CuseCubFan69

Anyone who grew up playing sports and can still remmeber what it was like know chemistry is a real thing. Every year in high school the team who gelled right before sectionals won. Its just knowing how each reacts and therefore being able to predict what each will do and how to treat a teammate who is upset or struggling. I tihnk it plays a lesser role in the pro's because there is a much bigger sense of this a business but it still is there. Just about every college coach and high school coach talk about it at least once a year. I see where you both are coming from with this but what a lot of posters don't know is how hard or lazy a player really is when it comes to practice and their work habits. I assume that Lou knows which one is/was working harder and playing the one who he thinks will best help the team. Theriot, imo, has stepped up and done a very nice job at SS and has done way better than the 280/340 I hoped he would do. If Theriot has worked hard to hit the way he has, then he's rewarded the team and himself by doing so. That said, I used to think Cedeno was a bonehead running the bases and that Theriot was not but the more Theriot has played, the more of a bonehead on the bases he is. I'd like to see Cedeno get more playing time but Fontenot has stepped up and made it so Lou could put DeRosa in LF instead of Johnson. If the Cubs continue struggling, we'll see how the chemistry thing really works. Many writers and Cubs have said that this is a very close team and that usually does happen when the team is winning. IMO, we'll see how close they really are if they struggle and continue to stick together or see if some sniping starts coming out.

I'd like to see an article about how stats like line drives and hard hit balls are determined along with when a pitcher is considered to be losing his effectiveness. I'd also like to see what effects homefield vs away really have on a hitter. Why is there a difference and such a huge one at times?

IMO, the Brewers missed this one.

I was hoping when one of these guys slumped the other would be hitting around his average or above. Plus, it hurts not having Soriano around because he could have helped pick up some slack. These 2 guys can't always be the man so it's up to some of the other players to pick it up a notch, especially Koske, and help the Cubs score a few more runs. As I've said before, I'm not that confident in a Johnson/Derosa LF and the sooner Soriano comes back the better.

No way you release him. The Cubs have a decent shot at getting a compensation pick at the end of the year for Howry, and that's lost if they release him. A or B? My guess is a B. Which is a good thing. Nobody would sign him and give up their first rounder. But if he's a B, teams will feel free to sign him before the deadline because it's not their pick that's going to the other team. Good point. I wonder if a desperate team with little or no pen would make a gamble on Howry bouncing back? Again as you said, the player would have to be better than a B pick. The only kink is if the Cubs have to offer arb and no one signs him and he accepts the arb.

Well it wouldn't be good news. The nice thing about hitters like Soto and Koske is that even when they slump, they still manage to get on base at a decent clip....IsOP wise.

No way you release him. The Cubs have a decent shot at getting a compensation pick at the end of the year for Howry, and that's lost if they release him. A or B?

This deal makes the move for Harden look even better... Especially when you add Gaudin to the mix.

IMO I think it's time Fukudome learned or accepted to play in CF unless the Cubs can get RF production out of another CF. If Edmonds/Johnson can put up solid numbers, I'm ok with Kos being in right. I wonder if Koske is looking at some video and getting an idea of how he has to make a little adjustment and/or pitchers are attacking him a little different and making that adjustment to that. I wonder if something is bothering him physically?

I just hope the media making such a big deal of this isn't something will start Hamilton into going back to his bad habits. I think if he continued to lay low publicity wise it would be better for him and imo it'll take a lot of faith and inner strength for him to continue along the current path he is in.

Yes, they have plenty of depth to make a deal. My feeling is they will want to hold onto Gamel, but they could still trade Salome, Escobar, Gillespie, Brantley, and others. It would be kind of funny if Beane traded Street to the Brewers. Not ha ha funny but funny.

Nope. Most pitchers probably don't hit enough batters for it to make that big of a difference. If you want to see how much of a difference it would make, take a look at Kerry Wood. He's at 1.007 for the season without HBP. With HBP, he's at 1.141. That's with six hit batsmen in 44.7 IP. Thanks grass because I was thinking of it with Wood in mind.

The Brewers still have a lot of good young player depth in their minor league system, correct? I wouldn't be surprised to see them make a couple of trades to pick up a reliever or two.

Are Hit Batters included in a pitchers WHIP?

That is sad. I wonder if they were drinking or just horsing around?

You don't think there's more surface area with a glove to stop a ball? What I'm saying is that if your reaction time is so small that you can't get both hands up, then you're not going to get the glove up unless you're poised and ready to react like an infielder(which no one is while they're watching the game). When I was a kid if I was on the 3rd base line I'd always get my glove up (Ready guard face position) when a lefty came up and like wise on the 1st base side with a righty.

OK you've both had your little shots at each other so let's get back to the topic please, thank you.

I hope nobody takes Sisco! Thanks for posting that list raisin. I didn't realize Atkins was that close.

If that goes back to being a strict platoon when Soriano gets back, it should be fine. Edmonds may not OPS .900 against RHP all year, but he should be good for .750+, which is adequate enough. RJ is a fairly productive hitter against lefties. I agree but what worries me is how well Sori will come back from his injury. If he's back and doing his thing what you wrote is fine but if he isn't, what the Cubs have now imo won't win it all. More production is needed out of left and DeRosa/Johnson/Ward don't do it for me. The truth is, the chance of the best team going into the playoffs winning the World Series is only marginally better than the worst playoff team's chances. I only bring this up because it is a huge pet peeve of mine when anyone plays the "they won't have enough to win it all" card. If you're in the playoffs, you have enough to win it all. It's not romantic, it's not what everyone wants to hear, but it's pretty much the truth. No doubt the team playing the best during the playoffs wins at least 4 of 7 takes it but if Sori isn't at 100% I think it'll hurt there chances unless the pitchers are lights out. Also, the best team record wise during the regular season may not be the best team due to trades or other transactions during the season.

I think money and options have a bit to do with that though. Plus, once Lou says that Marquis seems to pitch a game out of his Kazoo and lives to pitch another day.

If that goes back to being a strict platoon when Soriano gets back, it should be fine. Edmonds may not OPS .900 against RHP all year, but he should be good for .750+, which is adequate enough. RJ is a fairly productive hitter against lefties. I agree but what worries me is how well Sori will come back from his injury. If he's back and doing his thing what you wrote is fine but if he isn't, what the Cubs have now imo won't win it all. More production is needed out of left and DeRosa/Johnson/Ward don't do it for me.

I wouldn't be shocked if they tried to get him to be the 2nd lefty out of the pen for this season. Nothing would shock me, but Piniella keeps going on and on about their need for a 2nd lefty in the rotation. Apparently Marshall is not that guy. If both Rich and Sean were to remain on the 25-man roster, I'd have to believe it would be Hill in the rotation and Marshall in the bullpen. Me too. I think Lou likes Marshall in the pen and would have issues with bringing in Hill from the bullpen. I think Lou has issues with Hill period. I think he'd rather only have to use him for a couple guys a game rather than 6 innings in a start. I think he has an issue with guys that don't throw strikes consistently. I would love to see 2007 Hill back on the staff.

I wouldn't be shocked if they tried to get him to be the 2nd lefty out of the pen for this season. Nothing would shock me, but Piniella keeps going on and on about their need for a 2nd lefty in the rotation. Apparently Marshall is not that guy. If both Rich and Sean were to remain on the 25-man roster, I'd have to believe it would be Hill in the rotation and Marshall in the bullpen. Me too. I think Lou likes Marshall in the pen and would have issues with bringing in Hill from the bullpen.

It would be interesting to see what the Pack could get for him.

Bobby Ray Murcer...the battles I used to have with my Yankee friends saying he sucked and then he ends up on the Cubs, I never heard the end of it. I have a lot of wonderful memories of him and my prayers are sent to his family and friends.