Marshall has looked solid... so it must be asked...
by Ryan at Cubshub on Aug 16, 2008 7:26 PM CDT
29 comments
Should Marshall step into the rotation? Perhaps get a few more spot-starts?
Lets be honest, Jason Marquis isnt stunning anyone, and Marshall has looked solid for a majority of his career, and tonight he has looked downright nasty through the first four innings.
Yes, I know there is plenty of time for him to implode tonight, and I know that he's only started a few games this year and we're talking about a small sample size... but...
Do we find a way to work Marshall into the rotation in some form or fashion to get maybe 3 or 4 more starts?
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I think...
…adding another day of rest before Harden, Zambrano, and Dempster, while the Cubs have a decent lead in the NL Central, is a great idea. I think the Cubs could easily slip Marshall into the rotation once every couple weeks and get him 3 more starts before the end of the season, maybe more, and this would help keep some of those arms fresh.
For those asking “What about pitching after Harden comes out?” I respond with this… Why do we have Lieber on the 40 man roster? If its mop up duty, use Lieber, and if its a tight game use the pen as you would any other player.
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Aug 16, 2008 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
As far as I can tell...
…Lieber hasn’t been activated off the DL yet. My vote is to start Marshall only when needed. I think the regular starters’ arms will remain plenty fresh if they stick to their regular rest. I worry that if you start stretching out those off days too much, guys get rusty and out of rhythm. That could lead to not only sloppy pitching, but injuries. Look at the high number of walks Harden gave up in his last start.
Don’t get me wrong – I’ve always been a big supporter of Sean Marshall as a solid, back-of-the-rotation guy. But, as long as Marquis is on the payroll, he’s the team’s No. 5. Commend Sean for a great start tonight, but keep him as the long man and backup for Harden.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on Aug 16, 2008 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marshall K'd 8 through 5 innings...
…and only gave up 2 runs (all of this is a ‘thus far’ statement, of course)…
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Aug 16, 2008 7:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sean Marshall.....
….. has earned himself a solid shot at next year’s rotation. This year, I’d only plug him in where needed. Granted. he’s done the job, but there’s just 39 games left until the post season and he won’t be in anyone’s rotation at that point, no matter what. Better to accustom him to the long relief/spot starter role for the rest of this year so he’s fine-tuned for that, because that’s where he’ll do this year’s team the most good.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
by BeerCub on Aug 16, 2008 10:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Good luck Shawn Johnson, Lolo Jones and Doug Schwab. Bring home the gold!!!
by sue369 on Aug 16, 2008 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+2
although i cant stand marquis
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on Aug 16, 2008 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My point was...
The Cubs are well on their way to making the playoffs… I know that no one wants to talk about it, but the Cubs are 8 games up in the loss column on the Wild Card 2nd place team St Louis Cardinals, and only have 39 games left… It’ll take an epic collapse to miss the playoffs, but I doubt that’s going to happen. If it DOES happen, its more than likely because the rotations falls off, and this COULD happen with injuries to Harden or Zambrano.
To keep these guys fresh, here’s what I suggest…
From Aug. 19th until Sept. 3rd the Cubs dont have an offday, giving them 16 straight games… If nothing else, Marshall needs to get one start during this period. If not, you’d be looking at Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano getting 3 starts during this stretch, and throwing Harden 3 straight starts on normal rest might not be the best idea if the Cubs are looking to make a run in the playoffs? The Cubs have 3 off-days from Sept. 4 through the 15th, and with a little luck and some decent play, the Cubs could clinch a playoff birth by this time or come very close. If this is the case, and these games dont mean as much as they COULD, then Marshall and The Shark could get spot starts, or even Lieber.
Rich Harden has been amazing, but please dont forget that the Cubs have gone out of their way to give him extra rest. Giving Marshall AT LEAST 1 more start before Sept 4th could help keep Harden fresh (and of course the other starters) and that could be the key for a long playoff run, perhaps more than anything else the Cubs could do.
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Aug 17, 2008 1:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As far as Marshall in the rotation...
Its hard to say what’ll happen… Harden (team option), Zambrano, Lilly and Marquis will all be back… so does Marshall make it in the rotation? Or do we go with the Shark? Or do we resign Dempster? Or do we make a run at one of the various free agent starters, like Sabathia (unlikely), Sheets (no), Burnett, Braden Looper, Randy Wolf, or perhaps even a trade? Heck, Rich Hill might even make his way back to the majors?
Marshall is a solid pitcher, but I think the Cubs might end up trading him for parts or keeping him to continue his current role.
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Aug 17, 2008 2:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This (just plugging him in where needed)
… is the most logical thing.
Remember, in addition to only having 39 games left, there are quite a number of off days left too. Everyone’s going to get enough rest.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 17, 2008 3:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget
we’ve been very fortunate with as much rain as we’ve had this summer that we have only had one rain out. My guess there will be another or at least a long rain delay somewhere. Marshall is a key piece in these unforseen circumstances.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
by mrcubsfan on Aug 17, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly why...
… you can’t slot him in for scheduled starts… having him generally available, as he was this week, is a better idea.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 17, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Cubs play 16 straight...
From Aug 19 until Sept 3, and it seems like Marshall getting a start during that stretch would give everyone a little more rest. I agree, there are plenty of offdays in SEPTEMBER, but the remainder of August isnt very friendly.
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Aug 17, 2008 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, we'll see.
They could start him against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, I suppose, if Lou thinks the other starters need a rest.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 17, 2008 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The situation will determine...
I suppose if the Cubs shuffle the rotation and use someone on short rest to get Harden an extra day… or if they make sure and limit his pitch count to something near 90 for each start…
The way his starts line up, he’s going in the first game of the 16 straight game set, pitching v. Cincy in Chicago. His 2nd start is against Washington, and his third start would be against Philly. With the Pirates series snuck in there, I think you’re right and getting Marshall a start in Pittsburgh would give Harden an extra day and if the Cubs are still 4-5 games up it wont do too much damage to give everyone an extra day.
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Aug 17, 2008 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It just might happen that way.
The rotation through the Nats series is set. After that, Lou could slot Marshall in. We’ll see.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 17, 2008 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keep'em all rested
We need to keep them all rested to a point, but keep in mind that some pitchers need there reg. starts to stay in a routine. My opinion on Marshall, is that he is not that good, against certain teams, patient good hitting ball clubs will eat him up. I would like to see Lieber get a start, he is battle tested and tougher. I am more concerned with the bullpin staying in shape. Getting Wood back to where he was, Car. Mar., to stay smoking hot, and figure where the Rookie fits in. I know our starters are a big part of the game, but if you can get the pin in line to shut’em down, we got a great chance to dance!
ernie81
by ernie81 on Aug 17, 2008 5:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
the only reason i would start lieber is if the scheduled starter
had too much team-provided champagne the night before. even then, i’d give marshall the ball first.
by tim815 on Aug 17, 2008 6:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No original thought here
But go to a six man rotation the rest of the year. Personally I think Marquis has held his own as a 5th starter. Keep him in and add Marshall to the mix. This will allow all the starters to stay fresh while still getting in some innings.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Aug 17, 2008 7:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a good idea
Just to be safe with Harden, but why use Marshall instead of Gaudin as the sixth starter. Gaudin had great numbers as a starter for the A’s.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 17, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i really like gaudin out of the pen
i’d prefer he stay there
by tim815 on Aug 17, 2008 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It pains me to say it
but it appears you need a 7-man bullpen these days. So I would hold off on using Marshall as a 6th starter until we can get a couple of reinforcements when rosters expand on 9/1.
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Aug 17, 2008 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Walk you talking
one maybe two starts. No big deal.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Aug 17, 2008 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice thought
as well, but keep Gaudin in the pen. I think Marshall would better serve the Cubs in a starters roll.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Aug 17, 2008 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget
We haven’t clinched anything yet. I say as long as the regular starters aren’t feeling overworked, keep throwing your best pitchers until, at the very least, a playoff spot is clinched. Then perhaps tinkering with the rotation would be a good idea.
Don’t forget, the sooner we can clinch the division, the more of a break ALL our guys will have before the playoffs. That, plus any September call-ups could have their shots as well.
"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"
by cubs0505 on Aug 17, 2008 9:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Smart..
I like this ideal the most, we get this thing nailed down, then get everybody on the same page. After all, we are looking at the big pitcher here. Lou is plugging the guy’s in off the bench very well, given some time, he will get the starters straight.
ernie81
by ernie81 on Aug 18, 2008 4:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What ideal are you referring to?
And precisely which big pitcher are we looking at?
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on Aug 18, 2008 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
At some point, pitchers need to pitch...
It is already a federal crime for a starter to exceed 120 pitches in a start…so I don’t know that those calling for a 6 man rotation are going to allow everyone to stay sharp. Throwing six innigns every sixth or seventh day is not enough work for a starter to stay sharp.
by perseman on Aug 18, 2008 9:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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