Web

CBSSports.com

Track your favorite teams and players.
Free membership, Register Now
Already a member, Log In

Community | Help

NFL | MLB | NBA | NHL | College FB | College BK | Golf | Racing | Tennis | Cycling | MMA | More

CBS College | High School | Mobile | Shop

Community Home | My Profile | My Blog | Groups | My Settings | My Account | Member Search | Blog Search | About Community

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot

View Message Board · Go to Team Page

CONTINUED: 1 · 2 · Next »

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
Zacky103210 Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Sep 10, 2006
	April 11, 2008 2:23 pm Score: 97
	Seeing the success of Jason Kenall in the nine hole is news to me. I suppose hitting in the nine spot offers no pressure whatsoever, but it's not like Kendall was hitting cleanup before. Obviously it's early, but the Cubs have always had decent hitting pitchers. With the struggles of some players, should the Cubs follow suit and bat the pitcher eighth when Felix Pie or Ryan Theriot play and put them in the nine? Maybe they could thrive from that spot too!
	See replies · Reply · Permalink

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
MikeC Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Aug 18, 2006
	April 11, 2008 3:09 pm Score: 92
	I think it is a two part issue. #1 hitting the pitcher 8 potentially puts someone on for Soriano, so on that note it is definatley a positive. But the problem is that traditionally, the 7 and 8 hitter get worse pitches to swing at because the opposing pitcher knows thet can walk those guys to bring up the pitcher. By batting the pitcher 8th, all of that goes 1 slot up. So if Fukodome hits a 1 out double and Derosa makes an out, maybe they intentially walk Soto to pitch to Lilly. By batting the pitcher 9th you are giving Theriot or Pie a chance to clean up some base runners before going to a near automatic (Zambrano excluded) out.
	In Reply to... · Reply · Permalink

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
CubManBen Reputation:97 Level:Superstar Since:Jan 26, 2008
	April 11, 2008 3:14 pm Score: 98
	I think we've all gone rounds with this topic before the Brewers series as their genius manager decided to hit Jason Kendall 9th. Unlike Milwaukee, we have a catcher who can hit. If you want to have a 2nd leadoff guy who doesn't hit 2nd, go manage in the AL. I don't like the move and I'm glad the Cubs keep their pitcher at #9 where he belongs.
	See replies · In Reply to... · Reply · Permalink

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
JO74 Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Apr 27, 2007
	April 11, 2008 4:55 pm Score: 95
	no.
	See replies · In Reply to... · Reply · Permalink

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
cannedbeetz Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Apr 21, 2007
	April 11, 2008 5:01 pm Score: 98
	I like his answer just a simple no.
	In Reply to... · Reply · Permalink

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
ChiTown Cougar Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Nov 8, 2006
	April 11, 2008 5:02 pm Score: 97
	It would mean on average, more at bats for the pitcher. If it made that much of a difference, everyone in baseball would be doing it. So...no.
	In Reply to... · Reply · Permalink

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
Lotec Reputation:79 Level:Pro Since:Feb 7, 2008
	April 11, 2008 6:09 pm Score: 100
	Jason Kendall is obviously not going to keep his current numbers up, no matter where he is in the lineup. And we have a good hitting catcher, so no
	See replies · In Reply to... · Reply · Permalink

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
donbedouin Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Dec 26, 2006
	April 11, 2008 11:29 pm Score: 98
	No
	See replies · In Reply to... · Reply · Permalink

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
Captain Kirk Reputation:93 Level:All-Star Since:Dec 14, 2007
	April 12, 2008 11:12 am Score: 79
	Holy Cow!!! You got 100 for telling us Jason Kendall wasn't going to hold his current numbers!!! Thank you Mr Obvious. Someone please explain to me how the CBS comment scores are calculated.
	See replies · In Reply to... · Reply · Permalink

Should the Cubs Hit the Pitcher in the Eight Spot -
citron1616 Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Mar 9, 2007
	April 12, 2008 12:16 pm Score: 98
	Absolutely not. The situation that the Brewers have is specific to Jason Kendall. The Cubs don't have a guy like him that would benefit the team or the player in that situation. Kendall is a notorius contact hitter who hits a lot of ground balls; usually leading to double plays. By batting the pitcher in front of him, they will usually either advance a baserunner already of base or make an out; drastically cutting down DP opportunities. This also allows Fielder spot in the order (3-hole) act more like a clean-up spot. More often than not, the pitcher makes the last out of the inning and Kendall acts as the lead-off hitter before the lead-off hitter; if that makes any sense. With Kendall and Weeks both carrying high OBP's this increases the likelyhood that more men are on base when Fielder and Braun step up to the plate. So that's the long explanation of the simple answer; no.
	See replies · In Reply to... · Reply · Permalink