Ramirez back; Lee a lineup scratch
Rain-delay management has never been the strong suit of the Cubs, but they tell us we have a “window” large enough to start tonight’s finale with the Pirates. We’ll see. Aramis Ramirez is back in there at third base, but D-Lee is a late lineup scratch because of “personal reasons,” according to the Cubs.
Lineup
Theriot, SS
Taguchi, LF
Ramirez, 3B
Fox, 1B
Baker, 2B
Johnson, RF
Soto, C
Fuld, CF
Samardzija, P
Lou says that if the game gets rained out, he’d like to get a start for Samardzija somewhere over the final three games against Arizona.
"He's worked hard since we sent him down,” Lou said. “I really liked what I saw the other day against Milwaukee. Larry Rothschild told me I would like the way he would throw, and I really did. He went out and competed. His delivery was much smoother. He threw the ball on a more downhill plane. His breaking ball had a little sharper break to it. He gave up 3 runs in 5 innings, but look, Milwaukee's a nice hitting ballclub, and guy that got him, Fielder's gotten 40 others."
Samardzija is 1-3 with a 7.53 ERA. He has a WHIP of 1.76. Other stats:
K/9: 5.45
BB/9: 3.89
K/BB: 1.40
BABIP: .337
FIP: 5.89
The BABIP and fielding-independent stats suggest things could trend better for Samardzija. He’ll throw some winter ball in Mexico, and Lou says he hopes Jeff can compete for a starting job next spring.
From the game notes: The Cubs were 17-12 in September. Their starting pitchers had an ERA of 3.11 for the month, third best in the NL behind the Reds (3.04) and Dodgers (3.08). Ryan Dempster finished the month 3-1 with a 1.39 ERA in 6 starts. Ted Lilly was 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 5 starts. Rookie Esmailin Caridad tossed 10 scoreless innings in 9 relief outings.
On offense, D-Lee batted .386 (.32-for-83) with 25 runs, 7 doubles, 9 homers, 23 RBI and a 1.295 OPS for September. Sam Fuld was 11-for-31 (.355), and Mike Fontenot was 13-for-41 (.317). On the other end, Geovany Soto was 14-for-61 (.230) in 16 September games after hitting .128 (.6-for-47) in August.
The biggest fear I have about next season is "who's making decisions for the Cubs?" I shudder when I read statements from our out-of-touch manager about Samardzija being in contention for the fifth starter next year. Has he watched this guy pitch??
Last year, Samardzija showed some promise as a set-up guy out of the pen. So what do the Cubs do, the make him a starter and now he can't get anyone out in either role. As a reliever, he can get away with a fastball and changeup (with maybe a cutter). This is good for him because his breaking ball is a joke -- either its out of the strike zone or on a tee in the middle of the plate for the hitter to hammer.
Before talking about Samardzija in the starting rotation, I think he should have some success in the minors first. That still hasn't happened.
according to what Lou and Hendry have said, the 2010 team except for 2nd and 1 OF position has already been picked/set.
Soriano has LF, Fukudome who is no better than Taguchi, has RF or CF, and Hendry will sign another over the hill, past his prime, can't run, over paid OF'er.
Of what played last night and on the team next year, Fuld is the youngest and 4th OF'er, R. Johnson may not be resigned, and Taguchi will be back home.
as for playing last night in that rain, Pro's get paid to play in worse conditions until told other wise. that means young kids or vets, That's just the way it is.
Personally i would have called the game, it meant nothing to either team.
Sure let's put a promising young kid out in the outfield for a meaningless game and pray that he doesn't blow out a knee in the soaking wet outfield. Do you guys even think before you comment about who should play??
To finish off my debate about Z from yesterday...
The guy is 23-13 over the past 2 years. 23 wins in over 55-60 starts. That is truly pathetic. I didn't know that teams clinched playoff spots based on quality starts. When it comes down to it, pitchers are graded on wins. Plain and simple, and even with the best team in baseball last year.....he won 14 games. Think about that. For every quality startt, you get a game like last night. So if you want to spin it one way, lets look at when he implodes. That isn't a rare occurence for him, either. It happens way too often, and if he was a valued member of this team....he would be a leader. Which he isn't.
Agree on Taguchi. Why is he even playing? Why? It's maddening. Play the rookies to see if they can earn a spot on this team next year.
4 more games to go, until this debacle of a season is over with.
waste even a single start on a 40-yr old never was? Let Taguchi come off the bench if a situation calls for it, but there are four games left, give the AB's to the younger players. Colvin or Hoffpauir should be out there instead.