SB Nation User Blog: digitalbenjamin

Cubs Forever - Desktop Images

digitalbenjamin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:43:06 -0000

Cubs Forever - Desktop Images

A collection of 7 desktop images. Some of them are pretty good, with some cool photography.

What do the Cubs do with Hill?

digitalbenjamin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:01:41 -0000

As quoted in the Sun-Times today:

Hill gets mental break
The Cubs have pulled left-hander Rich Hill from the rotation at Class AAA Iowa and sent him to Mesa, Ariz., where he'll work on mechanics in side sessions. The team has no timetable for a return to competition, Hendry said.

Hill, expected by many to have a breakout season, struggled with command since spring training and hadn't improved since an early-May demotion to Iowa.

So what do the Cubs do with Hill? How does a baseball team help a likeable and talented guy like Rich Hill with his mental problems?

And are they're any examples in the recent past of the Cubs being able to help a guy get over a major mental hurtle like this?

I like Hill, feel bad for him and hope he can get back to contributing at the major league level.

Thoughts?

Odds of Making the World Series

digitalbenjamin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:36:43 -0000

The Sun-Times has an interesting article in today's paper. Using AccuScore , they predict the odds of the Cubs and White Sox winning their division, reaching the World Series, and of an All-Chicago World Series. Here are the numbers:

Cubs
93.7% - Making the playoffs
83% - Win NL Central
40.2% - Making the World Serie

Sox
67.9% - Making the playoffs
66.2% - Win AL Central
20.3% - Making the World Series

8% - All-Chicago World Series

A few brief quotes from the article, then we can discuss:

The Cubs are looking fantastic,'' said Zach Rosenfield, managing editor of accuscore.com. ''They have the best statistical chance of any team in the National League to make the World Series, and that is in light of [Alfonso] Soriano going down.'

It has run thousands of simulations of every game in the 2008 season, and it re-simulates those games during the season to take into account recent stats and trends.

'(AccuScore) reruns everything overnight after each night's games,'' Rosenfield said. ''Real wins and losses impact probabilities. The new game data impacts player performance in simulations, and injuries all have impact.''

All-City Team

digitalbenjamin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:51:38 -0000

The Sun Times today put together an article to get us "ready" for the cross-town series this weekend. It examines all position players from each team and lists their "dream team". Strangely they don't' put together starting pitchers.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/1009075,CST-SPT-city17.article

Here is a brief recap.

Super Sub: DeRosa
Set Up Man: Marmol
Closer: Jenks
Center: Johnson
Left: Quentin
Right: Fukudome
Short: Theriot
Second: Alexei Ramirez
Third: Aramis Ramirez
Catcher: Pierzynski
Manager: Piniella

Feedback on this team?

I realize the TWSS thing is getting out of control here, but I just could not help myself. I apol...

digitalbenjamin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:18:51 -0000

I realize the TWSS thing is getting out of control here, but I just could not help myself. I apologize in advance.

Let's have some fun.... Give this Photo a Caption!

digitalbenjamin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:02:15 -0000

Let's have some fun.... Give this Photo a Caption!

Pujols Injured

digitalbenjamin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:05:42 -0000

Cardinals lose Pujols in 7-2 Win.

Pujols was helped off the field in the top of the seventh inning with a strained left calf he suffered while running out a ground ball.

Despite this Cardinal team performing well and hanging in the Central, it seems they might be stricken with the injury bug. Losing Pujols for any amount of time would be tough for them.

If he goes on the 15 day DL... can they still keep it going?

Stuck in the Minor Leagues

digitalbenjamin — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:45:05 -0000

Stuck in the Minor Leagues

A really interesting story today in the Trib about how Murton, Pie, Marshal, Hill and Paterson are dealing with being stuck in the minor leages.

Of particular note is how Pie is struggling with his confidence.

Amazing trick pitch, for called strike 3!

digitalbenjamin — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:05:13 -0000

Amazing trick pitch, for called strike 3!

Mark DeRosa's Blog

digitalbenjamin — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:19:06 -0000

Mark DeRosa's Blog

Not sure if anyone has posted this yet... but for fans of DeRosa, here is his blog.