Open Thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Saturday 7/8, 6:05 CT

by Al Yellon on Jul 8, 2006 4:39 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs Game Threads

For the third day in a row, the Cubs/Brewers pitching matchup will be identical to one in the series at Wrigley Field last week.

I wonder how often this happens in modern baseball, with five-man rotations and off-days, even with teams occasionally matching up twice in two weeks as these two have. I can't remember it happening in the last couple of years to the Cubs, anyway.

The streak will be broken tomorrow -- Mark Prior, who did face the Brewers in Chicago, will face Doug Davis instead of Geremi Gonzalez.

Today's Starting Pitchers


C. Marmol Cubs	vs.	D. Bush Brewers


1-3	W-L	5-6
4.73	ERA	4.45
29	SO	98
18	BB	28
5	HR	15
vs. Mil	--	vs. Cubs

Both Marmol and Bush threw well (six-plus innings, one run) in that June 28 game, the only one the Cubs won in that series. After Bob Howry screwed up the 1-1 tie, the Cubs exploded for a five-spot off Dan Kolb to win 6-3.

Speaking of 6-3, that's the Brewers' record against the Cubs this year, and in those nine games, the team scoring first has won. In fact, that was the case for the last six Brewer-Cub games last year, too. Thus, it would behoove the Cubs to hope that Juan Pierre's hot streak continues. He is hitting .373 with a .415 OBA in his last 26 games (110 AB); that's since June 10. I could say that had he hit like that all year, the Cubs might have been better off, but they're only 8-17 since June 10.

Does this mean having those numbers in the leadoff spot aren't valuable? No, it means that the Cubs didn't take advantage. Dysfunctional team personified.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Tweet Comment 62 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Lets go Marmol!

I was at Marmol's last start in Houston and he honestly didn't look like he had his best stuff. Whether it was having to go against Roger, I don't know, but he just didn't look confident on the mound. I'm sure he'll do better today.

Unfortunately, the game is on WGN. That doesn't help things out any.

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 4:41 PM CDT reply actions

That WGN thing is weird, isn't it?

And the Cubs did win on WGN last Sunday -- but that was the Sox announcers, so it doesn't count in the WGN total on the right sidebar.

by Al Yellon on Jul 8, 2006 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions

want a laugh

Wikipedia Dusty Baker.

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Jul 8, 2006 5:03 PM CDT reply actions

I wonder...

...how long some of those comments have been on there. That is absolutely freakin' hilarious.

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jul 8, 2006 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Re

Let's hope that there's a need to update the "Succeeded By" box on his entry on Monday morning.

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on Jul 9, 2006 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions

The streak ends...

tomorrow on Prior's suckiness, too. Wouldn't a big complete game shutout on a Sunday afteroon on WGN be great?

First things first...

As a Cubs fan, The 2006 season will be remembered by me as....the first that I could buy Old Style cans with Cubs logos on them....

by coopergillan on Jul 8, 2006 5:05 PM CDT reply actions

This just heard

Kerry Wood out 4-6 weeks with torn rotator cuff.
Just HEard on WGN

It's cool we like the same junk and stuff- Phillip J. Fry

by smwojoz on Jul 8, 2006 5:13 PM CDT reply actions

Well then...

... say goodbye, because that will keep him out the rest of this year and probably most of 2007, and perhaps could be career-ending.

It's sad, really, if this is true -- he had such amazing talent, and the potential to be truly great.

For a guy from the past who was quite similar to Wood in both talent and injuries, check out Gary Nolan, who burst on the scene at age 19 and by the time he was 22 had had an 18-win season for a pennant winner (the 1970 Reds).

He was done by 28. Wood turned 29 last month.

by Al Yellon on Jul 8, 2006 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Or ...

Don Gullett comes to mind as well.

This really could be the end for Wood.

by rlpete on Jul 8, 2006 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Stupid question

He has not pitched in weeks so did he tear
it doing something ELSE or did they just figure it out
or why do I even ask

by jessica on Jul 8, 2006 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions

How the heck

did that happen?

by JFCubFan on Jul 8, 2006 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

He was throwing

too many towels.

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Wood

At least this ends the sliver of suspense still left. Wood is officially done in a Cub uniform. Nearly a decade of waiting and hoping and praying for this guy to be the messiah, and all we get is shattered promises and a crummy 70 victories. The worst thing ever to happen to the Cubs (and Wood) was him striking out 20 Astros in 1998. Expecations went through the roof and the world thought we had the next Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens on our hands. Instead we had an injury plagued enigma that consistently seduced Ed Lynch, Andy McPhail and Jim Hendry into believing he could be the horse that took the Cubs to the World Series.

I imagine Wood will eventually surface with the Airzona Diamondbacks or Texas Rangers. Good luck to him. He'll need it. Hope he banked a portion of those multi-millions he earned with the Cubs because he days of the big paycheck are over.

by Mike63 on Jul 8, 2006 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions

golly

that was pretty bad when he struck out 20 Astros, nevermind the fact he was lights out in '03 which made us even more hopeful.

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Jul 8, 2006 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Wood

Yes, in hindsight it was pretty bad he struck out 20 as a 20 year old. Why? Expectations went through the roof and clearly, in hindsight, neither Wood or the Cubs were equipped to handle them. Wood never developed the physical prepardness and stamina nor the mental discipline of the great flamethrowers like Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton or Roger Clemens. The Cubs never understood how to appropriately develop Wood and patiently coax him along. Wood has turned out to be a colossal disappointment, and both the player and the organization are to blame.

Nine years in the big leagues and only TWO seasons where he threw more than a paltry 174 innings per season. And only 70 friggin career victories. In the final analysis, the disappointments, inconsistencies and the heartache outweighed the moments of brillance.

by Mike63 on Jul 8, 2006 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Wood in 2003

When the Cubs needed Kerry Wood to bail them out against Florida in 2003, the enigma failed, and failed miserably. Don't anyone ever tell me that Kerry Wood was a great big game pitcher. Yes he did flash brilliance in the playoff series against Atlanta, but his disppointments and frequent meltdowns on the mound is the stuff of legends. Nine seasons in the bigs and only two seasons where he threw in excess of a measly 174 innings says it all. Only 70 career victories, with a high mark on a season of only 14 wins. My Lord, even dime a dozen pitchers like Jeff Suppan have chalked up 15 or more wins in a season on at least a couple of ocassions in their careers.

Nuff said.

by Mike63 on Jul 8, 2006 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions

The guy has had legitimate injuries...

...and you are going to slam him like this. This would be like finding out you got into a car accident and saying just like Mike63, should've seen that one coming. My god man, can't you say a fucking positive thing about anyone. The guy has obviosly been trying this year to make pricks like you happy by getting off of the DL and pitching with pain. No shit, he had a torn rotator cuff. Cut the guy some fuckin slack. If you hate the Cubs and everything about them so much then don't watch the games and shut the fuck up.

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jul 8, 2006 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions

I know Al...

...that was out of line, but this is unbelieveable crap that this guy is going to sit here every day and speak only words of hate about everything that is Cubs. I am sure I will be getting an email but do us all a favor and stop this. I know that what we are doing over here is a selfless act of keeping our country safe but to be honest with you. A guy that feels it is his life's purpose to do nothing but badmouth everyone, I wish I was standing next to him over here. If I saw someone take aim I sure that hell wouldn't take the bullet for that pile of you know what.

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jul 8, 2006 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Are you in the military?

If so, I am too (sorta). Army ROTC, so if you are, than thank you for everything you're doing, and maybe I'll see you in a couple years.

by Perkins on Jul 8, 2006 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow

I love how you never really back up anything you say with anything more than a cursory glance at a stat sheet. At least when Gaius was here, he gave well reasoned and thorough arguments based on concrete evidence. I'm also inclined to believe he was less of a jerk than you are. Kerry Wood sure was terrible in Game 3 of the NLCS. Yup, and he definitely sucked down the stretch in 2003. And he definitely shouldn't have won more than 70 games, despite the fact that the bullpen blew how many leads for him? If memory serves, they blew seven alone in 2002, which would have made him a 19 game winner. Oh, and in case you don't remember, Wood didn't really choke in Game 7 (hell, he hit a HR to help his cause). Dusty made the mistake of bringing in pitchers other than Matt Clement in relief, while Jack McKeon used Josh Beckett to shut down the Cubs. I suppose none of this will register with you, and all I have to say is that I pity you greatly for the kind of anger (and bull$h*t) you're spewing forth.

by Perkins on Jul 8, 2006 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions

good lord

Kerry Wood in 2003 had a 14-11 record with 3 CG and a 3.20 ERA (career high) for the year with 266 strikesouts (a career high) pitching 211 innings and an All-Star appearance.

Golly gee how horrible.

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Jul 9, 2006 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions

And if my memory serves me...

...I think that he lacked run support in some of those losses. I think he had a lot of 2-0, 2-1, 3-2 type losses that year when everyone else was getting excellent run support.

Come on home Joe!!!

by santo for prez on Jul 9, 2006 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Your memory is pretty good...

... on April 23, he lost 2-0 to the Padres.

On May 26, the Cubs lost 10-0 to Pittsburgh in a game Wood started. Yes, that's a blowout -- but he left the game after seven innings trailing 1-0. The bullpen gave up a 9-run 8th inning.

On August 11 he lost 3-1 to Houston (irony: lost to Wade Miller); he left after 7 trailing 2-1.

And on September 7 he lost 2-0 to the Cardinals.

by Al Yellon on Jul 10, 2006 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Must be nice to be you

But, in case you didn't know this, for every Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens who can throw in the upper 90s for 20+ years, there are many more pitchers who can handle it for a few seasons and then "flame out." Pitching is horribly unnatural and puts a terrible strain on one's arm. And when someone has thrown that hard with terrible mechanics for so long, these things will happen. Yes, it sucks. Perhaps after all of it is said and done, he can return to baseball as a reliever. Maybe he's done. For his sake, I hope he's not, because he's one pitcher whose determination to take the ball I have never questioned, unlike another member of our rotation (cough, Prior, cough). Wherever he ends up, I wish him the best of luck.

by Perkins on Jul 8, 2006 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions

More info...

Out 4-6 weeks unless he opts for surgery.

It's cool we like the same junk and stuff- Phillip J. Fry

by smwojoz on Jul 8, 2006 5:15 PM CDT reply actions

Lineups

Pierre
Walker
Lee
Jones
Ramirez
Barrett
Murton
Cedeno
Marmol

Weeks
Cirillo
Jenkins
Lee
Fielder
Hall
Miller
Clark
Bush

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 5:17 PM CDT reply actions

Man!

You beat me by one minute!

by Al Yellon on Jul 8, 2006 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry bout that! ;-)

I didn't waste my time putting first initial or position in...that's probably why I got it first :)

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Lineups!

Cubs:

J. Pierre cf
T. Walker 2b
D. Lee 1b
J. Jones rf
A. Ramirez 3b
M. Barrett c
M. Murton lf
R. Cedeno ss
C. Marmol p

Brewers:

R. Weeks 2b
J. Cirillo 3b
G. Jenkins rf
C. Lee lf
P. Fielder 1b
B. Hall ss
D. Miller c
B. Clark cf
D. Bush p

by Al Yellon on Jul 8, 2006 5:18 PM CDT reply actions

Man! That's the best looking lineup

I've seen since April. Go Cubs!

by teacher tom on Jul 8, 2006 5:28 PM CDT reply actions

I'm off to get food

So i'll probably miss the first part of the game, but should be back here later on.

Go Cubs!

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 5:37 PM CDT reply actions

Nice work Carlos 2

Bill Hall is like Willie Mays Hayes trying to hit a homer every AB.

by grifdog on Jul 8, 2006 6:26 PM CDT reply actions

OMG MURTON

Retarded.

by grifdog on Jul 8, 2006 6:37 PM CDT reply actions

did anybody tune

in for the presentation of "this old cub" before this telecast.

I had never seen it before.It's an amazing production about not just an incredible man, but a all around incredible person. He is a symbolic figure of what it means to be a true cubbie.

After watching the telecast I got to wondering if some of the voters for the HOF pay more attention to statistics(which Santos has plenty of) rather than personal character and off the field contributions.

by amaru on Jul 8, 2006 6:56 PM CDT reply actions

I meant to say incredible player

by amaru on Jul 8, 2006 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions

His attitude on life is unbelievable..

...I don't know how he stays so positive considering the Cubs woes and everything else he's been through. Considering his health and the amount of time he puts in on the radio, he really does so much to help with juvenile diabetes. I hope that by the end of my life I can accomplish 20% of the things he has done for other people.

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jul 8, 2006 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I've been...

tuned out lately, but yesterday I heard on espn radio, that the cubs were giving wood a 3 year extention. Please, somebody tell me I heard that out of context.

by soonerbered on Jul 8, 2006 7:17 PM CDT reply actions

ya right

nobody on crack would give wood a 3 year deal you kidding

by china423 on Jul 8, 2006 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice!

Triple by Murton scores Barret to open the 5th.

CHC1 MIL1

Go Cubbies!

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 7:25 PM CDT reply actions

Sacrafice scores Murton

CUBS LEAD!!! GO CUBS!

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 7:26 PM CDT reply actions

Don't worry

Neifi is ready to bunt in (on his own) the winning run on third in the 9th.... snark...

I want my Macias!

by wombat on Jul 8, 2006 7:36 PM CDT reply actions

how is that...

play scored?

by soonerbered on Jul 8, 2006 7:45 PM CDT reply actions

when barrett...

got hit by the ball...

by soonerbered on Jul 8, 2006 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Scoring...

Single for the hitter, putout goes to the closest fielder, in this case the SS.

by Fort WayneCubbie on Jul 8, 2006 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks

n/t

by soonerbered on Jul 8, 2006 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Ramirez

Hey Ramirez got a double, ran all the way, but doesn't look too enthusiastic.

Cheering for the Cubs in Central Missouri

by missouri cub fan on Jul 8, 2006 8:22 PM CDT reply actions

Aramis.......

never really looks too excited but it was nice to see him hustle out of the box on that double. Hopefully in the 2nd half, he'll silence his critics.

by PriorandAramisfan23 on Jul 9, 2006 1:52 AM CDT up reply actions

An encouraging sight...

...in Friday's game was the arrogant, sh*t eating grin on Aramis's face during at least one of his at-bats. I remember someone noted not seeing enough of that this year. He looked like he was daring the pitcher to throw to him. I've missed that. I also hope he has a killer second half.

by Perkins on Jul 9, 2006 2:28 AM CDT up reply actions

I've missed that.....

cocky grin.....I hope to see alot of it in the second half too.

by PriorandAramisfan23 on Jul 9, 2006 2:31 AM CDT up reply actions

In the middleof the eighth...

CHC3 MIL1

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 8:24 PM CDT reply actions

Dusty...

...isn't keeping Novoa in for a 2nd inning is he?

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jul 8, 2006 8:28 PM CDT reply actions

Wow

How does Prince stare at a fastball right down the middle? Uh, thanks?

by grifdog on Jul 8, 2006 8:33 PM CDT reply actions

Took us three pitchers

But we got through the inning, forcing the Brew Crew to leave runners on 2nd and 3rd.

To the top of the ninth. Lets score some insurance runs, boys!

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 8:41 PM CDT reply actions

Took us three pitchers

This is the way this should've been playing all season.

Cheering for the Cubs in Central Missouri

by missouri cub fan on Jul 8, 2006 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Let me

...clarify. I was refering to the hitting and pitching, not three pitchers per inning.

Cheering for the Cubs in Central Missouri

by missouri cub fan on Jul 8, 2006 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Here comes Demp

Which one will it be? And there's our old buddy Neifi....

Cheering for the Cubs in Central Missouri

by missouri cub fan on Jul 8, 2006 9:00 PM CDT reply actions

It might be.

It could be.

It is!

A 2 game winning streak!

Holy Cow ! ! !

by JFCubFan on Jul 8, 2006 9:08 PM CDT reply actions

Holy Mackeral!

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 8, 2006 9:08 PM CDT reply actions

Knock knock

Who's there?
Dusty for the rest of the season.

by kessinger on Jul 8, 2006 9:34 PM CDT reply actions

of course

after all, we've won four of our last seven.

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Jul 8, 2006 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions

How 'bout those pitchers!

Good job by Marmol and the pen. He still needs to work on keeping the walks down though, like practically every pitcher on this team. They aren't scoring many runs, but the starting pitching is doing good.

Dempster didn't give up a run. I'm not disappointed with him today!

Are the Cubs responding to Jim Hendry's comments about evaluating and needing to play better or is it just luck? I don't really care which it is. Wins are nice to see.

Cubbie Blue will always sPaRkLe in my eyes, but please stop losing. PLEASE!

by sparkles721 on Jul 8, 2006 9:52 PM CDT reply actions