Posts Tagged ‘Chicago Cubs’

It’s just one loss

Posted: May 15, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, fantasy, sports, Sports Time Radio
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The Cubs wrap up the weekend series against the Pirates with John Lester facing Garett Cole who’s seeking his 4th win of the season like Lester.  Today’s match up would be another pitchers duel.  I know that everyone loves high scoring, home run smashing games but my favorite to watch are these battles.  I usually keep my opinion out of this but win or lose I love these games.   

The first 6 innings would see Lester shutting down the third place Bucs aside from a walk to David Freese in the first and a walk in the second to Framcisco Cervelli. The Cubs would start off with a leadoff double by Dexter Fowler for his 14th of the year.  That would be all until Addison Reed singles in the second and again until Ben Zobrist’s double in the fourth.  The fifth and sixth innings would be 1-2-3 innings for Cole.  Just three hits through 6 with no runs is today, not at all common place for the Cubs.  

Lester would continue his battle in the 7th making it exciting with a one out single to Starling Marte but would strike out Cervelli.  With two outs Jung Ho Kang would send a fly ball to Heyward that would turn into an RBI double prompting Maddon to pull Lester after 109 pitches through 6 2/3.   Adam Warren would come into close the inning out but would start with a walk.  Maddon would decide to have Warren intentional walk Gregory Polanco to get to Gerrit Cole.  He would ground into a force out to end the inning but would come into the bottom half and shut the Cubs down once again.  

Pedro Strop would come into the 8th giving up a single to Jody Mercer but would get the next three batters out, no problem.   Cole would stay in for the bottom half and all attempts by the Cubs to come back would be shut down.  

Hector Rondon would come into the ninth and immediately strikes out Cervelli.  The only run of the game was driven in by Jung Ho Kang, with one out he would send a fly ball to left center for his 4th home run of the season.  Josh Harrison would single and Polanco would walk again. Travis Wood replaces Rondon as Matt Joyce pinch hits for Cole. Wood gets the out but Maddon pulls him for Justin Grimm who walks Mercer but strikes out McCutchen.  Cubs down 2-0.  

Pirates closer Mark Melancon comes in for the save opportunity but walks Fowler and gives up a single to Heyward.  Bryant would fly out for the first out.  Rizzo would send a fly ball to right that’s scored as a sac fly scoring Fowler.  Zobrist comes to the plate for an opportunity to tie the game or get a walk off homer.  Heyward would steal second to prevent a force.  Zobrist with two outs would hit a ground ball to second ending the game.  

Now I know it’s a loss in the books but I still think it was a great outing for Jon Lester and the versatility of the bullpen.  Joel Maddon has 162 games to figure out how the bullpen works for the playoffs.  With the way they are playing, I feel there is no doubt that they will be in the playoffs and he needs to figure out this bullpen.  Again, I know it’s a loss but Cubs fans, take it easy, #ItsJustMay

@danzeeeman
The Podcast

We played 2!

Posted: May 11, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, fantasy, Sports Time Radio
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Thanks to the Big Jack for recapping game 1 of the double header.  Game 2 pitts easily rattled John Lackey vs Drew Pomeranz.  Now earlier on The Podcast I picked the Cubs to take game 2.  I really haven’t heard much out of Drew for awhile, so to my surprise he pitched a great game as did John Lackey.  

Lackey would start the game off and retire the first 14 batters he faced through 5 innings.  Pomeranz would give up a single in the first to Jason Heyward and Kris Bryant but would get out of the inning with a double play ball.   He would walk Baez in the second but would cruise through 4 and put two base runners on in the top of the fifth. As I said, Lackey would retire his first 14 batters but on an 0-1 count to catcher Christian Betancourt would give up a monster home run to left.  Betancourt’s eye on the ball out of the playing field would rattle Lackey to give up a single to Pirela but would get out of the inning with out anymore damage.  

Lackey would come into the 6th and strike out the first two batters and get Will Meyers to fly out.  The seventh inning would also be a 1-2-3 inning for him.  Now the Cubs did get a couple base runners in these innings but no one crossed the plate.  Lackey would go into the eighth and give up a leadoff single to Betancourt but would get out of the inning.  

Brad Hand would come into the bottom of the eighth and strikeout the first two batters but would walk Heyward.  With two outs, Kris Brysnt would send one high into the sky shortstop, Alexi Ramirez would at the last second drop it.  Anthony Rizzo would walk to load the bases!  Two outs, bases loaded, Jorge Soler has the chance to put the Cubs in the lead but goes down swinging.  

Travis Wood started the 9th getting Jon Jay to fly out but Maddon would seize the opportunity to bring in Hector Rondon.  He would strikeout Meyers and get Matt Kemp to ground out to end the inning.  Former Cub, Fernando Rodney would come in for a possible save and would give up a lead off single to Javier Baez.  With the infield in, LaStella would send a sharp groundball to third with an opportunity to turn two, they only get the force out at second.  Ryan Kalish would pinch hit for Ross and would ground out to second but with Tommy running the double play is broken up.  Zobrist with two outs and Tommy on second, he can tie the game.  Rodney feeling the pressure goes to a full count but gets former Rays teammate to ground out to him.  What a game!  Now I know the Cubbies lost but you’ve got to love a pitchers duel.  

Lackey would go 8 innings with only 3 hits, 1 run, no walks and 7 strikeouts.  Combined for the 9th inning, Wood and Rondon would put no runners on and close out the game.  Again they didn’t win, but still a great game to watch.  Today just wasn’t thier day and it’s the first time they’ve lost consecutive games this season.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve never seen a Cubs team like this! 

@danzeeeman
The Podcast

It’s a day-nighter (Game 1)

Posted: May 11, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
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The San Diego Padres used a couple of Javier Baez errors and a 3-run home run by Brett Wallace to end the Cubs 8-game winning streak with a 7-4 victory in Game 1 of a day night doubleheader.

After extended use of their bullpens last night both teams where hoping to get some innings out of there starting pitcher this afternoon. Kyle Hendricks struggled early on for the Cubs, but settled down to pitch 6 2/3rd innings. Hendricks racked up 8 strikeouts with 1 walk while giving up 6 hits. 2 of the 3 runs Hendricks gave up where earned. Colin Rea lasted just 5 innings for San Diego. Rea gave up 7 hits while allowing 4 runs all of which where earned. He struck out 3 while walking 4. Neither starting pitcher figured in the decision. Former Cub Carlos Villanueva picked up the win in relief for the Padres and another former Cub Fernando Rodney picked up the save. It was Villanueva”s 1st win of the season and for Rodney it was his 9th save this season. Pedro Strop struggled for the Cubs out of the bullpen. He didn’t record an out while giving up 3 hits, 3 runs and walking 2. Strop also took the Game 1 loss.

Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell each had 2 hits for the Cubs. Zobrist and Russell along with Anthony Rizzo and  Tim Federowicz where credited with RBI’s. Russell Federowicz and Jorge Soler each had a double in the game. Derek Norris had 3 hits in the game for San Diego while Will Myers and Adam Rosales each had 2 hits. Since 2 of the Padres runs where unearned Brett Wallace drove in 3 runs with his 2nd home run of the season and Matt Kemp picked up the other 2 RBI’s for the Padres.

The Cubs will look to start a new winning streak behind John Lackey in the night cap. San Diego counters with Drew Pomeranz on the mound. Fist pitch is schedule for 7:10 p.m.

@burketime
The Podcast

Baez makes it 7!

Posted: May 8, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
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It took 13 innings, but the Chicago Cubs found a way to extend their winning streak to 7 with a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. The win also gives the Cubs a sweep of the 4-game series.

After a Kris Bryant double tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the 7th both teams had opportunities to score, but couldn’t get that hit they needed. Finally with 2 outs in the bottom of the 13th inning Blake Treinen hung a 2-2 slider to Javier Baez and Baez sent the ball into the left center field bleachers for a walk off 4-3 win.

Jake Arrieta started for the Cubs while Tanner Roark was the starter for the Nationals. Both of them where long gone by the time this one ended. While it looked as though the Cubs had an advantage on the mound going into the game it didn’t start that way. Arrieta had one of his worst outing in who knows when. He lasted just 5 innings giving up 3 runs with 2 of then being earned. He also walked 4 while striking out 7 and it took him 100 pitches to get through those 5 innings. Roark lasted 1 inning longer than Arrieta and gave up just 1 unearned run while walking 2 and striking out 7. It was in the hands of the bullpens after that. The Cubs bullpen pitched 8 scoreless innings while the Nationals bullpen went 5 1/3rd scoreless innings before the Baez home run ended that streak and the game. Travis Wood picked up his 1st win of the year and Treinen (2-1) took the loss.

Kris Bryant had 3 hits and 2 RBI’s for the Cubs with 1 of his hits being a double. Jason Heyward, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell each had 2 hits for the Cubs. Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa each had 3 hits for the Nationals and Ramos also drove in a run while 1 of Espinosa’s hits was a double. Daniel Murphy also added 2 hits with 1 being a double for Washington. Bryce Harper tied a major league record by walking 6 times on a game. Harper had no official at bats in the game as he had the 6 walks and in his other plate appearance he was hit by a pitch.

Washington (19-12) gets t head home after a 10-game road trip. They face the Detroit Tigers tomorrow. The Cubs (24-6) get to stay at the friendly confines as the San Diego Padres come to town to start a 3-game series on Monday.

@Burketime
The Podcast

Making it 6 in a row.

Posted: May 7, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
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It was about 25 degrees cooler than yesterday and the wind was blowing straight in at Wrigley Field, but the Cubs and the Nationals still combines to score 13 runs in the Cubs 8-5 victory. It was the 6th win in a row for the Cubs and there 3rd straight over the nationals. The Cubs will go for the sweep of the 4 game series tomorrow afternoon. Lefty Gio Gonzalez got the start for the Nationals and through 5 innings he was able to keep the Cubs in check and the Nationals had a 4-3 lead. Jason Hammel struggled through 5 innings for the Cubs. It took Hammel 97 pitches to get trough those 5 innings and he walked more batters (4) then he struck out (3). Spencer Patton was the first Cubs reliever out of the bullpen, but he couldn’t get anyone out. It was Patton’s first appearance since being called up from Triple-A Iowa. Patton gave up 1 run while walking a batter and not recording an out before Clayton Richard came in to finish off the top of the 6th inning. With the way Gonzalez was pitching it looked like the 2-run lead might be enough for him. After a line out a single and a sacrifice bunt there where 2 outs and a man on 2nd for the Cubs. Jorge Soler singled to right, but 3rd base coach Gary Jones choose not to test the arm of Bryce Harper and the Cubs had runners on 1st and 3rd. Addison Russell singled to make the score 4-3 and end Gonzalez’s day. Blake Treinen walked the only hitter he faced; pinch hitter Tommy LaStella to load the bases. Lefty Sammy Solis was brought in to face left handed pinch hitter Ryan Kalish. Kalish managed a chip shot into short left field that Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa just missed. How ever you want to describe Kalish’s hit it drove in 2 runs and gave the Cubs a short lived 5-4 lead. Travis Wood started the Top of the 7th on the mound for the Cubs, but after giving up a lead off triple t Ben Revere he was removed for Adam Warren. After a strikeout for the 1st out of the inning Harper was intentionally walked and it looked like when Ryan Zimmerman hit a ground ball that Warren would get the Cubs out of the inning. Zimmerman beat the double play throw to first base as Revere scored and the game was tied at 5. In the Bottom of the 7th with 1 out Anthoy Rizzo hit a ground rule double. After and intentional walk to Ben Zobrist Solis was replaced by Shawn Kelley. It was Russell again who came through big for the Cubs. He hit a fly ball down the right field line that looked like it might go foul. Harper moved over to the foul line to try and catch the ball and it went off his glove barely in fair territory for a double. Two runs scored on the play and the Cubs had a 7-5. “Russell’s hit could be described as a Wrigley Field double as it looked as through Harper pulled up a little to not hit the wall. In any other ballpark he would’ve had the room t make the catch and end the inning.   Now the game was in the hands of bullpen combo Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon. Strop pitched the 8th and struck out all 3 Nationals hitters he faced. A Zobrist RBI single in the bottom of the 8th gave Rondon a 3 run cushion for the 9th inning. A Daniel Murphy fly out to left. a strikeout of Revere looking and an Espinosa ground out 3rd to 1st ended the Nationals 9th inning and gave the Cubs their 6th win in a row.

Warren (3 -0) got the win for the Cubs. Strop picked up a hold (7th) and Rondon recorded his 6th save of the season. Solis (0-1) took the loss for the Nationals. Tomorrow it’s Jake Arrieta against Tanner Roark in the series finale.

@Burketime

The Podcast 

How was your week

Posted: May 7, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in Auto Racing, baseball, golf, NASCAR, sports, Uncategorized
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MLB

The Chicago Cubs have won the first two games in their four game series against the Washington Nationals to improve their record to a Major League best 22-6. When the season was getting under way most if not all of the media expected the Cubs to be good and they haven’t disappointed. At first the Cubs winning was viewed as nothing but positive since it’s the Cubs and everyone knows the story. No World Series win since 1908. Then as odd as it might seem as the Cubs continued to win these early season games the media started to question if the Cubs where that good or if it was there schedule that has been allowing them to put up this type of record; so this four game series against the Nationals was seen as a big test for the Cubs.

The Cubs opened the 2016 season with an odd 2-game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Behind the starting pitching of Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester the Angels didn’t score in either game and the Cubs started off the season 2-0. The Angels are currently 13-16 and weren’t the challenge the media thought they’d be for the Cubs. The Cubs stayed out West for a 4-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks looked to have won the off season, but that didn’t translate into this series as the Cubs took 3 of 4. Arizona is currently 13-18 and in last place in the National League West; so they apparently weren’t the match up the experts where looking for the Cubs to face either. After their  trip out West, the Cubs came home for their home opener and a 3-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, which the Cubs swept. While it’s difficult to sweep a team this wasn’t much of a surprise to anyone. The Reds did get of to a good start to the season, but are now 13-17. After the Reds, the Colorado Rockies came to Chicago for a 3-game series and the Cubs hit their first speed bump of the season as the Rockies took 2 of 3 in this series. Colorado is one game under .500 at 14-15, but the N.L. West is so close that they’re just one game of of 1st place. After losing there first series of the year the Cubs went back on the road to face there rivals the St. Louis Cardinals in a 3-game series. This was looked at as the Cubs first test of the season and they appeared to pass as they took 2 of 3 games in St. Louis. The Cardinals have struggled a little bit and since they’re just .500 at 15-15 this series win wasn’t good enough for the Cubs. The Cubs then went to Cincinnati for a 4-game series against the Reds; which they where expected to win and they took 3 of the 4 games. It was back to Chicago for the Cubs and another N.L. Central match up; this time against the Milwaukee Brewers. Because of rain the series ended up being just 2 games and the Cubs won both. This was another expected outcome as the Brewers are in rebuild mode. Milwaukee is 11-18 and currently in last place in the N.L. Central. The Atlanta Braves where the next team on the schedule as they came to Chicago for a 3-game series, but more rain allowed just 2 games to be played and the teams split the shortened series. Was this the chink in the Cubs armor experts where looking for? The Braves are also rebuilding and have the worst record in baseball right now at 7-21, but look out they won a game in Chicago. The Cubs headed back out on the road and jumped back into N.L. Central play as they faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 3-game series. This was suppose to be another test for the Cubs as the Pirates where and still are in 2nd place in the N.L. Central. This appears to be another test the Cubs passed as they swept the Pirates. Pittsburgh is 16-13 on the season. This brings us to where we are now with the Cubs facing the Nationals.

You’ve seen the schedule the Cubs have played and are they just a creation of the teams they faced or are they a serious contender. I hope you’re leaning towards contender and you’re not looking to make excuses for the tams success. I’ve also been trying to figure out how the schedule is the Cubs fault. I believe the schedule was set by Major League Baseball  and the Cubs or any other team don’t have anything to do with the scheduling of games. Will the Cubs continue to win games at a clip of .786 like they are now; probably not. While the Cubs are on a 5-game winning streak right now and they haven’t lost back to back games there will probably be some times when they lose multiple games in a row. Will that be the test the media needs, to see how they bounce back from a losing streak or is it something else. While it’s still too early in the season to hand the Cubs the World Series trophy they look like a team that might be in the mix for it at the end of the season.

NASCAR

The Sprint Cup series is going racing tonight in the GoBowling 400 at Kansas Speedway. Chris Olmstead usually joins the Sports Time Radio podcast on Sunday mornings to preview the race and give his Top 3 drives he thinks has h the best chance to end up in victory lane. Well with the race being on Saturday night Chris has sent us his picks for tonight’s race. Chris is going with Kevin Harvick; who’s starting 26th, Chase Elliott who’s starting 13th and Kyle Busch who’s starting 6th. Martin Truex Jr. took the pole with an average speed of 190.921 miles per hour. Matt Kenseth starts 2nd with his teammate Denny Hamlin starting 3rd. Kurt Busch will start the race 4th and last weeks winner Brad Keslowski rounds out the Top 5 starting 5th. Hopefully Chris will be able to join The Big Jack and Mr. Fantasy on Sports Time Radio tomorrow (Sunday) to review the race.

PGA

Zac Blair is a professional golfer and yesterday he was disqualified from the Wells Fargo Championship on Friday for using a bent putter. Now how did Blair’s putter get bent? Well Blair missed a putt on the 5th hole of his round on Friday and proceeded to hit himself in the head with his putter and bent it. Everything would’ve been fine if Blair hadn’t use the putter, but Rule 4-3b states that you can’t use a non-conforming club and by bending his club in anger Blair had a non-conforming club. Blair could have tapped in with a wedge and played the rest of the round without a putter. The Rules of Golf allow you to replace a damaged club during a round but not if the damage was done in anger. Blair  approached a rules official on the sixth tee and explained the situation, which resulted in disqualification. Blair was 4 over par at the time and in danger of missing the 36-hole cut. In case you’re wondering Andrew Loupe is leading the tournament at -8 going into Saturday’s round.

Listen to The Podcast on BlogTalkRadio.com and you can find me on Twitter @Burketime

National Beat Down in Chi Town

Posted: May 7, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, fantasy, sports, Sports Time Radio
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The Nationals seek to redeem themselves with Max Sherzer taking on the third J in the rotation, John Lackey.  He would start the first inning off by striking out Mr Fantasy’s guy Ben Revere but would give up the first run of the game with a solo home run to left center field by Anthony Rendon.  Would this be that kind of day for Lackey?  He wouldn’t let the hype behind Harper scare him because he’d get him to ground out and then end the inning striking out Ryan Zimmerman.  Fowler would not lead off with a swinging strikeout.  Heyward would walk but Max would get through the inning no problem after that.  Nationals 1-0.

Daniel Murphy would start the second with his 11th double of the season.  Wilson Ramos would single to Javier Baez.  Scherzer would add to his lead with a ground ball single to right. Lackey would only give up that run.  Ben Zobrist would show his patience at the plate by leading off with a walk.  The hot hand, Tommy La Stella would send a fly ball to right center for his second home run of the season.  Max would see four more batters to end the inning.  

Lackey would see his first 1-2-3 inning of the day to start the third.  With two outs, Anthony Rizzo would step in the box a knock his 10th homer of the season to right field.  Zobrist couldn’t let Tommy and “Tony” be the only ones because he knocks his 4th dinger of the season to right also.   

Lackey would get into a little trouble in the fourth giving up a leadoff single to Daniel Murphy and then beaning Danny Espinosa who appears to have a target on him for whatever or no reason what so ever.  Sherzer would see his first 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half of the fourth.  Lackey would have a smooth 5th but not Max.  With one out, Heyward would double to right.  After Brysnt goes down swinging, Antony Rizzo would end up at first with a walk.   2 men on and 2 out, Ben Zobrist steps to the box, he must have been a big believer in #ItsJustApril, because he’s making up for it in May with his second of the day and fifth on the season with a home run to right, he puts the Cubs up by 5.  It would t stop there, Tommy would knock a triple to Harper, working backwards for the cycle.  Cubs 7-2

Besides the single to Murphy, Labkey would have another solid inning, if they keep the lead, he’s acquired himself a quality start.  David Ross would start the bottom half with a double to right. Lackey would get him over to third with a quality sacrifice bunt back to new pitcher Blake Treinen.  Fowler would finally join in the action with a single to center, scoring David Ross but Heyward would end the inning with a double play.  

Lackey would come out for the seventh and instead of hitting Edpinosa, he would go down swinging.  He would also get Stephen Drew to go down on strikes and Revere would end it with a grounder back to Lackey.  Oliver Perez would be the third pitcher of the day for the Nats and get Bryant to ground out.  He would walk Rizzo and before walking Zobrist would throw a wild pitch and a passed ball would get Rizzo to third.  He would get Tommy to ground into a double play to end the inning.  

After 7 solid innings, Clayton Richard would replace Lackey, would get the first out of the inning but walk Bryce Harper.  He’d strike out Zimmerman but give up a single to Murphy prompting a visit to the mound to bring in Justin Grimm.  Grimm would allow Richard’s runs to cross the plate with a Jayson Werth double.  He would acquire two runs himself with a line drive home run to left center.  Espinosa would not get hit, but would go down watching strike three cross the plate.  

New pitcher Shawn Kelly would replace Perez and have a quick inning with Baez, Ross and Soler. The Cubs bullpen would prove this season to be able to close games out.  Hector Rendon would start with pinch hitter for the pitcher, Chris Heisey, by striking him out.  Revere would ground out!  Big hitter, Anthony Rendon looking to keep the Nats in the game swings for the fences, striking out but the dropped ball recovered by Ross is thrown to Rizzo to end the game!  Cubs win! Cubs Win!   

@DanZeeeMan
The Podcast

Cubs hit 7 seas in Pittsburgh

Posted: May 2, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, fantasy, Sports Time Radio
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Jason Hammel looks for one of his biggest outings against the also hot streaking Pittsburgh Pirates and thier #2 Gerrit Cole.  Now I have to be honest, today on The Podcast I not only went against the Cubs but I questioned thier ability to perform against a playoff contending team like the Pirates, who’ve also been tearing up their opennents.  They must have had us on in the clubhouse and dugout (I wish) because they shut me up.  As I predicted though, Dexter Fowler would lead off the game with a single, at least I was spot on with that but Cole would get out of the inning.  Hammel would get leadoff man John Jaso to ground out but would give up a solo home run to Andrew McCutchen.  Both pitchers would have relatively easy 2cd innings.  

Fowler would leadoff the third with a walk.  With two men out Rizzo would step into the box and send a fly ball to right scoring Dexter!  Zobrist would send a line drive single to right scoring Rizzo. Russell would end the inning swinging but the Cubs would go up 2-1.  The every other inning theory says they both had again relatively easy fourth innings.  

With the leadoff man out, Kris Bryant would walk and reach third on Rizzo’s second double of the game.  Zobrist would get his second RBI of the game with a sac fly to center.  Cole would hit Russell and then walked Matt Szczur prompting a pitching change, with A.J. Schugel.  David Ross would send a soft line drive to right, scoring both Rizzo and Russell.  Hammel would strikeout ending the inning but the Cubs would be up 6-1.  

Jason Hammel would give up a leadoff single to Jody Mercer and then a walk to Jason Rogers  but would get the next three batters out including McCutchen but not before Jody Mercer would score.  Kyle Lobstein would come in for the Pirates giving up a lead off double to Fowler but would get out of the inning with out any damage.  Hammel would start off the sixth by hitting Starling Marte which would bring a coaching visit to the mound.  With Adam Warren pitching, Marte would get caught stealing but he would get out of the inning with out a run.  

Lobstein would hit Zobrist to start the inning off but would get Addison to pop out.  Baez would single pushing Zobrist. Soler would pinch hit for Adam Warren and on a wild pitch Zobrist would score but Soler would pop out.  Cubs up 7-2.  

Justin Grimm would come into the game and get out of the 7th by only giving up one hit.  With Lobstein still in the game, he would get out of the eighth by only giving up a double to Bryant.  Pedro Strop would replace Grimm by striking out Matt Joyce.  Marte would single to center but that would be all she wrote with Francisco Cervelli grounding into a double play.  Arquimedes Caminero would replace Lobstein and with two outs would give up a single to Baez and walk Ross.  Clayton Richard would come into the game pinch hitting for Strop but would ground out to end the inning. 

Travis Wood comes into close out the game and starts it off by striking out Gregory Polanco. With two outs he’d walk Jody Mercer but would strike out Jason Rogers to end the game.   Cubs pitching would prove to be a huge strength tonight especially the bullpen combined only giving up 2 hits and striking out 6 batters with only two walks.  Hammel is now 4-0 with 5 games started and only 29 innings.  Until tomorrow! 

The Podcast
@danzeeeman

Angel Pagan puts the fizz in Giants’ pop!

Posted: May 1, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, fantasy, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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As April fades into May, we see that both the Chicago Cubs (17-5) and San Francisco Giants (11-12) sit atop the standings in their respective divisions, despite the different routes they have traveled to get there.

Even though they are currently tied for first place in the National League West, courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ six game losing streak, the outlook has not been brilliant for the San Francisco Giants in April. They were crushed Friday night in New York by the Mets, 13-1, and they dropped a 6-5 decision on Saturday evening, as the Mets extended their winning streak to eight.The Cubs are 8-2 in their last ten games and missed the opportunity to break their franchise record for wins in April because of Saturday’s rainout with the Atlanta Braves (5-18). 

The Giants, on the other hand, were swept in their first four games of the most recent homestead by the Arizona Diamondbacks, before rallying to take five of the final six between the San Diego Padres, who they swept, and the Miami Marlins, who dropped two of three.

Between Jake Peavy (1-2, 8.61 ERA, 2.00 WHIP) walking guys on Friday night, and Matt Cain (0-3, 7.00 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) hitting batters with pitches on Saturday, the Giants were giving runs away like they were going out of style. Granted it would have made no difference on Friday, but those two hit batsmen in Saturday’s game cost Cain his first victory this season. 

Of course, prior to doubling their run production for Cain on Saturday by scoring three runs, the Giants had managed to score only three runs total in Cain’s first four starts, shades of deja vu from early on in his career, when the longest tenured Giants gained sympathy for his lack of run support.

Still, there is no getting around his 7.00 earned run average and his 1.59 WHIP in the opening month of the season. As much as he has looked good on the mound, especially early on in games, Cain needs a shakeup, or maybe a shakedown, to stir things up and activate his confidence. 

Otherwise, the Dodgers are going to get their act together, and leave San Francisco behind while it continues to allow Cain to try and pitch his way back into some semblance his former self.

Peavy is actually worse statistically than Cain, despite going seven innings against the Marlins eight days ago, while giving up just two runs. That’s the frustrating part with both Cain and Peavy, the fact that both have looked sharp at times, and clueless at others.

Despite the sagging back end of the rotation, there are some incredibly bright spots for the Giants, including the fact that they have struck out the fewest of any teams in the National League (155); only the Los Angeles Angels (123) have whiffed fewer times in all of MLB. 

Angel Pagan is batting .315 with 17 RBIs in the early going, but it is his positive attitude that has been the most noteworthy component of the team’s new left fielder. Pagan’s willingness to put the team first when Denard Span came on board, by shifting from center field to left, paved the way for the smooth transition in the outfield.

Bruce Bochy’s strategy of batting Pagan ninth, giving the team two consecutive speedsters in the batting order after the first inning, has proven to be an effective tool in light of Pagan’s quick start. The former Met has epitomized the role that chemistry plays within the Giants organization, and it is showing up in more tangible ways as far as batting average and production as the season wears on.

Johnny Cueto’s 4-1 win/loss record and his 2.65 ERA are examples of his contributions on the field, but it is his charismatic presence that cannot be underestimated, as far as providing leadership and motivation to the team. His ability to stay on an even keel no matter what is going on around him, contributes to the team’s ability to respond accordingly.

The Giants seem to be more relaxed when Cueto is on the mound, a reflection of the Dominican native’s ability to keep the team loose. The season is still early but it is obvious that the one-two punch of Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto will be an effective combo against any other two starters in the league.

Of course, when it comes to pitching, the Cubs with a team ERA of 2.39, have almost half the earned run average of the Giants, 4.70. 

The season may be only one month old, but this has got to change if the Giants are going to be able to establish the confidence needed to make a serious run at a fourth title in seven years.
That being said, confidence does not seem to be lacking on the Cubs these days.
@BelllSpringsMark  

You can find more of Mark’s writing on China Basin Chatter

Jake the Great!

Posted: April 28, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, fantasy, post season, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
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Soooo last nights matchup pitting Mr. “No one will under cut my work,” Jake Arrieta takes on Milwaukee Brewers 0-3 Taylor Jungmann.  It would appear that the extra day of rest would through The Great One off.  He would give up a single to lead off man Jonathan Villar who would steal second, with #3 in the lineup Ryan Braun.  With one man on and one out, Braun would reach on a walk.  Catcher Jonathan Lucroy would walk but not before the double steal would go into effect.  He wouldn’t let it get to him by striking out the next two batters to prevent the Brew Crew from scoring.  

Dexter Fowler would spark the Cubs with a leadoff single to center.  Heyward would pop out. Chris Bryant would reach after getting hit.  Rizzo would walk to load the bases.  Ben Zobrist with bases loaded would send a ground ball to right scoring Fowler and Bryant!  Cubs up 2-0 after 1 inning.  David Ross would lead off the second with his second home run of the season.   3-0 Cubs after 2.  Kris Bryant would lead off the third with a single and score on Anthony Rizzo’s double to right.  Tommy La Stella would send a line drive to right to right scoring Rizzo.  

Taylor Jungmann would only last 3 2/3 innings with 5 earned runs but the Brew Crea would get out of the fourth with giving up any runs.  After his scuffle in the first, Jake would cruise through the first half of the game but would give up a single to Jonathan Villar who would steal second and score thier first run of the game on Alex Presley’s double to right breaking The Great One’s scoreless streak at the Freindly Confines.  

Chris Capuano would come into the fifth and load the bases with walks.  Fowler would ground into a force out getting the run back, putting the Cubs up 6-1.  Madden would pull Arrieta after 5 for Justin Grimm.  Sam Freeman would come into the sixth for Milwaukee.  He would give up a leadoff hit to Javier Baez and then would walk the bases loaded for Addison Russell who would ground into a force out scoring Baez but would get out of the inning. 

Trevor Cahill would start the seventh with a strike out, give up a hit, then a strike out, walk and pop out to end the inning.  He would get two batters out but after a fielding error and a walk would be replaced by Pedro Strop who would end the inning on a strike out.  

Neil Ramirez would come into the ninth inning, leading off with a K but would give up a double to Villar who would move to third on a wild pitch.  Alex Presley would score him on a sac fly.  Ryan Braun would ground out to end the game.  7-2. 

Jake would get his fifth win of the season but not a quality start striking out 6, walking 4 and giving up just three hits with a run.   The Cubs bullpen would continue to protect thier starting pitcher as they have all month long giving up only 3 hits and 1 run but striking out 7.   

Another W in the books! 

@danzeeeman
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