uberschnell

Can we please admit that this little Bonifacio hype was premature? As I've been saying all year...he needs to be on the bench. We'll be a much better team once Gaby Sanchez joins us. Bonifacio is not a starter. He's a nice utility player. I'd like to see him on the bench in the minors some where. Yes the Bonificio hype was way premature. While we were hoping he would stay hot, it was the unforgiving regression to the mean. He has been a life time .240 hitter and guess where his batting average is headed? Yep, you guessed it, it's heading towards .240. I don't even know if he is a good utility player? :mis2

Thanks RAB, you are the man.

He won't be back, trust me.

First the Bullpen sucks, then the offense sucks (Bonaficio, Uggla, Hermida, and Ross) and vise versa. This team is knee jerking the fans not the fans knee jerking because the team sucks. I hope we see a little consistency in the coming weeks!

I found it interesting, good read Nny and good insight from the fans.

I just went to all 4 Wrigley games (my 1st time). Great weather and atmosphere- right there with Boston and Fenway. Anyway, I was surprised to see a few Marlins fans. I got to shake Greg Maddux's hand today. Many Cubs fans were awesome and knowledgable. I barely got heckled and when I did I gave it back to them by saying "2003" and "1908". Couple of things I noticed..... 1) Our defense is stellar this year and much improved! 2) Hanley and Uggla were both not 100% which really affected our lineup. Others had to step up- Hermida is still not clutch. Bonfacio is not a good hitter at all- will develop into a very good utility guy. 3) Nolasco doesn't look too good- especially when the count reaches 3 balls- he always gives in instead of walking a few. 4) This series was a chance for Paulino, Gload, and Helms to step up and neither did. 5) Other than Volstad and Johnson, I'm a little concerned with our rotation. All in all, I think the Cubs and Dodgers are the 2 best teams in the NL. I think the Fish will be fine and will make a run at the postseason this year. Our defense is stellar this year and much improved! Did you go to the same series at Wrigley field that I went to? I thought our defense looked horrific. If you mean Amezaga's defense was stellar then I agree. Cameron Maybin got horrible jumps in center field on balls that should have been easily caught. In fact if he catches a ball in Badenhop's inning the grand slam never gets hits because there would have been three outs. Gload in right field dropping a line drive that either scored a run or attributed to one scoring (can't remember). Dan Uggla at second base fielding slow rollers, or fielding period is a joke. Amezaga is the best defender on the team-he makes any play that Hanley and Uggla make look twice as easy. Our offense is a total joke. I was amazed to see how many fly balls these guys hit. Uggla tries to hit a homerun every single time. He simply sucks and his numbers say it all right now. Bonificio sucks as he is a sure out most of the time. Jeremy Hermida is terrible. On Saturday he got the golden sumbraro (sp.) striking out 4 times and looking really really really bad. I hope something changes soon because this team looked terrible in Chicago. Are you joking? Hermida diving catch. Amezaga is amazing with 2 Top 10 plays in the same game. Helms diving double play stab. Bonifacio looked good. Cantu 2 great stabs. Our defense was our brightest thing this series. I wish we could learn how to hit though. Bases juiced with no outs and we only got one because Hermida goes up to the plate like a scared little minor leaguer. No I wasn't joking. Any good defensive left fielder makes that play and probably not diving. Amezaga could make those plays night in and night out, yes, he is that good and those plays were awesome. I didn't see Helms' plays. I thought Boni looked terrible both defensively and offensively. Example, he hardly got on base and looked silly striking out, oh, and on defense when Zambrano showed bunt and Boni showed no respect so Zambrano bunted it to him and he no play. Boni had no shot on the second bunt either then an error by Gload and what do you know Lee hits a grand slam. After all this looking back now you are right our defense was the brightest spot. We had no pitching and certainly no offense. It was my first time at Wrigley and I enjoyed the heck out of it.

I just went to all 4 Wrigley games (my 1st time). Great weather and atmosphere- right there with Boston and Fenway. Anyway, I was surprised to see a few Marlins fans. I got to shake Greg Maddux's hand today. Many Cubs fans were awesome and knowledgable. I barely got heckled and when I did I gave it back to them by saying "2003" and "1908". Couple of things I noticed..... 1) Our defense is stellar this year and much improved! 2) Hanley and Uggla were both not 100% which really affected our lineup. Others had to step up- Hermida is still not clutch. Bonfacio is not a good hitter at all- will develop into a very good utility guy. 3) Nolasco doesn't look too good- especially when the count reaches 3 balls- he always gives in instead of walking a few. 4) This series was a chance for Paulino, Gload, and Helms to step up and neither did. 5) Other than Volstad and Johnson, I'm a little concerned with our rotation. All in all, I think the Cubs and Dodgers are the 2 best teams in the NL. I think the Fish will be fine and will make a run at the postseason this year. Our defense is stellar this year and much improved! Did you go to the same series at Wrigley field that I went to? I thought our defense looked horrific. If you mean Amezaga's defense was stellar then I agree. Cameron Maybin got horrible jumps in center field on balls that should have been easily caught. In fact if he catches a ball in Badenhop's inning the grand slam never gets hits because there would have been three outs. Gload in right field dropping a line drive that either scored a run or attributed to one scoring (can't remember). Dan Uggla at second base fielding slow rollers, or fielding period is a joke. Amezaga is the best defender on the team-he makes any play that Hanley and Uggla make look twice as easy. Our offense is a total joke. I was amazed to see how many fly balls these guys hit. Uggla tries to hit a homerun every single time. He simply sucks and his numbers say it all right now. Bonificio sucks as he is a sure out most of the time. Jeremy Hermida is terrible. On Saturday he got the golden sumbraro (sp.) striking out 4 times and looking really really really bad. I hope something changes soon because this team looked terrible in Chicago.

Amezaga for sure. I was at the game and that play alone took the air out of the balloon. Then, to make things better he doubled in the 10th and scored. He changed the game with the nice play and the big hit. Amezaga.

A saves a save. Maybe if one of those guys doesnt walk, they HR. Ill take it. A HR would have been better. It would have killed the Mets rally. David Wright's strikeout and a pop out to short killed the rally, not to mention the umpire killing the pitchers with ball to strike calls. Putz also walked the first two didn't he? That was sarcasm from last night's gamethread, uber. I wasn't serious. I know bro I didn't think you were. I was just playing as well. That's the problem with threads and writing. You can't read emotion behind the words. That umpire was brutal all game long.

A saves a save. Maybe if one of those guys doesnt walk, they HR. Ill take it. A HR would have been better. It would have killed the Mets rally. David Wright's strikeout and a pop out to short killed the rally, not to mention the umpire killing the pitchers with ball to strike calls. Putz also walked the first two didn't he?

A saves a save. Maybe if one of those guys doesnt walk, they HR. Ill take it. This is true. I think the anxiety, heart, and depression medicine for the fans this season is going to get expensive. :lol Last nights save was smooth, this afternoon (playing in with the factors-tight strike zone) it was a little tense!

is any player ever 100% though? though I guess it's different for the bullpen since they only play a few innings a year. Probably not. However, in this case his arm is fine other than the decelarator (sp.) muscle in his shoulder is not fully developed. He can throw hard, but its the muscle that slows down the arm that is still untrained, therefore, he in this regard is not 100%.

we luck we got last out because their have runner to tie game or win it It's about time we started getting some luck. Losing streaks are absent in luck.

cantu saved the game and it was a good test for lindstrom......if they get hits its one thing but the walks need to stop he wont always get that lucky. you make a good point.

During the recent losing streak the offense has gone to sleep. The offense will come around IMO. When we were winning, both of them looked great. However, consistency from both the offense and pitching is what concerns me. I guess that's why baseball is a game of momentum. If one is doing well then the other seems to be doing the same. If not, then one or the other has to step it up.

I find it interesting that he doesn't feel 100% as well. Especially after hitting 100 mph a few times last night. If that's the case I can't wait until he is 100%.

I hope he gets back from the injury and on track quickly!

I hope he starts adjusting soon. We need to score some runs!

Can we stop with the excuses? He threw a ball at 102 last night. He is fine. He is an average reliever, who had a piss-poor outing last night. While he's nothing great...he's also not as terrible as last night. No major league pitcher is, to be fair. But he's no longer hurt...and if he is, I want to be hurt like him. I think the only thing that is hurt is his ego. That was the worst outing he has ever had. He is an average reliever... While he's nothing great... I will agree with you on this, however, I think he is only average and not great when he throws one pitch and until he changes that, yes, he will be average (so far this has been the case unfortunately). I think the thing that makes him average is his reliance on one pitch-the fastball. His makeup also makes him average because when he needed to throw a strike last night he was tenative and couldn't calm himself down. He needed to find the plate and couldn't. He fell behind every batter and his fastball was running inside, down, away, ect... and when Jason Werth hit the piss out of it he couldn't locate it anymore. Then when he'd fall behind in counts he would groove a fastball hoping the batter would roll it over or pop it out. His strike out looked good, but it was too late-then for no reason in the world he went away from it. Honestly, IMO this "piss poor outing" as you called it (I agree it was) is going to benefit him in the long run. I think it had to happen. He has gotten away with throwing majority fastballs and always has relied on them. Last night taught him that MLB hitters can time 98, 93, 96 102 if it is constantly thrown up there. Now, if like you said he starts throwing split-changeups (it doesn't even have to be that good) to lefties and mixes in the sliders (even back to back to back to back) then and only then will he be an above average closer. You have stuck to your opinions a lot (I respect that) and so have I regarding Lindstrom. As the season continues I look for him to become better because of this outing and he will before the seasons end be an above average closer. Book it. There is something really odd going on in the 9th innings. Not just with Lindstrom anymore. Last night, Nunez came in & threw 6 consecutive fastballs to Werth...and then, apparently, they decided to throw 6 straight changeups to Ibanez. The pitch selection has been horrible, and VERY predictable. As I said, however, this has nothing to do with fatigue for Lindstrom anymore. He's clearly fine. Whether he puts it together or not remains to be seen. I think he will. I know I've been harsh on him, at times, b/c I disagree with those who think he can dominate, but at the same time...he doesn't suck either. His last outing sucked, and it was unlike him. 7 runs in 1 inning is probably something he'll never do again. It was a bad outing. I just hope it doesn't become mental. You obviously know him better than me, so I'm sure you know where his confidence level is at. That's another thing I dislike. I, normally, don't say things like this, but usually most closers have a certain swagger about them. When Matt comes in, it's almost like he looks scared, at times. From his sweating on the mound to his absolutely red face when he was taken out the other night...I, honestly, felt bad. Whether you think I'm an asshole or not, this is the team I root for, and I know what Lindstrom was feeling from years of experience with my brother in the minors. It sucks. As I said, I just hope he gains confidence. Closer or not, I don't care. I, personally, like Leo Nunez more, but fact is...whether he's closing or setting up, this team needs Matt Lindstrom in the bullpen. There's no denying that. This is also the team I root for. I could care less if Leo Nunez or Matt Lindstrom pitched in the 9th so long as those two were getting the job done. I don't think you are an A-hole. I think you have an opinion and you defend what you think is right. That is what happens on this board. I really can't tolerate those (your not included) who have a myopic outlook regarding players or our current losing streak. There are 144 games left and anything can happen. This losing streak won't last much longer. Like I mentioned before and I like what Freddi has currently said. If Matt doesn't experience what the 9th feels like in that situation with all of the fans screaming and his adrenaline going with the pressure to perform well, how will he ever know what he is suppose to do night in and night out? I think that butt kicking he experienced on Friday night was more valuable than the saves he has currently gotten. He now has to pitch, instead of just throwing. In the next outing I am 100% certain that fans will see back to back offspeed of some sort. And you are right the pitch selection has been dreadful in the 9th inning lately. Oh and for the record, you are right he isn't hurt any longer. Now it's a matter of keeping the adrenaline in check and making a pitch IMO and yes he needs more of a swagger. Regardless I'd just like to see the bullpen start pulling it together like they did at the first of the season.

Good observation Rab. I like your way of thinking. It is a long season and I believe one win will propel us into a winning streak gaining confidence. Baseball is often a game of momentum and breaks. Unfortunately, we haven't gotten those on this losing streak. It will turn around and the bullpen will pull it together IMO. It's like a bad storm; you just have to take cover and wait until it passes. This team will be fine like most of us on here know.

Lindstrom has two pitches... 99mph fastball way low and out of the zone and 99mph meatball right down the middle (When Victorino can hit a HR off of you and all he needs to do is slap a hit into the outfield to get the tie or the lead.... thats really really bad) I could see that HR coming a MILE away- He also throws a very good slider that is never ever ever ever ever ever ever called. I wonder why that is. Which one dosen't have the confidence in it. Him or Baker. I don't see him shaking off any calls, so I'm assuming Baker isn't calling for it. Either he dosen't like the pitch or he isn't comfortable in his ability to block it should it hit the dirt in front of him. But of course I have no idea what they are saying to each other between games either. Last night many here got their wish and Leo was our closer. Didn't work out real well. But is it the pitcher or the pitch selection? Good point BB. I know for a fact Baker calls mostly fastballs and there isn't much shaking going on. It makes you wonder (and for those reading way into this; I'm not making excuses)?

Can we stop with the excuses? He threw a ball at 102 last night. He is fine. He is an average reliever, who had a piss-poor outing last night. While he's nothing great...he's also not as terrible as last night. No major league pitcher is, to be fair. But he's no longer hurt...and if he is, I want to be hurt like him. I think the only thing that is hurt is his ego. That was the worst outing he has ever had. He is an average reliever... While he's nothing great... I will agree with you on this, however, I think he is only average and not great when he throws one pitch and until he changes that, yes, he will be average (so far this has been the case unfortunately). I think the thing that makes him average is his reliance on one pitch-the fastball. His makeup also makes him average because when he needed to throw a strike last night he was tenative and couldn't calm himself down. He needed to find the plate and couldn't. He fell behind every batter and his fastball was running inside, down, away, ect... and when Jason Werth hit the piss out of it he couldn't locate it anymore. Then when he'd fall behind in counts he would groove a fastball hoping the batter would roll it over or pop it out. His strike out looked good, but it was too late-then for no reason in the world he went away from it. Honestly, IMO this "piss poor outing" as you called it (I agree it was) is going to benefit him in the long run. I think it had to happen. He has gotten away with throwing majority fastballs and always has relied on them. Last night taught him that MLB hitters can time 98, 93, 96 102 if it is constantly thrown up there. Now, if like you said he starts throwing split-changeups (it doesn't even have to be that good) to lefties and mixes in the sliders (even back to back to back to back) then and only then will he be an above average closer. You have stuck to your opinions a lot (I respect that) and so have I regarding Lindstrom. As the season continues I look for him to become better because of this outing and he will before the seasons end be an above average closer. Book it.

Disgraceful. Scrubs like this ruin good pitchers' work. It's disheartening, to say the least. Its the reason AJ Burnett wanted out, and now our young starters will now know that even if they work hard, the bullpen will let it go. I can see pitchers trying to leave as soon as possible as long as Loria is the owner. He is the worst owner in MLB period. What a shame for Josh......and now he knows no matter how hard he works, it will be ruined by POS Lindstrom. This guy is worse than Gregg. I'm sure he feels bad for Josh and I bet you he went out there and purposely blew the save just to spite JJ. You are the POS that doesn't know anything. If you understood the game you'd understand that stuff happens in baseball, people have baseball nights. In fact Mariano for the Yankees blew a save in Boston the same night (now for all of those who read way too much into these forums, I'm in no way comparing Mariano Riveria to Matt Lindstrom-relax)SH+T HAPPENS! Lindstrom gave up 7 runs in the top of the ninth something he's never done ever in his career. JJ is a big boy, he'll get over it-he understands baseball. This guy is worse than Gregg. :whistle :lol

It's amazing how many people on this board are really supportive when the team/bullpen is doing well and then when the team struggles all of a sudden that support turns into criticism as to why our team sucks. They are struggling right now, but I believe it will get better. It will start going their way soon, baseball is a funny game. Beside Rab said the team went 2-8 after a good start and then won the world series. So far the team is on that track, so what, there is a ton more baseball. What like 145 games left? We're good.

Hanley's awesome start and then his funk. The Bullpen, they have all contributed nicely. Our record. Never say die attitude and proving the naysayers wrong is awesome.