Holy. Shit. I still can't believe I saw what I saw today at Wrigley.
Jeff Samardzija basically told us to take our small sample sizes and shove them up our collective asses. As we expected to meet the new F7, same as the old F7, he went out there and looked pretty damn good all day.
I'm not ready to start calling for him to go to the All-Star game or anything, but if the Cubs get anything close to this from Jeff Samardzija on a consistent basis, it will go a long way to making this team respectable.
Washington was off-balance pretty much all day, and while he got helped out by a few nice defensive plays, it's not like the Nationals were hitting line drives at defenders all day. He should have had a complete-game, 3 hit, 1 run outing, but Starlin Castro uncorked a horrible throw to extend the game, and Adam LaRoche crushed a ball off of the new bleacher party deck.
He was throwing 96 and 97 mile per hour heat at the end, and he even touched 98 at least once.
It was one start, but it was damn impressive and much more than any of us expected, small samples or not. I'm finding myself anxiously awaiting his next start.
Comments
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2012/04/08/48-ramirez-braun-headed-to-wrigley/
I will be at the game tomorrow night and I hope that I can sneak down far enough to snag an autograph. The boo-birds should be ashamed of themselves, but probably won’t be.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I can’t argue with you today.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
Here’s a picture of Shark’s final pitch to LaRoche
http://cdn1.retronaut.co/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Baseball.jpg
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Two reasons why Welington Castillo is not with this team: he’s made 2 errors in 3 starts.
mb21Quote Reply
I wish I had seen his start today. The numbers look really good. I love the strike percentage.
mb21Quote Reply
High velocity in the first and then pretty much the same from the 2nd through the 8th with a spike in the 9th.
mb21Quote Reply
mb21 wrote:
He was just pumping over strikes. I don’t think he even came close to walking anybody. I saw Miles tweet he threw first pitch strikes to 9 of the first 10 batters. After that, I don’t know. I’ll have to look.
Aisle424Quote Reply
He’s really able to change speeds on that 4-seamer. I think he’s begun to use that to make up for average-ish secondary stuff.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ mb21:
He was probably emptying the tank in the 9th.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The slider and splitter were being thrown for strikes, but they looked (from the CF camera angle anyway) that if hitters were looking for that pitch, they could golf it pretty well. I think the hitters today were more surprised than anything, but small sample size blah blah.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
He only started 6 of 31 batters with Ball 1.
Aisle424Quote Reply
That’s still pretty good velocity for the 2nd-8th innings
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
The splitter fooled a lot of dudes. 95 mph FB with movement and 85 mph splitter with the bottom falling out of it is a good combo. Shrimp and cookie dough is a bad combo.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Aisle424Quote Reply
Anyone else having trouble accessing the mobile site?
GBTSQuote Reply
I am excited for this Cubs year. I think the starting pitching could be better then a lot of people thought.
3 games three quality starts. Almost impossible to find a stretch like that last year
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
I think mb is implementing some bullshit software that’s fuicking up the site in general. He mentioned earlier that he doesn’t give a shit about Sunday blog visitors.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
At least, I though he had some movement on that FB. I know it has been pretty straight in the past.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Aisle424Quote Reply
Shark had a game score of 76. Wonder what it would have been if Castro doesnt rush the throw
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Bubba Watson is a fucking crybaby (dying laughing)
WaLiQuote Reply
Here ya go:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20466967&c_id=mlb
Rice CubeQuote Reply
SEC=====> Another title
Go Bubba
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Aisle424 wrote:
GBTSQuote Reply
Suburban kid wrote:
(dying laughing)
Strange things are going on. Hopefully it’s all figured out tomorrow am.
mb21Quote Reply
@ GBTS:
(dying laughing) that’s fucking fantastic.
MishQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
It’s pretty easy to figure out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_score
I think it would be 80 (-2 points per unearned run)
mb21Quote Reply
Samardzija Has Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia.
melissaQuote Reply
GBTSQuote Reply
The Cubs are now the only team not to have hit a home run.
ACTQuote Reply
I watched the whole game. I thought Samardzija looked pretty good. I think the umpires were calling a pretty free strike zone (although, given what umpires usually call, this guy was probably just calling the actual strike zone), which led to a lot of low count swings from both teams and a lot of quick outs. I don’t know what to expect going forward based on today, but I was happy he didn’t walk anyone. He definitely didn’t embarrass himself.
joshQuote Reply
He looked out of gas in the 9th. I think the only reason Sveum left him in against LaRoche is because LaRoche could hit it to the moon and the Cubs would still have the lead. Unfortch, that’s what LaRoche did.
joshQuote Reply
josh wrote:
Translation: not hot
Aisle424Quote Reply
josh wrote:
If he’s out of gas and still able to get it up to 97 mph, I’ll take it.
Aisle424Quote Reply
@ Aisle424:
Yeah, he looked like he was working harder, or tired or something, I’d say. He was still getting it across the plate, though. It was definitely not the horrible Samardzija I’ve come to expect over the years.
joshQuote Reply
@ Aisle424:
No, I actually was impressed, I’m just trying to temper my enthusiasm.
joshQuote Reply
Bobby Valentine benched Kevin Youkilis for today’s game and replaced him with Nick Punto because Youk was 0 for 8 in the first 2 games. Holy over-reaction.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Granted, Punto went 3 for 6, but still, you bench Youkilis for Punto? Ever?
Aisle424Quote Reply
josh wrote:
I am too, but I really can’t wait for his next start to see if he can stay consistent throwing strikes.
Aisle424Quote Reply
@ Aisle424:
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/bobby_v/
So much for that.
ACTQuote Reply
I am under the impression that The Heckler is not a fan of Aramis Ramirez.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Great catch by Josh Hamilton (who has also homered today).
ACTQuote Reply
Kosuke Fukudome is batting 1.000 (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Obviously destined for the batting title, maybe Triple Crown.
/Transformed
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Wrigley Field will ring with boos for him.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ josh:
Yeah, there was enough old JefF7 mixed in today to urge caution, but he did some really nice things today, things I’ve never seen him do, like change speeds, and really work that 2-seamer in on the hands of RHB.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://clnsradio.com/2012/04/08/daniel-bard-should-be-the-red-sox-closer/
(dying laughing) Yeah, they only have 159 games to make up 3.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
Not every team has a Samardzjia to save the season.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I declare this season officially over for everyone with a losing record, and WORLD SERIES for everyone with a winning record
/all my friends on facebook
joshQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I don’t know how many starts until I stop feeling the unnameable dread when I see his name as the starter, but definitely more than one.
joshQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
Just trade Marmol to the Red Sox. I’m sure there’s a player or two Thoyer would love to have in return
BerseliusQuote Reply
Here’s hoping Yahoo Sports knows what the fuck it’s talking about.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
How many pitches did Shark throw? I think 115 or so? I’d prefer his pitch count to be limited much more strictly, otherwise it might take its toll later in the season.
DamageControlFreakQuote Reply
@ DamageControlFreak:
I agree. Even though his pitch count was low, I was surprised to see him come back in for the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning due to it being his first start after being a reliever and all. I guess they figured if it was given to the bullpen the game would be lost.
WaLiQuote Reply
Aramis better get one hell of a fucking ovation tonight. He’s one of the best bats in Cub history, part of three playoff teams.
GBTSQuote Reply
The Tigers have 26 runs over 3 games. The next highest team is the Cardinals with 24, but that is over 4 games. No other team has over 20 that has played 3 games. Crazy.
They are proving that when you score almost 9 runs a game, it doesn’t matter how shitty of a defense you have.
WaLiQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
@ GBTS:
You guys have more faith than I do in the decency of humanity.
Mobile RiceQuote Reply
Anyone want to start a pool on the first Cubs home run?
GBTSQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
It’s Shaun Marcum tonight so I’d put some $ on Ian Stewart or Bryan LaHair. But only Monopoly money.
Mobile RiceQuote Reply
GBTS wrote:
mb21Quote Reply
Mobile Rice wrote:
WaLiQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
I think the Cubs may have the lowest Team HR total in the past 10 years. The lowest I found was 2008 Giants and they had 94 total. I mentioned that the over/under should be 50 or the league HR leader. More realistic is probably 75, but I don’t see how the Cubs will get 75 (dying laughing).
What are the Cubs projected to get as a team?
WaLiQuote Reply
This isn’t a power team. That said, Ian Stewart doesn’t have one because of bad luck. That one had the distance, for sure, wind just blew it slightly into that stupid well.
joshQuote Reply
an Shuftan @StateStSports
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The good: Breaking Bad rumored to return in July. The Bad: they may split season in half, with final “half” airing summer of 2013. #Tease
MishQuote Reply
@ Mish:
I thought this was old news from when they picked up seasons 4 and 5. Or maybe it’s just officially official now.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Berselius wrote:
Did a guy in a purple shirt report it?
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
Cubs starting lineup, via ZiPS
DeJesus: 11
Barney: 3 or 388 (if transformed)
Castro: 9
LaHair: 24
Adolfo: 21
Stewart: 20
Byrd: 12
Geo: 16
That’s 116 from the 8 starters.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
But we have less than 1 over 3 games so far this year! At this rate we will have 0 by the end of the season!
Side note: Is tonights game going to be on ESPN or should I be able to watch it on MLB.tv as long as I’m outside the blackout zone?
WaLiQuote Reply
For comparison’s sake, the avg number of team HRs in the NL last year was 145.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
I think you’ll be able to, provided you’re not already in the zone. The only national blackouts are Sunday night baseball and FOX saturday games.
BerseliusQuote Reply
It looks like the Cubs-Brewers game is the free game of the day on mlb.tv
BerseliusQuote Reply
Great! I wasn’t able to watch the game this weekend because in southeastern NC I was blacked out by the Nationals. I’m excited to catch my first Cubs of the year on TV.
Also, does anyone here do Beat the Streak on MLB? if you pick someone to get a hit each day for 56 days you get $5.6 mil. It’s free to play too.
WaLiQuote Reply
Apparently OV couldn’t handle the win and had to shut down for a bit (dying laughing)
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
Jeff Samardzija pitched so well we had to cut it short
BerseliusQuote Reply
More HRs: Fielder+Cabrera or the Cubs?
GBTSQuote Reply
Miracle alert: I don’t hate Rosenbloom’s article today on the Bulls. That is all.
MishQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
Dreamhost server problem. Bleacher Nation went down too.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing) http://www.27bslash6.com/covers.html
mb21Quote Reply
Anybody else watch the ending to the Masters? Pretty impressive shot from Bubba.
MuckerQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
GBTSQuote Reply
Saw this linked from Salon, looks like it could be a good read
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-peoples-history-of-baseball-mitchell-nathanson/1106011940?ean=9780252036804&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-FYUtulI7nw4-_-10%3a1&
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ mb21:
Penguin is no fun.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Mish:
solid article
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/09/former-cy-young-winner-takes-powerful-drug-to-aid-his-performance-no-one-cares/
Does he have a point, or is this a bit misleading? I’m trying to decide.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Mucker:
Yeah i just saw the last playoff hole. That shot was crazy good. And the other guy had an albatross earlier in the day which is nuts.
But you’d have to play golf to understand
/mgl
WaLiQuote Reply
SO Logan Morrison was benched again..
What is the deal with that guy?
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
I think he is just saying “There is shit other than steroids/hgh that make a player play better and longer that no one cares about”
WaLiQuote Reply
Via MLBTR:
…yes, because Theo put a hex on them before he left town. WTF.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
That’s what I read too, but the tone of the article is a bit political…I don’t know if I’m making sense there or not.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
bubblesdachimp wrote:
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Owen wins.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube wrote:
agreed. either way, it’s a pretty old argument. it’s the exact reason i say that everything should be legal.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/dispatch_article/shark-attack/
MishQuote Reply
Mish wrote:
Suburban kidQuote Reply
F7 was so good he broke OV.
dylanjQuote Reply
dylanj wrote:
/deity’d
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://platoonadvantage.com/2012-articles/april/the-path-to-respectability-chicago-cubs.html
MishQuote Reply
dylanj wrote:
Berselius wrote:
WaLiQuote Reply
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/shutdowns-and-meltdowns-should-kill-the-save/
I like the shutdown/meltdown idea.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Mish:
Nice.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Mish wrote:
I didn’t realize PECOTA had Dolis and Russell struggling so much. Interesting read, though. Thanks for passing that on.
BrettQuote Reply
Brett wrote:
I saw the same when I was throwing together bullpen projections. The projections for both of those guys are messed up because of how recently they started. Dolis has looked better since moving to the pen, and Russell is more of a LOOGY.
BerseliusQuote Reply
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
that’s mostly right. they left out the:
results turn out to be bullshit ——> publish the most interesting part of the bullshit
http://news.yahoo.com/cancer-science-many-discoveries-dont-hold-174216262.html
GWQuote Reply
anyone want to put in their 2 cents re: fantasy closers? specifically between francisco cordero and brandon league? saves are what i’m mainly going for but wins/losses are also somewhat important. oh chris perez is another option.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
@ EnricoPallazzo:
league
GWQuote Reply
Rosenthal talks about the Cubs contending, and it’s not anytime soon.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/chicago-cubs-problems-grow-worse-with-change-in-mlb-draft-rules-040912
MishQuote Reply
GW wrote:
yahoo sports but it’s not their standard league rules i don’t think
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I like League as well, and would probably stay away from Perez personally.
MishQuote Reply
I agree, The League is a good show, but I haven’t been able to catch up on it lately. I need to put it on the list of shows to catch up on.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi wrote:
MishQuote Reply
tonight’s Cubs-Brewers game is the free MLB.TV game of the day
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
@ WenningtonsGorillaCock:
It’s already on ESPN and espn3.com. Lame.
ACTQuote Reply
Looks like Juan Pierre hasn’t energized the Phillies’ lineup as hoped.
ACTQuote Reply
@ Mish:
Yes.
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
Equipmunk sharp. Equipmunk dirty. Equipmunk am be to make bobbums hurty. Bobbuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmm.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I love thinking about the ocean:
http://xkcd.com/1040/
joshQuote Reply
Also, the next OV contest should be for a bottle of Taco’s Three Penis Wine.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Ah, I see Hayden Simpson’s role model is facing the Cubs today.
ACTQuote Reply
@ josh:
Have you been watching Frozen Planet? It’s been pretty awesome.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I have and yes.
MishQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Obviously he’s not responsible for them being on the DL, but it is a somewhat similar list to this: Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, and Kosuke Fukudome.
mb21Quote Reply
Zenmardzija (dying laughing)
http://obb.joshuallen.com/
Josh, don’t be afraid to link to your site when you have a new comic
WaLiQuote Reply
BerseliusQuote Reply
Not sure how my facebook status made it to Failbook…
MishQuote Reply
game thread up: http://obstructedview.net/games/brewers-at-cubs-game-thread.html
mb21Quote Reply
Shit, I just finished a preview
http://obstructedview.net/previews/series-preview-milwaukee-brewers-1-2-at-chicago-cubs-1-2.html
BerseliusQuote Reply