Z's Control...

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

is outta control.

 

Bad-da BING.

 

No, but it's really annoying to have to put up with 4+ walks per start from our ace. Theres no need for him to go all out on every pitch to every batter. That whole "the injury is coming" thing is going to linger on this guy for his whole career, whether that be 2 years or 10 years.

 

Now...I'm ready to be told I'm going off way too early.

[E.J.]

I think you should have said "Z's Opening Day emotions are outta control". He's had bad opening days 3 years in a row now.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

2006 Opening Day:

4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 BB

 

2005 Opening Day:

4.2 IP, 7H, 4 BB

 

I think he'll be OK.

[Soriano12]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/SwedeCarlson/Funnies/everyone.gif

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Yes, but the walks people...the walks.

 

Last year he almost walked 5 guys per 9. Five. As an ace.

 

My post just has Opening Day timing, but the point goes beyond this game. He can't keep doing this.

[seanimal]

I wonder how many different posts we can create revolving around the idea of totally freaking out after the 1st game of the season.

 

:roll:

[Sammy Sofa]

Yes, but the walks people...the walks.

 

Last year he almost walked 5 guys per 9. Five. As an ace.

 

My post just has Opening Day timing, but the point goes beyond this game. He can't keep doing this.

 

His increasing walks each year are very worrisome. And those back troubles are going to get worse as he gelts older and it becomes harder to keep the weight down.

 

I love the guy when he's on and his passion is admirable, but I'd love nothing more than to have something happen like a healthy Prior back and Hill to keep being awesome so Z is ultimately superfluous and can net us a juicy haul while his name is still what it is.

 

And no, this isn't all just because of today.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Yes, but the walks people...the walks.

 

Last year he almost walked 5 guys per 9. Five. As an ace.

 

My post just has Opening Day timing, but the point goes beyond this game. He can't keep doing this.

 

2006 Opening Day:

4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 BB

 

2005 Opening Day:

4.2 IP, 7H, 4 BB

 

I think he'll be OK.

[BCVM22]

I blame his choice of jerseys. I mean, look at him:

 

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070402/capt.csb11604022053.cubs_reds_baseball_csb116.jpg

 

He's an alternate blue man. He's clearly thinking "Why did I pick the greys today?"

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Honestly, I've always thought and held onto the belief that Z for a package of young players from one of the LA teams would be the best thing long term for the Cubs.

[rynefan]

No one's freaking out, the numbers speak for themselves.

 

And I did like the postgame comment of maybe he should pitch the second game not the first in a season. Shake it up.

 

Sorry, but while I am not freaking out, today's game stunk.

 

Good to see the bullpen being used so early, too. Geez, I hated that last year. Let's hope it's not a trend (again)

[Sammy Sofa]

Honestly, I've always thought and held onto the belief that Z for a package of young players from one of the LA teams would be the best thing long term for the Cubs.

 

I wouldn't mind that at all. Or those guys could be spun off ideally for someone like Cabrera.

 

And again, this isn't just over today's game. Today's game is just inspiration for more discussion along these lines. Yes, it's one game...but it's one game that highlights things that have been problems often for him, and very likely could be even more problematic down the line.

Edited April 2, 2007 by Sammy Sofa

[wolf stansson]

Honestly, I've always thought and held onto the belief that Z for a package of young players from one of the LA teams would be the best thing long term for the Cubs.

Ervin Santana + blue chip prospect + mid level prospect?

[VVMattVV]

Honestly, I've always thought and held onto the belief that Z for a package of young players from one of the LA teams would be the best thing long term for the Cubs.

Ervin Santana + blue chip prospect + mid level prospect?

 

You just want him out of the division because of how well he tends to pitch against the Cardinals

[wolf stansson]

Honestly, I've always thought and held onto the belief that Z for a package of young players from one of the LA teams would be the best thing long term for the Cubs.

Ervin Santana + blue chip prospect + mid level prospect?

 

You just want him out of the division because of how well he tends to pitch against the Cardinals

It's not going to happen, but a boy can dream.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Honestly, I've always thought and held onto the belief that Z for a package of young players from one of the LA teams would be the best thing long term for the Cubs.

Ervin Santana + blue chip prospect + mid level prospect?

 

That would kick ass.

 

So would Billingsley + Betemit + Elbert.

 

Not that I'm actually suggesting trading Z, but it wouldn't be the first time. I think I suggested it twice last season and once during the offseason on this board.

[Backtobanks]

Brenly noted that the Ump is notorious for calling a tight strike zone plus Zambrano tries to overpitch when his emotions take over (like on opening day). Zambrano will be fine.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Brenly noted that the Ump is notorious for calling a tight strike zone plus Zambrano tries to overpitch when his emotions take over (like on opening day). Zambrano will be fine.

 

But what about the fact that his control has been going downhill for a while now...?

[Soul]

Brenly noted that the Ump is notorious for calling a tight strike zone plus Zambrano tries to overpitch when his emotions take over (like on opening day). Zambrano will be fine.

 

But what about the fact that his control has been going downhill for a while now...?

 

I suppose it has. He did rack up his largest walk total ever last year. But his ERA+ was still very, very good.

 

I just think with Z, we're not going to get a good first couple starts because of his mentality. It's like he has to suck to convince himself he needs to concentrate.

 

I think he'll be fine, but I am disappointed.

 

Of course, the other half of today's game was the lack of any offense. Z could have pitched well and we would still have lost.

[Brian]

Obviously Carlos has some control problems, but there was his notorious opening day jitters + that was a horrible strike zone.

[98navigator]

I just heard Piniella's post game comments on the radio. He let Zambrano have it--referring specifically to Z throwing "almost 50% balls to strikes." He also came right out and said he was bad without sugar coating it like Baker would have.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I just heard Piniella's post game comments on the radio. He let Zambrano have it--referring specifically to Z throwing "almost 50% balls to strikes." He also came right out and said he was bad without sugar coating it like Baker would have.

 

Haha. I notice Lou didn't say it right after Z came out though. Let the big man cool down first before delivering the truth. :lol:

[TB_11]

Brenly noted that the Ump is notorious for calling a tight strike zone plus Zambrano tries to overpitch when his emotions take over (like on opening day). Zambrano will be fine.

 

Very true. The speed on his fastball creeps up and it stays up in the zone instead of sinking.

 

Z partially compensated for his increase in walks last year with an increase in K's. His ERA measured from his peripherals has been relatively consistent (3.80 in 2004, 3.90 in 2005, 4.03 in 2006). If he keeps his fastball down and approaches his HR totals from 2003-04, he'll be fine.

[shnsajax]

Brenly noted that the Ump is notorious for calling a tight strike zone plus Zambrano tries to overpitch when his emotions take over (like on opening day). Zambrano will be fine.

 

Very true. The speed on his fastball creeps up and it stays up in the zone instead of sinking.

 

Z partially compensated for his increase in walks last year with an increase in K's. His ERA measured from his peripherals has been relatively consistent (3.80 in 2004, 3.90 in 2005, 4.03 in 2006). If he keeps his fastball down and approaches his HR totals from 2003-04, he'll be fine.

 

We would need to get a monopoly on Wood's. Go get Brandon + Ervin Santana ;-).

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

16 IP

 

11 BB

 

Yea, it's probably early season jitters in a contract year, but...who thinks that his BB/9 is going to be below 4 this year?