The Cubs roller coaster ride to .500 continues with a trip to Houston to play the Astros. They were swept by the Phillies to start the season, and picked up getaway day wins against the Reds and Marlins for their two wins this season.
Team Overview
NL Ranks
wOBA: .285 (14th)
SP FIP: 4.25 (13th)
SP xFIP: 4.81 (15th)
RP FIP: 3.50 (10th)
RP xFIP: 4.23 (13th)
DRS: -12 (14th)
Batters
| Player | ZiPS wOBA |
| CF Michael Bourn | .314 |
| SS Angel Sanchez | .283 |
| RF Hunter Pence | .338 |
| LF Carlos Lee | .333 |
| 1B Brett Wallace | .321 |
| .317 | |
| 2B Bill Hall | .310 |
| C Humberto Quintero | .268 |
This offense is not very good. There could be 12 total runs scored in this series by both teams.
Pitchers
| Player | ZiPS FIP |
| RHP Brett Myers | 3.94 |
| LHP Wandy Rodriguez | 3.50 |
| LHP J.A. Happ | 4.44 |
| RHP Bud Norris | 3.99 |
| RHP Nelson Figueroa | 4.17 |
| RHP Brandon Lyon | 3.76 |
| RHP Wilton Lopez | 3.56 |
The Astros are going to lose a lot of 2-1 ballgames.
Injuries
Bourn and Hall are both nursing minor injuries and could see a day off. Nominal starting SS and venison lover Clint Barmes broke his hand in spring training, and has only just been cleared to play catch. Even more damaging to the Astros hopes of a winning record is top catching prospect Jason Castro going under the knife for knee surgery in the offseason. He’s expected to miss all of 2011. Luckily they still have J.R. Towles on the roster. He’ll hit 20 HRs done deal sealed.
Cashner and Wells are (obviously) injured, but to add insult to injury top prospect Trey McNutt was pulled from his first start of the season at AA yesterday. Luckily it was only a blister problem, so that should clear up soon.
Pitching Probables
Current ERA, FIP, xFIP, and ZiPS projected FIP are in the parentheses
Monday: Ryan Dempster, RHP (6.59, 3.91, 3.52, 3.73) vs Nelson Figueroa, RHP (10.13, 2.85, 4.89, 4.17), 7:05 PM CT
Demp threw strikes in his last start, and the DBacks obliged by putting a lot of balls in play. They didn’t hit any HRs but collected three doubles and a triple. At least he didn’t walk anyone.
Figueroa has been bouncing around the league since 2000, playing for 6 different teams in 10 years plus a stint in the Mexican leagues in 2007. He’s a fly-ball pitcher who has done a decent job over his career with his 88 mph fastball so it must have a lot of movement on it.
Tuesday: James Russell, LHP (0, 0.04, 0.04) vs Brett Myers, RHP (2.03, 4.76, 5.60, 3.94), 7:05 PM CT
Russell is a typical fastball-slider lefty, with an eminetly hittable fastball. He posted a 5.20 ERA last year as a reliever so as we all know there’s not a lot to like here.
Myers posted good numbers with the Phillies early in his career and then suffered a Cashner-esque bullpen test that his numbers never really recovered from. However, he had a great year after signing with the Astros last year posting career best Wins, Innings Pitched, and ERA and his second best seasonal strikeout total. He’s thrown quality starts in each of his outings so far this year but the putrid offense and bullpen haven’t given him a lot of support.
Wednesday: Carlos Zambrano, RHP (5.25, 5.20, 4.85, 3.74) vs Wandy Rodriguez, LHP (6.55, 2.58, 4.23, 3.50), 7:05 PM CT
Z’s had his usual adventures with the base on balls this season, but in the two games so far the biggest problem has been the lack of ground balls. Z’s GB rate has been declining for the past few years, but it has dropped 12 percentage points so far relative to last year. He needs to get his sinker sinking.
As I’ve mentioned many times before, W-Rod is one of those pitchers that always drives me nuts. I remember his first two seasons with the Astros, when he posted 5+ ERAs and my impression of him was sealed. To his credit since then he’s managed to dramatically improve in the years since. Every time he beats the Cubs it still feels like they’ve been beaten by that replacement level callup from 2005.
Prediction
Houston’s got the home-field advantage and the pitching advantage in games two and three. The Astros will win both of those games.
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Amusing, but wrong.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
The roller coaster ride to .500 is probably the best possible way to describe this team.
AndCountingQuote Reply
FWIW, Myers’ bullpen stint in Philly was brought on by many things, but mainly because he was pitching terribly in the rotation. He got shelled in his first 3 starts of ’07, accepted a move the bullpen (the Phils bullpen was awful at the time), but was moved back into the rotation in ’08, but had a string of terrible starts and was demoted. It’s more akin to Zambrano’s BT in that it was probably an overreaction by the Phils both to their bullpen woes and Myers’ struggles, than it is to Cashner’s BT, which was the result of whim and fancy. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]FWIW, Myers’ bullpen stint in Philly was brought on by many things, but mainly because he was pitching terribly in the rotation. He got shelled in his first 3 starts of ’07, accepted a move the bullpen (the Phils bullpen was awful at the time), but was moved back into the rotation in ’08, but had a string of terrible starts and was demoted.[/quote]
That doesn’t sound to different from Z’s demotion. IIRC he was still projected to be the best pitcher in the rotation at the time. And Z didn’t really pitch that much better when he came back if you look at his peripherals.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]That doesn’t sound to different from Z’s demotion. IIRC he was still projected to be the best pitcher in the rotation at the time. And Z didn’t really pitch that much better when he came back if you look at his peripherals.[/quote]Yeah, that’s my sense of it. I think the Phils probably just made it worse and then gave up on Myers too early.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
BerseliusQuote Reply
I like to imagine Lou and Sinatro just drive across country now. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]The roller coaster ride to .500 is probably the best possible way to describe this team.[/quote]
I think there’s about a 75-80% likelihood that the Cubs never break .500 again this season. If they don’t win this series in Houston I think a big plunge is coming soon.
These guys aren’t idiots and they know the schedule right now is as soft as it can possibly get and they are now a game under .500. That can’t give them a ton of confidence when actual good teams are playing them down the road.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]These guys aren’t idiots and they know the schedule right now is as soft as it can possibly get and they are now a game under .500. That can’t give them a ton of confidence when actual good teams are playing them down the road.[/quote]When they play those teams, they’ll bring back Kerry, Maddux, and Fergie. It just might work.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]When they play those teams, they’ll bring back Kerry, Maddux, and Fergie. It just might work.[/quote]The Cubs were much better when tickets only cost 10 cents. They should try that again.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]The Cubs were much better when tickets only cost 10 cents. They should try that again.[/quote]
There you go again, insulting the teams’ best customers with your discount ideas.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I think there’s about a 75-80% likelihood that the Cubs never break .500 again this season. If they don’t win this series in Houston I think a big plunge is coming soon.
These guys aren’t idiots and they know the schedule right now is as soft as it can possibly get and they are now a game under .500. That can’t give them a ton of confidence when actual good teams are playing them down the road.[/quote]
I think they will a few times, but it won’t matter much. As a likely 78 or so win team they’ll flirt with .500 all season.
BerseliusQuote Reply
The Cubs were way better before they signed minorities too. It just might work.
GBTSQuote Reply
I didn’t know you were Indonesian, MO, but I’m sorry you had to resign. It happens to the best of us: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/antiporn-mp-caught-on-sex-websites-15140980.html
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I think they will a few times, but it won’t matter much. As a likely 78 or so win team they’ll flirt with .500 all season.[/quote]
I don’t know, B. When Marlon Byrd, of all people, is showing this much frustration this early in the season, I’m wondering if the players are realizing that Quade ain’t the greatest manager ever and they are getting frustrated with his rookie mistakes.
Maybe it isn’t Quade himself that is the problem, but the Cubs’ coaching staff has changed too, and maybe not for the better. Riggins has a lot to prove before he can be mentioned in the same sentence as Rothschild, I don’t know anything about Matt Sinatro, but maybe there has been a step down in leadership and teaching ability from him to Dernier. Maybe DeJesus is a step down from Quade in the 3rd base coach gig. I don’t even know who the bench coach is now, but I have to imagine whoever it is is a step down from Trammel.
If the guys are getting frustrated with Quade’s staff, then they might as well get frustrated with him personally. This just smells bad and seems like a precursor to a 2006-esque death march.
Again, as always, I would love to be wrong about this.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Yeah, we’ve got plenty of reasons to be down but when it comes down to it the Cubs still have some talent on their roster and play in a shitty division (just look at Houston’s numbers in the preview!). I’m not saying they’re going to win 90 games or even have a winning record, just that I think it’s about as likely that they lose 100 games as it is they win 90.
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/4/9/2100806/yankees-sox-game-of-the-week?login=1302538702#63825345
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/4/9/2100806/yankees-sox-game-of-the-week?login=1302538702#63825345[/quote]I love that no matter where Al roams on SBNation, KOWOH will track him down. (dying laughing)
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]I love that no matter where Al roams on SBNation, KOWOH will track him down. (dying laughing)[/quote]
It’s crazy. Even after KOWOH was angrily told to “stay away.”
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Yeah, we’ve got plenty of reasons to be down but when it comes down to it the Cubs still have some talent on their roster and play in a shitty division (just look at Houston’s numbers in the preview!). I’m not saying they’re going to win 90 games or even have a winning record, just that I think it’s about as likely that they lose 100 games as it is they win 90.[/quote]
I think that is where the psychology of the game kicks in. Whereas fans tend to think a team gives up when things go bad, sometimes I think players actually try to do too much and bad things just keep spiraling. Maybe I’ve just watched too many shitty Cubs teams and I’m jaded and superstitious, but once the season has started, the projections don’t mean as much to me because the games aren’t played in a vacuum.
Some teams seem to let adversity roll off their backs, and maybe that is because those are the teams with the true talent to overcome adversity, while the Cubs (as we’ve talked about a lot) need just about everything to go right to get on a real hot streak. While they also need a lot to go wrong for things to go terrible, I think that when you factor in the psychology of guys like Byrd already showing frustrations, those things that have to go wrong are more likely to happen than things going right to keep up with projections (and forget about surpassing projections).
Again, I agree that this team SHOULD be a .500 team and hang around there most of the season, but this just smells bad. It seems exactly like 2006, and 1997, and 2002, and most of last year until Chatty Kathy took over.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Seemed to me that he was more frustrated with being asked the question about 6 different times in succession. Byrd actually said so at the end.
We may as well suggest Byrd being irritated at the question(s) is an indication of his frustration with man’s inhumanity to man.
Chris DickersonQuote Reply
i think we are making a mountain out of a molehill
dylanjQuote Reply
(dying laughing) I’ve been in the old thread for about two hours occasionally clicking refresh wondering where everybody is. I guess I should have scrolled up after my last comment.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]Seemed to me that he was more frustrated with being asked the question about 6 different times in succession. Byrd actually said so at the end.
We may as well suggest Byrd being irritated at the question(s) is an indication of his frustration with man’s inhumanity to man.[/quote]
I’m just really happy that someone other than Zambrano finally snapped at the media morons. And on top of that, it was a player that they have been drooling over for quite awhile.
LukasQuote Reply
Cubs season highlight video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3rINv0n_eo&feature=player_embedded#at=20
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Cubs season highlight video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3rINv0n_eo&feature=player_embedded#at=20%5B/quote%5D
I like the part where they failed.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I think they will a few times, but it won’t matter much. As a likely 78 or so win team they’ll flirt with .500 all season.[/quote]The reason I think they’re unlikely to flirt with .500 all season is that the Cubs will probably trade a couple players around the deadline. What was a 76-78 win team entering the season will probably finish as a 70-win team when you factor in the playing time that will be given to minor leaguers. I think they end up winning about 72 to 74 games this season.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]Seemed to me that he was more frustrated with being asked the question about 6 different times in succession. Byrd actually said so at the end.
We may as well suggest Byrd being irritated at the question(s) is an indication of his frustration with man’s inhumanity to man.[/quote]He showed frustration long before they kept asking him the same question. I don’t know what it says about the chemistry or whatever, but it’s usually not a good sign when players are snapping at the media this early in the season.
It reminds me of 2007. The Cubs were a decent team entering the season and significantly improved from the year before. They played in a shitty division (Cardinals just won the division the year before with a record of something like 9-161). The team had ridiculously high expectations and got off to a horrible start. We heard about team meetings. We heard there was discontent. Lou got snippy with the media. I’m sure some players did as well.
That’s what this reminds me of. The only difference is that in 2007 the Cubs were the best team entering the season even though they were only a decent team. This year they’re the 4th best team in the division and they’re not even close to the others. The high expectations for this season are unreasonable.
It sounded to me like Byrd was saying he stole a base so there was a sign. Doesn’t mean he’s right. He could be wrong. He was adamant there was and the implication that it was Quade’s fault was obvious. You don’t hear that kind of stuff from teams this early in the season usually. We’re not even 10 games into the season.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]i think we are making a mountain out of a molehill[/quote]I actually agree with you despite everything I’ve said about it. A win tonight and whatever happened yesterday is long forgotten. Sweep the Astros and the Cubs players will be singing Quade’s praises and booking hotels in Chicago and Boston in late October.
This is just the beginning though. In 3 months we’ll look back on this and point to this as the beginning of the end. That’s what it is.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]
It sounded to me like Byrd was saying he stole a base so there was a sign. Doesn’t mean he’s right. He could be wrong. He was adamant there was and the implication that it was Quade’s fault was obvious. You don’t hear that kind of stuff from teams this early in the season usually. We’re not even 10 games into the season.[/quote]
That’s what is disconcerting about it. This wasn’t a hot-headed rookie getting bent out of shape. This was a veteran with a proven track record of being a good clubhouse guy and being good with the media getting pretty pissed after game 9.
It might mean nothing and I’ll be pleased as punch if I’m wrong, but I have a really bad feeling about it.
Aisle424Quote Reply
And pretty openly blaming his coach and/or manager in the process of getting pissed. That is extremely out of character.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Lukas]I’m just really happy that someone other than Zambrano finally snapped at the media morons. And on top of that, it was a player that they have been drooling over for quite awhile.[/quote]The media and fans took a step back Byrd this past offseason after he said for the thousandth time that he takes lots of supplements and works closely with Victor Conte. I saw more than a couple angry words uttered his way by Cubs fans after that.
Byrd should have known better. You don’t side with the Barry Bonds and survive in this game.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]And pretty openly blaming his coach and/or manager in the process of getting pissed. That is extremely out of character.[/quote]Yes, agreed. I wouldn’t say he openly did it because he didn’t actually state the words, but he basically did just that. There was no question who he was blaming and that he was very upset about it.
It’s not like it’s just Byrd either. You’ve got Garza and his month plus of suck going public about a change he made with how or when he throws pitches. He’s going back to what he did best, which is what a player should almost always do. Especially if it’s failing as miserably as it had so far. I expect we’ll see a significantly better Garza from here on out and imagine the blame game by the media for this down the road.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]The media and fans took a step back Byrd this past offseason after he said for the thousandth time that he takes lots of supplements and works closely with Victor Conte. I saw more than a couple angry words uttered his way by Cubs fans after that.
Byrd should have known better. You don’t side with the Barry Bonds and survive in this game.[/quote]
I just don’t understand why that is just now bothering people. It’s not like he started up a relationship with Conte this off-season. He’s been going to him for years and the media wrote about it when he first signed with the Cubs. We really are an idiotic fan base.
Aisle424Quote Reply
For what it’s worth, Marlon Byrd is easily one of my top 3 favorite Cubs. This only serves to solidify his spot there. Up until now he’s seemed a little too nice to be true. I’m glad he’s pissed about being involved in a rally-killing TOOTBLAN in the 9th. And I’m glad Quade’s first real clubhouse-chemistry test of the regular season is centered around the nicest guy in the world. There’s no way anybody can dismiss this as Marlon being Marlon. I agree, it’s not a huge issue, but I think it’s big enough that it’s definitely on Quade’s radar and he’ll have to handle it. Even if he handles it by completely ignoring it.
AndCountingQuote Reply
I’m assuming Byrd didn’t eat dinner last night and thought about what he did. He’s a good clubhouse guy.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Whatever is going on with Byrd I won’t be surprised if the Cubs try to move him by the ASB. Especially if Jackson continues to rake(small sample size thus far).
JManQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/4/9/2100806/yankees-sox-game-of-the-week?login=1302538702#63825345[/quote]I think the fact that KOWOH hasn’t been banned shows how little pull Alvin has at SB Nation overall.
GBTSQuote Reply
I think we should consult omegle about Byrd and then drop it.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
You: hello
Stranger: hi asl
You: So what do you think about what Marlon Byrd did?
Stranger: who?
You: Marlon Byrd
You: He plays baseball
Stranger: what did he do
You: He took vitamins and stole a base without asking
You: Boo worthy?
Stranger: BOOOOOO
Your conversational partner has disconnected.
or send us feedback
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Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
You: hell
Stranger: hey
You: o
Stranger: how are you
You: fine
You: you?
Stranger: same here
You: How are things where you are?
Stranger: they are good! nice and sunny outside! might go fishing (dying laughing)
You: Same here
You: Nice and sunny
You: What are your favorite things?
Stranger: fishing, partying, and ladies (dying laughing)
You: Those things are nice
Your conversational partner has disconnected.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
(dying laughing): http://twitter.com/search?q=%23rollercoasterrideto500
Nicely done (whoever did it)
mb21Quote Reply
Stranger: hii..25 male…..indian here..ur asl?
You: Is that like being a man born in India in 1986?
Your conversational partner has disconnected.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing): http://twitter.com/search?q=%23rollercoasterrideto500
Nicely done (whoever did it)[/quote]I can’t believe that hashtag isn’t trending yet. Twitter’s so unpredictable.
AndCountingQuote Reply
Is there any update on who might take Cashner’s spot Tuesday?
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Stranger: hii..25 male…..indian here..ur asl?
You: Is that like being a man born in India in 1986?
Your conversational partner has disconnected.[/quote]
He was probably born in 1985.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I just don’t understand why that is just now bothering people. It’s not like he started up a relationship with Conte this off-season. He’s been going to him for years and the media wrote about it when he first signed with the Cubs. We really are an idiotic fan base.[/quote]Didn’t you write about that at the time? For some reason I seem to recall you doing so. I actually never heard about it until the news came out this time. I just don’t care about that stuff. Byrd could have come out and said he’s taking steroids, amphetamines, hgh, hitting with an aluminum bat that just looks like wood, using a 37 inch glove and smoking weed in between pitches and I wouldn’t have cared. So maybe I heard about it when it first came out and just didn’t care.
I agree with Adam. He’s one of my favorite players on the team. Not just because of that or because of yesterday. I was just really impressed with him last season. He’s a good ballplayer and the Cubs signed him for cheap.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Is there any update on who might take Cashner’s spot Tuesday?[/quote]
Stranger is typing…
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Is there any update on who might take Cashner’s spot Tuesday?[/quote]Scroll up.
AndCountingQuote Reply
Stranger: hi
You: I feel so bad I got a worried mind
Stranger: what happened?
You: I’m so lonesome all the time
You: Since I left my baby behind on Blue Bayou
Stranger: what?!
You: I try to stay in a good frame of mind
You: I’m saving nickles and dimes.
You: Working til the sun don’t shine
Still hasn’t disconnected.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Is there any update on who might take Cashner’s spot Tuesday?[/quote]The second worst reliever on the team of course.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
Whoops. I read these, I swear.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]He was probably born in 1985.[/quote]Or he’s really Latino and lied about his age so he could use omegle.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Didn’t you write about that at the time? For some reason I seem to recall you doing so. I actually never heard about it until the news came out this time. I just don’t care about that stuff. Byrd could have come out and said he’s taking steroids, amphetamines, hgh, hitting with an aluminum bat that just looks like wood, using a 37 inch glove and smoking weed in between pitches and I wouldn’t have cared. So maybe I heard about it when it first came out and just didn’t care.
I agree with Adam. He’s one of my favorite players on the team. Not just because of that or because of yesterday. I was just really impressed with him last season. He’s a good ballplayer and the Cubs signed him for cheap.[/quote]
Yeah. I did.
http://424tales.blogspot.com/2011/03/shocking-news-about-marlon-byrd-if.html
And I continue to be baffled as to why it ever got brought up again.
This just in… Fukudome is still Japanese.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Yeah. I did.
http://424tales.blogspot.com/2011/03/shocking-news-about-marlon-byrd-if.html
And I continue to be baffled as to why it ever got brought up again.
This just in… Fukudome is still Japanese.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
Stranger: hey hey whats up? F or M and ur age?
You: F
Stranger: age
You: Well, actually M –> F
Your conversational partner has disconnected.
GBTSQuote Reply
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110410&content_id=17616432&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc
mb21Quote Reply
let carlos gomez steal bases. its the only skill he has.
dylanjQuote Reply
I hate unwritten rules. If someone wants to steal their way around the bases when they’re up 37-1, go for it. Don’t care. If the other team doesn’t want them to steal, throw them out. That simple.
Unless the other team is going to stop trying to score runs, you’re an idiot if you think the winning team should stop trying to score runs too.
mb21Quote Reply
Was it the Indians who blew a 12-0 lead in the 5th inning a few years ago? They undoubtedly stopped trying to score runs and by the 8th inning they trailed 14-12. An offense should never stop trying to score runs. Not stealing a base is like trying to pound the ball on the ground instead of elevating it. Expecting someone to not try their hardest when every fan has paid to see them play their hardest is a joke.
Sometimes you’re going to get beat 15-2. Sometimes you’ll win by the same score. Sometimes you’ll blow an 8-run lead. I wonder how stupid some of those teams felt after they blew those games (took out their starters, etc).
mb21Quote Reply
Aisle424Quote Reply
What does he mean by “we’ll see how it plays out.” Is that some sort of threat? If I was on the Brewers, that’s how I’d read it.
mb21Quote Reply
The look on his face makes me laugh.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]The look on his face makes me 8=D~.[/quote].
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]The look on his face makes me laugh.[/quote]
I don’t think there is a picture of the man that could be called “photogenic.” He doesn’t look that weird in live time (to me, anyway) but still photos are not that man’s friend.
Aisle424Quote Reply
What does “I don’t think he got punched in.” mean?
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]What does “I don’t think he got punched in.” mean?[/quote]
Quade to English approximation: Nobody drove him in with a base hit.
Aisle424Quote Reply
If Quade didn’t think that Gomez “was going to get punched in” he really has no idea how bad Jeff Samardzija is.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Cubs season highlight video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3rINv0n_eo&feature=player_embedded#at=20%5B/quote%5DSanta Clause falling on the beer pong game was epic.
MuckerQuote Reply
I serioulsy don’t get why the Cubs won’t push Samardiza through waivers. At best he gets claimed and they save 3M. The worst is that he ends up in AAA making 3M. Either way the bullpen on the Ml team is improved.
JManQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]I serioulsy don’t get why the Cubs won’t push Samardiza through waivers. At best he gets claimed and they save 3M. The worst is that he ends up in AAA making 3M. Either way the bullpen on the Ml team is improved.[/quote]
Paul Sullivan will tell you it is because they’ve already eaten $11.5M.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Paul Sullivan will tell you it is because they’ve already eaten $11.5M.[/quote]
But they used some of the money they saved on F7 to pay for Soriano, so they actually ate 16.5.
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
http://www.cowboysrideforfree.com/2011/4/7/2095823/Big-12-football-power-ranking
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Paul Sullivan will tell you it is because it’s Friday.[/quote].
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Paul Sullivan will tell you it is because they’ve already eaten $11.5M.[/quote]I think Samardzija was acquired with the money they saved by acquiring Eric Karros.
mb21Quote Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yuZ3c1zqmw&feature=player_embedded#at=37
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I think you guys are forgetting that since Kosuke didn’t save face and return to Japan, the Cubs can only denominate salaries in Yen from now on.
MishQuote Reply
JMan, I don’t know why they don’t rid of him either. It’s really strange at this point. There’s a better chance some Obstructed View commenter claims Jeff Samardzija off waivers than there is one of the other 29 teams doing so. I am not exaggerating. The odds of one of the other 29 claiming him are equal to the odds of any one of us spending $3 million to have Jeff Samardzija come play catch in our back yard. It ain’t happening.
mb21Quote Reply
MORE FAIL!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwVUSM5HHcg&feature=player_embedded
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
By the way, I just got my Obstructed View t-shirts and hat. They look outstanding and I’m not just saying that so we sell more of them. I bow to AC and his Cubbie Facepalm. I need to get an Amusing… But Wrong one now. You can not imagine how excited I am to wear that thing out in public. I’m already wearing the hat.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]There’s a better chance some Obstructed View commenter claims Jeff Samardzija off waivers than there is one of the other 29 teams doing so. [/quote]Do not presume to tell me how to be a sports fan.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]By the way, I just got my Obstructed View t-shirts and hat. They look outstanding and I’m not just saying that so we sell more of them. I bow to AC and his Cubbie Facepalm. I need to get an Amusing… But Wrong one now. You can not imagine how excited I am to wear that thing out in public. I’m already wearing the hat.[/quote]The story of the facepalm will soon be told. It will make grown men weep.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]MORE FAIL!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwVUSM5HHcg&feature=player_embedded%5B/quote%5DI can watch that shit all day. Some of those people are lucky they aren’t dead.
MuckerQuote Reply
ready for my insider secret?
The Cubs are interested in KS standout Bubba Starling. So is every other team.
Boom.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]The Cubs are interested in KS standout Bubba Starling. So is every other team.[/quote]
So is Nebraska.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Dakota Smith is another KS prospect to watch.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]By the way, I just got my Obstructed View t-shirts and hat. They look outstanding and I’m not just saying that so we sell more of them. I bow to AC and his Cubbie Facepalm. I need to get an Amusing… But Wrong one now. You can not imagine how excited I am to wear that thing out in public. I’m already wearing the hat.[/quote]Seeing it online doesn’t really do it justice. I ordered the 1908 recent championship one. Can’t wait for that one.
mb21Quote Reply
The Cubs will take Jarred Hippen in the first round. Done deal. Sealed.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]The Cubs will take Jarred Hippen in the first round. Done deal. Sealed.[/quote]
Is he the standout from Upstairs Medical College?
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Is he the standout from Upstairs Medical College?[/quote]He was Iowa’s so-called ace last season, but he wasn’t any good. This year it’s gotten even worse. He’s a lefty who tops out at about 86 to 88 mph. I think so far this year he’s been one of the worst pitcher in the Big Ten, which means the Cubs will draft him in the 1st round. He’ll get about $1.4 million, which unfortunately means the Cubs ate $12.9 million when they got rid of Silva.
mb21Quote Reply
Fact: Great post.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]JMan, I don’t know why they don’t rid of him either. It’s really strange at this point. There’s a better chance some Obstructed View commenter claims Jeff Samardzija off waivers than there is one of the other 29 teams doing so. I am not exaggerating. The odds of one of the other 29 claiming him are equal to the odds of any one of us spending $3 million to have Jeff Samardzija come play catch in our back yard. It ain’t happening.[/quote]It’s criminal. I can only assume they think he’ll figure something out and it’ll build his trade value. I think he has until one of Cashner and Wells is due to return. Jeff will be waived and Coleman will take his spot in the BP.
JManQuote Reply
if Carpenter is really throwing 99-100 then lets get him up here before his arm explodes
dylanjQuote Reply
After watching all those fail videos, I have learned one fact: People are stupid.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]After watching all those fail videos, I have learned one fact: People are stupid.[/quote]
Seriously Drop this.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Seriously Drop this.[/quote]Let’s see how the rest of this year plays out.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]if Carpenter is really throwing 99-100 then lets get him up here before his arm explodes[/quote]I say they put him back in the rotation and watch him fire 95 mph fastballs in the 6th inning.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Fact: Great post.[/quote]
Kerry Wood pitched 29 inning for the Yankees including the playoffs. But I guess they were an outstanding 29 innings…
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Seriously Drop this.[/quote]
.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]Kerry Wood pitched 29 inning for the Yankees including the playoffs. But I guess they were an outstanding 29 innings…[/quote]
That’s your opinion.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Was Al this much of a lapdog for the Tribune or is this new with his new bestest friend, Tommy?
Aisle424Quote Reply
I’d actually be surprised if whoever was talking shit about Kerry wasn’t banned already. That’s Al’s dream 5th starter someone is belittling. Can’t have that.
Aisle424Quote Reply
vintage Pedro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lin5EgflkmE&feature=related
watching baseball from that era just reminds me how much i fucking hate the steroid era.
dylanjQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/11/alexi-ogando-throws-seven-shutout-innings-exits-with-blister/
Is there something about the way pitchers grip the baseball that predisposes them towards blisters? Nice to see that at least one above-average reliever is getting his chance to increase value as a starter though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]What does he mean by “we’ll see how it plays out.” Is that some sort of threat? If I was on the Brewers, that’s how I’d read it.[/quote]
I was actually surprised that someone on the Brewers didn’t get – at the very least – knocked off the plate or drilled right in the ass.
shadasrevengeQuote Reply
Is Nelson Figueroa such a badass that Geovany Soto needs to be relegated to #8 spot again?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Enormous differences between amphetamines and steroids
Steroids can improve performance while amphetamines can also improve performance (take a look a home field advantage since they were outlawed!)
Steroids help you recover from injury while amphetamines help you stay on the field more often
Steroids are banned by baseball while amphetamines are also banned
Steroids are a banned substance in the Olympics while amphetamines are also a banned substance.
Steroids increase the number of runs scored while amphetamines increase the number of runs scored
Recreational steroid use is illegal while recreational amphetamine use is also illegal.
Suspension for first positive steroids result is 50 game, but it’s 50 games for amphetamines.
Suspension for second positive test for steroids is 100 games, but it’s 100 games for amphetamines.
Lifetime suspension for third positive steroid test, but the amphetamine user gets off much easier and is instead only suspended forever more.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Was Al this much of a lapdog for the Tribune or is this new with his new bestest friend, Tommy?[/quote]He was until the end of 2006 when the team was up for sale. At that point he was no longer their sidekicks.
mb21Quote Reply
Also, if the Astros win two of three from the Cubs, it’s going to be a really long year. Longer than I anticipated.
shadasrevengeQuote Reply
[quote name=shadasrevenge]I was actually surprised that someone on the Brewers didn’t get – at the very least – knocked off the plate or drilled right in the ass.[/quote]I don’t mind what the Brewers did. It was only a 5-run lead. Like I said earlier, if the Cubs stopped trying to score runs than the Brewers should, but as long as the Cubs are trying to score runs, the Brewers should also be trying to score.
You can look awfully stupid giving up only to come out behind in the end. If any manager ever has his team stop trying to score only to lose that manager should be fired on the spot. There’s just no excuse for it. If I pay for a ticket, I am paying top dollar to see every player on that field try as hard as they can. At no point am I paying money to see some team give up. If I wanted that, I’d pay half as much.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=shadasrevenge]Also, if the Astros win two of three from the Cubs, it’s going to be a really long year. Longer than I anticipated.[/quote]I think they do lose 2 of 3 and I agree. Longer year than we expected.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/11/alexi-ogando-throws-seven-shutout-innings-exits-with-blister/
Is there something about the way pitchers grip the baseball that predisposes them towards blisters? Nice to see that at least one above-average reliever is getting his chance to increase value as a starter though.[/quote]
He was only at 79 pitches through 7 IP today.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I don’t mind what the Brewers did. It was only a 5-run lead. Like I said earlier, if the Cubs stopped trying to score runs than the Brewers should, but as long as the Cubs are trying to score runs, the Brewers should also be trying to score.
You can look awfully stupid giving up only to come out behind in the end. If any manager ever has his team stop trying to score only to lose that manager should be fired on the spot. There’s just no excuse for it. If I pay for a ticket, I am paying top dollar to see every player on that field try as hard as they can. At no point am I paying money to see some team give up. If I wanted that, I’d pay half as much.[/quote]
I wasn’t upset about it, I was just kind of surprised at the lack of response from the Cubs. You typically don’t see guys try to swipe two bags up 5-0 in the 8th inning. But Gomez did do something he doesn’t do very often – get on base – so I suppose he wanted to make the best of it.
shadasrevengeQuote Reply
New stuff: http://obstructedview.net/obstructed-view-merchandise-a-dream-come-true-updated.html
AndCountingQuote Reply
Yeah, I don’t mind if the Cubs try to send a message on the field. At least that way it’s out of the media and the managers aren’t talking about it.
As a paying customer though, I never want to see one side give up. The Brewers manager is right too. It is a different game than it once was. 5 runs isn’t as big a deal and that’s especially true in that ballpark they play in.
mb21Quote Reply
here’s the new thread with comments enabled: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/obstructed-view-merchandise-a-dream-come-true-updated.html
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I think they do lose 2 of 3 and I agree. Longer year than we expected.[/quote]
Indeed. The Cubs really do need to win 2 of 3 here though, because they’ll be lucky to win 1 in Denver and then San Diego, Colorado, and LA come to Wrigley next week. Could be looking at a 5-10 stretch here.
Hell, just looking at the schedule, if the Cubs don’t get this one they may not win another series until the play the Mets – in 5 weeks. Yikes.
shadasrevengeQuote Reply
That was absolutely the best part of watching the 2008 team. It seemed like they ran up the scoreboard on shitty teams.
PerkinsQuote Reply