Category: Cubs

Cubs get help from Nevin but Albert’s back is ailing

Phil Nevin wasted no time in helping his team after coming over from the Rangers.  In his first start, he was 1 for 5 but that one hit was his 10th homer of the year.  He and Aram, who had a grand slam provided much needed offense for the Cubs as they won against the … Continue reading “Cubs get help from Nevin but Albert’s back is ailing”

Phil Nevin wasted no time in helping his team after coming over from the Rangers.  In his first start, he was 1 for 5 but that one hit was his 10th homer of the year.  He and Aram, who had a grand slam provided much needed offense for the Cubs as they won against the Cards 8-5.

But unless you’re a Cubs fan, that won’t be the big story.  The best player in baseball has been hurt and most likely be placed on the DL.  Pujols strained his right oblique chasing after a Aramis Ramirez foul ball.

pujolsdl.jpg

This, of course will put any record chase in jeopardy. Rumors are the Cards are putting him on the 15-day DL but say if they get him back by then, they’ll be lucky. 

More importantly is the effect on the Cardinals.  They sit atop of the NL Central but Cincy is only 3 games behind and Houston 7 1/2.  The dearth of the best hitter in baseball will severely affect their offense not to mention morale. 

Yesterday, Luna came in from left field to play first and John “Jrod” Rodriguez took Luna’s spot in left.  No reports on how St Louis will take care of the situation long term.

Readers of this blog know that despite being a Cub fan, I love Albert Pujols.  He’s one of the greatest hitters of our time and a pretty damn fine man, too.  I hate to see him go down during his best year. 

Other comments:

What’s with the St Louis defense?  Their fielding during this series has hurt them immensely.  Rolen’s error put the game in extras two days ago.  Yesterday, three errors in one inning?  The normally decent fielding St Louis team is slipping when it counts. 

Have to mention… Jacque Jones went 3 for 4 yesterday.  I don’t know why but he’s becoming one of my favorite Cubs.  When DLee went down, it was a favorite phrase of everyone that Aram was the power source of the Cubs.  Well, he hasn’t really come through (yesterday excluded).  JJ has quietly put forth the effort. 

I guess it helps to have parents who advocate for you.

Update:  Viva El Birdos has a lot of info re the extent of the Pujols injury and what the Cardinals options are.

 

Mamma would be proud

Jacque Jones had 3 hits last night including another homer.  For all the talk I hear from the broadcasters that he’s having a rough season, Jacque seems to be picking it up. Consider his stats from his last 20 games: AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB K BA Slg OBP 75 11 25 … Continue reading “Mamma would be proud”

Jacque Jones had 3 hits last night including another homer.  For all the talk I hear from the broadcasters that he’s having a rough season, Jacque seems to be picking it up. Consider his stats from his last 20 games:

AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR BB K BA Slg OBP
75 11 25 17 4 0 5 2 12 .333 .587 .359

 

While we’re on the topic of the Cubs game last night, was anyone else surprised by Baker’s use of Aardsma in a clutch situation in the bottom of the ninth with Eyre or Dempster available?  Was anyone even more even more surprised by Double-A’s awesome performance?  Yes, two hits but no runs in an inning and two thirds.  Nice play by Ronny C at short to close the ninth too. 

As it turns out, the Cubs needed Eyre and Demp later anyway during the 14 inning contest.  Maybe Baker knew what he was doing.

That was a joke.

5/29/06 Linescore of the Day: Kerry Wood

6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (Win) 2 for 2, 2B, rbi Wood’s first win since July last year can only mean good things for the Cubs.  Things can’t really get much worse anyway after this weekend’s series with Atlanta. Long term, I still think Wood belongs in the … Continue reading “5/29/06 Linescore of the Day: Kerry Wood”

6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (Win)

2 for 2, 2B, rbi

Wood’s first win since July last year can only mean good things for the Cubs.  Things can’t really get much worse anyway after this weekend’s series with Atlanta.

Long term, I still think Wood belongs in the pen but that won’t work until the Cubs have a solid staff. 

Followup:  Just after I was done with this post, I ran across Dusty Baker and Pitch Counts on The Hardball Times which claims that Dusty for the part, does not overuse his pitchers.  Cub fans will be skeptical, I’m sure.

Update:  Cubs up 4-1 in the fifth in tonight’s game thanks in part to a 3-run double by Jacque Jones.  Nobody giving Jacque’s mom any crap tonight.  He did make an error helping the Reds score their only run, though.

Stay on the Mound, not the Mike

The whole Dempster-Guillen-Mike North affair is further evidence that ballplayers need to stay on the field and not in the media.  Let’s face it, the only person who benefits from all of this is North who gets free publicity for his radio show.  I’m sure the pitch to Dempster to do the show sounded appealing.  … Continue reading “Stay on the Mound, not the Mike”

The whole Dempster-Guillen-Mike North affair is further evidence that ballplayers need to stay on the field and not in the media.  Let’s face it, the only person who benefits from all of this is North who gets free publicity for his radio show. 

I’m sure the pitch to Dempster to do the show sounded appealing.  “Come on the show.  Talk about Cubs.  Give an inside look.”  The usual spiel.  But when something like the Barrett/Pierzynski debacle happens, do you think North is going to shy away from getting Demp from saying something he probably shouldn’t?  Doubtful.  I envision North with a widening smile his face egging him on.

Dempster, for the record, claims he never said some of things Guillen was upset about and the two of them have patched things up.  Meanwhile, North reaps the benefits. 

A few in the baseball world have called for North to air the tapes from Dempster’s original broadcast to “clear the air” as whether he made the offending comments.   To what end?  What purpose would it serve other than to draw out this already old storyline?  If Guillen and Dempster are man enough to put this behind them then we should be too.

The only thing Dempster should be concentrating right now getting hitters out.  Not what he what he’ll be saying on his next show. 

 

Womack picked up by Cubs

Hmm… the Cubbies have picked up 2B Tony Womack and have designated him to Iowa.  The Redleg Nation originally didn’t think much of this but commenters on the post beg to differ (on the whole).  I really don’t know what to make of that.  Does that mean Womack may be a good fit or does … Continue reading “Womack picked up by Cubs”

Hmm… the Cubbies have picked up 2B Tony Womack and have designated him to Iowa. 

The Redleg Nation originally didn’t think much of this but commenters on the post beg to differ (on the whole). 

I really don’t know what to make of that.  Does that mean Womack may be a good fit or does it mean anybody, absolsutely anybody, will help the Cubs at this point?

I’m afraid it might be the latter. 

5/20/06 Linescore of the Day: Joe Mauer, Mark Cuddyer

Joe Mauer:  4 for 5, 2B, HR, 3 runs, 4 rbis Mark Cuddyer:  2 for 4, 3B, 2 runs, 5 rbis This twin LSOTD comes to you courtesy of the… Twins who pretty much needed all this offense to defeat the Brewers 16-10.  Special Mention to Tadahito Iguchi with 2 HRs (including a grand slam) and … Continue reading “5/20/06 Linescore of the Day: Joe Mauer, Mark Cuddyer”

Joe Mauer:  4 for 5, 2B, HR, 3 runs, 4 rbis

Mark Cuddyer:  2 for 4, 3B, 2 runs, 5 rbis

This twin LSOTD comes to you courtesy of the… Twins who pretty much needed all this offense to defeat the Brewers 16-10. 

Special Mention to Tadahito Iguchi with 2 HRs (including a grand slam) and 6 rbis.  But let’s face it, he did it against Rich Hill.  A bitter Cub fan?  Maybe.

Bat-girl and her entourage always have interesting insights on the Twins games.  For what’s it’s worth, she chooses Mauer as her B.O.D. (Boyfriend of the Day).

 

Cubscast.com’s ‘Hairy’ Caption Contest

With the Cubs season the way it’s going, podcasters Lou, Sheps, and Sneetch over at Cubscast.com need a little cheering up.  So check out their latest Photo Caption Contest and make an entry.  Winner wins a “Voice of Summer” DVD which features the late great former Cubs Broadcaster Vince Lloyd. I’m still thinking of my caption.  … Continue reading “Cubscast.com’s ‘Hairy’ Caption Contest”

With the Cubs season the way it’s going, podcasters Lou, Sheps, and Sneetch over at Cubscast.com need a little cheering up.  So check out their latest Photo Caption Contest and make an entry.  Winner wins a “Voice of Summer” DVD which features the late great former Cubs Broadcaster Vince Lloyd.

I’m still thinking of my caption. 

It’s worth the click just to see the goofy photo of Jerry Hairston Jr.

 

Cubs score… Cubs win

It’s as simple as that. Aramis Ramirez who, let’s face it, is the only real source of power in the Cubs’ lineup now that DLee is gone and really hasn’t stepped up, had a key run-scoring double in the Cub half of the 6th against the Giants last night.  Jaque Jones had a fantastic day … Continue reading “Cubs score… Cubs win”

It’s as simple as that.

Aramis Ramirez who, let’s face it, is the only real source of power in the Cubs’ lineup now that DLee is gone and really hasn’t stepped up, had a key run-scoring double in the Cub half of the 6th against the Giants last night.  Jaque Jones had a fantastic day at the plate going 3 for 3, a homer, a double and 4 ribbies.  Even Todd Walker, while not getting any hits, got in a couple quality plate appearances, driving in a run with a ground out and scoring after getting on with a walk.  Nice grab by Mabry at first, too.

And Zambrano!  He finally gets his first win he richly deserves.  A pitcher with a 3.88 ERA who leads the league in Ks finally gets his due. 

The Cubs are now 15-18 and 6 1/2 out with two very strong teams in the lead.  I suppose it’s too much to ask for a May miracle.  But if San Diego can win 9 of their last 10, anything is possible. 

Now repeat the mantra… Wait for Wood.  Wait for Prior.  Wait for DLee.

It’s not working, is it?

 

5/5/06 Linescore of the Day: Padres Pitching Staff

Chan Ho Park  9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 K Trevor Hoffman 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K Alan Embree 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K Scott Cassidy 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K Chan Ho Park, who hasn’t had … Continue reading “5/5/06 Linescore of the Day: Padres Pitching Staff”

  • Chan Ho Park  9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 K
  • Trevor Hoffman 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
  • Alan Embree 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
  • Scott Cassidy 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Chan Ho Park, who hasn’t had a season ERA under 5.46 in 5 years, pitched his heart out last night.  Too bad he couldn’t get a win for his efforts.  In the short season, Park has a 4.12 ERA.  Respectable for most pitchers… Downright fantastic for Chan Ho. 

As for the Cubs, they are languishing in a 25 inning scoreless streak.  Todd Walker is in a 1 for 14 slump.  Not to draw comparisons or wish for snow in the summer but wouldn’t be great if DLee was back now? 

Special mention goes to Mets leadoff hitter Jose Reyes who went 5 for 7 in wild one against the Braves.  In addition to the 5 safeties, Jose drew a free pass.  For all his trouble, he scored 2 runs with no ribbies.  The Mets won this one on a clutch double by David Wright in the 14th. 

I’m rambling now but was I seeing things when I saw Wright make a good play in the field?  I could have sworn he made a great catch.  By god, when I watch the Mets when Glavine pitches, I wince when the ball gets hits to DW. 

I guess even Wright has a good day in the field.