4/30 Cubs (Hill) @ Pirates (Duke) 6:05PM WCIU/720/XM185

[JonnyRed]

Nice to see the Cubs are back to their typical losing ways. Another example of this team simply not being able to deliver in the clutch. All we needed was a single by A-Ram to wrap this one up. Instead, we blow another solid performance by Rich Hill

[Omar]

Nice to see the Cubs are back to their typical losing ways. Another example of this team simply not being able to deliver in the clutch. All we needed was a single by A-Ram to wrap this one up. Instead, we blow another solid performance by Rich Hill

 

A-Ram doesnt get full blame. At least he had an RBI. Look at Soriano... the $136 mil we're paying for our leadoff man... He only has 1 lone RBI this month... or Murton, who has totally lost his patience and discipline and Duke was the guy he could show himself off against like he's done in the past.

[98navigator]

This hurts but if they win this series (and 5 out of 6 games by extension) all is forgiven.

[Omar]

This hurts but if they win this series (and 5 out of 6 games by extension) all is forgiven.

 

That's true. The tough game just ended... we're all really pissed because that game was pretty much in hand.. and another one bites the dust...

[TruffleShuffle]

Nice to see the Cubs are back to their typical losing ways. Another example of this team simply not being able to deliver in the clutch. All we needed was a single by A-Ram to wrap this one up. Instead, we blow another solid performance by Rich Hill

 

A-Ram doesnt get full blame. At least he had an RBI. Look at Soriano... the $136 mil we're paying for our leadoff man... He only has 1 lone RBI this month... or Murton, who has totally lost his patience and discipline and Duke was the guy he could show himself off against like he's done in the past.

 

yeah, a good hitter hits .300, so it's not like you can expect anyone to deliver all or even most of the time in that spot. There were other opportunities lost, the only player on the team to draw a walk was Theriot, Soriano continues to not produce, Murton looks bad, and everybody continues to put balls in play on the first or second pitch.

[C.C.]

Nice to see the Cubs are back to their typical losing ways. Another example of this team simply not being able to deliver in the clutch. All we needed was a single by A-Ram to wrap this one up. Instead, we blow another solid performance by Rich Hill

 

Agreed. We never get that late inning hit.

[CubColtPacer]

This was another strange offensive game. The Cubs 1-4 hitters got on 9 times tonight, and that part of the lineup only produced 1 run. That is definitely unusual. Based on the overall OBP and SLG numbers and the hit distribution, the Cubs should have scored somewhere between 3-5 runs tonight. Unfortunately for the team, that didn't happen.

 

After the second run scored in the 2nd, there were still plenty of chances. Theriot grounded out with runners on 1st and 3rd in the 2nd. Murton and Barrett both had chances to drive Ramirez in from scoring position in the 3rd. Ramirez had a chance to drive Theriot home in the 5th. Ramirez had another chance in the 7th with the bases loaded. Pie had a chance in the 8th with Barrett on 2nd. Finally, Lee had a chance in the 9th.

 

So the team had at least one runner in scoring position in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 8th that they couldn't get home.

 

Finally, they would have had more chances if the bottom half of the lineup had been productive whatsoever-2/16 from Murton, Barrett, DeRosa, and Pie tonight.

[TruffleShuffle]

This was another strange offensive game. The Cubs 1-4 hitters got on 9 times tonight, and that part of the lineup only produced 1 run. That is definitely unusual. Based on the overall OBP and SLG numbers and the hit distribution, the Cubs should have scored somewhere between 3-5 runs tonight. Unfortunately for the team, that didn't happen.

 

After the second run scored in the 2nd, there were still plenty of chances. Theriot grounded out with runners on 1st and 3rd in the 2nd. Murton and Barrett both had chances to drive Ramirez in from scoring position in the 3rd. Ramirez had a chance to drive Theriot home in the 5th. Ramirez had another chance in the 7th with the bases loaded. Pie had a chance in the 8th with Barrett on 2nd. Finally, Lee had a chance in the 9th.

 

So the team had at least one runner in scoring position in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 8th that they couldn't get home.

 

Finally, they would have had more chances if the bottom half of the lineup had been productive whatsoever-2/16 from Murton, Barrett, DeRosa, and Pie tonight.

 

Cubs also seemed to get in good scoring situations with 2 outs, but not earlier in the inning. I guess this makes sense since the leadoff hitter of each inning was a solid 0-9 tonight.

[98navigator]

I think Soriano is coming around. Obviously, he's still lacking in the power department but he got two hits tonight and has raised his batting average over the last few games. Theriot's 3 BB's tonight were very encouraging as well and Lee and Ramirez continue to impress even though they both left runners on base.

 

To be fair, it was the guys hitting 5-6-7 that didn't help to pad the lead. Also, tonight's outing by Wuertz notwithstanding, the pitching has been outstanding. I have to think that in the long run the Cubs will start winning these close games.

 

The Cubs are underachieving right now but it would seem that the law of averages will even out. This is truly the best 10-14 team in MLB :)

[TruffleShuffle]

The Cubs are underachieving right now but it would seem that the law of averages will even out.

 

The law of averages also suggests that any MLB team in continuous existence should have won at least a couple of World Series titles since 1908. When it comes to the Chicago Cubs, Murphy's Law supersedes the Law of Averages.

[JonnyRed]

Nice to see the Cubs are back to their typical losing ways. Another example of this team simply not being able to deliver in the clutch. All we needed was a single by A-Ram to wrap this one up. Instead, we blow another solid performance by Rich Hill

 

A-Ram doesnt get full blame. At least he had an RBI. Look at Soriano... the $136 mil we're paying for our leadoff man... He only has 1 lone RBI this month... or Murton, who has totally lost his patience and discipline and Duke was the guy he could show himself off against like he's done in the past.

 

yeah, a good hitter hits .300, so it's not like you can expect anyone to deliver all or even most of the time in that spot. There were other opportunities lost, the only player on the team to draw a walk was Theriot, Soriano continues to not produce, Murton looks bad, and everybody continues to put balls in play on the first or second pitch.

 

I understand what you're saying but we need our best hitters to start coming through in the clutch. The way I see it, all games come down to a handful of plays. It's the teams who can take advantage of the situation that win the majority of the time. Let's look at the White Sox. As much as I hate to admit it, they have a team of players who know what it takes to win. We have a much better BA and a better ERA, but they have a better record, because although guys like Dye or Konerko are hitting 220, their hits usually drive in runs.

[98navigator]

The Cubs are underachieving right now but it would seem that the law of averages will even out.

 

The law of averages also suggests that any MLB team in continuous existence should have won at least a couple of World Series titles since 1908. When it comes to the Chicago Cubs, Murphy's Law supersedes the Law of Averages.

 

Bad and or indifferent management is to blame over the years...

 

This 2007 team is much better than they are playing. I believe they will turn it around and eventually win this division.

[BigSlick]

Ahahahahahahahah

 

I go watch Heroes and see the Cubs dropped another 1 run game.

 

I think we can set a record.

[Soriano12]

What is it 0-10 in 1-run games? Pathetic.

[Flames24Rulz]

The Cubs are underachieving right now but it would seem that the law of averages will even out.

 

The law of averages also suggests that any MLB team in continuous existence should have won at least a couple of World Series titles since 1908. When it comes to the Chicago Cubs, Murphy's Law supersedes the Law of Averages.

 

Bad and or indifferent management is to blame over the years...

 

This 2007 team is much better than they are playing. I believe they will turn it around and eventually win this division.

 

Someone's under the influence.

[98navigator]

Nice to see the Cubs are back to their typical losing ways. Another example of this team simply not being able to deliver in the clutch. All we needed was a single by A-Ram to wrap this one up. Instead, we blow another solid performance by Rich Hill

 

A-Ram doesnt get full blame. At least he had an RBI. Look at Soriano... the $136 mil we're paying for our leadoff man... He only has 1 lone RBI this month... or Murton, who has totally lost his patience and discipline and Duke was the guy he could show himself off against like he's done in the past.

 

yeah, a good hitter hits .300, so it's not like you can expect anyone to deliver all or even most of the time in that spot. There were other opportunities lost, the only player on the team to draw a walk was Theriot, Soriano continues to not produce, Murton looks bad, and everybody continues to put balls in play on the first or second pitch.

 

I understand what you're saying but we need our best hitters to start coming through in the clutch. The way I see it, all games come down to a handful of plays. It's the teams who can take advantage of the situation that win the majority of the time. Let's look at the White Sox. As much as I hate to admit it, they have a team of players who know what it takes to win. We have a much better BA and a better ERA, but they have a better record, because although guys like Dye or Konerko are hitting 220, their hits usually drive in runs.

 

The Sox have lost a few games recently due to a lack of "clutch" hitting. They are 12-11 so it's not as if they are taking the world by storm. The biggest difference in the Cubs and White Sox records has been their shut down bullpen.

 

Don't get me wrong, the Cubs bullpen has been great overall but they have 7 losses collectively (and no wins). By contrast, the Sox bullpen has 3 losses. There have been a number of times where the Cubs bullpen surrendered runs, when the team was ahead or tied, that directly lead to a loss. Off the top of my head, Ohman walked in two runs that lead to a loss against Cincy and he was the losing pitcher versus SD, Eyre contributed to losses against Cincy and ATL, Howry had a blown save against Cincy in Marquis' first start and he also gave up the lead against HOU, Wuertz got the loss tonight, Cherry got the loss in his debut, etc...

 

 

Add to that Zambrano and Miller's poor outings and it's no wonder the team is 10-14.

 

Again, this team has underachieved because they should be over .500 right now (15-9 or 14-10)

[Flames24Rulz]

Nice to see the Cubs are back to their typical losing ways. Another example of this team simply not being able to deliver in the clutch. All we needed was a single by A-Ram to wrap this one up. Instead, we blow another solid performance by Rich Hill

 

A-Ram doesnt get full blame. At least he had an RBI. Look at Soriano... the $136 mil we're paying for our leadoff man... He only has 1 lone RBI this month... or Murton, who has totally lost his patience and discipline and Duke was the guy he could show himself off against like he's done in the past.

 

yeah, a good hitter hits .300, so it's not like you can expect anyone to deliver all or even most of the time in that spot. There were other opportunities lost, the only player on the team to draw a walk was Theriot, Soriano continues to not produce, Murton looks bad, and everybody continues to put balls in play on the first or second pitch.

 

I understand what you're saying but we need our best hitters to start coming through in the clutch. The way I see it, all games come down to a handful of plays. It's the teams who can take advantage of the situation that win the majority of the time. Let's look at the White Sox. As much as I hate to admit it, they have a team of players who know what it takes to win. We have a much better BA and a better ERA, but they have a better record, because although guys like Dye or Konerko are hitting 220, their hits usually drive in runs.

 

The Sox have lost a few games recently due to a lack of "clutch" hitting. They are 12-11 so it's not as if they are taking the world by storm. The biggest difference in the Cubs and White Sox records has been their shut down bullpen.

 

Don't get me wrong, the Cubs bullpen has been great overall but they have 7 losses collectively (and no wins). By contrast, the Sox bullpen has 3 losses. There have been a number of times where the Cubs bullpen surrendered runs, when the team was ahead or tied, that directly lead to a loss. Off the top of my head, Ohman walked in two runs that lead to a loss against Cincy and he was the losing pitcher versus SD, Eyre contributed to losses against Cincy and ATL, Howry had a blown save against Cincy in Marquis' first start and he also gave up the lead against HOU, Wuertz got the loss tonight, Cherry got the loss in his debut, etc...

 

 

Add to that Zambrano and Miller's poor outings and it's no wonder the team is 10-14.

 

Again, this team has underachieved because they should be over .500 right now.

 

The Sox have also faced some pretty good opponents while we've faced the pathetic NL Central teams (teams that we are supposed to beat if we are going to win the division). The toughest team we have faced has been Atlanta and that was only a 2 game series. Our schedule has been pretty pathetic thus far and it's pretty bad that we're 10-14.

 

Just another way to look at it.

[98navigator]

The Cubs are underachieving right now but it would seem that the law of averages will even out.

 

The law of averages also suggests that any MLB team in continuous existence should have won at least a couple of World Series titles since 1908. When it comes to the Chicago Cubs, Murphy's Law supersedes the Law of Averages.

 

Bad and or indifferent management is to blame over the years...

 

This 2007 team is much better than they are playing. I believe they will turn it around and eventually win this division.

 

Someone's under the influence.

 

Nope

[98navigator]

Nice to see the Cubs are back to their typical losing ways. Another example of this team simply not being able to deliver in the clutch. All we needed was a single by A-Ram to wrap this one up. Instead, we blow another solid performance by Rich Hill

 

A-Ram doesnt get full blame. At least he had an RBI. Look at Soriano... the $136 mil we're paying for our leadoff man... He only has 1 lone RBI this month... or Murton, who has totally lost his patience and discipline and Duke was the guy he could show himself off against like he's done in the past.

 

yeah, a good hitter hits .300, so it's not like you can expect anyone to deliver all or even most of the time in that spot. There were other opportunities lost, the only player on the team to draw a walk was Theriot, Soriano continues to not produce, Murton looks bad, and everybody continues to put balls in play on the first or second pitch.

 

I understand what you're saying but we need our best hitters to start coming through in the clutch. The way I see it, all games come down to a handful of plays. It's the teams who can take advantage of the situation that win the majority of the time. Let's look at the White Sox. As much as I hate to admit it, they have a team of players who know what it takes to win. We have a much better BA and a better ERA, but they have a better record, because although guys like Dye or Konerko are hitting 220, their hits usually drive in runs.

 

The Sox have lost a few games recently due to a lack of "clutch" hitting. They are 12-11 so it's not as if they are taking the world by storm. The biggest difference in the Cubs and White Sox records has been their shut down bullpen.

 

Don't get me wrong, the Cubs bullpen has been great overall but they have 7 losses collectively (and no wins). By contrast, the Sox bullpen has 3 losses. There have been a number of times where the Cubs bullpen surrendered runs, when the team was ahead or tied, that directly lead to a loss. Off the top of my head, Ohman walked in two runs that lead to a loss against Cincy and he was the losing pitcher versus SD, Eyre contributed to losses against Cincy and ATL, Howry had a blown save against Cincy in Marquis' first start and he also gave up the lead against HOU, Wuertz got the loss tonight, Cherry got the loss in his debut, etc...

 

 

Add to that Zambrano and Miller's poor outings and it's no wonder the team is 10-14.

 

Again, this team has underachieved because they should be over .500 right now.

 

The Sox have also faced some pretty good opponents while we've faced the pathetic NL Central teams (teams that we are supposed to beat if we are going to win the division). The toughest team we have faced has been Atlanta and that was only a 2 game series. Our schedule has been pretty pathetic thus far and it's pretty bad that we're 10-14.

 

Just another way to look at it.

 

The White Sox have overachieved by one game. They are just about where they were predicted to be (and it has been their bullpen that has allowed the team to keep pace). Their pythagorean W-L is 11-12

 

As I already stated, the Cubs have underachieved and the bullpen combined with poor outings by Zambrano and Miller are largely to blame. The Cubs pythagorean W-L is 14-10.

Edited May 1, 2007 by 98navigator

[A New Era]

We HAVE won 3 of our last 4. You've got to remember they are digging themselves out of a 6 under .500 record. It won't be quick and easy, even though I wanted them to sweep and be .500 too. But I'm more optimistic because of the recent winning. .

[Sammy Sofa]

The Sox have also faced some pretty good opponents while we've faced the pathetic NL Central teams (teams that we are supposed to beat if we are going to win the division). The toughest team we have faced has been Atlanta and that was only a 2 game series. Our schedule has been pretty pathetic thus far and it's pretty bad that we're 10-14.

 

Just another way to look at it.

 

Atlanta? The Brewers are pretty damn good.

[98navigator]

The Sox have also faced some pretty good opponents while we've faced the pathetic NL Central teams (teams that we are supposed to beat if we are going to win the division). The toughest team we have faced has been Atlanta and that was only a 2 game series. Our schedule has been pretty pathetic thus far and it's pretty bad that we're 10-14.

 

Just another way to look at it.

 

Atlanta? The Brewers are pretty damn good.

 

I think the Brewers are an average team that had a hot month.

[Sammy Sofa]

The Sox have also faced some pretty good opponents while we've faced the pathetic NL Central teams (teams that we are supposed to beat if we are going to win the division). The toughest team we have faced has been Atlanta and that was only a 2 game series. Our schedule has been pretty pathetic thus far and it's pretty bad that we're 10-14.

 

Just another way to look at it.

 

Atlanta? The Brewers are pretty damn good.

 

I think the Brewers are an average team that had a hot month.

 

I think a lot of people would disagree with you.

[Drew Doughty]

The Sox have also faced some pretty good opponents while we've faced the pathetic NL Central teams (teams that we are supposed to beat if we are going to win the division). The toughest team we have faced has been Atlanta and that was only a 2 game series. Our schedule has been pretty pathetic thus far and it's pretty bad that we're 10-14.

 

Just another way to look at it.

 

Atlanta? The Brewers are pretty damn good.

 

I think the Brewers are an average team that had a hot month.

 

you might describe every above-500 NL team with that sentence.

[Andy]

The worst part about this season so far is that Hendry may well decide we need to overpay for clutchtastic talent in the offseason :evil: