Rich Hill is no. 4 Starter

[killthegoat06]

I didn't see this posted anywhere else.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080216&content_id=2375649&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

Hill, who is coming off his first full season in the big leagues, heads into Spring Training projected as the No. 4 pitcher in the rotation. As of now, Lou Piniella's rotation includes Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, a still to be determined No. 3, Hill, and a yet to be named No. 5.

 

I'm guessing it's just to break up the lefties.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It looks that way to me too. The number in the rotation doesn't matter after the first time through.

[Post Count Padder]

I didn't see this posted anywhere else.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080216&content_id=2375649&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

Hill, who is coming off his first full season in the big leagues, heads into Spring Training projected as the No. 4 pitcher in the rotation. As of now, Lou Piniella's rotation includes Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, a still to be determined No. 3, Hill, and a yet to be named No. 5.

 

I'm guessing it's just to break up the lefties.

That's the only plausible reason to have Hill as the fourth starter.

[UK1679666180]

The only time this will be important is if the Cubs make the playoffs. Although, I highly doubt facing Lilly the day before will make hitters more prepared against Hill. If Hill is throwing his FB and curve with good control & command, you could probably face Hill the day before and still struggle.

[Post Count Padder]

The Cubs plan to start their rotation with Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly and then go with Rich Hill in the fourth spot.

 

Gotta split up those lefties. Of course, if Sean Marshall were to claim the fifth spot, that'd mean lefties back-to-back again. However, there appears to be no real chance of that happening, since all he did was easily outpitch every other candidate last year. Jon Lieber, Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster are all ahead of him for the two openings in the rotation.

[Derwood]

rotation # is almost as overrated as "leadoff hitter". who cares? the numbers never lineup during the season. it would only matter if your #1 always faced the other team's #1, which they don't outside of opening day.

[hawkcub]

Difference between 3 and 4 is almost non existent. Now if they were making him 5 that would be stupid.

[Ender]

Well it does just so happen it is important the first week of the season. The Cubs open up against the Brewers which is one of the most right handed lineups in baseball so having Hill as the #4 is probably a smart move.

[Mizzou]

Is it just me, or does the whole idea of "splitting up the lefties" seem very pointless?

[JimSorgi]

Is it just me, or does the whole idea of "splitting up the lefties" seem very pointless?

It is pointless.

[Tracer Bullet]

Is it just me, or does the whole idea of "splitting up the lefties" seem very pointless?

 

Not just you.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Hopefully that still to be determined #3 is someone better than Rich Hill. That would make for a really good group of starting pitchers. Sadly, it's probably Dempster or Liebs.

[Lefty]

Is it just me, or does the whole idea of "splitting up the lefties" seem very pointless?

 

If their styles are similar it is not pointless if they would pitch on consecutive days against the same team. It's not like one is Koufax and the other Moyer, so I would say they are similar enough. Of course the bigger problem is having Marquis and Dempster in the same rotation.

[seanimal]

The Cubs plan to start their rotation with Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly and then go with Rich Hill in the fourth spot.

 

Gotta split up those lefties. Of course, if Sean Marshall were to claim the fifth spot, that'd mean lefties back-to-back again. However, there appears to be no real chance of that happening, since all he did was easily outpitch every other candidate last year. Jon Lieber, Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster are all ahead of him for the two openings in the rotation.

 

why does everyone hate sean marshall? he's just an easygoing dude, that's all

[Omar]

That leaves the 3 & 5 spot open. I'm gonna guess Marquis & Lieber... Although I wouldn't something younger in Guzman or Marshall... Maybe even Gallagher or Hart.

[NCCubFan]

That leaves the 3 & 5 spot open. I'm gonna guess Marquis & Lieber... Although I wouldn't something younger in Guzman or Marshall... Maybe even Gallagher or Hart.

Guzman is out most, if not all, year recovering from TJS.

[CoolHandLuke]

big sig! :shock:

[NCCubFan]

big sig! :shock:

I noticed that. I cut him down to size.

[SouthSideRyan]

Well it does just so happen it is important the first week of the season. The Cubs open up against the Brewers which is one of the most right handed lineups in baseball so having Hill as the #4 is probably a smart move.

 

Not if Jason Marquis is the 3.

[Brian]

Well it does just so happen it is important the first week of the season. The Cubs open up against the Brewers which is one of the most right handed lineups in baseball so having Hill as the #4 is probably a smart move.

 

Not if Jason Marquis is the 3.

 

I'm pretty sure that Marquis actually fared pretty well against the Brewers in '07... does that translate to '08? We'll see.

[BCVM22]

I'm pretty sure that Marquis actually fared pretty well against the Brewers in '07... does that translate to '08? We'll see.

 

He did, in 2 starts against them.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/psplit.cgi?n1=marquja01&year=2007 (vs. MIL)

[CyHawk_Cub]

Is it just me, or does the whole idea of "splitting up the lefties" seem very pointless?

 

In the very least it's not any more meaningful than splitting up righties in the batting order.......over the long haul, of course.