4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

[Sportsforever]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

I'm starting to agree with this. Maddon seems to be less able to create uncomfortability within the players than he was at getting them prepared to be a good team. They aren't making changes to their offensive approaches, Rizzo excepted. I read earlier this week that they have the 2nd most opportunities with runners on 3rd and less than 2 outs, and the fewest runs scored. That's absolutely absurd with the amount of offensive "talent" that is on the team.

I don't want to say the Cubs are "broken", but they've felt "off" for the last year+. Watching them in 2015/2016 they seemed on a mission...last year and so far this year, they seem to be going through the motions. No doubt they are talented...but something doesn't feel right.

[19]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

Nationals catch another L.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

I'm starting to agree with this. Maddon seems to be less able to create uncomfortability within the players than he was at getting them prepared to be a good team. They aren't making changes to their offensive approaches, Rizzo excepted. I read earlier this week that they have the 2nd most opportunities with runners on 3rd and less than 2 outs, and the fewest runs scored. That's absolutely absurd with the amount of offensive "talent" that is on the team.

This is sort of the curse of a high-OBP team with power that de-emphasizes situational hitting and moving runners. When they're going well, they're scoring double digit runs and having multi-homer games. When the ball's not going out of the park, they are leaving men on base by the truck load. I can't remember a Cubs team other than the previous 2 years or so that can make it look so easy and also so damn hard.

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

Ridiculous play by Trout in right center to preserve the Angels 5-4 lead. Moving to the 9th.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

Ridiculous play by Trout in right center to preserve the Angels 5-4 lead. Moving to the 9th.

He has looked great in the field so far this year...last year, at least for him, was a down year defensively. So far, he's looked like 2012-2014 Trout with the glove.

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

He has looked great in the field so far this year...last year, at least for him, was a down year defensively. So far, he's looked like 2012-2014 Trout with the glove.

He babied that wrist a little bit last year. You are right from a metrics perspective he was down last year as a defender.

[SPTO]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

I'm loving this year's edition of the Blue Jays, much better situational hitting. Good "late and clutch" hitting as well and they all seem to have a better approach at the plate. (tho Diaz...Man, I can see why he slipped last year) The pen has been a lot more dependable Osuna is pitching like a man on a mission as well.

Nationals catch another L.

What's funny is that I was channel surfing and the Walgreen's announcers were like "we're showing you the standings now and we'll all laugh about it in 6 months". It's like these nutbars think the Mets are chumps when they have great pitching and professional hitters. They've just been killed by injuries the last couple seasons.

[bkrich83]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

Angels come from behind with a 5-4 win. I did not see a 12-3 start coming, or anything close to it. I am not sure how long this is going to last, but they are a really fun team to watch right now.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

What can we say about Ozzie Albies. Talk about the catalyst right now.

And I'm shocked that Anibal Sanchez actually looks from good to dominant at times.

Call Acuna up and let's rock this bitch.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

In house option would be Baez to 3B. Of course, a deal for Manny Machado would give a 3B option as well.





I'm not panicking yet. Rizzo hasn't played much and he makes a big difference on offense and defense--watching Bryant try to pick it on Addy's low throw today was funny. Some good things are happening; the club is just playing mostly incomplete games. Good defensive plays by Schwarber and Heyward in the OF today. Good CS by Willy. They're not striking out as much. Bullpen has been fantastic except for Wilson. Out of offense, defense, starters, bullpen, maybe only 2 aspects are firing in any given game. That's really the problem.

They're also doing that scoring in bunches and then getting shutout thing a little too much. Shutout 3 times already in 13 games. But, I thought Trevor Williams was pretty fantastic with his command yesterday. In fact, him vs Hendricks was a really well pitched game for the most part. Both were all over the edges of the strike zone if you looked at the PitchCast.

The previous 2 Cub losses were almost entirely due to a bad IP by Justin Wilson and a bad IP by Yu Darvish. Darvish looked good today thru 4 IP and then looked like an overwhelmed rookie in the 5th with the balk, WP, and total loss of confidence afterward. I hope he learns to take more of an NL mentality and pitch to contact so he's not constantly at 95 pitches through 4+ IP while nibbling and trying to strike everyone out/wearing the pen out in the process. I hope he realizes the Cubs didn't pay $20MM/yr to get a 5-inning pitcher.

I would much prefer the hungry 2016 Cubs team that was fresh off an embarrassing sweep to the Mets in the NLCS. I am starting to question Joe Maddon's ability to motivate this team. As much as I dare question a manager that's taken this team at least to the NLCS in every year he's been here. They seem to be awfully comfortable sometimes.

starting to think 2016 is an outlier as far as fast starts go. but the good news is all of Maddon's teams even going back to the Rays finish the 2nd half really strong. even if the slow starts are frustrating.

[Majingir]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

I'm loving this year's edition of the Blue Jays, much better situational hitting. Good "late and clutch" hitting as well and they all seem to have a better approach at the plate. (tho Diaz...Man, I can see why he slipped last year) The pen has been a lot more dependable Osuna is pitching like a man on a mission as well.

Been a weird start to season. Even last nights game. Stroman struggled, Donaldson on DL, and Jays win 8-4. Hopefully Donaldsons injury isn't too bad or hurts his season, because that'd be worst case scenario, Jays not keeping him, but his trade value taking a big hit.


I know it's been a small sample size, but Hernandez has done great since coming over. .269AVG, .923OPS, 8HR,22RBI in 100PA. Obviously he won't come anywhere near what those 162gm projections work those HR/RBI numbers out to be, but even if he turns into a .260-.270 hitter who can get 25+HR, that'd be huge. And they got him until he's in his early 30s, so hopefully they can make him a mainstay in LF.

[Mabster]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

Wtf happened here? Dyson struck out on a 2-0 count last night. Figure this one out Manfred.

https://streamable.com/62f0n

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

Twins-White Sox postponed again due to snow. If only Minnesota's grounds crew was as gritty as the White Sox's.

Anyone know why the Twins didn't get a retractable roof built into Target Field like the Brewers did with Miller Park? Aside from it would've been more expensive?

Cubs-Braves might have a window to get today's game in before the rains come. Wish they were starting at 12:30 instead of 1:20 though.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

starting to think 2016 is an outlier as far as fast starts go. but the good news is all of Maddon's teams even going back to the Rays finish the 2nd half really strong. even if the slow starts are frustrating.

Maybe he does have a record of managing teams with strong 2nd halves. But, it's not something I'd want to bet a playoff berth on. Or get too comfortable with.

2016 was definitely an outlier...an historically great start. They were 25-6 at one point and 40-15 at another in 2016. That season seemed to work out ok.

[areobee401]

Re: 4/9 - 4/22 Game Discussion Thread

I’m glad Minnesota decided against a dome stadium, even a retractable one. Baseball and football were meant to be played outdoors in open air stadiums.

Anywho, Red Sox pouring it on early yet again. The O’s starting pitching is dookie. Gonna be a long season for em.

Oh yeah, and Mookie Betts leaves the game after a collision with the catcher a team home plate. Same day as Hanley Ramirez returns to the lineup. Woof!