Cubs Struggle Through Week 3
This was far and away the worst week of this first month of the MLB season for the Chicago Cubs. They managed their lowest total run production, 23 runs, even though they played one more game than they did last week. With the majority of the runs coming in two games, it made things even worse as they dropped four of six on the week.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Rich Harden is far and away my pitcher of the week. He was the only Cub starter to get any run support, and he got it in both his starts. Of the 23 runs scored by the Cubs this week, 17 came in the two games Harden pitched. But he doesn’t get it purely on recording the only two wins for the week. He was dominant by any measure, including my fantasy team where he put up 38 points in his two starts. He struck out 17 in his 12 innings pitching, while only walking four and allowing four runs. This guy stays healthy and the Cubs are in great shape with him all season long.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Offensively this week was a struggle. The two guys leading the team in rbi got most of them yesterday. Kosuke got all five of his for the week on Sunday and Hoffpauir recorded two of his four. Aramis was hot early in the week, but only played four of the games. Hoffpauir had a good week, hitting .400, but had many less plate appearances than most. That will probably change this week as he spells Derrek Lee for a few days.
Kosuke gets the nod as player of the week. While all his rbi came on one day, he was consistently the best hitter this week, leading the team in hits and walks. Alfonso Soriano was close, equalling the hit total of Kosuke. However, he was the prototypical lead off man going the whole week without an rbi.
PLAY OF THE WEEK, COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE WEEK, MANAGERIAL DECISION OF THE WEEK - Open to your votes and comments. Lets hear what you have to say.
Tags: Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, Fantasy Baseball, Kosuke Fukudome, Micah Hoffpauir, Rich Harden, Soriano
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Kevinhill
Lou is finally listening to my comments or somebody comments. He had the correct lineup against St Louis a couple of games ago except he batted Sorry Soriano third . Lead off Theriot, next Fukodome, then either Hoffpauir or Lee. I like Hofpauir better. Give Lee a rest or play Hoffpauir in right ..Then Ramiez. Bat Sorry Soriano 6th . Hill 7th . Miles 8th NOT Fontenot. Sit him or get a 2nd baseman that can hit.
Hofpauir needs to play 1st though.. He doesnt have enough experience in the outfield. Sit Soto against righties and play Hill. Bat Hill 7th.
The reason the cubs scored so many runs is a combination of playing Hofpauir and Hill and Miles . Hill was starting to hit and Lou plays No Hit sorry Soto.. Why not play Hill when righties pitch LOU ?Give the guy a chance . Soto is NOT hitting or throwing guys out. Hoffpauir should be playing 1st againt right handed pitchers at least some of the time.. NOT Lee who leaves men on base all the time or hits into double plays.
Give the guys producing like Tony Larruso does. Play Hoffpauir in left some days when curve ball guys will strike out Soriano 3 out of 4 times.
Comment by mikem on April 27, 2009
Mike , thanks for your comments. However, I can’t disagree more with your thoughts. Soriano has to hit leadoff. The game he was moved back to leadoff is the game the Cubs won. He has four hits in the last four games, and three of them were to lead off an inning. The other came with no one on and one out. The guy likes to hit with the bases empty, let him.
I like Hoffpauir better than Lee too, but Derrek Lee is coming around. Didn’t you see the double to score two runs in the first inning of the win on Sunday? I ripped him early, and he deserved it. But he is turning it around. Hoffpauir will get his chances and right now I’ll take him in right over Milton Bradley.
Don’t even get on Mike Fontenot. This guy will rake all year long and you’ll regret saying he can’t hit. In fact, did you see last night’s game. I believe that went yard. Miles had a nice day Sunday, but this is Fontenot’s job and he hasn’t screwed it up enough yet to lose it.
Lastly, on Hill, how I would love to have a Hill be a star on the Cubs. But really, sit Soto against all righties? That means this week he would play one game. Koyie Hill did a great job spelling Soto when he was out. He is a nice bat off the bench and gives us some options. But we are talking rookie of the year in the NL last year. I am willing to give him more than three weeks to work out the kinks.
Comment by kevinhill on April 28, 2009
My pitcher of the week is Dempster. With virtually no run support and, without his best stuff, he’s kept the Cubs in the game during his past two outings. That’s all you can ask from a starter.
Comment by Bullpen Brian on April 29, 2009