Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Tuesday 9/2, 7:05 CT
Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs
Back in 1978, the Cubs briefly contended despite having a team that hit only 72 HR (2nd to last in the NL), and only one player with more than nine (Dave Kingman, 28; and a pitcher, Dave Roberts, had more HR -- 2 in 52 AB -- than the regular CF, Greg Gross, had in 347 AB: one). It was dubbed the "Rush Street Offense" (lots of singles, no action).
This year's Cubs have not had that problem -- until the last three days, all losses. The last extra-base hit was Alfonso Soriano's game-winning HR on Friday. Since then they have had 27 singles and three walks, and have scored five runs in the three games.
It's time for the offense to wake up. Like, now.
Clarification: this was discussed in this morning's thread, and someone posted the correct info (cwyers, I believe), but I wanted it on the front page. MLB scorers are MLB employees, not employees of the clubs. Many of them are former sportswriters. It's still my feeling that they should be a "fifth umpire", and such a person could also assist with replays.
A few photos from the last two days:

Shane Victorino loses Ronny Cedeno's popup in the sun in the 2nd inning on Sunday

Geovany Soto takes 2nd on a wild pitch in the 8th inning on Sunday, eventually scoring the third Cub run
Kosuke Fukudome catches a popup by Shane Victorino, the last out in the top of the 9th on Sunday

Alfonso Soriano chases Miguel Tejada's triple...

... for a really, really long time.
Click on photos to open a larger version in a new browser window. All photos by David Sameshima
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Tonight's game is a pitching rematch of this April 6 game at Wrigley Field, where D-Lee's 7th inning HR off Oscar Villareal (who isn't even on the Astros any more) won the game for Z. Backe had been lifted the inning before. Since then, Backe has thrown two other games vs. the Cubs and got hit hard and lost and got the living daylights beat out of him and lost. Backe is 2nd in the NL in HR allowed and the Cubs have hit four off him in 16 IP this year. He's also tied for 7th in the NL in walks allowed -- so if the Cubs can relax and go back to their patient ways at the plate from earlier this year, the offense should wake up.
Z needs to settle down now that it's September. After a bad August last year he was 4-2, 3.44 in September; doing the same this year would be, well, useful. The only real Houston nemesis for Z was Carlos Lee, and he's out of this series.
Today's game is on WGN and also on EI via FSN Houston For more games, see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Once again, a reminder that you can find the overflow comment threads, including the first pitch thread, on the right sidebar of both the front page and any interior page in the box headed "RECENT STORIES IN GAME THREADS". Today's first pitch thread posts at 7 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 8 pm, 9 pm and 9:45 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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comments
Comments
1st
wake up offense
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 Sep 2, 2008 4:03 PM CDT 0 recs
89* w/ a light wind blowing out...time for some runs!!!
I heart the riot. (www.riotshirts.com)
by RIOTSHIRTS.com on Sep 2, 2008 4:05 PM CDT 0 recs
Time for bats bats bats bats bats bats bats!
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Sep 2, 2008 4:06 PM CDT 0 recs
Damn these night games!
I won’t catch any of it since I’ll be sleeping. Maybe that’s the spark the team needs…
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on Sep 2, 2008 4:07 PM CDT 0 recs
Zambrano/Dempser back to back...
Time to turn this thing around, pronto.
Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman
by NotSure on Sep 2, 2008 4:09 PM CDT 0 recs
Line-up is out:
LF 12 SORIANO
2B 17 FONTENOT
1B 25 LEE
3B 16 RAMIREZ
RF 7 DEROSA
CF 15 EDMONDS
C 18 SOTO
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 2, 2008 4:11 PM CDT 0 recs
Line-up is out:
LF 12 SORIANO
2B 17 FONTENOT
1B 25 LEE
3B 16 RAMIREZ
RF 7 DEROSA
CF 15 EDMONDS
C 18 SOTO
SS 2 THERIOT
SP 38 ZAMBRANO
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on
Sep 2, 2008 4:13 PM CDT
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Whoa...Lou sits Dome against a RHP?!
He’s not messin’ around.
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 2, 2008 4:18 PM CDT
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Lou wants the LBR power
Go Mike!
Cubs Win!! Cubs Win!
by Ihatethecards on
Sep 2, 2008 4:25 PM CDT
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This season...
…LBR is 2 for 3 against Backe in 3 PAs. One of those hits was a long ball.
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 2, 2008 4:29 PM CDT
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we're in need of an XBH...
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 2, 2008 5:09 PM CDT
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On the pre-game yesterday
Ron said to Lou, “Fukudome is hitting better lately….”
There was a long pause, then “if you say so, Ron” (it was said with a smile, but still…).
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on
Sep 2, 2008 4:51 PM CDT
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Yeah, I heard that, too.
Lou definitely sounded skeptical of Ron’s statement.
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 2, 2008 6:17 PM CDT
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And bats DeRo 5th
I think Mark will like that better than the 8-hole
by Clutch16 on
Sep 2, 2008 5:51 PM CDT
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DeRo just wants to play
Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on
Sep 2, 2008 5:51 PM CDT
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Don't have the numbers here, so I'm going off my rather hazy memory
But I think DeRo has produced better offense this year when batting higher in the order.
by Clutch16 on
Sep 2, 2008 5:57 PM CDT
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Actually
DeRosa’s only had 41 at bats in the 2nd, 4th and 5th spots this year.
He’s 12-for-41 with 4 HR and 10 RBI in those ABs.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Sep 2, 2008 6:00 PM CDT
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He's been in 6 or 7 spot this year
6: 216 ABs, .301 AVG, .888 OPS, 8 HR, 45 RBIs
7: 139 ABs, .288 AVG, .873 OPS, 5 HR, 21 RBIs
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 2, 2008 6:01 PM CDT
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From here
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 2, 2008 6:02 PM CDT
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Thanks :)
Glad to see I wasn’t just invoking my “Former Braves Player” bias on that one.
by Clutch16 on
Sep 2, 2008 6:05 PM CDT
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Wuuuuuuuuun - Duuuuuuuuur Haaaaaaaamp - Stuuuuuuuuur
Wuuuuuuuuun – Duuuuuuuuur Haaaaaaaamp – Stuuuuuuuuur
Wuuuuuuuuun – Duuuuuuuuur Haaaaaaaamp – Stuuuuuuuuur
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on
Sep 2, 2008 6:16 PM CDT
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Air quality outside is God-awful
I have to believe that continuing hot and lousy air quality in Chicago has contributed to the less than spectacular play by the Cubs. Not making excuses, but playing in these atmospheric conditions is brutal. Especially for guys with allergies.
by MDBNIU on Sep 2, 2008 4:11 PM CDT 0 recs
Yea but,
wouldn’t the poor air quality effect the other team as well?
"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"
by MerlinDog on
Sep 2, 2008 4:16 PM CDT
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Dang, you win by a minute.
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 2, 2008 4:17 PM CDT
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Cubs win because of

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on
Sep 2, 2008 5:05 PM CDT
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I had to
buy more of those today. Darn allergies anyway!!
by sue369 on
Sep 2, 2008 5:34 PM CDT
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Would you please share with Geo?
Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on
Sep 2, 2008 5:34 PM CDT
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Wow, that's a new one.
Wouldn’t both teams be affected by poor air quality?
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 2, 2008 4:17 PM CDT
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shhhhh!
don’t tell him! He doesn’t know!
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Sep 2, 2008 4:18 PM CDT
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I'm guessing that post is...
…further insight into the sad life of one BlueMike. He probably has really bad allergies and is just projecting. AH-CHOO!!!
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 2, 2008 4:20 PM CDT
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OTOH, maybe Blue Mike has access to all MLB medical records and has
empirically determined that the Cubs (averaging over the team, of course) suffer more from poor air quality (because of allergy, sinus, and other issues) than other teams in the MLB?
Just sayin’ :-)
by zevkalman on
Sep 2, 2008 4:31 PM CDT
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What?! What do you think he is...a Sabermagician?!
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 2, 2008 4:33 PM CDT
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That's pretty.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 2, 2008 6:18 PM CDT
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Totally looks like Dumbledore
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Sep 2, 2008 6:31 PM CDT
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pottergasm?
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Sep 2, 2008 6:33 PM CDT
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hey now...
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Sep 2, 2008 6:34 PM CDT
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Not yet. Soon enough.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Sep 2, 2008 6:43 PM CDT
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Ultimatum!
If the Cubs don’t win tonight I am gonna…I am gonna…umm…ahhh…gonna be….er….
be disappointed :(
(backs away from the ledge)
"I have not failed. I have merely identified seven hundred twenty three ideas that didn't work"
by redivycubs on Sep 2, 2008 4:23 PM CDT 0 recs
Just want to see 5 good innings out of Zambrano to relieve fears he is hurt and/or mechanics are all screwed up
by MDBNIU on
Sep 2, 2008 4:24 PM CDT
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+1
"I have not failed. I have merely identified seven hundred twenty three ideas that didn't work"
by redivycubs on
Sep 2, 2008 4:27 PM CDT
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something I can agree with
"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella
by Madison Cub Fan on
Sep 2, 2008 4:34 PM CDT
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let's wait to see
him sit out more than one or two games before we decide that. Lou has said all along he was looking to rest Dome more.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Sep 2, 2008 4:25 PM CDT
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That's not right
Kosuke hasn’t been playing well. Lou has been patient, but now the time has come to sit him for a game (or two or three). Lack of performance doesn’t put somebody in Lou Piniella’s doghouse. That is extraordinarily dismissive and disrespectful of Lou Piniella to suggest so.
by MDBNIU on
Sep 2, 2008 4:26 PM CDT
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So would...gulp....
felix pie
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 2, 2008 4:34 PM CDT
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giggles @ swl for being a troublemaker.
"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella
by Madison Cub Fan on
Sep 2, 2008 4:35 PM CDT
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You need to learn definition of doghouse as applies to Lou Piniella
by MDBNIU on
Sep 2, 2008 4:28 PM CDT
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And what might that definition be?
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 2, 2008 4:29 PM CDT
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Two players have been in Lou's "doghouse"
Jason Marquis for part of 2007, Michael Barrett 2007. I’d like to know how the decision to pull the plug on Felix Pie equates to Felix Pie being in Lou’s doghouse. Or how the decision to pull Kosuke out of the lineup (for who knows how long) equates to Kosuke being in Lou’s doghouse.
by MDBNIU on
Sep 2, 2008 4:31 PM CDT
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I don't think that Dome is in the dog house either
but you’re seriously saying Eyre WASN’T?
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Sep 2, 2008 4:33 PM CDT
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I think you're being a little too...
…narrow with your definition of “doghouse.” Of course, it would help if you clearly expressed that definition.
If “being in Lou’s doghouse” means “a player who, despite being on the active roster, never sees much, if any, playing time,” then I’d actually agree with you – I don’t think Dome is in Lou’s doghouse. But if that definition is “a player who is temporarily benched because of a failure to produce,” then I would say that Dome is in Lou’s doghouse.
Scott Eyre was definitely in Lou’s doghouse under the first of those two definitions.
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 2, 2008 4:38 PM CDT
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There are varying degrees...
…of Lou’s doghouse – there is “probation”, then “double-secret probation”, and finally the “doghouse”.
I don’t think Dome is even at the “probation” level yet, but I bet he would be a hair away if his progress were to turn the other direction.
Lieber seems to have landed himself at the “double-secret” level, which in itself affords one final final chance to redeem yourself.
The “doghouse” level was certainly where Eyre found himself. Lou didn’t even want to talk to the guy or acknowledge that he was on his team.
by derv on
Sep 2, 2008 4:45 PM CDT
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Who among the 12 pitches on this staff has Jon Lieber been better than the last two months???
If you’re going to indict Lou Piniella and say that he sentences people to the doghouse, then lets back it up. Jon Lieber is in the doghouse because he’s been on the DL? Jon Lieber is in the doghouse because it is 100% clear he is lesser option than any of the current 12 members of the pitching staff? What, do you want the Cubs to carry 13 pitchers just so we can make sure Lieber is accomodated? And should the decision have been to carry Felix Pie on the roster all season long even though he couldn’t hit major league pitching??
by MDBNIU on
Sep 2, 2008 4:49 PM CDT
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Bob Howry.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 2, 2008 4:51 PM CDT
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bwahahahaha.
Neil Cotts hasn’t been any great shakes the last few weeks, neither.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Sep 2, 2008 4:51 PM CDT
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Well...
A. If memory serves Jon Lieber has been on the DL
B. If memory also serves an earlier healthy Jon Lieber was not particularly effective in his newfound bullpen home
C. Bob Howry has been a long time successful set-up man in this league and an outright godsend to the Cubs in 2006 and 2007, so throwing him under the bus in deference to Jon Lieber of all people is a bit curious. Somebody better than Lieber to replace Howry? Then I’m all for it.
by MDBNIU on
Sep 2, 2008 4:55 PM CDT
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C(a). Bob Howry has sucked dead rhino balls in 2008.
You know…the year we are currently in.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 2, 2008 4:56 PM CDT
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You've skewed the topic like usual
The question at hand is should a JON LIEBER replace Bob Howry. If the question at hand was should a Jeff Spellcheck or a Bruce Sutter in his prime replace Bob Howry I think even you understand my answer would be different.
by MDBNIU on
Sep 2, 2008 4:58 PM CDT
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do we really want
to be looking to bring Bruce Sutter out of retirement?
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Sep 2, 2008 4:59 PM CDT
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You've ignored or missed my point...like usual.
Your arguing that Howry is a better pithcher THIS YEAR than Lieber, and your using THE PAST to justify your position. I’ll try and not go so far over your head anymore. Sorry.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 2, 2008 4:59 PM CDT
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Jon Lieber didn't work out
Lieber was brought in here to compete for a starter’s job. He came up short in that endeavor and then was shuttled to the bullpen for the first time ever in his career. The experiment of Lieber pitching out of the bullpen ultimately gave disappointing results. Followed by lengthy trip to the DL.
Would I replace Bob Howry with Jon Lieber at any point of the 2008 season? An emphatic no. Hence the slanderous indictment that big bad Lou threw Howry in the doghouse has been disproven.
by MDBNIU on
Sep 2, 2008 5:03 PM CDT
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So you've enjoyed Howry's performance so far this year?
I keed!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 2, 2008 5:04 PM CDT
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I have a hard time believing Lieber was actually injured
by derv on
Sep 2, 2008 5:05 PM CDT
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You might be right, but....
Jon Lieber didn’t adapt well at all to bullpen duty. He has no role to serve on this ballclub barring rash of injuries. The Cubs are obligated to pay him $3.5 million in 2008. I can assume Hendry decided to bury him on the DL as opposed to whacking him…
A. So he didn’t land in the hands of a NL competitor
B. As insurance policy in case a bunch of pitchers on the staff went lame
C. Because he’s not in the habit of eating salary
by MDBNIU on
Sep 2, 2008 5:08 PM CDT
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Lieber worked out of the pen for a while in Philly...
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on
Sep 2, 2008 5:07 PM CDT
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