Closing thoughts on Opening Day
The Cubs game was a wash. The positive of Fukudome offset the negative of Kerry Wood. Those were the main elements. The Sox game was a letdown, despite the postgame comments.
I don't see Carlos Zambrano's outing as a big positive. He pitched great. But this stuff about not drinking enough water to prevent cramps is about as crazy a thing as I've heard. It's as nutty as fighting a teammate in the dugout.
I love Zambrano's attitude for the most part. I love his aggressiveness at the plate and his passion on the mound. But in some ways, he's his own worst enemy.
On that pop-up in front of the mound, we're taught in Little League that the pitcher steps back and directs the defense. He should have been yelling for Aramis Ramirez to make the catch. He shouldn't be making the catch himself and falling and possibly hurting his pitching hand.
And speaking of Ramirez, nice job standing still while Soto was chasing a foul pop that nearly fell in the third-base coach's box.
The thing is, these are minor adjustments Big Z needs to make. But why doesn't he make them? He's had this cramping stuff before. Enough already.
It's not too early to wonder about Wood as the closer. The guy never has been a closer, so there's no body of work to suggest he'll find his form. I thought he was the right choice for the role, and I'm not changing my mind - yet. The window won't stay open very long.
As far as the Sox, the call on Crede was wrong and it could have changed the game. If he's safe, Jenks could have come in and closed it out.
The Cabrera call wasn't as clear. He did grab Peralta, and while I don't have a rulebook in front of me, I can't imagine you can grab someone. You can run into him or collide with him, but you can't grab someone.
Still, the pitching stunk, and not just the bullpen this time. Yes, the Sox mounted a valiant comeback against the defending Cy Young winner, but that never will matter if you don't have any pitching.
Comments
Roman, you are biased vs the White Sox. Look at the space you devoted to both in your comments. The big story was Nick Masset shutting down the Tribe for 4 1/3 inn. You didn't even mention him. Next to that is that the Sox were in position to blow the game out late & the umpires GAVE Cle 3 outs. The Crede play wasn't even close. That play suggests a fix. The play at 1B clearly shows his foot is off the bag. Even if the 1B ump couldn't see there are two other umps that should have been able to see it. The play was close enough for them to confer. The interference play could have gone either way. The rule states that ANY contact is allowed provided the runner stays in the base line. Cabrera did that. His foot was on the 2B when the contact was made.
It was the worst officiated inning of MLB I'd ever seen on TV & I can't imagine MLB not reviewing those calls. It won't change the outcome of the game, but it could lead to a penalty for those umps. It definitely gave the impression "the fix" was in.
The final story was the Dotel melt-down. The Sox are paying him too much for that to happen. It had better be a one-time thing or Kenny will be on the hot seat soon.
Posted by: Crede Fan | April 1, 2008 01:05 PM
The Cubs are great at building up hopes only to immediately shatter them. Yesterday's ninth inning is a typical example.Wood annoyed the hell out of me. How can a guy who has great control all spring training hit the first batter he faces with a game win on the line? Concentration should not be an issue for veteran ballplayers. Jason Kendall looked better than Soto yesterday. I know it's just one game and expect the Cubs to come back tomorrow, but this start was not exactly auspicious or inclined to inspire optimism.
Posted by: Paul Manter | April 1, 2008 01:30 PM
I had the game written off when Kerry let those 3 runs come in, I even changed the station...however my Cubs mind just had to see the end...then the base hit, then the walk and then the unbelieveable homer by the Japanese phe-nom! Wrigley was going crazy, Len was going nuts in the booth, I was cheering, crying, laughing, alone in my living room. I called my husband at work to tell him what just happened, we were going to pull it off in the 9th inning, a walk-off win... my favorite kind! My husband couldn't talk but I told him to hurry home...then, like always, the 9th inning ended in a tie, Bob Howry couldn't hold it and the top of the Cubs line-up, who couldn't get a single hit all day, still couldn't get a hit to win. OK, we have 161 more games to go, but this game could've been the best game of the season...but we forget, it's the CUBS!!! Failure is inevitable! All my fellow Cubs fans know how I feel, still, "hope springs eternal", right? Anyway, I still believe!!LET'S GO CUBBIES!!!
Posted by: number 1 cubs fan | April 1, 2008 02:04 PM
The umps stole the victory from the White Sox. Yes Dotel stuck, but Masset shined & so did the White Sox comeback. It was not de-railed by Cleve pitching or defense but rather game deciding calls by umps. The play at 1B may have cost the Sox a run, but the play at home definitely cost them 2. If Crede's safe, then worst case is Uribe scoring on the interference call.
Dotel enters the game w a 10/9-7 lead. If Dotel gets in trouble, Jenks comes in w 2-3 run cushion. Dye's HR in the 9th pads it.
A fast start is crucial for this team, & now there's definite momentum behind the team when Javier takes the mound. It's not a must win but it's a game the team needs to win to keep the momentum going. Dotel must pitch better or the team's in trouble.
Posted by: Masset Fan | April 1, 2008 02:10 PM
How many days until pre-season training camp opens?
Posted by: Villano | April 1, 2008 03:57 PM
Fantastic game yesterday. Think this year will be alot like last year. The Brewers have trouble closing out games, as Ned Yost couldnt manage his way out of a closet.
As far as the Cubs, Fukudome was imporessive, but Kerry Wood sure wasnt. Soriano might be the most overpayed player in the league...next to Eric Gagne.
Heres to a good battle this year. Go Brew Crew!
Posted by: Brew Crew | April 1, 2008 04:35 PM
I wish the NFC championship game was today.
Posted by: Keylan | April 1, 2008 05:57 PM
Only losers would say the umps fixed the games or the umps stole the game. You talk about not mentioning Massett. Why doesn't anyone mention Buerhle. This loss is on him. And for both teams, it's one game. Anybody hyperventilating after one game, just doesn't understand baseball. It's a marathon, not a sprint. the managers and general managers have at least until May to figure out what they have and what they need. Relax. How can you be on the ledge after one game?
Posted by: Rick | April 1, 2008 06:37 PM
Garland won his game. Sox are going to have to replace that. We really need a win to get the taste of highway robbery out of our mouths.
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | April 2, 2008 07:31 AM
The Cubs need a dose of 'The Eye of the Tiger', someone to lead the troops on the field like Troy Tulowitski does on the Rockies. They need some fire, some aggressive play, some passion, to make this season turn into something special. I'm starting to wonder just how good Lou Pinella is as a manager. Will it take another faux temper tantrum with the umps to get the team going this year? The Cubs are still making fundamental mistakes and looking dead out on the field. It's too early I suppose to give up on Wood as closer but it doesn't seem as though he's long for that role. And a team can't survive by waiting around for the home runs. We need guys to get on base! And steal once in awhile! And bunt for a hit, or to score runs once in awhile. I'm not sure if this Cub team has the right chemistry. Today's game will show if they can rebound from Monday and be a team the rest of the league will have to reckon with this year.
Posted by: Garry Wilbur | April 2, 2008 07:40 AM
Buehrle was surprisingly bad. Cabrera was disappointing defensively. Uribe was Uribe. Dotel has yet to impress, and I saw Linebrink in Memphis on Saturday and he's not much better.
Thome's spanking of Sabathia was delightful to watch.
And the umps sucked, but that happens. (Ask the '05 Angels.)
Can anyone tell me why our teams have the day off after Opening Day? It's ridiculous.
Most interesting quote of the month: "My groin is not where we want it to be." --Jerry Owens in the Chicago Tribune, our town's most conservative paper
Posted by: Bubba's Mom | April 2, 2008 11:35 AM
Errors:
1) Not pinch running for Konerko in the 7th. Ozuna could have scored on Dye's single, and we wouldn't be losing that much on offense plunking Quentin into the batting order there afterwards (move Swish to 1B)
2) Starting Joe Crede
3) Starting Juan Uribe
4) Thinking Alexei Ramirez belongs in the bigs. He's not ready.
Life could not be more unfair to Carlos Quentin and Josh Fields.
Posted by: Noles | April 2, 2008 03:29 PM
.......what the...........where the heck have I been??? I was waiting for the 'opening thoughts on closing day' from last October when we all new the Cubs were getting swept like the floor at Bob's Country Bunker at 3 in the morning.
RAWHIDE!
Posted by: stuckinwisconsin | April 5, 2008 01:51 AM