TCR: No Good Will Come of This

Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 5:16pm

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP Rich Harden SP Todd Wellemeyer
(NL) 4-1, 1.50, 75 K, 18 BB, 54 IP
12-6, 3.74, 116 K, 51 BB, 168.1 IP
       
LF Alfonso Soriano SS *Skip Schumaker
SS Ryan Theriot LF #Aaron Miles
1B Derrek Lee 1B Albert Pujols
3B Aramis Ramirez RF Ryan Ludwick
RF Mark DeRosa 3B #Felipe Lopez
2B *Mike Fontenot 2B *Adam Kennedy
C Geovany Soto C Jason LaRue
CF Reed Johnson P Todd Wellemeyer
P *Rich Harden SS #Cesar Izturis

 

The Cubs last game for at least two days as they'll head home after the game and wait out Hurricane Ike. Rich Harden returns after skipping a start, now ready to throw 110 mph and strike out the 27 batters on 81 pitches...anything less would be disappointing.

Brewers and Phillies start a four game set, so there's a good chance one of the Cubs magic numbers will go down today although the playoff magic number is now muddled by the Cardinals and Astros who are tied with the Phillies in the lost column. The best thing is to just win tonight - let's say 15-0 - and then let the other teams duke it out while the Cubs watch the carnage over the weekend.

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#1 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 5:29pm.

Fontenot the lone lefty in the lineup? Rich Harden does not count. Guess Hoffpauir will have to wait for Lee to hit under .270 in order to get some playing time. To be fair, the Hoff doesn't appear to be much of an outfielder.

I'm torn on Pie not getting another start tonight, but I understand why one good game doesn't buy him much playing time after an atrocious start in the majors and a fairly mediocre season in AAA.

#2 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by mannytrillo on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 5:34pm.

Lee is better than Hoffpauir, that is why Hoff is not getting playing time at 1B.

#4 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 6:08pm.

I didn't intend to say that Hoffpauir is better than Lee. I intended to note that even in a lineup that lacks lefty bats against a righty pitcher, Hoffpauir is not playing RF because he isn't an acceptable defender. Therefore I concluded that Hoffpauir is only an option to play at first and will (rightfully) have to wait until Lee becomes an absolutely terrible hitter in order to see any playing time. It is probably justified. I just thought, about a week ago when Hoff got some starts in RF, that the Hoff was quickly becoming one of Piniella's top picks. I did not intend this as a criticism of Lee, although I now see why it would be taken that way.

Damn I am a poor blogger.

#6 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by mannytrillo on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 6:23pm.

All good...

Yeah if Hoff could handle RF I think he would get more AB's.

#3 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by tbone on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 6:05pm.

Wasn't there a stat put up during last night's game saying Lee was hitting .400 during his mini hitting streak? No power, for sure. Lots of grounders too. But his average isn't in free fall.

#5 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 6:12pm.

it pays to read TCR...

http://thecubreporter.com/2008/09/10/cubs-septembe...

#32 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:52pm.

Misleading stat.

Lee is hitting .282 (11 for 39) in September.

Take away a 4 for 6 game against Cincy in which the Cubs scored 14 runs--more than they needed or should have needed--he's hitting .212 (7 for 33).

He just went 2 for 15 in St. Louis, a pretty big series.

Lee has three XBH's this month, all doubles, two of them in that 14-run game. He bats in the 3 hole, same as Pujols.

#34 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by 10man on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 10:16pm.

cherry picker!

#7 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by rokfish on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 7:09pm.

so d. ward got a few starts in right field
as did hoffpauer
so who is the better defensive rightfielder

#8 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 7:14pm.

Ward reads the routes better. Maybe. Actually, who can tell? His range is about two steps in any direction.

I don't think there is a position on the field Ward can play better than Hoff. The man does not run well.

#9 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by rokfish on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 7:26pm.

hopefully that is why hoffpauer takes
his place next year

#10 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 8:00pm.

Lidge mowing em down, one out to go

#11 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 8:01pm.

DLee keeps hitting ground balls with runners on 3rd, and Hoff will take his place.

Drive the damn ball, Derrek.

#12 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 8:02pm.

Final, Phils 6 Brewers 3

W-Moyer
L-Sheets

HR's- Ryan, Hardy, Fielder

yeeeeaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh.....

#13 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 8:26pm.

The Dismal Stats...

Here is our everyday Cubs, and their clutch stats, two out, RISP - to Date:

SORI - .193
DLEE - .222
ARAM - .278
SOTO - .140
DeRosa - .268
TheRiot - .218

The above would indicate that unless the Cubs have a sizable lead going into the later innings, OR they don't jump on pitching early in an inning, we are toast. As I have said earlier, the team will get into the playoffs, and that's it.

#14 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Jeff_Pico on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 8:41pm.

The inability to tack on runs against a bad Cardinals bullpen is very troubling. I would at least like to see this team win one playoff series...I don't think any of the other teams are that much better than them.

#15 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by big_lowitzki on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 8:41pm.

Actually the above numbers would mean little.

It has been shown over and over again that numbers in situations such as those above are largely due to luck.

#19 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by superjimmer on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:01pm.

I totally disagree. If the Cubs have a healthy Harden and Zambrano they'll do great with the sticks they have.

They still led the league in many hitting categories.

of course this is all hoping that Houston doesn't win the division with Philly as the wildcard!!

#31 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:52pm.

for the more reasonable Cubs fans...

2008 sorted by BA with at least 50 Ab's

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting?split=...

Ramirez is 22nd in BA, 30th in OPS

2007 sorted by BA with at least 50 Ab's
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting?sort=a...

your league leader? JACQUE JONES!!!

Mark DeRosa (who I'm pretty sure Eman derided for his lack of clutch ability) hit .328 wit a 918 OPS.

#42 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Chad on Fri, 09/12/2008 - 1:14am.

I don't agree with your assessment. That is just one of many clutch scenarios.

#16 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by superjimmer on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 8:41pm.

are we headed for K. Wood with a 1 run lead??

#17 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by rokfish on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 8:56pm.

i have seen this before

#18 Ringo says...

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:00pm.

after watching Marmol in the bottom of the 8th...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUbntU2N7xY

#20 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:03pm.

Does Pujols hit the ball hard every single at-bat?

Holy mackerel, what a hitter.

Nifty OF defense in the 8th!

#21 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by superjimmer on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:05pm.

here's a vote of confidence: I think Kerry does better with small leads than big ones. Go WOOD!

#22 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Pootie T on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:17pm.

Has Derrek Lee just gotten old?

#48 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Timmer on Fri, 09/12/2008 - 6:28am.

http://thecubreporter.com/2008/08/05/game-114-thre...

#23 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Hobart Mike on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:26pm.

exhale ...

#24 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by superjimmer on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:26pm.

holy Mitch Webster batman

#25 Re: Game 146 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (3 of 3)

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 9:28pm.

It don't come easy,
You know it don't come easy.
It don't come easy,
You know it don't come easy.

Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues,
And you know it don't come easy.
You don't have to shout or leap about,
You can't even play the Cardinals easy.

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