Glendon Rusch: What a pick up for the Cubs

[Rennie Stennett]

Every ballclub needs a guy like Glendon Rusch. A guy that can start. A guy that can do long and middle relief. A guy that can eat up some innings and keep you in close ballgames. Glendon has done a great job the past couple of years, averaging (137) innings, with a (3.99) ERA for the Cubs. And this at the time when the Cubs bullpen has been somewhat inconsistent.

[Schaddy]

He's saved our butts a couple of times the last two years, and his versatility really is a plus. I'm a bit concerned this year, however. He was with the Royals and then the Brewers in the past, and it seemed like every year he had a good year, he'd follow it up with a bad one. Now, obviously his last two seasons have been good. It leaves me wondering, though, whether that's because he's reached a new level of consistency or that he's due for a bad season.

I think he's going to be solid again, and having a spot in the rotation from the start of the year helps his confidence and lets him focus on starting, not switching roles like he's had to the past couple years. I would like to see him improve his breaking ball, and his control is shaky at times, but all in all I like him at the back of our rotation and I think he'll help us out again.

[rockin500]

well, dont put too much stock into today as the wind is blowing out pretty signicantly and he has given up 3 deep fly outs and a homer to griffey in the first.

it should be an offensive day for both sides.

[Schaddy]

well, dont put too much stock into today as the wind is blowing out pretty signicantly and he has given up 3 deep fly outs and a homer to griffey in the first.

it should be an offensive day for both sides.

Is it just me or does it feel like we play the Reds about 80 times each year? LOL. That's Glendon's problem, giving up too many fly balls. I wish he would work more on a sinker or cutter and keep the ball in the park and on the ground, because he's not going to overpower anyone.

Memo to the Red Sox: Damn you for trading Bronson Arroyo to Cincinnati. He owns Glendon Rusch h

Edit 2: Well, this is just embarassing. Four innings, four solo homers given up by Rusch. At least he got a double.

[Cubsfan97]

Im not big on this guy. He has done good in the past but isnt that consistant. He has good spells and bad spells. and when hes in a bad spell the Cubs pay for it.

[Bob Sacamento]

He was with the Royals and then the Brewers in the past, and it seemed like every year he had a good year, he'd follow it up with a bad one. Now, obviously his last two seasons have been good. It leaves me wondering, though, whether that's because he's reached a new level of consistency or that he's due for a bad season.

Most of Rusch's rebounding success with the Cubs has been his constant mixing of pitches and hitting his spots. He gives Rothschild alot of credit for helping him find his form that he lost so many years prior. But if Rusch doesn't do both of those things, then he gets himself into serious trouble.

He's saved our butts a couple of times the last two years, and his versatility really is a plus. I'm a bit concerned this year, however. I think he's going to be solid again, and having a spot in the rotation from the start of the year helps his confidence and lets him focus on starting, not switching roles like he's had to the past couple years.

What makes Rusch as valuable as he is, is his versatility. He can start back to back games then go to the pen and back to starting. With the volitale conditions that are Kerry and Mark Prior, that flexibility is needed. It's also the reason why Rusch got a two year deal worth a little more than 2 million a year with incentives for starting.

I would like to see him improve his breaking ball, and his control is shaky at times, but all in all I like him at the back of our rotation and I think he'll help us out again.

See that's the thing, Rusch doesn't throw curveballs or at least at no major frequency. He's basically a fastball/changeup guy who relies on hitting his spots and mixing speeds.

[Ravenlord]

See that's the thing, Rusch doesn't throw curveballs or at least at no major frequency. He's basically a fastball/changeup guy who relies on hitting his spots and mixing speeds.

yep. he's a left-handed Chris Reitsma.

[Rennie Stennett]

I didn't mean to jinx Glendon

Rusch Cubs fans. He got bombed on Tuesday, pretty good, but he'll bounce back.

[Lipsander]

He'll be fine, just a very bad start. If not, its still no big deal, I think Angel Guzman is about ready to go anyways.

[the pyromaniac]

Rusch is pretty good for the most part, but apparently not when he has to pitch to Bronson Arroyo.

[Cubsfan97]

Any chance we can trade Rusch for Arroyo?

[Bob Sacamento]

He'll be fine, just a very bad start. If not, its still no big deal, I think Angel Guzman is about ready to go anyways.

Guzman has only had one start in the minors so far. In that start against the Isotopes, he got the win by going 5 innings, giving up 2 hits (both singles), 0 runs, 1 bb, 6 k, and threw 85 pitches.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

yep. he's a left-handed Chris Reitsma.

Totally Agree Ravenlord!!! Curveballs are lacking.