04-08-2010, 01:21 PM
<!--quoteo(post=86967:date=Apr 8 2010, 12:17 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Apr 8 2010, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=86965:date=Apr 8 2010, 11:11 AM:name=Fella)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Fella @ Apr 8 2010, 11:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=86952:date=Apr 8 2010, 10:33 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Apr 8 2010, 10:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I would think that his last start probably skews his ERA and other stats as well. Also, his 2009 wasn't as bad as some people pretend it to be. Certainly not ace-type stats, but very acceptable given his DL stints and suspension. Data mining at its worst.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yup, his ERA over that period was 4.34 before his last start. Obviously still not good, but it skewed it quite a bit.
People are always harder on guys they expect more from though. Z was easily an ace from 03 to 06 and has been very solid since. He has been one of the most consistent pitchers in all of baseball. Something like 3rd or 4th in all of baseball in wins since 03 and yet every year we hear from Cubs fans how bad he sucks and how he has never been an ace. Its just never going to change.
I do agree he should never pitch on opening day anymore though. I also always liked crazy big Z. Sure he got pissed and hurt us every now and then but I think it helped him far more often than it hurt him.
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The Zambrano talk's been one of the most annoying things to listen to as a Cubs fan for years. He's been very good for the reasons you said. He had what, 7 straight years of 13+ wins and 8 straight years of an ERA under 4? He's gotten it done as much as any other starting pitcher in the league during the regular season in the last decade.
I keep hearing the "we don't have an ace" stuff. To me that really matters at two times: the first few weeks of the season when they're matched up against the top of other rotations, and the playoffs. It's a bit overrated. We have four very good starting pitchers. This is our team's strength.
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The shitty Chicago sportswriters and other media douchebags have been feeding us this bullshit for years now -- particularly Sullivan. I can't wait until the Tribune dies.
And I would love to have a "true ace," but I agree it doesn't matter much during the regular season. However, it's HUGE for the postseason. You can ride the performance of one amazing pitcher deep into the playoffs with a team that doesn't otherwise look like a powerhouse.
Yup, his ERA over that period was 4.34 before his last start. Obviously still not good, but it skewed it quite a bit.
People are always harder on guys they expect more from though. Z was easily an ace from 03 to 06 and has been very solid since. He has been one of the most consistent pitchers in all of baseball. Something like 3rd or 4th in all of baseball in wins since 03 and yet every year we hear from Cubs fans how bad he sucks and how he has never been an ace. Its just never going to change.
I do agree he should never pitch on opening day anymore though. I also always liked crazy big Z. Sure he got pissed and hurt us every now and then but I think it helped him far more often than it hurt him.
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The Zambrano talk's been one of the most annoying things to listen to as a Cubs fan for years. He's been very good for the reasons you said. He had what, 7 straight years of 13+ wins and 8 straight years of an ERA under 4? He's gotten it done as much as any other starting pitcher in the league during the regular season in the last decade.
I keep hearing the "we don't have an ace" stuff. To me that really matters at two times: the first few weeks of the season when they're matched up against the top of other rotations, and the playoffs. It's a bit overrated. We have four very good starting pitchers. This is our team's strength.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The shitty Chicago sportswriters and other media douchebags have been feeding us this bullshit for years now -- particularly Sullivan. I can't wait until the Tribune dies.
And I would love to have a "true ace," but I agree it doesn't matter much during the regular season. However, it's HUGE for the postseason. You can ride the performance of one amazing pitcher deep into the playoffs with a team that doesn't otherwise look like a powerhouse.