Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live Chat Tonight 7:00pm Central
Follow me tonight as I’ll do a live “cover it” chat as the Chicago Cubs take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:05 central time. The Cubs came out swinging the sticks last night and romped the Pirates 14-2 in front of an unusually small crowd on the north side of Chicago. Starlin Castro and Aramis Ramirez led the way with big offensive nights, and Carlos Zambrano went 5 plus and whacked his first homer of the year.
Ryan Dempster takes the mound tonight for the Cubbies.
Mike Quade the Difference Maker? Or are the Cubs Just Young
[picappgallerysingle id="9325287"]I know a lot of fans out there that root for the Chicago Cubs are thinking to themselves…”man, was Lou really THAT bad at managing and getting most out of his players?” Those thoughts are brought upon by the Cubs sudden resurgence at the plate, and quality pitching (starting and relief) from the mound.
My answer to that? Absolutely not. The Chicago Cubs have a team full of young kids. They’ve had these young kids since they broke camp way back in the spring time. When you’re playing with that many kids, it’s going to be tough to play well all year long. It’s true that the Cubs are playing well right now, but let’s keep in mind…they are still playing the Pirates and Nationals. Yes I do know the Pirates have beat up on the Cubbies this year, but it still doesn’t change the fact they are the joke of the major leagues once again this year. The Nationals just lost Strasburg, so clearly they had to have some of their wind taken out of their sales before a Cubby sweep, and even though the Cubs took a game in Cincy, they cost themselves a couple with a ton of terrible fundamental play- across the board.Which is going to happen time to time with guys like Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin, and the rest of the youngsters.
It’s nice to see Mike Quade doing a nice job with the young kids, but let’s not split hairs right now- they will go through another spurt before the year is over where guys struggle, and the team struggles. That’s not a knock against Mike Quade- that is simply the norm when your dealing with 22 year old rookies.
I’d like to see Aramis Ramirez and Marlon Byrd take on a LARGE leadership role for these guys. Aramis isn’t known as that kind of guy, but he’s in the prime of his career, has been to the postseason, has been to an all star game, it’s time for him to stand up to the pressures of being the guy. Marlon Byrd by all accounts is an outstanding locker room presence, but when the time is right, he should be able to kick someone in the rear and say “that’s not how we do things up here kid.” The team this year will be better off, but most importantly- the team NEXT year will be better off.
The Cubs Looking to Bring Up Brett Jackson?
Brett Jackson has absolutely torn it up this year in the minors, and the Cubs are looking at the former first round pick as the center fielder of the future. Well, the future could be coming soon, as there is talk of the Cubs bringing up Jackson for a look this September if Colvin can play a little first base.
This could be a real good look for the Cubs because if they can trade Fukudome this winter, they’ll be able to move Marlon Byrd over to right possible, and plug the youngster in center field. Obviously that’s wishful thinking, but the Cubs have some talented guys throughout the system that are worth taking a look at. This team isn’t going anywhere, and I think the important thing to do now is see whose going to be part of the long term plan, and who won’t be- thus making them prime candidates to trade for I’m still extremely encouraged by how certain guys are progressing, and Jackson has done as well as you can ask. He might need a little AAA ball, but if he does play in the Arizona Fall League this fall, there really isn’t any reason he won’t be ready for the Majors come spring training. We’ll see what happens, but hopefully the Cubs bring the kid up- and let him play a little bit.
The Chicago Cubs and the Spoiler Role
[picappgallerysingle id="9528129"]The Cubs have no realistic shot to make the playoffs this year. However, there is still a TON of baseball left to be played, with the opportunity to destroy teams chances of making the post season.
The Cubs have this chance starting tonight as they open up a huge 3 game series with the Cincinnati Reds. The great thing about the effort in Washington was that there was no quit in that Cubs team. Sure…it was the Nationals…but the young kids are playing as hard as if the Cubs were in the race, which is why the Cubs shouldn’t be a pushover team for anyone down the stretch.
Starlin Castro is continuing his outstanding play, and continues to run for the rookie of the year award. I don’t know if anyone notices this but Castro is playing like a future team leader…and not just a team superstar. He’s showing signs of wanting to be that guy that everyone can turn too, and that’s outstanding to see from a 20 year old rookie. It’s the very beginning of his career, and instead of just surviving, he’s taking his opportunity and running…hard…down the line…with it in his hands.
You still have Ryan Dempster whose been real good lately. He was dominant against the Nationals, and I know the Cardinals won’t wanna face him in a must win situation. He’s another one f those real strong clubhouse guys that won’t let anyone throw in the towel.
Marlon Byrd has been the best hitter offensively all year long. You know he’s gonna continue to play his guts out for the last 6 weeks.
All in all- lets not sugar coat anything. The Cubs have had a bad year. One of the worst in recent memory. You can’t do anything about it, EXCEPT go out there and continue to play with passion, and fire, and the want to kick someone’s teeth in. That mentality will go a long way in 2011, and who knows….maybe the Cubs can keep the Cards or the Reds out of the postseason with a couple series’ of good baseball.
Eric Wedge Interviews for The Cubs Job: Thanks but No Thanks
[picappgallerysingle id="1716314"]With all due respect to Eric Wedge, I don’t see him being the next Chicago Cubs manager. Reason being? He’s not a “sexy” pick. Wedge took a fall in Cleveland after ownership decided to ship off CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee in back to back years, which left him with well…not really anything. Eric Wedge is definitely a guy that should be in the running for most major league jobs…but not this one.
The Cubs management is definitely looking for someone that has had success at the big league level already, along with Ryne Sandburg. Eric Wedge’s interview was more of a formality, than anything else, likely to help drive up interest. Which is simply a good marketing tool for the position.Nothing wrong with that at all.
Like I said…Eric Wedge is a solid major league manager, but the Cubs are definitely going to go big this off season, and Eric Wedge just isn’t big enough.
