Who would you start for one must-win game?

[NCCubFan]

This is a current chicagosports.com poll. It seems timely since it relates to a current discussion on this board.

[snoodmonger]

I put Z, although I understand the fascination w/ Lilly.

[soccer10k]

Lilly for the sole reason that I have no faith in Zambrano to not get completely jacked up for the game, overthrow, and consistently miss his spots.

[Derwood]

walks = death, so no Z

[biittner77]

Like that one guy that voted against war with Japan after Pearl Harbor I voted for the Marquis d Sad. I'll be shocked if anyone other than Zambrano or Lilly gets even 1 vote.

[rawaction]

I trust Zambrano to win most. Despite what the numbers say, he's the most likely Cubs pitcher to put them in position to win a must-win game. But I also don't like the fact that he would be obviously jacked and would probably suffer with his command. See opening day history and 2003 playoffs as examples.

[CubColtPacer]

It depends on who the opposing pitcher is. If it is a pitcher who has a chance of holding the Cubs to 0-2 runs, I start Zambrano for his greater ability to have a dominant pitching performance. If the Cubs can likely score 3-5, then I'd start Lilly at the moment for his greater consistency.

[Guest]

Z.

[CubinNY]

Call me crazy but I would probably start Hill.

 

Hill as good a k/BB ratio as Lilly, but less HRs.

 

He got better everything over Z.

 

Yep, I'd send in one pitch Rich.

[CubColtPacer]

Call me crazy but I would probably start Hill.

 

Hill as good a k/BB ratio as Lilly, but less HRs.

 

He got better everything over Z.

 

Yep, I'd send in one pitch Rich.

 

Hill has allowed the same amount of HR's as Lilly, even though Lilly has pitched 14 2/3 innings more. So Hill has given up a greater HR/9 than Lilly, not less.

 

Their K/BB ratio is close, but Lilly's is a little better (3.06 for Lilly to 2.88 for Hill).

 

Lilly's WHIP is better-1.150 to 1.219.

 

They've been close this year, but Lilly has been slightly better in every phase of the game besides straight K rate.

[CubinNY]

Call me crazy but I would probably start Hill.

 

Hill as good a k/BB ratio as Lilly, but less HRs.

 

He got better everything over Z.

 

Yep, I'd send in one pitch Rich.

 

Hill has allowed the same amount of HR's as Lilly, even though Lilly has pitched 14 2/3 innings more. So Hill has given up a greater HR/9 than Lilly, not less.

 

Their K/BB ratio is close, but Lilly's is a little better (3.06 for Lilly to 2.88 for Hill).

 

Lilly's WHIP is better-1.150 to 1.219.

 

They've been close this year, but Lilly has been slightly better in every phase of the game besides straight K rate.

 

I must have transposed the numbers. Ok, you've convined me. I'll go with Lilly.

 

If I knew I was going to get the "good Z", the choice would be easy, but he's been about as predictible as Cybil.

[Marco4]

I went with Lilly; I feel more like I can trust him to be solid than Z.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Lilly. Z still kind of scares me in "big" games. I'm always afraid he'll pump himself up so much that he'll take himself right out of the game. I know Z is capable of completely dominating, but like someone said earlier, I fear the walks. Lilly always seems to be calm and collected. I wouldn't mind him being our #1 if we make the playoffs.

[jersey cubs fan]

Who is on proper rest? Who is the opponent? Is this Game 162 and we need a win to tie and get to a 1 game playoff? Is this the 1 game playoff? Is this game 3 of the LDS and we're down 2-0? Is it game 5? Is this a case of "I'm going to be at the game tomorrow and I really want to see them win"?

 

 

Need more data.

[Derwood]

Who is on proper rest? Who is the opponent? Is this Game 162 and we need a win to tie and get to a 1 game playoff? Is this the 1 game playoff? Is this game 3 of the LDS and we're down 2-0? Is it game 5? Is this a case of "I'm going to be at the game tomorrow and I really want to see them win"?

 

 

Need more data.

 

Game 7 of the WS

[Ding Dong Johnson]

park and weather?

 

wind blowing in hard at Wrigley, give me Lilly

wind blowing out hard at Wrigley, probably Z

wind not a factor at Wrigley, probably Hill

on the road, I'd take Lilly in pitchers parks (SD, NYM, Was, Fla, LAD)

probably Z at Coors, GAB, Philly, AZ

Hill at most of the other stadiums

[USSoccer]

I'd go with Z, Hill and Lilly, in that order.

[Roast]

I'd go Z. I know he can have his terrible games, but when he's on, he's ON. I'd take the risk.

[Rob]

I'd like to know who the opposing offense is too. Are they heavy on righties? Lefties? Do they walk a bunch? Hit a ton of home runs? Play small ball?

 

Facing the Yankees with the wind blowing in? Hill. Wind blowing out? Z. Facing the Red Sox with the wind blowing in? Lilly.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'd go with Z, Hill and Lilly, in that order.

 

I'd flip Lilly and Z.

[Sammy Sofa]

And the depressing correct answer is a healthy Mark Prior.

[USSoccer]

I'd go with Z, Hill and Lilly, in that order.

 

I'd flip Lilly and Z.

 

I wouldn't. As erratic as Z can be, I have more faith in his ability to completely shut down a team than Lilly. Z's A, B and C game are better than Lilly's.

[USSoccer]

And the depressing correct answer is a healthy Mark Prior.

 

Trust.

[Vanilla Ice]

It depends on who the opposing pitcher is. If it is a pitcher who has a chance of holding the Cubs to 0-2 runs, I start Zambrano for his greater ability to have a dominant pitching performance. If the Cubs can likely score 3-5, then I'd start Lilly at the moment for his greater consistency.

 

I agree

 

Also, I think if our offense is struggling, I would start Zambrano because he could easily shut the other team down. If our offense is doing fairly well I would start Lilly because, unlike Zambrano, I do not see him giving up a whole lot of runs in only a few innings.

[Vanilla Ice]

I'd go with Z, Hill and Lilly, in that order.

 

I'd flip Lilly and Z.

 

I wouldn't. As erratic as Z can be, I have more faith in his ability to completely shut down a team than Lilly. Z's A, B and C game are better than Lilly's.

 

I would go Lilly, Z, Hill

 

This would split up the two lefties, and in a 5 game series Zambrano could still start game 5, if needed.