Lou and Zambrano

by danimal15 on Mar 28, 2007 11:13 AM CDT

I just wanted to give kudos to Lou Piniella for his strategy with Zambrano this season.

A few days ago, I read in the paper that Lou said he expects to start Zambrano every fifth day, even if there's an off-day in between, meaning that Zambrano will get six starts in April. This means, to my reading, anyway, that Piniella will skip the fifth starter when he has a chance and give Zambrano the start throughout the season.

Hopefully, this means Zambrano can get 34 or 35 starts, instead of 32 or 33. To me, it makes all the sense in the world to go with your best starter as often as possible, at least if you're trying to win. (It also makes sense from the standpoint of a fan - I for one would rather see Zambrano start a game I've paid $40 to watch than Wade Miller).

I understand that you need to keep your fifth starter in the mix, and not let them languish when there's an off day, but there's no reason at all why that pitcher can't go to the bullpen on those occasions.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Agree

I've referred to this as the "Ace Option". Use your ace as much as you can. When you have a horse like Zambrano you need to ride him as often as possible. And, if there is no new deal in place for Big Z, he'll have something to prove, so lets get him on the bump as much as possible.

by NashvilleBlue on Mar 28, 2007 11:24 AM CDT reply actions

Ace option

The best example of a manager using an ace option (in modern times) is in 1972 and 1973, when White Sox manager Chuck Tanner had knuckleballer Wilbur Wood start 49 and 48 games, respectively. Of course, we can't ask Zambrano to pitch on two-day's rest or start both ends of a double-header (as Wood did back then)

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Mar 28, 2007 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Curious

When was the last time, in the modern era, the Cubs really used this strategy? Had someone go over ~ 35 starts in a single season.

by NashvilleBlue on Mar 28, 2007 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

In 1991

Greg Maddux started 37 games for the Cubs. He pitched a few times on three-day's rest that year. Pitching on short rest seemed to agree with Maddux, as he finished the season with consecutive CGs in his final two starts (both on 3-day's rest), allowing no earned runs in 18 innings, and striking out 13 while only walking one in the two outings.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Mar 28, 2007 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions

You're gonna laugh.

The last Cub to start 35 games in a season was Jaime Navarro -- in 1996.

This is another indication that the Cubs might come north with 11 pitchers, going to 12 only after the off-days of the first couple of weeks have passed. I'd be all in favor of that.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 28, 2007 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow

I didn't realize it had been so long. I thought Lieber might have done it.

Anyway, it's not unusual at all for pitchers today to start 35 games - several in the NL did so last year, including Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang for the Reds.

The last pitchers to start 36 games in a year were Maddux and Roy Halladay in 2003.

The last pitcher to start 37 was Maddux in 1991.

The last to make 40 starts in a year was Charlie Hough in 1987.

(and of course, Wilbur Wood was the last pitcher to make 49 starts in a year - and probably the last ever!)

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Mar 28, 2007 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

1996

The highlight of the 1996 season for me was when Jim Bullinger and Steve Trachsel pitched back-to-back shutouts on May 12 and May 13 (and May 13 was my 25th birthday - nice present).

I'd venture to guess no two Cub pitchers have thrown back-to-back shutouts since then, but correct me if I'm wrong. Trachsel's was a one-hitter, with the one hit coming from the Astro's lead-off man in the first. In the Bullinger game, a 2-hitter, Jeff Kent had the only two safeties.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Mar 28, 2007 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions

OOH! Pick me! Pick me!

Jon Lieber and Kerry Wood not only threw back-to-back shutouts, but back-to-back one-hitters, on May 24 and May 25, 2001.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 28, 2007 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Good job

I guess you got the extra-credit question.

I sort of remember Lieber and Wood going back to back. I wish this year's Cubs had a vintage Jon Lieber in the rotation. We could use someone with his steady presence.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Mar 28, 2007 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Lieber

Just 78 pitches thrown by Lieber in that 1-hitter, by the way. (Wood threw 114 in his the next day)

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Mar 28, 2007 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Wood...

... had fourteen strikeouts that day. Oddly enough, that same day, in Boston, Hideo Nomo threw a one-hitter for the Red Sox. With fourteen strikeouts.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 28, 2007 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Why not?

I think Z should pitch at least every 3 days. maybe every other
day and pinch hit in any game he is not pitching in.

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Mar 28, 2007 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Now you're talking! :)

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Mar 28, 2007 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

You'll get no argument on this from me. The more Z, the better -- especially if they do wrap up a long-term deal (which I hope they do). Plus, this gives Z more hitting (i.e., home run) opportunities.

I didn't have the ball, bitch!

by daver on Mar 28, 2007 11:51 AM CDT reply actions

Ok, calm down everybody...

I like him going every 5 days, but every 3-4? No, definatly no. I think we wont need him to pitch that often. You guys are acting like he is a god and is untouchable. Its not like he is going to give the cubs a win evertime he goes out. He will get fatigue and lose ball games. He wiould then get frustrated with himself and not pitch so well. Plus, we dont want him to get injured, it's just not worth it.

Soriano+ DLee + Ramirez = 1 Damn Good Meat of the Lineup AND Zambrano + LILLY + Marquis + Hill = Playoff Bound Cubbies!!!

by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 28, 2007 1:16 PM CDT reply actions

5th starter

On yesterday's telecast, Len said that Lou plans to use Z every 5 days regardless. They did say however, that it won't replace the 5th starter. It would just push the normal rotation back one day. So if Z starts after an off-day, then the next start would be by the pitcher who was due to pitch that day.

Here's to a new year!!

by santo for prez on Mar 28, 2007 1:41 PM CDT reply actions