5/9 Post Game:1-5 roadtip vs Pitt & Cincy WE SUCK

[haubrich91]

Well, at least the Chicago Force is playing well. (For those who don't know the Chicago Force is a professional women's football team who is currently 3-0.) Chicago has that going for them, right?

 

I heard of some hockey team in Chicago that's playing decently, too.

 

Anyway, this team has to move on from things that happen. Okay yeah, our top prospect came in here and lit up the Cincinnati Reds Friday night. What happens the next day? Bats were frozen cold. Day after that? A rookie dominated us again, until we got lucky - but then literally gave it RIGHT back.

 

Let's be honest - we are not a playoff team right now. We have Theriot, Fukudome, Soriano, Byrd, Soto, and Castro (if he's legit as he's supposed to be) who are hitting well right now. Our starting pitching is inconsistent and sometimes unlucky; but for the most part has been the strength of this team.. Lilly looked good his first start, but hasn't been himself the last two times out. Gorzelanny is pitching good but the offense isn't showing up for him. Wells has pitched extremely well until his outing on Thursday. Silva has been a good surprise, but the injury might be a concern.

 

That leads to the bullpen. Marmol and Marshall have been the only two we can depend on. Zambrano hasn't exactly dominated in the bullpen, but it's too early to tell how that will go. We're definitely going to have to bring some people in outside of the organization, unless some of our prospects start performing well enough to be in a Major League bullpen.

[CubColtPacer]

Castro's looking okay, though. I'm just hoping Lou keeps playing him and letting him develop. He's up, we might as well see what he can do.

 

Castro better be playing every day unless he need an off day to rest. That or you send him back down. He better not ride the bench.

 

The fact that the Cubs said that Fontenot is the backup SS when Castro needs a day off and not Theriot is a very good sign for Castro continuing to start IMO. They have already thought that far ahead and want to get Theriot comfortable at 2B because they feel he's there for the long haul. The comments Hendry made that implied Theriot needed to move anyway also supports that they are thinking along those lines. Since they certainly don't see Fontenot as an everyday shortstop, it seems they think Castro is the only legitimate SS on the roster right now.

[E.J.]

Castro's looking okay, though. I'm just hoping Lou keeps playing him and letting him develop. He's up, we might as well see what he can do.

 

Castro better be playing every day unless he need an off day to rest. That or you send him back down. He better not ride the bench.

 

The fact that the Cubs said that Fontenot is the backup SS when Castro needs a day off and not Theriot is a very good sign for Castro continuing to start IMO. They have already thought that far ahead and want to get Theriot comfortable at 2B because they feel he's there for the long haul. The comments Hendry made that implied Theriot needed to move anyway also supports that they are thinking along those lines. Since they certainly don't see Fontenot as an everyday shortstop, it seems they think Castro is the only legitimate SS on the roster right now.

 

That's a good thing, but also an extremely scary thought. I remember they tried Fontenot at SS a few years ago with disastrous results. It might not even be an okay thing for 1 game.

[rynefan]

LOL, I can't get over a 1-5 road trip to Pitt and Cinci.

[Guest]

Castro's looking okay, though. I'm just hoping Lou keeps playing him and letting him develop. He's up, we might as well see what he can do.

 

Castro better be playing every day unless he need an off day to rest. That or you send him back down. He better not ride the bench.

 

The fact that the Cubs said that Fontenot is the backup SS when Castro needs a day off and not Theriot is a very good sign for Castro continuing to start IMO. They have already thought that far ahead and want to get Theriot comfortable at 2B because they feel he's there for the long haul. The comments Hendry made that implied Theriot needed to move anyway also supports that they are thinking along those lines. Since they certainly don't see Fontenot as an everyday shortstop, it seems they think Castro is the only legitimate SS on the roster right now.

 

That's a good thing, but also an extremely scary thought. I remember they tried Fontenot at SS a few years ago with disastrous results. It might not even be an okay thing for 1 game.

 

I'm pretty sure Fontenot has already played a game at SS this year. While his range isn't as good as Theriots, his arm certainly is. He's good enough as a 1 day fill in here and there.

[Fred Hornkohl]

 

I'm pretty sure Fontenot has already played a game at SS this year.

 

Give that man a kewpie doll !!!

 

Gm#    Date       Opponent         Score  Starter         Opp Starter
.14  Tue 04/20  @ New York      N   0- 4  Zambrano        Pelfrey       

[loukycub]

Mr. Ricketts needs to make a decision, and he needs to make it fast.

 

He's got to know the window is closing, with Lee and Lilly FA's after the year, and Rammy with his opt-out clause who could become a FA after the year. Does he want to write the season off, and (not to be cliche) "wait till next year", or does he want to possibly compete for a playoff spot?

 

If he does want to compete, he's got to get rid of Lou, and the sooner the better. The man gets worse every game. If he wants to write the season off, then let Lou finish it out. But he's going to have to make his decision quickly, because this is a crucial juncture. This season can still be saved. It's still early, but he can't wait forever.

 

Lou is not going to be the difference in making the playoffs or not. He's made some bad decisions, but let's not forget that many of these high profile situations come in close games because of poor pitching or hitting. He bears very little of the responsibility for our start.

 

 

And ultimately, what is the list of complaints against Lou? Bullpen management, his handling of Soto, the end? The Cubs are mediocre because their offense and pitching have been up and down, not because Lou is going to Grabow too much or hitting Soto 8th.

 

Also his absolutely atrocious in-game management, moving Z to the pen, etc

 

Lou's not nearly the only problem, but he's one of the bigger ones.

 

at the time, no other starter deserved to go to the pen. out of the 5 zambrano had been the one who underperformed versus their talent level. but given another bad gorzelany start and i would advocate switching the two, even if it puts another lefty in the pen.

[Backtobanks]

I'm farrrrrrr more worried about Rammy than Lee

 

Somebody ought to insist that ARam start working with Jaramillo or spend some time on the bench. I understand these ML hitters think they can work it out themselves, but it certainly wouldn't hurt at this point to start taking some advice.

ARam is working with Rudy. Seems the media that jumped all over that story about Aramis refusing help was, well, dead wrong.

 

The story in the Tribune made it sound like Jaramillo was protecting ARam. Rudy took the high road by saying he has to convince established hitters to come to him because they think they can work it out by themselves. Jaramillo even said in the article "he has to win him over". That doesn't sound like ARam is really working full time with Jaramillo like he should be.

Don't let Kaplan convince you of this.

 

Aramis literally has millions of dollars at stake here. You can be sure he's doing everything he can to break out of the slump. For Kaplan and others to make it sound like he doesn't care...they're just trying to build controversy and traffic.

 

Paul Sullivan wrote the Tribune article. I don't have any inside information, but I'm sure a lot of hitters can be stubborn about seeking help and Jaramillo's quote about having to "convince" and "win over" some hitters certainly made it sound like ARam might not be seeking his advice at this point.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Yeah, Lou isn't the reason this team stinks. He's certainly not helping and contributing to the suck, but even the best manager would probably only have this team at .500 right now with their two most important hitters in the toilet.

 

But at least the best manager would have Lee and Ramirez, especially Ramirez working out their problems from somewhere in the 6-8 spots with some combination of Soto, Byrd, Soriano and Kosuke in the heart of the lineup. I understand letting your stars work out of a funk, but how long can you keep a guy who looks absolutley lost at the plate and another who doesnt look much better in the heart of your order?

[SouthSideRyan]

at the time, no other starter deserved to go to the pen. out of the 5 zambrano had been the one who underperformed versus their talent level. but given another bad gorzelany start and i would advocate switching the two, even if it puts another lefty in the pen.

 

Maybe this is exactly why everyone said you shouldn't judge who goes to the pen based on 3 [expletive] starts

[soapy]

at the time, no other starter deserved to go to the pen. out of the 5 zambrano had been the one who underperformed versus their talent level. but given another bad gorzelany start and i would advocate switching the two, even if it puts another lefty in the pen.

 

Maybe this is exactly why everyone said you shouldn't judge who goes to the pen based on 3 [expletive] starts

Or really, one. As opening day was Z's only bad start.

[Guest]

at the time, no other starter deserved to go to the pen. out of the 5 zambrano had been the one who underperformed versus their talent level. but given another bad gorzelany start and i would advocate switching the two, even if it puts another lefty in the pen.

Wait...what?

 

Gorzellany has been our best starter this year.

[Sammy Sofa]

Yeah, Lou isn't the reason this team stinks. He's certainly not helping and contributing to the suck, but even the best manager would probably only have this team at .500 right now with their two most important hitters in the toilet.

 

But at least the best manager would have Lee and Ramirez, especially Ramirez working out their problems from somewhere in the 6-8 spots with some combination of Soto, Byrd, Soriano and Kosuke in the heart of the lineup. I understand letting your stars work out of a funk, but how long can you keep a guy who looks absolutley lost at the plate and another who doesnt look much better in the heart of your order?

 

And that's how this hypothetical manager would maybe have the team at .500. Not really awe-inspiring. The vast majority of the "blame" falls on the team.

[chasinf5s]

at the time, no other starter deserved to go to the pen. out of the 5 zambrano had been the one who underperformed versus their talent level. but given another bad gorzelany start and i would advocate switching the two, even if it puts another lefty in the pen.

Wait...what?

 

Gorzellany has been our best starter this year.

 

having a sub 3 era is nowhere near good enough, didnt anyone every tell you that!! come on!!