Of course, some of our frustration is directed at Lou Piniella, himself – so at least in one regard, our respective frustrations diverge.
Lou Piniella is fed up, and this time he appears to mean it.
“I don’t think I want to talk about our offense anymore,” the Cubs manager said Friday after a 3-1 loss to Houston, their fourth in a row. “I think I’m talked out. I am talked out. I think we’ll just let them go out there and see what they can do.”
“I’m going to let the kid [Colvin] play and see what he can do, give us some energy,” he said. “We’ll have him in the lineup, and we’ll probably have (Koyie) Hill behind the plate. We’re not scoring any runs, and I need somebody that keeps the other team from running. “I know these guys are trying, but I’ll tell you what, we see the same thing every day, day-in and day-out.” Chicago Breaking Sports.
Playing Tyler Colvin at this point is an excellent – and long overdue – idea. Sitting Geovany Soto more frequently is also a fine idea.
But to act as though the recent slump of Kosuke Fukudome is anything other than as predictable as a sunrise is inexcusable. How many years in a row much he start off scorching hot before falling off the table?
Further, here’s a pro-tip for the offense, Lou: stop hitting Lee and Ramirez 3-4. Just stop. You don’t have to stop playing them, but while they’re hitting like 7 and 8 hitters, you hit them 7 and 8. Stop putting them in a situation where they are expected to produce runs they aren’t producing. Stop giving them more at bats than Alfonso Soriano.
Let them work out their shit in a spot least harmful to the rest of the team. And wake up, while you’re at it.
Like I said – we’re all frustrated.