Why is Z starting on Tuesday?

[HoopsCubs]

On 3 days rest? Is it because they want him matched up against Harang?

 

Why can't they pitch him on Wednesday on normal rest? He would still be able to pitch on Tuesday the 25th and Sunday the 30th (if required).

 

Confused,

Hoops

[Bote McBoteface]

I don't get it either. Why is a team that has a "6 man rotation" using pitchers on 3 days rest back to back? Doesn't make any sense.

[Geech]

I don't get it either. Why is a team that has a "6 man rotation" using pitchers on 3 days rest back to back? Doesn't make any sense.

 

Lou, like Hendry, hates Cobs fans. It's a conspiracy.

[apete6]

Don't be surprised to see Trachsel on Tuesday if the Cubs can either sweep or take 3 out of 4 from the Cards. Especially if the Brewers can continue to suck.

[CubColtPacer]

The question is what's better-pitching Z and Lilly on 3 days rest, or giving Trachsel another start? I think management is going to try to ride their 4 pitchers down the stretch, and off days are going to make sure that only a couple starts will be needed to be made with 3 days rest.

[Illini Iceman]

On 3 days rest? Is it because they want him matched up against Harang?

 

Why can't they pitch him on Wednesday on normal rest? He would still be able to pitch on Tuesday the 25th and Sunday the 30th (if required).

 

Confused,

Hoops

 

What is so confusing? Piniella has publicly stated that he wants to start his top four pitchers as much as possible down the stretch. Lilly is also starting Wednesday on 3 days rest. Then with the off days they may only need to pitch someone other than Z, Lilly, Hill or Marquis once (the last game of the Florida series) the rest of the season. By getting Lilly a start before the off day on Thursday it allows them to skip the fifth starters spot the next time around and keep everyone on 4 days between starts.

[rawaction]

If the Cubs are up by at least 3 games after this weekend, I hope Lou has a change of heart. Even if he has to start Trachsel (rather see Hart), I'd rather see that than Zambrano on 3-days rest. It's not giving Carlos an extra start. It is giving Lilly an extra start, but pushing him back would also put him in line for a potential 1-game playoff or game 1 of the NLDS. This way puts Marquis or Hill inline for that start.

[Ivy Walls]

If the Cubs are up by at least 3 games after this weekend, I hope Lou has a change of heart. Even if he has to start Trachsel (rather see Hart), I'd rather see that than Zambrano on 3-days rest. It's not giving Carlos an extra start. It is giving Lilly an extra start, but pushing him back would also put him in line for a potential 1-game playoff or game 1 of the NLDS. This way puts Marquis or Hill inline for that start.

 

What separates Piniella and other top managers is they are a step ahead of the rest of the league and fans. Lou is managing the team as if they are going to the playoffs, the only way to manage, so he is riding his veterans and insisting on those others in roles do their job.

 

in the playoffs Z and Lilly will be asked to pitch on three days rest anyway...so he is seeing what he's got and this way he has both Trachsel and Marshall ready for a long relief anyway.

[SouthSideRyan]

If the Cubs are up by at least 3 games after this weekend, I hope Lou has a change of heart. Even if he has to start Trachsel (rather see Hart), I'd rather see that than Zambrano on 3-days rest. It's not giving Carlos an extra start. It is giving Lilly an extra start, but pushing him back would also put him in line for a potential 1-game playoff or game 1 of the NLDS. This way puts Marquis or Hill inline for that start.

 

What separates Piniella and other top managers is they are a step ahead of the rest of the league and fans. Lou is managing the team as if they are going to the playoffs, the only way to manage, so he is riding his veterans and insisting on those others in roles do their job.

 

in the playoffs Z and Lilly will be asked to pitch on three days rest anyway...so he is seeing what he's got and this way he has both Trachsel and Marshall ready for a long relief anyway.

 

Unless Lou goes to a 3 man rotation, Lilly and Z won't be pitching on 3 days rest.

[LetsPlayTwo]

This is why getting Traschel was a bad idea in the first place. The rotation is completely screwed up.

[Illini Iceman]

This is why getting Traschel was a bad idea in the first place. The rotation is completely screwed up.

 

Doesn't seem screwed up to me. Seems to me we are getting our best pitchers on the mound as much as possible down the stretch.

[C.C.]

This is why getting Traschel was a bad idea in the first place. The rotation is completely screwed up.

 

What's screwed up about it? I think Lou has handled the starters very well. All our fresh and none are over-worked.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

What worries me is that pitchers usually don't perform very well on short rest.

[CuseCubFan69]

What worries me is that pitchers usually don't perform very well on short rest.

 

Me too and it also seems to effect them the next time out too.

[Illini Iceman]

What worries me is that pitchers usually don't perform very well on short rest.

 

Me too and it also seems to effect them the next time out too.

 

I find it hard to believe that Z and Lilly on three days rest can be any worse than what we have seen from Marshall and Trachsel recently.

[Keener98]

What worries me is that pitchers usually don't perform very well on short rest.

 

Me too and it also seems to effect them the next time out too.

 

Well Peavy pitched on 3 days rest this month and was rocked, but his next time out he pitched a gem.

[CuseCubFan69]

What worries me is that pitchers usually don't perform very well on short rest.

 

Me too and it also seems to effect them the next time out too.

 

I find it hard to believe that Z and Lilly on three days rest can be any worse than what we have seen from Marshall and Trachsel recently.

 

I agree with that but worries me is will effect them and make them not as effective later? Thus, instead of having 2 pitchers you can count on, now you wonder if they will have anything left in the tank for their other starts. You also, if they (Z-Lilly) start to struggle, will put more of a strain on the bullpen. I'm a believer in keeping the rotation the way it is.

[Coach C]

Well, that turned out well....

 

*shakes head in pity*

[CubmanPi]

Lou's justification is, he wants to ride the strong horses down the home stretch. That sounds fine in theory and I have no problem with the idea of thinking outside the box in crunch time.

 

However, when you look at this particular situation any closer, there's absolutely no justification for it. Z has gotten killed by the Reds all year. He's gotten killed by all other teams most of the rest of the season. He has the worst ERA in the rotation, so he's only one of the "horses" by reputation and salary, not by season performance. Against Aaron Harang, the chances of winning regardless of who we trot out on the mound are pretty slim anyway.

[hardcorecubfan]

What worries me is that pitchers usually don't perform very well on short rest.

 

I can attest to that by remembering the 1969 Cubs. How about too much rest which is probably Sean Marshall's problem