Marquis Throwing a Splitter?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Found this nugget in Bruce's article on the win today.

 

Link

 

"It looks like it, it really does," said manager Lou Piniella, whose first-place club improved to 44-25. "We're starting to get the same feeling. He's very capable.

 

"He's added a split-finger to his repertoire, which I think is a good pitch for him. But the secret is staying ahead in the count and pounding the strike zone."

 

I only listened today and didn't watch, but did anyone notice him throwing this pitch? Is it really something that he hasn't thrown before?

 

I only ask, because I was unable to personally watch either of his last two starts. I want to hope and believe he's turning a corner.

[CubbieBum]

I don't know but his ERA over his last six starts is 3.08 :shock:

 

He did start of last year dominant. Maybe he can have a couple more good starts and the Cubs will be smart enough to sell high (like in a Burnett or Harden deal)

[17 Seconds]

It's always good fun to hear people ask if a 29 year old player is "turning the corner".

[TruffleShuffle]

It's always good fun to hear people ask if a 29 year old player is "turning the corner".

 

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/L/ryan-ludwick.shtml

[cubs1908-2008]

I don't know but his ERA over his last six starts is 3.08 :shock:

 

He did start of last year dominant. Maybe he can have a couple more good starts and the Cubs will be smart enough to sell high (like in a Burnett or Harden deal)

 

Over his last three starts, Marquis is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA. In his 10 starts before that however, the pitcher was inconsistent, going 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA. He thinks the difference has been his willingness to attack hitters.

 

lets hope he can keep up :good:

[UK1679666180]

I didn't watch the game yesterday, but if he could develop that 3rd pitch, it would definitely him. That pitch will be more effective if comes in similar to the sinker and then drops off the table.

 

He'll flash what appears to be a change, but it's not something he can retire hitters with.

[CUBZ99]

I was going to bring this up in the game thread yesterday, but never got around to it. If you watch the first couple of innings you can definitely see Marquis getting the grip on the ball (similar to Dempster) prior to putting the ball in the glove on some pitches.

 

The other thing I noticed was the ridiculous increase in velocity over the first couple of innings. I have to assume that the radar gun was wacky, because it was showing Marquis consistently in the mid 90's.

[rawaction]

Splitter or no splitter, it doesn't matter if Marquis doesn't hit his spots. Marquis has great movement on all his pitches. But nobody is gonna pound a sinker in the ground if it's not gonna be a strike anyway. I think he still tips his pitches at times. Also, a lot of his pitches aren't in the zone when they are released out of his hand. If he can give the Cubs more consistent outings he can help the Cubs deep into the season. His ERA has gone from 5.28 to 4.24 in 6 starts.

[erik316wttn]

Early in the year Marquis was unsure of himself and nibbling at the corners, which lead to a lot of walks. Now that he's challenging hitters, he's doing a lot better. It was strictly a mental thing. I hope he keeps it up the rest of the year, because we can certainly use the help in the rotation.