Looking Good
What a nail-biter last night here in St. Petersburg. I really thought Reed Johnson had caught the Rays off-guard with his terrific bunt with 2 outs in the 9th. Evan Longoria made one of the best defensive plays in a desperate spot we've seen as he barehanded the ball and threw to 1st in time. The throw wasn't great, but Willy Aybar made an equally spectacular play at the other end to get the out. I think the Cubs saw what a lot of other teams have seen from this scrappy Rays team early on this season--they will make you beat them. Aside from a couple of pitches that went back to the backstop in the 9th, they played pretty solid defense, as they have done all year.
From the Cubs' perspective, this is a good test because as you look ahead to the post-season way down the road, pitching and defense become even more important, so you look at this series as one that maybe gives you an idea of how the Cubs might fare against a club that is so solid in those areas. I don't think there is a team in the NL that is better on paper than the Cubs. In the AL? Tough to say, but we're getting a good look at one of the top teams from that league right now and the Cubs have 6 big games coming up against the team that is in a tie for the biggest division lead in baseball, the White Sox. Part of me wishes the Red Sox were on the Cubs schedule this year just to see how the 2 teams match up.
I'm not saying anything is clinched for the Cubs this early in the season. But it's clear they're THE team to beat in the NL Central right now and probably the top team in the entire league. And for that reason, it has made interleague play even more interesting to watch because we get a chance to see how the Cubs stack up against a couple of the top clubs in the other league.
Len
Comments
That was a great thought by Johnson last night and I'm wondering if the Cubs were playing on grass maybe that ball slows down just enough to score a run and Johnson is safe at first.
Posted by: Bryan | June 18, 2008 4:24 PM
Len, all due respect, but you said it yourself: "the throw wasn't great." How can you say it was a great play by Longoria? It was a terrible throw. It was made great by Aybar. Furthermore, a great bunt is one that requires perfect execution, which did not happen on that play. It was a terrible throw and Johnson was still out by 2 steps.
If they had been playing on grass, Johnson is still out by a step. It wasn't a good bunt. It wasn't a good idea regardless of how good or bad the bunt was.
Reed Johnson is not a speedy player, who is out at 1st on the exact same bunt. He has slightly above average speed, at best. He's got a better chance of getting a base hit by swinging away than laying down a bunt.
It was a poor decision by a guy who had an absolutely terrible ballgame. If this were Felix Pie who did that (and Pie has legitimate infield hit speed) you and Bob would have remarked about how bad the decision to bunt was.
At least be consistent. This bunt was liked by you and Bob and some of the fans because Reed Johnson hustles. Don't let the hustle get in the way of what was a bad decision. There was nobody in baseball who was beating that bunt out even with a terrible throw from Longoria.
Posted by: David | June 18, 2008 4:33 PM
Had no problem with Johnson bunting in the 9th but had a big problem him trying to steal with 2 outs and The Riot with a 3-1 count. What the heck is wrong with D.Lee?....let's go already!!! Just wondering when Big Z is going to decide to pull his head out of his butt....it's been 3 starts now.
Posted by: Scott | June 18, 2008 9:31 PM
Len, I appreciate how you look at the bright side of the spectrum for us Cubs fans. I (like a lot of my brethren) tend to overreact when it comes to all things Cubs and it's good to have your views to keep us in check. I give you and Bob an A+. Perfect mix of sweet and sour.
Posted by: Jen | June 19, 2008 10:23 AM
I have been a Cubs fan since I was 9 years old. I got a chance to see the cubs last night play IN PERSON!!!! What a great game by both teams. All I have to say that the "Cubs Nation" is every where. I have never seen the Rays staduim so overwhelmed with true CUBS fans. They made the staduim Roar last night. GO CUBS GO
Posted by: FLcubsFan | June 19, 2008 1:06 PM
I heard today that Greg Maddux might be available from the Padres -- any chance the Cubbies could get him back before the Yankees do? We just need 1 more good pitcher to "seal the deal" on the post season -- agree?
Posted by: Kathy | June 19, 2008 3:57 PM
Hi there, I have a question. Before home games are fans aloud to go near the dugout and get things signed such as hats, baseballs etc.?
Thank You
Posted by: Stephanie | June 19, 2008 6:57 PM
Hey Len, my brother, who has been a die hard cubs fan since he was in diapers, is getting married this evening. He talked his new bride into going to the cubs sox game sunday for their honeymoon, but by the time they had finalized their plans, all the scoreboard messages had been sold for that game. is their anyway you could announce a congradulations to the new Mr and Mrs Mike Greenfield? Her name is Deja. i don't have the money to get him a wedding gift, but i know that you guys saying something would mean more to him than anything i could buy. my email is jkeating42@yahoo.com. if this is at all possible i wouls be forever grateful. my email is jkeating42@yahoo.com, please contact me if you have any questions. thanks, an GO CUBBIES
Posted by: John Keating | June 20, 2008 1:53 PM