Thursday Morning Manager

The Cubs dropped game 1 of the NL Divisional Series last night 3-1. I will blame the loss on a lack of clutch hitting (Cubs were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and twice had the leadoff hitter on second base with nobody out and neither time did he even get to third). The Diamondbacks were 0-for-4 with RISP, but did get a sacrifice fly and two solo home runs. That is the real reason we lost.

Now let me share why people will say we lost. Most media people will say Piniella pulled Zambrano too early, choosing to take him out after 6 innings and 85 pitches with the game tied at 1 and the Diamondbacks having only one person reach 2nd base since the first inning (and that was the solo homer in the 4th).

But, I will argue that Piniella did not take Zambrano out soon enough. He let the pitcher bat with the bases loaded and 2 out after the Cubs had tied the game in the top of the 6th inning. Granted, Zambrano had doubled his first time up and hit a hard line drive to shortstop his second time up, but I would much rather have Daryle Ward and his .327 average at the plate with a chance to drive in some big runs that leave it up to the pitcher.

I mean, if he had the faith in the bullpen to pull Zambrano after 6 innings and 85 pitches, why not have that same faith after 5 innings? To me, the big mistake was not using a pinch hitter, and I will agree with everyone else that once that mistake was made, it was compounded by pulling Zambrano after only 1/2 more inning. He was dominating the D-Backs.

Piniella pulled Zambrano because he is planning on using him on Sunday for Game 4 after only 3 days rest (a risk in and of itself). But, a Chicago Tribune writer put it best today when he said in the playoffs the rules are 1) Win the game that's in front of you, and 2) There is no rule #2.

Ted Lilly vs. Doug Davis tonight - a battle of lefties. Cubs need to get this one or it could be a very short postseason.