They look flat

[Cubfanintheknow]

A 4-1 loss. One baserunner after the fifth... and that was because of a Jason Isringhausen error. Lots of baserunners early on, but no one can come up with a big hit. No patience at the plate. I guess that's not unusual, though.

 

They just looked flat today. Like they weren't ready to play.

 

This had better not be a trend.

[Soul]

In the face of Lee's injury, they've packed it in.

[tinkers1]

I hate to say it but I think this team is going to struggle to score 1 or 2 runs a game especially if Aram continues to struggle and Dusty continues to double switch our better hitters out of games.

[RynoRules]

In the face of Lee's injury, they've packed it in.

 

Holy cow, could we wait a week or two before we conclude that they have given up?

[Soul]

In the face of Lee's injury, they've packed it in.

 

Holy cow, could we wait a week or two before we conclude that they have given up?

 

Sheesh, what does it look like to you?

[A New Era]

I hate to say it but I think this team is going to struggle to score 1 or 2 runs a game especially if Aram continues to struggle and Dusty continues to double switch our better hitters out of games.

 

Hopefully they continue to struggle and JH brings in a big name.

[tinkers1]

Yeah but I would never pull for the Cubs to do bad, I always want them to win even if I'm unhappy with the personel on the field.

[Jon]

Aside from a few bloop hits, has the offense looked any different than they did the last two games in LA? Have Rusch and Williams looked all that different from the start of spring training? Has the bullpen looked different in the last two games?

 

So not only is it a really, really, really small sample size, but there also hasn't been much of a difference.

[A New Era]

Aside from a few bloop hits, has the offense looked any different than they did the last two games in LA? Have Rusch and Williams looked all that different from the start of spring training? Has the bullpen looked different in the last two games?

 

So not only is it a really, really, really small sample size, but there also hasn't been much of a difference.

 

No Lee. :cry:

[srbin84]

I agree with Soul. This team looks deflated. The only cure is a blockbuster trade to spark them.

[Cubfanintheknow]

Aside from a few bloop hits, has the offense looked any different than they did the last two games in LA? Have Rusch and Williams looked all that different from the start of spring training? Has the bullpen looked different in the last two games?

 

So not only is it a really, really, really small sample size, but there also hasn't been much of a difference.

 

Notice I did say "today" in my original post. It's just a feeling I got watching the game today. There was really no intensity, no fire from the ballclub. Actually, the only guy who had a little intensity, Todd Walker, was pulled in one of the stranger double-switches I've ever seen called.

 

I honestly think they doubted their ability to come back in today's ballgame. They played all right until the Cards grabbed the lead. Then it was like they shut down.

 

Again, just a feeling I got fron today's game.

[erik316wttn]

I agree with Soul. This team looks deflated. The only cure is a blockbuster trade to spark them.

 

I don't think we need a "blockbuster" trade. This team can be ignited. I say one of the kids (Murton or Cedeno) gets super hot and acts as a motivator.

 

How many times have you seen a team get really hot because of the great play of one of the younger players? One of those guys needs to play like his life is on the line every game. The others will follow. Stuff like that is contagious.

 

Or we need a manager who is good at motivation. Dusty has proven he's not that manager.

Edited April 22, 2006 by erik316wttn

[Fro]

I blame the fans for negative mass consciousness and yelling "oh no we're DOOMED!!" for every little thing that happens. It's gotta rub off on the team.

[cl smooth]

every team has more than one of these types of games throughout the season. it just happens. hopefully they come out swinging tomorrow when maddux is pitching.

[UMFan83]

It looks pretty obvious that they are demoralized by the loss of Lee. They look flat, and its not that they don't care, but they look completely upset. Screw em, the Cubs weren't goin to win this year anyways.

[erik316wttn]

It looks pretty obvious that they are demoralized by the loss of Lee. They look flat, and its not that they don't care, but they look completely upset. Screw em, the Cubs weren't goin to win this year anyways.

 

This is where someone needs to make them care.

 

I don't think Hendry will make a big trade, because we'd only have the person for a few months, and there are no suitable partners right now.

 

We just need a few close, hard-fought wins and we'll be ok. Assuming we get those wins, of course.

[Balsa]

*doom*

 

*gloom*

[Larry Horse]

I blame the fans for negative mass consciousness and yelling "oh no we're DOOMED!!" for every little thing that happens. It's gotta rub off on the team.

 

This is a joke, right?

[Jehrico]

Aramis needs to get his stick going. If he makes good contact at least once in his first three atbats today, the game could be a different story. If he gets back to his old .310 ave .550 slg self, that should be enough to ignite the offense. Barrett has been solid, Cedeno is doing better than anyone expected and hasn't started to slow down yet (who was it on here that was calling him crap?), Pierre is slowly starting to come to life. I'm holding out hope the Murton can get back on track, but I'm not worried yet, as of right now, it's just a normal slump guys go through. Walker's tearing it up. The only guys in the lineup that I look to suck are Jones and Mabry (when he's in).

 

Baker needs to get his head out of his rear end. Why do a double switch in the 5th inning and take the best bat out of the lineup, when he wasn't even the last out? Then do another double switch before the original pitching position is even up? Dusty's evil twin poked his stupid head back out today.

[Soul]

Aramis needs to get his stick going. If he makes good contact at least once in his first three atbats today, the game could be a different story. If he gets back to his old .310 ave .550 slg self, that should be enough to ignite the offense. Barrett has been solid, Cedeno is doing better than anyone expected and hasn't started to slow down yet (who was it on here that was calling him crap?), Pierre is slowly starting to come to life. I'm holding out hope the Murton can get back on track, but I'm not worried yet, as of right now, it's just a normal slump guys go through. Walker's tearing it up. The only guys in the lineup that I look to suck are Jones and Mabry (when he's in).

 

Baker needs to get his head out of his rear end. Why do a double switch in the 5th inning and take the best bat out of the lineup, when he wasn't even the last out? Then do another double switch before the original pitching position is even up? Dusty's evil twin poked his stupid head back out today.

 

Cedeno has been doing everything asked of him. I have been pleasantly suprised so far. Murton needs to hit higher in the order. Nobody's going to give you a pitch to hit when they know Blanco and Glendon Rusch are coming up next. Ramirez looks like he's in more than an early-season slump. He's already had a tweak this year----I'm half-expecting to hear he's been playing with a nagging injury.

 

These past two games I believe we have been exposed. We don't have the pitching without Prior & Woody, and we don't have the offensive pop without Lee and with Ramirez looking bad. There's just no way around this. The players aren't stupid. They see the same things we do. When you watch all your good players hit the D/L or slump, it has to have an effect on your outlook.

 

It just looks to me like the Lee injury was the straw that broke the camel's back with these guys. I don't think I've ever seen a team that needs a road win this early in the season as badly as this Cubbie team.

[Jehrico]

Aramis needs to get his stick going. If he makes good contact at least once in his first three atbats today, the game could be a different story. If he gets back to his old .310 ave .550 slg self, that should be enough to ignite the offense. Barrett has been solid, Cedeno is doing better than anyone expected and hasn't started to slow down yet (who was it on here that was calling him crap?), Pierre is slowly starting to come to life. I'm holding out hope the Murton can get back on track, but I'm not worried yet, as of right now, it's just a normal slump guys go through. Walker's tearing it up. The only guys in the lineup that I look to suck are Jones and Mabry (when he's in).

 

Baker needs to get his head out of his rear end. Why do a double switch in the 5th inning and take the best bat out of the lineup, when he wasn't even the last out? Then do another double switch before the original pitching position is even up? Dusty's evil twin poked his stupid head back out today.

 

Cedeno has been doing everything asked of him. I have been pleasantly suprised so far. Murton needs to hit higher in the order. Nobody's going to give you a pitch to hit when they know Blanco and Glendon Rusch are coming up next. Ramirez looks like he's in more than an early-season slump. He's already had a tweak this year----I'm half-expecting to hear he's been playing with a nagging injury.

 

These past two games I believe we have been exposed. We don't have the pitching without Prior & Woody, and we don't have the offensive pop without Lee and with Ramirez looking bad. There's just no way around this. The players aren't stupid. They see the same things we do. When you watch all your good players hit the D/L or slump, it has to have an effect on your outlook.

 

It just looks to me like the Lee injury was the straw that broke the camel's back with these guys. I don't think I've ever seen a team that needs a road win this early in the season as badly as this Cubbie team.

Here's praying for another Gem from Mad Dog...

[KatJ]

Here's praying for another Gem from Mad Dog...

 

I think he can do it, but he's going to need SOME run support. But the 20-year plus Cub fan in me feels that a good performance will be counterbalanced by NO RUNS. Then Crusty will trot out Williamson (or someone else not named Howry, Eyre - is he still out?, or Dempster) after Greg is done for the day, and the Cards will get the sweep in their back yard this time.

[BobRoss139]

I think what this team needs is Prior or Wood to come back and start kicking some tail. That would be a morale booster.

[Jehrico]

Here's praying for another Gem from Mad Dog...

I think he can do it, but he's going to need SOME run support. But the 20-year plus Cub fan in me feels that a good performance will be counterbalanced by NO RUNS. Then Crusty will trot out Williamson (or someone else not named Howry, Eyre - is he still out?, or Dempster) after Greg is done for the day, and the Cards will get the sweep in their back yard this time.

 

Ask, and ye shall receive.

 

0.99 ERA for Madux on the year, outstanding!

[Cubfanintheknow]

Here's praying for another Gem from Mad Dog...

I think he can do it, but he's going to need SOME run support. But the 20-year plus Cub fan in me feels that a good performance will be counterbalanced by NO RUNS. Then Crusty will trot out Williamson (or someone else not named Howry, Eyre - is he still out?, or Dempster) after Greg is done for the day, and the Cards will get the sweep in their back yard this time.

 

Ask, and ye shall receive.

 

0.99 ERA for Madux on the year, outstanding!

 

And just after looking so flat the last couple of games, they string together some hits and make it look like everything's going to be all right.

 

That is just so Cubs. Stringing us along in the process.