One of the chief objections to Interleague play, especially the notion of two 15-team leagues and a year-round interleague schedule, is the onset of less than compelling matchups. Who wants to see the Twins and Padres? Is a Red Sox vs. Reds series really enough of a novelty to warrant any extra attention from either fan base? Who in America really cares to see the Seattle Mariners leave Washington state and come anywhere near Washington D.C.? How many rhetorical questions must I ask before the dead horse suffers enough?
Well, this isn’t interleague. This is divisional play. Cubs and Astros. I can’t even bring myself to compare how bad they are with a full statistical breakdown. Because I’m lazy? Yes, but not just that. Let me spell it out this way:
The Cubs and Astros have a combined record of 72-125. When this series is through, assuming all three games get played without mother nature mercifully postponing the travesty it promises to be, they’ll have a combined record of 75-128. Simply by playing each other, these two teams will raise their collective win percentage by .004 points. The only way the Cubs and Astros can hope to amass three wins between them is to play each other. Otherwise, it’s just not happening.
With a series loss, the Cubs can inch closer to that vaunted #1 draft pick. With a series win, the Cubs will pass the .400 mark. It’s really a win-win. My only prediction: craptastic baseball. I defy Cassy and Winnie to set any other tone.
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]That has to be in New Orleans[/quote]
Are turtles with human heads attached prevalent there?
(dying laughing)
Never thought about that series in that way. (dying laughing)
http://deadspin.com/5823788/chris-kluwe-responds-can-i-kick-it-yes-i-can
nfl wars
http://www.nbc.com/parks-and-recreation/games/guys-who-said-it/bec96b2c3362ec4435dcf1842872775b
^^^ For parks and rec fans
If the 15-team league thing happens, and the Astros go to the AL as rumored, then the Cubs-Astros series becomes another one of those less-than-compelling interleague matchups instead of just being a divisional battle royale between two legions of fail.
[quote name=Rice Cube]If the 15-team league thing happens, and the Astros go to the AL as rumored, then the Cubs-Astros series becomes another one of those less-than-compelling interleague matchups instead of just being a divisional battle royale between two legions of fail.[/quote]I can’t wait for them to renew their rivalry. (dying laughing)
Looks like WTF is canceled. Technical difficulties.
Damn, I should have researched the earliest in the season that two 60-loss teams have played each other.
re: Soriano trade …
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/can-the-cubs-possibly-move-soriano/
[quote name=AndCounting]Damn, I should have researched the earliest in the season that two 60-loss teams have played each other.[/quote]I’m guessing the Cubs were a part of it.
[quote name=Rice Cube]re: Soriano trade …
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/can-the-cubs-possibly-move-soriano//quoteI don’t disagree with the article but I think there are plenty of teams that want to look smart and take that risk of him improving in the DH spot. TEX and NYY seem like teams willing to take that risk.
Astros midget just broke up Z’s no-no.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Astros midget just broke up Z’s no-no.[/quote]Z wasn’t mentally prepared to pitch to a midget.
Kosuke extends April for another hour or so.
This is from Poz’s latest post…he might hate the IBB almost as much as MO hates bunts.
Both Astros and Cubs on pace to set a new GIDP record today.
[quote name=JMan]I don’t disagree with the article but I think there are plenty of teams that want to look smart and take that risk of him improving in the DH spot. TEX and NYY seem like teams willing to take that risk.[/quote]
I doubt TEX would be willing to give up more than a C prospect in exchange for Soriano and most of the money he’s owed.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I doubt TEX would be willing to give up more than a C prospect in exchange for Soriano and most of the money he’s owed.[/quote]
That seems to be about as much as they can hope for with Soriano.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I doubt TEX would be willing to give up more than a C prospect in exchange for Soriano and most of the money he’s owed.[/quote]I think that would be a deal the Cubs accept.
Z is about to have a really bad day. This makes me sad.
Nevermind. I didn’t know Soriano was doing his Colvin impression this year.
Z couldn’t get a swing-and-miss to save his life today.
Velocity is pretty good though. Location is off a bunch. He’s lucky to just be down 1-0.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I doubt TEX would be willing to give up more than a C prospect in exchange for Soriano and most of the money he’s owed.[/quote]
I would think they would prefer Chris Davis and keeping their C prospect.
[quote name=GW]I would think they would prefer Chris Davis and keeping their C prospect.[/quote]
I think they still hope they can get more out of Chris Davis than Soriano and cash.
The bottom line is that if the Cubs are willing to eat enough of the contract, some team will be interested.
Really bad day so far for Z.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Really bad year so far for Z.[/quote].
here comes the grand slam
I think he’ll walk in a couple runs before the grand slam.
How about another GIDP for old times’ sake, Astros?
I forgot what the record was for a 9-inning game.
I think it’s 7. I’ve heard that a few times this year.
Even the outs have been well hit.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I think they still hope they can get more out of Chris Davis than Soriano and cash.[/quote]
Yeah, he could be involved in a trade. I meant that the Rangers have kicked around using him in left, and he is probably about the same hitter as Soriano at this point.
[quote name=GW]Yeah, he could be involved in a trade. I meant that the Rangers have kicked around using him in left, and he is probably about the same hitter as Soriano at this point.[/quote]
Yeah, but he’s approaching Latroy Hawkins territory around here. TEX fans would never boo a player like Hawkins was booed, but their performance is similar: Good production, but failure at the wrong time.
KG
Zeke DeVoss, 2B, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 2-for-4, 2B, SB, CS. Third round pick has reached base 10 times in four games and stolen seven bases.
[quote name=Mish]KG
Zeke DeVoss, 2B, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 2-for-4, 2B, SB, CS. Third round pick has reached base 10 times in four games and stolen seven bases., but lacks secondary skills.[/quote].
If Soriano hadn’t TOOTBLANed, this game might be tied.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/22/football-people-not-reacting-well-to-new-cba-rules/
[quote name=Mish]KG
Zeke DeVoss, 2B, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 2-for-4, 2B, SB, CS. faget lacks secondary skills.[/quote].
[quote name=Rice Cube]If Soriano hadn’t TOOTBLANed in 1996 like he did here in 2011, this game might not be so damn ironic.[/quote].
im hopeful that eliminating some of those 2 a days will keep people fresher later in the year.
Still no K’s for Z.
Is it like a hydration station that fans can’t use during patriotic songs?
[quote name=dylanj]im hopeful that eliminating some of those first few games of the season will keep people fresher later in the year.[/quote].
There’s a rather generous strike three call. Yay Z.
I wonder if the Astros manager will take the Astros midget into his office and yell at him, then talk to the press afterwards about popups and proper defense.
Tough play though, I guess.
Yay, tie game. Now Z can finish his six innings and the bullpen can feel free to shit the bed.
Or they could just win the game (dying laughing)
Holy fuck, Quade isn’t going to let this Castro-Barney thing go: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-quade-wont-back-off-castrobarney-need-to-talk-20110722,0,2908339.story
WTF
F7 has kind of become good at sports
[quote name=dylanj]F7 has kind of become good at sports[/quote]
They ARE playing the Astros, DJ…
The NFLPA* will meet again Monday to discuss options. All those kids waiting for their UDFA contract can wait another week.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]The NFLPA* will meet again Monday to discuss options. All those kids waiting for their UDFA contract can wait another week.[/quote]
but what about my fantasy draft!?!?!?
[quote name=Jame Gumb]The NFLPA* will meet again Monday to discuss options. All those kids waiting for their UDFA contract can wait another week.[/quote]I really can’t believe the owners tried to sneak shit into the CBA.
carrie muskat tweeted at me. i’m big time
What was with that Grabow sighting? He’s no ROOGY.
[quote name=dylanj]but what about my fantasy draft!?!?!?[/quote]
You’re still going to have to do shit on Sundays.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I really can’t believe the owners tried to sneak shit into the CBA.[/quote]
They do what they do. It still cracks me up that ignorant fans can blame the players. It also cracks me up that sbnation called ignorant fans out on that.
Oooh, Marmol = set up man.
[quote name=dylanj]carrie muskat tweeted at me. i’m big time[/quote]
I knew she had a dick.
[quote name=dylanj]carrie muskat tweeted at me. i’m big time[/quote]
Now you are big time. Check your follower list.
[quote name=ACT]What was with that Grabow sighting? He’s no ROOGY.[/quote]
He was in to face Wallace but Houston pinch-hit with a righty. But if Grabow strikes you out, you should commit suicide right there on the field.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Oooh, Marmol = set up man.[/quote]He’s auditing the seminar on playing better that Quade is conducting with Barney and Castro.
oh aisley, if you think your going to get any cool tweets from me you are going to be sad. im just going to use this to badger goldstein & law about prospects
If Cubs don’t get a bunch of baserunners, Marmol —-> 5-out save opportunity it seems.
[quote name=dylanj]oh aisley, if you think your going to get any cool tweets from me you are going to be sad. im just going to use this to badger goldstein & law about prospects[/quote]
Chris Archer RT’d me pre-season and then went on to lose his top prospect status. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Rice Cube]He was in to face Wallace but Houston pinch-hit with a righty. But if Grabow strikes you out, you should commit suicide right there on the field.[/quote]On 3 pitches, no less.
[quote name=dylanj]oh aisley, if you think your going to get any cool tweets from me you are going to be sad. im just going to use this to badger goldstein & law about prospects[/quote]
Deejy, I don’t get cool tweets from a vast majority the people I follow.
New Pic of the Day: http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/ov-pic-of-the-day-the-astros-are-bad-at-baseball.html
[quote name=dylanj]carrie muskat tweeted at me. i’m big time[/quote]Cool story, bro.