What if I told you that we were heading into our 10th consecutive road game the day after a 13 inning marathon with our worst SP and only one fresh BP arm AND we’re facing former ND gridiron star Jeff Smardzija?
Like our chances? Of course their BP is toast also. So far this season Walt has resisted the temptation to trot out his “Sunday” lineup specials. He needs to resist once again. The Rox will need Blackmon and Story taking lots of pitches at the top of the lineup. I expect to Garneau instead of Wolters. Otherwise leave it the same and let’s play ball.
BTW – @Broddddd3 hit another HR in Asheville yesterday as he and teammate Brian Mundell continue their spirited internal battle for the team’s highest BA. Dahl, Tapia, and McMahon also had big days.
Parting request – RoxnSox wants to work the Cubs into her name. Let’s help her out.
<img src="http://https://instagram.com/p/BFJ3Hb3iqdC/" alt="Asheville Tourist Lineup for Today"
Ha – I should have known an Instagram link was hopeless. Anyway – typical Asheville lineup with Peter Lambert pitching. And pitch he did! 5 shutout innings with 6K’s. There’s a small chance my travels will take me to Ashevegas next weekend. If so, perhaps I’ll visit the Tourists (I haven’t even looked at their schedule to know if they’re home, or not).
German Marquez (on the 40 man roster) FILTHY (I love that cliché) for Hartford this PM. 8IP, 8K, 2BB, 1H, 0R (all in the span of 103 pitches) in a Hartford destruction of New Hampshire.
Mr. Butler……for whom the bell tolls…….it might just be tolling for thee if you don’t pitch well today.
Butler to ABQ to begin BP transition. Hoffman to Denver. Marquez to ABQ for a few starts at elevation.
Butler gives himself a stay of execution with 6 shutout innings. Meanwhile – Marquez, you’ve got to turn that Dickerson trade into a winner, just like DJ LeMahieu turned that Ian Stewart for Tyler Colvin deal into a winner. (McGee and Dickerson are currently looking like this year’s functional equivalents of Stewart and Colvin) Lambert is really impressive for such a young kid, but I’m sure they’ll take it very slow with him, including innings counts. Meanwhile, this game: maybe… Read more »
I like Estevez, but … NO! Not as the setup man with a 2 run lead. Obvious that Walt is not a big fan of Qualls, who was supposed to be getting this situations with Motte out. Qualls doesn’t have Estevez’s stuff, but I’d trust the veteran in this situation.
And Qualls saves the inning. How about letting him try to save the game? He is consistently mediocre, and part of what keeps him that way at age 37 is that HE DOESN’T WALK ANYONE! It’s looking awfully hard to hit anything deep at AT&T today, so just make them earn it — but something tells me McGee will be out there issuing walks in about 10 minutes here …
Huge, huge win!
Ag – if we played a game tomorrow that determined our playoff destiny, I would agree with you regarding Estevez vs. Qualls. But in my mind, this year (and even next year) are about getting ready for the 2018+ playoff window. I see Estevez (and Castro even moreso) as massive talents. I say throw them out there in high leverage situations as much as possible. It’s amazing to me how much internal competition can influence the picture. Butler now knows… Read more »
I can’t even see a concern with the Cubbies through the stars in my eyes. It certainly is early, with October a long way off – thank goodness, things are just starting to lear out and bloom up where I am! But This Could Be the Year. (And, thanks for the support, but I can’t see how to make 3-team handle that would be nearly as euphonious, and I’m way too Internet-unsavvy to go into gravatars, etc. that apparently are… Read more »
“LEAF” out 😉
And amongst all the Cub love from me, I completely forgot to say GOOD ON YA EDDIE! The first-EVER road trip to the west coast that finished over .500. What is happening? Enjoyable actual baseball, that’s what.
A Tyler Anderson reemergence today – first time back for Modesto. I didn’t see it or even read about it, but the stat line tells me “good stuff, not sharp” — didn’t make it out of the 4th inning, but 6 Ks to go with 5 BBs. I’ve got to say this year is his last chance to establish himself as a guy who may figure in the Rockies future. Carp – on Estevez — I am glad they’re giving… Read more »