hitting .205 in July. With a ton of strikeouts. Not good.
I'm glad Lilly's game is out of the way -- he was the one I was most worried about.
Can anyone explain to me why we don't try to steal second base on Jason Kendall every time we can? He couldn't throw out Mark DeCarlo on a pitchout.
There is no timetable now on Kari Wood's return. Great.
When I threw out the idea of Dempster back to the closer role? It was food for thought. You know, discussion fodder. Still...if the other starters are getting it done, and we can't close games...it is an option. (That doesn't make me borderline retarded)
I'd bat Kosuke 9th tonight with Zambrano pitching -- or not play him at all. I like Fontenot against Sheets better. Leave DeRosa in right for a while.
I thought Theriot was safe at first.
Marmol looked good last night...for a welcome change. Still didn't like the walk of Kendall...he's a guy you have to make hit his way on, but he looked sharp and did his job.
I'm a fan of Howry, but every pitch he threw last night was a fastball. Um, Bobby? Mix it up a little.
Look for the Brewers to add bullpen help before Thursday.
js
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Have you seen enough?
Anyone? Anyone?
Our biggest problem? We get shut down by nobody pitchers far too often. Sure, the good ones are supposed to hold you in check, but you've got to beat up on the second tier pitchers out there and we don't do it -- at least enough.
Harden is the best 5 or 6 inning pitcher I've ever seen. If he'd have gone to a team with a bullpen and that could score some runs? Wow...guy could be a twenty five game winner. Of course, he didn't, and now he's 0 -1 with two no decisions in the NL. With an era of next to nothing and 30K's in three games.
Umm, note to Larry Rothschild. Hermida can hit. Pitch around him since no one else in that lineup can.
Note to Billy Beane. Matt Murton is now hitting .110 in the AL. Yikes. I feel bad for Matt.
Dodgers improved themselves slightly with the acquisition of Casey Blake. Got someone they needed to fill a gap.
Cubs announced that they will not make any more deals before the trading deadline. Good thing to announce. Even if it's true, why say that? To let the Brewers know that they can back off?
We've lost 7 of ten and looked pretty shabby doing it. I know all you Koolaid Kids think we're just fine and it's just a little slump -- nothing to worry about. But I worry about it. That early season energy we had? Seems sapped, to me.
Hey, was that Fukudome in the 8 spot yesterday? Didn't I suggest that? Do you think Lou is reading the blog? And it worked. Damn. Some instant credibility for the blog.
Doc Raker went off on Howry citing stats, but Howry's numbers are heavily tainted by his April and May -- which did blow. He's been much better than that...until this last week or so, which I still blame on overuse and misuse of the bullpen.
Food for thought. If Zambrano, Harden, Lilly and Marquis continue to pitch well -- and if Marshall is an adequate option for the five starter, why not put Dempster back in the closer role to finish the season? Hmm? Let Carrie Wood work as a set up guy, if he can come back at all from that debilitating blister owee. Think about it before you answer. Plus, if a guy can go 11-4 as a starter and then get maybe 20+ saves....Cy Young?
More later, perhaps, after today's game. Or not. Depends.
Our biggest problem? We get shut down by nobody pitchers far too often. Sure, the good ones are supposed to hold you in check, but you've got to beat up on the second tier pitchers out there and we don't do it -- at least enough.
Harden is the best 5 or 6 inning pitcher I've ever seen. If he'd have gone to a team with a bullpen and that could score some runs? Wow...guy could be a twenty five game winner. Of course, he didn't, and now he's 0 -1 with two no decisions in the NL. With an era of next to nothing and 30K's in three games.
Umm, note to Larry Rothschild. Hermida can hit. Pitch around him since no one else in that lineup can.
Note to Billy Beane. Matt Murton is now hitting .110 in the AL. Yikes. I feel bad for Matt.
Dodgers improved themselves slightly with the acquisition of Casey Blake. Got someone they needed to fill a gap.
Cubs announced that they will not make any more deals before the trading deadline. Good thing to announce. Even if it's true, why say that? To let the Brewers know that they can back off?
We've lost 7 of ten and looked pretty shabby doing it. I know all you Koolaid Kids think we're just fine and it's just a little slump -- nothing to worry about. But I worry about it. That early season energy we had? Seems sapped, to me.
Hey, was that Fukudome in the 8 spot yesterday? Didn't I suggest that? Do you think Lou is reading the blog? And it worked. Damn. Some instant credibility for the blog.
Doc Raker went off on Howry citing stats, but Howry's numbers are heavily tainted by his April and May -- which did blow. He's been much better than that...until this last week or so, which I still blame on overuse and misuse of the bullpen.
Food for thought. If Zambrano, Harden, Lilly and Marquis continue to pitch well -- and if Marshall is an adequate option for the five starter, why not put Dempster back in the closer role to finish the season? Hmm? Let Carrie Wood work as a set up guy, if he can come back at all from that debilitating blister owee. Think about it before you answer. Plus, if a guy can go 11-4 as a starter and then get maybe 20+ saves....Cy Young?
More later, perhaps, after today's game. Or not. Depends.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Do ya really?
Do you really think that this team, standing pat, is good enough to win the world series?
Good enough to hold off the Brewers and Cardinals? Good enough to beat the Brewers head to head?
Good enough to win the NLCS against perhaps a resurgent Met team, or Phillies, or Diamondbacks (who seem to have our number)?
Good enough to beat the American League representative in the WS? The Red Sox? The Angels? The White Sox?
Really? Do you really believe that?
I've been watching, too, and I am very skeptical.
Nice to get a win yesterday and hold off the Brewers for at least another day. They just swept the Cardinals, in St. Louis. Not easy to do. Scarelos Marmol was at it again. Loaded them up in the ninth to make it interesting.
Interesting story. Ryne Sandberg's team got into a brawl with the class A Reds yesterday and 17 players were ejected. Ryno was at a HOF ceremony and missed it. When the cat's away, I suppose. Good read if you can find it.
I like Reed Johnson and I have grown to like Jim Edmonds -- but I'd still figure out a way to get Nate McClouth from the Pirates. First of all, he's a Pirate, which means he is available, and second...he can play.
that's all for now. Surely I'll respond to some of your fascinating commentary later on.
js
Good enough to hold off the Brewers and Cardinals? Good enough to beat the Brewers head to head?
Good enough to win the NLCS against perhaps a resurgent Met team, or Phillies, or Diamondbacks (who seem to have our number)?
Good enough to beat the American League representative in the WS? The Red Sox? The Angels? The White Sox?
Really? Do you really believe that?
I've been watching, too, and I am very skeptical.
Nice to get a win yesterday and hold off the Brewers for at least another day. They just swept the Cardinals, in St. Louis. Not easy to do. Scarelos Marmol was at it again. Loaded them up in the ninth to make it interesting.
Interesting story. Ryne Sandberg's team got into a brawl with the class A Reds yesterday and 17 players were ejected. Ryno was at a HOF ceremony and missed it. When the cat's away, I suppose. Good read if you can find it.
I like Reed Johnson and I have grown to like Jim Edmonds -- but I'd still figure out a way to get Nate McClouth from the Pirates. First of all, he's a Pirate, which means he is available, and second...he can play.
that's all for now. Surely I'll respond to some of your fascinating commentary later on.
js
Thursday, July 24, 2008
blogblogblog
I wasn't going to write anything this morning. What to say? Howry needs a rest? Welcome back Soriano?
Glad that we salvaged a win in the desert. Hurray for us. The Brewers just swept the Cards. CC three hit shutout yesterday. Footsteps?
Glad that we're headed home, even if it's for a short series with the fish. Need to win this series. Have the right pitchers to do it.
Once again I call out DLee and he responds with a dinger. Therefore, I officially say "trade him if he doesn't have at least two hits tonight."
Ramirez got a hit last night. That makes him what? 1 for July?
Did I hear that Kerry Wood is going to see a blister specialist for his owee?
I still think that we need to make a blockbuster trade.
more later. or not.
js
Glad that we salvaged a win in the desert. Hurray for us. The Brewers just swept the Cards. CC three hit shutout yesterday. Footsteps?
Glad that we're headed home, even if it's for a short series with the fish. Need to win this series. Have the right pitchers to do it.
Once again I call out DLee and he responds with a dinger. Therefore, I officially say "trade him if he doesn't have at least two hits tonight."
Ramirez got a hit last night. That makes him what? 1 for July?
Did I hear that Kerry Wood is going to see a blister specialist for his owee?
I still think that we need to make a blockbuster trade.
more later. or not.
js
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
When to panic?
Another feeble offensive outing for the team.
Soriano will most likely be back tonight, but that's a lot of pressure on one guy...and a streaky guy at that. Once again, Lee/Ramirez/Soto -- big O'fer. Give them all a day off. Play Hoffpauir, Ward, whoever...it's hard to watch the way it is right now. Lee doesn't even seem to care. I am sure that he does -- it just doesn't show. Another rally killing double play? Aw, shucks. Oh, well, back to first.
Another well pitched game wasted. Marquis did just fine. Quality start by today's standards. Bullpen blew.
Here's a thought. Trade Lee and some minor league talent for Mark Teixeira. Shake things up a bit. Add some LH power. Thoughts?
Well, at least we are still in first. For now. At least for another day or two. Lou had better figure out a way to win on the road, or this season is going to go down the tubes quickly.
Go Cubs. Let's score some runs.
js
Soriano will most likely be back tonight, but that's a lot of pressure on one guy...and a streaky guy at that. Once again, Lee/Ramirez/Soto -- big O'fer. Give them all a day off. Play Hoffpauir, Ward, whoever...it's hard to watch the way it is right now. Lee doesn't even seem to care. I am sure that he does -- it just doesn't show. Another rally killing double play? Aw, shucks. Oh, well, back to first.
Another well pitched game wasted. Marquis did just fine. Quality start by today's standards. Bullpen blew.
Here's a thought. Trade Lee and some minor league talent for Mark Teixeira. Shake things up a bit. Add some LH power. Thoughts?
Well, at least we are still in first. For now. At least for another day or two. Lou had better figure out a way to win on the road, or this season is going to go down the tubes quickly.
Go Cubs. Let's score some runs.
js
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
