we're in trouble
For a moment, let's not focus on the fact that the cubs lost their sixth straight last night. Take a look at these headlines:
Cubs Lose Leader Lee
Cubs Drop 6th Straight, Lee Injuries Shoulder
Chicago Cubs Slugger Derek Lee Leaves Game With Shoulder Injury
Those are the first three google news headlines I found this morning. This season is quickly turning into a yet another test of faith for Cubs fans around the country. We've been optimistic most of the season yet we have contiuously hit road block after road block. Injuries and slumps are plaguing the cubbies. We've had two of our four best arms on the DL for significant parts of the season (and now that they're back they're not playing up to their potential...hopefully Prior will do something to change that tonight), Nomar's status is still uncertain and our bats have been frozen as of late.
Now we're looking at Lee taking his turn on the DL. It's important for him to address this problem now and sort it out before it becomes a serious injury. Hopefully he can get some rest/rehab and be back to his superman-esque self after the break. That's all I've got time for this morning...off to work trying to shake this depressed feeling...
posted by DS @ 7:26 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
What's with all the Canadian links?
The good Old US of A not good enough for you, Alabama-man???
Oh, and the NL Central is now the division with the biggest gap between first place and the rest, a meaty 12 1/2 games.... the NL Central is the new NL East when those Braves were tomahawking the Andy Ashby-pitched Phillies.
This has by far been the worst season for injuries I have ever seen among Cubs, by far outdoing last year. It's amazing that the Cubs have been able to compete at all since April, and now one of the main reasons they have been able to may go to the DL. I have to say, it's hard not to get depressed as a fan this year. The organization is really trying to win, but nothing seems to be going right. However, I hope that the organization will be able to overcome it. I don't just mean that I hope they will be able to come back as a team this year, but rather I mean that I hope if the Cubs are not able to pull this one out ownership doesn't give up on them. We still have a fantastic team, and I hope that the organization would not let a poor season ruin that. That would be the true test of whether the Cubs have truly changed, or have merely a half-hearted commitment to winning.
I think it's a little slight to suggest that the Cubs organization might have a "half-hearted commitment to winning." I'm sure that's not what you meant, so I won't say much more, but yes, I am sure the Cubs always have the outlook of optimism and/or franchise success.
Over the last 3 years, we've seen the backbone of our team slowly moved into place:
Ramirez from PIT
Lee from FLA (for Hee Seop Choi)
Dempster
Burnitz
as well as the steady progress of our minor leaguers
Patterson (ouch)
Prior
Wood
and so on. I know I'm missing some out but I'm writing this in a hurry.
Would have been nice to keep Dontrelle Willis back in the day, but you can't have everything you want. If we can bring in a real lead-off man during this trading period, I think we'll be a bit better off.
Or we could move an injured Derrek Lee there, have him throw the ball, catch the ball, field the ball, hit the ball, round the bases and wipe home plate clean for every at-bat, cook the hot-dogs, sling the nachos, pour the beers, sweep the infield and organize the bat rack too. (Tongue firmly planted in cheek)
Well, if you think that this crowd is pessimistic or sounds frustrated, just take a look at the WGN blog (linked on the right side of LBs main page). All the posted comments are related to trading Patterson and Hollandsworth or firing Dusty Baker.
I have to admit though, things look pretty grim right now. No one is performing. The pitching has been mediocre of late, and the hitting has been awful. Let's hope that we can win a few before the all star break and then come out swinging after a week of rest.
Ok, I've got a bullpen question. It's the bottom of the 8th, Cubs are down 6-0 with only 3 outs left to try and score some runs, but first we have to get outs. We've got another game in about 4 hours. So why is Wuertz in the game? Why are we using our best setup man when it is conceivable that we may have a lead in the second half of the double header and will probably need some bullpen? Why are we not using Rusch, who could probably pitch in both games if we need him to, or Remlinger, or one of our other guys? Dempster and Wuertz should be saved for the second game. Tell me if I'm wrong.
Talk about a funk! Ugh! This is ugly.
I think, Lazlo, that it's a simple case of keeping him sharp. The worst outings he's had all year have come after periods of extended dis-use (ie 4 days or more)... when you look at the Twins, they will use that 8th/9th inning tandem of Rincon/Nathan 5 days in a row if they have to... or Crain or Romero instead of Rincon.
Because we don't have the luxury of that deep quality set-up pitching, Wuertz might get used every other day just to stay on top of his business. Also, he's a reasonably young guy, and Dusty might not want to pigeonhole him and use him in one specific circumstance and nothing else. Leave that position to Cliff "Pitching is Hard" Bartosh.
And seriously, this is getting disgusting. 2nd time this season we've had a 7-game losing streak!
If I wanted to watch a plucky team that keeps on losing, I'd rent Mighty Ducks or the Sandlot or the Bad News Bears. This is rough.
Eight in a row, and they blew a lead—the first they've had in over a week. I'm old enough to remember the 1961 Mets. These guys are starting to ressemble them, the worst team I ever saw.
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