Time to firebarn Brian Schlitter

[SKO]

The middle innings are a real shitshow right now. The starters will get stretched out soon, I hope and they'll rely less on Schlitter, Jason Motte and Phil Meth. I know it's insane, but I actually wouldn't mind seeing E-Jax get a tryout in a leverage situation, as he can't be worse than the aforementioned. Actually, I guess he can.

But if you're looking for reasons why the enthusiasm should be tempered and the postseason we covet may be at least a year away, these slapdicks might be it. I know the Reds and Pirates have similar issues in that area. A lot of teams do at this point with starters going 5-6 innings a start and back ends of rotations still in flux. But this could be a real bad deal for us.

Also, anyone who had a problem with Pedro Strop at anytime during his tenure here now has this opportunity to apologize, directly to me. 

I'd be more worried if there weren't reinforcements coming eventually in Grimm and Ramirez, and you can always flip minor prospects for bullpen arms. It may be June before they have them both in there or get other help, but as long as they can stay above water till then I think they should still be poised for a run as the starters get stretched out, Lester settles in, and hopefully the offense stays hot.

[R-V]

The middle innings are a real shitshow right now. The starters will get stretched out soon, I hope and they'll rely less on Schlitter, Jason Motte and Phil Meth. I know it's insane, but I actually wouldn't mind seeing E-Jax get a tryout in a leverage situation, as he can't be worse than the aforementioned. Actually, I guess he can.

But if you're looking for reasons why the enthusiasm should be tempered and the postseason we covet may be at least a year away, these slapdicks might be it. I know the Reds and Pirates have similar issues in that area. A lot of teams do at this point with starters going 5-6 innings a start and back ends of rotations still in flux. But this could be a real bad deal for us.

Also, anyone who had a problem with Pedro Strop at anytime during his tenure here now has this opportunity to apologize, directly to me. 

I'd be more worried if there weren't reinforcements coming eventually in Grimm and Ramirez, and you can always flip minor prospects for bullpen arms. It may be June before they have them both in there or get other help, but as long as they can stay above water till then I think they should still be poised for a run as the starters get stretched out, Lester settles in, and hopefully the offense stays hot.

Speaking of stretching out starters, did any of our beloved beat reporters get an answer from Maddon as to why he pulled Wood (so to speak)?

[InternetApex]

The middle innings are a real shitshow right now. The starters will get stretched out soon, I hope and they'll rely less on Schlitter, Jason Motte and Phil Meth. I know it's insane, but I actually wouldn't mind seeing E-Jax get a tryout in a leverage situation, as he can't be worse than the aforementioned. Actually, I guess he can.

But if you're looking for reasons why the enthusiasm should be tempered and the postseason we covet may be at least a year away, these slapdicks might be it. I know the Reds and Pirates have similar issues in that area. A lot of teams do at this point with starters going 5-6 innings a start and back ends of rotations still in flux. But this could be a real bad deal for us.

Also, anyone who had a problem with Pedro Strop at anytime during his tenure here now has this opportunity to apologize, directly to me. 

I'd be more worried if there weren't reinforcements coming eventually in Grimm and Ramirez, and you can always flip minor prospects for bullpen arms. It may be June before they have them both in there or get other help, but as long as they can stay above water till then I think they should still be poised for a run as the starters get stretched out, Lester settles in, and hopefully the offense stays hot.

Speaking of stretching out starters, did any of our beloved beat reporters get an answer from Maddon as to why he pulled Wood (so to speak)?

(||)

[Eli]

I'd be more worried if there weren't reinforcements coming eventually in Grimm and Ramirez, and you can always flip minor prospects for bullpen arms. It may be June before they have them both in there or get other help, but as long as they can stay above water till then I think they should still be poised for a run as the starters get stretched out, Lester settles in, and hopefully the offense stays hot.

Yeah, bullpen help is pretty easy to find and the Cubs (obviously) have the prospect depth to go get it.

[SKO]

I'd be more worried if there weren't reinforcements coming eventually in Grimm and Ramirez, and you can always flip minor prospects for bullpen arms. It may be June before they have them both in there or get other help, but as long as they can stay above water till then I think they should still be poised for a run as the starters get stretched out, Lester settles in, and hopefully the offense stays hot.

Yeah, bullpen help is pretty easy to find and the Cubs (obviously) have the prospect depth to go get it.

Oh man I can't wait till we get to the "people who bitched about trading Snork and Co. for prospects now bitch about giving up prospects for veterans" part of the schedule.

[Powdered Toast Man]

We have our own shitty veteran pitching decently enough right now in Edwin Jackson. Make us believers, Edwin.

[PenFoe]

[Quality Start Machine]

We have our own shitty veteran pitching decently enough right now in Edwin Jackson. Make us believers, Edwin.

I actually like Edwin Jackson in this bridge inning role. So far, at least.

[ChuckD]

We have our own shitty veteran pitching decently enough right now in Edwin Jackson. Make us believers, Edwin.

I actually like Edwin Jackson in this bridge inning role since he's pitching good. So far, at least.

[Saul Goodman]

Down to Iowa, where he belongs! Junior Lake up.

[PenFoe]

Down to Iowa, where he belongs! Junior Lake up.

FYHUEY!

[Bort]

It says a lot about how the previous decades of Cub fandom lowered my expectations that I assumed Schlitter would be something we'd have to watch all season long no matter how terrible he pitched.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Down to Iowa, where he belongs! Junior Lake up.

FYHUEY!

God damnit.

Seriously, why would they not call up MACK SEIZURE?  

I was really hoping to never again have to bear witness to Junior Fucking Lake in a Cubs uniform.  Fuckall.

[SKO]

Down to Iowa, where he belongs! Junior Lake up.

FYHUEY!

God damnit.

Seriously, why would they not call up MACK SEIZURE?  

I was really hoping to never again have to bear witness to Junior Fucking Lake in a Cubs uniform.  Fuckall.

I asked the same question on Twitter and was informed Seizure had to be down in Iowa for 10 days before he can be recalled. Not yet there.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Down to Iowa, where he belongs! Junior Lake up.

FYHUEY!

God damnit.

Seriously, why would they not call up MACK SEIZURE?  

I was really hoping to never again have to bear witness to Junior Fucking Lake in a Cubs uniform.  Fuckall.

I asked the same question on Twitter and was informed Seizure had to be down in Iowa for 10 days before he can be recalled. Not yet there.

I thought we discussed that here. 

Damn you, Oleg.