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Marshalling Our Resources: Cubs 2, Mets 6

Far be it from me to look to John Kruk as the fount of all baseball wisdom, but if you saw Baseball Tonight last night, you'll have to admit he had a point.

They ran the highlight of the bizarre play where Johan Santana's bat broke when he hit a ground ball up the middle, only to see the ball hit one of the bat pieces and bounce away from Ronny Cedeno. Marshall waved his arms as if to say, "What the heck?", as if it were Cedeno's fault, which it wasn't. He did strike out Jose Reyes and the inning could have been over, and then he seemed to lose focus, walking Luis Castillo and giving up a two-run single to David Wright, which tied the game.

Kruk said Marshall's body language was all wrong, and he's right. Lou didn't look happy in the dugout, but that didn't stop Lou from praising Marshall after the game:

"Our guy matched [Santana] pitch for pitch there, and actually was doing a little better until the fifth inning," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "We need to get [Marshall] back in the bullpen, where he can help us in the middle. He'll pitch a little in the middle in the Milwaukee series to get ready for postseason."

I like Sean Marshall and I think he'll be very valuable in the postseason. But he can't lose focus like that. The Cubs lost the game to the Mets 6-2, not really important in the grand scheme of things, except that it now will require winning out in order to get to 100 wins, perhaps the only remaining team goal.

Meanwhile, Chad Gaudin may have pitched himself off the playoff roster by giving up four hard hits and inexplicably flipping a ball to Derrek Lee on which he had no chance of getting the runner; a run scored on the resulting error, but it would have scored anyway as the Mets pounded Gaudin. Maybe it's the effects of not having pitched in nearly a month, but I'm guessing Lou looks at quite a number of different bullpen combinations before making a decision prior to next Wednesday.

Reed Johnson had been 10-for-19 vs. Santana in the AL and he continued that domination; going 2-for-3, he's now 11-for-22 against one of the best pitchers in the game and that could prove to be important if the Mets are the Cubs' first-round opponent. It was also good to see Kosuke Fukudome get two hits, especially against a tough lefthander. I'd like to see Dome play every day the rest of the week; if he can get back on the track he appeared to be on early in the season, that'd be a real boost to the offense.

It's getting hard to write these recaps; with this much time left until a game that really means something, what else can you say except to use clichés like "playing out the string". With the Brewers also winning last night, the Mets' lead in the wild-card race remains at one game with five to play, and the Cubs may not know who will arrive at Wrigley Field on Wednesday until Sunday -- or maybe even beyond.

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FIRST to agree!

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Sep 24, 2008 8:15 AM CDT   0 recs

New worry

Do you suppose some teams will come calling for the services of either Randy Bush or Oneri Fleita in the offseason?

I think the Cubs may lose front office and coaching staff.

Go Cubs

by cubstoseriesby100 on Sep 24, 2008 8:18 AM CDT   0 recs

I think you need to stop making up stuff to worry about.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe...

…and maybe not, but its really not someting that should inhibit them from putting together a long term winning franchise.

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

by MPH73 on Sep 24, 2008 11:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I wasn't able to see the play

but hearing it described, Marshall had no reason to get upset about that one. There was nothing he could do about it. His reaction should have been to say WTF and laugh it off b/c it sounds pretty funny, reading about the play.

Either way, he did pitch well and I am happy that Marshall made the playoff roster. As for Gaudin, I really hope he gets ‘it’ figured out soon because we know he is a good pitcher and a big assets to our pen.

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Sep 24, 2008 8:25 AM CDT   0 recs

It was just a "one of those things" play

Certainly nothing that should have made Marshall mad or made him lose focus.

by SuperContext on Sep 24, 2008 8:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Sep 24, 2008 8:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's exactly what Kruk's point was.

He should have laughed it off and got the next two guys and finished off the inning.

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

by Al on Sep 24, 2008 8:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i agree with you and kruk

but my god didn’t kruk seem overly pissy about the play?!? it’s not as if losing this game is going to have a significant impact of the rest of the reason

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 24, 2008 9:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Kruk often gets overly pissy.

Sometimes, that makes his point lost. Not last night, though.

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

by Al on Sep 24, 2008 9:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I hadn't heard that...

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Sep 24, 2008 10:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i agree with him

oh god let’s not start this debate again!

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 24, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

RIDICULOUS! JUST RIDICULOUS!

DID I MENTION IT WAS RIDICULOUS? OH, BY THE WAY, IT WAS RIDICULOUS!

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 10:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ridiculous

I started to count how many times he said that but ran out of fingers

If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.

by carolinacub on Sep 24, 2008 1:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ridikulus

even

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2008 1:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I disagree

I disagree as to what Marshall was conveying with his body language. I don’t believe he meant any disrespect to Cedeno at all. Rather, it seemed clear to me that he was simply throwing up his arms in disbelieft that the ball hit the broken bat after it had gone past him.

There is one major reason that I believe that was his intention….I think he recognized that he should have fielded it cleanly himself. If he fields it, it’s a DP. I don’t think he was upset with Cedeno at all but was more disturbed that he missed the ball and then it goes on to hit a broken bat. I think he was giving the “what can you do” body language more than anything and don’t believe he lost focus at all.

Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?

by krummy12 on Sep 24, 2008 8:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe so...

… still, it did seem as if he pitched differently after that play.

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

by Al on Sep 24, 2008 8:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree with krummy, not kruky.

Marshall wanted to field the ball himself, but the bat came flying through. Then it struck the ball, breaking up Cedeno’s rhythm. Honestly, I don’t think Marshall was peeved at anyone, but instead filled with disbelief that something so crazy could happen.

I guess we’ll never know………..

What supports the “disbelief” stance is the way he handled Reyes. He got a fortunate strike call from the ump, but then busted Reyes up with a heater. Why he failed to do the same against Castillo is, well, yet another mystery.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Sep 24, 2008 8:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I also agree with Krummy.

I think Marsh was just was in disbelief after the play. And Al is right, still didn’t change the fact that wheels fell off so fast but this is why he isn’t permanent in the starting rotation.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark

by Fishbone2 on Sep 24, 2008 10:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+ 1,000

That is exactly what I was going to say.

It was more of a “you have got to be kidding me” type of reaction at the sheer bad luck of it all.

McCain / Palin: The POW / WOW! Ticket

by Goat Whisperer on Sep 24, 2008 10:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I saw the play...

…and this was my thought as well. I assumed Marshall was either mad at himself or perhaps even mad at the fact that yet another maple bat exploded like a rotten apple hitting a brick wall.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 10:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree...

Marshall had just walked a batter on 4 pitches to open the inning and had a chance for a dp. The shattered bat distracted both he and Cedeno from making the play. I would probably have reacted the same. The increasing number of sharp maple projectiles that are directed toward the mound must be a concern for all pitchers. If the batter were to intentionally throw the bat or helmet or other object, then there would be an interference call. By choosing to use thinner and thinner bats made of brittle wood, the batter has effectively chosen to randomly throw his bat toward the fielders. Something needs to be done such as setting minimum handle diameters and wood quality standards.

by txtom on Sep 24, 2008 11:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Gaudin

Of more concern to me is not the fact that Gaudin may have pitched himself off the playoff roster is that in doing so, he may have pitched Bob Howry onto the playoff roster

by philadelphiacub on Sep 24, 2008 8:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1 billion

Despite Gaudin’s bad night last night, Lou shouldn’t forget that batters are hitting .300 (!) against Howry this season.

Gaudin and Marhsall will get the 5-7th innings, Spellcheck (I really don’t know how to spell his name, and I’m an excellent speller) gets the 6-7th innings, Marmol for the 8th and Wood for the 9th. It’s that simple.

We cannot chance Howry pitching in the playoffs. Christ, MARQUIS would be a better option, and that’s why he’s there.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Sep 24, 2008 9:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

here's the lesson to be learned

if you are gaudin and you are in the thick of a playoff race, don’t get so drunk you fall into a dumpster and hurt yourself……he’s got little time left to prove he belongs

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 24, 2008 9:40 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

Best post I've read so far this morning

"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 24, 2008 9:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

in a very melancholy way

That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou

by Emelie on Sep 24, 2008 10:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yah i was sighing as i wrote it :(

i would really like to see him make the playoff roster

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 24, 2008 10:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

huh?

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 24, 2008 11:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Marmol doesn't seem to be as effective in his second inning of work in a night

"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Sep 24, 2008 11:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Amen, brother.

Did I really just type that?

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 10:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I dunno.

Did you grow a bushy handlebar moustache last night?

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 10:46 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Holy crap, I did!

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 10:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that's just wrong.

That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou

by Emelie on Sep 24, 2008 10:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's not Wrong,

That’s Rollie.

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Sep 24, 2008 11:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I still hate to see them lose

My head knows it doesn’t matter, but my heart still dips a little when I see that score.

Oh well, I am encouraged by the way we hit Santana in the early going, especially with the CUBS/sCrUBS combo line-up. I know anything can happen, but I do not fear this team in the post-season.

by SuperContext on Sep 24, 2008 8:26 AM CDT   0 recs

Best case scenario

If Zambrano and Harden can win the next two games against the Mets, there’s a good chance that the Mets and Brewers will either be tied or separated by only one game going into Sunday.

That will likely force Santana to pitch on Sunday with everything on the line after a 120+ pitch outing last night. I think the Phillies will have clinched the East, so it may come down to Mets and Brewers having to win Sunday, or even better, that they’re tied after Sunday forcing a one-game playoff for the wild card. That would really scramble their rotations, tax their bullpens and make the survivor that much more vulnerable to the rested Cubs.

Whatever else happens the next few days, Lord please let the Mets and Brewers end up tied after Sunday’s games!

by davenportblue on Sep 24, 2008 8:28 AM CDT   0 recs

I'm too lazy to look this up.

Where would a Mets/Brewers tiebreaker game be held?

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

by Al on Sep 24, 2008 8:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

New York, I'm pretty sure

I don’t think the Brewers won one tiebreaker advantage

"Looks like Milwaukee got their No Hitter" -ak123

by NittanyCub on Sep 24, 2008 8:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The Brewers

won the tie break with the Cubs, IIRC. We would have had to go to Miller to play a tie breaking game

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Sep 24, 2008 8:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dang, what's wrong with me?

You’re right

"Looks like Milwaukee got their No Hitter" -ak123

by NittanyCub on Sep 24, 2008 8:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well, gee

too bad that didn’t happen. Any opportunity to throw a no-hitter at Wrigley North.

This comment brought to you by

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Sep 24, 2008 8:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was thinking the same thing

as I was typing my response above. . . Shucks, you mean we have to go play at our other home field ;).

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Sep 24, 2008 8:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Comfirmed.

It would be New York (link)

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 24, 2008 9:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If the Mets finish Saturday with a 1 game lead

My guess is they don’t pitch Santana on Sunday. They hope to win without him so that he’s ready for Game 1 — or, worst case, have him ready for a tie-breaker.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2008 8:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OK, I looked it up.

If the Mets and Brewers tie, the tiebreaker game would be at New York.

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

by Al on Sep 24, 2008 8:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Plus the tie breaker

needs to go about 19 innings.

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Sep 24, 2008 8:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ah the dream situation

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 24, 2008 9:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

When I watched the replay

I noticed the “WTF” reaction, but I thought it was directed at the bad luck of the crazy bounce, not at Ronny Cedeno. Marshall was looking right at the play the whole time, and he himself couldn’t field the ball because of the bat head flying right in front of it. Still no excuse to lose focus, even if he wasn’t blaming Ronny.

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 24, 2008 8:32 AM CDT   0 recs

Playoff at Shea

I’m pretty sure the wild card playoff would be at Shea. Of course, in my earlier post, I should have added that I’d want the exhausted Mets to win the playoff. If the Brewers were to win, we wouldn’t be playing them in the first round anyway.

And on the subject of Marshall’s reaction to the “double bounce” of the bat, it seemed he was reacting to the play, not Cedeno.

by davenportblue on Sep 24, 2008 8:35 AM CDT   0 recs

Gaudin...

… got “pounded?” Huh?

Gaudin most definitely did not give up “four hard hits.” Not even close.

He gave up a bloop double that just dropped in front of Soriano. Then he gave up an infield hit that he made the error on. Then he gave up two singles, neither of which were really hit hard.

How is that getting “pounded?”

by big_lowitzki on Sep 24, 2008 8:36 AM CDT   0 recs

I agree with you

Couple that with the fact that he hasn’t pitched against MLB hitters in a month, and that he just came back from back problems.

"Looks like Milwaukee got their No Hitter" -ak123

by NittanyCub on Sep 24, 2008 8:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gaudin pitched the other day in Chicago against the Cardinals (Sunday)

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 24, 2008 8:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

or drinking in the evenings?

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2008 9:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

or drinking before posting in the mornings.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Sep 24, 2008 9:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Coincidentally enough, I lost my ID this weekend

Can’t buy beer now.

"Looks like Milwaukee got their No Hitter" -ak123

by NittanyCub on Sep 24, 2008 9:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

D'OH!

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2008 9:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Looked like Soriano............

………..broke back on that hit by Delgado, and then didn’t really get going forward in full gear until it was too late to catch up to the ball.

With the catcher running, it was too bad that infield dribbler went for a hit and even worse that Gaudin chucked it past Lee at 1B. That said, Gaudin was consistently over 90 MPH with his fastball, but he left too many out over the plate.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Sep 24, 2008 8:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Getting closer

My thoughts are already consumed by the postseason. I know in the coming weeks it is going to be difficult to concentrate at work with the Cubs in the playoffs.

I know whatever happens is going to happen, but it would be huge for the Cubs if the Mets had to throw Johan to get into the playoffs on Sunday. Otherwise he would be waiting in game 1 assuming we face them. Facing Johan doesn’t scare me, but it isn’t ideal. I realize I’m getting ahead of myself but right now I’m as interested in the Sox/Twins as the Cubs series.

Except tonight, I’m excited to see Z bounce back.

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Sep 24, 2008 8:37 AM CDT   0 recs

Lets Go Mets

After hearing the Mets won’t start Santana on Short rest and that he will pitch Sunday, I am rooting for the Mets to win and have to start Santana on Sunday. Then he would, if not starting on short rest wouldn’t pitch until Saturday, although I am sure he would in the playoffs but that still makes him the Game 2 starter at best since he isn’t going on 2 days rest.

And then with Game 3 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday he wont pitch until game 4 on 3 days rest and that is all. I would love the Cubs chances against Santana twice on short rest.

Anyone know if Santana has ever pitched on Short Rest. I couldn’t find any games going through the game logs for his career

by niuhuskie224 on Sep 24, 2008 8:42 AM CDT   0 recs

Santana on Short Rest

after becoming a starter, Johan has started 3 games on 3-days rest. He is 1-1 with a 6.14 ERA in those games, throwing 14.2 innings, allowing 15 hits, 10 runs (all earned), 5 walks, 13 strikeouts and 5 homeruns.

Here’s the direct link

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 24, 2008 9:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Just need the Brewers to cooperate

and force the Mets to throw Santana on Sunday.

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 24, 2008 9:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, interesting stuff.

I guess it’s a little harder to control that change-up with a tired arm. Gotta admit – he was damn impressive last night.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 10:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Once the Mets tied it up, he was filthy.

None the less, I liked how the team played (for most of the game), and I’ll take my chances against him with the regular lineup out there.

I love to play baseball. I'm a base