CaliforniaRaisin

I don't recall many people saying that Maddux was melting down every game, or hadn't done anything to deserve praise last April. No, they said he was old and a waste of money (not to mention pitching batting practice). Again, Zambrano has had at least one inning in every game this year where he's been his own worst enemy. You may not like my "melt down" term but that's what I call it. Maddux was/is old, and questioning his contract is far from irrational. On the other hand, you are picking apart Zambrano, even when he's done well. By that definition every pitcher in the league is their own worst enemy consistently by failing to put failure behind them, even if they don't actually get hurt because of it. I disagree. The lapses have cost him because it prevents him from pitching later into games and perhaps, giving the offense time to score so he can qualify for a win. Going into this game, he pitched 29.2 innings over 5 games. That's not even averaging 6 inning a start. Today he didn't record an out in the 5th. And in his 3 good outings, the ones you have refused to acknowledge and claim he's still melting down in, he's averaged 6.33 innings per start, to go with his 1.80 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 9.47 K/9. And again, what you're talking about isn't exclusive to Z, every pitcher ever has it happen to them. I don't need to acknowledge them. His body of work speaks for itself. He has not been ace-like. I can turn the tables and say, why are you only looking at those 3 starts when overall he's been horrible? There's no doubt that he's been more bad than good this year. He's not my child; I don't need to say something positive to counterbalance the bad. In fact, those number are so good that it just magnifies how HORRIBLE he has been in his other starts. That's the only way you can say he has done nothing to deserve praise. You really can't tell that what you said previously is far, far different from what you're saying now?

finally it comes out zambrano sucks cause he doesn't have any wins Heh.

We'll see. He's basically rehabbing after missing most of 3 seasons. He also isn't on the 40-man. Mark Holliman has been really solid so far this year. He has a 29-12 K-BB ratio, a .191 BAA and a WHIP of 1.18 to go with his 3.20 ERA.

Why not!?

In a few months, that will be worthy of third place in the division.

I just don't recall Maddux getting the same consistent defense around here last year when he went 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA & 3 quality starts in April. That said, the issue is when and how Z will right the ship, because I have no doubt that he will. Heh, Maddux is a whole other can of worms. :) Z can help right the ship by correcting his mechanics, which should really help get the control back on the right track (his biggest problem this season).

After seeing his stats after today's performance, as a whole he hasn't been good. You're right. But I still take issue with your statement that he hasn't done anything all year to deserve praise. Because he has. So has Glendon Rusch. He pitched well in Pittsburgh and he pitched well for almost 5 innings in STL. Overall, both have not pitched well... Oh yeah, I wasn't exaggerating. If you look back at every game Zambrano has pitched this year, he has melted down (for lack of a better phrase) in at least one inning. Granted, a couple of times he was able to get out of trouble with minimal damage but giving up home runs and then walking the next two batters, arguing with himself or others, and having no general control does not equal a good year thus far. What pitchers don't struggle a few times in a game? The only time I see that are those truly dominant no-hitter/few-hit, shutout outings. Even Maddux has this year. And he argues with himself when things are going well. Zambrano is strange. Seems a bit over the top - there is a lot of ammo already out there to criticize Z on.

I don't think it's fair to exaggerate when criticizing any of the players, which is my main complaint with what blueheart has said.

It's not the Brewers it's the pitching. We get it. You're anti-Z this year. I'm pro good pitcher. I'm not going to stand up for the guy blindly. What has he done to earn praise? Look at his numbers (not just this game but before hand). His ERA, WHIP, etc. He still has time to make adjustments but there's been little to get excited about. Coming into today's game, Z has struggled at his standards. And yet he had above league-average stats in ERA (3.94) and BAA (.227) and below-average in WHIP (1.52, stemming from his high walk-rate). And of course, he's been the Cubs best pitcher the last 3 years and one of the best in all of baseball. This year he has not been good. 1.52 WHIP is not good for someone who's an ace. His numbers have been sub par. I have no problem with people willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, because of his previous success, but at the same time, please don't act like he's pitched well this year. I didn't say he pitched well. In fact, I believe the first sentence I typed was that he has struggled by his standards. I believe you said this: The stats I listed, including his ERA and BAA - and his 3 quality starts show that you're either 1) wrong or 2) very hyperbolic. Z has not been good this year, and awful today. But crap all year?

It's not the Brewers it's the pitching. We get it. You're anti-Z this year. I'm pro good pitcher. I'm not going to stand up for the guy blindly. What has he done to earn praise? Look at his numbers (not just this game but before hand). His ERA, WHIP, etc. He still has time to make adjustments but there's been little to get excited about. Coming into today's game, Z has struggled at his standards. And yet he had above league-average stats in ERA (3.94) and BAA (.227) and below-average in WHIP (1.52, stemming from his high walk-rate). And of course, he's been the Cubs best pitcher the last 3 years and one of the best in all of baseball.

Si. Though I cared a whole lot less about the Bulls game when Tyson got hurt. :(

It's not the Brewers it's the pitching. its not just the pitching, our offense has been real bad as well. Other teams have been able to keep the Brewers in check. Hell, we did in game one. The last two days, the pitching as been a disappointment. what about our awesome 2 runs in 13 innings? It's hard to motivate the offense when their blown out early. It's hard to motivate the pitchers when they know they won't get any runs.

What an awful draft. Overpicked defensive players and completely ignored an offense in desperate need of depth and weapons.

Tyson. :( At least the Bulls won. :)

I miss 2004 Z. And 2005 Z.

Geez, the Bulls need to learn how to go for the kill when they have a chance. And it seems like the only two Heat players who aren't grade-A jackasses are Shaq and Wade.

I don't think this is unexpected. Many people thought he wouldn't see Peoria this year, or at least until late in the season. Why is that? I cant see how not pitching against meaningful competition can help him in any way. I thought high drafted highschool picks always pretty much went straight to Boise or Peoria. What types of things is he doing in Arizona? When does Boise's season start? Thats the short season rookie ball team correct? Boise doesn't start til later in the year. The thinking was with Pawelek's age it's best to bring him along slowly. Even more so if they are going to be modifying his mechanics, which they may be wanting to do IIRC(Someone else feel free to correct me). Yeah, he had mechanical flaws that needed to be corrected when he was drafted. I am disappointed that he hasn't surfaced in Peoria yet, but it's not even May yet. He was pitching in Mesa, so if he got hurt - it would have been after ST.

Probable Starters: Iowa (game 1): LHP Les Walrond (2-1, 2.57 ERA, 21 IP, 16/10) vs. LHP Randy Leek (2-1, 4.05 ERA, 26.2 IP) Iowa (game 2): RHP Bobby Brownlie (0-3, 9.82 ERA, 11 IP, 14/5) vs. RHP Alan Benes (0-1, 7.36 ERA, 7.1 IP) West Tenn: RHP Juan Mateo (0-2, 3.15 ERA, 20 IP, 14/6) vs. RHP Joel Hanrahan (2-1, 2.82 ERA, 22.1 IP) Daytona: RHP Mark Holliman (1-0, 3.26 ERA, 19.1 IP, 23/10) @ RHP Jim Brauer (0-1, 5.60 ERA, 17.2 IP) Peoria: RHP Scott Taylor: (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4.2 IP, 4/0) vs. RHP Wade Davis (2-0, 0.44 ERA, 20.2 IP) I think MiLB.com is wrong for game 2 of the Iowa DH. Peoria and SW Michigan will play one today and two tomorrow.

Now JA is just making a fool of himself.

Worst. Draft. Ever.

When I left Jackson, it certainly didn't look that way. According to the map, the first big wave of storms has made its way through Jackson. However, I see that another patch of storms is getting close to Tennessee. Judging by the map, they'll definitely try and should be able to get at least half the game in with no worries.

Marshall would have been 5 times a better pick. But still, can we address the 29th best offense in the NFL at some point?

7.2 combined poor innings this year, 120 combined good innings last year. Meanwhile, guys like Lightenberg have done what what Wuertz and Aardsma have done this year - done well at AAA - but what's to say Kerry's going to suddenly have a big league resurgence? If he doesn't, we haven't lost anything. Gotta take someone off the 40-man to bring him up. You're getting excited over Lightenberg's 2.2 shutout innings.

DJAXX, are they going to get the game off in Jackson?

Devin Hester!? MORE DBs IN THE THIRD ROUND, PLZ! :x