Berselius refused to show up for work so that left the rest of us scrambling around to find a replacement. We couldn't find any qualified applicants though we thank you for your interest, so I'm going to go ahead and do his job for him. He has been punished and will not be having dinner anytime soon.
Despite playing tougher teams over the last 3 weeks, the Cubs played to the same winning percentage as they did vs much weaker teams early in the season. We've come to realize that this is not the roller coaster ride to .500, but it is in fact the roller coaster ride to .444. The Cubs return home to finish out the month of May with 3 against the Mets, Pirates and Astros (finale of the Astros series is June 1st). If the Cubs are going to crawl their way back to .500, it has to start with this homestand. After that, the real part of the schedule begins.
The average game the Cubs play in June is vs a .533 opponent. No matter how good you are, you can't expect to put up a great record when you play opponents that tough. If the Cubs can find a way to dominate these next few series at home and head on the road at .500, there is a slim chance they could finish the month of June at .500. That would be quite an accomplishment all things considered, but what else does this team have to look forward to?
Team Overview
Team stats with respective league rankings
| Mets | Cubs | |
| wRC+ | 97 (5) | 97 (4) |
| UBR | 3.2 (4) | -7.7 (16) |
| UZR | -4.3 (10) | -9.1 (13) |
| DRS | -22 (13) | -33 (16) |
| SP FIP | 4.72 (16) | 4.12 (11) |
| RP FIP | 3.67 (9) | 3.82 (11) |
Berselius uses wOBA, but when comparing two teams I much prefer wRC+ since it's park-adjusted. The wOBA for the Mets is about .315 if I recall and .326 for the Cubs, but when you adjust for home ballpark, the two offenses are identical. I also included UBR, which is Fangraphs new baserunning statistic, Ultimate Base Running. I plan to compare UBR to Baseball Prospectus' EqBRR (Equivalent Baserunning Runs) in the near future. I know one major difference is that EqBRR includes stolen bases and caught stealing while those two are included in wOBA on fangraphs. To get an idea how the Cubs are doing in EqBRR, I wrote about that on Unobstructed Views this past week.
The Mets have actually performed better than I was expecting. They have a couple guys in their offense who are on fire right now, but they also have a few black holes.
Mets Batters
| wOBA | ZiPS | |
| Jose Reyes | .364 | .353 |
| Daniel Murphy | .306 | .326 |
| David Wright | .345 | .367 |
| Carlos Beltran | .393 | .361 |
| Jason Bay | .297 | .352 |
| Ike Davis | .396 | .354 |
| Josh Thole | .233 | .311 |
| Jason Pridie | .330 | .303 |
| Willie Harris | .283 | .310 |
| Angel Pagan | .250 | .324 |
I used the lineups from ESPN and added the two players with the most plate appearances after those 8. Ronny Paulino and Josh Thole have been splitting time behind home plate this season. Fernando Martinez played the last three, two of them at DH. I'm sure the Mets are wishing they'd never signed Jason Bay about right now. Kinda like the Cubs are wishing they'd never signed Alfonso Soriano. Jose Reyes is healthy again this year and producing as he had typically done. He's a free agent after the season so look for the Mets to trade him around the deadline. I expect they'll trade Carlos Beltran as well.
Mets Pitchers
| Pitcher | ERA | FIP | xFIP | ZiPS FIP |
| Jonathon Niese | 4.39 | 4.15 | 3.84 | 3.83 |
| Dillon Gee | 3.44 | 3.98 | 4.5 | 4.29 |
| R.A. Dickey | 4.71 | 4.63 | 4.25 | 3.93 |
| Francisco Rodriguez | 0.76 | 2.44 | 3.31 | 2.88 |
| Taylor Buchholz | 1.99 | 4.01 | 3.13 | 3.51 |
Niese, Gee and Dickey are the three starters the Cubs will face this week. Rodriguez is a very good closer and Buckholz has fared quite well for them this season.
Pitching Matchups
ERA, FIP, xFIP, and ZiPS projected FIP in parantheses for the Cubs pitchers (Mets pitcher stats are above).
Tuesday: Jon Niese, LHP vs Ryan Dempster, RHP (6.91, 4.83, 3.38, 3.75), 7:05 PM CT, WGN
I look at what Niese has done in his career and I'm not really sure how ZiPS can project a 3.83 FIP out of him. It's not like he's gotten off to a great start. His walk rate is the same as his career rate, but his strikeout rate is down almost one per inning. He's been better in May than he was in April. The Cubs hit lefties well so I expect Niese to have a difficult time tonight.
After a ridiculously bad start, in large part due to some bad luck, Dempster put together three really good starts, but his last start wasn't so good. Aside from an ugly 20.4% home run per fly ball rate, Dempster's numbers are very similar to what he's done over the last few years in the rotation. Actually, his xFIP is less than it's been since his return to the rotation. I'm still convinced nothing is wrong with Dempster.
Wednesday: Dillon Gee, RHP vs Casey Coleman, RHP (6.03, 5.41, 4.54, 4.74), 7:05 PM CT, CSN
Gee's ERA looks nice, but his FIP is a bit below average. His xFIP is even worse as he's only given up 7.5% HR/FB rate. His BABIP is also just a bit higher than .240. He doesn't strike many out and walks more than the average pitcher, which obviously isn't a good formula for success. He's coming off the best start of his career. Last time out, against the Nationals, Gee pitched 7.2 innings and allowed only 2 base hits. He walked 3 and struckout 3.
All that needs to be said about Coleman is that his K rate is 6.55 per 9 and his BB rate is 6.55 per 9. That's not going to work at the big league level.
Thursday: RA Dickey, RHP vs Carlos Zambrano, RHP (4.88, 3.83, 4.33, 3.57), 1:20 PM CT, WGN
This matchup features two pitchers who made their Major League debut in 2001. The difference between the two is that RA Dickey will be 37 years old later this year while Carlos Zambrano turns 30 a week from tomorrow. Dickey's best season was last year when he posted a 3.65 FIP and 3.75 xFIP. His ERA was under 3, but that was because he stranded nearly 78% of the runners on base and batters only had a .276 BABIP against him. He struckout 5.37 per 9 last year and so far this year he's struckout 5.34 per 9. His BB rate was just 2.17 last year, which is a walk under his career average. This year it's back to his career average. Batters hit a lot of balls on the ground vs Dickey.
Dickey is another knuckleballer and perhaps the Cubs seeing Tim Wakefield this past Sunday will help them out on Thursday. I wonder how often these days a team faces a knuckleballer twice in a week. It can't happen that often.
Z's walk rate is down 1.6 per 9 from last year and a full walk per 9 less than his career average. Unfortunately, his strikeout rate has decreased much more than that. He had struckout 8.1 per 9 the last two seasons and this season it's only 5.89. Berselius has commented several times on the lack of strikeouts from Zambrano. He still hasn't allowed that many home runs (6% HR/FB rate) and he's been a bit unlucky when it comes to stranding runners. The bad news with the HR/FB rate is that this is the first year in his career he's allowed more fly balls than ground balls. More fly balls means more home runs of course. His 4.33 xFIP is pretty much right where it's been since 2006. Z's fastball is also under 90 mph these days. Since 2008 Z had been a bit under the league average in swinging strikes, but this year he's well under the league average. He's just not missing nearly as many bats this year as he has in the past. He's also getting many fewer swings at pitches out of the zone. He does lead the team in innings pitches and this was true even before Garza missed his last start. He's giving the team innings, but not necessarily quality innings.
Comments
[quote name=Aisle424]I don’t think they will lower ticket prices. Not appreciably. It would be too hard to re-raise them after they get good again. The ticket prices we see today did not happen over night. It happened in 10% increments over the years. Taking a $70 ticket down to $63 to watch the minor league misfits isn’t going to cut it. They’d have to cut deeper than that and then, what will they do? Double the prices the moment the Cubs break .500 again? That’s hard to pass off as fan-friendly.
So you do what they’ve been doing, keep the dopes in line for the Season Tickets on the hook for the full priced, Yankee-tier pricing, and then discount the shit out of the non-selling single game seats. From a business standpoint, they are doing exactly what they need to do with their ticket strategy. They didn’t need to lower the overall prices to keep Al and his ilk on the hook, so why leave that revenue on the table?[/quote]
Ok, get cheap after you dupe the suckers out of that cash.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
No prediction? Or a wait-and-see approach?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Ike Davis and Pagan are on the dl, iirc.
GWQuote Reply
No prediction?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]No prediction? Or a wait-and-see approach?[/quote]I’m not sure he can answer right now. He’s pretty busy at his other job.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
david wright also on the dl
GWQuote Reply
Mets are as broken as the Cubs.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]david wright also on the dl[/quote](dying laughing) I guess I’m going without dinner tonight too.
mb21Quote Reply
Prediction: Cubs lose 2 of 3
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]So, has Al caved and decided discounts are good for the organization yet? I can’t see him actually confronting his buddy Tom over this.[/quote]
He’ll just sit there and stew and delete comments of people who bring it up.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Bubbles prediction: Cubs sweep. Montanez 8 homeruns
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Fwiw the main drum I’ve been beating on with z is the huge drop in his gb rate. He’s especially lucky that so few balls are leaving the park
BerseliusQuote Reply
Also,
Why is Shawn back to BCB?
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Also,
Why is Shawn back to BCB?[/quote]
I thought he was Al’s stat guy.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I thought he got banned over there for essentially calling al a moron in one of his articles.. I might be very very very well off
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Fwiw the main drum I’ve been beating on with z is the huge drop in his gb rate. He’s especially lucky that so few balls are leaving the park[/quote]
(dying laughing), you did mention it, I just read the preview too quickly before complaining. Basically I think Z’s peripherals are screaming alarm bells, though it may still be too early.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]I thought he got banned over there for essentially calling al a moron in one of his articles.. I might be very very very well off[/quote]You are absolutely correct.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Anyone know when Yu Darvish becomes available?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), you did mention it, I just read the preview too quickly before complaining. Basically I think Z’s peripherals are screaming alarm bells, though it may still be too early.[/quote]It’s really odd because his walk rate is down. Maybe that’s just because he’s so much easier to make contact against. My lying eyes tell me he’s been around the plate a lot more than in previous years, his velocity is still in decline, batters are elevating the ball and he has a shitty defense behind him.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Anyone know when Yu Darvish becomes available?[/quote]I think after this season, but I’m not sure.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing) @ mgl consorting with the riff-raff at fangraphs
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/ultimate-base-running-primer/#comments
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I think after this season, but I’m not sure.[/quote]
Not sure, try:
http://www.anyoneknowwhenyudarvishbecomesavailable.com
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=GW](dying laughing) @ mgl consorting with the riff-raff at fangraphs
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/ultimate-base-running-primer/#comments%5B/quote%5D(dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
Berselius will be happy to learn that Edward James Olmos has a recurring role on Dexter this year.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Berselius will be happy to learn that Edward James Olmos has a recurring role on Dexter this year.[/quote]
Indeed. I saw that earlier today and almost shit a brick (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Berselius will be happy to learn that Edward James Olmos has a recurring role on Dexter this year.[/quote]
How do I kill these keedz?
(I don’t watch Dexter, but I couldn’t resist)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Not that they necessarily have the pieces w/o sacrificing someone like Jackson, but is David Wright someone the Cubs should look at as a trade target?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Not that they necessarily have the pieces w/o sacrificing someone like Jackson, but is David Wright someone the Cubs should look at as a trade target?[/quote]
Fucking dangling modifier.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Berselius will be happy to learn that Edward James Olmos has a recurring role on Dexter this year.[/quote]
I don’t watch Dexter but I recognize this name as the detective in “Blade Runner” or something like that. “It’s a shame she won’t live…but then again, who does?”
/cool story bro’d
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I don’t watch Dexter but I recognize this name as the detective in “Blade Runner” or something like that. “It’s a shame she won’t live…but then again, who does?”
/cool story bro’d[/quote]I was thinking Battlestar Gallactica and I know berselius is a huge fan of that show.
mb21Quote Reply
I’ve never seen the show.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’ve never seen the show.[/quote]False.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’ve never seen the show.[/quote]
Not recent enough?
Aisle424Quote Reply
So I’m looking into bone bruises in the elbow for pitchers and not having a lot of luck. I found Vicente Padilla who missed 2 months (73 days) in 2004 because of a bone bruise in his elbow. Broxton is going to be out at least 6 weeks, but he has spurs as well. Obviously not all bruises are the same, but anybody else know of other pitchers to miss time because of this and how much time they missed?
mb21Quote Reply
In case nobody noticed, Koyie Hill actually threw out a base runner. Good luck to Geo at getting his job back. (dying laughing)
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Not recent enough?[/quote]It’s an ancient show.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=melissa]In case nobody noticed, Koyie Hill. Good luck to Geo at getting his job back. (dying laughing)[/quote]
Gamer’d
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Cashner doesn’t have to have surgery
mb21Quote Reply
40 pitches already? Dang.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
mb21 is going to be surprised if Garza only misses one more start.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Koyie is magic.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]mb21 is going to be surprised if Garza only misses one more start.[/quote]
MB21 is no bubblesdachimp
melissaQuote Reply
Seeing eye ground ball for Barney.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]MB21 is no bubblesdachimp[/quote]mb21 agrees.
mb21Quote Reply
Luis montanez—–>> justified 3 overall
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]MB21 is no bubblesdachimp[/quote]
Took bubbles a second to get this and then he dyed laughing
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]mb21 agrees.[/quote]
Men’s Fitness agrees as well.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Took bubbles a second to get this and then he dyed laughing[/quote]mb21 mourns the loss of bubbles
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Men’s Fitness agrees as well.[/quote]And you know, that’s really all that matters.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]mb21 is going to be surprised if Garza only misses one more start.[/quote]
MB is just a funsucker (dying laughing)
Horny GoatQuote Reply
oh fuck you Keith Hernandez: “I just cringe when I see Sammy Sosa’s name ahead of Ernie Banks on the HR list”.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]oh fuck you Keith Hernandez: “I just cringe when I see Sammy Sosa’s name ahead of Ernie Banks on the HR list”.[/quote]
I miss Sammy Sosa.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Keith said their should be an asterisk by his name, and Gary Cohen agreed, then added the top 4 of 6 have been “implicated” in some way and it’s a shame. sigh
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I miss Sammy Sosa.[/quote]
me too, RC. I think he’ll be recognized in wrigley eventually but it’ll be many years.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]me too, RC. I think he’ll be recognized in wrigley eventually but it’ll be many years.[/quote]
I’d probably freak out if I ever met Sammy Sosa in person. He’s the reason I’m a Cubs fan.
So yeah, it’s Sammy’s fault (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Gift triple.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
TOOTBLAN
Rice CubeQuote Reply
uh oh, TOOTBLAN
Horny GoatQuote Reply
I was a Cubs fan before Sammy, but there’s little doubt 1998 to 2001 was the longest stretch of actual fun watching this team in my life. I wouldn’t trade those years for anything.
mb21Quote Reply
Was that Angel Guzman in the dugout next to Zambrano?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube](dying laughing)
Gift triple.[/quote]
that did take a funny hop I guess
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I was a Cubs fan before Sammy, but there’s little doubt 1998 to 2001 was the longest stretch of actual fun watching this team in my life. I wouldn’t trade those years for anything.[/quote]
2003-2004 was pretty good until 8th inning of game 6. Even game 7 was fun for a little while (dying laughing)
Horny GoatQuote Reply
Ugh. 2003 was a major stomach punch.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mgl]I really don’t give a crap whether anyone likes any of these stats or not. Use them at your pleasure or displeasure.
When you spend more than 1 minute on a piddling post as opposed to hundreds of hours coming up with these metrics, then you can talk. It’s not rocket science but it does take time…[/quote]
[quote name=Chris Long] I’m going to call my system Awesome Base Running.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ugh. 2003 was a major stomach punch.[/quote]
I believe that’s been covered (dying laughing)
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]I believe that’s been covered (dying laughing)[/quote]
Yeah. Something about a goat and Steve Bartman.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]Keith said their should be an asterisk by his name, and Gary Cohen agreed, then added the top 4 of 6 have been “implicated” in some way and it’s a shame. sigh[/quote]
I wonder if there should be an asterisk next to all of Keith’s career stats to indicate that he was a coke-head a good deal of his career?
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]I wonder if there should be an asterisk next to all of Keith’s career stats to indicate that he was a coke-head a good deal of his career?[/quote]
coke + greenies after all night boozing. Baseball before nutrition and steroids.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
That 86 Mets team was notorious for it’s coke fueled partying. Keith Hernandez can spare me the sanctimony. Fuck him in the
earnose.melissaQuote Reply
2008 was the most fun for me. 2007 was pretty damn fun after about mid-June as well.
PerkinsQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]That 86 Mets team was notorious for it’s coke fueled partying. Keith Hernandez can spare me the sanctimony. Fuck him in the
earnose.[/quote]Not to mention that Hernandez has never been really repentant about his coke use in the way Raines has, despite the fact that Hernandez had to be compelled to testify at the hearings. Hernandez is a piece of shit.Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Not to mention that Hernandez has never been really reptant about his coke use in the way Raines has, despite the fact that Hernandez had to be compelled to testify at the hearings. Hernandez is a piece of shit.[/quote]
“Nice game, pretty boy.” (dying laughing)
PerkinsQuote Reply
How many more games till I can buy my montanez jersey? Is he wearing 3?
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
I know steroids aren’t the best for your body, but at least Bonds was a health fanatic in other aspects. All those other guys smoked and drank, did coke & speed to excess, ate like shit, meanwhile Bonds was eating several small meals of the best food you can get, all the finest nutritional supplements. That’s what bugs me. He’s healthier than most of those other old farts.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Perkins]”Nice game, pretty boy.” (dying laughing)[/quote]
that reminds me, It was McDowell who spit on Kramer, not Keith, as Jerry found out by reconstructing the crime scene. McDowell of the homophobic slurs in SF a while back (dying laughing)
Horny GoatQuote Reply
Cubs threatening to not be at .444 anymore.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]How many more games till I can buy my montanez jersey? Is he wearing 3?[/quote]
39
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]How many more games till I can buy my montanez jersey? Is he wearing 3?[/quote]www.howmanymoregamesuntilicanbuyamontanezjersey.com
http://www.isloumontanezwearingnumber3.com
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
is Dempster done or 1 more inning?
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]is Dempster done or 1 more inning?[/quote]
One more. See what happens.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]is Dempster done or 1 more inning?[/quote]How many innings does MIke Quade think his pitchers can go?
1 more.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Huh. I guess Castro does really slow down at first base. I wonder why none of the coaches have called him out on that.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Huh. I guess Castro does really slow down at first base. I wonder why none of the coaches have called him out on that.[/quote]They’re still trying to get their hit-and-run signs down. Then they can move on to coaching.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
WGN is making Tony Campana jokes.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]I wonder if there should be an asterisk next to all of Keith’s career stats to indicate that he was a coke-head a good deal of his career?[/quote]In my spreadsheets I use different types of asterisks. For example, for Hernandez, I use this
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]In my spreadsheets I use different types of asterisks. For example, for Hernandez, I use this
wow, that must be a huge file
GWQuote Reply
Z is pinch-hitting!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Not to mention that Hernandez has never been really repentant about his coke use in the way Raines has, despite the fact that Hernandez had to be compelled to testify at the hearings. Hernandez is a piece of shit.[/quote]Piece of shit might be a bit much. I don’t need Hernandez to be repentant in public. I assume he quit using and has made apologies to those who were owed one. He shouldn’t be judging someone else though.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=GW]wow, that must be a huge file[/quote]The bigger the spreadsheet, the better it is.
mb21Quote Reply
Keith brought out the “dog” comment when Aramis went to 3B on Soriano’s double.
Z is out to pinch hit
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]How many innings does MIke Quade think his pitchers can go?
1 more.[/quote](dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
I love Big Z.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Horny GoatQuote Reply
Eat that shit and choke, Hernandez.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Mets are the Cubs tonight. third error
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Eat that shit and choke, Hernandez.[/quote]
“I despise him”
/Newman
Horny GoatQuote Reply
so Campana is in CF finally. that makes more sense.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
Keith and Gary now have to babble on about 1908 and 1945 to make themselves feel better about tonight’s debacle.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]Keith and Gary now have to babble on about 1908 and 1945 to make themselves feel better about tonight’s debacle.[/quote]
Weak.
Castro has another hit. Or “hit” since that might have been an error. Well hit though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
and the “Bartman” game. sigh.
Castro with his 3rd hit.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]Keith and Gary now have to babble on about 1908 and 1945 to make themselves feel better about tonight’s debacle.[/quote]Assholes.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Weak.
Castro has another hit. Or “hit” since that might have been an error. Well hit though.[/quote]
he broke his bat but still crushed if you can believe it.
The “Bartman game” will never die I’m afraid, unless the cubs go on to be a dynasty.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]he broke his bat but still crushed if you can believe it.
The “Bartman game” will never die I’m afraid,
unless the cubs go on to be a dynasty.[/quote]Be realistic.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Money back guarantee that my preview is better than Berselius’s.[/quote]
I want my effing money back.
jherkyQuote Reply
I like how they didn’t even try to double up Campana (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Can you blow a save when you lead by double digits? We’ll find out.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=jherky]I want my effing money back.[/quote]Send me a postage paid envelope and I’ll send you your money.
mb21Quote Reply
I’m not watching, but the Mets’ crew may be my favorite in baseball, (dying laughing).
GWQuote Reply
Keith: “Ramirez’s heart wasn’t into that one”
(dying laughing) it never ends
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Can you blow a save when you lead by double digits? We’ll find out.[/quote]
It is possible, but only after a pitching change and when the tying run is either on base, at bat or on deck (dying laughing)
The point is, the “save” is stupid.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
forecast tomorrow looks awful and thursday not much better
Horny GoatQuote Reply
time to move over to Bulls thread. Miami up by one, 2m left.
Bulls have to win
Horny GoatQuote Reply
I heart Carlos Zambrano
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15153601
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Alfonso Soriano, Darwin Barney and Lou Montanez each had two hits for Chicago, which kicked off a nine-game homestand with its 11th victory in its past 12 games against NL East teams.
;0
Horny GoatQuote Reply
Barry Bonds is not a complete asshole.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/
(sorta h/t to Mish)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Barry Bonds is not a complete asshole.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/barry-bonds-to-pay-for-bryan-stows-kids-to-go-to-college/
(sorta h/t to Mish)[/quote]
Great news, but unfortunately it won’t change many people’s minds about him “desecrating the game” by, gasp, hitting a ball over the fence too many times.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Send me a postage paid envelope and I’ll send you your money.[/quote]You’ll have to e-mail it to me. Or put it in my Pokerstars account.
jherkyQuote Reply
Interesting parenting style, mb.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1389593/Kathy-Witterick-David-Stocker-raising-genderless-baby.html
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20110518/od_yblog_upshot/new-book-says-ussr-behind-roswell-ufo
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Ha —-> HR
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Ryan Flaherty on the year: .327/.399/.622
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Yeah, he could be a decent backup OF if he keeps up this .500/.600/.750 pace he’s on.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Yeah, he could be a decent backup OF if he keeps up this .500/.600/1.500 pace he’s on.[/quote]
Good thing we can just extrapolate 5 PAs to the rest of his career.
MishQuote Reply
Vitters has a .900+ OPS his last 10 games.
The Cub Reporter had a pretty decent write-up of what a “bone contusion” is/can be. I’m too lazy to link it, but it says there’s a wide range of severity. Given Garza’s reaction to being put on the DL, I hope that says he’s fine, but at the end of the article he said a stress fracture in the elbow can take years to recover from. Obviously that’s pretty rare.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
So I take it Russell (dying laughing) is still (dying laughing) part of the rotation (dying laughing)?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
I would assume so, SK.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I would assume so, SK.[/quote]I liked Glendon Rusch better.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]I liked Glendon Rusch better.[/quote]Wow. That’s quite the insult to Russell.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Vitters has a .900+ OPS his last 10 games.[/quote]
If he keeps that up, he could have a decent career as a backup catcher.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
If this thunderstorm keeps up, the ground might get decently damp.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]If this thunderstorm keeps up, the ground might get decently damp.[/quote]I’m assuming there’s not much chance of tonight’s game getting in.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]If this thunderstorm keeps up, the ground might get decently damp.[/quote]
After watching Hurricane Katrina ravage the Gulf of Mexico, this storm has a chance to follow that blueprint. But will it?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
After Corey Patterson and Felix Pie paved the path for minor leaguers to get to the bigs with no plate discipline, Josh Vitters has a chance to follow that blueprint. But will he?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
i just noticed the daytona cubs record the other day. mlb should let me watch their games instead
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]After watching Hurricane Katrina ravage the Gulf of Mexico, this storm has a chance to follow that blueprint. But will it?[/quote]
Memes are colliding!
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m assuming there’s not much chance of tonight’s game getting in.[/quote]
I can’t imagine. It would have to stop raining pretty soon to give the field a chance to drain and become playable, and I don’t think that is in the forecast.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Hopefully this gives the Mets a chance to have another team meeting after the loss last night. Apparently, losing by 10 after a team meeting is the new black.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Did Quade reprimand Zambrano and Johnson for piling on to the lead late in the game?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/25/the-padres-season-ticket-sales-staff-is-the-best/
No Cubs season tickets available, yet the ballpark is still half-empty. Some of that probably due to weather, but even on sunny days…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Royals-great-Paul-Splittorff-dies-at-age-64?urn=mlb-wp7646
Cancer sucks.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Did Quade reprimand Zambrano and Johnson for piling on to the lead late in the game?[/quote]
Nobody stole any bases so I think that was still within the bounds of unwritten rules.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/05/19/baseballs-rainy-season/
An article about the number of rainout in MLB this season on Freakonomics blog. It looked so promising until,
Thanks for discrediting such a great blog Matt.
cdwQuote Reply
http://m.npr.org/story/2100422?url=/people/2100422/frank-deford
Some Cubs players should take note. Maybe.
jherkyQuote Reply
[quote name=jherky]http://m.npr.org/story/2100422?url=/people/2100422/frank-deford
Some Cubs players should take note. Maybe.[/quote]Babe Ruth’s being finished in 1935 actually was the culmination of several years of a “decline on a gentle, sloping curve.” The 3-HR performance was a rare highlight in a dismal year.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Did Quade reprimand Zambrano and Johnson for piling on to the lead late in the game?[/quote](dying laughing) If I was any team playing the Cubs that was blown out I’d complain about them running the score up. If the Cubs are going to act like bitches when it happens to them, I’m going to let them know how retarded they sound.
mb21Quote Reply
Is there an unwritten rule that once the lead gets out of hand, you bring in a pitcher to pinch-hit?
ACTQuote Reply
I just checked the unwritten rulebook, and it doesn’t say anything…
ACTQuote Reply
http://praiseball.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/this-is-what-you-get-when-you-pay-by-the-post/
http://twitter.com/#!/FG_As_Tweets
(dying laughing)
GWQuote Reply
KG
Jae-Hoon Ha, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-5, HR (1), R, RBI, K. First Double-A home run; .278/.297/.472 in eight games.
Junior Lake, SS, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 3-for-5, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K, SB. 10-for-20 with two home runs in last four games; .315/.339/.486 is big step forward and tools have always been there
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I just checked the unwritten rulebook, and it doesn’t say anything…[/quote]
It’s braille.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish].315/.339/.486 is big step forward[/quote]
The second half of 2010 was a big step forward. This is a continuation of that.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]KG
Jae-Hoon Ha, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 8 walks in over 200 PA, 6 stolen bases, 8 caught stealing[/quote].
mb21Quote Reply
The Onion:
Aisle424Quote Reply
The guy lives in Randolph, NY and his big complaint is about the quality of pretzel he gets after he buys it knowing full well it is going to suck?
The Ricketts love this guy,
Aisle424Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
Aisle424Quote Reply
I am a fan of Eric Ludwig of Orlando.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Have we ever seen Al and Paul in the same place?
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Have we ever seen Al and Paul in the same place?[/quote]
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]
[/quote]
My mistake.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Does Paul literally publish every letter he receives?
Aisle424Quote Reply
Crazies.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
So they’re old AND stupid?
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]So they’re Al Yellon?[/quote]
Oooh.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/25/the-rays-make-a-fan-remove-his-yankees-suck-t-shirt/
You can’t say “suck” in a major league stadium anymore I guess.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Have we ever seen Al and Paul in the same place?[/quote]
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]That has to be the funniest picture on the internet. I once had the link bookmarked (dying laughing) so I could post it whenever, but you can search google images for strange asians picture.
mb21Quote Reply
Aisle424Quote Reply
IDK about you 424, but Melrose Place always made me want to kill Jews. Which I did.
MishQuote Reply
Sorry if this was posted, I’ve been filming all day. Jim Caple (who I don’t really like) ranks team owners:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/110525_MLB_owners&sportCat=mlb
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]http://praiseball.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/this-is-what-you-get-when-you-pay-by-the-post/
http://twitter.com/#!/FG_As_Tweets
(dying laughing)[/quote]
so this is why, even though fangraphs is on my reader i only read the jonah keri articles once a week
8volumesthickQuote Reply
What have Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Mark Grudzielanek, Todd Hollandsworth, Sammy Sosa, Joe Borowski, Aramis Ramirez, Todd Wellemeyer, Tom Goodwin, Kent Mercker, Alex Gonzalez, and Mike Remlinger all got in common? (besides the obvious)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]What have Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Mark Grudzielanek, Todd Hollandsworth, Sammy Sosa, Joe Borowski, Aramis Ramirez, Todd Wellemeyer, Tom Goodwin, Kent Mercker, Alex Gonzalez, and Mike Remlinger all got in common? (besides the obvious)[/quote]
They all have Os in their name, except for Ramirez, Mercker, and Remlinger, who all have Es in their names.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]What have Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Mark Grudzielanek, Todd Hollandsworth, Sammy Sosa, Joe Borowski, Aramis Ramirez, Todd Wellemeyer, Tom Goodwin, Kent Mercker, Alex Gonzalez, and Mike Remlinger all got in common? (besides the obvious)[/quote]
None of them have been in my kitchen
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
They all mow my lawn.
mb21Quote Reply
At the same time. I have a big lawn.
mb21Quote Reply
They were all on the DL for extended periods of time during the 2004 season.
I forgot it was that many.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]At the same time. I have a big lawn.[/quote]
That’ll replace the “Zambrano mows my lawn” t-shirts. “Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Mark Grudzielanek, Todd Hollandsworth, Sammy Sosa, Joe Borowski, Aramis Ramirez, Todd Wellemeyer, Tom Goodwin, Kent Mercker, Alex Gonzalez, and Mike Remlinger mow my lawn”
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
Oh — and, because of that, Jim Hendry “feels good about this [2011] team.”
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]That’ll replace the “Zambrano mows my lawn” t-shirts. “Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Mark Grudzielanek, Todd Hollandsworth, Sammy Sosa, Joe Borowski, Aramis Ramirez, Todd Wellemeyer, Tom Goodwin, Kent Mercker, Alex Gonzalez, and Mike Remlinger mow my lawn”[/quote]That just might make an appearance in the OV Shop before long. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Oh — and, because of that, Jim Hendry “feels good about this [2011] team.”[/quote]Did someone tell Hendry this team was never anywhere near as good as the 04 team?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Did someone tell Hendry this team was never anywhere near as good as the 04 team?[/quote]The 2004 team was either the best or second best Cubs team going into the season I’ve seen in my lifetime (the other being the 2009 club). That team had an absurd amount of talent.
PerkinsQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Did someone tell Hendry this team was never anywhere near as good as the 04 team?[/quote]Look, Wells is back and Garza will be back next week. That’s good, right?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Soto will also be back!
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Soto will also be back![/quote]
70 wins suddenly looks possible!
PerkinsQuote Reply
[quote name=Perkins]The 2004 team was either the best or second best Cubs team going into the season I’ve seen in my lifetime (the other being the 2009 club). That team had an absurd amount of talent.[/quote]A lot of people say that was an unlikeable team, but I liked that team a lot for about 24 weeks. Frustrating for sure, because of all the injuries, and then the meltdown with eight games left was a killer too. They did seem to start whining in September before they started losing …. that’s why fans don’t like that team, along with the Sammy bullshit. But it was a great season up until around September 20th, IIRC.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Unlikeable teams = teams with talented dark players who don’t get it done, c.f., 2004, 2009.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Is it still okay to like Sammy Sosa?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]A lot of people say that was an unlikeable team, but I liked that team a lot for about 24 weeks. Frustrating for sure, because of all the injuries, and then the meltdown with eight games left was a killer too. They did seem to start whining in September before they started losing …. that’s why fans don’t like that team, along with the Sammy bullshit. But it was a great season up until around September 20th, IIRC.[/quote]Yeah, that was a pretty fun team to watch for most of the season. Zambrano was awesome, and the rotation was pretty good after Prior came back.
But they had an epic bedshitting worthy of the franchise.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Prior’s last two starts of 2004 kind of sum up that season: the game against the Mets that Hawkins blew with two outs and two strikes in the 9th, and his last start against the Reds: a 16K, 9IP performance that the Cubs lost in 12 innings. As great as they were, it just wasn’t happening.
PerkinsQuote Reply
How about that Reed Johnson eh.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
pretty good production for a minor league invite
dylanjQuote Reply
Soriano OBP meter goes up.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Soriano OBP —> .304
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This team is a joke
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]This team is a joke[/quote]
It’s not even worth laughing anymore.
MishQuote Reply
Nice tag line for the comments. (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]It’s not even worth laughing anymore.[/quote]
False. I will laugh all the way to the $1 tickets.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]False. I will laugh all the way to the $1 tickets.[/quote](dying laughing)
Correct.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Nice tag line for the comments. (dying laughing)[/quote]My spreadsheet couldn’t figure out Soriano’s new OBP. It said: you’re full of shit, dumbass. Excel must have included the new error with my last update.
mb21Quote Reply
Holy shit. Casey Coleman turned that lead around with a quickness.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Justin Berg! (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]My spreadsheet couldn’t figure out Soriano’s new OBP. It said: you’re full of shit, dumbass. Excel must have included the new error with my last update.[/quote]
MB, ESPN’s box score updates OBP automatically. So does Gameday. Hope that helps a bit.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I feel kind of bad for Coleman. There were three plays behind him that while not errors probably should have been made. Reed and Kosuke both had balls drop in front of them that when hit you’d have thought it would be an out and Barney let one go under his glove. Coleman didn’t really pitch that poorly. Beltran was the only one that hit the ball hard.
melissaQuote Reply
This is unbelievable.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]I feel kind of bad for Coleman. There were three plays behind him that while not errors probably should have been made. Reed and Kosuke both had balls drop in front of them that when hit you’d have thought it would be an out and Barney let one go under his glove. Coleman didn’t really pitch that poorly. Beltran was the only one that hit the ball hard.[/quote]Berg, OTOH, is pitching poorly. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I don’t think Berg threw a strike.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
If the Cubs offense was half as patient as the team they pitch to they’d have a damn good offense.
mb21Quote Reply
12 pitches, 12 balls. Wow.
And MO – we need a pic of an implosion, not explosion.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]MB, ESPN’s box score updates OBP automatically. So does Gameday. Hope that helps a bit.[/quote](dying laughing) I was joking. I just figured Soriano .300+ OBP was an error. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]12 pitches, 12 balls. Wow.
And MO – we need a pic of an implosion, not explosion.[/quote]
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Berg, OTOH, is pitching poorly. (dying laughing)[/quote]
Berg done blowed up real good.
melissaQuote Reply
The Cubs are going to be the first time to ever use 7 relievers in a game postponed after 3 innings.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]The Cubs are going to be the first time to ever use 7 relievers in a game postponed after 3 innings.[/quote]
Watch them get 5 full in.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Watch them get 5 full in.[/quote]They don’t have enough pitchers to get through 5.
mb21Quote Reply
I missed this from Caple’s article ranking owners:
MishQuote Reply
I say the Cubs now attempt to give up as many runs as possible in an effort to prolong innings and not get in 5 before more storms hit. It just might work.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]They don’t have enough pitchers to get through 5.[/quote]
Make Koyie pitch.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
mb21Quote Reply
A nice 7-pitch inning if you’re a Mets fan.
mb21Quote Reply
Hmmm…Cubs are letting their half innings go quick in order to implement Melissa’s plan. Awesome.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]A nice 7-pitch inning if you’re a Mets fan.[/quote]
Or a Cubs fan silly enough to be sitting in Wrigley right now.
melissaQuote Reply
Damn you, James Russell, stop getting batters out. You’ll be through 5 innings in no time.
melissaQuote Reply
When will James Russell’s shoulder explode?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Last 11 pitches by Gee, 5 outs.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]When will James Russell’s shoulder explode?[/quote]
He’s the original Terry Mulholland.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]pretty good production for a minor league invite[/quote]No doubt. It’s also the 2nd time the Cubs have gotten really good production from him for dirt cheap. He was released by the Blue Jays and the Cubs picked up prior to 2008.
mb21Quote Reply
The legend of Reed Johnson hits a minor speedbump.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Reds are beating up on Philly bullpen.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That was a really great looking play by Starlin.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]When will James Russell’s shoulder explode?[/quote]www.whenwilljamesrussellsshoulderexplode.com
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Russell threw 3 innings Friday, 4+ on Sunday and is back out there again. It’s pretty bad when you have to keep using him because he’s the only effective pitcher they have. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
James Russell is like the old-school multi-inning fireman (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Russell threw 3 innings Friday, 4+ on Sunday and is back out there again. It’s pretty bad when you have to keep using him because he’s the only effective pitcher they have. (dying laughing)[/quote]
Pitch Russell every other game…Let’s See What Happens
melissaQuote Reply
Russell will at least start the next inning. What a trooper.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Russell will do whatever you want for league minimum.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Wennington’s gorilla cock was at Wrigley tonight:
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Eye candy, plus check out the sea of green empty seats:
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing), even Gee gets in on the act
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Scott Maine up in the pen, we just might not get through this 5th inning after all.
melissaQuote Reply
Ok, I guess it’s up to the offense now. (dying laughing)
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Ok, I guess it’s up to the offense now. (dying laughing)[/quote]
Good luck with that.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bill Wennington is a funny dude.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Quade really is off his fucking rocker.
melissaQuote Reply
Okay, I’m at a bar with no sound. Please tell me Quade was arguing a rain delay.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Okay, I’m at a bar with no sound. Please tell me Quade was arguing a rain delay.[/quote]
Quade was arguing the rain delay. You can’t make this shit up.
melissaQuote Reply
He was seriously arguing the rain delay? That’s awesome.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]He was seriously arguing the rain delay? That’s awesome.[/quote]
He wasn’t just arguing, he was going ape-shit. I haven’t seen him argue anything that vociferously thus far in his ignominious career.
melissaQuote Reply
Mike Quade has no idea what he is doing.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Of course Quade doesn’t want the game called because he knows that unlike last year this team will make a late inning comeback. Done Deal. Sealed.
melissaQuote Reply
He’s arguing because the conditions during that Giants game was even worse than tonight. I don’t think there was thunder and lightning that night though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]He wasn’t just arguing, he was going ape-shit. I haven’t seen him argue anything that vociferously thus far in his ignominious career.[/quote]If were the ump, I’d tell Quade to go find Crane’s priest, because his problem is with God, not with me.,
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Mike Quade has no idea what he is doing.[/quote]
But he’s going to do it with passion, by God.
melissaQuote Reply
Quade didn’t just argue momentarily either, he was out there for quite a while. I’m surprised he didn’t go throw himself in front of the tarp to keep them from rolling it out.
melissaQuote Reply
Every time there’s a thunderstorm, I thinlk of that time Berkman ran for cover. (dying laughing)
PerkinsQuote Reply
[quote name=Perkins]Every time there’s a thunderstorm, I thinlk of that time Berkman ran for cover. (dying laughing)[/quote]
I’ve never seen him move so fast (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bruce Miles said he doesn’t think he’s ever seen a manager argue a rain delay before. Well Bruce, you’ve never witnessed an entire season of the great Mike Quade.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Reds are beating up on Philly bullpen.[/quote]
Jay Bruce broke the tie in the 10th after Halladay blew a late lead, now Howard tied it again with a HR in the bottom half. good game.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]Jay Bruce broke the tie in the 10th after Halladay blew a late lead, now Howard tied it again with a HR in the bottom half. good game.[/quote]
I wish I could watch that game. At least I can watch the Mavs and Thunder not play defense.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Peasants! Arst thou conversing?
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Peasants! Arst thou conversing?[/quote]
No. We were waiting for you to do a preview for tonight’s game.
melissaQuote Reply
I’m sad that Gameday didn’t put up the video of Q arguing the rain delay.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Peasants! Arst thou conversing?[/quote]Nay, m’lord! We are but disputating on yonder thunderclap hence.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[Why the hell is Baldy arguing a rain delay when the Cubs are losing and he’s burning his bullpen yet again?
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius][Why the hell is Baldy arguing a rain delay when the Cubs are losing and he’s burning his bullpen yet again?[/quote]
Let’s See What Happens.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]No. We were waiting for you to do a preview for tonight’s game.[/quote]There are too many delicious Brazilian meats to be consumed to e bothered with such common concerns.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]There are too many delicious Brazilian meats to be consumed to e bothered with such common concerns.[/quote]
You ate dinner? Don’t let MB find out, he’ll be as livid as Quade arguing a rain delay.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]You ate dinner? Don’t let MB find out, he’ll be as livid as Quade arguing a rain delay.[/quote]Just tell him that I ate at TGI Fridays
BerseliusQuote Reply
I’ll admit that I think Quade is a moron but he surprised me with his rain delay hissy fit. That may be the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen a Cubs manager do.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]There are too many delicious Brazilian meats to be consumed to e bothered with such common concerns.[/quote]
Was it all-you-can-eat like that one place in downtown Chicago?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Just tell him that I ate at TGI Fridays[/quote]Eating there is fine. If you had just sat there without eating, he’d have had your ass in a sling.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]I’ll admit that I think Quade is a moron but he surprised me with his rain delay hissy fit. That may be the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen a Cubs manager do.[/quote]And that’s saying something.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Cubs lose. Officially official.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Was it all-you-can-eat like that one place in downtown Chicago?[/quote]Aye indeed
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Aye indeed[/quote]
Awesome that you can find that in Texas as well.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Cubs lose. Officially official.[/quote]
They were robbed!
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Just tell him that I ate at TGI Fridays[/quote]You and I are finished.
mb21Quote Reply
They just showed the replay of Quade arguing on the Comcast Postloss and he is a total loon. I’m surprised the umps didn’t toss him.
melissaQuote Reply
There’s a commenter on this article whose heart is now broken because the Cubs lost another rain-shortened game: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110525&content_id=19571466¬ebook_id=19571474&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc
mb21Quote Reply
I’ve never seen anyone argue a rain delay.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Awesome that you can find that in Texas as well.[/quote](dying laughing), I’m actually in WI right now. There is an awesome Brazilian place very close to the UT campus but it’s a very different style. It’s probably our favorite place in Austin.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Our manager:
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), I’m actually in WI right now. There is an awesome Brazilian place very close to the UT campus but it’s a very different style. It’s probably our favorite place in Austin.[/quote]
Ah! Cool. The one in downtown Chicago is pretty famous but I’m retarded and totally forgot the name of it. Expensive as hell though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ah! Cool. The one in downtown Chicago is pretty famous but I’m retarded and totally forgot the name of it. Expensive as hell though.[/quote]Yeah this place was pricey too. It didn’t help that we got 2 bottles of wine for the table
BerseliusQuote Reply
I’ve been watching baseball since the early 1980s and I can’t remember a manager arguing with an umpire over a rain delay. I’m sure it’s happened. Quade couldn’t have been the first to do it, but what the fuck? You’re down 3 runs, it’s late in the game, the conditions are starting the suck, the chance of injuries are greatly increasing, and you have little chance of winning. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
Quade was hoping to burn the entire bullpen, James Russell can’t be the only guy he wants to pitch in 3 out of every 5 games.
melissaQuote Reply
Per the Muskrat:
Aisle424Quote Reply
I like the part where they still thought they could win.
Aisle424Quote Reply
There must not be an unwritten rule about lobbying to continue playing in degrading conditions that put all the players at risk for the off chance your team might get lucky.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’ve never seen anyone argue a rain delay.[/quote]Guillen argued a rain delay once at Wrigley, but IIRC, the Sox were only down 1 and they had a RISP when the game was called.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Russell:
May 20th: BoSox, 3 innings, no runs, 39 pitches
May 22nd: BoSox (emergency start for Garza), 4 innings, 3 runs, 57 pitches
Tonight: Mets (came in because Casey Coleman sucked), 3.2 innings, 1 run, 41 pitches
Russell –> DL soon?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I loathe Nolan Ryan. His “starters should finish every game” platonic ideal is hell on that club’s record (and my fantasy starters).
GWQuote Reply
Zack Greinke > Jason Marquis
http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15175519
That was a bomb.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
If one of you media-savvy folks could put the “Major League” call on this video, that’d be pretty cool.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15198011
Ball 4
Ball 8
Ball 12
Just missing the grand slam, the HBP and the ejection.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I can’t believe Scotty won.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]I can’t believe Scotty won.[/quote]
Ahh- after Durbin & haley were out, who cares?
UrkQuote Reply
So…y’all are just gonna run this thread for the rest of the games this season?
UrkQuote Reply
[quote name=Urk]So…y’all are just gonna run this thread for the rest of the games this season?[/quote]
Don’t tell us what to do.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Phillies/Reds bottom of the 18th
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Struck: 6 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 8 K, 0 BB, 6-1 GO-FO
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Urk]So…y’all are just gonna run this thread for the rest of the games this season?[/quote]
I’m pretty sure sports history will end (again) if the Heat win the championship so it really ought not matter.
MishQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
The Cubs right now are 2nd in BA, 2nd in OBP, and 4th in SLG in the NL. Never would have guessed. 6th in runs.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]GO-FO[/quote]GO-FO yourself.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Nice tag line for the comments. (dying laughing)[/quote]
I thought it was going to say
.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
False
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Tango answers more fagets: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=14037
MishQuote Reply
19 innings —> video game baseball defensive shuffle for Phillies. Wilson Valdez —> perfect inning + W
Oh wait…HBP. Not an ace.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I thought I read Valdez hit a batter.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]GO-FO yourself.[/quote]
This means WAR.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Alvin =
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I thought I read Valdez hit a batter.[/quote]
Correct.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing) Followed immediately by…
It’s a little early to talk about THIS YEAR’S trade deadline, but three-run lead in first inningis a “should win” game and innings 2-8 are “putting a team away.”
(dying laughing) Bit.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Second Baseman Wilson Valdez throws a scoreless inning.
Relief Pitcher Justin Berg throws 12 balls 0 strikes in 0+ innings.
/Cub’d
jtsunamiQuote Reply
The Cubs should have tried for a wussout last night.
WaLiQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb] Bit.[/quote]No way. Far too much work.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Cashner to bullpen if he comes back at all…
http://www.bleachernation.com/2011/05/26/andrew-cashner-in-the-bullpen-when-he-returns/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Second Baseman Wilson Valdez throws a scoreless inning.
Relief Pitcher Justin Berg throws 12 balls 0 strikes in 0+ innings.
/Cub’d[/quote]
Awesome. I tweeted this, iydm.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]The Cubs should have tried for a wussout last night.[/quote]
They could have but James Russell was their best pitcher (dying laughing)
Then Quade got pissed once the passed the wussout point.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Maybe Quade forgot to tell Russell last month that it would be raining yesterday and that he would be going for a wussout in a hope the game would get called before 5? Quade must have just been taking out his anger on the umpire for forgetting.
WaLiQuote Reply
I’ve seen managers argue rain delays, but nothing like that.
I saw Lou argue the closing of the roof at the Rogers Centre. He wasn’t happy it was happening in the middle of an inning.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Looks like Buster Posey——->broken leg or ankle
BerseliusQuote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/cashner-to-the-bullpen-when-he-returns.html
mb21Quote Reply
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Battlefield 3 mapsQuote Reply