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I wish his 1st name translated into English... Felix Foot just doesn't sound right. Hank White and Joe Table, now there's quality!

I understand where you're coming from. But, give La Russa credit -- he's one of the lone manager's that has pitched to Bonds over the past few seasons. His logic mirrors yours. He doesn't like the pitchers automatically conceding victory to Bonds. Well, hopefully we have some better luck tomorrow. Nice meeting you guys. Please remember anything that leaves a sour taste in your mouth should be taken lightly (IE: my username). It's all in fun! The Cubs/Cards rivalry is heated, but that doesn't mean the fans can't be classy. Let's not make this Red Sox/Yankees! I'll give a manager credit when he allows a pitcher to pitch in a situation when he usually wouldn't, but I'll be critical when he doesn't. I love Larry Dierker, but he was one of the 1st to pitch around Barry, I would've pitched to him.

Sabermetrics tell me what a player has done and better idea of what he might do. Simple strategy manuever as far as why to pitch to the #8 hitter, some psychological was well. Obviously, there will be a runner in scoring position. I'll use their number in the batting order to signal which ones they are. No outs... Runners on 1st (8) and 2nd (7) 9 hitter bunts the 8 and 7 hitters into scoring position, putting the 8 hitter into scoring position is more valuable than the out created by typically weak 9 hitter. This will still give the 1-2 hitters a very good chance to drive in at least 1 runner and possibly two. The 8 hitter is typically a below avg. hitter and the chances of him being retired without getting on base are much greater. 1 out... While you increase the chance of a DP, you'll likely see the sac. bunt, and with two outs and the leadoff is still a greater chance of creating a run than a runner on 2B with the 8 hitter up followed by the 9 hitter. 2 outs... You increase the chance of surviving the inning without a run, b/c there is a difference between a 8 and 9 hitter as far as production. But, that difference isn't worth having your 9 hitter leadoff an inning compared to the leadoff guy. Plus, I like my pitchers to go after every hitter. I don't like the concept of telling my pitcher that he might not get this guy out, complete confidence is letting pitchers succeed.

I missed it, *eyes light up*. :)

Micro-managing to some, successful managing to others. What's wrong with getting a regular some time off during a blowout? Who said pulling Eckstein was a part of reasoning? Pitching around the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher was my reasoning. I'll be more than happy to explain my thesis on why not to pitch around a #8 hitter.

with all due respect, that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. That's like Bears fans who say "I don't care how we do overall as long as we beat the Packers". So you'd be okay if the Cubs lost 90 games every year as long as they won at least 9 from St. Louis each season? Agreed, at this stage beating the Cards means as much as beating Mil and Hou. This is likely a random event moreso than any more effort exerted as far as why have played better today than the 8 game losing streak, I hope.

Yes, b/c pitching to the #8 hitter is throwing in the perverbial towel? There's a difference between conceeding victory and pitching around a #8 hitter who has been poor all year to get to the pitcher. That's a poor move to begin with, not even factoring the score of the game. The score of the game only compounds the move, IMO.

I love it when managers cont. to micromanage despite the score of the game.

He was awesome in the first half of 2004 and all of 2003.. what happened? I wouldn't go that far. He is 13-5 with a 2.4ish ERA in his last six starts (obviously before today). Wow, 18 decisions in 6 starts is impressive. I might value wins more if you can have 13 of them in a short amount of time.

I can't think of a ML pitcher I can compare his stuff too. Great control, solid velocity, solid curve and change, not overly deceptive.

that makes #44 in 427 AB's wow thats really good He's the best hitter in the game for a reason.

I'm not watching the game, but what is their body language like? Is it any different than it has been for the last week and a half? I'd hate for a team with this record to be able to think they can turn it on and off depending on the quality of the oppostion.

To answer my own question, prior to today's game, Mulder has a 6.93 ERA in Day games, 2.14 in Night games. But, for his career it is around 4.15 in the day and 3.75 at night. Obviously, before this year it was closer than that.

Not enough to base anything on it.

Unfort. AZ will try and squeeze everything they can out of Tony Clark at 1B.

I don't like Weaver, despite the drop in BBs, he has been too prone to leaving that curve over the heart of the plate and his FB isn't good enough to compensate when his offspeed/breaking pitches aren't working. He's probably a 4/5 starter on a solid staff, he'll be paid as a 2/3 starter most likely. Washburn reminds me of Rusch, I don't see much of a dropoff in talent or production from Rusch, like Raw said, it is smoke and mirrors. I do like Penny, I think he can become a steal b/c of his injuries, he can become a real good #3 starter/great #4 on the Cubs next year. But, if he would become a steal b/c of injuries, he'll have to stay healthy, he hasn't proven that yet.

I would hope that is in the past as is Zambrano's hitting Edmonds 2 times. It has been a long time since the Cubs and Cardinals had a heated moment and I hope it stays that way. Zambrano deserved what he got as far as the ejection, but he had no reason to throw at Edmonds, but if I was a Cards fan I'd want one of my pitchers to throw at Z. The Cubs deserve their fair of the blame as well in the past, right now, Morris does. I never understood why a pitcher would throw at a hitter that wasn't a pitcher, despite being guilty of it myself. I hope the Cubs do something to bring back some life, it if takes putting a couple of Cards on the ground, so be it. If the standings don't motivate the Cubs, they have to find a way to do it.

At least the drive from NW Indiana will be easier for him. If the Sox don't win the WS, I assume he'll follow the Gary Railcats of the Northern League.

I suppose you don't think Zambrano or Wood had anything to do with any of those purpose pitches either. The Cubs aren't free of blame from all of that. Why can't we just hope for a good, clean series? No, not when a players runs his mouth like that, this is the same person who said he'd put one in Sosa's ear... There's a difference between a brushback and throwing at a player's head, he was throwing at Patterson's head. I've always said, if I ever had the chance, I would hit him. From past experiences, I've never had a problem throwing at a player when justified. I think the Cubs would be justified for thowing at Morris.

oh that matt morris and his sly wit! umm....no. grudz sounds a little bitter. i'll take that bet. I have no idea why the Cubs have not taught Morris some rules about keeping his mouth shut. If there's one player that needs to get hit it is him. Watching him throw at Corey's head and behind Lee is a clear example why I feel the Cubs have become soft as far as protecting teammates. They knocked hitters down in '03 when they took 4 of 5, they kicked around STL, now they've become soft. If players run their mouths, make them pay.

It's not a bad book, I wouldn't rec. buying it, probably look at the local library or bookstore to get the general idea of it. Most of it contains stats and the relations and the calculations of the stats. Just remember one of the linear weights (RC is the easiest to find), EqA, and ((1.6*OBP+SLG)/.36) and you'll be fine. As far as pitching... ((13*HR)+(3*BB)-(2*K)/IP) +3.2) works for me...

You honestly think that if Hendry was canned, MacPhail who has no history with Hughes would hire one of Hendry's "guys" or vice versa since Hughes has had an influence on Hendry? I think Andy would look outside the organization on this one.

There's a broker on the South side of Addison, just W. of Sheffield who sells tickets probably the cheapest of any of the local ticket brokers, he's usually sitting on the steps of his building. Don't know his number, if I had the desire to go to a game that was sold out, I would probably go to him. Have fun overpaying, I have this year.

Well, I know I'm right... :)

Starting Rusch at this stage besides any reason except building up his already minimal trade value isn't worth it. Let Hill and Williams get knocked around, some pitchers go thru growing pains.