Pirates at Cubs IST

[JosMin]

Didn't watch the whole game, but excessive praise of the Cubs opponent is common, talking about a team that is playing 3000 miles away occurs regularly, as well as random tangents about guitars, hot dogs, things in the 80s etc.

Okay -- so you're admitting it wasn't biased or unfair.

You're essentially getting mad because during a 3+ hour broadcast, the commentary team occasionally has a tangental conversation? And you don't think that doesn't happen in, say..... pretty much every other sports broadcast that's been on TV or radio?

:andruw:

 

[nwfisch]

Okay -- so you're admitting it wasn't biased or unfair.

You're essentially getting mad because during a 3+ hour broadcast, the commentary team occasionally has a tangental conversation? And you don't think that doesn't happen in, say..... pretty much every other sports broadcast that's been on TV or radio?

:andruw:

I think its unfair to proclaim a team a winner until the game is officially over, but that's just me.

 

[nwfisch]

Also, great games by Olt, Lake, and Hammel.

Here's hoping they turn it around.

 

[Flacco4Prez]

Great to see this start by Rizzo. Hopefully he keeps progressing and we see Olt start to settle in and make Rick play him full time

 

[JosMin]

Great to see this start by Rizzo. Hopefully he keeps progressing and we see Olt start to settle in and make Rick play him full time

I'm really hoping that Renteria is starting to understand how important lineup continuity is, especially to a young team trying to conjure an identity. Play Olt everyday. Play Lake everyday. Play the splits when there's a distinct advantage. Everyone needs to get comfortable playing together.

 

[SilenceS]

I'm really hoping that Renteria is starting to understand how important lineup continuity is, especially to a young team trying to conjure an identity. Play Olt everyday. Play Lake everyday. Play the splits when there's a distinct advantage. Everyone needs to get comfortable playing together.

The platooning may be coming from Hoyer and Theo.

 

[JosMin]

The platooning may be coming from Hoyer and Theo.

Potentially -- trying to give guys ample opportunity to 'boost' trade value. I mean, I don't blame Renteria trying to figure out what he has, but he needs to be starting with the guys who need to start molding an identity. Olt was an important part of the Garza trade, and they need to see what he can become. A Mark Reynolds or Troy Glaus ceiling are two very different things.

 

[chibears55]

The platooning may be coming from Hoyer and Theo.

Dont care too much about platooning lake though it would be nice to watch him play every day.
If olt shoulder is 100% then he should be playing everyday

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[Flacco4Prez]

But if Olt or Lake truly are long term pieces in the eyes of the front office they are only hurting them by not allowing them to work on their craft. You can't have a franchise 3B play 4 days a week because he can't hit both RHP and LHP

 

[beckdawg]

Potentially -- trying to give guys ample opportunity to 'boost' trade value. I mean, I don't blame Renteria trying to figure out what he has, but he needs to be starting with the guys who need to start molding an identity. Olt was an important part of the Garza trade, and they need to see what he can become. A Mark Reynolds or Troy Glaus ceiling are two very different things.

Plattoning is effective that's the reasoning it's happening. While I agree it's a bit extreme this season so far, they plattooned 3B and RF last year and were fairly effective with it. the cubs "3B men" was statistically one of the better in the league even though it was 3 players. Eventually I think it will settle down some but with a lot of the players there's not a clear cut choice especially in the OF. It's easier if you're playing Bonifacio out in CF given his fast start but if he's at 2B then it's a bit less obvious.

 

[TL1961]

Can we get new announcers that keep their mouths shut until the game is over.

Yeah, the last thing we need is announcers talking DURING a game.

 

[TL1961]

Q. What's Rick Renteria's favorite movie?

A. Platoon

Ba-dum-ching

 

[theberserkfury]

Sox lose
Lol

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I didn't leave them out by accident...

 

[CSF77]

Olt's HR was wind aided. Would have been an out on a normal day. He went 2 for 5. .400 BA no SO's. He is not taking walks yet. He needs to start seeing AB's vs RH pitching soon to continue his development.

Lake is explosive. Enough said. That HR was Sammy like.

Rizzo 4-5. I'll take that any day. He needs to be a hitter first vs a power hitter first.

I believe Hammel is better than Feldman was last year. Feldman didn't get it going for the first few times through until he gained control of his cutter. Hammel has looked solid from day 1. He is the 2nd best starter behind shark right now. 3 HR's given up on a wind out to left day and giving up only 3 runs. 1 BB that was not exploited. Only 3 hits. You can not look down on that performance.

Over all good game and Ricky needs to keep Olt and Lake in the line up more. VS's RH starters the team lacks HR power.

 

[Boobaby1]

Olt's HR was wind aided. Would have been an out on a normal day. He went 2 for 5. .400 BA no SO's. He is not taking walks yet. He needs to start seeing AB's vs RH pitching soon to continue his development.

Lake is explosive. Enough said. That HR was Sammy like.

Rizzo 4-5. I'll take that any day. He needs to be a hitter first vs a power hitter first.

I believe Hammel is better than Feldman was last year. Feldman didn't get it going for the first few times through until he gained control of his cutter. Hammel has looked solid from day 1. He is the 2nd best starter behind shark right now. 3 HR's given up on a wind out to left day and giving up only 3 runs. 1 BB that was not exploited. Only 3 hits. You can not look down on that performance.

Over all good game and Ricky needs to keep Olt and Lake in the line up more. VS's RH starters the team lacks HR power.

Congrats on Rizzo taking the ball the other way. With a Grand Canyon-esque sized whole on the left side of the diamond, and a pitcher throwing balls away, developing a short slap stroke will really help him in the long run. If they are going to just give you the left side, take it for crying out loud.

Junior Lakes HR was a blast as somebody mentioned above. He definitely got all of it.

Castro looks like he is seeing the ball well.

As far as Olt, I like they way he took the ball to right field with a nice stroke, but the jury is still out on whether he can catch up to fastballs. His stroke seems to be a little long and slow through the zone. His best asset would be taking the ball the other way, and then turn on a hanger and drive it out to the left center power alley's.

I know I get pummeled for this but I will go on record as saying that Renteria is the right manager for a young squad. He appears to really work well with them and I saw a lot of looseness on the bench. My only beef is that he came close to really letting Pitt back in the game when he left Hammel in there. Hammel had pitched well enough and late enough to warrant throwing the specialists in the game but I think he will learn that in time.

 

[beckdawg]

I know I get pummeled for this but I will go on record as saying that Renteria is the right manager for a young squad. He appears to really work well with them and I saw a lot of looseness on the bench. My only beef is that he came close to really letting Pitt back in the game when he left Hammel in there. Hammel had pitched well enough and late enough to warrant throwing the specialists in the game but I think he will learn that in time.

My biggest problem with the previous manager was he used to be a hitting coach and Rizzo and Castro actually got worse under him. It's a bit self serving but I love the way he's found places for Bonifacio to play. As I said around the time of the signing he's exactly the type of hitter the cubs had been missing. They had so little speed last year especially when Castro couldn't get on base. Now they have guys like Bonifacio and Lake who can turn what may be a single for some guys into a double.

 

[CSF77]

My biggest problem with the previous manager was he used to be a hitting coach and Rizzo and Castro actually got worse under him. It's a bit self serving but I love the way he's found places for Bonifacio to play. As I said around the time of the signing he's exactly the type of hitter the cubs had been missing. They had so little speed last year especially when Castro couldn't get on base. Now they have guys like Bonifacio and Lake who can turn what may be a single for some guys into a double.

He needs to make Bonifacio the full time CF and platoon Barney and Valbuena at 2B. That would solidify the #1/#2 hitters roles going forward. Barney and Valbuena are a combined .425 OBA right now.

IDK about Dale.

Ok Dale was a micro manager. He got involved with coaching vs letting his coaches do their job. He sucked at managing which was his job.

Ricky is a strong motivator and is installing the right attitude. But is weak at constructing line ups and managing his team. He gets that he needs to let his coaches do their job vs micro managing it.

He has potential.

 

[JosMin]

Today's lineup

Bonifacio 2B
Kalish LF
Rizzo 1B
Schierholtz RF
Lake CF
Castro SS
Olt 3B
Castillo C
Wood P


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[CSF77]

Today's lineup

Bonifacio 2B
Kalish LF
Rizzo 1B
Schierholtz RF
Lake CF
Castro SS
Olt 3B
Castillo C
Wood P


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Interesting line up. RH starter. Looks like Rick has adjusted due to taking some flack on ESPN over it.

Not sure if I am putting Kalish's bat in the line up over Valbuena but they need to see what Kalish brings.

As long as Sweeny is on the bench it is a start.

 

[SilenceS]

Interesting line up. RH starter. Looks like Rick has adjusted due to taking some flack on ESPN over it.

Not sure if I am putting Kalish's bat in the line up over Valbuena but they need to see what Kalish brings.

As long as Sweeny is on the bench it is a start.

They said on the broadcast last night that Olt and Lake were going to play today no matter what. It was in the plans. Now, they did say if they keep hitting that its going to force Renteria hand and make him play them everyday.