Dempster or Zambrano?

[rynefan]

At this moment in time (Aug. 23, 2008) and all other things being equal, if you had the choice to put Dempster OR Zambrano out in a "must win" game, who are you going with? I'd pick Dempster. His consistency and composure have been impressive, and right now I feel much more comfortable with him.

[Moises a loo]

First I have to pause a moment and think of all the nasty things I have read about Dempster on this board before this season began. Not saying I saw this season coming either, but it's pretty sweet to think of those who loudly and arrogantly dismissed him as garbage and The Cubs as clueless for putting him back into the rotation. Good for him.

 

That said, the answer is Rich Harden. God, I love this team.

[rynefan]

I can see Harden, of course, but I was just trying to compare the two, and who people would pick between them.

 

I was compltely frustrated with Dempster as a closer last year. I was not his biggest fan, by a long shot, so consider me (pleasantly) surprised at his year this year.... just as surprised as I am at how Hill has turned out in 08.

[NewUserName]

I have had to do a mea culpa to just about everyone I know when it comes to Dempster. I dont know how much crap I talked about him on this site, but I was totally wrong about him.

 

That being said I would consider option #3. Rich Harden

[Mizzou]

I'd go with Dempster. A big part of my reason is that I'm still skeptical of Zambrano and his ability to keep his cool in big games. Not to sound cliche, but Demp just always seems calm, cool, and collected. That and the fact that he's been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year.

[Vanilla Ice]

Harden

 

Dempster

 

Zambrano

[erik316wttn]

As much as I love Z, he's still far too emotional and still gets too pissed off sometimes to be fully trusted in a big game yet.

[carolinacubbie]

I think Harden is the best of the three, but I would like to know everything considered going into the game. If our bullpen was beat and we are were counting on Howry and Cotts in the 7th and 8th I wouldn't want Harden. If everyone was fully healthy and rested I would pick Harden. I think I would have to go with Z over Dempster in a big must win game though. He has a lot of experience in the playoffs, Dempster doesn't really have much starting experience. It is unbelievably nice to have all three of them though.

[Derwood]

it's pretty close. Dempster has had just one game with 5 ER or more while Zambrano has had just 2. If you move to include 4 ER, Dempster has done it 4 times and Zambrano 5.

 

that said, Dempster has more K's, less hits, and less HR's than Z this year.

[Keener98]

As much as I love Z, he's still far too emotional and still gets too pissed off sometimes to be fully trusted in a big game yet.

 

Yea is emotions sure got to him in that playoff game last year. Or the big game vs Milw on the road....

[SouthSideRyan]

Yeah, I expect this Z can't control himself in big spots bs from other teams' fans, but it's real annoying to see it from Cubs fans.

 

It's a really tough call. If we were playing some sort of game against an AL team for some reason in their park, I take Dempster, Z's offense is what pretty much evens things out.

 

And yeah, I can't believe I'm saying this. I expected Demp to be a spectacular failure.

Edited August 23, 2008 by SouthSideRyan

[otis89]

Yeah, I expect this Z can't control himself in big spots bs from other teams' fans, but it's real annoying to see it from Cubs fans.

 

It's a really tough call. If we were playing some sort of game against an AL team for some reason in their park, I take Dempster, Z's offense pretty much evens things out.

 

You know what would be awesome? Z hitting a pinch-hit home run in an AL park.

[Cynosure]

Dempster has been consistent all year and has maybe 2 bad outtings in his 30 starts. I would go with Demp, hands down.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

why are they the only options? Harden's been better than both

[BigSlick]

it's pretty close. Dempster has had just one game with 5 ER or more while Zambrano has had just 2. If you move to include 4 ER, Dempster has done it 4 times and Zambrano 5.

 

that said, Dempster has more K's, less hits, and less HR's than Z this year.

That doesn't necessarily mean anything more than luck, however.

[Mizzou]

it's pretty close. Dempster has had just one game with 5 ER or more while Zambrano has had just 2. If you move to include 4 ER, Dempster has done it 4 times and Zambrano 5.

 

that said, Dempster has more K's, less hits, and less HR's than Z this year.

That doesn't necessarily mean anything more than luck, however.

Hate to break it to you, but not every basehit is a result of luck.

[treebird]

it's pretty close. Dempster has had just one game with 5 ER or more while Zambrano has had just 2. If you move to include 4 ER, Dempster has done it 4 times and Zambrano 5.

 

that said, Dempster has more K's, less hits, and less HR's than Z this year.

That doesn't necessarily mean anything more than luck, however.

Hate to break it to you, but not every basehit is a result of luck.

 

no, but when you've got 153k in 170.2ip, a .213baa absolutely is.

[UMFan83]

Zambrano...because when he's on his game, he is the best of the 3, including Harden, when you consider his all around game. When he is pitching well, he's getting ahead of almost every hitter and making them swing at pitcher's pitches. Then, he'll knock a HR in the bottom of the inning, or make a athletic play to beat the runner to the bag. He just has it all when he's pitching well.

 

Now if Zambrano was getting lit up the last 1-2 starts before the start in question, I'd have to reconsider.

Edited August 24, 2008 by UMFan83

[David]

Harden, Dempster, Zambrano

[Old Style]

I would go with Z, but it sure is nice to be able to have this spirited of a debate on a topic like this. We have 3 big time pitchers that can be trusted to take the mound in a deciding game.

 

And while I didn't post on here about it, I too must admit that I was way wrong about Dempster. I wasn't expecting much from him as a starter and he has sure proved us doubters wrong.

[rynefan]

The only reason I put those two options up there is because both have been on the Cubs for a while, and while Harden is exciting to have in the starting rotation, he's new and a potential injury concern. Just for fun....

[Sammy Sofa]

At home, Dempster.

[forbez18]

I would go with Zambrano and then with Harden and then Dempster. Zambrano will give you an emotional lift to get a big win specially in a short series. If the Cubs do not win then you can throw Harden in game 2 and try to stretch him out, and then come back with Dempster who is much better then any #3 out there and can get deep into the game.