Chicago @ Washington GameThread, Apr 27, 2008 12:35 PM CDT

Open Thread: Cubs vs. Nationals, Sunday 4/27, 12:35 CT

by Al on Apr 27, 2008 10:45 AM CDT in Game Threads

Chicago @ Washington

Next Game

Sunday, Apr 27, 2008, 12:35 PM CDT
Nationals Park

We are, once again, in uncharted territory. There are three games remaining in the month of April. The Cubs' win last night tied the franchise record for wins in April, 16 (it was set in 1969, and to be fair, there are more games played now in April than there were in past years). Derrek Lee has seven home runs; the club record for HR in April is eight, set by Lee Walls in 1958 and tied by Sammy Sosa in 2000 and 2002.

Keep up the good work.

Stop the presses -- Greg Couch actually wrote a good column today with which I agree 100 %: Get Alfonso Soriano out of the leadoff spot when he returns from the DL. Couch writes:

So what should [Lou] Piniella do?

Move him down to sixth in the lineup, where his power matters more and his selfishness hurts the team less. He can do great things, almost carry a team, when he's on. But in the postseason, you have to be more disciplined than ever.

A-freakin-men.

On the other hand, something I disagree with in today's Sun-Times: Chris DeLuca says "don't count the Cardinals out. Not to diss them too much, but I think St. Louis will come back to Earth -- especially if Albert Pujols' elbow blows out, which it could at any time. On another topic, DeLuca reminds us that Mike Cameron's 25-game suspension ends today and he will make his season debut Tuesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Bruce Miles writes today on the positives and negatives of the Cubs' newfound propensity to attempt stolen bases.

And, the usual Mike Downey nonsense, in which he attempts to "rank" the top 25 regular season games in Cub history. (He managed to get the date wrong on the one he puts on the top of the list -- the NL East division clincher in Pittsburgh was on September 24, 1984, not September 9.)

Today's Starting Pitchers


T. Lilly Cubs	vs.	J. Lannan Nationals


1-3	W-L	1-2
7.30	ERA	3.42
18	SO	21
11	BB	10
4	HR	2
vs. Was	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Ted Lilly	1-3	5	5	0	0	0	0	24.2	29	20	20	4	11	18	7.30	1.62

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - John Lannan	1-2	4	4	0	0	0	0	23.2	24	9	9	2	10	21	3.42	1.44

Ted Lilly threw very well in his last start. It's time to build on that and get that ERA, currently orbiting Mars, down to a reasonable level. It'll take a while. Even if he does what Z did last night -- throw seven scoreless -- his ERA would drop only to 5.68. There's a fair chance he can do this against this franchise -- last year he won his only start vs. Washington, allowing one run in 7 IP. He's particularly good vs. Nats SS Cristian Guzman (1-for-18, 8 strikeouts).

John Lannan has never faced the Cubs -- in this series, of the three starters for the Nats, the Cubs had previously faced one of the three once. No wonder Washington has so much trouble, with such an inexperienced starting staff. Lannan's numbers are pretty decent so far this year -- but with 10 walks in 23.2 IP, expect the newly-patient Cub hitters to try to wait him out.

Today's game is on WGN. Yes, this time for sure. It's also on MASN cable in the Washington/Baltimore area, and at the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Today's overflow comment thread will post at 2:00 CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Ted Lilly

hopefully this is the game he finally gets his velocity back to normal. IMO he wasn’t very good in his last start, and pitched very simliar to his start against the Reds. He just got kinda lucky and got some big outs when he needed to. But if he’s going to be the Lilly from 02,03,04,06,07 he needs to get his velocity back to 90-92 consistently. This year it seemed like he has topped out at 90 at times. But most threw between 85-88, and hitters have caught up to it the second and third time through the line-up. Hopefully this was just a poor month, and Lilly will be back to normal soon.

Lilly has had these type of months in his career before, and has still had solid seasons. In August 2006 he had a 8.63 era August and still finshed with a 4.31 era in the AL East. In June 2003 he had a 6.28 era, and still finshed that year with a 4.34 era in the AL West.and in 2005 he had a 8.06 era in May that year as well. So hopefully Lilly has experience these velocity drop offs in the past and always bounced back. The Cubs really need to get him going and at least finsh in the 4.10-4.30 era range this season.

by cubsfan25 on Apr 27, 2008 11:00 AM CDT 0 recs

The benefits of winning baseball

We have Lilly struggling, who was one of our top pitchers last year and we are in first place and winning baseball games. He has seemed to come around, so this bodes well for the Cubs. Dempster has been excellent, Z is en fuego, and Marquis is in typical first half of the season form. The team as a whole is hitting and we aren’t packing it in when we are losing in the late innings. This season is so much fun already!

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Apr 27, 2008 11:09 AM CDT 0 recs

Mike Downey and Al Yellon: Twins?

Why is Mike Downey’s ranking of Cubs wins any worse than your ranking of the Top 100 Cub Home Runs, which could have better been titled the Top 100 Cub Home Runs that I, Al Yellon, saw or had happen in my lifetime? Downey may be a tool but he isn’t the only one. But it is a wise man who recognizes that we are all tools sometimes and know when you’re being one.

In any case it is good to see the Cubs win and with some luck they will continue through the season with minimal injuries and improved pitching. Hendry deserves some credit for going after Fukodome and picking up Johnson, Lou deserves a lot of credit for getting this club together. All anyone has to do is remember the dark days of Dust when idiots ran wild.

by bubbamike the one and only on Apr 27, 2008 11:14 AM CDT 0 recs

Twins? Don't think so.

For one thing, Al is much better looking..,

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Apr 27, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

Take a look at that HR list again.

I did NOT personally witness all of them, nor did they all happen in my lifetime. If you’ve got a better list, let’s hear it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 27, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up 0 recs

Al, I’m not going to get into a pissing match with you on your site. But what you did and what Downey did are similar, there isn’t much difference. You can disagree with his choice, you can show that he got his dates screwed up, that is fair game, but when you come down to it it is personal choice. Downey’s choice didn’t please you, your choice didn’t please me and my choices, if I thought myself expert enough to make them wouldn’t please you. Attack the man’s choices, not the man.

I know that is odd coming from me but It is how I feel. It is like attacking a player for not being the player we want him to be. In most cases it isn’t because he isn’t trying but because he hasn’t the ability. A fault but not one with which to hate him. It is like hating Bartman when everyone close to that ball went after it, he just had the misfortune to be closest to it.

by bubbamike the one and only on Apr 27, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

You said...

... “attack the man’s choices, not the man”.

That’s not what you did.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 27, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

No, I said that you’re the same as Downey. That what you did and what he did are along the same line. I didn’t attack you.

Nothing wrong with being opinionated, who could be more so than myself, but to attack him because you don’t agree with his choices, well . . ..

In any case thanks for the site.

by bubbamike the one and only on Apr 27, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ah, but I didn't attack him, did I?

I said what he wrote was “nonsense”.

Not only did you get the facts wrong in criticizing me - it WASN’T the top HR “in my lifetime, or what I saw in person” - go look at the list if you don’t believe me—but you also got the number wrong. It wasn’t a top 100 list, it was a top 20 list.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 27, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

You're right

I got it mixed up with the hundred players list. However the principle is the same. We can disagree on the choices and still respect one another. No need for Brownings.

by bubbamike the one and only on Apr 27, 2008 8:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Deal.

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 27, 2008 9:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

great game to be at last night

looking for a series win today!

2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?

by Chanman25 on Apr 27, 2008 11:33 AM CDT 0 recs

And the

rain held off. Glad you got to see a great game.

by sue369 on Apr 27, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

thanks

it was a really great trip. Plus, there were tons of celebrities touring the city because of Bush’s party. I saw Rob Lowe at the Archives. (It was pretty funny because people there seemed interested in seeing him instead of the Constitution or Declaration of Independence)

2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?

by Chanman25 on Apr 27, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

Stop the Presses! (part two)

Al is in favor of moving Soriano out of the leadoff spot? I must have missed a few posts along the way, ‘cause this is sure news to me. Welcome news, I might add.

Now if we can just get him to agree that slapping a corporate name on Wrigley Field is a bad idea and the blue jerseys are okay… ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Apr 27, 2008 11:41 AM CDT 0 recs

I've come to this conclusion...

... because the team is winning with the lineup constructed the way it is. 9-3 now without Soriano. It could be argued that maybe he should just sit for a while longer…

The corporate name… as I’ve said many times, who cares? No one will call it that, anyway. It will ALWAYS be Wrigley to those of us who love the place.

The blue jerseys, though… no way. Hate ‘em.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 27, 2008 11:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

Nothing like results to tell you what works

First let us all write to the Reds clubhouse and ask what clogging the bases has to do with scoring runs? I mean would they take away a double or the eventful triple and make it a double?

Alright with Soriano, moving him to the 6th hole would mean that Johnson when he plays is the leadoff and Theriot/Cedeno the #2 but when Pie plays he bats 2nd or 8th? Will Piniella put Pie in the 2nd hole in what will emerge as a platoon system, then who leads off, Theriot? That would mean when Johnson plays I think Cedeno plays more at SS. That would also mean DeRosa bats 7th, moving Soto/Blanco down to the 8th spot.

Of course the other component is the revelation that Piniella is also going to start DeRosa in four or five positions which means many more complexities and somewhat hiding Soriano’s big story.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Apr 27, 2008 12:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

OT- Matt Morris

According to MLB.com the Pirates just cut Morris. The owe him over $10M for the balance of this year and will have to pay a buyout for next year of $1M. What were they thinking when they made that trade? That wasn’t a small market move, thats for sure…

by LT on Apr 27, 2008 11:50 AM CDT 0 recs

From what I heard...

... Dave Littlefield thought Morris could be a mentor for their young pitchers. Unfortunately for the Pirates, this year guys like Duke and Gorzelanny were following Morris’ example of pitching really bad.

Morris hasn’t had a good year since 2005 and even that was just average. He appears to be done.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 27, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

OT - NFL Draft

Anyone have any opinions about the Bears draft picks?

2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?

by Chanman25 on Apr 27, 2008 11:51 AM CDT 0 recs

I like Williams

the Bears were smart to take him. I just hope he doesn’t turn into Stan Thomas!

Forte looks like a slightly quicker version of Benson. He looks like he hits the hole a little quicker and harder, is definitely a better receiver, but he, like Benson does not have a breakaway gear. It’ll be intersting to see how he performs. He wowed during the Senior Bowl and was basically the only option on the TUlane squad, thus the focus of every defense and still managed a good season. He had a really bad knee injury in 2006.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Apr 27, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Lineups

Cubs
Johnson, CF
Theriot, SS
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Fukudome, RF
DeRosa, LF
Cedeno, 2B
Blanco, C
Lilly P

Nats
Lopez, 2B
Guzman, SS
Zimmerman, 3B
Johnson, 1B
Milledge, CF
Kearns, RF
Pena, LF
Nieves, C
Lannan, P

by Bruce Miles on Apr 27, 2008 11:53 AM CDT 0 recs

Bruce any rumblings regarding Cedeno playing at SS when Soriano returns?

just Internet rumblings or any thoughts from the dugout?

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Apr 27, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wow! Soriano 6th, who would have thought

That’s where I had him in the lineup a couple months ago and got flamed by some experts frequenting this site…Someone going as far to ask me if my marbles were all in place by my putting the “Cubs best hitter” down there.

While him at the 6 spot won’t make for any better pitches being seen by Kosuke, Kosuke is probably the best guy on the team to be at #5 with Soriano #6 because of his natural pitch selectivity.

by blackhawk24 on Apr 27, 2008 12:10 PM CDT 0 recs

I just don't think you can put Soriano anywhere below five...

...how do you justify paying a man $136,000,000 and batting him sixth? You need to factor in the man’s ego, what it says about our faith in the guy, and whether or not it’s going to do more harm than good. I get pissed off just as much as the next guy when Soriano starts the game off with a big fat K, but how about his leadoff doubles, or homers, that spark an early rally?

I think a better suggestion than batting him sixth would be to explicitly get him some help taking pitches and working counts. We got the guy for his power and speed, we need to use it.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 27, 2008 12:12 PM CDT 0 recs

My guess is you're talking to me...

If so, my justification has nothing to do with salary. It’s IMHO what would be best for the team. Hey, if it’s between 5 and 6 for some here, then put him 5, keep D-Lee and A-Ram 3/4, put Kosuke in the #2 hole and continue to leadoff with Johnson. On days vs righties where Lou would want Pie to play, put Theriot at leadoff. DeRo would be 6th and then Soto and Pie.

All I want to see is Lou making the lineup with what’s best for the team. IMHO Fonzie at #1 just isn’t it. While I’d like to see him take a hint from what many have called the “Fukudome effect” and be more selective, I won’t be surprised if he’s 1st pitch hacking. Like I mentioned before, all his HR’s and hits on the first pitch were either pitchers’ mistakes on location or challenging him and losing.

Hey, if Fonzie starts at #1 and doesn’t produce, I hope to see Lou make changes, unlike toothpick boy, sticking to his guys come hell or high water.

There’s too much knee jerk reactions around here. I got flamed for suggesting Kosuke going to the #2 hole, like at #5 he was going to continue the .500+ OBP he had at the time. Or now with Soto, striking out 8 straight this weekend. The league is adjusting to the kid, now the kid must adjust to the league, pure and simple.

I’ll take 16-9 extended over the entire season. That comes out to 104 wins and would mean winning the division by double digits.

by blackhawk24 on Apr 27, 2008 3:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Theriot is the SS

He’ll continue to get the majority of playing time there. Ryan is at .337/.406/.465 entering today’s game. If he slumps, you’ll see Cedeno get time at SS.

by Bruce Miles on Apr 27, 2008 12:12 PM CDT 0 recs

I know you're not the guy making the decisions...

...but outside of a high batting average, that’s essentially the same Ryan Theriot we saw last season. I’m not very optimistic about his level of production when his batting average starts to fall.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Apr 27, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

LOL

figures

by cubsfan25 on Apr 27, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Has anyone ordered...

...a personalized ONEDEC jersey? I wouldn’t spend $150 on it, but still, that’s funny.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 27, 2008 12:13 PM CDT 0 recs

if 75 fans give me 2 dollars each

then I will get it

2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?

by Chanman25 on Apr 27, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm only asking 1$

From 150 fans.

by GoCubbies34 on Apr 27, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

well if 350 people on here give me two quarters each

we are set!

2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?

by Chanman25 on Apr 27, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

Let's do this.

Bring your “A” game Ted.

by sue369 on Apr 27, 2008 12:35 PM CDT 0 recs

Haven't really missed

Soriano quite frankly. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal when he went out because he was only hitting .175 at the time anyway. Not that I think that will continue, I’m sure he will contribute this year. But the guys who have filled in for him have been much more productive than he had been up to this point. I wouldn’t hit him in the leadoff spot either. Five or six hole would be a good spot for him.

by qccub on Apr 27, 2008 12:37 PM CDT 0 recs

Paul Sullivan and Len just said on the leadoff man

that Lou plans to have Sori back in the leadoff spot when he comes back.

by LT on Apr 27, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm actually dreading Soriano's return

You know he’ll be flailing, the offense will get sluggish, and Lou still won’t move him down. Eventually, Soriano will have to moved down; I just don’t understand why Lou is so stubborn on this matter.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Apr 27, 2008 12:40 PM CDT 0 recs

Has there been a fanbase dreading the return of a $136 million-dollar-man more...

...than we are right now?

Holy shit people, it’s not as if Neifi Perez is coming back…IT’S ALFONSO SORIANO!! All-star! Leading MLBer in assists! Stealer of bases! Hits a lot of home runs! Jesus Christ.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 27, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up 0 recs