This just in Lou….The games still count in April
I don’t think even the most critical of Cubs fans could have imagined that on May 1st, the cubs would be 10-11, 5 games out of first place. Lou Pinella should be buying both Vinny Del Negro and Joel Quinnville dinner every day because if the Bulls and Blackhawks were not in the playoffs still, Pinella surely would be feeling the wrath of the Chicago media.
One thing that Lou cannot control is the injuries. Ramierez, Marmol, Bradley, Soto, and Lee all have missed time due to injuries. That can’t be helped. Maybe it’s a blessing that it’s happening in April and not in September/October, but if the Cubs aren’t careful they won’t see October.
Lou and GM Jim Hendry are really going to have to make some tough choices here in the next couple weeks before this gets out of hand. I mentioned this a few weeks back, and I’m going to hammer this home until he proves me wrong:
DERREK LEE IS FINISHED
Now I’m not saying he should be retiring, but he should NOT be the starting first baseman for the Chicago Cubs. And for God’s sake he should not be the 3 or 4 hitter in this lineup. He is just as clutch as A-Rod is in October. I’m tired of people saying he saves games for the Cubs with his glove. Can someone please name me one friggin game he’s saved due to his glove? No, I think not, but I can name you numerous games he’s lost due to his bat, last night being one of them. Runner on 2nd and one out and he strikes out on a slider outside the zone again. Meanwhile we have a kid named Micah Hoffpauir that’s hitting the cover off the ball in spring, is hitting .303 this season so far and is far more comfortable at 1st base then anywhere else. But no, Pinnella is stubborn and keeps the .189 hitting Lee in the lineup for whatever reason. I mean if his glove is so valuable, then bring him in the 8th or 9th inning for defense and let Hoffpauir play the majority of the game. It’s been time to make this change. It should have happened last year.
I wont’ get into the pitching right now. I’ve touched on that before. We have a big problem with our middle relievers, and honestly right now also with our set up and closer which I didn’t anticipate. Hopefully we can get this corrected soon. We have 18 home games in May, the most in any month. It’s the put up or shut up month now. Take advantage of what is coming our way or we’re gonna give the Cardnals and Brewers both who are playing way over their heads confidence in thinking they have a chance in this division.
