Motor City Misery

11 Hits, 7 BB's for the Cubs offense....just 3 runs. One of those 11 hits was a solo home run by the somewhat rejuvenated Geovany Soto, meaning the Cubs needed 10 hits and 7 bb's to score the other 2 runs. The Yahoo box score says the Cubs left 13 on base as a team (seemed like 130), with Jake Fox and Micah Hoffpauir leading the way with 8 and 7 left on base each (some of those the same baserunners).  The offensive ineptitude and Rich Harden's gopher ball won't keep me from making fun of the bullpen though, who managed to walk in the two deciding runs.

 

 

Lilly tries to stave off the sweep tonight today.

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Game Recap
Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:07am
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Comments

Submitted by H_Vaughn
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 5:14am

Actually, the staving will take place this afternoon, weather gods permitting. And I'll be there! Actually, that was a decent lineup Lou put out there last night. I'd like to see more of the Micah and Fox show over this coming weekend.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 7:29am

My pullitiks are better than ur pullitiks!

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 7:37am

This person just registered like an hour ago just to post this, and part of it is copied verbatim from a comment on another blog. Maybe Rob will delete this bit of retardation for us...

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 9:29am

OOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKK, and now back to baseball...

1 for 29 with RISP in 3 games on the current road trip. How is it even possible to be that inept? I am more amazed at our suckiness with each passing day!!

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 10:12am

CadeA, Go fuck yourself......That is all

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 9:20am

I didn't see the entire game, but what I did see was an atrocious strike zone late. One strike call on Fox was terrible, and the last pitch of the game sure looked high.

Submitted by MikeVail
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 9:58am

I agree. Harden's strike zone was smaller than his counterpart's, as well. I was surprised that Lou didn't come out and argue a little at the end. I don't think they would have won, but Fukudome walked - no way that pitch was a strike.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 10:33am

Yeah, that was a horseshit call. Bradley got the benefit of the doubt on a pitch or two earlier.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 9:21am

I know this will probably do nothing but when a team underperforms this much I believe the Cubs should fire Lou.

Make Trammell or Brenly the manager what's the worse that could happen?

Submitted by granolaCUB
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 10:08am

I don't agree that it's time for Lou to go. You can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 10:34am

What can you make out of the highest paid team in the NL who lead the league in runs scored last year?

Submitted by Newport
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 12:01pm

The Mets?

Submitted by Chad
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 12:45pm

Ned Yost anyone?

Yes firing Lou can help.

Submitted by rokfish
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 9:27am

I think zambrano should teach bradley the proper way to break a bat over your leg milton probally has a nice bruise,
not to mention his sore wrist i thought he did some serious
damage the way he was holding it after his failed dive for ball.
My guess is if he plays he will dh.

So who is the backup centerfielder? freel, miles

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 10:23am

I hope some of you find this consoling,

On this date two years ago the Cubs were 36-39 and still won the division.

Submitted by OakLawnGuy
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:05am

It's some consolation, but as I recall the Brewers were just starting their free fall, and the Astros were revving up. Not sure we will see a free fall from either of the two teams in front this season.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 12:01pm

That IS very consoling, thank you.

I don't want to say I've written off this team and I know it's not even July yet, but this isn't a new season anymore and I don't believe good teams and division winners play like the Cub's played the past two months. It's not just the losses, it's the lack of energy.

Of course there are the teams like the '04 Astros who had a massive second-half after only being mediocre in the first half. If I remember correctly that happened after they fired their manager. (Not suggesting the Cub's should fire Lou or that was the reason for the Astro's success, I'm just pointing it out.)

Submitted by Q-Ball
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:06am

Reason for Statistical Hope:

Current League BABip: .296
2008 NL BABip: .298

Cubs BABip, with RISP: .259

That's not just bad hitting, that's bad luck. If we were at just league average in this category, that would equal an additional 45 hits this year WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION (171 instead of 126). That right there is probably the margin between first and where we are now.

PS: We are over the league average in BABip in only one situation: Runner on First. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, our BABip is .172. That is almost impossible over a full season.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 12:17pm

BABIP isn't just a measure of luck, it's also a measure of how well-hit the balls in play are hit.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:08am

Apparently Lou to bench Bradley until Saturday. Lou also was not happy with Gregg the other night and was complaining about this proclivity to give up home runs to the media:

https://twitter.com/ChrisDeLuca

In ex-Cub news, Marquis had a very Jason Marquis-esque game last night - 7 ER in 3.1 IP, ERA for the season now at 4.22. As expected.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:15am

I don't mind Lou or Gregg giving up HR's to the media.

We're benching Bradley in favor of Ryan Freel, or will it be Blanco or Miles? Yet another good idea from the think tank known as Lou Piniella.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 1:22pm

Grammar police got me, damn. I should copy-edit my comments from now on.

Blanco has been one of the few guys producing, he's 7 for his last 21. Him being in the lineup doesn't bother me. Fontenot has been doing far worse.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 1:35pm

Do you really think that Blanco is likely to outproduce Bradley in any given game?

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 1:58pm

Depends, you talking fantasy where only offensive numbers count or are you talking about real life where defense matters, too?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:07pm

Either one. It doesn't really matter. Bradley is still much more likely to be productive.

Especially when you consider that Bradley's defensive replacement is Hoffpauir.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:54pm

"In any given game?" What does that even mean? Do you think that Bradley has out-produced Blanco in every game they have played in during their careers? Bradley is more likely to outproduce Blanco over the long haul, yes. I never said anything to the contrary. But when Bradley is having a terrible year, is hitless in his last few games, has a sore wrist from a dive, likely a sore knee from smashing a bat on it, all while Blanco has been hot and coming up with clutch hits on a regular basis - I am ok with it for a couple of games.

Baseball isn't like blackjack where you play the percentages every time. If that were the case then the starters would play every single game because they are always more "likely" to have a good game than a bench player. But we are dealing with humans. When they are banged up, tired, sore, slumping, etc. they may actually do worse on a given day than someone with inferior ability who is well-rested and seeing the ball well.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:59pm

Do you think that Bradley has out-produced Blanco in every game they have played in during their careers?

Huh? Where did I say that? I said that it was more likely that Bradley would out-produce Blanco in any game. It is pretty self explanatory. That doesn't mean that Bradley WILL always out-produce Blanco, but it does mean that he is more likely to do so.

Baseball isn't like blackjack where you play the percentages every time.

No... but you should put your best players on the field. A few games without a hit is not at all predictive of future success, whether we are talking about today's game or the "long haul."

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 3:50pm

Again, I am not disagreeing with you that Bradley is the better player or that he is more likely to play better in any randomly selected game. But that is not what filling out a lineup is. It is trying to figure out who is going to play best in THIS GAME only - which means looking at match-ups, thinking about injuries or personal issues the players might have, going with who is hot or cold, etc. It is easy to say that you "should put your best players on the field" but then no starter would ever sit out a game in his career - and that doesn't happen. Statistics, for example, don't take into account Dempster's baby, yet that bit of information that Lou knows would be key in helping him predict future success for Dempster - maybe he is really tired one night from traveling and Lou knows that he won't go long into the game.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:20pm

But that is not what filling out a lineup is. It is trying to figure out who is going to play best in THIS GAME only - which means looking at match-ups, thinking about injuries or personal issues the players might have, going with who is hot or cold, etc.

I agree with you that you should factor some/most of those things in when filling out a lineup card.

I disagree with you that Blanco would ever be a better play than Bradley, unless Bradley needs a day off for some reason (rest, injury, etc.).

I have no problems with days off. I do have problems "benching" a player (if that is really what happened) for a lesser player, especially if it is done because of a ridiculously small sample size. BTW... even in Bradley's last three games with a hit? He still was on base five times due to walks for a .500 OBP.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:35pm

He was actually being benched in favor of Miles, who hurt himself in batting practice, according to the Tigers' broadcasters.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:43pm

Not sure if that makes it better or worse.

But again... if it is just a day off, I don't really have a problem with it. If it is a "benching," then I have some issues with it.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:49pm

Agreed, I assume the Sun Times guy was being liberal with the term. It would take a lot for the Cubs' starting, $10 million RF to get benched. Most likely, Lou said he was going to be on the bench until Saturday to rest up and clear his head and the guy just heard "bench" and ran with it.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:49am

i love how that tweet says he was talking up Marmol...

Submitted by Transmission
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:24am

Hahaha, it's funny because Marmol ought to kill himself over his bad performance.

Oh, wait, no, that's not funny in the slightest.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:43am

Should have gone with the Samurai tailor...

http://www.geocities.com/belushi_pic/snl_samurai_t...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:39am

Soriano, Theriot, Lee (1B), Hoffpauir (RF), Fox (DH), Fontenot (3B), Fukudome, Hill, Blanco

vs.

Granderson, Santiago, Cabrera, Thames, Raburn, Inge, Ordonez, Ryan, Everett

Lilly(3.04 ERA) vs. Galarraga(5.62 ERA)

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:44am

Blanco it is! That will get this offense jump started. I hope that nonsense about Bradley having the weekend off was just Lou blowing off steam or blowing smoke up the reporter's asses.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:46am

or he hurt his wrist and what's his face is stirring up controversy....

Submitted by Newport
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 11:58am

20 more games and his contract is guaranteed. Ugh.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 12:04pm

or his leg from trying to break it after a K.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 12:29pm

Oh Jake Fox... homers are for pussies.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 12:56pm

Soriano looked SLOW on DLee's double play flyball. Is he hurt again? He seriously looked like he was jogging back to first.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 1:00pm

I seriously believe at first he thought he only had to make it back to second on that play.

We need to face it. He's dumb as a stump.

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 1:07pm

That is the normal level of effort you get from Soriano, unfortunately... he would rather trot than run full speed.

Submitted by MikeVail
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 1:30pm

And the misery continues....

Submitted by MikeVail
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:10pm

What is Fontenot hitting sixth for? Every swing of his is defensive, particularly with guys on base. He's been awful.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:14pm

Fontenot is a backup at best.

Need a laugh? Check out Kevin Hart's gameday photo. It's almost as silly as Aardsma's "crazy eyes" Y! Sports photo several years ago.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:16pm

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/06/625_geo...

Cubs catcher Geovany Soto tested positive for marijuana use during the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and is ineligible to compete in international play for two years. The positive test does not affect his playing time in Major League Baseball with the Cubs.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:21pm

That's very disappointing.

and is ineligible to compete in international play for two years.

Isn't the WBC every 4 years?

The positive test does not affect his playing time in Major League Baseball with the Cubs.

That's unfortunate.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:45pm

He must have smoked a garbage bag full of weed with the weight he put on during the WBC.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:38pm

Dear world,

Curtis Granderson can not hit Sean Marshall.

In two games: 6 pitches, 2 K.

Submitted by Q-Ball
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:49pm

At least we got a hit today with runners in scoring position: Fox's homer. That's 1 for our last 34 (1 for 6 today). The Tigers today? 5 for 10 with RISP.

Bleh

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:55pm

That happened during a streak where we lost by 2,1,1 and 1, correct?

Submitted by dB
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 3:04pm

wasn't Fontenot on 2nd when Fukudome tripled? If so I believe we were 2/34 with 1 RBI with RISP in the series.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 3:08pm

He was on first following a FC.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:55pm

Misery loves company...

K-Rod walks Pujols, Ludwig before getting the third out. NYM 3, Stl 2.

that sucking sound is not just the cubs but the entire division

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 2:57pm

Lol - I love the photo of Marmol. He can't even hold the gun straight to blow his head off!!

The way we are going this year, he'd fuck that up too!

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 3:05pm

What, exactly, has Lou done to deserve being fired?

I wonder if there's ever been a manager who won two division titles and then was fired the next season because the team can't hit with RISP.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 3:10pm

He does stupid things like resolving not to use Marmol, then thinking 'Oh, I guess I will use Marmol anyway, now that we're in a situation where his control problems will be even more problematic'.

What exactly did Perry do to get fired?

At least we scored some runs in the series.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 3:18pm

Heh... someone on WGN Radio just called in and said, "[Lou] is worse than Dusty ever was!"

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 3:24pm

All managers do things that self-proclaimed experts don't think are correct.

You fire a hitting coach before you fire a manager. You think Greg Walker will outlast Ozzie Guillen?

Submitted by artskoe
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 3:42pm

On the bandwagon for firing Lou. Brenly has a hard time staying in his seat from all the puzzlement on the field:

Bradley needs a manager who will kick him in the pants and then cheer him when he hits.
Soriano needs a manager who will kick him in the pants and then cheer him on when he runs.
Micah needs a manager who will find a way for him to play to keep him sharp.
Font needs a manager who can get him to hit even out of position.
Soto needs to lay off the maryjane and bench him until he proves himself again.

And pitching...!!???!??? Lou: "CHeese, I'm in a new stadium, just like the playoffs 0-3"

Has there been 1 player who says, "Lou pulls us all together to go out there and win..." ??

Ask the Angels about their manager, the Cards about Tony (even tho I loath TLR).

Like the Blackhawks, do it now rather than later, so that when Ramirez (I know, he's not the savior), gets back somebody is making the moves to make this into 1st class team SO WE CAN CELEBRATE THE DEMISE OF THE TRIBUNE AS OWNERS. I'm mad as h_ _ _ _ and not going to take it anymore! There, I vented. I feel better already. Thanks for being there for me, TCR. Resume normal programming.

Submitted by dB
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:24pm

Soto has raised his OPS by nearly 100 points in the last 10 games and has thrown out 8 of the last 12 SB attempts. He's coming around I'm not too worried about him. No manager is going to change Soriano. Always was a diva, always will be a diva. If he's going to jake it with Frank Robinson what is Lou Piniella going to do that an old school no-nonsense guy who hit 586 HRs didn't? The only thing you can do to him is bench him and with the lack of depth in the OF that will only hurt the team, not to mention the $18m dollar factor. The Hawks didn't handle the Savard firing well either. Coach Q was already in the fold so they should have let Savey go before the season even started. That situation was a joke and not handled well at all for a guy who was a franchise player, HOFer, and total class act. McDonough was too busy lobbying EA Sports to get Kane on the cover of NHL10 among sending out a myriad of other unnecessary press releases.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 4:15pm

"Font needs a manager who can get him to hit even out of position."

How does a manager do that? Lou has stuck with Fontenot despite the fact that he apparently has lost the ability to hit.

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