Bleed Cubbie Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: World Soccer Digest for Soccer Fans!

Perception is not reality

Lou seems convinced that it's always better to use a LHP against LHB and a RHP ve RHB. The truth is that many  Cubs players do not perform according to the book. Let's take a look at some of those guys and see what their numbers are.

Gregg vs RHB .858 OPS in 127 PA    sOPS+ 133      vs LHB .578 OPS in 107 PA  sOPS+ 48

Marmol vs RHB  .701 OPS in 133 PA  sOPS+ 100     vs LHB .545 OPS in 116 PA  sOPS+ 46

Heilman vs RHB  .817 OPS in 140 PA sOPS+ 125    vs LHB .760 OPS in 102 PA  sOPS+ 98

Guzman vs RHB  .565 OPS in 115 PA  sOPS+ 56      vs LHB .676 OPS in 77 PA    sOPS+ 73

We can all see that only Guzman fits the mold of using a righty-righty matchup. Clearly the other 3 are considerably better against LHB. When we dig down to the rest of the bullpen we also have some striking numbers.

Samardzija vs RHB .936 OPS sOPS+ 156      vs LHB  .896 OPS   sOPS+ 133

Marshall  vs RHB .808 OPS  sOPS+ 107         vs LHB  .620 OPS   sOPS+ 76

Grabow  vs RHB  .689 OPS  sOPS+ 80            vs LHB  .712 OPS  sOPS+ 104

Of the remaining bullpen only Marshall follows the script. Samardzjia shows no evidence that he can get either RH or LH out. It begs the question to ask why he isn't at AA learning how to pitch. As for the disparity between perception versus reality in our pen, I would hope that Lou one day takes into accout what our guys are doing rather than what he wants them to do.

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.

0 recs  |  Comment 7 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Nice look

Way to take a look at some numbers. I’m still of the opinion that Marshall should pitch more. At least, longer. I mean really, if you’re willing to use a guy to spot start occasionally, throw him against multiple batters.

My favorite is by far:

Samardzjia shows no evidence that he can get either RH or LH out.

And he’s starting against some monster hitters……….fantastic.

by KDoggers on Aug 12, 2009 4:12 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm not very optimistic about tonight's game

Of the whole series, I predicted this one as the one we’re gonna lose. Shark just doesn’t have the control to pitch in the bigs yet.

by aznsensation on Aug 12, 2009 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree
Samardzija vs RHB .936 OPS sOPS+ 156 vs LHB .896 OPS sOPS+ 133

Ugh….he’s going to give up at least two HRs, 5 runs, in 3 innings. Tonight’s game should be a high scoring affair.

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill

by propheteer on Aug 12, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gregg is a closer and Marmol is an 8th inning guy

At least, that’s the script.

They aren’t supposed to be specialists. They’re supposed to be able to figure out both sides of the plate.

I’m not sure Grabow’s difference is significant enough to notice.

BUT, I do like you poking holes in the general book.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 12, 2009 4:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Stats ? Lou does not need no stinkin' Stats !

His decades in the game have proven to him that Marmol should ALWAYS pitch the 8th inning , Marshall should face one batter every 2 days and Gregg is fine for two innings etc.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Aug 12, 2009 4:39 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

interesting points

but I do have to say that the reason for these is that Lou uses most of these guys according to the matchups, but he would leave them in if they had to deal with someone who wasn’t as good. Like leaving in Marshall against Carlos Lee would be dumb, but leaving him in against Humberto Quintero would be ok.

by HardForharden on Aug 12, 2009 5:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm going to stick with the previous thread

where is Rothschild in this? Isn’t he able to communicate to Lou? Does he not understand the numbers?

Our entire bullpen is dysfunctional and it starts with Tweetle Dee and Tweetle Dumb at the top.

Nice post tharr.

by socalbob on Aug 12, 2009 5:37 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Bleed Cubbie Blue, the Chicago Cubs blog for the SB Nation, created on February 9, 2005 by Al Yellon
Start posting about the Cubs »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
Reversal of opinion...Bradley will not be moved
P272649reg_small
VERY OT: The BT Football, "Congrats to ballhawk" & "Sorry, sue369" Thread
Yelloncard_small
Baseball Picture Puzzles Overflow 1
Derrick_rose_poster_by_rokasm_small
You know you want him, Get it done Jim!
Yelloncard_small
Baseball Player Picture Puzzles

Recent FanPosts

Cubs_small
Cubs HR Over/Under
Cubs_ying_yang_small
OT Aged Stadiums
Small
Here's a thought
Jake_fox_small
25th Annual Cubs Convention
Bucky_small
OT: Annual Thanksgiving  Thread
Dscn2381_small
Cubs 2010 2B and "the L word"
Cubswin712_small
Is there anyway we trade some of our high-priced players?
Yelloncard_small
Milton Bradley Named NL "LVP" By Joe Posnanski
Self-portrait-4_small
Crazy Idea: Rob Quinlan
10424_528302137858_173702948_31567344_967269_n_small
OT: Big Ten Football Thread, Nov. 21

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Would you blow up the farm system for Halladay?
FanGraphs calls Grabow a "waste of cash."
Fangraphs hasn't given up on Geo, should you?
Baseball America's Top 10 Cubs Prospects
An animated tribute to the no-hitter that Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis threw on June 12, 1970. Simply...

Recent FanShots

Zambrano attends Bears game
Cubs install sign boards in bleachers to block Horseshoe Casino (Budweiser) building...
This one is for you sabermetricians
A Chicagoan, Part Of Cardinals Ownership Group, Dies
Making Fun Of Tim Lincecum's Hair...
Minor League Ball Interview With Billy Beane
Castillo Rumor Won't Go Away
Minor League FA's
The Cubs Debut of Turk Wendell: A Cautionary Tale Of Classic Cubs History

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

It Is Only...

Cubs By The Numbers

Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.

Click here to order your copy, available now!

SPONSORS

Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges

Yelloncard_small
Ticket Exchanges: Cubs Convention 2010
Yelloncard_small
Ticket Exchanges: General 2009 Ticket Exchange
Yelloncard_small
Ticket Exchanges: September 29-October 4 Homestand

Managing Editor

Yelloncard_small Al

Editorial Cartoonist

Toonmike_small toonmike

Contributors

Dsc_0139_small holy mackerel

100px-boisehawkscaplogo_small Josh77

Small shawndgoldman