New Article: Don't Panic

[Jimy is a misspell]

I'm sure losing you best hitter and defensive player for three months will only cost you a couple of wins. :shock:

[Soul]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

Yes. The point is, we weren't good enough to win even with Lee. Now we are a bad ballclub.

 

Looks like it will be Mabry/Walker/Restovich @ 1B, in whatever combo Dusty likes. Wow.

 

Don't panic? My goodness. I was panicking before Spring Training began, and with good reason----we lost all our pitchers before we even started preparing for the season! Panic doesn't describe the appropriate response to Lee's injury. More like resignment to fate.

[RynoRules]

I'm sure losing you best hitter and defensive player for three months will only cost you a couple of wins. :shock:

 

May be not. But your team has survived without some of its best players for extended periods. There is no reason we cannot do the same. I have said it several times since Wed.: The way they won that game in L.A. (coming back after Lee got hurt) is a very good sign.

[Backtobanks]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

Plus the fact that Aram won't be seeing very many good pitches if he is the only HR threat in the lineup. The only hope we have is that everyone on the team contributes a little more. If Jones, Pierre, and Ramirez can get going, with Walker, Barrett, Murton, and Cedeno continuing what they've been doing, we could be okay. Mabry can be very effective with spot starting.

[Jimy is a misspell]

I'm sure losing you best hitter and defensive player for three months will only cost you a couple of wins. :shock:

 

May be not. But your team has survived without some of its best players for extended periods. There is no reason we cannot do the same. I have said it several times since Wed.: The way they won that game in L.A. (coming back after Lee got hurt) is a very good sign.

 

That's b/c the Astros have usually had very good, proven and healthy arms. A luxury the Cubs do not have.

[rawaction]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

It did for the Astros. I know people don't want to compare the teams, but they are pretty similar (I have said exactly this in other threads). Obviously, no Cubs pitchers will be as good as Clemens was most of last year. Heck, none may even come close to Pettitte either, nor be as good as Oswalt. But Zambrano will be very good. Prior and Wood will be very good WHEN they are able to pitch. Maddux looks to be primed for a good season. Every single spot in the Cubs rotation should easily be better than Backe, who was a run better than what Houston threw out in the 5th starter's role, helping to make up the difference.

 

And Lidge is possibly the best Closer in the NL, but Dempster was better, in the closer's role, last season. He's not slowing down so far. I think the Cubs bullpen is also deeper and just as strong as the Astros were in setup (Wheeler, Qualls, Gallo = Howry, Williamson, Eyre).

 

As for the offense, I think there's a very good chance, almost a given that Walker, Pierre, Barrett, Cedeno, Murton will be better to a man than Biggio, Tavarez, Ausmus, Everett, and the combo in LF were for Houston last year. Ramirez 06 and Ensberg 05 will be pretty close. Jones 06 and Lane 05 will also be similar.

 

Then you have Berkman vs. Lee and his replacements. Lee will miss twice as much time as Berkman did last year (30 games), but when he's back he will outproduce what Berkman did last year.

 

So, I think you have a similar team. Of course, with the way the Astros have started, they look to be better than the 05 version, also.

[Soul]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

Plus the fact that Aram won't be seeing very many good pitches if he is the only HR threat in the lineup. The only hope we have is that everyone on the team contributes a little more. If Jones, Pierre, and Ramirez can get going, with Walker, Barrett, Murton, and Cedeno continuing what they've been doing, we could be okay. Mabry can be very effective with spot starting.

 

He won't be spot-starting though. He'll be the guy at 1B most days for 3 months. That's a regular. And Ramirez already has one leg on the DL---how much longer before he's gone for an extended period too?

[CubinNY]

Although Lee has been the Cubs biggest stick, he has by no means been a one man band. IMO, BK's article quantifies how much the Cubs will miss him. As is the case a lot of the time, perception isn't always reality.

 

Will the Cubs miss Lee? Sure. How much? Well, that depends if one wants to look at it rationally or not. The psychological aspect of the injury is huge. But that will wear off during the day to day grind of playing baseball 6 days a week.

 

The thing that has to happen is that the Cubs have to get lucky and get more production from areas where it has been lacking. It is not impossible.

[Soul]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

It did for the Astros. I know people don't want to compare the teams, but they are pretty similar (I have said exactly this in other threads). Obviously, no Cubs pitchers will be as good as Clemens was most of last year. Heck, none may even come close to Pettitte either, nor be as good as Oswalt. But Zambrano will be very good. Prior and Wood will be very good WHEN they are able to pitch. Maddux looks to be primed for a good season. Every single spot in the Cubs rotation should easily be better than Backe, who was a run better than what Houston threw out in the 5th starter's role, helping to make up the difference.

 

And Lidge is possibly the best Closer in the NL, but Dempster was better, in the closer's role, last season. He's not slowing down so far. I think the Cubs bullpen is also deeper and just as strong as the Astros were in setup (Wheeler, Qualls, Gallo = Howry, Williamson, Eyre).

 

As for the offense, I think there's a very good chance, almost a given that Walker, Pierre, Barrett, Cedeno, Murton will be better to a man than Biggio, Tavarez, Ausmus, Everett, and the combo in LF were for Houston last year. Ramirez 06 and Ensberg 05 will be pretty close. Jones 06 and Lane 05 will also be similar.

 

Then you have Berkman vs. Lee and his replacements. Lee will miss twice as much time as Berkman did last year (30 games), but when he's back he will outproduce what Berkman did last year.

 

So, I think you have a similar team. Of course, with the way the Astros have started, they look to be better than the 05 version, also.

 

That's insanity. We're nowhere near the '05 Stros. It's not even close.

[rawaction]

I'm sure losing you best hitter and defensive player for three months will only cost you a couple of wins. :shock:

 

May be not. But your team has survived without some of its best players for extended periods. There is no reason we cannot do the same. I have said it several times since Wed.: The way they won that game in L.A. (coming back after Lee got hurt) is a very good sign.

 

That's b/c the Astros have usually had very good, proven and healthy arms. A luxury the Cubs do not have.

 

But they will. The Astros got pretty lucky last year, with their staff, you have to admit. They got an amazing season out of a 42-year old (Cubs look to be getting similar so far). They got a career year out of 32 year old Pettitte, who wasn't very good or healthy in 04. He's not been good this year either, btw. Oswalt I will give you, as he is one of the best in the NL.

[rawaction]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

It did for the Astros. I know people don't want to compare the teams, but they are pretty similar (I have said exactly this in other threads). Obviously, no Cubs pitchers will be as good as Clemens was most of last year. Heck, none may even come close to Pettitte either, nor be as good as Oswalt. But Zambrano will be very good. Prior and Wood will be very good WHEN they are able to pitch. Maddux looks to be primed for a good season. Every single spot in the Cubs rotation should easily be better than Backe, who was a run better than what Houston threw out in the 5th starter's role, helping to make up the difference.

 

And Lidge is possibly the best Closer in the NL, but Dempster was better, in the closer's role, last season. He's not slowing down so far. I think the Cubs bullpen is also deeper and just as strong as the Astros were in setup (Wheeler, Qualls, Gallo = Howry, Williamson, Eyre).

 

As for the offense, I think there's a very good chance, almost a given that Walker, Pierre, Barrett, Cedeno, Murton will be better to a man than Biggio, Tavarez, Ausmus, Everett, and the combo in LF were for Houston last year. Ramirez 06 and Ensberg 05 will be pretty close. Jones 06 and Lane 05 will also be similar.

 

Then you have Berkman vs. Lee and his replacements. Lee will miss twice as much time as Berkman did last year (30 games), but when he's back he will outproduce what Berkman did last year.

 

So, I think you have a similar team. Of course, with the way the Astros have started, they look to be better than the 05 version, also.

 

That's insanity. We're nowhere near the '05 Stros. It's not even close.

 

Back it up.

[Soul]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

It did for the Astros. I know people don't want to compare the teams, but they are pretty similar (I have said exactly this in other threads). Obviously, no Cubs pitchers will be as good as Clemens was most of last year. Heck, none may even come close to Pettitte either, nor be as good as Oswalt. But Zambrano will be very good. Prior and Wood will be very good WHEN they are able to pitch. Maddux looks to be primed for a good season. Every single spot in the Cubs rotation should easily be better than Backe, who was a run better than what Houston threw out in the 5th starter's role, helping to make up the difference.

 

And Lidge is possibly the best Closer in the NL, but Dempster was better, in the closer's role, last season. He's not slowing down so far. I think the Cubs bullpen is also deeper and just as strong as the Astros were in setup (Wheeler, Qualls, Gallo = Howry, Williamson, Eyre).

 

As for the offense, I think there's a very good chance, almost a given that Walker, Pierre, Barrett, Cedeno, Murton will be better to a man than Biggio, Tavarez, Ausmus, Everett, and the combo in LF were for Houston last year. Ramirez 06 and Ensberg 05 will be pretty close. Jones 06 and Lane 05 will also be similar.

 

Then you have Berkman vs. Lee and his replacements. Lee will miss twice as much time as Berkman did last year (30 games), but when he's back he will outproduce what Berkman did last year.

 

So, I think you have a similar team. Of course, with the way the Astros have started, they look to be better than the 05 version, also.

 

That's insanity. We're nowhere near the '05 Stros. It's not even close.

 

Back it up.

 

Stros went the World Series last year. You think this year's Cub team would have made the World Series last year? I'm not going to argue about it-----that's insane.

[rawaction]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

It did for the Astros. I know people don't want to compare the teams, but they are pretty similar (I have said exactly this in other threads). Obviously, no Cubs pitchers will be as good as Clemens was most of last year. Heck, none may even come close to Pettitte either, nor be as good as Oswalt. But Zambrano will be very good. Prior and Wood will be very good WHEN they are able to pitch. Maddux looks to be primed for a good season. Every single spot in the Cubs rotation should easily be better than Backe, who was a run better than what Houston threw out in the 5th starter's role, helping to make up the difference.

 

And Lidge is possibly the best Closer in the NL, but Dempster was better, in the closer's role, last season. He's not slowing down so far. I think the Cubs bullpen is also deeper and just as strong as the Astros were in setup (Wheeler, Qualls, Gallo = Howry, Williamson, Eyre).

 

As for the offense, I think there's a very good chance, almost a given that Walker, Pierre, Barrett, Cedeno, Murton will be better to a man than Biggio, Tavarez, Ausmus, Everett, and the combo in LF were for Houston last year. Ramirez 06 and Ensberg 05 will be pretty close. Jones 06 and Lane 05 will also be similar.

 

Then you have Berkman vs. Lee and his replacements. Lee will miss twice as much time as Berkman did last year (30 games), but when he's back he will outproduce what Berkman did last year.

 

So, I think you have a similar team. Of course, with the way the Astros have started, they look to be better than the 05 version, also.

 

That's insanity. We're nowhere near the '05 Stros. It's not even close.

 

Back it up.

 

Stros went the World Series last year. You think this year's Cub team would have made the World Series last year? I'm not going to argue about it-----that's insane.

 

Prove that it's insane. I didn't mention stats in my post, but I used them. Just because you think it wouldn't have happened is not proof to me.

[badgercub]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

It did for the Astros. I know people don't want to compare the teams, but they are pretty similar (I have said exactly this in other threads). Obviously, no Cubs pitchers will be as good as Clemens was most of last year. Heck, none may even come close to Pettitte either, nor be as good as Oswalt. But Zambrano will be very good. Prior and Wood will be very good WHEN they are able to pitch. Maddux looks to be primed for a good season. Every single spot in the Cubs rotation should easily be better than Backe, who was a run better than what Houston threw out in the 5th starter's role, helping to make up the difference.

 

And Lidge is possibly the best Closer in the NL, but Dempster was better, in the closer's role, last season. He's not slowing down so far. I think the Cubs bullpen is also deeper and just as strong as the Astros were in setup (Wheeler, Qualls, Gallo = Howry, Williamson, Eyre).

 

As for the offense, I think there's a very good chance, almost a given that Walker, Pierre, Barrett, Cedeno, Murton will be better to a man than Biggio, Tavarez, Ausmus, Everett, and the combo in LF were for Houston last year. Ramirez 06 and Ensberg 05 will be pretty close. Jones 06 and Lane 05 will also be similar.

 

Then you have Berkman vs. Lee and his replacements. Lee will miss twice as much time as Berkman did last year (30 games), but when he's back he will outproduce what Berkman did last year.

 

So, I think you have a similar team. Of course, with the way the Astros have started, they look to be better than the 05 version, also.

 

That's insanity. We're nowhere near the '05 Stros. It's not even close.

 

Back it up.

 

Stros went the World Series last year. You think this year's Cub team would have made the World Series last year? I'm not going to argue about it-----that's insane.

 

I don't think he is saying that. He is just saying they aren't going to be as bad as everyone seems to think and used some sound reasoning to back it up. He never said the Cubs were going to the World Series.

[Soul]

People seem to be missing the point which for once Rosenthal manages to make in his latest article. The cubs were short a bat anyway. To win the division we needed another bat in between or behind Aram and D-Lee. Now we have lost D-lee we are 2 huge bats short. IMO no amount of pitching can make up for this.

 

It did for the Astros. I know people don't want to compare the teams, but they are pretty similar (I have said exactly this in other threads). Obviously, no Cubs pitchers will be as good as Clemens was most of last year. Heck, none may even come close to Pettitte either, nor be as good as Oswalt. But Zambrano will be very good. Prior and Wood will be very good WHEN they are able to pitch. Maddux looks to be primed for a good season. Every single spot in the Cubs rotation should easily be better than Backe, who was a run better than what Houston threw out in the 5th starter's role, helping to make up the difference.

 

And Lidge is possibly the best Closer in the NL, but Dempster was better, in the closer's role, last season. He's not slowing down so far. I think the Cubs bullpen is also deeper and just as strong as the Astros were in setup (Wheeler, Qualls, Gallo = Howry, Williamson, Eyre).

 

As for the offense, I think there's a very good chance, almost a given that Walker, Pierre, Barrett, Cedeno, Murton will be better to a man than Biggio, Tavarez, Ausmus, Everett, and the combo in LF were for Houston last year. Ramirez 06 and Ensberg 05 will be pretty close. Jones 06 and Lane 05 will also be similar.

 

Then you have Berkman vs. Lee and his replacements. Lee will miss twice as much time as Berkman did last year (30 games), but when he's back he will outproduce what Berkman did last year.

 

So, I think you have a similar team. Of course, with the way the Astros have started, they look to be better than the 05 version, also.

 

That's insanity. We're nowhere near the '05 Stros. It's not even close.

 

Back it up.

 

Stros went the World Series last year. You think this year's Cub team would have made the World Series last year? I'm not going to argue about it-----that's insane.

 

Prove that it's insane. I didn't mention stats in my post, but I used them. Just because you think it wouldn't have happened is not proof to me.

 

If you had used stats to prove your hypothetical, it would have been even more out there. Now you're asking me to use stats to "prove" mine?

 

Use your common sense. The Cubs are 61 years out from their last World Series. Yet you believe *THIS* ballclub, with Prior & Wood on the shelf, would have gone to the World Series last year where all others have failed? Come on. Who are you trying to kid?

[neely crenshaw]

a game or two over 8-10 weeks?! RI-DIC-UOLOUS!

you ca not judge what is missed by this stat or that. having dlee on the field changes everyone's defense. it changes defensive plays, it changes pick offs...it will change they way our pitchers pitch.

it will change very batter in the lineups job. it will change every batters pitch selection. it will change who is on base ahead of everyone hitter- which of course also changes the way you are pitched to.

all of those things on top of losing his production. it will put more pressure on every hitter in the lineup- they know they have to do a little more

it will put more pressure on our pitchers-they know they have to give up a little less....

if we only drop ten games back in the next 10 weeks i will be happy unless we make some sort of move.

[Jimy is a misspell]

Prior and Wood will be very good WHEN they are able to pitch.

 

Maybe :)

 

Maddux looks to be primed for a good season.

 

Based on what, three starts? :D

 

Every single spot in the Cubs rotation should easily be better than Backe,

 

Based on what, three starts? :lol:

 

And Lidge is possibly the best Closer in the NL, but Dempster was better, in the closer's role, last season.

 

OK, you lost ALL credibility there.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Prove that it's insane. I didn't mention stats in my post, but I used them. Just because you think it wouldn't have happened is not proof to me.

 

If you had used stats to prove your hypothetical, it would have been even more out there. Now you're asking me to use stats to "prove" mine?

 

Use your common sense. The Cubs are 61 years out from their last World Series. Yet you believe *THIS* ballclub, with Prior & Wood on the shelf, would have gone to the World Series last year where all others have failed? Come on. Who are you trying to kid?

 

So your logic that it's impossible for the Cubs to make the World Series this year because they haven't done it in 61 years? I'm not sure I agree with Raw but his comparison makes sense. Your disbelief with nothing else behind it isn't exactly a valid argument.

[Jimy is a misspell]

Houston in 3rd in the NL in runs and 3rd in the NL in BA.

 

The Cubs are 11th in the NL in runs. Now they don't have Lee.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Houston in 3rd in the NL in runs and 3rd in the NL in BA.

 

The Cubs are 11th in the NL in runs. Now they don't have Lee.

 

With all due respect, look at Houston's opponents so far.

[Soul]

Prove that it's insane. I didn't mention stats in my post, but I used them. Just because you think it wouldn't have happened is not proof to me.

 

If you had used stats to prove your hypothetical, it would have been even more out there. Now you're asking me to use stats to "prove" mine?

 

Use your common sense. The Cubs are 61 years out from their last World Series. Yet you believe *THIS* ballclub, with Prior & Wood on the shelf, would have gone to the World Series last year where all others have failed? Come on. Who are you trying to kid?

 

So your logic that it's impossible for the Cubs to make the World Series this year because they haven't done it in 61 years? I'm not sure I agree with Raw but his comparison makes sense. Your disbelief with nothing else behind it isn't exactly a valid argument.

 

Yeah, but you agree this team wasn't a World Series contender even with Lee. You just don't like the fact that I don't care to look up stats at 9am on a Friday morning when I should be working :wink:

 

Maybe tonight I'll double back and grab some stats. Right now though----I really do need to get some work done.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

The Astros over-achieved last year. They had an anemic offense, but their pitching staff was amazing. I'm not predicting a WS appearance for this team, but I certainly cannot discount it based on what the Astros did last season.

[Andy]

I have one stat:

 

Cubs record when DLee didn't score a run in 2005: 8-15

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I have one stat:

 

Cubs record when DLee didn't score a run in 2005: 8-15

 

How many others did not score runs in those games?

[frostwyrm]

Wait til Walker and Cedeno cool off, which they will, since they can't possibly sustain their current numbers. Wait til we hit a stretch of LHP and we effectively have Jose Macias in RF. This offense is going to be brutal. If Hendry has a panic button he should push it now.