The Voice of Reason

Agree. USC should just play LSU now for the national championship

From Vance's mouth to Lou's ears.

Ater getting shelled tonight, Dempster's ERA has now risen to 4.22. I know, I know, it wasn't a save situation - at least is wasn't until Dempster made it one. No matter the situation, good relievers don't get shelled like that.

Schedule a C section for the Cubs off day.

HUNDRED? And holy crap, I can't believe how much this team has fallen apart! Now we gotta sweep this weekend! Ever heard that old saying, "Cheaters never prosper?" The clock has struck midnight and the Ankiel fairytale/nightmare is over.

The Natural's bogus story and the Cardinals defense of him continues to unravel. http://www.stltoday.com/sports

Even though you guys look to draw Peavy, Maddux and Young that series? No thanks. The Pirates are pesky, but I'd rather play them than the Padres regardless of venue. You can talk about deceptive matchups, but the fact is that neither the Brewers or Cubs are that strong. All Cubs fans should be cheering for the Phillies, Rockies, Dodgers and Braves so that the wild card stays close as long as possible. A bad sceanario for the Cubs would be if the Padres clinched prior to their season-ending series with the Brewers and rested their starters.

real closers don't let balls hit the base. Real closers don't have ERAs around 4 and 15 losses in less than two years.

Why not? Dempster (and his 4.00 ERA ) was warming up.

That's is what you call a lucky save. Please no more Dempster.

Did the Cubs lend the Brewers Eyre, Wurtz and Dempster for today's game?

Some nice perspective from Verducci on PEDS. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_verducci/09/11/long.postseason/index.html

Yes the Cubs have many more problems than Dempser but any aggresssion toward posters who have simply pointed out that Dempster was horrible last year and mediocre (at best) this year is misguided and should be redirected at Hendry for giving Dempster ($5.3 million per) and Eyre big contracts after career years. Just because the game shouldn't have made it to extras doesn't mean Dempster with his 2 - 6 record and 3.88 ERA should be given a free pass. Demp was fantastic the 1st half this year, and there is no denying it. So far this year hes appeared in 57 games and allowed a run in 11. Hes had a rough August and Sept but before that he was pitching as good or better than any closer in baseball. So in the last two years, he's been bad 3/4 of the time and (even if you throw in his career year of 2005) he been bad half the time over the last three years. I expect better for $5.3 million a year. Over the last two years, he's lost 15 games and has an ERA around 4.40 - He's definitely trending downward. IMHO, Dempster is simpy reverting to the mean and 2005 was a fluke. You could be right. I just look up at the scoreboard every night and see the Cubs struggling to hold on to 1 run leads while our rivals cruise with 4, 5 run leads. It pisses me off. Pull away from someone for a damn change. And not just one weird 12-run game, either. Start blasting the damn baseball consistently. What do you mean "could be"? :lol:

Yes the Cubs have many more problems than Dempser but any aggresssion toward posters who have simply pointed out that Dempster was horrible last year and mediocre (at best) this year is misguided and should be redirected at Hendry for giving Dempster ($5.3 million per) and Eyre big contracts after career years. Just because the game shouldn't have made it to extras doesn't mean Dempster with his 2 - 6 record and 3.88 ERA should be given a free pass. Demp was fantastic the 1st half this year, and there is no denying it. So far this year hes appeared in 57 games and allowed a run in 11. Hes had a rough August and Sept but before that he was pitching as good or better than any closer in baseball. So in the last two years, he's been bad 3/4 of the time and (even if you throw in his career year of 2005) he been bad half the time over the last three years. I expect better for $5.3 million a year. Over the last two years, he's lost 15 games and has an ERA around 4.40 - He's definitely trending downward. IMHO, Dempster is simpy reverting to the mean and 2005 was a fluke.

Yes the Cubs have many more problems than Dempser but any aggresssion toward posters who have simply pointed out that Dempster was horrible last year and mediocre (at best) this year is misguided and should be redirected at Hendry for giving Dempster ($5.3 million per) and Eyre big contracts after career years. Just because the game shouldn't have made it to extras doesn't mean Dempster with his 2 - 6 record and 3.88 ERA should be given a free pass.

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.[/quote] That too. My suggestion was only if Dempster was moved. I still think he close out games effectively. I'm not and I don't. So much for all the five pitch gloating the inning before that was going on in the game thread. The guy has six losses, not a good Walk/K ratio and a ERA close to 4 for a reason - he's not very good.

i support bonds but condemn ankiel. is that ok? Suit yourself. Note previous post.

Any creative or clever Ankiel abuse? Please share with the class.

And he didn't have to exert any energy running to first.

Bright side for the Red birds - Ankiel only had to bat four times.

OK Wurtzy lets send the Dirtiest Bird (Ankiel) and his buddies back to Hooterville with scowls on their faces.

Sit down HGH boy!!!!

At least two.

HGH!!!

Somebody tell Len "time of possesion" doesn't matter in baseball.