Transmogrified Tiger

I had WVU mopping the floor with Iowa. I had Iowa in the Sweet 16 in one, SIU in the other. Let's go Salukis!

I'd like to take this time to point out that Mizzou beat Northwestern State this year. Bucknell tries to give away the game at the line, but Arkansas can't convert. One more FT to make it a 2 possession game with 7.9 left coming.

I think so.

I love the NCAA tournament.

Iowa-NW St and Bucknell-Arkansas both going down to the wire.

Davidson up 4 at the half, Arizona on pace to win by about 75, Bucknell and Arkansas back and forth, NW St, hanging with Iowa.

Wisconsin getting smacked early... down 14 less than 7 minutes in. OSU-Davidson tied up at the 5 minute mark.

Hill blocks = 4 = Arkansas Points

A couple of those finishes Calloway had yesterday were obscene.

I agree with you, but my overall point was that you can't dismiss Rusch as being a horrible starter when his stats show that in the NL central he is an above avg. 5th starter. And it is possible that the other options the Cubs have could actually be worse than Rusch (like last year). Sometimes I think it is too easy to make over uninformed over-generalized statements about role players like Rusch. How do the statistics show he is an above average 5th starter? I haven't looked at them compared to the league, but I find it hard to believe that Rusch's 90ish ERA+, 1.4 - 1.5 WHIP, and lack of noteworthy peripherals would rank that well. Believe it or not if you look at the NL Central the Cardinals are the only team that had a better 5th starter based on ERA. Houston #4 - Backe 4.76 ERA WHIP 1.46 #5 - Rodriquez 5.53 ERA WHIP 1.46 #5 - Astacio 5.67 ERA WHIP 1.54 Reds #2 - Milton 6.47 ERA WHIP 1.55 #3 - Ortiz 5.36 ERA WHIP 1.50 #4 - Clausen 4.21 ERA WHIP 1.41 #5 - Hudson 6.38 ERA WHIP 1.57 Pirates #1(?) - Wells 5.29 ERA WHIP 1.57 #2 - Redman 4.90 ERA WHIP 1.37 #3 - Perez 5.85 ERA WHIP 1.67 #4 - Williams 4.41 ERA WHIP 1.41 #5 - Fogg 5.05 ERA WHIP 1.47 Brewers Santos 4.57 ERA WHIP 1.50 Ohka 4.35 ERA WHIP 1.37 Glover 5.57 ERA WHIP 1.45 Obermueller 5.26 ERA WHIP 1.69 Sorry, I didn't notice you said Central and not just central. Rusch's career numbers or numbers from last year put him either barely in the top 80(5 starters) or at the bottom of the NL among starters.

I agree with you, but my overall point was that you can't dismiss Rusch as being a horrible starter when his stats show that in the NL central he is an above avg. 5th starter. And it is possible that the other options the Cubs have could actually be worse than Rusch (like last year). Sometimes I think it is too easy to make over uninformed over-generalized statements about role players like Rusch. How do the statistics show he is an above average 5th starter? I haven't looked at them compared to the league, but I find it hard to believe that Rusch's 90ish ERA+, 1.4 - 1.5 WHIP, and lack of noteworthy peripherals would rank that well.

If Washington holds on I'll be second to UMFan in the facebook pool after day one. I have no idea what's going on with the Yahoo group, they're slow to update. I've got 13 after the first day.

None of that is true. What sense would it make to put the US in one of those pools with Canada and Mexico bordering us, and South Africa having to go somewhere? Umpires that screw American opponents at every opportunity? That's ridiculous.

You had them beating Duke? I like UNCW, too, but that seems a little outrageous. Meh, not particularly. I also figured that even if they lost GW had a pretty good shot at Duke too. Plus I really don't like Duke/Redick/Coach K/etc so that topped if off for me.

What are Pierre's numbers? irrelevant. he's a LEGITIMATE leadoff hitter. He must be one of the ones that spring training doesn't count for. Nolasco...*sniff*

At their current pace, the final score of the UW-Utah State game will be 16-0.

Because we have someone not good enough to manage anywhere else running the team. Wells shatters his bat for a DP.

I'd bet good money Wells doesn't walk.

You're pinch running for A-ROD? What is wrong with you Martinez? Are you that paranoid of the order coming back around to the pitcher's spot in the 11th inning?

WHY IS CHIPPER STILL AT FIRST BASE?

PINCH RUN

I think Air Force has to run line drills after the game for every two point shot they take.

I'm really disappointed Wilmington lost. First sweet 16 team I've lost.

Did you ever hear me say we need a 3rd shortstop or a 3rd catcher? I never said we did. Bullpen guys are trained to be effective for an inning or two at the most. With only 4 starters, why make all of your bullpen arms guys who only have the capability to pitch an inning or two when a guy might be needed to pitch 4 or 5? I'll make a wager with you right now that the Cubs WILL NOT handicap the team going into this season with only 4 starters and nothing but short relievers. It's not going to happen. And why won't it happen? And if you think it will happen, what shall the wager be? How can you possibly bet on that? What's this talk of only short relievers? My point is about the total in the pen. I can't even tell what you're arguing anymore.

When was the last time the Cubs DIDN'T have a long man in the bullpen for security? I don't know. Either way, you don't save a spot specifically for a longman. Especially not when you have 7 relievers. If things get off to a rough start, go ahead and make some moves. But you don't purposefully handicap your roster because of hypotheticals. It's not purposefully handicapping your roster because of hypotheticals. It's being prepared. What if Neifi and Cedeno both get hurt in the same game? Who's going to play SS? You can't possibly cover every hypothetical situation, and a 6 men pen does plenty to cover all except the most extreme hypotheticals, especially with the ability to recall extra arms between games.