Game Seventy: Cubs (34-35) vs. White Sox (35-37)
Game Time - 3:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet (Cubs) WGN TV (Sox) - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago
Randy Wells (1-3, 2.57/1.10) vs. Jose Contreras (2-6, 5.23/1.37)
The Cubs returned to Chicago on Thursday night 0-4 on their current 10-game road trip ... and the next three days will be spent on the South Side against the Sox. While it is the Cubs versus the Sox this weekend, it really does not matter who the Cubs play, they need to win a few games in a row.
With the last four losses, the Cubs are 13-21 on the road ... maybe playing in Chicago will help them win a few games outside of Wrigley. The Cubs have lost their last six road games and are just 3-11 on the road in one-run games.
Aramis Ramirez is scheduled to begin taking batting practice this afternoon. The Cubs offense is not the same without Aramis but they must not rush him back and risk further injury. Ramirez said on Wednesday that he would require extra rest for the remainder of the season in order to be able to finish out the year on the active roster. Jim Hendry must add a utility infielder that can produce runs ... and before it is too late.
The Cubs will be without Milton Bradley this afternoon. Lou Piniella reportedly benched Bradley due to the fact he is not hitting right-handed pitching. The player the Cubs added to help give them a bat from the left side that can produce runs against the leagues top right-handed pitchers is hitting .205/.345/.342 with a .687 OPS left handed ... but against southpaws hitting from the other side, .327/.400/.490 with a .890 OPS. Four of Bradley's five home runs have come off right-handers but the last time he went deep ... May 27.
Aaron Miles was scratched from the starting lineup on Thursday after he hyperextended his elbow in the batting cage. Miles is supposed to be examined today by team doctors and could be headed to the DL.
The Cubs must start showing improvement on the field beginning this afternoon ... and it all starts with Randy Wells.
Randy Wells is coming off his first big league win and it will be up to him to put an end to the Cubs' losing streak. No pressure on the rookie whatsoever ...
Wells held the Indians to two runs on five hits his last time out and pitched into the seventh inning for the fifth time this season. Wells has shown a lot of composure on the mound in just eight big league starts ... and he will need every ounce of confidence this afternoon.
Wells was slated to pitch against the Sox in the series at Wrigley but the rain pushed him back to the finale against the Indians.
The right-hander has been very good outside of Wrigley this season ... 0-1 in four starts with a 2.10 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP.
This afternoon will be Randy Wells' first career game against the South Side.
The Cubs were supposed to face Jose Contreras in the series at Wrigley but the rainout pushed him to the series against the Reds. Contreras was awful at the beginning of the year, went down to Triple-A and found himself again.
After posting 16 innings of shutout ball against the Tigers and Brewers (three total hits with three walks and 11 strikeouts), Contreras gave up three runs in six innings to the Reds in his last start. Contreras is 2-1 in his last three starts with a 1.23 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP with three walks and 13 strikeouts in 22 innings.
The Cubs have had success against Contreras in recent years but that was when they were recording basehits with runners on base ... and in scoring position. The Cubs must make him work this afternoon and start the series out on a positive note, with a win, or it will be a long weekend on the South Side. With Mark Buehrle and John Danks going on Saturday and Sunday, the Cubs will not get a break over the next three games.
This afternoon will be Jose Contreras' seventh career start against the Cubs. He is 2-3 in the first six with a 6.08 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP ... last season, 1-1 in two starts with an 11.57 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP. The Cubs hit .395 against him ... but it was really a tell of two starts. The Cubs rocked him at Wrigley (nine runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings ... Jim Edmonds' two homers in the same inning) and then Contreras beat the Cubs at the Cell a week later (three runs on seven hits in six innings).
- Andres Blanco - 0-for-9
- Milton Bradley - 4-for-12 with a home run
- Mike Fontenot - 4-for-8 with 2 home runs
- Ryan Freel - 0-for-3
- Kosuke Fukudome - 2-for-5 with a walk
- Koyie Hill - 1-for-3
- Derrek Lee - 3-for-16 with a double and a walk
- Alfonso Soriano - 5-for-8 with 3 home runs
- Geovany Soto - 2-for-5 with a home run
- Ryan Theriot - 0-for-1 with a walk
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So much for the benching ... today's lineup without Theriot:
Soriano - LF
Fukudome - CF
Bradley - RF
Lee - 1B
Hoffpauir - DH
Fox - 3B
Fontenot - 2B
Soto - C
Blanco - SS
Neil you beat me this time.
I thought Pinella bench Bradley until Saturday.
I think it might be because Theriot got a off day. It would be Fontenot at third, Theriot at short, Blanco at second, Hoff in RF and Fox at DH.
It is good that Pinella is playing the hitable Jake Fox.
4 for 12 with a HR might have something to do with it.
Thank God you got the lineup in.
You have the better winning percentage.
Phew...
does lou ever do anything he says hes gonna do? FOLLOW THRU!!!!
Wow Bradley still playing and more mind-blowing is he is still hitting 3rd and playing the field. Put him at DH were he was succesful last year (also had Josh Hamilton hitting in front him).
MLBtraderumors has an article that has Taveras and Renteria as the worst off-season signings??????
If the blue crew can manage a win, the drinks
are on the house. Thanks Neil, as allways!!!
Go Cubbies.
Maybe Contreras struggles against left-handers...who knows? That being said, does Bradley even count as a left-handed bat? He either swings and misses easily, or hits crappy pop ups, weak grounders, or cheap bloop hits lefty.
Did you read the article in the Sun-Times about Joshua? Supposedly he found Bradley's problem, and they were working to fix it. Additionally, on Thursday, they found issues with Fukudome, and worked on video before the game, and in the cages to fix his swing....seemed to have paid dividends, with his triple, and double, and he had an unlucky smash hit that hit off the pitcher...otherwise he would've been 3-for-4.
Anyway, I like Joshua, and I think he's one of the best. But even he can't fix Hendry's poor decision-making with Miles, Freel, and Bradley. I'm just so upset over his moves. We were supposed to get better in the offseason, not worse. He traded away/didn't sign leaders (Edmonds, DeRosa, and Wood) in favor of Bradley, Miles, and Gregg essentially. All had worse track records, and all cost roughly the same combined.
I don't get the Edmonds and DeRosa moves especially. Edmonds was that big lefty bad, and was freaking awesome for us last year. He was one of the major reasons we had such a great record, but I think he and DeRosa made comments that landed them in the Lou's doghouse during the postseason, despite Hendry and Lou saying otherwise.
Edmonds: 85 games, 250 AB's, 47 runs, 64 hits, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 19 hr, 49 RBI, 45 walks, 58 K's, .256 avg, .369 OBP, .568 SLG...I mean, over half his hits were for extra bases. He was simply amazing for us last year
DeRosa: 149 games, 505 AB's, 103 runs, 144 hits, 30 doubles, 3 triples, 21 hr, 87 RBI, 69 walks, 106 K's, .285 avg, .376 OBP, .481 SLG
vs
Bradley: 126 games, 414 AB's, 78 runs, 133 hits, 32 doubles, 1 triple, 22 hr, 77 RBI, 80 walks, 112 K's, .321 avg, .436 OBP, .563 SLG
**so, in 41 less games, Edmonds nearly equaled Bradley's production...and for a fraction of his cost.
Miles: 134 games, 379 AB's ,49 runs, 120 hits, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 4 hr, 31 RBI, 23 walks, 37 K's, .317 avg, .355 OBP, .398 SLG
And all this to "get a little more left-handed"?
I mean, what the hell was Hendry thinking? Did he honestly think that Fontenot would equal DeRosa's production after being a part-time player, and not proving anything prior to that even in the minors? Did he think Fontenot AND Miles combined would produce the same numbers? It's not even close. Did he not understand that with 22 hr, 77 RBI...that was the most Bradley had EVER produced? Did he think that magically, a health risk, broken down player that spent just 20 games in the field the prior year would be able to come anywhere close to those numbers?
Our offense was near the top in the league last year BECAUSE of guys like Edmonds and DeRosa. You can't take their offense away, and count on 2 guys coming off career years in their 30's...it just ain't gonna happen. That's what pisses me off most about Hendry is his lack of foresight and research.
Is Theriot just getting a day off
or is there a problem? What is Lou saying about Brafley now...why is he in?
Lou's whim?
Theriot is getting the day off. He hasnt have a day when the team was playing in a long time.
Yesterday, a voice came to me out of the clouds and said, "Cheer up. Things could be worse." So I cheered up--and sure enough, things got worse (except for Indy's Jake The Rake and Micah Money.)
I had felt confident that the Blue would finally score some runs. I forgot that a top pitcher is only really good about four games out of five. And yesterday was number 5. There are two reasons to be encouraged today. Constantly being discouraged is not emotionally healthy. And (yes) surprising things can happen in a single game or a short series. It would be an interestng (and maybe useful) surprise if Bradley batted right handed today.
foxsports.com's Jason Whitlock has an interesting piece on Jim Brown's heroism/neighborhood contributions and most modern-day athletes lack thereof. I spent enough time in the ghettos and barrios around the country (in the interests of economic uplifting during one of my do-good periods) to be called a "blue-eyed soul brother" by Jim Brown. I will say that he was as tough on demanding excellence from those wanting a hand up as he was in delivering intensity and effort on the football field.
Whitlock is sometimes "edgy" for "edgy's" sake, imo, but this article is a good read.
JimK...any news on your Boston deal?
or was it all smoke?
what about trading for Mark Teahen?
Any Thouyghts?
At this point...Why?
He has this line:
70 games, 253 AB's, 33 runs, 72 hits, 14 doubles, 1 triple, 8 hr, 26 RBI, 19 walks, and 53 K's (which is Soriano-esque) .285 avg, .344 OBP, .443 SLG
For what we'd have to give up, we might as well go with Jake Fox. Teahen has played 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and RF this year. In the past, he's played all 4 of those, and CF and LF as well. I surmise that his 3 games played at 2B this year (first time he's ever played there) was simply to showcase his versatility for other teams.
It was rumored the other day from other MLB execs that Hendry was looking for a near clone of DeRosa, without re-acquiring him (which would be admitting he made a mistake). Teahen seems to fit the bill perfectly, but his strike zone discipline is downright pathetic, and he's about half the player (in terms of production) that DeRosa was.
One good thing about Teahen, is since coming into the league, he's dramatically improved his defense, so that's a plus, and he's a lefty, which we all know was a top priority of Hendry's this offseason (sighs in disgust).
Teahen, right now, seems to be the ONLY versatile player in the mold of DeRosa that would even be on the market, putting Hendry at a significant disadvantage in terms of leverage. Dayton Moore knows that we need a player like Teahen, so he can ask for significantly more than market value for him. (think 3 prospects)
In fact, I think it'd take no less than Barney, Jay Jackson, and Jeff Stevens to get a deal done...and I wouldn't trade Jackson at all in that deal. Stevens might not even be enough to get the deal done...so we might have to include Kevin Hart (which I also wouldn't do). See what I mean? Hendry's backed himself into a corner.
dang, the prospects i would NEVER give up are josh vitters jay jackson marcos mateo cashner samardzja castro hak-ju lee guab and flaherty they are too good mabe castro could be traded but those are my favorite prospects.
Suzy....Please don't say "smoke" around a guy who likes G. Soto. (I'm still waiting for someone to come up with a reasonably verified source that quantifies Soto's weight gain.) That would be other than the "about 5 lbs." that Lou mentioned to Miles or Levine when Soto returned from the WBC.
Re. the Boston deal (and maybe another big one too), there will be details soon.
The eye test.
July 2008 and April 2009 were night and day.
You really couldn't tell?
now...we want now...LOL...can you factor in Clay Bucholz? His comments seemed to have created a rift with management. They made him back-track his statements about being treated unfairly, and if they weren't going to bring him up, at least trade him elsewhere.
Re. player acquisitions, I don't see any until JH enters "Seller's Mode". Maybe we've got 10 days to win 7 or 8 games and have an acquisition be cost effective--but that doesn't look promising. So I would look to the offseason to try bringing back the free agent, DeRo.
My take right now is that Lou, is doing what nearly all managers do when things are going badly and playing time will soon favor development for the future. That is play the highly paids until neither they nor the still hopeful that matter, i.e. owners, union reps, important league observes, veterans possibly interesting in joining the team, etc., can say the vets did not get every possible chance.
good observation with ", i.e. owners, union reps, important league observes, veterans possibly interesting in joining the team, etc., can say the vets did not get every possible chance"
That's an interesting take, and I agree with it...if you bench veterans, then potential free agents will see that, and be like, "well, if I don't produce right away, my ass is on the bench"....that does make sense, and is perhaps, why Hendry and Piniella have been playing guys through their slumps, even though most managers would sit under-performing players on the bench by June if they still weren't living up to expectations. May seems to be the benchmark month for hitters, where, if they get going then, you know they'll be alright. But in June, all bets are off. If they're not producing, they should be DFA/trade candidates.
So, I agree with you on principle, but I also think that all the stakeholders mentioned: owners, players, agents, etc. even understand that if you're not producing by June, you probably won't produce later, and deserve to sit because you're hurting the team
horrible called third stike on Bradley.
This umpire is a joke. Someone pass along the memo to him that nobody paid to see him.
well...Randy Wells just lost the game....he gave up a run....we all probably knew going in that he needed a no-hitter/shutout type game in order to win, and even then...he might not have won, given we still would need to score.
While that 3rd strike to Bradley was a poor call, just like Soto's AB last night...anything close with 2 strikes, you have to protect. You can't leave the bat on your shoulder, and we've seen too much of that this year, especially with the now benched Aaron Miles
If that's today's strike zone, say hello to shut out #7.
The Cubs' two biggest liabilities - Soriano and Bradley - show their 2009 true colors in the first with, what do you think, STRIKEOUTS. If at the end of this game this afternoon, if either or both of these guys are responsible for a Cub victory, I will eat enough crow to choke a goat! Both should be on the bench, with time to "think it over!"
oh........my....this is going to be a VERY long game....we might even get no-hit
Contreras is an older guy, Aaron, so he might not be able to make it thru the whole game. Hoffpauir, Lee and Fox will get their swings in ,but I certainly don't expect the likes of Fontenot, Bradley, & Soriano to do squat against him or anyone else.
I love me some Jake Fox
no-hitter gone...WOOHOO...and look who did it. Jake Fox
my word Fontenot sucks ass this year
Fontenot MUST quit swinging at everything he sees
Fontenot is gone at deadline, he should at least be bench now and I onece agree with you Aaron
Fontenot, another player (Rivas atkins maybe) for teahen.
no, as I mentioned before, it'll take 3 significant prospects to land a 27 yr old Teahen. DeRosa had way more success than Teahen, but was 33 at the time of the trade...and netted 3 decent pitching prospects (though none were ranked), so that's your bench mark right there in any trade, and that's what GM's go off of. (unless they're Hendry, and have no idea how to negotiate)
I just really want Fox to learn second and when Ramirez gets back he be in the lineup. Then the Cubs dont have to make a trade. I think hell be find at second, his bat will take his defense out.
If Hendry SPECIFICALLY targets Teahen, he will get Teahen at a steal if it's possible to get him at all. However, if he goes after Teahen, but also puts focus on any other utility guys, we'll get ripped off and then some. And don't even get me started on if Hendry goes into seller mode...if a team wants a guy like Fontenot, Theriot, or Lilly...or even one of our less-than-stellars like Bradley, Miles, Heilman, or Gregg, we're going to get ripped off badly (I'm talking mid-level prospect straight up for each one).
He can't sell and he can't buy if he doesn't have a specific target. And being really good at buying with a target does not make up for that.
Well, we're close....is this horseshoes?
Guys- I'm on my honeymoon in Hawaii and the game is not televised here. Anyone know which iPhone app is best to "watch" the game with? Thanks!
it's not worth it. Enjoy your honeymoon, and don't think about the Cubs losing...because they will...I should know, I watched one game on my 7 day honeymoon a few years ago, and it ruined my day, and I didn't watch them again for another 2 months.
Because I just couldn't take it watching the Cubs underachieve, I cancelled my MLB video subscription. I am SO glad that I didn't have to WATCH Soriano strike out twice again today... just listening to Pat and Ron describe his total ineptitude is just about more than I can take. Piniella should definitely not have him batting lead-off and really not even in the lineup. Is this manager so stubborn he absolutely refuses to hold some of these guys accountable?
Lou is a complete assbag. I can understand (but not condone) why he keeps Soriano batting leadoff, but not when the crybaby can't hit a baseball the size of a watermelon.
I'll deal with Soriano in the lineup, as long as he's anywhere but spots 1-3.
JAKE FOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jake Fox: "The Whole F'N Show."
2-1 Cubs.
FOX!!!!! AGAIN!!!!!
Truly, what is this fool doing. He is just not following the game plan. Miles has already started his stretching excercises. get Fox outta there!
That a boy Fox!
4 AB's and 4 k's for the dynamic duo of Fonz and Milty.
Wow, it's almost comical.
and $28M for 2 of them.
hell yeah....JAKE FOX....I wanted this kid in Spring Training....he's the only reason to watch this offense right now.
Bradley, get used to the bench, b/c this kid should be playing in your spot when ARAM gets back
I want Bobby Eugene Scales up from Iowa right now. Miles--ship him to Siberia if you have to--just get him outamywayrightnow. We could still win the division IF we had a manager and GM that started to make the moves to improve the team.
Hey, if they ship Fox down to Iowa after these interleague games, I'm done!
You're absolutely right...I think Cubs nation would have a great argument to boycott the team for the rest of the year if that happens. Count me in as one that wouldn't watch them again until Hendry is fired.
I may have to wait longer...I've seriously been thinking of passing on the Cubs until Soriano is gone. I hate watching him that much.
Scales, for those uninformed, leads the team in slugging. Yup, Bobby Eugene Scales leads the Cubs in slugging. So he got shipped out.
Correction: Scales led when he was shipped down in the category of OBS. He is right now behind DLee, Hoffpauir and Funko with an .799 OBS.
In a season of disappointment and frustration (to date)....Randy Wells
has been a real find!!! 2.67 era right
now.
I want Bradley off this team IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You kinda have got your wish.
I just wish the Cubs had stand-up, hard-nosed ballplayers like the White Sox have...Contreras sucked, and knew it, and requested to be sent to the minors to work on his problems.
I wish guys like Bradley and Soriano would either go on the DL, or take that assignment to get themselves right. If any team claims them....bonus for us.
But it's very telling that a lot of people on here have commented in the past whenever Bradley limps, comes up shaky, etc.---hope he comes up lame, and has to go on the DL. I don't think there's a single Cubs fan in the world right now that values that guy. He's got to be the worst signing EVER, considering our glaring need for a PROVEN lefty bat.
As I mentioned before, Hendry clearly does NOT look at historical stats, just the year prior, as Bradley had good lefty-righty splits last year, however, his career stats are decidedly worse.
As a lefty: .267 avg, .362 OBP, .432 SLG, 72 hr, 278 RBI, 305 walks, 475 K's
righty: .304 avg, .388 OBP, .503 SLG, 36 hr, 137 RBI, 111 walks, 178 K's
Folks, that right there should tell you that Hendry is a moron. He went solely off last year's "career year" stats, which were basically even...both over .300 avg, both over .410 OBP, and both 10+ hr....but that, obviously was the exception, rather than the rule, and that's why we're in this position.
Fact is, historically, he's completely average to below average as a lefty (especially for a corner OF)....my word how badly he missed on that signing.
good job by Soto, Fox, and Wells today....Horrible job by Soriano, Bradley, Fukudome, and Blanco today...even throw in Fontenot with that too.
Fox and Soto have basically accounted for all of our offense, which is NEVER a good thing
Bradley can't even hit a pitcher when he's so hurt he has to just throw a batting practice toss down the middle. Can this joke continue the whole friggin season?
Hey Neil,
The live game blogs cause Google Chrome to crash while scrolling down almost everytime. This started a few days back... but it happens at work and at home, so it doesn't seem to be a local thing. just FYI..
Baron, I will look into it. Thanks.
Have I mentioned I cannot stand intentional walks?
They got away with it that time Neil. But I agree with you.
Guys, I only have the radio...what happened with Bradley???
Suzy
I'm curious too.
Oh, Fever pitch is a great movie.
From the Tribune:
Eyewitnesses at U.S. Cellular Field report that Milton Bradley and Lou Piniella exchanged angry words in the tunnel after Bradley's sixth inning flyout.
Bradley was pulled after the at-bat and replaced in right field by Ryan Freel.
The Cubs haven't announced an injury to Bradley, so his removal from the game is mysterious. We'll update you later as more news filters in.
Thanks Neil,
Somehow, I don't think Lou will be the loser here.
He looks helpless against Contreras.
Soriano's performance day is most concerning. Tells me he is hurt. With his career numbers against Jose I thought he would have a nice game.
I meant Game.
for the 2nd day in a row, Fox is a triple away from hitting for the cycle
SOTO!!!!!
3-run homer!
Smokin' Soto!
SOTO!!!!
Way to go Bong Boy!
Put that on your board and shove it.
thanks!
for the record... Steve Stone almost called Sotos HR..... How they can pair just a brilliant mind like his with a hilly billy is beyond me
Soto is hitting like he's got the weight of the world off his shoulders... next step... get the weight of the world out from around his gut.
HaHa!!!
Is Bradley on the bench or in the clubhouse?
Or halfway to the broadcast booth for them saying he has a slow bat?
Here's the link for the Bradley incident (and pasted):
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/06/did-piniella-and-bradley-have-it-out.html
Piniella and Bradley have it out
By Paul Sullivan
After flying out in his last at-bat Friday in the sixth inning, Milton Bradley threw his helmet in the Cubs dugout and took after the Gatorade cooler. Manager Lou Piniella then followed Bradley to the tunnel leading to the clubhouse, where the two exchanged angry words.
Bradley was replaced in right field by Ryan Freel.
*****************************************
hopefully the Cubs wise up and suspend this idiot internally, and/or put him on the DL, and/or expose him to waivers and the minor leagues. I can't stand him
now it's up to Marmol and Gregg...the same clowns that have blown Wells' other games....game over...White Sox win (that's my prediction)
Enough. Let some of us enjoy the game.
"walks the lead-off man to start the inning"
How often have we heard that with Marmol and Gregg this year? Actually, if you go by numbers alone, we've heard it EVERY SINGLE OUTING by them
Not good ... leadoff walk up by 3
actually...in a few seconds I can hear:
"______ hits it deep...and we are tied"
Get Marmol out now! Two more walks, here comes Dye...
Marmol is KILLIN' ME
speechless
wow
God damn Alfonso.
Bench him too.
Ludicrous...
Unbelievable.
Wow
Story of the year!
Outrageous.
I can't believe this...
is Piniella asleep?!?!? that's where you throw in Marshall
oh...that's smart....let's walk the bases loaded with a guy that can't throw a damn strike.....Piniella is OUT OF HIS MIND!!!!!
Speechless ...
I wish I would have never turned this on.
Great game management on Lou's part.
This is just unbelievable to watch. Lou should be canned after this one, regardless of the outcome.
Soriano is the Worst!!
Biggest bust ever!
I am through with him. Bout time fans at wrigley start really giving it to him.
We are so screwed. second time this season he has done that! How bout some fundamentals Sori!
actually, AJ....always kills us....would not be shocked if he hits a slam here...He's VERY clutch, and I watched him hit a bomb against the Dodgers....even with Marshall in here... If you're gonna put in a lefty Lou, why didn't you put him in against Thome, a guy who K's a TON...NOT against AJ, who I believe I heard was one of the most difficult guys to K (I don't know...just remember hearing that)
Hey Aaron...why do you think Marmol is having such a problem this year?...He had a little blip last year...but other than that he was lights out.
Nice DP. Good Job Marshall.
YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! 3-2-3 double play!
::sigh::
A double play?
I missed it. But thank God he got it.
Lets tack on. And god damn, do not put Gregg in...
This pen blows!
Soriano is the Worst!!
Biggest bust ever!
I am through with him. Bout time fans at wrigley start really giving it to him.
We are so screwed. second time this season he has done that! How bout some fundamentals Sori!
PUT BOTH HANDS ON THE BAT AND ACT LIKE A BASEBALL PLAYER.
my goodness I'm still pissed as hell at Marmol and Gregg right now....it's EVERY DAMN time....EVERY DAMN time they try to blow Wells' starts. Do they have something against him?
Marmol can't even come close to the zone, and we all know that Gregg is going to give this up, so we just have to hope we score 3 more runs to make it a non-save situation, so Lou won't go to him....I just can't believe it...Has Lou learned anything this year?
Tell me why it is he can bench Miles for sucking, but refuses to do so with Bradley, Gregg, and Marmol (demoting them), or Fontenot for that matter? It's getting really ugly, and VERY predictable.
With Soriano and Fontenot, you can guarantee they will swing at the first pitch. For Marmol and Gregg, you know they'll walk runners easily. And in both their cases, you just have to lay off their breaking stuff and sit on their fastball. In fact, with Gregg it's so pronounced that I can't think of any batter that has swung on his breaking pitches and missed (either they watch it go in the dirt, or they wait for him to hang one). It's a cake walk with them...I could write an entire scouting report on those guys. With Bradley, it's usually just throwing a strike letter high in the zone, getting him pissed off, and mentally out of the game, thinking about it, then curveball in the dirt, then elevate again, and you got him.
Wow Bradley has left the park. He should be gone for that.
#21 disease
This team's starting to fire up now. Hell, I'm starting to get fired up now! I have a friend at "the Cell" who got a glimpse of that sixth inning Lou/Bradley confrontation and from what he's heard (though this may be of the "urban legend" variety after what a lot of people just saw), Bradley may not even be in the stadium anymore. And good riddance.
One thing's for certain: no one can say Lou won't get fired up after that. He went after the guy who hasn't performed up to his contract, will probably get some grief from our crappy GM, and the team will benefit from it. Good job Lou.
Boseph, Trib is reporting Bradley's left the park...he was seen in the player's parking lot.
A fan commenting on the Trib story...which mentioned he hit the cooler said,
"First thing he's hit all year!" lol
I should mention I wrote that BEFORE the Cubs made it a 5-4 game and will now have the game blown by Gregg. I hope Lou gets after him too.
Gregg is dealing with the bottom of the order...if he can't nail this one down then I think that'll be it for him.
How great would it be if the cubs put him on waivers???? And cross your fingers someone is dumb enough to claim him.
...here we go....I wish Len and Bob would be honest about their feelings. For instance, you know they're thinking Gregg shouldn't be closer, based on their comments in the past....so, why not say it like this: "Cubs closer Gregg into the ballgame to blow the lead." Okay, that wasn't very funny, but it was the best I could do
I hope Len and Bob were right with Sullivan's observation: "Bradley left the park already in street clothes"
Question: If Bradley is suspended by the team, can we bring someone else up? Is it like a normal league suspension where you're not allowed to replace him?
If so, who comes up? Colvin? Deeds? Fuld?
Perhaps... "Gregg enters the game, Lou sacrificing the possible win to hopefully give the fans a little free baseball."
I don't know the answer to your question, but I'd like to see Fuld get another shot.
Nope, just like a regular suspension. So he'd be screwing us over again.
hey hey guys..
before you start getting on Jim Hendry about Bradley..
There is no way Hendry could've known this would happen.
Heheheheh...I like you, you're funny.
Oh no...
Please get this guy. This feels close to Tuesday.
Please, please, please get Podsednik..
....you can just see Pods ending this game on a walk-off (a la World Series) can't you?
Gregg just can't put anyone away. PERIOD. END OF STORY
GAME~!
Umpire ends the game the way he started it.
Bad call..
I'll take it.
Phew...
CUBS WIN!!!! YES!!!!!
Anyone else on this board despise "Hawk" Harrelson as much as I do???
I can't listen to a game he broadcasts. I would rather watch the game on mute than listen to him.
Dadgummit.....Mercy!
He is the worst.
He is so childish.
Now i know where some of their fans get it from.
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
Positives.
We Beat the Sox!
Our young guys are lookin awesome!
Negative.
We have all kinds of money tied up in steaming piles of crap.
I love me some crow....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm good.....but still think Gregg sucks donkey balls.
Game ball (shared...though Soto might eat it from the rest of them LOL...I heard he still has the munchies) goes to Wells, Soto, Fox and Marshall (hasn't Marshall gotten us out of some pretty ugly jams this year?....he's been huge in the pen)
Agreed. I mean let's face it...who knows how this would have ended if the umpire made the right call on that last pitch?
right there with you on Gregg. He and Bradley need to go.
And how did it take the Cubs so long to have Fox in the starting lineup. This guy has done nothing but crush the ball. Glad to see him in there.
This team still needs a Closer, a new RF and a new 2B. Kills me to say that because I really wanted Fontenot to have a good year.
My game ball goes to the Game.
He leaves. We win.
It's mathematical.
Boseph,
Are you sure about that rule...not that I don't trust you, but Neil, can you please verify that for us
If Bradley is suspended (by Cubs management)....Do we get to replace him? Or do we just have to play a man down like a normal suspension.
Furthermore, when Manny was suspended, did the Dodgers get to bring anyone up? I'd think with 50 games, they would've been able to....If so, then the same rule should apply in this case (that's my opinion). The whole team shouldn't be penalized for some jack-asses actions
I'm going off of a minor thing I heard from Steve Stone in that last game he did for the Cubs. Sosa had left the ballpark and, obviously, Stone was getting on him more than he got on anyone else that season (which is a lot, mind you :) ). Anyways, he was glad he decided to show his true colors at the end of the season, because now he couldn't hurt the team for an extended amount of time by taking up a roster spot and not participating. He didn't directly mention suspension, but he hinted towards it.
Coincidentally, I watched a Sox/Reds game last Friday with Steve Stone commentating by himself...actually rooted for the Sox for a while there. Hawk Harrelson is a cancer to that team.
I've been saying it on here and let me repeat. Marmol sucks and sucks bigtime. WWWWWAAAAAAYYYYY too many walks! I can't believe this guy is in the majors.
What are we going to do people? We have to find some way to get rid of this guy. He is killing the cubs! Love Fox. We have to find a way to keep this guy in the game.
i couldn't disagree with you more. yeah way too many walks. But we have seen what he is capable of. Marmol is not our worst problem. We aren't paying him millions.
Yeah, there's plenty of people who deserve ragging on on this team. Marmol may be walking guys, but he's not one of them: when he's good, he's great. And more often than not, he's good. But when you put a guy out there every day, and the guy wants to be closer, and he's not closer because we have a less-deserving candidate in place there due to GM politicking, that's when you start getting some headcase decisions.
Accorfing to wgn radio...Lou sent Bradley home...after words in the tunnel...but plans to have him back in the lineup tomorrow.
Just watched the press conference.
Lou found his inner dragon apparently.
Quote:
"I told him to take his jersey off and go home."
"(The gatorade bashing and helmet tossing) is a common occurrence and I'm tired of it. I've been looking the other way and it's time to stop."
"I don't believe in discipline. We'll put his name in the lineup tomorrow and go from there.."
well, they just promoted a guy (Gaub) to AAA that strikes out a TON of batters, but walks a lot too.
In fact, on a post earlier today, I talked about our prospects...The one intriguing one to me is all the way in low-A Chris Huseby (2 walks vs 39 K's in just 27 2/3 IP). JR Mathes at AAA(though a lefty starter) is another one that rarely walks anyone 66 IP, and just 6 walks. Jeremy Papelbon-AA has also been decent, splitting time between starter and reliever with 39 2/3 IP and 10 walks. Jay Jackson-AA at 61 IP, and 21 walks is also not bad, because as a starter, his WHIP is just 1.18, and Marco Carillo-AA is also intriguing with 15 2/3 IP, 7 walks, but a 1.02 WHIP. Cashner-high-A too, has been awesome, with 38 IP, 12 walks, and a 1.08 WHIP. De Leon at Low-A has 19 IP, 8 walks, 1.00 WHIP
But that's all I can think of internally
Rich, Boseph, you will be eating your words the rest of the season. His (Marmol's) mechanics are awful just as Steve Stone pointed out.
Can you imagine how many more wins we would have if Hoffpauir and Fox had been in the lineup for the last month or two? I am just baffled, as everyone on here is, as to why management can't see what we all see by watching the games. I know they think it's all a money thing, but I thought you played the game to WIN! Damn, it's not that hard to see!
Yeah, Hoffpauir instead of Bradley would have been a great boon for us. But Jake Fox is a bit of a different story: obviously, had he been up at the start of the season, he'd have started his mechanical work on his defense a bit earlier. But really, I think the mental aspect of him having gone through Triple A and having that huge hot streak helped Fox out immensely...had he been in the majors at the start of the season, he might have been as hot, but possibly not.
Still, with Fox continuously working hard on his defense and hitting the cover off the ball, coupled with Hoffpauir being Mr. Clutch when we get good scoring opportunities or just need one, coupled with Andres Blanco being Mr. Defense, it's becoming less and less justifiable to send any of them down to the minors once Ramirez comes back. I, for one, fully expect to see Miles gone when he returns.
You think Miles will be gone this year or even next year?
I know I'll sound arrogant saying this, but Miles is making $5 million. He stays and some cheap guy who is actually producing has to go. So it will be Blanco. Or Fox. Or Hoffpauir. But it won't be Miles.
Did you guys see Soriano's comments:
Alfonso Soriano said he'd never seen a player and manager fight the way Piniella and Bradley did.
"I hope he comes back and he can help the team to win," Soriano said of Bradley. "If he's not that way, we don't need him. We have 25 players, we have to be on the same page. If he's not 100 percent to help the team to win, we don't need him. If he's 100 percent and he comes and wants to play, he's more than welcome."
Additionally...Jim Hendry's:
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/2197
compliments of Mr. Bruce Miles...
Apparently, the Cubs feel that Bradley is acting selfishly. GM Jim
Hendry talked with us in the runway after the game and said he wanted
players to be "all in."
I pressed him on that, and he said that "all in" means all for the
team. Some of Bradley's teammates also are beginning to wonder.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-27-cubs-milton-bradley-side-jun27,0,40471.story
sorry, forgot to include the link for the Soriano comment....
this is getting REALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYY interesting
Aaron:
Do you think Milton is suicidal?
not even close....I think he's a messed up person, and would belong out of the sport, and not employed anywhere you have to work as a team...because it's all about him. In fact, in his "career" year in Texas, the Rangers finished below .500, and this year are in first place with roughly the same players AND an injured Josh Hamilton to boot. Think it was all just better pitching? Nope, sorry, it's been slightly better, but nothing too dramatic.
Couldn't this all be because the Rangers wanted him gone?!? Couldn't it be that he was a distraction and "me first" kind of guy, where everything was about him? We've seen first hand how he likes to make it about him when it's not even that. It's like Jacque Jones part two, but an even worse hitter, and an even worse person.
Is it any wonder that we're like 8 or 9 games over .500 when he doesn't start?!?
Fact is, everyone plays looser, and Soriano AND the douche bag that signed him (Hendry) even notice that....Soriano was brash enough to say something....Hendry merely inferred as much.
So, no, I don't think that...I just think he's a very very messed up person that belongs in a sport like tennis, or golf, or whatever where you don't have to be a good teammate.
Look, if we play that good of baseball without him around...(even the games we've lost, to my recollection have been by 1 run or so, and it's funny...because he usually pinch hits in those games anyhow, and K's very ugly in doing so in key situations)...but if we play that good without him, I'd say cut your losses like Soriano said, and get him the hell out of there, and bring DeRosa back immediately. If the Cubs make that move, they instantly become my favorite to go back to the playoffs, because mentally they'll be prepared for it, and prepared for success having gone through the debacle that is Bradley.
But mark my words....NO team with Bradley will ever be successful. He's just that bad of a teammate, and we all know that baseball is most certainly a team sport.
FYI...I'm enjoying every minute of this, because it makes Hendry look like even more of a douche bag, and might FINALLY lead to his much needed firing.
When you haven't won a championship in over 100 years, and you claim you're going for broke, and your payroll says as much, then you simply CANNOT take on risk like Bradley. EVERYONE knew it. And here's the kicker....if this was a general business (right now Hendry's essentially the CEO), his ass would be canned, and he couldn't find a job for his idiotic moves.
First, we questioned his sanity for trading one of our top pitching prospects for a guy that just blew 9 saves, coming off knee surgery, and by all accounts was going to be non-tendered and become a FA anyhow. Then, we questioned it even more for the DeRosa trade, while some gave him a pass, saying, "well...let's see where this leads. It can't possibly be just this...it's gotta be something bigger", etc. Then, he goes out and signs Miles...Yup, guess that was the "big" move for the DeRosa trade. And we were all kind of puzzled.
Then, to compound matters, he signs Milton Bradley with Ibanez, Abreu, and Dunn in play. ALL were more consistent. ALL did NOT have character issues, and ALL were lefty sluggers the Cubs so desperately sought after. It just blows my mind why the hell you would even consider signing a head case that had a career year with just 22 hr, 77 RBI. And it's not like he didn't have time to prove himself----he's been in the league for 10 damn years, HENDRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For crying out loud, I almost wish MacFailed was around to watch over him. Maybe he wouldn't have doled out ridiculous contracts to the likes of Soriano, Bradley, Miles, and traded for Gregg. You simply do NOT trade away young, fireballers throwing 100 mph heat for washed up veterans...Sorry, that's an indefensible move.
I keep holding out hope that the Ricketts sale goes through, and they put a smart person in charge of the team. It's necessary, and LONG overdue, just as firing Hendry's bff Rothschild is long overdue.
Heck, if we let Hendry stay on board, I bet money we'd see his other bff Paul Manieri (LSU and former ND head coach) in an elevated role when he belongs in college.
I am not trying to 'pile-on' here but go and look at the Cubs win-loss record when Milton plays. They should be 6 games under .500 including today. That is all I need to know.
Take Ibanez out of the list of Hendry's choices. The Phillies jumped on him way before Hendry could clear space....Whoever was hosting WGN just after the game stated that Ibanez was Hendry's first choice...and that could be plausible.
It does not excuse Hendry from signing Bradley...but remember how nothing happened until Marquis went to the Rockies?...(And we got Viscaino)...at the time...I thought Hendry would turn around
and trade Viscaino for the lefty reliever
we really needed...but then nothing happened.
Re Bradley...I'm amazed at how bad this has really turned out...EVERY, and I MEAN
EVERY worst fear in signng the guy has come true.
I actually feel bad for the guy...it's worse than Pigpen and the constant cloud of dust that follows him around....Only
"Our Pigpen" does it in front of...if you count TV...millions of people.
It must be tough living inside that head of his.
Aaron...they are not going to fire Hendry
until the sale goes through. Once the new owners are in place though...all bets are off.
I smiled when you said you were enjoying this...but wouldn't you be HAPPIER if Milton did the unexpected and really produced?...I know now...it's probably not going to happen...but it would be so
much better for our team if he did.
Come on, Aaron! You know that Milton Bradley is the salvation of this team! The proof is . . . he bats lefthanded.
LOL The guy is hitting .207 or so lefthanded.
Obviously Carlos Marmol is an extremely talented pitcher who has the skills to be dominating. It's also evident that he has lost his way somehow and is doing some things physically and perhaps mentally that are making him very high risk. This needs to change for the Cubs need him badly as this season progresses. I think it is Larry Rothschild's job to figure this out and get this young man straightened out..whatever it takes. It could be the most important thing Rothschild could contribute this entire year. Is he up to this job? I just don't know but there are pitching coaches who could do it. It might not be something big...an adjustment of sorts, who knows. Rothschild should be accountable to do his job.