I'm really liking that the minor league season has begun at the same time as the MLB season this year. It's usually a week after MLB starts.
Josh Vitters was 1-3 again. He also walked again. I'm not holding my breath, but if Vitters could learn to become more patient he'd suddenly have quite a bit of value. It doesn't look like he's ever going to be the hitter that you'd expect from the best high school bat in his draft. There are questions about whether he can stick at 3rd base too. Still, it's always nice to see someone working on a huge weakness like Vitters' plate discipline. Anthony Rizzo added another 2 hits in 4 plate appearances. Brett Jackson was 1-3 with a triple and a walk. Casey Coleman threw 5 innings, allowed 5 hits, 2 of which were home runs. He allowed 4 runs, walked no one and struckout 5.
The Smokies only had 5 hits last night and one of them left the yard. It was the ony run scored during the game for either team. RF, Michael Burgess was 2-4 with that home run. Logan Watkins was also 2-4 and he struckout the other 2 times. Matt Cerda added the team's other hit and walk. The good news for Trey McNutt is that he allowed 2 hits in the 3.2 innings he pitched (no runs of course). Also good news is that he did strike 3 out. The bad news is that he walked 3, threw 3 wild pitches and reached 80 pitches before the 4th inning ended. Jeffry Antigua, Alberto Cabrera and Frank Batista finished the rest of the game allowing just 4 hits, a walk and strikout 5.
Only 3 different Cubs had hits for Daytona. They had 7 of them on the night and managed to score 6 runs. DH Rubi Silva was 3-4 with 2 doubles and Arismendy Alcantara also added 3 hits in 3 at-bats. Alcantara walked, hit a home run and drove in 4 of those 6 runs. Not bad from the lineup's number 9 hitter. LF John Andreoli had the team's other hit as he went 1-1 with 3 walks. Erik Jokisch allowed 4 hits and 2 runs in 6 innings of work. He walked a batter and struckout 5. Matt Szczur was 0-3 with a walk.
The Chiefs had only 6 hits, which means the offense for the minor leagues was rather poor last night. They had only 26 hits in their 4 games. Zeke DeVoss and Rafael Lopez were each 1-3 with a walk. Paul Hoilman, Reggie Golden and Taiwan Easterling were each 1-4. Hoilman struckout only once last night. In the 40th round last year the Cubs drafted Patrick Francescon and he got the start for the Chiefs. In 4.2 innings he allowed just 2 hits and a run. He walked none and struckout 9. He did hit 2 batters. He's thrown only 43.1 innings in his young career, but has a ridiculous strikeout and walk ratio. He's struckout 11 batters per 9 and walked 1.7 per 9. That's good for 6.6 strikeouts per walk. It's 43 innings so you know it's a legit sample. Willengton Cruz performed last night's impression of Kerry Wood by pitching .2 innings, allowing 2 hits and 4 runs. He walked 2 and struckout no one.
Comments
Fuck Ubaldo Jimenez. I hope that fucker loses that game.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Garza is some kind of terrible at fielding baseballs.
mb21Quote Reply
No more no-hitter for Ubaldo.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Good defensive positioning on that one.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Soriano is fun to watch
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
Sometimes.
mb21Quote Reply
bubblesdachimp wrote:
This should have been a Forum shot.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Aggressive baserunning seems to be working today.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Hopefully this works
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Dolis in.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Doling looked good. I had that 95 mph two seamer being absurdly hard to hit
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Whoops.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wood-Marmol combined BS today?
I feel like I’ve seen this before.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Maybe Wood should have faced more than seven batters during ST.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Ugh.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
This is the best part of the Cubs bullpen too.
mb21Quote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Is that all he faced?
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
Ah, who saw that coming…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
mb21 wrote:
Seriously!
mb21Quote Reply
well some things never ever change
dylanjQuote Reply
Why didn’t they bring in Lopez?
ACTQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
its been a pretty shit start for closers this year.
dylanjQuote Reply
Welcome to Chicago, Daley, Theoey and Jeddy.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Marm was throwing hard, according to the radar gun, hitting 95 a couple of times.
ACTQuote Reply
Let It Happen To You
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Oy.
ACTQuote Reply
Our bullpen sucks? That was unexpected. In other news, I think this is 2008.
joshQuote Reply
@ ACT:
I don’t know. You bring up an ace reliever like that and it’s a shame not to use him in such high leverage situations.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
We’ll never know, since the media isn’t in a position to confirm how many weeks he took off during the Cactus League.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
The only way Demp or Garza will win a game this year is if they go all 9.
ACTQuote Reply
At least we extended Marmol when his value was at his unsustainably highest. (dying laughing)
GBTSQuote Reply
WTF
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Judging by the crowd noise, I think we have a pretty good idea of how much the fans are going to tolerate this season.
joshQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
That was so much smarter than trading him.
ACTQuote Reply
Garza —> No win —> Bad outing
GBTSQuote Reply
@ josh:
At least they’re showing up. For now.
ACTQuote Reply
@ josh:
There won’t be any fans in a few weeks. Just us.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
I’d be inclined to put money on record low attendance this year.
joshQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
And to think, this all happened with 2 outs.
ACTQuote Reply
@ josh:
I am at the game and I can confirm they did boo.
GBTSQuote Reply
I’m not even mad. I’m (dying laughing) my ass off.
MishQuote Reply
Didn’t someone say that tickets for games this weekend were going for like 6 bucks?
mb21Quote Reply
That last out is quite elusive.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
You’re still there?
mb21Quote Reply
When you have a 2 run lead in the 8th and let 11 batters come to the plate, it’s usually not good.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
I got tix for Monday night for $1 each (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Just unreal ho bad Kerry and Marmol are
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
mb21 wrote:
MishQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
For $1? That’s a complete waste of money. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
Yeah they’re letting me throw the ninth.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ mb21:
It can change a whole season.
GBTSQuote Reply
The Cubs have gotten two very good starts from their starters and they’re 0-2.
mb21Quote Reply
@ GBTS:
Not like one pitch can.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
I mainly did it to try to sneak down and see if I can get A-Ram’s autograph. Since I unfortunately never got the chance when he was a Cub. I might do the same when the Marlins come to town.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Samardzija will probably go 3 innings and allow 7 runs tomorrow with the Cubs winning.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
Well at least we know the rest of rotation won’t let the that trend continue. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
RC did you get them on Stub Hub or Craigs List or what? Al? (dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ mb21:
Because he’s transformed into a winner.
MishQuote Reply
Nice AB from DeJesus there.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ mb21:
He’s a winner
Suburban kidQuote Reply
A bunt. Now. Fuck you, Reed, you dunce.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Brought to you by Neifi Perez
MishQuote Reply
Hell of an at bat. If you take away the bunt attempt. And the third strike. (dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Bulk order via the University. Face value $2, I paid $1. Love student subsidies.
Also got free tix from a friend for Thursday’s game.
Always good for my wallet when the Cubs suck.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Is there some kind of rule for Cub RPs that they must throw 20 pitches per appearance?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Who hits in Camp’s spot? DeWitt?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Does it matter?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wood pitched 5 innings in the Cactus League. Marmol threw 8.1.
I know they throw on the side, but can that really be enough prep?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
This guy throws 100 mph.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Woah. 99 MPH on the fastball for Rodriguez
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
At least it looks like Dolis had a good inning
BerseliusQuote Reply
Rodriguez is throwing straight gas. Ye gods.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
This “scout” feature on Gameday is pretty cool.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Clown. Shoes. Jeff Baker, sit the fuck down.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I was more impressed by the 94 mph changeup.
ACTQuote Reply
He threw Baker 4-seamers at 99, 99, & 100 and then came back with a 85 MPH slider. That’s nasty.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I can confirm he was not booed.
GBTSQuote Reply
He also had an 85-mph slider that I think he used to strike Castro out.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ ACT:
Yeah, the pitch F/X on him looked pretty filthy.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Aaron Hill is singlehandedly destroying the Giants.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
ACTQuote Reply
Carl Pavano’s fastball averaged 85.2 yesterday. Yipe.
ACTQuote Reply
Sandoval just got a hold of one.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Prince just hit his first AL homer.
ACTQuote Reply
And Albert just got his first AL hit (double).
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
I’m happy I’m paying MLB from preventing me from watching that game.
GBTSQuote Reply
Man it is almost impossible to find online streams of MLB games.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Eric Byrnes is a dreadful color analyst.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
RBI double for Aramis.
I miss him.
GBTSQuote Reply
Fielder goes yard again.
GBTSQuote Reply
Pujols blows through the stop sign, TOOTBLANs, yells at ump. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Theriot stares at a belt-high FB right over the heart of the plate.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
“Without Ryan Theriot, there wouldn’t be any rings in St. Louis.”
Save me, Jeebus.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Hosmer homered for the Royals.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
These days, I miss Sean Marshall even more.
ACTQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Thom questioning the Matt Cain deal because he is under .500 for his career.
GBTSQuote Reply
Which is worse: FOX News anchors, FOX NFL announcers, or FOX MLB announcers?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
News, by miles
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I thought Joe Buck did both NFL and MLB, so if you combine that, that would be the worst.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Howdy Doody homers for the fat hairy unwashed.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Josh Beckett had a rough day.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Mercurial Outfielder wrote:
he misspoke
GWQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
The Tigers’ plan to score 11 million runs to make up for their crappy defense is working like a dream.
ACTQuote Reply
…except for the crappy defense part, apparently.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
Well, if you score a bajillion runs and only give up a million, you’re bound to win more than you lose. Right?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Mercurial Outfielder wrote:
Theriot is so good he brought 11 world championships to St. Louis. Without him, they’d have 0.
mb21Quote Reply
I can’t believe the Sox are doing so poorly even after banning fried chicken, beer and video games from the clubhouse.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
I blame Bobby Valentine.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oh, one more thing from today’s game that I have to get off my chest. Garza’s (lame) bunt attempt with runners on first and second with one out should not have happened. Even worse, Brenly referred to it as an “obvious” bunting situation. It’s a terrible bunting situation.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
It’s a terrible bunting situation if it was a position player at bat, but I thought “The Book” had the stipulation that if the pitcher was terrible at hitting otherwise, he might as well bunt?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Not with 2 runners on and 1 out. Never bunt then.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
I will have to re-read that chapter to refresh my knowledge then. I also would have preferred that he swing away because I have an irrational hatred of bunting (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
It’s moments like that that have convinced me that we need to
get rid ofhave the DH in both leagues.ACTQuote Reply
ACT wrote:
So we can see more shitty bunting? MO’s worst nightmare.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oops! I meant “have the DH.” I fixed it now.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
I’d be hoping for more pitchers who knew how to hit, but we all know that’s improbable…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I don’t know what took me so long to come around on the DH rule. I guess it was allegiance to the league I grew up with and Carlos Zambrano (not a “good” hitter, but a lot of fun to watch).
ACTQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Well…
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
We have the technology…
…and just in time for Zombie Jesus Day, too!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Jamie Moyer’s “fastball” = 78 mph by Pitchf/x on Gameday.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
…and Jordan Schafer still swung and missed.
(dying laughing) x 2 or 288
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Maybe he thought he was facing Aroldis Chapman.
ACTQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Shut me right up.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Looks like Mish was in Baltimore today.
Technically, it’s not streaking when you are clothed.
melissaQuote Reply
DPleted
melissaQuote Reply
Is mlb.tv not working for anyone else?
GBTSQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
I don’t have a subscription, so I tried the free game (Bal-Min) but it was subject to blackout restrictions.
ACTQuote Reply
The live look-in works fine.
ACTQuote Reply
It was working for me earlier during that shitty game by that shit team.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Let shit happen to you.
MishQuote Reply
Hayden Simpson did not suck tonight. No word on his velocity though
dylanjQuote Reply
fastball only 86. Shucks
dylanjQuote Reply
dylanj wrote:
That’s because they’re still waiting for his fastball to cross home plate.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ dylanj:
Yeah, I don’t even want to hear about his performance numbers unless he can somehow get his fastball up to the 90’s again.
ACTQuote Reply
Its really hard to explain how a kid goes 95 to 84-86 without a major injury that should show up on some test.
dylanjQuote Reply
@ dylanj:
It is possible that the scout’s radar gun was busted before Theo and Jed came on board and upgraded their equipment.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I think the high velocity readings that led to his signing were a fluke.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
I don’t know if you can still find the scouting video that MLB had to dig up after a few hours of “who the fuck is that” when the Cubs drafted him. But the radar reading graphic looked like it was in 8-bit. Not that that should matter, but I just thought it was amusing.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
with the amount of scouting that goes in it couldnt really be a fluke. Something is wrong with that kid.
dylanjQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
STRASBURG WOO
GBTSQuote Reply
Rice Cube wrote:
Nice.
/Simpson’d
GBTSQuote Reply
I see the Rays are doing well.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wow, Mike Napoli is the #8 hitter today.
I wish our #8 hitter was Mike Napoli.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Does anyone know if there’s like a free (no blackout) preview of mlb.tv to start the season? I’m getting the White Sox/Rangers game and I don’t know why.
GBTSQuote Reply
Longoria might have just lost a two-run homer because of a dumb ass fan.
GBTSQuote Reply
Houston ——-> lost
Cubs ———> 6th place
Tomorrow: Samardzija ———> slump stopper? (dying laughing)
Aisle424Quote Reply
Aisle424 wrote:
False
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
They beat up a 49-year-old. I hope they’re proud of themselves.
ACTQuote Reply
Aisle424 wrote:
At the very least, tomorrow’s game is unlikely to follow the pattern of the previous 2 (i.e., a good performance from the starter ruined by the bullpen).
ACTQuote Reply
Pittsburgh just won. The Cubs are in sixth place all alone.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
I didn’t think they’d have a chance. Lee v. Karstens looked to be the most one-sided pitching match-up so far this year. This just goes to show what a sorry state the Phillies’ offense is in.
ACTQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
(dying laughing)
By “lost” I meant they won. Duh.
Aisle424Quote Reply
@ Aisle424:
In a way they have lost…they surrendered the inside track to the #1 pick to the Cubs.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ dylanj:
IIRC, the 95 mph was his peak fastball. He was more like 90-92 on average. I’ll look around.
Still a surprise to see him lose that much velocity though.
mb21Quote Reply
You probably need a subscription to read it, but here’s the scouting report: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/draft-preview/2010/2610038.html
They had 91-93 so a little faster than I was remembered, but it did decrease at the end of the season. Who knows?
I know I’ve never believed the 95 mph stuff.
mb21Quote Reply
mb21 wrote:
WaLiQuote Reply
Aisle424 wrote:
I think the technical term is slumpbuster (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
I still don’t get why Valbuena was one the roster for a single day.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
His name contains the Spanish word for “good”!
ACTQuote Reply
Prediction: Samardzija goes 8 strong and drives in all 3 runs, and Lopez gets the save.
ACTQuote Reply
^ If that prediction comes true, I’ll look like a genius. If not, people will think I was sarcastic. Win-win.
ACTQuote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/minor-leagues/minor-league-update-4-8-12.html
mb21Quote Reply