4/16 Cubs (Wood) vs. Rangers (Holland) 7:05 CT CSN

[Hawk4Hall]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

ok

Right.

[InconspicuousZ28]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

So.....100 losses?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

For those of us on gamecast, what happened?

 

Sinking line drive to center, CF comes in and does a full-out dive to catch it.

[Sammy Sofa]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

ok

 

Come on, man; HANDS DOWN. You can't argue with that.

[Hawk4Hall]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

So.....100 losses?

At least. Ian Stewart isn't going to save the Cubs and who knows if Garza will stay healthy.

 

Too many questions marks on this team.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

ok

 

Come on, man; HANDS DOWN. You can't argue with that.

 

We're one more loss away from a "'nuff said" situation.

[Hawk4Hall]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

ok

 

Come on, man; HANDS DOWN. You can't argue with that.

Just like you can't argue that Ian Stewart only had bad luck this year.

[samhainn77]

For those of us on gamecast, what happened?

 

Fly ball. Caught.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

So.....100 losses?

At least. Ian Stewart isn't going to save the Cubs and who knows if Garza will stay healthy.

 

Too many questions marks on this team.

 

Thanks, Nas.

[Schwarber Fan]

Worst part is that's the lasting memory we're going to have to deal with until Friday.

[Sammy Sofa]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

ok

 

Come on, man; HANDS DOWN. You can't argue with that.

Just like you can't argue that Ian Stewart only had bad luck this year.

 

Uh, why do you keep focusing on Ian Stewart?

[Sammy Sofa]

Worst part is that's the lasting memory we're going to have to deal with until Friday.

 

What's on Friday?

[Schwarber Fan]

Worst part is that's the lasting memory we're going to have to deal with until Friday.

 

What's on Friday?

 

The next Cubs game.

[weis21]

I'm confused. Is that a reference to the weather.

 

And no, this team is better than last season's team. Garza, even Baker, will return. And yes, Stewart will be a step up from the [expletive]-thrown-at-the-wall manning third base this season. The pen will sort itself out...eventually. Will they be good? No. But they will be better than last year.

[TruffleShuffle]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

how does the bench suck ass? they're platooning a solid outfielder (schierholtz/hairston) which means one reasonably good PH, and the backup catcher can also hit. if sappelt doesn't suck (TBD) then the bench is pretty solid.

[bukie]

Considering the Rangers won't be returning to Wrigley Field until around 2016, I have a feeling they'll get these next two in.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm confused. Is that a reference to the weather.

 

I'm guessing it has to be; I forgot he was the resident weather wizard.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

how does the bench suck ass? they're platooning a solid outfielder (schierholtz/hairston) which means one reasonably good PH, and the backup catcher can also hit. if sappelt doesn't suck (TBD) then the bench is pretty solid.

 

The OF bench is pretty good, the backup catcher is hot now but probably meh in general. The infield bench has one good one (Valbuena) and one terrible one (whoever at any given moment).

 

I'd call it average, maybe a bit above?

[Hawk4Hall]

This team is hands down worse than last season. It doesn't matter if it's early or not, the bench and offense sucks ass.

 

ok

 

Come on, man; HANDS DOWN. You can't argue with that.

Just like you can't argue that Ian Stewart only had bad luck this year.

 

Uh, why do you keep focusing on Ian Stewart?

I brought him up twice because...

 

He's obviously being expected to come back and play 3rd, and he sucks as well as the other options. He won't be any better than what is out there now.

 

The second reason is because you defended him nearly all last season.

[Sammy Sofa]

I brought him up twice because...

 

He's obviously being expected to come back and play 3rd, and he sucks as well as the other options. He won't be any better than what is out there now.

 

The second reason is because you defended him nearly all last season.

 

There's certainly a decent shot he'll be better than the current options. Nobody here is thinking he's a lock to do anything, but they might as well see.

 

Why would I have defended him all season? I agreed with the idea he was hitting into some bad luck for a good chunk of the time he played before being injured. The only time I brought it up after that was with that neely crenshaw goober because he was saying similarly ridiculous things (ie-"why is everyone defending Ian Stewart?!?!").

[Schwarber Fan]

They have a mutual off day where they could play a DH coming up at the next Cubs scheduled off day, some Rangers writer tweeted about it. Barring a miracle, mother nature is not going to let the next 2 games in.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Luis Valbuena has a .350 OBP (granted, with no BA or SLG at all). I'm not exactly dying to move him out for Ian Stewart.

 

I guess I won't throw a fit if they do if they continue to believe in Stewart's upside, but I'd prefer they left Valbuena in there.

[Sammy Sofa]

They have a mutual off day where they could play a DH coming up at the next Cubs scheduled off day, some Rangers writer tweeted about it. Barring a miracle, mother nature is not going to let the next 2 games in.

 

They'll go out of their way to get their games in because of the teams playing; it'll likely take a while, but this is Chicago. It's not like it's going to be pouring continuously for hours.

[weis21]

Maybe Stewart will suck when he comes back. There is a strong possibility that is the case. But the fact of the matter is that he was once a very talented baseball player that has been playing with a hurt, painful, bum wrist for years. He has said after this last procedure it finally feels normal. He doesn't have to be "set the world on fire" productive for him to be an upgrade. Nobody has ever said that and nobody ever will. But there is a better than nothing chance he'll be an average-ish third baseman. Hell, there is a chance he could be a very good and above average third baseman when all is said and done. That's the damn reason they rolled the dice and traded an expendable and flawed Tyler Colvin for him. He's a lottery ticket. There were just no better (realistic) options for this season. Edited April 17, 2013 by weis21

[Hawk4Hall]

Luis Valbuena has a .350 OBP (granted, with no BA or SLG at all). I'm not exactly dying to move him out for Ian Stewart.

 

I guess I won't throw a fit if they do if they continue to believe in Stewart's upside, but I'd prefer they left Valbuena in there.

Do you honestly think thank Valuena is the full-time answer at 3rd?

 

That's the problem. The Cubs don't have anyone who can step in and be that guy or even a decent platoon there. Stewart was signed to be that and he was awful last season, and will be again this season. Vitters isn't the answer either so I don't understand what the Cubs think they are going to do with that position. It's a glaring hole.

 

Nobody knows if Barney will hit either and Littlebridge has shown he's can't even hold Aaron Mile's jockstrap. 2B certainly might be an issue as well.

 

Castro will be fine but Rizzo semi worries me. Right now the infield just isn't hitting as a whole.

Edited April 17, 2013 by Hawk4Hall