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Open Thread: Cubs vs. Pirates, Friday 5/16, 1:20 CT

Pittsburgh @ Chicago



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Pittsburgh Pirates
@ Chicago Cubs

Friday, May 16, 2008, 1:20 PM CDT
Wrigley Field

Tom Gorzelanny vs Sean Gallagher

Complete Coverage >


While the rest of baseball merrily traipses into interleague play this weekend, the Cubs are going to be playing the Pirates... again. Someone in MLB's offices needs to take whoever is programming the scheduling computers, lock the doors, look them right in the eye and say, "What are you THINKING?" This isn't the worst example of scheduling so far this year, but it's among them. I'm not talking about the Cubs not playing interleague this weekend -- every time there's interleague play, there has to be a NL series since there are 16 NL and only 14 AL teams, and this weekend the Cubs are nominated -- but why on Earth would you schedule one team to play another 12 times in its first 50 games (yes, 50, because we play them again next weekend in Pittsburgh!). And after that, it's bye-bye Pirates till August.

That said, this is a good time for the Cubs to take advantage, since they are already 6-0 vs. the Pirates this year.

Thought this would amuse you: I got the YouTube link below from BCB reader RN24 -- it's a guy in his backyard imitating batting stances from current and past Cubs. He's got 'em nailed.

Today's Starting Pitchers
Sean Gallagher
S.
Gallagher

Cubs
vs. Tom Gorzelanny
T. Gorzelanny
Pirates
0-0 W-L 3-3
6.48 ERA 5.97
7 SO 21
4 BB 29
1 HR 3
vs. Pit -- vs. Cubs

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Sean Gallagher 0-0 3 1 0 0 0 0 8.1 10 6 6 1 4 7 6.48 1.68


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Tom Gorzelanny 3-3 7 7 0 0 0 0 34.2 32 23 23 3 29 21 5.97 1.76

For all you Edmonds-haters out there, the Pirates are starting three lefthanders this weekend, so it's likely that Reed Johnson will get the start in CF all three games (or, at least, that would make sense). The Cubs have already faced Gorzelanny twice this year and beat the heck out of him both times, scoring seven runs in less than three innings both on April 7 in Pittsburgh and on April 19 at Wrigley Field. In fact, Gorzelanny's ERA against everyone except the Cubs is 2.73.

Let's beat up on him again. After that he can go back to pitching well against other teams.

I thought Sean Gallagher threw well on short notice last Sunday; he did get charged with four earned runs in 4.1 IP, but two of those scored after he left the game, courtesy of Chad Fox. He has faced the Pirates only once, 1.1 innings of relief last July 6 in Pittsburgh; in that game, which the Cubs lost 8-4 mostly due to bad pitching by Jason Marquis, Gallagher issued a couple of walks and a double and would have gotten out of it unscored-upon if not for an error by Mike Fontenot.

And Sean? Do yourself a favor. Get another photo take. That one is scary!

Today's game is on WGN-TV, so it should be available to most of you -- unless you don't have WGN OR Extra Innings, since EI doesn't carry WGN telecasts. For more see 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 2:45 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Display:

1st post

lets get a long winning streak going!!

It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!

by cubsluver22 on May 16, 2008 8:50 AM CDT   0 recs

Wow, early game thread.

That guy does have the batting stances down pretty well! Also, Gallagher’s smile and beard are freakishly symmetrical in that photo.

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on May 16, 2008 8:57 AM CDT   0 recs

Love that photo...

he looks like a giddy Jr. Higher.

Enjoy the baseball weekend Cubs fans… it’s a wonderful time for our team :)

I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on May 16, 2008 9:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Both the starters photos

look like they just graduated high school…. lol

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on May 16, 2008 9:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Speaking of high school

Gorzelanny went to Marist High School in Chicago on the South Side and more than likely grew up a Sox fan (that area is like Bridgeport South). I say just another reason to stick to ‘em. Although I’m hesitant to expect a sweep as I’m pretty sure the Pirates are playing some pretty good ball right now. Then again, so are we!

"In all the categories that you pay the most attention to, except the loss column, we're doing very well" - Jim Hendry

by Jayo525 on May 16, 2008 9:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes but

Gorzelanny’s looks like he’s a jock, while Gallagher’s….........doesn’t.

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

by JohnM on May 16, 2008 11:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually, he reminds me of Butthead.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 16, 2008 11:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

One Step Further...

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 16, 2008 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Absolutley perfect!

I actually believe that Sloth slept with Sloth!

Calm down.

by Kinky Reggae on May 16, 2008 11:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

classic

""At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship." -- Steve Stone

by kentmeister on May 16, 2008 12:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sorry... could not resist.

I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on May 16, 2008 2:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually like that photo too

He’s got a goofy-ass grin like he’s just unbelievably happy and excited to be pitching in the majors.

by John Q Freejazz on May 16, 2008 10:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Me too. That's, hands down, my favorite Cubs player pic of '08.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 16, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Me. too.

Gallagher looks like a character from a Lewis Carroll story.

"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 May 16, 2008 11:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Prediction

I predicted an 8-2 homestand before the first AZ game. So taking 2 out of 3 from the Pirates would make that true. However, After going 6-0 against them, it just seems like the Cubs should be able to sweep them at will. I know that’s ridiculous, but anything less than 2 wins would be very deflating.

Interesting to note that outside of their games against the Cubs, the Pirates are 20-15 this year. That’s pretty dang good for them. Lately they’ve swept the Giants, taken 3 of 4 from the Braves and 2 of 3 in St. Louis. Considering all that, I’d be pretty pleased with 2 of 3.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on May 16, 2008 9:13 AM CDT   0 recs

They’ve won 8 of 10 as I recall… so they are hot right now. I’d be happy with 2 of 3.

I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on May 16, 2008 9:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And that's always easier

when you get the first one.

Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead." Give this a try.

by neverAcquiesce on May 16, 2008 10:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ward?

Do we know his status? Did he go to the DL? Did someone get called up?

by BrownE34 on May 16, 2008 9:27 AM CDT   0 recs

It doesn't seem like a formal announcement has been made.

But it still looks fairly certain that Ward will go to the 15-day DL and Hoffpauier will be called up.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 16, 2008 10:12 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds like

they’re waiting until Sunday for some reason that totally escapes me.

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

by Josh77 on May 16, 2008 11:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Stab in the dark

Maybe because they’re facing lefty starters all weekend, so there will be more lefty Cub hitters on the bench in late innings. Getting Hoffpauir here isn’t as crucial then, and a few more days for him to play everyday in AAA would serve him well, still coming off his own injury?

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

by JohnM on May 16, 2008 11:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Makes sense

Good point. I’m actually somewhat excited to see Hoffpauir up. He’s been raking this past week in AAA.

by John Q Freejazz on May 16, 2008 12:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That video had me rolling.

Old and new Mark Grace. Brilliant.

"Anything under 5 pitches is a bad at-bat."

by Fukumania on May 16, 2008 9:36 AM CDT   0 recs

Me too.

Great video! Laughed several times.

I brought me back to my kid days doing exactly the same thing in my backyard or at the ball field with a whole different generation of players: Banks (wiggle those fingers!), Beckert, Williams, Santo, Kessinger (from BOTH sides of the plate) and other greats from the 60s- Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Stargell, Kaline and one of my personal favorites- Dick McAuliffe. Was there ever a more open stance than his????

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on May 16, 2008 10:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Tony Batista had a very open stance

I recall McAuliffe, but don’t remember his stance, so I cannot compare the two.

"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."

by flachimesa on May 16, 2008 11:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Here's a link with photos

but the batting photo doesn’t show his initial stance very well. Dick literally faced the pitcher (his belt buckle would point directly to the mound) and he held his hands and bat up over his shoulder.

http://www.108mag.com/uploads/PDFs/McAuliffeSum07.pdf

This link compares him to Mel Ott.

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Dick_McAuliffe_1939

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (#13031 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list...)

by Zeke on May 16, 2008 11:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

INSTANTLY MY NOMINATION

For the greatest home video fo all time

Cubs 2008 (23-15)
Home (15-6) | Road (8-9) | 1-Run Games (4-3) | Extra Innings (4-2)
Updated on May 12, 2008

by SackMan on May 16, 2008 9:43 AM CDT   0 recs

Video Is Okay

I think those guys are Red Sox fans. That was the original. Derrek Lee extends his back before he gets set. Sammy Sosa was too out of control, Sammy was much more compact and had less movement. A Moises Alou shot of him striking out would have been funny, just like Wednesday? when he got kicked out of the game.

by MerigoldBowling on May 16, 2008 9:48 AM CDT   0 recs

Agreed on D-Lee

Can’t believe he missed the little back bend he does.

by kurtness5 on May 16, 2008 10:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That video is OUTSTANDING....

With the exception, that guy NAILED each past and present member of the Cubs. His Dunston, Dawson, Matthews and Morelandare priceless.

This video should go down in the annals of Cub history. And somebody should send it to the networks. If I have to deal through that shit of Manny being Manny on ESPN, then America can deal with the batting stances of Cub players !!!!!!

Mr. Towers, tear down this wall (er, I mean give us back Greg Maddux) !

by MDBNIU on May 16, 2008 9:50 AM CDT   0 recs

Moises

I liked his Alou imitation, he did have them down pretty well. It looked like a mix between Alou and Napolean Dynamite.

Let’s keep rolling

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on May 16, 2008 9:52 AM CDT   0 recs

The Moises swing sould have

had him checking his swing and then bitching at the umpire. Priceless.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on May 16, 2008 9:59 AM CDT   0 recs

And, of course, he should have pee'd on his hands before picking up the bat.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 16, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And just like that

a repressed memory is brought back. Thanks.

Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead." Give this a try.

by neverAcquiesce on May 16, 2008 10:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I "aim" to please. (Get it? Another pee joke! TGIF, everybody!)

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 16, 2008 10:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Settle down,

or you’re going to piss everyone off.

"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 May 16, 2008 11:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gee WIZ guys...

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 16, 2008 11:12 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm RELIEVED to see some of you have a sense of humor.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 16, 2008 11:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Pretty steady FLOW going here...

"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 May 16, 2008 11:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If you think we're done...

urine luck, ‘cause this is the last one.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 16, 2008 11:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not a chance.

There’s a whole stream of these left to go…

"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 May 16, 2008 11:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well at least I'm done...

in not gonna bladder on like this all day.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 16, 2008 11:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sorry, but,

I’ve got to get it out of my system

"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 May 16, 2008 11:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This thread

is really going down the toilet…

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on May 16, 2008 11:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's kind of

a waste of time

"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 May 16, 2008 11:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm flushed with pride that I started all of this.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 16, 2008 11:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

True.

Most people would’ve turned yellow and ran.

"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 May 16, 2008 11:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not to move in another direction

but Gallagher is supposedly pissed he’s batting 9th….

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on May 16, 2008 11:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He should try

and hold it in.

"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 May 16, 2008 11:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, he's not a No. 1, after all.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 16, 2008 11:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Otherwise,

he could come out with poor control and his stuff will be all over the palcce

"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 May 16, 2008 11:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Only if he

tries to push himself too hard

"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 May 16, 2008 11:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ok...time to pinch this thread off...

and let it taper to a close.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 16, 2008 11:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Put a shoestring in it

"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."

by flachimesa on May 16, 2008 11:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, that's a No. 2.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 16, 2008 11:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We need to dump this line of conversation...

and get back to talking baseball.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 16, 2008 11:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We all need to relax

and let it go….

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on May 16, 2008 11:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ExLaxtly!

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

by JohnM on May 16, 2008 11:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OK guys, let's eliminate

this kind of talk!

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on May 16, 2008 11:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Exsqueeze me?

"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 May 16, 2008 11:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

because my threads are starting to get a little backed up

So nobody has to see the scroll bar on my posts!!!!

by McRipper on May 16, 2008 11:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is just a waste

of time.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on May 16, 2008 11:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How about them Brewers?

So nobody has to see the scroll bar on my posts!!!!

by McRipper on May 16, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Weeeeee

got a winner!

Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead." Give this a try.

by neverAcquiesce on May 16, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This thread's

a dump.

Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead." Give this a try.

by neverAcquiesce on May 16, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If you haven't added a joke yet...

...do so now or forever hold your pee.

by John Q Freejazz on May 16, 2008 12:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is so immature..

I need to go play with my Lincoln Logs..:)

"I realize very well that I could regress to the mean."
-Brian Bannister on his BABIP

by Bump Bailey on May 16, 2008 1:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I can't believe

I read all of that. Nice work guys.

by sue369 on May 16, 2008 1:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a pretty decent "movement" huh?

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 16, 2008 1:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I've reached

into the bowels of my brain to come up with these.

Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead." Give this a try.

by neverAcquiesce on May 16, 2008 1:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs