5/8 Pirates (Snell) @ Cubs (Lilly) 7:05 WCIU/720

[jersey cubs fan]

The hit and run is Lou's fault. There was no reason to make that call with Barrett running.

 

I still can't figure out why Lou called that. Jones racks up plenty of strikeouts as it is and that was a pitch he couldn't do anything with. The best result he could have gotten with that pitch was a foul ball out of play; that's pretty much it.

 

I'm concerned with Lou's style of managing. While I don't think he's as prone to stupid and head-scratching decisions as previous managers, I think he tries too hard to micromanage the game. Part of this might have to do with a lack of familiarity with his players' strengths and weaknesses, which is understandable, but if this trend continues, I won't be too happy with it.

 

Cubs had so many chances to win way before that call. That call didn't lose the game, not even close. We could've played another 9 innings and not score. We just couldn't get a big hit when needed.

 

I hear the consensus sounds like the Cubs just couldn't get the big hit despite numerous chances.

 

It should be pointed out the Cubs drew 2 walks to the Pirates 8. That's the key, as it always is with the Cubs. Their OBP yesterday was about .280, absolutely pathetic. Pitt's OBP was .361. They are the ones that had all the chances to score.

 

Add Lou's insistence on running his few baserunners into outs on a regular basis and you have a perfectly good explanation for why the Cubs couldn't score yesterday.

[CubColtPacer]

The hit and run is Lou's fault. There was no reason to make that call with Barrett running.

 

I still can't figure out why Lou called that. Jones racks up plenty of strikeouts as it is and that was a pitch he couldn't do anything with. The best result he could have gotten with that pitch was a foul ball out of play; that's pretty much it.

 

I'm concerned with Lou's style of managing. While I don't think he's as prone to stupid and head-scratching decisions as previous managers, I think he tries too hard to micromanage the game. Part of this might have to do with a lack of familiarity with his players' strengths and weaknesses, which is understandable, but if this trend continues, I won't be too happy with it.

 

Cubs had so many chances to win way before that call. That call didn't lose the game, not even close. We could've played another 9 innings and not score. We just couldn't get a big hit when needed.

 

I hear the consensus sounds like the Cubs just couldn't get the big hit despite numerous chances.

 

It should be pointed out the Cubs drew 2 walks to the Pirates 8. That's the key, as it always is with the Cubs. Their OBP yesterday was about .280, absolutely pathetic. Pitt's OBP was .361. They are the ones that had all the chances to score.

 

Add Lou's insistence on running his few baserunners into outs on a regular basis and you have a perfectly good explanation for why the Cubs couldn't score yesterday.

 

That was the Cubs problem in extra innings-but the Cubs would have had a much higher OBP if they could have just brought a runner home that didn't even require a hit in the 8th and again in the 10th. I'm not upset at the Cubs who couldn't get the big hit, because you're right, they didn't have very many chances in extra innings with runners on base. I am upset though at the people who didn't need a hit to score a run (2nd and 3rd with nobody out in the 8th) or advance a runner (2nd base with nobody out in the 10th)-that would be Murton, Jones, and Lee.

 

After those chances their OBP divebombed because they only got 1 runner on base in the last 4 innings.

[Jake]

Wow. 176 pages for losing to the Pirates.

 

Lots of self Flagulation?

 

I didn't see the game, but, from what I've read, as much as you guys were trying to give us the game, we were trying pretty hard not to take it.

[98navigator]

Wow. 176 pages for losing to the Pirates.

 

Lots of self Flagulation?

 

I didn't see the game, but, from what I've read, as much as you guys were trying to give us the game, we were trying pretty hard not to take it.

 

Jake, I know you're happy and all but the Cubs definitely gave the game away. Lilly should have pitched a shutout; runs scored because of a missed pop up and a potential DP that wasn't executed correctly. Not scoring in the 8th was killer and Dempster blowing his first save sucked (especially considering it was a walk that scored).

Edited May 9, 2007 by 98navigator

[C.C.]

The hit and run is Lou's fault. There was no reason to make that call with Barrett running.

 

I still can't figure out why Lou called that. Jones racks up plenty of strikeouts as it is and that was a pitch he couldn't do anything with. The best result he could have gotten with that pitch was a foul ball out of play; that's pretty much it.

 

I'm concerned with Lou's style of managing. While I don't think he's as prone to stupid and head-scratching decisions as previous managers, I think he tries too hard to micromanage the game. Part of this might have to do with a lack of familiarity with his players' strengths and weaknesses, which is understandable, but if this trend continues, I won't be too happy with it.

 

Cubs had so many chances to win way before that call. That call didn't lose the game, not even close. We could've played another 9 innings and not score. We just couldn't get a big hit when needed.

 

I hear the consensus sounds like the Cubs just couldn't get the big hit despite numerous chances.

 

It should be pointed out the Cubs drew 2 walks to the Pirates 8. That's the key, as it always is with the Cubs. Their OBP yesterday was about .280, absolutely pathetic. Pitt's OBP was .361. They are the ones that had all the chances to score.

 

Add Lou's insistence on running his few baserunners into outs on a regular basis and you have a perfectly good explanation for why the Cubs couldn't score yesterday.

 

That was the Cubs problem in extra innings-but the Cubs would have had a much higher OBP if they could have just brought a runner home that didn't even require a hit in the 8th and again in the 10th. I'm not upset at the Cubs who couldn't get the big hit, because you're right, they didn't have very many chances in extra innings with runners on base. I am upset though at the people who didn't need a hit to score a run (2nd and 3rd with nobody out in the 8th) or advance a runner (2nd base with nobody out in the 10th)-that would be Murton, Jones, and Lee.

 

After those chances their OBP divebombed because they only got 1 runner on base in the last 4 innings.

 

Right, they couldn't score runs because guys weren't capable of hitting a routine fly ball to get them home. The game was lost in the 8th inning. They had the chance to put this game away and failed.

[Jake]

Wow. 176 pages for losing to the Pirates.

 

Lots of self Flagulation?

 

I didn't see the game, but, from what I've read, as much as you guys were trying to give us the game, we were trying pretty hard not to take it.

 

Jake, I know you're happy and all but the Cubs definitely gave the game away. Lilly should have pitched a shutout; runs scored because of a missed pop up and a potential DP that wasn't executed correctly. Not scoring in the 8th was killer and Dempster blowing his first save sucked (especially considering it was a walk that scored).

 

Sounds like an awful game all around. Remember the Cub's go ahead run in the 7th was unearned. And, the Post-Gazzette thought Soriano was out in the third:

 

With one out, Ian Snell hit Soriano with a pitch. Soriano stole second base and scored on Theriot's single to right on a 1-2 pitch, although replays indicated Paulino tagged Soriano before he reached the plate.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07129/784533-63.stm

 

Wish I could have seen it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Baseball is about percentages. Just like it doesn't make any sense to get pissed at a player for not getting a hit, because most of the time they don't get a hit, it doesn't make sense to get pissed every time a team fails to drive in a run on a sac fly or something. It's not like it's just a given you can drive such a player in. Teams fail to drive in runners from 3rd with less than 2 outs every day. It happens all the time.

 

When you take 2 walks in a game, whether it's extra innings or 9, you are stacking the odds against you. When you give up 8 walks in a game, you're making it tougher.

 

 

The Cubs biggest offensive problem is a lack of chances, because you can't take advantage of all, or even most of you chances. The key is more chances. More opportunities. And the way you do that is by getting on base. The Cubs didn't get on base. Pittsburgh did.

[98navigator]

Wow. 176 pages for losing to the Pirates.

 

Lots of self Flagulation?

 

I didn't see the game, but, from what I've read, as much as you guys were trying to give us the game, we were trying pretty hard not to take it.

 

Jake, I know you're happy and all but the Cubs definitely gave the game away. Lilly should have pitched a shutout; runs scored because of a missed pop up and a potential DP that wasn't executed correctly. Not scoring in the 8th was killer and Dempster blowing his first save sucked (especially considering it was a walk that scored).

 

Sounds like an awful game all around. Remember the Cub's go ahead run in the 7th was unearned. And, the Post-Gazzette thought Soriano was out in the third:

 

With one out, Ian Snell hit Soriano with a pitch. Soriano stole second base and scored on Theriot's single to right on a 1-2 pitch, although replays indicated Paulino tagged Soriano before he reached the plate.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07129/784533-63.stm

 

Wish I could have seen it.

 

On the replay it looked like Paulino missed the tag at the plate. I can't speak for the FSN camera angles but he looked safe to me on WCIU.

 

Similarly, the guy was safe in the 12th on the DP that would have given the Pirates the lead.

[CubColtPacer]

Baseball is about percentages. Just like it doesn't make any sense to get pissed at a player for not getting a hit, because most of the time they don't get a hit, it doesn't make sense to get pissed every time a team fails to drive in a run on a sac fly or something. It's not like it's just a given you can drive such a player in. Teams fail to drive in runners from 3rd with less than 2 outs every day. It happens all the time.

 

By the same token, teams have days where they don't get many chances-it happens all the time. Both are at fault yesterday-the Cubs would have had a .330-.340 OBP yesterday if a run had been knocked in when it was supposed to, but their lack of chances in extra innings was also a big factor in the loss

 

This is their first game out of the last 6 in which they had less than a .355 OBP for the game-if individual hitters can play the percentage card, then so can the team.

[jersey cubs fan]

Baseball is about percentages. Just like it doesn't make any sense to get pissed at a player for not getting a hit, because most of the time they don't get a hit, it doesn't make sense to get pissed every time a team fails to drive in a run on a sac fly or something. It's not like it's just a given you can drive such a player in. Teams fail to drive in runners from 3rd with less than 2 outs every day. It happens all the time.

 

By the same token, teams have days where they don't get many chances-it happens all the time. Both are at fault yesterday-the Cubs would have had a .330-.340 OBP yesterday if a run had been knocked in when it was supposed to, but their lack of chances in extra innings was also a big factor in the loss

 

This is their first game out of the last 6 in which they had less than a .355 OBP for the game-if individual hitters can play the percentage card, then so can the team.

 

How does one determine when a run is supposed to be driven in? The point is you can't. Runs can be scored in any situation, likewise, they can be prevented. People blast a hitter for not bringing in a run from third with less than 2 outs, but they'll celebrate a pitcher for getting out of such a situation unscathed.

 

The Cubs have been better getting on base this year. Although they are still just a slightly above average offense. They currently rank 7th in Runs scored, OBP, SLG and OPS among NL teams. They are 2nd in AVG but 13th in walks. That last point is nothing new.

 

It's still a little upsetting to me to see every beat writer talking about what an OBP turnaround they've had, and having everybody chalk up the loss to a lack of clutch hits in a game in which OBP was such a glaring problem.

 

Walk more, get on base more, and you will have more opportunities. With more opportunities, you will score more runs. It's simple, but still something that is plaguing the team.

 

And to top it off, the pitching staff walked 8.

 

Cubs OBP yesterday was .280, Pitt's was .360. In retrospect, it was Pitt that didn't take advantage of as many opportunities, they left 17 on base while the Cubs left just 10. But it's no surprise which team won.

[Andy]

I'm blaming myself. I forgot to take my Cubs hat to work for luck.

[RichHillIsABeast]

The hit and run is Lou's fault. There was no reason to make that call with Barrett running.

 

I still can't figure out why Lou called that. Jones racks up plenty of strikeouts as it is and that was a pitch he couldn't do anything with. The best result he could have gotten with that pitch was a foul ball out of play; that's pretty much it.

 

I'm concerned with Lou's style of managing. While I don't think he's as prone to stupid and head-scratching decisions as previous managers, I think he tries too hard to micromanage the game. Part of this might have to do with a lack of familiarity with his players' strengths and weaknesses, which is understandable, but if this trend continues, I won't be too happy with it.

 

At least he's seemingly figured out Ohman is a LOOGY. Or maybe that's just a coincidence of his overmanaging.

[jersey cubs fan]

The hit and run is Lou's fault. There was no reason to make that call with Barrett running.

 

I still can't figure out why Lou called that. Jones racks up plenty of strikeouts as it is and that was a pitch he couldn't do anything with. The best result he could have gotten with that pitch was a foul ball out of play; that's pretty much it.

 

I'm concerned with Lou's style of managing. While I don't think he's as prone to stupid and head-scratching decisions as previous managers, I think he tries too hard to micromanage the game. Part of this might have to do with a lack of familiarity with his players' strengths and weaknesses, which is understandable, but if this trend continues, I won't be too happy with it.

 

At least he's seemingly figured out Ohman is a LOOGY. Or maybe that's just a coincidence of his overmanaging.

 

Everybody in Lou's bullpen is an OOGY of some sort.

[MPrior]

Everybody in Lou's bullpen is an OOGY of some sort.

 

Except, sadly, Dempster, the one guy who really ought to be a ROOGY.

[Yeti]

piss poor

[RichHillIsABeast]

Everybody in Lou's bullpen is an OOGY of some sort.

 

Except, sadly, Dempster, the one guy who really ought to be a ROOGY.

 

Dempster in 2007:

 

vs. LH: 1.23 ERA, 11 K, 5 BB, 1.09 WHIP in 7.1 IP

vs. RH: 3.38 ERA, 8 K, 1 BB, 0.66 WHIP in 10.2 IP

 

ROOGY? I think not.

[MPrior]

Everybody in Lou's bullpen is an OOGY of some sort.

 

Except, sadly, Dempster, the one guy who really ought to be a ROOGY.

 

Dempster in 2007:

 

vs. LH: 1.23 ERA, 11 K, 5 BB, 1.09 WHIP in 7.1 IP

vs. RH: 3.38 ERA, 8 K, 1 BB, 0.66 WHIP in 10.2 IP

 

ROOGY? I think not.

 

I could break out the sample size argument, but I hardly need to - that line against righties looks better, other than the Ks (ERA against lefties? How does that work? The only way I can think of is entirely meaningless).

 

In any case, his three year splits against lefties: .286/.394/.401. Anybody who allows an OBP of nearly .400 is not getting the job done.

[CubmanPi]

I just felt the need to throw this out there:

 

16 Sep - my mom's birthday

9 May - my dad's birthday

 

16 Sep 06 - Rich Hill pitches complete game shut out (the only time a Cub did so last year)

9 May 07 - Jason Marquis pitches a shutout.

 

I know for a fact I've got a few other relatives with birthdays coming up soon.

 

EDIT - aaaaaaand wrong thread. I'm tho thmart. ::snort::