5/10 Cubs (Zambrano) @ Giants (Cain) 9:15 CSNC TV/XM 189

[Flames24Rulz]

interesting lineup.

[Shavo]

Darn, I was hoping Dusty would bat Blanco first to try to get fired faster.

[soapy]

can't wait to see how Cedeno responds to this. i'd like to see Pierre all the way down in the lineup, but baby steps I guess. Blanco? i guess Barret was going to sit either tonight or tomorrow.

[hrowengartner]

Does anyone else think Big Z should be in 8th spot with blanco batting 9th.

[Laura]

can't wait to see how Cedeno responds to this. i'd like to see Pierre all the way down in the lineup, but baby steps I guess. Blanco? i guess Barret was going to sit either tonight or tomorrow.

 

Does this mean Pierre will bat 3rd tomorrow on his way down the lineup? :P

[Bruce Miles]

He had some decent years with awful teams. I always thought he did an decent job, but he hasn't managed since the cubs and that speaks volumes. You would think someone would give him another chance. I can tell you this if Dusty gets fired of leaves after this year, he'll be employed as a manager for some major league team in 2007.

 

I don't think it speaks volumes. MLB is a good ole boy network. Reputation and tenure is much more important to "baseall people" than actual ability and merit.

 

And I'm not sure Dusty would get another job right away.

 

 

In 98 the Cubs offense ranked 5th/7th/5th in AVG/OBP/SLG, and 11th in ERA (with only a 97 ERA+, tied with 3 other teams for 8th place ie, below average). How did he get 90 wins out of them?

 

I'm not saying Riggs was a genius or anything, but he's a dude who took a fall for his GM's failing, moreso than Baker would be.

 

Riggleman was a much better manager than he gets credit for. But when you have his won-loss record (Padres and Cubs), it's a tough sell for another city. Jim was extremely prepared. He could articulate reasons for doing or not doing things as well as anybody. He also ran a good clubhouse. Not all the players liked him, but that's the case with any manager.

[ER Cub]

Where the heck is Theriot? Isn't he supposed to provide energy to the lineup? Or is that just energy drinks? Edited May 11, 2006 by ER Cub

[CubinNY]

It's easy to put the blame on Dusty for what has happened during this losing streak. But the bottom line is the players need to perform. They are not getting the job done, they are missing the cut off man or getting picked off 2nd base not Dusty. I think before you consider firing Dusty you look at the players and go from there.

 

See, that is the problem. Repeated mental errors. The same repeated errors over and over again, year after year. Once or twice blame the players. Repeated errors blame Dusty.

 

In addition, twice Dusty has left a young starter in too long. The first instance with Marshall, it didn't cost the Cubs a game. They went on to win 2-1. The second was last night. Hill should have never been out there for the 7th. Before that inning the game was still close.

 

Those are just two examples. Here is a third, batting JJ ahead of Murton simply because he is left handed or something. I don't really know why.

 

Dusty hasn't shaken up the batting order significanlty in during this entire loosing streak. Just for one game.

 

If it were me I'd try this batting order and see what happens.

 

Murton

Walker

Barrett

Aramis

Jones

Cedeno

Pierre

Hairston/Neifi

Pitcher

 

EDIT: I posted this before reading Bruce's post. Thanks Bruce.

Edited May 11, 2006 by CubinNY

[Tim Burr]

I wonder why Barrett is not playing after he hit a HRand was 2/3 with 1 RBI last night. Tomorrow is a day game where it would be more logical to sit him so he will be fresh when they return to Chicago. Perhaps Zambrano prefers him? Otherwise, I can't blame DB for trying to juggle the lineup. This group can't do any worse. The only other thing is if this lineup just happened to win, it would probably be the last time it will be used!

 

I have watched Matt Cain throw a few games on TV and he is no where near the pitcher Jason Schmidt is as he can be very wild at times. I definitely feel Zambrano will be Able to beat Cain tonight! :wink:

 

BTW, The Giants are 0-5 in the 5 games Bonds homered!

[abuck1220]

took about 30 games for the LEGITIMATE leadoff hitter we've coveted for so many years to get taken out of that spot. good trade!

[sethuel1]

took about 30 games for the LEGITIMATE leadoff hitter we've coveted for so many years to get taken out of that spot. good trade!

 

Agreed. Huzzah, Mr. Hendry!

[IWU_CUBS_FAN]

well Z's era is way better with blanco and since we cant score runs we gotta hold them to like 0. i hope ronny shows juan how it's done

 

good thing we gave up all those prospects for a sweet 2 hole hitter

[Jon]

Dusty seems to think that the odds are in their favor because Z hasn't won a game in a while and the Cubs haven't won a game in a while...

[CubfaninCA]

Cedeno 1 & Pierre 2.

 

Well the team needed a shake-up. This is a small one. Hope Juan gets back on track.

[stitchface]

those are two of the saddest lineups you might ever see in a major league game.

[CubfaninCA]

It's easy to put the blame on Dusty for what has happened during this losing streak. But the bottom line is the players need to perform. They are not getting the job done, they are missing the cut off man or getting picked off 2nd base not Dusty. I think before you consider firing Dusty you look at the players and go from there.

 

See, that is the problem. Repeated mental errors. The same repeated errors over and over again, year after year. Once or twice blame the players. Repeated errors blame Dusty.

 

In addition, twice Dusty has left a young starter in too long. The first instance with Marshall, it didn't cost the Cubs a game. They went on to win 2-1. The second was last night. Hill should have never been out there for the 7th. Before that inning the game was still close.

 

Those are just two examples. Here is a third, batting JJ ahead of Murton simply because he is left handed or something. I don't really know why.

 

Dusty hasn't shaken up the batting order significanlty in during this entire loosing streak. Just for one game.

 

If it were me I'd try this batting order and see what happens.

 

Murton

Walker

Barrett

Aramis

Jones

Cedeno

Pierre

Hairston/Neifi

Pitcher

 

EDIT: I posted this before reading Bruce's post. Thanks Bruce.

 

why you want to leadoff the guy who's 2nd in rbis?

[cheapseats]

Pierre hitting second might be worse than Pierre hitting first.

 

Last year he hit into double plays at a high rate. He wasn't as bad as Neifi, but he hit into double plays about one out of every six chances.

[Omar]

Kasper sounding quiet. Says its the worst offensive stretch a team has had since the 1969 Padres?

[badger1679666666]

It can't be fun to cover these misfits.

[badger1679666666]

Cain (with the 6+ ERA) will only throw 8 pitches in the first. Book it.

[Master Shake]

*whispering to myself "find your happy place... find your happy place"*

[Fred Hornkohl]

Cedeno singled to center field

[Master Shake]

A LEADOFF HIT?

 

 

What team are we watching?

[Omar]

Cedeno singles! Good move Dusty?

 

Pierre up, getting booed.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Cain (with the 6+ ERA) will only throw 8 pitches in the first. Book it.

 

Well.... he just wasted half of them on Cedeno, no?