Official Game Thread - 5/18 - Bucs @ Cubbbies

[Surgnbuck]

This just in from the review room where all challenges go for MLB:

Jerry Meals said it's safe

[Wildwoodcoach]

Shelton is a jackass. 29 out of 30 managers would have walked Morel. Not that it would make any sense
but I would like to hear his reasoning. This may sound like sour grapes but the home plate umpire was
terrible all game including the play at the plate.
Bailey pitched a masterpiece and certainly deserved a better fate.
Fire Shelton tonight!!

[Bobster]

This just in from the review room where all challenges go for MLB:

Jerry Meals said it's safe

[Ecbucs]

The Cubs announcers and replay show that the catcher dropped the ball, however I think it was after the play was over.

[Bobster]

Regardless of whether the final play was called correctly or not, the Bucs were not going to win with 0 runs. Of course they were facing an excellent pitcher. But they usually look just as hapless against bad pitchers. And when it came to the BPs, the Cubs first went with Leiter with an ERA of 1.00. The Pirates first went with Holderman with his ERA of 0.75. Next, the Cubs went with Neris with a 2.81 ERA. Next, the Pirates went with Bednar, whose ERA was 7.94. And of course he got only 1 out while giving up 2 hits, a run and losing the game. Shelton is not good at making adjustments so he continues to treat Bednar as if he's still the very effective reliever he was for the past 3 years. But this year, something is wrong or different and Bednar is a liability. ERA now 8.31, 20 hits in 17.1 innings, 3 losses, 3 blown saves. They need to get him right but not while leaving him in the high leverage situations he's no longer succeeding in. But finding alternatives to problematic situations is not Shelton's forte.

And I know Cruz sat vs the LH starter. But the Cubs went with RH relievers in the 8th and 9th. Cruz could have PH for Williams to lead off the 8th. He could have PH for Olivares in the 9th. But he didn't.

[Wildwoodcoach]

Regardless of whether the final play was called correctly or not, the Bucs were not going to win with 0 runs. Of course they were facing an excellent pitcher. But they usually look just as hapless against bad pitchers. And when it came to the BPs, the Cubs first went with Leiter with an ERA of 1.00. The Pirates first went with Holderman with his ERA of 0.75. Next, the Cubs went with Neris with a 2.81 ERA. Next, the Pirates went with Bednar, whose ERA was 7.94. And of course he got only 1 out while giving up 2 hits, a run and losing the game. Shelton is not good at making adjustments so he continues to treat Bednar as if he's still the very effective reliever he was for the past 3 years. But this year, something is wrong or different and Bednar is a liability. ERA now 8.31, 20 hits in 17.1 innings, 3 losses, 3 blown saves. They need to get him right but not while leaving him in the high leverage situations he's no longer succeeding in. But finding alternatives to problematic situations is not Shelton's forte.

And I know Cruz sat vs the LH starter. But the Cubs went with RH relievers in the 8th and 9th. Cruz could have PH for Williams to lead off the 8th. He could have PH for Olivares in the 9th. But he didn't.

Yes, he could have but thats just Shelton being Shelton.

[Surgnbuck]

No idea why Cruz isn't hitting in the 9th at the very least.

[Wildwoodcoach]

No idea why Cruz isn't hitting in the 9th at the very least.

Agreed. 4 hours later I am still fuming about Shelton not walking Morel.
He has to be called out on this. INEXCUSABLE

[Doc]

No idea why Cruz isn't hitting in the 9th at the very least.

Probably because it was determined prior to the game that he needed a full day of rest and relaxation.

[bucs607179]

Bucs got starting pitching. Couple bats and we'd be heard from.