Game 14 Thread / Reds @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Alright... I think I get it.

The Cubs didn't think Pie's 10 k's were enough, and they needed a way to replace Soriano's 11k's, so they brought up EPat and his 12 minor league k's.

It finally makes sense.

I'm guessing the EPat was chosen because he can leadoff...and as a special favor to Korey.

20+ mph wind blowing out, Fontenot leading-off, DeRosa in LF.

Zambrano will be taking a seat on my fantasy bench tonight.

Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Sun Times has an article today that has Hendry and Piniella supposedly feeling not so happy that Pie can't hit and their hands are tied not being able to move Fukudome up in the lineup. Which makes little sense to me, Dero and Soto can drive in runs better than Fuku, and Fuku is an on base machine with his singles and walks, so move him up!

Then there is this ridiculous line...

"And outfielder Daryle Ward, while perhaps the best pure hitter on the roster, has defensive limitations that are likely to keep him on the bench as a pinch-hitter short of occasional starts at first base or DH in interleague play."

Ward is the best pure hitter on the roster? Better than Fuku or DLee or Aram? What is Wittenmeyer smoking? Ward is a nice hitter, and if he wasn't such a weak defensive player he would probably be playing everyday for someone, but he wouldn't be putting up similar or better numbers than Lee or ARam.

Here's the link to the entire article...
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/89681...

Who knew Ward was the best 'pure' hitter? Maybe in 'pure' he meant fat? :)...anyway I am surprised to see Patterson up instead of Murton, really the way that Soriano was playing I don't think it will be a huge loss. I'd like to see Reed Johnson everyday in left.

so pie isnt even playing tonite.

this move makes room for more fontenot/cedeno ab's over murton.

okay, whatever.

at least there's not 100000 posts about how lou "made" this callup happen like the last 60 year old fat man...

no matter who wanted what...epat is here and cedeno/fontenot are getting soriano's ab's it seems.

if he gets a chance to play. He is the best internal option this team has as a "tradtional" leadoff hitter. Lou and Hendry arent going to go Terry Francona on us and have Dero or Murton hit leadoff, there going to want as close to world-class speed at the top as they can and Epat has the best eye of the fast guys.

But Epat is being brought up to be a backup.

I don't care, no combination beats Matt Murton in LF. No Patterson/Font/DeRosa at 2nd and DeRosa/Pie/Ward/Johnson OF.

You put Murton in LF you make the lineup Theriot or Fuku leadoff then Murton the #2 hitter and play the next 2 weeks.

But instead we are treated to the musical chair lineup.

Not happy with Lou or Hendry in this decision. Murton since he didnt make the roster was labeled in the organization as the #1 guy to go to if an OF injury happened. Well it happened and Murton is still not on the team.

If i was Murton i would contact my agent and tell the Cubs to trade me.

"I'd like to see Reed Johnson everyday in left."

Someone will be very angry that you posted this suggestion - trust me on this one.

Has anyone else noticed that we now have a catcher that can hit?

Transactions: CHICAGO CUBS--Place A. Soriano, OF, on the 15 day disabled list. Recall E. Patterson, IF, from Iowa (AAA).

In case everyone missed the memo, this should be proof positive that Lou doesn't like and/or want Matt Murton on his team. He had the perfect opportunity to play Murton in LF for the next 15 days (the only position he can reasonably play by the way), and Lou passed on it.

I'm sure half the TCR posters are in mourning for Murton (moment of silence.........OK), but you can put a fork in his Cubs career. Lou would rather have DeRosa in LF, Fontenot at 2B, and E. Pat (and his LH bat) off the bench. Again, it should tell you all you need to know about how much Lou values Murton.

For those doing the MLB Fantasy baseball, is it me, or is something not working pretty much every night? I'm not showing stats for anyone tonight and no links for gameday or MLB.TV either. I had to go to Cubs.com to find the game.

Patterson in LF. Anyone else think this move is all about boosting E-Pat's trade value?

They've already tested the waters with Murton and have figured out he's not worth a whole hell of a lot. Might as well build up E-Pat for a deadline deal.

Late to the party today but...

I called the Epat call-up in Parachat last night...woo me

and the move isn't that surprising, the Cubs chose Fontenot over Murton in spring training, it doesn't take a huge leap that they'd choose Fontenot to get the regular playing time now that there's an injury. And Epat gets to be his backup of course. Lou also said something about wanting more speed for the next few weeks for whatever reason.

Don't get me started on this Pie crap though, he sits for a week although mostly versus lefties. Then he gets back in versus Aaron Harang but sits against a crappy pitcher like Josh Fogg...horseshit.

This beauty from Mariotti today:

"The hits served to punish Cincinnati starter Josh Fogg for plunking Aramis Ramirez in the back, which struck me as an interesting way for a certain manager, in the other dugout now and booed again, to bait the volatile Carlos Zambrano into a purpose-pitch war."

I believe the count was 2-0 and there were runners on base, plus the Cubs had scored in the inning...and Mariotti thinks Dusty had Fogg hit A-Ram on purpose.