Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Watching the Cubs game tonight was bliss. It's only one game, but for a team that just came off a cross-country trip after a 15-inning game yesterday, they looked much better than the Stros. The Cubs hitting has been so inconsistent at times this season, but it was just great seeing them get solid hits off the Rocket the second time through. And it wasn't just the usual suspects either. Walker, who had been slumping, had one of his best games of the season, Martinez was able to bring in Walker and do some solid hitting, as was Patterson. The Derrek Lee trade is finally looking like a smart move, as he's begun to just kill the ball, which most people figured would happen eventually. It was just nice to see the Cubs in the driver's seat most of the game, despite having a lot going against them. Prior was great, but give some credit to Jimmie Anderson, who came in a threw 3 2/3 of very solid ball, when the Cubs' pen desperately needed rest. Just a great game overall. Couldn't think of any better way to start a four game set on the road against the Astros. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Come on Astro fans jump on the fire Jimi Williams bandwagon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 It's not his fault his guys aren't producing. Berkman is starting to cool off, Bagwell has been crap lately, Hidalgo has virtually derailed, Pettitte seems like he'll spend half of 2004 on the DL and guys like Miller and Oswalt aren't having the type of season everyone expected them to have. They may have missed the boat on pulling away in the Central while the Cubs were still severely banged up. Perhaps it's the Cubs fan in me talking, but now that they're starting to get healthy, they're looking more like the team many expected them to be on the outset of the 2004 campaign. Speaking of the Astros, what's everyone think of Bagwell being moved down to the number five slot? I know someone here suggested they do that after yesterday's game, but is it a good move or not? Bagwell was upset over it, but I can't blame the move. Berkman is the hot hand and has been most of the season, so it makes perfect sense to have him in the three slot. Jeff's been a loyal guy in Houston, but he's not producing in that spot, so he's just hurting the team. When he starts producing again, he'll probably be moved back, but as tonight's game proved, he's becoming increasingly frustrated with things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 It's not his fault his guys aren't producing. Berkman is starting to cool off, Bagwell has been crap lately, Hidalgo has virtually derailed, Pettitte seems like he'll spend half of 2004 on the DL and guys like Miller and Oswalt aren't having the type of season everyone expected them to have. Speaking of the Astros, what's everyone think of Bagwell being moved down to the number five slot? From what I see of Houston. I see little passion. They look like a deflated team. While, Williams isn't too blame for Hidalgo being a dog, and Oswalt and Miller underachieving. He can be blamed for poor bullpen managment, and not getting his team ready to play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 So with Bagwell's shoulder apparently still in bad condition, is it a matter of time before his arm sputters into the infield much like a broken bat? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 From what I see of Houston. I see little passion. They look like a deflated team. While, Williams isn't too blame for Hidalgo being a dog, and Oswalt and Miller underachieving. He can be blamed for poor bullpen managment, and not getting his team ready to play. In his defense, Jimy's kind of been caught in a catch-22 in regards to his pitchers with the fans. They whine and wail whenever Jimy yanks a starter at the first sign of trouble, yet complain just as loudly when he leaves Oswalt in to pitch to Bonds in the 8th inning of a game they lead 4-1, with two Giants on base. Jimy can't win in that regard, because either way he plays it, it's viewed as wrong. His handling of the bullpen is a little screwy, but if you check out the Astros' relievers number of appearances, it's all pretty evenly spread around. The concern, obviously, is the ridiculous number of appearances for Miceli and Lidge, and Dotel to some extent. One reason the Astros collapsed last year was that Lidge and Dotel were worn out by year's end. They're headed down the same road again. As far as his not getting the team ready to play, I think that's a reach. Maybe the bigger picture of reality is that the Astros are simply a flawed team. Houston Chronicle writer Richard Justice rips into the Astros pretty good today, but makes sure to include plenty of the Bagwell fellating typical of the media here. Article here. Anyway, a great, great win for the Cubs last night, though it was a bit anticlimatic because all the drama was sucked out of it by the time Prior left the game. Minute Maid was eerily quiet too, despite the SRO crowd. Certainly the quietest I've ever heard it for a Cubs/Astros game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 I would've actually moved Bagwell up in the order, perhaps to the two slot. His .390 OBP is quite useful, even with his slugging percentage down. From Justice's article..... Who gave Jeff Kent the no-trade clause that's now blocking Chris Burke's path to the big leagues? Come on, fess up. If he thinks Burke is going to match Kent's production, he's nuts. And don't forget the genius who ordered the trade of Billy Wagner. That deal helped the franchise, didn't it? Dotel's pitched outstanding this year, striking out 46 in just 31 innings. Billy Wagner spent a month on the DL. I'm not saying Dotel is better than Wagner, but its silly to suggest that trade screwed the Astros. Who constructed a bullpen without quality middle relief? Post that name, too. Brad Lidge and Dan Miceli don't count? Lidge is the best middle reliever in the National League right now. Has the manager done a good job handling the pitching staff? Has he made a mistake in not playing Jason Lane earlier or not giving more at-bats to Mike Lamb? Let's have some explanations. He wants to give more at bats to Mike Lamb? He's hitting way over his head. Talk about a useless bitch-fest. The Astros currently have the second-best run differential in the National League. There's nothing wrong with them, beyond the usual mid-season issues that every club encounters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 I thought Lidge was their set-up, or are you counting that as middle relief. In general I have always heard: Closer, Set-Up guy, Left specialist, Middle guys and a long guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 I see pitchers as starters, closers, and everything else is middle relief. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Kamala 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Come on Astro fans jump on the fire Jimi Williams bandwagon. You something weird? My dad says that the Red Sox would have won the World Series last year if Jimy Williams was managing. My dad's an incredibly weird Red Sox fan- I mean he hates Nomar. NOMAH! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Is it just me or is Nomar almost always hurt? He is like the Austin Kearns of the AL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted June 15, 2004 I'm back with my new computer. You were all spared my reaction after Friday's game, but I'm sure you can fill in the blanks. Saturday and (most of) Sunday were not very happy either. On an unrelated note, I no longer hate Roger Clemens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 My biggest pet peeve against Williams(esp. when he was the Red Sox manager) was his constant shuffling of the lineup in terms of who plays every day. To me, it seems like there's always somebody new entering the lineup everyday, aside from the usual suspects of Biggio, Bagwell, Berkman and Hidalgo. You notice it a lot at 3B with Vizcaino, Ensberg and Lamb getting into the lineup on a rotation like basis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Yanks in Bank One tonight. I really, really hate that ballpark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Has the manager done a good job handling the pitching staff? Has he made a mistake in not playing Jason Lane earlier or not giving more at-bats to Mike Lamb? Let's have some explanations. He wants to give more at bats to Mike Lamb? He's hitting way over his head. I'm not going to disagree with you on the absurdity of Justice wondering why Kent isn't benched for Chris Burke or his assertion that Wagner's trade is killing the Astros because they both are stupid. The Astros are missing Wagner to be sure, but they're not dying because of it. I think Justice is correct on the Ensberg/Lamb thing, though. Ensberg has had 160 AB's this year and has been pretty underwhelming. Compare the two in four basic categories. It's really not even close. AB OBP SLG AVG Ensberg 159 0.333 0.346 0.277 Lamb 84 0.378 0.607 0.345 Wouldn't you agree though that, while he might be playing way over his head, Mike Lamb is playing really well right now? And, particularly at a time when the team is struggling to score each game, wouldn't you agree that it makes sense to ride that horse until he drops dead? Bench Lamb when he comes back down to Earth, but until he does, I think you need to run him out there a little more often. Certainly couldn't hurt anything. Oh, and welcome back AS. EDIT: my damn table is all screwed up. My apologies. Hope it's legible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzy Dunlop 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 AS, can I ask what made you give up on all your Clemens hate? And do you still hate Pettite? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted June 15, 2004 AS, can I ask what made you give up on all your Clemens hate? And do you still hate Pettite? I watched his 300th win on YES last night, and I just decided that while he may be a lying SOB, it's stupid to hate him forever. Besides, Pettitte was more at fault for the whole thing anyway. And his elbow this year has left me feeling vindicated, so I'm all over it. Good luck to the both of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Man, to give me ANOTHER reason to hate off-days, all the talk on the radio yesterday was about Curt Schilling revealing that he's getting work on his ankle in a private chat and the news getting out despite Curt telling everyone in the chat to keep it to themselves. I mean, trusting people on the internet to keep a secret? How naive can you get? Besides, Sons of Sam Horn are a bunch of elitist pricks. I mean, you have to get a WRITTEN reference from a current member to post at an INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD? That's insane. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzy Dunlop 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Honestly I just love that not only were the Cubs able to delay his 300th win, we also prevented from going 10-0. He probably really hates us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted June 15, 2004 . He probably really hates us. I do as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Some good games today! ** = My personal GOTD Chicago White Sox vs Florida Marlins -Jon Garland vs A.J. Burnett Texas vs Cincinnati -Kenny Rogers vs Jung Bong Cubs vs Astros -Carlos Zambrano vs Wade Miller **Oakland vs St. Louis** -Barry Zito vs Matt Morris Should be interesting to see how Boston's hitting plays at Coors Field. Likewise for the Rangers hitting in Cincinnati. Brian Powell will make his official debut as a starter for the Phillies when he takes on Detroit at Philly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Jeff Bagwell got a cortisone shot in his shoulder today and is out of the lineup for the Astros tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Maybe attacking that water cooler was the straw that broke the camel's back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Man, to give me ANOTHER reason to hate off-days, all the talk on the radio yesterday was about Curt Schilling revealing that he's getting work on his ankle in a private chat and the news getting out despite Curt telling everyone in the chat to keep it to themselves. I mean, trusting people on the internet to keep a secret? How naive can you get? Besides, Sons of Sam Horn are a bunch of elitist pricks. I mean, you have to get a WRITTEN reference from a current member to post at an INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD? That's insane. Well it looks like after this start Schilling will be shut down for 2-4 weeks from everything I've read. Which means its even that more important that Theo go out and grab a Freddy Garcia or Russ Ortiz right now. Especially before the Yankees do since their starters are facing injuries now too. Should be interesting to see how Boston's hitting plays at Coors Field. I can't wait to see Manny slug one, and Ortiz could send one to the upper decks. Likewise for the Rangers hitting in Cincinnati I expect an extreme slugfest and if Griffey doesn't hit #500 tonight I'd be shocked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzy Dunlop 0 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 Yeah, I missed the watercooler thing during the game but I saw it later during Sportscenter and I couldn't stop laughing. Tonight there will be massive channel surfing between Cubs/Stros and Pistons/Lakers. If the Cubs and Pistons both win, it could be the best sports night since............................................. well honestly I don't even know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2004 Wow...only 10 teams in MLB history have posted a 300+ run differential between runs scored/runs allowed. 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates(335) 1906 Chicago Cubs(324) 1927 New York Yankees(376) 1931 New York Yankees(301) 1936 New York Yankees(334) 1937 New York Yankees(308) 1939 New York Yankees(411), 967 RS vs 556 RA 1998 New York Yankees(309) 2001 Seattle Mariners(300) Guess that sort of proves that the 1939 Yankees are the best MLB team ever huh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted June 16, 2004 It appears as though Dotel has fucked the Astros and my fantasy team out of a win tonight. The man can't close, let Lidge do it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted June 16, 2004 Wow...only 10 teams in MLB history have posted a 300+ run differential between runs scored/runs allowed. 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates(335) 1906 Chicago Cubs(324) 1927 New York Yankees(376) 1931 New York Yankees(301) 1936 New York Yankees(334) 1937 New York Yankees(308) 1939 New York Yankees(411), 967 RS vs 556 RA 1998 New York Yankees(309) 2001 Seattle Mariners(300) Guess that sort of proves that the 1939 Yankees are the best MLB team ever huh? Sort of proves that the Yankees are the best franchise ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted June 16, 2004 Contreras makes my head hurt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted June 16, 2004 Trot Nixon is suppose to be activated tommorow. Hopefully that means the end of Caesar Crespo or however you spell the no good scrubs name Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
