5/3 Cubs (Maddux) at Arizona (Batista) 8:40PM CSN; XM188

[Omar]

Well, the good thing about maddux starting is, we dont have to score. Maddux will pitch a perfect game and hit a solo homer. We will win.

 

Jinx!

[Balsa]

Neifi has a good record against this Batista. Better him than "Mental Lapse Jerry" Hairston.

[Soul]

"Ozzie isn't exactly known for his good starting pitcher management. "

 

Well he did win a World Series with his starting pitching last year, so he must be doing something right. Sorry I just don't see pitching 104 pitches irresponsible. Again (and for the last time) if you can't pitch 100 pitches you shouldn't be starting.

He also won a World Series with a bad offense, but that doesn't mean it was the right offense to have. And throwing too many pitches usually won't take a toll on previously healthy pitchers in one or two seasons. The risk is for future health.

 

Angel was brought up out of a perceived necessity. His pitching wasn't 100% yet and they knew that. They also knew just how much time he's spent rehabbing over the past three years. You have to adjust standards based on who the pitcher is. Of course, with Angel, you're worried about his immediate health. It's the same reasoning why (hopefully) Wood's pitch count will be limited at least for a few starts when he gets back. You're not going to leave him out of the rotation until he's actually 100% in terms of pitching.

 

Hmmmmm......it doesn't? Object is to win the World Series, isn't it? Who cares if you have a world-beater offense if you can get that done? Maybe I'm missing something here....

The goal is to put together the best team possible, not just rely on great pitching performances. For every 2005 White Sox team, there are quite a few more 2005 Cubs teams. Having a bad offense doesn't exactly give you much insurance if the pitching doesn't work out just as you hoped.

 

Understood. But I wouldn't characterize the Sox's offense last year as "bad." It was adequate. Some good timely hitting, if not copious hitting. I agree you always try to put together the best team possible. You surely must agree that hope for a less-than-perfect team is a good thing----especially being a Cub fan :)

[E.J.]

Cubs' Lineup (from mlb.com):

 

1. Pierre CF

2. Cedeno SS

3. Walker 1b

4. Ramirez 3b

5. Murton LF

6. Jones RF

7. Barrett C

8. Neifi 2b

9. Maddux P

[cheapseats]

Nice to see Murt hitting in the 5 spot again. More atbats for one of our better hitters can't be a bad thing.

[Danny82]

Sorry, I must be new here. This isn't the game thread is it?

 

Exactly. So let's get to the lineups:

 

Cubs

Pierre, CF

Cedeno, SS

Walker, 1B

Ramirez, 3B

Murton, LF

Jones, RF

Barrett, C

Perez, 2B

Maddux, P

 

Arizona

Counsell, SS

Byrnes, CF

Tracy, 3B

Gonzalez, LF

Jackson, 1B

Green, RF

Estrada, C

Hudson, 2B

Batista, P

 

Thanks Bruce!

 

Neifi in the lineup always = a very bad thing.

 

Thank god he's at the very bottom.

 

Honestly, when hasn't he this year?

[Mizzou]

Neifi should be starting tonight.

 

Nice lineup, considering the limitations.

[frostwyrm]

If Neifi has a couple of good games Hairston is in trouble.

[Flames24Rulz]

Neifi should be starting tonight.

 

Nice lineup, considering the limitations.

 

I'd much rather have Mabry at 1st and Walker at 2nd tonight.

[Jon]

"Ozzie isn't exactly known for his good starting pitcher management. "

 

Well he did win a World Series with his starting pitching last year, so he must be doing something right. Sorry I just don't see pitching 104 pitches irresponsible. Again (and for the last time) if you can't pitch 100 pitches you shouldn't be starting.

He also won a World Series with a bad offense, but that doesn't mean it was the right offense to have. And throwing too many pitches usually won't take a toll on previously healthy pitchers in one or two seasons. The risk is for future health.

 

Angel was brought up out of a perceived necessity. His pitching wasn't 100% yet and they knew that. They also knew just how much time he's spent rehabbing over the past three years. You have to adjust standards based on who the pitcher is. Of course, with Angel, you're worried about his immediate health. It's the same reasoning why (hopefully) Wood's pitch count will be limited at least for a few starts when he gets back. You're not going to leave him out of the rotation until he's actually 100% in terms of pitching.

 

Hmmmmm......it doesn't? Object is to win the World Series, isn't it? Who cares if you have a world-beater offense if you can get that done? Maybe I'm missing something here....

The goal is to put together the best team possible, not just rely on great pitching performances. For every 2005 White Sox team, there are quite a few more 2005 Cubs teams. Having a bad offense doesn't exactly give you much insurance if the pitching doesn't work out just as you hoped.

 

Understood. But I wouldn't characterize the Sox's offense last year as "bad." It was adequate. Some good timely hitting, if not copious hitting. I agree you always try to put together the best team possible. You surely must agree that hope for a less-than-perfect team is a good thing----especially being a Cub fan :)

Well, they were in the bottom half of the AL and trailed the Cubs in all categories aside from HRs (slim lead), triples (tied), and runs scored. I'd imagine they hit more multi-run HRs and had some better luck than the Cubs, who certainly had some bad luck on offense, but they certainly weren't good. Maybe bad is overstating it, but I'd definitely put them in the below-average/bad category.

 

Hoping for good pitching is certainly a must for this team, especially when I think Hendry had the ability to improve the offense at certain spots and didn't, but it hasn't exactly worked out in terms of health so far. It'd be nice to have a better offense to fall back on right now.

[Mizzou]

Neifi should be starting tonight.

 

Nice lineup, considering the limitations.

 

I'd much rather have Mabry at 1st and Walker at 2nd tonight.

Why?

 

Neifi has had a lot of success against this guy in his career.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Maddux pitching ==> Neifi Perez playing. That is why........

 

Team record by starting second baseman

CUBS are 8-4 when Walker starts at 2b
CUBS are 2-7 when Hairston starts at 2b
CUBS are 4-0 when Perez starts at 2b

[Flames24Rulz]

Neifi should be starting tonight.

 

Nice lineup, considering the limitations.

 

I'd much rather have Mabry at 1st and Walker at 2nd tonight.

Why?

 

Neifi has had a lot of success against this guy in his career.

 

Jon showed the numbers that lefties have had against Batista.

 

hopefully Neifi does better than what I'm thinking he'll do tonight.

[sunnydoo]

I'd much rather have Mabry at 1st and Walker at 2nd tonight.

 

Mabry 1-4 lifetime v. Neifi 9-21 against Bautista....

 

 

 

GET READY TO FEEL THE NEIFURY!!!!!!!!!!

[Jon]

The roof is open tonight. 91 degrees right now with a 12 mph wind coming in from center, according to Gameday.

[Fred Hornkohl]

The roof is open tonight. 91 degrees right now with a 12 mph wind coming in from center, according to Gameday.

 

This may very well be our 5th game in a row without a homer.

[Laura]

If Neifi has a couple of good games Hairston is in trouble.

 

Hairston may be in trouble regardless of Neifi.

[Mizzou]

Neifi should be starting tonight.

 

Nice lineup, considering the limitations.

 

I'd much rather have Mabry at 1st and Walker at 2nd tonight.

Why?

 

Neifi has had a lot of success against this guy in his career.

 

Jon showed the numbers that lefties have had against Batista.

 

hopefully Neifi does better than what I'm thinking he'll do tonight.

So you're looking at overall numbers rather than specifically looking at Neifi's numbers? Okay.

[badger1679666666]

Just an FYI. This is the third time in 2 weeks that the Lord and Savior of Managers has brought in Mike Remlinger to face lefty's. He didn't get away with it this time. Dusty's not the only one who does it.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Just an FYI. This is the third time in 2 weeks that the Lord and Savior of Managers has brought in Mike Remlinger to face lefty's. He didn't get away with it this time. Dusty's not the only one who does it.

 

Bring back Cap Anson !! :wink:

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just an FYI. This is the third time in 2 weeks that the Lord and Savior of Managers has brought in Mike Remlinger to face lefty's. He didn't get away with it this time. Dusty's not the only one who does it.

 

Was it for an inning where a left handed batter was up, or was it like a LOOGY where he was specifically brought in to face a left handed batter?

[baseball7897]

Please win Cubs

[Omar]

Slappy grounds to 2B. 1 down.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Pierre grounded out to second, 4-3

[Flames24Rulz]

1 pitch, 1 out.