The Cubs have gotten off to a good start on this 9-game home stand. They need to get as close to .500 as they can during this stretch because June is a very tough month for the Cubs. The Cubs have the right teams coming to town in the Pirates and Astros, but the Cubs have also had their troubles with those teams.
Team Overview
Team stats with respective league rankings
| Pirates | Cubs | |
| wRC+ | 86, 13 | 98, 4 |
| UBR | -2, 12 | -7.7, 16 |
| UZR | 3.1, 6 | -9.1, 13 |
| DRS | -4, 8 | -35, 16 |
| SP FIP | 4.19, 14 | 4.06, 10 |
| RP FIP | 3.47, 5 | 3.73, 10 |
The Pirates have gotten no production at all from Pedro Alvarez and Lyle Overbay. Alvarez is currently on the disabled list along with pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Mike Crotta.
Pirates batters
| wOBA | ZiPS wOBA | |
| Andrew McCutchen, CF | .355 | .364 |
| Jose Tabata, LF | .336 | .333 |
| Garrett Jones, RF | .355 | .335 |
| Neil Walker, 2B | .337 | .338 |
| Lyle Overbay, 1B | .295 | .324 |
| Ryan Doumit, C | .342 | .334 |
| Brandon Wood, 3B | .247 | .287 |
| Ronny Cedeno, SS | .273 | .296 |
You wouldn’t think you could get worse after Alvarez’s .271 wOBA, but the Pirates added a guy who has hit only .247 this season and is projected to hit only .287. Alvarez is much better than he’s played so far this season. The Pirates offense is a lot like the Cubs with one exception: they don’t have the holes in their lineup like the Pirates have. The best hitters in the Pirates lineup have projected wOBA’s similar to the Cubs best. When the Cubs have Koyie Hill in the linup it’s similar up and down the lineup.
Pirates pitchers
| ERA | FIP | xFIP | ZiPS FIP | |
| Kevin Correia, RHP | 3.84 | 4.09 | 4.10 | 4.21 |
| Paul Maholm, LHP | 3.65 | 3.58 | 3.72 | 3.81 |
| Jeff Karstens, RHP | 3.57 | 4.81 | 3.18 | 4.60 |
The Cubs do miss Charlie Morton this series, which is probably good considering how well he’s pitched this season.
Pitching Matchups
ERA, FIP, xFIP, and ZiPS projected FIP in parantheses for the Cubs
Friday: Kevin Correia, RHP vs Doug Davis, LHP (8.31, 2.21, 3.53, 4.25), 1:20 PM CT, WGN
Correia has struckout just under 4 batters per 9 innings this season, which is well below his career average. He’s walked under 2 so his K/BB ratio is still pretty decent. He’s allowed a .270 BABIP and stranded many more runners than you’d expect. His FIP and xFIP are about average and ZiPS considers him an average starter. After a couple rough starts vs the Dodgers and then the Brewers, Correia pitched well last time out agains the Tigers.
Davis was hit around by the Red Sox last time out, but he’s struckout a lot of batters so far this season. His peripherals are pretty good, which shows with his 2.21 FIP and 3.53 xFIP. The Pirates have hit a bit worse against lefties than righties so I think we’ll see much better results today than last time out.
Saturday: Paul Maholm, LHP vs Randy Wells, RHP (1.50, 5.07, 3.85, 3.80), 12:05 PM CT, CSN
Maholm has been pretty good this year, but he’s facing a team that has a .353 wOBA vs lefties so I’ll be surprised if he pitches well on Saturday. Maholm has allowed only a .276 BABIP this year and has been lucky with home runs as well. I look for that luck to change on Saturday.
Randy Wells returns to make only his second big league start this season. He didn’t pitch well in his final rehab assignment, or I should say the results weren’t there. Wells is a good pitcher, but I have no idea what to expect from him after missing almost two months. I believe he only threw 70 pitches for the I-Cubs so I’d expect him to be out as soon as he reaches 80 to 85 pitches.
Sunday: Jeff Karstens, RHP vs Ryan Dempster, RHP (6.29, 4.51, 3.41, 3.74), 1:20 PM CT, WGN
19.6% of the fly balls hit against Karsents have left the yard. Considering how unlucky he’s been in that regard, it’s hard to imagine he had just a 3.57 ERA. I understand why his xFIP is so low. Then you look at his LOB% and he’s actually stranded over 81% of the runners who have reached base. That will come down and so will the HR/FB rate.
Dempster’s HR/FB rate has begun to drop finally. His ERA and FIP are still ugly as a result of how many flies left the yard, but his xFIP is actually better than any other year’s he’s been a starting pitcher. Unlike Karstens who has gotten lucky in stranding runners, Dempster has also been unlucky and not stranding runners as often as you’d expect. Dempster has a 2.62 FIP in May as well as a 2.77 xFIP to go along with his much improved 3.09 ERA. He got off to a horrible start in large part due to luck and has regressed toward the mean as we expected.
Comments
[quote name=mb21]there clearly need to be a penalty here and it’s not going to bed without dinner.[/quote]
That’s just it. The penalty could range from no punishment to execution and I’d be fine with both in certain situations. Our legal system doesn’t really work that way, though.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Prediction?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]the court said the plaintiff may have been equally negligent for just not killing the boar. (dying laughing) Texas.[/quote]
I’ve grown to love Texas.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
larry suarez got assigned to peoria
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Prediction?[/quote]
Pain.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Prediction?[/quote]Cubs sweep
mb21Quote Reply
This is a very upbeat preview MB. Did you get laid last night or something?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
CarrieMuskat Carrie Muskat
#cubs zambrano says his neck is fine. He gets stiff when he falls asleep in awkward position while watching TV
Why is he watching TV instead of practicing his pitching?!?!?!!
/hobbit’d
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Before you guys go all NRA, he means radar guns.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
MishQuote Reply
Well at least you don’t have to worry about the baseball team losing in the conference finals.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]CarrieMuskat Carrie Muskat
#cubs zambrano says his neck is fine. He gets stiff when he falls asleep in awkward position while watching TV
Why is he watching TV instead of practicing his pitching?!?!?!!
/hobbit’d[/quote]
Jesus Christ…
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/27/carlos-zambrano-on-neck-injury-i-sleep-with-my-head-turned-that-way-when-im-watching-tv/
Ricestradamus.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]
[/quote]
(dying laughing)
I was just set to write three paragraphs on how pathetic I felt upon looking forward to Illinois football, but this sums it up much better.
(No, seriously, once David Stern had decided that the NBA finals would officially be a free throw shooting contest instead of a series of actual basketball games, that’s what I thought of. Perhaps his logic was that a Heat-Mavs finals would be so bad it will make fans practically beg for a lockout?)
But, hey, we’re only 6.5 out. Did the Germans give up when we bombed Pearl Harbor & etc.? Kaplan? Dead. Brenly? Dead. YELLLLLOOOONNNNNNNNN………..
uncle daveQuote Reply
[quote name=uncle dave](dying laughing)
I was just set to write three paragraphs on how pathetic I felt upon looking forward to Illinois football, but this sums it up much better.
(No, seriously, once David Stern had decided that the NBA finals would officially be a free throw shooting contest instead of a series of actual basketball games, that’s what I thought of. Perhaps his logic was that a Heat-Mavs finals would be so bad it will make fans practically beg for a lockout?)
But, hey, we’re only 6.5 out. Did the Germans give up when we bombed Pearl Harbor & etc.? Kaplan? Dead. Brenly? Dead. YELLLLLOOOONNNNNNNNN………..[/quote]
So what are you gonna do? Go out and dip your butt into a koi pond and let the fish clean it?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Shut ’em right up.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
farm news
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/5774
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Shut ’em right up.[/quote]False.
uncle daveQuote Reply
ESPN is running the following poll:
What are you rooting for in the NBA Finals?
a) Heat win the series.
b) Heat lose the series.
c) Mavs win the series.
…
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=uncle dave]False.[/quote]
So what are you gonna do? Go out and dip your butt into a koi pond and let the fish clean it?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I don’t care if Barack Obama’s challenger in 2012 wins or loses the election. I just want him reelected.
GBTSQuote Reply
When the Cubs bat today, they will either make an out, or reach base. Or the pitcher will get them out.
GBTSQuote Reply
Sickels:
(dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]So what are you gonna do? Go out and dip your butt into a koi pond and let the fish clean it?[/quote]I hear tell that folks actually do shit like that with their feet.
uncle daveQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I don’t care if Barack Obama’s challenger in 2012 wins or loses the election. I just want him reelected.[/quote]
????
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
Gotta get that Z on the triple letter score and try to stretch it to a double word score.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]????[/quote]
He’s making fun of the ESPN poll a couple posts above.
To be fair, GBTS – that poll is made with the ESPN demographic in mind.
MishQuote Reply
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/29/1654087/miami-beach-cracks-down-on-rowdy.html
http://www.sfltimes.com/index.php?Itemid=1&id=4497&option=com_content&task=view
(dying laughing) at Urban Beach Weekend.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
KG
Dae-Eun Rhee, RHP, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 K. 22-year-old Korea has looked much better in second year after Tommy John surgery; with solid fastball and plus changeup.
MishQuote Reply
I’m arguing with idiots about lazy latino Ramirez.
I should remember not to do this in the future.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]I’m arguing with idiots about lazy latino Ramirez.
I should remember not to do this in the future.[/quote]Link?
mb21Quote Reply
.
That was one of the more mind-meltingly stupid comments.
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/5/27/2192578/chicago-cubs-pittsburgh-pirates-preview-friday#comments
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
I like the “Aramis isn’t Pujols” comment as if that was what you were suggesting.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I like the “Aramis isn’t Pujols” comment as if that was what you were suggesting.[/quote]
Normally I don’t even bother arguing, but the Lazy Ramirez thread going through there has just been annoying me to no end.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
I sometimes like to push back against BCB too. I would insert myself into the fire but I don’t see anywhere to stick it in. /innuendo’d
MishQuote Reply
who the crap is Justin Bour?
8volumesthickQuote Reply
[quote name=8volumesthick]who the crap is Justin Bour?[/quote]This year’s breakout prospect who isn’t really any good, but people are going to fall in love with anyway?
mb21Quote Reply
oh, you mean 2011’s Chris Archer?
8volumesthickQuote Reply
Yeah, I’m bored.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
OVBlog members trying to discredit Tango’s blog by turning his education thread into “what place has the best weather” thread.
Great post mb. (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
Yeah, I’m bored.[/quote]
Should I be honored or insulted that I’m the one you chose for you fagif?
MishQuote Reply
And yes I know it’s a JPG but I had to make the portmanteau work.
MishQuote Reply
Did Len just quote Alvin?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
^^^ explain yourself.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=8volumesthick]oh, you mean 2011’s Chris Archer?[/quote]Him, Jason Dubois, Jay Jackson and others. It happens every year. I’m sure it happens with fans in every organization.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Should I be honored or insulted that I’m the one you chose for you fagif?[/quote]
Post No. 34 was the last in the thread when I decided to make that.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Should I be honored or insulted that I’m the one you chose for you fagif?[/quote]I’d kick his ass. Stab him in the heart. you can’t let him get away with that shit.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Post No. 34 was the last in the thread when I decided to make that.[/quote]
+1 faget point
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’d kick his ass. Stab him in the heart. you can’t let him get away with that shit.[/quote]
Knock it off.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]OVBlog members trying to discredit Tango’s blog by turning his education thread into “what place has the best weather” thread.
Great post mb. (dying laughing)[/quote]I hate best weather arguments. You can go anywhere and if you talk to people who have lived there for awhile the weather is one of the things they’re going to love. It’s just stupid. People also get used to weather rather quickly so it’s not like it’s a big deal.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Did Len just quote Alvin?[/quote]What did Len say?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’d kick his ass. Stab him in the heart. you can’t let him get away with that shit.[/quote]
I have a feeling you’ll appear in the “Which of the following is the smallest?” version.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I hate best weather arguments. You can go anywhere and if you talk to people who have lived there for awhile the weather is one of the things they’re going to love. It’s just stupid. People also get used to weather rather quickly so it’s not like it’s a big deal.[/quote]
I agreed with everything you said. Tango responded to you trying to determine the ideal conditions.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]What did Len say?[/quote]Nothing interesting, but, his cadence, was a, bit unusual so, it seemed like something that Al, would say.
uncle daveQuote Reply
If anyone cares about Clay Davenport’s thoughts on the Posey play (free):
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=14060
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I agreed with everything you said. Tango responded to you trying to determine the ideal conditions.[/quote]Which is impossible because of all the factors that need to be considered. Even if it was, I can guarantee people still complain about the weather.
mb21Quote Reply
What are Len and Bob talking about here or who is it they’re talking about?
mb21Quote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Same old Cubs
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Same old Cubs[/quote]False. This year’s team is different. Al Yellon said so.
mb21Quote Reply
At least there won’t be a no-hitter.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Same old Cubs[/quote]
Is there a specific way you get tweets and posts here to sync up, or do you copy pasta?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]False. This year’s team is different. Al Yellon said so.[/quote]
Agree to disagree, even though he has a source.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]At least there won’t be a no-hitter.[/quote]
Damn this was the only reason to watch. If I was watching. Which I’m not,
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Is there a specific way you get tweets and posts here to sync up, or do you copy pasta?[/quote]
Cloned pasta is nothing to joke about
also, no.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]False. This year’s team is different. Al Yellon said so.[/quote]
They’re going to comeback because they have to.
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
Four singles, four walks, two errors. Also, can we please beat the fucking Pirates at some point? Just once?
uncle daveQuote Reply
(dying laughing), that Pena hit sounded like a HR off the bat and went into shallow CF
BerseliusQuote Reply
Coleman warming up (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Is there a specific way you get tweets and posts here to sync up, or do you copy pasta?[/quote]I don’t understand the question. Can you say it slower?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]^^^ explain yourself.[/quote]Len quoted something that was written on mlb.sbnation.com about Tony Campana’s scrapitude.
Upon investigation, it appears that someone else said it, not the Irrational-Idiot-in-Chief.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=uncle dave]Four singles, four walks, two errors. Also, can we please beat the fucking Pirates at some point? Just once?[/quote]I was feeling good about this series, but the Cubs just suck.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Agree to disagree, even though he has a source.[/quote]You’re disagreeing with a source? That’s ballsy.
mb21Quote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Anybody know why Ryno is posting his family pictures on OV?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Anybody know why Ryno is posting his family pictures on OV?[/quote]
Maybe he’s wondering if they should get haircuts
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Maybe he’s wondering if they should get haircuts[/quote]His wife should get a haircut and he should see a dermatologist. Just my 2 cents.
mb21Quote Reply
“Productive out” from Ronny. I miss the kid…
uncle daveQuote Reply
Doug Davis sucks.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Sweet, mlb.tv is showing the Lincecum game tonight as the free game. Maybe I’ll see something resembling real baseball today.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Sweet, mlb.tv is showing the Lincecum game tonight as the free game. Maybe I’ll see something resembling real baseball today.[/quote](dying laughing) you’re not going to see it this weekend if you watch the Cubs and Pirates.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing) at this protracted rant from Brenly about the Right Way To Play The Game re no-hitters
BerseliusQuote Reply
What’s funny is that he just said there’s no right or wrong yet he was upset about it. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/diamondbacks/2001-05-27-schilling.htm
Suburban kidQuote Reply
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/5/27/2193824/the-cubs-unholy-3
BerseliusQuote Reply
Is Koyie wearing tape on his fingers to help the pitchers see signs? It ain’t helping him throw out baserunners.
uncle daveQuote Reply
I see the Cubs can’t handle the mighty Pirates again.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/5/27/2193824/the-cubs-unholy-3[/quote]Seems like Neyer gets paid to watch the Cubs and make little posts quoting Bob and Len. He has several Brenly soundbite posts as well.
Couldn’t any blog commenter do that?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/diamondbacks/2001-05-27-schilling.htm[/quote]You’re all about doing research today. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Seems like Neyer gets paid to watch the Cubs and make little posts quoting Bob and Len. He has several Brenly soundbite posts as well.
Couldn’t any blog commenter do that?[/quote]Yeah. I’m not sure what’s gone wrong with Neyer, but it’s pretty bad at this point.
mb21Quote Reply
For Cubs vs. Giants makeup game: Section 131. Free.
Al Yellon hates me now?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs suck ass.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Cubs came out sucking when they were born.
Their mom said “suck it” till the break of dawn.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Yeah. I’m not sure what’s gone wrong with Neyer, but it’s pretty bad at this point.[/quote]I couldn’t even tell what his point was with the Brenly quotes. I couldn’t be sure if he liked the quotes or was mocking them.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]I couldn’t even tell what his point was with the Brenly quotes. I couldn’t be sure if he liked the quotes or was mocking them.[/quote]
I assumed the latter.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wide receivers should be able to catch the ball.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
If this was last year’s team, there would be no base hits in the 7th inning.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]If this was last year’s team, there would be no base hits in the 7th inning.[/quote]
This year’s team grounds into double plays after base hits in the 7th inning.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I would imagine Campana is getting all kinds of shit from the teammates about his hat like Len and Bob said.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/diamondbacks/2001-05-27-schilling.htm[/quote]
(dying laughing), Ben Davis is actually related to my boss’s wife. Small world.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Do we have to remove the It’s Gonna Happen image from the sidebar if the Cubs lose?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Do we have to remove the It’s Gonna Happen image from the sidebar if the Cubs lose?[/quote]
I’d keep it for the irony.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Do we have to remove the It’s Gonna Happen image from the sidebar if the Cubs lose?[/quote]
Suburban kidQuote Reply
or what RC said
Suburban kidQuote Reply
I think I actually like SK’s picture idea better.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Len is going all Harry with this last name shit the last few days.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think I actually like SK’s picture idea better.[/quote]But people would think we’re pessimistic! We can’t have that.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]But people would think we’re pessimistic! We can’t have that.[/quote]
Oh, is THAT why today’s preview was so upbeat? (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Oh, is THAT why today’s preview was so upbeat? (dying laughing)[/quote]Actually, no. I just really thought the Cubs would dominate this series. I really did think they’d sweep.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I’d keep it for the irony.[/quote]
It was only ironic in 2008, RC
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Actually, no. I just really thought the Cubs would dominate this series. I really did think they’d sweep.[/quote]
Well, we still have six outs left.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]It was only ironic in 2008, RC[/quote]That’s too recent.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]That’s too recent.[/quote]
1998 was a recent season I enjoyed.
PerkinsQuote Reply
KOYIE!!!!!!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I think we should start a campaign to get Koyie on the NL All-Star team. Who’s with me?
mb21Quote Reply
Write him in.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Len is going all Harry with this last name shit the last few days.[/quote]What else is there to do when broadcasting non-2008 Cubs games?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
He leads the league in handling the pitching staff well.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]He leads the league in handling the pitching staff well.[/quote]
Sexy.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]He leads the league in handling the pitching staff well.[/quote]He’s also been the primary back-up catcher to a team that might be close to .500 if they didn’t have any injuries.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]He’s also been the primary back-up catcher to a team that might be close to .500 if they didn’t have any injuries.[/quote]Impressive.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Impressive.[/quote]I know. That’s why he’s an all-star and it’s our responsibility to see to it that other fans understand.
mb21Quote Reply
Am I going too far to suggest that fans start chanting M-V-P when Koyie comes to bat?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]He’s also been the primary back-up catcher to a team that might be close to .500 if they didn’t have any injuries.[/quote]
He’s marginally better at baseball than at operating a table saw!
PerkinsQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Am I going too far to suggest that fans start chanting M-V-P when Koyie comes to bat?[/quote]
I think I’ll do it if Koyie ever starts a future game I go to at Wrigley Field.
I suspect many will stare at me like I’ve lost my mind.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Castro walked!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Time for a warning track out for Rodrigo
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Time for a warning track out for Rodrigo[/quote]
If by warning track you mean Waveland, then I concur.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Did Castro walk again?
mb21Quote Reply
Fuck.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Did Castro walk again?[/quote]
Yes. Then Ramirez popped out on the infield to end the inning.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Time for a warning track out for Rodrigo[/quote]Didn’t quite have the distance.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think I’ll do it if Koyie ever starts a future game I go to at Wrigley Field.
I suspect many will stare at me like I’ve lost my mind.[/quote]Do it. Then start the wave.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Yes. Then Ramirez popped out on the infield to end the inning.[/quote]Just kill me now.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Didn’t quite have the distance.[/quote]It was a lot deeper than the flyout would have been last season.
mb21Quote Reply
If we trade Grabow back to the Pirates between innings we have a chance to win this game.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Do it. Then start the wave.[/quote]
The seat Nazis may eject me for such an offense.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So what’s the deal with PSN? My buddy’s an Indians fan so we wanna catch Rays/Indians, but I don’t want the two of us staring at my iPad all night long.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]If we trade Grabow back to the Pirates between innings we have a chance to win this game.[/quote]
Shut you right up.
Unless of course you meant to trade him straight up for McCutchen, in which case I heartily agree.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
And by iPad, I mean my large cock.
MishQuote Reply
It’s been back up for a while, Mish
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]So what’s the deal with PSN? My buddy’s an Indian
sfanso we wanna catch Rays/Indians,but I don’t want the two of us staring at my reflection all night long.[/quote]/ha
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]So what’s the deal with PSN? My buddy’s an Indians fan so we wanna catch Rays/Indians, but I don’t want the two of us staring at my iPad all night long.[/quote]It’s working fine these days.
mb21Quote Reply
Thanks. I thought I read it got hacked again after it went back up.
MishQuote Reply
Adolpho! Cubs lose by less!
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Thanks. I thought I read it got hacked again after it went back up.[/quote]It did, but it didn’t knock it offline.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Adolpho! Cubs lose by less![/quote]Last year this is a 4-0 loss. This year it’s 4-2.
mb21Quote Reply
Why did the Pirates bring in a lefty to face the Cubs? That’s about the only thing you can do wrong against this lineup.
mb21Quote Reply
111 pitches in 4 2/3 for Davis? (dying laughing) Should have left him in for the 207 pitch complete game.
MuckerQuote Reply
Headline of the year: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=15716018
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Headline of the year: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=15716018%5B/quote%5D
Wut.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Why did the Pirates bring in a lefty to face the Cubs? That’s about the only thing you can do wrong against this lineup.[/quote]
Pity.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Why did the Pirates bring in a lefty to face the Cubs? That’s about the only thing you can do wrong against this lineup.[/quote]
For Pena I’m sure, but they could have brought in Hanrahan after Beimel walked him. Not exactly sure what the thought process was there, you gave Soriano the one thing he can handle well (bad lefties).
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Headline of the year: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=15716018%5B/quote%5D(dying laughing) Who the hell wrote that headline and what were they thinking?
mb21Quote Reply
MVP MVP MVP
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]MVP MVP MVP[/quote]
L O L. L O L. L O L.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]MVP MVP MVP[/quote][quote name=mb21]MVP MVP MVP[/quote]
Suburban kidQuote Reply
BerseliusQuote Reply
Take away the injuries and losing to the Astros and Pirates and this team might be .500.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Take away the injuries and losing to the Astros and Pirates and this team might be .500.[/quote]
And if the team had a good offense, good defense and good pitching, they’d be contenders.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Take away the injuries and losing to the Astros and Pirates and this team might be .500.[/quote]Don’t forget the weather.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Yuck. I just fuckyeahnoun’d “injuries” and it was something Ryno might link to.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/27/10-years-later-bob-brenly-still-bitter-about-ben-davis-bunt/
MishQuote Reply
^^^ on Brenly
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/27/10-years-later-bob-brenly-still-bitter-about-ben-davis-bunt/[/quote]
What was the score of that game at the time, like 2-0? If it were me I wouldn’t have cared. Now if the score was 15-0, then I’d think that was a bit of a dick move.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]^^^ on Brenly[/quote]
(dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Yuck. I just fuckyeahnoun’d “injuries” and it was something Ryno might link to.[/quote]Some things you can’t unsee.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Don’t forget the weather.[/quote]Great point. You could also take away all their blow out losses, as well as any losses of 1 run or more and the team is undefeated. That’s how good this team is.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Some things you can’t unsee.[/quote]Unlike those things that you can unsee?
/dick’d
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Unlike those things that you can unsee?
/dick’d[/quote]If you’re as advanced as me, you can unsee things.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid](dying laughing)[/quote]Yes that had me chortling as well.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/27/10-years-later-bob-brenly-still-bitter-about-ben-davis-bunt/[/quote]
(dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
Bruce Miles says Rodrigo Lopez –> starting on monday
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Bruce Miles says Rodrigo Lopez –> starting on monday[/quote]If Rodrigo Lopez had started all the games that Wells and Cashner missed, the team would be close to .500.
mb21Quote Reply
Rodrigo Lopez may accomplish what few have done before, here: end a meme. Funsucker.
GWQuote Reply
Still (dying laughing) @ Stick Ponies.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Still (dying laughing) @ Stick Ponies.[/quote]
I hope your profession will survive this unfortunate turn of events.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I hope your profession will survive this unfortunate turn of events.[/quote]Fucking horses?
GBTSQuote Reply
Fuld —–> Dinger.
GBTSQuote Reply
Watching White Sox game and Beckham just had a throw bounce off the turf and hit him right below the eye. He has a huge goose egg, hope his face isn’t broken like Byrd’s. It looked nasty.
melissaQuote Reply
Cubs lose.
Though it will be good to see Randy Wells back
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Cubs lose.
Though it will be good to see Randy Wells back[/quote]It would be nicer if we saw the Cubs offense show some kind of consistency.
mb21Quote Reply
Robert Whitenack went a whopping 2.2 innings last night before Gameday flashed the “Injury Delay” and then he was replaced.
Good times!
Chris DickersonQuote Reply
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]Robert Whitenack went a whopping 2.2 innings last night before Gameday flashed the “Injury Delay” and then he was replaced.
Good times![/quote]Can’t find any word on the injury, but apparently he delivered a pitch and then bent over in pain. That’s usually not a good sign.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It would be nicer if we saw the Cubs offense show some kind of consistency.[/quote]
The Cubs offense has the consistency and odor of baby shit.
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/5/28/2193793/buster-posey-home-plate-collisions-rule-change
(dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Can’t find any word on the injury, but apparently he delivered a pitch and then bent over in pain. That’s usually not a good sign.[/quote]
At least the pitch didn’t fly into the dugout, bouncing off of Brett Jackson’s and Trey McNutt’s skulls before crushing a puppy.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]At least the pitch didn’t fly into the dugout, bouncing off of Brett Jackson’s and Trey McNutt’s skulls before crushing a puppy.[/quote]
Now that’s just ridiculous. Why would there be a puppy in the dugout?
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]At least the pitch didn’t fly into the dugout, bouncing off of Brett Jackson’s and Trey McNutt’s skulls before crushing a puppy.[/quote]It may have and they just didn’t tell us. I’m not sure I believe the ball can bounce all the way to Arizona and hit Jackson, but I could be convinced.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It may have and they just didn’t tell us. I’m not sure I believe the ball can bounce all the way to Arizona and hit Jackson, but I could be convinced.[/quote]
(dying laughing), I forgot he wasn’t with the team. No wonder all the other blogs continuously blast this one for being complete shit.
BerseliusQuote Reply
lineup
CF Campana
2B Barney
SS Castro
3B Rodrigo
LF Adolfo
RF Montanez
1B Peenya
C Koyie
P Wells
Too lazy to scroll up, but I’m guessing the Pirates are starting a lefty
BerseliusQuote Reply
Lopez is playing 3B?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
FOX Saturday bullshit today
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]lineup
CF Campana
2B Barney
SS Castro
3B Rodrigo
LF Adolfo
RF Montanez
1B Peenya
C Koyie
P Wells
Too lazy to scroll up, but I’m guessing the Pirates are starting a lefty[/quote]Maholm
This lineup is hilarious. Tony Campana, Koyie Hill, and Luis Montanez along with a pitcher. Welcome to Des Moines.
mb21Quote Reply
Coleman——–>Iowa
Wells ——–> not DL
BerseliusQuote Reply
Bruce Miles has a Whitenack update
(sigh)
Chris DickersonQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Maholm
This lineup is hilarious. Tony Campana, Koyie Hill, and Luis Montanez along with a pitcher. Welcome to Des Moines.[/quote]Let the kids play.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]Bruce Miles has a Whitenack update
(sigh)[/quote]
*sad face*
Byrd was at Wrigley today.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
HUG!!!!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
What happens if you have an entire team of Ryan Theriots?
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Video-Crazy-double-play-makes-mess-of-minor-lea?urn=mlb-wp7908
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It would be nicer if we saw the Cubs offense show some kind of consistency.[/quote]The Cubs’ offense has been the least of their problems this year.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]The Cubs’ offense has been the least of their problems this year.[/quote]It may be the least of their problems, but 29 times they’ve scored fewer runs than average and they’ve done so in a hitter’s park. When you suck on defense, running the bases and your pitching staff has gotten lit up, the offense is obviously going to be the least of their problems. It would still make things a lot easier if they could consistently score runs, which they haven’t done so far.
mb21Quote Reply
what the fuck is wrong with clint hurdle’s face!?!?
dylanjQuote Reply
randy wells just threw 99 offspeed pitches in a row
dylanjQuote Reply
I see the strategy of making the opposing pitcher throw as few pitches as possible is working wonderfully again.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]I see the strategy of making the opposing pitcher throw as few pitches as possible is working wonderfully again.[/quote]The strategy also includes, when playing the Pirates, that no one gets a base hit for at least three innings.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
What a terrible team.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Oh sweet fucking jesus
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
The Pirates own the Cubs.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
(dying laughing) @ Quade’s “I’m so fired” look
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid](dying laughing) @ Quade’s “I’m so fired” look[/quote]
I can’t watch today but I thought he always had that look (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I can’t watch today [/quote]
You don’t want to, either.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
I really want to see if Maholm can throw a “gem”…
/no jinx
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I really want to see if Maholm can throw a “gem”…
/no jinx[/quote]
False.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Keith was saying that Russell was on deck and nobody was up in the pen. It’s wonderful to know that Quade is so sure his 7 and 8 spot guys are such automatic outs.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Pirates have a touchdown! Can they hit the extra point?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Pirates have a touchdown! Can they hit the extra point?[/quote]
Ricestradamus.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Hmmm…MB did predict a sweep.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Have they tacked on a field goal yet?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Maholom
72 pitches through 7….
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Have they tacked on a field goal yet?[/quote]
Oh yeah. Pirates kneeled to end the game.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Juan Bautista likes hitting home runs.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That was not one of the more exciting games I’ve ever seen.
ACTQuote Reply
Glad to see the Cubs are already on the page of trying for a high draft pick.
PerkinsQuote Reply
What’s the point? They’ll just waste it on a fourth-rounder.
ACTQuote Reply
So, they just got three-hit by a left-hander, right?
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]So, they just got three-hit by a left-hander, right?[/quote]
Pat said two of the hits were complete shit and the double by Soriano hung for a very long time and McCutchen just mistimed it, so the Cubs could very well have been no-hit (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing). At least there were no fielding errors by the Cubs today. I laughed when I turned on my phone and saw the score.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I turned it on in the 8th inning and the Cubs were down 9-0. I was really upset, mostly because there was (and still is) nothing else on TV to watch.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing). At least there were no fielding errors by the Cubs today. I laughed when I turned on my phone and saw the score.[/quote]No errors, but Campana made a dumbass throw that allowed a runner to advance.
ACTQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/28/paul-maholm-pitches-third-career-shutout-to-beat-cubs/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
A lot of it is that Maholm was pounding the zone today.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I actually like their chances tomorrow, assuming Soto is 100% (or thereabouts) and Demp isn’t all homer-happy.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I actually like their chances tomorrow, assuming Soto is 100% (or thereabouts) and Demp isn’t all homer-happy.[/quote]
Based on B-Ref’s WAR tables, Soto at 0% > Koyie at 100% (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Corey Patterson hit a walkoff homerun.
ACTQuote Reply
Can it be 2008 again?
PerkinsQuote Reply
[quote name=Perkins]Can it be 1908 again?[/quote]
.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
1908 was a recent season I enjoyed.
PerkinsQuote Reply
[quote name=Perkins]1908 was a recent season I enjoyed.[/quote]False
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Perkins]1908 was a recent season I enjoyed.[/quote]Get it right:
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Get it right:
PerkinsQuote Reply
MishQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
If you intentionally walk Yuniesky Betancourt, is that like dividing by zero?
It is the bottom of the ninth with only one out and runners on 2B and 3B though, so I can understand it.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bah! Giants lose. Yuni probably flies into a double play (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15278691
Somewhere, MO lurks…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing). At least there were no fielding errors by the Cubs today. I laughed when I turned on my phone and saw the score.[/quote]I just checked the score a couple minutes ago and wasn’t even that surprised. This team is a joke.
mb21Quote Reply
Just ate at TGIF. Suck it, MB (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
Peasants! Arst thou conversing?
AndCountingQuote Reply
No, then? Alright. As thou werst.
AndCountingQuote Reply
FYI:
http://www.thecubreporter.com/2011/05/28/angels-pummel-cubs-brett-jackson-completes-rehab
Brett Jackson back with Smokies on Monday.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
New rant: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/cubs-lose-game-and-any-semblance-of-being-a-decent-team-to-the-pirates.html
Aisle424Quote Reply