Can anyone say dominating?

[SKIPPER 11]

Hill was amazing tonight. I could not believe Lou pulled him. Im hoping he said he was gassed, but he looked like he had plenty left. Our lineup has a huge hole without Ramo in there. Any word on his return? Braves announcers said he would probably only be used to pinch hit during the series. Oh and can we find somebody else to hit too tomorrow- Andruw Jones is definately not the place to go. 3-1 week so far.

[ARamfan]

Hill was absolutely amazing and at first I thought Lou was making a big mistake by pulling him. :eek: But, it all worked out. I think ARam will be back playing by tomorrow or Sat. by the latest. He hates to miss games. More importantly, I hate it when he misses games!

[ARamfan]

I just read that Aramis will not be in the line-up for this weekend, but will most likely be able to play by Monday. He will rejoin the team tomorrow in ATL and be available to pinch-hit.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

To be honest I was expecting a thread concerning Hills great game containing reference's to "1969", "2003" and so on. LOL Just kidding, I love Cubs fan that take everything too seriously:D !! Anyway, Hill is the ace of the rotation theres no doubt in my mind. How about 8 IP, 1 ER, 11 K's and 1 BB? Sounds good to me!! The Brewers game yesterday at Wrigley north was a great game. When Pie hit that 3 run shot, every one of the 20,000 Cubs fans went nuts! I got a little drunk (I hate Miller beer).

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I just read that Aramis will not be in the line-up for this weekend, but will most likely be able to play by Monday. He will rejoin the team tomorrow in ATL and be available to pinch-hit.

Yes, I heard the same.

[zulusierra]

Hill was amazing. No doubt about it. I was actually questioning if he should have pulled him or not while I was watching it. Because it worked out, I'm glad he did. It shows Dempster that Lou has confidence in him in tight ballgames. And IF the cubs are able to put together a little run, they need to have a closer who feels you want him in there in a tight spot.

[VanMan]

I think Lou wanted to make sure that Dempster was able to close out a one-run ball game. It was by design, I suppose. Maybe if Andruw didn't hit that homer in the third inning, Hill might have stayed in to get the CG SHO. However, since he's young, 8 IP was a good outing for him. That curve ball was buckling knees and fooling hitters all night long!

[SkullKey]

I have read repeatedly that the best pitch in the game is a superior fastball. Hard to argue with - it's the foundational pitch and the most used pitch undoubtedly. A great fastball is a wondrous thing - truly over-powering. But best ?

I whole-heartedly believe a pitcher who has a quality fastball and then develops a curve over which he has true control (throws it for strikes) and command (it actually curves & the way he wants) has mastered - if not the King but the Queen of pitches (my argument, obviously is King). A curveball master can dominate - no better example right now than Rich Hill.

A superior curve rarely can be hit at all much less consistently and certainly not with power. If it's over the plate (or convinces the clown behind the plate it is) YOU WIN ! It's that simple. A lefties curve must be infuriating; re: Sandy Koufax - Steve Carlton et al . Combine a truly superior curve with a superior fastball and do it for - say - 15 years: welcome to the Hall of Fame young man. Add a 3rd pitch of real quality you are one of the best ever. A devastating pitch !

Rich Hill is a SUPERIOR pitcher - the rest of baseball is beginning to understand just how good he is. Right now he is an almost unknown (outside "Cubby-dom") 'top 5 in the game' pitcher.

Too bad Zambrano can't or won't really get his %%$$##@% together. This teams starters are actually VERY GOOD.

[ChinMusic22]

Hill was on last night, and his curve was devistating. This team needs to a pitcher to lead this staff, and it's great Hill is playing to his potential and doing so.

I do think it's a bit premature to throw out "Top 5 in the game". I wouldn't put Hill in the same category as Santana, Oswalt, Halladay, Sabathia, or Peavy. I put him in the next wave of young stud pitchers, IE-Dan Haren or John Maine. Hill keeps it up it won't be long before peoeple know the name.

[SKIPPER 11]

His perfoermance last night was definately great, but He needs better command of his fast ball before he can be considered witht hose guys. He had it tonight- throwing it on the inside corner. If he could get a little better with his change up then he would be Santana like.

[SkullKey]

" ... If he could get a little better with his change up then he would be Santana like. ... "

And that's about as good as it gets !

[bringbacktuffy]

It says a lot about a pitcher when he can have Andruw Jones flailing away at his curveball like that. And the other godd thing about his curve (which I've taken to nicknaming 'the hammer') is that it makes his fastball look about 4-5mph faster than it actually is. Tough to catch up to.

[bringbacktuffy]

and i agree totally with neifi, miller beer sucks.

[SkullKey]

" ..... And the other godd thing about his curve ..... is that it makes his fastball look about 4-5mph faster than it actually is. Tough to catch up to. ..... "

Good point.

[SkullKey]

" ..... and i agree totally with neifi, miller beer sucks. ..... "

Good point.

[CubsFan23]

Hill may eventually be our ace. He definitely pitched like it the other night. He still needs more polishing to be concerned the ace and one of the top pitchers. I think Lou may have pulled him so he did not over work him. We still have a long way to go on the season.