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JACQUE!

come on Jacque

UGH

I think this is the case

are we behind him?... i dont think so.. Until the Cubs hit two homers yesterday, they were behind ARod (12). The Cubs now have 13 HR as a team.

If Lou's playing the hot hand, shouldn't Murton be in there instead of Floyd? He did go 2-4 yesterday. Not if he likes the match up of Floyd vs Wainwright more... I see your point but I think Lou wants his most powerful lineup today. It's already 75 degrees here and should be over 80 degrees by game time. It looks like Lou wants the extra power in the line up to take advantage of, what could be, a very offense-friendly day. Edit: I'm also guessing because Lou likes to play Floyd and Jones in the same lineup but it could be Murton in RF (I just don't think that's the lineup I heard--it went by quickly).

Theriot 2B Floyd LF Lee 1B Ramirez 3B Barrett C Jones RF Cedeno SS Pie CF Miller P I think this is what I heard on the radio but I'm guessing on Jones and Cedeno based on yesterday's performances (Lou playing the hot hand) and Floyd being in the lineup.

What's up with this guy? ESPN.com

I don't see it that way at all. While it's true that a pitcher can't control what happens to a pitch once it's put into play, that doesn't mean that he's lucky if the defense makes the play behind him. It can mean that he's executing his gameplan perfectly. ML defenders are going to make the plays the majority of the time. Luck is tricky and hard to define. What about the pitcher who misses his location and gets the batter to strike out swinging? That's much more luck than allowing your teammates to make routine defensive plays. ---- Marquis didn't walk anyone today.

There is a difference though. The guy that does it with the K is going to be able to do it far more consistently. If Z is frequently getting out of 2 on or bases loaded jams by relying on great defense, then yes, he would be conisidered lucky. When Z is on, he's usually not in those kinds of jams though, so that doesn't really matter. I'm happy with the way Marquis is pitching, but he has zero chance of doing what he did today consistently, especially when he faces an offense better than the one the Cardinals boast. Z's increasing walk totals have landed him in quite a few jams (and many times his defense has helped him to escape unscathed). Is that luck or making the right pitch at the right time? Anyway, I'm not suggesting that Marquis will go all season with a sub 2.00 ERA but I do think that an improved defense (with Pie in center and a decent infield group) behind him can be the difference between respectability and disaster.

Perspective is everthing, no? Absolutely! :D

Tribune

Tribune

That's not true at all. A pitcher could theoretically allow 27 hits over 9 innings and pick up a shut out. That would be insanely lucky. Okay, I would still rather him not get into the situations that require him to have to make a big pitch. It's not. Who was suggesting otherwise? I don't know what you're getting at here. Good defense is a part of the game, sure. But if you rely on it all afternoon, it means you might be having a lucky day. Reversing the situation, I'm sure you would think a guy like Looper would be lucky had he have pitched the game he did today. You would liekly be complaining that we left runners on all day, etc. Marquis pitches to contact, and he isn't a big strikeout pitcher, so he will always rely heavily on his defense. There is nothing wrong with a pitcher leaning on his defense in every start. The Cardinals traditionally play outstanding defense that helps their pitchers win. IMO, it isn't luck for the winner as much as it's lack of execution for the loser. The point I was making about the comparison to Zambrano is, no one says Z is lucky when he gets out of similar jams. If a sinker ball pitcher is able to get a ground ball for an inning ending double play, he's no more lucky than someone who can strikeout the side with the bases loaded. The only difference is that the defense plays a larger role in helping the groundball pitcher.

FYI, it looks like Pie will have a reprieve when Soriano returns on Monday (instead of quickly being sent back to AAA). Apparently, his defense today really impressed Lou. Sullivan / Tribune

This is interesting: Sullivan / Tribune I love it!

So if they lose, it's all your fault. Wainwright is on my fantasy team and I'm definitely starting him tomorrow, hopefully we can get to the Cards after he exits. Sorry, but I'm rooting against him all the way. I have a Rich Hill vs Wainwright bet riding on these starts. He didn't look too good against the Pirates in his last start too.

Well with Guzman's bad outing tonight, Miller is probably staying in the rotation for at least the next couple of weeks. So he better be on his 'A-game,' whatever that might be. Maybe it was just a let down for Guz. He looked better against Major League hitter.

Oh it was discussed! :evil:

No, he isn't right, you don't luck up on a shut out. Marquis pitched well; it's the first time this season that he didn't walk anyone, and he was able to make big pitches when it counted. How is that different from Z pitching out of one of his self induced jams? Pujols can't even make the argument about Pie running down balls in the outfield that might have plated runs (especially when you consider the acrobatic catches that were made against the Cubs yesterday). Good defense is a part of the game... Pujols should just shut up.

I'm torn because I want the Cubs to win but I also want Miller to continue to suck so that he can quickly be replaced. Maybe the Cubs can win this one in dramatic fashion? :D

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270421116&prov=ap What a gracious loser. :roll:

Unless something is already in the works, with respect to a trade of Jones, I can see him getting quite a few starts as the Cubs continue to showcase his skills. I think he will be traded sooner rather than later and when it happens, RF will be a spot for Murton and Floyd.

Jones will be shipped off in the next couple months. Floyd and Murton will play in right, and Pie will be in center. Agreed

I just realized that Marquis didn't walk anyone while striking out 5. This is his best start of the season by far.