Open Thread: Cubs vs. Reds, Tuesday 8/9

by Al Yellon on Aug 9, 2005 10:09 AM CDT in Chicago Cubs Game Threads

Short turnaround day again, and a quick post from work before I head to the ballpark on what's supposed to be the hottest day of the week.

Today's Starting Pitchers


M. Prior Cubs	vs.	A. Harang Reds


7-4	W-L	7-10
3.64	ERA	3.90
112	SO	118
35	BB	41
17	HR	12

Reverse psychology time again: last night's pitcher was someone the Cubs should have beat the living daylights out of.

Today, the Cubs face a guy who harangued them three weeks ago in Cincinnati.

Time for some role reversal. As noted in the game post earlier this morning, Corey Patterson is expected to return today. Don't expect too many miracles.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Tweet Comment 44 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

That is how I feel right now

Speechless

http://www.scacchoops.com

by jonpyardi on Aug 9, 2005 10:15 AM CDT reply actions

Darnitall, did it again...

... hit "publish" instead of "hide" till I was finished!

The problem is, there's a glitch here that prevents me from publishing the table that contains the pitcher matchups unless I save a post with one character in it first, and then edit it.

If I click "hide entry", I can work on it without you guys seeing that.

Now you know. Just a little bit of "inside baseball", so to speak.

by Al Yellon on Aug 9, 2005 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions

perhaps the hottest day of the week

will set the cub lineup on fire.

by dc60123 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 10:23 AM CDT reply actions

Now you're talking!

Wind should be blowing out today.

by Al Yellon on Aug 9, 2005 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

The Bears looked good last night....

Nice catch by Muhammed in the corner just before he stepped out of bounds.... (looked like he got the pylon to me, I think it was a touchdown)...

If Sexy Rexy throws darts like those this year, and the defense is solid, there is going to be a formidable (spelling?) team in Chicago...

by BillHoldenFan on Aug 9, 2005 10:36 AM CDT reply actions

Oh, the Cubs are playing today!?!?!

by BillHoldenFan on Aug 9, 2005 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

"Sexy Rexy"???

... <groan>

by Al Yellon on Aug 9, 2005 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions

nope

but WGN is showing the "Bad News Bears" at about 1:20.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

The Bears looked pretty good last night. Orton really impressed considering that it was his first ever game in the NFL where the transition to the speed usually takes a new QB a long time to get used to. He looked calm in the pocket and made the right decisions on many throws. You can tell he's a smart kid. It's also nice to see a REAL Wide Receiver out there in Muhammed. Great pick up for the Bears.

Offensive Line dominated and Bradley is gonna be a tremendous WR for the Bears. So good to see a bright side with the Bears and they're going to be a solid team this year and with their schedule, have a legit chance at the Playoffs.

Go Bears!!

by SoBlueCal on Aug 9, 2005 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

(I was making fun of the Cubs by the way) I was very upset last night to realize that I had watched the horrible Cubs game and missed most of the Bears game. Didn't even know it was on. I like Orton a lot, I am thinking he we end up being our guy down the road a bit.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions

New Cub fan born today

Addison Rose

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 10:48 AM CDT reply actions

congrats!

http://www.scacchoops.com

by jonpyardi on Aug 9, 2005 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

woops

Not actually my child, but thanks.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

You know what nuts

Prior has almost as many K's as Harang with almost half the starts.

by amaru on Aug 9, 2005 11:09 AM CDT reply actions

and

almost as many BBs, too.

by Thunderclap Newman on Aug 9, 2005 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Too late Al....

I'm already expecting a lot of miracles. And those have nothing to do with Corey Patterson. But I have to add him to the list. It is August, and Corey loves August for the same reason I love July. It's his birthday this month. Let's hope he does what he did last year, except he will be A LOT lower in the order.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Aug 9, 2005 11:51 AM CDT reply actions

Don't expect too many miracles?

No faith, no miracles, eh?

by Ivychat on Aug 9, 2005 12:13 PM CDT reply actions

Lineups

lawton
walker
lee
ramirez
burnitz
garciaparra
patterson
blanco
prior

Not bad. I really hope he uses Murton and Cedeno as his primary backups rather than Neifi/Macias/hollandsworthless trio. I really am wishing for Hendry to DFA macias to prevent Dusty from using him.

by victor @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 12:38 PM CDT reply actions

Cedeno...

is in AAA. Dusty can't use him anymore. Neifi is a great back up. Just not a great starter. There is no need to have 3 shortstops.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Aug 9, 2005 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions

See

sparkles, here is where I get POed even more. Why did Hendry not DFA Macias and keep Cedeno?

The answer always is Macias can play many positions. Well, he can play multiple positions BADLY, so where does that get us. Any outfielder who allows a run to score from 1st on a linedrive hit to his side should not be playing outfield.

The players on the bench should be pinch-HITTERS. The variance between a good fielder and a bad fielder is way-way-WAY lesser than between a bad hitter and an average hitter. We are better off having a bench of people like Grieve rather than a bench composed of people like Macias.

by victor @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Cedeno should be given a chance to play

everyday thats why you DFA him, unless he is going to start ahead of Nomar and Neifi

"You know what God told the cubs. Don't do anything until I get back!" Pete Rose

by Will71081 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

They didn't DFA Cedeno

The Cubs optioned him to Iowa. You DFA a player when you put him on waivers for the intention of either trading him or releasing him.

Luck is the residue of design. -- Branch Rickey

by Gregory on Aug 10, 2005 2:50 AM CDT up reply actions

why do you focus on Macias?

he has done his job and done it well. He's the friggin' 25th man who plays 7 positions in a part-time capacity and has hit close to .300.

by socalbob on Aug 9, 2005 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't mind Macias as a backup

I mind Macias as a late inning pinch hitter. That's the scenario in which Dusty uses him the most.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Aug 9, 2005 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

that Macias is a competent 25th man on the roster. The problem is the manager uses him as a starter. He is hitting close to .300 but that is an empty .300. The better way to evaluate hitters is to consider the OBP and SLG. Macias is hitting at a .310/.361 clip this year and is a lifetime .302/.377 hitter. For all that he has had 108 AB's already.

Again, let me reiterate. I have no problem with Macias as a super utility guy who can be used in many positions as a late inning replacement in blowouts. It is when Dusty puts him in as a starter or a pinch hitter when better options are available that bugs me. You do not think that this is such a big deal. I just happen to believe otherwise. I think of this as a symptom of Dusty's managing style and think that it is counter-productive

by victor @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

a starter out of emergency

Macias didn't start until Hairston was injured and they didn't want to bring back Corey.

It's just misguided blame.

by socalbob on Aug 9, 2005 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

if only

we could have had this lineup all year...except switch walker and nomar...and of course blanco for barret...

by billywan on Aug 9, 2005 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Lineups

while I admit I've bitched about lineup construction before, the biggest problem for me hasn't been the order, it's the contents.

by dbt on Aug 9, 2005 2:24 PM CDT reply actions

Aramis

Al- when you get back can you give us your impression of Aramis today? Santo seems to think that he's not even trying. I realize he may be banged up but both Pat and Ron commented on how he didnt even run out his popup..

Just curious.

by ThosKam on Aug 9, 2005 2:46 PM CDT reply actions

I think...

He gets some tips from his cousin Manny. :P

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Aug 9, 2005 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I believe Aramis is trying...

... in fact, he played very well in the field today.

I think he has several physical ailments that he's playing through, and probably uncomplainingly. This is a good trait.

I wonder, however, if the season is cashed in, whether he might be shut down by the end of this month, so he'll be fully healed by spring training.

by Al Yellon on Aug 9, 2005 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Stoney ...

... seems to agree with you, Al. His radio comments, reprinted in the Sun-Times yesterday, stated with some certitude that he thinks Ramirez is dragging around various ailments (back, groin, ankle, whatever). He based that not so much on Ramirez's inability to run the bases well or leg out grounders but upon his lack of mobility at fielding his position relative to the beginning of the season.

Luck is the residue of design. -- Branch Rickey

by Gregory on Aug 10, 2005 3:12 AM CDT up reply actions

when is Prior

gonna quit giving up the long balls? Jeesh. He looks like Paul Reuschel out there. Or maybe even Ray Burris.

C'mon--time to bear down Mark!

by socalbob on Aug 9, 2005 3:37 PM CDT reply actions

I've got an old Paul Reuschel jersey he can borrow

to complete the look.

by bison on Aug 9, 2005 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions

and now Ohman

my God! This staff just isn't getting it done.

by socalbob on Aug 9, 2005 3:38 PM CDT reply actions

The Macias problem

Macias was used as our #1 pinch hitter off the bench today. This is with both Hollandsworth and Murton available. Macias must be released to keep Dusty from continuing to use him as if he could hit.

by mportsch on Aug 9, 2005 3:39 PM CDT reply actions

know the game situation

he led off the 7th inning. And in the 9th inning, we'll have Blanco and the pitcher's spot coming up. Using Macias at the time was the proper move.

by socalbob on Aug 9, 2005 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

hello last year.

At least we got rid of Sosa, that team chemistry realy did us in.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

ended this one with a wimper

by socalbob on Aug 9, 2005 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Last week and pitching...

Last Thursday (havent posted since) I was told by some in here I wasnt a Cubs fan b/c I gave up on the season. Well, by the looks of it there are fewer and fewer Cubs fans... Really though, time to let this one go, even if you couldnt last week, and start thinking about the future.

The Cubs starting pitching team ERA is 9th place in the NL. The relief pitching is 9th place. The Cubs are 10th place. Shrug. About what you would expect with the pitching they have, no?

NLBallClub

by NLBallClub on Aug 9, 2005 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

Cub fans

have gotten nasty. And I don't blame us. This season disgusts me.

Personally, I'm taking a break from posting from this board (this post excepted) until I can talk about the Cubs in a civilized manner again. I can get awfully nasty when I'm in a bad mood, and boy, has this team put me in a bad mood.

That's how bad this season has gotten. We've become Red Sox fans from before last season.

It's time to strangle your inner Neifi.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 9, 2005 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

Well....

if that means we are going to the world series and winning it all next year, I'm going to act like a Red Sox fan.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Aug 9, 2005 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions

faith

Faith my friends, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel somehwere.

3 more strikouts until Maddux reaches 3,000.

by priorpwnz on Aug 9, 2005 4:56 PM CDT reply actions

yep

Its a freight train.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 9, 2005 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions

This Season...

About the highest even Al's hopes got in here over the past month or so was along the lines of "Well, other teams here and there have come back from bigger deficits" or "Crazier things have happened". And I dont discount any of that....

But... in 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2004 the Cubs felt competitive in a way they did not this year. It was never as if the Cubs were in command looking down on the other teams this year, and we "gave up" on the division title in mid-may it felt like.

NLBallClub

by NLBallClub on Aug 9, 2005 5:14 PM CDT reply actions