Lou Piniella, Like the Rest of Us, is Frustrated

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.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Marlins 3 – April 19, 2024

And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...

Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

Pre-Gamin’: Marlins at Cubs – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

FAA Reportedly Investigating How a Passenger on Colorado Rockies Team Flight Was Seen Accessing the Cockpit

If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...

Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Giants: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Saturday at 4:05 PM ET, Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-11) play Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (9-11) at Oracle Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Arizona take...

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

The Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9), who will give the start to Gavin Stone, host the New York Mets (10-8) with Jose Butto on the hill, Saturday at 4:05 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV...

Cardinals vs. Brewers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Saturday, Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (9-11) face William Contreras and the Milwaukee Brewers (12-6), with first pitch scheduled for 2:15 PM ET at Busch Stadium.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know...

How to Watch Cubs vs. Marlins: Live Stream or on TV

On Saturday, Javier Assad will take the mound for the Chicago Cubs (12-7) against Jesus Luzardo and the Miami Marlins (4-16), with first pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on...

Twins vs. Tigers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Bailey Ober will take the ball for the Minnesota Twins (6-12) when they host starting pitcher Reese Olson and the Detroit Tigers (11-9) on Saturday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on...

How to Watch Yankees vs. Rays: Live Stream or on TV

On Saturday, Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (14-6) face Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (11-10), with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV...

How to Watch Reds vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

Graham Ashcraft will take the mound for the Cincinnati Reds (10-9) when they host starter Patrick Sandoval and the Los Angeles Angels (9-11) on Saturday, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Logan Allen takes the mound for the Cleveland Guardians (14-6) when they host starter Alex Wood and the Oakland Athletics (8-12) at 6:10 PM ET on Saturday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options...

Mariners vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

In a series opener on Saturday, Luis Castillo will take the mound for the Seattle Mariners (9-10) versus Dakota Hudson and the Colorado Rockies (4-15), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Coors Field.Keep reading to see how...

Orioles vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Gunnar Henderson and the Baltimore Orioles (12-7) visit Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals (13-7) on Saturday, with first pitch at 7:10 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for...

more cubs news