forbez18

I can see the Cubs winning the next 2 games at home. I know that in the past they havn't been all that impressive at home, but the last couple of weeks they have looked good at home.

Game 5 against Webb... You would have to throw every guy an inning. Go ahead and let Lilly go out and try and get 2-3 innings, and know that your going to use the rest of your bullpen to finish the game.

Things are working out pretty good for me (besides that I have a ticket to the first home game, and I wont be able to make it) I have surgury on Friday and will be out of it most of the time. It is lucky that Friday would be the off day for them.

I will take Soriano's Numbers from all of last year any year. He is streaky and that is the way he is. Take it or leave it, but his comment is just a reaction to his productivity.

I sent my message off. I will be able to get the U, but if it is possible to get other Cub fans the chance to watch them the last week of the season, when things actually count, then I believe it is worht a chance.

The Cubs do have a nice finish however. I would much rather have the Cubs playing their schedule then either the Brewers or Cards.

Okay so I think it is fair to say that it was a leap to say that with Hill catching that the Cubs will win. However, I do not think it is that unrealistic to say that a pitcher can feel comfortable with a catcher. With Zambrano for him to be the Ace of the team, he needs to feel comfortable and be relaxed as he pitches. I know Kendall has been pretty good at the plate, and I do not mind him being the catcher most days. However, as a catcher (and at his age) he needs to take days off. Hill catches Zambrano pretty good, and has had success doing so. At this point in the season I would much rather have Hill catching when Zambrano pitches because I believe it gives them the best chance to win. I think a good hitting catcher is valued a little more then a good defensive catcher. However, Kendall is not a good hitting catcher he is an average hitting catcher with no power, and his defense has weakened as he has gotten older. Replacing him with Hill when Z pitches gives the pitcher who is the most important player on the field the best chances of having a good game, and gives the Cubs the best chances of winning the game.

So you would rather take an okay hitting catcher then the team winning the game?

I will still take Hill's winning percentage any day.

I am a big believer that a catcher is a big part of a game, and I know that will be protested by many. I just think if a pitcher can get a few extra strikes or feels comfortable then they get their confidence up and the entire game changes.

So one bad game, and you change what has worked?

Why is Hill no longer catching Zambrano? I thought they had a good thing going and Hill was able to control the Big Z pretty good. I know that Kendall has been hitting pretty good, but he is hitting like Barrett was. I have seen several pitches where Kendall has caught the ball wrong or just looked confused. I would much rather have a good pitcher outing then the catcher getting two hits. Has anyone heard anything?

It is always sad to hear news like this. I hope the best for Floyd and he should be able to take a few days off, and spend time with his family.

I can't see why they wouldn't let Murton go over and play right field again. With Soriano out for probrally about a month, we need someone that can get on base. Put Theriot at the top of the order and have Murton bat second behind him and the top of the order will still be fine.

I just hope that it is just a cramp but the way he pulled up it does scare me that it is much more serious. If it is a cramp what is going on in the clubhouse? Z cramps twice and then Soriano, is there something that is not being taken care of in the club house that should be?

Is the strike zone that bad today? I have heard a lot of complaints, and if so maybe it would be a nice day to put Wood in with a nice big zone.

Long day today.

Piniella thought about bringing Wood back tomorrow, but will wait till Friday like originally believed.

Lou, just said that they might go to 13 pitchers...wow the bench is going to be weak if that happens..I guess Pagan? would go down?

Go Cubs Go..Go Cubs Go..What do you say the Cubs are in FIRST TODAY!!

I dont see the need for a reliever with Guzman, Dempster, and possibly Wood all set to return pretty soon. I predict the Cubs pick up a bench player who can play centerfield, but I dont think it will be Lofton. I would predict more of a Glanville pick up from a few years back. They arn't going to pick up a starter unless it is at catcher or center, but I believe they think they have the pieces.

How can you say that a catcher is not a big determinate on how a pitcher will performe. Yes, you can say that a pitcher has the final decision on what type of pitch to throw every time. However, a pitcher must trust their catcher to work fast if they choose, and must know how to set up a batter. The catcher is also the captain on the field. A good catcher comands the attention of every other fielder to rely on getting set up to make the plays. A pitcher must know that they can throw the ball in the dirt and the ball will be blocked, and that they dont have to rush everything if someone is on base because their catcher will throw them out if they try and steal. A catcher can also help get strikes that otherwise would be balls, by good frame work with the glove. The ability to make the routine plays (bunts, backing up, blocking, and recieving) are only the begining. If you talk to any catcher you also know that they are an extended pitching coach. They have to know their pitchers and be able to relax them and let them pitch, if they see something wrong they can run out and mention it. There are a million things a catcher can do to help influence a game.

Why? How did Dempster hurt the team when he was healthy?

What is Murton doing in the minors? Is he playing left or is he playing right? I know that they are two compleytely different positions but if he is getting a lot of time in left right now I could see him becoming an adequate defensive right fielder with no arm. How is he hitting with consistent playing time too?

Rich Hill has a great curve and a solid fast ball. He is able to get it by major league hitters if it is thrown properly. Ofcourse a 3rd pitch would be great if it is good, but a 3rd pitch can also be a bad idea if he goes out there and does not execute it well. There are two things that I have noticed about Hill that I just can't explain and I was wondering if anyone could help me. First, when he pitches he pitches from the extreme right side of the mound. I see this hurting his pitches. His curve ball then has to swoop in and can not cut in like Zito. It is also almost impossible to throw a good curve down and in to a righty or inside at all to a lefty. If he was to stand on the opposite side of the mound I could see the curve being much more effective. So why does he stand on what would seem to be the wrong side of the mound? Second, it has seemed that he has stopped throwing the high inside fastball. With the curve he has, he has to be able to set up the pitch much better. If batters are leaning over waiting for the curve and still able to drive a low fast ball he has to throw a pitch to move back the batter and most likely swing and miss. The pitch selection with Hill seems to be way to predictable. He throws his pitches in the same location and on the counts you think he is going to throw them. I would like to see a lot more hard cuves almost bouncing on the plate, and a lot more fast balls right under their arms both inside and outside.