In Soto’s trade value piece I mentioned how inconsistent he has been in his career, but that’s nothing compared to Fukudome. Below is an image of his AVG/OBP/SLG/wOBA by month in his Cubs career.
If you’d rather see the numbers, here they are.
| Month | AVG | OBP | SLG | wOBA |
| 4/1/08 | .327 | .436 | .480 | .399 |
| 5/1/08 | .293 | .388 | .404 | .351 |
| 6/1/08 | .264 | .387 | .402 | .352 |
| 7/1/08 | .236 | .306 | .382 | .307 |
| 8/1/08 | .193 | .293 | .253 | .254 |
| 9/1/08 | .178 | .288 | .289 | .256 |
| 4/1/09 | .338 | .461 | .592 | .436 |
| 5/1/09 | .277 | .415 | .415 | .372 |
| 6/1/09 | .169 | .266 | .241 | .243 |
| 7/1/09 | .307 | .392 | .534 | .377 |
| 8/1/09 | .287 | .398 | .506 | .388 |
| 9/1/09 | .200 | .338 | .286 | .287 |
| 4/1/10 | .344 | .443 | .641 | .454 |
| 5/1/10 | .253 | .348 | .367 | .316 |
| 6/1/10 | .189 | .259 | .226 | .222 |
| 7/1/10 | .162 | .340 | .324 | .313 |
| 8/1/10 | .365 | .467 | .651 | .465 |
| 9/1/10 | .210 | .333 | .355 | .305 |
| 4/1/11 | .383 | .486 | .400 | .407 |
| 5/1/11 | .247 | .389 | .342 | .338 |
| 6/1/11 | .310 | .375 | .586 | .415 |
Those numbers do not include last night’s game. We’ve often called him April Kosuke, but I’m not sure that’s accurate. Take 2008, he had a .350+ wOBA in each of the first three months of the season. In 2009 he had a .370+ wOBA in April, May, July and August. In 2010 he had a .400+ wOBA in April and August. He was better than league average in May this year as well. It’s true if you look at the three month average that he’s declined from the first few months, but it hasn’t been a consistent decline. He’s just been all over the place, which isn’t necessarily surprising.
The standard deviation of wOBA is calculated with this formula: SQRT(wOBA*(1.1-wOBA)/PA). What this means is that in one month, or 100 plate appearances, one standard deviation from his roughly .345 projected wOBA is .051. We’d therefore expect a .345 hitter to be between .294 and .396 66% of the time. Two standard deviations would be between about .300 and .450 or so. There would be a 95% chance a .345 hitter would be between .300 and .450 (thereabouts) over 100 plate appearances.
Four months in Kosuke’s MLB career he has been below .300, but I’m betting the number of plate appearances was lower than 100 in at least three of them. The point is that a jump like this isn’t too surprising. Fukudome’s career wOBA is .344, which is a 104 wRC+. He’s been a better than average hitter.
ZiPS projects a .343 wOBA the rest of the season. We’ll use 200 plate appearances for August and September again. That makes him worth $2.4 million over those two months. He’ll be paid $4.5 million. He’s likely a type B free agent, which is worth $2.5 million meaning he has a surplus trade value of $.4 million.
The Cubs might get an older C graded prospect in return, but don’t expect much more than that. The Cubs shouldn’t have to send any money in a trade, but that depends on what teams plan to use him as. If he’s seen as a platoon player, the Cubs probably have to send a little money in the deal. Either way, it’s not a big deal.
(dying laughing) @ the unicorn on the sidebar. Just saw that.
The unicorn is a very nice touch.
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) @ the unicorn on the sidebar. Just saw that.[/quote]
Things are looking up, MB. Winning streak! World Series bound!!1!
Lineup today
RF Fukey
2B Barn
SS Cassie
1B Carly
3B Ramy
LF Blakey
C Sote
CF Ty
P Zambie
When was the last time they gave Barney a rest day? Or maybe they’re trying to help him break Cal Ripken’s record…
I’m still (dying laughing) at the burning image on the main page. the dollar hot dog is a nice touch. who did that?
I’ve been wondering which contender might like Kosuke but can’t think of any.
Also, Ramirez says he doesn’t wanna be traded but I’m guessing he would accept one to a contender. Which one do you think? Probably too early to speculate.
I assume Ramirez will be told that the cubs “can’t afford” to bring him back next year. is that right? It’s a $2M buyout, iirc.
[quote name=Rice Cube]When was the last time they gave Barney a rest day? Or maybe they’re trying to help him break Cal Ripken’s record…[/quote]
His assault on the record is going to be huge for attendance starting in about 2026.
[quote name=Aisle424]His assault on the record is going to be huge for attendance starting in about 2026.[/quote]
coinciding with his 3,000th hit. perfect!
[quote name=Horny Goat]I’m still (dying laughing) at the burning image on the main page. the dollar hot dog is a nice touch. who did that?
.[/quote]
The burning Wrigley next to the Hope Unicorn really is quite the dichotomy. Pat LaMorte (@plamorte on Twitter) did the original banner and then added in Ricketts as Nero selling hotdogs while Rome burns.
speaking of, 424, will you be at Wrigley for the yankee series? Jeter just might do it, maybe on Sunday night. I heard that nobody has ever got their 3,000th at wrigley. can that be right?
[quote name=Aisle424]The burning Wrigley next to the Hope Unicorn really is quite the dichotomy. Pat LaMorte (@plamorte on Twitter) did the original banner and then added in Ricketts as Nero selling hotdogs while Rome burns.[/quote]
classic
Stan the Man got his 3,000th at Wrigley on May 13, 1958. I should have known that. I think that’s the only one.
3000 hit club…
http://www.astrosdaily.com/history/elston/3000club/index.html
Lou Brock got his 3000th against the Cubs but it was in STL.
[quote name=Horny Goat]Lou Brock got his 3000th against the Cubs but it was in STL.[/quote]That was a recent trade that backfired.
[quote name=Horny Goat]coinciding with his 3,000th hit. perfect![/quote]
Must be part of Mike Quade’s plan.
Yeah, whatever.
nice intro Philly announcers:
Zambrano: “minute to minute distraction; definitely not calm and collected; volatile,…embarrassing; can go south in a hurry…
sigh
I guess it makes good copy
[quote name=Horny Goat]nice intro Philly announcers:
Zambrano: “minute to minute distraction; definitely not calm and collected; volatile,…embarrassing; can go south in a hurry…
sigh
I guess it makes good copy[/quote]
One hopes that they don’t shut you right up tonight.
[quote name=Rice Cube]One hopes that they don’t shut you right up tonight.[/quote]
yeah, HG thinks I just jinxed big Z
too bad Z already took the loss with Halladay pitching.
[quote name=Horny Goat]speaking of, 424, will you be at Wrigley for the yankee series? Jeter just might do it, maybe on Sunday night. I heard that nobody has ever got their 3,000th at wrigley. can that be right?[/quote]
We have tickets for Sunday night. It’s perfect. We’re going to see Jeffrey Ross on Friday, Seth Meyers on Saturday, and the Cubs play the Yankees on Sunday. A whole weekend of comedy!
[quote name=Horny Goat]too bad Z already took the loss with Halladay pitching.[/quote]
The Cubs can lose after Z’s night is done.
I think Barney needs a day off.
Pena drank from the naked coffee pot
[quote name=Horny Goat]Stan the Man got his 3,000th at Wrigley on May 13, 1958. I should have known that. I think that’s the only one.[/quote]
I’m not aware of others and I was too lazy to click the link. I saw Glavine get his 300th win at Wrigley. That was a nice consolation prize. I also got to see Maddux get his 3000th K at Wrigley and that was cool.
I feel like I wanted to go to a game that ended up being the game where Rose tied Ty Cobb’s hit record, but we couldn’t. I could be misremembering that though.
they said “volatile” again (dying laughing)
This is HG’s fault.
that sucks, just out of Barney’s reach
[quote name=Rice Cube]This is babip fault.[/quote]
fixed
Hmmm…smart TOOTBLAN. That usually doesn’t happen.
cubs messed up that pickle. shouldn’t be a runner at 2nd & 3rd
[quote name=Horny Goat]cubs messed up that pickle. shouldn’t be a runner at 2nd & 3rd[/quote]
Z’s fault?
should be a fast game as always, when Halladay pitches. and cubs will be hacking.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Z’s fault?[/quote]
No, it hit off Z, then Aramis and geo threw too many times.
K’d the side. with Halladay you just need to hack away and hope you guess right.
[quote name=Horny Goat]No, it hit off Z, then Aramis and geo threw too many times.[/quote]
Triple-A awesomeness at work.
just a tip if you ever go to a Phillies game: don’t sit in the top deck. it’s like being in the goodyear blimp.
Cubs lose
.00000001 chance the cubs win tonight (dying laughing)
The home run pitch was in a very bad place.
Z just got screwed out of a strikeout.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Z just got screwed out of a strikeout.[/quote]
not according to the philly guys. these dudes are very biased, and I’m already sick of the Z bashing.
switching over to Len and Bob.
Error
don;t bunt. Len is against it
the bunt is fucking stupid here
They’re bunting with Z?!
got him on a change up
At least Z made Halladay throw some pitches
[quote name=Horny Goat]the bunt is fucking stupid pretty much all the time[/quote]
fixed
Z just told Q to go fuck himself (dying laughing)
[quote name=Horny Goat]Z just told Q to go fuck himself (dying laughing)[/quote]
I hope they got that on video.
a HR will tie this game. rally!
[quote name=Rice Cube]I hope they got that on video.[/quote]
only kidding
[quote name=Horny Goat]a HR will tie this game. rally![/quote]
Not the best guy to have in an RBI spot (dying laughing)
Sarge made a really stupid comment last night when a run scored
[quote name=Rice Cube]Not the best guy to have in an RBI spot (dying laughing)[/quote]
actually he has 27 RBI or so
[quote name=Horny Goat]actually he has 27 RBI or so[/quote]
Yeah, but only one HR. You are correct though.
[quote name=Horny Goat]I’ve been wondering which contender might like Kosuke but can’t think of any. [/quote]
I have said this before, I can see the Giants grabbing him with or without Soto. They lead their division but are giving too many AB’s to Huff, Rowand, and Tejada. Now that Posey is out, they need runs badly. They don’t have any OF in the minors ready to help right now. The only in house bat solution I can see short term for the Giants is calling up Brett Pill and moving Belt to OF and it ain’t a good solution. Pill is not exactly a prospect and counting on more rookie production is rarely successful.
Yesterday while getting shutout by the Reds, they had Tejada batting 2nd and Huff 4th and the night before they did as well.
Has been …………….vs………………. Could be soon
Torres ………………………………………Fukudome
Tejada ……………………………………..Torres
Sanchez …………………………………..Sanchez
Huff ………………………………………….Panda
Schierholtz / Rowand …………………Ross
Ross ………………………………………..Soto
Crawford …………………………………..Belt
Whiteside ………………………………….Crawford
P ……………………………………………..P
I’d be excited to watch that new Giants lineup, BB.
on that play when the cubs scored on Castro’s single..a tough hop for the catcher, Sarge went on and on and on about how he should’ve handled that ball. It was the toughest ball a catcher can get but Sarge was adamant that it should have been fielded cleanly for a tagged out. I couldn’t believe it.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=310610122
Check out our #2 and #3 hitters.
Granderson hit another HR. incredible., # 19. remember when the cubs were rumored to be in the hunt for him?
[quote name=Rice Cube]I’d be excited to watch that new Giants lineup, BB.[/quote]
And I have said this before also, but can expand again here. Them grabbing Soto allows them to move Posey over to 1B as that will be a huge storyline for them this off-season no matter what success they have this year. Belt would move to the OF, Posey at 1B, and Soto at C makes too much sense to me. If they were the Cubs there would be no way in hell they do it because of how much sense it makes, Sabean isn’t much better though so who knows.
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=310610122
Check out our #2 and #3 hitters.[/quote]
what is your point RC?
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]And I have said this before also, but can expand again here. Them grabbing Soto allows them to move Posey over to 1B as that will be a huge storyline for them this off-season no matter what success they have this year. Belt would move to the OF, Posey at 1B, and Soto at C makes too much sense to me. If they were the Cubs there would be no way in hell they do it because of how much sense it makes, Sabean isn’t much better though so who knows.[/quote]
Sabean barely did anything in the offseason to improve the team and I am under the impression that he’s been incredibly fortunate that his draftees have worked out so well, but signing guys like Rowand, Tejada, and relying on Pat Burrell and Cody Ross staying hot makes me think he’s just not that smart.
The team you are outlining, though, is one I would most definitely root for.
[quote name=Horny Goat]what is your point RC?[/quote]
Why are the #2 and #3 hitters not getting on base?
Philly Phantic is like a sesame street puppet
These walks aren’t helping Z at all.
Yikes.
Soriano’s .297 OBP is higher then Huff’s .281 in 256 PA’s, Rowand’s .281 in 178 PA’s, and Tejada’s .246 in 233 PA’s.
And they are in 1st place in that division.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Why are the #2 and #3 hitters not getting on base?[/quote]
nobody is getting on base much recently. they just lost 8 straight games until 2 games ago, although OBP has been average or slightly above all season. they still are 2nd in batting average. go figure.
I think the cubs will put up a 6 spot here
rally!
GEO%$&*t*$*
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]Soriano’s .297 OBP is higher then Huff’s .281 in 256 PA’s, Rowand’s .281 in 178 PA’s, and Tejada’s .246 in 233 PA’s.
And they are in 1st place in that division.[/quote]
pitching, big park
I love cheesesteaks, but Philly roast pork sammies are superior.
[quote name=Horny Goat]pitching, big park[/quote]
This is true.
The Cubs’ OBP problem will fluctuate as their bats go. Nobody outside of Fukudome and Pena seems to want to take a walk but that’s probably just the way they’re being pitched to.
I sense a lack of enthusiasm for this game here
Colvin needs to get on so Z can homer (dying laughing)
[quote name=Horny Goat]pitching, big park[/quote]
Agreed, that got them a ring last year and with just something resembling an offense will give them another chance at one this year, but they don’t have that right now.
[quote name=Rice Cube]This is true.
The Cubs’ OBP problem will fluctuate as their bats go. Nobody outside of Fukudome and Pena seems to want to take a walk but that’s probably just the way they’re being pitched to.[/quote]
I’ll be honest. the 2011 Cubs aren’t THIS bad. I expected them to maybe break even but injuries have really taken their toll. Baker and Johnson, as bad as they are, were actually hitting, Soriano was bound to go on a tear again soon. Colvin? Who expected that. Byrd got smacked in the eye. When you get down like that there’s not much motivation to go out there and do much. It turns an 80 win team into a 65-70 win team. They could lose 100 games this year.
[quote name=Horny Goat]I’ll be honest. the 2011 Cubs aren’t THIS bad. I expected them to maybe break even but injuries have really taken their toll. Baker and Johnson, as bad as they are, were actually hitting, Soriano was bound to go on a tear again soon. Colvin? Who expected that. Byrd got smacked in the eye. When you get down like that there’s not much motivation to go out there and do much. It turns an 80 win team into a 65-70 win team. They could lose 100 games this year.[/quote]
Among other things, this would explain why Jim Hendry still has a job. Sympathy seems to go a long way.
not to mention Wells and Cashner getting hurt in the first week of the season.
c’mon Z, you make him look silly sometimes
68 MPH (dying laughing) I like that
got him!
it was outside but…. OK
awesome DP (dying laughing)
jesus christ everbody, join the chat already (dying laughing)
Shitty throw by Zambrano, great play by Barney
hard smash by Castro.
I’m sitting at a1st grade softball game my wife made me go to. Its more entertaining than the cubs, less errors (dying laughing)
I’m still a believer in Castro. If he develops a slight uppercut he could hit 20+ HR/ year. He hits the ball HARD
MB, what’s the deal with Mike Jones? He seems to have some misdirected anger, especially toward “UNL” (dying laughing)
This offense makes me sad.
[quote name=Rice Cube]This offense makes me sad.[/quote]
Luckily the baserunning and defense makes you laugh
[quote name=Rice Cube]This offense makes me sad.[/quote]
you don’t know what sad is
/Conor Oberst
[quote name=Berselius]Luckily the baserunning and defense makes you laugh[/quote]
Laugh =
I can’t believe this guy took Z deep
I believe Castro is likely a .300/.330/.425 hitter throughout the early part of his career. Not bat at all for a SS. He is what he is. He’ll provide valuable production for cheap.
Z[quote name=mb21]I believe Castro is likely a .300/.330/.425 hitter throughout the early part of his career. Not bat at all for a SS. He is what he is. He’ll provide valuable production for cheap.[/quote]
right now, and it’s too early to say, imo. only 21. If the peak is 26-28, who knows? He’ll hit for more power as he fills out.
At least the Phillies pen kinda sucks
I love watching Z hit, but he probably should have been pinch hit for there. Brad Fucking Snyder could have struck out for him.
[quote name=Berselius]I love watching Z hit, but he probably should have been pinch hit for there. Brad Fucking Snyder could have struck out for him.[/quote]
I like watching Z hit so I didnt mind and I’m curious how he does in the bottom half.
[quote name=mb21]I believe Castro is likely a .300/.330/.425 hitter throughout the early part of his career. Not bat at all for a SS. He is what he is. He’ll provide valuable production for cheap.[/quote]
Yep, and fun to watch.
Q wants to save his bullpen.
I have no idea why Russell isn’t pitching here.
Ryan Howard has an approximately -5000 wOBA against LHP
[quote name=Berselius]I have no idea why Russell isn’t pitching here.[/quote]
I agree
Yep.
Well played, Quade. Well Played.
Z can;t find a strike
OMG
I hope Z calls out Quade for not pulling him (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]Yep.
Well played, Quade. Well Played.[/quote]
3 BB didn’t give you a clue, Q? you douchebag (dying laughing)
Intentionally walking Utley to face Howard was pretty dumb.
I think Quade has kind of a hero mentality, like that certain guys will find superhuman strength if he just sticks with them.
Yup.
[quote name=ACT]Intentionally walking Utley to face Howard was pretty dumb.[/quote]
I thought so myself.
Now we have to hear about Z all over again. and this time it’s his fault but then again when you get no offense at all, what’s the motivation? How long can you go out there knowing your bats are a limp dick.
That one’s gotta be on Q. When everyone in the stadium thinks you should take a pitcher out and you let him go, things get pretty predictable. Not saying Russel could have nailed it down, but it was a sure bet Z was out of gas.
I’ll say it again: 1899 Cleveland Spiders
Eh, the Cubs were already down 3 runs late. They very likely would have lost anyway.
Halladay was just much, much better than Z today. Not Q’s fault.
Fair enough, they probably lose, but with three runs you feel like you can at least scrap it out. With 7 you’re thinking about what you’re going to get from room service later.
I watch a lot of other teams and it’s shocking how good their relief pitching depth is compared to the Cubs. That was supposed to be their strength coming in this year but it was bullshit. I don’t know where other teams find these guys, but they make it look easy compared to these pathetic misfits. If the Cubs had a fraction of that, Z wouldn’t have been out there and many other starters would not have coughed up leads in the 6th or 7th or 8th.
I like Castro.
FWIW HG, Cubs batters make a lot of pitchers look good
[quote name=ACT]I like Castro.[/quote]He’s definitely the bright spot this year. Along with Marshall.
[quote name=ACT]Eh, the Cubs were already down 3 runs late. They very likely would have lost anyway.[/quote]
that’s true, and not my point for tonight, but it really helps to keep the game close when you DO have a decent hitting team. and look what happened last night. cubs got a chance to come back. when it’s in reach, they care. At least make them care. know what I mean?
[quote name=Berselius]FWIW HG, Cubs batters make a lot of pitchers look good[/quote]
This year, yes. especially when half the team is on the DL. I’m not saying they had a shot at winning a playoff spot, but they have little motivation now.
If only Barney hadn’t erased Fuke on the basepaths…
[quote name=Berselius]FWIW HG, Cubs batters make a lot of pitchers look good[/quote]FWIW, the Phillies hitters made Rodrigo Lopez look like a genius yesterday….baseball can be a weird game.
“Cubs need a long ball and this would be an ideal spot, with the bases loaded.” Sometimes I can’t tell if Pat is just making fun of the team.
RBIs are good.
just got a call from the NRA and told them to fuck themselves in their anal cavities.
After watching Polanco hit a Grand Slam in the last inning, the Cubs have a blueprint to follow, but will they?
Soto!
so, would Halladay be gone if not for the slam?
Not crazy about pinch-hitting Montanez for Colvin here.
This seems like an ideal spot for Montenez to get his first career homerun.
That shut me right up.
Guess I was wrong about leaving Z in, too. Worst decision ever.
I like the part where the Phillies don’t want to win.
note to tourists: don’t ever go to Geno’s or Pat’s Steaks. RIPOFF.
they say those are the 2 best places for cheesteakes but forgetabouttit. I went there and it’s $10 just for the sammich, which isn’t even good. Go to another one in south Philly up the block where they feed you well.
hey! cubs are rally-ing!
Brad Snyder: rally killer
Brad Fucking Snyder! argh!
This will be Kosuke’s fault somehow.
It sucks that the only bench guys we have are rookies. A Reed or a Byrd at least has a fighting chance.
I would say that grand salami was a pretty tough one to swallow
[quote name=Rice Cube]This will be Kosuke’s fault somehow.[/quote]
It’s Z’s all the way. No getting around this one. It’s my fault, too btw, I jinxed him right out of the box.
[quote name=Horny Goat]It’s Z’s all the way. No getting around this one. It’s my fault, too btw, I jinxed him right out of the box.[/quote]
You motherfucker.
Jeter with another hit. 9 hits away. 9 games from next Sunday night at Wrigley.
I am your official Derek Jeter 3000th hit countdown-o-meter… or you could use the internet.
last night I heard Michael Kay the yankee announcer say “the internet has a tremendous amount of info if you know where to look”… and he was dead serious. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Rice Cube]You motherfucker.[/quote]
It wasn’t me, I swear
time for a HR Castro!
Barney walks?!
WTF Barney?
I don;t believe what I just saw. incredible (dying laughing)
TOOTBLAN eh…sigh.
how can that have happened? I still don’t believe it (dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Castro looked like Dunston on that strikeout and Barney turned into Theriot.
another one for the sad sad book of Cub TOOTBLANS
Barn gets thrown out trying to increase his team’s win expectancy from 0.116 to 0.128.
my buddy in philly is really gonna give me shit for that one
[quote name=ACT]Barn gets thrown out trying to increase his team’s win expectancy from 0.116 to 0.128.[/quote]
It’s all the difference in the world!
still not as bad as the michael barrett debacle in 2005 or so.
cubs lose
This is everyone’s fault.
I wanna see that play again because it should go down it cubs lore
[quote name=Rice Cube]This is everyone’s fault.[/quote]
Sarah Palin, OBL, Bill Clinton, GWB, Barack Obama, FDR, Nero, Billy Goat, Bartman….
Now I think I can officially say Q deserves at least part of the blame for this one.
[quote name=Josh]Now I think I can officially say Q deserves at least part of the blame for this one.[/quote]
Him too.
the cubs should re-name themselves the limp dicks. The Chicago Limp Dicks. sorta catchy. maybe an amateur league team would pick it up. yeah. go limp dicks.
here’s some Mike Royko video entertainment for those who haven’t seen it…great stuff
[quote name=Horny Goat]the cubs should re-name themselves the limp dicks. The Chicago Limp Dicks. sorta catchy. maybe an amateur league team would pick it up. yeah. go limp dicks.[/quote]
Go Limp, Dicks! or Go, Limp Dicks! ???
Why would we trade him for a C prospect? We can almost certainly get Type-B compensation for him as long as he finishes the year even as well as he did last year. If he manages to keep up even close to what he’s done so far we will for sure get Type-B.
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]Go Limp, Dicks! or Go, Limp Dicks! ???[/quote]
either one, forget it! (dying laughing)
just watch Mike Royko at the Billy Goat Tavern talking about 16 inch softball and shit. classic.
[quote name=Doogolas]Why would we trade him for a C prospect? We can almost certainly get Type-B compensation for him as long as he finishes the year even as well as he did last year. If he manages to keep up even close to what he’s done so far we will for sure get Type-B.[/quote]
Ricketts would rather save the money.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15751917
Not sure what planet Cassie was on there. First he swings at a pitch 2 feet out of the zone, then he starts toward first.
Okay…this is the third game in a row Brett Jackson has not played. Did he die or something?
In the midst of all that fail, Carlos Zambrano got his 1500th career strikeout. Which I think is only behind Fergie Jenkins on the all-time Cubs leaderboard.
Spineless, dickless, fuckfaced cuntbag Paul Sullivan continues his anti-Z vendetta: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0611-cubs-phillies-chicago–20110610,0,6921290.story
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Spineless, dickless, fuckfaced cuntbag Paul Sullivan continues his anti-Z vendetta: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0611-cubs-phillies-chicago–20110610,0,6921290.story/quote
Awww…he didn’t even mention Z’s 1500th strikeout in mock praise.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Awww…he didn’t even mention Z’s 1500th strikeout in mock praise.[/quote]I am confident in saying there is not a single sportswriter in the entire nation that is worse than Paul Sullivan. A truly terrible writer and a fucking abysmal human being.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I am confident in saying there is not a single sportswriter in the entire nation that is worse than Paul Sullivan. A truly terrible writer and a fucking abysmal human being.[/quote]
To be fair, Z kind of stunk tonight, but for the first six innings he kept the Cubs in the game. It must have not occurred to the esteemed sportswriter that in order for Z to really blow a game, he’d have to at least have a bit of run support first…
Heh.
http://www.bleachernation.com/2011/06/10/enhanced-box-score-cubs-5-phillies-7-june-10-2011/
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Spineless, dickless, fuckfaced cuntbag Paul Sullivan continues his anti-Z vendetta: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0611-cubs-phillies-chicago–20110610,0,6921290.story/quote
it’s not as bad as I thought it would be, and less venom compared to the past, but Sullivan is still a petty prick. If I was the violent type I would corner Sully and beat him to pulp fiction proportions with a Z-autographed bat for good measure. But I’m not.
The Giants are thinking of in-house options for catcher:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/10/giants-weigh-having-pablo-sandoval-catch-upon-return/
Could be interesting. He couldn’t be any worse than Jake Fox or Mike Napoli.
[quote name=Rice Cube]To be fair, Z kind of stunk tonight, but for the first six innings he kept the Cubs in the game. It must have not occurred to the esteemed sportswriter that in order for Z to really blow a game, he’d have to at least have a bit of run support first…[/quote]
run support is always nice, isn’t it? It completely changes the game.
It’s okay…nobody realized it was Z’s 1500th K either on live TV:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15736119
[quote name=Horny Goat]run support is always nice, isn’t it? It completely changes the game.[/quote]
I can’t get too mad at Z, or Samardzija, or Dempster, or James Russell, or anyone for that matter. If you keep the game 3-0 through six innings against a relatively tough lineup, and then you’re enough of a team player to risk getting shelled when you’re gassed in the seventh, I don’t care who you are, you don’t deserve any venom.
That one is completely on the manager.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I can’t get too mad at Z, or Samardzija, or Dempster, or James Russell, or anyone for that matter. If you keep the game 3-0 through six innings against a relatively tough lineup, and then you’re enough of a team player to risk getting shelled when you’re gassed in the seventh, I don’t care who you are, you don’t deserve any venom.
That one is completely on the manager.[/quote]
Agreed, but there’s not enough history between Q and Z, perhaps, to signal when he’s gassed. maybe. I don;t know. A starting pitcher usually won’t tell the manager when he’s done, though. that comes with experience. that’s what makes a good manager, I think. that experience.
Speaking of the Giants, I love that Bochy is letting the pitcher swing away in an otherwise autobunt situation.
Bah…bunted on a high pitch. Weak.
[quote name=Horny Goat]Agreed, but there’s not enough history between Q and Z, perhaps, to signal when he’s gassed. maybe. I don;t know. A starting pitcher usually won’t tell the manager when he’s done, though. that comes with experience. that’s what makes a good manager, I think. that experience.[/quote]
I think Z had walked three batters that inning (one stupidly intentionally) so with the high pitch count, you’d think that the bases-loaded, one-out situation would’ve been a good time to bring in a reliever. The unfortunate part of being a manager is that some faget is going to always be second-guessing you, but it just seemed kind of obvious that Z wasn’t going to have “it” for the next batter.
The thing is, we can’t even say for sure that Z was fatigued. I mean, he struggled in the 7th, but that’s a really small sample size, and he struggled in earlier innings as well (also, it’s not his fault he walked Utley; that was Q’s bizarre decision.)
That said, I would definitely have taken Z out. He was going through the lineup the 4th time, and hence unlikely to be effective.
[quote name=ACT]The thing is, we can’t even say for sure that Z was fatigued. I mean, he struggled in the 7th, but that’s a really small sample size, and he struggled in earlier innings as well (also, it’s not his fault he walked Utley; that was Q’s bizarre decision.)[/quote]
I thought it was bizarre too, but it was moot by then. still, I like to see good decisions made no matter what the situation. This has been big beef with me no matter what game I’m watching. When it’s a close game, I think as a manager you are obligated to keep it that way to give your offense a chance. When you are down a couple of runs in the 6th or 7th the game is still within reach. The cubs don’t have enough depth in the pen to keep it that way. simple as that. When you watch a Boston game for example, they have like 6 guys who can slam the door, not counting the closer. It helps to have their payroll. But the Cubs SHOULD have their payroll. Fucking Ricketts should be doing everything from ad rights to replacing the scoreboard with a jumbotron to add millions per year in revenue. they should sign every hobbled starter to a minor league deal to catch lightning in a bottle at 1 million a pop instead of signing carlos pena types for $10M per year. that’s fucking insane. what a fucked up org this is. Look at Bartolo Colon with the Yankees. you sign enough of those pitchers and you got a good staff. It’s not that hard. fucking shitheads.
New wild speculation and conjecture: http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/was-zambrano-being-punished.html