The next 12 games ....

[JohnU]

Years back, a 15-12 game in Wrigley was not all that rare. Those were day games, though.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

Lester has major issues, he's Steve Sax on the mound.

 

[JohnU]

geezus ... fucking crap.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

Wow, I can't believe a MLB pitcher could have the problem we just saw. He throws a ball at high velocity 100+ times a outing to hitters and can't toss a clean throw to 1st base. I'll wait and feel sorry for him tomorrow, but hope it cost the Cubs the game tonight.

 

[JohnU]

Doesn't sound like it. I think we've stopped hitting.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

The guy has more money than he'll ever spend, but I'm sure he's embarrassed. Give the guy credit for persevering and continuing to compete. The emotional state of the human mind is a fragile thing. Hate to see anyone suffer physically or emotionally.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

When do the Railcats start their season?

I ordered a couple seats to go down to Louisville in June. It's $30 for two seats behind home plate........maybe I should move to Louisville

 

[Hit-n-Run]

This game is starting to look like most of the first six in that it's going to be decided in the last couple innings. Both SP have settled in and it looks like it'll be a bullpen game. Cueto is the only Reds' starter with a decision so far this year.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

Shows what I know....the wheels are falling off the wagon for Lester in the 6th.

 

[JohnU]

RailCats are an indy league team so they won't get started until the 2nd week of May. They usually wait till all the affiliated make their cuts and see who they can sign.

 

[JohnU]

Reds are making some breaks pay off. Bad defense is always going to beat the Cubs.

And Leake gives another one back to a guy who is 8 for 8 against him.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

I've never gone to a Indy game. There's a team that plays off of I-75 in Florence Ky. At one point they were called the Florence Freedom, not sure if that's still the name or not.

What size crowd do Indy games draw? I'm sure it varies from team to team, a ball park number. A well played game is still good baseball regardless of level of competition. I enjoy watching the recreational league kids play a couple innings if I happen to be at the local park taking a walk when they're playing.

 

[JohnU]

Like everything, minor league ball is about promotions. Weeknights, announced is 3,000 ... actual not as much. Early in the year, attendance is slow until school is out.

Florence is in the Frontier League which is probably equal to the Low A leagues. Players are real young in the Frontier with the oldest guy being 24 or so, by league rules. It's a nice way to get connected to minor league ball. The indy franchises reach out to the fans quite a bit.

9 bucks will get you a box seat.

 

[JohnU]

I'd say this team is fucked.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

There isn't a bridge in this bullpen that'll get you from the starter to Chapman.

The Soler blast comes on a 0-2 pitch. I don't see opposing teams setting up within the strike zone on 0-2 counts, why is Pena calling for a up the latter fast ball there. Diaz has a descent slider and Pena should be trying to set the hitter up with a slider breaking off the plate. Works all day everyday against Reds' hitters and it'll work against most Cubs hitters as well.

 

[JohnU]

It's a matter of which Cubs hitter ends it now.

 

[Hit-n-Run]

It's like hitting a golf ball into a tight pen tucked near the edge, there's always a play that gives you a safer margin of error away from the flag.. Any target in the middle of the plate has a chance of finding it's way into the hitting zone. How about setting up on the black and making your miss left. It'supposed to be advantage pitcher when the count is 0-2.

 

[JohnU]

Even if they win this game, there's no there there for this team. This bullpen is going to do this over and over again.

 

[JohnU]

Of all the cardinal sins in baseball, getting beat on an 0-2 pitch is in the top 3.

 

[JohnU]

One of the other three cardinal sins is to not make the first out of the inning at 3rd base.