The Ignitor

Tom H. proves Uke right. I retract my previous post. That's what I get for trusting a turn coat like Pat Hughes.

Perhaps this topic is a bit premature, but in 2 weeks inter-league play will start in Boston. Who will be the DH, and who should be the DH this season? Will it just be Kapler/Dillon against lefties and Gwynn/Counsel against righties? This comment is not meant to start the Gwynn wars, but I'm not sure that Counsel/Gwynn are typical DH's. I would think that they might try to call up a lefty bat to DH. Could that be Nelson or Branyan? Also, I know it is highly unlikely, but any chance they pull either LaPorta or Gamel up from AA to DH?

According to the Pat Hughes on the Cubs broadcast (I have XM, so I was stuck listening to the home team broadcast while in my car), Rickie ran through a clear stop sign in the 9th inning. Now I love Uke and would not trade him for anyone... but he occasionally misses the details during exciting plays, so I think I actually would trust Hughes more until I see the video of the play.

I go with 14-15 in May (and I think that might optimistic). Home St. Louis: 4 games (2-2) L.A. Dodgers: 3 games (2-1) Atlanta: 3 games (1-2) Houston: 2 games (1-1) Away Chicago: 1 game (0-1) Houston: 3 games (2-1) Florida: 3 games (2-1) Boston: 3 games (1-2) Pittsburgh: 3 games (1-2) Washington: 4 games (2-2) May will be a tough month, and I think people need to brace for it. The good news is that July and September are our best months schedule-wise, and we can make up lots of ground then as long as we keep it close this month and in August. Let the Cubs and Cards battle for first through June, then we can catapult them down the stretch.

I sense some nervousness around here about the Cubs already being in first place. I'm here to tell you that is exactly what we want. Last year, I think us being so far ahead for so long was exactly what the Cubs needed to win the division, as all the pressure was on us from May until early Sep. This year, the table will turn. The Cubs will have all the pressure of leading the division from early on and the 100 year WS thing on their backs. The Cubs are the worst franchise in professional sports history at handling pressure. We have a real favorable schedule in July and September, so we will be able to make ground without the pressure of leading the division. The Cubs in first for most of the summer, with the their players already focusing on the WS, is exactly where we want them.

Last year, I did not like Yost and hoped he might be fired. This year, I've seen nothing but solid decisions from Yost (except maybe not having Weeks bunt over the runner in Cincy, but that's nit picking considering the top of the line-up is coming to the plate). Not all decisions work out. No baseball team wins all 162 games, or wins every close game. Even smart baseball decisions look silly when they backfire. Considering how poorly our offense has been, and how bad are last three starters in the rotation have been, any rational, objective outsider would conclude that our manager has done a heck of job with the bullpen to get us the record we have. There was nothing wrong with the decision to use Turnbow last night other than the outcome. And the outcome was not as predictable as some of you make it out to be (go back and do some research on Tbow at home at the start of an inning last year). Given the fact that the team had played extra innings three times in the past four games, Yost was smart to go Tbow (who should have been able to get through the inning unscathed based on history at MP when starting an inning) and set up his pen for later. Besides, in order to not burn out the bullpen down the stretch, sooner or later Tbow is likely going to play a big role in this team unless Melvin is able to trade him (those are the facts, whether you like Yost or not, Tbow is still part of the roster until Melvin says otherwise). You all need to get down from the ledge, as it is a long season, and if you overanalyze every decision you'll be nothing but frustrated for most of the year (pretty much the best team in baseball is guaranteed to lose 60 games even if the manager makes perfect decisions). This team will be around .500 (hopefully a little above) until the end of June, then there schedule will turn in their favor in July and September and they'll pour it on down the stretch. Honestly, what could be better than seeing the Cubs in first place this early in the season? Much better to be the hunter than the hunted, especially if the hunted is the Cubs. I may join you in calling for a change in manager much much later, but right now I'm simply going to enjoy the ride. I encourage you to do the same. Now flame away at me if you wish, but I promise you I'm happier watching baseball this year as a fan, then last year when I was armchair manager.

Last year, I did not like Yost and hoped he might be fired. This year, I've seen nothing but solid decisions from Yost (except maybe not having Weeks bunt over the runner in Cincy, but that's nit picking considering the top of the line-up is coming to the plate). Not all decisions work out. No baseball team wins all 162 games, or wins every close game. Even smart baseball decisions look silly when they backfire. Considering how poorly our offense has been, and how bad are last three starters in the rotation have been, any rational, objective outsider would conclude that our manager has done a heck of job with the bullpen to get us the record we have. There was nothing wrong with the decision to use Turnbow last night other than the outcome. And the outcome was not as predictable as some of you make it out to be (go back and do some research on Tbow at home at the start of an inning last year). Given the fact that the team had played extra innings three times in the past four games, Yost was smart to go Tbow (who should have been able to get through the inning unscathed based on history at MP when starting an inning) and set up his pen for later. Besides, in order to not burn out the bullpen down the stretch, sooner or later Tbow is likely going to play a big role in this team unless Melvin is able to trade him (those are the facts, whether you like Yost or not, Tbow is still part of the roster until Melvin says otherwise). You all need to get down from the ledge, as it is a long season, and if you overanalyze every decision you'll be nothing but frustrated for most of the year (pretty much the best team in baseball is guaranteed to lose 60 games even if the manager makes perfect decisions). This team will be around .500 (hopefully a little above) until the end of June, then there schedule will turn in their favor in July and September and they'll pour it on down the stretch. Honestly, what could be better than seeing the Cubs in first place this early in the season? Much better to be the hunter than the hunted, especially if the hunted is the Cubs. I may join you in calling for a change in manager much much later, but right now I'm simply going to enjoy the ride. I encourage you to do the same.

Mike Rollins, I'm quite sure this thread is sarcasm to those who blame Yost for everything. The point being that Yost does not play on the field.

According to MLB.com, Yo has been activated and will start. However, there is no information as to who was sent down. I'll update as soon as they publish the information.

I admit that both the Cardinals and the Reds scare me a bit. The Cardinals scare me because LaRussa/Duncan seem to get so much out of mediocre pitchers. I think Pujols will actually make it through the season. Pujols and Ankiel are strong enough to make their O decent. The Reds scare me because of the those young arms and potential decent bullpen with Coco now behind them, but I think Dusty will mess it up. The Reds have O, and if Cueto is as good as advertised, I think Harang, Arroyo, Cueto is a pretty good rotation, with Weathers and Coco in the pen. I hope you'll all point back at this thread in September and mock my fear.

Counting on sweeps will leave you very frustrated and disappointed throughout the season. The odds of sweeping more than a handful of series over the course of a season are quite low. Enjoy when they come, but don't start measuring the teams success on whether they can finish sweeps.

I've been to Spring Training in Ft. Myers and Maryvale. Maryvale is a great facility. It is so much more intimate then Fla Spring Training, which tends to be in bigger stadiums (not nicer) in further away locations. IMHO, Az is perfect for Spring Training baseball. The Brewers would be crazy to leave Maryvale. And those who think the neighborhood is dangerous, try to get out of your house a bit more. While not ideal, the neighborhood is a typical western city area. The West is simply not as gentrified as Florida. It is far from a ghetto or a dangerous area. I will be severely disappointed if the Crew leaves AZ for FL.

The running over the catcher, while rough in spring training, was legitimate baseball. Raising your spikes after being thrown out by 20-feet and driving it towards the 2nd baseman's knee and groin is nothing but a cheapshot specifically designed to injured the player. The two simply do not equate.

I just saw Prince for two games at Maryvale and I actually thought he looked *slightly* slimmer.

I think this team needs to look for a catcher upgrade somehow. As for outfield, I'm personally excited about having Hall and Hart manning two spots, and giving Gross/Gwynn/Dillon a shot to man the other spot for a year, until LaPorta is ready (I just think cost/benefit is to high of a cost for that spot). Gross has shown some potential out there. I think the team needs to find a way to keep Coco and Linebrink. My Line-up next year would be: 1) Weeks; 2) Hart; 3) Braun; 4) Fielder; 5) Hall (I think he'll have a big comeback next season, otherwise Hart will go here); 6) Hardy; 7) LF'er; 8) Estrada or Catcher upgrade

Two big scoring threats-one for the crew and another for Cincy-literally ended at the exact same moment.

I certainly am not encouraged, but the Cubs still have to face Harang and Gorzelony during this homestand. I would say that Cubs manage to find away to lose two games during their homestand. Unfortunately, I feel like the Brewers need to be perfect, a nearly impossible task, to survive this week, let alone next week.

I have visions of Soup and Cappy returning to early season form down the stretch, propelling this team to hot 1.5 month close and a 90-win finish. That's right, 29-15 finish. Call me clueless, a homer, or an optimist. But the Brewers are going to find a way to close strong, and end up winning the division by 4 games or more.

I agree with Santana/Mauer for Braun, plus one decent Twins pitching prospect. Melvin would still be crazy to do it. But that's what it would take. And I don't think the other team would ever give up that much. Thus, thankfully making Braun untouchable.

I was also there. What a great ballpark. I'll post some pictures of the trip soon.

Very good Hart. He'll manufacture a run here.

Cory is a big run waiting out there. Get him around, cut the lead in half, then pick up one run each of the next three innings.

can we get some baserunners for the big bats this inning?

I know you'll all tell me I'm crazy, but I would have had Estrada bunt there to move Jenkins into scoring position with one out and Graffy up. Because you just know that Estrada is Mr. Automatic DP.

Mr. DP up now