Author Topic: Today's Game 2019  (Read 53348 times)

brjones

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #885 on: April 14, 2019, 10:47:28 am »
You know who else hasn’t made many pinch hitting appearances? Mark Zagunis. He’s been an everyday player in the minors for years.

In fact, Zagunis doesn’t have many major league PAs at all (44 PA total). The argument that a four year veteran and former MVP is less equipped to take that PA than the 24th or 25th man on the roster is not convincing.

Either Maddon made a bad decision (And he got lucky that it worked out), or Bryant wasn’t available for some reason (not necessarily injury) and they just don’t want to say it publicly.

CUBluejays

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #886 on: April 14, 2019, 12:14:44 pm »
Or they told him to take the day off and he wasn't available.

This isn't the first time they've given a day off to a regular and they haven't used them as a pinch hitter.  They've done the same to Rizzo in the past.

CurtOne

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #887 on: April 14, 2019, 12:19:07 pm »
Do you have a favorite tune you enjoy whistling on your strolls through cemeteries?

Bennett

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #888 on: April 14, 2019, 12:22:03 pm »
2+2=4.

Go ahead, CBJ.   You're habit of disputing almost everything I post has become tiresome..   

CUBluejays

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #889 on: April 14, 2019, 12:30:29 pm »
I'll fix that then, I didn't realize I responded that much to you.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2019, 12:32:04 pm by CUBluejays »

CUBluejays

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #890 on: April 14, 2019, 12:36:54 pm »
Do you have a favorite tune you enjoy whistling on your strolls through cemeteries?
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CurtOne

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #891 on: April 14, 2019, 12:53:00 pm »
Your tune ain't werkin.

Ron

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #892 on: April 14, 2019, 02:12:35 pm »
For those who have not read the Sharma article on Bryant that Cubluejay referenced, here is the link.

https://theathletic.com/922664/2019/04/14/understanding-kris-bryants-early-season-struggles/

Here are some excerpts:

"If one actually watches Bryant at the plate regularly, there are signs that this has nothing to do with any injury talk. He just isn’t himself mechanically right now."

"It’d be concerning if Bryant were making contact with these pitches and just failing to do any damage with them. That Bryant is whiffing so often on pitches right down the chute suggests something is off with his timing, balance or general rhythm at the plate."

"It’s becoming clear that Bryant is just out of sorts at the plate. The fact that he’s hitting the ball hard should alleviate concerns about his shoulder, but ultimately, until he starts elevating balls, driving them into the gaps and over fences, people will still have questions. That this isn’t something that happens very often to him when he’s healthy and that it’s happening to start the season are likely the main reasons anyone is concerned. Bryant is surely trying to work on finding that comfort level at the plate that he’s accustomed to. It’s a process that doesn’t always have an easy answer. But it’s one that Maddon and all those around Bryant expect will lead to good things soon enough."


But perhaps Sharma's part of the conspiracy to hide Bryant's injury.


CurtOne

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #893 on: April 14, 2019, 02:46:01 pm »
I don't think the injury is physical.

Ron

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #894 on: April 14, 2019, 03:47:01 pm »
I don't think the injury is physical.

Eh? 

CurtOne

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #895 on: April 14, 2019, 04:09:11 pm »
He's letting something else get to him.  He's made references to ignoring tweets and posts.  I think he felt a tiny bit betrayed by the lack of action on his friend, Harper.  He's pressing.  Most of his confidence appears to be more bravado than real.  He's swinging because he has to, not because he wants to.  He's tentative.  Is that "eh?" enough?

Deeg

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #896 on: April 14, 2019, 04:23:43 pm »
The fact that the Cubs hid the seriousness of Bryant's injury for months last season is why there's so much so-called "conspiracy theory" now.  He probably isn't sucking because he's still hurt, but you can't blame people for being suspicious.

CurtOne

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #897 on: April 14, 2019, 04:42:56 pm »
I'm concerned about the total downturn of too many of our potential dynasty.  Not only Bryant, but also Russell, pre-suspension, last year's Contreras (hopefully back), and Schwarber who came up in his first year and hammered the ball.  Second season almost completely missed, but came back for the playoffs and astounded people.  Then last year and this year, he looks lost at the Mendoza line.  WTH?  Is this Maddon, the constant switching of hitting coaches, the constant shift in hitting philosophies?  I mean one guy falling off the edge of earth is part of the intrigue of the game, but I doubt if Joe Ricketts or DeVoss have a damb thing to do with it.

Ron

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #898 on: April 14, 2019, 04:52:44 pm »
I think it's baseball.   :)

method

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #899 on: April 14, 2019, 04:57:34 pm »
Hasnt Sharma been telling us nothing is all that wrong with bryant for a while now?