2006 Cubs Thread! - Page 6

AnotherAlias · 04-29-2006, 10:22 PM

Brewers looked good, though.

They gotta ship Rusch to the bullpen.

Modern Relic · 04-30-2006, 12:44 AM

I don't quite get it. Unless I am mistaken, hasn't Rusch put up far better numbers as a starter than he has as a reliever in his time with the Cubs? What is the difference this year?

AnotherAlias · 04-30-2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modern Relic

I don't quite get it. Unless I am mistaken, hasn't Rusch put up far better numbers as a starter than he has as a reliever in his time with the Cubs? What is the difference this year?

He's keeping his pitches up and out over the plate. He's not hitting the spots he needs to hit from batter to batter. He doesn't have the movement on his fastball, or the velocity necessary to get his pitches past good hitters. Since he's not hitting his spots, hitters are teeing off on what they consider "batting practice" fastballs and such.

AnotherAlias · 04-30-2006, 07:03 PM

Brew Crew tees off on Zambrano. It wasn't pretty.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/m...=.jsp&c_id=chc

Quote:

CHICAGO -- Carlos Zambrano's quest for his first win continues. The volatile right-hander had his poorest start of the season Sunday, giving up seven runs in four-plus innings, as the Cubs lost their second in a row to the Milwaukee Brewers, 9-0.
After a 35-minute rain delay to start the game, the Brewers sunk the Cubs with eight extra-base hits on a rainy overcast day. The Cubs managed just five hits and are just percentage points from sliding into the Brewers' fifth spot in the National League Central.

Zambrano, now 0-2 in six starts, met an early denouement, when he gave up five runs in the fifth inning on four extra-base hits and three walks.

Zambrano gave up eight hits, a season high along with the seven runs, in his shortest start of the season. He threw 103 pitches while walking five, one intentionally, and striking out five. His ERA jumped from 3.94 to 5.35.

Lefty Chris Capuano (4-2) pitched his first Major League complete game and shutout, striking out six with no walks.

Carlos Lee hit his 10th homer in the second, and Geoff Jenkins hit an RBI single with the bases loaded in the third to make it 2-0.

Rickie Weeks led off the fifth with a double to right-center and Bill Hall scored him on a line-drive triple to left-center. Jenkins then sent a ball into the wind in left, bouncing it off the wall past Matt Murton for an RBI double.

Jenkins then took third on a wild pitch as Zambrano threw a fastball behind Lee, prompting home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt to issue a warning to both teams. It wouldn't be necessary as Zambrano left soon enough.

Zambrano's control deteriorated as he walked Lee and Prince Fielder to load the bases with no outs. Corey Koskie then poked a breaking ball into right for a two-run double to make it 6-0.

Zambrano walked Damian Miller before getting pulled for Scott Williamson.

Williamson induced Brady Clark into a 5-2-3 double play but then allowed Koskie to score on a wild pitch to make it 7-0.

Hall added a two-run shot onto Waveland Ave. in the eighth off Scott Eyre.

Jon Greenberg is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

mauboy · 04-30-2006, 07:31 PM

Pretty sad, but that is how it ALWAYS goes with the Brewers. It seems like we blow them out or they blow us out and more often than not it's then blowing us out. I made an effort to not watch the Saturday/Sunday games because I had a feeling that they would be ugly as hell. It took me about six and a half minutes to shut off the Saturday game and I didn't watch any of the Sunday game..

We really need to bounce back with a sweep against Pittsburgh, at worst we have to just win the series.

Modern Relic · 04-30-2006, 08:44 PM

A very ugly game indeed. I don't know how many sweeps they can expect at this point in the season. Once Lee, Wood, Prior, Miller get going, then we'll see. I really think it's just a case of hanging on till then, sadly.

jmaness84 · 04-30-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherAlias

He's keeping his pitches up and out over the plate. He's not hitting the spots he needs to hit from batter to batter. He doesn't have the movement on his fastball, or the velocity necessary to get his pitches past good hitters. Since he's not hitting his spots, hitters are teeing off on what they consider "batting practice" fastballs and such.

Isn't the starting pitching depth depleted in Chicago with Prior and Wood hurt? I wouldn't think they had anybody left that they could put in the rotation. Could be wrong though. I don't keep up that much with the Cubs. Although I do root for them.

mauboy · 04-30-2006, 10:48 PM

Anybody in the minors would be a better option than Rusch at this point.

AnotherAlias · 05-01-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmaness84

Isn't the starting pitching depth depleted in Chicago with Prior and Wood hurt? I wouldn't think they had anybody left that they could put in the rotation. Could be wrong though. I don't keep up that much with the Cubs. Although I do root for them.

Yes. But the good part is that Kerry Wood is the All-Time leader in simulation strikeouts.

The rotation is depleted and letting Rusch start anothergame will prove just how desperate they are.

I suppose they could call up Rich Hill...

piperclap · 05-01-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherAlias

I suppose they could call up Rich Hill...

The question then is: whats worse, the sucky pitcher you know, or the sucky pitcher you don't know?

Hill is overrated at best.

Well, at least the Cubs were able to give me my summer back early this year. Usually they hang in there until september or so.

AnotherAlias · 05-01-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piperclap

The question then is: whats worse, the sucky pitcher you know, or the sucky pitcher you don't know?

Hill is overrated at best.

Well, at least the Cubs were able to give me my summer back early this year. Usually they hang in there until september or so.

Too bad the Cubs aren't one of Clemens' choices, if he returns to MLB.

Then the Cubs could have both of the leading active winning pitchers in the league. And a combined age of 83. Think of the possibilities.

The Cubs would automatically qualify for AARP benefits.

UngratefulDead · 05-01-2006, 11:28 AM

Wait, why is Rich Hill overrated? He has a minor league K rate of over 12.5 and a walk rate that he's cut pretty significantly in the last couple of years, not to mention a 33-7 ratio in the minors this season with a 1.44 ERA. Pretty much the only real knock against him is that he's getting up there in years (26), but I see no reason he shouldn't be in a major-league rotation. BP has him as a top 50 prospect in all of baseball.

eriqjaffe · 05-01-2006, 12:19 PM

Call up a minor leaguer?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty Baker

Neifi! Start warming up, you're on the hill today!

Dougiestyle · 05-02-2006, 11:45 AM

Ok, Sean Marshall has a WHIP under 1. Is he going to be a nice major league level player for years to come or get Glendon Rusch syndrome?

andymac · 05-02-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougiestyle

Ok, Sean Marshall has a WHIP under 1. Is he going to be a nice major league level player for years to come or get Glendon Rusch syndrome?

Doesn't he throw a lot harder than Rusch?

mauboy · 05-02-2006, 12:08 PM

I really like Marshal. He throws very well. I watched the game yesterday and every other one of his starts and he impresses me very much. He's not just another Rusch-type pitcher. What kind of pitcher is Rusch anyways? I never knew he was somebody to be compared to!

piperclap · 05-02-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mauboy

I really like Marshal. He throws very well. I watched the game yesterday and every other one of his starts and he impresses me very much. He's not just another Rusch-type pitcher. What kind of pitcher is Rusch anyways? I never knew he was somebody to be compared to!

Yeah, Marshall is a long lanky lefty.

Glendon Rusch is fat.

Rich Hill is basically just a curve ball. To me it seems if he was good enough, he'd be in Marshall's spot. Seems like a AAAA player. AFAIK he only has two pitches at this point as well, which is why he's still in AAA.

Modern Relic · 05-02-2006, 06:05 PM

Ok, just so you know this is NOT hindsight talking. I mentioned this to several people before today. I know the Cubs are hurting for pitching right now, but can someone please explain their promotion of Angel Guzman? I know, I know, potential, potential, potential. But why in the world would you promote someone from AAA who is being beaten like a rented mule...AT TRIPLE A!!!

He may or may not turn out to be a good pitcher, but this seems like the worst possible time to call him up. Clearly, he is not ready. Today just illustrates that.

mauboy · 05-02-2006, 06:52 PM

Yeah, he looked real good at times, but it's the Pirates... and they killed him still. *shrug* Might as well do what the Tigers did with all their young talent and just play 'em til they're ready.

Modern Relic · 05-02-2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mauboy

Yeah, he looked real good at times, but it's the Pirates... and they killed him still. *shrug* Might as well do what the Tigers did with all their young talent and just play 'em til they're ready.

I suppose so, but it sure aint pretty to watch.

04-30-2006, 12:44 AM	#102
Modern Relic All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,266	I don't quite get it. Unless I am mistaken, hasn't Rusch put up far better numbers as a starter than he has as a reliever in his time with the Cubs? What is the difference this year? __________________ American Folklore Baseball League (closed): Commissioner/GM - Mudville Nine (ruled!) Former member of Boys of Summer: GM - St. Louis Browns (doormats!) Former member of the OTBL: GM - Gashouse Gorillas (also ruled!) "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby

04-30-2006, 08:44 PM	#106
Modern Relic All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,266	A very ugly game indeed. I don't know how many sweeps they can expect at this point in the season. Once Lee, Wood, Prior, Miller get going, then we'll see. I really think it's just a case of hanging on till then, sadly. __________________ American Folklore Baseball League (closed): Commissioner/GM - Mudville Nine (ruled!) Former member of Boys of Summer: GM - St. Louis Browns (doormats!) Former member of the OTBL: GM - Gashouse Gorillas (also ruled!) "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby

05-02-2006, 06:05 PM	#118
Modern Relic All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,266	Ok, just so you know this is NOT hindsight talking. I mentioned this to several people before today. I know the Cubs are hurting for pitching right now, but can someone please explain their promotion of Angel Guzman? I know, I know, potential, potential, potential. But why in the world would you promote someone from AAA who is being beaten like a rented mule...AT TRIPLE A!!! He may or may not turn out to be a good pitcher, but this seems like the worst possible time to call him up. Clearly, he is not ready. Today just illustrates that. __________________ American Folklore Baseball League (closed): Commissioner/GM - Mudville Nine (ruled!) Former member of Boys of Summer: GM - St. Louis Browns (doormats!) Former member of the OTBL: GM - Gashouse Gorillas (also ruled!) "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby

04-29-2006, 10:22 PM	#101
AnotherAlias Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I'm back...for now Posts: 4,190	Brewers looked good, though. They gotta ship Rusch to the bullpen.

04-30-2006, 07:31 PM	#105
mauboy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,906	Pretty sad, but that is how it ALWAYS goes with the Brewers. It seems like we blow them out or they blow us out and more often than not it's then blowing us out. I made an effort to not watch the Saturday/Sunday games because I had a feeling that they would be ugly as hell. It took me about six and a half minutes to shut off the Saturday game and I didn't watch any of the Sunday game.. We really need to bounce back with a sweep against Pittsburgh, at worst we have to just win the series.

04-30-2006, 10:48 PM	#108
mauboy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,906	Anybody in the minors would be a better option than Rusch at this point.

05-01-2006, 11:28 AM	#112
UngratefulDead Banned Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 3,415	Wait, why is Rich Hill overrated? He has a minor league K rate of over 12.5 and a walk rate that he's cut pretty significantly in the last couple of years, not to mention a 33-7 ratio in the minors this season with a 1.44 ERA. Pretty much the only real knock against him is that he's getting up there in years (26), but I see no reason he shouldn't be in a major-league rotation. BP has him as a top 50 prospect in all of baseball.

05-02-2006, 11:45 AM	#114
Dougiestyle All Star Reserve Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 922	Ok, Sean Marshall has a WHIP under 1. Is he going to be a nice major league level player for years to come or get Glendon Rusch syndrome?

05-02-2006, 12:08 PM	#116
mauboy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,906	I really like Marshal. He throws very well. I watched the game yesterday and every other one of his starts and he impresses me very much. He's not just another Rusch-type pitcher. What kind of pitcher is Rusch anyways? I never knew he was somebody to be compared to!

05-02-2006, 06:52 PM	#119
mauboy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,906	Yeah, he looked real good at times, but it's the Pirates... and they killed him still. shrug Might as well do what the Tigers did with all their young talent and just play 'em til they're ready.