Series (and NL Central Team) Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0) at Chicago Cubs (0-0)

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It’s baseball time! Since the Pirates are the last team we have left to do and the first team the Cubs play, we’re going to combine my usual series preview with my Pirates season preview. My Cubs win projections based on the system I used to make all of these previews is included below the Pirates content. Thanks to MB for his additions to this preview.

Last year:

The Pirates went 57-105 last year.  The record seems like typical Pittsburgh, but it was the worst winning percentage the team ever has had since they started playing 162 games.  It was their 8th worst overall winning percentage in club history.  Three of the teams worse than them were the 1952-1954 Pirates.  The 1917 Pirates were worse and there were three more Pirates teams in the 1800s worse than the 2010 version.

The Cubs never would have known the Pirates were putting together one of the worst seasons in club history.  The Pirates beat the Cubs 10 of 15 times last year.  The Pirates record vs the other 28 teams was 47-100.

Their offense ranked 3rd worst with an 82 wRC+, they had the 4th worst FIP at 4.45, and their fielding was atrocious (-66.2 UZR, -87 TZL, -81 DRS).  They were the worst in the league in UZR and TZL, but only second worst in DRS.

Offseason moves:

In November the Pirates traded Zach Duke to the Diamondbacks for Cesar Valdez.  Valdez is a 25-year old reliever who isn’t all that great, but Duke wasn’t either.

In December the Pirates signed a number of low to mid tier free agents. They picked up former Jays and Brewers 1b Lyle Overbay to a 1/5 deal. Overbay was an slightly above average first baseman earlier in his career whose skillset largely revolved around OBP and defense. He’s now past his peak, and the Pirates are paying him about what he’s worth.

They also signed former Marlins up and comer LHP Scott Olsen, whose career has gone down in flames following a shoulder injury and multiple run-ins with teammates, not to mention the police. He signed to an incentive-laden league minimum deal and is hoping to turn his career around.

They signed former Rockies 3b Garrett Atkins to a minor league deal. Atkins had a few good years with the bat in Colorado, especially in 2006 when he posted a .410 wOBA. However, he’s a butcher with the glove and his offensive numbers have fallen off a cliff since 2008. The Pirates cut him in spring training.

The Pirates signed former Braves outfielder Matt Diaz to a two year, $4.25 million dollar deal. Diaz has seemingly been with the Braves forever and has always pounded left-handed pitching.

The Pirates nontendered former top prospect Lastings Milledge in December.

Players to watch:

Pedro Alvarez and Andrew McCutcheon represent the future of the Pirates. The question is whether or not they, like so many other future franchise cornerstones in the Steel City (Jason Bay, Brian Giles, Jason Kendall, etc.) will ever actually be a member of a Pirates team with a winning record. Looking at the current pitching on the roster, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen anytime soon. There are no pitchers on KG’s list until number 6, Brad Lincoln, who isn’t expected to be more than a third or fourth starter type. Overall, given their stable of above-averageish ceiling SP prospects it looks like their pitching draft strategy leans more towards predictability rather than ceiling.

Projections:

Here’s a rough look at their team headed into the 2011 season. Since we don’t know a ton about not the Cubs, we used Baseball Prospectus’s depth charts to estimate playing time. The players OBP/SLG are a simple average of their PECOTA and Oliver projections. The defensive numbers are from the players’ 2010 Fan Scouting Report, and baserunning was ignored unless a player was especially good or awful on the basepaths.

Hitter Pos PA OBP SLG Fld WAR
Chris Snyder CA 400 0.327 0.389 0.1 1.41
Jason Jaramillo CA 100 0.297 0.325 -0.1 -0.01
Ryan Doumit CA 105 0.321 0.413 -1.3 0.2
Lyle Overbay 1B 574 0.341 0.413 0.4 1.02
Steve Pearce 1B 101 0.329 0.427 0 0.1
Neil Walker 2B 600 0.306 0.420 -0.1 0.98
Josh Rodriguez 2B 107 0.311 0.351 0 0
E-6 SS 500 0.283 0.373 0 -0.02
Pedro Ciriaco SS 140 0.264 0.330 0 -0.31
Pedro Alvarez 3B 600 0.329 0.469 -0.5 2.19
Josh Rodriguez 3B 91 0.311 0.351 -0.5 0.16
Jose Tabata LF 558 0.332 0.383 0.6 0.81
Matt Diaz LF 166 0.326 0.414 0.2
Andrew McCutcheon CF 659 0.354 0.428 0.2 3.12
Jose Tabata CF 92 0.332 0.383 0.1 0.2
Garrett Jones RF 400 0.317 0.441 -0.7 0.21
Steve Pearce RF 139 0.329 0.427 0 0.24
Ryan Doumit RF 119 0.323 0.416 0 0.13

 

Pitcher S/R IP ERA WAR
Maholm S 200 4.80 1.33
Ohlendorf S 160 4.76 1.13
Correia S 150 4.43 1.61
McDonald S 190 4.24 2.46
Olsen S 145 5.15 0.45
Morton S 73 4.80 0.49
Hart S 46 5.10 0.17
Hanrahan R 65 4.25 0.33
Resop R 65 3.72 0.81
Meek R 75 4.08 0.37

TOTAL WIN TALENT: 68.4 Wins

They should be better than last year, but that’s a low, low bar to clear. I still think they’re better than the Astros, but things can get ugly pretty quickly with that pitching staff.

Cubs projections

MB is going to release the officially official Obstructed View projections sometime soon, but I wanted to post the Cubs projections arising from the methodolgy I used for the rest of the NL Central teams so we can compare apples to apples.

Hitter Pos PA OBP SLG Fld WAR
Geovany Soto CA 536 0.360 0.463 -0.1 3.78
Koyie Hill CA 124 0.289 0.340 0 0
Carlos Pena 1B 625 0.351 0.481 0.5 2.75
Tyler Colvin 1B 62 0.292 0.425 0 -0.06
Darwin Barney 2B 280 0.298 0.331 0.5 -0.14
Jeff Baker 2B 217 0.321 0.412 -0.3 0.41
Blake DeWitt 2B 124 0.329 0.381 -0.1 0.21
Starlin Castro SS 626 0.325 0.392 0 1.66
Darwin Barney SS 110 0.298 0.331 0 -0.05
Aramis Ramirez 3B 549 0.344 0.481 -0.4 2.69
Jeff Baker 3B 91 0.325 0.418 -0.3 0.21
Blake DeWitt 3B 63 0.329 0.381 -0.1 0.11
Alfonso Soriano LF 521 0.320 0.467 -0.4 0.96
Tyler Colvin LF 130 0.292 0.425 0 -0.03
Marlon Byrd CF 598 0.340 0.433 0 2.32
Tyler Colvin CF 122 0.292 0.425 -0.5 0.06
Kosuke Fukudome RF 415 0.360 0.394 0.3 1.15
Tyler Colvin RF 340 0.292 0.425 0 -0.07

 

Pitcher S/R IP ERA WAR
Z S 168 4.12 2.42
Garza S 182 4.13 2.6
Dempster S 203 4.09 3
Wells S 168 4.48 1.7
Cashner S 168 4.57 1.53
Coleman S 85 4.94 0.44
Marmol R 65 3.29 1.82
Wood R 60 4.07 0.39
Marshall R 65 3.94 0.43

Win total: 78.8 wins.

Here are the projected divisional standings coming out of these previews

TEAM WINS
STL 85.5
CIN 81.6
MIL 79.2
CHC 78.8
PIT 68.4
HOU 68.4

Mini Series Preview

Pitching matchups (with PECOTA ERA projection):

Friday Friday: Kevin Correia, RHP (4.49) vs Ryan Dempster, RHP (4.12)

Saturday Saturday:  Paul Maholm, LHP (4.89) vs Carlos Zambrano, RHP (4.30)

Sunday Sunday: Ross Ohlendorf, RHP (4.82) vs Matt Garza, RHP (4.13)

Mini Game Preview

Pirates wOBA
Jose Tabata .331
Neil Walker .337
Andrew McCutchen .361
Lyle Overbay .333
Pedro Alvarez .354
Ryan Doumit .334
Garrett Jones .332
Ronny Cedeno .299
Kevin Correia .175
Cubs wOBA
Kosuke Fukudome .342
Starlin Castro .332
Marlon Byrd .338
Aramis Ramirez .350
Carlos Pena .378
Geovany Soto .362
Alfonso Soriano .339
Darwin Barney .293
Ryan Dempster .175

PITCHING

Starting Pitcher IP/GS FIP
Kevin Correia 5.67 4.53
Ryan Dempster 6.23 3.95

I have a cable company showing up shortly and I’ll be without internet for awhile so I can’t explan this as much as I’d like to so you’re getting the bare minimum of information today. Those are the 2011 ZiPS projections. With that information we can calculate how many runs each team would score against an average lineup. Well, if we add in the bullpens, which for now I’m using a 4.25 FIP for all teams. That will change as the season moves on. Also included is a defensive projection so the expected defensive contribution is included. More importantly than a projected run total today, we can then assign an expected win percentage, or the odds of each team winning today’s game.

Baseball has 162 games and is often so random so if you think these are going to be accurate or even reflect reality on a daily basis you’re not going to be too happy. These are nothing more than the talent level of the teams on the field. It includes batting, pitching and defense. Basically, if you wanted to make a bet on a baseball game, you’re probably going to bet on the team that is most likely to win. The better team. It depends on the pitching matchups of course, which are included. Today could end up being a 17-13 game. It could be 1-0. I don’t have any idea what it’s going to end up being, but if they did play this game a million times, I’d bet money that the average of these games would look something like below.

Runs RS RA R
Pirates 4.49 4.88 4.63
Cubs 4.47 4.53 4.95

R is what we would project the final score to resemble over many trials. The Cubs have a significant advantage today and it shows in their win expectancy.

Win Probability
Pirates 42.8%
Cubs 57.2%

Tomorrow I’ll explain more, but the Cubs should win today. Then again, they should have killed the Pirates last season and instead the Pirates got about 15% of their wins against the Cubs.

UPDATE @ 8:20 PM: The numbers are off slightly here because of an error in my spreadsheet. I’ll fix the spreadsheet before I post these again. Hopefully I get it fixed before Saturday’s game.

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Comments

  1. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=dylanj]JG- whats your latest SF draft look like?[/quote]
    1. Quinn, DE/OLB, UNC: I think there’s no way Patrick Peterson makes it past No. 6, which is fine because all the good pass-rushing prospects will likely go before pick No. 45.

    2. Dalton, Cooler…err QB, TCU: Sounds like QBs are being overvalued this year. Dalton is a ginger Colt McCoy, but he’ll go a round sooner because of the number of teams looking for QB help.

    3. Kenrick Ellis, NT, Hampton: Fangio will like to have three giant lineman on running downs. Ellis will get PT quickly.

    4. Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah St.: Raw former RB with great instincts. Good size and has made great strides to learn the position.

    4. Kris O’Dowd, C, USC: Good time to continue to fortify the OL.

    I also expect them to take a TE/H-Back on the last day of the draft, as well as OLB Tony Keiser and another QB like TJ Yates.

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  4. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=dylanj]I have with Von Miller @ 7 and trading up to the NE pick to take Kapernick or whatever his name is[/quote]
    I’d be fine with Miller. He’s a better OLB prospect than Quinn, but I just have a feeling about Quinn. Also, I don’t think Miller makes it past No. 6.

    If we weren’t running the WCO next year, I’d love to take Kaepernick. I think he’s a better prospect than Newton. I think they’ll take Ponder if they trade up with NE.

    Ponder, Stanzi, Dalton, Gabbert, Devlin and Yates are the best QBs for Harbaugh, imo. That said, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them find a way to land Jake Locker.

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  5. Dr. Aneus Taint

    CLE is a likely trade-down team, imo. If Green is gone by No. 6, I think it’s all but certain they move down.

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  6. Hector Villanueva

    Should be noted that the Pirates drafted two high upside high school pitchers with their first two picks last year: Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie. Taillon was considered a clear #2 in the draft behind Harper, and BA had Allie as the #8 overall prospect.

    Apparently the new Pirates organization has changed course from the inept Dave Littlefield as far as drafting high floor college pitchers.

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  7. Berselius

    Halladay + Astros offense + cold weather could mean there’s a good chance of a perfect game on the second day of the season.

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  8. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=Berselius]Halladay + Astros offense + cold weather could mean there’s a good chance of a perfect game on the second day of the season.[/quote]
    Are they playing that game in Milwaukee?

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  9. Berselius

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]Should be noted that the Pirates drafted two high upside high school pitchers with their first two picks last year: Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie. Taillon was considered a clear #2 in the draft behind Harper, and BA had Allie as the #8 overall prospect.

    Apparently the new Pirates organization has changed course from the inept Dave Littlefield as far as drafting high floor college pitchers.[/quote]
    Good point, HV

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  10. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=Berselius]Halladay + Astros offense + cold weather could mean there’s a good chance of a perfect game on the second day of the season.[/quote]
    Someone I follow on twitter noted that 93% of the action in that game was on the Phillies. Fairly shocking at 13:5 odds.

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  11. Aisle424

    Getting ready for the kick in the balls. I have never been so pessimistic on Opening Day. Thanks, Twitter.

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  13. Berselius

    [quote name=Berselius]Halladay + Astros offense + cold weather could mean there’s a good chance of a perfect game on the second day of the season.[/quote]
    (dying laughing), and of course it’s the pitcher who breaks up the no-hitter

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  16. Mish

    I don’t have a TV feed yet, but I saw a post on FB that Zambrano was booed during his introduction. Fucking great.

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  18. Berselius

    Word is going around the Cardinals twittersphere that Matt Holliday had an emergency appendectomy today. Not sure if serious given April Faget Day. Speaking as someone who had an appendectomy I’d be surprised if it was true because he would have had a tough time playing yesterday.

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  19. Corms

    [quote name=Manni Stats]I don’t have a TV feed yet, but I saw a post on FB that Zambrano was booed during his introduction. Fucking great.[/quote]
    There was some scattered booing, but when his name was announced he got the loudest ovation of any player other than Wood.

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  21. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Corms]There was some scattered booing, but when his name was announced he got the loudest ovation of any player other than Wood.[/quote]
    It was definitely more cheers than boos but the boos were pretty apparent. I was disappointed.

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  23. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), TWO hits for Myers against Halladay[/quote]
    You can take your DH and shove it.

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  25. Mish

    [quote name=Rice Cube]You can take your DH and shove it.[/quote]
    I think it has less to do with the pitcher should be hitting than that the Astros hitters shouldn’t be hitting.

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  28. Berselius

    [quote name=Manni Stats]Regardless if Zambrano was boo’d, it still stands that the entirety of the Cubs fanbase are fuckwits.[/quote]
    Hey, those are real people.

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  30. Berselius

    [quote name=Berselius]Word is going around the Cardinals twittersphere that Matt Holliday had an emergency appendectomy today. Not sure if serious given April Faget Day. Speaking as someone who had an appendectomy I’d be surprised if it was true because he would have had a tough time playing yesterday.[/quote]
    The StL media guys say it’s no joke, but of course they’d say that if it was a joke…

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  31. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Manni Stats]I think it has less to do with the pitcher should be hitting than that the Astros hitters shouldn’t be hitting.[/quote]
    Ah.

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  35. 8volumesthick

    [quote name=mb21]My spreadsheet has an error in it so those run totals are incorrect. I’ll fix it later today.[/quote]
    Hey mb, spreadsheets don’t play the game!

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  46. Berselius

    [quote name=Suburban Kid]The audio on my PS3 keeps defaulting to natural ballpark sounds. I kind of like it.[/quote]
    I had it on Pat and Zonk earlier but now I’m just getting Len and Bob

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  57. mb21

    [quote name=Berselius]Baserunning! Cubs lead![/quote]Remember it. It’s the most runs the Cubs will be worth all season on the bases.

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  59. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=Berselius]Nice, first play of the season showcases Castro’s rookie mistakes[/quote].

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  63. Berselius

    [quote name=dylanj]i like having Pena & Soto back to back. Should make the pitchers work.[/quote]
    Agreed.

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  69. Berselius

    This looks like some shitty weather. If the schedulers weren’t morans there would have been an off day after the opener like usual to take care of bad weather days like this.

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  71. Berselius

    Okay people, I have to go teach and shit, so none of you talk about the game until I get home in 3-4 hours (dying laughing)

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  83. Suburban kid

    If you get thrown out by Doumit on a freezing day in the rain, you really shouldn’t be running at all.

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  86. 8volumesthick

    [quote name=dylanj]ronny cedeno still has a job in baseball. I should have been born a SS[/quote]
    cesar izturis is thanking those same stars

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  90. dylanj

    I want Len to ask Tom what being the chairman means/if he is the owner of the team 5 times in a row ala Yellon

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  92. 8volumesthick

    although the baserunning and offense in general is gonna blow, I’m kinda ok with the defense esp. with Barney at 2nd

    this is sincere, you can tear this comment to bits if you like…

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  93. Hector Villanueva

    Dempster looks very sharp today. Throwing a lot of strikes and staying ahead in the count. Good to see.

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  97. Rice Cube

    [quote name=dylanj]but again, before too long Quade is going to see that Barney can’t hit and DeWitt will be back in there[/quote]
    Is it bad of me to point out that DeWitt also cannot hit?

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  98. BradleyWoodrum

    [quote name=dylanj]well i would hope Barney’s glove incredible considering he cant get an OPS over .750 in AAA.[/quote]Do not forget: This is the team that willfully employed Aaron Miles.

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  99. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Brad at Cubs Stats]Do not forget: This is the team that willfully employed Aaron Miles.[/quote]
    BUT MILES HIT .300+ IN STL!!!!

    (part time but whatever)

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  100. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Is it bad of me to point out that DeWitt also cannot hit?[/quote]
    I think all Barney has to do to keep a job is to maintain a wOBA around .310. I’m not sure if he can do it.

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  102. Rice Cube

    I think if all things being equal, you go with the better defensive 2B and then use Baker against LHP. I’d almost want them to send DeWitt down and give Marquez Smith a chance at 2B but as has been said here by others, there might be something horribly wrong with Smith that they just don’t want to give him that chance yet.

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  104. Hector Villanueva

    Oy. Just watched the replay of the Barney CS. Pretty sad tumble about 4 feet short of the bag.

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  106. dylanj

    yeah, i just know that DeWitt has long had a reputation of having a ton of talent but he obviously hasn’t figured it out yet. Whereas I view Barney as living proof that a replacement level player exists

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  108. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=dylanj]yeah, i just know that DeWitt has long had a reputation of having a ton of talent but he obviously hasn’t figured it out yet. Whereas I view Barney as living proof that a replacement level player exists[/quote]
    That’s my opinion as well. Especially given the dearth of options at 2B in the high minors (assuming Smith can’t play), the Cubs should find out if DeWitt is a real option going forward. We all pretty much know that Barney is a utility player at best.

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  111. Hector Villanueva

    I am happy that 3 of the Cubs first 6 hitters are legitimately patient guys, and Ramirez isn’t too bad either. If only we could swap Soto and Byrd’s spots in the order.

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  112. BradleyWoodrum

    [quote name=dylanj]huh, i see the Cubs are coming to KC to play. Looks like I can catch a game without going to Chicago[/quote]And a win no less!

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  114. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=dylanj]Whereas I view Barney as living proof that a replacement level player exists[/quote]
    Is Barney the name of your unicorn?

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  115. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]That’s my opinion as well. Especially given the dearth of options at 2B in the high minors (assuming Smith can’t play), the Cubs should find out if DeWitt is a real option going forward. We all pretty much know that Barney is a utility player at best.[/quote]But he had a great spring.

    That’s all that matters for young players.

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  117. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=Suburban Kid]But he had a great spring.

    That’s all that matters for young players.[/quote]
    Also the magnitude (not direction) of their weight change during the offseason. A large number means they’re going to be way better.

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  118. mb21

    So I’m watching the Cubs as the cable guy is finishing up and Barney gets thrown out. He actually laughs at him for getting thrown out by 86 feet.

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  120. Suburban kid

    [quote name=SK]

    Rock Hudson, Ann Margret, Charlton Heston, and Liz Phair went to my high school. [/quote]Cool story’d

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  121. BradleyWoodrum

    [quote name=mb21]So I’m watching the Cubs as the cable guy is finishing up and Barney gets thrown out. He actually laughs at him for getting thrown out by 86 feet.[/quote]EVEN THE CABLE GUY COULD SEE THAT TOOTLBN!

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  124. mb21

    [quote name=Brad at Cubs Stats]EVEN THE CABLE GUY COULD SEE THAT TOOTLBN![/quote]He was a Braves fan so he was used to seeing some quality baseball. He didn’t know what this game was.

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  125. mb21

    [quote name=dylanj]shawn- astrobiology has been in the news alot lately. are they keeping you busy?[/quote]Shawn is the reason it’s made the news so much. He’s fucking it up.

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  126. Lukas

    [quote name=mb21]He was a Braves fan so he was used to seeing some quality baseball. He didn’t know what this game was.[/quote]
    (dying laughing)

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  128. Hector Villanueva

    I can’t believe how awesome the new MLB gameday is. I love that they have added the replay box on the main screen.

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  129. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]I can’t believe how awesome the new MLB gameday is. I love that they have added the replay box on the main screen.[/quote]
    Isn’t it great? I like the overlay of Wrigley Field in the background for the Cubs game. The lineup setup before first pitch is really nice as well.

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  130. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=dylanj]shawn- astrobiology has been in the news alot lately. are they keeping you busy?[/quote]
    Indeed. It’s been fun, and I’ve learned a lot about public communication of science. But it’s also been incredibly hectic at times, particularly around the time of the “As-based life” press conference.

    The project I’m really excited about at the moment is an astrobiology version of this:
    http://famelab.org/

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  131. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Isn’t it great? I like the overlay of the glorious scoreboard in the background for the Cubs game. The lineup setup before first pitch is really depressing as well.[/quote]
    Fixed.

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  132. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Isn’t it great? I like the overlay of Wrigley Field in the background for the Cubs game. The lineup setup before first pitch is really nice as well.[/quote]
    Yeah. It’s all great. I wonder how long it will be before MLB starts adding advanced stats to their player cards. The Pitch F/X stuff that they already have up their is great.

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  134. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=mb21]Shawn is the reason it’s made the news so much. He’s fucking it up.[/quote]
    Well not all the press has been positive………

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  135. Rice Cube

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]Fixed.[/quote]
    I see what you did there.

    The GameDay doesn’t do that first slider justice. The view from batters-eye was worth 20 nasty factors.

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  136. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]Yeah. It’s all great. I wonder how long it will be before MLB starts adding advanced stats to their player cards. The Pitch F/X stuff that they already have up their is great.[/quote]
    Anyone know how the “nasty factor” meter works?

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  137. Rice Cube

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]Anyone know how the “nasty factor” meter works?[/quote]
    I imagine it’s similar to the Al scale…from Yellon to Pujols.

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  138. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=dylanj]mlb is going to fuck around and make gameday so cool you dont need mlb.tv[/quote]
    MLB is going to make gameday so cool you don’t need shitty season tickets in the last row of the left field bleachers…. oh wait, you don’t need that now.

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  139. BradleyWoodrum

    [quote name=dylanj]mlb is going to fuck around and make gameday so cool you dont need mlb.tv[/quote]Actually, MLB.tv has improved so much this off season that I no longer need to have a Gameday tab open.

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  147. BradleyWoodrum

    [quote name=Lukas]These are the cubs I remember (dying laughing)[/quote]Not enough grand slams.

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  160. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]What the hell happened to Dempsters control this inning?[/quote]
    The ump hosed him on a couple of calls but he still shouldn’t have thrown it there. Ick.

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  161. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]What the hell happened to Dempsters control this inning?[/quote]
    It’s the result of Dempster touching himself between innings.

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  164. BradleyWoodrum

    Is it too soon to mention I’m hoping the Cubs crash and burn this year so that Ricketts cleans house?

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  168. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=Brad at Cubs Stats]Is it too soon to mention I’m hoping the Cubs crash and burn this year so that Ricketts cleans house?[/quote]
    I am not hoping this happens, because I know that it is inevitable.

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  172. mb21

    [quote name=Brad at Cubs Stats]Is it too soon to mention I’m hoping the Cubs crash and burn this year so that Ricketts cleans house?[/quote]I was hoping that last year after early May, but the Cubs then drafted a 5th rounder in the 1st round, traded half their farm to the Rays for a pitcher who isn’t much better than Randy Wells (if at all), and extended a reliever for 3 years.

    I’m afraid if they lose 100 this year they’ll draft a 10th rounder in the 1st, trade their entire farm system for Kevin Millwood, and sign all the free agent relievers available.

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  173. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Horny Goat]It’s a way of (L)ife[/quote]And you thought staying away all winter would help.

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  175. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=mb21]I was hoping that last year after early May, but the Cubs then drafted a 5th rounder in the 1st round, traded half their farm to the Rays for a pitcher who isn’t much better than Randy Wells (if at all), and extended a reliever for 3 years.

    I’m afraid if they lose 100 this year they’ll draft a 10th rounder in the 1st, trade their entire farm system for Kevin Millwood, and sign all the free agent relievers available.[/quote]
    We were also hoping that they’d pursue Chapman.

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  176. Mish

    [quote name=mb21]I was hoping that last year after early May, but the Cubs then drafted a 5th rounder in the 1st round, traded half their farm to the Rays for a pitcher who isn’t much better than Randy Wells (if at all), and extended a reliever for 3 years.

    I’m afraid if they lose 100 this year they’ll draft a 10th rounder in the 1st, trade their entire farm system for Kevin Millwood, and sign all the free agent relievers available.[/quote]
    This – I thought last year was the year to do this. I’ve just foudn that the further they tank, the stupider they get.

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  179. BradleyWoodrum

    [quote name=Manni Stats]This – I thought last year was the year to do this. I’ve just foudn that the further they tank, the stupider they get.[/quote]I pity the next regime’s starting point.

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  180. Snyds01

    so I have a friend that works for the Cardinals that confirmed Holliday is going under the knife, and it was mentioned on WGN radio. so thats something…

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  181. mb21

    [quote name=Jame Gumb]Are you guys seriously surprised by any of this?[/quote]Not at all. I didn’t expect the Cubs to beat the Pirates.

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  182. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Rice Cube]WTF James Russell up? They’re giving up already?[/quote]You would prefer Samardzija?

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  183. mb21

    [quote name=Snyds01]so I have a friend that works for the Cardinals that confirmed Holliday is going under the knife, and it was mentioned on WGN radio. so thats something…[/quote]The Cardinals are falling apart.

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  186. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Jame Gumb]Are you guys seriously surprised by any of this?[/quote]Of course not.

    I said they’d lose this game 7-2 this morning, and so far I’m not wrong.

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  188. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]Or Grabow?[/quote]
    Mateo actually. But he is not left-handed.

    (dying laughing)

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  190. Corms

    Lyon blows a two run ninth inning lead against the Phillies. It’s going to be a season long dogfight for last place between the Cubs and Astros.

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  191. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=Corms]Lyon blows a two run ninth inning lead against the Phillies. It’s going to be a season long dogfight for last place between the Cubs and Astros.[/quote]
    You do realize Kevin Correia is the Pirates opening day starter. I wouldn’t count them out of it just yet.

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  192. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=Manni Stats]This – I thought last year was the year to do this. I’ve just foudn that the further they tank, the stupider they get.[/quote]
    This is what we call a runaway feedback.

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  194. BradleyWoodrum

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]You do realize Kevin Correia is the Pirates opening day starter. I wouldn’t count them out of it just yet.[/quote]Yeah, the Cubs will have to acquire a lot of Jason Marquis to even begin competing with the Pirates loaded roster.

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  195. mb21

    [quote name=Corms]Lyon blows a two run ninth inning lead against the Phillies. It’s going to be a season long dogfight for last place between the Cubs and Astros.[/quote]It wouldn’t surprise me, but I think you have to include the Pirates in that slugfest.

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  196. mb21

    Wrigley isn’t even full. Have people left because of the rain? When was the last time opening day wasn’t packed?

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  198. Corms

    [quote name=mb21]It wouldn’t surprise me, but I think you have to include the Pirates in that slugfest.[/quote]
    Yeah, but they’re winning on opening day so that means that they’re good right?

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  199. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]Wrigley isn’t even full. Have people left because of the rain? When was the last time opening day wasn’t packed?[/quote]
    I bet people have fled under the grandstand

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  200. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Berselius]I bet people have fled under the grandstand[/quote]

    It was packed at the beginning during the anthem and the Santo tribute.

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  201. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=Berselius]I bet people have fled under the grandstand[/quote]
    April baseball really kind of sucks in person.

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  204. shawndgoldman

    Remember when Soriano was single-handedly carrying the Cubs for about a month or two? That was 2009, right?

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  206. mb21

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]Remember when Soriano was single-handedly carrying the Cubs for about a month or two? That was 2009, right?[/quote]No, he wasn’t worthy of being in AAA that season. 2007 and 2008 he did it.

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  207. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Kevin Correia has thrown 20 less pitches than Dempster in the same six full innings.[/quote]
    And almost nothing over 87 mph.

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  209. mb21

    This offense is going to get killed by righties all season long. That’s something I’m going to add to the spreadsheet (splits), but it will take a few days. The Cubs suck against righties. No team that actually cares about winning a game against the Cubs would send a lefty to the mound at any point. The Cubs probably wouldn’t even score 4 runs per game.

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  210. Hector Villanueva

    Quade with the slow hook here. Not sure what to make of sending Dempster out for the 7th.

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  211. Rice Cube

    [quote name=dylanj]why the fuck is dempster coming back?[/quote]

    The pitcher was batting first. I’m sure if Tabata gets on, he’s done.

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  212. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=mb21]No, he wasn’t worthy of being in AAA that season. 2007 and 2008 he did it.[/quote]
    But didn’t he start that year off with a month full of game-tying or game-winning HR’s before getting hurt and then having his production collapse?

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  213. mb21

    (dying laughing) Quade is going to leave Demp out there for about 115 pitches in his first start of the season? On the Al Yellon to Al Pujols scale, that’s Al Yellon.

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  214. Berselius

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]But didn’t he start that year off with a month full of game-tying or game-winning HR’s before getting hurt and then having his production collapse?[/quote]
    That sounds right to me. He had a hot April then banged his knee into the BRICK WALL and it affected him for the rest of the season.

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  215. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]But didn’t he start that year off with a month full of game-tying or game-winning HR’s before getting hurt and then having his production collapse?[/quote]
    He had a great end of April and beginning of May last year.

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  216. Rice Cube

    Okay, that’s annoying. That first pitch to Walker was the same pitch the ump called a ball in the previous at-bat before the grand slam. I hate umpires.

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  217. mb21

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]But didn’t he start that year off with a month full of game-tying or game-winning HR’s before getting hurt and then having his production collapse?[/quote]I think he started out hot and did have several game winning hits that April now that I think about it.

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  220. Hector Villanueva

    Good lord. Does Quade not have pitch counts in the dugout? This is worse than anything I can remember Piniella doing last year.

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  223. BradleyWoodrum

    Don’t worry everyone! LOOGY James Russell will surely Grabow this situation into the Cubs history books!

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  229. mb21

    [quote name=WaLi]Game started off hopeful too… oh well.[/quote]That’s what the Cubs do. They score early and then forget to hit after the first couple innings. It’s quite frustrating to watch.

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  232. Rice Cube

    [quote name=dylanj]i can’t wait for $ners first 128 pitch start.[/quote]
    They’ll find a way to blame Dusty for that one.

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  236. mb21

    Barney bats just like Theriot and he’s just as dirty as Theriot always was. What’s up with little white guys and getting dirty?

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  239. Rice Cube

    [quote name=dylanj]cue the clown music[/quote]
    GBTS did a great mashup of Yakety Sax and the D’Backs’ fail last year.

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  240. BradleyWoodrum

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]And I was all ready to start the Joe Maddon/Mike Quade comparisons…..[/quote]Smartest active manager =/= most talkative MLB manager.

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  242. Lukas

    [quote name=mb21]Barney bats just like Theriot and he’s just as dirty as Theriot always was. What’s up with little white guys and getting dirty?[/quote]
    Makes it look like they try harder than the clean cut latinos.

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  243. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Brad at Cubs Stats]Smartest active manager =/= most talkative MLB manager.[/quote]
    I think such a comparison would be insulting to Joe Maddon.

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  246. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=Rice Cube]I think such a comparison would be insulting to Joe Maddon.[/quote]
    I was kidding. I did just finish reading that Jonah Keri book though, so I’ve been thinking about Maddon a lot.

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  247. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=dylanj]i can’t wait for $ners first 128 pitch start.[/quote]
    Karma says this will happen when we play the Reds.

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  248. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Lukas]Makes it look like they try harder than the clean cut latinos.[/quote]Speaking as a scrappy white guy who can’t hit, Theriot and Barney know how old white managers think. Clint Hurdle told Len the theme of the season was “attitude and effort — the two things you can control.” All little leaguers know what hustling means to old white coaches. It’s a definite tie breaker when it comes to which crappy player to pick.

    Barney’s problem is that the two guys he’s competing with are also scrappy white guys.

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  249. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]And I was all ready to start the Joe Maddon/Mike Quade comparisons…..[/quote]
    They both love platoons, but only one of them understands how they’re supposed to work.

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  250. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]And I was all ready to start the Joe Maddon/Mike Quade comparisons…..[/quote]
    They both love platoons, but only one of them understands how they’re supposed to work.

    Oops… Too much caffeine, I guess.

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  251. Rice Cube

    Actually not a bad AB by Colvin here. He’ll probably strike out but I’m happy with his approach here.

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  252. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Actually not a bad AB by Colvin here. He’ll probably strike out but I’m happy with his approach here.[/quote]

    Ricestradamus!

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  253. mb21

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]Karma says this will happen when we play the Reds.[/quote]I think it will happen in his next side session.

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  255. mb21

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]They both love platoons, but only one of them understands how they’re supposed to work.[/quote](dying laughing) of all the things the Cubs have done in my life, I can’t help but wonder if the two same-sided platoons is the dumbest yet.

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  257. Rice Cube

    [quote name=mb21](dying laughing) of all the things the Cubs have done in my life, I can’t help but wonder if the two same-sided platoons is the dumbest yet.[/quote]
    The 2B “platoon” seems almost by necessity though because DeWitt was so putrid this spring.

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  258. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=mb21](dying laughing) of all the things the Cubs have done in my life, I can’t help but wonder if the two same-sided platoons is the dumbest yet.[/quote]
    Agreed. They’ve done plenty of stupid, stupid things. But usually there’s just a bad reason behind it, or a reason that is greatly outweighed by something they didn’t consider or undervalued. In this case, I can’t even come up with a bad reason to do it.

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  262. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]That’s pretty shocking for an independent blog to start charging for content. I can’t imagine that’s going to go over very well.

    I would pay to have Al start charging for BCB. Especially if it was $10.[/quote]
    And I’m a total moron. Damn Faget’s Day.

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  267. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=dylanj]i thought he had it off the bat[/quote]
    Pat’s amazing. He had the perfect tone for that right off the bat.

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  268. Mish

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]Pat’s amazing. He had the perfect tone for that right off the bat.[/quote]
    Agreed. You can always tell and he appeared to be spot on.

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  269. Dr. Aneus Taint

    Guys, this Titanic is sinking. Are you going to be loyal and die or be smart and abandon ship.

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  270. BradleyWoodrum

    [quote name=Jame Gumb]Guys, this Titanic is sinking. Are you going to be loyal and die or be smart and abandon ship.[/quote]What if we never got on board?

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  271. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Jame Gumb]Guys, this Titanic is sinking. Are you going to be loyal and die or be smart and abandon ship.[/quote]I’m going to be lazy and bitter.

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  272. dylanj

    have i mentioned that grabow is my least favorite cub on the roster. He is my 2011 version of Jason Marquis

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  273. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=Brad at Cubs Stats]What if we never got on board?[/quote]
    Then I wasn’t fucking talking to you, faget.

    April Fool’s!

    My real response would have been: “I don’t know.”

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  274. Hector Villanueva

    [quote name=dylanj]have i mentioned that grabow is my least favorite cub on the roster. He is my 2011 version of Jason Marquis[/quote]
    Mine is a tie between Grabow and Hill.

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  277. Rice Cube

    I think I would’ve liked Barney more if he had struck out swinging and dove to the ground and gotten even more dirty than he already was.

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  280. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Suburban Kid]Does Barney look a little bit Asian, or am I just racist?[/quote]
    He is a bit squinty.

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  281. GBTS

    [quote name=Suburban Kid]Does Barney look a little bit Asian, or am I just racist?[/quote]That’s probably because he’s very Asian.

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  282. Suburban kid

    [quote name=GBTS]That’s probably because he’s very Asian.[/quote]So, it’s because I’m a dumbass. Got it.

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  289. Mercurial Outfielder

    Grabow: 14 pitches, 6 strikes.
    F7: 15 pitches, 6 strikes.

    I’m glad I missed this game.

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  293. cdw

    [quote name=shawndgoldman]Well not all the press has been positive………[/quote]
    I’m assuming you are referring to incorporation of arsenic into DNA. That has been getting a lot of heat. Great claims require great science. Still love that paper despite the critisms. It sets up new research nicely.

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  297. shawndgoldman

    [quote name=cdw]I’m assuming you are referring to incorporation of arsenic into DNA. That has been getting a lot of heat. Great claims require great science. Still love that paper despite the critisms. It sets up new research nicely.[/quote]
    That’s pretty much my take on the matter.

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  299. mb21

    [quote name=Hector Villanueva]How does Barney manage to get so dirty. That’s uncanny.[/quote]The only player that I have ever seen get that dirty is Ryan Theriot and Theriot was like that every fucking day.

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  303. mb21

    [quote name=cdw]When I googled “pigpen baseball” I didn’t expect this gif. Is F7 scrappy?[/quote]There’s anti-seizure medicine and then there’s pro-seizure medicine. (dying laughing)

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  305. cdw

    “Another spring, summer, and fall out the fucking window,” Ramirez said as several of his teammates, coaches, and team chairman Tom Ricketts nodded their heads in agreement. “I don’t even know why we’re here. Seriously, Ryan [Dempster], why are you here right now? Kosuke [Fukudome], what do you expect to get out of all this? Kerry [Wood], that you came back to this team after playing for the New York Yankees makes me fucking sick to my stomach for you and your family.“

    (dying laughing)

    http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/chicago-cubs-cant-believe-theyre-doing-this-again,19870/

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  308. Suburban kid

    If anyone was thinking of getting a PS3 just to watch MLB.TV, there are other options that are a lot cheaper like getting a Roku or Apple TV box.

    I just realized I can get in on my Apple TV in the living room, and the picture is even better than using the PS3.

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  309. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Suburban Kid]If anyone was thinking of getting a PS3 just to watch MLB.TV, there are other options that are a lot cheaper like getting a Roku or Apple TV box.

    I just realized I can get in on my Apple TV in the living room, and the picture is even better than using the PS3.[/quote]
    Is MLB.tv free on PS3? The only real reason I’d get a PS3 is to play “The Show.” Otherwise I’m perfectly content with my Xbox 360 games.

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  311. Suburban kid

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Is MLB.tv free on PS3? [/quote]No.

    Except in April because of a Volvo promotion, I think MLB.TV is free on all platforms for the whole month.

    As one of MLB.TV’s best customers, I’m very angry about this.

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  313. mb21

    [quote name=Suburban Kid]114 pitches?

    His last start he threw 73. Fucking hell, the veterans are running this team.[/quote]Out of curiosity, how many did he throw in the previous start? SP’s usually let off a little bit in that final start. Regardless, 114 pitches on opening day is absurd unless you’re throwing a no-hitter.

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  315. Mercurial Outfielder

    Mike Quade just sent Dempster back out to the mound at an empty Wrigley to throw 114 cool down pitches.

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