Deep Dish Conversation

Need to Stop a Run? Go to Number One

bobby — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 02:09:20 +0000

In this photo: Derrick Rose Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Mar 17, 2009

The Bulls extended their win streak to eight games Thursday as they shut down the Nets 84-73. New Jersey came into this game hot, but Deron Williams was put in his place by Derrick Rose. Rose had 21 on 8-23 shooting. Although his shot was flat, he more than made up for that with his defense. He held Williams to 5 points while registering 2 steals and 2 blocks. Chicago came out strong leading by ten going into the fourth quarter.

The night wasn’t all gravy though, as the Bulls once again let a bad team stay close and make a late run. If Chicago wants to hold onto that number one seed they’ll have to do a better job closing out games. Also, come playoff time Chicago will not be able to give teams like Boston, Miami or Orlando second chances in games. Overall the night brought another victory for Chicago and another reason to vote Derrick Rose for MVP. He showed the ability to shut down another elite point guard, while leading a late push to seal the game.

Player of the Game: Although Rose had another brilliant performance; the nod for player of the game goes to Omer Asik. Asik registered his first double-double on 11 points and 16 rebounds.

Highlight Reel Moment: Derrick Rose had a stuff on Deron Williams that made all of Chicago jump out of their collective seats.

D-Lee gone, where is the love?

bobby — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:52:17 +0000

Derek Lee was just officially traded off to the Braves for a double A and two single A prospects. I have been ready to see Lee leave for the last two years, but now, it seems unfair. It isn’t unfair that he is leaving, but rather that no one cares. Derek Lee put up better career numbers than Andre Dawson in his tenure with the Cubs. Still, no one seems to care, even a little bit, about his departure. When Derosa left the Cubs Chicagoans were outraged. When Kerry Wood was overpaid for 10 years and the Cubs finally let his injury-ridden career take a trip out of town, most fans were upset.

The move the Cubs made wasn’t bad…. Derek Lee is on the way out; he is getting older and his numbers will only continue to decline. My problem is with you, the readers, the fans. Why do we, as Cubs fans, get so upset to see average people leave, but when a truly great player, who put up great numbers for a half decade leaves, no one raises a fuss. I heard more anger about letting Theriot go then I have heard over the D-Lee trade rumors and his eventual trade a few moments ago.

Here is one Cubs fan who can honestly say I am sad to see Derek Lee go. Thanks for your hard work, great bat and excellent glove. Thanks for taking a franchise of mediocrity to the playoffs. Most of all, sorry that you didn’t get the support from the fans you deserved. Cubs fans, look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Am I just as stupid as management?” We all seem to be drugged up on Kerry Wood syndrome, and have forgotten all together about the guys who have truly contributed.

So Long D-Lee and Good Luck!

Gorzelanny looks for support

michael — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:15:05 +0000

Pitching (Cubs) Tom Gorzelanny (6-6) vs (SF) Barry Zito (8-6)

Tom Gorzelanny will face off against left handed veteran Barry Zito in a 9:15 CST matchup against the San Francisco Giants tonight. In Gorzelanny’s last appearance where he pitched against the Reds, he threw seven strong innings and gave up three earned runs on four hits. For his career, Gorzelanny is 3-0 against the Giants with an impressive 1.29 ERA. Barry Zito enters the game with a poor 1-4 record and 4.66 ERA against the Northsiders. Chicago is looking to build some momentum, coming off of an offensive surge during their 8-6 victory last night, which was also interim manager Alan Trammel’s first win with control of the bench.

With the season winding down to about 50 games for both clubs, San Francisco currently sits 2 1/2 games back of the NL West leading Padres, and is now in a three-way tie with NL Central rivals Reds and Cardinals. The Cubs, needless to say, are not in any sort of post season contention, and are comfortably sitting in 5th place at 15 1/2 games back with only the always struggling Pirates behind them.

At the plate, 8 of 13 Cub hitters have faced Zito before, with Aramis Ramirez holding a .375 average in 8 at bats against the left. Alfonso Soriano, who leads the Cubs in at bats against Zito with 12, has gone hitless against him in his career. Soriano will look to change that statistic today.

Cubs outslug Giants

michael — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:07:48 +0000

W: Ryan Dempster (10-8)
L: Tim Lincecum (11-6)

After being swept by the Reds at Wrigley, and dropping a close night game with the Giants Monday, the Cubs bounced back Tuesday night with an 8-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Starting in the first inning Chicago’s bats were hot, starting with a Starlin Castro line drive that brought in Tyler Colvin and gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead after just two batters. After a Micah Hoffpauir groundout, Aramis Ramirez singled, allowing Castro to score. Kosuke Fukodome finished off the inning with a 2-run shot (10), giving the Cubs a 4-0 lead off of Giant’s ace Tim Lincecum.

Ryan Dempster got the nod today, and after giving up a run in the first and second inning, settled into the game to throw a strong 6.2IP and giving up 4 runs (three earned) on 8 hits.

As Lou Piniella takes time off to be with his hospitalized mother, long time Cub bench coach Alan Trammel has been named the interim manager. With the Cubs defense giving up three errors, Trammel had a few words to backup his starting pitching stating that “We make too many errors, we make too many mistakes” which lead strong starts to crumbling losses. These mistakes and inconsistent ball play have been appearing on both the offensive and defensive ends, showing that it has been a long season for both the players and Cubs faithful.

Happy for Trammel, who got his first win as manager in five games, noting that Piniella should be set to return to the bench by the beginning of the Cardinals series Friday.

Giant’s ace pitcher Tim Lincecum was unusually roughed up by the Cubs offense, and no one appreciated it more than Dempster, adding that “these guys came out and put a four-spot up against Lincecum and that’s not an easy thing to do” and the run support did not stop there. Giving up four runs in the first was the most Lincecum had ever allowed through his young career. After four innings the young right hander was pulled for his second earliest departure of his inconsistent season.

Dempster was pulled with two-outs in the 7th when San Francisco attempted a comeback off of what should have been the Cubs fourth error of the game when Tyler Colvin dropped a fly ball, allowing two runs to score. Mike Fontenot quickly got those runs back in the 8th when he doubled to drive in Alfonso Soriano and Koyie Hill.

Carlos Marmol, who has been one of few bright spots for the Cubs bullpen, had some trouble in the 9th allowing two runs off of a Buster Posey double that drove in a run, and was followed by a Pablo Sandoval single that brought Posey around the bases to score.

This victory was only the Cubs third win in fifteen games, and Geovany Soto is one player who does not want to get used to losing “Sometimes I just go to my room and get [ticked off].”

Tonight Chicago looks to begin a winning streak when Tom Gorzelanny (6-6) battles Barry Zito (8-6) in the third of a four game series against the Giants.

In the top of the 4th inning Starlin Castro drove in two more runs, giving him three for the afternoon, after singling to center to drive in Tyler Colvin and Ryan Dempster, putting the Cubs up 6-2.

Can anyone cool down the Heat?

bobby — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:29:42 +0000

A lot has been made of the coup known as the Miami Heat. Many of us “haters” make claims about chemistry, durability and over-hype. Objectively though, how good are the Miami Heat, really? In order to do this lets look at the top 3 teams over the last 25 years (I know how good the old Chamberlin teams were, but I’m focusing on the modern NBA teams).

Most people would agree that the 85-86 Celtics, 86-87 Lakers and 95-96 Bulls are the best teams from the last 25 years. The Celtics had Larry Bird, Danny Ainge, Bill Walton, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. The Lakers had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott, A.C. Green, Michael Cooper and the great “Magic” Johnson. Finally, the Bulls had Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper, Toni Kukoc and the sharp shooting Steve Kerr.

So, now that the Miami roster is assembled, how might they match up against the greats? The Heat have Chris Bosh, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Juwan Howard, Mario Chalmers, Mike Miller, Big Z and Eddie House. They have what most of the great teams have had, 3 stars. They also have some decent veterans and a couple 3 point shooters. However, the Celtics and Lakers both had big men and FAR better role players. These two teams particularly had the best top-to-bottom rosters of any teams of the era. Would I put the Heat’s roster against theirs? Quite simply, NO.

The main reason everyone is so consumed with the Heat is Michael Jordan. Yes, his airness is still impacting everyone’s outlook on the game. Before Michael, no top team (and by top team I mean top ever) had ever come about without the presence of a big man. It was thought to be impossible for a team without a strong post presence, to consistently reach the promise land. Michael did it with two decent big guys in Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman. But obviously these two couldn’t hang with Chamberlin’s teams, or Abdul-Jabbar and Worthy, or Walton, McHale and Parish. Until Jordan and Scottie, no big man meant no championship.

I really look at the Jordan and Scottie teams as an exception. When you have the most driven, most skilled and hardest working player to ever play the game, that is one big exception. All of this being said, who do the Heat have? Chris Bosh? Really? Have we been mislead so much as to think that Chris Bosh is a top tier big man? Garnett in his prime, Shaq in his, Tim Duncan in his, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard right now, these are elite big men. Guess what, all of these guys except Howard have a ring(s) too. Chris Bosh couldn’t lead the Raptors to the playoffs in a very weak East.

Jeff Van Gundy is predicting, barring injuries, that the Heat will break the 72 win mark set by Jordan. He looks to Lebron’s 66 win season last year as proof as to how good the heat will be… Am I the only one who saw how good of a team Lebron had around him? Jamison, Shaq, Big Z, Mo Williams and a multitude of role players. Lebron couldn’t win in the playoffs either, but we’ll save that talk for another column. If you subtract Shaq, Jamison and Williams (with all the role players), are the Heat that much better?

Back to the big man theory though, the Lakers and Celtics have had real big man. I know the Celtics are old, but over the last few years you have seen them with Garnett, Wallace, Perkins, Big baby and now Shaq, not a bad rotation. The Laker teams have had Gasol, Shaq, Bynum, Odom and Horry. The Heat have Big Z and Chris Bosh?

The final thing worth mentioning is health. Can the Big 2 1/2 stay healthy? If one man goes down they fall out of title contention in my eyes. Lets not forget Dwayne Wade is only two seasons removed from back-to-back seasons of missing 31 games. Chris Bosh has never played a full season. In fact, he has only played more than 75 games twice in his career. Injuries will at least halt the record breaking season, if not Miami’s hope of a dynasty.

Everyone outside of South Beach is going to root for whoever the Heat match up against. We will all love to hate the Heat. However, even looking at it as objectively as a Bull’s fan can, Miami will not touch 72, sorry Van Gundy.

Stubbs snubs Cubs in series loss

michael — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 20:06:11 +0000

W: Logan Ondrusek (3-0)
L: Randy Wells (5-10)

For the first time in 30 years the Cubs were shutout one game after scoring 15 runs, when they beat Milwaukee 15-3 earlier in the week, a feat that most MLB clubs never experience. After an uninspiring offensive showcase yesterday, the Cubs looked to get back on track against the Reds this afternoon at Wrigley.

Randy Wells took the mound for the Cubs, throwing an impressive 7.0IP and giving up 3 earned runs on 5 hits. From the get go Wells was pitching nicely, retiring Cincinnatii in order through the first two innings. In the top of the 3rd Ramon Hernandez would single up the middle to drive in Drew Stubbs and give the Reds a 1-0 lead. Chicago would answer back in their half of the inning when Derrek Lee hit a sacrifice fly to right field to allow Kosuke Fukudome to tag up and score from third.

This game was more of a chess match through the first seven innings with Randy Wells and Edinson Volquez in a pitchers duel. Volquez, making only his fifth start of the season since Tommy John surgery, threw a solid 6.2IP surrendering just one earned run on six hits. His control through the first few innings was questionable, but he settled in and pitched pivotal double play balls to limit the Cubs to just one run against him.

The Reds, who hold winning records in each month of baseball this season, offered timely hitting and scoring to backup their pitchers. In the top of the 8th Drew Stubbs, who has already hit 4 homeruns against the Cubs this season, including a 3 homer game at Wrigley last July, cranked a leadoff homer (14) to give the Reds a 2-1 lead and force Wells out of the game. Cincinnati would increase their lead off of a Paul Janish single that drove in Bronson Arroyo, pitch running for Ramon Hernandez, and giving them a 3-1 lead.

Going into the 8th Chicago looked to creep back into the ballgame when Derrek Lee led off the inning with a walk, but no runner would make it passed 1st base as Ramirez, Berg and Soriano failed to get a hit.

In the 9th Cubs 2nd basemen Blake DeWitt made an error by dropping a shallow outfield popup that would allow Laynce Nix to make it second base. Drew Stubbs would get his third hit and second RBI of the game by singling to left field.

Wilson Cordero came in to pitch the 9th for the Reds, but could only produce one out before being yanked by Dusty Baker. Cordero gave up four walks, including a high fast ball that hit Starlin Castro with the bases loaded. After a pitching change, Derrek Lee would strikeout, but in the following at-bat Aramis Ramirez would draw another walk, the 5th of the inning. With the score now 4-3 and the Cubs scoring two runs without putting a ball in play, Marlon Byrd would strikeout to end the ballgame. Chicago now stands at 13-26 in one-run games, and drops to 47-63 on the season.

Cubs blanked by Arroyo

michael — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 04:11:01 +0000

W: Bronson Arroyo (12-6)
L: Tom Gorzelanny (6-6)

Chicago had their opportunities to put some runs on the board this afternoon at Wrigley, but failed to do so against Cincinnati pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who improved to 12-6 on the season in the Reds 3-0 victory on Friday.

In what has become a season to forget for Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee, who are posting the lowest numbers in their career, the Cubs 3-5 hole hitters have not been able to step up to the call of duty, except for Marlon Byrd.

Tom Gorzelanny settled into a good rhythm after walking Jay Bruce and serving up a 2-run homerun to Ryan Hanigan (3) in the top of the second. That would be Gorzelanny’s biggest mistake this afternoon, throwing 7.0IP and giving up only 4 hits, and receiving no support from the Cubs offense. Cincinatti would tack on one more run in the top of the seventh when Brandon Phillips singled to left field, scoring Paul Janish, to give the Reds some extra insurance. It would not be needed.

Bronson Arroyo was masterful, throwing a 7.0IP five hit shutout, adding that “it makes it a little easier to pitch through that lineup” when Ramirez and Lee are off of their game. All-Star reliever Arthur Rhodes and Francisco Cordero would pitch a hitless 8th and 9th innings for the hold and save.

The Cubs had plenty of chances, including a no-out situation with runners at 2nd and 3rd, but were unable to push any runs across in the bottom of the fifth inning. The club would finish going 0-6 with runners in scoring position. Chicago’s offensive woes continue, which has been as inconsistent as can be the entire season. Chicago left a combined 13 men on base and also had 9 strikeouts, which is not the formula to win games. Blake DeWitt, whom the Cubs acquired last week in the Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot trade, has been consistent so far in his stint with the Cubs, having seven hits through his first five games.

Andrew Cashner would pitch in relief of Gorzelanny in the 8th, giving up one two hits and no runs. Justin Berg would fair the same in the 9th, giving up only one hit.

Now faced with 17 straight games against the top NL ballclubs, the Cubs look to get back on track tomorrow when Randy Wells faced off against Edison Valquez at 12:05.

Bulls sign veteran guard Bogans

michael — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 03:29:33 +0000

The Bulls are making the finishing touches on their roster, which now stands at 12, after the signing of veteran guard Keith Bogans. Bogans will receive a 2-year deal worth approximately 2.5million the first year, with the second year not full guaranteed, which should allow the Bulls more cap room to make one more signing. At this point, if it was not obvious weeks ago, the Bulls will be passing on Tracy McGrady. No matter how well T-Mac thought he would gel with the Bulls, the front office did not feel the same way, who admittedly stated that they were not at all impress with McGrady’s workout last Monday. Chicago is still pursuing Portland guard Rudy Fernandez, who recently asked the Trail Blazers for a trade, so do not be too surprised if the Bulls land the explosive 6-6 guard.

Bogans will not provide the bench with an offensive spark, but the 6-5 seven-year vet does hold a 7.1ppg average through his career. He is also an above-average three-point threat in his career at 35%. The former University of Kentucky standout joins a remodeled Bulls roster whom have already signed Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, Kurt Thomas and Omer Asik this summer. The former second-round pick and NBA journeyman has had stints in Orlando, Houston, Milwaukee, San Antonio and Charlotte, with whom he was the most productive with back in 2005.

Adding Bogans gives new head coach Tom Thibodeau some more defensive toughness, which the Bulls upgraded last week with the signing of veteran big man Kurt Thomas. The front office has done their homework this summer, building a defensively minded team who is sure to be dangerous offensively with Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer now together. The addition of Bogans will now allow the Bulls to stretch the perimeter even further with Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer behind the line.

Bulls add Bogans

bobby — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 00:52:22 +0000

The Bulls added what looks to be the final piece they were looking for in Keith Bogans today. ESPN writer Sam Smith is reporting that the deal is for 2 years, with only one guaranteed, at $2.5 million. Bogans played for the Spurs last year averaging 4.4 points and shooting nearly 36% from behind the arc.

The signing puts an end to speculation over who would fill out the final spot on the Bull’s 12 man roster. Many names were thrown around including Rudy Fernandez and Tracy McGrady. The Bulls wanted to add one more good shooter to round out their roster.

Cubs breakout bats in win

michael — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:05:48 +0000

W: Ryan Dempster (8-7)
L: Manny Parra (3-9)

The Cubs snapped a seven-game losing skid Wednesday afternoon when they pounded the Brewers 15-3 at Wrigley.

Within the last week the Cubs had been embarrassed in high run ballgames, losing 18-1 and 17-2 respectively, and seemed to be throwing in the towel for the season. Their bats woke up today after teeing off on Brewer’s pitching for 15 runs on 16 hits.

Ryan Dempster pitched for the Cubs, going a strong 6IP and only giving up 3 hits and 3 runs, none of which were earned. His first set of run support came in the 3rd inning off of a Tyler Colvin solo homer (17) that put the Cubs up 1-0. Milwaukee struck back quickly in the 5th off of a Jeff Baker throwing error that allowed Jim Edmonds to score tieing the ballgame 1-1. The Brewers would then take the lead in the following at-bat when Corey Hart doubled to left field scoring two runs (75) and making the game 3-1.

Chicago would take the lead back for good in the 6th behind a 3-run (52) Aramis Ramirez home run (16) that would wrap up a 6 run inning and give the Cubs a 7-3 lead.

Carlos Zambrano would pitch a scoreless 7th in relief of Dempster, giving up one hit and one walk. This will probably be one of Big Z’s last relief appearances before he makes his first start since June 25th next Monday against the Giants.

In the 7th the Cub offense would continue behind a Geovany Soto 3-run (45) blast of his own (15) that would increase the Brewer deficit 10-3. The fireworks would not stop there, as the Cubs posted a 5 run 8th inning that was marked by Blake DeWitt’s first homerun as a Cub when he hit a 3-run shot to give the Cubs a final 15-3 win. Behind all of the Cubs offense, Starlin Castro missed hitting for the cycle by a homerun, as he set a career high in hits with four.

Sean Marshall and Mitch Atkins would pitch scoreless 8th and 9th innings to closeout the ball game, each giving up one hit a piece and a combined five strikeouts.

Manager Lou Piniella enjoyed the Cubs big win as much as the fans did, as he noted that “It’s good to win a ballgame, it’s been awhile.”