![]() You won't ever hear something as warm and heartfelt.Įric Simon: The Cubs made some smaller deals earlier in the year but were quiet at the deadline. You'll want to pay attention to the ovation he'll receive the first time he comes in from the bullpen. He does a lot of charity work, and in many ways is the face of the franchise. Cubs fans all remember him in tears at his locker after game 7 of the 2003 NLCS, taking responsibility for losing the series because he didn't throw well that day, and taking less money to return to the Cubs this year because he wanted to show all of us that he could still perform. How much of a factor can he be down the stretch? Are expectations tempered a bit due to his history?Īl Yellon: Wood's going to be brought along slowly, probably pitching in the middle innings rather than be seen as any sort of "savior". He's had 11 trips to the disabled list since 1999. Short: Kerry Wood is scheduled to return on Friday. The Cubs may try to trade for a catcher in the off-season, or sign a free agent like the Mets' Paul LoDuca.ĭ.J. ![]() A lot of Cubs fans like the potential of Geovany Soto, who's been hitting well in Triple-A, but he is unproven as a major league catcher. Kendall's likely going to be allowed to walk as a free agent Hill isn't the answer. If the rest of the team hits - and the last two months, they have - they can do it again. The Cubs won a division title in 2003 with two guys like this, Damian Miller and Paul Bako, behind the plate. All of them - save Barrett, who really was not a good defensive catcher, and by "defense" I mean more than just throwing out runners, I mean blocking pitches in the dirt and calling games - are well-liked by the pitching staff and call good games. And then you get weird days like Hill's 5-RBI game vs. What is the plan there, both short- and long-term?Īll Yellon: It's weird, isn't it? Six different men - the five you mention and Henry Blanco - have started games behind the plate for the Cubs. His replacements - Jason Kendall, Rob Bowen, Joyie Hill, Geovany Soto - have contributed something approaching bupkis at the plate. Michael Barrett, a solid offensive backstop, was discarded, presumably for reasons unrelated to his baseball skills. They need to be more consistent.Įric Simon: Talk to me about the Cubs' catching situation. There are weaknesses in the 3-4-5 slots, as Sean Marshall, Rich Hill and Jason Marquis have all been good - but also bad at times. Right now, yes, I think I would take Z and Lilly over any other 1-2 in the NL. We could see it from the stands - there was something wrong with his arm slot. The other thing that's changed is his mechanics. ![]() If he can channel it properly, he can throw lights-out, and you have seen the results. Z is passionate and sometimes that passion has come out in negative ways. It was reported that he went home and his four-year-old daughter asked him, "Daddy, why do you fight?" He claims that made him a changed man, and he surely has come out and pitched that way. ![]() What happened? Secondly, would you take Zambrano and Ted Lilly over any other 1 & 2 starters in the National League?Īl Yellon: Believe it or not, I think the Zambrano-Barrett fight had a lot to do with Z's transformation. His season has been night and day since he last faced the Mets in May. Short: The Mets will face Carlos Zambrano in the series opener. With Z and the other starting pitchers being consistent every time out, that has let the entire team relax and start playing better.ĭ.J. You didn't really think Carlos Zambrano would have an ERA over 7 all year, did you? Or that Alfonso Soriano would hit no home runs? He wanted to fire up his team and he did so.īut the more serious answer is that the Cubs, who were seriously underachieving in April and May, have begun to play to form. He even said it was calculated, that if he had a chance to go out and argue that day, he was going to do it. What has changed?Īl Yellon: The first thing that "changed" was - and you're going to laugh at first, but I'm serious - Lou Piniella's tirade in the game vs. Here we go!Įric Simon: What's going on with the Cubbies? Left for dead a couple of months ago, they have been the hottest team in baseball and are now jockeying with the Brewers to be perched atop the NL Central. This edition of Blogger Smackdown is a tables, ladders and chairs match featuring Al Yellon from Bleed Cubbie Blue, D.J.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |