How would you align the bullpen for playoffs?

[UMFan83]

This is a question I am surprised hasn't come up yet. Everyone is calling the Cubs bullpen a huge strength for the team, and while they are probably right, as the only potential playoff teams in the NL that can touch our bullpen are the Phillies and maybe Dodgers, there are still a lot of questions about the pen.

 

Obviously, the 2 givens are CL - Wood and 8th inning SU - Marmol. But where do we go from there? Samardzija was starting to be slotted as the 7th inning guy, but has looked very poor in the last month, a sign that he might just need some more seasoning. Gaudin has been roughed up, but is coming off a 3 week injury, Howry has his own word filter on NSBB, and Cotts, while pretty good at times, just doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.

 

CL - Wood

8th SU - Marmol

 

Rest of the pool: Howry, Cotts, Samardzija, Marquis, Gaudin, Marshall (keep in mind that one of these players in the pool will likely NOT make the rotation)

 

My guess:

7th inning SU - Cotts

6th inning SU - Gaudin/Marshall (depending on matchups)

LR - Marquis

Mop up - Howry

Out - Samardzija

 

But this could change daily. Your thoughts?

[BigbadB]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

 

If they just make that move, I don't really care how the guys align. I prefer the starter gets us to the 8th inning each game, so we only need Marmol/Wood.

[UMFan83]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

 

If they just make that move, I don't really care how the guys align. I prefer the starter gets us to the 8th inning each game, so we only need Marmol/Wood.

 

I think you'd be surprised how many chances Lou will be willing to give Howry. I could be wrong though.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

I actually think he's played his way onto the playoff roster based solely on his 1 inning last night

[jersey cubs fan]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

I actually think he's played his way onto the playoff roster based solely on his 1 inning last night

 

With a 3.00 WHIP?

[UMFan83]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

I actually think he's played his way onto the playoff roster based solely on his 1 inning last night

 

With a 3.00 WHIP?

 

2 intentional walks, but I guess he deserved it by giving up the leadoff triple.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

I actually think he's played his way onto the playoff roster based solely on his 1 inning last night

 

With a 3.00 WHIP?

by getting out of the inning. I don't agree with it, but I still think it will happen. Lou's been showing the same misguided faith in him for months, and I don't see it changing. had he given up a run and the loss, I might think otherwise

[jersey cubs fan]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

I actually think he's played his way onto the playoff roster based solely on his 1 inning last night

 

With a 3.00 WHIP?

 

2 intentional walks, but I guess he deserved it by giving up the leadoff triple.

 

I was kind of kidding. He did get out of a mess, but he got himself into that same mess. Howry's been awful on the whole, and Lou's given him a lot of chances. Before the weekend is out, odds are he'll have another bad outing and then who knows where they will stand.

[Jaysus1975]

Hey, first post in awhile. It's been a couple years since I posted last. New account now too.

 

Anyways, I think he will be on the playoff roster. I don't think he deserves it, but because of his experience he will be. Just my opinion.

[SouthSideRyan]

I think Howry's bumping Go-Dan. And that sucks.

[UMFan83]

Not to divert from the Howry discussion, but I also wanted to know who you guys thought should be our 7th inning guy at this point.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'd play matchups with Samardzija/Gaudin/Cotts.

 

In a series winning game, I might go Marmol for 2.

[CubColtPacer]

Not to divert from the Howry discussion, but I also wanted to know who you guys thought should be our 7th inning guy at this point.

 

If the starters do their jobs and go into the 6th at least, I'd play the 7th inning LaRussa style (in how quick he's willing to change pitchers, not necessarily just on L/R matchups). I'd probably start with Gaudin (Lou will start with Howry most likely) and I'd have a right-hander and a left-hander warming up at all times during the inning. I don't think any of them have been consistent enough to truly be our 7th inning guy that will work out of their own jams.

[pitchcs]

Does everyone assume Gaudin will be on the playoff roster?

 

Cause I'm thinking the pen is going to be:

 

Wood

Marmol

Howry

Cotts

Marshall

Samardzija

Marquis

[Old Style]

[expletive]

 

Just testing. :D)

[Old Style]

It works! That's awesome.

 

:rotfl:

[BigbadB]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

 

If they just make that move, I don't really care how the guys align. I prefer the starter gets us to the 8th inning each game, so we only need Marmol/Wood.

 

I think you'd be surprised how many chances Lou will be willing to give Howry. I could be wrong though.

 

You might be right. However, I hold out hope that Howry is done with the Cubs at the end of this season, so there is zero incentive to give him a playoff roster spot. He showed me nothing last night, just like he showed me nothing for most of the year.

[jersey cubs fan]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

 

If they just make that move, I don't really care how the guys align. I prefer the starter gets us to the 8th inning each game, so we only need Marmol/Wood.

 

I think you'd be surprised how many chances Lou will be willing to give Howry. I could be wrong though.

 

You might be right. However, I hold out hope that Howry is done with the Cubs at the end of this season, so there is zero incentive to give him a playoff roster spot. He showed me nothing last night, just like he showed me nothing for most of the year.

 

The only incentive is to satisfy Lou's inner veteran lover.

[soapy]

Howry has played his way OFF the playoff roster, IMO.

I actually think he's played his way onto the playoff roster based solely on his 1 inning last night

 

With a 3.00 WHIP?

 

2 intentional walks, but I guess he deserved it by giving up the leadoff triple.

 

I was kind of kidding. He did get out of a mess, but he got himself into that same mess. Howry's been awful on the whole, and Lou's given him a lot of chances. Before the weekend is out, odds are he'll have another bad outing and then who knows where they will stand.

 

the bolded is what makes me think (fear) that Howry will be on the roster. Lou is giving him chance after chance like he's just dying to find a good reason to get him on the NLDS roster. but like you said, he may blow up sometime in the next four games and take himself out of it.

[biittner77]

Does everyone assume Gaudin will be on the playoff roster?

 

Cause I'm thinking the pen is going to be:

 

Wood

Marmol

Howry

Cotts

Marshall

Samardzija

Marquis

 

I have yet to see in person anything from Gaudin that makes him any better than Wuertz. Granted I don't get to see all of the games but Gaudin seems pretty mediocre.

[MSG T]

This is me thinking out loud, but would it make sense, assuming Harden starts game 2, to piggyback Marshall with him? Get Harden through 5, maybe 6( depending on his pitch count), then let Marshall finish it, or at least get to Wood. I know there could be trouble with either of them at some point during the game, but just as a basic plan?

 

They'd be off the next day, they'd still have Cotts( as a LHP) and could use Marquis as long relief, if needed, in game 3, then Marshall could go again after that, if needed.

[pitchcs]

Does everyone assume Gaudin will be on the playoff roster?

 

Cause I'm thinking the pen is going to be:

 

Wood

Marmol

Howry

Cotts

Marshall

Samardzija

Marquis

 

I have yet to see in person anything from Gaudin that makes him any better than Wuertz. Granted I don't get to see all of the games but Gaudin seems pretty mediocre.

 

His command has been off since being recalled. You know how Lou feels about the hot hand and walks.

[Coach C]

I guess I been out of the loop here, but I take it that Guzman haven't shown anything to have him on the playoff roster?

[SouthSideRyan]

I guess I been out of the loop here, but I take it that Guzman haven't shown anything to have him on the playoff roster?

 

He's been pretty wild. I'm a Gooz fanboy, and I don't think I'd take him at this point. I'd take him over Howry, but I'd take a few guys over Howry.

[chuckywang]

I'd be cool pitching Marquis in the bullpen in Milwaukee just to see how he does in that new role.