Should the Cubs sit Zambrano and Harden until the playoffs?

by bergs55 on Sep 5, 2008 11:53 AM CDT

I saw last night that Zambrano would only have to miss one start because of his arm injury. And who knows what's up with Harden.

But since the Cubs have such a large lead (5 in the division and 9 in the wildcard) does it really make sense to bring either one of them back before October? I know that we want to win the division which I think is possible even with both of our aces out. We want to keep the best record as well for home field advantage up until the World Series. But risking the health of either one of those two guys seems silly to me because all that really matters is the playoffs. Why rush Zambrano back in a week to pitch a seemingly meaningless game against the Astros? Thoughts?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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It's a crapshoot

If they’re OK you want to get some work in before the playoffs. If they’re not OK, maybe more rest. I’m tired of wondering, so let ‘em pitch so we’ll know where we stand come October. On another note, if you look how Lou has Harden set up he will pitch against the Cards, Brewers, Mets and Brewers again. Four wins there would really help.

No surprises, let’s find out where we are with our staff.

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 5, 2008 11:58 AM CDT 0 recs

No.

You can’t just not pitch for a month and then go out there and throw five innings. By all means keep their workload down, but they have to do SOME pitching between now and October.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Sep 5, 2008 11:59 AM CDT 0 recs

+1

Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.

by Bricks and Ivy on Sep 5, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

+ Sideways Snowman

Dome-san!!

by Goat Whisperer on Sep 5, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, I agree with this, too.

Obviously, both have concerns regarding their health and durability. (Man, it sucks saying that about Big Z, but so it goes.) However, I can’t imagine Lou wants them going into the playoffs ice cold. You just can’t risk having either one spend the first few innings of a postseason game regaining control of the strike zone. Pitch them carefully, pitch them sparingly (if possible), but pitch them.

"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 5, 2008 12:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

PS Maybe add a poll to this fanpost?

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 5, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Just so you can stuff the ballot box. No.

However, you mirror the opinion I voiced yesterday. Z is an emotional guy who pitches better when confidence is high. Give him a couple of starts and limit the innings if needed.

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

by N Oakley on Sep 5, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

Stuff the ballot box? Moi?

Perhaps you have me confused with that no-count politico hack santoswoodenlegs. Oh, did I say that out loud?

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 5, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

Him?

He’s a tool, but his choice for veep is spot on.

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

by N Oakley on Sep 5, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

I have been told...

I cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. I’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. I’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we’ve been told that we’re not ready, or that we shouldn’t try, or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people. Yes we can.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 5, 2008 2:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

I truly figured you to pick

Ms. Palin given your affinity for the milf.

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

by N Oakley on Sep 5, 2008 2:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Soon to be GILF

Demp and Rich: proof that people that live in igloos and say "eh" can contibute!

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Sep 5, 2008 2:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

What say you Candidate SWL.

Got GILF?

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

by N Oakley on Sep 5, 2008 2:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

Grandmothers are an important part of any society....

for without our grandmothers where would our parents come from? These are the women in whom our very roots grew out of. This country is great because of all the families that have grandmothers. We owe it to this nation to shed the cloak of elder lust and acknowledge these grandmothers as citizens, as mothers, as wives, and human beings. I call for comprehensive grandmother reform. Reform based on compassion and respect, while keeping the sovereignty of our families intact.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 5, 2008 3:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well...................

If you consider someone a GILF, it does have the possiblity of keeping the families VERY intact. Like the family tree with no branch.

I like it though. A specific question, implied solution, no specific answer.

Damn, I’m glad the conventions are over.

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

by N Oakley on Sep 5, 2008 3:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

LOL, a GILF...that is soooo wrong.

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 5, 2008 3:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Actually, she already is

If the “G” stands for Governor . . . .

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

by Shanghai Badger on Sep 5, 2008 3:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Exactly.

you can’t send those arms into October cold.

Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?

by Kinky Reggae on Sep 5, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yup

Rest them up thoroughly, get them healthy, but keep them fresh.

Chicago Cubs Jokes, Humor and Parody at The Cubs Brickyard

by AceCubbie on Sep 5, 2008 6:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

I am gonna go with.... NO!

We are 5 games ahead of the brewcrew… so having big z and harden can only help. Harden isnt hurt… Lou is just being cautious, like mrcubsfan said he is set to pitch in more important matchups then he would have been without being pushed back. And Zambrano is a gamer, he wants to pitch… so if he can I would love to see him work out his kinks before the playoffs. Also, and this may be wrong, but I feel like the diagnosis on Big Z’s arm is only given because they dont want to admit he is going through a rough patch of pitching, its an excuse given by the team in my opinion…

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Sep 5, 2008 12:07 PM CDT 0 recs

I am confused...

What do you mean by “We are 5 games ahead of the brewcrew… so having big z and harden can only help.” Regardless of whether we are 1, or 5, or 20 games up, we’re a better team with Harden and Z. The fact we’re up 5 has no bearing on whether it’s a good idea to pitch them.

And if you think that Z isn’t really injured at all, and that the team is making an excuse for his lousy performance of late… and totally want to think that Zambrano willingly pulled himself from his last game…. and that he took an MRI just to keep up the appearance of a minor injury…. wow, that’s crazy. Totally psycho.

You look like you'd fit in the trunk of my car.

by mambochicken23 on Sep 5, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

should read....

“Zambrano willingly pulled himself from his last game, while not feeling discomfort in his throwing arm…”

You look like you'd fit in the trunk of my car.

by mambochicken23 on Sep 5, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

No

Time for some practice against likely playoff teams – Mets and Brewers.

But I am sure that they will be treated gingerly.

by vonde6 on Sep 5, 2008 12:22 PM CDT 0 recs

An emphatic no

How can we expect any pitcher to not throw to live batters in a month and then come out and dominate in the playoffs? That’s just stoopid.

‘Course, I wouldn’t mind seeing them each take two weeks off, and get about 2 warmup starts in during the last two weeks.

You look like you'd fit in the trunk of my car.

by mambochicken23 on Sep 5, 2008 1:00 PM CDT 0 recs

MY GUESS...

Is that Z will miss two starts and pitch the last two weeks of September. I think that’s what happened earlier in the year when this went down.

by BigFuko on Sep 5, 2008 1:02 PM CDT 0 recs

No, you need to...

…get them each at least one start before the playoffs. They’re veterans, but everyone needs a tune up. – TL

by timlacy on Sep 5, 2008 1:05 PM CDT 0 recs

There's still a month of baseball left

Why any contending team would sit there two ace pitchers out is beyond me. Remember the 07 mets blowing a seemingly comfortable 7 game lead with 17 left? Make the playoffs first then rest them

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Sep 5, 2008 1:29 PM CDT 0 recs

Keep 'em on a short leash

have Gaudin, Wuertz, Shark, Lieber, Marshall ready to go, just in case. But you gotta give ’em some live baseball in the next four weeks.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Sep 5, 2008 1:36 PM CDT 0 recs

Adding my voice to the chorus...

… no.

I think they’re spacing the starts out appropriately, and MAYBE once things are clinched they could be rested. But not before.

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

by Al on Sep 5, 2008 1:41 PM CDT 0 recs

DOE RAY MEEMEEMEEE

The issue is specific to what is ailing Z and what is the way to stave off injury to Harden….Pitching or not pitching will not can’t be answered until it is known what is the ail.

My guess is that Z will pitch 2 more starts and then find he has some rough edges in his shoulder over the winter.

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

by Ivy Walls on Sep 5, 2008 5:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think we've reached a concensus,

but I’ll go with no, too. Makes more sense to rest them now, let them tune up with a couple starts, make sure the Cubs clinch a playoff spot (preferably home field) and then rest them some more.

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 5, 2008 1:50 PM CDT 0 recs

No

Did he just say funky butt-loving?

by Louie on Sep 5, 2008 1:53 PM CDT 0 recs

They have to pitch...

…and I am actually more concerned about Harden than I am Zambrano. You can only baby them so much, because they have to stay sharp and maintain their arm strength to be effective in October.

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

by MPH73 on Sep 5, 2008 2:01 PM CDT 0 recs

I think they should pitch if they're healthy...

But it would be a terrible shame if they decided to put either one of them out there and they had to miss the playoffs. Obviously Z needs an extended rest…this is the second time in 2 months that he’s had this issue. I agree with the better safe than sorry approach…maybe put them in for a few innings and be overly cautious. 5 or 6 inning max…

by bergs55 on Sep 5, 2008 2:29 PM CDT 0 recs

NO

I think the Cubs have handled the both of them well. Most importantly the Cubs start winning again this weekend, start knocking games off the number to clinch, then the rest will follow.

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

by Grockcubs on Sep 5, 2008 3:03 PM CDT 0 recs

Gotta go with "NO".

by sue369 on Sep 5, 2008 3:17 PM CDT 0 recs

My running mate and I are steadfast in our rejection of this ideology.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 5, 2008 3:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

NO

One season-162 heart attacks!

by cubswgnrocks on Sep 5, 2008 5:01 PM CDT 0 recs

Zambrano is going to remain a question mark...

Who knows what to expect from him the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. The burden on Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster has definitely increased. No ifs, ands or buts.

by MDBNIU on Sep 5, 2008 9:15 PM CDT 0 recs

Zambrano should be out for the season

This is the second time around for Zambrano. How much did Zambrano help the team in Aug.? They should keep him out for the rest of the season. Hand the ball to another pitcher and make the best of it.

Harder to tell whether or not they should do the same thing with Harden. Also not sure who they can put in the rotation to take his spot. They really should go with 5 until the playoffs.

by AboutTheCubs on Sep 6, 2008 2:07 AM CDT 0 recs