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Does Lou Give Big Z some extra rest, after his no-no?

I think I would.  The magic number is "7", with about 15 games to play.  It gives us a margin of error, and we need Z at his best for the playoffs.  They've been doing it with Rich Harden a lot.  Steve Phillips, over at ESPN, said tonight that no team in the National League can match up with the 1-2-3 punch of Zambrano, Harden and Dempster.  I'd like to see that trio make it to the playoffs healthy, though they should pitch some before the end of the season.

What do people think?

Great night for Cubs fans.  Great year for Cubs fans.

Go Cubs!

Poll
Should Lou Rest Big Z an extra day or two since he threw 110 pitches against the Stros in his no-no?
Yes
84 votes
No
16 votes
Wait and See What Develops in the Pennant Race
35 votes

135 votes | Poll has closed

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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it depends

They didn’t win anything yet. The rotation until the weekend (as taken from cubs.com) Lilly, Dempster, Marquis, Harden and then TBA for the beginning of the STL series. If the Cubs split those games (or better) that would make our magic number at least 4. Having a magic number of atleast 4 for clinching the division would give Lou a lot of wiggle room. With that being said, after Z’s performance tonight, I would expect him to pitch the final home game of the season on 6 days rest. However, knowing Lou, he will pitch on Saturday, giving Marshall the spot start on Friday. This is if the cubs split or better until the STL series. It’s nearly definite that Dempster will pitch that weekend. If the stars go our way this week; and we have a chance to lock it up during our last home series, I would think Lou will go to Zambrano and HIM clinch it for us. If I’m not mistaken, clinching the division would almost mathematically ensure us home field advantage through out, especially if the Met’s and Phillies play like they have been. It is entirely plausible for us to clinch the division and home field advantage on the same day. After that, I would expect Fukudome to get regular playing time, as with Hoff, Cedeno, Guzman, Shark, Howry, Ward, Derosa. Having 8 or 9 throwaway games in September against playoff quality teams is a great showcase, especially since most of these young players won’t have a permanent spot next season either. They could be used as trade bait. Hoff and Howry will be fighting for a post-season roster spot. Again, this all comes down to how we play this week, and what happens. It’s exciting.

by scarymonsters85 on Sep 15, 2008 12:27 AM CDT reply actions  

Steve Phillips...

…is a moron. But regardless of who said it, that 1-2-3 is the best. by far. no debate.

he also said that lou shouldn’t have let him throw 110…regardless of how effective he was. really…

by serbianking33 on Sep 15, 2008 12:36 AM CDT reply actions  

correction

our magic number for home field advantage is 9. Steve Phillips is a hack, as is everyone on ESPN.

by scarymonsters85 on Sep 15, 2008 12:41 AM CDT reply actions  

No extra rest

He was slated for 100 pitches, so it’s not like it was CC out there….

I heart the riot. (www.riotshirts.com)

by RIOTSHIRTS.com on Sep 15, 2008 12:47 AM CDT reply actions  

Sabermetrics

Now that football is in full swing, I am hearing useless football stats thrown down my throat. Coupled with K-Rod getting his last save, and the fact that the mets are going to overspend to get him, thinking that the amount of saves you have is the be all and end all for a closer. While I think the save is overrated, you can’t take away the fact that K-Rod is a good bullpen pitcher. However, the stats a GREAT closer generally has, K-Rod lacks. His k/9 ratio is good. However, his strikeout to walk ration isn’t that stellar. His WHIP is even worse. Not sure how much baseball prospectus you guys read, but the theory is that basically anyone can pitch the 9th inning and achieve moderate success. Statistically, pitching in the 9th inning, with a lead, and coming into the game with no outs, 95% of the time a middle of the road bullpen guy will succeed. Statistically, Kerry Wood has been a better closer than K-Rod this year. Anyway, I’m getting side tracked, what I was gonna say originally is that the most important stat in the playoffs for pitchers is opponent BA, WHIP and K/9… our top 3 have a solid mark on those stats, save for Big Z who had a blip on his stats in the prior month and a half. This team is great.

by scarymonsters85 on Sep 15, 2008 12:48 AM CDT reply actions  

interesting

(and paragraph breaks are your friend)

by digitalbenjamin on Sep 15, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions  

i want to make sure z stays sharp

give him a pitch count of like 60 or something. If he comes out and he’s sharp…good, take him out before he gets overworked.

by aznsensation on Sep 15, 2008 12:59 AM CDT reply actions  

perhaps

they could put marshall in for a spot start.

by nathew on Sep 15, 2008 1:11 AM CDT reply actions  

We could take a wait and see approach

But with the sudden big lead over the Brew crew, we can afford to give Z and Harden an extra day for the last 2 weeks.

Some people have 3 layers, like pie. Blog Blog Blog

by berselius on Sep 15, 2008 1:12 AM CDT reply actions  

Also

giving Z an extra day’s rest means I get to see him pitch live on saturday

Some people have 3 layers, like pie. Blog Blog Blog

by berselius on Sep 15, 2008 1:23 AM CDT up reply actions  

I think you have to

give him a extra day. It is imperative that Harden, Z, and Demp are set for the playoffs.
 Damn, what a night in Milwaukee, wish I could of been there.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Sep 15, 2008 7:38 AM CDT reply actions  

I think he goes regular days rest

as Lou will shorten him, especially if the division is wrapped up. No celebrating until phase one is done, then off to the NLDS.

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 Sep 15, 2008 8:08 AM CDT reply actions  

Lou should do whatever it takes

to ensure that Z pitches the opening game in the playoff. If that means sitting him for the rest of the season, so be it. We see that a prolonged absence doesn’t seem to bother him, so let him rest unless you absolutely have to use him.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Sep 15, 2008 8:57 AM CDT reply actions  

Have there ever been back to back no-no's?

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer J Simpson

by MikeOxbyg on Sep 15, 2008 9:38 AM CDT reply actions  

May 5 and 6, 1917

St. Louis Browns had two no hitters against the White Stockings but there was an intervening game of a double-header on one of the days so they were not consecutive games, IIRC.

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been . . . baseball. It rules over America like an army of steamrollers." Terrance Mann
Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Sep 15, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions  

Sep 17 and 18, 1968

SF Giants no hit the Cardinals on the first day and the Cardinals no hit the Giants on the second day, consecutive games, not the same team with the no hitter though

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been . . . baseball. It rules over America like an army of steamrollers." Terrance Mann
Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Sep 15, 2008 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions  

and then of course Johnny VanDerMeer (sp?) of the Reds

pitched two consecutive no hitters in 1938, but they were not consecutive games, just consecutive starts for him

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been . . . baseball. It rules over America like an army of steamrollers." Terrance Mann
Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Sep 15, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

Extra rest...

… should have nothing to do with the no-hitter. At this point in time, Rothschild and Piniella should have a plan regarding the pitching schedule for every starter for the remainder of the schedule and the focus should be having their arms in optimal shape for the playoffs. If that means going to a 6 man rotation or giving guys extra rest before their last start, then do it. The same should be said of the bullpen.

DmL

by dmlichte on Sep 15, 2008 9:39 AM CDT reply actions  

He threw 110 pitches...

…so you may want to give him one extra day or limit his next outing to maybe 80-85 pitches. The division is looking pretty good right now, so I think Lou will be able to limit the pitch count (to some degree) of all his starters.

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

by MPH73 on Sep 15, 2008 10:49 AM CDT reply actions  

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