Cubs spot the Red Sox at least 4 runs, as the College of Pitchers returns Sunday night
Via Carrie on Twitter
'#Cubs mgr Quade confirms James Russell will start in series finale vs #RedSox"
Pathetic. I just don't understand what in the world Mike Quade sees in this situation. Not only is Russell not a starter, it completely overuses the bullpen. I know the Cubs are off on Monday, but it still makes no sense to have a AAA rotation when no one can be an option for one start. Bibens-Dirkx is the probable pitcher for Iowa for Sunday, he could of made more sense than this.
about 1 year ago
Unique
52 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Whatever. I don't care anymore.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
by shoemile on May 22, 2011 1:21 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
It's a good thing the Cubs got the win on Saturday
Cause you know the “college of pitchers” are gonna lose again on Sunday. And a loss on Saturday would have made it a sweep.
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!"
Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!"
Len Casper: "Cubs Win! Oh Baby!"
Bob Brenly: "Give it to a Kid!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on May 22, 2011 2:07 AM CDT reply actions
I am at a complete loss to understand this decision.
Especially since Randy Wells is a plane ride away and scheduled to pitch today anyway.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
Really al?
There’s a difference between high a or wherever he’s scheduled to start and Fenway park on a Sunday night.
Then when he gets hurt you’d complain about how those bumbling cubs rushed him back.
by SenorGato on May 22, 2011 5:54 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He started at Iowa.
What difference does it make what hitters he’s facing? He still has to make his pitches. And if he’s on the mound, he can get hurt in Iowa or Boston.
He should have been pitching in Boston.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
not sure i agree 100% with this
often on a rehab start you go out there and work on pitches and less on actual pitch count strategy, just like in Spring Training. It is possible if he was out there in Boston he does not work on this and might have been lit up worse, or strained something.
and lets pretend that happens Al, and guess what happens on BCB, Hendry and Quade are torched with 5 new fanshots/fanposts and a million new TJ commetns about how stupid they are for rushing Wells. Instead by not doing it, Hendry and Quade do what is smart, and be cautious with a young arm, somethign we have said the CUbs need to do for years (see Prior.Wood) and hey still get torched for it. I for one am glad that they took caution and let Wells get a feeling out there in Iowa where he could concentrae on his technique and arm alone, and less on the hoopla going on in Boston.
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
quade
what else can the man do?he has no suitable replacement.they really need to look in the minors and see if anyone is ready.signing these old has beens wont cut it. just a waste of money.russell did pitch very well against the bosox.plan on pitching him 3 or 4 innings and have the other guys in the pen ready to go.but above all you have to score some damn runs to have a chance.
Even if you don't want to risk Wells.
At least get me someone that can throw 5 innings and is actually a starter.
"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"
Can MLB step in and fire Quade?
Don’t they do these kind of things for managers and players who throw games? Let’s just say, I’m glad I ended up not getting tickets to the game for tonight; I don’t want to see James Russell’s fifth loss.
Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!
You mean because Hendry cant do his job right?
Can they take the team away from Ricketts while they are at it?
Russell is due for a perfect game
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
Russell is a good kid.
He tries. He walks old ladies across the street. I’m sure he hates cancer and is working hard to find a cure.
But he’s not a starter. Not in any way, shape or form.
"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"
Exactly.
Russell has, in fact, been quite good in relief this year — 9 appearances, 8.2 innings, 0.81 WHIP, no runs allowed.
As a starter his WHIP is over 2 and ERA over 10. Why would you do that to him or your team?
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
If he's been such a good reliever...
Start Grabow, or Spellcheck, or someone, let him throw an inning, then put in Russell and maybe he’ll think it’s a relief appearance and be fine..
Actually, not a bad idea.
Or, at least tell him when he goes out to start the game, “Hey! It’s the sixth inning!”
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
Yeah, or...
Don’t tell him he’s starting till 20 minutes before the game… then tell him to get loose and let him go. Then he doesn’t have to think about it.
Russell threw 40 pitches on Friday
I was ok with starting Russell the first three times until Davis got up to game stamina. But starting him after he just threw 40 pitches two days ago seems rather insane.
Seems like three moves are in order here:
1. Put Cashner on the 60-day DL and add somebody from AAA/AA to the 40-man
2. Call up two ptichers
3. Put Byrd on the 7-day concussion DL and send Campana down.
It’s ok to play short on OFs for a day – worst case is that Fukodome has to play CF if Johnson gets hurt. Plus they insist on showcasing DeWitt as a LF to increase his trade value.
After the game, you can send one of the pitchers back and bring up whoever’s playing CF in Iowa for a few days. Then eventually Wells and Byrd come off the DL.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
Right not only is it insane,
it’s a huge injury risk for Russell.
"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"
Call up Bibens-Dirkx
Let him get a start if they deem Wells not ready. Colorado drid this for 1 game when they called up Alan Johnson. He was sent down the next day, and removed from 40 man a couple weeks ago. Crazy stuff huh? Here’s something fun. Russell’s splits as a starter/ reliever:
reliever: 1-0, 0.00 ERA 8.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 HR, 5 K in 9 games
starter: 0-4 10.05 ERA, 14.1 IP, 25 H, 16 ER, 5 BB, 6 HR, 8 K in 4 starts.
If there is a stat line that absolutely speaks for itself, it’s this one.
by Mulhollandmania on May 22, 2011 12:17 PM CDT reply actions
Johnson only went four innings against the Cubs, though.
Don’t we have a Ryan O’Malley sitting around somewhere in the system?
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
I doubt Russell gets through four
I think the closest we have to Ryan O’Malley is JR Mathes, who has been awful this year and pitched yesterday. A more intriguing proposition could have been letting Robert Whitenack get a start. He’s scheduled for Tennessee today. I would have given this start to ABD, because his start is being usurped by Wells anyway.
by Mulhollandmania on May 22, 2011 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions
All these Russell stats...
The great abd in aaa is posting a 4.97 era.
by SenorGato on May 22, 2011 5:57 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I'd take that.
Russell’s ERA as a starter is 9.32. And that went DOWN last night (from 10.05).
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
Russell actualy pitched much better than expected last night
the bats did him no justice
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
What about Dempster?
Someone suggested this on a different thread and it has merit. Start Demp on 3 days rest (he threw 90 pitches on Wednesday) and try to get 5 innings out of him. Keep him on a pitch count – like 100 pitches or so. If we’re leading after 5, then go with Grabow/Samardzija, Marshall, Wood and Marmol after that. If we’re trailing after 5, then go with Grabow, Russell, Maine and Samardzija. With the off day on Monday, we can start Coleman, Davis and Zambrano against the Mets. Demp’s turn would come up again on Friday, but maybe either Wells or Garza can take that start and give Demp an extra day of rest.
Whoa, when I hit post I saw yours
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Dempster is just starting to come
around on normal rest and you want him on shrt rest?
by SenorGato on May 22, 2011 5:59 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Is there something I'm missing about Dempster?
He’s had three days rest, he only went five innings last time out, why doesn’t he go?
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
We're talking about the Cubs here.
"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"
Because he threw 90 pitches in those 5 innings?
And the odds of a pitcher doing well on 3 days rest are very low.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on May 22, 2011 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions
The odds of Russell pitching well
are considerably lower. He is not good to begin with and he through 39 pitches ONE day ago.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on May 22, 2011 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Berg is apparently being recalled to give the bullpen an extra arm...
This is probably a good idea, considering there is no way Russell goes over 3 innings, but, if the Cubs did put Byrd on the DL, this poses a problem. Because Berg was recalled to replace an injured position player, they now have 12 position players, and will ONLY have that at least for another week. It does not appear that Colvin could be recalled anymore because he was just sent down, and would not be replacing an injured player. If this is true, cubs management should be congratulated on their amazing decision making!!!!!
berg?
oh god
ESPN Stroke Count for the month of May: 3
by jesus christos on May 22, 2011 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions
It's almost like they are afraid to try someone who is an actual prospect.
"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"
I didn't say Bibens Dirkx was an actual prospect
I was speaking in regards of calling someone u to replace Byrd.
"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"
*someone to replace Byrd
"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"
Not quite ready for Prime Time
From Muskat’s Tweets
Thru 4 IP for Cubs Triple-A Iowa, Randy Wells has given up 7 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 68 pitches/43 strikes
Anyone still think he was the no doubt for tonight vs. Boston?
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
rehab starts can be a lot like a ST game
do we know if he threw nothing but FB or only curves, etc. It is hard to judge his rehab stint without knowing if he threw specific pitches only or if he was truly pitching
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
don't know what he threw
but I think you’d want to stick to a rehab plan for Wells.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on May 22, 2011 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Considering....
…how close he is to being back, he should have been throwing all of his pitches.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I wasn't a huge fan of Wells going today.
Bibens-Dirkx was a better option, in my opinion.
"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"
he might have been a good option
he started on 5/16.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on May 22, 2011 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions
To win 90.....
They need to go 70-47 the rest of the way……with all the clutch hitting and throwing 2 AAA pitchers in the rotation….um…not very likely
The best defense is a good offense.....
Dusty Baker is the only manager in the last 100+ years to lead the Cubs to a post season series win....
"Take the hands off the clock, we're gong to be here a while"
90 wins?
…it would be quite an accomplishment if they won 80.
Your looking at a 70 something win team.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
74-88 is my guess.....and I think that might be optimistic....
…..just trying to give the Kool Aid drinkers some perspective
The best defense is a good offense.....
Dusty Baker is the only manager in the last 100+ years to lead the Cubs to a post season series win....
"Take the hands off the clock, we're gong to be here a while"
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
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!
Recent Stories in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
