| Cubs | wOBA | wRC | RS | Rockies | wOBA | wRC | RS | |
| Starlin Castro | .332 | .52 | -.03 | Dexter Fowler | .347 | .58 | -.03 | |
| Darwin Barney | .293 | .36 | .03 | Jonathan Herrera | .298 | .38 | .02 | |
| Marlon Byrd | .338 | .52 | -.01 | Carlos Gonzalez | .381 | .67 | .00 | |
| Aramis Ramirez | .350 | .54 | -.03 | Troy Tulowitzki | .382 | .66 | .04 | |
| Carlos Pena | .378 | .62 | -.01 | Todd Helton | .345 | .51 | -.01 | |
| Alfonso Soriano | .339 | .48 | -.10 | Seth Smith | .361 | .55 | .03 | |
| Kosuke Fukudome | .343 | .48 | -.06 | Jose Lopez | .335 | .45 | .06 | |
| Geovany Soto | .362 | .52 | .03 | Jose Morales | .311 | .37 | .00 | |
| Ryan Dempster | .175 | .00 | .00 | Alan Johnson | .175 | .00 | .00 | |
| 4.05 | -.17 | 4.17 | .09 |
| Starting Pitcher | IP/GS | FIP |
| Ryan Dempster | 6.23 | 3.95 |
| Alan Johnson | 5.74 | 5.48 |
| Bullpens | xFIP | |
| Cubs | 3.56 | |
| Rockies | 3.47 | |
Score: Cubs 4.6, Rockies 4.3
Win Probability: 49.4%
Want to see Castro do really good things today.
First game I’ve seen in a week. Castro will probably go 0-5.
The Tennessee Smokies lineup is absurd
Quade has announced the starter for Tuesday’s game against San Diego:
Is anyone else as confused by the Cubs decision to punt another game and have Russell start as i am. I jsut dont get it
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=6375959
Cashner and Wells are going to get checked up on Monday. Hopefully both are ok
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Is anyone else as confused by the Cubs decision to punt another game and have Russell start as i am. I jsut dont get it[/quote]
I don’t think they have much of a choice, bubs
Brett Jackson just extended his hitting streak.
Anyone with any opinions on Trevor Bauer one way or the other?
[quote name=Berselius]I don’t think they have much of a choice, bubs[/quote]
Isnt diamond a better option? Or Alberto Cabrera? I mean russells pitch count is so dumb. Having bullpen games is absurd.
Or what about Dolis. he is on the 40 man?
Why not jsut let Diamond dfo it and say “listen fucker you are throwing 110 pitches today” make the most of it
I agree with da chimp. Diamond can’t be much better than Russell, but he also can’t be any worse.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Quade has announced the starter for Tuesday’s game against San Diego:
I think they should give Todd Ricketts a spot start.
Starlin is really good at baseball
Kinda like Barney and castro together… They seem to have some solid chemistry
Not sure if this has been posted but…how does this guy still have a job? It’s unfathomable that people think the $75 million dollar cluster fuck of an investigation was worth it and that he deserves jail time for a very weak prosecution that was basically a huge failure:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sc-spt-0417-notes-rogers-baseball–20110416,0,3576861.column
Only our minor leaguers can hit this minor league pitcher.
Bring up Jackson. Better three hole hitter than Byrd most liekly. And can play a better CF
I kind of get the feeling bubbles likes Jackson.
Ryan dempster has jsut not been very good at baseball this year
[quote name=Suburban Kid]I kind of get the feeling bubbles likes Jackson.[/quote]
Bubbles loves BJAX
That’s about right.
Smith demolishes RHP
I wonder if something is up with Dempster
Dempster could give up 50 homers this year.
When did they start calling defensive shifts “overshifts”? Redundant description is redundant.
This is the right-handed James Russell pitching for the Rockies today, so get ready for 7 innings of one run ball.
[quote name=Berselius]This is the right-handed James Russell pitching for the Rockies today, so get ready for 7 innings of one run ball.[/quote]Correct.
A Geo HR here would be nice
RH James Russell does not have a good nasty factor
(dying laughing) at Len and Bob eating bull’s balls.
(dying laughing), that was the hugest overslide I’ve ever seen
He was practically in the dugout
Stealing third there.
Probably not a good idea
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Stealing third there.
Probably not a good idea[/quote]Let’s See What Happens.
Over/under on Byrd hitting into another DP?
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Let’s See What Happens.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Knew that was coming.
Castro is such an animal.. A beast i swear
Hey, Castro got a walk. Nice to see.
[quote name=cdw]Over/under on Byrd hitting into another DP?[/quote]Cheesewhiz
[quote name=cdw]Over/under on Byrd hitting into another DP?[/quote]
Elephant
lmao at the location of that ball on Gameday. The bottom of Byrd’s strike zone is his ball sac.
Marlon. Byrd. Doesn’t. Take. Pitches.
What’s wrong with Ryan Dempster?
Ok after that last foul ball above his head I’m thinking my Gameday calibration is fucked.
Bubbles would really enjoy it if Marlon played so well we could trade him and get a solid prospect
[quote name=Rice Cube]What’s wrong with Ryan Dempster?[/quote]
Maybe he’s had too much on his mind lately, like trying to figure out who owns the Cubs.
Brooks Raley got shelled again @ Tennessee
Does Gonzalez have a shitty arm or something? It looked like he would have had Castro out by a mile if he threw it.
[quote name=Berselius]Does Gonzalez have a shitty arm or something? It looked like he would have had Castro out by a mile if he threw it.[/quote]
I wonder if he had trouble getting it out of the glove, he seemed to double clutch.
Carlos Peenya would do well to get on base here
Marlon Byrd has all of Vlad Guerrero’s zone judgment, but none of Vlad’s skill.
[quote name=Berselius]Maybe he’s had too much on his mind lately, like trying to figure out who owns the Cubs.[/quote]Is that like a person who owns the team?
Fuck yeah Darwin Barney.
Bubbles just wants to add that he never understood why a foul tip with less than 2 strikes isnt an out
That was a grindy run from Barney.
What happened?
Was Pena’s gift really located over the RH Batters Box? Is it possible to have a negative nasty factor?
Gasp – good baserunning. I guess it cancels out the should-have-been TOOTBLAN on Castro’s run
(dying laughing)
You can’t teach instincts.
Bob swoons.
Soriano has hit 300 balls just foul down the line today
It would be nice if Dempster could stop them from scoring here…
Bubbles is not optimistic
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]What happened?[/quote]
Pena grounded to short, Barney avoided the tag on his way to 3B, the 2B airmailed the throw to 1st and Barney scored on a close play at home
Two K’s on Soriano but he’s making the minor leaguer work for it.
I like Barney. Sure he probably shouldnt be hitting second when soto is in the lineup. But as long as he has a hot bat ride that motherfuckeer
and of course
lets see what happens
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]
You can’t teach instincts.
[/quote]
Hey Bob, what is conditioning if not an instinct?
Bob: You can’t teach learning associations. Those are grindy.
Brenly just ruined an pair of slacks.
Pops him up on strike four.
Bubbles is officially adding Rubi Silva to his prospects to watch list
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Quade has announced the starter for Tuesday’s game against San Diego:
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Brett Jackson just extended his hitting streak.
Anyone with any opinions on Trevor Bauer one way or the other?[/quote]Is he related to Jack?
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Brenly just ruined an pair of slacks.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]Is he related to Jack?[/quote]
If he was there is 0% chance that the cubs would have a chance to draft him since he would go #1 overall..
You like 24?
Don’t bunt! Swing away!
[quote name=mb21]Is he related to Jack?[/quote]
Yes. Jack Donaghey.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Don’t bunt! Swing away![/quote]THIS
[quote name=Rice Cube]Don’t bunt! Swing away![/quote]
Actually with Castro behind Demp, I probably would bunt. Just not a fan of auto-bunt.
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]If he was there is 0% chance that the cubs would have a chance to draft him since he would go #1 overall..
You like 24?[/quote]The last few seasons were even more absurd than the first few, but yeah, I liked it.
I don’t have a problem with the pitcher bunting. He sucks at hitting anyway.
Castro is so good, and very fun to watch already.
I admire Castro’s patience here.
Fuck yeah Castro.
God he is so fucking good!!
Nate ruined his slacks too.
Castro should legally change his name to In Play No Out
Castro ——-> unstoppable. Holy balls
[quote name=mb21]Castro should legally change his name to In Play No Out[/quote]
(dying laughing)
3-0 pitch to Starlin
Lets see what happen!
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Hes a fucking animal. My man crush on him is getting a little too intense
[quote name=Rice Cube]Nate ruined his slacks too.[/quote]
except that I have the standard sunday afternoon buzz, so it can be harder to get it up with the alcohol
Jesus that kid can hit
Oh when the disappointment comes it’s really gonna hurt because Castro is so so good. Wow.
v
Castro is an OK hitter I think.
[quote name=Doogolas]Castro is an OK hitter I think.[/quote]
He has average skills
[quote name=Pumpido]Oh when the disappointment comes it’s really gonna hurt because Castro is so so good. Wow.[/quote]
What are you talking about?
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]What are you talking about?[/quote]
When Castro inevitably shatters his leg in three places while jumping over a black cat later this year.
[quote name=Berselius]He has average skills[/quote]
Nice little player.
74 pitches through 3+ so far…Dempster having issues.
Castro has replaced the W flag atop the page.
The only plus for Dempster so far is that he appears to have found his velocity for the first time this year. He’s hitting 92-94 consistently on the FB since the 2nd inning.
[quote name=mb21]Castro has replaced the W flag atop the page.[/quote]Instead of a W flag, why not just a picture of Castro smiling when we win?
[quote name=Doogolas]Instead of a W flag, why not just a picture of Castro smiling when we win?[/quote]
I am in favor of this idea.
Byrd is like the inverse of patience. I’ve never seen someone go up and immediately find himself in an 0-2 count.
[quote name=Doogolas]Byrd is like the inverse of patience. I’ve never seen someone go up and immediately find himself in an 0-2 count.[/quote]
Surprisingly good AB, possibly because he didn’t strike out on some of those offspeed pitches as I expected him to.
Meanwhile Pena is in hitter’s counts every damn AB and manages to hit for no power. haha.
CiCi’s Pizza commercials… gross
I dont get Peenya
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]CiCi’s Pizza commercials… gross[/quote]
Best 5 bucks you can spend in the world
What don’t you get? The guy hits for a very low average, gets on base and has some power. If batting average is your thing, you’ll hate Pena. I’ll worry more about whether or not he’s finished in a few weeks.
Didn’t Pena lead the team in home runs in spring training?
No, Castro hit 4. Pena had only 3 I believe.
Damn, nice play by Rammy though, probably kept the guy from getting to third.
Was that like the third full count on Soriano today last inning? He’s taken a lot of pitches.
Thank God.
Maybe now[quote name=Rice Cube]Was that like the third full count on Soriano today last inning? He’s taken a lot of pitches.[/quote]And fouled off a lot of pitches. Still chasing some bad ones, but not nearly as many.
BANZAI
Fukudome is a God in April.
If one guy can get on base, we will get to see Castro bat this inning.
That BABIP thing is evening out for Geo. Yay.
Best 7-8 combo in baseball.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Best 7-8 combo in baseball.[/quote]Almost 100% guaranteed. (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
[quote name=Doogolas]Almost 100% guaranteed. (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)[/quote]
Mike Quade is a fucking genius.
Barney is playing well, but still annoying to see our top two OBP guys hitting 7th and 8th
Bob is pissed Quade didn’t leave Dempster in to sac bunt, RC.
Oooh Oooh…if Castro gets a walk, we might see the first Barney grand slam.
Castro must be coachable. Ever since Rudy said they were gonna work at taking the pitcher’s pitches he hasn’t been nearly as impatient.
Wow, this umpire is outrageously inconsistent.
Damn it.
Oh fail.
Castro failed. I am in shock. Not used to seeing in play (outs)
Based on the observed improvement from Samardzija I wonder if he shouldn’t start on Tuesday instead. Small sample size blah blah…
[quote name=Rice Cube]Based on the observed improvement from Samardzija I wonder if he shouldn’t start on Tuesday instead. Small sample size blah blah…[/quote]Make him pitch 120 pitches; maybe the Cubs will luck out and his arm will fall off.
What the FUCK Byrd.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Make him pitch 120 pitches; maybe the Cubs will luck out and his arm will fall off.[/quote]This. Although shark has been trying his best to con me into liking him these last few outings
Is there any doubt the Cubs are going to lose this game?
I mean, for starters, they won yesterday.
This IBB astounds me.
I’m going to look specifically at this IBB later on, RC. It doesn’t make sense to me either, but I think it’s fairly close too.
[quote name=mb21]I’m going to look specifically at this IBB later on, RC. It doesn’t make sense to me either, but I think it’s fairly close too.[/quote]
The platoon thing may be minor, and Tulo may be more dangerous than Helton, but still…
Thank goodness for Soriano.
Why doesnt it make sense? Wouldnt you rather face Helton than Tulo?
Marshall would have been nice here.
The thing about the IBB in that situation is that one run is so important at this point. It’s not 9th inning important, but it’s pretty close.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Marshall would have been nice here.[/quote]Yeah, that would have made walking Tulo make a lot more sense.
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Why doesnt it make sense? Wouldnt you rather face Helton than Tulo?[/quote]
I think so Bubbles, but there was no LOOGY in the pen. I don’t know Helton’s platoon split so I don’t know if that would’ve mattered, and I might have overreacted, but it just seemed like a bad idea.
I’ve never understood why fans boo for intentional walks or pickoff throws.
BOO! STRATEGY! BOO!
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Marshall would have been nice here.[/quote]
[quote name=Rice Cube]
Thank goodness for Soriano.[/quote]I shouldn’t comment in-AB. I’m several pitches delayed.
Helton was the only one who hit the ball hard in that inning, but he made the final out. Funny how baseball works.
I’m okay with that Kosukebunt though.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think so Bubbles, but there was no LOOGY in the pen. I don’t know Helton’s platoon split so I don’t know if that would’ve mattered, and I might have overreacted, but it just seemed like a bad idea.[/quote]
I understand the initial reactuion. I would just rather not face their best hitter with a base open
I’m estimating right now, but Tulo’s projected wOBA vs a righty is probably about .360 while Todd Helton vs a righty is probably also .360. Helton vs a lefty is probably close to .320 so going to Marshall is obviously the right decision there, but in a tie game I can understand not wanting to burn bullpen arms for one batter. Plus, the bottom of the order was coming up so you’d have pinch hit. Marshall comes in and faces one batter more than likely.
So I guess I’d walk Tulo as well. Tulo is hotter than hell right now and the overall projected wOBA for each batter was about the same. I’d take my chances and pitch the one who isn’t as hot.
I defer to your better judgment MB. That’s probably more reasonable than whatever Mike Quade will say post-game.
I also think it speaks more about how little Quade trusts Grabow because he’s the other lefty that could have been brought in to face Helton. The fact he didn’t means that Quade is going to try and limit the important innings Grabow pitches as best as possible, which is a good thing.
April Kosuke should not be wasted on a bunt.
(dying laughing)
Quade let the home plate ump have it
Ruh roh.
Fuck
Can he Marmol his way out this one?
Don’t you have to walk the bases loaded to make a force at every base? good grief.
At this point you walk them loaded for the double play especially with pitcher’s spot up next.
maybe he CAN Marmol his way out (dying laughing)
I guess Wigginton was pinch hitting (dying laughing)
Walk Fowler to face Herrera. Come on.
Mateo throws really hard.
Didn’t the Cubs get Mateo from the Reds for Buck Coats?
Not quite…
The ump fucked the Cubs.
[quote name=mb21]Walk Fowler to face Herrera. Come on.[/quote]
Wouldn’t have mattered (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]Mateo throws really hard.[/quote]
he reminds me of alfonseca
The Cubs almost had a good series for once.
So much for a close game
Gonna have to pull the kid before he ends up in the loony bin.
This is a tough series loss. Cubs were just a call or two away from being out of this inning.
We still have a 1.7% chance of winning! (dying laughing)
Nice start.
TOOTBLAN!
BABIP hates the Cubs.
We need a new message after posting comments because Starlin Castro isn’t just good at sports anymore.
[quote name=mb21]We need a new message after posting comments because Starlin Castro isn’t just good at sports anymore.[/quote]Onward, Patient Motherfuckers
old thread back up top now: http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/wittenmyer-lays-foundation-for-later-soriano-hate.html