Chicago Cubs: 10 Observations on Opening Day
You can't tell a whole lot about a manager or a team from just one game, nor should anyone form any opinions based on such a small sample size. Still, Mike Quade did not have a great managerial debut for the Cubs.
For one thing, the Cubs were beaten by the long ball in their 6-3 loss to the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates. The offense contributed its share of hits, but didn't produce the run support that you might expect when facing a team like the Bucs.
As a longtime, die-hard Cubs fan and critical observer, I have been squawking about all things Cubs since Bleacher Report first started. So, naturally, I have some thoughts. I'd like to share those thoughts with you.
Quade Takes the Train to Work
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So, Cubs manager Mike Quade starts his day off by doing his best Jim Riggleman impression, taking the "el" to the ballpark.
He said no one noticed him, plus he sat next to a guy dressed in Cardinals garb. That certainly isn't a good way to start off any day, much less your first day on a new job. At least he didn't have to talk to that St. Louis fan.
This fits Quade's persona as a lunch bucket, blue collar-type perfectly. He's one of the peeps, my friend, and isn't afraid to slum with us. At least for now.
Dempster Starts in the Dumpster
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The day got progressively worse for Quade as he went from public transportation to constipation watching Ryan Dempster pitch. The Cubs "ace" allowed six runs on the day, issuing two home runs, including a grand slam to Neil Walker.
Did I mention this was against the Pirates?
Demp also walked four batters. To this, Quade claims it was not a bad outing, just a couple of bad pitches. Oh, but those do count.
Quade Allows His Opening Day Starter to Throw 114 Pitches
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114 is a lot of pitches at any point during a season, but it is especially head-scratching on opening day.
Now, a lot of those pitches weren't thrown under duress, or in highly leveraged situations, but still it is stupid. When you consider that Dempster was not exactly throwing a gem, one really has to wonder why Quade would let him go that long?
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Darwin Barney Gets the Nod at Second
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Barney may be a dinosaur, but his bat is certainly not extinct, getting two hits in his Cubs debut. Nice decision by Quade to start the kid at second base.
With Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker also on the team, Quade has more options at second base than Perez Hilton has rumors.
It will be interesting to see how he manages this going forward.
Cubs Fail to See the Error of Their Ways
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Hey, at least the Cubs got through an entire game without committing an error.
All spring the team was plagued by mistakes, so one of the few bright spots to take away from the loss is to see the Cubs not committing any errors, especially Starlin Castro.
Now, error-free baseball is not to be confused with good defense, as the two are not mutually exclusive. Still, it was nice to see that goose egg in the line score: 3-11-0.
Speed Kills
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Well, at least speed kills the Cubs. The lack of it, that is.
The Pirates swiped two bases on the day while the Cubs were caught in their lone attempt. This is a Cubs team without much speed, so they shouldn't compound that by trying to advance when their legs are telling them they should not.
Just to be clear, a runner caught stealing is a bad thing. For it to be of value, a baserunner must succeed on about 80 percent of his attempts. It's a long season, but the Cubs will be more of a station-to-station type of team.
Here's hoping the pitchers and Geo Soto can help control the opponent's running game.
Cubs Still Can't Beat the Pirates?
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This is a question, not a statement, as one game does not a season make. Still, today's loss continues a trend from last season, when the Cubs went 5-10 versus the Pirates.
To win the division, you have to beat the teams in your division. Teams that make the playoffs often destroy the teams they are supposed to beat, and the Cubs are supposed to beat Pittsburgh.
Must Do Better with RISP
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Last season was an especially dismal one for the Cubs hitting with men in scoring position. Today continued that trend, as Cubs hitters were 2-10 with RISP.
Aramis Ramirez had two hits, but was only 1-4 when it counted. Byrd, Soto and Pena were a combined 0-5.
Usually, this is a symptom of a team with bad hitters as opposed to lack of clutch hitters. The concept of clutch hitting is a controversial one, and a good hitter should be a good hitter no matter what the situation.
What Are They Teaching These Cubs?
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The name of the game on offense is to not make an out. This means that on-base percentage (OBP) is king. But year after year, young Cubs come up from the minors without a clue of the strike zone and without much plate discipline.
And Rudy Jaramillo doesn't seem to value the free pass, either.
Look at today's game for a frame of reference, albeit, an extremely small one. The Pirates drew seven walks to the Cubs' two.
Geo Soto, Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd were a combined 1-for-13 with no walks. Conversely, the Pirates' Jose Tabata, Lyle Overbay, Garrett Jones and Ronny Cedeno were a combined 2-for-13, but at least each one of them drew a walk.
Lack of Leadoff Hitter Means Trouble for Colvin
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Because the Cubs do not have a true leadoff hitter, Kosuke Fukudome may get the lion's share of the time in right field, for he is one of the only patient hitters on the team.
Until he goes on his inevitable decline, Fukudome is the only choice to lead off for the Cubs. That means a lack of playing time for Tyler Colvin.
Fukudome started in RF and got on base three times. Colvin appeared as a pinch hitter and struck out (swinging, of course) in the seventh.
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