3/24ST Cubs (Miller) @ Giants (Zito) 3:05 CT CSN Chicago

[Sammy Sofa]

I saw Miller's last pitch of the inning was 94mph... Is that accurate, or is the gun still fast??

 

Gun is likely fast, though Len says they just "tweeked" it and it's hopefully more on the mark.

[Bruno7481]

I think Miller could be just fine as the #5 guy, keeping the ball down in the zone and hitting the corners pretty well so far today.

 

It's one inning. He has yet to have a really good outing.

 

RAMMY!

 

Agreed, but I think given that he hasn't been horrible plus his games at the end of this last year he'd be a better option over Marquis, especially with how cheap he is.

 

I understand. I'm just upset because Prior isn't ready. We're settling for Miller.

 

That isn't Miller's fault, that ball is in Prior's court. Miller has been much better than Prior and deserves the spot over him.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Miller is looking good today. Lots of swings finding nothing but air. Even the contact that has been made was really soft.

[C.C.]

Miller's looking good through 2.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Miller is looking sharp thus far. If he can pitch like this during the regular season, I have no qualms with him in the fifth starter's spot.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Yes!

[98navigator]

I think Miller could be just fine as the #5 guy, keeping the ball down in the zone and hitting the corners pretty well so far today.

 

It's one inning. He has yet to have a really good outing.

 

RAMMY!

 

Agreed, but I think given that he hasn't been horrible plus his games at the end of this last year he'd be a better option over Marquis, especially with how cheap he is.

 

I understand. I'm just upset because Prior isn't ready. We're settling for Miller.

 

That isn't Miller's fault, that ball is in Prior's court. Miller has been much better than Prior and deserves the spot over him.

 

I'm looking at it from the perspective of the good of the team. It has nothing to do with faulting Miller. I just believe there are better options (at least there will be). I think Prior will supplant him before long and Miller will be traded.

 

Miller has won by default--being better than Prior, to this point, isn't saying much. If he had been pitching well, perhaps I'd have a different view.

[Bruno7481]

I think Miller could be just fine as the #5 guy, keeping the ball down in the zone and hitting the corners pretty well so far today.

 

It's one inning. He has yet to have a really good outing.

 

RAMMY!

 

Agreed, but I think given that he hasn't been horrible plus his games at the end of this last year he'd be a better option over Marquis, especially with how cheap he is.

 

I understand. I'm just upset because Prior isn't ready. We're settling for Miller.

 

That isn't Miller's fault, that ball is in Prior's court. Miller has been much better than Prior and deserves the spot over him.

 

I'm looking at it from the perspective of the good of the team. It has nothing to do with faulting Miller. I just believe there are better options (at least there will be). I think Prior will supplant him before long and Miller will be traded.

 

Miller has won by default--being better than Prior, to this point, isn't saying much. If he had been pitching well, perhaps I'd have a different view.

 

By default or not, he is still the best option at this point in time, over Prior.

[98navigator]

I think Miller could be just fine as the #5 guy, keeping the ball down in the zone and hitting the corners pretty well so far today.

 

It's one inning. He has yet to have a really good outing.

 

RAMMY!

 

Agreed, but I think given that he hasn't been horrible plus his games at the end of this last year he'd be a better option over Marquis, especially with how cheap he is.

 

I understand. I'm just upset because Prior isn't ready. We're settling for Miller.

 

That isn't Miller's fault, that ball is in Prior's court. Miller has been much better than Prior and deserves the spot over him.

 

I'm looking at it from the perspective of the good of the team. It has nothing to do with faulting Miller. I just believe there are better options (at least there will be). I think Prior will supplant him before long and Miller will be traded.

 

Miller has won by default--being better than Prior, to this point, isn't saying much. If he had been pitching well, perhaps I'd have a different view.

 

By default or not, he is still the best option at this point in time, over Prior.

 

So he's essentially better than nothing (because before the glimer of hope Prior provided in his last start--there was nothing).

 

I'd prefer Guzman to Miller. Anyway...

[Fred Hornkohl]

Frandsen struck out swinging

[Fred Hornkohl]

Zito grounded out to first, unassisted

[Bruno7481]

I think he's a better option than Guzman as well. I am intrigued by Guzman, but he hasn't done so hot, although in limited time, at the major league level.

 

I still think Miller can be an effective pitcher.

[98navigator]

I think he's a better option than Guzman as well. I am intrigued by Guzman, but he hasn't done so hot, although in limited time, at the major league level.

 

I still think Miller can be an effective pitcher.

 

Guzman and Miller have been about the same. All things being equal, I'd prefer the pitcher with the greater upside.

[PrimeTime]

Millers tearing it up today..only 1 hit given up through 3

[Bruno7481]

Lots of groundballs and strikes for Miller. Keep it up.

[Fred Hornkohl]

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD INNING

 

Frandsen struck out swinging

Zito grounded out to first, unassisted

Winn grounded out to second, 4-3

 

0 runs 0 hits 0 errors 0 men left on base

 

                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9              R  H  E
CUBS            0 1 0                          1  2  0
San Francisco   0 0 0                          0  1  0

 

 

Home runs:

CUBS: Ramirez

San Francisco:

 

CUBS           IP  H  R ER BB  K HR PIT
Miller        3.0  1  0  0  0  2  0   0

 

San Francisco  IP  H  R ER BB  K HR PIT
Zito          3.0  2  1  1  0  0  1   0

Edited March 24, 2007 by Fred Hornkohl

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Another nice inning from Wade. While I wanted Guzman to win the spot because I think he'll be better long term. There's really nothing wrong with Miller getting the fifth starter and Guzman cutting his teeth in the pen. Of course, there's still the tricky situation of what becomes of Prior.

[Bruno7481]

I think he's a better option than Guzman as well. I am intrigued by Guzman, but he hasn't done so hot, although in limited time, at the major league level.

 

I still think Miller can be an effective pitcher.

 

Guzman and Miller have been about the same. All things being equal, I'd prefer the pitcher with the greater upside.

 

Upside is great, actual performance is better.

 

Guzman has been hurt just as much, if not more than Miller.

 

Miller has done well enough to earn a spot. He's been healthy and made every start so far, that is a good sign. People forget how good of a pitcher he used to be. He'll most likely never see that type of success again, but he can still be usefull.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Lee walked

[Fred Hornkohl]

Ramirez flied out to left field

[98navigator]

I think he's a better option than Guzman as well. I am intrigued by Guzman, but he hasn't done so hot, although in limited time, at the major league level.

 

I still think Miller can be an effective pitcher.

 

Guzman and Miller have been about the same. All things being equal, I'd prefer the pitcher with the greater upside.

 

Upside is great, actual performance is better.

 

Guzman has been hurt just as much, if not more than Miller.

 

Miller has done well enough to earn a spot. He's been healthy and made every start so far, that is a good sign. People forget how good of a pitcher he used to be. He'll most likely never see that type of success again, but he can still be usefull.

 

Miller has missed more time than Kerry Wood. Unlike Guzman, Miller isn't likely to get better. There's no way of knowing if Miller will be healthy enough to withstand pitching an entire season; both he and Guzman appear healthy right now and that's all you can say...

 

I've watched/listened to all of his starts this year and this is clearly his best. It's about time! This isn't the Miller of the early 2000's

 

I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[Fred Hornkohl]

DeRosa grounded into a FC, 6-4, Lee out at secon d

[Fred Hornkohl]

TOP OF THE FOURTH INNING

 

Lee walked

Ramirez flied out to left field

DeRosa grounded into a FC, 6-4, Lee out at secon d

Floyd flied out to left field

 

0 runs 0 hits 0 errors 1 men left on base

 

                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9              R  H  E
CUBS            0 1 0 0                        1  2  0
San Francisco   0 0 0                          0  1  0

 

 

Home runs:

CUBS: Ramirez

San Francisco:

 

CUBS           IP  H  R ER BB  K HR PIT
Miller        3.0  1  0  0  0  2  0   0

 

San Francisco  IP  H  R ER BB  K HR PIT
Zito          4.0  2  1  1  1  0  1   0

[Bruno7481]

I think he's a better option than Guzman as well. I am intrigued by Guzman, but he hasn't done so hot, although in limited time, at the major league level.

 

I still think Miller can be an effective pitcher.

 

Guzman and Miller have been about the same. All things being equal, I'd prefer the pitcher with the greater upside.

 

Upside is great, actual performance is better.

 

Guzman has been hurt just as much, if not more than Miller.

 

Miller has done well enough to earn a spot. He's been healthy and made every start so far, that is a good sign. People forget how good of a pitcher he used to be. He'll most likely never see that type of success again, but he can still be usefull.

 

Miller has missed more time than Kerry Wood. Unlike Guzman, Miller isn't likely to get better. There's no way of knowing if Miller will be healthy enough to withstand pitching an entire season; both he and Guzman appear healthy right now and that's all you can say...

 

I've watched/listened to all of his starts this year and this is clearly his best. It's about time! This isn't the Miller of the early 2000's

 

I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

If Guzman pitches well out of the pen he will get his chance, I'm not worried about that. I would worry about him starting the season in the rotation. Guzman has had hot springs before.

 

In his 10 starts last year he put up the following numbers:

 

10 GS

56 IP

68 H

46 ER

7.39 ERA

 

Let him adjust to ML level in the pen.

 

I also don't think Prior should be handed a spot just because his name is Mark Prior. He has not earned it, Miller has been better.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Vizquel grounded out to the pitcher, 1-3