Cubs/Brewers Three-Word Recap

by Al Yellon on Mar 10, 2008 5:37 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs Recaps

This seemed popular when I did it a couple of days ago, so here it is again, for today's 6-4 Cub loss to the Brewers.

Felix Pie: Ouch! That hurts!

Rich Hill: Remember 2007, please.

Aramis Ramirez: Doubles are fun!

Mark DeRosa: Glad he's here.

Les Walrond: Please release him.

Shingo Takatsu: Got someone out!

Tim Lahey: Will help, later.

Micah Hoffpauir: I can hit!

Kevin Hart: Bynum pays dividends.

Cubs fans: Filled their park.

Feel free to add your own. The Cubs will face the A's at Mesa tomorrow, with Z on the mound.

Tweet Comment 77 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Al's entry:

Gettin' Outta Town!

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Mar 10, 2008 5:39 PM CDT reply actions

Hey!

I like that!

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 10, 2008 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions

as long as they win the ones that count

im not going to get too worked up over these games, but it was disappointing to see rich hill fail to make it out of the 3rd inning.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 10, 2008 5:47 PM CDT reply actions

Felix Pie:

get well soon

by SouthernCub on Mar 10, 2008 5:48 PM CDT reply actions

I dont think Lou wanted MLW to see anything that may give them a leg up vs. us this season. I would just assume lose the next one to Milwaukee so that Lou could use the 0-3 Spring vs. MLW as motivation come Opening Day.

21 Days til it counts.....

by BartlettBob on Mar 10, 2008 5:56 PM CDT reply actions

Anyone see the game?

I'm really surprised Hill did so poorly. What happened??!

by nickler on Mar 10, 2008 6:10 PM CDT reply actions

I didn't see the game...

...or keep up with the game thread, so take everything I say here with a grain of salt.

But the dry air in those parks in Arizona takes a lot of the bite out of Hill's curveball, which pretty much reduces him to being a one-pitch pitcher in that sort of an environment. When the team moves back to Wrigley, Hill's curve will have a lot more life on it.

As I recall, Hill looked really bad out there in spring training last year, and then went out there and absolutely dominated in April. So I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Mar 10, 2008 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Could it be...

The dreaded "Dead Arm" syndrome that is always mentioned during spring training? I think they were talking about during yesterday's game against the Royals. Usually happens around the middle of spring training, or so they say.

by madmf on Mar 10, 2008 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't worry about Hill

he just had a bad day, which happens to alot of pitchers in Arizona. So far we spoiled with very good SP so far in camp. But a few of these guys are going to get bombed at some point this spring. Hill had a 5.17 era last spring, so he's not somebody we should worry about if they have a bad day. Even Johan Santana had a bad game this spring training.

What I didn't like today was Manny Parra, he was at one time a very good prospect for the Brewers. He has battled injuries in the past, and looks finally healthy now. The good news is the Brewers probably aren't going to start the season with him in the rotation with a bunch of SP options. Because if he can pitch well with Sheets/Gallardo they could be pretty tough to beat. So hopefully they keep throwing out guys like Bush, Capuano and Vargas out there or Parra keeps having arm trouble like Angel Guzman.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 10, 2008 6:29 PM CDT reply actions

Rich HIll: Two pitch pitcher

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I for one would love to see Hart

be on this team when they head north.

by DC Cubbie on Mar 10, 2008 6:36 PM CDT reply actions

Hart

has a very good chance of making the team right now IMO. If the season started tomorrow I think we would see our rotation and pen look like this

Zambrano
Lilly
Dempster
Hill
Lieber

Pen
Marquis(if traded) Marshall or Pignatiello
Hart
Eyre
Wuertz
Marmol
Howry
Wood

That would mean Marshall would end up back in Triple A, so would Juan Mateo, and Carmen Pignatiello. Hopefully Lahey would go to Triple A as well, if the Twins agree to let us keep him. But I'm sure the Cubs will try to trade Marquis before opening day. If they do that they might use Marshall as a swing man(like Glendon Rusch), or they could use Pignatiello as the second lefty in the pen.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 10, 2008 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Works for me!

The perfect scenerio would be trading Marquis to whoever-the-heck-will-take-him, and then Piggy would be the second lefty in the pen. He's earned the job with a fantastic spring to this point.

I'm sure Hendry/Lou like this configuration and Jim is working to move Marquis.

All we are saying...is give Pie a chance.

by Hugest Canadian Cubs Fan on Mar 10, 2008 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Sam Fuld : Running out of chances

by DC Cubbie on Mar 10, 2008 6:36 PM CDT reply actions

That's four words.

"Running out'a chances". Would you buy that?

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 10, 2008 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

How about

Career minor leaguer.

by rlpete on Mar 10, 2008 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Three words I thought I'd never see together

"Bynum pays dividends"

Glad to see that one working out!

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Mar 10, 2008 6:47 PM CDT reply actions

Lahey Discussion

On CSN, Len and Bob were talking about Lahey. They went into a little bit of detail about the Rule 5 draft process, and what happens if Lahey does not stay on the 25-man roster.

Bob then went on to talk about how sometimes there are teams that play with a 24-man roster, while giving that 25th Rule 5 draft player limited time. This was done just so that the team can keep that player.

Neither talked about the possibility of the Cubs/Twins using the PTBNL option to complete the Craig Monroe deal. What I did find interesting, though, was that Len begged the question (which I don't think was answered) whether Lahey would have to pass through waivers?!?

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 10, 2008 6:50 PM CDT reply actions

No, he wouldn't.

The way I understand it, the Cubs will likely use the PTBNL option. I don't see any advantage to them doing it any other way, and I don't see them keeping Lahey on the roster all year, either.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 10, 2008 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Hoffpaur

Please notice me

Be sure to check out The View From The Bleachers for more Cubs writing.

by viewfromthebleachers on Mar 10, 2008 6:52 PM CDT reply actions

Hoffpauir

Really bad fielder

Will be traded

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions

no, he isn't

that's my 3

by cubswin on Mar 10, 2008 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes he is

seen with own

eyes he's a

butcher on field

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Micah Hoffpauier

Career minor leaguer

by MDBNIU on Mar 10, 2008 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Derrek Lee

Second, fifth...not third.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Mar 10, 2008 7:20 PM CDT reply actions

Ha, come on

Back it up............

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Mar 10, 2008 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL

Why? being 317/400/912 guy isn't a quality number 3 hitter?

by cubsfan25 on Mar 10, 2008 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

As much as I like Derrek Lee I don't like him in the # 3 hole. I'd put Kosuke back in that spot if it were my lineup card.

by MDBNIU on Mar 10, 2008 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions

totally disagree

Dome in the 2 hole is where he should hit. I want a little more pop out of the 3 spot than Dome. He's a patient hitter who'll get a good look at a pitcher and I think he'll have a better OBP than Lee will.

Dome is a perfectly fine at 2.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Well.

It's more a matter of me not being fine with Derrek Lee in the # 3 hole.

by MDBNIU on Mar 10, 2008 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions

So you are not fine with Lee...

who is probably very well suited for the #3 spot, but you are more okay with Fukudome, who is much LESS suited for the #3 spot?

by SouthernCub on Mar 10, 2008 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions

My lineup would be...

Soriano
Theriot
Kosuke
Ramirez
Lee
DeRosa
Soto
Pie / Platoon Mate

I'm no longer a fan of Derrek Lee in the #3 hole. He can be a better contributor in the # 5 hole. In a perfect world the lineup options would be such where he could bat # 2. But that isn't an option with this current mix.

by MDBNIU on Mar 10, 2008 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions

So???

You want the Cubs best OBP and best hitter batting 5th?? Wouldn't you want Lee OBP in front of someone like Ramirez so he can drive him in? Lee batting 5th with his OBP skills is kinda of a waste using Soto or DeRosa 6th compared to Ramirez. Thats the problem many have with Fukudome batting 5th, and I doubt his OBP will be 400 plus like Lee.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 10, 2008 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions

re: My lineup would be...

The problem I see with this lineup is, unless Theriot really surprises, he's not going to offer any protection for Soriano. Opposing pitchers are going to throw Alfonso junk, inducing many a strikeout, then they're going right after Theriot -- often successfully. Thus, all too typically, the heart of the Cubs lineup will be coming up to the plate with two outs and nobody on.

My gut tells me Fukudome will be very productive in the #2 hole, and opposing pitchers will know that they can't overpower him the way they can Theriot.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Mar 10, 2008 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Completely disagree...

It makes no sense to put your best OBP guy (or at worst your second best OBP guy) BEHIND your best RBI guy. Lee and Fukudome should both bat ahead of Ramirez, with Lee batting third and Fukudome batting second.

by SouthernCub on Mar 10, 2008 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

There's not one reason to move Lee in the line-up. But Piniella and the Cubs are smart and know Lee in front of Ramirez is the best thing for the line-up. Thats why Lee will either bat third or fourth in front of Ramirez.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 10, 2008 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Just saw...

...you had Lee at 5 and not at 2. I still don't like that lineup, as I would rather have Lee in front of Ramirez because he has a higher OBP and is the clubs best number 3 hitter.

Anyway, it will all be moot when they get Roberts and the whole thing will change in the blink of an eye.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 10, 2008 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions

What makes Lee not a good number 3 hitter?

Hits for average(317 and 335 last two healthy years)
Has a high OBP(400-418 in 05 and 07) and the best on the team.
He has good power(31 HR in 03, 32 HR in 04, 46 HR in 05 and 22 HR in 07) even though it wasn't 100 percent in the first half last year. But he had 16 HR in the second half and now it should be back at 100 percent.
Has solid speed(can steal 10-15 bases a year)

So what could possibly be wrong with Lee as the number 3 hitter. IMO he seems like the best possible leadoff hitter we could have. I heard some say in the past he strikes out to much to bat third but thats pretty silly. He striked out 114 times last year, and 109 times in 05. Last year he only striked out 15 more times then Brian Roberts.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 10, 2008 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Why not...

...Lee is best suited for number 3 on this club. He hits for average and power, which is exactly what you want in the 3 hole.

Fukudome will not have the power numbers Lee has, mark my words, he will end up with 12-14 dings, but is perfect for the 2 hole.

I don't know if you are one that advocates Soriano at leadoff (I don't), but if you are, you would basically expend 60+ homers in the 1 and 2 hole, with a lot of those being solo shots. Doesn't sound like a good strategy to me.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 10, 2008 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Fuku...

...will have more than 12-14 Home Runs but he still is best suited for the #2 hole on this team and Lee is best suited for the 3rd spot in this lineup.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Its certainly possible....

...but I am thinking he will be going through an adjustment period that will cost him some long balls.

Something is telling me he may struggle a bit for the first 30-50 games, then he will start to heat up.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 10, 2008 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Seems like the Cubs did ok a few years ago

with a slugging infielder hitting second and a smooth swinging lefty batting third. Why not give it a try again?

Another interesting question to ponder is which Cubs hitter needs the most protection?

This may seem counter-intuitive seeing as how he could soon be the team's best hitter, but I think Dome needs the most protection - at least for the first few months of the season. It's not just to build his confidence - all evidence to this point indicates he's got a great head on his shoulders and not prone at all to getting screwed up just because of a little slump.

But I do think it's important to the rest of the team's confidence that Dome has a good start at the plate. I just think it would take a lot of pressure off of everyone else if Dome came out of the gates raking it. And I can't think of a better way of improving the odds of that happening than by putting him between Lee and Ramirez.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 10, 2008 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Sue369

first "poop" sighting ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 10, 2008 7:34 PM CDT reply actions

LOL!

I'm hoping we won't have to use the "p" word a lot this season. :-)

by sue369 on Mar 11, 2008 6:57 AM CDT up reply actions

JB: will be sitting in the Mesa sunshine Thursday!

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Mar 10, 2008 7:58 PM CDT reply actions

That wasn't three words

How about:

"sun on wednesday"

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Mar 10, 2008 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Rich Hill

I was working on getting my fastballs in the strike zone, and by the 3rd inning they knew it was coming, so Im not concerned... On the other hand, my curveball is just unfair.

lol. Thats what it seemed like.

1st Official Al-Wanna-Be! Feel free to become an Oficial Al-Wanna-Be Today!

by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 8:28 PM CDT reply actions

My three words

Rich Hill: One bad outing.

Felix Pie: Save that ball.

Sam Fuld: More playing time.

Derrek Lee: Slow start, meh.

Andy/Hank White: Neither one hits.

Les Walrond/Shingo Takatsu: Giving Brewers nothing.

Ronnie Cedeno: Perhaps fading fast.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Mar 10, 2008 8:50 PM CDT reply actions

Can I make a correction???

Felix Pie: Save those balls.

1st Official Al-Wanna-Be! Feel free to become an Oficial Al-Wanna-Be Today!

by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions

i think

only one ball is currently in need of saving....

by anormal on Mar 10, 2008 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions

When Pie goes through a hot streak

Instead of him seeing the ball like it was a giant beachball, it'll look like a swollen testicle to him.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I was gonna...

... look up some facts about testicular torsion. But you could not pay me to read that whole wikipedia entry. By the second sentence I was in the fetal position in the corner of the room whimpering.

by KevinFosterFan on Mar 10, 2008 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions

If the wikipedia page put you into the fetal..

...position, don't enter "testicular tension" into the google image page.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Heres two

Brian Roberts: come get me
Coco Crisp: leave me alone

Toby Flenderson represents all that is wrong with the paper business.

by bren on Mar 10, 2008 9:00 PM CDT reply actions

hill.....

needs to keep that 90 mph fast ball DOWN in the zone and throw his bread and butter curve ball more!!

by cubz409 on Mar 10, 2008 9:51 PM CDT reply actions

He needs to develope another pitch

and by the sounds of it, he didn't work on another pitch in the off-season, so I'm having my doubts that he ever will. That great curve of his can only go so far in the Majors, especially with a 90 MPH fastball and like you said, especially since he struggles to keep it down.

Ofcourse, this isn't a knee jerk reaction from his poor performance today, just look at my sig.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions

well....

agreed it is only spring training but man he did get rocked today!!you just can not leave that fastball of his over the plate or it's curtains man!!

by cubz409 on Mar 10, 2008 10:04 PM CDT reply actions

Hill has more then two pitches

he still is working on his change up, and even has a cut fastball he sometimes uses. The change up is the pitch he needs to master, and I believe he will over time. Right now he has it some games and it's pretty good but it's not always there for him. With the third pitch not always there for him Hill is gonna struggle here and there when the curve isn't really good. But if he masters the change up he will be able to get by even when the curve isn't really good.

But just because of the way he pitched today doesn't mean he hasn't worked more on the change up this offseason. People act like the Cubs are dumb sometimes, and don't realize Hill is going to struggle with just two pitches. Don't you think they would have traded him this offseason with his value high, if they thought this would be a problem? Instead Hendry pretty much said Hill is a untouchable because he's still most likely to get better. I would be pretty disappointed if Hill has a era over 3.70 next year but thats just my opinion.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 10, 2008 10:18 PM CDT reply actions

Hill does not have a change up

Atleast not a quality change up (throws it probably once a game) If he did, he'd be awesome, like I've said numerous times on this site. He does occasionally throw a cut fastball, but it (like his "chyange up" is not a quality pitch and is only for show. He's made a living off of his curve.

If he want's to go to the next tier or become this "ace" that many disenchanted Cub fans believe him to be, he better come up with a quality change this season.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes he does

It's just not always good yet.(very inconsistent) Some games last year he used it alot, and then other games he wouldn't use it much. This is a scouting report on Hill stuff that I just saw.

"Has some nasty stuff, including low-90s heat that he combines with a jaw-dropping curve and good change-up."

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Rich_Hill/

For Hill to take it to the next level he needs to have that pitch every game, or at least in most games were his curve ball isn't great.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 10, 2008 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Rich Hill has four pitches.

He has his curve, his fastball - I don't think I need to go into detail about those.

He mostly throws his change against righties and his slider against lefties. Both of them seem to be about 83 mph on average (his fastball is about 91 mph and his curveball 74 mph). Granted, he doesn't use either of them very often - he throws mostly fastballs, actually, probably to set up his curve.

But it's not like he's gotten rocked throwing either pitch - batters hit only .214 last season against Hill when he was using his change. It's not as bad of a pitch as you describe.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Mar 10, 2008 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info

I didn't look at stats how hitters did against Hill change up. I just assumed it wasn't that great since there were a few games were I saw him struggle with it. I figured it must not be that great if he doesn't throw it more, but I guess I figured wrong.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 11, 2008 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions

You didn't figure wrong

Rich HIll's "change" is junk. I bet that there's a 100% chance that on that "hitters hit .214 against his chang up" stat, that not all of those were change ups. Don't believe everything you read. There's stats, than there's hitters hit .214 against his change up stats.

Rich Hill's change up is junk. That is again, just my opinion. If Rich Hill had a good change up, the dude would have a sub 3 ERA. ANother reason why Rich Hill has ditched his change up and or doesn't throw it very often, because like his fastball, it's up. There is not a worse pitch in baseball, than a change up, up around the eyes.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 11, 2008 1:10 AM CDT up reply actions

So your trying to say

Hill only let hitters hit 235 against him with 183 strike outs and a 1.19 WHIP in 195 innings with basically one good pitch? Since his fastball is below average and he gets it up too much, and his change up is junk. I dunno I find it very hard to believe Hill was that hard to hit with one pitch, even if it is a really really good pitch. Could it be maybe Hill does have a good and improving change up, decent fastball and great curveball, but is just a young pitcher who had his ups and downs in his first full year and will get better with experience? Because I recall some games last year when Hill was one pitch or one out away of getting out of a game with a good pitching line. But he ended up hanging a pitch, and let things get out of hand. The 4th of July game against the Nationals and Hill start against the Rockies in Coors are two examples just off the top of my head of that happening. He also struggled in September and probably ran out of gas like many young pitcher.

But the point I'm trying to make is Hill was pretty tough to hit last year, he wasn't lucky to have good numbers last season. Those are all good signs that a pitcher can improve IMO. But I know you don't think very highly of Rich Hill and thats fine.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 11, 2008 2:05 AM CDT up reply actions

So, are you related to Rich Hill?

lol

HEre we have an interesting thing at BCB:

when one of our "guys" does poorly, those who have a crush on the particular player say, "Well, its only spring training..."

when another player has a big game, in the very same spring training (where fan "a.", above has said for his favorite, "It doesn't matter..."), but is still not a shoe-in for the team, the player's fan go, "This should QUIET any negatives!"

Well, which is it?

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Mar 10, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions

lemon?

wonder why the "genius"pitching coach can't see this?lol

by cubz409 on Mar 10, 2008 10:42 PM CDT reply actions

Fire Joe Morgan strikes again

With another classic

I wanted to put this line in my sig but it contains too many characters (when you include the HTML):

If you could fart into a kind of microprocessing funnel, and the funnel poured the fart into a computer, which converted the fart into words, this is what it would look like.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 10, 2008 10:44 PM CDT reply actions

That article

Is AMAZING. WOW. I mean, you want to make an argument that Blanton is better than his Home/Road splits, fine I can see an argument.

But that he went 7-5 at home and 7-5 on the road, and that the offense was under the same constraints?!?!? What logic is there in this? Just because the offense scored more runs, doesn't make it 'OK' that he gave up more runs. The fact that the offense was better on the road doesn't mean he's a good pitcher on the road, he just got good support.

More than that, Baker seems like he could actually dismantle the Reds. Votto and Dunn need to be more aggressive? Sure, called 3rd strikes suck, but turning the lineup over is pretty darn important. Sure you don't pay Griffey / Dunn to walk, they are RBI guys. But I'd rather see a walk than a swinging K or an easy double play.

by WittyUserName on Mar 10, 2008 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions

that, my friends, is a great read.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Mar 11, 2008 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions

re: Fire Joe Morgan strikes again

Fascinating stuff, especially this:

Unless they're intentional walks, or the big boppers are being pitched around, walks aren't what you want from players hitting third through sixth. You want them up there smart-hacking.

I would hereby like to nominate "smart-hacking" as the most forehead-slapping, confoundingly clueless baseball term of the year.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Mar 11, 2008 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I love that one too. I'm guessing that that is not the last time we hear the term "smart hacking" around here. I can't believe there isn't a smart hacking split yet.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Mar 11, 2008 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I once believed

in the myth that Hill was a two pitch pitcher. I recall hearing Hill was throwing change ups, and fans on another message board started bashing me for saying I thought Hill only threw two pitches. It's kinda like the myth that Bob Howry only throws fastballs. Yes Howry mostly throws fastballs(especially last year), but he does throw other pitches. Samething goes with Hill he mostly throws his fastball/curveball, but he does use his change up, and sometimes it's good and in other games it's not. He needs to improve on that pitch so it's there for him more often. But it should be better next year, and his numbers should get better, even if he doesn't totally master it yet. But if the Cubs didn't think Hill was gonna get better I'm sure they would trade him if they thought he would top out at being a 3-4 starter instead of labeling him a untouchable.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 10, 2008 11:24 PM CDT reply actions