IST: Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs

[Captain Obvious]

I would say Pierce Johnson shouldnt be far away. He is not in AAA, but he is dominating AA. He is another guy in the mix as a 3, 4 , or 5 type.

We have so many of those types, which I love! I think we'll be able to use them to get either nice pieces at the deadline or some of them will be relievers, which should give us a very nice bullpen, as generally starters are better as relievers. Hopefully EJax becomes a set up man or something.

 

[beckdawg]

"Alcantara managed to provide the most offensive value for the Cubs. His legs created a run in the third inning by beating out a double play ball. He stole second and was driven in by Ruggiano. Later Alcantara drove in Castro with a single. The only blemish was a close caught stealing in the fourth inning." - dabynsky

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2014/08/maybe-hendricks-is-maddux-after-all-brewers-0-cubs-3/

You eatin' that up, beckdawg?

Clearly.

 

[Bear Pride]

Doubters if they are good or if
Hendrick's is good?

I look at their record and that answers one question.

On Hendrick's he is really good at managing himself on the mound. He is not a hit my fastball type. I like him as a player and he is refreshing in a world where every one looks at MPH vs what is going on in the kids head.

I was thinking Hendricks here...... everyone freaked out when the comparisons of great pitchers came up, but I think this kid is more than just an average pitcher. He's got a great change and his fastball has some nice movement on it at the end.

It's also obvious he knows how to pitch. Beating these good, 1st place teams isn't a fluke when he's giving up 1 BB. He knows how to work the plate and keep hitters off balance. He can also throw a strike when he needs to.

The only real weakness I see right now is his stamina. He was throwing some meatballs up there in the 8th last night. He looks to be able to give us a solid 7 innings so far. But to me, everything so far looks better than a 4 or 5 rotation guy.

 

[Captain Obvious]

Coghlan is having himself a great 2nd half!

 

[chibears55]

I would say Pierce Johnson shouldnt be far away. He is not in AAA, but he is dominating AA. He is another guy in the mix as a 3, 4 , or 5 type.

Why if they do go out and sign 1 or 2 FA starters id be surprise if wood and Jackson are still on team and not traded for more minor league depth..

have to figure Arrieta and Hendricks are definate with wada turner and dubront getting legit shots at at least one of the bottom 2 spots

Makes you wonder if they might combine a couple of these starters to try and get a position player in a trade

 

[Captain Obvious]

JAVY BOMB followed by RIZZOBOMB!

 

[chibears55]

Back to Back Jacks Baez and Rizzo

 

[chibears55]

JAVY BOMB followed by RIZZOBOMB!

I like Baez Blast and Rizzo Bomb lol

 

[Bear Pride]

Originally Posted by Bear Pride
Back to Back..... just a sign whats to come from the midwest murderers' row!

 

[chibears55]

Back to Back..... just a sign whats to come from the midwest murderers' row!

Wait til Bryant and Soler arrive

Might be seeing a lot of back to back from those 4

 

[Parade_Rain]

Pitchers won't be able to rest.

 

[Bear Pride]

Wait til Bryant and Soler arrive

Might be seeing a lot of back to back from those 4

I kinda had that in mind when I said that. :yep: We're gonna have 5 legit HR threats in a row with Javi-Rizzo-Bryant-Soler-Castro !!!!!!!! Now if they add two 300 hitters to that? Whoa!

 

[Bear Pride]

Javi getting much better at bats... even kinda swung softer on that high fastball before the popup.

 

[Captain Obvious]

Castro with his 15th 3-hit game of the year.

 

[TL1961]

Going to be an interesting off season with the rotation.

They have the money to sign 1 or 2 TOR starters

They could very easily go with Arrieta 3 and Hendricks 4 with a number of guys for the 5th slot.

they could trade both wood and Jackson

Conceivably they come to camp with 8-10 guys vying for a spot in the rotation. That's not saying 8-10 strong candidates. just that the situation is unsettled enough, and they have enough guys who are fighting for spots that it could be that many.

Arietta
Hendricks
Wada
Wood
Jackson
Straily
Dubrount
Turner
Beeler

That doesn't count Rusin, Grimm, Ramirez - all of whom I think will stay in the pen.

It doesn't count Vizcaino - not sure if he'll go back to starting or where he'll be.

It doesn't count Pierce Johnson, who may be a little ways off, but not sure.

It also does not count any FA signings, and I will be very surprised if they don't sign at least one pitcher. Though if they do go get a TOR type, the 5 may be settled with the guys on the top of that list.

But it could be a crowded battle for the last spot.

 

[JZsportsfan]

Wada's age is going to hurt him if it comes down to Turner/Wada/Dubront/Johnson/Hendricks. Ideally Turner would turn things around because he has the best ceiling by far of that group

 

[JZsportsfan]

It wouldn't be a bad idea if they tried to stretch out Ramirez. He has great stuff, just don't know if you want to mess with what he's doing now. Rusin and Grimm are terrible. Straily is another guy that will have a shot at making the rotation

 

[TL1961]

I certainly don't get as optimistic going forward with Wada as I feel with Hendricks and Arietta, but I must give him credit. He keeps pitching well.

0 ER on 3 hits through 6. Nice outing so far.

 

[TL1961]

It wouldn't be a bad idea if they tried to stretch out Ramirez. He has great stuff, just don't know if you want to mess with what he's doing now. Rusin and Grimm are terrible. Straily is another guy that will have a shot at making the rotation

I agree that Rusin and Grimm would be long shots. And I would hope they keep Ramirez where he is. But I actually would like to see Vizcaino stretched out and go back to starting if his arm is up to it.

 

[JZsportsfan]

I agree that Rusin and Grimm would be long shots. And I would hope they keep Ramirez where he is. But I actually would like to see Vizcaino stretched out and go back to starting if his arm is up to it.

I would much rather them stretch out Ramirez than Vizcaino. Ramirez has great stuff and Vizcaino already has a history of injuries. Grimm isn't the worst guy to have in the pen but I definitely don't feel comfortable when he comes in the game