Dempster

[Little Slide Rooter]

Damn you Ryan Dempster for hitting into 10 double plays this series.

[RynoRules]

he was bound to blow one at some point before the season ended.

 

if you want to get mad at something, get mad at the offense and the guy who built it.

 

And moreso the fact that bad luck led to that situation in the first place. No one is perfect. This loss is one in 162 but is magnified b/c its Sept 6.

[Cubfanintheknow]

Lost in all of this is the fact that Demp didn't pitch that poorly today. He gave up a hard-hit single to Martin. He then got the desired result (a ground ball) to the next batter and it was inches away from being a double play.

He didn't throw a bad pitch to Ethier and on a normal day that's a routine flyout.

 

He came in and threw strikes and wasn't even missing his spots by that much. A little bit of bad luck, bad conditions and some good hitting. It happens. He's 25/28. If Marmol had 28 save opportunities he probably would have blown 2-3 by now also.

 

Well put!

 

Dempster's only "problem" is that when he blows a save, he goes all out.

 

As many have already pointed out, it's the offense. Way too many blown scoring chances.

[Mizzou]

The Cubs scored four runs today, people need to stop blaming the offense for today's loss.

[Illini Iceman]

Lost in all of this is the fact that Demp didn't pitch that poorly today. He gave up a hard-hit single to Martin. He then got the desired result (a ground ball) to the next batter and it was inches away from being a double play.

He didn't throw a bad pitch to Ethier and on a normal day that's a routine flyout.

 

He came in and threw strikes and wasn't even missing his spots by that much. A little bit of bad luck, bad conditions and some good hitting. It happens. He's 25/28. If Marmol had 28 save opportunities he probably would have blown 2-3 by now also.

 

Brett Meyers just checked in to say it was just a pop up.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Cubs scored four runs today, people need to stop blaming the offense for today's loss.

 

4 runs, but all RBI belonged to 1 guy. Im a little rusty on my math, but that means the rest of the team combined for 0.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If this team fails to make the playoffs, it won't have anything to do with the performance of Ryan Dempster.

[AlwaysaCub]

If this team fails to make the playoffs, it won't have anything to do with the performance of Ryan Dempster.

 

agreed. Did you all see what Brett Myers, a superior pitcher in every way, did yesterday?

 

Would you rather have Cordero like the Crew does?

[NYF]

Ryan has three blown saves this year, that's just one more than Jon Papelbon

 

Papelbon - 1.61 ERA, 75 K/15 walks, .77 WHIP

Dempster - 3.88 ERA, 48K/27 walks, 1.28 WHIP.

 

But hey, at least his performance in situations arbitrarily defined by a meaningless statistic is only marginally worse than Papelbons!

 

(Also, let's not mention the two tie games he entered and singlehandedly let get out of reach)

 

I can't believe how comfortable people are with Ryan closing out games.

 

I'm not arguing his numbers. I don't feel he is the best closer on the team, and when he's off, he is REALLY off, and allows more then just 1 run.. He allows the game to get into an unmanageable lead. Is that his fault? Yes.

 

You're closer should in no way allow 5 hits, and 4 runs in one inning.

 

but it happens. even to great ones.

 

the best hitter on your baseball team shouldn't go 0-4, but that happens too. everyone has a bad game.

 

this game is not on Dempster. this game is on Piniella. first of all, why do you start Ward? has Ward EVER been a starting caliber outfielder? for ANY MLB team?

 

you take A-Ram out of the lineup, and replace him with a career pinch-hitter. then your boy gets picked off in what could have been a monstrous 1st inning...

 

nice outing by Marquis, btw.

 

you get to the ninth, and steadfastly go with the gas can. does anyone here actually have a modicum of faith when Dempster enters the game?

that sito today screamed out for Marmol. even after 2 hitters, Marmol should have been summoned.

 

why was Soto not activated in time for the play-off roster?

 

who the hell is Josh Fuld, and why is he playing instead of Murton or Pie?

 

why is this organization so bad at talent evaluation?

[C.C.]

Ryan has three blown saves this year, that's just one more than Jon Papelbon

 

Papelbon - 1.61 ERA, 75 K/15 walks, .77 WHIP

Dempster - 3.88 ERA, 48K/27 walks, 1.28 WHIP.

 

But hey, at least his performance in situations arbitrarily defined by a meaningless statistic is only marginally worse than Papelbons!

 

(Also, let's not mention the two tie games he entered and singlehandedly let get out of reach)

 

I can't believe how comfortable people are with Ryan closing out games.

 

I'm not arguing his numbers. I don't feel he is the best closer on the team, and when he's off, he is REALLY off, and allows more then just 1 run.. He allows the game to get into an unmanageable lead. Is that his fault? Yes.

 

You're closer should in no way allow 5 hits, and 4 runs in one inning.

 

but it happens. even to great ones.

 

the best hitter on your baseball team shouldn't go 0-4, but that happens too. everyone has a bad game.

 

this game is not on Dempster. this game is on Piniella. first of all, why do you start Ward? has Ward EVER been a starting caliber outfielder? for ANY MLB team?

 

you take A-Ram out of the lineup, and replace him with a career pinch-hitter. then your boy gets picked off in what could have been a monstrous 1st inning...

 

nice outing by Marquis, btw.

 

you get to the ninth, and steadfastly go with the gas can. does anyone here actually have a modicum of faith when Dempster enters the game?

that sito today screamed out for Marmol. even after 2 hitters, Marmol should have been summoned.

 

why was Soto not activated in time for the play-off roster?

 

who the hell is Josh Fuld, and why is he playing instead of Murton or Pie?

 

why is this organization so bad at talent evaluation?

 

Look at his numbers...

[Rob]

Dempster needs to stay the closer. Cause if he's demoted, there's a pretty good chance we stop bringing in Marmol in the higher leverage situations, and just save him for our three run leads in the ninth.

 

Lou not picking our best reliever to be our closer is the one thing I agree with him on. Marmol is more valuable to use coming in during the 7th with runners on first and second with no outs in a tie game than he is maybe coming in if we have a small lead in the ninth.

 

The closer was a bad idea. Screwing up who you put there can be good. In this case, it is.

[NYF]

Ryan has three blown saves this year, that's just one more than Jon Papelbon

 

Papelbon - 1.61 ERA, 75 K/15 walks, .77 WHIP

Dempster - 3.88 ERA, 48K/27 walks, 1.28 WHIP.

 

But hey, at least his performance in situations arbitrarily defined by a meaningless statistic is only marginally worse than Papelbons!

 

(Also, let's not mention the two tie games he entered and singlehandedly let get out of reach)

 

I can't believe how comfortable people are with Ryan closing out games.

 

I'm not arguing his numbers. I don't feel he is the best closer on the team, and when he's off, he is REALLY off, and allows more then just 1 run.. He allows the game to get into an unmanageable lead. Is that his fault? Yes.

 

You're closer should in no way allow 5 hits, and 4 runs in one inning.

 

but it happens. even to great ones.

 

the best hitter on your baseball team shouldn't go 0-4, but that happens too. everyone has a bad game.

 

this game is not on Dempster. this game is on Piniella. first of all, why do you start Ward? has Ward EVER been a starting caliber outfielder? for ANY MLB team?

 

you take A-Ram out of the lineup, and replace him with a career pinch-hitter. then your boy gets picked off in what could have been a monstrous 1st inning...

 

nice outing by Marquis, btw.

 

you get to the ninth, and steadfastly go with the gas can. does anyone here actually have a modicum of faith when Dempster enters the game?

that sito today screamed out for Marmol. even after 2 hitters, Marmol should have been summoned.

 

why was Soto not activated in time for the play-off roster?

 

who the hell is Josh Fuld, and why is he playing instead of Murton or Pie?

 

why is this organization so bad at talent evaluation?

 

Look at his numbers...

 

pathetic...

[oldcubsfan]

Boy, talk about a complete second guesser. I'm sure you would make a fine manager, but the damn offense has been terrible and Ward can at least hit. If you are going to be an expert, made you should know the personnel, it is Sam Fuld, not Josh.

 

Your right, Dempster is a gas can- 3 blown saves all year. I suggest you watch your Brewers and leave the Cubs alone.

[C.C.]

Ryan has three blown saves this year, that's just one more than Jon Papelbon

 

Papelbon - 1.61 ERA, 75 K/15 walks, .77 WHIP

Dempster - 3.88 ERA, 48K/27 walks, 1.28 WHIP.

 

But hey, at least his performance in situations arbitrarily defined by a meaningless statistic is only marginally worse than Papelbons!

 

(Also, let's not mention the two tie games he entered and singlehandedly let get out of reach)

 

I can't believe how comfortable people are with Ryan closing out games.

 

I'm not arguing his numbers. I don't feel he is the best closer on the team, and when he's off, he is REALLY off, and allows more then just 1 run.. He allows the game to get into an unmanageable lead. Is that his fault? Yes.

 

You're closer should in no way allow 5 hits, and 4 runs in one inning.

 

but it happens. even to great ones.

 

the best hitter on your baseball team shouldn't go 0-4, but that happens too. everyone has a bad game.

 

this game is not on Dempster. this game is on Piniella. first of all, why do you start Ward? has Ward EVER been a starting caliber outfielder? for ANY MLB team?

 

you take A-Ram out of the lineup, and replace him with a career pinch-hitter. then your boy gets picked off in what could have been a monstrous 1st inning...

 

nice outing by Marquis, btw.

 

you get to the ninth, and steadfastly go with the gas can. does anyone here actually have a modicum of faith when Dempster enters the game?

that sito today screamed out for Marmol. even after 2 hitters, Marmol should have been summoned.

 

why was Soto not activated in time for the play-off roster?

 

who the hell is Josh Fuld, and why is he playing instead of Murton or Pie?

 

why is this organization so bad at talent evaluation?

 

Look at his numbers...

 

pathetic...

 

AVG .337 | HR 2 | RBI 15 | OBP .439 | SLG .516

 

Pathetic?

[soccer10k]

Dempster is fine. There's no need to demote him.

[oldcubsfan]

This is the second time this season Dempster has come into the 9th with at least a 4 run lead and blown the game. Thats freakin terrible.

 

Yep, 4-3 is a four run lead. BTW, what school do YOU go to? Looks like tax dollars are wasted there.

[NYF]

Boy, talk about a complete second guesser. I'm sure you would make a fine manager, but the damn offense has been terrible and Ward can at least hit. If you are going to be an expert, made you should know the personnel, it is Sam Fuld, not Josh.

 

Your right, Dempster is a gas can- 3 blown saves all year. I suggest you watch your Brewers and leave the Cubs alone.

 

no you're right, i botched Fuld's first name. other than that, way to completely miss the point. on all counts...

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

This is the second time this season Dempster has come into the 9th with at least a 4 run lead and blown the game. Thats freakin terrible.

 

Yep, 4-3 is a four run lead. BTW, what school do YOU go to? Looks like tax dollars are wasted there.

 

Yeah, that was my mistake..I meant to say that this is the 2nd time Dempster has come into the 9th inning and served up 4+ runs. But really it is pointless because our offense wasn't able to get anything back in the bottom half

 

As for the 2nd point, I am on studen loans now, so rest assured gramps, your tax dollars are safe.

[The Voice of Reason]

Ryan has three blown saves this year, that's just one more than Jon Papelbon

 

Papelbon - 1.61 ERA, 75 K/15 walks, .77 WHIP

Dempster - 3.88 ERA, 48K/27 walks, 1.28 WHIP.

 

But hey, at least his performance in situations arbitrarily defined by a meaningless statistic is only marginally worse than Papelbons!

 

(Also, let's not mention the two tie games he entered and singlehandedly let get out of reach)

 

Excellent points made comparing Dempster to a real closer.

 

Saves are a meaningless statistic

 

For the 2006 and 2007 seasons combined Dempster's ERA is close to 4.50. That's horrible for a so-called closer.

[TruffleShuffle]

first of all, why do you start Ward? has Ward EVER been a starting caliber outfielder? for ANY MLB team?

 

First of all, Ward is probably just as good a hitter as some of the players that have started games in the outfield for the Cubs this year (Pie, DeRosa, Jones, Pagan). Second, the Cubs play a lot of day games in hot weather. Randy Hundley lost 25 lbs over the course of the 1969 season, and if a guy plays every day in those types of conditions, he will suffer by September and October. It's called a spot start - that's why ARam doesn't play every game, good catchers get days off, etc. You keep guys fresh for the long haul.

[Sammy Sofa]

Ryan has three blown saves this year, that's just one more than Jon Papelbon

 

Papelbon - 1.61 ERA, 75 K/15 walks, .77 WHIP

Dempster - 3.88 ERA, 48K/27 walks, 1.28 WHIP.

 

But hey, at least his performance in situations arbitrarily defined by a meaningless statistic is only marginally worse than Papelbons!

 

(Also, let's not mention the two tie games he entered and singlehandedly let get out of reach)

 

Excellent points made comparing Dempster to a real closer.

 

Saves are a meaningless statistic

 

For the 2006 and 2007 seasons combined Dempster's ERA is close to 4.50. That's horrible for a so-called closer.

 

So you'll stack up his pretty bad 2006 season with his decent 2007 season, but totally leave out his excellent 2005 season? How does that work?

[BigbadB]

The Cubs scored four runs today, people need to stop blaming the offense for today's loss.

 

The Cubs had wonderful scoring opportunities that never came to fruition. The wind was blowing out, so 4 runs isn't exactly setting the world on fire offensively.

 

This loss hurts, but the ridiculous losses in April hurt a lot more.

[CubmanPi]

Ryan has three blown saves this year, that's just one more than Jon Papelbon

 

Papelbon - 1.61 ERA, 75 K/15 walks, .77 WHIP

Dempster - 3.88 ERA, 48K/27 walks, 1.28 WHIP.

 

But hey, at least his performance in situations arbitrarily defined by a meaningless statistic is only marginally worse than Papelbons!

 

(Also, let's not mention the two tie games he entered and singlehandedly let get out of reach)

 

Excellent points made comparing Dempster to a real closer.

 

Saves are a meaningless statistic

 

For the 2006 and 2007 seasons combined Dempster's ERA is close to 4.50. That's horrible for a so-called closer.

 

Yes, those numbers aren't good at all for a so-called closer - but doesn't the fact that his percentage in achieving such a meaningless statistic despite those numbers show that maybe a 'closer' doesn't have to be lights out in order to get the job done? I'd take Dempster starting the 9th inning with a 1-run lead every time if the alternative were dropping him into the game in about 75% of the situations Marmol has been used in.

 

The value of the role of closer is just as over-rated as most of the players who fill it.

[gflore34]

I asked this in the game thread - Not having seen the game, is it reasonable to think Lee should have made a play on both of the gb singles starting the 9th yesterday?

[CuseCubFan69]

I asked this in the game thread - Not having seen the game, is it reasonable to think Lee should have made a play on both of the gb singles starting the 9th yesterday?

 

I think his ribs are bugging him more than they are letting on.