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Open Thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Tuesday 4/29, 7:05 CT

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Game Threads

Milwaukee @ Chicago


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Milwaukee Brewers
@ Chicago Cubs

Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008, 7:05 PM CDT
Wrigley Field

Ben Sheets vs Jason Marquis

Complete Coverage >

"If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Chicago". For those of you under 40, that's a reference to this 1969 screwball comedy in which a group of European travelers visited seven countries in 18 days. The Cubs will do that a couple days faster, playing in Chicago, Denver, Washington, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Chicago again in a period of 16 days (April 22 through May 9).

Now tell me again why computers schedule better than people?

Baseball note: the Brewers' Mike Cameron's 25-game suspension ended on Sunday; he'll be activated and play tonight.

Hey, remember jacob from Brew Crew Ball? Yeah, I know. Anyway, he sent me a few questions about the Cubs and you can read my answers here.

Today's Starting Pitchers
Jason Marquis
J. Marquis
Cubs		 vs. Ben Sheets
B. Sheets
Brewers
1-0 W-L 3-0
3.47 ERA 0.96
15 SO 24
9 BB 4
3 HR 1
vs. Mil -- vs. Cubs
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Jason Marquis 1-0 4 4 0 0 0 0 23.1 26 10 9 3 9 15 3.47 1.50
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Ben Sheets 3-0 4 4 1 1 0 0 28.0 14 3 3 1 4 24 0.96 .64

Sheets and Carlos Zambrano matched zeroes on Opening Day in a game that the Brewers eventually won. Since then Sheets has thrown great -- when he's been healthy; he hasn't pitched in 11 days. If it seems as if he is always pitching against the Cubs, he pretty much is -- Sheets has made 23 career starts vs. the Cubs, 12% of all his career starts. He's 9-7 lifetime, 3.70, and Derrek Lee hits him well (15-for-47, 2 doubles, 5 HR, .319/.313/.681, and no, that OBA isn't a misprint -- that's what happens when you have zero walks and a sacrifice fly).

Jason Marquis will have to be "on" tonight -- he doesn't have that much success vs. the Brewers (4-6, 4.01 in 13 career starts). The pesty Craig Counsell (8-for-21, 2 doubles, a triple, a HR, 4 walks, no strikeouts) hits him well. Marquis might be able to help himself -- he's 1-for-4 (a double) vs. Sheets.

Today's game is on cable in Chicago and in Wisconsin and as usual, more 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 8:30 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 421 comments

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Comments

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Please bring

Your “A” game tonight Jason. Let’s get some runs early.

by sue369 on Apr 29, 2008 4:11 PM CDT   0 recs

Ick

Those were some obnoxious questions, which you answered pretty ably, Al. Ever think of running for office?

by SuperContext on Apr 29, 2008 4:15 PM CDT   0 recs

We can turn the tables on Jacob, e.g.:

1. Jacob, in two years will Prince Fielder grow up into a blimp?

2. How does it feel always having to look a few miles south of you to see a popular National League baseball club always in the limelight? Is that why Brewers fan have an inferiority complex?

3. Is their a correlation between the price of cheese and Brewers’ ticket prices?

4. Is Braun getting used to playing left field?

5. How is your relief pitching holding up? Has Gagne learned how to tuck in his shirt yet?

by zevkalman on Apr 29, 2008 4:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

By winning the division running away

while the collective Brewer fans base dries their tears with Prince Fielder’s jersey and Eric Gagne’s contract.

"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 29, 2008 4:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The answer to the second half of #5...

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 4:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I see you are on your game tonight...

...sir. Well done.

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 29, 2008 5:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OMG, that is soooo funny...!

You’re the greatest. LMAO!

by zevkalman on Apr 29, 2008 5:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

omg

i just tore my stomach

Go Cubbies Go!!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Apr 29, 2008 6:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Comment from Brew Crew Ball..

Cruised over to bleedcubbieblue Reading their gameday thread, I can’t tell if its more like middle school or some sort of devolution like Omega Man.

There is actually a bunch of them that are offended because Gagne doesn’t keep his shirt tucked in

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball"

by Bump Bailey on Apr 29, 2008 7:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well

I’m kinda offended that he doesn’t tuck his shirt in. Yes, it’s a game, but it’s one with a long and honorable history, and the uniform should be respected…

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 29, 2008 7:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed.

Al, your answers made those questions seem better than they were.

"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 29, 2008 4:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Brewfan2

..had a good comment..”There was some fire in most of those answers”. ..haha…Go Al!!

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball"

by Bump Bailey on Apr 29, 2008 5:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's gonna be a cold one

maybe this means Sheets won’t be able to loosen up his bothersome triceps muscle.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Apr 29, 2008 4:16 PM CDT   0 recs

Wanted to read your answers, Al...

But every time I try to to Brew Crew Ball, it’s blocked by our firewall here at work. “Adult/Mature” content. Ha. Whatever that means. Maybe it has something to do with beer?

by rambler19 on Apr 29, 2008 4:27 PM CDT   0 recs

Dear Cubs hitters,

Sheets, oft-injured as he is, will be on a pitch count tonight (unless, of course Ned Yost is dumber than I imagine him to be). Please be patient, and get him pulled early, because that Brewers bullpen is delectable. Be patient, then feast on the ‘pen. That is all.

"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 29, 2008 4:28 PM CDT   0 recs

Great advice

One of the joys of this years team is that, so far, their approach seems to be in line with what you just wrote.

by SuperContext on Apr 29, 2008 4:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sheets is good

I really hate to see him do well against the Cubs, and I really hate to see him win for the Brewers period. But I have to say, as a pitcher, I admire that the guy has the kind of stuff he has with pinpoint control. When he’s healthy anyway…..if he could stay healthy, that’d be scary.

by rambler19 on Apr 29, 2008 4:30 PM CDT   0 recs

Ummm....

Those questions were less than friendly.

I have a question for Jacob:

What will Brewers fans think in two or three years when they are unable to sign all of their young talent?

by Imtrejo on Apr 29, 2008 4:43 PM CDT   0 recs

Or where were the Brewers fans

before last year!!!!

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Apr 29, 2008 4:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree.

The questions were passive aggressive, ill-informed and money-obsessed.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 29, 2008 4:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

right on

Did I just say right on?

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Apr 29, 2008 4:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yup

nothing wrong with early 90s slang

by cubsonWGN4ever on Apr 29, 2008 4:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

more like..

late 60’s slang…still good tho..

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball"

by Bump Bailey on Apr 29, 2008 6:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bizarro BCB member disagrees!
Nice work on the questions. You know you have a pretty heated rivalry when you ask those type of questions and get those type of responses. There was some fire in most of those answers.

We should re-visit these questions for the final series at Miller Park. It will be interesting to see what kind of responses there will be then.

Yep, Al. Those were some REALLY fiery answers there! Watch out!

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Apr 29, 2008 5:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So called Brewers fans

are some of the biggest band wagon jumpers I’ve ever witnessed. All of a sudden they are die hard, baseball fanatics. Yea, right. Where were you several years ago?

Is that really a Hatori Hansu bat?

by Hey Moe on Apr 29, 2008 4:51 PM CDT   0 recs

They also drink a lot

and kick puppies for no reason whatsoever too.

by JFCubFan on Apr 29, 2008 5:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why do I feel like...

...we are playing A LOT of games at home?

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 29, 2008 5:04 PM CDT   0 recs

just wait till september when you won’t be feeling that way anymore.

Stupid computer schedulers!

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Apr 29, 2008 5:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Plan 9 from MLB

“You see? You see? Your stupid computers! Stupid! Stupid!”

by JFCubFan on Apr 29, 2008 5:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm surprised

that jacob didn’t grill you on your relationship with the Reverend Wright. Those weren’t questions, they were insults.

These are the Brewer fans that I grew up with that made me a Cubs fan.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Apr 29, 2008 5:13 PM CDT   0 recs

Jason Marquis

If Marquis was half as scary on the mound as he is in that picture we would have nothing to worry about tonight.

"You would never guess that a little innocent walk like that could lead to two runs" -- Dusty Baker

by KyCubsFan on Apr 29, 2008 5:13 PM CDT   0 recs

I think he looks....distinguished.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 5:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What do you do for a living??

Web designer? Graphics??

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 29, 2008 5:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah..I'm the IT guy for a printing company...

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 5:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Brewers aren't going anywhere

Not with that bullpen, which shapes up to be among the worst in baseball. Eric Gagne is a $10 million gas can. Combined with the stupid big money contracts also dealt to Mike Cameron (they don’t need him), Guillermo Moto and David Riske???? Little payroll flexibility to fix what ails that pen.

by MDBNIU on Apr 29, 2008 5:28 PM CDT   0 recs

Lineups

Brewers
Weeks, 2B
Cameron, CF
Braun, LF
Fielder, 1B
Hart, rF
Hall, 3B
Hardy, SS
Sheets, P
Kendall, C

Cubs
Johnson, LF
Theriot, SS
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Fukudome, RF
DeRosa, 2B
Soto, C
Pie, CF
Marquis, P

by Bruce Miles on Apr 29, 2008 5:31 PM CDT   0 recs

Thanks, Bruce

Much appreciated.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Apr 29, 2008 5:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I would of started Daryl Ward in left

Felix Pie isn’t going to hit Ben Sheets.

by MDBNIU on Apr 29, 2008 5:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He may not get 2 hits off Sheets...

but he will take away at least 2 base hits playing center.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 5:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Says who?

Reed Johnson is capable enough in center field. Felix Pie might be a good center fielder, but his defensive prowess is WAY overblown. It’s his fan club over-compensating for the fact that he can’t hit his way out of a paper bag.

by MDBNIU on Apr 29, 2008 5:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Spoken like a true fan.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 5:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dusty...

...is that you? Hating the youngsters, are ya?

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 29, 2008 5:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

way overblown?

he’s got a cannon for an arm and ridiculously good range.

now his arm could get more accurate. and he will learn to get better jumps and take better routes. but that just means he’s only gonna get better, not that he’s not good nw.

by billywan on Apr 29, 2008 6:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Johnson is capable...

But Ward really isn’t capable of playing the outfield, too much of a liability. We’ve seen enough Dwaryle adventures out in right this year.

''As long as he doesn't talk World Series, I'm happy.'' Lou Piniella on Ronny Cedeno.

by CubsBullsBears on Apr 29, 2008 6:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Says who?

Daryle Ward is capable enough in the outfield. He might not be a good outfielder, but his defensive liabilities are WAY overblown. It’s his fan club over-compensating for the fact that he let’s too many catchable balls drop in front of him, has limited range and is a pure station to station runner on the bases.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 6:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL!

Well played.

''As long as he doesn't talk World Series, I'm happy.'' Lou Piniella on Ronny Cedeno.

by CubsBullsBears on Apr 29, 2008 6:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Johnson in left

and Pie in center is MUCH better than Ward in left and Johnson in center.

Even college ball should have taught you that.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 29, 2008 7:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

WELCOME BACK!!

Cameron! One of two (Neifi) second offense users!!

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 29, 2008 5:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That is why you arn't manager.

This is the outfield we should have been playing the whole time while Soriano is hurt. Gets Pie experience and have a great defensive outfield.

by GoCubbies34 on Apr 29, 2008 6:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and watch him

one-hop EVERY fly-ball to him?

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 29, 2008 7:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah... Kendall catching & hitting in the 9th spot I see

Another career day @ Wrigley for Jason I wonder?

by JFCubFan on Apr 29, 2008 5:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So sad...

This is exactly the sort of half-assed, poorly edited and fact-checked, mean-spirited nonsense that will always keep that site to nothing more than Jeff, and a dozen of his drunk neighbors. I won’t be surprised at all if SB Nation wakes up soon, and goes with another Brewers blogger; someone that can at least attract hits.

Nice job guys; you had a nice chance to market your site, and attract some new visitors, but you decide to to go low brow, and play the penis-envying little brother role.

by Damen Jackson on Apr 29, 2008 6:29 PM CDT   0 recs

I was thinking the same thing

that I was surprised that SB had someone like him as the Brewer blogger.

by Madison Cub Fan on Apr 29, 2008 6:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah...

that’s like giving me my SB site…a bad idea.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 6:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

At least you're..

entertaining, and generally not insulting or offending. Generally. None of the above can be said about them.

by Damen Jackson on Apr 29, 2008 6:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah...

I’m usually very specifically insulting and particularly offending.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 6:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Now that's funny...

Though the dancing Jesus the other day was a bit much. Just saying.

by Damen Jackson on Apr 29, 2008 6:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

As a Board Member of my local congregation...

I have to say…he was “tap dancing”. Just saying.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 6:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Jeff's a great baseball mind...

...and his work over at places like The Hardball Times and Beyond the Boxscore is topnotch; he also runs the excellent MinorLeagueSplits.com.

[Although I should note for the record that I don’t think he likes me.]

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Apr 29, 2008 6:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm familiar with his work..

which makes it all the more telling that he can’t get more than his drunk neighbors and high-school friends to join (or stay on) that site.

by Damen Jackson on Apr 29, 2008 6:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I know that Josh Kalk hangs out there...

...and he does some great Pitch F/X work. I think the guy from Recondite Baseball posts there, too. I won’t deny that some of the people over there are rather aggravating (roguejim comes to mind), but you could say the same about any site, including this one. (There are some amazing trolls at Baseball Think Factory, and I’m pretty sure that the winners of the “commenting while drunk” contest are probably on Deadspin.)

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Apr 29, 2008 7:04 PM CDT to parent up   1 recs

Woo-hoo!

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Apr 29, 2008 7:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm guessing

that the reason you don’t like Brew Crew Ball is that it’s a Brewers site, aimed at Brewers fans, and sometimes we like to make fun of Cubs/Cubs fans. Some of it’s in good natured fun, and some perhaps is over the line. The thing is, we’re not particularly concerned if you’re offended about what we say about the Cubs, because we didn’t seek you out to tell you what we said about it. You went there on you’re own. It’s not like it doesn’t get hits. It’s constantly growing, especially with SBN 2.0 rolling out. The community there is awesome- I’m sure you don’t see it, but that’s because you’re a Cubs fan. If Jeff were to get replaced (involuntarily), I’m sure a) no one would have seen it coming b) a lot of people would be up in arms and c( I don’t have a c. If all you’ve done is read what Jeff has said in Brewers vs. Cubs game threads, you’re missing out on a lot of the information he’s provided us with, which is a shame.

In short, if you don’t like it, don’t go there. But trust from the perspective of a Brewers fan, it’s a great site.

Also, I’m ok with being a penis-envying little brother, because that means yours is going to get small and shriveled long before mine! YES!!!! Going out with a penis joke!!

by Stoa on Apr 29, 2008 7:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"The thing is...we didn't seek you out to tell you what we said about it."

Welcome to BleedCubbieBlue!

"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman

by Bildo1805 on Apr 29, 2008 7:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You're right

And I was aware of my hypocrisy while writing it, but I do peruse this site to get people’s opinions on what’s happening with their team, much like I do with most of the blogs on SBN. I just figured I’d post it, even though I was reluctant to. Plus, I don’t often get to use a penis joke, which is a plus.

by Stoa on Apr 29, 2008 7:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs