Game Three of Five - Cubs 1 Dodgers 3
WP - Hiroki Kuroda (1-0) LP - Rich Harden (0-1) Save - Jonathan Broxton (1)
Dodgers Win Series, 3-0
The magical season of 2008 turned into a nightmare as the Cubs were swept out of the playoffs for the second year in a row. Lou Piniella's crew was outplayed in every aspect of the game in the series against the Dodgers. After giving away the first two games, they were beaten on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium....and were not very competitive the entire series against an obviously superior Dodger team.
Rich Harden pitched a good game but a 2-run, 2-out double by James Loney in the 1st inning proved to be the difference in the game. Harden left after 4 1/3 innings and gave up 3 runs on 5 hits with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. The Cubs bullpen did not allow the Dodgers to tack on after Harden's departure. Carlos Marmol tossed 1 2/3 innings of scoreless ball in relief of Sean Marshall and Neal Cotts struck out the side in the 8th.
The Cubs left nine on base and in four different innings left two on base. The Cubs were not able to make productive outs when they needed one and failed to execute the fundamentals of baseball. Jim Edmonds recorded the Cubs' only productive out in the series in the 4th inning.
Derrek Lee came through with three of the Cubs' eight hits but he led off three different innings. Lee scored the Cubs only run after a lead off double in the 8th and a 2-out bloop single by Daryle Ward. The Cubs simply did not hit throughout the series and Joe Torre's staff exposed all of the holes in the Cubs' offense.
The Cubs managed 6 runs in 3 games with RBI's from Mark DeRosa, Jim Edmonds and Daryle Ward....for the second October in a row, Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez were no shows. Soriano finished with one hit, a single, in14 trips to the plate and Ramirez was 2-for-11 in the three games. The offense did not display the patience and approach at the plate that led to a 97-win season.
No one could have predicted the Cubs incredibly poor performance in the NLDS. In a year full of firsts and since, the Cubs became only the second team in the history of the division series to finish the season with the best record in the National League just to be swept out of the playoffs in the first round.
Simply put, this one should make for a long winter at the corner of Clark and Addison....
It will be easy to point fingers as to what went wrong. From Soriano not hitting, to Ramirez not hitting, to Ryan Dempster's seven walks, to the four infield errors, to Piniella's questionable decisions, to Reed Johnson not seeing the field to Fukudome's struggles at the plate....nothing went right and the entire team could not stop pressing long enough to play just play ball.
The Cubs next game is not until the first week of April in Houston, after an extended Spring Training because of the World Baseball Classic. Opening Day in 2009 seems a long time away, but time is exactly what this organizations needs. Jim Hendry has a lot of work to do, the sale of the team must be finalized and the Faithful needs time to heal....
Check back later on Sunday for a few final thoughts on the season.
I am devasted by this. Last October I knew the Cubs were going to get swept because they were the weakest playoff team. This year, they were the cream
of the crop in th NL -And they get swept.
Well, what can be said?
In looking back, it truly was a wonderful season. It is a shame that it had to come so early.
However, I will look forward to next year; and even though we have said that so many times in the past, we will be strong again next year.
I want to thank you, Neil, for a great website. I also want to thank all of the CCO faithful for their entertainment throughout all of this season.
Somewhere, among this pain we are feeling now yet come back to believe in them next spring, it must demonstrate that that they are are true fans in every sense of the words. No other fans could possibly make that claim.
Well here's to a reset on a new 100 years...hopefully it will be a better one.
I disagree you could not have seen this coming. This team as constructed struggled in competitive games...its an all or nothing offense with a deep but mediocre pitching staff...good for the regular season and beating up on average teams... Look at the record versus the American league and the better NL teams when healthy...this was not as much of a suprise as many might think.
I am suprised at the fact that Lou could not motivate or manage the team better. It appears they never really had a chance because they were paralyzed by the fear of failure and could not grasp the opportunity for greatness. They should have thought about the national ridicule they and their fans would face by such an embarassing effort and the notoriety of spending the rest of their careers being known as failing to show up when it counted the most.
Thank you for a wonderful season Cubbies! It didn't end the way I would have hoped, but this team is still climbing.....100 wins next season, playoff domination, and our first Series Ring in the modern era. We need a proven major league winner to manage the team, and nothing more. Bobby Cox may be available, we should can Lou and get him if at all possible. GO CUBBIES!!!!!
I never expected the Cubs to make it this far, so when they did, I had no expectations at all. And yet, even with no expectations, this three game performance was just inexcusable. The 90+ win season means nothing if you can't win three games, or even prevent your playoff opponent from winning three straight, because in the end, the only thing that matters is the World Series, and the Cubs will not even be in smelling distance. And the future, well, barring Mark Cuban getting the reigns and spending money on some big free agents, THIS is the pretty much the same thing we can hope for every season. There's just way too many questions. For example:
The whole point of not pitching Rich Harden too much was to keep him healthy for the postseason. Now that you made it, you only pitch him 4 and 2/3? Screw the pitch count, he can stay out there and pitch 7 or 8 innings. If 5 innings is his limit, he can spend the rest of his career in the pen.
Also, what good is a guy who can power up an offense during the regular season, but then start swinging at every single pitch he sees in the postseason? Postseason jitters are an excuse you can use the first time through...but after that, you either suck up and play right or don't make the postseason roster.
And with Fontenot performing as he did and DeRosa as he did, that makes Fukudome a whole lot of expendable. If he can't, or won't, play center, then there's no use for him.
We may have a set lineup, but we don't. Center needs some stability, 1st needs to learn to not hit double plays, and we need a good fifth starter...possibly even another one. Here's hoping the new owner takes some positive steps.
Oh yeah, Quade and Rothschild both need to go too. ANd probably Perry too.
Thanks to everyone on the site for the season. This is going to hurt for a while. I'll keep checking in daily but may resist posting for a period just so I don't displace my disappointment on someone else. Great season, horrible ending.
I love the Cubs but I am getting very tired of "next year". What can be done?
Neil,
Thanks so much for running this site. I look forward to coming in every day. It is the best!
I always try to stay positive, and the past week has strained my resolve. But, hey, I am a Cubs fan! I will be back next year still rooting for my favorite team.
I am looking forward to all the trade rumors and whatever else the great posters on this site have to say about our team over the winter.
Have a good off season guys!
Gramps
Cubbie Blue? Hows about Cub-BLEW-ie?
I would like to thank Neil for this great site I found this year.
I would also like to thank the Cubs for the best REGULAR season I've seen since my first in 1969.
There will be somthing missing until next spring training.
Good luck to all.
Till next year this is Bardo,signing off
Neil, once again I will echo what everyone has said....thank you so much for maintaining the site, it's a thankless job sometimes, I'm sure.
Someone mentioned last night something I had mentioned a few weeks ago....a CCO get-together in Chicago, which would be so cool. Abby, let me know if you get something on the calendar. Maybe tie it in to the Cubs convention?
Anyway, I'll be checking in during the off-season.
As Brian always says, stay classy cubs fans. : )
The Finals' Grading Period is over, and the Finals' Grade after losing 3 games in a row is "Dismal Failure".
Our Cubs had 3 High Passes during the regular season (win 8 or more of 10), and sadly they waited for the post season to lose 'em all and earn their first dreaded "Dismal Failure". In this final report card, the teacher says: The Cubs earned a High Pass for the regular season and a Dismal Failure for the post season.
There were Showoffs in the NLDS--players who performed well enough individually to win. Lee and DeRosa qualified as did Zambrano and Marshall. The No Shows were Soriano, Dome, Rameriz, Dempster and Harden.
In a first-time grade for all of the sixteen, 10 game grading periods and the playoffs, Lou Pinella was a No Show in the NLDS. Managers must share in responsibility when a team is a Dismal Failure. More directly, Lou's tactical bias of favoring veteran guys and big contract guys didn't work in the post season. We will not know if Hoffpauir would have supplied offense from right field or as a pinch hitter. Ward did get a pinch hit but it didn't matter. The season-long spark plug, Johnson, didn't play at all, and Dome played too much.
It's likely that Lou's veteran bias kept Dempster in game 1 too long. Edmonds did provide some veteran presence, but he was 2 for 10. Rameriz and Soriano had to play, but Lou couldn't get Rameriz beyond Rameriz's veneer of "unemotional cool". Soriano has "terminal coolness" which, perhaps, no manager can overcome. Rameriz is a "keeper", and, IMO, Soriano isn't unless we can't do a deal that gets us one solid contributor in return.
I am smart enough to only mention the performance of the Faithful in a "Passing" manner. I recognize that my preference for avoiding crude language almost all of the time is an "old veteran's bias"-- not unlike Lou's. IMO, the site mantra I've mentioned for us (when our views hold up well and when they don't) remains operative: Occasionally wrong--But never in doubt!
I'm not lying...Last night, I dreamt that Derosa hit a grand slam in the top of the 9th and we won the game! When I woke up and realized it was just a dream, I was even more disappointed than last night's actual game...
As I'm reading all the comments from the players, I realize that something's missing....nobody is willing to take the blame individually...Yeah, I know that they played poorly as a team, but somebody, maybe Soriano, maybe Ramirez, needs to say..."Listen, I screwed up big time...the team was depending on me, and I didn't deliver...we lost because I didn't show up...and I'm SORRY, not just to the fans, but to my fellow teammates."
That's definitely what I would have said...maybe I'm just too apologetic
I will echo the posts of others...
Great job CCO!
I had to get all sentimental and read through one of this year's old Sports Illustrated magazines. It's the one with Fukudome on the front cover and the headline "It's gonna happen!" Reading the article helped me to realize that the Cubs were for real, and not just a fluke that collapsed in the playoffs. Everyone blames the offense for scoring a measly 6 runs, but for all intents and purposes, the Cubs lost because of pitching and defense. It's the old baseball mantra, that pitching and defense wins baseball games, and the Cubs did neither during this series. Going into the off-season, I really hope that we don't go after some high-priced free-agent slugger. I think the defense up the middle could definitely be improved, and I would look to strengthen the rotation. The fact that none of the starters had a quality start is pretty depressing. There's gonna be some impressive arms this off-season and I am salivating just thinking about adding them to the rotation.
BTW, my wife and i were going to make a trip out to Mesa, AZ at the end of march 22-28. If the CCO get together is at that time, count me in! And for all the golfers out there, we will have to book a tee time or two!
Sad. My Dad died at 89 and never saw the Cubs win in his entire life. It seems like the same will go for me.
Well I have been a Cub fan all my life, the disapointment is never easy to swallow. It will be another long off season watching baseball sites for exciting rumors.
The team won 97 games and supplied alot of good baseball watching. I enjoyed the makeup of the team and watching Lou manage.There is alot of talent on this team.
I am extremely disapointed about the postseason performance. It was really tough to watch and I lost some sleep over it.
I come to this site everyday and read the posts.
Thank you Cubs for a great season! Wait until next year!
Thank you for this site!
Hey fellas,
Still hurting from last nights devasting loss. To say that was a horrible series is an understatement.
Neil, Abby, and to all of the CCO crew, Thank You very much for all of the hard work you put into the site. Count me in for a "meet the CCO's".
I agree, Duas, what stood out to me is that not a single person took it on his shoulders..... Where was Demp saying he sucked Monday and put the team in a hole....Where was Soriano saying he hasnt done crap in two post seasons with the Cubs....Where was Ramirez? Where was Lee? I can understand losing in the playoffs....but to lose when we don't even show up?? That's just horrible! Would have loved to have heard Bob Brenly's comments on the games....
I did read a comment that I absolutely agree with....it will be hard to trade Fukudome....we're not gonna release him....BUT....sending him to AAA to work on his issues is a GREAT idea.... I just know I can't stand one more "wail and bail" at bat from him....
Being from San Diego, I obviously hear alot of the Padres news....and I thought of a potential trade....
The Padres are "listening" to offers for Jake Peavy....they desperately need a young promsing centerfielder for spacious Petco park....I'm thinking Felix Pie.....and to expand the trade...the Padres are fed up with Khalil Greene....I'd like to see him in the trade...allowing us to bump Theriot to 2B..... in turn we can include Ronny Cedeno who can help them at SS or 2B....Then the Cubs can throw in a pitcher for the Pads as well....maybe Kevin Hart...heck maybe even Rich Hill.....
what r we suppose to look forward to next year? we clearly had a dominant team and choked so now whenever we havea good time i feel were gonna choke...
What a sad end to what could've been a great season.
JW, I completely agree with your take:
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I disagree you could not have seen this coming. This team as constructed struggled in competitive games...its an all or nothing offense with a deep but mediocre pitching staff...good for the regular season and beating up on average teams... Look at the record versus the American league and the better NL teams when healthy...this was not as much of a suprise as many might think.
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I was saying the same thing earlier in the season---that the Cubs were playing teams with injury problems, didn't have their best players, etc., and when they came across good teams at full strength, they just couldn't get the job done. I think more or less, it had to do with the big guys who also choked in the playoffs---unsurprisingly, and a lot of VERY untimely GIDP's by Derrek Lee.
I do, however, disagree with the assessment some of you have on here that Piniella and most of his staff need to go. While Piniella made bad decisions, his players failed him big time, and while I can't believe Rothschild and Hendry have jobs when everyone surrounding them lost theirs under the previous regimes, I do believe they get a passing grade, though somewhat incompetent at times it seems.
What we so desperately need is consistency of our staff to build something big. Remember the Braves started out much like this, though they got to the World Series, they also had plenty of playoff failures, and finally won it. They did it with consistency in the front office, and coaching staff on the field.
It is my firm belief that clutch performers in the regular season don't change complexion all of a sudden in the playoffs---in other words, they are the same players. Guys like Ortiz, Manny, little Scott Podsednik, etc., wreak havoc on teams late in ballgames during the regular season, so it's no wonder they also pull through in the postseason as they have.
I would do whatever it takes to get a pitcher like Sabathia who can take the ball every 5th day, save your bullpen, and get complete games. I can't remember the last time we had a pitcher like that...maybe Fergie Jenkins? I think a lot can be said for a guy like him who can go deep in games, and not have an injury history, etc., and is competitive, and doesn't complain about taking the ball on short rest. Please keep in mind, something is definitely wrong with Z's arm, and we'll probably need to replace his production.
Additionally, I think you need to take a strong look at 1B and RF. Those are traditionally power-packed and RBI production positions. Neither Fukudome or Lee will ever come close to 30 home runs and 100 RBI (in Lee's case, he's only had one year like that to begin with, so you can't argue for him), and Fukudome will never work out for us there, unless you can move him to CF.
If we can find a way to get Teixeira, or Manny, or Milton Bradley, or Burrell, I really, really like our chances. ANd, I really do like Soriano's arm in left, as he's saved quite a number of games for us by throwing guys out....However, he's also cost us quite a few games with his poor reads, limited range, and awful fielding miscues, and his Fukudome-esque flailing away at pitches. Therefore, it might be best to let him go via trade if possible.
Again, as stated before, I'd love a team like this:
Furcal-ss
Pie-CF (if not included in a trade)
Beltran-LF (in trade for Soriano)
Teixeira-1B
ARAM-3B
Bradley or Manny-RF
Soto-C
Theriot-2B (splitting time with DeRosa, if DeRosa isn't included in trade scenarios)
Zambrano
Sabathia
Harden
Lilly
Dempster/Lowe/Marshall/Hill
There is NO POSSIBLE WAY you enter next season with the same team. You simply just cannot do that after entering postseason last year by just barely getting by, then entering this year without any momentum whatsoever, and the fact is, they still didn't win the big games against the good teams this year, or when it really counted. They essentially controlled their postseason fate before even getting there, and they couldn't even get it done then against the Brewers, so it was truly no surprise that they got swept...didn't make it hurt any less though.
I think Lou Piniella's quote said it all about next year and what we need to do:
"It's not shocking," Piniella said. "Nothing is shocking. I've said once you get into the postseason, all eight teams start equal and they all have chances. I was concerned about our offense coming into this thing, I'll be honest with you. And basically my concerns were realized. What can I say?"
I believe he summed it up well for me too...What I'd been lamenting all season is what I saw as our biggest weakness---offense. Team stats can often be misleading, especially if you go through a stretch of games where you score in double digits, or a couple of hot months when everyone is getting on base at near a .400 clip, or nearly all your regulars had a .300 average...it really skews the stats that way, and doesn't tell the whole story. For instance, what about the 3 or so consecutive starts after acquiring Harden where he gave up 1 or no runs, and we couldn't even get him a win...or his one-hitter, etc., etc. I believe, in a way, we were spoiled by great starting pitching the likes of which we hadn't seen in a very long time.
If we do not get any big bats, then you must consider Lou's other comments, and make your own judgement on what we ought to do:
"You score three, two and one in three games," he said of the Cubs' totals in this NLDS. "You do that during the season and you're 0-3 the same way you do in the postseason. Look, I've seen enough in six games. All I know is you have to score more runs than we do to win and if you don't, you can pitch well, you can play well, you can talk about anything you want but the bottom line is, unless you get shutouts, you're going to lose."
****shutouts****Well, I completely agree with his view, and considering we had only 2 complete games all season, and only one shutout, and that one shutout was Z's no-hitter, I'd say if you don't go after offense via trade/FA signing, then you MUST go all out after a guy like Sabathia who can get you a complete game shutout, or complete game at the very least roughly 1/3 of his starts.
If I had priorities it'd be like this (top five):
1) Sign Teixeira and trade Lee for prospects
2) Sign Sabathia
3) Sign Milton Bradley
4) Trade Soriano for Carlos Beltran
5) Sign Furcal
I could almost guarantee you NLCS with that team. But make no mistake about it, if we don't make at least 2 of the 5 moves, we will almost assuredly be in the same spot as we are today, or, even worse, not even make the playofs.