Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2005 The Cubs haven't been a patient team the last two or three seasons. Garcia had eight K's today, but he was only nearing 100 pitches after seven innings. That's bad for the Cubs. Here are the surface problems for the Cubs: - Relying on the longball. Remember Dusty said this team was going to be creating runs in other ways because Sosa and Alou are gone? Yeah, that lasted part of the first week of the season. They're right back to where they were last year. Homers and they've got a shot. No homers, forget about it. I'm not saying resort to smallball, but this team is so one-dimensional. - Corey Patterson. He's a future gold-glover out there in center, but his stubborness with his plate approach has him on thin ice. I don't expect him to live up to the expectations put before him. He's never gonna hit for a high average, draw walks, and he'll probably always be prone to the K. But he's one of the worst situational hitters the team has in the starting lineup. The homers are nice, but he's got such a nice swing when he shortens up on it. Ryne Sandberg actually called him out on that during today's broadcast. - The one and two hitters. Perez has been about everything you could ask for as a fill-in for Nomar. The Cubs haven't had to trade for a replacement and that's been an unexpected blessing. His defense at short has been great for the most part and his hitting has also been better than expected. That said, he's falling back to Earth. He's not a great hitter or even a really good hitter. He's got a low OBP. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, he and Patterson have the lowest OBP of all the regulars. Not good to have them in such key spots in the batting order. - The pitching. It hit a hot streak during that winning streak they had a couple weeks back, but this rotation and pen is being held together by threads. Mitre doesn't look like he belongs in a starting rotation, Glendon Rusch is still only adequate in that role and the pen is still a work in progress. As bad as they've been at times this season, I still like them better than ones of years pasts. It appears the closer situation is finally figured out, but the middle relief has been awful the last couple of weeks. It seems like losses for the team are now via the blowout. Borowski needs to go, Remlinger isn't all that effective and everyone else is hit or miss. - Leftfield. Okay, I know I was pushing hard for Dubois, but let's be realistic. The platoon ain't working. Holly's picked it up, but it's still an awful one for a position like leftfield. Dubois can't hit a breaking ball to save his life, and the Cubs are nuts if they invest in Hollandsworth and his unsure health. But I want to hear nothing about Alou and Sosa. They were problems that would still exist in more extreme fashion (i.e. the homers) if they were here. Burnitz has put up better numbers than Sammy this season and his defense is a big upgrade. I still think they need to make a trade for another bat and some pen help if they want a hope of contending, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2005 Yeah, it's just so frustrating to watch right now. I mean, looking around, you've got Derrek Lee having a great year, Burnitz producing more than Sosa, Michael Barrett improving behind the plate, Walker, Ramirez, Patterson, Perez...this is NOT a bad lineup at all. But the vaunted rotation is pitching like shit, and the middle relief, like you said, has been horrifying. Now I'm a Weaver/Moneyball guy, so I'd rather have them going for the longball than taking the bunt-and-steal route. "If you play for one run, that's all you'll get," so on, so forth. But the problem here is that Weaver and Moneyball advocate the three-run homer, and that means you need guys to, you know, get on base. Whether it's base hits or drawing walks, I don't care, but just DO IT. They have the first qualification down for relying on the longball, which is to be able to hit it, but they're swinging at all sorts of shit. Corey Patterson is the worst offender. He can be at Wrigley and swing at a pitch thrown at Comiskey. It's awful. It hurts to watch. So forget smallball and manufacturing runs. Just find a way to work the damn count and not humiliate yourself at the plate. It can be done. I don't think that the same pitchers who walk handfuls of batters for other teams magically find the strike zone when facing the Cubs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mosaicv2 Report post Posted June 24, 2005 Fucking Jeter! and the medicore Yankees take the lead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 24, 2005 That error on the Reyes fly ball was a funny sight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2005 So when do Met fans start to complain about Beltran? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJordan23 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2005 So when do Met fans start to complain about Beltran? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 2 weeks ago. He already gets boo'ed at Shea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2005 First place Os after 62 days..looks like for about 2 more hours or so.. 3-1 Braves / 3-0 Boston Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 Well this is just pathetic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 WHOOMP THERE IT IS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 7-5 Braves going to the bottom of the 8th. Games over cause the O's haven't had a 9th inning comeback win yet and its Fasano/Pitcher (Gibbons)/Roberts in the 9th. Os went out without even as much as a whimper.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 WHOOMP THERE IT IS! Yep, Yankees drop the first game to the Mets and lose yet ANOTHER game in the East standings. Now, off to the end of the O's game on TBS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devo 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 Mets finally put two wins together with a good game tonight. Pedro was terrific and the offense was much better than it has been recently. Wish Looper could be a little more consistent though. >_> I don't really mind Beltran's mediocre offensive numbers because A)He had been playing with an injury for a couple weeks, and B)Because he's still doing great defensively. I'm willing to bet that his numbers will pick up soon, but in the meantime, no big deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strummer 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 yeah, Beltran's slump at the plate has not affected his defense at all. The Mets have 2 potential gold glove winners in the outfield Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Fishyswa Report post Posted June 25, 2005 Ugh, I wish Womack would at least start to realize how good he is, that way he can adapt around sucking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 Can any Mets fans tell me why Beltran isn't running? I know about the hammy and all, but even before that he wasn't running AT ALL, and this is one of the best base stealers in baseball history % wise. I would think in the pursuit of him as a FA that would be one of the main reasons you'd pay him all that money. I wouldn't really care, but I did draft him in a few fantasy leagues on the basis of his near 40-40 history, and at this pace he won't even break 10 SBs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 Nice to see the Phillies tease us w/ that 12-1 homestand before falling back to the mediocre team that they are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 And the Braves bullpen does it again- good job Reitsma. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 It's not over yet! And it's not as if they gave up the lead to a team with shitty hitting, like, you know, the Braves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 Told ya so. That was pretty cool. He jumped up to rob Andruw, but didn't catch it. I thought he did, but then there was no ball in the glove. Braves win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 ANDRUW FUCKING JONES!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 So a Phillies loss, Braves win, an O's loss, and a Sox win. Hmph. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 Way to go Cubs. They get a 4-run lead to open the game and give up back to back solo jacks to Everett and Dye. They're gonna lose this game anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strummer 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 you like to have confidence in your team and then you realize Tom Fucking Glavine is pitching. UGH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2005 you like to have confidence in your team and then you realize Tom Fucking Glavine is pitching. UGH <{POST_SNAPBACK}> you like to have confidence in your team and then you realize SEAN FUCKING FUCKFACE ASSHOLE HENN IS PITCHING! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2005 you like to have confidence in your team and then you realize Tom Fucking Glavine is pitching. UGH <{POST_SNAPBACK}> you like to have confidence in your team and then you realize SEAN FUCKING FUCKFACE ASSHOLE HENN IS PITCHING! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And then you realize you have Carl Pavano, and an incredibly Average Unit. HA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vasarian_Brandy 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2005 Nice to see the Phillies tease us w/ that 12-1 homestand before falling back to the mediocre team that they are. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just like the Indians, my friend. Teased with a 9-game winning streak, then BOOM! That's the sound of the wheels falling off. Looks like Dolan / Shapiro fleeced the fans of Cleveland with his '05 prediction. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2005 I've been in Central America for the past eight days. And I missed one of the few things I've been really looking forward to, Scott Olsen's MLB debut. From the sound of things, it went rather well. Here's hoping for two things: 1) Marlins don't wuss out and send him back to AA when Beckett comes off the DL. Move Leiter to the bullpen and keep Olsen. 2) Hopefully he can make a run like Dontrelle did two years ago. He's actually considered a better prospect than Dontrelle was at the time. But man, the Marlins need to snap out of it, or they are in trouble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2005 Raffy breaks up the nohitter/perfect game/shutout with a HR..#562 3-1 Braves..ugh... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2005 Andruw Jones does it again!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2005 Damn, I guess Milwaukee was due for yet another dismal performance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
