A Look Ahead For A Set With 'Stros

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 4:33 AM CDT

And so we start another set with the inner-division Astros, where Biggio will be leadin....wait a second, no, for the first time in 100 years the Cubbies will face Houston without a man that looked like he was 15 at age 35. Here's a few things I look forward to and look for...

First and foremost, Rich Hill. If we're gonna be successful this year we need Hill to be throw the ball like we all know he can. After a not-so-sweet spring break, will surely be anxious to see what he looks like in first start. More specifically, if he can get the dirty breaking ball going and spot the heat. I hate Chris Young.

Effectiveness of line-up. I think there's been enough talk on this subject for the first 3 days of the season.

Getting a lead early. I hear this is a good thing, plus for Ron Santo's health, it'd be nice to get on the board first. In all seriousness though, it's hard to make a habit of winning when your playing from behind like we have been. Let's see what we can do.

In addition to that, when you have a lead, it's much easier for Lou to manage his bullpen and set those guys up for success. I'm curious to see as how our middle relief will pitch under pressure.

Kosuke "I am really good at baseball" Fukudome

Slow down Cub killers Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman. I have no idea what to think about Miguel Tejada to tell you the truth.

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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Even if we have poor pitching

I think we can out-hit the Astros poor pitching. I have a feeling that today's game might be a high scoring game from both teams with us pulling ahead. I'm seeing a 9-7 victory today...I hope it's more like a 9-0 victory but I think Hill has a little more work to do.

by ak123 on Apr 4, 2008 8:21 AM CDT reply actions

A victory's a victory!

How bout we compensate and say 9-4

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Cubbie Swagger

is the one thing you forgot..... just kidding though! These are the games we need to consistently win throughout the season. Our starting five is better than your staring five mentality gets going today. Get these two wins and send Z out Sunday to finish it off. Grind it out baseball, win 3 of 5, throw in an extra win now and then.

One point you made I totally agree with is getting leads. Last year we were much better when this happened and I think we agree this is what good teams do. Come to the park read to win. Show up, dominate, go home. (Taken from Dan Gable and Iowa wrestling.)

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Apr 4, 2008 8:28 AM CDT reply actions

Indeed

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll be at the game today...

And I think the key, as you said Al, will be Rich. If he can come in and pitch 6 or 7 solid innings, I think our offense will be able to relax and just hit.

Btw, I am worried about facing Carlos Lee. This guy simply killed us at Wrigley when he was with the Brewers.

"The one that invent the light tried 2,000 times and finally he did it, we have light...I don't want to spend 2,000 times to win Opening Day" Carlos Zambrano

by CubsBullsBears on Apr 4, 2008 8:36 AM CDT reply actions

And with the White Sox, too.

In 159 lifetime AB at Wrigley, Lee is hitting .302/.362/.616 with 11 doubles and 13 HR.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 4, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions

This is the game I was at...

That he absolutely killed us. 2HR, 3RBI.... and these HR's were no cheapies either, wayyyy onto Waveland.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200506300.shtml

"The one that invent the light tried 2,000 times and finally he did it, we have light...I don't want to spend 2,000 times to win Opening Day" Carlos Zambrano

by CubsBullsBears on Apr 4, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

He never does

really get the cheap ones

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions

The main reason why I would've preferred him over Soriano

Plus... he would've cost less...

Cubs 2008
Home (1-2) | Road (0-0) | 1-Run Games (0-1) | Extra Innings (0-1)
Updated on April 3, 2008

by SackMan on Apr 4, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

At the time...

You figured Sori would bring you ~40 steals a game as well.

"The one that invent the light tried 2,000 times and finally he did it, we have light...I don't want to spend 2,000 times to win Opening Day" Carlos Zambrano

by CubsBullsBears on Apr 4, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

That might be pushing it...

40 steals a game would require him to get on base at least 40 times per game, and as we know, OBP is not his greatest strength.

by John Q Freejazz on Apr 4, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd rather see him steal less

as long as he stays healthy. But I still think he'll swipe 25-35 this year.

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions

He wouldn't have cost THAT much less.

In a couple years they may have to trade him to the AL. He's getting pretty immobile in LF. (Lee, that is.)

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 4, 2008 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I meant...

A year

"The one that invent the light tried 2,000 times and finally he did it, we have light...I don't want to spend 2,000 times to win Opening Day" Carlos Zambrano

by CubsBullsBears on Apr 5, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Don't worry

If Caballo hits one far enough I'm convinced Kosuke can fly like Superman and intercept

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Marquis

Is he getting skipped this time around, what with the extra off day we had in there?

by HereComesASpecialBoy on Apr 4, 2008 10:42 AM CDT reply actions

Marquis

slotted to go tomorrow, followed by Z.

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Houston is a bad ballclub

The Cubs should do very well this weekend. Houston has literally no pitching once you get past Roy Oswalt. They're also going to deeply regret hiring Ed Wade as GM and his first big blunder of acquiring Miguel Tejada.

by MDBNIU on Apr 4, 2008 10:59 AM CDT reply actions

I agree but

I think it should be looked at as a series. You know what they say, all clubs win and lose 60 games, it's what you do with the rest of em. That said, we are a better ball club then Houston and I think we should look at it as winning the series. Winning ball clubs win series, always help to win the first.

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Sorry for horrible and nonsensical writing

Haven't slept in 20 hrs

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Exactly. Thats what I preach.

Sweeps are not needed although any club will gladly take them.

Baseball is to long of a season to say we need 10 straight. Take little battles win every series. Get to the playoffs keep the same mind set and bring a ring home.

by dus22 on Apr 4, 2008 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions

AAAAAAAA

MMEEEEEEEEEEN

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Gotta beat the bad teams.

It's no secret that the Cubs have struggled with this in recent years. We have all talked about this, but the Cubs need to set a tone early on, that we are going to win this division, and the other teams better get used to seeing us on top of the standings. It all starts with beating the bad teams. Houston needs a good spanking this weekend. 3 in a row, baby!

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Apr 4, 2008 11:22 AM CDT reply actions

I'm not worried about Hill

Didn't he have a crappy ST last season, also?

by daeviant on Apr 4, 2008 12:01 PM CDT reply actions

I am worried

I like Rich Hill. But control of his curveball is paramount key to his success. For all intents and purposes he is a two-pitch pitcher, and his other pitch the fastball is very pedestrian. It will be very interesting to see if Hill can get his curveball working in the cold weather.

by MDBNIU on Apr 4, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Good point...

...cold weather for breaking ball pitchers is not the best thing. You could see it a little yesterday with Marmol struggling with his slider and he threw a lot more fastballs. With Hill, he does need to have a respectable breaking ball to keep the hitters from sitting on his fastball.

Hill and Pie are two guys that would really benefit from having a good start. I view both of them being a little fragile in the confidence area, and you don't want them to spiral downward at the beginning.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Apr 4, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions