Series Thread: Cubs Vs Pirates April 1st-3rd

jl342323 · Post #121 » by **jl342323** » Fri Apr 1, 2011 9:43 pm

SportsWorld wrote:I'm just not liking the offense. Don't think there's enough power there. Pena is good for 25 homers and Aramis if healthy could hit 30 but what else?

soriano can give you 25+. i expect colvin to hit 20. soto will get you another 20, and i think castro can hit 10.
i really didnt like the lineup today. we can ride fukudome until he hits that mid season wall, but this is my ideal lineup

barney-Lefty
castro-Righty
rami-Righty
pena-Lefty
byrd-Righty
colvin-Lefty
soriano-Righty
soto-Righty
pitcher
that lineup gives you nice speed up top and nice balance throughout the lineup

SportsWorld · Post #122 » by **SportsWorld** » Fri Apr 1, 2011 10:31 pm

Barney at the leadoff spot sickens me. I'd just start Baker and run with it. It's a shame it's been 4 years and Hendry still hasn't gotten a true leadoff man that can steal bases.

Jeffster81 · Post #123 » by **Jeffster81** » Fri Apr 1, 2011 11:18 pm

jl342323 wrote:
SportsWorld wrote:I'm just not liking the offense. Don't think there's enough power there. Pena is good for 25 homers and Aramis if healthy could hit 30 but what else?

soriano can give you 25+. i expect colvin to hit 20. soto will get you another 20, and i think castro can hit 10.
i really didnt like the lineup today. we can ride fukudome until he hits that mid season wall, but this is my ideal lineup

barney-Lefty
castro-Righty
rami-Righty
pena-Lefty
byrd-Righty
colvin-Lefty
soriano-Righty
soto-Righty
pitcher
that lineup gives you nice speed up top and nice balance throughout the lineup

BTB, Barney is a righty, not a lefty.

And the Cubs need to figure something out quickly about the Pirates, cause if the Cubs can't beat the Pittsburgh, then there is literally no hope to contend. Quite frankly I'm tired of getting dominated by that POS team..

SportsWorld · Post #124 » by **SportsWorld** » Fri Apr 1, 2011 11:22 pm

If we start the year 2-4 or worse against the Pirates and D'Backs, it's time to pack it up.

Old Style · Post #125 » by **Old Style** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 12:34 am

SportsWorld wrote:If we start the year 2-4 or worse against the Pirates and D'Backs, it's time to pack it up.

Realistically, we're looking at a 3rd or 4th place team. I won't be packing it up if that happens, but it would bother me.

Take away one bad inning from Dempster, and we'd be flying the "W" flag today. We'll get 'em tomorrow.

Post #126 » by **GYBE** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 12:50 am

Soto for leadoff, or at least 2nd.

karch34 · Post #127 » by **karch34** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 4:14 am

Fighting not to be overly critical after one game, but I do have a couple thoughts:

-Why pitch Dempster that long in the first game. I don't think anyone got stretched out that long in spring training and it wasn't like he was working on a shut out?
-Castro has erased any concerns about sophmore slump already.
-Not spectacular, but a good start for Rammy and Pena. I think them starting out 0 for would've caused an early season slump for both of them. Not saying they'll excel, but as they both need to get off to good starts this is a good step.
-Soriano is done.
-Team might not lack power, but it does lack situational hitting and ability to manufacture runs. That goes into lack of true leadoff hitter and team speed. Most teams need the ability to do play small ball and long ball. Yankees and Rangers might be only exceptions.

jl342323 I like the balance of that lineup, even if not thrilled with Barney or any of the leadoff candidates.

mattbulls · Post #128 » by **mattbulls** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 4:51 am

Another thing I didn't like was leaving in Colvin to face the Lefty. Baker should've came in.

Oh and I'd rather have Rami, Pena, Byrd instead of Byrd, Rami, Pena.

Old Style · Post #129 » by **Old Style** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 1:53 pm

They stranded a few too many yesterday, but I thought the bats looked pretty decent. Hopefully Z comes out strong today, and doesn't have control issues. Demp pitched a pretty decent game yesterday, with the exception of about one inning.

mattbulls · Post #130 » by **mattbulls** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 4:46 pm

Line-up
1. Baker-2B
2. Castro-SS
3. Byrd-CF
4. Ramirez-3B
5. Soto-C
6. Pena-1B
7. Soriano-LF
8. Colvin-RF
9. Zambrano-P

mattbulls · Post #131 » by **mattbulls** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:17 pm

The dreaded in play run(s) on MLB gameday. 1-0 Pirates.

Posey H8er · Post #132 » by **Posey H8er** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:21 pm

i hate when that it always seems to be grey and ugly at wrigley during april.

Posey H8er · Post #133 » by **Posey H8er** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:22 pm

crappy inning. 7 pitches, 3 outs.

Posey H8er · Post #134 » by **Posey H8er** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:28 pm

much better 2nd inning for Zambrano 8-)

mattbulls · Post #135 » by **mattbulls** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:34 pm

Maholm perfect through 2.

Posey H8er · Post #136 » by **Posey H8er** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:36 pm

14 freaking pitches. at least the sun is coming out. :-?

mattbulls · Post #137 » by **mattbulls** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:39 pm

2-0 Pirates on a Neil Walker double.

mattbulls · Post #138 » by **mattbulls** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:45 pm

Alright first 3 reach but only one run scores. Cubs need to get something going.

mattbulls · Post #139 » by **mattbulls** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:52 pm

Zambrano with the Cubs first XBH of the year!

Posey H8er · Post #140 » by **Posey H8er** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 5:55 pm

Big Z is so fun to watch at the plate. too bad we couldn't drive him in.