Oklahoma City Redhaws 1 @ Iowa Cubs 6
Matt Garza threw 54 pitches and 37 of them were strikes. Not that it matters, but he threw 3.1 innings, allowed 4 hits and a run while walking none and striking out 3. Garza will probably get a couple more rehab starts before being activated.
Cory Wade struckout 2 in 0.2 innings.
The Iowa Cubs used Garza's rehab stint in a way that they were still able to get Chris Rusin, today's starter were it not for the rehab, plenty of work. He finished the game and threw 5 innings and allowed 3 hits and no runs. He didn't walk anybody and struckout 2.
Josh Vitters hit his 2nd home run already. He was 1-4. Brad Nelson was 2-4 and Edwin Maysonet was 2-4 witha home run. Logan Watkins doubled and struckout twice in 4 plate appearances.
Daytona Cubs 2 @ St. Lucie Mets 6
Zach Cates had a rough outing. In 4 innings, he allowed 11 hits and a walk. He did walk just one, but struckout only 2 and allowed 6 runs. Frank Del Valle and Austin Reed combined for 4 scoreless innings. Each pitched 2 innings. Neither walked a batter. Del Valle struckout 3 and Reed struckout 1.
The Cubs had only 6 hits. John Andreoli and Jorge Soler were each 2-4. Soler hit his 4th home run of the season. Javier Baez was 0-4 with 3 strikeouts. Ben Carhart and Zeke DeVoss were each 1-3.
Dayton Dragons 11 @ Kane County Cougars 8
Lendy Castillo started. I'm sure you know how that went. Just as bad as every other start for him this year. He allowed 8 hits and 8 runs, but the good news is only 6 of them were earned. He gave up 2 home runs. If Lendy Castillo was a position player and he was hitting as well as the other team is against him, he'd be the number 1 ranked prospect of all-fucking-time. Now that I think about it, he's probably a better position player.
Jeffry Antigua had gotten off to a good start in the bullpen, but that's come to an end with his last two appearances. Today he gave up 4 hits and 3 runs in an inning pitched. In his last 2 games, he's thrown 3.1 innings, allowed 9 hits and 6 runs. In other words, he's still been better than Lendy Castillo.
Eddie Orozco and Brian Smith threw 3 scoreless innings before the Cougars outfielder, Bijan Rademacher pitched the 9th inning. He allowed no hits or walks and didn't strike anybody out. Rademacher is a better pitcher than Lendy Castillo.
Pin-Chieh Chen was 2-3 with 2 walks and better-pitcher-than-Lendy-Castillo, Rademacher, was 3-5. Dan Vogelbach was 1-4 with a double and a walk. Jeimer Candelario was 1-3 with a double and 2 walks.
BABIP helping the Cubs for the first time in a while tonight.
BerseliusQuote Reply
From last thread..
Hockey has probably seen the most “on the field” changes than the other 3 major sports and is has been IMO for the better. I can’t think of many major football rule changes. The kickoff is a little different, maybe another couple penalty changes for safety reasons, but that’s it. It isn’t like they extended or condensed the field. I don’t watch basketball so not sure what major changes have occurred there since the 3 point line.
There just aren’t many changes you can make to baseball that don’t drastically change the game.
WaLiQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
All because they walked Barney
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi wrote:
And Feldman gave a middle finger to the DH
WaLiQuote Reply
20K game: Strangely, Grace hitting behind Sosa. But then I remembered this is the year Sosa has sixty whatever home runs. So, I’m giving all the credit to Grace
joshQuote Reply
(This morning while scouting the probable pitchers waiver on fantasy)
Feldman vs Rangers… Yeah right
(Now)
*facepalm*
WaLiQuote Reply
1. Castro walked
2. Cubs are winning
3. I’m confused
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Also, after the option, someone said Ian Stewart hasn’t been seen in Iowa for a while…not sure if true or not and not sure who on Twitter said it, can anyone around these parts confirm?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I propose a rule change that affects on-field play. All players currently or formerly named Lendy Castillo must pitch the next 5 years for St. Louis.
SVBQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
It’s hard to say. I’m not sure if he looked at a map of the US lately or has driven through Iowa on the way from Denver to Chicago.
Other than this season in the minors, he never played for the Iowa Cubs. In 2011 he played 45 games for the Rockies AAA team though who played in the PCL, so it’s likely then. Otherwise he played 69 games in AAA in 2008.
WaLiQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
He was optioned to Iowa after his rehab stint ended last week. Last played on May 1, but the iCubs were postponed May 2-4 by winter. Didn’t play in the double header yesterday. Maybe he’s still in the playground searching for his swing.
SVBQuote Reply
1998 Cubs: mediocre hitting + mediocre pitching + Sammy + Kerry = WC win
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Kevin Tapani in 1998: 19-8, 4.85
He knew how to win.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
I see what you did there.
@ SVB:
I don’t think he played today either? Would have to check the box. But between deleting his Twitter again and disappearing from active play, kinda makes you wonder.
Would be nice if he sorta stayed away so the Cubs could void the rest of his $$, but I doubt that happens.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Correct. Stewart was not in the box today.
(That’s what she said.)
SVBQuote Reply
And suddenly, a 2.70 ERA for Feldman
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Maybe he’s rehabbing with Adrian Cardenas
SVBQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
And a 4.62 FIP!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
@ SVB:
That’s awesome.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ SVB:
Did Ricketts also build an academy in the Bermuda Triangle?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Justin Germano was outrighted to AAA by Toronto. We could easily reconstruct last September’s pitching staff. Dolis, Rusin, Raley, Germano, MVP Camp, Marmol, Russell.
I better stop. I’m upsetting my stomach.
SVBQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
I was just about to call Fox Mulder and ask about that…
SVBQuote Reply
@ SVB:
Though I guess not, since Lendy Castillo is still being seen in real life in Kane County.
SVBQuote Reply
Rizzzzzz
WaLiQuote Reply
Anthony Rizzo is actually having a damned good year so far.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
@ Rizzo the Rat:
Can you believe with that record that he didn’t get a single point on the Cy Young ballot that year? (dying laughing)
SVBQuote Reply
@ SVB:
Amazingly, b-ref says he was 0.4 wins above average that year. Times have changed.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
@ Rizzo the Rat:
Must have been a huge year for pitching, if the average was 18.6 wins…..
SVBQuote Reply
I joke about Grace in 1998, but he was solid. Two superstars, solid first baseman, and the whole lotta roster filler. Actually Morandini as I said had a better year than Grace.The story that season was all Sosa though. Also whoever the hell Mark Clark is was worth almost as much WAR as Wood.
joshQuote Reply
@ josh:
Here’s a depressing thought: Wood’s rookie year was his best in terms of fWAR.
joshQuote Reply
Except for Castro and Rizzo, who could have predicted this (dying laughing) list a month ago?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
I didn’t even know Gregg had pitched in four games. I’m kind of glad that they aren’t having Castro steal at every opportunity this year.
joshQuote Reply
Via MLBTR
#CubsCheap
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Regarding rule changes, this is what I could find for rule changes in the 4 major american sports:
NFL (through 2003): http://www.sportsattic.com/araig/NflRulesHistory.htm
MLB: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/rulechng.shtml
NHL: http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/hockey/nhlhistory/nhlrules.html
NBA (through 2008): http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_history.html
So my statement above is correct, that the NHL had the biggest rule changes that affect “on-the-field” play in recent history and it appears like it has greatly helped its popularity since it caused play to speed up and increased offense. Maybe someone else can comment on that though since I didn’t follow hockey all too closely before moving to IL 6 years ago.
NFL hasn’t really had many changes. They have changed penalties and fines. The most recent game-changing rule change that I have found in 1994 when they added 2-point conversions. I guess not shown on that list is the kickoff rule change from 2 (?) years ago, but that isn’t a major change.
MLB does have the least amount of rule changes in the past 40 years, but it is the only league without penalties as well. As far as rule changes go, I’m for changes happening to MLB, but I’m more on RtR’s side of things where I want smaller changes.
Some things I’d like to see would include ways to speed up the game. Enforce pitcher time limits between pitches. Maybe decrease the amount of times a pitcher can attempt to pick off a runner at first. Figure out a fair way to decrease mid-inning pitching changes.
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
Hopefully changes will occur in Baseball after Selig retires in 20 months, although I’m sure the new guy won’t rock the boat right away.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/26/bud-selig-reportedly-rejected-an-offer-of-a-five-year-contract-extension/
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
From that article:
This
SVBQuote Reply
On the other hand, baseball has pretty agressively increased playoff participation in the last decade or so with the wildcards. But they’ve done it in a way that doesn’t degrade the regular season, unlike basketball and hockey. Also interleague play. Those are pretty big rule changes. They don’t change the way the game is managed, but the added wildcards definitely influence on-field play of mid-level teams because they remain in the race much longer into the season.
SVBQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
I found that link for the NFL last night and some of those rules have had a major impact. I’m looking back to 1900. You have field goals changing from 4 points to 3, touchdowns from 5 to 6, added 2-point conversions and a whole lot of rule changes that made it easier to score. It wasn’t until 1956 that grabbing someone’s facemask was illegal. In 1962 they said you can’t do it at any time. Making this illegal, had a significant impact. Can you imagine if you could facemask without penalty? This was in 1974
There have been some rule changes in baseball over the years, especially in the early part of the 20th century. I don’t want to change the way the game is played. I don’t want baseball to go from 3 outs to 4 outs per inning even though it would increase scoring. It would also make the game unbearably long. I don’t want to lower it to 2 outs to speed the game up at the expense of going from about 10 runs per game to 0.2. I don’t want 10 fielders. I don’t want 8.
If I could fix the game to my liking, here’s what I’d do.
1. Give NL teams the option of forcing their pitchers to work at batting just as much as everyday position players and perform, as a group, no worse than replacement level. Or add the DH. I’d do this on day one. I’d do the very first minute I was given this opportunity. If for some dumb reason the owners went with the pitchers hitting better option and it actually worked out, I’d force the American League to do it so that the rules were the same. Different rules for the leagues at this point is silly.
2. Assign a team of analysts to propose ways to shorten and make the game more exciting without changing the basic structure of baseball (9 innings, 3 outs per inning, blah blah blah). I’d want to know what the consequences of each proposal would be and I would not allow any proposal that reduces run scoring.
3. After my first minute of giving the NL owners a choice of DH or making pitchers hit better, I’d reduce the number of times a manager can make a mid-inning pitching change to once per 9-inning game. You’d get 1 extra time in extra-innings games.
4. Innings 1-10 played normally, innings 11+ begin with man on 2nd base and 2-0 count.
5. Instead of a runner going to first base after an intentional walk, he’d go to 2nd base and each baserunner would advance 1 base. To close any loop holes, all 4-pitch walks and non-strike HBP would be treated as an IBB.
6. Figure out a way to reduce or eliminate the ridiculous arguments that go on between players and umpires and coaches and umpires.
7. I’d add a clock to baseball. There’s no excuse for a pitcher to take 20 seconds between pitches. In 2007 MLB reduced this from 20 to 12, but it’s not enforced. I’d make damn sure it’s enforced. The current penalty is supposed to be 1 ball added tot he count. I’d try this out as it’s already a rule and then see how it works.
That’s what I can think of off the top of my head. Nothing too earth shattering. We’d get to see better hitters, a more fast-paced game, few or no intentional walks, less arguing between grown ups and hopefully keep people in their seats until the conclusion of the game. At least keep more people in their seats anyway.
This should have been a fanpost.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ SVB:
I hated the playoff changes at first, but really like it now. I’d increase it more, which is inevitable anyway. It’s obvious the more teams that have a chance reach the postseason, the more interested fans are later in the season. This is good for baseball. Once I accepted that the WS winner isn’t necessarily the best team, I got over my anger. Put them all in the playoffs. Cubs would still go without a championship so you know some things won’t change.
dmick89Quote Reply
I guess it’s 12 seconds once a batter settles in the box so what I mentioned above wouldn’t work, but batters should have to get their ass moving too. So there would need to be two possible penalties: 1 for the batter not getting in the box on time and then another for the pitcher for not throwing the pitch quickly enough.
dmick89Quote Reply
According to pitch f/x pace on Fangraphs, it appears the median is about 22-23 seconds. So there, the batter has 9 seconds to get his ass in the box and the pitcher has 12 seconds to throw the fucking pitch.
dmick89Quote Reply
Add relegation to baseball
MylesQuote Reply
Myles wrote:
Are you seriously advocating this as a Cub fan?
GBTSQuote Reply
@ Myles:
I like that idea. Mercurial Outfielder and I have always been a fan of it. Not sure there is really anyone else here who is, but I think it’s a great idea. It would give the smaller market teams a chance to reach the playoffs and would still allow the large market teams to spend the money that they generate.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
It’d help if batters didn’t adjust their cups/gloves/helmet/bat for ten seconds in between each pitch as well, and it might also help to not grant time at every request. I like the pitch clock idea, you can have a pitch clock on either side of home plate and above the catcher/ump, and another at the batter’s eye that lets the batter know to get his ass in the box and settle in.
I get that it’s rough to have to tense up and lock in when anticipating the pitch though. I don’t know if the tension would contribute to injuries or not, but now I’m just thinking out loud.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
We might actually finish .500 once in awhile.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
It seems that of the qualified pitchers this year, 22-23 seconds between pitches is more than adequate. I guess we could look at the guys who get rid of the ball very quickly to look into injuries, but I doubt it’s an issue. I do think this is something that has to happen for both the batter and the pitcher. Maybe you can just split the 22 seconds both ways. Batter has 11 seconds to get in the box (this seems more than fair to me) and pitcher has another 11 seconds to deliver the pitch (also seems fair).
This isn’t too restrictive because it’s about how quickly half of the pitchers are getting rid of the ball at this point. The other half we can probably blame almost exclusively on the pitcher and those guys need to get their ass in gear.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89 wrote:
…? If we know anything about leagues with relegation, it’s that they’re insanely top heavy.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I think a team from the 2nd league would have to make the playoffs. Say you have 20 in MLB and the other 10 in the relegated league. Increase playoffs to 12 teams. 8 from MLB and 2 from the relegated league. I’m sure they could come up with something, but the points I mentioned above are much more important to me.
dmick89Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/07/great-moments-in-wrigley-field-hate/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Cardinals trolls 😀
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ dmick89:
So in other words, you think the AL should have more playoff teams than the NL (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
The Rangers announcers were making fun of the visiting clubhouse and bathrooms last night during the game. I think when the Cubs do renovate Wrigley, they should leave the visiting clubhouse as is. It’s like the visiting locker room at Kinnick.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ Berselius:
Probably.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m banging out a relegation post right now. In my opinion, you’d still have 2 leagues of 3 tables (though you could certainly change that).
MylesQuote Reply
dmick89 wrote:
That’s because they didn’t have a facemask until 1955 (dying laughing)
WaLiQuote Reply
Anthony Rizzo’s season line today: .262/.348/.557 for a .388 wOBA. Guess no one is threatening to send him down now (dying laughing).
BerseliusQuote Reply
New Shit
http://obstructedview.net/other-topics/relegation-in-baseball.html
ugh
MylesQuote Reply