Rob

A couple of months? I know a baseball season is kind of long, but come on. I'm still trying to figure out how a baseball team learns to win with each other. So Derrek, you like hitting the ball that way and think I should run around the bases when you hit it. That's cool, we did that differently in Washington, but I'll figure it out. Hey Carlos, I think we need to figure out which days you plan on giving up lots of runs and which days you'll give up just 1 or 2, so we can adjust our offensive strategy accordingly. Maybe he just meant that the team will "gel" after awhile. But I don't think it will take 2 months. :D It has already started. It started the day they came back with 4 runs in one inning to take the lead. "gel"-ling is the same thing, it;s a meaningless baseball term more appropriate in the world of basketball or football, where timing is absolutely of the utmost importance. baseball is not really a team sport. the cubs weren't winning at the beginning of the year because they weren't hitting at the right times, which is no one's fault. Winning breeds more winning. Why? Because players almost start expecting to win. If I want to put my own label on it and call it "gelling" then I will continue to do so. Even if you expect to win it doesnt mean you are going to. Pffft. I'd like to see you come up with the anecdotal evidence necessary to counter conventional baseball wisdom.

The bunt? Now is actually one of the few times it makes sense to do it. It increases the odds of scoring a single run, and the difference between a two run lead and a three run lead with one inning left to go is pretty huge. it doesn't really matter what situation it comes in. a runner at first with no outs is worth more than one at second with one out. it hampers the ability to score many runs while not aiding the scoring of a single run. It does hamper the ability to score many runs, you are correct in that. But it does increase the odds of scoring that single run. Near the end of last season BP had up an expanded run expectancy matrix that illustrated that concept unequivocally.

No, sir. I don't like it. the sac bunt? yep. Odd... now is one of the few times it makes sense to do it.

The bunt? Now is actually one of the few times it makes sense to do it. It increases the odds of scoring a single run, and the difference between a two run lead and a three run lead with one inning left to go is pretty huge.

I think we're trying to get rid of our winless streak in one run games.

Incidentally, DeRosa needs to decide if he's got facial hair or not. He keeps throwing me off.

I'm trying to convince myself that the pitchers know they have the lead and that it's a tough day to hit one out...so they're avoiding walking guys and trying to make the Nats beat them with their bats. To be fair to them, win expectancy is around 97% for the Cubs right now.

You mean in six innings.

I just got a call from a buddy of mine who switched over to the Cards game for a bit. Carpenter felt stiffness in his elbow and is undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove the chips. He's out at least three months.

Lopez didn't even know what was going on.

Rich Hill has a walk and an RBI too Wow, I missed an IsoD Party it seems. :( IsoD party!!!!!!!!! IsoP parties are more fun. Well duh. Chicks dig the long ball.

Cubs batters have seven hits and seven walks. Have the Cubs ever gotten more walks than hits?

MRickey Morandini?

Rick Reuschel?

Who is Rick?

Cubs have drawn six walks through three innings. And Speigner didn't have a single ER go against him that inning... his ERA went down with his performance that inning.

Saw that coming. S'alright though.

And somehow, Soriano manages to make it 0-2. :?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

C'mon Blue... that was low.

Has Hill hit his first big league grand slam yet? :lol:

4 pitch walk pushes a runner across!

he was carried away by gypsies. Do you happen to know what they charge for that?

Breaking news from Toronto's GM. "First of all, it wasn't B.J. Ryan's back that was bothering him," Ricciardi told Toronto's Fan 590. "It was his elbow that was bothering him. So we said it was his back so we could have a little bit more time." The Cubs may downplay the severity of injuries, but at least they don't lie about what part of the body it is.

I coulda sworn I read "I'm not gonna be able to pitch"