sfaJack 0 Report post Posted July 11, 2004 Two months ago, on May 11, the Astros were 21-11 and looking like world beaters. They've gone 22-32 since then, a .407 winning percentage (6-10 since acquiring Beltran). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 11, 2004 Looking at those numbers, some people would be quick to think that the Beltran trade was a bad one. And I still think it was, since it's clear that Lidge can't carry the pen on his own. Despite that, Beltran has been hitting and playing a great centerfield. It's just tough to win games when only one guy is doing anything, which in this case, is Beltran. Bagwell has completely fallen from grace; Berkman, after being one of the hottest hitters in May and early June, is in a big slump; Kent is a bit injury-prone; besides them, there's not a whole lot of offensive thunder in the lineup to begin with. Add in the mediocre bullpen and Pettitte injuries, and it's not tough to see why they've been sliding so badly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 11, 2004 Looking forward to tonight's Cubs-Cardinals game. Kerry Wood makes his long-awaited return. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Maybe it's because it's the only game left to play before the All-Star break or the fact that this game may be the deciding factor as to whether the Cubs can contend in the NL Central, but I'm getting a postseason vibe from this game. The Cubs are sending their best to the mound and I wouldn't be surprised to see them pull out the stops in order to avoid back-to-back sweeps and being nine out going into the break. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 12, 2004 With Griffey headed back to the DL its looking like Chris Carpenter may win the Comeback Player of the Year award Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Once again, I wonder why Rey Ordonez and Mark Grudzielanek are in the lineup. I'd rather see the rookie in there than Ordonez. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cartman 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Well that Bone Headed move by Reese was nothing more than result of the first of two horrible umpire calls in that inning. Reese clearly had his hand on the bag and the first baseman missed the tag at first. Definitely safe. Then, Strikeout King Mark Bellhorn gets an even worse called strike three to end the game. Watch the highlights. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Aurilia on trading block The Mariners have stepped up their efforts to trade shortstop Rich Aurilia, the Seattle Times reported. If the team can't trade Aurilia, it may be prepared to release him and eat the remainder of his $3.1 million contract. The veteran could generate some interest from National League clubs after hitting .316 in interleague games at NL parks. Aurilia is batting .246 (through July 7), almost 40 points below his career average entering 2004. He has four home runs and 28 runs batted in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 12, 2004 From what I heard nobody wanted him for the salary he's making and Aurillia was already released. Carpenter is on a role. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 July 11, 2004 Designated shortstop Rich Aurilia for assignment; activated outfielder Raul Ibanez from the 15-day disabled list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Once again, I wonder why Rey Ordonez and Mark Grudzielanek are in the lineup. I'd rather see the rookie in there than Ordonez. There's no excuse for Todd Walker not playing second base. He established himself as the everyday man. End of story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 What looked like a pitchers' duel has quickly turned into a Cubs' 4-0 lead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Phew. Finally, the Cubs don't look like shit like we did against the Brewers. The BREWERS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 12, 2004 I've never seen a guy strike-out the first 5 and then get wild so fast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 More importantly, he's already up to 60 pitches. Great to see the Cubs finally break out with a semi-big inning. I won't be completely satisfied until the game's over, though. They are in St. Louis, after all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 I've never seen a guy strike-out the first 5 and then get wild so fast. Obviously you never saw Mitch Williams pitch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Well that Bone Headed move by Reese was nothing more than result of the first of two horrible umpire calls in that inning. Reese clearly had his hand on the bag and the first baseman missed the tag at first. Definitely safe. Then, Strikeout King Mark Bellhorn gets an even worse called strike three to end the game. Watch the highlights. Just saw them. Awful. Reese was clearly safe, and the called strike was low AND outside. I do think the strike call was sticking it to Francona for arguing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 The new column is up. Check it out here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Cubs and Cardinals doing their best to make this interesting. Its interesting to note that if the Cards actually tie the game, Hawkins is not charged with a blown save. God bless the save rule. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Boy, you could really tell Hawkins hadn't pitched in a week. That aside, he's not closer material and I think they should go shopping for one before the deadline, since Borowski's not due back until sometime in August. The ninth inning aside, I thought the Cubs looked much better than they have in the last week and a half, as they made things happen and took advantage of most of their scoring opportunities. I was also impressed that until the ninth, Cubs pitching had held the Cards to just one run and a handful of hits. Cubs needed this one badly, since a loss wouldn't have just meant nine games back, but it would've also meant that they'd be unable to do anything about it for almost another week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzy Dunlop 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 I called this Cubs victory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 he's not closer material and I think they should go shopping for one before the deadline, since Borowski's not due back until sometime in August. John Smoltz? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Perhaps Smoltz, but the way the Braves have turned it around and considering how weak the NL East is, I don't see the Braves being completely out of it until the deadline has passed. It's a shame the Dodgers are still in it, otherwise the Cubs could make a run at someone like Mota, who's definitely got great stuff and could be tried in the closer role. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Man in Blak 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 I'm thinking Ugueth Urbina, actually, since the Braves are still in the race (!) in the NL East. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Ugueth Urbina could work. What about Danny Graves? haha. Thanks. I never noticed how bad Eric Gagne's accent was, on the topic of closers and all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Urbina is shakey at times, but considering what we've got right now, I wouldn't mind getting him. Thing is, even the Tigers aren't completely out of the playoff race yet. One's gotta believe they'll begin to fade eventually, but with no one in that division really taking charge of things, they're hanging around. Actually, aside from the Yanks and Cards, no team has really pulled away in any of the divisions. It's making for some interesting possible playoff scenarios, but it may also mean this year's trading before the deadline could be more dull than in years past. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Just so you know, I'm going to hold off starting next week's thread until Wednesday. If someone wants to make a thread regarding the All-Star festivities, feel free. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 Word is that the Cubs may be trying to send Alex Gonzalez to Montreal for Orlando Cabrera, once Gonzo returns. I'm not crazy about Cabrera, but for the most part, he's an upgrade offensively and defensively. Best yet, if the deal were to go through, the Cubs would likely not have to give up any prospects. I'd say go for it, since Gonzalez' contract is up after this year and he's reportedly not part of the team's plans for 2005. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted July 12, 2004 The new column is up. Check it out here. Unlucky is certainly a... Well, I guess, technically, it's a way to describe Mussina this year. In the same way that Serial Killers are misunderstood. Actually, aside from the Yanks and Cards, no team has really pulled away in any of the divisions. I'm the only one on earth that doesn't enjoy pennant races. I'd much rather have eight teams that are just head and shoulders better than anyone else duke it out at the end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2004 I enjoy pennant races for divisions that aren't the NL Central. I love these close pennant races, but if I had my way, the Cubs would have the sort of lead the Cards currently hold over them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
