Carlos Zambrano
Cubs Hits Of The Week (For the Week of 4/7 through 4/13)
The five hits that did the most to enhance the Cubs' chance of winning during the past, exhausting, extra-inning-filled week, as measured by FanGraphs' Win Probability Added (WPA):
#5 Big Hit: Sunday v. Philadelphia, 3rd inning--Derrek Lee socked a two-run double off 67-year-old Jamie Moyer to give the Cubs a 3-1 lead they would eventually surrender. WPA .182
Game 10 Thread / Cubs @ Phillies (1 of 3)
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Cubs 2007 Pitch Tracking: Pictures Worth a Thousand Curves
One of the latest and most exciting developments in baseball research is the measurement and analysis of individual pitches. For instance, the Pitch f/x system created by the company Sportvision tracks the in-flight movement of pitches from two different cameras, thereby assessing a pitch's velocity, horizontal and vertical movement. A bit less than 1/4th of all pitches from last year were so assessed, and MLB has made the raw contents of that data available at this location. Better yet, there are several bloggers who, unlike me, have the talent and dedication to transform that heaping mess of data into meaningful findings. Most notable, Josh Kalk has been developing player cards, a la what's available at baseball-reference or fan graphs or baseball cube, except with graphs incorporating this incredible new source of information on pitch selection and pitch behavior. He also has developed a remarkable application where you can select any player and any pitch with just about any limiting parameter you could want - say, Bob Howry fastballs to right-handed hitters on 0-2 counts with a velocity above 93 MPH that resulted in swinging strikes - and then view the results on a handy X/Y graph.
As if that's not enough, there's the more user friendly if less revolutionary pitch data commercially available at Baseball Info Solutions which is being applied by the talented folks at Fan Graphs. Fan Graphs now offers data on individual players' pitch selections and velocity, all thoroughly sortable. For instance, Tim Wakefield and Chad Bradford feature the two slowest average fastballs in the major at 74.2 and 78.6 MPH, respectively, while no one threw a changeup with greater frequency last year than Matt Wise, at 54%
There's a gold mine of potential information available at our fingertips, with The Baseball Analysts and The Hardball Times leading the way in this sort of analysis. With far less sophistication than what those guys can offer, let's see what it can tell us about the Cubs' staff.
Gameday Open Thread / Angels @ Cubs
The Angels (10-6) visit HoHoKam this afternoon at 3:05 to play the Cubs (6-12). The game will be carried on WGN Radio, WGN-TV, mlb.tv and Gameday Audio, but no one will be tuning in, as the world's attention will be focused instead on the University of Illinois' attempt to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.
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Recent comments
crunch (view)
morel in the lineup and playing 3rd.
Arizona Phil (view)
Richard Lovelady one walk & 20 K, 22 hits but no HR, high ERA, and two-to-one GB to FB in 12.1 IP, so I would guess that's why he got the call. Sort of the exact opposite of Luke Little.
Dolorous Jon Lester (view)
Definitely surprised about Dick Lovelady. He has a phenomenal name but that’s probably the best thing he’s got. I was kinda hoping for Wieck even though he’s apparently still tossing 86 as his heater
crunch (view)
wicks 15d DL...cubs select...get ready for this one...richard f'n lovelady. lovelady's stregnths include being able to throw a ball left handed and that's about it.
also little optioned, palencia up.
crunch (view)
straily's a bit rusty...
3ip 4h 5bb 4k, 2r/1er
Dolorous Jon Lester (view)
Open 40 man spot might see the return of CJ. He’s been okay in Iowa. Teheran has been rocked in his starts this year. SSS of course.
Wouldn’t be shocked seeing another 40 man spot open with Brewer losing his spot.
TarzanJoeWallis (view)
Word is that Counsell thought Mervis and Wisdom got too much work in yesterday so it will be Wesneski.
crunch (view)
no days off til may 9th. moves may happen if the pen gets too worked tomorrow.
Cubster (view)
On top of all that…Wicks scratched for Sunday due to “forearm soreness.” Bullpen day again starting with Mervis or Wisdom (or Wesn).
crunch (view)
"Morel told reporters after the game that he felt alright, just a little banged up — specifically noting his right hip and both elbows. He did say that he was optimistic about his ability to play on Sunday, though manager Craig Counsell may have other plans."