SB Nation - Burke Badenhop

It's Burke Badenhop's turn

craig — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:39:24 -0000

David Pinto of Baseball Musings continues on with his Players A to Z, and it is Burke Badenhop's turn.

Mr. Pinto has some positive things to say about the Hopper, give it a look see.

But in writing about Badenhop, Mr. Pinto reveals a couple of things about himself.

1) He has good taste in cartoons.

2) He doesn't hold a candle to GameFish when it comes to spelling words using Burke Badenhop's name. But then again, who does?

Washington Nationals Drop 10th Of 13 To The Florida Marlins In '09, 9-6 Final.

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:55:04 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

3 months ago: Florida Marlins' Cameron Maybin, right, scores on a hit by teammate Nick Johnson during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Browse more photos »

Three hours and forty-five minutes after it started, the Washington Nationals had dropped their seventh-straight overall and the 10th out of 13 games played between DC and their NL East "rivals", the Florida Marlins so far in 2009. About two hours and forty-five minutes before the game ended, DC starter Garrett Mock was pulled from the mound after having allowed 7 hits, 2 HR and 6 ER in just 3.0 innings pitched in which he threw a total of 81 pitches, just 50 of them for strikes. After having scored a total of 4 runs in their last 4 games, the Nationals manage to force 6 runs across against Florida starter Sean West and the Marlins' bullpen. 3 through 6 in the order, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham and Elijah Dukes are a combined 9 for 16, with 4 walks and 5 runs scored between them, but Josh Bard, batting seventh strands 10...seriously...Bard strands 10 runners and the Nationals fail to cash in on several opportunities to tie it. The Marlins continue their inexplicable domination of the Nationals...16,364 fans watch it live...at least that's more than the Fish get in Florida...

Marlins win, 9-6 final.

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

Check Out The SB Nation's Florida Marlins Blog: FishStripes' Open Thread And Ichthyomancy.

"Game 135: Hope and FAIL" - Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• Part With Dukes? Why? Why? Why?

• Jesus Flores Returns. Sorta?

• MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo Tweets About Storen.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 46-89. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...11)

BACKPAGE:

• Part With Dukes? Why? Why? Why?

Just yesterday in the latest edition of MLB.com's Bill Ladson's "Inbox: Who will the Nats keep around", Mr. Ladson responded to a question about the makeup of the 2010 outfield and Roger Bernadina's place in it, by speculating that, "...if the Nationals are not happy with Elijah Dukes, I could see Bernadina getting at chance in right field. I would like to see Bernadina get a chance to play every day because he can catch the ball." In the comments section of a post today at the Nationals Journal by Washington Post writer Chico Harlan entitled, "What To Watch For In September", Mr. Harlan responds to someone who adds watching what happens with Elijah Dukes the rest of the way to Mr. Harlan's list of reasons to tune in, by writing (and I assume it's him, and not a fake "chicoharlan" commenting on his own board):

"Good call on Dukes. I agree that he's playing himself off the roster. September is critical for him."

This is a topic that's been discussed here at Federal Baseball, in the comments sections, gamethreads, and in a recent FANPOST by "Potomac Fan" entitled, "Is Elijah Dukes the long-term answer in RF?", and the prevailing sentiment, if I was to sum it up, would seem to be that all of DC is waiting for Dukes to claim right field, but he has yet to do so...The question I'd ask...Who else in the Nationals' system is going to provide more in right? I've openly stated that I expected more from Dukes, so I'm really wondering if anyone sees Bernandina as a better option? Justin Maxwell in right? What's the thinking out there?

Dukes was 2 for 3 tonight with a run scored and 2 walks, and after 85 games played and 287 AB's, the Nationals' 25-year-old outfielder is hitting for a .254 AVG with 18 doubles, 2 triples, 8 HR's and 52 RBI's. Dukes has posted a .328 OBP, a .415 SLG and a .733 OPS for the Nationals. Is Elijah Dukes your 2010 DC RF?

• Jesus Flores Returns. Sorta?

Before tonight's game started, Washington Post writer Chico Harlan noted in an article entitled, "Flores Activated, Strasburg Works Out, And Other Notes", that the Nationals' catcher of the future, Jesus Flores was off the DL and available for some pinch hitting the rest of the way, though chances are the DC Faithful won't see Jesus Flores behind the plate again until 2010. Flores was not used in tonight's game, even though there were several opportunities to do so...Let's hope the Nationals can just let Flores rest up for next season. Why risk anything now?

• MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo Tweets About Storen.

In a tweet sent out early this morning, MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo draws the baseball world's attention to the Washington Nationals' 2nd 1st Round pick, reliever Drew Storen:

"Just a note that @drewstoren still hasn't given up a run in Double-A ball. 12 1/3 IP and counting. Can't wait to see him throw in the AFL."

In 11 games and 14 IP at Class-A Hagerstown, the Nationals' 22-year-old right-handed reliever was (0-1) with a 3.68 ERA, 26 K's and not one walk allowed. In 7games with the Class-A Advanced Potomac Nationals, Storen was (1-0) with a 1.80 ERA in 10.0 IP, over which he recorded his first 2 professional saves. After the P-Nats, Storen jumped to Double-AA Harrisburg, where he's saved 9 games, pitched 12.1 innings, and given up just 3 hits, 0 ER as Mr. Mayo mentions, and allowed 6 walks while striking out 12 and holding opponents to a .077 BAA. Next up, unless he makes a surprise appearance in DC, will be the Arizona Fall League where he'll join his fellow '09 1st Round pick Stephen Straburg on the roster of the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

GAME REPORT:

Florida Marlins At Washington Nationals. Game 135 Of 162. (currently unedited)...

Chris Coghlan drops a bloop single into short right to start the first of three for the Florida Marlins in DC. Washington right-hander Garrett Mock gets a weak grounder to first from Nick Johnson for the first out. Hanley Ramirez sends a sharp grounder through short and Coghlan beats Josh Willingham’s throw home. 1-0 Marlins. Jorge Cantu destroys an 0-2 fastball that clears the left field wall for a two-run HR and a 3-0 Marlins’ lead. John Baker K’s swinging over a curve. Dan Uggla slices a line drive to right on one hop to Elijah Dukes. Cody Ross finally ends the first with a fly ball to right...Justin Maxwell rolls a bunt toward third that somehow rolls fair, and Maxwell’s on to start the Nationals’ first. Cristian Guzman grounds to second, Uggla to Ramirez to Nick Johnson, double play. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to short, Ramirez fields and throws.

Cameron Maybin doubles off the out-of-town scoreboard and takes third when Elijah Dukes and Justin Maxwell fumble with it. Mock gets Sean West swinging with his trademark two-strike bender. Adam Dunn stabs a grounder from Chris Coghlan. Nick Johnson hits a jam shot over short for a Trademark RBI single™. 4-0 Fish when Maybin scores. Hanley Ramirez pops out to short...Adam Dunn starts the DC second with a sliced single to left. Josh Willingham flies out to Coghlan in left. Elijah Dukes grounds weakly toward third, and Sean West’s throw to first pulls Nick Johnson off the bag. Josh Bard K’s swinging over a two-strike change. Sean West throws a change up high and Alberto Gonzalez triples off the left center wall to score Dunn and Dukes and make it 4-2 Fish. Garret Mock K’s to end the second.

Mock walks Jorge Cantu to start the third. John Baker takes a high fastball off the outside edge to deeep left and just over the wall. Two-run HR, 6-2 Fish. Dan Uggla goes down looking after an epic 10-pitch battle. Cody Ross flies out to right. Cameron Maybin flies to deeeep center, but Justin Maxwell gets there to make a catch at the wall...Justin Maxwell K’s swinging to start the DC third. Cristian Guzman grounds to Cantu at third. Ryan Zimmerman triples off the center field wall to give Adam Dunn a two-out RBI opp. Dunn rips a grounder to first and off Nick Johnson’s glove, Zimmerman scores. 6-3 Marlins. Josh Willingham tears into a fastball and launches it over the visitor’s bullpen in left. Two-run HR, 6-5 Marlins. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a two-out walk. A wild West pitch moves Dukes to second. Josh Bard K’s to end the third.

Saul Rivera on for Mock, and he gets a groundout from pinch hitter Brett Hayes to start the fourth. Chris Coghlan K’s swinging at a fastball outside. Nick Johnson breaks his bat grounding out to second...Burke Badenhop takes over for the Fish. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to Hanley Ramirez at short. Saul Rivera grounds out. Justin Maxwell K’s looking to end the frame.

Hanley Ramirez battles Saul Rivera to a full count and ends up doubling by Justin Maxwell in center. Adam Dunn knocks down a grounder from Cantu and tosses to Rivera covering. John Baker singles up the middle under a diving Alberto Gonzalez for an RBI hit. 7-5 Fish. Saul Rivera walks Dan Uggla. Cody Ross sends a weak liner to short. Cameron Maybin grounds to third, Zimmerman fields and throws...Cristian Guzman grounds out to short. Ryan Zimmerman works a one-out walk off of Badenhop. Adam Dunn grounds back to the mound off the pitcher’s glove for an infield single to put two on for the Hammer. Nick Johnson drops a grounder from WIllingham and the bases are loaded for Dukes with one down. Dukes K’s chasing an 0-2 slider outside. Josh Bard grounds sharply to first, some guy named Nick Johnson makes a diving play and a toss to the pitcher covering.

Burke Badenhop lines out to first. Chris Coghlan singles to center with one down. Nick Johnson hits a weak line drive over second. Hanley Ramirez flies out to Dukes in right to score Coghlan. 8-5 Marlins. Nick Johnson goes first to third on a line drive single by Jorge Cantu. John Baker scores Johnson with a single up the middle. 9-5 Marlins. Jason Bergmann on to face Dan Uggla. Bergmann throws a high fastball by Uggla for a swinging K to end the top of the sixth...Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to short. Mike Morse flies out to Maybin in center. Justin Maxwell grounds back to the mound to end the sixth.

Jorge Sosa gets a fly ball to center from Cody Ross. Cameron Maybin grounds out to short. Pinch hitter Andy Gonzalez grounds to Guzman and Jorge Sosa’s got a scoreless frame...Kiko Calero vs Cristian Guzman to start the seventh. Guzman K’s looking at a low strike three. Ryan Zimmerman takes a 2-2 two-seam fastball for a called strike three. Adam Dunn takes a two-out walk. Josh Willingham singles to center in front of a sliding Cameron Maybin to move Dunn to third. Elijah Dukes works the count full and takes a two-out walk to load the bases. Josh Bard K’s trying to check his swing on a pitch in the dirt.

Jorge Sosa vs Chris Coghlan to start the eighth. Nick Johnson grounds by Dunn, but Alberto Gonzalez gets it and throws to Sosa covering. Coghlan to second. Jorge Cantu takes a two-strike slider for a called strike three. John Baker’s gonna face Tyler Clippard. Baker flies to right to end the Marlins’ eighth...Alberto Gonzalez shoots a line drive single to right off Marlins’ right-hander Matt Lindstrom. Willie Harris hits for the pitcher. TAWH singles to right to put two on. "Pinch Hittin’" Pete Orr grounds back to the mound and into a force at second. Cristian Guzman flies out unproductively to center. Ryan Zimmerman grounds up the middle, Uggla gets there, and drops it, Zim safe. Alberto Gonzalez scores from third. 9-6. Lindstrom’s out. Adam Dunn vs Renyel Pinto. Dunn K’s swinging to end the eighth.

Mike MacDougal vs Dan Uggla. Uggla walks to start the ninth. Cody Ross flies out to center. Cameron Maybin goes down swinging. Wes Helms K’s chasing to end the top of the ninth...Leo Nunez comes on to close it. Josh Willingham K’s swinging to start the frame. Elijah Dukes pulls a single to left with one down. Josh Bard pops out foul of third. Alberto Gonzalez pops out foul of first to end it....

Marlins win, 9-6 final.

Burke Badenhop close to returning

craig — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:15:57 -0000

Burke Badenhop is on the verge of returning to the team.

Reliever Burke Badenhop is close to rejoining the team. He threw 44 pitches and 4 2/3 scoreless innings without giving up a hit for Single A Jupiter Saturday.

Gonzalez said if it wasn’t that the right-hander had pitched Saturday, the Marlins could have recalled him. Gonzalez said Badenhop, who went on the disabled list Aug. 2 with a strained right trapezius, is scheduled to pitch again Thursday in Jupiter.

If I were a betting man I would bet that the Hopper never makes the start on Thursday for the Hammerheads. The Marlins need a long reliever especially considering how short into the games some of the starters are going. The Hopper has already proven he is too good for A-ball and he is too good for AA-ball so why keep running the experiment. If he is physically good to go, bring him up -- the Marlins need him. If there is still some doubt as to whether he is physically able, then fine, keep monitoring him. But he is mowing down A-ball which leads me to believe has to be ready or at least very close to it.

The walking wounded report

craig — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:58:07 -0000

Some sound okay, others are a bit away.

1B Nick Johnson isn’t in the lineup tonight and he didn’t sound very confident that he’d be able to play any of the games in Houston this week.

---

Burke Badenhop (neck strain) threw two innings in a Gulf Coast League game last night. He’ll throw four innings for Jupiter on Saturday.

Andrew Miller (right ankle sprain) threw a simulated game today. He will throw 60 pitches Sunday in a Gulf Coast League game.

Until Nick Johnson is declared ready, look for Ross Gload to start at first against right-handers. Against left-handed starters it is anyone's guess but if I were betting I would expect to see Helms to playing third and Cantu at first. We will know more today since the Astros are starting a lefty. But I don't believe Gaby fits into the plans. He should, but I don't think he will.

Badenhop appears to be closer to returning than Miller. But neither are on the verge. If all goes well for the Hopper in Jupiter, he probably will pitch in Jacksonville just to make sure. (That is a guess.) But whatever happens the boys in the GCL and High-A are eating better than normal since the Hopper and Miller have to pay for the post-game spread.

Walking wounded report

craig — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:34:26 -0000

A quick report of the Marlins on the DL.

Sidelined right-hander Anibal Sanchez will continue his rehab assignment tonight with the first of two starts for Double-A Jacksonville. He'll throw again Monday with an eye on reaching the 90- to 100-pitch range. …

Burke Badenhop (neck) and Andrew Miller, who is on the Triple-A New Orleans disabled list with a sprained ankle, threw side sessions in Jupiter on Tuesday. Badenhop is eligible to come off the disabled list for the start of next week's trip to Houston.

If you get a chance, keep an eye on the Suns game. If Anibal is anything like the Anibal of old this could prove to be very beneficial to the Marlins down the stretch.

Monday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:31:31 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

Trevor Hoffman still doesn't untuck, but it's nice to see him celebrating a Brewer victory anyway.

Browse more photos »

Some things to read while getting your MST3K fix.

Today's biggest news is, without question, the health of Corey Hart. After complaining of abdominal pain during Saturday's game and again on Sunday, Hart left the clubhouse before yesterday's game and ended up having an appendectomy in San Diego last night. Hart will be placed on the DL and is expected to miss a minimum of 2-3 weeks. Michael Street of Baseball Digest Daily wonders if losing him might be the last straw for the Crew.

Hart will be replaced on the roster by Bill Hall, who returns to the team after just a few days in AAA. Hall was 4-for-8 in AAA entering play yesterday, but went 0-for-6 with a walk and three strikeouts in a doubleheader last night. Hall and Frank Catalanotto are expected to platoon in right field while Hart is out.

At least one Brewer starting pitcher on the DL is getting closer to returning: Dave Bush threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session yesterday, and could head out on a rehab assignment as soon as the end of this week. Jeff Suppan, meanwhile, is complaining of "fatigue" in his strained oblique muscle when he throws. He's not expected to miss much more than 15 days, at any rate.

With Bush and Suppan still out, the Brewers made one minor move at the trading deadline, picking up Claudio Vargas from the Dodgers in exchange for Vinny Rottino. There's plenty of reaction from all over the web on that move:

Gordon Edes of Yahoo listed the Brewers as a trade deadline loser.
Right Field Bleachers notcied Tim Kurkijian's disappointment with the Brewers as well.
John Sickels of Minor League Ball says Vargas has more value than Rottino.
Rottino and the Brewers parted with no hard feelings. Rottino will be assigned to the Dodgers' AA team.
Tim Dillard was returned to AAA to make room for Vargas on the roster.
Over at The Hardball Times, Jeff says that, if Doug Melvin was going to acquire a stopgap fifth starter, he at least should have acquired one he hasn't had before.

Here's the first few paragraphs of Anthony Witrado's story on Vargas from this weekend:

The last time Claudio Vargas was in a Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse, he was packing his belongings and trying to figure out what had just happened to him.

That was during spring training last year right after Vargas, who wasn't pitching poorly, was released by the club because, get this, they had an abundance of starting pitching.

How times have changed.

Actually, after two slow-moving appearances where Vargas allowed four baserunners and two earned runs in 1.1 innings of work, maybe times haven't changed that much at all. It could always be worse, though: The Brewers could sign Sidney Ponson, who was recently designated for assignment by the Royals and surfaced in Speculationville.

The Brewers managed to win just one of three games over the weekend in San Diego, and are digging themselves a pretty deep hole in the NL Central:

Cool Standings gives the Brewers a 7.6% shot at making the playoffs.
Adam McCalvy noted that the Cardinals are on pace for 88 wins, and the Brewers would have to go 37-21 (36-21 following yesterday's win) down the stretch to reach that mark.
Vegas is giving the Brewers 50-1 odds of winning the World Series.

With that said, Tyler Maas has ten reasons to keep watching the Brewers down the stretch.

As the Brewers pitching continues to struggle, the calls continue to come for Bill Castro's head, but Drew Olson of OnMilwaukee.com says firing Castro would be the wrong decision.

Prince Fielder made some very impressive defensive plays over the weekend, but still came in 15th of 16 NL first basemen in Baseball Digest Daily's defensive rankings. The good news for the Brewers: Craig Counsell finished first among second basemen.

In the minors:

Alcides Escobar has missed a few games recently to attend to a family matter. I've heard his wife is giving birth to a child, but don't have a source to confirm it. He's expected to rejoin the Sounds tomorrow.
Escobar ranked eleventh on Jonathan Mayo's list of baseball's top 50 prospects. (h/t Larry Stone)
Mat Gamel ranked 13th and Alcides Escobar 24th in Project Prospect's Top 25.

With Friday's trade deadline, it's been a busy weekend on the transaction wire:

Blue Jays: Placed reliever Scott Downs on the DL with an injury to his left big toe.
Braves: Acquired Adam LaRoche from the Red Sox for Casey Kotchman.
Giants: Placed outfielder Andres Torres on the DL with a hamstring strain.
Indians: Designated relievers Winston Abreu and Mike Gosling for assignment.
Mariners: Designated first baseman Chris Shelton for assignment.
Marlins: Acquired Nick Johnson from the Nationals for a minor league pitcher and placed Burke Badenhop on the DL with a sore neck.
Mets: Designated Robinson Cancel for assignment.
Orioles: Placed pitcher Brad Bergesen on the DL with a bruised shin.
Padres: Released Mark Prior.
Rangers: Placed Ian Kinsler on the DL with a hamstring strain.
Rays: Signed reliever Jeff Bennett and added him to their 25-man roster.
Red Sox: Acquired Victor Martinez from the Indians for Justin Masterson and two minor league pitchers.
Reds: Acquired Scott Rolen from the Blue Jays for three minor leaguers and traded Jerry Hairston to the Yankees for a minor league catcher.
Rockies: Acquired Joe Beimel from the Nationals for two minor leaguers and placed reliever Juan Rincon on the DL with elbow stiffness.
Tigers: Acquired Jarrod Washburn from the Mariners for Luke French and a minor league pitcher.
Twins: Acquired Orlando Cabrera from the A's for a minor league shortstop.
White Sox: Acquired Jake Peavy from the Padres for Clayton Richard and three minor league pitchers.

Some parents pick their children's names out of baby books or name them after relatives. Not everyone does it that way, though: Here's the story of how the parents of Astros rookie Bud Norris got his name off a beer can.

On this day in 1997, Jeromy Burnitz hit a pinch hit home run for the second straight day. The Brewers lost both games to the Mariners.

Happy birthday today to Justin Lehr, who pitched in 39 games for the Brewers in 2005 and 2006 and turns 32 today.

Drink up.

Burke Badenhop to the 15-day DL

craig — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:14:27 -0000

Burke Badenhop was placed on the 15-day DL before yesterday's game.

RHP Burke Badenhop was placed on the 15-day DL with a strain of the trapezius muscle on the right side of his neck. Badenhop felt the injury during Saturday’s start in which he lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing six runs, five earned, on five huts.

"It’s something that usually is no problem but yesterday it got really tired on me," Badenhop said. "When I needed to just get the ball to the plate there just wasn’t much there."

RHP Tim Wood was recalled.

It case you don't know anything about the trapezius muscle here is a quick primer: The Trapezius Muscle. From what I have read the muscle tightens up in the back or shoulder area and causes the mother of all cricks in the neck.

The Hopper ( I refuse to call him Dragon) being on the DL causes a couple of short term problems. The first being that the Marlins will need someone to take over the long relief role. That will fall to the Chief, Brian Sanches, who did well on Saturday going 3.1 innings, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 6. The second is that the Marlins are going to need a fifth starter, at least a couple of times, before the Hopper will be eligible to return to the team. Right now most are guessing it will be Sean West. If that is the case it is a matter of just going with what you have got. I doubt that West has added a major league breaking ball to his arsenal since he was sent down. Let's face it, he hasn't had the time to develop a quality breaking pitch. So if West is added, Sanches may get some opportunities to try out his new role as long reliever.

Hopper's pain in the neck may cause some fans to experience the same, or at least have a greater understanding of the condition.

Cubs vs. Marlins Preview, Saturday 8/1, 6:10 CT

Al — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:00:10 -0000

More photos » by J Pat Carter - AP

Write your own caption.

Browse more photos »

The Cubs went 18-9 in July, their best month of the season so far and best since they went 20-8 in August 2008. A repeat of that August this year would likely put the Cubs in the driver's seat going into September. The Cubs' 11-4 mark since the All-Star break is tied with the Phillies for the best record in the National League and only one game behind the Angels for the best record in baseball since that time.

And, while no one was looking, the Cubs also sneaked back into the mix for the wild card, just in case the division championship doesn't happen. As of today the Cubs are one game off the wild-card lead, and tied with the Rockies and Giants with 47 losses.

There will be some roster moves next week. Per Gordon Wittenmyer:

... the other lefty acquired Thursday from Pittsburgh, Tom Gorzelanny, will join the Cubs' rotation starting Tuesday in Cincinnati. He's scheduled to join the team in Miami today and throw a bullpen session for pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

When Gorzelanny is activated, I would expect either Jeff Stevens or Jeff Samardzija will be returned to Iowa. Personally, I'd send the Shark down and stretch him out to start again. Also:

Catcher Geovany Soto (oblique) is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment today as the DH for rookie-A Mesa, then travel Sunday and play Monday through Wednesday for Class AA Tennessee. Barring a setback, he then would join the Cubs for Friday's series opener at Colorado.

When Geo is reactivated, what I'd do is send Micah Hoffpauir to Iowa for the rest of August to let him get everyday playing time. He is rusting on the bench; he had only 36 at-bats in July and hit .194/.256/.361. Get him some regular AB's, bring him back September 1, and he'd still be eligible for postseason play.

Today's Starting Pitchers


Carlos Zambrano Cubs	vs.	Burke Badenhop Marlins

7-4	W-L	5-4
3.36	ERA	3.46
99	SO	36
54	BB	16
8	HR	4
vs. Fla	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Carlos Zambrano	7-4	26	19	0	0	0	0	120.2	107	50	45	8	54	99	3.36	1.33

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Burke Badenhop	5-4	25	1	0	0	0	1	52.0	53	21	20	4	16	36	3.46	1.33

Burke Badenhop is making his first career start vs. the Cubs (and only his second start of the season). However, on May 1 at Wrigley Field, he came in to pitch in relief and was hammered by Cub hitters, capped by a grand slam by Ryan Theriot. A repeat of that performance would be great.

Carlos Zambrano threw five innings vs. the Marlins on May 3 at Wrigley Field, allowing two runs. Despite the bullpen's efforts to blow that game, it was enough for a win. Z is 5-1, 3.09 in 10 career starts vs. Florida; Wes Helms and Hanley Ramirez are the only current Marlins who have homered off him (once each). Current Marlins are hitting .184 (16-for-87) off Z, who seems to have settled down in his last few starts.

Today is a WGN game. If you don't have WGN but do have EI, you are eligible to watch, because it starts after 6 pm Central time. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Marlins site Fish Stripes.

Overflow comment threads will post today at 7:15 pm, 8:15 pm and 9 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Burke Badenhop to start on Saturday

craig — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:58:52 -0000

Burke Badenhop will make a spot start in Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Badenhop, who declined to comment today, does not plan to appeal his suspension, which he will start serving on Tuesday. That will give him plenty of rest to make a spot start Saturday night against the Cubs.

The initial plan was to recall Big Game Andrew but after his head turning performance on July 24, going 4.2 innings and allowing 6 ER along with 9 walks, the plan changed.

Now enter the conspiracy theorist. Something I plan to fuel.

So here we have it, BGA is a no go and the Marlins need a starter on Saturday. Given there is no one the Marlins would like to call up to spot start the thought was it always going to be the Hopper's.

To answer the question of some of why the Marlins didn't retaliate with Volstad, it is pretty easy. When a starter is suspended for plunking a player he receives a five game suspension, in order to make him miss a start or mess up the rotation. However, when a reliever is suspended for the same action, he only receives a three game suspension. It has to do with relievers, if they are of any quality at all, tend to make more appearances than starters.

So if the Marlins always had planned for Badenhop to make the start he would be logical one to, uh, "yank" the ball. Three days, no problem. They never intended to use him in long relief during that time anyway.

For this theory to have credence it would require Fredi, Tosca and Wiley to put some thought into it. And I'm sure they are quite capable of doing that. Whether they did or not is another story and maybe they didn't. But it is an interesting coincidence that the one who accidently "yanked" the ball was the only one who didn't matter if he did.

Burke Badenhop and Fredi Gonzalez Suspended

craig — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:35:48 -0000

Burke Badenhop and Fredi Gonzalez were suspended by the league.

Florida pitcher Burke Badenhop has been suspended three games and Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez was penalized one game after trouble this weekend at Dodger Stadium.

Major League Baseball issued the penalties Monday. Badenhop also was fined, as was Los Angeles pitcher Jeff Weaver.

Badenhop's suspension will begin Tuesday night unless he appeals. Gonzalez will sit out the game against Atlanta.

No word on whether they will appeal. If they don't, that means that Johnson, Nolasco and VandenHurk will need to pitch deep into the games against Atlanta. Johnson and Nolasco are probably going to anyway, but VandenHurk could prove iffy.