The Return of Theriot and Other Off-Day Bullets – May 9, 2011

A scheduling quirk gives the Cubs two off-days in five days, and gave manager Mike Quade the opportunity to get a bunch of guys back-to-back days of rest. Hopefully it pays off in this week’s obviously important series against the Central-leading Cardinals.

  • Speaking of the Central-leading Cardinals, their shortstop position is manned by a guy you might have heard of. When Ryan Theriot joined the Cardinals this Winter after being traded from the Dodgers, he told the world that he was happy to finally be on the “right side” of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry. He also said things about why the Cubs don’t win, and about the attitudes of his former teammates. Maybe he hit a little too close to home with that one – and we’re sure not going to admit it – but those rooting for an earhole might want to watch his first few at bats.
  • Ryan Theriot has eight errors at shortstop this season, to go with a .682 OPS. Maybe the Cubs already have their revenge.
  • Not that the Cubs don’t have their own myriad of problems. The team left 25 runners on base this weekend against the Reds. Consider that for a moment: the teams played just 27 innings, and the Cubs left 25 men on base. They somehow bested their season abomination with runners in scoring position by hitting just .167 in that situation for the series. If not for Kosuke Fukudome’s ONE clutch hit on Saturday, the Cubs might well have been swept.
  • I’m almost loathe to point it out, much in the way that you don’t mention a no-hitter in progress, but Jeff Samardzija has the look of an honest-to-God good pitcher right now (other than the pirate-stache). His fastball is popping and his breaking stuff is sharp. If he’s figured out his control issues, and summoned the command of three good pitches, there’s no reason to believe this is a mirage. And if he can reclaim that three or four inch tail he used to have on his fastball, watch out.
  • I often remark in the Enhanced Box Scores that the Cubs’ starters seem to be the only pitchers giving up runs. It turns out that, for the last 22.1 innings of relief work, it’s been true.
  • 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

    Yankees vs. Rays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    Amed Rosario (11 games) will look to add to his hitting streak when the Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) and New York Yankees (14-6) meet Saturday at 1:05 PM ET, live on YES from Yankee Stadium. Amed Rosario and the Rays...

    Yankees vs. Rays Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) go on the road at Yankee Stadium against the New York Yankees (14-6) at 1:05 PM ET on Saturday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Yankees will send Nestor Cortes Jr. (1-1) to the...

    Twins vs. Tigers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Minnesota Twins (6-12) host the Detroit Tigers (11-9) on Saturday after a streak of five losses. First pitch is at 2:10 PM ET.The probable starters are Bailey Ober (0-1) for the Twins and Reese Olson (0-2) for the Tigers.Twins...

    Cubs vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Miami Marlins (4-16) face off against the Chicago Cubs (12-7) on the road on Saturday beginning at 2:20 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Cubs will send Javier Assad (2-0) to the mound, while Jesus Luzardo...

    Cardinals vs. Brewers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The St. Louis Cardinals (9-11) square off against the Milwaukee Brewers (12-6) on Saturday at Busch Stadium at 2:15 PM ET.The probable starters are Miles Mikolas (1-2) for the Cardinals and D.L. Hall (0-1) for the Brewers.Cardinals vs. Brewers Pitcher...

    Padres vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The San Diego Padres (11-11), led by Fernando Tatis Jr., host Justin Turner and the Toronto Blue Jays (11-9) on Saturday at 8:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch San Diego take on...

    Nuggets vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers square off to tip off the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 7 points in the matchup, which will be broadcast on ABC at 8:30 PM ET....

    Today’s Best NBA Player Prop Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The NBA playoff lineup today, which includes the Phoenix Suns squaring off against the Minnesota Timberwolves as one of four contests, is not one to miss.If you're looking for NBA prop bets for today's games, we're here to assist you....

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

    Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (10-11) visit Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (9-12) on Saturday, with first pitch at 4:05 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

    Dodgers vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Saturday, Gavin Stone will start for the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-10) versus Jose Butto and the New York Mets (11-8), with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on...

    more cubs news