The Cubs stopped the streaking Nationals, who had won 7 of their last 8 games, to win the series, taking 2 of 3, in Washington DC. Amazingly, they did it against some of the best pitchers in the National league, Steven Strasburg and Geo Gonzales. And while the bats might have been somewhat silenced in yesterday's 2-1 nail biter, the Cubbies managed to win, playing small ball, and scratching out a run, instead of waiting for a huge timely hit, that so far this year has been an elusive event for the Cubs' hitters.
Yesterday's ballgame was won, when with 1 out in the 9th, and Soriano and Borbon on 2nd and 1st respectively, the runners began to double steal with Welington Castillo at the plate. Kurt Suzuki, the Washington Catcher snapped up to try and throw out Soriano at third base, but Suzuki threw the ball directly into Castillo's bat, and the ball sailed into left field. Soriano came in to score. Cubs go up 2-1, where the score remained, as Kevin Gregg snagged his 6 save with a perfect bottom of the 9th, including 2 strikeouts.
The play involving Suzuki throwing into the bat is an interesting one, because Castillo doesn't have to move from his spot in the batters box to get out of the way. If he had been in the way of a throw to second however, he would be called out for interference. My favorite thing about this surprise double steal, was that the Cubs' base running aggressiveness is what caused Suzuki's error. The Nationals are making a run at the Cubs for the worst fielding team in the majors with a total of 30 errors against Chicago's 31, and Sveum, our fearless manager figured, "Hey, let's let them make a mistake here.". The Cubs played aggressively earlier in the inning too. After Soriano's leadoff single, Julio Borbon came to the plate in what was obviously a bunt situation, but Borbon swung away and singled as well. Aggressive=Win. Ryan Sweeney came to the plate in an even more appropriate bunt situation, as he lacks the speed of Borbon to beat out a double play, and ended up striking out. Aggressive=Lose. I was listening to this game on the radio in my car, and at this point was cursing the name of Sveum out loud! Yes, I was that man in the Volkswagon Beetle on I94 yesterday yelling to himself around 3 pm. But Sveum kept coming at the Nats, and on the first pitch called for the double steal. Suzuki throws the ball into Castillo's bat and the Cubs capitalize on the error. These are the kinds of errors the Cubs have been making all year, costing us numerous ball games. It was nice to see it happening to someone else. The Cubs and Nats have as many errors as the top 3 fielding teams combined. However, the Nats are in second place, 1 game behind the Braves, while the Cubs languish in last. As exciting and beneficial to the Cubs win yesterday as this play was, I'd rather see Sweeney bunt than strike out. Hell, I'd rather see Borbon bunt too. I'll give Sveum credit for pulling surprise plays like this, but it's not necessarily the smartest baseball. Check out my new Sveum Video!
In other not necessarily the smartest baseball new, but we will see.....the Cubs locked up Anthony Rizzo, our unproven future star, until the year 2020. He's going to be paid 41 million with 2 club options worth 19 million, and he could make as much as 73 million all told. There is no "no trade clause" in the contract as well. So Rizzo will make between about 6 and 10 million a year, depending on his performance. Usually this means making the All Star team, winning batting Championships, hitting over a certain amount of homeruns, etc etc....Compare this to other major league ball clubs, and this contract doesn't even break the top 10 in terms of cost. In fact, Rizzo's contract is half as much as the top 5 first basemen in the majors, which includes such names as Mark Texiera at 23.125 million, and Prince Fielder at 23 million. Texiera's currently injured and on the 60 day DL. He is also 33 years old and was injured some of last year as well, depressing his numbers. Prince Fielder is 4 years younger than Texiera, and has actually comparable numbers to Rizzo. They both have 9 homeruns this year. Fielder is slightly better in all other hitting stat categories, but Rizzo has yet to play a full year in the majors and is 5 years younger than Fielder. If Anthony Rizzo turns out to be a top tier hitter, then I'd say we got a real bargain here. But that's a big "IF". I like what I see for the most part. Rizzo started out painfully slow this year, but made adjustments and has been tearing the cover off the ball for a few weeks now. The Cubs future is securely in place, centered aroung Rizzo and Starlin Castro. Will it work? Time will tell....
So what's up next? A new podcast for starters....you can subscribe here....
And...I'll be on a rooftop tonight watching the Cubs take on the Rockies. The Rockies will pitch Juan Nicasio, who is 3-0 with a 4.72 era, while the Cubs will throw lefty Travis Wood, who is 3-2 with a 2.33 era. On paper, we win tonight. But we will see which way the ball bounces!
In the meantime http://www.sonranto.com for all things Cubs....
Go Cubbies!
Showing posts with label wellington castillo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wellington castillo. Show all posts
Monday, May 13, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Shark Tanked; Cubs Lose in DC
Washington DC is a city filled with wealthy do nothings who disappoint their constituencies on a regular basis by wielding power in ineffectual ways. Last night, there were 25 extra humans wearing blue in our nations capitol similarly ineffectually wielding power. They are called the Chicago Cubs, and I wouldn't vote for any of them for dog catcher if they were running for office. The Cubs wielded some power last night, collecting 7 doubles among their 10 hits, and yet managed only 3 runs in this game that mercifully lasted 2 hours and 23 minutes. The hapless Cubs went 2-14 with runners in scoring position, and an error by pitcher Jeff Samardzija led to the first 2 of Washington's 7 runs. Isn't it a kick in the pants that when the pitcher makes an error, he is not charged with earned runs on the play? Technically, the Shark allowed only 5 runs, but really, it was 7. All 7. In 5 innings. Shark tanked.
So, how else are the Chicago Cubs like the politicians that ubiquitously roam around DC looking for attention and favors from lobbyists and special interest groups? Well, the Cubs campaign slogan for one. Most politicians utilize buzz words like "freedom" or "moving forward", which really doesn't mean anything. Freedom to do what? Moving forward into what? Similarly, the Chicago Cubs' campaign slogan of this year, "Committed" is also an empty buzz word. Committed to what? Apparently, committed to leaving men on base. The boys in blue are batting only .181 with runners in scoring position, a full 28 points below the next closest cellar dweller, the Toronto Bluejays. We all had a good laugh over the "committed" slogan when it first came out because of the empty rhetoric inherent in the term. Like when someone says, "it is what it is". Well of course it is what it is. You didn't have to remind me that "it" is what "it" is. The only people that should be "committed" are the idiot fans like me that continue to suffer through these poorly played baseball games, both in the stands and on television. Yeah, committed to a mental institution, or some sort of baseball rehab. Yes, the Cubs are certainly committed to losing baseball games in frustrating ways, like a politician "moving forward", which usually means your rear end is gonna be left in the dust.
I've put a ton of blame on the management, IE Dale "please don't shoot me, I'm not a Quail" Sveum, and it resulted in this song that I wrote yesterday. So at least adversity breeds art....
Good things? Besides my awesome new song? Darwin Barney ended his 0 for 1,245,674 streak by hitting another useless Cub double with one out in the 9th. So, he's got to feel pretty good about that. Go Dar Bar! Skies the limit! Rizzo went 2-4. New Cub lefty, Ryan Sweeney went 2-3 against a left hander. Castro hit 2 doubles from the leadoff spot, and our relievers, Rondon, Fujikawa, and Camp actually held the Nats to 0 runs and 1 hit over 3 innings. They always seem to come through when the game is not on the line.
Bad things? Alfonso "how much longer on this contract?" Soriano went 0-4, as did Welington "my batting average is like water seeking it's level" Castillo. And Jeff Smadfebkvbkfbgebgvvzija basically sucked. Jeff's an emotional player, and I like that, except for that it makes him screw up. He was pretty terrible at controlling his emotions last night. It made him lose focus, and well, lose the game.
So, yes, the Cubs are Committed. Committed to being one of the worst teams in baseball. Committed to leaving runners on base. Committed to frustrating their fans. Committed to building a giant scoreboard at Wrigley Field, so we can watch them stink twice.
You can hear me and the Lovable Lou Sears complain all about it on the new podcast....
So, today, it's Edwin Jackson vs. Steven Strasburg at 3:05. This should be fun....
Go Cubbies!
So, how else are the Chicago Cubs like the politicians that ubiquitously roam around DC looking for attention and favors from lobbyists and special interest groups? Well, the Cubs campaign slogan for one. Most politicians utilize buzz words like "freedom" or "moving forward", which really doesn't mean anything. Freedom to do what? Moving forward into what? Similarly, the Chicago Cubs' campaign slogan of this year, "Committed" is also an empty buzz word. Committed to what? Apparently, committed to leaving men on base. The boys in blue are batting only .181 with runners in scoring position, a full 28 points below the next closest cellar dweller, the Toronto Bluejays. We all had a good laugh over the "committed" slogan when it first came out because of the empty rhetoric inherent in the term. Like when someone says, "it is what it is". Well of course it is what it is. You didn't have to remind me that "it" is what "it" is. The only people that should be "committed" are the idiot fans like me that continue to suffer through these poorly played baseball games, both in the stands and on television. Yeah, committed to a mental institution, or some sort of baseball rehab. Yes, the Cubs are certainly committed to losing baseball games in frustrating ways, like a politician "moving forward", which usually means your rear end is gonna be left in the dust.
I've put a ton of blame on the management, IE Dale "please don't shoot me, I'm not a Quail" Sveum, and it resulted in this song that I wrote yesterday. So at least adversity breeds art....
Good things? Besides my awesome new song? Darwin Barney ended his 0 for 1,245,674 streak by hitting another useless Cub double with one out in the 9th. So, he's got to feel pretty good about that. Go Dar Bar! Skies the limit! Rizzo went 2-4. New Cub lefty, Ryan Sweeney went 2-3 against a left hander. Castro hit 2 doubles from the leadoff spot, and our relievers, Rondon, Fujikawa, and Camp actually held the Nats to 0 runs and 1 hit over 3 innings. They always seem to come through when the game is not on the line.
Bad things? Alfonso "how much longer on this contract?" Soriano went 0-4, as did Welington "my batting average is like water seeking it's level" Castillo. And Jeff Smadfebkvbkfbgebgvvzija basically sucked. Jeff's an emotional player, and I like that, except for that it makes him screw up. He was pretty terrible at controlling his emotions last night. It made him lose focus, and well, lose the game.
So, yes, the Cubs are Committed. Committed to being one of the worst teams in baseball. Committed to leaving runners on base. Committed to frustrating their fans. Committed to building a giant scoreboard at Wrigley Field, so we can watch them stink twice.
You can hear me and the Lovable Lou Sears complain all about it on the new podcast....
So, today, it's Edwin Jackson vs. Steven Strasburg at 3:05. This should be fun....
Go Cubbies!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Cubs Win; Goat Head Magic Finally Working
Umm, who took my Chicago Cubs and replaced them with a good baseball team? After an April spent on the bottom rung of the NL Central, the Cubs have surprisingly played pretty darn good baseball the last 2 days. Blowing out the Rangers on Monday, and squeaking by the Cardinals last night for a 2-1 victory. Timely clutch hitting, a 2 out single by Soriano followed by a Schierholz homer, rock solid starting pitching, and an actually effective bullpen have made this team look more like contenders than also rans. At least for the last two days. All I can think is that the severed Goat Head sent to Tom Ricketts at the beginning of the season is finally starting to have the magical effect it was intended to have. There really couldn't be any other possible explanation, right?
Or could it be that these Cubs aren't as bad as our record shows? I've been saying all year that if a few plays had gone differently, if the wheels didn't totally come off the bus sometimes, and if we had played more solid fundamental baseball, we could easily be a .500 team, if not better. You could sense the tension in the crowd last night when Sveum went to the bullpen in the 7th to replace Travis Wood with Carlos Marmol. The fans booed Sveum (I was one of them), then clapped for Wood's strong performance, and then they booed Carlos Marmol (I was not one of them). I can't really say that Marmol did well either, he gave up a walk and 2 hits in an inning and a third. And but for a base running error by Yadier Molina, where Marmol caught Molina trying to steal, we could have easily been "Marmoled" once again. He's blown many a ball game for us this year, and as much as I used to love watching him pitch, I really don't ever want to see him pitching during a tight game ever again. I mean ever. I understand Sveum is trying to work out some of Marmol's head problems by putting him out there day after day. But why not let him work it out on Monday when we won 9-2, and the damn game isn't on the line. Honestly, he almost blew the game again last night, and the blame would have been on Sveum. It was almost as if Sveum was trying to lose. Why use James Russel, our hottest hand in the pen on Monday night in a blowout, and Marmol, a guy that's lost at least 4 games for us with terrible performances in a 1 run ball game? I just don't get it.
What else happened? Well, Castro made a great play up the middle, and then proceded to drop the ball for his 6th error of the season. He's only one behind the league leader, National, Ian Desmond who has 7. Welington Castillo has 5 errors, and the Cubs are also one error behind the league leading Marlins with 28. Besides shoddy relief, this has been the Cubs biggest problem this year. Makes you feel as if the wheels could come off at any second with just one poorly executed play. We also lead the league in Wild Pitches with 20, which is a reflection on our Misser...ummm....I mean Catcher as well. Hey...at least Castillo can hit and has the best batting average on the team, which is more than I can say about Castro, who's batting a paltry .277. They shoved Castro in our face as a superstar, but he hasn't really done anything too spectacular yet. Sure...he makes some flashy amazing plays, but he's not clutch, and it all goes to hell in a hand basket on a two hopper straight at him. I say trade him while his value is decent. I really don't think he's the future of this team. Darwin Barney went 0-3 last night too, lowering his average to .147. Umm...wassup with that? It's like we have two pitchers up there! Hey at least I can take a whizz and buy a beer in the third and not miss anything.
Side note, Luis Valbuena hit a screamer 10 feet over my head onto Waveland Avenue in the second inning. I was leaning up against the fence in terrace reserved, right field. And it looked as if the ball was coming straight for my face. I don't think my heart stopped thumping until the 7th.
But we won yesterday! We freaking won!! We tried to lose, but the Cardinals gave us one and it felt good. I know my blog posts are overwhelmingly negative, even when we won the game. I'll try and be more positive, but it's frustrating to think how many more games we could have won this year if it wasn't for these major flaws in the Cubs game plan.
Well, it's gonna be another tough one today as we face Jake Westbrook with "the Stache", Carlos Villanueva. Westbrook has a 1.07 ERA, so he's damn tough. As I said yesterday, we have to, have to, have to get to their bullpen, it's surprisingly the worst in the majors. So come on boys! Let's work some counts, lets foul off pitches for days. Anything to tire the guy out. Going to the game with Mom, who I don't think has seen the Cubs win in the last 5 years. So let's get one for her, she's freakin 75!
Check out the Son Ranto Podcast here!
Go Cubbies!!
Or could it be that these Cubs aren't as bad as our record shows? I've been saying all year that if a few plays had gone differently, if the wheels didn't totally come off the bus sometimes, and if we had played more solid fundamental baseball, we could easily be a .500 team, if not better. You could sense the tension in the crowd last night when Sveum went to the bullpen in the 7th to replace Travis Wood with Carlos Marmol. The fans booed Sveum (I was one of them), then clapped for Wood's strong performance, and then they booed Carlos Marmol (I was not one of them). I can't really say that Marmol did well either, he gave up a walk and 2 hits in an inning and a third. And but for a base running error by Yadier Molina, where Marmol caught Molina trying to steal, we could have easily been "Marmoled" once again. He's blown many a ball game for us this year, and as much as I used to love watching him pitch, I really don't ever want to see him pitching during a tight game ever again. I mean ever. I understand Sveum is trying to work out some of Marmol's head problems by putting him out there day after day. But why not let him work it out on Monday when we won 9-2, and the damn game isn't on the line. Honestly, he almost blew the game again last night, and the blame would have been on Sveum. It was almost as if Sveum was trying to lose. Why use James Russel, our hottest hand in the pen on Monday night in a blowout, and Marmol, a guy that's lost at least 4 games for us with terrible performances in a 1 run ball game? I just don't get it.
What else happened? Well, Castro made a great play up the middle, and then proceded to drop the ball for his 6th error of the season. He's only one behind the league leader, National, Ian Desmond who has 7. Welington Castillo has 5 errors, and the Cubs are also one error behind the league leading Marlins with 28. Besides shoddy relief, this has been the Cubs biggest problem this year. Makes you feel as if the wheels could come off at any second with just one poorly executed play. We also lead the league in Wild Pitches with 20, which is a reflection on our Misser...ummm....I mean Catcher as well. Hey...at least Castillo can hit and has the best batting average on the team, which is more than I can say about Castro, who's batting a paltry .277. They shoved Castro in our face as a superstar, but he hasn't really done anything too spectacular yet. Sure...he makes some flashy amazing plays, but he's not clutch, and it all goes to hell in a hand basket on a two hopper straight at him. I say trade him while his value is decent. I really don't think he's the future of this team. Darwin Barney went 0-3 last night too, lowering his average to .147. Umm...wassup with that? It's like we have two pitchers up there! Hey at least I can take a whizz and buy a beer in the third and not miss anything.
Side note, Luis Valbuena hit a screamer 10 feet over my head onto Waveland Avenue in the second inning. I was leaning up against the fence in terrace reserved, right field. And it looked as if the ball was coming straight for my face. I don't think my heart stopped thumping until the 7th.
But we won yesterday! We freaking won!! We tried to lose, but the Cardinals gave us one and it felt good. I know my blog posts are overwhelmingly negative, even when we won the game. I'll try and be more positive, but it's frustrating to think how many more games we could have won this year if it wasn't for these major flaws in the Cubs game plan.
Well, it's gonna be another tough one today as we face Jake Westbrook with "the Stache", Carlos Villanueva. Westbrook has a 1.07 ERA, so he's damn tough. As I said yesterday, we have to, have to, have to get to their bullpen, it's surprisingly the worst in the majors. So come on boys! Let's work some counts, lets foul off pitches for days. Anything to tire the guy out. Going to the game with Mom, who I don't think has seen the Cubs win in the last 5 years. So let's get one for her, she's freakin 75!
Check out the Son Ranto Podcast here!
Go Cubbies!!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Cubs got Wood; But not in Bats
Another great performance by Cubs pitcher Travis"The New Kerry" Wood, only to be wasted by an errant pick off throw, and another poor performance by our bullpen and specifically Shawn Camp, who was the goat and the loser in Sunday's loss to the Giants as well. We are too busy beating ourselves in these games. There was another passed ball where our 'Misser' Wellington Castillo couldn't turn his glove around in time which resulted in a runner advancing, and then scoring. The aforementioned wild throw to first, and then of course, a 2 run homer to put the Rangers up 4-0. The Cubs managed only 6 hits. Half of them in the 9th inning, where we managed to scratch out 2, and it could have been more if Darwin Barney's (welcome back buddy!) sinking line drive had gotten down for a hit. But alas. We lose. Game over. Another one got away. Another one bites the dust.
I would like to suggest that Cubs fans should have a song to sing when we lose. I mean we only got to sing 'Go Cubs Go' 38 times on the North Side last year. Seems we should sing more, even at the losses, to keep our voices in shape. I suggest Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust". First of all, it's a great song, and will nicely bookend with "We Will Rock You" when our new giant monstrosity of a scoreboard blasts us with ads and ways to cheer. I'm sure "We Will Rock You" will be blasted at us too. Boom Boom Chick Boom Boom Chick. I suggest that after every Cubs loss, we sing as well. I mean the best songs are sad songs anyway. We should sing our pleasure and our pain! Beer na bow bow bow....Another One Bitse the Dust!!
So what else happened? We finally got rid of the Leprechaun Lillibridge, thank god! And Dar Bar came back from his knee gouge to play second and almost win the game last night. In addition we picked up some bullpen help from the castaways at Gilligans Baseball Island. With Fujikawa on the DL, Marmol in yipsville, and Clevenger on the 60 day DL with "Crumbling at Home Plate-itis", we needed a little help. And a "little" help is what we got. We picked up Cameron Loe a righty who had some decent years with Milwaukee. Seattle released him. We got him. He did well last night anyway. 1 scoreless inning pitched. We also picked up Kevin "goggles" Gregg. For those of you that remember 2009, he was the guy who blew a bunch of saves for the Cubs and typically has an ERA between 4 and 5. I watched Kevin Gregg blow a 4 run lead in the 9th against the Mets once in NYC. Classy! Hey while we're at it, lets bring back all our failed closers from the past. Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster. How about Goose Gossage? Not excited about this move, but whatchoo gonna do? At least we can spread the blame around the bullpen for these late inning losses. We also picked up veteran infielder Cody Ransom, who basically sucks at hitting and spends a fair amount of time under the .200 Mendoza line. We are his 8th team. But I welcome him with open arms because Lillibridge is gone and off the Cubs. Goog riddance to bad rubbish. When's Ian Stewart coming back? Who the hell knows or cares. Does he even exist? Either way, I don't like his attitude. I'd rather see the ghost of Ron Santo out there at third. Or if we get Goose Gossage to close. Why not get Ron Cey? Penguin!!!!
Well, Lou Sears said in the last podcast that we will get swept in this series. And looking at the radar map and the giant ass storm headed our way, there is a good chance it will be a one game sweep. I hold tickets for tonights game, yet am doubtful about its playability. I have even less hope for tomorrow. Thunderstorms!!!!! Hell, it might do us good. The new guys can get to know each other, and maybe Shawn Camp can watch a bunch of video to see what the hell he's doing wrong. I of course will be lamenting my decision to live just north of 3 graveyards. Graceland Cemetery, Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery, and Wrigley Field....
Go Cubbies!
I would like to suggest that Cubs fans should have a song to sing when we lose. I mean we only got to sing 'Go Cubs Go' 38 times on the North Side last year. Seems we should sing more, even at the losses, to keep our voices in shape. I suggest Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust". First of all, it's a great song, and will nicely bookend with "We Will Rock You" when our new giant monstrosity of a scoreboard blasts us with ads and ways to cheer. I'm sure "We Will Rock You" will be blasted at us too. Boom Boom Chick Boom Boom Chick. I suggest that after every Cubs loss, we sing as well. I mean the best songs are sad songs anyway. We should sing our pleasure and our pain! Beer na bow bow bow....Another One Bitse the Dust!!
So what else happened? We finally got rid of the Leprechaun Lillibridge, thank god! And Dar Bar came back from his knee gouge to play second and almost win the game last night. In addition we picked up some bullpen help from the castaways at Gilligans Baseball Island. With Fujikawa on the DL, Marmol in yipsville, and Clevenger on the 60 day DL with "Crumbling at Home Plate-itis", we needed a little help. And a "little" help is what we got. We picked up Cameron Loe a righty who had some decent years with Milwaukee. Seattle released him. We got him. He did well last night anyway. 1 scoreless inning pitched. We also picked up Kevin "goggles" Gregg. For those of you that remember 2009, he was the guy who blew a bunch of saves for the Cubs and typically has an ERA between 4 and 5. I watched Kevin Gregg blow a 4 run lead in the 9th against the Mets once in NYC. Classy! Hey while we're at it, lets bring back all our failed closers from the past. Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster. How about Goose Gossage? Not excited about this move, but whatchoo gonna do? At least we can spread the blame around the bullpen for these late inning losses. We also picked up veteran infielder Cody Ransom, who basically sucks at hitting and spends a fair amount of time under the .200 Mendoza line. We are his 8th team. But I welcome him with open arms because Lillibridge is gone and off the Cubs. Goog riddance to bad rubbish. When's Ian Stewart coming back? Who the hell knows or cares. Does he even exist? Either way, I don't like his attitude. I'd rather see the ghost of Ron Santo out there at third. Or if we get Goose Gossage to close. Why not get Ron Cey? Penguin!!!!
Well, Lou Sears said in the last podcast that we will get swept in this series. And looking at the radar map and the giant ass storm headed our way, there is a good chance it will be a one game sweep. I hold tickets for tonights game, yet am doubtful about its playability. I have even less hope for tomorrow. Thunderstorms!!!!! Hell, it might do us good. The new guys can get to know each other, and maybe Shawn Camp can watch a bunch of video to see what the hell he's doing wrong. I of course will be lamenting my decision to live just north of 3 graveyards. Graceland Cemetery, Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery, and Wrigley Field....
Go Cubbies!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)