Diary of a Chicago Sports Fan

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Thumbs down for Bulls, Cubs prove to be drama kings, and Quintana does his thing

If there was any doubt about the value of Rajon Rondo to the Bulls, Friday night's 104-87 loss to the Celtics should put that to rest. The Bulls still lead the series 2-1, but it doesn't really matter. The Celtics are going to take this series. It's just a question if it will take 6 games or 7.

Answer the question sir!

During the third quarter of the game Bulls coach, Fred Hoiberg was asked about the team's point guard play. Fred dodged the question. Let me answer, it stunk. Gerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams combined for 3 assists. Dwyane Wade led the Bulls with 18 points, but shot only 6-18 from the field. Jimmy Butler was held to 14 points. Nothing came easy for the Bulls. And the bigger problem is that's the way it's going to be for the rest of the playoffs.

Westbrook 2.0?

If the Bulls have any hope to win this series (a possibly I've already expressed doubt about) they should let Jimmy Butler run the point. He's the best player in the series and for the Bulls to win, he'll have to go all Russell Westbrook on the Celtics. 

Still the most fun team in baseball

The Cubs still aren't hitting on all cylinders, but they're still a tough team to beat. The latest example of that was a 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds in 11 innings Friday night. Jon Lester was the Cubs starter and wasn't sharp, going 5.2 innings giving up 5 runs on 9 hits. One of those runs was the result of Justin Grimm walking in an inherited runner. Actually, Justin had to walk two guys to make that happen, but he did.

Jason, the good, the bad and the ugly

The Cubs first two runs were the result of solo homers by Jason Heyward and Javy Baez. Heyward has been hitting better this season. His OPS is sitting at .708. That's not good, but last year it was .631. If he's around .740 he's an asset. If he's around .800 he's a 6-7 WAR player.

Rizzo's turn

Going into the 9^th, the Cubs were down 5-2 when Anthony Rizzo hit a 2 out, 3 run game tying-homer. Carl Edwards Jr. then pitched a scoreless 9^th. The Cubs scratched across a run on a Kris Bryant sacrifice fly in the 11th and then Wade Davis pitched a clean bottom half of the frame, with 2 strikeouts to record his 4^th save.

The team WAR leader is who?

Interestingly, going into Friday night's game, the Cubs WAR leader was Albert Almora Jr. with 0.7. Of course Albert went 0-4 in Friday night's game but did score the winning run after coaxing a walk.

Score for him or trade him

Jose Quintana was back to doing what he does for the White Sox, delivering a quality start and picking up a loss. Friday's game was a 3-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians. The fact that Quintana was up against Cleveland ace, Corey Kluber, didn't make things any easier. Of course, Sox hitters have a way of making a lot of pitchers look like aces.

Yolmer Frazier anyone?

Yolmer Sanchez seems to hit a little better than Carlos Sanchez did. Maybe the Sox need a Yolmer Abreu and Yolmer Frazier. Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier certainly haven't done anything yet.

Who's the boss?

I still wonder how, when it comes to producing positional players, how White Sox can be so bad. Every time the Sox bring up a positional you have to ask yourself, “Is this the best they have?” Jacob May is an example of that. Maybe May will get a hit in May. He's 0-April. Tim Anderson may prove to be a good player and Tyler Saladino is useful but somebody has been seriously bad at their job in the organization.

More next time.