Game Twenty-Two: Cubs (10-11) vs. Marlins (14-8)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Rich Harden (2-1, 3.86/1.19) vs. Graham Taylor (0-1, 9.82/2.73)
It's a new day and a new month...and it's time for the Cubs to get to work and win a few ballgames.
The Cubs stumbled through the first month of the season and are looking up a most of the division. While it is still early, this team needs to show improvement from hitting with runners in scoring position to the bullpen throwing strikes and doing their job...and the list could go on. And the first key...play mistake free ball. The Cubs are 0-9 in games that commit at least one error. With the offense struggling, they are not out hitting their mistakes like the Cardinals.
The Cubs have plenty of time and there is no need for panic but they do need to start showing improvement...and it must start today behind Rich Harden.
Rich Harden has pitched very well in three of his four starts and his team needs the 'Good' Harden to show up this afternoon. The Cubs' offense is reeling and they are making it hard on the pitching staff right now...with the Cubs not scoring, every mistake thrown is magnified.
Harden is coming off a great start and a win against the Cardinals. Harden allowed only two runs on four hits (solo home runs by Rick Ankiel and Yadier Molina) in six innings with two walks and nine strikeouts. Harden is among the league leaders in strikeouts with 35 in four starts...fifth place in the National League.
Today will be Harden's third career start against the Fish. He has two no decisions and has allowed two runs on seven hits in 10 2/3 innings...with 15 strikeouts and five walks. Both starts for Harden against the Marlins came last season...one with Oakland on on June 20 and the other with the Cubs in Miami on July 26.
- Alfredo Amezaga - 0-for-6 with a walk
- John Baker - 0-for-2
- Jorge Cantu - 1-for-9 with a walk
- Wes Helms - 1-for-2
- Jeremy Hermida - 1-for-5 with a home run
- Hanley Ramirez - 2-for-4 with a double and 2 walks
- Cody Ross - 0-for-2
- Dan Uggla - 2-for-5 with a double and a home run
Graham Taylor was the 10th round pick of the Marlins in 2006 and will be making his second career big league start today. The lefty was beat up in 3 2/3 innings by the Phillies last Sunday. Taylor gave up four runs on four hits with six walks and two strikeouts.
The Cubs must be patient today and make the rookie work...especially the first time through the lineup. If they swing early and often it could be a long day, plus pitching at Wrigley is a lot different from pitching at Dolphin Stadium.
Baseball America ranked Graham Taylor as the Marlins' 30th best prospect before the season began. Taylor has a "sneaky 85-89 mph fastball with plus life, a big-breaking slurve and a changeup with good tailing action." According to Baseball America, when Taylor is on, he's a groundball machine. Taylor hides the ball well and is good at deceiving batters.
Graham Taylor was reportedly in the deal that would have sent Jacque Jones to the Marlins back in 2007.
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
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Hendry and Pinella need to start making moves. Anyone have any ideas on Ricketts
bringing in a new GM?
Okay, I am a D-Lee fan, but I am starting to go over to Aaron's side. It might be time for HoffPower or Fox. Two things that irrated me. First was when Soriano said he doesn't see the hunger in this years team, Lee dissagreed and said "I don't think that is it". Then yesterday after the game Lou said "They need to start hitting, it is becoming a big big concern." Then Lee says "I don't think it is".
Well Lee, if it's not those two things what the hell is it!!
If Lee can turn it on and I hope that he does, I will take me crow with BBQ sauce please.
On another topic I love Soriano, he might not be the smartest or best outfielder, but his approach at the plate this year is much better, and if you ask me, he has become the leader of this team, both by doing it on the field and vocally.
With that being said, it is a new month and time to right the ship!!!
Aaron, I agree..
You know the other thing that gets lost in all the scrutiny of the moves Hendry made ?
When you move Fuku to CF to make room for Bradley, you now have what may be the slowest OF in baseball. While Fuku is a terrific RF, he is not a CF. He's just not fast enough to cover the ground. Case in point last night was the 10th inning. First guy hits a popup into short CF and it drops in for a double and next thing you know they have 6 runs. That ball should have been caught, but the box score doesn't show that. A slow OF makes a HUGE difference.
And DP Lee is basically an automatic out. I just cannot believe how bad he has become. It will be interesting to see if Lou has the stones to sit him in favor of Hoffy. We all know it shouldn't matter what a guy makes in terms of whether or not he plays, but if you think it doesn't matter, you're living in fantasy land. That's the fact. It does matter, even with Lou. Case in point - Why does he refuse to take Soriano out in late innings for defensive replacement?
And Miles and Gathright are COMPLETELY useless. They trade Derosa for a bag of balls and then sign Miles to replace him. Did they really think that was an upgrade ? Holy cow. But obviously they did it to save money so they could get MB. Just terrible.
I think we're looking at 80-85 wins - Tops !! and that may be optimistic.
Today's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Bradley - RF
Lee - 1B
Johnson - CF
Soto - C
Miles - 2B
Fontenot - 3B
Harden - P
Nick,
I too saw those recent comments by Lee---the most recent ones...and I almost vommitted. He doesn't even know what he's talking about, because he then contradicted himself by saying he sucks right now.
If I'm Lou or Hendry and I learn about those comments, I'm benching his ass, because that's the problem right there that Soriano was talking about----it's the whole notion that these guys know they suck and have no fight in them.
I immediately DFA Gathright, bring up Fox, sit Lee's ass on the bench, and insert Hoffpauir, DL Soto, and bring up Clevenger/Robinson, DFA Cotts, and bring up Waddell, or Papelbon (unlikely, but since he's a Papelbon, it's in his genes, and Samardzija earned promotions with worse stats--yeah, I know bigger contract, but still), option Patton and subject him to waivers, and bring up Ascanio, and finally, if Miles doesn't turn it around soon, then he goes the way of Vizcaino and Gaudin, and we eat his contract and give the deserving and even more versatile Bobby Scales a shot.
Here's the thought on all this.....If Hendry was willing to trade DeRosa essentially to save money for Bradley, and Marquis as well, taking on Vizcaino's salary in the process, and then he DFA's both Gaudin and Vizcaino, thus costing the team about $6 million, then why stop there?!?!? Why not DFA Miles because he sucks so bad right now at the plate it's not even funny. He just watches pitches go by right down the pipe, and acts like he doesn't care. Ditto Lee. If we rid the team of a roster hog like Miles, then a more deserving player gets a shot, and that's what winning baseball is all about, right?
Hell, you look at the Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, and even the White Sux, and you'll see that if you're not producing, they won't tolerate it no matter what your salary is. They have no problem sitting your ass on the bench until you figure it out. The Cubs, on the other hand, haven't figured it out this year. It took Lou 2 DAMN WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to sit Soto's fat ass on the bench...K Hill stepped in, and had like 3-for-4 day, and is sat the next game in favor of Soto...LOL. We won games, and were more competitive with Hill behind the plate, Fukudome in RF, and Hoffpauir at 1B. You bring up Fox, and put him at 3B, and you don't have to worry about Mini Me's stinker of a bat in the lineup (Miles).
Aaron, I'm with you on Gaithright, he needs to go! There is no place on team for him, he doesn't start, he can't hit, and he has barely been used as a pinch runner, he is taking up a roster spot.
And yea after reading those comments by Lee, I just, I don't know.
This team needs a fire lit underneith their asses!
Aaron....love the passion and agree with 95 % of what you said.....
but, there's no way you can put Fox at 3B. You can't put that type of defensive liability out there. He will cost you 3 runs a game over there. Teams will exploit him by bunting ....Sorry, but no way on that one.
Their defense is already fairly weak, you can't make it worse. I don't care what he hits, and there's no guarantee to that either.
How do you know it was a bad month of baseball?
The horrendous, absolutely terrible, ineffective, and worthless pitcher you so needed to trade away (Jason Marquis) has more wins than any of your starting pitchers, beats or compares favorably to all of them with ERA, WHIP, and number of walks issued.
3 runs a game like....uh, I don't know....maybe Fontenot has thus far.
Fact is, we don't have many options over there. Fontenot and Miles are WAYYYYYYYYY too small for 3B. Choppers over their heads, balls that a 5'11" to typical 6'1" and over 3rd basemen could've gotten....at least Fox brings a potent bat. There are no other internal options other than Scales, and while I agree he deserves a shot, I'm not convinced he'll hit MLB pitching, judging by his struggles in ST facing superior talent. He crushed non-roster invites all day, but the MLB guys he didn't---at least in the games I saw. If you're batting over .400 in AAA, chances are you can hit MLB pitching is all I'm saying. Also, if you look at AAA, it's the guys that are hitting like .330 and above that belong in the majors. Guys hovering around .300 or less can't hack it...it's just how the minor league system works.
Consider AA. If you're hitting over .300 in AA, chances are you belong in the majors..and even if you're around .285, you probably do as well, so long as you have other stats to back it up like SLG, etc. The reason is level of pitching talent. Everyone knows AA gets the cream of the crop with pitching talent. Usually the guys in AAA are has-beens or guys that couldn't hack it at the MLB level.
great...down 1-0...GAME OVER!!!!!!
I love Brenly...he states it like it is, "productive out there by Gload, moving the runner over to 3rd less than 2 out"
we've heard that maybe once all year regarding our own damn team
please explain to me why Soto is in there?
and 3-0....Cubs better pray the rain comes down harder and it's cancelled, because we're done, and Soto can't call a good game to save his life this year
Praying for Rain
Let's get some freakin' runs!
How do you know it was a bad month of baseball?
Little Mike Fontenot has more HRs (4) than Lee and Bradley combined (3) and almost just as many RBIs (10) as Lee and Bradley combined (12).
That's bad.
I hate the way this team is constructed.
I'm with you.
I'm excited over back-to-back singles
Geez...bases loaded...nobody out...think we can score a run?
Thank god for the past ball.
I listened to Lou's comments today, and I was almost*almost*encouraged. He said, "It is no longer early when you are 5 games behind. It is no longer early when the Cardinals are beating up on everybody. We have no offense. What am I supposed to do? Have more patience? I have had patience already. The only thing I can do is start playing my bench."
Don't forget, Lou, and JHendry traded away your bench. He replaced the bats with AARON MILES and his lofty punch and judy hitting. lol
Bradley had a good April. He got 3 hits, 2 for HRuns. 2 RBI. That's 2 more hits than I expected out of him. How much more production do you want? lol
Like I said back in March: you'll miss DeRosa, and Hendry did not replace Edmonds' production either. So you are short some 42 Hrs, a lot of slugging, versatility off the bench, even fielding skills are missing, by the moves of JHendry.
Mark my words: Fox will not be promoted. Hoffpauir will continue to ride the pine, because he can't field (lol), and Soto will continue to pack on the pounds. Oh, we got rid of Blanco, too, because he cost too much?? Bradley was so much cheaper . . . .
I love the way Harden hustles everything out.
Its time to sit Lee. He was bad most of last year. Hoff deserves a chance. What if he is a "clean" version of Josh Hamilton? This kid deserves a chance, and with Lee playing terrible, Hoff should get the nod.
I agree on getting rid of Joey Gathright.
I think Bradley will produce, but I still think getting rid of DeRo was the worst move of the offseason. I don't care what side of the plate he hits from, he produced and you had a solid fielder anywhere he played.
If the Cubs canh't knock this guy out today...(he's got a 7.73 era)
Right now Ricketts are saying "we bought what"
If you add the OPS of D. Lee, Soto and Aaron Miles, COMBINED, it is less than that of Manny Ramirez. Basically, he is worth more than all 3 of them combined offensively.
The Cubs have 1 player with an OPS over .800
Look at this...$140 mil vs $37mil. Ricketts should clean house and start a "kids can play" campaign.
Edmonds is still available, right? Surely he could make an impact.
Yes, Edmunds is still looking for a job...says he can be ready to contribute to any team with 2 weeks prep...he's 40.
Its a crime that Hoffpauir is not playing. Screw the freakin defense...
Bradley 4-36, 2 HR 2 RBI in 15 games
Jacque Jones was better than this
WOW!!!
What the Hell is Harden doing!! Walks three sraight then hits a guy!!
Guys, I'm signing off...can't take it.
I wish I could see the games Lou has been watching because he hasn't been at cubs games.
I have to imagine the team finally got to Harden.
nick; he needed OBP for his fantasy team.
That smelled like DL to me, hope not.
It always seems like the magic number is three. If an opposing team scores at least 3 runs or more on the Cubs, then it's game over. Then again..right now it feels like ANY team scores just ONE run on the Cubs and it's over.
Unbelievable! Look they had the bases loaded and scored 2. NOW, I think we're done.
Regardless, did you guys see anything wrong with Harden..was he favoring his shoulder..? Something..?
Make this kid work!
so we have one player injured and not on the dl.....and because of our bench Z is a pinch hitter.....yeah. That is managing 101 right there. I don't care what he hits....if you don't have a bat, place Rami on the DL and get someone up here! I think he just wants the excuse that the Cubs were 'short-handed' thus the win/loss record.
This is looking more and more like Lou can be blamed, too. This is not how you manage a bullpen. I don't care if Jeff Samardzija is coming up to bat: you let him bat if he's only thrown a third of an inning in the 4th. And he wonders why Marmol's hurt.
Lee must be thanking the baseball gods that no-defense Uggla couldn't handle the double play...LOL wow we suck ass right now.
I also disagree with Len's take, "statistically speaking the guys that aren't hitting have a track record, etc."
Really? What stats has he been looking at? All you have to do is go to baseballreference.com, and see that none really have a great "track record". Unless you're talking about ARAM, there's not a single player with either enough statistical data or consistency on this damn team. So everyone is wondering why we're so bad.
Why don't they look at stats then for real. Lee's avg, OBP, and power #'s have fluctuated greatly over his career. Bradley's #'s are the same, mostly b/c his games played #'s have varied year to year from 90 or so games to 40 games, etc. Fontenot, Theriot, Soto, Hoffpauir, Fukudome, and Koyie Hill don't have a large enough MLB sampling to make that kind of statement.
That leaves ARAM as the only consistent player. Soriano's #'s almost mirror Lee's with avg, OBP, and power #'s varying greatly.
It would have been best to sign Abreu, Ibanez, or Dunn, and that would've been the prudent move. Additionally, keeping DeRosa, who had 3 consecutive years of increasing numbers and consistency with games played, etc. would've been a smart move.
All 4 of those guys have better numbers than just about everyone on our team. Isn't that sad?
Good outing by Patton.
I do have one question...when does Rothschild become responsible for all of the walks?
Neil,
Good question...I've been wondering the same thing since he's survived 3 managerial changes, and so has Hendry...WOW!!!
It seems Hendry is too loyal to sucky players and coaches, just like he was to getting Cliff Floyd, a guy he tried recruiting at Creighton and was infatuated with...and with Bradley, just because a player recruits you, doesn't mean you have to give them a contract. I don't get it with him Neil...really, I don't.
I cannot fathom why Hendry is still employed, especially after he was responsible for hiring the previous managers and fielding the players that didn't work out. Why does he escape the hatchet when so many others have not.
Also, Soto..you freaking moron, you can't get a hit without swinging the damn bat the whole AB!!!!!!!!!
Was that the riot? Are you kidding????!
THAT's freaking amazing. What a job by Theriot!!!!
I 100% agree with everything Brenly said about, "that's what it takes when you're struggling...to not try to be the hero" (in reference to Soriano's walk) and that's exactly what it'll take for this team to get back on track---people to stop trying to be the hero, and just do the little things.
Bradley still sucks ass by the way....he and Soto---2 pitches right down the pipe...at least Bradley had a couple hacks in there
i think ted lilly has a better chance of going yard....ill take it
The good players will actually play good. Also, SHOCK, Cotts walked a guy!
what the hell is Cotts doing in there in anything resembling a close game?!?!
I posted my comments in the wrong thread I was so excited after the THE RIOT Grand Slam!!
That was awesome!
Crazy regarding Theriot..
The team needs to start hitting; Soriano is doing well right now but he will go through a bad stretch at some point as he's just that type of hitter. Important that he gets picked up then as much as he is helping the team currently.
Why is Fukudome sitting today?
Taylor is a southpaw. Lou and his platoons
Makes no sense to me since Fuk HITS lefties and this team has had problems..you know..getting HITS! :)
THERIOT WITH A SLAM!!!!
Cotts actually got out of an inning...is that a first this year?
Good job by Soto
Yes...maybe he will get going now...we need him to start hitting.
Wow, Soto showing patience! God, let us win and start the new month with new life!!!!
That's the Soto we know and love 2-3 with a walk.
let's all hope the pen can hold now. I'm glad to see Fontenot hitting with authority now..just missed another hit. Man, the Marlins play outstanding defense. It's unbelievable.
Piniella isn't completely retarded is he?
Then what the hell is he doing throwing a visibly uneasy Marmol in again 3 days in a row?!?!?!
How are they going to fix this walking problem? Eight walks and hit a batter...Marmol 2-0.
This is unreal.
I just don't understand this.....how dumb is Piniella, really?
Vintage Marmol, but that was stupid to bring him out. He just pitch the previous two games after coming back from injury. You have Guzman and Heilman in the pen. Marmol definitely hasn't looked healthy since coming back. There's no excuse for not giving him a break.
man...I am a Cub fan in need of a hug....I think I've aged tremendously this season just watching them
your on your own on this one
Just in.
Theriot hit a grand slam?!?
What the hell, haha
Theriot had a good breakfast
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
Phew. Big win.
Was keeping up with the texts. I didn't rush home because of that 5-2 deficit. I guess I'll have to watch the replay. XD
How did Rami look in that pinch at bat?
Big Win!
Patton with his first career big league victory
Patton did a nice job today, gotta give him credit.
Heart attack city....Cubs Win!
Thank God for Theriot!!!
Still need a lot of work but some positives. Nothing from Sori/Nothing from ARAM/ Uncle Milty 1/5 and Cubs still win!!!
Need to mention Cotts didn't blow it either.
Will Aram be back tomorrow?
There's one. That was a good battle, and, sure enough, the gamers came through. Theriot and Fontenot continue to do their jobs extremely well. Soto looked slightly competent, and Soriano continues to walk. They still need string together a few more wins, but if they win this series, they're on their way. As long as they don't LOSE the next two.
There sure are A LOT of fickle, worried Cubs fans out there. ITS only 22 games into the season! Where were all these doubts when Harden was striking out 9 or 10, and we were 8-4? Thats why we play 162. It's soooo early, let things play out, its not July yet.
We'll be ok, just like last year, and the year before, we are a good team. Guys are gonna have bad days (Harden), slow starts (Bradley, Lee), but things will turn around (I can't wait to hear some of you when Soriano goes through a slump: Trade this free swinging, all offense hack!...Just wait until he carries us again.) Basically, relax. We are still hurt, and some big bats are starting out slow, but they will get it going. It's a long season, you should be invested long term, not short term!!
My crow tasted very nice.
Steven G.,
Ditto.
Matt,
ARAM actually looked good on his swing, and lofted a deep fly ball to right field.
As for our pen....it's still garbage, although I was encouraged by Patton's strong outing, and Guzman seems to be coming on strong, so there's a few bright spots, but overall, our pen is garbage. Kevin Gregg has to be the worst closer in all of baseball right now. Am I wrong? Please tell me if I am.
I might stand to be corrected, but I believe he has been scored upon in like 10 of his 11 appearances. He has given up 13 hits, 8 walks, and has 12 K's in 10 2/3 innings. That, my friends, is what you would call HORRIBLE for a closer. I didn't like the trade in the offseason, and I hate it even more now. I can say the same for the Bradley deal.
I guess what bothers me most about Gregg is he NEVER fit the profile of a closer in his entire career, and yet, by default was thrust into the role by the Marlins, and Hendry was duped into believing that he was justly put into that role by his production. Sorry Jimbo...injuries happened, and he got the role by default. Even so, he was set-up material at best. He gives up way too many hits and walks to be a closer.
I did a statistical analysis this offseason about him...not sure if any of you remember, but I checked all the good to above average closers in the game, and they all gave up significantly less hits than innings pitched with low walk totals. Gregg has neither.
I take Marmol anyday over that bum....even with him hurting like he is.
Aaron you are so right about Gregg. I think Farnsworth had more movement on his fastball. I have always thought that Gregg was the replacement for Howry not Wood.