Big Unit of measurement

Add comment May 10th, 2008 06:43pm Tony Garcia

In order to complete a three-game sweep Sunday of the best team, recordwise, in the National League, the Cubs have to defeat a pitcher who sports a 12-0 mark in 13 starts against the North Siders.

Thank goodness Randy Johnson is 57 years old.

They better be friendly confines

Add comment May 9th, 2008 09:37pm Tony Garcia

Nothing like starting a 10-game homestand against the National League’s best team (after six weeks) with a victory and the top two starters set to roll the next two games.

After the D-backs exit, the Padres (a major-league worst 12-23) are in for four, and the Pirates (the Cubs are already 6-0 against the Bucs in 2008) finish the homestand.

This is definitely “step-on-their-throats” time for the Cubs.

If you ever wondered whatever became of me

3 comments May 8th, 2008 07:16pm Tony Garcia

So I was thinking about bringing a sign to Monday’s Cubs-Reds game at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park for Reds announcer Marty Brennaman, seeing as how he holds such a high opinion about the Cubs faithful.

Unfortunately, the only message that kept coming into my head was similar to the advice Vice President Dick Cheney had for Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy.

Still, Marty couldn’t be too upset that the Cubs helped bring 69,860 to the 6-year-old park, a good chunk wearing blue.

Compare that with the Reds’ home games from April 21-23, with the Dodgers and Astros, and remarkably similar mid-70s weather, drew only 45,226.

And another thing: The Cubs fans cheered for their team; the Reds fans, probably embarrassed that they were getting outcheered in their own park, tried to shout down the Cubs fans rather than attempt to cheer louder for their own team. I think it’s a little backward.

I’m not sayin’ …

Add comment May 8th, 2008 05:38pm Tony Garcia

The Sports Illustrated cover featuring right fielder Kosuke Fukudome was dated May 5. Kosuke is 1-for-11, including three strikeouts, since Cinco de Mayo.

But I don’t believe in jinxes.

The Reverse Ankiel

Add comment May 7th, 2008 02:43pm Gareth Sleger

With Jon Lieber’s heinous rotation performance today (5 earned runs off 4 home runs in 2 innings), Rich Hill learning some lessons in Iowa and Jason Marquis pitching like, well, Jason Marquis, what’s Lou “I’m not stupid” Piniella to do?

Well, mix in the problems Sweet Lou is having with Alfonso Soriano (lead-off hitting and fielding) and trying to get Ronny Cedeno in the starting lineup, and there might be a solution. Albeit (jokingly) far fetched.

It’s something called the Reverse Ankiel: convert Soriano into a starting pitcher. In the same fashion that Tony La Russa changed struggling pitcher Rick Ankiel into a productive hitter.

 Talk about extreme changes.

96 miles an hour!

1 comment May 7th, 2008 09:08am Wally Haas

Lots to like about last night’s Cubs win, but what I found most encouraging was the velocity on Kerry Wood’s fastball. If he can throw his fastball in the mid-90s consistently, something I worried about considering his injuries, that will make him more effective as he learns how to be a closer.

That fastball will make his new pitch, a “backup slider” devastating.

Carlos Zambrano continues to look like a Cy Young candidate. Last night’s eight shutout innings was just what the team needed given the struggles of the other starters. Big Z has allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his eight starts.

Today it’s Jon Lieber’s turn. He’s looked good in long relief. Let’s hope he looks good in the rotation.

Bring home a win Tony

Add comment May 5th, 2008 04:40pm Wally Haas

You haven’t seen Tony Garcia post anything here in a few days. I hope that means he was able to pull off a great sports weekend.

Tony had an opportunity to see the Kentucky Derby. He was going to head to Cincinnati after the race and watch the opener of the Cubs-Reds series. Perhaps he’ll blog about that when he gets back.

At least I hope that’s what he’s up to. I can’t imagine anything else that would keep him from the company softball team’s season opener.

‘Stros sneaking up

Add comment May 5th, 2008 04:23pm Gareth Sleger

ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick wrote today that the National League Central Division is only a three-team race between the Cardinals, Cubs and Brewers. But don’t be so quick to dismiss the .500 Astros, who completed a three-game sweep over the Brewers (even without Derrick Turnbow) this weekend. The sweep placed Houston a half game behind third place Milwaukee and four behind division leading St. Louis. 

In the long run, it just might be the Brewers’ pitching problems (MLB leading 7 blown saves in 19 save opportunities) that will give the Astros a slight wild-card race advantage. Through Sunday, the Brewers rank last in the division in team relief ERA (4.61) and the Astros rank second (3.86). At the plate, the Astros have been quietly productive: fifth in the NL in runs (152) and third in MLB in home runs (39). Also, Miguel “age is just a number” Tejada has transitioned well to the NL batting .349, while Lance Berkman is on pace for a career year with 10 homers and 31 RBI.

Wrigley Field just average

Add comment May 2nd, 2008 06:45pm Gareth Sleger

Wrigley Field was ranked the 15th “best” MLB ballpark according to a Sports Illustrated fan survey. The overall rank was based on the results of 10 separate categories.

Turns out the “Friendly Confines” is a traditionally inhospitable cash-cow that serves crappy food and fields a mediocre team but still maintains a great atmosphere with knowledgeable fans in a first-class neighborhood…sure, sounds about right.

Avoiding the jinx?

Add comment May 2nd, 2008 02:17pm Gareth Sleger

 

Kosuke Fukudome has now played one game since his mug on the cover of Sports Illustrated hit newsstands. And by going 4-for-4 yesterday, it appears he’s avoided that mysterious SI cover jinx (which apparently doesn’t mean much to him). And according to SI writer Lee Jenkins, the cover boy didn’t even know about the Cubs’ infamous 100-year drought/”curse” until after he signed his contract.

But, that doesn’t mean the Cubs as whole are in the clear after blowing a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning. The “It’s Gonna Happen” headline will have a lot of fingers pointed at it if it doesn’t happen.