Rotation Optimization

by JohnM on Jun 9, 2008 5:58 AM CDT

Lou says with the three Mondays off in a row, he "may" juggle the rotation to give the team’s best starters more starts, and he names Z, Dempster and Lilly as ones he’d like to get 7 starts each by the All-Star break. Z may go this Thursday instead of Gallagher, to get the thing started. I actually see Z and Lilly getting seven and Dempster getting six, with the #4 also getting six and the #5 getting five starts. Unless I’m missing a chance to juggle somewhere?

It also looks like Z might be pitching the last game before the break, which could impact any chance he might have to appear in the ASG. Again, please suggest any adds/drops/changes to this rota:

10-June Lilly

11-June Dempster

12-June Zambrano

13-June #4

14-June #5

15-June Lilly

16-June OFF DAY

17-June Zambrano

18-June Dempster

19-June #4

20-June Lilly

21-June #5

22-June Zambrano

23-June OFF DAY

24-June Dempster

25-June Lilly

26-June #4

27-June #5

28-June Zambrano

29-June Dempster

30-June Lilly

1-July #4

2-July #5

3-July Zambrano

4-July Dempster

5-July Lilly

6-July #4

7-July OFF DAY

8-July Zambrano

9-July Dempster

10-July Lilly

11-July #4

12-July #5

13-July Zambrano

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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Comments

Perhaps

In the end I can also see Zambrano being the only one getting the extra starts. I think that’s how it worked last year at the beginning of the year for him?

by ak123 on Jun 9, 2008 7:13 AM CDT reply actions

I think you're right about last year

But they may as well get Dempster as many starts as possible, at least. Cubs are 10-3 in his starts.

"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jun 9, 2008 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Dempster

I like the idea of giving Dempster a little rest in the first half. I’m afraid fatigue will become a factor late in the season for him.

by Tate491 on Jun 9, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

There is merit to that

But it sounds like Lou wants to get the most out of him before the break.

"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jun 9, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Another consideration

Obviously, this is motivated by the desire to get the top pitchers more starts, but here’s another consideration:

Gallagher is currently scheduled to go on Thursday versus Atlanta, while Zambrano is scheduled to go on Friday at Toronto. Gallagher is a terrible hitter, while Zambrano is, for a pitcher, quite good. From that standpoint, it makes some sense to get in Big Z against the Braves and Gallagher against the Blue Jays, where the benefit of the DH helps. OTOH, it’s possible that Piniella would skip Gallagher’s spot in the rotation this time through, in which case the difference would not be as great.

by John Q Freejazz on Jun 9, 2008 7:49 AM CDT reply actions

Great point about Zambrano

and his .887 OPS.

"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jun 9, 2008 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 9, 2008 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Good point. Actually with the bench being what it is I wonder if Lou would even consider having Z bat in an interleague game.

(i expect we’ll see Soriano at DH with Johnson and edmonds in the oF)

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Jun 9, 2008 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

Let’s how someone in Cubland recognizes that!

by ak123 on Jun 9, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

how = hope

by ak123 on Jun 9, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

hope nope brown cope... ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Jun 9, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Some problems with this

First I know we all the think Z is a horse etc but I would like our top starters to get
an extra day off here and there. The bigger problem though is the long “layovers” for
pitchers #4 and especially #5. You are allready dealing with guys with issues and while
side sessions are fine it is not the same as going out every 5th game. I don’t want to wreck

4 and #5 to get Z a few more starts. Moreover this strikes a lot like the Marmol situation
where you basically show NO trust in any other pitcher in the BP and pitch him till his
arm falls off.
I would prefer a modified version of this with maybe a one time reallaignment because
they do need to move Z around or he will miss BOTH Sox series

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 9, 2008 7:56 AM CDT reply actions

Well

As far as the horse thing, Z would still be getting full normal rest between starts. Is it possible that he pitches worse on a extra day’s rest? I agree that could be a concern with the #4 and #5 too, if they get too much down time. As far as the Sox, there may be room for Z to be switched with another pitcher in one of the five game blocks without him getting fewer starts overall before the break. That might also allow a longer break for him at some point. But despite the fact I put this list together, it makes me a little dizzy looking at it.

"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jun 9, 2008 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions

I think the Cubs

need to get Gallagher more starts. He’s been doing great and with more experience he’d probably be doing better.

"You know they're not going to lose 162 games." Harry Caray

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 9, 2008 9:00 AM CDT reply actions

Question

I could see Lou being the manager with the balls to do it.

But would you consider having Z bat in an interleague game on the road?

I also have a funny feeling if we make the series the fact Z can hit will come into play in a start.

(for example close game late at Wrigley, Lou can leave Z in but the AL manager has to pull his career AL pitcher out)

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Jun 9, 2008 9:15 AM CDT reply actions

I wonder if Z might be our best DH option too.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Jun 9, 2008 9:16 AM CDT reply actions

Not even close.

Z will probably WANT to bat if he starts an interleague road game. But that isn’t necessarily the best idea. What happens if/when he has to come out of the game? Do you want the relief pitchers batting?

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 9, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

The always adjusting tactician Piniella knows that 5-games rests are often worse

My thoughts if this is instituted:

9-June OFF DAY
10-June Lilly (Gallagher could be used in long relief
11-June Dempster
12-June Zambrano
13-June Marquis
14-June Gallagher
15-June Lilly

16-June OFF DAY
17-June Dempster
18-June Zambrano
19-June Marquis
20-June Lilly
21-June Gallagher
22-June Dempster

23-June OFF DAY
24-June Zambrano
25-June Lilly
26-June Marquis
27-June Dempster
28-June Gallagher
29-June Zambrano
30-June Lilly
1-July Marquis
2-July Dempster
3-July Gallagher
4-July Zambrano
5-July Lilly
6-July Marquis

7-July OFF DAY
8-July Dempster
9-July Zambrano
10-July Lilly
11-July Marquis
12-July Gallagher
13-July Dempster

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jun 9, 2008 10:00 AM CDT reply actions

If extra rest can be worse

Then why are you giving Z extra days off after his next two starts? To get him into a Sox game? Or into the ASG?

"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jun 9, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Rotation optimization?

Acquire Rich Harden before July 31st.

Rich Harden !! 8 starts, 3-0, 47 IP, 58 Ks, 2.85 ERA

by MDBNIU on Jun 9, 2008 11:58 AM CDT reply actions

Yawn.

http://www.belolmont.com/board/BeatDeadHorse.gif

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 9, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Not nearly as good as when you can visualize...

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 9, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Al wins the best pic of the day in my opinion

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 9, 2008 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions

By July 31st he will be on the DL

I hope not because he is awesome.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jun 9, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

This wasn't about that

There’s already been plenty of fanposts about acquiring new starters.

"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jun 9, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

And the sooner the better - acquiring Harden will give all the Cubs more off days to rest up

Last night’s effort notwithstanding, let’s assume that Harden takes over Marquis’ spot in the rotation. Working off of Ivy Walls’ suggested rotation, here’s how it would look with Harden in the mix.

9-June OFF DAY
10-June Lilly (Gallagher could be used in long relief
11-June Dempster
12-June Zambrano
13-June FORFEIT (Harden on DL)
14-June Gallagher
15-June Lilly

16-June OFF DAY
17-June Dempster
18-June Zambrano
19-June FORFEIT (Harden on DL)
20-June Lilly
21-June Gallagher
22-June Dempster

23-June OFF DAY
24-June Zambrano
25-June Lilly
26-June FORFEIT (Harden on DL)
27-June Dempster
28-June Gallagher
29-June Zambrano
30-June Lilly
1-July FORFEIT (Harden on DL)
2-July Dempster
3-July Gallagher
4-July Zambrano
5-July Lilly
6-July FORFEIT (Harden on DL)

7-July OFF DAY
8-July Dempster
9-July Zambrano
10-July Lilly
11-July FORFEIT (Harden on DL)
12-July Gallagher
13-July Dempster

Sure, it’s six automatic losses between now and the ASG, but hey – think how much more rested Harden and the rest of the Cubs are going to be for the post-season.

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

by ballhawk on Jun 9, 2008 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions