Hairyducked Idiot

Alright. I'm 0-2 this year, but I feel like I earned some GT juju by letting the streak ride. Playoff status: 6.5 out Instead of talking about how terrible everything to do with the Cubs except for Rizzo and Bryant are, let's talk about the Pirates. LOL Pirates. The Pirates have been awful forever. Neal Huntington was named GM in September 2007 and has proven himself at least competent. The pre-Huntington Pirates' moment that sticks out in my mind has always been the 2003 Rule 5 Draft, when 5 of the first 6 players taken came from the Pirates' organization and there was literal, audible laughter in the room. Huntington put a lot of money into amateur talent, including some crazy overslot drafting years, and essentially put into place the "golden generation" plan that every small market team uses to try to squeeze out a window of contention. The Pirates won 94 games last year, which gave their fans and perhaps their front office the impression that they were awesome at baseball. They were not. They were OK and their bullpen was fluky awesome. Their GM decided not to bother doing anything this offseason, much like our own except with more to lose. They let AJ Burnett go without replacing him, did nothing for their awful offense, and now the bullpen has returned to earth. Now they are 29-33, just three games ahead of us. Way to blow your window, guys. Anyway, Go Cobs, come at me Jake.

Are players who run hard all the time hurting the club? That's the necessary corollary to your statement. Some of them are.

Perversely, the less we can underslot Schwarber, the happier I am because the more it implies he's higher perceived inside the game than in the punditry.

It wasn't a bad day for the farm.

Last year, Baez @ AA year before, Rizzo @ AAA For context: Baez @ AA: .294/.346/.638/.984 (218 PA) Rizzo @ AAA: .342/.405/.696/1.101 (284 PA) Bryant @ AA: .356/.461/.716/1.177 (269 PA) After today, the difference between Bryant and Baez as AA players is the difference between Baez and Rubi Silva at AA last year. I don't even know how to process that.

Season back over

The blackout isn't to protect ticket sales. It's to protect the local cable companies. They don't want you to be able to watch the game on your computer because they you aren't buying cable with CSN.

Did I just see the wave?

Maaaaaybe Arrieta doesn't suck.

I want to come around on Arrieta, but the last time I did that on a player I thought sucked, Olt went 0-for-a-million, so I'll hold off.

Paniagua ended up with 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K. Career game for sure. That is definitely intriguing. He needs to move up soon.

Only the fourth worst record in MLB now. Only 4.5 back of being above the median.

I hate this year. Kris Bryant is the only thing keeping this season worth existance. Anthony Rizzo? Minor-leagues only.

5.5 out of a playoff spot

There is no way in heck I am risking the winning streak by taking the game thread tomorrow. Jersey needs to make it.

An so, apparently, can Junior Lake.

Today will buy Lake another month of goodwill.

If we don't blow this, 5.5 out

Olt-for-17

On the one hand, you'd think I'd have learned my lesson with Javy that AA isn't the majors. On the other hand, Bryant hitting cleanup next year could change the direction of the franchise.

What does Junior Lake say to the God of Replacement Level? Not today!

Just stash him at AAA. There's probably a few guys you could lose off the 40-man first.

SP is definitely my main guess for "what springs a leak next year." Bullpens are always volatile. I still don't trust our catchers. We could lose a lot of wins if we have to give some prospects time in the lineup and they need time to adjust.

lol, Olt-for-16 He can go away now.

*snicker* "Rizzo yanks one."