The Brewers beat the Cubs in extra innings, as if it matters by that point. Jose Ascanio managed to give up 4 runs in the 10th, and I wonder if it was because he wasn't expecting to pitch.
Fukudome hit a homer, out of the 2nd spot. I guess Lou is congratulating himself on that move. I like the move for one big reason - Theriot gets bumped to 7th, where he belongs.
Dempster got the start, and Gallagher followed - and blew the save, which is hilarious and wrong on various levels. I'll leave it to someone who saw the game to discuss Dempster. From the line, it looks like there was a mix of good and bad in the bullpen. Good appears to include Woody and his 1-2-3 inning and Carmen Pignatiello, making a strong case to be the 2nd lefty.
Before I look at the "other" battle updates, I just want to note the amount of running going on. Seems like Soto is being run on at will, but I suspect the issue isn't the catcher, but the pitchers. It is worth watching closely as we move closer to Opening Day, and the staff starts working on their moves in earnest.
Here are the numbers for the 2nd tier battles - I've changed it a bit to make it more readable(simpler to post, too).
Lefty
Pitcher INN SO BB ER HR
Campusano 1.0 0 0 0 0
Cotts 1.2 0 4 5 0
Eyre 2.0 1 1 1 0
Jones 1.0 1 0 0 0
Pignatiello 2.1 1 0 0 0
Piggy and Air, coming through. Both should make this team.
Righty
Pitcher INN SO BB ER HR
Ascanio 3.1 1 1 4 1
Ceda 1.2 2 2 2 0
Hart 3.1 3 0 0 0
Lahey 2.0 1 0 0 0
Mateo 2.0 0 1 0 0
Ascanio did himself no favors, and Hart and Lahey are both looking good right now. Room for both?
Back-up Catcher
Batter AB H BB SO SB XBH
H. Blanco 2 0 0 1 0 0
Closser 6 3 0 0 0 1
Hill 6 1 1 0 0 1
Did Henry forget his bats? Closser can hit, or so it appears.
Utility
Batter AB H BB SO SB XBH
Cedeno 10 3 1 2 1 0
Cintron 17 5 0 2 0 3
Figueroa 10 4 0 0 0 1
Fontenot 15 5 4 1 0 3
Patterson 13 3 1 3 0 1
Scales 5 0 1 0 0 0
A. Blanco 7 3 1 1 0 0
Scales and Blanco are fading into the background. Figueroa isn't a real choice, either. The rest all have legitimate, if unlikely, cases.
5 comments:
I don't see a battle at backup catcher. Blanco has that role locked down because of experience, rapport with pitchers, and salary.
Yes, this is quite true, but I'm entertaining my inner anti-Hank White anyway. It may also provide opportunity to rag on Koyie Hill.
How come Wuertz hasn't pitched yet? I know he's been notoriously slow for getting into pitching shape (something takes longer for him for some reason I guess), but Wuertz is a lock for the pen unless he's injured so I think there's only room for one of the righties. Maybe.
Marmol, Howry, Wood and Eyre for sure
Wuertz if he's healthy
Then whichever one loses out on the rotation (Lieber or Marquis)
And another lefty.
I think the euphemism is "given more time to build up arm strength", and I believe I read it @ cubs.com
I have to believe Lahey and Hart have a chance. Detroit, Inge, otherwise, the bullpen has some meat to trade.
How 'bout Howry? He'd bring good value in return, wouldn't he?
If I was confident in Wood or Marmol, I'd definitely be interested in trading Howry. We'd get something nice in return for him. Hopefully Wood and/or Marmol show they can handle the job over the next week or two.
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