On Wednesday night, the Cubs broke it open in the fifth against ace Ben Sheets, who admitted that he just got tanned out on the mound. He wasn't really helped by his team's fielding (the Brewers have looked dazed in the field this series) and with Big Z (8 innings, 0 runs, 5 hits) on the mound, Sheets had no room for error. Ramirez had a huge day (4-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI) and Fukudome had a key 2 RBI triple thanks to less than stellar play in left field. It all added up to a nice 7-1 win.
Last night was not much different (7-2 victory) as the Cubs scored 2 in the first and never looked back. Dempster pitched 7 innings, giving up one run on 5 hits. Soriano (3-4, 2 runs, 2 walks) and Theriot (3-3, 1 run, 3 RBI, 2 walks) tore it up at the top of the order and Reed Johnson added some grit in the 5 spot (3-5, 1 RBI).
Everything has fallen into place so far in this series. Good pitching, timely hitting, an opponent that is making crucial mistakes, and Cub hustle all over the place (Johnson's hard slide on Tuesday, Soriano stealing bases). The pitchers are back in the sing as well. Z and Dempster both had hits. Zambrano had an RBI and Dempster scored.
The Cub offense now leads the majors in walks (who would have predicted that?), are second in runs scored and OPS, and the pitching staff is sixth (second in the NL) in team ERA. That's a nice combination of stats.
Now the Cubs are looking to really put some distance on the Brewers and Cards with this last game in Milwaukee and Pittsburgh, Houston and St. Louis for the first August home stand.
Harden is still looking for his first win as a Cub despite some truly excellent outings. Picking it up at Milwaukee to complete the sweep would be a good way to get it.
There hasn't been much in the way of trade talks. I have heard Ibanez come up, but fail to see him being a great fit for this club (though he is a decent ball player). Perhaps the Cubs come up with a lefty in the pen such as Fuentes. I did hear him mentioned, but it may be that Colorado has closed shop on moving him.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Swing and a Miss
Cubs continue to play serious ball against the Brewers. They have returned to that relentless offense and the starters continue to put up quality starts. Let's hope it is the start of a long roll.
I'll get into that later. I just felt like revisiting a moment in the spring when White Sox GM Kenny W. said that Carlos Quentin was who they were targeting and getting him made it a successful off season.
That's a paraphrase, but you get the point. Needless to say, I laughed. I had nothing positive to say about the Quentin love.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
EDIT: So as soon as I wrote this, the Sox somehow swing a deal for Griffey Jr. I have no idea what the plan is here. Junior isn't a star player any longer. He is a lefty, but he hasn't been in CF in a while and no longer has the legs he once did and has no significant experience in the post season (much less as a winner). With Quentin (see above) and Dye at the corner outfield spots and Thome (they are statistically not much different) at DH, speculation is rampant on what the Sox plan to do with Junior. One may presume he didn't agree to the trade thinking he would be riding the pine. How does this solve the Konerko issue? I don't know. Perhaps Kenny will prove me wrong again.
I'll get into that later. I just felt like revisiting a moment in the spring when White Sox GM Kenny W. said that Carlos Quentin was who they were targeting and getting him made it a successful off season.
That's a paraphrase, but you get the point. Needless to say, I laughed. I had nothing positive to say about the Quentin love.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
EDIT: So as soon as I wrote this, the Sox somehow swing a deal for Griffey Jr. I have no idea what the plan is here. Junior isn't a star player any longer. He is a lefty, but he hasn't been in CF in a while and no longer has the legs he once did and has no significant experience in the post season (much less as a winner). With Quentin (see above) and Dye at the corner outfield spots and Thome (they are statistically not much different) at DH, speculation is rampant on what the Sox plan to do with Junior. One may presume he didn't agree to the trade thinking he would be riding the pine. How does this solve the Konerko issue? I don't know. Perhaps Kenny will prove me wrong again.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Crazy Start
Helluva start to the Milwaukee series. Lilly dueled Sabathia in a game that neither owned the outcome. Lilly looked good until the sixth inning, his last, when back-to-back homers and an RBI double stuck a fork in him. He had been cruising with a 2-0 lead thanks to a Soriano double and stolen base that led to a Lee RBI in the first as well as a Soriano homer in the third.
CC looked a little fatigued. The Brewer ace didn't have it all going for him, but he battled. The game seesawed in the sixth and seventh before the Cubs plated two in the ninth and Marmol got a save to end it.
Game balls to Soriano for being all over CC and to Reed Johnson, whose hard slide at second disrupted an almost sure thing double play on a Lee grounder with one out that resulted in a 4-3 Cub lead. Guadin has to get a mention as well for striking out the side in the eighth.
It was a good victory away and put the Cubs ahead in the division by 2.
Big Z is sitting on a 1-0 lead with the Cubs batting in the fifth. Another nail biter tonight?
CC looked a little fatigued. The Brewer ace didn't have it all going for him, but he battled. The game seesawed in the sixth and seventh before the Cubs plated two in the ninth and Marmol got a save to end it.
Game balls to Soriano for being all over CC and to Reed Johnson, whose hard slide at second disrupted an almost sure thing double play on a Lee grounder with one out that resulted in a 4-3 Cub lead. Guadin has to get a mention as well for striking out the side in the eighth.
It was a good victory away and put the Cubs ahead in the division by 2.
Big Z is sitting on a 1-0 lead with the Cubs batting in the fifth. Another nail biter tonight?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Big Doings for July
I have to say that the Marlins series made me really uneasy and I found it terribly hard to watch. Went over to Wrigley on Friday (take that, boss!). It was a beautiful day and I was enjoying it (and a few beers) rather than what I should have been doing. Nevertheless, when Dempster started the second inning by plunking Uggla, it felt like it was going to be a long day.
Dempster scrapped through six innings, but gave up a run (Uggla was doubled in after that HBP) and walked six during a hot day game. Soto tied it up in the second with a solo shot and Johnson put the Cubs ahead with another solo homer in the fifth, but otherwise, the bats looked listless.
I thought Jeff Samardzija pitched well in his first action, but he still managed to give up the tying run. When Howry gave up a pinch-hit, leadoff homer in the top of the ninth, it was deflating as a fan. There was a tiny disturbance in the force.
Saturday was no better. The Cubs may have staved off the loss until the 12th inning, but once again, weak run production let good pitching go to waste. The Marlins struck out 20 times (10 in Harden's 5 innings of work-1 ER, 2 hits, 3 BB, 1 HR) and still won the game. The Cubs lost for the fourth time all year after leading in the 7th, but it was the second such loss in 2 days. Sweet Lou managed to get tossed for a seemingly minor confrontation and it was another shitty loss for the Cubs.
When I tuned in late to Sunday's game, I saw one Jason Marquis pitch before turning it off in disgust. That pitch resulted in a 3-run dinger and a 3-0 Marlin lead. When I found out this morning that the Cubs won, I was astonished. Perhaps this team is different. After all is said and done, they managed to split the series with the Marlins and, miraculously, remain 1-game ahead of the Brewers, who are tearing it up while the Cubs flounder.
And so....here we are. Late July in Milwaukee and there's a lot on the line. The team will tell you there are over 50 games to play and this series isn't as big as media and fans will make it out to be. However, the outcome of these games could be pivotal as the two teams stand poised to reverse their fates from one year ago. The Cubs need to show some grit on the road and get the bats heated up for an August run. The Brewers need to keep their hot play going against the team they are chasing.
Lilly vs Sabathia. Big Z vs Sheets. Dempster vs Parra. Harden vs Bush.
Let's get it awwn!
Dempster scrapped through six innings, but gave up a run (Uggla was doubled in after that HBP) and walked six during a hot day game. Soto tied it up in the second with a solo shot and Johnson put the Cubs ahead with another solo homer in the fifth, but otherwise, the bats looked listless.
I thought Jeff Samardzija pitched well in his first action, but he still managed to give up the tying run. When Howry gave up a pinch-hit, leadoff homer in the top of the ninth, it was deflating as a fan. There was a tiny disturbance in the force.
Saturday was no better. The Cubs may have staved off the loss until the 12th inning, but once again, weak run production let good pitching go to waste. The Marlins struck out 20 times (10 in Harden's 5 innings of work-1 ER, 2 hits, 3 BB, 1 HR) and still won the game. The Cubs lost for the fourth time all year after leading in the 7th, but it was the second such loss in 2 days. Sweet Lou managed to get tossed for a seemingly minor confrontation and it was another shitty loss for the Cubs.
When I tuned in late to Sunday's game, I saw one Jason Marquis pitch before turning it off in disgust. That pitch resulted in a 3-run dinger and a 3-0 Marlin lead. When I found out this morning that the Cubs won, I was astonished. Perhaps this team is different. After all is said and done, they managed to split the series with the Marlins and, miraculously, remain 1-game ahead of the Brewers, who are tearing it up while the Cubs flounder.
And so....here we are. Late July in Milwaukee and there's a lot on the line. The team will tell you there are over 50 games to play and this series isn't as big as media and fans will make it out to be. However, the outcome of these games could be pivotal as the two teams stand poised to reverse their fates from one year ago. The Cubs need to show some grit on the road and get the bats heated up for an August run. The Brewers need to keep their hot play going against the team they are chasing.
Lilly vs Sabathia. Big Z vs Sheets. Dempster vs Parra. Harden vs Bush.
Let's get it awwn!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Guess Who's Back...Back Again
Welcome back, Al. Your table is ready.
Coincidence or not, Soriano's return to action came along with a 10-6 Cub victory at Arizona. A game they needed badly. Hanging on to a 1-game lead in the Central over a Milwaukee team buoyed by the Hefty Lefty, the Cubs can't afford to languish on the road.
Lilly pitched a nice game, though laborer from behind at times (get your mind out of the gutter!). One of those fan-favorite rebound games he's hung on opponents since becoming a Cub. Six strong innings, giving up 3 earned runs. After Lee homered in the first (yes, he can still hit it out!), the Cubs managed to let Arizona stake the lead with 2 runs in the fourth. Before it started to look like this might be another one of those games, the Cubs broke out with 3 runs in the fifth, including a Lilly RBI single, a Soriano ground-out RBI and a Lilly steal of third that resulted in an RBI for The Riot on another groundout. That is the greedy, opportunistic offense that got them in first.
The game tightened in the bottom of the fifth after Lilly walked the leadoff man, put him on second after a wild pitch and gave up an RBI triple (Jackson). Lilly struck out Reynolds, then induced a fielder's choice from Young, which ended with Lilly tagging Jackson in a rundown and Young, who advanced to second on the rundown, getting picked off by Lilly while trying to steal third.
The big blow came from Reed Johnson's grand slam in the eigth, putting the Cubs up 10-3. The lead held despite a weak effort from Howry (3 earned runs in 1 inning) as setup for Marmol, who also looked a little shaky, but didn't give up a run.
It think (hope?) a little rust came off last night. Lee hit his first dinger in 26 games. Ramirez and Soto both ended 0-fer streaks and Fukudome, though he didn't get a hit, did manage to walk three times and score a run. Soriano went 1 for 5, with an RBI ground out and a late, rather meaningless double. However, he put the ball in play (striking out once, in his first at bat) and eked out an RBI that put the Cubs up 3-2 in the fifth. Also good to see Johnson with a big game, especially with Edmonds unavailable with a sore knee.
The Cubs get a breather at home with four straight against the Marlins before heading to a big face-off in Milwaukee. Emonds is having tests on his knee today and Wood's blister remains a big concern. I don't know that the Cubs will make a move for relief help (are the A's going to help them out by dealing Houston Street on the cheap?). It looks more likely, at least right now, that Samardzija might come up to help if Marmol has to close for an extended period. On the other hand, with Milwaukee breathing down their neck, maybe the Cubs make a deal for another solid bat or a dirty dealing relief man.
Speaking of...
The Brewers seem content to pitch C(no period)C(no period) into the ground with the half season they have him for. He has responded with 4 straight wins, including 3 straight complete games. If the Brew Crew may have concerns in the pen, Sabathia isn't going to let it concern him. Let's not make Harden think he has to finish the game to get a damn victory.
Coincidence or not, Soriano's return to action came along with a 10-6 Cub victory at Arizona. A game they needed badly. Hanging on to a 1-game lead in the Central over a Milwaukee team buoyed by the Hefty Lefty, the Cubs can't afford to languish on the road.
Lilly pitched a nice game, though laborer from behind at times (get your mind out of the gutter!). One of those fan-favorite rebound games he's hung on opponents since becoming a Cub. Six strong innings, giving up 3 earned runs. After Lee homered in the first (yes, he can still hit it out!), the Cubs managed to let Arizona stake the lead with 2 runs in the fourth. Before it started to look like this might be another one of those games, the Cubs broke out with 3 runs in the fifth, including a Lilly RBI single, a Soriano ground-out RBI and a Lilly steal of third that resulted in an RBI for The Riot on another groundout. That is the greedy, opportunistic offense that got them in first.
The game tightened in the bottom of the fifth after Lilly walked the leadoff man, put him on second after a wild pitch and gave up an RBI triple (Jackson). Lilly struck out Reynolds, then induced a fielder's choice from Young, which ended with Lilly tagging Jackson in a rundown and Young, who advanced to second on the rundown, getting picked off by Lilly while trying to steal third.
The big blow came from Reed Johnson's grand slam in the eigth, putting the Cubs up 10-3. The lead held despite a weak effort from Howry (3 earned runs in 1 inning) as setup for Marmol, who also looked a little shaky, but didn't give up a run.
It think (hope?) a little rust came off last night. Lee hit his first dinger in 26 games. Ramirez and Soto both ended 0-fer streaks and Fukudome, though he didn't get a hit, did manage to walk three times and score a run. Soriano went 1 for 5, with an RBI ground out and a late, rather meaningless double. However, he put the ball in play (striking out once, in his first at bat) and eked out an RBI that put the Cubs up 3-2 in the fifth. Also good to see Johnson with a big game, especially with Edmonds unavailable with a sore knee.
The Cubs get a breather at home with four straight against the Marlins before heading to a big face-off in Milwaukee. Emonds is having tests on his knee today and Wood's blister remains a big concern. I don't know that the Cubs will make a move for relief help (are the A's going to help them out by dealing Houston Street on the cheap?). It looks more likely, at least right now, that Samardzija might come up to help if Marmol has to close for an extended period. On the other hand, with Milwaukee breathing down their neck, maybe the Cubs make a deal for another solid bat or a dirty dealing relief man.
Speaking of...
The Brewers seem content to pitch C(no period)C(no period) into the ground with the half season they have him for. He has responded with 4 straight wins, including 3 straight complete games. If the Brew Crew may have concerns in the pen, Sabathia isn't going to let it concern him. Let's not make Harden think he has to finish the game to get a damn victory.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Unglued
I'll admit, any semblance of positivity I have about this season seems to dwindle away the longer the Cubs are out on the road. Yet another poor offensive showing results in wasting another really strong outing by Harden. That kind of thing has to gnaw at a pitcher.
Harden went 7 innings in 112 pitches giving up just one run on the only hit the D'Backs managed off him, a home run to Alex Romero in the sixth inning. The new guy walked only 2 against 10 strikeouts and throwing 60% of his pitches for strikes. Harden looked like an ace, though he suffered a few control miscues, including zooming a fastball over Soto's head for a wild pitch and bouncing one short of the plate that did not allow a running on second to advance only due to the game situation.
On the other side, the team managed only 2 hits (one each by Johnson and Edmonds) and 3 walks (Theriot, Johnson, Edmonds). Yet again, the big boppers remained silent on the road and the Cubs fail to look like a team to fear. At the very least, Randy Johnson was pitching with as much impact as Harden and this wasn't a game dropped to a 5th starter. Nevertheless, losing yet again to Randy Johnson is a kick in the teeth.
Soriano can't get back soon enough. This is exactly the time that he can add some zing to the offense. It looks like he'll get one more rehab start and be ready to go on Thursday.
The good starting pitching may not be netting victories, but they have eaten up innings and gone deep into games. Sweet Lou is likely to use that to his advantage and keep Wood on the roster, rather than a DL stint. Hopefully a new ointment Wood is trying will help heal that blister.
The Cubs have Marquis going tonight and he is sporting a 3.30 career ERA against Arizona (over 57 1/3 innings). Maybe he can work some magic, but more importantly, the Cub offense needs to show something (Arizona has yet to announce their starter for tonight).
Harden went 7 innings in 112 pitches giving up just one run on the only hit the D'Backs managed off him, a home run to Alex Romero in the sixth inning. The new guy walked only 2 against 10 strikeouts and throwing 60% of his pitches for strikes. Harden looked like an ace, though he suffered a few control miscues, including zooming a fastball over Soto's head for a wild pitch and bouncing one short of the plate that did not allow a running on second to advance only due to the game situation.
On the other side, the team managed only 2 hits (one each by Johnson and Edmonds) and 3 walks (Theriot, Johnson, Edmonds). Yet again, the big boppers remained silent on the road and the Cubs fail to look like a team to fear. At the very least, Randy Johnson was pitching with as much impact as Harden and this wasn't a game dropped to a 5th starter. Nevertheless, losing yet again to Randy Johnson is a kick in the teeth.
Soriano can't get back soon enough. This is exactly the time that he can add some zing to the offense. It looks like he'll get one more rehab start and be ready to go on Thursday.
The good starting pitching may not be netting victories, but they have eaten up innings and gone deep into games. Sweet Lou is likely to use that to his advantage and keep Wood on the roster, rather than a DL stint. Hopefully a new ointment Wood is trying will help heal that blister.
The Cubs have Marquis going tonight and he is sporting a 3.30 career ERA against Arizona (over 57 1/3 innings). Maybe he can work some magic, but more importantly, the Cub offense needs to show something (Arizona has yet to announce their starter for tonight).
Monday, July 21, 2008
World Series Tix
Firstdibz.com is allowing people to buy the rights to purchase playoff tickets at face value - acting as an intermediary between ticketholders (season ticketholders) and purchasers.
Essentially, you pay upfront and agree to buy, at face value, the playoff tickets....if that comes to pass. If there is no playoff game, then you lose your initial expense and, obviously, don't have to pay for tickets that don't exist.
At a glance, it looks like it would be cheaper than waiting and paying market value on the tickets if the Cubs get that far. The risk could be worth it if you really want to go (or really, really believe).
Essentially, you pay upfront and agree to buy, at face value, the playoff tickets....if that comes to pass. If there is no playoff game, then you lose your initial expense and, obviously, don't have to pay for tickets that don't exist.
At a glance, it looks like it would be cheaper than waiting and paying market value on the tickets if the Cubs get that far. The risk could be worth it if you really want to go (or really, really believe).
Finally!
The Cubs finally get one in Houston after a rocky start to the second half of the season. Better still, Dempster got a victory at home. Dempster pitched 8 innings of shutout baseball, striking out 7 and walking one on his way to his first win away from Wrigley this year and his first since June 2, 2006.
At the plate, the Cubs put up 9 runs, a big improvement over the anemic offense in the first two games of the series (2 runs total). Theriot went 3 for 5 with a run and 2 RBIs. Fontenot went 3 for 4 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs. It was also good to see Fukudome do a little damage with two doubles and two runs scored.
I would like to see them follow this up by tagging Randy Johnson (12-0 in 13 starts against the Cubs) with a loss out in Arizona tonight, notching consecutive road wins for the fist time since June 14-15 against the Blue Jays, and getting Rich Harden his first Cubbie win after the debacle in his last start.
On the injury front, Soriano is going to start a rehab stint tonight in Arizona. I don't expect him to play tonight for the big club as Piniella was musing and maybe not even on Tuesday. He will surely be ready to go on Wednesday with lefty Doug Davis scheduled to start for Arizona. Eyre is not going to the minors, but will stay and throw bullpen sessions until the team removes him from the DL. Kerry Wood's blister remains an issue and he should go on the DL; however, he hasn't pitched since July 11 and his DL stint would be back-dated, allowing his return as early as Sunday.
This could be the perfect opportunity to have Marmol regain some confidence in a brief stint at closer while Kerry sorts out his finger problem. I'm always more of a fan of sink-or-swim approaches and I think the All-Star performance by Marmol definitely put him back on track. A brief role as closer could be just the thing he needs to keep that going. Not to mention there is very little pressure, since Wood will be right back and Marmol would just be filling in for a set time.
With the division race getting tighter (Cards 2 games back, Milwaukee 3 back), the Cubs can't afford to stumble in the July-August doldrums. The Brewers are riding high with Sabathia (3-0 for the Brewers and singing a mean bat to boot!) and just added veteran second baseman Ray Durham. And don't expect the Cards to stand down, especially with a potential return for Carpenter at some point and a happy clubhouse. The two teams duke it out for a 4-game set starting today in St. Louis. Let's hope they wear each other out.
At the plate, the Cubs put up 9 runs, a big improvement over the anemic offense in the first two games of the series (2 runs total). Theriot went 3 for 5 with a run and 2 RBIs. Fontenot went 3 for 4 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs. It was also good to see Fukudome do a little damage with two doubles and two runs scored.
I would like to see them follow this up by tagging Randy Johnson (12-0 in 13 starts against the Cubs) with a loss out in Arizona tonight, notching consecutive road wins for the fist time since June 14-15 against the Blue Jays, and getting Rich Harden his first Cubbie win after the debacle in his last start.
On the injury front, Soriano is going to start a rehab stint tonight in Arizona. I don't expect him to play tonight for the big club as Piniella was musing and maybe not even on Tuesday. He will surely be ready to go on Wednesday with lefty Doug Davis scheduled to start for Arizona. Eyre is not going to the minors, but will stay and throw bullpen sessions until the team removes him from the DL. Kerry Wood's blister remains an issue and he should go on the DL; however, he hasn't pitched since July 11 and his DL stint would be back-dated, allowing his return as early as Sunday.
This could be the perfect opportunity to have Marmol regain some confidence in a brief stint at closer while Kerry sorts out his finger problem. I'm always more of a fan of sink-or-swim approaches and I think the All-Star performance by Marmol definitely put him back on track. A brief role as closer could be just the thing he needs to keep that going. Not to mention there is very little pressure, since Wood will be right back and Marmol would just be filling in for a set time.
With the division race getting tighter (Cards 2 games back, Milwaukee 3 back), the Cubs can't afford to stumble in the July-August doldrums. The Brewers are riding high with Sabathia (3-0 for the Brewers and singing a mean bat to boot!) and just added veteran second baseman Ray Durham. And don't expect the Cards to stand down, especially with a potential return for Carpenter at some point and a happy clubhouse. The two teams duke it out for a 4-game set starting today in St. Louis. Let's hope they wear each other out.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Edmonds got hitched
Apparently, Jim Edmonds and his girlfriend got married Tuesday afternoon in suburban St. Louis.
I gather it was an extemely casual, county courthouse sort of event.
Hopefully, he doesn't have the kind of marital "bliss" that other notables have had.
The mug shot with this story still makes me laugh.
I gather it was an extemely casual, county courthouse sort of event.
Hopefully, he doesn't have the kind of marital "bliss" that other notables have had.
The mug shot with this story still makes me laugh.
Mid-Season Report
Firstly, hell of an All-Star Game. Too bad it decided home field for the World Series. I heard Selig explaining the reasoning behind this on ESPN's Mike and Mike radio show, but I don't give a rat's ass. It can be worked out. I would rather have the equally inane every other year scenario that they used to use than to have the All-Star Game be the determining factor. The players don't like it, Bud. You can gloss over that fact all you want, but it speaks volumes.
Now, as for mid-season grades on the Cubs, I'm not going to do any. I was, but it turns out that (1) I'm lazy; (2) I have crap loads of work to do and (3) I don't really feel like it needs doing.
What I have to say about the Cubs first half is that things worked out despite things not working out. There were some gaffes, some injuries and some moves, but, by and large, the Cubs looked like a strong contender while cruising into the break tied for the best record in baseball. You really can't argue with that. They accomplished what they needed to and are poised to make a good run toward the playoffs. Hendry added an ace to the staff, Big Z is looking good again, Dempster made a successful switch to starter, Wood made a successful switch to closer and most of the if's turned out to be solid contributors to complete team success.
Now, the things we are watching out for are Harden's health, Soriano's return, Fukudome's tiredness, Edmonds' legs, Dempster's fatigue level and Wood's arm.
However, the most pressing thing on my mind is the team's failure to look as good away from Wrigley as they should. This team just hasn't performed up to a "league's best record" type of team when they are on the road. They have to fix this. Dempster will break through eventually, Harden will help, as will Soriano's return , but it's not really any particular letdown that is causing this. The whole club plays a little listlessly on the road. I love the way they look at Wrigley, but they have to translate that to some big away wins. Especially now that the All-Star Game has dictated where a potential Cub World Series will play out.
Now, as for mid-season grades on the Cubs, I'm not going to do any. I was, but it turns out that (1) I'm lazy; (2) I have crap loads of work to do and (3) I don't really feel like it needs doing.
What I have to say about the Cubs first half is that things worked out despite things not working out. There were some gaffes, some injuries and some moves, but, by and large, the Cubs looked like a strong contender while cruising into the break tied for the best record in baseball. You really can't argue with that. They accomplished what they needed to and are poised to make a good run toward the playoffs. Hendry added an ace to the staff, Big Z is looking good again, Dempster made a successful switch to starter, Wood made a successful switch to closer and most of the if's turned out to be solid contributors to complete team success.
Now, the things we are watching out for are Harden's health, Soriano's return, Fukudome's tiredness, Edmonds' legs, Dempster's fatigue level and Wood's arm.
However, the most pressing thing on my mind is the team's failure to look as good away from Wrigley as they should. This team just hasn't performed up to a "league's best record" type of team when they are on the road. They have to fix this. Dempster will break through eventually, Harden will help, as will Soriano's return , but it's not really any particular letdown that is causing this. The whole club plays a little listlessly on the road. I love the way they look at Wrigley, but they have to translate that to some big away wins. Especially now that the All-Star Game has dictated where a potential Cub World Series will play out.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Back at ya, Brewers!
The wily Cub GM, Jim Hendry, responds to the CC Sabathia news with a star pitcher acquisition of his own.
Not a response, as the Cubs have obviously had this in the works, but the game is really on now. The Cards have to be shaking their heads after their two NL Central rivals significantly improve their pitching staffs with early strikes on the trade market.
The Cubs sent Murton, Eric Patterson, Gallagher and minor league catcher Josh Donaldson to Oakland. In return, Chicago got ace pitcher Rich Harden and young reliever Chad Gaudin.
Harden brings a 5-1 record and gaudy 2.34 ERA in 13 starts (the only loss to the White Sox). The edge is that Harden went on the DL earlier this year for the 6th time in 4 seasons. However, he has gone 4-1 in 11 starts since his DL stint. So far this season, Harden had amassed 92 strikeouts and only 31 walks in 77 innings, which is better than his 2.25 career strikeout to walk ratio. Harden has a 3.42 ERA for his career (entirely with the A's) but has appeared in only 29 games in the last three seasons and 51 in the last four.
The knock on Harden is obviously the durability and he's usually going to be about a six inning pitcher. However, those six innings are going to be stellar and I think the upside is so high that you have to live with the injury risk. He's had problems with the rotator and the elbow in the past and seems to be more prone to breaking down in the back half of the season. Hopefully, with the good staff the Cubs have, he will have opportunity to rest and stay fresh. Obviously, he is also moving from a pitcher's park to Wrigley, which can go any way depending on the weather, but I would never call a pitcher's park. At the very least, we replace the perpetual Prior fretting with new Cub Fan Woe.
Gaudin is a 25-year-old right hander with a live arm. He began the season in the starting rotation, going 3-2 with a 3.75 ERA in six starts. Gaudin moved to the pen on May 9 and has gone 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 20 appearances. Gaudin came in with Tampa in 2003, pitching 40 innings and not going more than 64 innings in a season until last year's 199.3. He'll help out the Cub pen.
The real joy in this transaction is that the Cubs got Harden and Gaudin without having to break the bank. The reality is that neither Murton nor Patterson were going to see any significant time with the big league club unless something was drastically wrong. That would remain the case for the foreseeable future. Gallagher is a talent, but certainly not on Harden's level (at this point). He was the gem for Oakland in this deal and could turn out to be a good to great pitcher in the future. The Cubs are not working for the future, though. Josh Donaldson was listed as the Cubs' seventh best prospect and showed potential (.346 in 49 games last year for Class A Boise), but hopefully Soto will be manning that slot for a while in Chicago.
Harden's injury concerns obviously brought his trade value down a little, but I see huge upside from this move. With a healthy rotation of Big Z, Harden, Dempster, Lilly and probably Marshall (maybe this is Marquis' ticket out of town?), the Cubs are in the upper echelon of NL staffs and have taken one step closer to a post-season berth.
Not a response, as the Cubs have obviously had this in the works, but the game is really on now. The Cards have to be shaking their heads after their two NL Central rivals significantly improve their pitching staffs with early strikes on the trade market.
The Cubs sent Murton, Eric Patterson, Gallagher and minor league catcher Josh Donaldson to Oakland. In return, Chicago got ace pitcher Rich Harden and young reliever Chad Gaudin.
Harden brings a 5-1 record and gaudy 2.34 ERA in 13 starts (the only loss to the White Sox). The edge is that Harden went on the DL earlier this year for the 6th time in 4 seasons. However, he has gone 4-1 in 11 starts since his DL stint. So far this season, Harden had amassed 92 strikeouts and only 31 walks in 77 innings, which is better than his 2.25 career strikeout to walk ratio. Harden has a 3.42 ERA for his career (entirely with the A's) but has appeared in only 29 games in the last three seasons and 51 in the last four.
The knock on Harden is obviously the durability and he's usually going to be about a six inning pitcher. However, those six innings are going to be stellar and I think the upside is so high that you have to live with the injury risk. He's had problems with the rotator and the elbow in the past and seems to be more prone to breaking down in the back half of the season. Hopefully, with the good staff the Cubs have, he will have opportunity to rest and stay fresh. Obviously, he is also moving from a pitcher's park to Wrigley, which can go any way depending on the weather, but I would never call a pitcher's park. At the very least, we replace the perpetual Prior fretting with new Cub Fan Woe.
Gaudin is a 25-year-old right hander with a live arm. He began the season in the starting rotation, going 3-2 with a 3.75 ERA in six starts. Gaudin moved to the pen on May 9 and has gone 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 20 appearances. Gaudin came in with Tampa in 2003, pitching 40 innings and not going more than 64 innings in a season until last year's 199.3. He'll help out the Cub pen.
The real joy in this transaction is that the Cubs got Harden and Gaudin without having to break the bank. The reality is that neither Murton nor Patterson were going to see any significant time with the big league club unless something was drastically wrong. That would remain the case for the foreseeable future. Gallagher is a talent, but certainly not on Harden's level (at this point). He was the gem for Oakland in this deal and could turn out to be a good to great pitcher in the future. The Cubs are not working for the future, though. Josh Donaldson was listed as the Cubs' seventh best prospect and showed potential (.346 in 49 games last year for Class A Boise), but hopefully Soto will be manning that slot for a while in Chicago.
Harden's injury concerns obviously brought his trade value down a little, but I see huge upside from this move. With a healthy rotation of Big Z, Harden, Dempster, Lilly and probably Marshall (maybe this is Marquis' ticket out of town?), the Cubs are in the upper echelon of NL staffs and have taken one step closer to a post-season berth.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Wrigley....On the Rocks
Word is out that Wrigley Field will be the site for an outdoor hockey game between the beloved Blackhawks and the evil Red Wings on next New Year's Day.
Way cool. Literally. Bring some of those hand heaters and giant coat.
Way cool. Literally. Bring some of those hand heaters and giant coat.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
You're Up, Hendry
Milwaukee apparently is the winner in the CC Sabathia bake-off. Word is that the deal is in the final phase, with a physical and some t-crossing the only thing left before CC joins the Brew Crew. MLBtraderumors.com is naming 4 players as the Brewers' bargaining chips.
Cubs fans can't feel too comfortable with that development.
We shall see what the Cubs counter with. Hopefully it won't be the rumored Greg Maddux return to Wrigley. I love Mad Dog, but I seriously doubt that move does a thing for the Cubs. Maddux today is no better than anyone else in the back of the Cubs rotation. Other names mentioned have been Aaron Cook, AJ Burnett and Gil Meche. None of those guys are striking fear in any batters, but they all have some potential. Certainly not the world beater that fans are looking for.
Cubs fans can't feel too comfortable with that development.
We shall see what the Cubs counter with. Hopefully it won't be the rumored Greg Maddux return to Wrigley. I love Mad Dog, but I seriously doubt that move does a thing for the Cubs. Maddux today is no better than anyone else in the back of the Cubs rotation. Other names mentioned have been Aaron Cook, AJ Burnett and Gil Meche. None of those guys are striking fear in any batters, but they all have some potential. Certainly not the world beater that fans are looking for.
Finally, an easy win
Marshall was on his game and the bats came alive to produce a 7-1 victory, with the heart of the order producing. Marshall got his first victory of the season, going 6 innings and giving up just one run on a solo HR. The top six hitters in the order went a combined 13 for 29, with all but Soto getting multiple hits (Soto's lone hit was a HR). Ramirez had 3 RBIs (including 2 sac flies) and he and Lee each had a 2-out RBI. Cotts, Marmol and Howry each pitched 1 scoreless inning, with the only hit given up by Cotts, to close out the game in St. Louis. The win gives the Cubs a 3-3 record against the Cards this year (all in St. Louis) and puts them 3.5 games ahead of St. Louis and Milwuakee.
A franchise-record seven All-Stars from the Cubs: Soriano, Soto, Fukudome voted in and Dempster, Big Z, Wood and Ramirez also getting added to the roster. With Piniella on the bench, the Cubs have ample opportunity to impact the outcome of the game, which inexplicably still determines home field for the World Series. That still chaps me. Whoever thought that was a good idea can go F themselves.
A franchise-record seven All-Stars from the Cubs: Soriano, Soto, Fukudome voted in and Dempster, Big Z, Wood and Ramirez also getting added to the roster. With Piniella on the bench, the Cubs have ample opportunity to impact the outcome of the game, which inexplicably still determines home field for the World Series. That still chaps me. Whoever thought that was a good idea can go F themselves.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
F This
These games are getting hard to watch. This was enough to make me start drinking....if I wasn't already there, that is.
Fucking travesty. I can't even write about the last few games.
Fucking travesty. I can't even write about the last few games.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
That's Better
Nothing like a trip to San Fran to help right the ship. The Giants are the proud owners of the worst home record in baseball (14-25). Adding to that, the G-Men sent Barry Zito to the mound who is now 0-8 at home. Perhaps he should take some of his own advice from the TV show on FitTV, Insider Training: Pitching with Barry Zito. Yes, I did watch that some late night. I have no idea why. Just the knowledge of how rocky it's been of late compared with how relaxed and on top of his world he seemed for that show seemed extra special and must see tv.
DeRosa managed to notch 6 RBIs with 2 homers (including a granny). Lilly pitched eight scoreless innings and grabbed his fourth straight victory. Good way to shake off some of the willies from the recent bad string.
Let's hope it continues tonight. I really would like to see the team widen the lead in the Central before facing St Louis, who won't go away.
DeRosa managed to notch 6 RBIs with 2 homers (including a granny). Lilly pitched eight scoreless innings and grabbed his fourth straight victory. Good way to shake off some of the willies from the recent bad string.
Let's hope it continues tonight. I really would like to see the team widen the lead in the Central before facing St Louis, who won't go away.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)