About the Twins and White Sox? As far as I'm concerned, it's a non baseball day.
I'm pulling for the Twins because I hate the Sox, but think that either of them will lose to the mighty Rays in round one anyway. And the Rays will lose to the winner of the Angels - Red Sox.
I have an odd feeling the Red Sox are going to cruise past the Angels. Don't know why I think that, just do.
AL MVP will be K-Rod, but not according to Mark Grace who said "they have their own award." I still think he'll win it, because he's not getting the Cy Young.
NL MVP should be Ryan Howard.
Managers of the Year? Maddon in the AL. Who else? In the NL? Could be Lou. Dark horse is Cecil Cooper -- have to give the Astro's credit for hanging in as long as they did after an awful start and the loss of Carlos Lee. Torre? No. They weren't in it until they got Manny and he had nothing to do with that.
Have a great Tuesday...much more to talk about tomorrow!
best to cb
js
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Off to the postseason we go
Not exactly the way I'd have liked -- with a win, and facing the Mets, but what the hell...at least we are in.
I've been laid up -- so I've been Smittying the updates, sorry.
Re: Saturday - someone please teach Felix Pie to say "I got it" and then catch it.
Re: Sunday -- I think it would have been an important win. Too bad Lou didn't think so.
Re: the Dodgers -- they have some experience and youth...a nice mix. Furcal seems healthy. Kent is back and Manny is Manny. I think it could go five games.
Re: the Brewers. I hope the Phillies beat them because I really don't want to play them in round two.
In the AL? As long and the White Sox don't make it, I don't care what happens.
More later when the drugs start to wear off. Or not.
best to cb
js
I've been laid up -- so I've been Smittying the updates, sorry.
Re: Saturday - someone please teach Felix Pie to say "I got it" and then catch it.
Re: Sunday -- I think it would have been an important win. Too bad Lou didn't think so.
Re: the Dodgers -- they have some experience and youth...a nice mix. Furcal seems healthy. Kent is back and Manny is Manny. I think it could go five games.
Re: the Brewers. I hope the Phillies beat them because I really don't want to play them in round two.
In the AL? As long and the White Sox don't make it, I don't care what happens.
More later when the drugs start to wear off. Or not.
best to cb
js
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Good news, bad news
It's always good news to come from behind and win a game. That's the good news. Still a lot of fight in these guys, even in a game that really doesn't mean anything to us. That's a Lou Piniella influence, I think. Dusty would have mailed it in.
Bad news? Is Big Z okay? Was that just an issue of an ump who didn't match up well with Carlos' strike zone? Sometimes Carlos doesn't adjust. Or is there a bigger problem? Either way, I think that he has pitched himself into the number three starter spot.
Howry gives up a leadoff triple -- AND PITCHES OUT OF IT. That was cool.
This just in: Clay Aiken has revealed that he is gay. That's news?
Insignificant trivia tidbit for the day: In those 20 plus years as a terrific pitcher, Jim Palmer NEVER game up a grand slam. Why? He felt that there was never a good reason to give in to a hitter. Just because the bases may have been loaded or there were three balls on the batter -- he wasn't going to give in. What he said was "I'd rather walk in one, than give up four. One is easier to get back. If I lose this one, I'll get the next guy." I think there is something to be said for smart pitchers.
Really, Clay? Who'd have known? You hide it so well.
We need to take three of four from the Mets and the Brewers. That would be a nice way to finish the regular season, and make them fight for it. Mets finish with Philly, so they'd have to win to get it. Otherwise...Houston could snake them both out if they keep winning.
Samardzija is going to be good, but that wasn't wise to throw DelGado an 0-2 fastball. He'll learn from that mistake.
Very quietly, Aramis Ramirez has had one hell of a year.
more later, or not.
best to cb
Sherm
Bad news? Is Big Z okay? Was that just an issue of an ump who didn't match up well with Carlos' strike zone? Sometimes Carlos doesn't adjust. Or is there a bigger problem? Either way, I think that he has pitched himself into the number three starter spot.
Howry gives up a leadoff triple -- AND PITCHES OUT OF IT. That was cool.
This just in: Clay Aiken has revealed that he is gay. That's news?
Insignificant trivia tidbit for the day: In those 20 plus years as a terrific pitcher, Jim Palmer NEVER game up a grand slam. Why? He felt that there was never a good reason to give in to a hitter. Just because the bases may have been loaded or there were three balls on the batter -- he wasn't going to give in. What he said was "I'd rather walk in one, than give up four. One is easier to get back. If I lose this one, I'll get the next guy." I think there is something to be said for smart pitchers.
Really, Clay? Who'd have known? You hide it so well.
We need to take three of four from the Mets and the Brewers. That would be a nice way to finish the regular season, and make them fight for it. Mets finish with Philly, so they'd have to win to get it. Otherwise...Houston could snake them both out if they keep winning.
Samardzija is going to be good, but that wasn't wise to throw DelGado an 0-2 fastball. He'll learn from that mistake.
Very quietly, Aramis Ramirez has had one hell of a year.
more later, or not.
best to cb
Sherm
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Wild Card Race
Not much left in regular season worth following except the wild card race in the NL. AL is settled, although Boston still has a chance to win the division, which it appears they won't. Now, Minnesota catching and passing the White Sox? That would be awesome. Go Twins. Ozzie would have to kick his own ass, swearing the whole time, on national television.
We lose to the Mets. And I couldn't have cared less. Santana needed to throw 125 pitches. Mets are now one up on the Brewers (who play the AA Pirate affiliate all week) so that race could get close. I've decided that I don't want the Brewers in the playoffs at all.
Right now I think that Marquis and Marshall have to be on the postseason roster. Not so sure about Gaudin. He's been pretty bad of late.
My roster would be this:
Pitchers: Zambrano, Harden, Dempster, Lilly, Marquis, Marshall, Wood, Marmol, Cotts, Samardzija, and Howry. Yes, Howry. He's got more experience and when the chips are down I still think he'll come through. I'd carry eleven pitchers for the first round. I'm leaving off Wuertz, Hart, Guzman, Gaudin.
Non-pitchers: Soto, Blanco, Lee, DeRosa, Fontenot, Theriot, Cedeno, Ramirez, Soriano, Edmonds, Johnson, Fukudome, Ward, and Pie. Yes, Pie. Hoffpauir is too similar to Ward in that he's not great defensively. Pie at least gives us excellent defense if need be, and speed. He can pinch run. If we had a bigger right handed bat in the mix, I'd chose that over Pie...but we don't.
I expect that Lou will go with 12 pitchers and leave off Pie.
I hope that Z is sharp tonight so that we can all quit worrying about him.
Big party at Merkle's (bar across from Wrigley) last night. Did any of you go? I did not, but would have liked to.
I received my notification yesterday that I did not get the opportunity to purchase playoff tickets. Maybe if we play the Dodgers or Angels I can go out here.
best to cb
js
We lose to the Mets. And I couldn't have cared less. Santana needed to throw 125 pitches. Mets are now one up on the Brewers (who play the AA Pirate affiliate all week) so that race could get close. I've decided that I don't want the Brewers in the playoffs at all.
Right now I think that Marquis and Marshall have to be on the postseason roster. Not so sure about Gaudin. He's been pretty bad of late.
My roster would be this:
Pitchers: Zambrano, Harden, Dempster, Lilly, Marquis, Marshall, Wood, Marmol, Cotts, Samardzija, and Howry. Yes, Howry. He's got more experience and when the chips are down I still think he'll come through. I'd carry eleven pitchers for the first round. I'm leaving off Wuertz, Hart, Guzman, Gaudin.
Non-pitchers: Soto, Blanco, Lee, DeRosa, Fontenot, Theriot, Cedeno, Ramirez, Soriano, Edmonds, Johnson, Fukudome, Ward, and Pie. Yes, Pie. Hoffpauir is too similar to Ward in that he's not great defensively. Pie at least gives us excellent defense if need be, and speed. He can pinch run. If we had a bigger right handed bat in the mix, I'd chose that over Pie...but we don't.
I expect that Lou will go with 12 pitchers and leave off Pie.
I hope that Z is sharp tonight so that we can all quit worrying about him.
Big party at Merkle's (bar across from Wrigley) last night. Did any of you go? I did not, but would have liked to.
I received my notification yesterday that I did not get the opportunity to purchase playoff tickets. Maybe if we play the Dodgers or Angels I can go out here.
best to cb
js
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Fred Merkle
Today is the 100th anniversary of the infamous "Merkle Boner." (that's what they called it back then. Stop it.)
Cubs - Giants were tied 1 - 1 going into the bottom of the ninth in NY. (that's where the Giants were from back then, Smitty.) Merkle singled to put runners on first and third with 2 outs. Next guy singles in the winning run and Fred Merkle joins the celebration without touching second base. Evers or Chance, the record isn't clear on which one, and I wasn't there -- gets the ball, touches second and Merkle is declared out. Problem is that thousands of people are on the field and it's getting dark. No lights. So the game is declared a tie. Cubs and Giants finish the season with identical records and the Cubs win the playoff game 4 - 2 to win the pennant. They Cubbies go on to win the World Series. This was 1908. Thanks, Fred.
Just a little tidbit of Cub history that I thought you all might like to know.
Jason Marquis deserves to be on the postseason roster. Even if he doesn't get a start, he can do a lot of things, including long relief if necessary. With our staff, however, if we are in a series and jump out to a two or three game to nothing lead, it makes sense to keep the rotation at five guys and let them all have their regular rest. Certainly protects Harden and Zambrano at this point. Plus, Marquis matches up well against any team's number 3, 4 or 5 pitcher, I think. And he hit a grand slam last night. Had to enjoy that in front of the family.
DLee hit a homer on the road last night. Call Ripley's.
Tonight can be a message game -- beating Santana would be nice. Plus we need to at least win two in each of these last four game series...so it would ensure that. Once again, it's not televised here.
So...who's coming to San Clemente for a playoff game party this year? More on that later.
best to cb
Sherm
Cubs - Giants were tied 1 - 1 going into the bottom of the ninth in NY. (that's where the Giants were from back then, Smitty.) Merkle singled to put runners on first and third with 2 outs. Next guy singles in the winning run and Fred Merkle joins the celebration without touching second base. Evers or Chance, the record isn't clear on which one, and I wasn't there -- gets the ball, touches second and Merkle is declared out. Problem is that thousands of people are on the field and it's getting dark. No lights. So the game is declared a tie. Cubs and Giants finish the season with identical records and the Cubs win the playoff game 4 - 2 to win the pennant. They Cubbies go on to win the World Series. This was 1908. Thanks, Fred.
Just a little tidbit of Cub history that I thought you all might like to know.
Jason Marquis deserves to be on the postseason roster. Even if he doesn't get a start, he can do a lot of things, including long relief if necessary. With our staff, however, if we are in a series and jump out to a two or three game to nothing lead, it makes sense to keep the rotation at five guys and let them all have their regular rest. Certainly protects Harden and Zambrano at this point. Plus, Marquis matches up well against any team's number 3, 4 or 5 pitcher, I think. And he hit a grand slam last night. Had to enjoy that in front of the family.
DLee hit a homer on the road last night. Call Ripley's.
Tonight can be a message game -- beating Santana would be nice. Plus we need to at least win two in each of these last four game series...so it would ensure that. Once again, it's not televised here.
So...who's coming to San Clemente for a playoff game party this year? More on that later.
best to cb
Sherm
Monday, September 22, 2008
World Series Strategy and more
I know I might be jumping the gun, but after watching the AAA Cubs whoop the Cards yesterday, I can't help but think about the World Series for a moment.
I think that the following ideas are important to our postseason success, so feel free to forward them to Lou, Jim and the rest of the Cubbie braintrust.
I know that you do what you have to in the playoffs to GET to the World Series, so these suggestions are based on the big IF that things go perfectly and we can set up our rotation as we WANT to for the World Series. In that case, I strongly suggest:
A. Harden and Lilly pitch the first two games of the World Series. Why? Simple. There are three reasons.
1. Harden and Lilly are both much more familiar with whatever American League in which we will play having spent most of their careers in that league.
2. This is a biggie. Zambrano should pitch game three because it is at home and that gets his BAT into the lineup. That is a huge advantage for us over whoever the AL pitcher in the game is.
3. Dempster goes game four. Just look at his home record.
B. In the American League park, Soriano should DH. Why?
1. The obvious reason is defense. Reed Johnson, Fukudome, Pie, the little kid across the street -- are all better fielders.
2. The secondary reason is offense. We don't have a DH in the dugout. Why would we, right? I mean, Ward? Not really. He's no Ortiz or Thome or Vlad...AL teams are built for DH's. NL teams are not. Our right handed DH vs a lefty starter? Cedeno? Come on. Use Sori...and make up for the lack of DH with defense. The pitchers will thank you.
I was in St. Louis this weekend on business and this all just came to me. I was sitting talking with some Cardinal fans, the self proclaimed "smartest baseball fans in the world" (excuse me I just threw up a little in my mouth)...and they were going on and on about whatever it is they talk about -- something like "blah blah blah Pujols blah blah blah Pujols blah blah" and I had this epiphany about the rotation. Funny where the mind will go when it is forced to seek its own intelligent entertainment.
Speaking of Cardinal fans, guy says to me that they (Cards) need pitching so bad. Also mentions that the only Cub he'd want is Marmol. Also says that Santana and Lincecum and the two best pitchers in baseball. So I asked him...would you trade Pujols for Santana, Lincecum and Marmol. He says "no way." Also said he'd only trade him for Bob Gibson, so I think he might have been retarded. For the record, I'd trade anyone for those three. Also for the record? Bob Gibson is like 75 now.
Have a great week. Let's clinch that home field advantage today and keep the momentum rolling. Rest everyone. Get the rotation ready. And let's all pray for nice weather in Chicago in October. Can you imagine playing the Red Sox in the series if it's a shitty winter? Might have to play on a neutral field with a dome. Milwaukee might be nice.
Go Cubs.
Best to cb.
Sherm
I think that the following ideas are important to our postseason success, so feel free to forward them to Lou, Jim and the rest of the Cubbie braintrust.
I know that you do what you have to in the playoffs to GET to the World Series, so these suggestions are based on the big IF that things go perfectly and we can set up our rotation as we WANT to for the World Series. In that case, I strongly suggest:
A. Harden and Lilly pitch the first two games of the World Series. Why? Simple. There are three reasons.
1. Harden and Lilly are both much more familiar with whatever American League in which we will play having spent most of their careers in that league.
2. This is a biggie. Zambrano should pitch game three because it is at home and that gets his BAT into the lineup. That is a huge advantage for us over whoever the AL pitcher in the game is.
3. Dempster goes game four. Just look at his home record.
B. In the American League park, Soriano should DH. Why?
1. The obvious reason is defense. Reed Johnson, Fukudome, Pie, the little kid across the street -- are all better fielders.
2. The secondary reason is offense. We don't have a DH in the dugout. Why would we, right? I mean, Ward? Not really. He's no Ortiz or Thome or Vlad...AL teams are built for DH's. NL teams are not. Our right handed DH vs a lefty starter? Cedeno? Come on. Use Sori...and make up for the lack of DH with defense. The pitchers will thank you.
I was in St. Louis this weekend on business and this all just came to me. I was sitting talking with some Cardinal fans, the self proclaimed "smartest baseball fans in the world" (excuse me I just threw up a little in my mouth)...and they were going on and on about whatever it is they talk about -- something like "blah blah blah Pujols blah blah blah Pujols blah blah" and I had this epiphany about the rotation. Funny where the mind will go when it is forced to seek its own intelligent entertainment.
Speaking of Cardinal fans, guy says to me that they (Cards) need pitching so bad. Also mentions that the only Cub he'd want is Marmol. Also says that Santana and Lincecum and the two best pitchers in baseball. So I asked him...would you trade Pujols for Santana, Lincecum and Marmol. He says "no way." Also said he'd only trade him for Bob Gibson, so I think he might have been retarded. For the record, I'd trade anyone for those three. Also for the record? Bob Gibson is like 75 now.
Have a great week. Let's clinch that home field advantage today and keep the momentum rolling. Rest everyone. Get the rotation ready. And let's all pray for nice weather in Chicago in October. Can you imagine playing the Red Sox in the series if it's a shitty winter? Might have to play on a neutral field with a dome. Milwaukee might be nice.
Go Cubs.
Best to cb.
Sherm
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Cubs win! Cubs win! Holy Cow!
Harry would be so happy.
Congratulations to the Cubs and all the fans for winning the NL Central today. Nice to win it, too, rather than back into it. Wait for it, wait for it...nope, I am not going to make a "back into it" joke. Not today. We just clinched the division.
I bet Wrigleyville was a lot of fun this evening! Wish I could have been there. I had to settle for razzing Cardinal fans here in St. Louis. Satisfying, sure, but not like the party at Wrigley.
Wish Woody would get out of the habit of walking the first batter...that's dangerous. He got the save, though, and that's all that matters.
So we still have the Mets and Brewers to play. What's the strategy? Starters go five? B-team gets a lot more playing time?
Theriot needs a couple of days off. His average has dipped under .300 for the first time in a while and I think he's just gassed. Give him three or four days to recharge. Start Cedeno. Give Soto a nice break -- Blanco and Hill can catch a few. Get Fontenot plenty of at bats, because the more he hits the better he gets. We'll need him hot off the bench in the playoffs. Rest Edmonds. I think Soriano needs to keep playing to find and keep a groove.
Again...all in all -- it's been a great year. Let's not screw this one up! Let's play solid going into the playoffs, get our staff in order...and kick some ass in the postseason. Go Cubs.
best to cb
js
Congratulations to the Cubs and all the fans for winning the NL Central today. Nice to win it, too, rather than back into it. Wait for it, wait for it...nope, I am not going to make a "back into it" joke. Not today. We just clinched the division.
I bet Wrigleyville was a lot of fun this evening! Wish I could have been there. I had to settle for razzing Cardinal fans here in St. Louis. Satisfying, sure, but not like the party at Wrigley.
Wish Woody would get out of the habit of walking the first batter...that's dangerous. He got the save, though, and that's all that matters.
So we still have the Mets and Brewers to play. What's the strategy? Starters go five? B-team gets a lot more playing time?
Theriot needs a couple of days off. His average has dipped under .300 for the first time in a while and I think he's just gassed. Give him three or four days to recharge. Start Cedeno. Give Soto a nice break -- Blanco and Hill can catch a few. Get Fontenot plenty of at bats, because the more he hits the better he gets. We'll need him hot off the bench in the playoffs. Rest Edmonds. I think Soriano needs to keep playing to find and keep a groove.
Again...all in all -- it's been a great year. Let's not screw this one up! Let's play solid going into the playoffs, get our staff in order...and kick some ass in the postseason. Go Cubs.
best to cb
js
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