Everyone is over-reacting. 120 pitches for Zambrano is not a big deal. 120 pitches for Wood is a big deal. This idea of a fixed pitch count ceiling for all pitchers without regard for the specific pitcher is silly. Were you watching the game last night? He had lost his mechanics in the 7th, and Dusty trotted him out for the 8th. That's what gets pitchers hurt.
That was actually a good situation for Ronny to run. Pierre types should bat near the bottom of the order, where small ball is actually beneficial every now and then.
Z gets the last out in the 8th but is too exhausted to point his finger to the sky. If I saw Dusty at a restaurant, I would punch him in the face and then tell Darren what a loser his father is.
Jesus Dusty, this is Prior Wood all over again. Except this year we aren't fighting for a playoff bid. No, just padding his record so he can have a higher winning percentage when negotiating his next contract.
Astros announcers just talking about the 16-inning Z vs Oswalt game in 2003. Of course, they said Houston won 1-0, which is incorrect. The Cubs won that game on a Sosa single, just a day or two before the corked bat incident.
Houston TV announcers say Barrett should be moved to another position because he's so bad defensively. Note to Houston guys: Barrett has already been 2 wins better than Brad Ausmus this year.
Len points out that the Cubs have played very well against the NL Central. MacPhail's plan of competing within the division is clearly working. Now Hendry just needs to fill some holes with players who play well against the NL West and East. Maybe we sign a core group of players who kill NL Central teams and fill the bench with guys who can hurt the Braves, Dodgers, etc.
My only guess is Dusty looks at numbers and doesn't recognize sample size. Barrett 1-7 against Kim coming into taday's game. Mabry 1-1 against Kim coming into today's game. Kim has been much more effective against righties than lefties this year. Dusty will rarely sit a player like Jones who struggles against lefties, but he will stack a lineup against an opposing pitcher with extreme splits.