CubColtPacer

CubColtPacer, you got some 'splainin to do. right-handed pitcher. From what has been said, normally Soriano and Pie would be in there and Jones would get the start and not Floyd. Today, they get a chance to both be together. When Jones/Murton/Floyd share one OF spot, it will likely be Jones against right-handers and Murton against left-handers, with the only chance for Floyd to start is days like this where Soriano or Pie sit. That's what I was saying before-and btw, I'm not in complete agreement with it-I want Floyd to get some starts, but I want Murton to play more than he has. When are you going to run out of excuses for this? It's always going to be something, just like with Dusty. It's not an excuse-it is what's happening. I don't like it-I think Floyd is playing too much. That's the reason though he's playing-it's a right-handed pitcher, and against a right-hander it's Jones who gets to start first, then Floyd, then Murton. I'm simply saying that Floyd's not usually going to get to start anymore because Jones is blocking him against RHP, while Murton is the one who gets to play against LHP.

CubColtPacer, you got some 'splainin to do. right-handed pitcher. From what has been said, normally Soriano and Pie would be in there and Jones would get the start and not Floyd. Today, they get a chance to both be together. When Jones/Murton/Floyd share one OF spot, it will likely be Jones against right-handers and Murton against left-handers, with the only chance for Floyd to start is days like this where Soriano or Pie sit. That's what I was saying before-and btw, I'm not in complete agreement with it-I want Floyd to get some starts, but I want Murton to play more than he has.

Dang you....I saw this and thought it was the actual line-up. For about 3 seconds I thought Lou finally did something good. hey....if the post above is true and Theriot is playing at SS I think we're moving in the right direction... How did this take a life of its own? The above lineup is NOT the official lineup. Is it? No, it's a guess. Soriano is not starting today. Theriot is leading off and playing SS. Piniella hinted today that Theriot may play SS more often... He also said in the pregame that outside of today, Theriot will be second in the lineup from now on (when he plays that is). LOL-you added that little edit right before I got in asking what position Theriot would be playing batting second all these days. I already assumed he'd bat 2nd whenever him and Soriano played together anyway. It's nice to hear that he is considering Theriot at SS more often-even 30 or 40 games there would help.

Dang you....I saw this and thought it was the actual line-up. For about 3 seconds I thought Lou finally did something good. hey....if the post above is true and Theriot is playing at SS I think we're moving in the right direction... How did this take a life of its own? The above lineup is NOT the official lineup. Is it? Theriot at SS and leading off was reported to have been heard on the radio a little while ago. The rest of the lineup is not known. I wouldn't take this as a permanent thing yet (today it's just because Soriano is likely not playing), but if they are willing to try Theriot there they may be willing to play him there more often.

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think). But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there. I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there. If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum. He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded. Floyd has started 50% of the games since Soriano has been back. Murton has started 0%. Its only 2 games, but I don't understand where your argument is coming from. Lou announced yesterday that in most games for a while, he has come to a set lineup. It includes Jones but not Floyd. Considering that Murton will still start against LH, that makes the only chance for a Floyd start something like possibly today when Soriano is likely sitting. Does it not include Theriot either? No, it doesn't include Theriot-but my guess is that Theriot will find a way to get a few starts anyway for resting people (like today) and of course Theriot will get plenty of playing time off of the bench even if he isn't starting.

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think). But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there. I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there. If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum. He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded. Floyd has started 50% of the games since Soriano has been back. Murton has started 0%. Its only 2 games, but I don't understand where your argument is coming from. Lou announced yesterday that in most games for a while, he has come to a set lineup. It includes Jones but not Floyd. Considering that Murton will still start against LH, that makes the only chance for a Floyd start something like possibly today when Soriano is likely sitting.

There you go everybody. Even if Lou does not plan this as a regular move, this was a great day to try it. Day game after a night game, and one pitcher that is one of the worst in the league for Izturis to hit. So you sit him and try Theriot and see how he does there. Before last night's lineups were announced when everyone was clamoring for Theriot I was already thinking that with Izturis's numbers against Sheets that this would be the day to do it.

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think). But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there. I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there. If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum. He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded.

Nah, but it is quite interesting to see how many teams who make the playoffs get off to bad starts. I actually felt better as well when looking at all those teams who had losing records in April-it's not an aberration, but a regular occurrence for that to happen to at least 2-3 teams.

Lou said that yesterday's lineup would be the one he would stick with for a few days-I think you'll be disappointed.

This is slightly OT, but I thought I'd post it here-it does have a fact about the Bears that I found interesting. This is an article about the Ravens drafts-I'll give you a few tidbits: Hmm-let's see. Chicago, Indy, NE, and Baltimore are typically 4 of the best drafting teams. Washington doesn't need a scouting service if they are going to trade all their picks anyway, and Oakland has the Al Davis factor that messes things up. It certainly tells you that these scouting services the other teams pay is really out of laziness more than anything else if the best drafting teams don't use them. You have Ray Lewis Baltimore. We already knew that fact must be true :D http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/24/AR2007042402416_2.html

Hendry said previously that Guzman being recalled for the May 1 start was contingent on pitching well in his next MiL start. So, now we know it will be Guzman against PIT. Good to hear. They should give him the courtesy of giving him at least 3 starts like they did Miller, and he probably then has a better than average chance of staying if they do that.

There is no way in hell that is going to happen. Why is that? They are 19th out of 30 in the majors, and 10th out of 16 in the NL. Are you saying they can't rise 4 spots in the majors and 2 spots in the NL? Like I said, if you look at the OBP the only one going to come down significantly is Lee. There are 5-6 players that should go up a decent amount, some significantly. So their OBP should rise as the season goes along.

He doesn't have to now-Floyd is not in the standard lineup either. Right. Now he can just say Murton hasn't produced either, even though a) he hasn't really had a chance; and b) he's still just as good as Jones. Meanwhile the Cubs sink further into oblivion and nobody addresses the obvious problem...they can't get on base. I think the on-base problem won't be as big as people are projecting it to be. They are not in the bottom 10 of the majors this year, so that already is a significant improvement from last year. Then, when you look at the statistics, the only regular that is really too high on their OBP is Lee. The people who are lower OBP wise to what they were projected to do includes Soriano, Floyd, Izturis, Murton, Cedeno, Pie, and Blanco. If they return to what they are supposed to do, then this team should be in the top half of the league in OBP.

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think). But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there. I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

He doesn't have to now-Floyd is not in the standard lineup either.

Good. Unless the Cubs can not pay him ace money, I don't want him. It's very strange, but I find myself more excited about the potential to trade Zambrano for some high-end prospects than anything else about the Cubs' season. The sad part about that is that they probably wont even attempt to trade him and he will walk at the end of the year with us having gotten nothing for him. :( Is a possible scenario that we trade Big Z by the deadline for 2 high prospects (either pitcher or fielder). Big Z doesn't like the team he gets traded to, realizes that he'd like a reprieve w/ the Cubs and we re-sign him. Can this happen? Has it happended before? ponson did it a few years back. can't think of anyone on z's level that has done it, though. Why would anyone trade for Z when they can get him for nothing after the season? He's surely not going to be signed by the Cubs with the sale pending. I find it highly likely that we get zilch for Z. Unless that said team is trying to make the playoffs and would need a pitcher like Z. Happens every year... Then it would have to be for prospects. No team is giving us someone like ARod or Cabrera at the deadline if they're trying to make the playoffs. Oh I agree. But you have to get something for Z. He's not going to re-sign if he goes FA next offseason. With the sale of the team going on signing FA's isn't going to happen.. By that point, signing FA's will be back on I'm sure. The only question is if Z will give us anywhere close to the same deal.

I think you're over-estimating Murton's trade value. There simply aren't all that many teams that can afford his lack of power at a corner OF spot, and especially if he is going to play LF. I'm not sure of too many teams who would give up a decent return for him at all. Now, the sad thing is that Murton definitely does have quite a bit of value to a team, and the way the Cubs are constructed with power at scarce spots they don't really need a huge power bat in LF. So Murton with his high OBP would have quite a bit of value to a team like the Cubs (and any team built like them) but apparently not right now with this team.

Well, when I thought Murton would get at-bats, I didn't expect this Soriano moving to LF so quickly and Pie staying up with Jones here as well. That is really, really bad for Murton's PT-and with Lou settled on a consistent lineup for now that doesn't include Murton confirms that. My guess is that Murton will still get the starts against left-handers, and it looks like Floyd has almost been completely shut out from starting right now. Until either Pie goes down or Jones is traded, that unfortunately for both of those players is likely to continue.

I actually read a newspaper account that says the Colts are seriously considering shocking the world by picking this player at 32. While I'm not sure I believe that, at this juncture he is great value for the club. With that in mind, the Colts select LB-Justin Durant, Hampton The Colts have been quite willing to go down to small schools to find talent. They have several starters that are from non-Division 1 schools, including defensive starters Robert Mathis and Antoine Bethea. Durant is quick, hard-hitting, and is very smart on the field. That fits in quite well with what the Colts like to have in their LB core.

There is little chance that Hill gets pitcher of the month now. Tim Hudson is 3-0 in 4 GS with an 0.62 ERA Brad Penny is 3-0 in 4 GS with a 1.37 ERA Those two are probably the favorites right now-Hill, Cain, John Maine, Jason Marquis, Kyle Lohse, and Tim Gorzellany have outside shots if those 2 struggle.

What's their record when Theriot starts? From a quick count...3-6.

I think all of us would agree with that. I completely disagree-a disgrace? Let's review what they have done this season. DeRosa has hit for a lot more power (176 points worth of slugging after tonight). He has walked quite a bit more (6 BB's in 62 AB's vs. Theriot's 2 in 51). He also is a superior defender IMO, but we can throw that one out if you disagree with that. Theriot has one advantage and one advantage only-OBP. 35 points of it to be exact after tonight's game-with an OBP that is highly dependent on a very high BA. So far, I don't see how Theriot deserves to start over DeRosa-in fact DeRosa has taken a step towards proving that he deserves the job.

Hill's not the one who really needs more run support (if that's what you're talking about-he's got plenty in all his starts before this one. Now Lilly tomorrow-the team has scored 1 run combined in his last 2 starts.

You using Firefox? Yeah. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722 You wont be able to click on the smilies on the left when replying anymore, but you wont see those darn adds either. I don't have noscript-I only have the adblock extension, but I don't see any adds and I can still click on the smilies.