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  • 5 Cubs Trends Sure to End

    The Cubs are five games into the 2011 season, so naturally we know everything we need to know about this team. But for anyone who thinks the sample size isn’t quite large enough to draw conclusions, I just want to correct a few lies the opening weekend may have told us. For the record, I wrote this before today’s game, so some of these trends have already been corrected slightly by reality.

    1. Starlin Castro will not post a .563 wOBA. The kid is good, but not 1941 Ted Williams good. I’m as guilty as anyone of expecting too much from Castro, and I should shut up about him right now. He’s got a lot of talent: a sweet swing, great range, a rocket arm, and deceptively unaverage speed. But until last month, he wasn’t allowed to drink alcohol in the United States. Having a great opening weekend is great for his own confidence, I guess, but it’s also the kind of thing that sets the hype machine into overdrive. High expectations are great for manufacturing hope and optimism until they aren’t met. Suddenly the same sunshine, rainbows, and unicorn crowd turns into a soulless mob of zombies. Please don’t eat Starlin when he comes back to earth. (Which apparently hasn’t happened yet.)

    2. The stands won’t stay empty at Wrigley. Monday’s reported attendance was the lowest since 2002. It was also a big fat misuse of the word attendance. There was about a 5:1 tickets sold to butts in seats ratio. But don’t expect that trend to continue, at least not to that extreme. People will come to Wrigley when school lets out and the weather warms up (and the competition rises to a level above the Pirates and Diamondbacks). It won’t be wall-to-wall sellouts. Maybe no true sellouts. But you can expect the sea of empty green seats to dwindle into sparse puddles no later than mid-May.

    3. Marlon Byrd won’t hit .146 all year. This isn’t just about a five-game sample. Since the end of the 2010 All Star break, Byrd has posted a slash line of .255/.311/.348. But that’s still a pretty small sample. Going back to the beginning of the 2008 season, his numbers are a bit more respectable: .289/.347/.452, good for a .349 wOBA. Not exactly stellar, but nowhere near as miserable as he has looked of late. I expect him to return closer to his career numbers. (He did have a .315 BAbip over the last half season, though, so it’s not like it’s just luck.) (And now he’s back to being the Wyrd.)

    4. Matt Garza and James Russell will not each post a negative FIP. I just have this feeling that won’t happen. At least one of them will fail to shatter the all-time best FIP for a season. Let’s keep it real. (See what I mean? James Russell is no longer on pace to strike out every batter he faces.)

    5. The Cubs will not be a .500 team. I started writing this before the game today, so I have no idea if the small sample will skew positively or negatively, but the Cubs just don’t look like a team that will be able to score enough runs to win half the time. You don’t need me to tell you that. Except for @wpbc, who specifically asked me to say it. Or, more specifically, that it won’t be an enjoyable experience. There will be parts that I think you’ll enjoy. But overall, as the man in black once said, Get used to disappointment. (Just not today.)

    Cubby Bear Face Palm

    6. BONUS: The new Obstructed View line of shirts, hats, and assorted crap will not last. Supplies are limited. If you don’t buy your new Cubby Bear facepalm shirt now, you might never get one. And if you never get one, you’ll never be the cool ironic hipster doofus Cubs fan you were meant to be. And if you never become the cool ironic hipster doofus Cubs fan you were meant to be, somwhere, some puppy is going to get kicked. So, you know, check it out and stuff.


    AndCounting

    AndCounting

    AndCounting

    Latest posts by AndCounting (see all)

    AndCounting

    178 Responses to “5 Cubs Trends Sure to End”

    1. 1 Berselius says:

      Well, shit. (Cashner)

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    2. 2 melissa says:

      How much did you have to pay the invisible woman to model your discredited t-shirt?

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    3. 3 melissa says:

      This Comcast Cubs Postgame show has an off the charts douche factor with Kap and Holly. Ugh.

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    4. 4 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=melissa]How much did you have to pay the invisible woman to model your discredited t-shirt?[/quote]
      It’s actually an invisible transvestite.

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    5. 5 AndCounting says:

      Cashner going down during that start is pretty much the lowest point for me as a Cubs fan in the past year. I hope he’s okay too. Once they break out the MRI, I get pretty nervous.

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    6. 6 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=AndCounting]Cashner going down during that start is pretty much the lowest point for me as a Cubs fan in the past year. I hope he’s okay too. Once they break out the MRI, I get pretty nervous.[/quote]
      It is definitely hard to feel too good about things while worrying about Cashner. At least we don’t have to worry AND be pissed off about losing to the D-backs.

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    7. 7 melissa says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]It’s actually an invisible transvestite.[/quote]
      Sweet rack. I suppose it wasn’t really an invisible being, the model just insisted their face and arms be air-brushed out.

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    8. 8 Rice Cube says:

      It is somewhat expected but people are already bitching that Cashner shouldn’t have been a starter and to bring Silva back.

      Excuse me while I raise my fists to the heavens.

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    9. 9 AndCounting says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]It is definitely hard to feel too good about things while worrying about Cashner. At least we don’t have to worry AND be pissed off about losing to the D-backs.[/quote]Yeah, and it will change a lot if he only misses a little time. But he looked so good in this start, even if it was the D-Backs. And it will be hard not to blame the organization if it’s bad. I’ll still enjoy the win, but for Cashner, that’s a pretty drastic emotional swing from dominating in your debut start to making MRI plans in a matter of an hour or two.

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    10. 10 Rice Cube says:

      By the way, whoever designed Facepalm-Cub, you are my hero.

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    11. 11 AndCounting says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]It is somewhat expected but people are already bitching that Cashner shouldn’t have been a starter and to bring Silva back.

      Excuse me while I raise my fists to the heavens.[/quote]Anyone arguing that deserves this team.

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    12. 12 Berselius says:


      (dying laughing)

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    13. 13 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]It is somewhat expected but people are already bitching that Cashner shouldn’t have been a starter and to bring Silva back.

      Excuse me while I raise my fists to the heavens.[/quote]Where do you find these people? You are always first with the news of douchebag Cub fan reactions to stuff.

      Oh, and I guess twitter and shit.

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    14. 14 8volumesthick says:

      [quote name=AndCounting]Yeah, and it will change a lot if he only misses a little time. But he looked so good in this start, even if it was the D-Backs. And it will be hard not to blame the organization if it’s bad. I’ll still enjoy the win, but for Cashner, that’s a pretty drastic emotional swing from dominating in your debut start to making MRI plans in a matter of an hour or two.[/quote]
      Especially because nobody even told him he was scheduled for an MRI on April 5th 2011!

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    15. 15 AndCounting says:

      [quote name=8volumesthick]Especially because nobody even told him he was scheduled for an MRI on April 5th 2011![/quote]Weird thing is, Quade told him this morning. (dying laughing)

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    16. 16 GBTS says:

      [quote name=8volumesthick]Especially because nobody even told him he was scheduled for an MRI on April 5th 2011![/quote](dying laughing)
      (dying laughing)

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    17. 17 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]Where do you find these people? You are always first with the news of douchebag Cub fan reactions to stuff.

      Oh, and I guess twitter and shit.[/quote]
      I help run a Cubs fan page on Facebook. It caters to all kinds. Some of them invariably piss me off.

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    18. 18 mb21 says:

      Berselius is going to model the panties when we come out with those. He’s super excited.

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    19. 19 Rodrigo Ramirez says:

      Muskat just tweeted he will have the MRI.

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    20. 20 AndCounting says:

      [quote name=mb21]Berselius is going to model the panties when we come out with those. He’s super excited.[/quote]As are we all.

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    21. 21 mb21 says:

      They’re scheduling an MRI or already have done one?

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    22. 22 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Muskat just tweeted he will have the MRI.[/quote]Thanks. Ignore my last question then.

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    23. 23 Rodrigo Ramirez says:

      Scheduling. No time mentioned in the tweet so I presume today or tomorrow morning.

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    24. 24 Rodrigo Ramirez says:

      Damn redundancy.

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    25. 25 dylanj says:

      cashner off to get an MRI

      fuck

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    26. 26 mb21 says:

      Adam was the one who designed that facepalm one pictured here. Awesome job.

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    27. 27 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=mb21]Berselius is going to model the panties when we come out with those. He’s super excited.[/quote]I’m pretty sure there will be a thong, too.

      Speaking of which, Len says to Mark Grace, “I know you liked playing for Bob because he let you wear jeans on the plane.” To which Grace replied, apparently without joking, “I would have liked to wear shorts….or a thong.”

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    28. 28 mb21 says:

      The MRI is just routine. I’d say right now there’s a 75% chance he just misses a start or two. The Cubs wouldn’t be doing their jobs properly if they didn’t get an MRI.

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    29. 29 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]I’m pretty sure there will be a thong, too.

      Speaking of which, Len says to Mark Grace, “I know you liked playing for Bob because he let you wear jeans on the plane.” To which Grace replied, apparently without joking, “I would have liked to wear shorts….or a thong.”[/quote]Thong? Oh indeed.

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    30. 30 Rodrigo Ramirez says:

      [quote name=mb21]The MRI is just routine. I’d say right now there’s a 75% chance he just misses a start or two. The Cubs wouldn’t be doing their jobs properly if they didn’t get an MRI.[/quote]
      Hope you’re right. As a Cubs fan I fear the worst more times than not.

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    31. 31 melissa says:

      [quote name=mb21]Berselius is going to model the panties when we come out with those. He’s super excited.[/quote]
      I just hope he’s not super excited when they take the picture.

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    32. 32 melissa says:

      In the post game Quade made it sound like they were just getting the MRI as a precautionary measure. He said Cashner felt some stiffness in his shoulder in his last few pitches and they took him out to be on the safe side. He did not ask out.

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    33. 33 Rice Cube says:

      http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=13470865

      (dying laughing)

      Right off his ass.

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    34. 34 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Hope you’re right. As a Cubs fan I fear the worst more times than not.[/quote]I do too, but shoulder tightness is something a lot of pitchers go through. Most of the time it’s just a missed start.

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    35. 35 mb21 says:

      It would nice of the Cubs if they never lost again so we didn’t have to change the W flag up top. That would save about 30 seconds those are very valuable seconds.

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    36. 36 dylanj says:

      MD- how much would it change the overall offense outlook if Castro had a monster (like 80 % of his projected level or more) season?

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    37. 37 cwolf says:

      Sucks about Cashner. I hope the MRI comes back clean.

      You guys are doing a great job on the new site. The face palm Cub is awesome. I might have to make a purchase. It is real shit, right?

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    38. 38 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=mb21]It would nice of the Cubs if they never lost again so we didn’t have to change the W flag up top. That would save about 30 seconds those are very valuable seconds.[/quote]
      I’m down with 160-2, but that would mean the Cubs are seriously outperforming their Pythag (dying laughing)

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    39. 39 cwolf says:

      [quote name=mb21]It would nice of the Cubs if they never lost again so we didn’t have to change the W flag up top. That would save about 30 seconds those are very valuable seconds.[/quote]That would be cool but it’s way more likely that you will have to make the change to the L flag and then not have to change it. (dying laughing)

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    40. 40 mb21 says:

      Probably not a whole lot, DJ. The Cubs team will get roughly 6000 plate appearances this season. If Castro gets 600 PA, that’s only a small chunk of the total PA.

      If you just look at the projections, this offense is probably average, but when you look at the split projections, they’re below average. This is a bad offensive team vs righties and about 4400 of their 6000 plate appearances are going to be against righties. When you start looking at their projections vs righties, it’s pretty ugly. You’ve got Carlos Pena and Geovany Soto, but outside of those two it’s mostly average to worse than average hitters. Add in the pitchers, back-ups and this team is going to struggle against righties yet again.

      There’s always hope though. Maybe there is something to one batter breaking out (Castro) and another one or two also doing the same thing.

      I can see a couple places where this team can add at least 2 wins. Baserunning and fielding. Through 5 games they’ve been a much better fielding team than i expected, but it’s only 5 games and it’s meaningless at this point. Tyler Colvin looked like he’d been playing 1st base most of his career and he’s also looked good in his brief time in RF. Castro seems more in control at SS. Defense isn’t that reliable so it’s distinctly possible a true talent -10 defense could end up being +10. That’s +2 wins right there. The Cubs have basically been -1 win on the bases over the last 6 years. If they can turn that around and just be average that’s a 1 win improvement. Overall it’s 3 wins. You take a 78-79 win team and all of a sudden they’re .500 or better.

      Add in some surprising seasons on offense and it’s suddenly enough runs for the pitchers the Cubs have.

      It can happen. I just wouldn’t bet much on it.

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    41. 41 mb21 says:

      [quote name=cwolf]Sucks about Cashner. I hope the MRI comes back clean.

      You guys are doing a great job on the new site. The face palm Cub is awesome. I might have to make a purchase. It is real shit, right?[/quote]It does not come with shit. I fought hard to include a bag of shit with all products, but was vetoed.

      yes, it’s real. Go buy some stuff. Do your Christmas shopping there. (dying laughing)

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    42. 42 mb21 says:

      [quote name=cwolf]That would be cool but it’s way more likely that you will have to make the change to the L flag and then not have to change it. (dying laughing)[/quote]That’s probably what ends up happening.

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    43. 43 mb21 says:

      There’s a link on the menu to the shop for future reference.

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    44. 44 dylanj says:

      well like MD said the other day at least this team gives you more reasons to watch than last years.

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    45. 45 mb21 says:

      Yeah, but part of that was Cashner. I’m not as worried as some of you. Stiff shoulders happen. Marcum and Pineiro have recently missed time because of them. Then again, Mike Pelfrey had a stiff shoulder last year that the Mets never did an MRI on. Turned out to be a rotator cuff tear.

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    46. 46 Suburban kid says:

      Where can I send a money order for my t-shirt?

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    47. 47 AndCounting says:

      If this season has taught us anything, it’s that when there’s an 80% chance of something good happening for the Cubs, there’s a 100% chance that it won’t.

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    48. 48 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=AndCounting]If this season has taught us anything, it’s that when there’s an 80% chance of something good happening for the Cubs, there’s a 100% chance that it won’t.[/quote]Don’t you like anything?

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    49. 49 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]Where can I send a money order for my t-shirt?[/quote]You can send it to me. I charge $250 for money orders though.

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    50. 50 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]Don’t you like anything?[/quote]is that like a question?

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    51. 51 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=mb21]is that like a question?[/quote]It’s a celebration of a Cubs victory, nothing more, and nothing less.

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    52. 52 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=mb21]You can send it to me. I charge $250 for money orders though.[/quote]Will your friend at the post office send it out to me?

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    53. 53 melissa says:

      [quote name=AndCounting]If this season has taught us anything, it’s that when there’s an 80% chance of something good happening for the Cubs, there’s a 100% chance that it won’t.[/quote]
      Savor every moment. The best is yet to come.

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    54. 54 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]Will your friend at the post office send it out to me?[/quote]He’ll hand deliver it. We care about customer service.

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    55. 55 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      Oh, man seeing you guys sellign shirts reminded me of the initial BCB t-shirt debacle. Maybe the funniest set of BCB threads, ever.

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    56. 56 mb21 says:

      [quote name=AndCounting]If this season has taught us anything, it’s that when there’s an 80% chance of something good happening for the Cubs, there’s a 100% chance that it won’t.[/quote]Yogi Berra likes this math.

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    57. 57 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      Also not surprised to see Cashner go down, given the way the Cubs have yanked him around. If I am the agent of a young pitcher drafted by the Cubs, I would demand he be insured for eleventy billion dollars, because this org is guaranteed to fuck him up.

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    58. 58 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Oh, man seeing you guys sellign shirts reminded me of the initial BCB t-shirt debacle. Maybe the funniest set of BCB threads, ever.[/quote]That was insane. Why contact one person to be responsible for making them and then not oversee the project? It would be like me on The Hawkeye State selling shirts and having you make them and be responsible for sending them out while I’m the one collecting money. Yeah, that’ll work.

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    59. 59 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      Why does Bob Brenly think Darwin Barney is Chase Utley?

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    60. 60 Berselius says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Also not surprised to see Cashner go down, given the way the Cubs have yanked him around. If I am the agent of a young pitcher drafted by the Cubs, I would demand he be insured for eleventy billion dollars, because this org is guaranteed to fuck him up.[/quote]
      I’m not surprised to see him go down, given the fact that he is a pitcher.

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    61. 61 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=mb21]That was insane. Why contact one person to be responsible for making them and then not oversee the project? It would be like me on The Hawkeye State selling shirts and having you make them and be responsible for sending them out while I’m the one collecting money. Yeah, that’ll work.[/quote]Epic. Just…epic. Probably the funniest thing to happen over there.

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    62. 62 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Berselius]I’m not surprised to see him go down, given the fact that he is a pitcher.[/quote]That, too. (dying laughing)

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    63. 63 mb21 says:

      Didn’t they also collect money later on for shipping or something? I don’t know a lot, but one thing I do know is that I would never ever want my address and contact details in Alvin’s hands. Ever. Never ever ever.

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    64. 64 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Berselius]I’m not surprised to see him go down, given the fact that he is a pitcher.[/quote]Yeah, it’s probably more about that, but the questionable use of Cashner over the last year didn’t help. I’d say it’s only a tiny factor, but it still pisses me off.

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    65. 65 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      If any of you see this man:

      you are to immediately punch in the nads and then kick the living piss out of him.

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    66. 66 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Epic. Just…epic. Probably the funniest thing to happen over there.[/quote]I enjoyed it. I felt sorry for the guy who was responsible for making them and sending them out while Al was sitting back and eating cupcakes with the money he just made.

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    67. 67 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=mb21]Didn’t they also collect money later on for shipping or something? I don’t know a lot, but one thing I do know is that I would never ever want my address and contact details in Alvin’s hands. Ever. Never ever ever.[/quote]Yeah, there were like 3 money collections and half the people never got shirts and then there were refunds…complete and utter clusterfuck.

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    68. 68 mb21 says:

      Then again, if one of you wanted to do that for me, I’d gladly sit back and eat cupcakes too. (dying laughing)

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    69. 69 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, there were like 3 money collections and half the people never got shirts and then there were refunds…complete and utter clusterfuck.[/quote]Something this simple too. That’s what is remarkable. Al could fuck anything up. Actually, what hasn’t Al fucked up?

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    70. 70 mb21 says:

      I don’t even like cupcakes.

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    71. 71 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=mb21]I don’t even like cupcakes.[/quote]
      Don’t you like anything?

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    72. 72 AndCounting says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Epic. Just…epic. Probably the funniest thing every to happen over there.[/quote]Fixed.

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    73. 73 Berselius says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]If any of you see this man:

      you are to immediately punch in the nads and then kick the living piss out of him.[/quote]
      And then toss a bunch of rotten nachos on his body for good measure.

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    74. 74 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Berselius]And then toss a bunch of rotten nachos on his body for good measure.[/quote]Or just tell Abby about his, ahem, social agenda, and she’ll probably take care of it for us. (dying laughing)

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    75. 75 Mish says:

      http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/04/03/magazine/03phillies-graphic.html

      Just because, ya know, you don’t see VORP thrown around as much these days.

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    76. 76 ZappBrannigan says:

      Really holding my breath about Cashner. I haven’t been this excited about a pitching debut in awhile, and he looked fantastic for the time he was in there.

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    77. 77 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=ZappBrannigan]Really holding my breath about Cashner. I haven’t been this excited about a pitching debut in awhile, and he looked fantastic for the time he was in there.[/quote]Yeah, it would really suck to see another promising young pitcher flame out.

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    78. 78 ZappBrannigan says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, it would really suck to see another promising young pitcher flame out.[/quote]
      Especially with this organization – as if they needed more of an excuse to trade talent with tons of upside for mediocre starting pitching.

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    79. 79 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      Apparently, the abacus has still not arrived in Hobbiton, because Sullivan still can’t understand simple math:

      The Cubs had enough faith in Andrew Cashner to hand him the fifth starter’s job last week and eat $10 million of the remaining $11.5 million on Carlos Silva’s deal.

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    80. 80 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Apparently, the abacus has still not arrived in Hobbiton, because Sullivan still can’t understand simple math:[/quote]
      Was that today? Don’t these people fact-check?

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    81. 81 ZappBrannigan says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Was that today? Don’t these people fact-check?[/quote]
      That would require understanding the distinction between opinion and fact.

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    82. 82 PFD says:

      MO and B, I share your pain. Crouch was such a fucking moron in the game today. Racking up two INCREDIBLY stupid yellows in a matter of 15 minutes… what a fucking joke. It didn’t matter how good Spurs midfielders were after that, although some extremely questionable defense on corners and one pretty shitty goal allowed in by Gomes at the end didn’t help.

      Still, great run in the Champions League for Spurs. It’s looking nearly impossible that they’ll qualify for next years, however.

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    83. 83 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Was that today? Don’t these people fact-check?[/quote]It was like 3 hours ago. I have a friend who has some knowledge of the inner workings down there, and he swears he has no idea what the sports editors actually do.

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    84. 84 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=PFD]MO and B, I share your pain. Crouch was such a fucking moron in the game today. Racking up two INCREDIBLY stupid yellows in a matter of 15 minutes… what a fucking joke. It didn’t matter how good Spurs midfielders were after that, although some extremely questionable defense on corners and one pretty shitty goal allowed in by Gomes at the end didn’t help.

      Still, great run in the Champions League for Spurs. It’s looking nearly impossible that they’ll qualify for next years, however.[/quote]We’ll have to hit an incredible league run now. Shambolic defense today, though, and we haven’t scored a league goal in a month. Blech.

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    85. 85 Berselius says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]We’ll have to hit an incredible league run now. Shambolic defense today, though, and we haven’t scored a league goal in a month. Blech.[/quote]
      Your YY pic said it all

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    86. 86 PFD says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]We’ll have to hit an incredible league run now. Shambolic defense today, though, and we haven’t scored a league goal in a month. Blech.[/quote]
      Hard to score goals when the strikers are playing the way they have. Crouch has been pretty terrible and Defoe has basically vanished off the face of the earth minus the two goal performance in a draw in March.

      Hopefully Bale is fit from here on out and that should help, but every easy game Spurs have had has seemingly ended in a draw.

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    87. 87 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Your YY pic said it all

      [/quote]Throw some darts…

      Let’s see what happens

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    88. 88 ZappBrannigan says:

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    89. 89 ZappBrannigan says:

      Better:

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    90. 90 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=ZappBrannigan]Better:
      [/quote]
      That seems about right.

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    91. 91 Berselius says:

      Someone needs to ‘shop a Cubs hat on that kid’s head.

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    92. 92 Doogolas says:

      In case anyone cares, positive sign for Cashner:

      Before the MRI there was a good report on all the pressure tests.

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    93. 94 mb21 says:

      [quote name=ZappBrannigan]Better:
      [/quote]I’m so glad I clicked refresh one more time before going to bed. That made my day.

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    94. 95 ZappBrannigan says:

      [quote name=Berselius]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/05/matt-holliday-wont-go-on-disabled-list-after-appendectomy/

      A double WTF for both sides here.[/quote]
      That article makes the Cards sound really desperate.

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    95. 96 ZappBrannigan says:

      Notre Dame loses.

      On a related note:

      The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.

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    96. 97 Recalcitrant Blogger Nate says:

      [quote name=ZappBrannigan]That article makes the Cards sound really desperate.[/quote]

      Holiday should probably make sure that thing heals up fully. I can’t imagine a surgery re-opening being a good thing.

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    97. 98 AndCounting says:

      So Houston, Tampa Bay, and Boston are still winless? That’s . . . interesting.

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    98. 99 Mercurial Outfielder says:

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    99. 100 Mercurial Outfielder says:

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    100. 101 AndCounting says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder][/quote](dying laughing)
      The irony’s exquisite.

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    101. 102 Weapon X says:

      Whoa, the floaty description for stats & abbreviations freaked me out at first. Came outta nowhere. I like it though. Nice to see all the commenters have moved over here w/o a problem. And Facepalm Cub is epic. Hope I get a job before you run out of shirts.

      Now the most important checkup of the new site. Let’s see if this still gets automatically changed into appropriate wording— (dying laughing)

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    102. 103 Weapon X says:

      Nice.

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    103. 104 Xoomwaffle says:

      [quote name=ZappBrannigan]That article makes the Cards sound really desperate.[/quote]
      Ryan Theriot is their leadoff hitter in a lineup that also contain Skip Schumaker. Wouldn’t you be desperate too?

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    104. 105 Berselius says:

      Adam Dunn———>emergency appendectomy

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    105. 106 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Adam Dunn———>emergency appendectomy[/quote]
      Beat me. Emergency appendectomies are apparently the newest big thing.

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    106. 107 Aisle424 says:

      I’d be really happy if it turned out Cashner just had an appendectomy.

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    107. 108 Berselius says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]I’d be really happy if it turned out Cashner just had an appendectomy.[/quote]
      Given the fact that it’s the Cubs, Castro would get the surgery.

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    108. 109 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Given the fact that it’s the Cubs, Castro would get a timeout while Carlos Zambrano would have surgery on his labrum.[/quote]fixed

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    109. 110 Mish says:

      Emergency appendectomies are the new market inefficiency.

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    110. 111 Mish says:

      The Cubs would probably misdiagnose appendicitis as HIV, so I’m not sure what they would do.

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    111. 112 Berselius says:

      [quote name=mb21]Given the fact that it’s the Cubs, Castro would get a timeout while Koyie hill performs labrum surgery on Carlos Zambrano
      [/quote]
      fixed again

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    112. 113 mb21 says:

      I was just watching Byrd’s double again and am still trying to figure out what the hell Bob meant when he said, “he was the motor that made the Cubs run last year when they were successful.” Did I miss part of last year or something?

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    113. 114 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Berselius]fixed again[/quote]I’d gladly let Koyie Hill operate on my shoulder. I’d then sue him for every penny the Cubs have paid him because I’m as deserving of that money as he is.

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    114. 115 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Mish]The Cubs would probably misdiagnose appendicitis as HIV, so I’m not sure what they would do.[/quote]Surgery. It fixed everything.

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    115. 116 Dr. Aneus Taint says:

      [quote name=Mish]The Cubs would probably misdiagnose appendicitis as HIV, so I’m not sure what they would do.[/quote]

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    116. 117 AndCounting says:

      Will Carroll is saying the Cubs are “very nervous” about Cashner. I’m now completely confident he’ll make his next start.

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    117. 118 dylanj says:

      will carroll. how that man makes any money is beyond me. He is reporting that the Cubs are nervous about their top pitching prospect needing an MRI. Well no shit Will.

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    118. 119 GBTS says:

      Cub Trends Sure to Continue:
      1) Undefeated when Koyie Hill starts.

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    119. 120 AndCounting says:

      [quote name=dylanj]will carroll. how that man makes any money is beyond me. He is reporting that the Cubs are nervous about their top pitching prospect needing an MRI. Well no shit Will.[/quote]He’s such a prick. He doesn’t even have a story. He hasn’t been relevant in a year, so he fans the flames of panic with a report of nervousness. He can join Kevin Millar in that fire.

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    120. 121 GBTS says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Adam Dunn———>emergency appendectomy[/quote]Bobby Thompson’s appendix burst twice before a game in 1953. He removed it himself with his own cleats after stealing second in the 8th inning, his third steal of the day.

      Fucking softies today.

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    121. 122 mb21 says:

      Fucking softies today.

      Back in the glory days pitchers were out on the mound with torn ligaments all the time. The pussies today have to spend thousands of dollars and hours trying to get better.

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    122. 123 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=mb21]Back in the glory days pitchers were out on the mound with torn ligaments all the time. The pussies today have to spend thousands of dollars and hours trying to get better.[/quote]When the NL East title in 1972 came down to a final play, Lee May killed himself with a harpoon in order to distract the Mets so that Pete Rose could round the bases from first on a past ball.

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    123. 124 mb21 says:

      worst defense in the league so far: http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&type=1&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011

      small sample size blah blah blah

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    124. 125 Suburban kid says:

      Yes, I actually forgot that the Reds were in the NL West.

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    125. 126 GBTS says:

      [quote name=mb21]worst defense in the league so far: http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&type=1&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011

      small sample size blah blah blah[/quote]Their DRS was -30 before Koyie’s start yesterday.

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    126. 127 Dr. Aneus Taint says:

      [quote name=GBTS]Fucking softies today.[/quote]
      Well have fun!

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    127. 128 GBTS says:

      [quote name=Jame Gumb]Well have fun![/quote]

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    128. 129 mb21 says:

      [quote name=GBTS]Their DRS was -30 before Koyie’s start yesterday.[/quote]It would -300 were it not for Carlos Pena.

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    129. 130 mb21 says:

      Robby needs to spend a few minutes with Alvin to learn the value of the comma.

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    130. 131 Berselius says:

      [quote name=GBTS][/quote]
      (dying laughing)
      (dying laughing)
      (dying laughing)

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    131. 133 Berselius says:

      [quote name=dylanj]http://www.lamebook.com/out-cold/[/quote]
      FWIW the freezer trick is a real thing when trying to get data off of dying hard drives.

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    132. 134 dylanj says:

      but will it help you log in (dying laughing)

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    133. 135 AndCounting says:

      Starlin Castro has yet to swing and miss this season. (dying laughing)

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    134. 136 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=AndCounting]Starlin Castro has yet to swing and miss this season. (dying laughing)[/quote]Seriously?

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    135. 137 Butchman says:

      Is it just me, or are the Cubs exciting to watch this year (small sample size)? Or have I just not watched enough yet?

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    136. 138 Dr. Aneus Taint says:

      [quote name=GBTS][/quote]
      I didn’t know your name was Robby.

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    137. 139 Suburban kid says:

      Randy Wells ——————–> DL (forearm)

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    138. 140 Suburban kid says:

      Cashner —————> DL (mild strain back of rotator cuff)

      /Gordo

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    139. 141 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]Randy Wells ——————–> DL (forearm)[/quote]
      Cashner ——> DL rotator cuff strain

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    140. 142 Aisle424 says:

      Mother. Fuck.

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    141. 143 Suburban kid says:

      Hendry ——————–> Let’s see what happens

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    142. 144 AndCounting says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]Seriously?[/quote]Yeah, I guess they mentioned it on SportsCenter. The kid knows how to hit.

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    143. 145 Suburban kid says:

      Coleman ———————-> Chicago

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    144. 146 AndCounting says:

      I think we just saw what happened.

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    145. 147 Suburban kid says:

      Silva ———————> “(dying laughing)”

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    146. 148 dylanj says:

      Randy Wells? When the fuck did he get hurt?

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    147. 149 Berselius says:

      Lineup today

      RF Fukudome
      SS Castro
      CF Byrd
      3B Ramirez
      1B Colvin
      LF Soriano
      C Soto
      2B DeWitt
      P Demp

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    148. 150 Berselius says:

      Also, ugh.

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    149. 151 dylanj says:

      so Jay Jackson is out too. So Thomas Diamond?

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    150. 152 dylanj says:

      well a tear in the back of the rotator cuff is not great

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    151. 153 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=dylanj]Randy Wells? When the fuck did he get hurt?[/quote]I don’t know, but Gordo was all like “Wells. Yes, Wells”

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    152. 154 dylanj says:

      its amazing how quick your SP can go from a strength to a weakness.

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    153. 155 Mish says:

      LoL Cubs.

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    154. 156 Suburban kid says:

      This is not good. I fear Samardzija (spit) or Russell (eye-stab) will get the call.

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    155. 157 AndCounting says:

      That’s what I get for making fun of the Cubs carrying 12 starting pitchers.

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    156. 158 mb21 says:

      I step away for a few minutes and the Cubs go on the DL. (dying laughing)

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    157. 159 Berselius says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]This is not good. I fear Samardzija or Russell will get the call.[/quote]
      Wellemeyer.

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    158. 160 AndCounting says:

      Is Wellenmeyer gone for good?

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    159. 161 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]This is not good. I fear Samardzija (spit) or Russell (eye-stab) will get the call.[/quote]At least Chris Carpenter is stretched out to start. Oh wait.

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    160. 162 Berselius says:

      Apparently Wells and Cashner can’t so much as pick up a baseball for 2 weeks.

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    161. 163 AndCounting says:

      Or just the n in his name? (dying laughing)

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    162. 164 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Wellemeyer.[/quote]Much prefer that to those other sad sacks.

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    163. 165 AndCounting says:

      I’m off to the game. Let me know if Garza’s head spontaneously combusts.

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    164. 166 Suburban kid says:

      Hendry was careful to say it wasn’t the elbow with Wells, just the forearm.

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    165. 167 dylanj says:

      So Coleman is up.

      That leaves Diamond, Austin Bibens Dirx & Chris Carpenter in Iowa and Russell or F7.

      Somebody go sign Silva

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    166. 168 mb21 says:

      If Wells and Cashner both went on the DL, why is only one person called up? Are the Cubs going to sign someone else?

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    167. 169 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Suburban Kid]Hendry was careful to say it wasn’t the elbow with Wells, just the forearm.[/quote]The forearm is often an indication of a torn ligament in the elbow. I’m not saying that’s what it is, but many pitchers who undergo TJS first report soreness in the forearm. I hope it’s not that, but it won’t surprise me.

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    168. 170 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=mb21]If Wells and Cashner both went on the DL, why is only one person called up? Are the Cubs going to sign someone else?[/quote]Gordo: “Coleman coming up for sure. Cubs plan to meet on second move.”

      I’m sure they don’t know what to do yet and will consider their options, seeing as they will have five days or so to get it sorted.

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    169. 171 dylanj says:

      thats probably why he mentioned the elbow was ok md. I would imagine they checked the ligament

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    170. 172 Berselius says:

      At least we’ll get a good look at this Chris Archer kid, right?

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    171. 173 Suburban kid says:

      “Russell is in the mix for Tues in Houston”

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    172. 174 mb21 says:

      [quote name=dylanj]thats probably why he mentioned the elbow was ok md. I would imagine they checked the ligament[/quote]It’s more of a precursor to an elbow injury. Not all the time, of course, but you often hear about a DL stint for a forearm and then later TJS.

      I don’t think it really matters anyway. Any time a pitcher lands on the DL because of a tear or pain in the forearm, it’s a serious injury. It’s serious enough that you can’t count on them returning this season.

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    173. 175 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Berselius]At least we’ll get a good look at this Chris Archer kid, right?[/quote]I hope they call him up to take Garza’s next start. (dying laughing)

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    174. 177 Mish says:

      You guys are obviously missing that Wood will make a few starts.

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    175. 178 Dr. Aneus Taint says:

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