5/15 - Fathers (Maddux) @ Cubs (Dempster) 1:20PM CSN & 720

[E.J.]

WTF is Donahue doing singing the stretch? Enough with the guest conductor crap.

[Banedon]

Izzy just gave up the lead. Started the 8th with a one run lead.

 

Single, walk, error on Isringhausen. Tie game.

[Mizzou]

Pirates tie it up off of Izzy. At the corners with no one out in the top of the 8th.

[genbar]

Nicely done, Phil Donahue.

[Careless]

phil donahue is still alive?

[Ryno12]

Homerun Bay, 8-5 Pirates!!!

[Banedon]

HOMER BAY! Wow Izzy!

[bukie]

88 through 7 for Dempster. He'll probably come out to pitch the 8th, but if I were Lou, I'd have, say, Wuertz warming up. If the 8th goes quick and easy, Wuertz can start the 9th. Otherwise, Wuertz in the 8th, Wood in the 9th.

[NonProfitCow]

In case you wree wondering, Izzy just gave up a 3 run HR to Bay. 8-5 Pirates. 1 out.

[UMFan83]

Have we gotten to the point where we shouldn't be surprised that Dempster is pitching well? And an even bigger question, have we gotten to the point where Ryan Dempster can be considered a good starting pitcher?

 

He's up to 56 IP with 22 runs allowed (15 earned, but a high UER total is a great sign of your stats making you look better than you are).

 

I think that's within the range of a very mediocre pitcher on a hot streak.

 

Disagree. Dempster is no star, but he's always had pretty good stuff with control issues. I am definitely stunned that his ERA is at 2.50 (and obviously the UER's go a long way in making up the difference in expecations), but I think a 3.50 ERA for the season is not out of the question.

 

Then again, if he slumps and his control suffers....and I realize his BABIP and LD% are up there a bit, he could go back to being a very mediocre pitcher.

[BigSlick]

Woooo The Pirates score 4 in the 8th to take a dominating 3 run lead

 

It takes crazy luck for the Cardinals to lose now, its incredible.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Call up Hoffpauir (who's been raking ever since spring training) and start him in RF

he's played all of 7 games

[tulsacubfan]

Pirates tie it up off of Izzy. At the corners with no one out in the top of the 8th.

 

3 run homer by Bay - now 8-5 Pirates :D

[Mizzou]

Jason Isringhausen is terrible.

[Derwood]

so, did anyone on the Pirates hit a HR?

[E.J.]

That was a bad at-bat Riot.

[UMFan83]

How long until Izzy is DL'd or DFA'd?

[cubbyvirus00]

who hit the Pirates HR?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Lee stopped sucking!

[David]

Imagine how good the Card and Brew records would be if their bullpens weren't so horrific...

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Have we gotten to the point where we shouldn't be surprised that Dempster is pitching well? And an even bigger question, have we gotten to the point where Ryan Dempster can be considered a good starting pitcher?

 

He's up to 56 IP with 22 runs allowed (15 earned, but a high UER total is a great sign of your stats making you look better than you are).

 

I think that's within the range of a very mediocre pitcher on a hot streak.

5 of those came in one game. That could just as easily be the fluke.

 

DEMPSTER!

 

I think that makes it look even worse, because that almost certainly means he was getting shelled in a two-out situation where an error gave him a freebie.

 

Here's a case for how it might be possible he's legit: He's turning roughly 6% of his batters faced from line drives to ground balls based on career numbers, he's throwing more fastballs and all his pitches have about 2 MPH less velocity than when he was a relievers. There seems to be a case for him trying to throw with more movement.

[E.J.]

Call up Hoffpauir (who's been raking ever since spring training) and start him in RF

he's played all of 7 games

 

He's played more games than you have. Jerk.

 

He was raking in spring training, then got hurt, and has come back hot after missing time. One of our prospects deserves a chance, for crying out loud.

[NonProfitCow]

How long until Izzy is DL'd or DFA'd?

 

He's gotta be DL'd after the game. It's time to call up Chris Perez.

[Banedon]

How long until Izzy is DL'd or DFA'd?

 

DL'd probably. They won't DFA him. The Cards are very loyal to their guys.

 

Seriously though, if it weren't for Izzy, I think the Cards would still be in first.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Imagine how good the Card and Brew records would be if their bullpens weren't so horrific...

 

Imagine ours without Marmol.