8/13: Gm 2 Cubs (Harden) @ Braves (Campillo) 6:15p CDT CSN+

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

23 pitches for Campillo already.

[witty alias]

I missed the end of game 1, so somebody explain this. The Braves threw at Soriano's head because he didn't run out of the box? I realize they wouldn't like him watching a HR, but shouldn't they be glad he only got a single? What lesson are they teaching him? "Next time you play us you'll hustle and help produce more runs."

 

I realize this is the wrong game thread, but I thought the other one might be dead.

 

BTW 4-0.

[Schwarber Fan]

LOL, I love how the Braves announcer is bashing the Cubs hitters and then they immediately drive in runs.

[Guest]

Luck is wonderful sometimes.

 

Fukudome was due as well. Hopefully that can turn things around for him.

[Allroy]

Yes! 4-0!

[Soul]

That's what I'm hoping Fuku will do more of. He can frustrate pitchers with that little oppo-field dumper.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

28 pitches and four runs allowed for Campillo.

[UMFan83]

I missed the end of game 1, so somebody explain this. The Braves threw at Soriano's head because he didn't run out of the box? I realize they wouldn't like him watching a HR, but shouldn't they be glad he only got a single? What lesson are they teaching him? "Next time you play us you'll hustle and help produce more runs."

 

I realize this is the wrong game thread, but I thought the other one might be dead.

 

BTW 4-0.

 

I think it has to do with the fact that he was staring at a potential HR that wasn't even a no doubter up by 6 runs late in the game.

[Soul]

Luck is wonderful sometimes.

 

Fukudome was due as well. Hopefully that can turn things around for him.

 

I dunno, I've seen him do that before. It might have been a bit lucky, but he kept his head on the ball that time.

[Coach C]

Awesome. Harden got his run support here, now he can be very aggressive.

[bcl412]

Game not being on TV for me=bad

Cubs winning 4-0 at the in of the top of the 1st=good

 

Although it always scares the crap out of me when the Cubs have a big first inning. It seems like the always team always comes back.

[Soul]

Game not being on TV for me=bad

Cubs winning 4-0 at the in of the top of the 1st=good

 

Although it always scares the crap out of me when the Cubs have a big first inning. It seems like the always team always comes back.

 

It's the fact that there's plenty of time to come back.

[Coach C]

Well this looks to be a 10+ pitch for this Blanco guy, since he's fouling everything off....

 

Edit: 7 pitches.

[squally1313]

Quick, entirely overmanaging strategy question here.

 

Blanco was up with 1st and 2nd, one out. Let's say he walked there, and loaded the bases for Harden, a very weak hitter. Hypothetically, would it be possible to announce Zambrano as the "starting pitcher" every day, and bat him in the 9th spot, so that in the rare cases the pitcher bats in the first, we get a good hitter? If he doesn't come up, then just "substitute" in the actual starting pitcher, Harden. I know you wouldn't want to do it with a positional bench player, because it wastes him, but there's no chance of Z getting into this game anyways, so what's the difference?

 

I have a sinking feeling that the whole "announced pitcher has to throw at least one pitch" thing is going to make all this worthless, but just something that popped into my head...

[Coach C]

This umpire's not making any friends in Atlanta tonight.

 

Looks like the same to Chicago. Some of those pitches looked borderline.

[Soul]

Braves are also being stingy at the plate -- obviously they know Rich can be an early exit if his pitch count gets high

[bcl412]

Quick, entirely overmanaging strategy question here.

 

Blanco was up with 1st and 2nd, one out. Let's say he walked there, and loaded the bases for Harden, a very weak hitter. Hypothetically, would it be possible to announce Zambrano as the "starting pitcher" every day, and bat him in the 9th spot, so that in the rare cases the pitcher bats in the first, we get a good hitter? If he doesn't come up, then just "substitute" in the actual starting pitcher, Harden. I know you wouldn't want to do it with a positional bench player, because it wastes him, but there's no chance of Z getting into this game anyways, so what's the difference?

 

I have a sinking feeling that the whole "announced pitcher has to throw at least one pitch" thing is going to make all this worthless, but just something that popped into my head...

 

I could be wrong but I think you answered your own question on why this wouldn't work.

[Allroy]

Tight strike zone gonna make it hard to K everyone like Harden has been doing.

[Coach C]

14 pitches through 1.

[Schwarber Fan]

Quick, entirely overmanaging strategy question here.

 

Blanco was up with 1st and 2nd, one out. Let's say he walked there, and loaded the bases for Harden, a very weak hitter. Hypothetically, would it be possible to announce Zambrano as the "starting pitcher" every day, and bat him in the 9th spot, so that in the rare cases the pitcher bats in the first, we get a good hitter? If he doesn't come up, then just "substitute" in the actual starting pitcher, Harden. I know you wouldn't want to do it with a positional bench player, because it wastes him, but there's no chance of Z getting into this game anyways, so what's the difference?

 

I have a sinking feeling that the whole "announced pitcher has to throw at least one pitch" thing is going to make all this worthless, but just something that popped into my head...

 

This would only work for road games anyway

[Coach C]

Yeah, I know there's the "Other Games" Thread, but FLA is beating St. Louis, 1-0 in the 2nd.

[RedFlash]

Hows everyone watching this game?

 

I am watching it via Braves tv here in the south.

[WTFCUBS]

Quick, entirely overmanaging strategy question here.

 

Blanco was up with 1st and 2nd, one out. Let's say he walked there, and loaded the bases for Harden, a very weak hitter. Hypothetically, would it be possible to announce Zambrano as the "starting pitcher" every day, and bat him in the 9th spot, so that in the rare cases the pitcher bats in the first, we get a good hitter? If he doesn't come up, then just "substitute" in the actual starting pitcher, Harden. I know you wouldn't want to do it with a positional bench player, because it wastes him, but there's no chance of Z getting into this game anyways, so what's the difference?

 

I have a sinking feeling that the whole "announced pitcher has to throw at least one pitch" thing is going to make all this worthless, but just something that popped into my head...

 

Thats interesting, though you could just have zambrano throw his 50mph curve thing and yank him. no harm there. Problem being the odds we get to the 9 spot in the first.

Edited August 13, 2008 by WTFCUBS

[imb]

i wish i wasn't at work so i could watch this game

 

PILE IT ON, i want 30 games over .500

[Ivy.n.Denver]

Quick, entirely overmanaging strategy question here.

 

Blanco was up with 1st and 2nd, one out. Let's say he walked there, and loaded the bases for Harden, a very weak hitter. Hypothetically, would it be possible to announce Zambrano as the "starting pitcher" every day, and bat him in the 9th spot, so that in the rare cases the pitcher bats in the first, we get a good hitter? If he doesn't come up, then just "substitute" in the actual starting pitcher, Harden. I know you wouldn't want to do it with a positional bench player, because it wastes him, but there's no chance of Z getting into this game anyways, so what's the difference?

 

I have a sinking feeling that the whole "announced pitcher has to throw at least one pitch" thing is going to make all this worthless, but just something that popped into my head...

 

Earl Weaver used to do this with his DH spot - they called it the phantom DH. He'd have Steve Stone or Flannagan or some pitcher in the starting line-up as the DH and then pinch-hit for them when their spot came up. MLB changed the rules because of this.

 

As far as I know, this rule only applies to the DH.