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Open Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Wednesday 5/21, 7:05 CT

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Game Threads

Chicago @ Houston


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Chicago Cubs
@ Houston Astros

Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 7:05 PM CDT
Minute Maid Park

Sean Gallagher vs Shawn Chacon

Clear. Winds blowing out to center field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Complete Coverage >

Afternoon notes:
  • Barry Rozner says that not only will the Cubs win the NL Central, they ought to win by at least 10 games.
  • Bruce Miles talks stats with Ryan Theriot, and reminds us:
    Theriot made some changes to his swing over the winter and came to spring training in good shape, proving that perhaps you can work and "grit" your way to better numbers.
  • Sean Gallagher went on the Kerry Wood diet over the winter and lost 30 pounds. If you're interested in the company that provides Wood, Gallagher and others with the diet plan and meals, Sunfare, here's their website, although as of now they only operate in the Phoenix and Los Angeles areas. (It ain't cheap, either.)
  • For the Astros fan point of view, check out the SBN Astros site The Crawfish Boxes. (You see lineups posted there because they wait longer to post their game threads, only an hour before game time. I don't think you guys want to wait that long. Right?)
Today's Starting Pitchers
Sean Gallagher
S. Gallagher
Cubs		 vs. Shawn Chacon
S. Chacon
Astros
1-0 W-L 0-0
4.40 ERA 4.14
10 SO 35
7 BB 27
1 HR 9
vs. Hou -- vs. Cubs
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Sean Gallagher 1-0 4 2 0 0 0 0 14.1 14 7 7 1 7 10 4.40 1.47
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Shawn Chacon 0-0 9 9 0 0 0 0 54.1 53 29 25 9 27 35 4.14 1.47

Shawn Chacon has set an unusual record this year: his first nine starts all ended with a no-decision. He's actually pitched fairly well in most of them, including 8 shutout innings against the Phillies on April 15. The Astros are 4-5 in Chacon's starts. He is 1-3, 8.31 in 5 career starts vs. the Cubs, and Aramis Ramirez eats him for breakfast, lunch and dinner (.588/.600/1.706, yes, that's one-point-seven-zero-six, 10-for-17, 4 doubles, 5 HR, 13 RBI).

Sean Gallagher threw OK in his first start, better in his next one, and now is the time for him to continue what appears to be a developing consistency. He pitched one scoreless inning in relief against Houston last August 8, and the only hit he has allowed to a current member of the Astros is a single to Kaz Matsui, last year when Matsui was with the Rockies.

Today's game is on cable in Chicago and Houston and 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 440 comments

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Comments

Display:

1st post - GO CUBS!

Wait a minute... who am I here?

by malicedoom on May 21, 2008 4:17 PM CDT   0 recs

1st?

Before Edmonds: 24-16, (.600); With Edmonds: 4-2 (.667), DRS: 1

by joeschmitt on May 21, 2008 4:17 PM CDT   0 recs

Just gotcha.

Wait a minute... who am I here?

by malicedoom on May 21, 2008 4:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

CHACON

LIGHT EM UP

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

by Hammer on May 21, 2008 4:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Just checked into my hotel in Houston

Here on business tomorrow – flew in early to see the game. Got dugout box seats – row 38 just to the 1st base side behind the plate. Leaving for the park in about an hour…..I am so excited!! First MLB game this year.

Look for me – green Cubs hat, deep blue Fukadome shirt….dark headed chick grinning ear to ear. That’ll be me! Is the game even televised??

"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/

by iluvryno on May 21, 2008 4:23 PM CDT   0 recs

We'll be looking for you!

Awesome first game, now you have to get the Wrigley!! Hopefully, you are the good luck charm Gallagher needs.

by Tangled Up In Blue on May 21, 2008 4:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it's on Comcast Sports Net.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 21, 2008 4:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What we all want to know but won't ask

Are you single? j/k enjoy the game! Go Cubs!

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on May 21, 2008 4:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I still can't get over how goofy Gallagher looks in that pic

It's fun to be a Cub right now. -- Mark DeRosa

by Emelie on May 21, 2008 4:26 PM CDT   0 recs

I love that pic.

That pic says “I LOVE BASEBALL!”

Do we have a nickname for him? Goofy Gallagher?

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 21, 2008 4:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I believe "Sledgehammer" was the consensus the other day.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

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

by dat cubfan daver on May 21, 2008 4:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have a feeling....

...this is going to be a slug fest tonight.

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

by MPH73 on May 21, 2008 4:26 PM CDT   0 recs

Chacon and Gallagher

With these two on the hill one and the wacky field dimensions, I am going to agree with you. I know Chacon has been throwing well, but I have a feeling Dome gets hot tonight, while DLee (if he plays) and ARam keep hitting.

by Tangled Up In Blue on May 21, 2008 4:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

For our side! Most definitely!

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 21, 2008 4:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yum.

Where’s Bear Grylls when you need him.

by N Oakley on May 21, 2008 4:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well done sir...well done.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 21, 2008 6:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

eeew

reminds me of dreadful times trying to swim in the pond as a young child. Picking off the slugs afterward always took half the fun out of it.

In any case, Go Cubs!

It's fun to be a Cub right now. -- Mark DeRosa

by Emelie on May 21, 2008 4:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You mean leeches don't you?

Like the scene in Stand By Me?

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 21, 2008 4:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was thinking the same

thing. Almost posted “Uh, those weren’t slugs.”

by N Oakley on May 21, 2008 4:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

right you are

leeches and exactly Stand By Me. My bad.

It's fun to be a Cub right now. -- Mark DeRosa

by Emelie on May 21, 2008 5:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wheres Bruce Miles with the LINEUPS

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeee

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

by Hammer on May 21, 2008 4:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Where's...

...Deep Goat?

Yo, Deeeeeeeeeeeeep Goooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttttttt

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on May 21, 2008 4:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm worried

about Gallagher tonight. I don’t have alot of confidence of him doing well against this tough Astros line-up in that park. If he’s gonna do well he needs to pitch better then he did in his first two starts. So I think if were gonna win tonight, were gonna have to bomb Chacon, but for the most part he has pitched well this year. Thats why I thought yesturday was the game we needed to win to take the series. To bad once again we couldn’t hit Chris Sampson. I hope I’m wrong about Gallagher tonight and hope the Cubs can pull this one out.

by cubsfan25 on May 21, 2008 4:38 PM CDT   0 recs

getting no decisions through nine games

isn’t exactly gonna win the Cy Young.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 21, 2008 4:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Me too.

If Sledgehammer can get through Tejada, Berkman, Lee, Blum and Punter Hence (yes, that’s what I’m calling him from now on) a few times with minimal damage, it’ll be another step forward—and a pretty big one at that.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

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

by dat cubfan daver on May 21, 2008 4:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good Opportunity For Gallagher

Well, we didn’t figure on his being in the starting rotation. Maybe, he can solidify a permanent spot in the rotation with a good performance tonight.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on May 21, 2008 4:40 PM CDT   0 recs

I hope he does well

but in his last start the Pirates they were hitting the ball hard but right to Cubs fielders. If he does that tonight against these hitters in this park were in trouble. His stuff was probably better in his first start, but he only had it for 4 innings really. He needs to have that kinda stuff tonight, but keep it going for 5-6 innings if he’s gonna have a chance.

by cubsfan25 on May 21, 2008 4:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In his first start

he was pretty clearly gassed by the 5th. He had pitched on 3 days rest and had been in the BP since being called up.

What does not kill you makes you stronger.

by Pa on May 21, 2008 6:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Just got the Cubs Forever book in the mail today

The pictures are absolutely amazing! The DVD is the same footage from the TV show minus the real game footage.

Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.

by Bricks and Ivy on May 21, 2008 4:43 PM CDT   0 recs

LOL, check out this post...

...over at the Crawfish Boxes. Is that supposed to be abstract art?

Nanika Ga Okoru!

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

by dat cubfan daver on May 21, 2008 4:51 PM CDT   0 recs

I don't see anything...

it looks like a blank fanpost.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 21, 2008 4:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Precisely.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

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

by dat cubfan daver on May 21, 2008 7:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Precisely.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

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

by dat cubfan daver on May 21, 2008 7:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You sure?

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

by Al on May 21, 2008 7:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Shawn Chacon is Exhibit A...

...for why the Houston Astros will fall back down to earth very soon.

Adding knowledge and challenging the saber-magicians, one post at a time.

by MDBNIU on May 21, 2008 5:03 PM CDT   0 recs

Agreement.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 21, 2008 5:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

::: fainting :::

SWL and MDBNIU agree? The apocalypse is nigh!

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

by Al on May 21, 2008 7:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So, after 46 games played, which NLC team behind worries you the most?

I agree I don’t think HOU can keep it up but, past that, I think I have my eye more on STL at this point than MIL.

Wait a minute... who am I here?

by malicedoom on May 21, 2008 5:15 PM CDT   0 recs

I worry about STL right now, but then I realize there is no possible way their rotation can hold up.

by cubfan06 on May 21, 2008 5:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I seriously worry about them acquiring a decent starting pitcher before the deadline...

we may have to get into a bidding war to keep that from happening. Sort of a Yankee like maneuver to insure your opponent can’t improve for the stretch run.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 21, 2008 5:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The only thing that doesnt worry me so much about them getting one solid pitcher is he can only help them win ever 5 days, and even then, he won’t get them all.

by cubfan06 on May 21, 2008 5:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And look below.

Ned Yost is holding them back. I’m guessing he gets fired soon.

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

by Al on May 21, 2008 7:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Worries...

The Brewers. Especially if they can Yost.

Dome-san!!

by Goat Whisperer on May 21, 2008 5:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I tried Yosting once...

...but I couldn’t quite pull it off.

by BlueSox on May 21, 2008 5:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Brewers and Cards...

Brewers because of their offense and the possibility that they get a pitcher or two at the deadline. Cardinals because I can’t completely write off the possibility that Carpenter and Mulder come back later in the season.

Realistically, we should win the division. But those are the teams I’d worry about most.

by SouthernCub on May 21, 2008 6:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Matt Clement

Wonder how he’s doing…

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on May 21, 2008 6:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not

I’m worried about getting through the playoffs.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 21, 2008 7:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Foreshadowing

I remember the guy last night calling a Soto double and Edmonds HR in the 9th last night, and obviously didn’t happen. So I am calling Back-to-Back-to-Back-to-Back HR’s for the Cubbies in the first. HAHA.

by cubfan06 on May 21, 2008 5:16 PM CDT   0 recs

I predict it hits into the flag so hard he rips it off the pole.

by cubfan06 on May 21, 2008 5:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and the tattered flag flutters down...

lands on Bourne, covering his head, and he runs into the wall knocking himself unconscious.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 21, 2008 5:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Lee's playing, Soriano isn't.

Hoff in left. Theriot leading off, Dome second.

I’m scared; hold me.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 21, 2008 5:29 PM CDT   0 recs

I was wondering

how Lou was going to justify sitting a player (Lee) who was heating up vs. one that was cooling off (Soriano). Clearly he decided not to justify that move.

I am scared too, but I guess if Hoffpauer is going to play the outfield, might as well stick him in the smallest left field in the national league

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

by gwood on May 21, 2008 5:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting lineup

Dome finally in the right place, in front of Lee, let’s see what it produces. If Carlos Lee can play left in this park, then the Hoff can as well.

Chacon walks a lot of guys, so the boys should be patient, and he’ll get himself in trouble.

Soriano should hit 5th. Period.

by Canadian Cubs Fan on May 21, 2008 5:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's an interesting statement.

The difference, though, is that Carlos Lee can outhit his ineptness in the field.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 21, 2008 5:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Should go ahead and credit...

...the Sun-Times’s Twitter account for this.

It’s not mentioned, but I presume that Edmonds is playing against the righty.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 21, 2008 5:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Says Hoff's hitting fifth

Wonder if Geo is sitting.

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

by JohnM on May 21, 2008 6:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's Dome's spot in the lineup, and Dome's moving up to second.

I’d bet on Soto-Edmonds-DeRosa filling out six, seven and eight.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 21, 2008 6:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Doh(me)!

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

by JohnM on May 21, 2008 6:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

*pptthhh*

Thats your answer to everything :)

by californiachicagoan on May 21, 2008 6:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No,

it’s Lou’s answer. e.g. why’s Fontenot batting with one out left and the game on the line? “Because he’s left handed.”

by DGU on May 21, 2008 6:33 PM CDT