Crosstown Classic 2006, Part I

by DrCrawdad on May 18, 2006 8:10 AM CDT

n/t

Tomorrow begins the 2006 Crosstown Classic, Part I at The Cell. The scheduled starters are:

Friday, May 19: Maddux vs. Buehrle
Saturday, May 20: R. Hill vs. Garcia
Sunday, May 21: Zambrano vs. Contreras

The Maddux/Buehrle game could be a quick one. However, Buehrle has been getting hit pretty hard lately which, if the Cubs do, could make for a long game.

I'll put my prediction on the board, Sox 2 of 3.

Poll

Predict The Outcome Of Cubs vs. Sox, May 19-21

Clean sweep by Sox

10 votes

Clean sweep by Cubs

4 votes

Sox win 2 of 3

24 votes

Cubs win 2 of 3

21 votes

59 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

Cubs Still Have a Game to Play Today

And Kerry Wood pitches, I'll care about the Sox series at about 4:30 this afternoon.

by MerigoldBowling on May 18, 2006 8:17 AM CDT reply actions

Is Contreras definitely throwing?

The papers today say he may, or may not. If not, it'll be McCarthy.

by Al Yellon on May 18, 2006 8:19 AM CDT reply actions

Last I heard...

was that Contreras was a go for Sunday. I haven't heard of any question about his start. What paper(s) said there was a question?

by DrCrawdad on May 18, 2006 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions

I found it...

... this article in the Tribune:

If Contreras suffers a setback during a bullpen session before Thursday night's game, McCarthy would stay in the rotation.

So, though it does sound like the Sox want him to pitch Sunday, it won't be a sure thing till tonight.

by Al Yellon on May 18, 2006 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the reminder...

I read that last night, just before retiring to bed.

by DrCrawdad on May 18, 2006 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions

It's Jose vs. Carlos Sunday

Contreras threw 100+ pitches today.

by DrCrawdad on May 18, 2006 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes,

don't steal Kerry's thunder! It's Kerry Wood day! :)

I'm only half joking...

she

by Sarah Hope on May 18, 2006 8:19 AM CDT reply actions

No hindrance to the hype here...

There is no way commentary on a blog will interfere, or take away from, the "thunder" surrounding Wood's (annual) comeback.

by DrCrawdad on May 18, 2006 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Ouch!

That hurts Sarah. :(

she

by Sarah Hope on May 18, 2006 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Not meant to be rude...

It's just that Wood's start will receive (searching for the right words...) a ton of attention from the media, and I'm not implying that it shouldn't.

I don't wish Wood ill. Wood is a tough competitor and the injuries he's endured are not of his making, IMHO.

Best wishes to Wood today.

by DrCrawdad on May 18, 2006 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

I don't trust Rothschild as far as I can throw him, and if he was my pitching coach, I wouldn't be healthy enough to throw him very far.

I'm trying my best not to whine right now, but when are we going to get rid of him!!!! ... boohooohooohooooooooo.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 18, 2006 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Do you blame

all of Wood's injuries in 1998-2001 on Rothschild too?

Seriously, the idea that Larry Rothschild is responsible for Kerry Wood's injuries is laughable. Wood's mechanics have been flawed his entire career. When he's ready to listen, he'll listen. Sadly, I think that day won't come until next season when he's on a different team. I hope I'm wrong.

All will be fixed in 2006

by DSZ on May 18, 2006 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Don't worry,

you probably are.

she

by Sarah Hope on May 18, 2006 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Does that mean

you're going to ignore my comments about Rothschild? I'm really curious what it is that he's done so badly. This is a guy who Jim Leyland begged to go to Detroit this season where he'd put Rothschild in charge of a young (except Kenny Rogers) and talented pitching staff. The believe that Rothschild is not a good pitching coach is far from unanimous. What is it you blame on him?

All will be fixed in 2006

by DSZ on May 18, 2006 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I wish I could respond,

but I just don't care.

It's friggin' Kerry Wood Day!

she

by Sarah Hope on May 18, 2006 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions

guess for the weekend

Friday, May 19: Maddux vs. Buehrle
This could be a good game. Like you said, Buehrle has been hit lately. If the Cubs could get the Maddux that opened the season, they have a good chance of winning. I say the Cubs take this one.

Saturday, May 20: R. Hill vs. Garcia
Hill is not a major league pitcher. This one goes to the Sox

Sunday, May 21: Zambrano vs. Contreras
Z has been very good the last 2 starts. Contreras is coming off back problems. Close game, but I think Z and the Cubs take this one

That makes 2 out of 3 for the Cubs

Kasey

by kaseyi on May 18, 2006 8:20 AM CDT reply actions

Me also

2 of 3 Cubs. Maddux and Z will be primed for big outings and the little confidence we seem to have back helps. The use of a DH may actually help us scratch out a run or so except in the Sunday game when Z is a good hitter but won't hit. I'm looking for a springboard series here....come on, I can hope can't I?

by mrcubsfan on May 18, 2006 8:39 AM CDT reply actions

Looking forward...

...to Maddux putting one in Buehrle's ribs after he accused Maddux of loading up.

by jolietconvict on May 18, 2006 8:56 AM CDT reply actions

That'd be hard to do...

... at least in this series, as Buehrle won't be batting.

by Al Yellon on May 18, 2006 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Ugh

You're right. My zeal to see Buehrle get plunked got the better of me.

by jolietconvict on May 18, 2006 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Cubs have no chance against Beuhrle

Have we hit lefties this year? No. Who is one of the best lefties in the game? Mark Beuhrle.

Unfortunately, even though he's had a couple of rough outings, I don't see us hitting Beuhrle, and to make matters worse, going against a tough AL lineup with the DL in there, I don't think we can count on better than 2 or 3 runs at best from Greg.

My BEST CASE Scenario for Friday is a Cubs 3-2 victory, but I think Friday is the longest of long shots.

by ontheuptick on May 18, 2006 9:03 AM CDT reply actions

Wow.

I didn't realize HOW bad till I looked it up. The Cubs are the worst team in the NL vs LHP: .190/.271/.279.

Buehrle also has a 2.77 ERA at home. And even though he gave up seven runs on Sunday, only one was earned. However, lifetime vs. the Cubs he is 2-2 in five starts with a 5.29 ERA.

So the answer is, in the immortal word of Joaquin Andujar, "youneverknow".

by Al Yellon on May 18, 2006 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Here's a stat that even ...

... Dusty Baker might pay attention to.

As you might have guessed, Jacque Jones has faced Mark Buehrle quite a bit, being in the same division for several years.

He is 1-for-27 lifetime vs. Buehrle. With 12 strikeouts.

Please, Dusty. Bench him tomorrow. Playing him guarantees four outs.

by Al Yellon on May 18, 2006 9:43 AM CDT reply actions

Do you suppose

Maddux could hit for himself and Jones could
field but not bat?
Or how bout Glenden as DH?

Just a thought

by jessica on May 18, 2006 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll weigh in

Friday: Buehrle has been getting hit lately, but I hear he's been tipping his pitches. If he's figured that out, the Cubs will have a hard time scoring off him. Maddux was dominant in his last start, and has been for most of the season. I say this game goes to whichever team can get to the other's bullpen first. Advantage: Sox by a little.

Saturday: Rich Hill against Freddy Garcia. 'Nuff said. Advantage: Sox

Sunday: Zambrano seems to have picked it up, and Contreras (if he starts) is coming off an injury. If he doesn't, it's up to Brandon McCarthy, who got knocked around by the Devil Rays in his last start. Advantage: Cubs

My prediction is you guys get 2 of 3, though I hope I'm wrong and we can take the series.

by Perkins on May 18, 2006 10:17 AM CDT reply actions

Because

things never seem to go as expected in this series, I predict that the Cubs will take two out of three this series with The Cubs winning on Friday and shockingly on Saturday. Sox fans will voice their displeasure on the call-in shows after the Saturday game wondering why they had trouble with Rich Hill. Then the Sox win on Sunday with Jim Thome hitting two long home runs of of Z.

Then the Sox return the favor and take two out of three at Wrigley later this year. Splitsville for the season.

One day, the dream will come true.

by brianp88 on May 18, 2006 10:53 AM CDT reply actions

I voted

Sox 2/3 its their park... their rules.. and the Sox are hitting the snot out of the ball atm.. the Cubs are scraping for runs.. Doesn't bode well for the Cubbies

by cubsfan2883 on May 18, 2006 12:04 PM CDT reply actions

Quick game tomorrow

With Maddux v. Buerhle even with the 3:05 start time those of us who have to work until 5 won't be able to catch any of it. Maddux will give up a couple of solo homers and the bullpen will allow another run resulting in a 3-0 Cubs loss since they are so feable against lefties.

Saturday will be a long and ugly game as the Sox get into the Cubs bullpen in the middle innings and take the game 9-3.

Sunday will see Z feed off of the energy as the Sox try for the sweep and he'll continue on his personal hot streak as the Cubs rough up Contreras a bit and take the finale 5-1

Replace the ivy with hemlock

by jc60625 on May 18, 2006 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

Wow!

This is logically reasoned out and it very well could happen just this way.

Or not.

by Al Yellon on May 18, 2006 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions

At least ...

The Cubs won't knocking the Sox out of first place. That was done by the lowly D-Rays.

IF Maddux gets an expanded strike-zone, he may very well tie Sox hitters up. However if Maddux has to throw the ball over the plate, he may very well get hit hard.

I picked Sox 2 of 3, but the Cubs could just as well walk out proudly winning 2 of 3. It wouldn't shock me.

by DrCrawdad on May 18, 2006 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Self congratulations...

"IF Maddux gets an expanded strike-zone, he may very well tie Sox hitters up. However if Maddux has to throw the ball over the plate, he may very well get hit hard."

Well that's what happened.

by DrCrawdad on May 19, 2006 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Hopefully

I'm only right about game 3.

Replace the ivy with hemlock

by jc60625 on May 19, 2006 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions

It really depends on the longball..

The Sox seem more dependent on the middle of the lineup to pop off homeruns more often than last year.. Thome is mired in a slight slump (.182) this week. I have not seen what Konerko is doing.. but if the Sox are not hitting balls out of the yard it appears they have more of a dependence on big ball rather than the mix they had last year..

If the Sox continue to slump hitting the long ball. Cubs at best take 2 of 3..

If the Sox heat up.. Its a Sox Sweep.

If the Sox stay mid-level in between heating up and slumping they take 2 of 3.

There is no scenario in which the Cubs take all 3 games.

Another day, Another game.. If Neifi plays I swear I will watch another game..

by cubsfan2883 on May 18, 2006 10:24 PM CDT reply actions