We can't seem to maintain any momentum. This team is frustrating in the extreme.
Hey, at least the forum is back up!
Hurdle generally gets credit as a good motivator. But this team seems unmotivated and uninspired. After a 4-game sweep in Milwaukee you would think they would be anxious to do some damage to the Cubs. Instead, they play 3 uninspired games and get swept as they maintain their pattern of a loss for every win. I've seen teams excited to be in a pennant race and this doesn't seem to be one of them. There is no intensity, no emotion. Seems more like ho-hum, if we win we win and if we lose we lose. I realize that Cutch, Cole and Liriano really let the team down. But that doesn't mean the team in general can't play with emotion and intensity. If Hurdle is skilled as a motivator, what happened this year?
One player that this does not apply is Josh Harrison. He is consistently busting his tail and showing his enthusiasm, emotion, and intensity.
I love watching JHay play. His enthusiasm is obvious. Unfortunately his example isn't always followed.
Last night Polanco hit a ball into the right field corner which Heyward misplayed. Polanco made it into third base standing up, but the replay clearly showed him jogging down the first base line (perhaps assuming the ball was going foul?). He never even started actually running until after he rounded first base. As the subsequent relay throw eluded the infielders it was clear he would have had a good chance to score if he'd been busting his tail from the swing of the bat. No excuse for not hustling on every play. It's not the first time I've seen this from Polanco, and I put part of the blame on Hurdle.
I thought the very same thing. It's the first time I've ever seen Polanco dogging it. The first thing I thought of: "somebody in that clubhouse has got to go". Whoever the example is that could have that influence on Gregory has got to be out of here by next season. Unfortunately I have someone in mind that I fear could influence Polanco - Marte. I love his skillset and his play. I don't like that he doesn't always play hard or smart. I hope I'm very wrong. But I saw the same thing you did....