Cubs going to 13 pitchers today?

[Keener98]

Didnt see this posted anywhere else, but in the postgame Lou said they are going to have to consider going to 13 pitchers today, due to the wear on the bullpen. Normally, Id be 100% against this, but if this would stop Lou from overworking Marmol so much then screw it lets do it. Its pretty bad we may have to go a man short on the bench, because our manager,whos been managing for years, has absloutely no idea how to handle a bullpen. My guess is Fontenot goes down, and Hart comes up. That leaves us with Dero, Cedeno, and Theriot as middle infielders with Soriano an option in emergency cases. Its stupid to carry 13 pitchers, but then again, Lou isnt very bright when it comes to bullpen use.

 

"We've talked about 13 pitchers in the past, and I think we're going to have to start talking about it again," Piniella said.

 

The Cubs currently have 12, and Marmol is a little overworked. When would Piniella want a lucky 13th?

 

"I'm talking about tomorrow possibly, not the next couple days," Piniella said.

 

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080602&content_id=2825700&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I know we haven't had many long outings from the starters and there have been a lot of small leads to protect, but Marmol was getting worked just as much when the bullpen wasn't under such duress. I guess Howry and Wuertz are better now, but that didn't stop Lou from stamping his feet and not letting Wuertz work out of a little trouble against the bottom of the worst lineup in baseball, in a huge pitcher's park, with a 4 run lead, and one out already in the inning.

[Keener98]

I know we haven't had many long outings from the starters and there have been a lot of small leads to protect, but Marmol was getting worked just as much when the bullpen wasn't under such duress. I guess Howry and Wuertz are better now, but that didn't stop Lou from stamping his feet and not letting Wuertz work out of a little trouble against the bottom of the worst lineup in baseball, in a huge pitcher's park, with a 4 run lead, and one out already in the inning.

 

Yea I dont understand how Lou constantly talks about overworking Marmol, but yet, continues to do it. Hell last week he talked about not using Marmol anymore for 2 innings, and yet, uses him for 2 innings in a 4 run game. Where is Scott Eyre? Last year when Eyre sucked at the beginning of the year, Lou couldnt use him enough, but so far this year hes getting very very sporadic work.

[CUBZ99]

I know we haven't had many long outings from the starters and there have been a lot of small leads to protect, but Marmol was getting worked just as much when the bullpen wasn't under such duress. I guess Howry and Wuertz are better now, but that didn't stop Lou from stamping his feet and not letting Wuertz work out of a little trouble against the bottom of the worst lineup in baseball, in a huge pitcher's park, with a 4 run lead, and one out already in the inning.

 

Yea I dont understand how Lou constantly talks about overworking Marmol, but yet, continues to do it. Hell last week he talked about not using Marmol anymore for 2 innings, and yet, uses him for 2 innings in a 4 run game. Where is Scott Eyre? Last year when Eyre sucked at the beginning of the year, Lou couldnt use him enough, but so far this year hes getting very very sporadic work.

 

It is simple, Lou is greedy and wants to win every ballgame possible. Personally, I like that in a manager. Lou has been around long enough to know when Wuertz has his good stuff and when he doesn't.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I know we haven't had many long outings from the starters and there have been a lot of small leads to protect, but Marmol was getting worked just as much when the bullpen wasn't under such duress. I guess Howry and Wuertz are better now, but that didn't stop Lou from stamping his feet and not letting Wuertz work out of a little trouble against the bottom of the worst lineup in baseball, in a huge pitcher's park, with a 4 run lead, and one out already in the inning.

 

Yea I dont understand how Lou constantly talks about overworking Marmol, but yet, continues to do it. Hell last week he talked about not using Marmol anymore for 2 innings, and yet, uses him for 2 innings in a 4 run game. Where is Scott Eyre? Last year when Eyre sucked at the beginning of the year, Lou couldnt use him enough, but so far this year hes getting very very sporadic work.

 

It is simple, Lou is greedy and wants to win every ballgame possible. Personally, I like that in a manager. Lou has been around long enough to know when Wuertz has his good stuff and when he doesn't.

 

I don't buy that at all. He was clearly pissed that Wuertz had walked two guys and yanked him. If he was giving thought to whether he had good stuff or not, then he would've(definitely should have) considered the situation(1 out, 4 run lead, bottom of a terrible lineup, pitcher's paradise) before doing something so reactionary.

[Tracer Bullet]

I know we haven't had many long outings from the starters and there have been a lot of small leads to protect, but Marmol was getting worked just as much when the bullpen wasn't under such duress. I guess Howry and Wuertz are better now, but that didn't stop Lou from stamping his feet and not letting Wuertz work out of a little trouble against the bottom of the worst lineup in baseball, in a huge pitcher's park, with a 4 run lead, and one out already in the inning.

 

Yea I dont understand how Lou constantly talks about overworking Marmol, but yet, continues to do it. Hell last week he talked about not using Marmol anymore for 2 innings, and yet, uses him for 2 innings in a 4 run game. Where is Scott Eyre? Last year when Eyre sucked at the beginning of the year, Lou couldnt use him enough, but so far this year hes getting very very sporadic work.

 

It is simple, Lou is greedy and wants to win every ballgame possible. Personally, I like that in a manager. Lou has been around long enough to know when Wuertz has his good stuff and when he doesn't.

 

Lou's been around Wuertz for a year and a half. I'm pretty sure that the day before they met, Lou couldn't have picked Michael out of a lineup.

 

what a crock.

[Keener98]

Hell I dont even have that big of a problem with Marmol being used to clean up Weurtz's mess, but there is no reasonable explanation at all for leaving Marmol in to pitch the 9th inning, NONE.

[biittner77]

If they do this it will be Hart? Ascanio hasn't been down long enough has he?

 

Even though it doesn't make a lot of sense, I see them sending Hoffpauir down before Fontenot as it gives more flexibility for the patented Piniella double switch.

[NCCubFan]

The only reason I can think of for wanting another reliever today is that Lou's worried about a short outing for Marquis. Simple solution for that: Replace Marquis in the rotation.

 

I don't see Hoffpauir going down. It would be hard to send him down when Ward returns (does he even still have any options remaining?). I really think it's bye bye Fontenot for now. If he then wants to cut back to 12 pitchers he could bring Patterson up for his double-switches until Fontenot is eligible to come back.

[rocket]

maybe that 3 run homer will be the best thing to happen to marmol this season.

[CubColtPacer]

I know we haven't had many long outings from the starters and there have been a lot of small leads to protect, but Marmol was getting worked just as much when the bullpen wasn't under such duress. I guess Howry and Wuertz are better now, but that didn't stop Lou from stamping his feet and not letting Wuertz work out of a little trouble against the bottom of the worst lineup in baseball, in a huge pitcher's park, with a 4 run lead, and one out already in the inning.

 

I think part of that was some carryover from the last few games when Lou pulled Wuertz under similar circumstances. He hasn't been good entering the game the last few appearances, and Lou hasn't given him a very long leash either.

 

Wuertz's last 7 appearances:

 

4 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 4 K

 

That's an ERA of 1.93, but a WHIP of 2.57.

 

I can tell you one thing. If Lou's going to pull Wuertz that quickly when he isn't good, then he needs to go back to making sure to pitch him 2 or 2 1/3 innings when he is good.

 

I would support 13 pitchers for now. Bring up Hart, hopefully one of the next 2 games is a blowout and he can throw 4 innings, the rest of the bullpen can get a much needed day off, and he can go right back to AAA after the ballgame.

[jersey cubs fan]

13 pitchers is stupid. Throwing Zambrano 130 is stupid. Putting Marmol on pace for 80+ games and 100+ innings is stupid.

 

But it wouldn't be Lou if he didn't unnecessarily freak out and screw around with rash decisions.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

why stop at 13? look how the Brewers tanked when they stopped using 14

[Little Slide Rooter]

If they do this it will be Hart? Ascanio hasn't been down long enough has he?

 

Even though it doesn't make a lot of sense, I see them sending Hoffpauir down before Fontenot as it gives more flexibility for the patented Piniella double switch.

 

Agreed. While Hoff is a better pinch hitter than Fontenot or Cedeno, we need that extra middle infielder. If worse comes to worse, DeRosa can fill in in the outfield, but theres nobody else who can fill the middle infield. Well, theres 1 guy, but I pray that it never comes down to that.

 

I vote for leave well enough alone.

[Tracer Bullet]

The only reason I can think of for wanting another reliever today is that Lou's worried about a short outing for Marquis. Simple solution for that: Replace Marquis in the rotation.

 

I don't see Hoffpauir going down. It would be hard to send him down when Ward returns (does he even still have any options remaining?). I really think it's bye bye Fontenot for now. If he then wants to cut back to 12 pitchers he could bring Patterson up for his double-switches until Fontenot is eligible to come back.

 

He'd be stupid not to plan for at least 3 innings out of the pen today, given Marquis' recent history. If he doesn't feel like he can get that from the guys down there b/c they're overworked, which is possible, he should add another guy. I'd much rather that than have Marmol face another 3-5 hitters in a 3-run game today.

[tfarks]

maybe that 3 run homer will be the best thing to happen to marmol this season.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If we're going to use pitchers the way he does (flog Marmol's arm, but no one else can go more than an inning in a four-run game), then yeah we do need 13.

[CUBZ99]

I know we haven't had many long outings from the starters and there have been a lot of small leads to protect, but Marmol was getting worked just as much when the bullpen wasn't under such duress. I guess Howry and Wuertz are better now, but that didn't stop Lou from stamping his feet and not letting Wuertz work out of a little trouble against the bottom of the worst lineup in baseball, in a huge pitcher's park, with a 4 run lead, and one out already in the inning.

 

Yea I dont understand how Lou constantly talks about overworking Marmol, but yet, continues to do it. Hell last week he talked about not using Marmol anymore for 2 innings, and yet, uses him for 2 innings in a 4 run game. Where is Scott Eyre? Last year when Eyre sucked at the beginning of the year, Lou couldnt use him enough, but so far this year hes getting very very sporadic work.

 

It is simple, Lou is greedy and wants to win every ballgame possible. Personally, I like that in a manager. Lou has been around long enough to know when Wuertz has his good stuff and when he doesn't.

 

Lou's been around Wuertz for a year and a half. I'm pretty sure that the day before they met, Lou couldn't have picked Michael out of a lineup.

 

what a crock.

 

I would hope that a year and a half of managing a guy would be enough time to give a person insight into the abilities of his players.

[weis21]

maybe that 3 run homer will be the best thing to happen to marmol this season.

Honestly, this was one of my first thoughts after last nights game.

[NCCubFan]

Lou should forbid Marmol from even dressing tonight and require him to sit in the dugout in street clothes. That way there would be NO temptation to use him.

[CubColtPacer]

Lou should forbid Marmol from even dressing tonight and require him to sit in the dugout in street clothes. That way there would be NO temptation to use him.

 

I disagree. The two pitchers with most chance of injury if you use them tonight are Wuertz and Wood. Those are the pitchers you need to protect most in tonight's game.

 

Marmol's right behind them in the short-term. With him, the bigger concern is the long-term. Once they get the bullpen rested again, they need to start sitting him more in order to get his pace for innings in a season down closer to 90 instead of 103. It would be wonderful if it started tonight, but they shouldn't throw Wuertz or Wood out in a very risky situation for them in order to do it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Lou should forbid Marmol from even dressing tonight and require him to sit in the dugout in street clothes. That way there would be NO temptation to use him.

 

I disagree. The two pitchers with most chance of injury if you use them tonight are Wuertz and Wood. Those are the pitchers you need to protect most in tonight's game.

 

Marmol's right behind them in the short-term. With him, the bigger concern is the long-term. Once they get the bullpen rested again, they need to start sitting him more in order to get his pace for innings in a season down closer to 90 instead of 103. It would be wonderful if it started tonight, but they shouldn't throw Wuertz or Wood out in a very risky situation for them in order to do it.

 

What's wrong with Wuertz? He's thrown 12, 8 and 11 pitches the past 3 days. Sure you'd prefer not to throw him 4 days in a row, but he's hardly been taxed in those 4 days. And he's not exactly a high priority arm out there either. He's thrown less than Howry, Wood, Lieber and Marmol this year.

 

Marmol is ahead of everybody in the "must care for" department. He's the most important arm and the most abused so far this year.

[Brett]

Marmol's delivery doesn't inspire confidence that he can be "abused" and not get hurt, either.

[Hall7810]

According to Sullivan, Hart was called up and Hoffpauir was sent down.

[CubsGM]

Yep.

Check transactions.