March 2011
You are browsing the archive for March 2011.
Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 2, Indians 1 – March 10, 2011
What the heck is this? A pitcher’s duel? In Spring Training? Brett Jackson momentarily stepped outside of his struggling self to slap a two-out, game-winning single in the bottom of the 9th, vaulting the Cubs to a rare win. You may have seen (and by “may” I mean “better”) the Cubs 4th and 5th starters [...]
Blake DeWitt is Not Guaranteed the Second Base Job
While it has been assumed by most that, since he was acquired last year in the Ted Lilly trade, Blake DeWitt was *the* Chicago Cubs’ second baseman until further notice, I suspected that he could find himself in a bit of a battle this Spring with infielder Jeff Baker and possibly an up-and-comer like Darwin [...]
God’s Wrath Watch: John Grabow Has a Sore Shoulder
For many, learning that John Grabow has been struck down with an injury would be a sign of God’s benevolence, not his wrath. But Grabow is a part of this team – like it or not – so good health is better than bad. Fortunately, Grabow doesn’t have a serious injury. Already coming off knee [...]
Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 4, Royals 13 – March 9, 2011
In coachspeak: “Look, winning Spring Training games isn’t everything. But eventually, you’d like to start winning some. And moreover, you’d like to stop getting shit-stomped.” Matt Garza didn’t have it today, though most of the damage was done while he was relying solely on his fastball. Marlon Byrd continues to rake, though, so at least [...]
Contracts and Remaining Options Will Factor Into Roster Decisions
It’s always a difficult issue this time of year: how much should the fact that a guy has a huge, guaranteed contract or the fact that a guy is out of options affect final 25-man roster decisions? On the one hand, I understand that, if a guy is making big bucks, you want to get [...]
God Hates Other Teams, Too: Zack Greinke Broke a Rib
The biggest move this offseason in the NL Central, if not all of baseball (I know, I know, Cliff Lee), was the Brewers’ trade for Royal ace Zack Greinke. Combined with the addition of Shaun Marcum, and resident Brewer stud Yovani Gallardo, Greinke gave the Brewers the best rotation in the Central. You know, assuming [...]
Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 0, Rockies 4 – March 8, 2011
Does that score haunt you? Indeed, it looks eerily familiar, given the Cubs’ performance over the past few years. Carlos Zambrano was once again solid in the runs column – just one in three innings – but he did give up five hits. Braden Looper also got three innings in, but gave up the other [...]
Why the 2011 Houston Astros Will Suck
By Brett on March 9, 2011
Editor’s Note: Yes, it’s that time of year again – the time for us to settle back into our protective bubble where the Chicago Cubs are destined for greatness, and every other team in the National League Central is bound for spectacular failure. If you’d care to check out last year’s fare: St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati [...]
Posted in Analysis and Commentary | 4 Responses