Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago Cubs are ready to destroy the worthless Mets in the first game of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
The game, which starts at 1:20, is sold out.
Zambrano has a record of 14-7, has struck out 128 batters, and has an ERA of 3.47.
Since June 6, when Zambrano said he was starting his personal season over, he is 9-2 with an ERA of 1.41 and 77 strikeouts.
The Cubs and the Brewers are tied for the lead in the Central Division.
The Mets have a secure hold on first place in the Eastern Division, but that doesn't scare Carlos Zambrano.
Showing posts with label New York Mets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Mets. Show all posts
Friday, August 03, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The Cubs Need More Rain
Rain delayed the start of the Cubs-Mets game Wednesday night at Shea Stadium.
For the Cubs, it would have been better if the rain hadn't stopped.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella sought an explanation for the Cubbies 8-1 loss and found it in the pitching of Rich Hill.
Having solved Carlos Zambrano's pitching troubles (the now-famous early revelation problem), Piniella must next solve Hill's troubles. If Piniella fails, Hill may get rained out permanently.
Hill's problems lie in the fact that he's walking batters and then letting them steal on him. These troubles may be more difficult to solve than Zambrano's early revelations.
It's now 3:25 PM, Thursday, in Chicago, and the Cubs just lost to the Mets by one run.
Bring on the rain.
For the Cubs, it would have been better if the rain hadn't stopped.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella sought an explanation for the Cubbies 8-1 loss and found it in the pitching of Rich Hill.
Having solved Carlos Zambrano's pitching troubles (the now-famous early revelation problem), Piniella must next solve Hill's troubles. If Piniella fails, Hill may get rained out permanently.
Hill's problems lie in the fact that he's walking batters and then letting them steal on him. These troubles may be more difficult to solve than Zambrano's early revelations.
It's now 3:25 PM, Thursday, in Chicago, and the Cubs just lost to the Mets by one run.
Bring on the rain.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Guarded Optimism for Cubs
After the Cubs 10-1 victory over the Mets last night, we've adopted a policy of guarded optimism. Zambrano looked good over the course of eight innings, giving up only one run, allowing six hits, and striking out three.
Zambrano did all this while changing his delivery. He had been delivering in a way that allowed opposing batters to see his grip on the ball, thereby knowing what the pitch would be. Knowing the pitch in advance allows a hitter to quickly raise his batting average, and most pitching coaches deplore the practise of early revelation.
Aramis Ramirez led the offensive frenzy for the Cubs, hitting a grand slam home run in the sixth inning.
As a result of these heroics, we are now guardedly optimistic about the Cubs, which means we think the North Side boys will not finish last in the Central Division.
We wouldn't want to say more than that. If we did say more than that, the Cubs would be sure to finish last in their division. We dare not mess with this superstition.
Zambrano did all this while changing his delivery. He had been delivering in a way that allowed opposing batters to see his grip on the ball, thereby knowing what the pitch would be. Knowing the pitch in advance allows a hitter to quickly raise his batting average, and most pitching coaches deplore the practise of early revelation.
Aramis Ramirez led the offensive frenzy for the Cubs, hitting a grand slam home run in the sixth inning.
As a result of these heroics, we are now guardedly optimistic about the Cubs, which means we think the North Side boys will not finish last in the Central Division.
We wouldn't want to say more than that. If we did say more than that, the Cubs would be sure to finish last in their division. We dare not mess with this superstition.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Where Are the Cubs?
The Cubs are playing in New York. I'm not in New York.
I want to watch the game on TV. The game isn't on TV.
I can watch basketball, a spelling bee, and much more than I ever wanted to know about the late J. Falwell.
This is unjust. It's wrong, mean, and immoral. Nothing is more important now than watching my favorite baseball team lose another game, and all I get is basketball, a spelling bee, and a television preacher.
What happened to truth, justice, and the American way? What happened to separation of church and baseball? What happened to the Cubs?
I want to watch the game on TV. The game isn't on TV.
I can watch basketball, a spelling bee, and much more than I ever wanted to know about the late J. Falwell.
This is unjust. It's wrong, mean, and immoral. Nothing is more important now than watching my favorite baseball team lose another game, and all I get is basketball, a spelling bee, and a television preacher.
What happened to truth, justice, and the American way? What happened to separation of church and baseball? What happened to the Cubs?
Monday, May 14, 2007
A Gift Refused
It ain’t funny anymore. The Mets tried in every way to give the game to the Cubs, but our North Side guys wouldn’t accept it.
My favorite part came when two New York players whose names I forgot both fell down in right field, and neither had caught the ball. The Cubs managed to score.
But in the fifth inning, Mets pitcher Tom Glavine filled the bases with three straight walks, and the Cubs wouldn’t accept the freebie.
I don’t want to think about the last walk of the game.
It ain’t funny anymore.
My favorite part came when two New York players whose names I forgot both fell down in right field, and neither had caught the ball. The Cubs managed to score.
But in the fifth inning, Mets pitcher Tom Glavine filled the bases with three straight walks, and the Cubs wouldn’t accept the freebie.
I don’t want to think about the last walk of the game.
It ain’t funny anymore.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Cubs Versus Mets
As we approach the game on Monday, let’s try to ignore the fact that the Mets have a win-loss record over 150 points better than that of the Cubs. Look on the bright side. The Mets don’t have Roger Clemens in the bullpen, cooling his heels at a million dollars an hour.
Things could be a lot worse. The great Chicago fire was worse. Al Capone was worse, until you got thirsty. Then he didn’t seem so bad, unless you were Dion O’Bannion.
See. Look on the bright side, if there is one. The Cubs might win. I might get an income tax refund larger than what Clemens makes while tying his shoes. Not likely, but maybe someone at the IRS will make a mistake.
Look on the bright side.
Things could be a lot worse. The great Chicago fire was worse. Al Capone was worse, until you got thirsty. Then he didn’t seem so bad, unless you were Dion O’Bannion.
See. Look on the bright side, if there is one. The Cubs might win. I might get an income tax refund larger than what Clemens makes while tying his shoes. Not likely, but maybe someone at the IRS will make a mistake.
Look on the bright side.
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