Piniella keeps showing he can adjust and stick to his principles, 'I like playing veterans down the stretch' or the old adage 'going with those who brought you to the dance'. Kendall is a fair offensive catcher with obvious liabilities but not being able even threaten throwing out runners attempting to steal could be a real show stopper. Well interestingly today all three Chicago papers the qouted him regarding Geovany Soto was whether Piniella was going to play him more down the stretch as he is giving the Cubs both a big bat in the bottom of the order and strong defense. (It was not even mentioned that Soto might make the playoff roster where he is batting in September 10 for 19, Brenly so obviously noted during yesterday's broadcast that Blanco has not appeared since Sept 3rd and with only 4 appearances since being recalled on Aug 22 going 1/10. Kendall appeared to be wearing down as he was letting far too many balls passing by and the throw on Saturday really came back to haunt the Cubs. I think we are seeing Soto emerge as the everyday catcher sooner than later.

And no wonder Kendall among other regulars are wearing down, the Cubs have played 62 games in 63 days the last off day was August 27th, (now finishing up on a 24 game stretch in 23 days), where prior to that late August date the Cubs previous off day was Monday August 13th and then we have to go back to Monday July 23rd for an off day. During that stretch Kendall has started 53 out of 62 games, even worse is the fact that Kendall started all but 4 games in August. I am seeing Lee hobbling about, Theriot seems to be fraying and now is reportedly showing his weak ankles and DeRosa is also showing some tire. Since July 24th the Cubs have played 39% of the schedule with just 3 days off.

Lastly we are seeing some performances starting to fill in some of the final roster spots for the expected playoof roster come October.

I think Wood has cemented his spot with his two-game performance and overall return. Eyre seems to have recovered from a early season horrific slump although Lou is still judicious in using him in critical situations. I think the Cubs might contemplate going with 10 pitchers and 15 position players to the surprise of many and what I think was a mistake by Baker & Co in '03. They then went with 11 pitchers but had many of them simply watch from the bullpen against Florida trying to ride Prior and Wood. If you are going to ride your starters then why have 7 relievers on the roster?

If the Cubs go with 6 relievers that would probably mean leaving off Ohman, Marshall and Trachsel, where I think Ohman is the man on the bubble. Marshall and Trachsel have no relief experience and you can't rely on that during a pressure moment. In fact if the Cubs went with a 3-man rotation in the playoffs I think Marquis is better suited as a reliever than Hill.

Position players who have cemented their spots have been Murton, Pie, Monroe and again probably Soto. (Cubs could put Blanco on 15-day DL now and still recall him for the playoffs). On the bubble then is Cedeno & Fuld where Ronnie finally got a big RBI hit but Fuld showed he can field RF late in the game and has a strong arm. (Boy this could really teach E-Pat to get to the park early.) Murton has hit 6 HR's in 28 hits in limited action since returning in late July, he will go for certain. In his 20 starts since his recall (although 14 were in early to mid August), he is now using every opportunity in an occasional start. Pie the designated late inning defensive or pinch running substition is 2/7 in September (but just missed a HR yesterday and drove a double the other day), is now showing he is beginning to drive MLB pitching. Monroe shows me he can hit the ball real hard and can field his position acceptably in spot platoon duty.  And Soto, well maybe he should have been up here since we traded Barrett. That leaves open the  25th player.

It really is coming down to Ohman as a LOOGY or early reliever and either Fuld or Cedeno. Ohman could give you 1, 2 or even 3 outs in a short series (or be a goat). But Fuld could come in a close game when you have pinch hit your lumbering left handed bats late (Ward or Floyd) and play what appears to be a good. Yet you also have Pie for that. Cedeno is insurance for Theriot who now is showing signs of wear and tear with his historic gimpy ankles. Cedeno has more [albeit unsuccessful] big league experience. I think we are going to see Cedeno play a few more important innings to see if he is the 25th man. That is my guess, he can run about as good as Fuld but man a position that we have no other good choices. Finally Fuld is only a AA player and unless he does something spectacular which having the opportunity is limited to none I think he goes home knowing he is competing for a 5th OF spot next year.  

I also think in Piniella's eyes he sees his top four starters getting him to the 6th inning everytime out. This sets up his bullpen where he can get along with 6. In a short series, especially with the prospects being AZ or SD the starters will probably be unlikely bombed early so the game will come down to  offensive/defensive situational rosters.