Samardzija to start Sunday?
Depending on how things go today and tonight, either Jeff Samardzija, Sean Marshall or even Jason Marquis could start Sunday's series finale at Florida, according to Lou.
Last night's rainout threw the Cubs' pitching plans into a bit of a jumble. Rich Harden pitches tonight, and Lou doesn't want to bring him back on short rest. But Marquis is a possibility on three days rest. If not, Lou said he'll give the ball to lefty Marshall or righty Samardzija. That seemed cool with Samardzija.
"Would that be cool with me?" Samardzija asked. "Usually, not too many things aren't too cool with me. Yeah, absolutely. I think it would be great. It's going to be hot (in Florida). Like I said when I first got here, I just wanted to come in and throw whenever they wanted to give me a shot and take it as far as I could take it...I'm ready for anything. I'm just ready to pitch, and I feel good. I've felt good ever since I've been here."
Rich Harden was supposed to pitch last night's game, which got washed out. Instead, he'll go tonight, with Marquis pitching this afternoon.
"Rich likes to pitch at night," Lou said. "We've found that out here over the past few weeks, that his preference would be to pitch at night."
Nocturnally this year, Harden is 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA in 9 games. During the day, he's 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA, also in 9 games. For his career, Harden is 22-13 with a 3.36 ERA at night and 15-7 with a 3.34 ERA under the sun.
"He's told us his preference would be to pitch at night and in cooler weather," Lou said.
About Sunday, Lou said they wouldn't have to make a decision on their starter until that day.
Geovany Soto will catch the first game today. Henry Blanco likely will catch tonight.
Today's lineup:
Soriano, LF
Fukudome, RF
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Edmonds, CF
DeRosa, 2B
Soto, C
Theriot, SS
Marquis, P
While, I don't like Soriano admiring his homeruns, who doesn't now in baseball? So with this no namer throwing one at his head, Lou should order a shot at Chipper. This is really getting old with the Braves throwing at our best player. Time to stand up to it.
...Renteria moved to the A.L., because there is still some payback (some day, hopefully) due there for the elbow-to-the-head on Fontenot. Not that....I'm keeping score or anything.
Renteria has headed up my "most despised" list ever since.
Check out the subject matter there. Lots of interesting stuff.
For Howry to come in with an 8 run lead?
This is where I just don't get Piniella.
Up 6, he brings in Samardzija, and I can only assume he won't be able to pitch tonight. Why not bring in Marshall for 2, and then the gas can, Howry, for the last inning?
Why are we using key relievers up 6? Did Dusty just jump in the dugout, or is Lou taking a nap and Rothschild is making these calls?
When Marquis had the bases loaded, Marshall was warming up, if the Cubs continue to add on runs, do you pull Marquis early and save him for Sunday' s start or let him eat some innings , save the pen in case you need it in game two and then take your chances with Greg Brady , aka; Samardzija or Marshall on Sunday with the better team in the fish ?
I don't think Lou will bring him back on short rest, not unless the Cubs win all three here and the first two in Florida. He may let him go 2 more innings today.
With Jim Edmonds on fire, and playing outstanding defense, you have to wonder if Fukudome will start platooning with Reed Johnson in right, or even DeRosa. Edmonds bat is too hot to take out of the lineup, and Fukudome hasn't done anything.....again.....today so far.
I like Fukudome for his D, but putting him in the 2 hole makes zero sense, unless you are down to your last bullet in trying to get him hot by seeing fast balls in between Soriano and Lee. If he still can't hit, and it looks like he can't, put Reed Johnson in the 8 hole, and move Theriot back up to 2. In my opinion Fontenot is too valuable as your top pinch hitter right now, with Ward struggling so badly.
Still a long way to go, but the Cubs are looking good. However, when Jason Marquis is on the mound....no lead is safe.
Fukudome may sit that one out, and we'll see what happens tonight. The situation is one to watch.
Assuming that Marquis doesn't implode and make this a game, it would nice to see Lou pull some regulars and give them a little more rest in between games. Put Ward at 1st, DeRosa at 3rd, Fontenot at 2nd, and Johnson in LF. That way your main guys are ready to go tonight.
I'd keep Marquis out there as long as possible. Especially with Harden going tonight. Let marquis run that pitch count up over 120.
Welcome back to the beat Bruce, be interesting to see if the Cubs can get to this kid, they always have trouble with pitchers they havent seen before. They made him work last inning lets hope it continues. On paper they should pound this team.
They chased Morton in the third. Yes, they should pound this team.
Hmmm...not too sure about that. Unless he plans on bunting for hits, which is entirely possible.
The question I would have is whether Samardzija is properly stretched out to make a start considering he's been basically pitching two innings max of late. Same for Marshall. Of course, Marquis on short rest isn't the most palatable either.
Samardzija, as you might suspect, said he's fine: "I think throwing 1 or 2 innings every other day is about the same. Obviously, the pitch counts aren't. But you're still using your arm probably just as much as when you're starting."