Bullpen

[Andy]

The problem I have with Gregg is that he's given up a run (inherited or his own) every time out. Given that he's only out there for an inning at a crack, you'd think he'd be able to get through one of these outings without giving up a run. Granted it's only been 4 outings, but that's an ugly start.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=29896:date=Apr 13 2009, 01:56 PM:name=Destined)-->QUOTE (Destined @ Apr 13 2009, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29893:date=Apr 13 2009, 11:53 AM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Apr 13 2009, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29872:date=Apr 13 2009, 12:57 PM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ Apr 13 2009, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->and lets break down greg's game last night.

1. it was a non-save situation and for whatever reason, closers seem to struggle in those.
2. he got the first two guys out easily before giving up a solo home run with a 4 run lead.
3. the next batter hit a line drive that should have been caught. that should have been the game right there, but sparkle misplayed it badly.
4. he walked braun. no excuse for that.
5. he struck out the most feared hitter on the team on, i believe, 4 pitches.

when you look at it like that, it really wasn't all that bad a performance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, when you put it that way, it doesn't look too bad, at all. Even walking Braun isn't so terrible...considering that he's their best hitter, Gregg can be excused for pitching him carefully.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't mind the Braun walk either, KB. Prince is way more of a strikeout candidate and can only hit for power, thus he fell into Gregg's lap.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Say Braun hits a homer in that situation -- Prince still comes to the plate representing the tying run. In the bottom of the 9th, it's the same exact situation. But the odds of Braun getting a hit are only about 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 (against a decent pitcher). The odds are even slimmer that he hits a home run. Giving him a free pass isn't a good idea. There's no benefit and there isn't really any risk in pitching to him in that situation. I'm pretty sure Gregg didn't want to walk him there.

[Coach]

And I sure bet Lou didnt ask for a walk there.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=29898:date=Apr 13 2009, 01:57 PM:name=Andy)-->QUOTE (Andy @ Apr 13 2009, 01:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->The problem I have with Gregg is that he's given up a run (inherited or his own) every time out. Given that he's only out there for an inning at a crack, you'd think he'd be able to get through one of these outings without giving up a run. Granted it's only been 4 outings, but that's an ugly start.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What's funny is the same people who were saying that he won the job in ST because he didn't give up a run, are those who are the first to write him off. He isn't as bad as he's been the past week, but it was also unrealistic to think he'd come anywhere close to pitching like he did in meaningless games during ST. Personally, I just don't think he has closer's stuff.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=29900:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:02 PM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ Apr 13 2009, 02:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And I sure bet Lou didnt ask for a walk there.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

Lou would rather see Braun hit the ball to Mars than see Gregg walk him.

[kbwsb]

<!--quoteo(post=29904:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:06 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 13 2009, 02:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29900:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:02 PM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ Apr 13 2009, 02:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And I sure bet Lou didnt ask for a walk there.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
Lou would rather see Braun hit the ball to Mars than see Gregg walk him.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
So true, so true. Damn, sometimes, when I'm bitching about Lou, I forget that he's brought a lot of qualities to this team that I<i> love</i>. And probably the biggest is his insistence that Cub pitchers [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clapp.gif[/img]

[Destined]

<!--quoteo(post=29899:date=Apr 13 2009, 12:00 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 13 2009, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29896:date=Apr 13 2009, 01:56 PM:name=Destined)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Destined @ Apr 13 2009, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29893:date=Apr 13 2009, 11:53 AM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Apr 13 2009, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29872:date=Apr 13 2009, 12:57 PM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ Apr 13 2009, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->and lets break down greg's game last night.

1. it was a non-save situation and for whatever reason, closers seem to struggle in those.
2. he got the first two guys out easily before giving up a solo home run with a 4 run lead.
3. the next batter hit a line drive that should have been caught. that should have been the game right there, but sparkle misplayed it badly.
4. he walked braun. no excuse for that.
5. he struck out the most feared hitter on the team on, i believe, 4 pitches.

when you look at it like that, it really wasn't all that bad a performance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, when you put it that way, it doesn't look too bad, at all. Even walking Braun isn't so terrible...considering that he's their best hitter, Gregg can be excused for pitching him carefully.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't mind the Braun walk either, KB. Prince is way more of a strikeout candidate and can only hit for power, thus he fell into Gregg's lap.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Say Braun hits a homer in that situation -- Prince still comes to the plate representing the tying run. In the bottom of the 9th, it's the same exact situation. But the odds of Braun getting a hit are only about 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 (against a decent pitcher). The odds are even slimmer that he hits a home run. Giving him a free pass isn't a good idea. There's no benefit and there isn't really any risk in pitching to him in that situation. I'm pretty sure Gregg didn't want to walk him there.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You're exactly right. I'm just saying that I'd rather face Prince anytime before Braun.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=29906:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:08 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Apr 13 2009, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29904:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:06 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 13 2009, 02:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29900:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:02 PM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ Apr 13 2009, 02:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And I sure bet Lou didnt ask for a walk there.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
Lou would rather see Braun hit the ball to Mars than see Gregg walk him.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
So true, so true. Damn, sometimes, when I'm bitching about Lou, I forget that he's brought a lot of qualities to this team that I<i> love</i>. And probably the biggest is his insistence that Cub pitchers [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clapp.gif[/img]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He's been in rare form all week too. He really does get as angry as we do when the bullpen comes in and nobody can get the ball over the plate. I'd love to get a mic in the dugout and hear what he's saying too, because he's been really animated since day 1.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=29907:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:09 PM:name=Destined)-->QUOTE (Destined @ Apr 13 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29899:date=Apr 13 2009, 12:00 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Apr 13 2009, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29896:date=Apr 13 2009, 01:56 PM:name=Destined)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Destined @ Apr 13 2009, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29893:date=Apr 13 2009, 11:53 AM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Apr 13 2009, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29872:date=Apr 13 2009, 12:57 PM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ Apr 13 2009, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->and lets break down greg's game last night.

1. it was a non-save situation and for whatever reason, closers seem to struggle in those.
2. he got the first two guys out easily before giving up a solo home run with a 4 run lead.
3. the next batter hit a line drive that should have been caught. that should have been the game right there, but sparkle misplayed it badly.
4. he walked braun. no excuse for that.
5. he struck out the most feared hitter on the team on, i believe, 4 pitches.

when you look at it like that, it really wasn't all that bad a performance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, when you put it that way, it doesn't look too bad, at all. Even walking Braun isn't so terrible...considering that he's their best hitter, Gregg can be excused for pitching him carefully.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't mind the Braun walk either, KB. Prince is way more of a strikeout candidate and can only hit for power, thus he fell into Gregg's lap.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Say Braun hits a homer in that situation -- Prince still comes to the plate representing the tying run. In the bottom of the 9th, it's the same exact situation. But the odds of Braun getting a hit are only about 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 (against a decent pitcher). The odds are even slimmer that he hits a home run. Giving him a free pass isn't a good idea. There's no benefit and there isn't really any risk in pitching to him in that situation. I'm pretty sure Gregg didn't want to walk him there.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You're exactly right. I'm just saying that I'd rather face Prince anytime before Braun.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Not this year I wouldn't. He's been smoking the ball.

[veryzer]

it's funny how mad lou gets, even in the first week of the season. when he sent rothschild out to get cotts, it was great. lou was gonna bust a gut and he knew it. no way he was gonna walk out there.

lou may make questionable moves from time to time, but he's still the best cub manager i've ever experienced.

[Coach]

I love Lou

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=29910:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:12 PM:name=veryzer)-->QUOTE (veryzer @ Apr 13 2009, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->it's funny how mad lou gets, even in the first week of the season. when he sent rothschild out to get cotts, it was great. lou was gonna bust a gut and he knew it. no way he was gonna walk out there.

lou may make questionable moves from time to time, but he's still the best cub manager i've ever experienced.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Best regular season manager we've ever had. I still need to be sold on him during the postseason though.

[veryzer]

<!--quoteo(post=29912:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:14 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Apr 13 2009, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29910:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:12 PM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ Apr 13 2009, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->it's funny how mad lou gets, even in the first week of the season. when he sent rothschild out to get cotts, it was great. lou was gonna bust a gut and he knew it. no way he was gonna walk out there.

lou may make questionable moves from time to time, but he's still the best cub manager i've ever experienced.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Best regular season manager we've ever had. I still need to be sold on him during the postseason though.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


i blame all post season failures on the players.

[Butcher]

Remember how pissed he was at Rich Hill when he took him out that one time? And I swear -- he was going to murder Wuertz on more than one occasion.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=29915:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:15 PM:name=veryzer)-->QUOTE (veryzer @ Apr 13 2009, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29912:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:14 PM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Apr 13 2009, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=29910:date=Apr 13 2009, 02:12 PM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ Apr 13 2009, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->it's funny how mad lou gets, even in the first week of the season. when he sent rothschild out to get cotts, it was great. lou was gonna bust a gut and he knew it. no way he was gonna walk out there.

lou may make questionable moves from time to time, but he's still the best cub manager i've ever experienced.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Best regular season manager we've ever had. I still need to be sold on him during the postseason though.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


i blame all post season failures on the players.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
90% players, 10% manager. Pitching Dempster game 1, hitting Fuk #2, taking Z out early in game 1 in 2007 etc etc are all on Lou. All I'm saying is that he hasn't put is in the best situation to succeed when the season ends. The players deserve the majority of the blame, but Lou hasn't helped.