Oswalt Loses Mind, Will Still Start Against Wells, Cubs

The Astros and Cubs meet in a 12:05 game at Wrigley following yesterday's washout.

The pitching matchup is a reset of what was scheduled Friday, with Roy Oswalt opposing Randy Wells. Oswalt (1-2) fell to the Cubs on Opening Night and didn't notch a win until his most recent and eighth start of the year, versus the Padres.

From mlb.com:

Oswalt, mainly a fastball-curveball pitcher, admitted he's using his
slider more, for no other reason than "I don't know what I'm doing
right now. I've kind of lost my mind."

Wells is coming off his first Major League start, in which he completed five scorless but event-filled innings against the Brewers. In his brief Major League career, spanning 5 games and 10 1/3 innings for the Blue Jays and Cubs, the 26-year-old righty is still unscored upon.

With Wells going today, Sean Marshall moves into the bullpen until Thursday, when he will go against the Cardinals.

About the Theriot story...I'm no great fan of Rick Telander, but I think he's dead on when he says that MLB owners and players have wrought a situation in which any and every player can find himself the subject of suspicion simply for displaying a sudden power surge or otherwise seemingly uncharacteristic jump in performance.

For the record, Telander said he was pretty sure that the notion was Theriot was a steroids-user was "ludicrous," but that's just the point: none of us, not the fans, not the reporters can be certain any more about anybody. And for that, we can thank Mr. Selig, the owners, Mr. Fehr, and the members of the players union who have opposed testing.

 

Tags: 
Sean Marshall
Randy Wells
Game preview
Submitted by Cubnut on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 10:17am
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Comments

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:02am

Besides RANDY WELLS' start today, if you're like me, you'll be interested in following the Orioles/Royals game featuring the return of RICH HILL and the Mariners/Red Sox game where GARRETT OLSON (0-0 2.57) gets a spot start.

BTW, after bouncing around MLB for awhile, DAVID AARDSMA (0-1 1.53) has taken over the closer role for the Mariners.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:15am

I'll never forget seeing Aardsma pitch in the bullpen one time, we had some really good bullpen seats. His fastball is wicked live. He had great stuff, his problem had always been control. Clearly he's solved those problems?

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:40am

still is, he's walked 11 in 17.2 IP

What's way down is hits allowed --- only 9 so far this year.
That's great for a guy who normally gives up a hit per inning.

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:14am

Cubnut - I agree with you about Tealander. I've never been a fan. Even so, like you, I agree with his take on the Theriot/steroids association. It's ridiculous, but unfortunately, everyone is a suspect now.

And you're right, the players only have themselves to blame. If someone would have had the nads to speak up and demand testing at a time when the Players Union was fighting testing, maybe this situation could have been avoided. Unfortunately, the players and the Union were more concerned with protecting their limited concept of privacy, which also meant protecting the PED offenders.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:22am

Lou,

Thanks for your thoughts.

I hate the fact that this discussion even has a place in a game and a pasttime that we all love so much, and I have mostly tuned it out. But I think Telander made a compelling point. It is just ouchy for many Cub fans because Theriot is one of our guys.

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:54am

Theriot hit 0 HR in March, 0 HR in April. He started yanking them out only after Lou asked his healthy players to try to elevate the ball to fill the power gap resulting from injuries to UNCLE MILTY, DEPLETED LEE, and ARAM. To believe that Ryan Theriot is a roider you have to believe that all you have to do is pop 'em and the next day you turn into Sammy Sosa. Of course that's not how they work, but Telander went with it anyway.

What a jerk. His career and his loser newspaper cannot die soon enuf.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 12:03pm

Yet, here we are talking about Wittenmyer's racism article and Tealander's Theroid article. Their shameful attempts at sensationalizing news to drum up more interest works.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 2:57pm

meh...

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:56am

"I agree with his take on the Theriot/steroids association. It's ridiculous"

You're pretty confused. Telander is the asshat who made up the Theriot/steroids association. Did you notice that the article Cubnut linked is by Paul Sullivan, not Telander?

Submitted by Cubnut
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 12:14pm

My mistake. Link fixed.

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 5:02pm

Lemme just add this parting shot on Theriot's recent power surge. He's done it before!

2006 134 AB 17 XBH including 3 HR
2009 131 AB 13 XBH including 5 HR

I don't remember Telander accusing Theriot of roiding back in 06.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 5:16pm

no one liked me calling theriot a "singles hitting little shit" based on that 06.

some people had him chalked up as a 15+hr guy.

stupid numbers.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 12:39pm

It could be my imagination, but it looks like Lee isn't moving around very well. Just speculating, but I think he's playing through some neck stiffness still. Last couple plays at first he just didn't seem right.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 12:42pm

Other than a couple of swings, DLee hasn't looked right all season, in the field or at the plate. His swings are late, his reactions at first base are late.

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:00pm

bob howry lite

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:13pm

thanks jeebus for LaTroy Hawkins...Scales would have been out by about 5-10 feet if Pence didn't airmail the throw home on the last play. Better to be lucky than good...

Submitted by Romero
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:18pm

Or...maybe Mike Quade is so good that he knew Pence would airmail the throw.

Or, more likely, Scales is SO GOOD that he actually made Pence's throw fuck up in the middle of the air.

Bobby Scales = Baserunning Jedi.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:14pm

Well that was way more exciting than it has to be but chalk it up as a W.

Gregg is that guy, he's either lights out or has nothing. Lets hope he goes back to being good the next time.

Randy Wells has been impressive working on a big scoreless streak to start his career.

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:16pm

Kevin Gregg might as well rename himself Mel Rojas. He fucking blows. Forget the Peavy talk, we need some help at the back of the pen!

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 8:26pm

I rather have Eric Greg close.

Submitted by Romero
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:15pm

Raise your hand if you knew the game was over when they put Hawkins in.

ps...Heilman and Gregg must really not like Randy Wells.

Submitted by Hawkeye
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:21pm

Ohh! Mr. Kotter! Call on me! Call on me!!!

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:49pm

(raises both hands) me! me! me! oh! oh oh! oh! pleeeeze?!

Submitted by Pell Mell
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:19pm

Kevin Gregg owes Bobby Scales me.

Sincerely,

A Steak Dinner

Submitted by artskoe
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:32pm

Gregg owes Randy Wells, Angel, Carlos and Marshall

Sincerely,

A steak dinner

Submitted by Romero
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:01pm

No steak for Soriano?

Submitted by iowaCub
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:23pm

or for Latroy Hawkins?

Submitted by Romero
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:50pm

Nice! You're right, Hawkins DEF deserves a steak dinner from Kevin Gregg STAT.

Unless Hawkins is a vegetarian.

Are there any other MLB vegetarians besides Fielder? Just curious.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:35pm

hoff has 12Ks in 68ab.

way to f'n go, dude. small sample size, but he's making consistent contact.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 3:52pm

I do not care that much right now.

Signed,

Small Sample Size (SSS)

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:04pm

Man, do I love Latoya!!! Poor Wells, he deserved a W. Gregg WTF was that???

High water mark...7 Games over.

Go Cubs!!

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:24pm

I really enjoyed your somewhat more extensive game recaps.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:15pm

LOL

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:22pm

"Getting the deal completed before the end of the regular season in early October is still possible" - Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/mergersNews/idUSN16...

maybe in OCTOBER?!!

Submitted by Nazey
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:43pm

Are you really that suprised? I called it back when the Ricketts were chosen as would-be owners that the whole "by opening day" was nonsense. They've been talking about this for so long, before the Ricketts' name even came up. I'd be surprised if it's done by the end of the season, or even the end of the calendar year. It doesn't really matter except for:

1) it will be a convenient excuse to not make a deal at the trade deadline. Not that they would necessarily make a deal anyway, but that will be the excuse.

2) then we get to hear the tired line of "getting player x healthy in July will be like getting a new player but for free." *sigh*

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 4:51pm

At this point I don't know what to think. Even if the league finally approves the deal apparently it still needs a final okay from bankruptcy court. I think we were all led to believe that the Cubs weren't affected by the Trib bankruptcy so that's surprising.

How long can this deal drag on before the buyers get fed up (or go broke)?

Submitted by Nazey
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 6:40pm

There are so many factors that we haven't really been enlightened of, so it's a possibility that it could drag on to the point where the Ricketts don't even become the eventual owners. That is a very slim possibility and it's pure speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised a bit.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 6:49pm

I usually don't pay alot of attention to the business side of things, but if this ownership situation screws up any deadline trades that will royally suck.

If we could somehow land a nice bullpen arm or two, get Rami back and Lee hitting decently, this team should win the division pretty easily.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:02pm

navigator:
maybe in OCTOBER?!!

Possibly

Submitted by Dmac
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 10:03pm

Someone tell me again why Scott Eyre was sent packing last year? And Woody? Sheesh, nice contingency planning there, Hendry.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 10:15pm

Scott Eyre was a free agent after last season anyway, so I am not really sure how that is relevant.

And Kerry Wood's 6.00 ERA would only be better than Cotts and Patton among those currently pitching out the bullpen, and his WHIP would be better than Cotts and Patton, and slightly better than Marmol and Gregg.

If Hendry had signed Wood, everyone around here would be bashing him for signing an oft-injured, inconsistent reliever to a big expensive contract.

Submitted by Nazey
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 10:30pm

I agree. Gregg sucks and Miles and Fontenot are, no surprise, being overexposed and thus taking away their asset as a solid bench contributor. But just because they suck doesn't automatically make their predecessors the better option. Hendry actually read the situation well with Woody and Derosa getting the most out of them, it's just unfortunate that their replacements are no better.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:08pm

I agree with all of that except the part about Miles being a solid bench whatever it is you said. Miles is trash. He's Neifi in disguise.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 12:28am

It's not a very clever disguise.

Submitted by billybucks
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 10:33pm

Fun stat of the day -- Gregg gives up back-to-back homers and loads the bases with no outs, putting the tying run on 2nd and the go-ahead run on first, but Heilman gets the BS despite not being charged with a run. Gregg, who blew the lead, is not charged with a BS. That's the rule, I guess, but it seems odd.

Gregg has never been a lights-out closer, so we shouldn't expect him to become one now. But, still...that was ridiculous.

Submitted by Nazey
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 10:58pm

Yeah, I never understood that rule. A guy comes in to clean up with, say, bases loaded, one out, and a one run lead. Then gets the guy to fly out, gets a sac fly, and pitcher gets the blown save without allowing a base runner. You'd think that with all the quirky rule and scoring calls, ie, earned runs based on would-be scorers/outs/errors, etc., that they would give the BS to the guy who started the mess in the first place.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 11:00pm

Wow, that is completely stupid that Heilman gets the BS.

Blown saves are frustrating. Gregg will blow more saves. Annoying, I know, but he's our closer and he's a damn good closer, so Cubdom, just your panties on and be thankful they won the game.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 8:39am

Yeah, Gregg could not have gotten a save, so he can't get a blown save either. If Heilmann had put out the fire, he would have gotten a save, so he blew that chance. But it certainly doesn't reflect who sucked the worst yesterday.

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 9:05am

Gregg came in the game in a non save situation as the Cubs had a 4-run lead, so he could not get a BS or a save, only a loss. He is not a dominate closer, really he is not that good of a closer, but what would be a good setup man.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 2:09pm

How would he make a good setup man but a bad closer?

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 4:38pm

Ask Latroy Hawkins.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 5:03pm

Let me rephrase my question... how would Gregg make a good setup man, but not a good closer.

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 9:26pm

Latroy Hawkins proves to me it is a total different mindset to be a closer vs. a setup man. I think it might be the same with Gregg.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 10:13pm

You didn't answer my question.

Kevin Gregg has had success as a closer. You claim that he cannot be a good closer, but he can be a good setup man.

But you refuse to answer why, other than to point out one isolated example in Latroy Hawkins.

As if Latroy Hawkins and Kevin Gregg are remotely similar pitchers.

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 8:40am

"You didn't answer my question."

I believe I did answer your question, you just must not like the answer. I don't think Gregg has the mental makeup to be a very good closer. I believe there is a big difference from pitching in the 7th or 8th innings, versus coming in and closing games in the 9th, especially playing for the Cubs vs. Marlins.

"Kevin Gregg has had success as a closer. You claim that he cannot be a good closer, but he can be a good setup man."

He had success in 2007, but in 2008, Gregg was tied for the lead in all MLB in blown saves with 9. He only closed 29 games, so he had a 76% save rate last year. So far in 2009, Gregg has 1 blown save in 7 chances, so that is an 85.7% save rate, definitely improved, but it is a small sample size. I do hope he keeps it up, but I doubt he will. Of course that does not take into account his non save situations where he has been horrible this year. In fact his numbers for save situations have not been good either, but has has held on for saves for the most part

Also, IMO, saving games for the Cubs in front of a a packed house everyday is tougher than closing out games for the under the radar Marlins in front of 10,000 people. I think Gregg would be a fine setup man, but when it comes to a closer I think the Cubs have a better option (Marmol).

I hope that answers your question.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 10:01am

But instead of suposition supported by anedoctal evidence, you can just use facts.

For his career here's the opposing batters' OPS by situation:

High Leverage .688
Medium .690
Low .701

By inning:
7th .705
8th .674
9th .696

There's some cause and effect mixed in there, but Manny doesn't really have anything to stand on. Gregg pitches like he does regardless of the situation, which logically implies that 'pressure' doesn't bother him.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 10:23am

I remember Rob posting something when the Cubs signed Gregg as well that indicated the reason his save percentage went down in 2008 from 2007 is that he led the league in tough save situations last year. In other words, he pitched about the same in 07-08, but his save % went down because he was brought in more with closer leads and more men on base last year.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 10:37am

He was also hurt last year.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 2:22pm

http://thecubreporter.com/2009/03/26/about-cubs-cl...

I'm not the biggest fan of Gregg, although nice to see his K/9 rate go up so far this year, but still don't think it matters much who pitches the 8th or 9th. Be nice if Lou would take a chance at just letting Marmol pitch against the better part of the lineup, whether it's the 8th or 9th, but don't see that happening.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 8:16am

"Thar she blows..."

from MLB rules and regulations for Saves and Holds.

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