Rotation switch (not Samardzija)
Lou said this evening that Sean Marshall will start Saturday's game at Florida, not Sunday, as originally announced. Ryan Dempster has some personal business to take care of in Chicago, so he'll pitch Sunday instead of Saturday.
The manager also sounded exasperated with Daryle Ward, who is 4-for-40 as a pinch hitter, which was his specialty.
"I don't know," Lou said when asked what he could do to get Ward going. "We've tried. I don't know how. More at-bats? I don't know. It's been a struggle for him this year. We're hoping that he can get back on track and do what he's done in prior years."
I asked about September call-ups. Look for Koyie Hill to come up to give the Cubs a third catcher. Lou said he didn't want to overcrowd things, so figure on about a half-dozen guys. Micah Hoffpauir, Angel Guzman, Hill and maybe Michael Wuertz, Felix Pie and Jose Ascanio. Lou says they'll discuss it more during the next homestand.
GRR.
...how ironic it was Lilly too. And to see the Braves react like they didn't instigate it..
Cubs say it's a left-hip contusion. They say he's got a pretty good bruise there, and that he's day to day. Aren't we all?
..being day-to-day.
on Aramis.
Hope A-Ram is alright.
...In a, ahem, bad place. That's what it looked like anyway.
Len is trying to say it could be his hip..funny.
Yep, I'm sure he's OK, but little Aramis? Not so sure........
I think that makes sense more than Samardzija. Not that I wouldn't want to see him, but he was pretty hyped up in his first appearance a couple of weeks ago, so I can only guess that making his first start of his pro career would do the same thing.
I really like D. Ward so I hope he picks it up soon.
Koyie Hill? Wow, there's a name you don't hear much. I like the name itself though. But nothing compares to Dickie Noles. Just don't let him get near Cincinnati.
Marshall has pitched well, when he's gotten the opportunity. This is just another chance for him to prove he's a legit rotation guy for next year, and god willing somebody will take Marquis in the offseason.
I also like D. Ward, as it seemed everytime he came up last year he got a huge hit. This year, it's the exact opposite. Cubs need him to get going, because relying on Fotenot as your top pinch hitter is playing with fire. That or you watch the waiver wire and add a veteran bench guy if one comes up.
Lilly has nothing tonight, and I wonder if he's going through a dead arm period as all his pitches are down in velocity and only a couple of times has he reached back to hit 88-89.