Laura

Tim will let people know when the premium interface is back up.

Just one chapter?

I also don't recall Chicago sports writers blathering on about how embarrassment should be the worst punishment for the drunk driver or posting long messageboard excuses for his behavior (see above). Some posters here complain that Chicago media is too critical of the Cubs -- which I don't agree with at all -- but seeing the opposite, where St. Louis reporters seem to be BFFs with the organization doesn't seem to be an improvement. BTW, Speier did enter rehab and missed several games -- perhaps even a months worth? Not sure on that -- and is no longer employed with the team.

BA National League Preview At least the Cubs aren't picked to finish last. 1. Milwaukee Brewers 2. St. Louis Cardinals 3. Cincinnati Reds 4. Houston Astros 5. Chicago Cubs 6. Pittsburgh Pirates

playing that well where? During his stint when Cesar has his DL time, of course! I'm interested in seeing whether Cesar's ABs increase as they draw toward Opening Day. So far he has fewer than DeRosa, who had the flu for a week. Cesar is still edging out Cliff Floyd, though. spring training at-bats

Hendry took the action at 3/$21M.

Nah, it should be something the loser wouldn't enjoy.

Anything to make of Hill being listed as a SS?

The name of the guy who runs BCB is Al -- he's not any of the posters in this thread. I can't speak for him (I've never met him), but he actually wrote that Sean threw well even though the box score shows 3 runs in 3 innings, and Al seems to like him judging from his posts in the comments section. At any rate, you can email Al through the BCB site if you want to discuss it further with him.

you and your fancy subliminal techniques!

AWESOME!! Thanks!

more roster transactions, none surprising: Chicago Cubs Optioned C Geovany Soto to Triple-A Iowa and reassigned LHP Ryan O'Malley, LHP Carmen Pignatiello, C Jake Fox, 1B Micah Hoffpauir, and 3B Casey McGehee to Minor League camp.

Lilly has never pitched 200 innings (came close in '04). Miller has once ... in 2001. Whether Marquis can be effective for anywhere close to 200 innings is still a question. Although I hope they end up in a 4-way tie for the Cy with Z, I'd bet on someone else getting a chance or three this season.

Thanks for the update (especially in regards to the shoulder -- the remark drew a lot of 'huhs?" in the game thread)!

The pitch breakdown from the Milwaukee broadcast yesterday is below. I had originally missed the first inning, but the breakdown supports my initial impression that he wasn't throwing his curve as much as he has during the season and was relying mainly on fastball - change combinations. The good news being that his change looks good ... I'm not going to consider his not throwing the curve as much bad news yet, since it's still early. He gets a lot of Ks on that curve. It is worth noting that he didn't get any pure swings-and-misses yesterday -- the strikes were called or fouled. There was only one OF putout recorded. According to the broadcast speeds, his fastball didn't dip below 90 until the 4th inning when he clearly seemed to be running out of gas. I was out of town and missed his first tv game, so I don't know how the pitch selection compares. Three of his four ST appearances have been vs the Brewers. For the "benefit" of those who didn't see the broadcast: The Brewers are leading the cactus league in batting average and runs scored!!! The broadcasters were *very* impressed with this. [-- - no mph shown (sometimes pitch not shown)] Inning 1 RH Weeks 93 - k called 93 - b 91 - 6-3 RH Hardy 93 - k called 80 - k called 94 - popup behind plate bounced off Soto's mitt, no error charged 74 curve - b 71 curve in dirt - b 94 - F-8 LH Fielder -- change - b 79 change - k called 76 curve - k called -- fastball - fouled back 78 change - b 94 - 4-3 Inning 2 RH Hall 91 - b 92 - k fouled back 90 - 4-3 SH Estrada -- change - foul 77 change/no break curve? - b -- fastball - foul -- fastball - 3 gb unassisted LH Jenkins 79 change - F - 6 Inning 3 RH Mench 93 - k called 91 - k called 74 curve - gb single CF RH Graffanino 80 - k called 81 - high chopper 1-3, runner to 2B LH Jackson (P) 92 - double off LF wall, rbi RH Weeks 81 - foul 80 - b 92 - b 79 - b 78 - b BB, runners 1st & 2nd RH Hardy 91 - fouled back 73 curve - b 92 - 5-3 DP Inning 4 LH Fielder -- curve in dirt - b 80 change - b 88 - b 88 - b BB RH Hall 91 - k called MLB.tv feed dies, no more pitch info Hall ends up hitting 2-R HR Rapada replaces Gallagher 42 pitches (broadcast pitches) 26 strikes 16 balls 22 fastball 14 change 6 curve

FANTASY TEAM & I'd like to include MLB2K ... and during the season, I really don't need to hear how every single K and groundout affects your team.

You quoted him on that!

He'd crash their system! I've sent in a few votes, Vance.

Joe Nathan

The Predictions Contest will be up later this week. We probably won't have the prizes up until after the season starts.

2 BB 0 SO And 7GOs - 2FOs. :)

I thought it was a good outing for him (I missed his first inning). His fastball was consistently in the low-nineties (92-93) and had good movement. He threw mainly fastball-changeup and worked quickly. I didn't see him snap off his curve (did anyone else?). He set down the first 6 hitters in order. He gave up a run in the 3rd off a single and double. He came out for the 4th, but BB'd Fielder on 4 pitches, then coughed up a HR to Bill Hall before getting pulled. It was the second time through the lineup and he may have been getting gassed at that point. They had Rapada warming up when he started the inning. He faced mainly Brewers regulars and the announcers said it was the 3rd time he'd pitched against Milwaukee in ST (the other time was vs the Angels, I think). The announcers also said he was 'nursing a sore shoulder' (implying more than normal soreness) but I don't know if that's accurate. It's nice to see Marshall pitching again.

The Brewers announcers said in passing that he was nursing a sore shoulder. It's the first I've heard of that, if true. I was a little surprised to see him start the 4th.

Yovani Gallardo gave up 5 runs in the first inning, including Jones' 3-R HR.

Whatd he do now? He killed 3 Brewers with his bare hands. The announcers still like the Brewers' chances, though.