3/22ST Cubs (Prior) @ Padres (Maddux) 3:05CT CSN & XM180

[Fred Hornkohl]

I hate rainouts / rain delays !! :x'

[Omar]

I hate rainouts / rain delays !! :x'

 

Didnt they call the game?

[goonys evil twin]

Rotoworld

 

Mark Prior was more impressive Thursday, allowing just a first-inning run in four frames against the Padres.

 

Prior's velocity got better as the start went on, and he hit 90 mph on the gun a couple of times during the second half of the start. He also appeared to have his best curveball so far this spring. The performance is unlikely to get him a rotation spot to open the season, but it leads to more hope that he'll contribute sometime within the first month.

 

Best case scenario is he takes another big step forward next Tuesday. Then I think he stays behind and pitches to the minor leaguers on April 1. It's possible that by then he's stretched out to 90 pitches and throwing 90-93 with ease. Then, I think you start him on 4 days rest April 6 in MIL. But that's not likely. So then I think you have him start Iowa's 2nd game, April 6 in Round Rock, then April 11 in Alabama. If all goes well, then maybe he can start April 16 vs SD.

[Omar]

Rotoworld

 

Mark Prior was more impressive Thursday, allowing just a first-inning run in four frames against the Padres.

 

Prior's velocity got better as the start went on, and he hit 90 mph on the gun a couple of times during the second half of the start. He also appeared to have his best curveball so far this spring. The performance is unlikely to get him a rotation spot to open the season, but it leads to more hope that he'll contribute sometime within the first month.

 

Best case scenario is he takes another big step forward next Tuesday. Then I think he stays behind and pitches to the minor leaguers on April 1. It's possible that by then he's stretched out to 90 pitches and throwing 90-93 with ease. Then, I think you start him on 4 days rest April 6 in MIL. But that's not likely. So then I think you have him start Iowa's 2nd game, April 6 in Round Rock, then April 11 in Alabama. If all goes well, then maybe he can start April 16 vs SD.

 

Since Rich Hill is assigned for April 6th.. he might get April 7th's game.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Rotoworld

 

Mark Prior was more impressive Thursday, allowing just a first-inning run in four frames against the Padres.

 

Prior's velocity got better as the start went on, and he hit 90 mph on the gun a couple of times during the second half of the start. He also appeared to have his best curveball so far this spring. The performance is unlikely to get him a rotation spot to open the season, but it leads to more hope that he'll contribute sometime within the first month.

 

Best case scenario is he takes another big step forward next Tuesday. Then I think he stays behind and pitches to the minor leaguers on April 1. It's possible that by then he's stretched out to 90 pitches and throwing 90-93 with ease. Then, I think you start him on 4 days rest April 6 in MIL. But that's not likely. So then I think you have him start Iowa's 2nd game, April 6 in Round Rock, then April 11 in Alabama. If all goes well, then maybe he can start April 16 vs SD.

 

That sounds like a very reasonable course of action.

[goonys evil twin]

Rotoworld

 

Mark Prior was more impressive Thursday, allowing just a first-inning run in four frames against the Padres.

 

Prior's velocity got better as the start went on, and he hit 90 mph on the gun a couple of times during the second half of the start. He also appeared to have his best curveball so far this spring. The performance is unlikely to get him a rotation spot to open the season, but it leads to more hope that he'll contribute sometime within the first month.

 

Best case scenario is he takes another big step forward next Tuesday. Then I think he stays behind and pitches to the minor leaguers on April 1. It's possible that by then he's stretched out to 90 pitches and throwing 90-93 with ease. Then, I think you start him on 4 days rest April 6 in MIL. But that's not likely. So then I think you have him start Iowa's 2nd game, April 6 in Round Rock, then April 11 in Alabama. If all goes well, then maybe he can start April 16 vs SD.

 

Since Rich Hill is assigned for April 6th.. he might get April 7th's game.

 

At this point, I think you have to give priority to Prior staying on normal rest.

[UMFan83]

I have a knot in my stomach just thinking about seeing Prior pitch. How times have changed...

 

I'm calling it now. Prior pitches 4 innings, letting up 1 run and 3 K's.

 

This has probably been mentioned, but nice!

[C.C.]

I have a knot in my stomach just thinking about seeing Prior pitch. How times have changed...

 

I'm calling it now. Prior pitches 4 innings, letting up 1 run and 3 K's.

 

This has probably been mentioned, but nice!

 

Thanks! I just had that feeling...

[Brian]

I think it's officially over, it says it was ended early on Cubs.com and the box score is up.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I think it's officially over, it says it was ended early on Cubs.com and the box score is up.

 

Yeah, it was called a while ago. Get with the times, Brian.

[C.C.]

It might of been called by Rain, but I saw a little beam of sunshine coming through those storm clouds, and it had a fastball of 91 MPH.

[UMFan83]

I'm not sure if I ever posted this here.

 

It doesn't have much relevence to present moment...but Curtis Granderson was at my condo last year after one of the Tigers games @ Wrigley and he said that Prior was the worst/easiest pitcher he faced all year. Basically like an 86 MPH fastball right down the middle...BP.

 

That was his first start back when he clearly wasnt ready...Like you said, I don't know how much relevance that has.

[98navigator]

side note: The media is ridiculous. Media people are always looking to tear someone down. We were inundated with info after Prior's first two suck fest outings and I can't find any reputable analysis of his improved performance in the mainstream media. That dweeb Paul Sullivan and the AP had reports out within moments of the completion of his previous starts... A little balanced reporting would be nice. :x

[UMFan83]

Anyways, I got soaked at the game. I watched Maddux and then Prior throw before the game. Prior looked to be in a bad mood, he was cussing after throwing pitches and generally looked to be grumpy. At one point he said something about his arm feeling like crap, but I don't know what context he said that in, so don't take that as anything.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

side note: The media is ridiculous. Media people are always looking to tear someone down. We were inundated with info after Prior's first two suck fest outings and I can't find any reputable analysis of his improved performance in the mainstream media. That dweeb Paul Sullivan and the AP had reports out within moments of the completion of his previous starts... A little balanced reporting would be nice. :x

 

Yeah, the media sucks.

[C.C.]

Anyways, I got soaked at the game. I watched Maddux and then Prior throw before the game. Prior looked to be in a bad mood, he was cussing after throwing pitches and generally looked to be grumpy. At one point he said something about his arm feeling like crap, but I don't know what context he said that in, so don't take that as anything.

 

 

Good! It's about time he got angry.

[Amazing_Grace]

side note: The media is ridiculous. Media people are always looking to tear someone down. We were inundated with info after Prior's first two suck fest outings and I can't find any reputable analysis of his improved performance in the mainstream media. That dweeb Paul Sullivan and the AP had reports out within moments of the completion of his previous starts... A little balanced reporting would be nice. :x

 

Scathing criticism sells more papers than glowing praise. Negative news and negative reporters get more attention. It's sad but true. Two of the most popular ESPN shows feature either 2 or 4 guys basically yelling at each other.

[Guest]

Anyways, I got soaked at the game. I watched Maddux and then Prior throw before the game. Prior looked to be in a bad mood, he was cussing after throwing pitches and generally looked to be grumpy. At one point he said something about his arm feeling like crap, but I don't know what context he said that in, so don't take that as anything.

 

 

seems like he takes longer to get loose based on that comment and the 1st inning. that could be partly mental if he is pressing.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Anyways, I got soaked at the game. I watched Maddux and then Prior throw before the game. Prior looked to be in a bad mood, he was cussing after throwing pitches and generally looked to be grumpy. At one point he said something about his arm feeling like crap, but I don't know what context he said that in, so don't take that as anything.

 

 

seems like he takes longer to get loose based on that comment and the 1st inning. that could be partly mental if he is pressing.

 

He started over Lilly in his first ST appearance because he takes longer to get ready.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

side note: The media is ridiculous. Media people are always looking to tear someone down. We were inundated with info after Prior's first two suck fest outings and I can't find any reputable analysis of his improved performance in the mainstream media. That dweeb Paul Sullivan and the AP had reports out within moments of the completion of his previous starts... A little balanced reporting would be nice. :x

 

Scathing criticism sells more papers than glowing praise. Negative news and negative reporters get more attention. It's sad but true. Two of the most popular ESPN shows feature either 2 or 4 guys basically yelling at each other.

 

As of 6:30 p.m., a 20.9 inch (a little over 600 words) story ran over the AP wire about Prior's start. It takes a little longer when the story is running that long, but I'd say that's a pretty good turnaround. It has some good quotes.

[David]

This game is being replayed on CSN right now for those who missed it and want to see Prior.

[Mephistopheles]

Prior threw 59 pitches, walked two and struck out three. He whizzed a fastball by Khalil Greene for the final out in the third. He hit 89 mph with his fastest pitch in a game called after five innings because of rain

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/wires/03/22/2010.ap.bbn.cubs.prior.0741/

[RichHillIsABeast]

topped out at 89 mph? :?

[Roast]

topped out at 89 mph? :?

 

I doubt that report is true. He hit 90 at the minor league game (i think i saw that reported), i doubt he regressed.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

topped out at 89 mph? :?

 

So many varying radar readings. It seems rather obvious based on the swings that he did get on his FB that it had good movement and velo - I doubt topping out at 89 would give him those swings.