Game Sixty-Seven: Cubs (34-32) vs. Tigers (38-31)
Game Time - 6:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 176
Location - Comerica Park, Detroit
Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.44/1.30) vs. Edwin Jackson (6-4, 2.39/1.06)
Can the Cubs get on track tonight in Detroit? The Cubs four-game winning streak came to an end on Monday night but the lack of offense away from Wrigley is becoming more and more concerning. In the Cubs last 29 innings away from the Friendly Confines, they have scored only one run. The Cubs must work on the fundamentals of the game, especially on the road, and it will not be an easy task for the nest three days.
The Cubs will have to cool off a very hot Tigers team and one that could get Magglio Ordonez back, depending on the report, after he was benched last week. Jim Leyland's team is coming off a weekend sweep of the Brewers and other than the Dodgers, is the best team the Cubs have faced this year.
This will be the first series for the Cubs in Detroit since 2001 and the Cubs are 5-3 in Interleague Play with seven left to play.
While it all starts with Carlos Zambrano ... the Cubs' offense has to do their part as well.
Carlos Zambrano has done his job since returning from the DL ... and his suspension. While his 1-1 record in his last five starts is not what a team's number one pitcher should have, Zambrano has been a victim of little to no run support like the rest of the staff. Since May 22 in San Diego, Zambrano has allowed only eight earned runs in 26 2/3 innings.
Big Z is coming off a quality start against the Sox in which he allowed three runs on six hits in seven innings. The Cubs won the game thanks to the first of three straight walk-off victories.
Zambrano has been pitching to contact of late, which is allowing him to go deeper in games. He has pitched into the seventh inning in each of his last four starts ... and completed eight in Houston on June 10.
Like Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano has pitched better on the road and at night. Zambrano is 3-1 in six starts away from Wrigley, all night games, with a 2.58 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP ... compared to a 1-1 mark in five outings at home with a 4.45 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.
Zambrano will make his first career start against the Detroit Tigers tonight.
- Miguel Cabrera - 4-for-18 with a double, 2 home runs and three walks
- Adam Everett - 3-for-29 with 2 doubles and 2 walks
- Magglio Ordonez - 1-for-5 with a double and 2 walks
- Placido Polanco - 1-for-10 with a double
The Cubs will get their first look at the former Tampa Bay Ray, Edwin Jackson tonight. Jackson was the sixth round pick of the Dodgers back in 2001 and was traded in the off season from the Rays to the Tigers for outfielder Matt Joyce (during the winter meetings on December 10).
Jackson has out-pitched the Tigers expectations this season. In his 14 starts this season, Jackson has allowed more than three earned runs twice (four on April 12 to Texas and five on May 4 to Minnesota) and has issued more than three walks only two times as well (five on May 21 to Texas and four on June 11 to the White Sox) ... in other words, the Cubs offense will have more than their hands full tonight.
It will be hard to be patient against Jackson and the Cubs over aggressiveness at the plate this season could pay dividends tonight.
Edwin Jackson is coming off a loss to the Cardinals in which he allowed on three runs on seven hits in six innings with two walks and seven strikeouts. Jackson is 1-1 in his last three starts with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.
- Reed Johnson - 0-for-2
- Aaron Miles - 3-for-7
- Alfonso Soriano - 0-for-1
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Cubs agree to first round pick Brett Jackson, pending physical.
Link: http://www.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090623&content_id=5482644&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc
They also just agreed and signed their 12th round pick Runey Davis.
anything about there second round pick DJ Demaniu, he is lighting up the CES and is carrying LSU to win it all.
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/
Also where did you see that Neil.
Thanks
I just got word, the release will be coming soon.
Most CWS players prefer not to sign with MLB teams during the tournament, because it distracts from what they're trying to accomplish. There was a big stink about this, and the timing of the draft when they switched it up, but I guess there's no good time...if it's after the tournament, then non-tournament players miss 2 weeks of short season ball. If you have it earlier, then draft status is affected, because players can bloom later in the season, etc.
We haven't signed too many of our picks. I think we have almost all of the seniors we drafted, which amounts to like 10...then Darvil and now Jackson, so by my estimates, we've only signed 12
Aaron, Davis signed. Mark him off your list.
Neil can have have a post of who the Cubs signed and is there a link we can see?
Thanks
where do we see who the Cubs signed.
Would trading Rich Harden help us net a considerable bat?
Because everyone seems to be searching for starting pitching and we're on the good for it.
We seriously need a bat. Right now.
harden, miles and cash for derosa?
We'd never be allowed to shop in Cleveland again.
Hey Neil any news on Aram, i heard he might be going to AAA in 10 days for 10 days.
That timeframe is right in line with what I have been reading/hearing.
I'm proposing a three-way deal with someone.
Maybe, Pittsburgh and Philly. I still covet Sanchez over DeRo.
I like your thinking...DeRo wouldn't be welcome back by Hendry or Piniella anyhow, and it'd create an awkward situation. Even though they've said it wasn't because he was in his doghouse, I know there's incentive on both sides to keep it hush-hush, and there's no way you trade a player of his caliber for 3 players not even on a top 30 prospect list if there wasn't an issue.
Here's a 3 way for you:
Phillies trade prospects to Pirates for Sanchez, and we trade Harden to the Phillies in exchange for Sanchez. It makes a lot of sense, considering the Phillies need starting pitching, and we have Harden, who comes at a reasonable price.
Think how much better we'll be at the top with Sanchez...He's an awesome lead-off hitter.
My thoughts exactly.
Do the Cubs and Phils have serviceable enough prospects to satisfy the Pittsburgh fans after the Mclouth (Sic?) incident though?
Starting Lineup:
Alfonso Soriano, LF
Ryan Theriot, SS
Milton Bradley, RF
Derrek Lee, 1B
Micah Hoffpauir, DH
Geovany Soto, C
Kosuke Fukudome, CF
Mike Fontenot, 3B
Andres Blanco, 2B
Thank you for posting the lineup.
Just out of curiosity to either Waldo or Neil...
Where do you guys acquire the lineup so early before the game?
Thanks!
Cubs.com, go to fans on top and go down to message baors and it will either say starting lineup or talk Cubs/Tigers or what ever team they are versing.
Neil,
I think by "major" changes that Piniella promised...what he really meant was, "I'm placing our offensive woes on Aaron Miles"...LOL, what a crock. It's the same damn lineup all the time, with one player switched out usually. A "major" change should've been sitting Soriano on the bench or DL in favor of Hoffpauir or Fox. Soriano will do nothing against this guy. Additionally, both Bradley and Lee lack the bat speed necessary to catch up with this guy. Both have a limit of about 93-94 mph in terms of catching up with fastballs.
Jake Fox would be perfect for a predominantly fastball pitcher. Why doesn't Piniella think of that, rather than his damned "balanced" lineups all the time. Did we not almost win 100 games last year with an "unbalanced" lineup?!?
I don't get playing the younger players solely based on matchups.
It also hurts their development.
These kids (and I'm still calling Fox a kid) were hitting lefties and righties well.
Hell, Fox has hit both arms well since coming up. Play the Fox. He'll surprise ya.
Aaron...he just will not sit Soriano...for whatever darn reason...BE
GRATEFUL He finally figured out they were better off without MIles.
i'd rather have fontenot at 2nd.. and fox at third.. fox is actually hitting better against rhp
blanco can be a late inning replacement
and also edwin jackson's #'s:
against lefties: 1.88 ERA
against righties: 3.02 ERA
I'm giving up on Lou's thinking...I thought for sure Fox would be in there the next 6 games...I don't understand...even by Lou's own words.
Aaroon where do you see who the Cubs signed?
Thanks
Waldo, one of the places is at Cubs.com....go to the roster section...then tab down to transactions.
My God...am I dreaming? A leadoff base hit to start the game? When did that last happen?
Last night when Soriano WAS NOT the leadoff hitter. A better question would be when Soriano lead off with a hit/walk/not a strikeout!
The answer to that: a lot of times this year. He's in a slump, and his slumps get overreacted to. When he's hot, he's the greatest thing on God's green Earth, and when he's not, he's the devil.
wow...bases loaded and now on out to start the inning and only 1 run scored...what a waste of an inning
PA----THE----TIC
bases loaded, no outs....only 1 run....LOL we are the worst offense in the majors
Cubs can get only one after having bases loaded, no outs....big difference between this year and last. For whatever reasons, Cubs would almost surely have taken advantage of that situation in 2008 but not in 2009. This will come back to haunt them against a big, strong guy like Jackson. Zambrano will have his hands full with this Tiger lineup.
Even though they scored once, this is looking like either they're regressing to where they were before that Indians series (or, more realistically, they just beat up on a team worse than them). I really hope they pick this up.
oops...Z gave up a double and triple....even at 1-1...this game is over, right? Am I wrong? Have I been wrong much all year? Nope....it's over folks. Cubs will lose, and it won't even be close. Other teams just know how to get the job done with RISP...we don't
i really don't understand why people make predictions like this.. unless i'm just not picking up the sarcasm
I take it as a "please prove me wrong" type of statement.
Good job by Z getting out of that jam. Man the Tigers jumped all over him, nice bat speed.
From early indications, care to guess how many runs the Cubs will score tonight? At 1 pm today, I posted that I was sorry to see the Cubs had to face Edwin Jackson because he can overpower most of their hitters and this year has cut down considerably on his walks. This will be a very, very tough game to win, but a major step forward if the Cubs could do it. That said, odds are, Aaron is right when he says "it's over folks."
Charles, yes...the odds...but then it IS the 25th anniversery of THE SANDBERG GAME...and they are playing the Tigers.
A team they have an ancient storied past with...I think the Cubs will win tonight.
you really don't understand the game of baseball if you state that it's over in the 1st inning.. no matter who is on the mound
Good job by Z again ... stranded the runner at third with less than 2 outs.
Wow. I know it's early, and still tied, but their is a very stark contrast between the 2 team's offenses. The Tigers are expecting to win and the Cubs are hoping not to lose.
Feels like yesteday. Alot of hits and a little more than nothing to show for it.
damn...Fukodome is such a good defender, but I really don't like him with RISP.
I'm still trying to figure out why there are so many lefties in the lineup if Jackson's ERA is so much better against lefties.
Fukudome really has been a complete waste of a roster spot (other than defense). So we need a legitimate CF now too.
Fontenot..poor little Babe..playing out of his element when he's meant to be only a bench guy. So we need a legitimate 2B now too.
Nice bunt by Blanco...
Soriano has hit the ball much better tonight.
Our offense will suck once again!
Right you are Ryno. That's why the Cubs need to move Theriot to 2nd and somehow pry Christian Guzman from the Nats.
Gotta put up a crooked number here.
2 & 3rd with none out.
No excuses here.
I really like the way Game and Lee have been seeing the ball lately.
We just need the bottom of the order to step up now.
Nice double by Lee ... 20 games in a row. First extra base hit of the road trip.
I don't like how often Micah fails in that situation.
It seems like he is always up with a guy at third and less than 2 outs. And he whiffs each time..
Hoffy has absolutely embarrassed himself and killed the offense tonight.
I can't hate on Kosuke there. That was solid contact.
Good at bat by Soto.
Fukudome just got robbed again. It seems everytime of late when he hits a ball hard, the defense makes a very good play on him.
Beautiful lucky double-play.
Kudos to the pitchers and middle infielders this season. They are constantly turning the DPs.
That was a great turn by Blanco at second. Very quick followed by a very strong throw to first.
Neil, btw watcing the SANDBERG GAME video....I noticed the ballgirl running behind home plate during an at bat.
Trivia: Her name was Marla...and she got fired that year for posing in Playboy...but she was hot.
Marla Collins, Harry loved her.
Harry loved a lot of woman...saw him in the bars sometimes after games...he ALWAYS had an entourage of cuties around him.
Yes he did!
You and I are on the same page today, Neil! XD
You can only play with fire for so long...
God damn..
This season has me so mad.
Z is very upset. They need to go calm him down.
I hope no one in that dugout is calm enough to calm him down..
Damn that sucks ...
You're not gonna win too many games on the road with two runs ...
I wish JH would go get us some offensive help.
MICAH MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hell Yes Hoffpauir!
All is forgiven!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
all i can say is, 'wow'
Man Zumaya's fastball is unbelievable....
but HOFFFPOWER!!!!!
When you hit something that coming at you that fast it's bound to go a long way.
I wonder how many HRs JZ gives up?
Research.
Not many.
Soto's hand came off on his last swing.
Ouch.
Lets hope it doesn't bite us...
Hill is behind the plate, hope Soto is not hurt.
Not good...Marmol hit Polanco on the first pitch
Neil, if Soto is hurt...do you think Chris Robinson is ready at AAA?
Suzy, I started to post this as Gregg was hanging the baseball. I hope so. Robinson is still producing...
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Chris%20Robinson&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=460101
My only concern is that he was not invited to big league camp in the spring ... but we will find out.
It use to be Gregg, but now Marmol produces the inning of angst.
There's Marmol Classic.
Nasty.
A tack on run would make me feel all warm a fuzzy inside.
How do you feel instead?
Good recovery by Marmol. One of his better outings in a while.
Nice defensive hit by LBR.
I like it.
GREGG !!! DARN YOU!!!
Lead off walk.
A leadoff walk! I hate it!
Fuck...
Fuck.
Fuck.
I hate this. I hate this so much.
I mean, I really hate this freaking team.
Hate. Hate. Hate.
God damn Jim. Get some help for them.
damn ittttttttttttttt!
He's a lousy closer--for us. A great closer for the opposition.
How many games has the loser lost for us by giving up big taters in the ninth?
ARRGHHH!!!!!!!!!
I'll be there tomorrow.
Now here we are with one of those important games (after a late inning Cub comeback on the road) where Gregg is desperately needed to step up and do his job. Well, he immediately gets into trouble by walking the first hitter and then he gives up the winning homer... how can Piniella stand to put up with that type of choke job the rest of this year? No wonder so many of us stay negative about this team!
gregg sucks that was such a hanger
Wow, That Hurts! So Close. So Well Played Until The Very End.
F'n Gregg...damn, we had this game.
Would have been a great game...BUT for Gregg...a real momentum killer...still, I like the way the Cubs fought for this game...they have a lot of fight in them.
If Lou would keep Hoffy and Fox in...I like our chances a lot better.
Gregg just showed his true colors...again...they have to address him.
And by address, do you mean a change of address?
Like...Iowa?
I so freaking wish..
Susy,
We have a totally out of touch manager. He keeps running the same losers out there, and they keep losing the game for him. Winning is not the object of his managing anymore. It is all about playing the high dollar guys even if they have become total non-producers.
Question: who has a better batting average, more RBIs per at bat, more HR's per AB, more steals per AB, than Soriano, and yet got sent down to the minors? Bobby Scales.
Soriano went 14 for his last 99. Do you think Hoffpauir would be in the majors if he did that?
The Cubs have enough talent to win the division; they just don't have enough of a good manager anymore.
If L-O-U thinks the Cubs can go anywhere with a closer like Gregg--he's totally lost it, just like I think he has.
As for the Cubs in 2009, youcanforgetaboutit.
I think we all kinda sensed that outcome coming. Gregg doesn't quite spark confidence (unless you're the opponent facing him).
Now you people know why I leave the room during the ninth inning. I would have dropped dead if I saw that walk off HR.
Kevin Gregg had an ERA of 6 up until recently. 6. Not 1, 2, 3, 4, or even 5. 6. For a reliever that pitches maybe 3 games a month, that's a bit below the level of acceptable. For a guy who is supposed to be a "shutdown" pitcher, that is beyond horrible.
I mean, it's like this season has been a surprise only for everyone in the Cubs management. Aaron Miles...Kevin Gregg...WE, the fans, knew they were bad ideas from the get-go. But hey, we're not in the business, so what do we know?
I just can't fathom why these guys are so pigheaded they'd let a guy who can't throw a single good breaking ball continually close games.
Because Lou and JH have to continue to play the guys they pushed for in trades. These guys will never admit their mistakes.
All I gotta say is I told you all so...
bases loaded, no outs, 1 run
1st and second, no outs, no runs
2nd and 3rd, no outs, 1 run
That summarizes the ballgame right there for you, and I said on here the other day to please not be fooled by Gregg's recent stretch of "good" games. It was dumb luck, as he was still walking guys and giving up hits. Yet, there were some on here that claimed he was turning a corner...LOL...I cautioned those of you on here that were pro-Gregg to just wait.
LOL...this is hilarious...it's painful...but hilarious. Because Hendry and Piniella still think they can get by this season with Miles, Bradley, and Gregg, their 3 biggest blunders in the offseason, all playing MAJOR roles on the team.
Piniella finally wised up and put Miles on the bench, but for an unbelievable reason has still left Gregg in the closer's role. Didn't we all think at one point that he was finally fed up with him and was going to use Guzman? My how wrong we were.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are on cruise control, widening their lead in the division while the Brewers are floundering themselves, yet still remain ahead of the Cubs, and FAR better positioned to make the postseason given their offense, and a shutdown closer like Hoffman. A 7-3 deficit in the 4th inning isn't even close to being over for that team. If it were the Cubs it's over. If the games are close with us....it transfers to Gregg to hold a slim lead, and he can't deliver, so unless he's out of the game already (extra innings), or we're far ahead, he's pretty useless, which is near the bottom of the league in saves...because either he blows it, or he is brought in for mop up duty in other games to "get work in"
I kept saying this dude was garbage. I said unless he gets his breaking pitches over for strikes (which is a rarity), he doesn't have anywhere close to a closer's fastball, nor any other "out" pitch. His fastball is straight as an arrow at 92-94 mph...Not intimidating whatsoever. If you have a good coaching staff and advanced scouts, all you do is make him throw balls with his breaking pitches, laying off every single time, then sit on his fastball, and drive it (which hitters have done with ease). Do you guys realize that even the outs Gregg has gotten this year have been "loud" outs? It's because they're sitting on his fastball. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.Why Am I the only one that seems to get this?!?!?
There are plenty of us out here who get it, Aaron, but the guys making the decisions don't get it for sure. Ripsnorter probably has it right that the management "is going to play the high-dollar guys, even if they are non-producers." What a sad commentary...truly, truly sad and pathetic!
dude washes all the spirit away. Tks Gregg
That would have been a big pick-me-up for the Cubs to win this game on the road, coming back with Hoffpauir's clutch home run. With Gregg's big choke, it turns right around and is a giant size "downer" which will pick the Tigers up and more than likely turn this whole series around. This loss hurts in so many ways....took the heart out just about the time the Cubs were hoping and thinking they were getting well. This one will definitely have repercussions, none positive I can think of.
It will if they change closers, Charles...problem is...my favorite in house candidate, Guzman, is on the DL. I never,ever thought I would say this...but I wish we had Aardsma this season.
In the 70's and 80's the Cubs were synonymous with good closers...Smith/Sutter/...Wild Thing.
Somewhere along the line...Closers and
the Cubs became like quarterbacks and the Bears...and we ended up with the likes of Shooter/Borowski etc...and conversion jobs like Wood. Elite teams
are not cheap...when it comes to a closer....too important a job.
There's optioms out there...whether or not the Cubs will do anything in that direction...or can do...is up for debate.
From December on...JH's moves were booed.
Here's another one.....BOO.
I agree, Suzy, that a healthy Guzman would have been an excllent go-to closer after these Gregg failures. Since that's not possible right now, do you think Piniella should give Marmol the chance he has been wanting? It just might work, and could it be any worse than Marmol holding in the 8th only to see Gregg lose the damn game in the 9th?
Charles...Marmol has the stuff to be a closer...and probably the mentality.
Right now though...his walks are a concern...and there is no rhyme or reason to them...it reminds me of Lee Smith...walk the bases loaded...and strike out the side....If you are ready for that type of ride...then yeah...go with Marmol...BUT...it's not a democracy
here...your vote and mine don't count...
it's Lou's...and if I were to guess...Lou's not going there...unless Gregg gets hurt or traded.
And really...we are blessed with three
guys that CAN close...Marmol, Guzman,
Ascanio...yes him also...but he needs grooming...Guzman is ready...Marmol???
Then I'm starting to pray for a Gregg injury. I'll take the Marmol walks and then pray for the outs anytime rather than this walk off home run potential than Gregg brings to the table every time.
I hear you loud and clear Aaron. And I pretty much agree with every thing you say on here. It is so damn frustrating to watch this team.
I think bits and pieces are good with Lee hitting the ball now, but Fox and Hoffpauir need to play and we need another closer period. Fontenot, Bradley and Fukodome (although I love his defense) need to sit. I know Soriano sucks too, but I think he needs to play, just lower in the lineup. I say put Reed in center, Hoffpauir in right, and Fox and third and let it ride for awhile and see what happens. As far as the closer...anyone but Gregg. That's just my 2 cents worth.
CubsfaninBama, Reed is not an option just now due to back spasms...since Sunday...and at least until after Detroit???
Sorry Suzy...I forgot about that!
I know...that's exactly what I've been saying. You know what gets me too...Both Hendry AND Piniella have contradicted themselves, whereas last year, and in 2007, they were saying, "this is the big leagues...we can't afford to have players 'work out the kinks'. We're trying to win a championship." I actually think that's an exact quote...though I'm not going to waste my time trying to find it. It was a Hendry quote though, I know for sure...and Piniella has said similar things.
Funny, because they've done the EXACT OPPOSITE this year, and have basically trashed our season because of it. With Lee, Bradley, Soto, and Fontenot having horrible starts, they didn't do ANYTHING about it. They kept running them out there. Lee finally came out of it....IN THE THIRD FREAKING MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The thing that made us so successful before was Piniella's demanding personality. He said, "either produce, or you sit"...Well, not so this year apparently. We're nearing the 4th month of the season. Bradley still sucks, and can't hit a fastball right down the pipe...and seems disinterested at times at the plate AND in the field. Fukudome's flailing away again. Fontenot is NOT an everyday player, and I think we can all see that. Miles also is NOT an everyday player. Blanco also is NOT an everyday player. And yet, 2 of the 3 ARE everyday players.
I don't care what you have to do...I don't really care for Uggla or Kouzmanoff....but they both add that power dimension that we lack, and both make a hell of a lot of sense even WITH ARAM here.
I just don't get it....BOth Hendry and Piniella have come out and said the offense is pitiful, and yet, NO moves have been made to improve it. What a joke of an organization!!!!!!!!!!
Aaron, you stole the words straight out of my mouth. As I said yesterday, the Cubs cannot hit good pitching, and this was completely evidenced tonight. Sure, they scratched a couple runs across the board, one a fielder's choice, another a sacrifice fly, and the final two from Hoffpauir's homer, but all those lost opportunities that are never taken advantage of ring louder than the rest. Much much louder.
On top of that, Gregg cannot throw strikes if his life depended on it. Like Aaron said, his fastball is as straight as an arrow, and is always clobbered when he falls behind in the count, which you can basically take to the bank every time he pitches. That little recipe will never ever translate into success. The most effective pitchers are ones that can throw strikes and locate their pitches, something Gregg cannot do with any semblance of consistency. You put Guzman in there, and you'll start to see some major improvements.
Hendry and Lou have some serious problems, with the guys on the field and their lack of fortitude. Hendry needs to understand that taking a loss sometimes translates into yielding gain. He COMPLETELY lacks any ability to conduct a cost/benefit analysis of the product that he designed. Honestly, how hard is it to understand that no matter what you paid for something, if its not good, you don't use it. I could understand waiting on someone who historically performs at a higher level than the current one, but this guy offers no such data. It's unacceptable in my opinion to keep parading these bums out on the field and subjecting the paying fans the torture.
If this keeps up, and I'm willing to be that it stays this way as long as Hendry and Lou are in charge of this team, don't expect many more October baseball games on the North Side.
Watch JHendry . . . he'll dump Hoffpauir and Fox at the deadline for some trash pitchers that we don't need. He's clueless.
The predictors of negatives were mostly wrong tonight--but they did get lucky with Gregg. The team scored enough and played well enough to win most of the time in games with dominant pitchers--except for Gregg. It made little sense to condemn the team early. It does make sense to verbally stomp on Gregg.
So what happens now in this long season that, in fact, may not end as well as those of us who want to have the wins and losses decided on the field. The Gregg assignment (perform well enough to develop a better late inning pen) has likely ended or will in a game or two. Lou will likely move Marmol to closer and Guzman to the 8th inning. They have demonstrated late inning stuff and composure (along with a youthful indescretion here and there). But youthful indescretions are understandable. Veteran indescretions in extreme key situations are not.
Someone else said that top rate closers cost about $10 mil per. Gregg cost $4.2 mil. He did part of his job. Marmol and Guzman (and, in limited roles, Ascaino and probably Samardzija +) are ready to have the ball in their hands. Gregg and Heilman (another stop-gap at $1.6 mil) won't be with us next year. As an aside, there will be concessions to budget next season too.
The rest of the Cubs will not be shattered by this game. There are some positive take aways--and that's what pros and competitive athletes do. Which is not to say that a couple players won't be as good as they should be.
It's sickening to recall that another recent gut-wrenching "defeat snapped out of the jaws of victory" ..the R. Wells' no-hitter bid...was Kevin Gregg showing his true colors and failing miserably under presuure, giving his team a kick in the teeth! I'm feeling low tonight like I felt after that disheartening loss, and those of us who have long called for Gregg's removal as a closer continue to howl to the moon in a mournful, pitiful wail, pleading for action but seemingly to deaf ears!
Charles...what do you think the Cleveland fans are saying about Woody?
Oh, many are probably calling for his removal after recent setbacks in Chicago, but I did notice he got his 9th save tonight so guess that will help. What do you think?
They are probably calling for another closer...like we are.
I love Woody...but I had real doubts last year that he would make a good closer...because from game to game you didn't know what type of control he would bring...would he hit the guy?...Would it go over everyones head.
His stuff was so electric though and his heart so big...he made it work.
Cleveland is lucky to have him...though he will blow games from time to time.
I would much rather take my chances with Wood in the 9th than hand the ball over to Gregg...anyday.
The big thing with Cleveland is that they don't get into many save situations. I'm able to monitor Wood more closely since he's one of my two fantasy closers and I see him come up with an inning of work maybe once a week, if that. Last week was the most active I've seen him in a while and we all know how that went.
Ultimately, I think Eric Wedge just falls into the same mindset that Dusty had with closers: they don't need to pitch unless it's a save spot. And it's a stupid mentality, I mean, just look how well it worked out for Dempster in '06.