Cubs '09 Season Preview
by chuckb on Mar 26, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in St. Louis Cardinals News
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- '08 record -- 97-64
- '08 Pythagorean record – 97-64
- Scored most runs in the league – 5.31/game
- Gave up 2nd fewest runs in the league – 4.17/game
- DER -- .706 – highest in the NL (Defense Efficiency Ratio)
- BP projected record -- 93-69
- Chone projected record – 88-74
- Welcome!: Aaron Miles, Kevin Gregg, Milton Bradley, Aaron Heilman, Luis Vizcaino
- Don't let the door hit you...: Mark DeRosa, Jason Marquis, Kerry Wood, Rich Hill, Jim Edmonds
The Cubs finished last season w/ the NL’s best record and home field advantage as long as they lasted in the NL playoffs. Unfortunately for the boys from the Windy City, that lasted all of 3 games as the 84-78 Dodgers finished them off before many of their faithful fans recovered from their Wrigley Field hangovers.
The ’09 iteration of the small bears figures to be about as strong as the ’08 version, however. Their ’08 lineup featured 7 players who produced at least 3 wins and this year’s lineup replaces Mark DeRosa w/ Milton Bradley (4.5 wins in ’08). Bradley also helps to solve the team’s biggest offensive problem – the lack of a solid left-handed hitter. Of course, in ’09 the Cubs will require Bradley to play much more defense than the Rangers required of him in ’08 but, according to UZR, Bradley’s always been a plus defender in RF. Though the Cubs take a step backwards by the loss of DeRosa, they should take a big step forward w/ the addition of Bradley (assuming he stays healthy and relatively sane!).
Rotation – one of the strengths of the Cubs’ team. They, inarguably, have the best rotation in the division. Though Zambrano’s not quite the pitcher he was from 2003-06, he’s still a 3 or so win pitcher and, despite the fact that many people have been waiting for his arm to explode for about 5 years, he’s thrown 188+ innings 6 years running. Ryan Dempster was terrific last year (a contract year) and should be at least a solid contributor this year as well. Ted Lilly is an underrated lefty who’s been an above-average starter for 5 of the last 6 years. Either of them would be, at worst, the 3rd best starter on our staff. The Cubs’ best starter is also their biggest question mark – Rich Harden. When he pitches, he’s fantastic. He threw only 71 NL innings last year and was worth 2 wins – as much as John Lackey was worth in 163, and more than Jon Garland, Braden Looper, Aaron Harang, and Todd Wellemeyer were worth in a full season. That fact is also Harden’s biggest problem – he only threw 71 NL innings and 148 overall. The worst part is that Harden’s only thrown more than the 148 innings he threw last season once in his career – way back in 2004. Expect to see ?????? (Chad Gaudin? Angel Guzman?) get a lot of starts in Wrigley this year. Sean Marshall’s the 5th starter and will probably fill that role adequately. He’ll do as well as Jason Marquis would have anyway.
Bullpen – The Cubs allowed Kerry Wood to get away this offseason and, instead, traded for ’08 Marlins closer Kevin Gregg. There’s little question that this is a big step backward (provided Wood stays healthy) as Gregg is nowhere near the pitcher Wood is. Wood was 1.6 wins better than Gregg last season. Whether Gregg or young fireballer Carlos Marmol is the closer has yet to be determined (though Piniella may be leaning toward Marmol) but Marmol is clearly the better pitcher. Though wild, the 26 year old Marmol struck out 114 batters in 87 innings last season. They also added solid righty (and Yadi victim) Aaron Heilman and still have young Jeff Samardzija. Despite the loss of Wood, the Cubs’ pen figures to be solid.
Catcher – Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto was terrific last year. Worth 4.6 wins last season, the only thing he didn’t really do was throw out runners – 20.7 CS%. Chone has him projected to be just about as good next year. His backup is lefty Paul Bako.
Infield – While Derrek Lee isn’t quite the player he was a few years ago, he’s still an above average performer. Aramis Ramirez is the Cubs’ infield star now (4.7 WAR in ’08). Middle infielders Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot were worth 6.3 WAR in ’08, giving GM Jim Hendry the freedom to trade Mark DeRosa. Neither projects to be quite as good in ’09 as they were in ’08 (particularly Fontenot) but if they can be league average again, they’ll help the team quite a bit. The Cubs also have former Card Aaron Miles and Ronny Cedeno waiting in the wings should either falter or spend time on the DL.
Outfield – Alfonso Soriano mans LF and, while he’s not worth his outrageous contract, he’s still a solid 3+ win contributor. The centerfielder figures to be the much-maligned Kosuke Fukudome. Much was made of Fukudome’s 2nd half collapse in ’08 (.639 OPS vs. .791 in the first half) and, while I’m not sure he’ll rebound offensively in ’09, too little has been made of what a fine defensive player he is. He was worth almost a win in RF in ’08 and should be an improvement over Jim Edmonds in CF as long as he’s no worse offensively than he was last year. RF, as stated earlier, will be occupied by the always combustible Milton Bradley – a switch hitter who was fantastic last year. Will he be as good in ’09 as he was in ’08? I doubt it but he’s been worth at least 2.3 wins each year since 2003. He’s, w/o a doubt, one of the most underrated players in baseball. The Cubs will use Micah Hoffpauir, Reed Johnson, and Joey Gathright for the 40-50 games that Bradley doesn’t play.
The only thing really the Cubs lack is depth should they lose a starting pitcher or major position player for an extended period of time. If someone like Ramirez were to go down for 40-50 games, the Cubs’ lineup would suffer somewhat as there’s no obvious replacement on the roster or at the upper levels of the minors. Still, few teams could withstand losing a 4.5 win player w/o losing something offensively. If this is the year that Zambrano finally breaks down, or Dempster does again, the Cubs could be challenged in the division. Short of that, however, I see no reason why the Cubs won’t repeat as division champs in ’09. And with that rotation – assuming Harden’s healthy – they should be major factors in the postseason as well.
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Kosuke
Anyone know what Fukudome’s numbers were like in Japan? Was last year a huge drop for him? I just wonder if that is the case, how much of it was adjusting to living and playing over here. It’s probably not as easy as Ichiro has made it seem.
which
was only in 269 ABs in 07 (i’m sure he was injured) but still hit 13 HRs
but he was a 28-34 HR hitter in Japan from 03-06 (average around 513 AB) barring injury.
http://www.japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=kfukudome
so his power just left him when he came to the states
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
He wasn't hitting well in the WBC either
He’s going to be VERY interesting to watch.
The Baseball Cube
While BRef does a better job for MiLB and MLB stats, if you want to see International or NCAA (D1) stats, The Cube is where it’s at. Check it out-
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/F/Kosuke-Fukudome.shtml
by southsidepat on Mar 26, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
"be an improvement over Jim Edmonds in CF"
That hurts to read. I know it is true that Edmonds has lost some steps but man I still picture him in 04-05 form.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
until
he bashed the back his head into the warning track, that hurt him for a long time.
it’s a shame that no one signed him to at least a minor league deal over the offseason.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
I could see him signing mid season
Akin to Clemens I could see Edmonds being signed mid season by a club that thought they had a good CF or thought they wouldn’t be in contention yet need the him now. The Cubs actually come to mind, if Fukudome doesn’t produce and can’t handle CF (not sure where he played in Japan) I could see them needing him mid season.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
Hollywood said on the radio the other week
he wasn’t coming back for peanuts. he’s having too much fun hanging out with the family, playing golf with Big Mac & buying farms to take a big pay cut. he also said if he didn’t sign before the spring was over he was done.
i know athletes change their minds, so take it for what it’s worth. but that is what he said.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
Will he really be an improvement?
Defensively he certainly will be but offensively?
Edmonds had a batting value of 14.9 last year (defensively -7.7) with the Cubs.
Fukudome had a batting value of -2.8 last year (defensively 7.4) with the Cubs.
If he repeats last season, he’s going to be a offensive downgrade in value by 17.7 and a defensive upgrade of only 15.1. Overall, he’s a downgrade.
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 26, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Frankly, I suspect it is sentimentality
Granted, this disregards the Braves’ interest, but I suspect that the primary motivation for Seattle was to bring Junior “home” after Junior left for “home.” I don’t understand why the Braves would be in on Junior and not switch their focus to Edmonds immediately after Junior choses elsewhere. It is nonsensical.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Bradley and Harden
The health of those two players is critical to the Cubs. Most Cubs fans would be happy to get 150 IP out of Harden. Let’s see if Bradley can play 130+ games in the outfield. Harden needs to be good because I expect Dempster to fall off this season. This should be Sean Marshall’s first full season as a starting pitcher in the big leagues. We’ll see if he responds. If Bradley falters, I don’t know if the Cubs can count on Mike Fontenot or Kosuke Fukudome for left-handed power.
I pick the Cubs to win 92 games and take the NL Central this season. I don’t know how the Cubs will do in the playoffs. 97 regular season wins is too much to ask from this team. I see a slight fall off with the Cubs pitching from last season, and I see the Cubs staying about the same with their offensive production. Harden and Bradley need to be healthy. I’m not sold on Harden’s shoulder being right yet.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Hey...
who invited this guy?
Unfortunately the Cubs are easily the front runners in the division, though they have some significant injury risks that could certainly pull the rug out from under them. The important thing to remember (no offense memphiscub) is that the babybears always…ALWAYS…find a way to lose. Here’s hoping the tradition continues.
Sometimes I wonder,
"Why is that frisbee getting bigger?"
...and then it hits me!!
I love cross talk
I like it when Cubs fans come here with interesting information. It helps me understand things from their view and serves to better evaluate their team.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
and
it’s better than some cub fan can coming over here and shouting that the cubs are better than the cards no matter what like a chicken with its head cut off.
cuz really, its stupid for anyone to go to your rivals’ blog and post that their team sucks….a little outnumbered by people who don’t care what you think.
I, of course, hope that this year the cubs will choke like the mets have done the past 3 years and the cards have a good shot in carp and wainwright stay healthy.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
Totally agree.
One of the reasons SBN created this network was to allow fans of different teams to visit each other’s “turfs” and, ideally, have spirited, but relatively civilized, discussions about baseball. I’m not here to dis the Cards because, honestly, baseball being baseball, your team could very well give the Cubs a lot to worry about if a number of things go your way and a number of things don’t go ours.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
trust me, there's no doubt about it, be worried. be very, very worried.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
Shakin' in my boots, believe me.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
Agree w/ Hugo
memphiscub offers reasonable and polite (meaning: he never say “Cardz suck”) perspective from the Cubs point of view.
Bradley
A wonderful read in today’s Tribune on Bradley. When asked about the pundits picking the Cubbies as the best club in the division.
“They should,” Milton Bradley said. “I’m here.”
He then goes on to elaborate.
“I’m a winner,” he said. “When I went to the Dodgers [in 2004], after they hadn’t been to the postseason since ‘88, they went to the postseason. I went to the A’s in 2006. We weren’t supposed to do anything, and we went to the ALCS. I was with San Diego [in ‘07]. We were one win away from making the postseason, and I got hurt. Everywhere I go, people win. It’s not a surprise.”
Jim Hendry says he expects Bradley to play 130-135 games, but Bradley is not making predictions.
Bradley said this week he doesn’t know how many games he’ll play and was not concerned that he’d played only 20 games in the outfield in 2008 with Texas.
“I can wake up out of the bed and play outfield,” he said. “It’s easy.”
It’s not Crash Davis, but it is certainly makes for an entertaining read.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Bradley + Ivy + Brick Outfield Wall =
Bad news for the baby bears.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
heh
Milton says he’s a “winner”
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
and then he went to texas in '08
and led the rangers their best record since, uh, 2006. I can’t believe he forgot to mention that one.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
Memphiscub
He comes over a lot and is always thoughtful and insightful. It is appreciated.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
No doubt...
I’ve seen memphiscub over here many a time…even chiming in on things not related to the Cubs. His comments are always well thought out and encourage discussion.
Memphis…you are always welcome here.
Doesn’t mean I can’t raz you.
Sometimes I wonder,
"Why is that frisbee getting bigger?"
...and then it hits me!!
by cardzfanbub on Mar 26, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I did
anyone’s invited as long as they contribute meaningfully to the discussion. Maybe you can do so in your next comment.
I think he was just kidding
MemphisCub has shown up here quite a bit over the last year.
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 26, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
dangit
you are much better at telling when people are kidding over the interwebs!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
he posts here pretty often
didn’t know it was an invitation-only party ;0)
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I suppose I should have made it clear...
that I was being sarcastic. Didn’t get the response I expected from that.
Sometimes I wonder,
"Why is that frisbee getting bigger?"
...and then it hits me!!
i thought it was pretty clear.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
me too...
thus no further clarification on my initial post.
Sometimes I wonder,
"Why is that frisbee getting bigger?"
...and then it hits me!!
i respectfully disagree
a little goodhearted ribbing is to be expected.
How depressing is it being you? Is it closer to being a lifelong cubs fan or being born without lips? - Janitor
by themanthemyth on Mar 26, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
what's expected here
is that everyone is treated w/ respect. Sarcastic or not, it was obnoxious. He’s welcome to stop by and add his 2 cents. There’s a difference between “good natured ribbing” and being obnoxious.
How about
just admitting that you misconstrued someone’s harmless comment instead of continuing to harp on it? At this point, it’s not the original poster that’s being obnoxious.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Mar 26, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn't misconstrue anything
and you’re right, it’s not him who’s being obnoxious. The guy comes over here and makes a comment and then others who seem to hate the Cubs more than they love the Cards give him a ration of shit about being a Cubs fan…which is OK except for the way it was done. “Who invited him?” Anyone’s invited. If you can’t like that or appreciate that, too fucking bad. I don’t really give a good goddamn about the stupid stuff — “The Cubs always find a way to lose” — that’s good natured ribbing. Here, we don’t try to discourage participation, whether they’re a Cubs fan or just an obnoxious Cards fan. Again, if you don’t like that, if you’re one of those who believes this board is for Cards fans only, too fucking bad.
yeah
the whole thing didn’t sound too “inviting”
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 27, 2009 3:05 AM EDT up reply actions
You seem unnecessarily angry and needlessly confrontational
“Hey, who invited this guy?” is a common expression used when someone’s actually welcome but is being razzed about showing up. Apparently, you didn’t get the memo. The OP even wrote “no offense memphiscub” in the middle of his razzing and later said that his comment was misconstrued. So, you did misconstrue it.
You could have easily followed up your first remark with: “Ahaa – I thought you were serious, cardsfanbub. Let’s all just make sure our site is welcoming to those who want to discuss Cards baseball (including Cubs fans, even if they get a little good-natured-razzing).”
Instead, you drone on about it after the OP said you miscontrued it and then you further curse about it, which, frankly, shows a lack of class (And I always thought class was a hallmark of Cards fans). You should realize that your actions, alomst more than any others on this site, can also “discourage participation.”
by Willie McGee's Twin on Mar 27, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I went over to BCB when they did a Cardinal preview post
They treated me pretty good over there.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 26, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I think
the Cubs have to be considered the frontrunners in the division. One thing I like about our position relative to theirs is that we seem to be injecting more youth into our lineup. More of our key players are coming from our system. They don’t have an answer for Rasmus in their system. They’re relying on aging stars, and eventually that will catch up to them and they’ll need to take a different approach – one more like the Cardinals are taking. The Cards were in a similar position not so long ago.
I think they are the frontrunners
but only by 2 or 3 games…
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice, well balanced preview.
Thank you for doing these, chuckb. In fact, thank you to all the front page posters for their hard work. You make this blog the awesome read that it is. That goes for the majority of commenters as well. My day would have less sunshine without my daily dose of Cardinal insight and wit from VEB. I never fail to laugh and I always learn something new. There has been some negativity over content around here the last few days and I would like to counterbalance that with some appreciation. Well done, one and all.
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 26, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Agreed
When you have a blog with such a big following, on subject with such a fervent following, you’re going to bring out the naysayers now and then. The blog is consistently very enjoyable to read. Rec’d.
Ronnie Cedeno
will be waiting for awhile. He was traded.
good catch
I actually had forgotten that.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
Sorry to the original poster
Not trying to nitpick. Just wanted to make sure the correct info is out there.
Cedeno was sent to Seattle in the Aaron Heilman trade. Other than Miles I’m not sure they have an infield backup.
The MIF Depth Chart on MLB.com
shows M Greenman as their 2B backup to Miles but nothing beyond Miles for SS, maybe a Cubbie fan can fill us in on that situation.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
I have
no idea who M Greenman is. He must be like a video game player- just a name randomly generated. We did sign former Royal Esteban German to a minor league deal but right now we have no idea who our backup IF is after Miles.
This is a huge issue right now (at least for me).
The Cubs have five outfielders (not including Micah Hoffpauir, who should not be out there under any but the most dire circumstances) and, assuming a 12-man pitching staff, the team has no room on the 25-man for a SS/3B backup. As of right now, It looks likes Lou is aiming to use Miles as a backup shortstop (scary concept) and Fontenot as the backup third baseman (also scary, seeing as how he appears to be winning the starting second baseman’s job).
Esteban German was acquired during spring training, but he’s essentially a second baseman (kinda like Miles) and has minimal experience at SS and 3B. One trade idea we’ve been debating over at BCB is a Chad Gaudin for Macier Izturis deal, but it appears unlikely the Angels would want to give up Izturis. An alternative I’ve floated is dropping Joey Gathright and picking up Juan Uribe from the Giants (apparently, he’s shaping up to be the odd man out there).
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
Miles is backup SS and 3rd baseman
at least according to the Trib over the last few weeks.
Fontenot, who was basically annointed starting 2nd baseman, has also taken some reps during spring training at shortstop.
Having been in the same situation
Allow a Cardinal fan to tell you that you absolutely do not want Grit Miles as your backup SS. He is a horrendous fielder at that position.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Believe me, I hear ya.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
I haven't noticed Fontenot playing shortstop...
…this spring training, but I may have missed it. (I do know he’s played some third base.) And, yes, theoretically, Miles could be used at either SS or 3B. Problem is, by his own admission, he’s really a second baseman and not suited to either of those positions. In fact, Miles may start many games at second vs. LHP, so to use Miles in so many positions is really stretching a fairly average player way too thin (IMHO).
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
that's right.
I forgot. I’m sure I saw him on BP’s depth chart last night. I guess they need to be corrected as well.
Kmac's problem this spring ???
Taken from an article today in the Post…
“Kyle McClellan, who toted a 10.64 earned-run average and .347 opponents’ batting average into the game, pitched two innings. While giving up a run, he improved markedly as he resumed pitching from the right side of the pitching rubber as he had done last season when he was a successful reliever as a rookie.”
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
I make extensive use of the rubber in RBI Baseball for the NES, to great effect
Goodness that just feels dirty to say. Anyway, maybe I should start coaching KMac.
too bad
that doesn’t help at all in Ken Griffey Jr Presents Major league baseball.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
I think I remember my brother renting that game long ago...
Was it any good? Currently I’ve revisited WiiSports baseball, which is simple mindless fun. After a certain skill level the computer becomes way too awesome, however. Scoring runs is fairly easy if you have plate discipline, but it becomes nearly impossible to prevent the computer from doing the same.
well
pitching is basic, with few strikeouts, same with hitting and i’ve only been able to walk once or twice ever in the game. after playing 6-7 full 162 game seasons with various teams (cards, dodgers, pirates, indians, padres, marlins)
players in the game are given positions, like the main starters have their individual positions and the bench players with OF, IF, C
But really, you can stick anyone anywhere, like i normally take a guy with good defensive skills at SS as long as he doesn’t look like one of the big buff players in the game, same with putting a guy with a good power rating but poor defense and put him at 1B, and a guy with decent defense, good power hitting at 3B. I normally like playing as the dodgers cuz they have this bench player that’s obviously darryl strawberry and i use him as my 1B and my main #3 hitter, he normally hits above .400 and around 60 hrs, heh.
it’s a fun game if you like oldschool SNES baseball
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
rbi rubber
works really well with the side armers. long live the nes
"When the boogie man goes to sleep he checks his closet for Chuck Norris"
Michael Scott is just dying to use his favorite joke
by Ray Lankford on Mar 26, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
that’s what she said
....my quick smells like french toast...
by mstreeter06 on Mar 26, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Using the rubber also works for Baseball Stars. Lots of Ks going side to side.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
Baseball Stars
Easily my favorite baseball game on the NES; played many hours of that one. Loved the ability to build a co-ed custom team — added some of the girls from my junior high…instead of talking to them.
by phesto on Mar 26, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
LOL.
I used to build the Cardinals every year and play until my eyeballs bled.
I just don’t have the time anymore and now my NES loses all the data anytime it gets bumped.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
+1 for baseball stars
How depressing is it being you? Is it closer to being a lifelong cubs fan or being born without lips? - Janitor
by themanthemyth on Mar 26, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Off Topic: The Pitcher WON'T always hit 8th this year
LaRussa said that, against right-handers, he will probably hit the pitcher 9th, unless Rasmus is in the lineup. However, he says that he also likes Rasmus as the #2.
"Them Cubbies can kiss my ass" -Dizzy Dean
I agree with his move here
The pitcher hitting 8th only really works if you have a good 9th place hitter to slot there. Basically the 9 hitter becomes your leadoff, your leadoff the 2 and your 2 becomes your 3. I also know the Book says that your 3 hitter can be almost anyone and that your 4 hitter is more where you would want someone like Pujols so after the first inning this is kind of the setup. The problem comes with not having a good 1-2 punch to put at 9 and 1. So basically LaRussa is saying “I won’t be stubborn when it doesn’t make sense” which is something I don’t think I have ever heard from him before.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
and
with TLRs chronic decision to have a legit power bat in the 2 hole (ankiel, duncan, etc) having that second leadoff man makes the 9,1,2,3 turn into a 1,2,3,4.
I just remember watching a game last year on tv with ankiel hitting in front of pujols instead of the clean up spot because he was in a little of a hitting slump and Dan McLaughlin was talking about it before ankiel homered and it went something like this
“…and so it might be better for ankiel to hit in front of pujols-OHHHHHH YEAHHHHHH!!!!!!”
he said that “oh yeah!” with such enthusiasm i’m gonna always remember it
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
ok, found the link
here’s the link to that homer where Dan McLaughlin went cah-razy
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
by cardwash on Mar 26, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
that was great
just what i needed, better than coffee
"When the boogie man goes to sleep he checks his closet for Chuck Norris"
Thanks
I watched most of last season but I don’t remember that one. Good stuff. I know a lot of people want Ank and his contract gone by the end of the season in a trade but I’d still love to have him as long as he’ll stay. Fun to watch.
at
a reasonable price i’d sign him to an extension, he’s a fan favorite, like kerry wood is to the oohhhhhh wait………
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
I think he should bat Rasmus second
Or Duncan. Ankiel only gets on-base about one-third of the time. I’d like a runner on first when Pujols digs into the batter’s box.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
At this point, just
getting Raz into the lineup as often as possible is all I care about.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Mar 26, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I was expecting Mr. Kool Aid to bust through the Outfield Wall
by STLRegalia on Mar 26, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
awesome
if PK is no more i call dips for this as an avatar unless someone else already has it
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
what are dips?
my head hurts
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
disagree
the 8 spot is the best place to put the weakest hitter in the lineup. Period. it doesn’t matter THAT much, only a couple of runs a year, so it isn’t worth getting worked up over, but the “need a proper #9 hitter” meme doesn’t make any sense. The only reason you’d not want the pitcher hitting 8th is if the pitcher was a better hitter than one of your position players (IE wainwright/izturis).
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
Also
LaRussa said that, since Skip struggles with lefties, he would probably hit 9th if he starts against a lefty
"Them Cubbies can kiss my ass" -Dizzy Dean
Hey, guys
Sorry for the off-topic question, but does anyone know who was doing the TV announcing yesterday with Hrabosky. I didn’t really pay attention at the time, screwed up and erased the thing off my DVR, and now I don’t know who it was, and I need it for an article. Any help?
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the ace-est of them all?
The box
at the beginning of the FSNMW broadcast says that Al’s co-host is Bill Brown.
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 26, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Arigato, Cardsgirl.
I knew someone here would be able to help.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the ace-est of them all?
by the red baron on Mar 26, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Dō itashi mashite
(Disclaimer: No, I don’t know any Japanese. I had to look it up and copy and paste.)
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 26, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I know
mostly stuff from anime. So blood tornado and tentacle rape monster both feature prominently in my vocabulary, but not how to ask for directions. So, you know. Win some, lose some.
Oh, and you get a story credit for your help.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the ace-est of them all?
by the red baron on Mar 26, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oh, by the way,
when I gave you that little tidbit of info, I didn’t have any idea who Bill Brown was. I’m listening/ watching a replay of yesterday’s game while I work on the computer. Bill Brown just mentioned that he is with the Astros. Did you already know that? He seems very knowledgeable about the Cards for an Astros announcer.
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 26, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
announcers that do their homework
I really wish that would catch on
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 26, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Especially pronouncing peoples' names right
HIS NAME IS NOT WILLY TAVAREZ, IT’S TAVERAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by mojowo11 on Mar 26, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The enduring irrelevance of pop culture
My command of operatic Italian is almost copious, as might be expected from my experience as a musical critic. I can make love in Italian; I could challenge a foe to a duel in Italian if I were not afraid of him; and if I swallowed some agonizing mineral poison I could describe my sensations very eloquently. And I could manage a prayer pretty well. But these accomplishments are too special for … ordinary conversation.
-Bernard Shaw, 1895
You DVR'D the game
and didn’t send me a copy of it?
I say GOOD DAY SIR!
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 26, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
My apologies, HL
I do always forget that you need copies of so many games in spring. If I had thought of it, I would have saved it.
Ah, but that’s right. You said Good day. I shall cease my weak apologies.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the ace-est of them all?
by the red baron on Mar 26, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Um,
I believe you need the word super in there somewhere.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the ace-est of them all?
by the red baron on Mar 26, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
This is
easily the best review I’ve seen from another team’s fan. Very accurate and well done. The loss of Wood was a hard one both because when healthy he is a great pitcher and because he was a fan favorite but I’m glad the team spent what money we had on Bradley rather than pay a closer 10 mill. I’m actually hoping Lou uses Gregg as the closer and keeps Marmol in the role he has been in which is using him in the high leverage situations.
Question on Soto
You mention he only threw out 20%. Are there metrics that factor that in overall? WAR? I’m asking out of ignorance. Obviously his offensive output would offset that and then some, was just wondering how much that brings him down.
i'd pick them
to win the division, on paper. but as cardinal fans well know, HEALTH can sink your season. if veterans ramirez, soriano and lee stay healthy, their runs scored seems sound again. bradley as an everyday outfielder is a huge gamble to me. their rotation has some serious health concerns and heilman as a replacement starter could be the gas can pineiro is. the pen took a hit, i don’t like gregg, and wood was very effective. i like the roster healthy, but if serious injuries happen to starters or position players, they could miss the postseason just as easily.
THT Five Questions: Chicago Cubs
The Hardball Times has a preview of the Cubbies, too. Here’s a snippet:
Forget five. There’s only one question:
Why the hell can’t these Cubs win in the postseason?
It’s something my Cub fan friends often ask me…
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
They also said this: (same article)
“St. Louis is going to hit a ton of homers, but even Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan can’t make lemonade out of that pitching staff.” I guess we will see whether or not lemonade is served at Busch stadium this summer. ;)
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 26, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
as if our pitching staff is that bad
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
4.20 collective ERA
Not great, but definitely not too shabby.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
especially after you add
chris carpenter to the mix.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
and a full season of wagonmaker
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
and a half season of BEN SHEETS
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Mar 26, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
too late
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
Have they done a five questions for the Cards yet?
I check THT pretty regularly but I can’t remember.
Not that I have seen
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Duh, it's the Bartman Curse
they haven’t won a postseason game since that happened…
"Them Cubbies can kiss my ass" -Dizzy Dean
Wrigley is the best ballpark in the nation
They can’t have that AND win. There’s no place better to see a game. I used to bug out of work and hit the 3:00 games there all summer. Awesome. And as a Cards fan, you mostly get to see the Cubs lose.
I live near Boston now and neither Yankee stadium nor Fenway compare. Fenway is good, but not on the same level as Wrigley. And the fans here are awful.
Just win
-1
on the best ballpark claim. It has been a long time since I have been there, but I was turned off enough by Wrigley that my first visit will be my only one.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
+1 to your -1
I saw a Cubs/Reds game in April 2002 that completely sucked. I was underage at that point, so the most appealing part of Wrigley to me — beer — was out of the question. It was cold, windy, and Sammy Sosa struck out every time up (or at least that’s how I remember it). Also, Matt Clement looked to me like a future stud.
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 26, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
wrigley is a good place to see a game imo
although the bathrooms are pretty nasty
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 27, 2009 3:07 AM EDT up reply actions
PNC Park
is a much better place to see a game. The team sucks, don’t get me wrong, but PNC Park is simply amazing.
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 26, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Center field...
… will be a platoon arrangement with Fukudome and Reed Johnson. And if Fukudome falters, Johnson may get as much playing time as he did last year (over 300 AB). Johnson’s a capable outfielder and pounds lefthanders (.333/.399/.449 in 2008).
Otherwise… nice preview, well done and accurate.
Al, visiting from Bleed Cubbie Blue
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I have always wondered
is Al pronounced AL like Alcoholic (which I always wonder if my Cubs fans friends are…c’mon, I had to go there!), or is Al pronounced A-eye (as in Artificial Intelligence, in which case Bleed Cubbie Blue has their own version of our very own Azru) ?
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 26, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
ah
but wouldn’t both ways work for Azru?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll also agree that this is a solid overview of the 2009 Chicago Cubs.
A few minor points:
1. Paul Bako actually hasn’t yet won the backup catcher job. It could go to Koyie Hill, who’s hit a little better in spring training (not that that matters), is a switch hitter and is appreciably younger.
2. Don’t expect to see Angel Guzman starting games. He’s never been able to stay healthy and will likely have to limit his innings and stay in the pen for the rest of his career. He’s got great stuff but has been fairly shaky so far in spring training.
Gaudin could be used as a backup for Rich Harden – if he makes the team. Chad has had an awful spring training and is apparently being scouted by other teams. Hendry might deal him or Guzman, if possible. The rest of the pen fills out as Vizcaino, Cotts, Heilman, Gregg and Marmol.
3. I’m not sure that Lou is leaning toward Marmol as the closer. Carlos definitely got the prestige factor going for him, but he’s been much less consistent than Gregg this spring. (And, of course, Marmol had that epic meltdown against the Netherlands in the WBC.) Most of us would prefer to see Carlos retain his role as a seventh or eighth inning “shut down and strand runners” guy and then, for better or worse, have Gregg close. I do agree that Wood is a better pitcher than Gregg. Kerry will be missed.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
Backup Catcher
From what I’ve heard here (in Des Moines), Hill will be the opening day catcher for the AAA I-Cubs. Makes sense, since Bako is under contract and can’t be sent down without designating him. Considering that Hill would be riding the pine for all but 15-20 games, it makes sense from my view
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Hm, I guess we'll see what we see.
It appears Hill has been outperforming Bako in spring training – he’s hitting a little better (again, not that a backup catcher’s offense matters much and it’s obviously a very small sample) and their defense and game calling seem about a wash. But, yeah, I could see Bako getting the “veteran nod,” unless he was signed purely for insurance purposes.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
Would be a good story if Hill got the nod though
Most non-Cubs fans probably don’t know this, but Hill cut off three of the fingers on his throwing hand in a table saw accident about 18 months ago. All the way. Had to have them reattached. For him to come all the way back and win a job in the bigs would be a nice story.
Note to self: always use a push stick when cutting with the table saw…
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Very well done preview by the way
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Experiment Ongoing, but Schumaker is 2B
“2B or not 2B” has been answered. Sort of.
Mo has delcared Skip to be the second baseman to start the season.
"The thing that was gettiing frustrating both to the manager (Tony La Russa) and myself was we never put a date on it," Mozeliak said. "We were open-minded to see how far this would go. He’s played well, and this may be something where we get well into the season and realize it’s not the right fit. We don’t know that answer. As long as he plays well and is effective offensively. . . it’s positive for the Cardinals."
[Emphasis added.]
While the headline proclaims the experiment to be over, it seems that it is still ongoing.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Well for the last couple of weeks no one has been discussing Skips Defense too much so I take that as a good sign.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
I was thinking the same thing
TLR is going to love this. About as much as Scott Skiles when Charlie Villanueva tweeted during halftime of the Bucks vs. Celtics game. Imagine when the Colonel tweets at an inappropriate time…
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
oi!
for you more into politics check out who he’s following and draw your own conclusions. lol. I’d like to just leave it at that.
by Birds on the Matt on Mar 26, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
His "fave five" or whatever in the pd-q interview was an eye-opener as well.
The Colonel is a character.
Yes. Wellemeyer is starting to remind me of another media character....
Curt Schilling.
Hopefully he doesn’t go as nuts as Schilling.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
If he starts to pitch like Schilling did back in the day
I don’t care.
Counting the days 'till the first pitch.
by IL and StL Fan on Mar 26, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Eh. I'd guess that most baseball players (or at least a surprising amount) are conservative.
Heck, David Wright put Ronald Reagan in one of his answers. I’ve never really paid attention to Curt Schilling’s opinionatedness so it doesn’t bother me. The Colonel strikes me as pretty laid back. It seems like you’d have to invite him to voice his opinion that strongly before he’s just go and do it.
any other ones to follow?
help, flim to the flam, I think you posted a bunch the other day that I forgot about
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
this was the last straw
I finally updated my twitter account, which had one post in over two years. must follow the colonel, with his space background and whatnot
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, this might be the the one thing that pushes me over the edge
i just might have to get on twitter now.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
so now we know how it is spelled...
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
Tadalion
something to do with tada! a lion, or something like that
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions
I believe
it has to do with Todd and Allen (his middle name).
yes, it his nickname he gave himself
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
my first thought was - wow! pythagorean wins line up with a record for once.
my next thought was — the cubs benefited from positively sick overperformance from derosa, theriot, and fontenot. what off-set their overperformance? fukudome?
cubs seem like they’re set up for some regression this year. I’m putting on my Carmac hat and saying . . . . 92 wins. probably still enough to win the division.
C'mon, Wagonmaker!!
I hope Beltran goes 0 for 3 against him today with three bases loaded, two out Ks on unhittable curves.
Ah, those were good times….
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 26, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions
The best of times
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 26, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
.85(spring training khalil greene)
= regular season mvp. just saying.
Look, I don't ask for much. All I want from the 2009 season is for Carp and Adam to combine for 420 IP and go 1-2 in the Cy Young voting, and for Albert to win the MVP again. Oh, and for the Cubs to never win another World Series as long as I live. I really don't think that is too much to ask.
And,
as everyone knows, that is the most important intangible. That and consistency. Just ask Joe Morgan.
i wish we had izturis back
Look, I don't ask for much. All I want from the 2009 season is for Carp and Adam to combine for 420 IP and go 1-2 in the Cy Young voting, and for Albert to win the MVP again. Oh, and for the Cubs to never win another World Series as long as I live. I really don't think that is too much to ask.
+34,972
Look, I don't ask for much. All I want from the 2009 season is for Carp and Adam to combine for 420 IP and go 1-2 in the Cy Young voting, and for Albert to win the MVP again. Oh, and for the Cubs to never win another World Series as long as I live. I really don't think that is too much to ask.
Didn't John Maine used to be good?
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
8 K through 5 innings for Wainwright
Not too shabby
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 26, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions
I hate all of our lefthanded specialists
I have NO confidence in any of them when they’ve come into a game this spring.
by cloistermaximus on Mar 26, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
I hope your right
He looked awful in the WBC.
by cloistermaximus on Mar 26, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
i almost wish i had one close by
i’m hungry
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
well
they’ll probably get rid of Ring unless he elects to go to Memphis.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
I thought they already got rid of Ring?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
he's
gotta go through waivers if he’s not picked up by another team, then he has the choice to be a free agent or go to memphis, if i were him i’d go to memphis, he should know the cards don’t have alot of depth with left handed relief. he’s got a good chance to do well in AAA and be called up if miller’s shoulder gets the best of him or if reyes gets injured.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
UGH
rasmus just made some crappy a$$ plays in right field against the mets
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
miller
gave up a homerun to a rookie catcher who’s at best 4th on the mets’ depth chart for catcher, if that. he’s probly not in minor league camp encase one of their catchers is injured, like pagnozzi is for the cards. I wouldn’t worry about the homerun.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
nah
it was probably a bad pitch that went too far over the heart of the plate and the rookie catcher just swung the piss outta the bat at the ball and got lucky hitting the sweet spot cuz he doesn’t have any power.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
7 runs 7th innings will do that do you
for those of us who aren’t following the game, what the hell happened?
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
Colby
made 2 bad plays in a row in RF, one was ruled an error that i think would of ended the inning, then miller gave up a pinch hit home run to a 4th backup catcher that he’ll probably never see again this year. miller gave up 7 runs, but only 2 were earned because of colby’s bad defense & i think a wild pitch.
so it was a bad frame, but i wouldn’t worry about it because of the error and the rookie catcher that only has 32 home runs in 7 years in the minors (career .258/.304/.348) who hit the ball just right.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
I don't remember the exact sequence,
but from what I remember it was still 3-3 with two outs and a couple runners on right before the play where Colby missed the pop fly. Then there were a couple really hard singles, a bad throw home by Colby, a pinch two-run homer by their back-up waterboy, and within a span of several minutes it was suddenly 9-3 Mets.
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 26, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
the
bad throw home and the missed pop fly were back to back
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
gotta love
how the radio tells you how bad the inning is, yet the boxscore on mlb.com hasn’t updated yet….
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
I'm excited about the Motte era in St. Louis
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
even though
Duncan says it’ll be closer by committee to begin the season, i’m convinced Motte will get the most chances to save games with how well he’s doing in spring and his development of his slider that’s been an effective 2nd pitch.
Kinney is doing just as well but doesn’t have the Ks motte has put up, and Perez still needs time to work out his kinks, and he’s got little time left for that closer role.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
You forgot Franklin.
After all, he has proven himself with his experience and consistency.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
franklin's
role might change around this year unlike 08 and 07., he may pitch 1 inning, next time 2 innings, next time out he may close it out, next outing as a set up. Franklin’s decent but i wouldn’t give him as important a role as a closer, and since kinney/perez/motte seem to be able to handle the 8th/9th innings Franklin may be used in middle relief ala Springer’s replacement with thompson as the long man/mop up.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
OH YEAH
only bad thing with robinson is that he’s a younger version of Brian Barton, but barton has the better bat, especially with OBP. If we didn’t have a cluster of OFs, i’d say Barton could be our main LF/lead off guy because we have power hitting with CF/RF/1B/3B and SS this year.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
Are you
sure its not Brett Wallace? Just a nod to today’s The Rundown by red baron over on RFT.
book it
Cubs 92-70
but
Cardinals 91-71
ooooh!
In what St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa called a "big day" for his club, starter Chris Carpenter took the mound for his first session of live batting practice and promptly buzzed the fuzz on catcher Jason LaRue’s chin with an errant fastball.
"Sorry," Carpenter called from the mound.
"Don’t say you’re sorry," LaRue barked back.
"He said it," pitching coach Dave Duncan said from the side of the cage, "but he didn’t mean it."
~ DG
Long as we get the wild card I don't care if the cubs finish first..
They’ll blow it in the playoffs.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
heh
they haven’t proven themselves wrong yet when it comes to the post season.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
maybe this year there will be another Bartman
like in ’03
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 26, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d personally want to be the next Bartman for the Cubs, what cards fan wouldn’t????
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
oh, and by the way chuckb, since we're apparently gonna miss out on this now
daily feature . . .
youre post is teh suck, i stopped reading after you said ‘cubs’ because their not a real baseball team and their gonna finish dead last and i don’t come to this site for your “flights of fancy” and “high-faluting english” and your big words like “combustible” and “outrageous” and i would personally like to read more about guys who are “gamers” and the “heart and soul of a real baseball team” and who “know how to win games” and not a post with all these numbers.
and fire bill dewitt! also.
by tom s. on Mar 26, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
To be fair...
most of the people complaining about the posts were complaining because of the lack of seriousness of the posts. Weird short stories, drooling over Ichiro, etc.
Some people just don’t like goofy stuff. This blog used to be a lot more serious in tone than it is under the new management, and it rubs a lot of people the wrong way, I think.
Yes, they should shut their mouths, but I think people who bash them should also realize where they are coming from.
Felipe Lopez - next year's Joel Pineiro (on another team, thank you Mo!)
I like the haikus
thanks, red baron, haikus rule
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 27, 2009 3:10 AM EDT up reply actions
i haven't seen one vet rip on the newness of VEB
it’s been all newbies who more than likely came from the PD, WWL, Fox, Yahoo, etc who don’t understand what VEB is all about. if i’m wrong i’m wrong, but i’ve only seen names i don’t recognize who are voicing their dislike for what’s going on.
funny stuff tom, the fire dewitt was classic.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
Speaking of Vet's
Just realized that today was my 1 year anniversary on VEB. Does that qualify me as a vet now or do I have to work on my super 2 status for arbitration?
i agree gdm
i’ve only been posting for a little while, but i’ve been reading for a LONG time, and i get the same feeling. the site is no more “serious in tone” than it was then and it still promotes great cardinal conversation.
lboros will always be a hallowed figure around here, but just b/c things are different doesn’t mean they’re worse. chuck, dan and rb are doing a fantastic job at keeping this site the best one on the internet.
this post is full of win.
i sincerely hope the “also” was a deliberate, if subtle, violation of the “no politics” rule.
Look, I don't ask for much. All I want from the 2009 season is for Carp and Adam to combine for 420 IP and go 1-2 in the Cy Young voting, and for Albert to win the MVP again. Oh, and for the Cubs to never win another World Series as long as I live. I really don't think that is too much to ask.
So I looked at the box score
to see what happened. To my suprise there were many walks. I thought I wonder who pitched? Wainer and Maine?!? That’s wierd. Who was behind HP?
Angel Hernandez!!!!
HERNANDEZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!
What a shock. Wouldn’t want a game to not be about him.
goold's got your back
Wainwright walked four batters in the game, though the strike zone was an amorphous creature Thursday, bending and shifting and rising and falling at the whims of home-plate umpire Angel Hernandez. Both teams combined to walk 10 batters. Rookie David Freese was punched out on a pitch outside of the strike zone.
-link
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
Shannon and Rooney were pretty critical of that Freese strikeout too
Shannon even made a comment to the effect that he hoped that shitty call didn’t affect Freese’s chances of making the team by making his batting stats worse than they should be. (Seems like kind of a long shot, but that’s what he said….)
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 26, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Angel was doing a game the other day
and after a certain call Shannon said “it looks like we have better umpires in the stands than behind the plate” (I might be paraphrasing him there, I was drinking). It was yet another reason to like the Moonman.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
caught that one, too
didn;t realize it was Angel wearing the blue, but that definitely makes sense.
hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit
I heard Mike's comment too.
It seems that Angel’s main goal in life is to be bigger than the game. Either that or to see how many times he can get TLR to come out of the dug-out. Per game.
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 26, 2009 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
you'd think with a name like Angel, he'd be a pretty good ump
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
Unless he's the Angel of Fail
or the Angel of Suck…. I dunno – baseball theology isn’t my strong suit.
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 26, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Today's Game
Was listening to the beginning of today’s game on XM and heard a couple of calls that were questionable according to Shannon and Rooney. Rooney said something about it and Shannon said something along the lines of, “He wants to be bigger than the game, that’s why we won’t say his name”. To be honest, I didn’t know what was going on, but reading this, it makes sense.
To be fair the ever changing strikezone probably added a few K's as well.
I always notice when Hernandez is behind the plate, I don’t know of another umpire that impacts the game more. The guy has a terrible strike zone and any difficult call that wasn’t balls and strikes he’ll get incorrectly as well.
Basically, I feel that Angel Hernandez is enough of a factor that he influences a good deal of the results of the game he umps in.
Worst...bracket prediction...ever
Memphis is my champ. They’re getting curbstomped.
To add insult to injury, when Auburn hired its current coach, Mike Anderson was said to be a finalist. We just made our first NIT under him in five years. Mike Anderson has Mizzou in the Elite 8 in his third year there. FML.
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 26, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
it ain't over yet
memphis is on a hell of a run right now
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
Wow y'all are right
Seven point game. I wish my cable would switch off the Duke game. I don’t want to see Greg Paulus anymore…
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 26, 2009 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
You won't have to
He’s graduating. And Duke just got shelled by Villanova. He might play QB for the Duke football team next year, or he’ll be the next “Duke Twerp” to join Coach K’s staff.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
OTT: Tyreke Evans is AWESOME
You’re looking at LeBron Lite. If he ever develops a good jump shot he’s going to be lethal…and he’s only 18. Too bad Memphis can’t play any defense…
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
And too bad Tyreke Evans will not be a Memphis Tiger next year
Maybe a Memphis Grizzly…
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 27, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
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