C.C.

If Z tanks his next couple of starts I'd hate to hear the boo's once he get back to Wrigley.

I haven't created a game thread all year. Hopefully I bring a little luck to this sinking ship... http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/baseball/mlb/img8604748.jpg Bring the fire Z! 14-12 4.35ERA Vs. http://bugsandcranks.com/wp-content/images/pirates/snell.jpg Ian smelly Snell 9-11 4.01ERA

It was a bad start. He really had nothing... Carp, I hope we get a good one out of Z tomorrow. It's beyond "hope". Z HAS to be good tomorrow. We need a Ace performence. I'm trying not to write these guys off, but they're not doing a very good job talking me off the ledge. This was the Pirates. I'm not shocked. Gorgonzola owns us...Losing tomorrow will shock me.

It was a bad start. He really had nothing... Carp, I hope we get a good one out of Z tomorrow. It's beyond "hope". Z HAS to be good tomorrow. We need a Ace performence.

It was a bad start. He really had nothing...

We need Zambrano to come up big tomorrow night.

Terrible, terrible outing for Hill... The only pitchers I trust lately is Marquis and Lilly. Seriously.

At least we are still in first place... I'm trying to find positives...I really am.

At least it's a quick game.

Because we are in first place and their is only 23 games left after today. If you made it this far you might as well stay for the end.

PC for Gorgonzola @ 80.

So is Hill still depressed over the michigan loss?

This game is over. Waste of time. Bunch of scrubs!

PLAYOFFS?! You're talking playoffs?!? I was waiting for someone to say that. I was actually thinking that as I was typing.

I like it.

I'm just happy we are talking playoffs and it's Sept 7!

Agree. The logical thing would be to get rid of Dempster next year, bring in a reliable set up guy and make Marmol and his 1.45 ERA and high strike out ratio the closer. I don't see a lot of logic in taking Marmol out of the more important 7th/8th inning role. Agreed. You'd be hard press to find anyone that is as effective to replace him. Yep. It would be better to acquire a pitcher with experience as a good closer, such as Fuentes or Cordero and keep Marmol in the 7th/8th inning. I'm fine with Dempster until he proves other wise.

Agree. The logical thing would be to get rid of Dempster next year, bring in a reliable set up guy and make Marmol and his 1.45 ERA and high strike out ratio the closer. I don't see a lot of logic in taking Marmol out of the more important 7th/8th inning role. Agreed. You'd be hard press to find anyone that is as effective to replace him.

We'll still be in first place after tonight game! BOOK IT! Sori and Ram are going yard...Hill gets to the 7th. We lose this game 4-3

They are all going to be big now.

Just win...

Papelbon - 1.61 ERA, 75 K/15 walks, .77 WHIP Dempster - 3.88 ERA, 48K/27 walks, 1.28 WHIP. But hey, at least his performance in situations arbitrarily defined by a meaningless statistic is only marginally worse than Papelbons! (Also, let's not mention the two tie games he entered and singlehandedly let get out of reach) I can't believe how comfortable people are with Ryan closing out games. I'm not arguing his numbers. I don't feel he is the best closer on the team, and when he's off, he is REALLY off, and allows more then just 1 run.. He allows the game to get into an unmanageable lead. Is that his fault? Yes. You're closer should in no way allow 5 hits, and 4 runs in one inning. but it happens. even to great ones. the best hitter on your baseball team shouldn't go 0-4, but that happens too. everyone has a bad game. this game is not on Dempster. this game is on Piniella. first of all, why do you start Ward? has Ward EVER been a starting caliber outfielder? for ANY MLB team? you take A-Ram out of the lineup, and replace him with a career pinch-hitter. then your boy gets picked off in what could have been a monstrous 1st inning... nice outing by Marquis, btw. you get to the ninth, and steadfastly go with the gas can. does anyone here actually have a modicum of faith when Dempster enters the game? that sito today screamed out for Marmol. even after 2 hitters, Marmol should have been summoned. why was Soto not activated in time for the play-off roster? who the hell is Josh Fuld, and why is he playing instead of Murton or Pie? why is this organization so bad at talent evaluation? Look at his numbers... pathetic... AVG .337 | HR 2 | RBI 15 | OBP .439 | SLG .516 Pathetic?

You know, he's not in control of that. There is a manager around. If taking a day off today means he'll play the rest of the way, I'll take it. A manager? Really, what's that? Don't talk to me like I'm an idiot. Come on, if Ramirez wanted to play badly enough today, he would've been in the lineup and you know it. Ummm...No. Ramirez has stated that he wants to play every day. This is lou's call.

Papelbon - 1.61 ERA, 75 K/15 walks, .77 WHIP Dempster - 3.88 ERA, 48K/27 walks, 1.28 WHIP. But hey, at least his performance in situations arbitrarily defined by a meaningless statistic is only marginally worse than Papelbons! (Also, let's not mention the two tie games he entered and singlehandedly let get out of reach) I can't believe how comfortable people are with Ryan closing out games. I'm not arguing his numbers. I don't feel he is the best closer on the team, and when he's off, he is REALLY off, and allows more then just 1 run.. He allows the game to get into an unmanageable lead. Is that his fault? Yes. You're closer should in no way allow 5 hits, and 4 runs in one inning. but it happens. even to great ones. the best hitter on your baseball team shouldn't go 0-4, but that happens too. everyone has a bad game. this game is not on Dempster. this game is on Piniella. first of all, why do you start Ward? has Ward EVER been a starting caliber outfielder? for ANY MLB team? you take A-Ram out of the lineup, and replace him with a career pinch-hitter. then your boy gets picked off in what could have been a monstrous 1st inning... nice outing by Marquis, btw. you get to the ninth, and steadfastly go with the gas can. does anyone here actually have a modicum of faith when Dempster enters the game? that sito today screamed out for Marmol. even after 2 hitters, Marmol should have been summoned. why was Soto not activated in time for the play-off roster? who the hell is Josh Fuld, and why is he playing instead of Murton or Pie? why is this organization so bad at talent evaluation? Look at his numbers...

Maybe, but if they do fade, the offense will be the culprit. Hell, it's the reason that the Cubs aren't running away with the division. I don't see them fading. I mean can the offense get any worse and we are still in first place!? We are due for another hot streak and hopefully Fonzie will stay hot.