The Cubs just can not seem to hit with RISP. Last night as a team they left 13 men on base and were 1-15 with RISP. I wish this was a new phenomenon with our Cubs, but it is not, it is same-old same-old, and sure enough their right back where they belong at .500. If this team ever wants get to get over .500 for good, some changes need to be made.
Here are a few of my ideas:
1. Drop Alfonso Soriano out of the lead-off spot. I know he had two hits last night, but they were both bloopers. His batting average is a pathetic .227 and his OBP is .291, both are unacceptable for an "All-Star", let alone a lead-off hitter for a .500 team. The Cubs go as he goes, and he is not going anywhere. Lou Piniella needs to face reality and drop Soriano to 5th, 6th, or 7th in the order. Ryan Theriot is much better suited to bat lead-off for this team, he gets on base, and can steal bases.
2. Do not start Mike Fontenot anymore. I like Fontenot, I really do, but right now he sucks. His average is at .228 and has been there since early April. He is showing no signs of improvement and looks like he's taking hitting tips from Aaron Miles with all the ground ball outs he is making. Keep Fontenot around while Aramis Ramirez is out, then send him back down to AAA to straighten things out with his bat. Right now he is less valuable than Jake Fox and Andres Blanco, so he figures to be the odd man out when Ramirez returns. Especially considering both Fox and Ryan Freel can also play third base.
3. Stop bringing in Aaron Heilman with a lead. Do I really need to explain this one? Seriously every time this joker comes in with runners on base they score. I wish I had the stats to show that over 50% of his inherited runners score. Last night in 1.2IP he allowed 3H and walked one, not good. He came in to relieve Rich Harden in the 6th and did not get the job done. I am tired of Heilman's act, at this point Lou ought to give David Patton more opportunities. Heilman complains that he wants to be a starter, how in the world could this guy start a game? He is terrible.
4. I was originally against trading Harden because I thought we could use him down the stretch in a pennant race. Right now however, I am not sure if this team can even make the playoffs. I am not even sure how good Harden is anymore, his line from last night: 5.1IP, 4R, 2ER, 4H, 4BB, 3K, 2HR allowed. He is not the same power pitcher he was last year and he is no longer striking guys out. Last night his pitch count got up to 109 in a little over 5 innings, which is not very good. I am not saying the Cubs have to trade him, but they should entertain the idea, and see what they can get in return. Harden is 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA this season, his best days could be behind him. Also the Cubs happen to be deep in regards to starting pitching, Sean Marshall or Jeff Samardzija could step in to replace Harden right away.
Now back to last night's game. The Cubs had plenty of men on base and everyone got a hit except Milton Bradley (who did walk 3 times) and Fontenot. Soriano, Theriot, Micah Hoffpauir, and Geovany Soto each had two base hits. Soto had a double and a HR which was very encouraging. Hoffpauir who got the start at first base made some nice plays in the field as well. Derrek Lee managed to extend his career-long hitting streak to 21 games, he also walked 3 times, he also started at DH. Besides Soto's solo-HR, the Cubs runs came when Fontenot grounded into a Fielder's Choice, and Fox hit a Sac-Fly. Fox had a lot of opportunities last night, he was 0-3 with RISP, and almost grounded into a triple play early in the game. I like Fox though and I would keep playing him, I chalk up his lack of production yesterday as inexperience. This guy will hit and drive in runs if Lou keeps playing him. The Cubs are getting their opportunities with RISP, they are just not taking advantage, eventually this has to change. Despite falling back to .500, the Cubs did not lose any ground in the division, as the Cardinals lost to the Mets.
Up next: The Cubs and Tigers end their 3-game set with a 12:05pm game on WGN. How exciting I love lunchtime baseball! Today's match-up is Ted Lilly (7-4, 3.04 ERA) vs Armando Galarraga (3-7, 5.62 ERA). All season Lilly has been our stopper (the guy who ends losing streaks) we need him to end this losing streak today. Comerica Park is perfect for a fly-ball pitcher like Lilly, I think if he is on, he will have a great start, and pick up his 8th win. I do not know much about Galarraga, but his numbers are awful, the Cubs should hit this guy, HARD! It is hot in Detroit so I would expect Lou to rest some guys from last night, such as Bradley (who could DH today), Soto, and Theriot. I expect to see Blanco, Freel, Miles, or Koyie Hill playing today. The Cubs need a victory today to stay above .500 in inter-league play and .500 overall. Not to mention it would be nice to roll into the Cell tomorrow after a win today.
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