Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs GameThread, Apr 6, 2008 1:20 PM CDT

Open Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Sunday 4/6, 1:20 CT

by Al on Apr 6, 2008 9:30 AM CDT in Game Threads

Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs

Sunday notes:

Kosuke Fukudome talks about his surprise bunt yesterday:
"When I started my pro career in Japan, I bunted a few times," he said through his interpreter, Ryuji Araki. "Recently, I haven't had too many chances to use it, but I had the thought in my head to try one."
And the way Fukudome plays has at least one teammate sitting up and noticing:
"He plays the game the right way," [Derrek] Lee said. "If you're watching him play, you can learn from him. I'm enjoying watching him play."
Reed Johnson will be in CF again today. I wouldn't read anything into this other than Lou likes playing the hot hand. (He'll likely start there again Monday against Pirates LHP Tom Gorzelanny.)
Lou says Henry Blanco may start today, or if not, then tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
It's going to be another beautiful day today, wind blowing out but not as strong as yesterday.

Today's Starting Pitchers


C. Zambrano Cubs	vs.	B. Backe Astros


0-0	W-L	0-1
0.00	ERA	3.60
5	SO	3
1	BB	3
0	HR	1
vs. Hou	--	vs. Cubs

Carlos Lee owns Z: lifetime .366/.422/.780 (15-for-41, 5 doubles, 4 HR). Career vs. Houston Z is 10-6 in 22 appearances (20 starts) with a 2.65 ERA. Both Lance Berkman (neck problems) and Ty Wigginton (fractured finger, likely happening when tagging out Jason Marquis on that ill-advised dash to 3B) will be unavailable for Houston today. J. R. Towles, who got hit by a Rich Hill pitch on his knee on Friday, should start today.

Aramis Ramirez is 5-for-14 (.357/.400/.571, 1 HR) vs. Backe. Alfonso Soriano is 3-for-16 -- yet another reason to sit him today. Overall Backe is 2-1, 4.97 in 6 career appearances (5 starts) vs. the Cubs.

Today's game is on WGN, so available to most of you nationally, on the usual radio stations (thanks to XM for keeping the game on the same channel all week!) and at the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2008 version - this link has pitcher stats and splits up)

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 342 comments

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Comments

Two things

First, Dome does what announcers always say hitters must do . . . forcing the opposing pitcher to throw the pitch that Dome wants to see. I've always heard announcers say that during games, but have not noticed it in action until watching Dome controlling the pitcher with his plate discipline.

Second, and this probably is the case, but I hope that DLee isn't the only one on the Cubs noticing (hint, hint, nudge, nudge to Sori and TheRiot)

by gwood on Apr 6, 2008 9:40 AM CDT 0 recs

I think the Riot is a smart ballplayer

Not loaded with a lot of natural talent, but full of smarts and spunk :-)

by zevkalman on Apr 6, 2008 9:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

I agree

that Riot is a smart ballplayer, I doubt he would have made it to the majors with his talent level. He could use some advice on plate discipline.

by gwood on Apr 6, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

Scrappiness

"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 6, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think he sets the standard for Scrappiness.

Theriot is 1.00 Theriots of scrappiness. We measure all other players' scrappy stat against that.

Murton, for example, is .997 Theriots.
Fukudome is 1.151 Theriots.
Soto is .680 Theriots
Soriano is .018 Theriots.
Pie is .852 Theriots.

Bucky Dent was 2.041 Theriots.
Lou Pinella was 1.876 Theriots.

Pete Rose was 10.000 Theriots.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

I use Ecksteins...

They are very similar to Theriots... just a different unit. Kind of like pounds vs. kilograms.

1 Eckstein = 2.2 Theriots

"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 6, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

LMAO!

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Apr 6, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dome's AB in the 7th was a thing of beauty..

...so much confidence. It was one of those AB's where you just knew he was going to get a hit..

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Apr 6, 2008 9:44 AM CDT 0 recs

indeed it was.

He doesn't flinch, doesn't twich. He stands practically upright, bad in hand, and just stares at the pitcher and waits. That second strike, which was nearly identical to the earlier ball, he didn't complain, he barely turned his head. The noise of the crowd chanting' Fu-ku-do-me" didn't bother him.

And then, sixth pitch, WHAMMO. Not swinging for the fences, just -- heh, "just" a hit RIGHT where it needed to be to drive in Lee and Ramierez. Boom. Two runs. Not as exciting as that 9th inning 3-run shot in the first game, no chance for a hat-tip out of the dugout, but a CLINIC on batting in a clutch situation.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

Complete agreement

He has a swagger, but no arrogance. He is what I love about baseball. There is so much more than just getting up there and swinging for the fences! In my opinion one of the major setbacks steroids caused was the excitement the Sosa/McGwire HR chase caused. I got caught up in it of course, but watching someone like Fukudome just reinforces that winning baseball comes from all facets of the game. Base running, defense, scouting, patience, body control, mental control, and so much more, he has it all! Just a joy to watch!!!

"Cubs Win!!"

by northofwrigley on Apr 6, 2008 10:03 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yes and yes again

Guys like Fukudome are why I love this game. He is exciting just being on the field. He possesses that thing some people call "intangibles."

They call me MISTER Fukudome!

by brokenland on Apr 6, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Loud, sustained applause...

... for all of the above posts.

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

by Al on Apr 6, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed on the LSA....

and just to chime in, I also have a good feeling that his style of play, the low-key, patient, disciplined, quietly confident game (a.k.a. the anti-American style) will rub off on some of his teammates. Some already have it, like D-Lee, (who, ironically, has some Japanese influence from his father's pro career) but I think the others will eventually catch on too. What is this telling us about the Japanese game versus the American game? I don't know, but the World Baseball Classic in '06 opened some eyes, I'm sure.

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

by ctcoff99 on Apr 6, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

Dome's been an absolute joy to watch thus far

Heck of a player we got here.

Cubs 2008
Home (2-3) | Road (0-0) | 1-Run Games (0-2) | Extra Innings (0-1)
Updated on April 6, 2008

by SackMan on Apr 6, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

In light

of the fact that the Japanese players that come to the majors exhibit such sound fundamentals for the game, wouldn't it be advisable for the Cubs to do one of two things:

(1) hire managers/coaches from Japan to come over and help teach these fundamentals to the Cubs minor leaguers; OR
(2) come to some agreement with a Japanese ballclub such that the Cubs could send some of their top prospects over to Japan for a couple of seasons to learn these sound fundamentals.

by gwood on Apr 6, 2008 10:15 AM CDT 0 recs

Here's the thing.

First of all, the Japanese baseball players that come over to the States are the absolute best-of-the-best. They're not representative of the population of Japanese ballplayers for a variety of reasons.

Second, really the emphasis on fundamentals starts well before players leave high school; you'd have to overhaul the entire American way of life, basically, to get what you're asking for. Soriano played in Japan for a year before the Yankees picked him up, and look at him.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Apr 6, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

True.

Plus, there have been some Japanese players (Tsuyoshi Shinjo comes to mind) who came to the USA highly touted, and turned out to be flops.

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

by Al on Apr 6, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up 0 recs

It's going to be interesting...

...as we end up getting more "second tier" Japanese players in MLB (good, but not superstars) to see how the reputation of players from Japan changes. When your only two examples of Japanese players are Hideki Matsui and Ichiro, you end up thinking that everyone over there is some kind of baseball god.

Now, if you were to truly make it an open competition for spots between Japanese players and the players currently in MLB, I'm sure the Japanese players would take over more than a few jobs. But I wouldn't credit it to any sort of innate superiority of Japanese baseball.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Apr 6, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up 0 recs

True....

but Japanese culture still places much more emphasis on group accomplishment (the concept of "wa", or group harmony) than our culture, which all about individualism. You're right about the overall talent level not necessarily being superior. American superstars are just as good, if not better, than Japanese superstars in terms of overall God-given talent, but in terms of fundamentals and being team-players, I'm not so sure. I'd have to see more of Japanese baseball as a whole to decide on that.

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

by ctcoff99 on Apr 6, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

But

Capitalism and "The American Way" is very much infiltrating Japanese culture. So I believe there is a sense celebrity in Japan that could cause "star" players to get a big head. I'm sure it is a thousand percent less than here, but probably will continue to grow over there.

"Cubs Win!!"

by northofwrigley on Apr 6, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

"sense of celebrity"

"Cubs Win!!"

by northofwrigley on Apr 6, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think...

Coming over to the U.S. and succeeding is about mental toughness as much as it is physical ability and skills. I'm sure many talented players come over here, but just aren't prepared mentally to play in a new country in front of thousands of foreigners.

In the case of Fukudome, I think it's his poise and mental toughness that allows him to keep the same approach that he used in Japan without being flustered by the pressures of playing here.

"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 6, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

That makes sense

I suppose the highly successful American hitters (Ortiz comes to mind) show many of the same characteristic that we appreciate so much in Dome. So maybe its something that some players have and cannot be taught.

by gwood on Apr 6, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ortiz is not American

Just to nitpick a little. But he's not Japanese either, so still relevant to your point.

"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome

by JohnM on Apr 6, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

It appears that Bruce Miles...

...is on hiatus; Matt Beardmore is filling in for him at the Herald, it would seem. Does anyone know more about this? I liked having a beat writer that didn't immediately resort to batting average as his stat du jur.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Apr 6, 2008 10:36 AM CDT 0 recs

Going to my first Cubs game!!

Sitting in the bleachers. I'm going to be sporting my home-made Cubbie jacket!! You'll know it if you see it, stop by and say hi!

by GoCubbies34 on Apr 6, 2008 10:37 AM CDT 0 recs

May have been pointed out before

but I only have Gameday Audio and I'm currently watching a re-play of yesterday's game. I just logged in and it worked. Is that part of the package I didn't see?

by philadelphiacub on Apr 6, 2008 10:37 AM CDT 0 recs

I don't pay them any money, and I can watch full game replays.

I've mentioned this a few times in the postgame threads, I think.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Apr 6, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

Sweet.

I really appreciate that MLB is taking the initiative to Tivo all the games for us. Generous of them

by philadelphiacub on Apr 6, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

Can we finally start to play some good baseball today?

Man... sure as hell glad we won yesterday... and it was great to be there during those big at-bats and Kerry's save.

But, man... we keep playing like garbage. Mistakes all over the place, it's disgusting.

OH, and BTW... they played Guns and Roses "Welcome to the jungle" yesterday when Kerry came out to the mound.

Cubs 2008
Home (2-3) | Road (0-0) | 1-Run Games (0-2) | Extra Innings (0-1)
Updated on April 6, 2008

by SackMan on Apr 6, 2008 10:59 AM CDT 0 recs

And the excuse we keep hearing....

is that it's early, they're not in midseason form yet. Well, geez, if that's the way it is, why don't we just have an extra two weeks of ST while other teams are starting their regular season? I look all over baseball and there are a lot of teams playing really good baseball. OK, maybe they're not in midseason form yet, but they have to be prepared to win games like every other team. I'm not saying it's been from a lack of effort, because I know they are giving 100 percent. But you're right....they have really not played a good, sound game yet and now would be a good time to start.

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

by ctcoff99 on Apr 6, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ditto

Before the comeback, I was expecting a Piniella moment after a loss. I am disturbed by what seems to me to be a lack of energy and concentration. This Divison race must be won with effort not press clippings about how we should win it.

If you like Selig's handling of the steroid issue, you'll love his choice for next Cub owner.

by tharr on Apr 6, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, its always that excuse... or the cold weather excuse.

Pisses me off. Your opponent is playing the same conditions as you are... there's no excuse for that.

Just play better baseball. Start fielding the ball like you should... make better throws across the diamond, and stop running yourselves out of an inning.

We've lost two 1 run games this week... if we hadn't made so many mistakes throughout the course of those games, we could've won them.

Cubs 2008
Home (2-3) | Road (0-0) | 1-Run Games (0-2) | Extra Innings (0-1)
Updated on April 6, 2008

by SackMan on Apr 6, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Re: Reed Johnson

I was almost shocked that Lou didn't pinch hit Reed for Pie on Friday in the bottom of the 7th. We had just tied the game on Soto's two out RBI single, and Houston went to the pen to bring in a lefty vs Pie.

Pie ended up grounding out to end the inning... Reed would have been the favorable match-up there, and he had yet to make an appearance for the season at that point.

Cubs 2008
Home (2-3) | Road (0-0) | 1-Run Games (0-2) | Extra Innings (0-1)
Updated on April 6, 2008

by SackMan on Apr 6, 2008 11:10 AM CDT 0 recs

I'm pretty sure

That Johnson had pinch-hit already earlier in the game.

Checking the pbp, he pinch hit for Hill in the 6th

by berselius on Apr 6, 2008 11:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

Oh... well, that would explain it.

I must've missed it on a bathroom trip.

Cubs 2008
Home (2-3) | Road (0-0) | 1-Run Games (0-2) | Extra Innings (0-1)
Updated on April 6, 2008

by SackMan on Apr 6, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

Odd baseball note

Its stuff like this that makes baseball so odd. Last night the Texas Rangers ended their streak of games without a complete game. They have gone some 196 games without a complete game. Kevin Millwood threw their last complete game in August of 2006. Millwood ended that streak last night. Of note... the Rangers lost 2-1 as Millwood threw an 8 inning shutout.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 6, 2008 11:24 AM CDT 0 recs

sorry...

... that should read 8-inning complete game, not shutout.

by dmlichte on Apr 6, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

Watching yesterday's game with a buddy

who is a Nats fan, we were rooting against the Cardinals (on TV) and for the Cubs (on MLB.tv) at the same time during the big rally in the 7th. After Kosuke's big hit, he says, "right now he's surrounded by 15,000 ladies and probably a couple hundred men who all want to have his baby."

I just love seeing smart baseball again.

by jcg996 on Apr 6, 2008 11:38 AM CDT 0 recs

Pie

should consider taking a language course in Japanese.

If you like Selig's handling of the steroid issue, you'll love his choice for next Cub owner.

by tharr on Apr 6, 2008 12:01 PM CDT 0 recs

Watch out for me

I had the best seats I've ever had at wrigley fall into my lap a few days ago. I'm going to be sitting in the front row behind home plate in section 19...TV seats or just to the right of where the main shot is. I'll be wearing aviation glasses and a blue hoodie (along with everyone else probably) so keep an eye out for me, i wish I had made a BCB shout out sign!

by cubsonWGN4ever on Apr 6, 2008 12:09 PM CDT 0 recs

Make sure you...

...get on your cell phone during every at-bat, and constantly wave to the camera. ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Apr 6, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

actually

can you carry some kind of flashing cubs LIGHT? that would be really cool.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2008 12:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

I actually own a flashing Cubs light....

if someone would like to borrow it.

by Imtrejo on Apr 6, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

cmon cmon!

is it game time yet???

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2008 12:29 PM CDT 0 recs

Just checked out the reds/rangers game

Saw this photo

Volquez

by miamicanes on Apr 6, 2008 12:32 PM CDT 0 recs

sorry red/phils game

by miamicanes on Apr 6, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Lineups

Houston:
Bourn (CF)
Pence (RF)
Erstad (1B)
Lee (LF)
Tejada (SS)
Blum (3B)
Perez (2B)
Towles (C)
Backe (P)

Cubs:
Soriano (LF)
Johnson (CF)
Lee (1B)
Ramirez (3B)
Fukudome (RF)
DeRosa (2B)
Theriot (SS)
Blanco (C)
Zambrano (P)

by gjdow on Apr 6, 2008 12:34 PM CDT 0 recs

I still would like to see

Johnson be in for Soriano, rather than Pie. Pie needs his at-bats.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

Is Pie banged up? Hand or something?

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Apr 6, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

it seems

Lou likes a hot bat. :D

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 6, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Rotoworld

Said that Pie is sitting because of his sore hand

Aramis Ramirez- NL MVP
Kosuke Fukudome- NL ROY
Carlos Marmol- Rolaids Relief Man

by sheamcmurray on Apr 6, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

looks good

except z should be bating behind fukudome

by crumps on Apr 6, 2008 12:35 PM CDT 0 recs

Nice...

No Berkman

"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 6, 2008 12:40 PM CDT 0 recs

The Reds are going to be damn good very soon.

Cueto, Volquez, Bailey, and add in Harang and Arroyo looks outstanding.

Plus with Votto and Bruce their good offnese isn't going anywhere.

Devin Hester, you are rediculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on Apr 6, 2008 1:11 PM CDT 0 recs

Corner outfield spots...

Dunn will need to be a DH somewhere soon and Griffey's career is about another injury away from being over. They'll need to replace those spots soon...

"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 6, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Anyone just see the...

Nice little Fukudome highlight reel they played on WGN? That looked like a half season's worth of highlights... and it's only been 5 games!

"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 6, 2008 1:12 PM CDT 0 recs