IST: Cubs @ Miami

[cubsmann]

2,7,10,14,15. That is their ERA rankings

This is exactly why were 24 games over and 10 games up in the central.

 

[TL1961]

I haven't seen much of the Cubs this week as I have been traveling (since leaving Wrigley Sunday, that is).

But there were many references to pitches Lackey was upset with the other day, and references above to "terrible no strike calls".

This is not coincidence. Contreras' framing needs work. It's not terrible, and I have no reason to believe he can't get better as he gets experience. But framing is SO underrated - as poorly as Montero has thrown, his framing is a big plus. Contreras, Federowicz, Schwarber - when they catch, pitchers don't get the same strike calls as when Montero is back there.

I am not at all calling for montero to play more. I want Contreras for his overall D and his bat. But framing is a huge, huge part of a catcher's D these days. Let's hope Willson learns a lot from the two vets. I believe it's a great situation for him to learn.

 

[chibears55]

I think A!mora would benefit more if he bunts for hits more often, utilizing his speed..
Baez should also do that...

But ive noticed not too many of these type of players do that anymore, once in a while but it not part of their package.



Contreras bat needs to stay in the lineup while its hot..

So, when Rizzo returns if their not going to let him catch when Arrieta and Lester pitching, they have to play him at 3B or LF

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[Omeletpants]

I'm shocked by how fast Contreras has taken hold. 10 days ago he was a test call up and now he is a fixture batting 4-5 and playing multiple positions

 

[SilenceS]

So the Cubs snap their 4 game skid. Everyone take a breath...Now Contreras has to stay in the lineup. We got very unlucky with some terrible no strike calls, a couple of walks, an error and a grand slam. One hit, four runs. That is crazy. Did anyone even notice that the Marlins finished the game with only 2 hits? The bullpen looks strong again. Rondon slams the door in the 8th and 9th. Hendricks was actually very good. Lots of first pitch strikes and a nasty changeup again. I love how our starting pitching keeps bailing us out of games. The team looked good. Baez should have gotten us an insurance run. We have to be getting the runner in with a run on 3rd and less than 2 outs. This has been a problem lately. I love Baez but he seems to strike out a lot with guys on base. Cubs win. That's all that matters. 48-24 is a pretty awesome record. Cardinals lose to the Mariners on a walk off HR, so the Cubs are back to a double digit lead in the NL Central.

Its because you remember the past two games. He also jumped into the stands to catch a baseball.

 

[SilenceS]

I haven't seen much of the Cubs this week as I have been traveling (since leaving Wrigley Sunday, that is).

But there were many references to pitches Lackey was upset with the other day, and references above to "terrible no strike calls".

This is not coincidence. Contreras' framing needs work. It's not terrible, and I have no reason to believe he can't get better as he gets experience. But framing is SO underrated - as poorly as Montero has thrown, his framing is a big plus. Contreras, Federowicz, Schwarber - when they catch, pitchers don't get the same strike calls as when Montero is back there.

I am not at all calling for montero to play more. I want Contreras for his overall D and his bat. But framing is a huge, huge part of a catcher's D these days. Let's hope Willson learns a lot from the two vets. I believe it's a great situation for him to learn.

Its not just his framing. Its his receiving of the ball. He catches balls funky sometimes and actually pushes his glove out the strike zone. There is a noticeable difference when he catches to Montero and Ross on how the ball is received. It takes time, but its def. noticeable. Also, needs to know situations better like when he jumped out of his crouch on a 3-2, 2 outs pitch. The runner was going but it didn't matter because it was all on the batter. It was a borderline pitch and him coming out of his crouch made it a ball a 100 out of a 100 times. Its little things like that. His bat has been great. He is a patient hitter. The power is something I wouldn't get used to. He has never shown really plus power.

 

[SilenceS]

Cubs are keeping Contreras in the lineup. LF this time. Man, I don't know. Maddon is playing with fire. Zobrist is out the lineup. He better hope Almora can cover a lot of ground.

 

[fatbeard]

I'm shocked by how fast Contreras has taken hold. 10 days ago he was a test call up and now he is a fixture batting 4-5 and playing multiple positions

His bat was never in doubt. What's surprised me is his power, two of his HRs have been to right/right center field.

 

[Omeletpants]

His bat was never in doubt. What's surprised me is his power, two of his HRs have been to right/right center field.

and he goes with the pitch which you can only say about a couple of the Cubs

 

[chibears55]

Cubs are keeping Contreras in the lineup. LF this time. Man, I don't know. Maddon is playing with fire. Zobrist is out the lineup. He better hope Almora can cover a lot of ground.

I know covering the OF is different, but he did show some good range running for that foulball down the first base line the other night..

I doubted Schwarber ability to play LF last year, and he proved me wrong.. i actually think he better in LF then catching.
So, we shall see how Contreras handles it


But, like i said .. Maddon has to ride his hot bat, so when he not catching, he going to need to put him somewhere .
Might as well take advantage now and see how he handles other positions..



I also mentioned after he caught Lackey last start and how Lackey didnt seem happy because of how it went, that it would be interesting to see if he catches his next start...

Almora hitting 9th, i also said he would probably hit there because i figured Maddon would treat him like he did Russell so he could see better pitches..

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[CSF77]

I hope he hangs in LF. if he can it ends the LF revolving door and keeps the best 2 receivers behind the plate. I'm all about getting him a game here and there but after his skills have improved vs causing bad calls by being clunky.

 

[chibears55]

@CarrieMuskat: #Cubs Zobrist did some sprints in outfield. Maddon says Zo is "just sore" after getting hit on left ankle by pitch Fri. Not starting today

That good its nothing serious..
Probably back in lineup tomorrow

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[cubsmann]

Its because you remember the past two games. He also jumped into the stands to catch a baseball.

I know and you're right Baez's defense has been outstanding.

But we need to work on getting the man in from 3rd with less than 2 outs. Those should be automatic. Ross is so good at laying down the safety squeeze. Maybe he should be giving a clinic because we could have really used that insurance run and we could have beaten the Cardinals at least once if we had been better at getting the man in. Just something to work on.

 

[CSF77]

Playing his seventh big league game, Contreras hit his third home run and smacked a game-winning RBI single in the seventh to lift the Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the Marlins and snap a four-game losing streak. How important has the youngster been?
"It's like oxygen. He's absolutely necessary," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "What he's done over the last couple days and the life he's brought to the group. It's absolutely necessary. He has been the catalyst the last couple days."

And Contreras has every intention of staying put. Schwarber was called up knowing he would return to the Minor Leagues, although he was summoned in mid-July last year. The Cubs said they wanted Contreras to join the big league club so he could learn from veterans Miguel Montero and David Ross. Contreras started Friday because Montero has been dealing with a knee injury, and he made the most of it.

 

[CSF77]

So do we start calling him O2 now?

 

[chibears55]

I hope he hangs in LF. if he can it ends the LF revolving door and keeps the best 2 receivers behind the plate. I'm all about getting him a game here and there but after his skills have improved vs causing bad calls by being clunky.

That my thinking now...
though it would be nice if he were a lefty bat..

Thinking if he can handle it, they give Cogs a couple weeks to try and get himself going..if not , they probably look into acquiring a LH bat to somewhat platoon with Contreras ..

I think Contreras then would most likely just catch Hammel and Hendricks the rest of season...

It would also make Soler more available for a trade..


Its going to be interesting to see how management sorts this all out in next couple weeks, especially when injured players return ...



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[cubsmann]

Cubs are keeping Contreras in the lineup. LF this time. Man, I don't know. Maddon is playing with fire. Zobrist is out the lineup. He better hope Almora can cover a lot of ground.

They really have to. The guy has hit 3 HRs in his first 7 games and has driven in a bunch of huge runs. You can't take the guy out of the lineup when he's hot. Just imagine this team next year with Schwarber, Fowler, Rizzo, Contreras, Almora Jr, Bryant, Zobrist, Russell, and Baez?!! Were going to be better next year than we have been this year if that's even possible. Im telling you guys this team is going to be a dynasty.

 

[chibears55]

They really have to. The guy has hit 3 HRs in his first 7 games and has driven in a bunch of huge runs. You can't take the guy out of the lineup when he's hot. Just imagine this team next year with Schwarber, Fowler, Rizzo, Contreras, Almora Jr, Bryant, Zobrist, Russell, and Baez?!! Were going to be better next year than we have been this year if that's even possible. Im telling you guys this team is going to be a dynasty.

Sure you meant Heyward, not Fowler for next year..
But yes, they should be more dangerous offensively if Schwarber can come back and hit like he did after a year off.

My only question is...IF Russell remains a .240 hitter and Almora more glove then bat, can they sustain having two players who are more defensive types then offense in the lineup..
Even if their positions are of defensive importance in CF and SS.

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[Omeletpants]

Anyone on Dish? Cant get the game on WGN because of the fight between WGN and Dish. Anyone find it on a different channel?

 

[chibears55]

Need to win today..
Tough one tomorrow against Hernandez

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