Why do the Cubs want to get Carlos Zambrano back so soon? The guy has inflammation in his shoulder, so I say wait another week or so and pitch him just once before the playoffs.
Let him throw some infamous side sessions (has any team had more pitchers throw more side sessions than the Cubs?) and then let him pitch next week at home vs. St. Louis.
As it stands, the Cubs plan on Z throwing a side session either today or tomorrow in St. Louis and then barring unforeseen problems he'll pitch in Houston this weekend.
What's the rush? Won't the inflammation flare back up? Maybe it won't, but what if it does? Then you rest him some more? Doesn't that push back the date he could return to peak efficiency?
It would seem to the untrained eye that the more rest the better. Despite their current nosedive, the Cubs are going to the playoffs. And they need Zambrano to be at his best, which likely won't be anywhere near 100 percent. He may be at top form for an inning or two, but does anybody think he can go 7 innings?
To me, the best case scenario is a strong five innings, and that's if he's handled properly now.
Roman,
You hit the nail right on the head. The Cubs can still make the playoffs without Z. Pitch him one game, about five days before the regular season ends so he can get in some type of rhythm and that's it. We don't need him now, we need him for the playoffs. You've never so right and I hope that the Cubs front office reads this blog.
Big ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
$90 million scoots?
I would have taken the ball out there every forth day for a paltry
$9 million.
Look at it this way ... I still would have broken their hearts, but the pain and suffering would have come at a much more affordable price.
I feel like the baseball regular season shoulda ended last month. This has seemed like the longest month of my life.
That blown win last night was sickening. Marmol may look like Obama, but he is far from as poised.
UGGGG
Every one really needs to stop talking about the playoffs right now.
The Cubs are free falling and they have locked up nothing yet.
Good thing the Cubs can't give away the division to the Brewers!
But seriously, how can a team go from dominant to door mat so quickly? I still think(hope) the Cubs make the World Series. They have a deep bench and a very good rotation, but someone has to step up!
Will it be Dempster? he looked like that guy for a good 5 1/2 innings last night. A shutout from Ryan would do wonders for this team.
Will it be Soriano? He hit 3 big time home runs a couple days ago but looked pedestrian last night.
Will it be Ramirez? Mr. Clutch is trying being the top RBI guy but trying isn't currently getting the job done.
Will it be Derrick Lee? IT HAS TO! The Cubs can not go into October with a slumping Lee. He has been DPLee lately (Douple Play Lee) but you see glimpses that he might be able to turn it around.
Above all, Cubs can not panic. St. Louis could not be colder going into the 06' playoffs and ended up winning the World Series! That's all that matters anyways -> HOW YOU FINISH.
Sorry Roman, was way off topic with that last post, but I got to thinking about the Cubs and started rambling.
Anyways, as far as 'Big Z', I would be fine with him not pitching again until the playoffs. WGN showed a clip of him last night throwing a bit and he seemed alright(not exactly a real game simulation considering that I swear he was wearing khakis with a Cub jersey during the pitches to Larry Rothchild). If he does come in pitches well, that could end up being a big lift. At least it would be something to take the pressure of the rest of the guys and their struggles. I definitely agree Zambrano should get the Rich Harden treatment and not pitch more than 5 innings.
Although with Lou's recent tirade, he might get too emotional and push Z to go 8 with 100 pitches considering how desperate he sounded for a win.
Kris sez: "Above all, Cubs can not panic. St. Louis could not be colder going into the 06' playoffs and ended up winning the World Series! That's all that matters anyways -> HOW YOU FINISH."
True; they just don't realize that they're already finished.
They're Cubs.