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Friday, July 04, 2008

Chicago Tribune: Piniella on Marmol: Little bit of a concern (RR)

Cubs manager Lou Piniella spoke to Carlos Marmol Thursday morning about his location after Marmol served up a game-tying three-run homer to Ray Durham Wednesday night. In Piniella’s eyes, Marmol had not lost any confidence.

“He was hitting his head after (Durham) hit the home run,” Piniella said. “So I think he’s OK.”

But Marmol went out Thursday and served up another three-run home run to Rich Aurilia to put the 8-3 loss out of reach. It was the fourth homer he has given up in his last 12 innings, and Piniella now is wondering if Marmol is tipping his pitches.

“It’s hard to give up home runs like he has been giving them up on a consistent basis, even if you tell the hitter what’s coming,” Piniella said. “Maybe he is. Maybe he’s doing something, so we’re going to look at the film [Friday] in St. Louis. It’s starting to be a little bit of a concern, to be quite honest.”

Piniella said he took Sean Gallagher out after five innings Thursday so he could be used in the bullpen, though he didn’t say Gallagher would replace Marmol as a set-up man.

Given how Marmol was Piniella’s security blanket for much of the season, it’s got to be killing Lou to have it taken away.

NTNgod Posted: July 04, 2008 at 01:19 AM | 9 comment(s)
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1. Andere Richtingen Posted: July 04, 2008 at 01:40 AM (#2843035)

Given how Marmol was Piniella’s security blanket for much of the season, it’s got to be killing Lou to have it taken away.

I'm sure it is.

The pitch to Durham: terrible.

The pitch to Aurilia: terrible.

Maybe, just maybe, Marmol is not perfect. His walk rates up to this point have indicated as much. If the Cubs' success depends on Marmol pitching every other day and maintaining an ERA of <1, they were screwed to begin with.

2. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: July 04, 2008 at 01:42 AM (#2843036)

He's still striking guys out, but it seems like more batters are holding back on the sliders. He's never thrown it consistently for strikes and hitters have finally picked up on it. They're holding off and waiting to get themselves in fastball counts. It's Marmol's turn to make some adjustments. Based on what we've seen, I hope it happens soon.

3. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: July 04, 2008 at 01:44 AM (#2843039)

We all knew Lou couldn't keep running to Marmol all the time and not have some consequences. If guys like Howry and Wuertz would show competence on a consistent basis, Lou wouldn't feel the need to fetch Marmol every time the Cubs have a late lead. Or small deficit. Or tied game.

4. scareduck Posted: July 04, 2008 at 02:29 AM (#2843055)

#1 - exactly so. The one to Aurilia today was set up on a tee. A single-A hitter could have driven that one out of the park. Ditto for yesterday's.

5. jwb Posted: July 04, 2008 at 02:35 AM (#2843058)

He's never had very good command of his fastball. Now he's leaving his slider up.

6. retro-shiite Posted: July 04, 2008 at 10:12 AM (#2843131)

I've always thought when Marmol was on his game, he threw his curve and slider more consistently for strikes than he did his fastball. I know his command of his slider's been off lately (followed by meatball fastballs), but has he gone away from the curve completely?

7. Weeks T. Olive Posted: July 04, 2008 at 10:37 AM (#2843149)

If guys like Howry and Wuertz would show competence on a consistent basis,

Howry since May 1:

27.1 IP, 2.63 ERA, 24 K, 4 BB, 3 HR.

Wuertz since May 1:

23 IP, 1.57 ERA, 16 K, 9 BB, 0 HR

I think Howry and Wuertz are just fine.

8. Moses Taylor, Optimist Posted: July 04, 2008 at 10:42 AM (#2843154)

He's never thrown it consistently for strikes and hitters have finally picked up on it.

I disagree with this and agree with what jwb and Spahn are saying. I can't tell you the number of times he falls behind guys 2-0 with fastballs that miss and then he drops in a couple of sliders for strikes.

Right now, the fastball is just sitting there asking to be hit and the slider is hanging. I wonder how much is mental, going back to the TB game, and how much is physical wear and tear. I feel that it's a little of both, since the velocity is still there.

9. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: July 04, 2008 at 12:27 PM (#2843223)

Well, I'm just a dummy in this thread. Another lesson to go by the numbers and now what seems to be happening.

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Friday, July 04, 2008

Chicago Tribune: Piniella on Marmol: Little bit of a concern (RR)

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