Chicago Cubs (44-69) vs. Houston Astros (38-78) 8/13-15 Series Discussion Thread

[Rice Cube]

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2012/08/13/813-extra-bases/

* Jeff Samardzija starts Monday night for the Cubs. He’s coming off a loss against the Padres in which he gave up one run on four hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out six and also broke his bat over his knee. He threw 112 pitches, one shy of his season high, set May 18 against the White Sox. Samardzija has struck out 130 while walking 49. The Cubs are 11-11 in his starts. He has received two or fewer runs of support while on the mound in each of his last six starts.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/samarje01.shtml

Samardzija currently has 132.2 IP, which is 9 innings off from his professional high of 141.2 IP in 2007. He should probably get another eight to ten starts to finish off the season, including this one, which will probably top him off around 180 innings if you assume he goes 5-6 in each outing and not much more. Velocity seems to be holding.

All things considered it seems like the Jeff Samardzija experiment worked.

 

[Rice Cube]

Hmm it is interesting to see Vitters getting top of the order billing. Not sure what to make of it to be honest.

Considering this series is all RHP I guess they want to give him more PAs for evaluation purposes to see how he holds up against mediocre righties (it is the Astros after all).

 

[Uman85]

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2012/08/13/813-extra-bases/



http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/samarje01.shtml

Samardzija currently has 132.2 IP, which is 9 innings off from his professional high of 141.2 IP in 2007. He should probably get another eight to ten starts to finish off the season, including this one, which will probably top him off around 180 innings if you assume he goes 5-6 in each outing and not much more. Velocity seems to be holding.

All things considered it seems like the Jeff Samardzija experiment worked.

I've been impressed with Jeff. He's had a few bumps in the road, but overall he has done pretty well making the shift to the rotation. I hope he can finish the year out strong and build some consistency heading into next Spring.

 

[dabynsky]

Really odd set of roster moves with Bowden being called up and Raley sent down. Ian Stewart moved to 60 day DL to make 40 man roster room for Bowden, who was DFA'd off of the roster earlier this season. Wonder who will take Raley's spot since Coleman is achy.

 

[dabynsky]

And Bruce Miles has a partial answer with this tweet:

#Cubs Brooks Raley likely to start one game of doubleheader Saturday at Cincy. Can be recalled as the 26th man for the doubleheader

 

[2SeamHeat]

I've been impressed with Jeff. He's had a few bumps in the road, but overall he has done pretty well making the shift to the rotation. I hope he can finish the year out strong and build some consistency heading into next Spring.

I thought the primary issue with him would be control. Coming into this season, he was terrible. While you can pitch your way out of nearly 2/3 of a walk an inning as a RP, it's tough to do that the second time around against a lineup. He's done a great job limiting his walks this year. He's only averaging 3.3 BB/9, and his K/BB rate is an impressive 2.65. As long as he can keep the walks down, he'll be a fine starter.

 

[Rice Cube]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/inde...y#gid=2012_08_13_houmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=classic

Gameday ready. Assuming there will be a rain delay of some sort.

 

[Rice Cube]

Looks like the game is on schedule.

 

[Rice Cube]

BJax :woot:

 

[Rice Cube]

Rizzo breaks up the no-hitter :beerbang:

 

[Rice Cube]

No no-no for Samardzija either.

 

[Rice Cube]

Double play :woot:

 

[Rice Cube]

Starlin determined to get a hit. Does.

 

[Rice Cube]

Darwin Barney :lol: Of course.

 

[Rice Cube]

Cubs running wild tonight.

 

[Rice Cube]

3-0 Cubs. Colorado is currently beating Milwaukee as well.

 

[Rice Cube]

Samardzija ---> 7 Ks through 4 IP. Ridiculous.

 

[zack54attack]

And Shark strikes out the side...

 

[dabynsky]

Remember when the league had figured out Samardzija?

 

[Rice Cube]

Remember when the league had figured out Samardzija?

Well, you know, it IS the Astros