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

[swordsman]

But yes Len and Bob are one of the best broadcast teams.

 

One of?

 

I haven't heard all of the broadcast crews. It wouldn't surprise me if they were the best though.

 

This guy thinks they could be better:

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-070507greenstein,1,2819566.column?coll=cs-columnists

 

(about halfway down the article)

 

Cubs broadcasters Len Kasper and Bob Brenly have developed a nice rapport in their two-plus years together in the TV booth. They're a pleasant listen. But they could be better.

 

Brenly strikes me as overly reluctant to offer opinions, and Kasper doesn't do enough to draw them out.

 

Two examples from Sunday's game: After Washington intentionally walked Derrek Lee in the ninth inning, Brenly said the Nationals actually did the Cubs a favor because Aramis Ramirez had better numbers against closer Chad Cordero. True, but walking Lee created a force play at every base. So did Brenly, the former manager, disagree with the move? Kasper didn't ask him.

 

In the 10th, third-base coach Mike Quade held Matt Murton on Henry Blanco's single to short right.

 

Should Murton have been sent home? And after seeing replays, did Kasper and Brenly think Murton would have scored?

 

All Brenly offered was: "Hopefully that won't be a lost opportunity there for the Cubs."

 

The hope is that Kasper and Brenly give us less rooting and more opinion. It's an approach that worked pretty well for Steve Stone.

[seanimal]

The hope is that Kasper and Brenly give us less rooting and more opinion. It's an approach that worked pretty well for Steve Stone.

 

It worked so well he got fired!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't want more opinion, personally.

[cheapseats]

I don't want more opinion, personally.

 

Often, when Brenly gives an opinion, it makes me happy that he's not managing the team.

 

I think Len and Bob have good chemistry, but I'm much more of a Len fan than a Bob fan.

[Banedon]

I don't want more opinion, personally.

 

Often, when Brenly gives an opinion, it makes me happy that he's not managing the team.

 

I think Len and Bob have good chemistry, but I'm much more of a Len fan than a Bob fan.

 

Bob can be pretty damn funny though.

[Balsa]

That Teddy Greenstein piece was hogwash. What a terrible article.

[cheapseats]

I don't want more opinion, personally.

 

Often, when Brenly gives an opinion, it makes me happy that he's not managing the team.

 

I think Len and Bob have good chemistry, but I'm much more of a Len fan than a Bob fan.

 

Bob can be pretty damn funny though.

 

Yeah. I like him as a broadcaster. Not so much as a hit-and-run obsessed manager.

[cheapseats]

That Teddy Greenstein piece was hogwash. What a terrible article.

 

What part was hogwash? After sampling other teams' announcers via MLB.TV, it does seem that Len and Bob don't question moves by teams nearly as much as some of their peers.

 

Whether that's a good or a bad thing depends...

[badgercub]

But yes Len and Bob are one of the best broadcast teams.

 

One of?

 

I haven't heard all of the broadcast crews. It wouldn't surprise me if they were the best though.

 

I love listening to Vin Scully on the Dodger broadcasts. I guess it takes me back to my youth when he used to do the game of the week.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Bob can be pretty damn funny though.

 

Why, I thank you very much, kind sir.

[Banedon]

Bob can be pretty damn funny though.

 

Why, I thank you very much, kind sir.

 

Pfft. You're Pedro...you don't fool me.

[Banedon]

That Teddy Greenstein piece was hogwash. What a terrible article.

 

It was very much an opinion piece. As such I thought it was fine.

[BeerHere]

I hate the Pirates. Not exactly sure why, but I do.

 

BEAT EM COBS!!!!!

[Chris]

niw ew

[BeerHere]

niw ew

 

!SBOC ME TAEB

[David]

?nigeb daf diputs siht did woH

[Chris]

?nigeb daf diputs siht did woH

 

stnar ni kooL

[BeerHere]

!ereHreeB pu tuhS

 

ko

[98navigator]

This series scares me. Snell and Gorzelanny can both be tough and even though Maholm is terrible, he's left handed and the Cubs haven't fared well against lefties in recent history (nor have they faced many this season--now they see two in the series). Gorzelanny only gave up 2 runs in 7IP versus the Brewers the last time out and it was the only game in that series the Pirates won.

 

I hope the Cubs don't take them for granted.

[moorecg]

But yes Len and Bob are one of the best broadcast teams.

 

One of?

 

I haven't heard all of the broadcast crews. It wouldn't surprise me if they were the best though.

 

I love listening to Vin Scully on the Dodger broadcasts. I guess it takes me back to my youth when he used to do the game of the week.

 

No offense to Len and Bob, but there is no question in my mind that Vin Scully by himself is better than every other broadcast pair in the business.

[Garwilly]

I would prefer a win.

[C.C.]

This series scares me. Snell and Gorzelanny can both be tough and even though Maholm is terrible, he's left handed and the Cubs haven't fared well against lefties in recent history (nor have they faced many this season--now they see two in the series). Gorzelanny only gave up 2 runs in 7IP versus the Brewers the last time out and it was the only game in that series the Pirates won.

 

I hope the Cubs don't take them for granted.

 

I agree. This is pretty scary because after this series it doesn't get any easier.

[jersey cubs fan]

This series scares me. Snell and Gorzelanny can both be tough and even though Maholm is terrible, he's left handed and the Cubs haven't fared well against lefties in recent history (nor have they faced many this season--now they see two in the series). Gorzelanny only gave up 2 runs in 7IP versus the Brewers the last time out and it was the only game in that series the Pirates won.

 

I hope the Cubs don't take them for granted.

 

I still don't understand why so many people think of the Cubs lineup as too RH heavy, when this lineup has been fine vs RHP, but has struggled mightily against LHP for such a long time.

[Flames24Rulz]

But yes Len and Bob are one of the best broadcast teams.

 

One of?

 

I haven't heard all of the broadcast crews. It wouldn't surprise me if they were the best though.

 

I love listening to Vin Scully on the Dodger broadcasts. I guess it takes me back to my youth when he used to do the game of the week.

 

No offense to Len and Bob, but there is no question in my mind that Vin Scully by himself is better than every other broadcast pair in the business.

 

I didn't think so at the time, but I definitely miss Chip and Steve now.

[soccer10k]

I'll probably tune in via MLB.TV while I work on a feature.

 

This is the longest Cubs winning streak since July 8 to July 15, 2005 (All Star Break in between) which was also five games. Of course, that 5 game winning streak was preceded by an 8 game losing streak. If the Cubs win, it will be the longest streak since they won 7 in a row from May 27 to June 2, 2005.

Wonder if it hits 10 games then BB and Len will switch facial hair like they promised...

 

Wait, what? I didn't hear about this, please explain.