badgercub

I don't believe it was an attempt to hide an injury but the fact that Barrett basically said he was unavailable (to even pinch hit). We all know he is day to day, so at least let them go under the assumption that you may be available to pinch hit. The injury was not hidden they just didn't want the fact that he was unavailable to pinch hit known, I think that is a pretty smart move.

Thanks, I called my buddy last night and he was more excited to see Maddux than I think he was to see the Brewers.

More of a question than a comment, but would MLB or the Players Association allow you to rework Wood's contract to pay him less money? And why would Wood do that? If he does come back and pitch well I truly believe there is some team out there willing to pay him big money. Look at the contract Burnett got and he has a history of injuriies and is on the DL right now.

How many times do you have to read about the difference between Ramirez and Pierre? Aramis has a history of fantastic production that would leave people to believe he can recover and still have a great season. Pierre does not have that history. He's always been about squirting balls through the infield, which is harder to do in Wrigley's tall grass, and he's coming off a bad year. They are two very different situations. The Pierre defenders can't defend him with facts so they automatically turn to Ramirez production to justify how crappy Pierre is.

coming into today his ave was .180 and his OBP was almost .300 so he is talking some walks.

Afternoon game means a late lunch and a long lunch. I am so glad I only live 5 minutes from my office.

Where would you hit Hairston? Although he doesnt' have much power, at least he has some plate discipline and has performed well so far. And it is better than Jacque hitting sixth and Neifi being in the lineup.

easiest question yet...DFA for rusch. I believe Rusch has made the comment that he would accept (as if he had a choice) moving to the bullpen if it was in the best interest of the team. One thing you have to say about Rusch is that he stays pretty positive and really seems he is willing to do whatever is asked of him. Not saying he is good, just a team player.

If marshall continues this level of pitching and Prior isn't back yet, and his stay is in jeopardy, I'm gonna heckle the HELL out of Hendry the next time I see him. I understand if the rotation becomes Z Maddux Wood Prior Miller and Marshall is sent down to AAA. I completely understand that. But ther eis no way Rusch should be on this team and Marshall shouldn't. I will go ballastic. I think Prior will be back ahead of Miller. I was talking about Marshall's spot being in jeopardy after Wood, Prior, and Miller return... if the rotation is: Z Maddux Wood Prior Miller On second thought, I really have no problem with them sending Marshall to AAA and keeping him on the same number of days rest so that he can be ready to fill in if something happens to one of the starters. They don't want to stretch his arm only to stick him in the 'pen. If he continues to pitch well he may be a permanent starter next season. I think if he continues to pitch the way he did last night there is no way they will move him out of the rotation. What about putting Miller into the bullpen? I don't see Miller going to the bullpen. He will be a starter because he's a veteran and he has prior success. Plus, the Cubs want to see his stuff so that they can determine if they want to negotiate an extension. 2007 figures to have some vacancies in the rotation. I just remember Vance, at least I think it was Vance talking about converting Miller to a "closer" because his mechanics may not bother him as much in short stints.

If marshall continues this level of pitching and Prior isn't back yet, and his stay is in jeopardy, I'm gonna heckle the HELL out of Hendry the next time I see him. I understand if the rotation becomes Z Maddux Wood Prior Miller and Marshall is sent down to AAA. I completely understand that. But ther eis no way Rusch should be on this team and Marshall shouldn't. I will go ballastic. I think Prior will be back ahead of Miller. I was talking about Marshall's spot being in jeopardy after Wood, Prior, and Miller return... if the rotation is: Z Maddux Wood Prior Miller On second thought, I really have no problem with them sending Marshall to AAA and keeping him on the same number of days rest so that he can be ready to fill in if something happens to one of the starters. They don't want to stretch his arm only to stick him in the 'pen. If he continues to pitch well he may be a permanent starter next season. I think if he continues to pitch the way he did last night there is no way they will move him out of the rotation. What about putting Miller into the bullpen?

You mean his suckiness? Kind of like Neifi's suckiness? and Jacque's suckiness? (sorry couldn't resist, but they are related)

I just hope people don't have too high of expectations for him that he couldn't posslbly live up to. I would be satisfied if he looked as good as Marshall did in his first start. I am not so worried about the numbers as much as seeing his comfort level on the mound.

That's awesome. Get Maddux as many starts as you can this year, who know putting him ahead of Rusch may end up in one extra start for the year, and the way he is pitching is totally worth it.

This general statement is prevelant on EVERY message board I post on - Phish, NSBB, Chicago Bears, Badgermaniac etc. and I think it's an oversimplification. I think 1) It's not easy to ignore threads and posts - that's the reason why we are ON a message board to begin with. 2) It's a discussion board so if people think Neifi sucks they are gonna say so, and if people don't like that thread they are gonna voice THAT opinion. You can't only expect one side to voice opinions - all sides will. I am not saying you can't respond to it if you disagree, but to tell another poster they need to not be negative isn't helping the situation. If you don''t think someone sucks, fine say that but to complain that other poster are negative, it is best to just ignore that aspect.

The execution and pitching have been excellent. When you have a guy like Dontrelle on the mound (or you are facing any teams ace) you need to be able to execute because 1 or 2 runs may be all you are going to get. I even liked it that Dusty had Barrett lay down a sacriifice last night to move Aramis over, with the wind blowing in and Dontrelle on the mound runs were at a premium. Also it was good to see Hairston execute the squeeze. Those are the little things the Cubs need to do because their margin of error is little with all of the injuries. Great Win last night!!!

Williams hasn't even been with the Club for one full year. And I don't think they yo yo'd him around. When he joined the Cubs last year he was out of shape and was pitching with San Fran's AAA club and going through some emotional problems. Was he used properly last year is up for debate, but I wouldn't really say he was yo yo'd around.

If you don't like a certain poster or their views just IGNORE them. If you don't like a thread on how much Neifi sucks, IGNORE it. How difficult is it. No one is asking you to join in on the booing, no one is asking you to agree with their assessment of any particular subject. This is a place for debate and to voice your opinion. Peace out

According to Cubs.com, Rusch will start Friday followed by Maddux. Link Great, not I get to see "[expletive]" pitch instead of "The Professor", what a bummer. I woudl much rather see them push Rusch back another day and get Maddux as many starts as possible while keeping him on his regular rest, its not like Maddux throws a ton of pitches out there where he wears down at the end of the year. The guy is a machine, the definition of efficiency.

I think that is run by Major League Baseball, I don't think the Cubs themselves really have anything to say about its content or anything.

With Guz getting the start tomorrow and an off day on Thur who will start Friday? Maddux on regular rest or Cy Rusch? Please give Maddux the start don't take him out of his rhythm. Rusch = major suckage. Plus Im going to the game and would rather see Maddux.

I wouldn't boo him yet. But he isn't exactly endearing himself to the faithful with some of the comments he made.

What he should be doing is apologizing to the fans for his godawful start and he is not happy with his performance thus far, but point to the fact he has been picking it up as of late. And that he appreciates the fans intensity and that he is working his tail off to live up to his contract. Now that would probably generate him some good PR, instead of biting the hand that feeds you. What an idiot. I will cheer for him to succeed, but if he doesn't he gets what he deserves.

I fail to see what is wrong with starting Neifi against a pitcher who he was 3-3 against in the past. Law of averages that is what is wrong with starting Neifi. Neifi has a certain level of suckitude that is going to show itself.

Sweet. Maybe this will be the thing to get him going. That reminded me of Karros' homerun against the Yankees that officially made him a cub

way to take the pitch to the other field