The Cub Offense After 17 Games

[Abe Frohman]

I see a LOT of pessimism in this thread - but look at a few things....

 

*This is a good start. The starting pitching hasn't really been great except for Z and Dempster. Wait until everyone gets on track (or off?).

 

*As stated, Ramirez and Soriano haven't settled in yet. Again, wait....

 

*Good teams find ways to win. This team is good without the production of two of their biggest bats, and the starting pitching isn't stellar. The team is all chipping in to carry the weight - a good sign of strength.

 

*We still need a true #2 starter, or perhaps another ace.

 

*God help us when Soto starts hitting HRs.

 

*So far in 2008, with a runner on 3rd and 2 outs late in the game, the Cubs are hitting .405 (17-42) with 35 RBI. That includes 5 doubles, 4 BB, and 7 K's.

 

*With the bases loaded, the 2008 Cubbies are hitting a robust .389 (7-18) with 22 RBI and a .458 OB%.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Looking at the schedule, we have 4 more lefties squaring off against the Cubs by this coming Sunday.

 

I hope they keep abusing lefties the way they have. Washington is greeting the Cubs with 3 straight lefties in Odalis Perez, Matt Chico and John Lannan. The 4th lefty is Franklin Morales, who the Cubs face Wednesday, I believe.

 

Right you are.

 

Gm#    Date       Opponent         Score  Starter         Opp Starter
.19  Mon 04/21    New York      N    -    Zambrano        Maine         
.20  Tue 04/22    New York           -    Lilly           Figueroa      
.21  Wed 04/23  @ Colorado      N    -    Hill            Morales       
.22  Thu 04/24  @ Colorado           -    Marquis         Cook          
.23  Fri 04/25  @ Washington    N    -    Dempster        Perez         
.24  Sat 04/26  @ Washington         -    Zambrano        Chico         
.25  Sun 04/27  @ Washington         -    Lilly           Lannan        

 

But after this stretch, they shouldn't see another lefty for 2 weeks.

[David]

I see a LOT of pessimism in this thread - but look at a few things....

 

*This is a good start. The starting pitching hasn't really been great except for Z and Dempster. Wait until everyone gets on track (or off?).

 

*As stated, Ramirez and Soriano haven't settled in yet. Again, wait....

 

*Good teams find ways to win. This team is good without the production of two of their biggest bats, and the starting pitching isn't stellar. The team is all chipping in to carry the weight - a good sign of strength.

 

*We still need a true #2 starter, or perhaps another ace.

 

*God help us when Soto starts hitting HRs.

 

*So far in 2008, with a runner on 3rd and 2 outs late in the game, the Cubs are hitting .405 (17-42) with 35 RBI. That includes 5 doubles, 4 BB, and 7 K's.

 

*With the bases loaded, the 2008 Cubbies are hitting a robust .389 (7-18) with 22 RBI and a .458 OB%.

 

 

I don't find there to be that much pessimism in this thread *shrug*, but the funny thing is, if anything, I'd consider the bolded to be reason for pessimism, not optimism.

[BigbadB]

Looking at the schedule, we have 4 more lefties squaring off against the Cubs by this coming Sunday.

 

I hope they keep abusing lefties the way they have. Washington is greeting the Cubs with 3 straight lefties in Odalis Perez, Matt Chico and John Lannan. The 4th lefty is Franklin Morales, who the Cubs face Wednesday, I believe.

 

Right you are.

 

Gm#    Date       Opponent         Score  Starter         Opp Starter
.19  Mon 04/21    New York      N    -    Zambrano        Maine         
.20  Tue 04/22    New York           -    Lilly           Figueroa      
.21  Wed 04/23  @ Colorado      N    -    Hill            Morales       
.22  Thu 04/24  @ Colorado           -    Marquis         Cook          
.23  Fri 04/25  @ Washington    N    -    Dempster        Perez         
.24  Sat 04/26  @ Washington         -    Zambrano        Chico         
.25  Sun 04/27  @ Washington         -    Lilly           Lannan        

 

But after this stretch, they shouldn't see another lefty for 2 weeks.

 

That should be just enough time for Lou to have worked out all the kinks in Felix's swing. Plus, Soriano should be back not too long after this Sunday's game.

[Banghart]

With the Cubs winning 8-1 yesterday to complete the sweep of the Mets, the Cubs have racked up 41 runs in 4 games. The thing that is nice is the fact that this team had four big games in a row. In years past it seemed that we would get a big outcome, and then the offense would disappear.

 

Checking it out at baseball reference it appears that the last time the Cubs had four games of 7 runs or more was April 18-21, 2004, kind of wierd how it was almost four years ago exactly when this team did it and after winning a division title as well. The Cubs scored 10, 8, 9, and 10 runs against the Reds and Pirates. Interestingly the Cubs managed to lose one of those games that year.

[Tracer Bullet]

The Cub fan in me who watched '84 and '03 is waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

The idiot in me who can't stop banging his head against that brick wall is saying GO CUBS!

 

This seems too good to be true. Especially the patience -- where did this come from now all of a sudden?

A lot of it could be attributed to Fukudome and Johnson. Lee has always seen a lot of pitches. Lee + Fukudome + Johnson = seeing a lot more pitches.

 

And Soto.

 

And DeRosa.

 

And Cedeno

[RedFlash]

The Cub fan in me who watched '84 and '03 is waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

The idiot in me who can't stop banging his head against that brick wall is saying GO CUBS!

 

This seems too good to be true. Especially the patience -- where did this come from now all of a sudden?

A lot of it could be attributed to Fukudome and Johnson. Lee has always seen a lot of pitches. Lee + Fukudome + Johnson = seeing a lot more pitches.

 

And Soto.

 

And DeRosa.

 

And Cedeno

 

Don't forget ARam. He is seeing over 4 pitches per AB. Last time ARam saw more the 4 pitches per AB was his rookie yr of 1998.