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The Cubs and Brewers both have 52 losses... The problem with the Brewers is that over 46% of their offense is homerun dependent. home runs are a statistic largely devoid of luck. hitting w/risp isn't. That's fine but when a team (like the Brewers) can't score many runs without the benefit of homeruns it isn't an advantage. As I said, both teams have 52 losses yet, the Brewers have hit 152 homeruns to the Cubs 88. and the brewers have scored a significant amount more runs than the cubs have, what's your point? Yes, but obviously it doesn't tell the real story of their offense because they have the same number of losses as the Cubs and have played 2 more games (thus they have 2 more wins). It's obvious that they have had more lopsided victories but a win is a win (whether by 10 runs or 1 run).

The Cubs and Brewers both have 52 losses... The problem with the Brewers is that over 46% of their offense is homerun dependent. How's that a problem? It's a problem because they aren't able to score enough runs, on most days, to win when they don't hit homers. It's not a well rounded offense. The way some people are talking, the Brewers should have fewer loses and more wins. They've out homered the Cubs by 64 (and two players combine for 52).

The Cubs and Brewers both have 52 losses... The problem with the Brewers is that over 46% of their offense is homerun dependent. home runs are a statistic largely devoid of luck. hitting w/risp isn't. That's fine but when a team (like the Brewers) can't score many runs without the benefit of homeruns it isn't an advantage. As I said, both teams have 52 losses yet, the Brewers have hit 152 homeruns to the Cubs 88.

The Cubs and Brewers both have 52 losses... The problem with the Brewers is that over 46% of their offense is homerun dependent.

Marmolade is coming in

Wandy K's the side? Disgusting. Hold 'em and score one!

Rich at 100 pitches through 7

86, he could go 8, maybe. He's at 104 through 7IP. The Astros have the righty Borkowski warming in the 'pen.

At one point this year the Cubs had faced the fewest LHP in MLB. It still may be true because the numbers were very low early in the season.

My guess is it's an attempt to slow down the Cubs running game. It's no secret that the Cubs will try running more now that they are missing Sori's power.

In other news, Len just said that Rich Hill is getting the lowest run support in the Major Leagues. :shock: I knew it was the lowest on the team but I had no idea it was that bad...

If that's not wrong, the entire cubs front office and tribune company should punch in the face. that's 9.5 million a year, that's highway robbery. He's making 12.5 or so million this year so I think that's bogus.

Sigh. That's just not smart decision making. That's just his opinion. Besides, it might work well. He isn't the greatest 2B either... Lou is willing to sacrifice some defense if the player can hit so if EPatt hits he'll play somewhere. I fail to see where it makes sense to call up a 2nd basemen who hasnt seen major league pitching at all, and play him in CF, over your top prospect who may have made the adjustments needed and plays top notch D. Obviously, they got a more favorable report about Patterson. Anyway, Stone doesn't know if he'll play CF it was his opinion. it doesn't make sense otherwise. Which 2B would you rather have in the OF: DeRosa or Patterson? The difference is DeRo can play RF and they can choose to stick Patterson in LF or CF. Honestly, it was inevitable that EPatt be moved from 2B with the signing of DeRosa. There's nothing wrong with letting him play OF (even if it's just LF for a short period). EPatt is not a whiz at 2B and that is an important defensive position as well (and the reason why Sori was moved to the OF).

Sigh. That's just not smart decision making. That's just his opinion. Besides, it might work well. He isn't the greatest 2B either... Lou is willing to sacrifice some defense if the player can hit so if EPatt hits he'll play somewhere. I fail to see where it makes sense to call up a 2nd basemen who hasnt seen major league pitching at all, and play him in CF, over your top prospect who may have made the adjustments needed and plays top notch D. Obviously, they got a more favorable report about Patterson. Anyway, Stone doesn't know if he'll play CF it was his opinion.

Sigh. That's just not smart decision making. That's just his opinion. Besides, it might work well. He isn't the greatest 2B either... Lou is willing to sacrifice some defense if the player can hit so if EPatt hits he'll play somewhere.

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago. On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove). Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime. When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre. What? Do you really think Cedeno would have been recalled if Lou didn't want him on the 25 man roster? He would have told Hendry "no way." I think being recalled after a failed attempt to stay here earlier in the year qualifies as a second chance. The Cubs could have kept Izturis to fill the bench role. Instead, they moved him and made room for their own guys. I think you are confusing Lou with Dusty. Lou is going to play whomever will hit the ball without regard for tenure. Him being recalled, and him given a 2nd chance are different. He is "here" but its not like hes been given a chance to play. Its pretty obvious Lou likes Theriot because of his "grittyness" and "spark" You cant compare his situation to that of Murton, or Pie. Cedeno is Theriot's backup! By definition, he's only going to get limited time. Again, if Lou didn't have confidence in Ronny he would have recommended that the Cubs keep Izturis for the bench (which, at the very least would be a Dusty move. Although, it's more likely that Theriot would have remained Izturis' backup under Dusty). Cedeno can also play 2nd, and Fontenot keeps being put there even against lefties. Cedeno has not been given a 2nd chance by being recalled. The only reason Fontenot has started against some lefties is because Lou likes to stick a LH bat in the lineup against them. Ronny is Riot's backup. He would be the third option at 2B behind DeRo and Fontenot... Lately, DeRo was getting the 2B starts but that may change with Sori out because he may need to play OF. The last 2 games are the only ones recently against a lefty that Lou has stuck a LH bat in the lineup. He has consistently went with an all righty lineup vs leftys. Look back further. I recall Fontenot starting against some tough LHPs last month. He has 44 ABs versus lefties. Those starts came when Lee was suspended, or DeRo was out with his minor injurys. That doesn't really matter. I'm just saying he played because Lou wanted a lefty in the lineup. IIRC, he was the only LHB in a few of those starts.

I don't think Patterson will play much if any 2B with both DeRo and Fontenot. I'm thinking they will stick him in the OF; my first guess was LF. FWIW, Steve Stone seems to think that he will play CF.

FWIW, Steve Stone seems to think that EPatt will play CF.

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago. On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove). Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime. When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre. What? Do you really think Cedeno would have been recalled if Lou didn't want him on the 25 man roster? He would have told Hendry "no way." I think being recalled after a failed attempt to stay here earlier in the year qualifies as a second chance. The Cubs could have kept Izturis to fill the bench role. Instead, they moved him and made room for their own guys. I think you are confusing Lou with Dusty. Lou is going to play whomever will hit the ball without regard for tenure. Him being recalled, and him given a 2nd chance are different. He is "here" but its not like hes been given a chance to play. Its pretty obvious Lou likes Theriot because of his "grittyness" and "spark" You cant compare his situation to that of Murton, or Pie. Cedeno is Theriot's backup! By definition, he's only going to get limited time. Again, if Lou didn't have confidence in Ronny he would have recommended that the Cubs keep Izturis for the bench (which, at the very least would be a Dusty move. Although, it's more likely that Theriot would have remained Izturis' backup under Dusty). Cedeno can also play 2nd, and Fontenot keeps being put there even against lefties. Cedeno has not been given a 2nd chance by being recalled. The only reason Fontenot has started against some lefties is because Lou likes to stick a LH bat in the lineup against them. Ronny is Riot's backup. He would be the third option at 2B behind DeRo and Fontenot... Lately, DeRo was getting the 2B starts but that may change with Sori out because he may need to play OF. The last 2 games are the only ones recently against a lefty that Lou has stuck a LH bat in the lineup. He has consistently went with an all righty lineup vs leftys. Look back further. I recall Fontenot starting against some tough LHPs last month. He has 44 ABs versus lefties.

If Murt cant even get in the game after losing a starting OF and over a left handed 2nd baseman, then I think its safe to assume Murton isnt going to be seeing a lot of playing time. Nothing is safe to say; I don't think Lou liked Matt's numbers against Glavine. You are letting your desire to see Murton play blind you from the reality that Lou has been forgiving with other players. Bottom line: Matt is going to have to earn playing time so when he gets into a game he will need to perform. Again, this isn't about Murton it's about the team winning. If other players are able to outperform him he should sit. We may see DeRo taking a lot of the RF playing time and there's no way Murton deserves to play over DeRosa. Also, if a LH bat is needed in the lineup he's going to sit (unless he gets hot at the plate).

Anyway, I'm not convinced that Murton is in Lou's doghouse. Lou has given him another chance just by recalling him (and sending out Jake Fox). I'm willing to bet that Matt will get an opportunity to play soon. He's going to have to take advantage of it because the limited number of remaining games, coupled with Lou's desire to play the hot hand, will be working against anyone not named Lee or Ramirez.

double post

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago. On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove). Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime. When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre. What? Do you really think Cedeno would have been recalled if Lou didn't want him on the 25 man roster? He would have told Hendry "no way." I think being recalled after a failed attempt to stay here earlier in the year qualifies as a second chance. The Cubs could have kept Izturis to fill the bench role. Instead, they moved him and made room for their own guys. I think you are confusing Lou with Dusty. Lou is going to play whomever will hit the ball without regard for tenure. Him being recalled, and him given a 2nd chance are different. He is "here" but its not like hes been given a chance to play. Its pretty obvious Lou likes Theriot because of his "grittyness" and "spark" You cant compare his situation to that of Murton, or Pie. Cedeno is Theriot's backup! By definition, he's only going to get limited time. Again, if Lou didn't have confidence in Ronny he would have recommended that the Cubs keep Izturis for the bench (which, at the very least would be a Dusty move. Although, it's more likely that Theriot would have remained Izturis' backup under Dusty). Cedeno can also play 2nd, and Fontenot keeps being put there even against lefties. Cedeno has not been given a 2nd chance by being recalled. The only reason Fontenot has started against some lefties is because Lou likes to stick a LH bat in the lineup against them. Ronny is Riot's backup. He would be the third option at 2B behind DeRo and Fontenot... Lately, DeRo was getting the 2B starts but that may change with Sori out because he may need to play OF.

Exactly Ryan was "benched" to get his swing back because Lou said his bat was getting slow. Not because of him being in the doghouse like Cedeno, Murton, Pie. It seems as if once a young player gets in Lous doghouse there is no coming out of it, but a Veteran gets his chance to work his way out of it. Cedeno wouldnt be on the team if Lou didn't want him. Pie wasn't in the doghouse he didn't hit.

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago. On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove). Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime. When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre. What? Do you really think Cedeno would have been recalled if Lou didn't want him on the 25 man roster? He would have told Hendry "no way." I think being recalled after a failed attempt to stay here earlier in the year qualifies as a second chance. The Cubs could have kept Izturis to fill the bench role. Instead, they moved him and made room for their own guys. I think you are confusing Lou with Dusty. Lou is going to play whomever will hit the ball without regard for tenure. Him being recalled, and him given a 2nd chance are different. He is "here" but its not like hes been given a chance to play. Its pretty obvious Lou likes Theriot because of his "grittyness" and "spark" You cant compare his situation to that of Murton, or Pie. Cedeno is Theriot's backup! By definition, he's only going to get limited time. Again, if Lou didn't have confidence in Ronny he would have recommended that the Cubs keep Izturis for the bench (which, at the very least would be a Dusty move. Although, it's more likely that Theriot would have remained Izturis' backup under Dusty).