Open Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Tuesday 5/20, 7:05 CT
Chicago @ Houston
Christina Kahrl at Baseball Prospectus analyzes the Ward-to-the-DL-Hoffpauir-up roster move. ($) I was racking my brains trying to think of who Hoffpauir reminds me of from the recent Cub past, and she nailed it:
It's a great thing for him to have made it, but in the same way people shouldn't have been dancing in the streets when Phil Stephenson made it up, not everybody has to throw a party.
Yep. That's Micah Hoffpauir: Phil Stephenson, a lefty-hitting Cub career minor leaguer who also made his ML debut at age 28. Stephenson's ML career, almost three hundred AB, is about all Hoffpauir's going to get.
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Chris Sampson has made three career starts and has had five total appearances against the Cubs. He's 2-0, 1.25, but a great deal of that comes from this game on June 7, 2006, his first career start, when he threw seven scoreless innings and beat Sean Marshall, and this game on April 4, when he threw 6.2 innings, allowed two runs, and the Astros wound up winning after he left the game. Sampson has alternately thrown real well this year (7 scoreless innings at LA on May 10) and real bad (2/3 of an inning, six earned runs vs. the Rockies on April 18). He hasn't faced any current Cub more than 9 times (Aramis Ramirez, 3-for-9).
Ryan Dempster has made 11 career starts against Houston, but of course, the last one of those was five years ago. Against the current Astros he's done pretty well, except for Lance Berkman (.294/.455/.647, 10-for-34, 4 HR), but then again, Berkman hits just about everyone. Let's hope Berkman's 0-for-4 last night is the beginning of a slump for him.
Today's game is on WGN, so available nationally to those who have WGN, and also on FSN Houston, so it should be on EI. For more see today's 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.
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Comments
I will interested to see if Edmunds' ankle is gimpy and if Lou plays....
....Ascanio to see what he has in the pen. Also will Lou start play Cedeno on the road when a team can wear down.
I would like to see Edmunds’ first extra base hit and a multiple hit game.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
by Ivy Walls on May 20, 2008 4:37 PM CDT 0 recs
I'm refusing to read anything you write until you learn to spell
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
May 20, 2008 5:22 PM CDT
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OKAY
sorry about my dyslexia…..
I always had a serious personality conflict with English teachers or those who were as pin headed as they were/are…..something about their attitude others and inconsequential things….kind of like it was they were extremely arrogant towards others…you know….focused on things that just were not important. But then again whom I am I to say what is important to the next person.
I bet you read this.
read whatever you like, it is a free country and what does anyone care except yourself.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
by Ivy Walls on
May 20, 2008 5:44 PM CDT
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Edmonds
Or is that an inside joke of which I am outside on?
FU-KU-DOH-MEH! clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!!!!
by tony412 on May 20, 2008 4:39 PM CDT 0 recs
He's been asked about this many times.
So far as I can conclude, Ivy Walls doesn’t actually read anything, just writes things.
by cwyers on
May 20, 2008 4:50 PM CDT
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IVY WALLS, CAN YOU SEE ME?
If so, please see above and respond. Thank you.
FU-KU-DOH-MEH! clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!!!!
by tony412 on
May 20, 2008 4:52 PM CDT
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Actually, I think it's Ivy Wulls...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
May 20, 2008 4:54 PM CDT
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yuu guys are tu funny
FU-KU-DOH-MEH! clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!!!!
by tony412 on
May 20, 2008 4:55 PM CDT
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to be fair....I was mispelling his name because
everyone here didn’t want him and was waiting for someone to notice….get it
someone finally did.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
by Ivy Walls on
May 20, 2008 5:46 PM CDT
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you conclusions compare to those of Sherlock's side kick
Watson…..
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
by Ivy Walls on
May 20, 2008 5:47 PM CDT
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As one door closes, another one opens?
Mike Piazza announced his retirement today
So in the interests of keeping the baseball world in harmony and good balance (yin yang and all that), as one veteran slugging catcher leaves the game, seems like there ought to be a young slugging catcher ready to step up and take on that mantle.
Hmm… now I wonder who that could be… ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on May 20, 2008 4:40 PM CDT 0 recs
JINX!!!!!!!!!
"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 20, 2008 4:41 PM CDT
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Actually, you beat me by 30 seconds.
Dammit.
"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 20, 2008 4:42 PM CDT
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A great career
Glad to have had a chance to see him play. Not glad about (at least one that I recall seeing in person) the 18 career homers vs the Cubs. Anyway…Geo, here’s to an awesome career with the Cubs. Taking a sip of green tea for Geo.
FU-KU-DOH-MEH! clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!!!!
by tony412 on
May 20, 2008 4:48 PM CDT
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You mean as one door closes, the closet door opens.
MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wait a minute... who am I here?
by malicedoom on
May 20, 2008 4:58 PM CDT
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Very subtle.
Not very funny, but very subtle.
"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 20, 2008 5:01 PM CDT
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Great player, great career, but...
the steroid innuendos will always be there. I think he will have hard time getting into the Hall of Fame as a result. Too bad because I like the guy a great deal.
Adding knowledge and challenging the saber-magicians, one post at a time.
by MDBNIU on
May 20, 2008 6:01 PM CDT
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Off Topic and not really Diary-worthy:
Time for Geo to start chasing the All-Time HR by C title!
"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 20, 2008 4:41 PM CDT 0 recs
without sounding too cliche...
dare I say – great minds post alike!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
May 20, 2008 4:44 PM CDT
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LOL!
"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 20, 2008 4:47 PM CDT
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Soto
So true. I would love to see him in the all star this year. Im doing my part. Im voting for him plus a friend of mine is addicted to American Idol (I’ve never seen a full episode) So Im voting for her favorite contenstant tonight and she is voting for Soto.
by Madison Cub Fan on
May 20, 2008 4:54 PM CDT
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There's no justice
If Soto doesn’t make the All-Star team as a starter!
What does not kill you makes you stronger.
by Pa on
May 20, 2008 5:36 PM CDT
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It's about time
we finally bomb Chris Sampson, like almost everybody else has. I’m sick of this guy shuting us down everytime he pitches against us. Hopefully Dempster can keep pitching well and give us a 6-7 inning quality start. With me a little scared about Gallagher facing the hot Astros hitters tomorrow, I think tonight is gonna be a important game to win, if were gonna take the series.
by cubsfan25 on May 20, 2008 4:50 PM CDT 0 recs
Agreed.
Sampson has surrendered 55 hits in 39 IP. Hopefully, the Cubs can drive up that total even more.
"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 20, 2008 4:54 PM CDT
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Go Dempster
That great starter, Ryan Dempster, needs to keep on keeping on. One would think the pitching matchup favors the Cubs. The Cubs need to take advantage of it. Don’t stub your toes, Cubbies!
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on May 20, 2008 5:01 PM CDT 0 recs
Especially if you look
at Sampson’s numbers at home: 3 GS, 8 IP, 21 H, 14 ER, 15.75 ERA, 3.25 WHIP
"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 20, 2008 5:05 PM CDT
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thanks for the data, Gary!
As always, you are a much appreciated fountain of info.
I hope there is no “reversion to the mean” for Sampson tonight.
THIS IS OUR CENTURY!!
by LAcarl519 on
May 20, 2008 5:26 PM CDT
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I would like to take the chance
to say before this game starts that if there was any question about how much I love Soto, it’s gone now! How exciting for him and all of Cubdom!
Now go get ‘em Demp!
Geovany Soto you're my Hero
by love the ivy on May 20, 2008 5:06 PM CDT 0 recs
Why do I sense...
...that Dempster is going to get completely and totally LIT UP tonight?
I think we’re gonna pounded. – Hope I’m wrong.
Wait a minute... who am I here?
by malicedoom on May 20, 2008 5:07 PM CDT 0 recs
Nah
Demp is solid. We’re gonna be fine.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on
May 20, 2008 6:57 PM CDT
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the force is weak in this one.
"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman
by Bildo1805 on
May 20, 2008 6:58 PM CDT
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Ignore him
I’m on the leader.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on
May 20, 2008 6:58 PM CDT
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Sampson
Unfortunately, I recently reserved Sampson on my fantasy baseball team (and please don’t laugh that I have him at all – it’s a very deep, NL-only league). So he’ll probably pitch great.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
by danimal15 on May 20, 2008 5:07 PM CDT 0 recs
Lineup
per Gordon Wittenmeyer’s Twitter. Pretty much the same as yesterday (i think)
soriano lf
theriot ss
lee 1b
ramirez 3b
fukudome rf
soto c
edmonds cf
derosa 2b
dempster p
by lance dickson on May 20, 2008 5:10 PM CDT 0 recs
I'd really like to see Ronny spelling Theriot and Derosa more often....
"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 20, 2008 5:12 PM CDT
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Like this?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
May 20, 2008 5:13 PM CDT
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HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
No, as in giving them a day or two off every once in a while. I’d like to see Ronny get at least 2 starts a week, one at 2B and one at SS.
"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 20, 2008 5:15 PM CDT
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Cedeno got a start Sunday
so he hopefully will get one again in the next few games. He also started started last Thursday and Friday I believe.
by cubsfan25 on
May 20, 2008 5:19 PM CDT
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Yep.
I’d like to see that continue.
"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 20, 2008 5:21 PM CDT
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D-Lee is supposed to get an off day tommorow
So maybe DeRO slides to 1b and ronny plays 2nd
by Rezze21 on
May 20, 2008 6:53 PM CDT
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No point in calling up the Hoff
if you don’t play him. Hoff will go in for Lee.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on
May 20, 2008 6:58 PM CDT
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True
but both are red hot right now. I believe DeRosa has a 10 game hitting streak, and Theriot is hitting 350 over his last 5 games.
by cubsfan25 on
May 20, 2008 5:16 PM CDT
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I just mean once a week.
I’m not advocating benching either one in favor of Ronny, but I don’t want everyone to get burnt out right off the bat.
"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 20, 2008 5:18 PM CDT
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I agree
I think Piniella has been kinda doing that lately, he gave Cedeno a start last Thursday resting DeRosa, then another start Friday resting Fukudome. On Sunday he gave Theriot a day off and started Cedeno as well.
by cubsfan25 on
May 20, 2008 5:21 PM CDT
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Think Lou will ever bat the pitcher 8th?
Wait a minute... who am I here?
by malicedoom on May 20, 2008 5:10 PM CDT 0 recs
What difference does it make...
we’re gonna get pounded anyway.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
May 20, 2008 5:11 PM CDT
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Haha..
Well played..
"I realize very well that I could regress to the mean."
-Brian Bannister on his BABIP
by Bump Bailey on
May 20, 2008 6:30 PM CDT
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Not likely.
Doesn’t seem like his style.
"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 20, 2008 5:12 PM CDT
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Plus the fact
that he’s said it himself a couple of times this year already, that he is traditional that way.
"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome
by JohnM on
May 20, 2008 5:19 PM CDT
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Yeah, kind of what I figured...
Wait a minute... who am I here?
by malicedoom on
May 20, 2008 5:19 PM CDT
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IF it were to ever happen...
It would probably be a Zambrano- Blanco combo. But doesn’t seem likely.
by JFG72 on
May 20, 2008 5:27 PM CDT
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Crawley`s Cub Kingdom
Anyone know what`s going on there? He hasn`t posted a new blog since May 6. Highly unlike him. Thanks for any input. Go Cubs!!
by muffman on May 20, 2008 5:21 PM CDT 0 recs
i dont get the..
infactuation with batting the pitcher 8th.
It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!
by cubsluver22 on May 20, 2008 5:37 PM CDT 0 recs
It's just the newest fad to argue over...
like the importance of the pitch count and sabermetrics. It’s all based on objective evidence.
by JFG72 on
May 20, 2008 5:49 PM CDT
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I think you've coined a new word there...
“infactuation” = having a crush on a stats geek? ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
May 20, 2008 5:50 PM CDT
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Agreed
Batting the pitcher 8th is ridiculous. The practice has ruined J.J. Hardy who bats in # 7 hole in Milwaukee. And I can’t help but think it is too big a blow to the ego of the hitters put in the situation of batting # 9.
Adding knowledge and challenging the saber-magicians, one post at a time.
by MDBNIU on
May 20, 2008 6:03 PM CDT
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Professional athletes are ruined because grown men get their feelings hurt?
Funny, I’ve been put in situations in my profession that were less than ideal and uncomfortable, yet I didn’t get “ruined”. But maybe I really do suck, and my boss is too nice to tell me…like Dusty and Ned.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
May 20, 2008 6:06 PM CDT
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I'm convinced your boss is Tommy of Who fame
How else to explain your 24/7 posting and all the wondrous photo downloads. But I’m sure the deaf, dumb and blind boss sure plays a mean pinball….
Adding knowledge and challenging the saber-magicians, one post at a time.
by MDBNIU on
May 20, 2008 6:07 PM CDT
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I'm sure he'd at least directly answer a question...
with out telling me that…
“Reading is fundamental”....”Wrong again!”.... or just vaguely address the point and then continue to say the same things. Oh yeah, he also played baseball in college.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
May 20, 2008 6:10 PM CDT
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When the baseball IQs between you and me link up, then we can chat
Adding knowledge and challenging the saber-magicians, one post at a time.
by MDBNIU on
May 20, 2008 6:15 PM CDT
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Is there some kind of Baseball IQ test you've taken?
Did you get an ID card with it? Is that why you keep referring to “Baseball IQ” like it’s some kind of degree you get from Baseball School?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
May 20, 2008 6:19 PM CDT
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He actually
went to the Joe Morgan shcool of baseball.
It doesnt require any actual baseball IQ. You have to continously brag about your own talent and deem everyone else inadequate.
BANANAS BANANAS BANANAS!!!!!
by Zy Toro Young on
May 20, 2008 6:59 PM CDT
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LSA
you get kuddos for the best comment in a long time!!!!
by Madison Cub Fan on
May 20, 2008 7:00 PM CDT
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lets get your IQ
and my IQ together?
No, thanks. My IQ doesn’t like to go slumming.
You know, it’s funny… even Cedneo seemed to know when he kept screwing up that he had to improve his baseball smarts.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on
May 20, 2008 7:00 PM CDT
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Desipio
Is there some sort of feud with desipio? BCB is getting ripped on the messageboard.
What does not kill you makes you stronger.
by Pa on May 20, 2008 5:37 PM CDT 0 recs
What message board
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
May 20, 2008 5:39 PM CDT
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Actually, they're ripping NSBB today.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07



