The Cubs are 33 games into their 2011 season and it seems a good time to check on how players are doing. I’ll break it into four parts. Click the link below to read more.
AT&T Ballpark vs. Wrigley Field
I had the opportunity to take in a ballgame at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Friday so I thought I would put it up against Wrigley to see how it compares. Of course, I have one game experience at AT&T and hundreds at Wrigley, so this is not intended to be the final word in comparisons. I’d welcome any …
Wrigley Field is Not Beautiful From the Outside
I am one of the people who would be upset if the Cubs moved out of Wrigley Field. As much as I bitch about the crowded walkways and the lack of decent concessions, I would be sad if they had to move. I think that puts me in a minority in this particular corner of the Cubs blogosphere. I enjoy …
When could Wells and Cashner return?
LOS ANGELES — Cubs pitchers Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells headed to Arizona on Wednesday to continue their rehab there and both could be facing batters next week. — Carrie Muskat So let’s say they begin facing batters on Monday, May 9th. They get their 4 days off and go back out to face some hitters again on May 14th. …
Starlin Castro, Get Your Act Together
Starlin Castro is the best player the Cubs have, but he does some idiotic things on the baseball field that are going to destroy the Chicago Cubs if he doesn’t learn to stop. I don’t care about his fielding. He could make an error a day every day for the rest of the season and I wouldn’t really mind. If …
On early season Pythagorean Win Expectancy and the Chicago Cubs
Through the month of April the Cubs have allowed 31 more runs than they’ve scored. This differential ranks 15th in the NL. Only Houston (-34) has been worse. In the American League the White Sox (-37) and Twins (-57) have been worse. Even the Pirates (-24) have been better. The differential between runs score and allowed is important. Runs scored …
Should Starlin Castro move off shortstop?
After Starlin Castro‘s 3-error inning the other day a lot of talk began again about moving the 21-year old to 2nd base. It’s even been suggested that Darwin Barney (also a natural shortstop) be moved from 2nd to short. Mike Quade hasn’t even begun to think about that, which is great news. It’s not going to happen anytime soon and …
Top Ten Highlights of the Cubs Game Tonight
10. Ryan Dempster getting his one out of the evening. 9. Koyie Hill hitting a homerun. 8. Al Yellon and Buster Olney arguing on Twitter over whether Justin Berg hit Justin Upton on purpose. 7. No killer tornadoes hit the stadium. 6. The NFL Draft, NBA playoffs, and Michael Scott’s farewell provided some distraction. 5. A long, lingering shot of …
New Calendar For Kosuke
We all know the story by now. This is the fourth April in a row that Kosuke Fukudome has treated pitchers like they insulted his sister. In the previous three years, he would fall off the cliff in such a Wile E. Coyote-esque manner, you’d want to make sure he isn’t purchasing his bats from ACME, Inc. The key, obviously, …
There’s nothing wrong with Ryan Dempster
Ryan Dempster has gotten off to the worst start of his Cubs career. It’s led to some wondering what is wrong or whether or not he’s done. If we look at his ERA it’s gone from 2.96 in 2008 to 3.65, 3.85 and now 7.63. Obviously something isn’t right. We see a similar trend with his FIP (3.41, 3.87, 3.99 …