7/14 CUBS (Lilly) vs. Astros (Oswalt), 2:55 PM CT, FOX

[Fred Hornkohl]

Ward, pinch hitting for Lilly, doubled to left field

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'll take another HR from Soriano here, plz.

[DurbanJer]

Eyre time.

 

 

nervous even with an 8 run lead

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Wheeler in to pitch for Houston

 

He likes to push his teammates.

[Keener98]

cubs should petition for bowen to be allowed to hit off a tee

 

Truf, please tell me you think Soto can do better than Bowen?

 

Keener, please tell me you think Jones can do better than Pie?

 

Please tell me where Pie, and Jones belong in this discussion? But for the record, Jones should do better in the 2nd half(not hard to top his first half), but Pie has shown at every level hes been that he makes adjustments. Every level he has been he has stuggled early, and then made the adjustment to become very successful. But the Cubs right now have to many holes in their lineup(ss, c) to play Pie thru these struggles, and let him make his adjustment. If the Cubs improved at ss or C, then I whole heartedly believe Pie should be starting in CF every day, and letting him make his adjustments.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd use Eyre in the 9th. This is the perfect time for him.

[inari]

What has Wuertz done to deserve mop up duty?

[Banedon]

I find it funny when the anal posters rip on those of us who actually have a sense of humor & make pseudo-negative posts. Come on guys, get a sense of humor transplant or something; you all really can't be that lame, can you?

 

We try to be as witty and clever as you, but the bar is set pretty high.

 

Yeah, I deserve that slam...it was presumptuous of me. I'm just saying...

 

You'll find the game threads are highly over-reactionary. It's just the nature of the fan.

[Lockes Eye Scar]

What has Wuertz done to deserve mop up duty?

 

he hasn't pitched in more than a week, he could probably use some work.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Soriano struck out swinging

[DurbanJer]

I'd use Eyre in the 9th. This is the only time for him.

 

fixed

Edited July 14, 2007 by DurbanJer

[killthegoat06]

Lilly has been amazing today.

 

He's actually been very good his last 3-4 starts.

 

And a lot better than a lot of us thought he'd be when signed. I like my crow with Tabasco sauce.

 

I'm really pleased with our offseason. Everyone has at least been as good as expected.

 

Derosa, and Lilly are great surprises. Aram is a beast this year. Marquis hasn't been as bad as I thought he'd be...as long as he as a decent 2nd half. Ward is awesome. Soriano has been very good.

[Bruno7481]

What has Wuertz done to deserve mop up duty?

 

Nothing, doesn't mean he can't come in and pitch. He's a reliever, he can pitch at any time, score shouldn't have that much to do with it.

 

With the ASB and all, not a bad idea to give him an inning of work.

[98navigator]

What has Wuertz done to deserve mop up duty?

 

He's been inconsistent lately and he hasn't seen much time so he needs the work. Eyre is just bad.

[Warren Brusstar]

cubs should petition for bowen to be allowed to hit off a tee

 

Truf, please tell me you think Soto can do better than Bowen?

 

How can he not?

 

Earlier in the thread the argument was being made that Soto was no better than Bowen.

 

That's not exactly right. The argument was that Soto probably isn't much better than Bowen.

 

Again, career minor league OPS:

 

Soto .715

Bowen .715

 

Over a big sample, they're almost identical players.

 

Cripes, did you see my argument from earlier in the thread? Bowen's two years older than Soto and Bowen spent every year from 1999 to 2006 spending at least part of his time in the minor leagues. He's spent significantly more time in the major leagues compared to Soto.

 

They are NOT almost identical players.

 

Bowen has 240 career at bats. That's hardly a substantial MLB track record.

 

Also, I've learned from this board that young players should not be expected to hit well when they play only part time. (See Matt Murton) So I'm not sure why you've decided that Bowen can't hack it in the majors based on his 240 at bats over 4-5 years.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Izturis grounded out to first, unassisted , Ward to third

[Banedon]

That's a pitch D-Lee should crush.

[Fred Hornkohl]

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH INNING

 

Wheeler in to pitch for Houston

Ward, pinch hitting for Lilly, doubled to left field

Soriano struck out swinging

Izturis grounded out to first, unassisted , Ward to third

D Lee flied out to right field

 

0 runs 1 hits 0 errors 1 men left on base

 

                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9              R  H  E
Houston         1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0                1  4  1
CUBS            0 0 0 3 2 4 0 0                9 12  0

 

Home runs:

Houston: none

CUBS: Soriano (16)

 

Houston        IP  H  R ER BB  K HR PIT
Oswalt        5.3 10  9  8  2  6  0 106
Borkowski     1.7  2  0  0  0  2  0  32
Wheeler       1.0  1  0  0  0  1  0  13

 

CUBS           IP  H  R ER BB  K HR PIT
Lilly         8.0  4  1  1  1  7  0 106

[killthegoat06]

What has Wuertz done to deserve mop up duty?

 

He's been inconsistent lately and he hasn't seen much time so he needs the work. Eyre is just bad.

 

We have some breathing room.

[Fred Hornkohl]

               Houston            CUBS
P/PA              3.66            3.87
RBI%              0.11            0.37
R/BR              0.20            0.64
BA               0.143           0.324
OBP              0.172           0.359
SLG              0.214           0.486
OPS              0.387           0.845
ERA               9.00            1.13
BB/9              2.25            1.13
K/9              11.25            7.88

[Fred Hornkohl]

CUBS are 41-2 when they lead after 8 innings

 

 

Go CUBS !!

[killthegoat06]

Any updates on Floyd for us who don't have the game on tv?

[Keener98]

cubs should petition for bowen to be allowed to hit off a tee

 

Truf, please tell me you think Soto can do better than Bowen?

 

How can he not?

 

Earlier in the thread the argument was being made that Soto was no better than Bowen.

 

That's not exactly right. The argument was that Soto probably isn't much better than Bowen.

 

Again, career minor league OPS:

 

Soto .715

Bowen .715

 

Over a big sample, they're almost identical players.

 

Cripes, did you see my argument from earlier in the thread? Bowen's two years older than Soto and Bowen spent every year from 1999 to 2006 spending at least part of his time in the minor leagues. He's spent significantly more time in the major leagues compared to Soto.

 

They are NOT almost identical players.

 

Bowen has 240 career at bats. That's hardly a substantial MLB track record.

 

Also, I've learned from this board that young players should not be expected to hit well when they play only part time. (See Matt Murton) So I'm not sure why you've decided that Bowen can't hack it in the majors based on his 240 at bats over 4-5 years.

 

Bowen hasnt shown any ability to hit ever at any level. Hes never had a "breakout" season even while in the minors. Soto has had a breakout season this year, and while I dont think he will carry that performance into the Majors, there is reason to believe he may have gotten over that hump, and could give a .270 average with a .330 or so OBP. Hell Id love that out of the catchers spot right now.

[Warren Brusstar]

cubs should petition for bowen to be allowed to hit off a tee

 

Truf, please tell me you think Soto can do better than Bowen?

 

How can he not?

 

Earlier in the thread the argument was being made that Soto was no better than Bowen.

 

That's not exactly right. The argument was that Soto probably isn't much better than Bowen.

 

Again, career minor league OPS:

 

Soto .715

Bowen .715

 

Over a big sample, they're almost identical players.

 

Cripes, did you see my argument from earlier in the thread? Bowen's two years older than Soto and Bowen spent every year from 1999 to 2006 spending at least part of his time in the minor leagues. He's spent significantly more time in the major leagues compared to Soto.

 

They are NOT almost identical players.

 

Bowen has 240 career at bats. That's hardly a substantial MLB track record.

 

Also, I've learned from this board that young players should not be expected to hit well when they play only part time. (See Matt Murton) So I'm not sure why you've decided that Bowen can't hack it in the majors based on his 240 at bats over 4-5 years.

 

And, in any event, I'd prefer they play Soto five times a week for the rest of the season. I just think the expectations are a bit too high right now for a guy who's had 250 at bats that look completely and totally like an aberration from his career performance.

 

Might it be a sustainable jump? Of course.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Wuertz in to pitch for the CUBS