Zambrano Gets Opening Day Nod

by CubbyBlues on Mar 12, 2009 3:18 PM CDT

I saw this on MLB.com:

I don't find this to be a surprise. I think Z is our best and most dependable starter. As has been evidenced over the years, especially w/his no-hit game last season, he can bring the best stuff in the league on a given night. He's still young, and I think that has caused him to lapse on the mound sometimes, but I'm hoping he breaks through this year.

My questions to all of you:

Projections for Z or the rest of the rotation?

What do you think of Harden (maybe best stuff on the staff, but an injury liability) being number 4 to start the year? I like this because I think it will allow for more flexibility with him if he needs an extra day or needs to skip a start.

Man, I can't WAIT for this season - I'm nervous, but optimistic. Viva Los Cubs!

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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Prediction

Z
Lilly
Dempster
Harden
Marshall

Don’t think they want all the lefties in a row.

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)

by Fukudometer on Mar 12, 2009 3:21 PM CDT reply actions

Presuming that's correct...

… Lilly would start the home opener, because they’ll likely skip Marshall’s turn for the first week.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

If I recall correctly

didn’t he start last year’s HO?

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)

by Fukudometer on Mar 12, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Lilly starts the home opener

cos Lilly means “home opener” in Old Elvish. Depending on inflection Lilly can also mean “dragonslayer” and “oversalted.”

“Dempster was a little disappointed, and rightfully so,” Piniella said of the right-hander, who was the Game 1 starter in the National League Division Series last year.

Hence why Z starts the season.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Mar 12, 2009 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

That looks absolutely correct.

And a fine starting rotation if I do say so myself.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 12, 2009 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

the link

already states the rotation. Lou has already said its:

z
dempster
lilly
harden
5th starter aka Marshall

by cubs2410 on Mar 12, 2009 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions

ESPN

Actually had Z as the #1 pitcher on the decline. Baseball Prospectus had his ERA over 4 this year. Prospectus loves Harden though, as they have him leading the mlb in ERA, 4th in wins and like 3rd in k’s.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 12, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions

oh my

that espn bottom line 1st 2nd and 3rd top players on the rise/decline was such a joke.

Hendry's been hittin the bottle...

by kylejo on Mar 12, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

ESPN....

is always spot-on in their pre-season baseball analysis too, so I think we should all be VERY concerned. Apparently they took a five-minute break in their Red Sox and Yankees ST coverage to make this prediction.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Mar 13, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I like it.

Z is suppose to be the ace of our staff and hopefully this helps him act like it.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Mar 12, 2009 4:58 PM CDT reply actions

+1

I have nothing funny or creative to write.

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Mar 12, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions

so I get to see Z in Houston for the opener

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2009 5:51 PM CDT reply actions

Lucky SOB!

And I mean that in the nicest way. The last couple opening days have not been kind to the Cubs, but maybe that’ll change this year.

I have nothing funny or creative to write.

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Mar 12, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Hope so

last time I saw Z in Hou we lost 4-1 on a Z HR

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU200807190.shtml

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Hand your tickets over immediately.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 13, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions

many motivation undercurrents here

I just wonder how many of you were on a competitive team, but there is a ranking that goes on under the surface and among the players. Anointing Z has a couple of things, it gives Z the validation he is king of the hill but it says to Dempster that he could have been if he would have done the job last year and could be…..I am certain a private chat will be something like this.

Harden is hurt but if he is really motivated to get a $10-12M contract he better get that top ERA and top 5 wins. Lilly is a grinder and will do fine, and Marshall he still is trying to stick.

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

by Ivy Walls on Mar 12, 2009 7:55 PM CDT reply actions

now the decision making

do I wear my Z jersey which is 0-1 when worn to see him

or go with my others
Soriano
Lilly
Sandberg

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2009 8:24 PM CDT reply actions

accidentally replied to post

and not your comment. see below.

by nathew on Mar 13, 2009 3:21 AM CDT up reply actions

go with the Z jersey

0-1 is too small of a sample size.

by nathew on Mar 13, 2009 3:20 AM CDT reply actions

Good call.

I feel like Z is due for an awesome Opening Day performance. Of course, I think I’ve said the same thing the last two years, but if you say something often enough, odds are you’ll be correct eventually.

Not that we’re even remotely close to thinking about this yet (but obviously I’m thinking about it), but I also start him in Game 1 of the playoffs, assuming everything goes according to plan this year. Z is one of the precious few guys on this roster who has actually come to play in the playoffs the last two years.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Mar 13, 2009 1:46 PM CDT reply actions

Z did throw well on Opening Day last year.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 13, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Clearly in the minority, but I don't like it.

Zambrano has the best talent in the rotation and the ability to be one of the best in the league. But his me-first prima donna attitude holds him back, and Piniella has become the latest in the list of enablers.

You want to be the ace? Act like it. Pitch like it.

True aces don’t have several stretches every year with ERA’s of +5.

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

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 13, 2009 1:53 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, that's why...

…in my heart of hearts, I still don’t consider Big Z an ace. Don’t get me wrong – I love the guy, but he’s still a No. 2-level pitcher in my book. An ace has: 1) lights out stuff, 2) the ability to execute it consistently throughout the season, and 3) the capacity to throw all or most of his starts (30ish games a season). Carlos has met the first and third criteria for most of his career, though not last year, but he’s never been able to really show that second element.

On the bright side, true aces are about as rare as true leadoff hitters. The Mets have one in Johan. The Giants have one in Lincecum. Maybe the Brewers have one in Gallardo, though we won’t know for sure until this season’s over. But they really are few and far between.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 13, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions

They also have

The ability to win without their best — and to pick up their teammates (and I don’t mean giving piggyback rides).

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

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 13, 2009 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Right.

And I’d add one more: The ability to come up big in a big game. (See: Hamels, Cole.) Now, Carlos has pitched pretty well in the last two NLDS but, last year, he wasn’t able to hold it together after the defense fell apart.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 14, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed -- and, I'd be willing to overlook that

If it wasn’t for the bad body language he shows when someone else messes up.

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

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 14, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 13, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

z is the longest tenured cub now so he deserves this.harden still scares me with his balky shoulder so i hope lou has a backup plan.i hope marshall finally blossoms so the 5th starter does not become the black hole.

by NOMAR on Mar 15, 2009 8:39 AM CDT reply actions