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Red Flag Flies At Great American

By bullpenbrian - May 18, 2011 - 2:16 am Leave a comment.

It would be one thing for the Cubs to lose following Mike Quade’s closed door meeting to address the team’s embarrassing play following Monday’s loss against Cincinnati.

But it’s an entirely different matter to lose by allowing seven –SEVEN- unearned runs via four errors.

So as the first place Reds scored five runs without the help of a hit or the ball leaving the infield, it appeared as though Quade’s bunch isn’t responding well to his plea for more focus, and that’s a very scary thought in the middle of May. 

Quade certainly didn’t help his cause by letting Kerry Wood burn in the eighth. As the setup man struggled to get outs the bullpen was dead silent—even while the game remained within reach.

But this was yet another sign the skipper himself has struggled to push the right buttons. He gambled too long with James Russell in the rotation, failed to find playing time for Tyler Colvin and apparently misfired on his delivery during Monday’s post game tongue lashing.

This 7-5 loss, in particular, marks my second red flag of the 2011 season. One more warning flag and we can call the season a wash.

Do you hear me now, Cubs?

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What’s The Plan, Cubs?

By bullpenbrian - May 18, 2011 - 1:00 am Leave a comment.

I’m confused and disappointed with the Cubs decision to demote Tyler Colvin to Triple-A Iowa.

If the Cubs intentions are to win now, or build towards the future, Tyler Colvin should be a part of the process at the big league level either way.

What good does it do putting this kid back in the minors? He showed everyone last year he’s a capable major leaguer.

Colvin is just as capable, if not more so, than Soriano, Byrd or Fukudome in the outfield in both run production and fielding. And Lord knows this team could use a dependable fielding mit.

I’m also greatly disappointed with Mike Quade’s refusal to put Colvin into the everyday lineup?

I hailed the skipper this winter after he declared Ryan Dempster the Opening Day starter. A move, in particular, which signaled a change of thought that only the players producing best, and not just those with huge contracts, would receive the bulk of playing time.

But how can I explain Colvin riding the pine with a team that doesn’t hit with RISP, fields poorly and sits six games under .500 before June 1st?

Seriously, what’s the plan here Chicago? And whatever that might be, demoting Colvin isn’t the answer I was looking for.

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