4/17 Cubs (Miller) vs. Fathers (Maddux), 1:20 pm CT, WGN

[jersey cubs fan]

Maddux has always said he hates facing rookies.

[FergieJ31]

I agree with Soriano12 in general (the safe decision would be to bat Pie 7 or 8) but in this specific instance I think it's not a bad move. Everything we've heard about this kid indicates he has above average leadership skills and handles pressure well. It's also a nice vote of confidence for him from his manager.

 

Geez, just imagine how Felix feels right now ... MLB debut in front of a rabid home crowd against a future HoF'er, batting leadoff to boot 8-)

Edited April 17, 2007 by FergieJ31

[NewUserName]

Today's lineup according to The Score:

 

Pie CF

Theriot 2B

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Murton RF

Jones LF

Cedeno SS

Blanco C

Miller P

 

I'm kind of surprised that Izturis is not in the lineup today. I'm just fine with Cedeno playing a day or two, but today is the one day where Izturis had good numbers against the opposing pitcher (Izturis is 6/14 against Maddux with 1 2B and 1 BB, a .429/.467/.500 line). I would have much rather seen Cedeno play yesterday or tomorrow than today.

 

With our worst starter going today I wish we would go with Floyd in LF and Barrett catching. I know he caught the night game last night but let Blanco catch Zambrano tomorrow. I could go either way with Izturis or Cedeno.

[98navigator]

Maddux has always said he hates facing rookies.

 

It's harder to set them up.

[CubColtPacer]

One thing I am not shocked about today is Floyd not being in against Maddux. Those two have had quite a few at-bats against each other-78 in fact! Floyd has hit him to a .231/.268/.397 line-you might as well throw in a guy like Jacque Jones who hasn't had many at-bats against Maddux and see what he can do then take anywhere near that line that Floyd has had over plenty of at-bats. Edited April 17, 2007 by CubColtPacer

[Derwood]

as many here have argued, lineup has very little bearing on how a team does. I don't hink it matters where Pie hits

[FergieJ31]

as many here have argued, lineup has very little bearing on how a team does. I don't hink it matters where Pie hits

 

Maybe not objectively but I guarantee it matters to Felix.

 

btw who is the guitarist in your avatar - Jimmy Vaughan?

[CubColtPacer]

Today's lineup according to The Score:

 

Pie CF

Theriot 2B

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Murton RF

Jones LF

Cedeno SS

Blanco C

Miller P

 

I'm kind of surprised that Izturis is not in the lineup today. I'm just fine with Cedeno playing a day or two, but today is the one day where Izturis had good numbers against the opposing pitcher (Izturis is 6/14 against Maddux with 1 2B and 1 BB, a .429/.467/.500 line). I would have much rather seen Cedeno play yesterday or tomorrow than today.

 

With our worst starter going today I wish we would go with Floyd in LF and Barrett catching. I know he caught the night game last night but let Blanco catch Zambrano tomorrow. I could go either way with Izturis or Cedeno.

 

I wish Barrett was in as well. My post right after yours explained why Floyd is not in, and also I can hopefully cling to the hope that Blanco does have 4 hits and 1 HR against Maddux in 12 AB's-maybe he can get 1 hit today.

 

Lee has also struggled mightily against Maddux in his 48 tries, and Aramis in his 14 tries. I'm more encouraged that the both of them can break out of that though-Aramis doesn't have enough of a sample against Maddux, and Lee is better and Maddux worse than the last time the two faced each other.

[Derwood]

 

btw who is the guitarist in your avatar - Jimmy Vaughan?

 

Reverend Horton Heat

[Outshined_One]

Argh...I have to meet with my study group at 2:30 here. :x

 

I'll follow along online.

[killthegoat06]

Why Cedeno and not Derosa?

[killthegoat06]

Who left to make room for Pie?

[YearofDaCubs]

Why Cedeno and not Derosa?

I'm thinking it probably has to do with his back.

[FergieJ31]

 

btw who is the guitarist in your avatar - Jimmy Vaughan?

 

Reverend Horton Heat

 

Cool - at least I got the home town right :) I've heard of the Reverend, never seen him in concert. Love those rockabilly bands ...

[tulsacubfan]

Who left to make room for Pie?

 

Haven't heard - could we be so lucky that it is Ohman?

[CubColtPacer]

Why Cedeno and not Derosa?

 

I doubt that DeRosa is even being considered at SS very much except for an emergency situation-I think he can play it, but with 2 SS's already on the roster I think Lou wants to split the innings mostly between them before shifting the starter for another position over to cover it.

[JonnyRed]

as many here have argued, lineup has very little bearing on how a team does. I don't hink it matters where Pie hits

 

I agree completely. So, he'll have more pressure on him for his first AB, but after that it's just like any of the other 40 at bats. Plus, won't he see better pitches with T-Riot and the heart of the order protecting him, versus Blanco?

[killthegoat06]

Why Cedeno and not Derosa?

 

I doubt that DeRosa is even being considered at SS very much except for an emergency situation-I think he can play it, but with 2 SS's already on the roster I think Lou wants to split the innings mostly between them before shifting the starter for another position over to cover it.

 

i meant derosa at 2nd and theriot at ss

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I don't like Pie leading off because he *isn't* a leadoff hitter and isn't the best option at the top of this lineup.

[KingCubsFan]

as many here have argued, lineup has very little bearing on how a team does. I don't hink it matters where Pie hits

 

I agree completely. So, he'll have more pressure on him for his first AB, but after that it's just like any of the other 40 at bats. Plus, won't he see better pitches with T-Riot and the heart of the order protecting him, versus Blanco?

So it didn't matter when Neifi and Corey were hitting 1-2 in front of Lee as opposed to 7-8?

[Brian]

I hope I can catch his first AB, I have to leave for class at 1:40 at the latest. Please have a quick 1-2-3 first inning Miller.

[CubColtPacer]

Why Cedeno and not Derosa?

 

I doubt that DeRosa is even being considered at SS very much except for an emergency situation-I think he can play it, but with 2 SS's already on the roster I think Lou wants to split the innings mostly between them before shifting the starter for another position over to cover it.

 

i meant derosa at 2nd and theriot at ss

 

I haven't seen any indications that they think Theriot can play SS either. If they did, don't you think he would have gotten in some part of a game there already? I mean he's had time in LF, RF, 2B, and 3B-but no SS (and there have been several chances to get him in there easily, if it be a start or a double switch).

Edited April 17, 2007 by CubColtPacer

[Tracer Bullet]

I don't like Pie leading off because he *isn't* a leadoff hitter and isn't the best option at the top of this lineup.

 

exactly

[Tracer Bullet]

as many here have argued, lineup has very little bearing on how a team does. I don't hink it matters where Pie hits

 

I agree completely. So, he'll have more pressure on him for his first AB, but after that it's just like any of the other 40 at bats. Plus, won't he see better pitches with T-Riot and the heart of the order protecting him, versus Blanco?

So it didn't matter when Neifi and Corey were hitting 1-2 in front of Lee as opposed to 7-8?

 

It's generally accepted, I think, that lineup configuration does not matter significantly in wins and losses. If you're deciding whether to hit Ruth ahead of Gehrig or vice versa, I totally agree. If you're deciding whether Neifi hits second (with his .300 OBP) or Murton and his .360 OBP, I think over the course of a season, it can cost you enough runs to make difference. But that would be nearly impossible to prove.

[Tracer Bullet]

Why Cedeno and not Derosa?

 

I doubt that DeRosa is even being considered at SS very much except for an emergency situation-I think he can play it, but with 2 SS's already on the roster I think Lou wants to split the innings mostly between them before shifting the starter for another position over to cover it.

 

i meant derosa at 2nd and theriot at ss

 

I haven't seen any indications that they think Theriot can play SS either. If they did, don't you think he would have gotten in some part of a game there already? I mean he's had time in LF, RF, 2B, and 3B-but no SS (and there have been several chances to get him in there easily, if it be a start or a double switch).

 

I have to think that Theriot is seen only as an "emergency" SS (to the extent that there is such a thing). If he could handle it, I'd love to have him at SS and DeRosa at 2B, but I don't think Lou sees that as an option right now.