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Open Thread: Cubs vs. Pirates, Saturday 5/24, 6:05 CT

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Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates


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Chicago Cubs
@ Pittsburgh Pirates

Saturday, May 24, 2008, 6:05 PM CDT
PNC Park

Jason Marquis vs Phil Dumatrait

Clear. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65.

Complete Coverage >

Lineup

Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates

05/24/08 6:05 PM CDT

Chicago Cubs Pittsburgh Pirates
Alfonso Soriano - LF Freddy Sanchez - 2B
Ryan Theriot - SS Luis Rivas - SS
Derrek Lee - 1B Nate McLouth - CF
Aramis Ramirez - 3B Jason Bay - LF
Geovany Soto - C Adam LaRoche - 1B
Kosuke Fukudome - RF Jason Michaels - RF
Mark DeRosa - 2B Jose Bautista - 3B
Reed Johnson - CF Raul Chavez - C
Jason Marquis - P Phil Dumatrait - P

The Cubs are #1 in this week's ESPN.com Power Ranking. Meanwhile, look at who's #4, #5 and #6. (And #18 and #19 if you want a smile or two.)

Jim Caple at ESPN.com says the major leagues should consider expanding to Japan in the future. He says the logistics can be taken care of, and I agree, but with the price of oil headed through the stratosphere, how much would it cost to fly teams there and back?

Bruce Miles tells us that Derrek Lee's going to get a day off when the Cubs return home on Monday. Best guess: he'll get Monday off, which would mean he wouldn't have to play from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday night, giving him more than two full days off. D-Lee doesn't want days off but there's no reason he has to play all 162, either.

Is Alfonso Soriano's leg OK? He says yes, but Lou is skeptical:

"I said, 'What's wrong?' " Piniella recounted. "He said, 'It's confidence.' I guess I have to check with his confidence tomorrow."

If there's a problem, Soriano should go back on the DL till he's 100%.

Today's Starting Pitchers
Jason Marquis
J.
Marquis
Cubs		 vs. Phil Dumatrait
P. Dumatrait
Pirates
2-3 W-L 1-2
4.96 ERA 4.39
27 SO 28
17 BB 25
5 HR 3
vs. Pit -- vs. Cubs
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Jason Marquis 2-3 8 8 0 0 0 0 45.1 56 27 25 5 17 27 4.96 1.61
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Phil Dumatrait 1-2 14 4 0 0 0 0 41.0 39 21 20 3 25 28 4.39 1.56

Once again, this is a pitching rematch of last Sunday at Wrigley Field, where Phil Dumatrait walked a zillion (OK, only seven) Cubs and Jason Marquis threw six decent innings and the Cubs hung on for a 4-3 win. For more on this pitching matchup see last Sunday's game thread.

Access tonight is on WGN, on FSN Pittsburgh (and thus EI), and at hte 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 7:30 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 321 comments

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Comments

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second in :(

"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"

by fischisgod on May 24, 2008 4:02 PM CDT   0 recs

Lineup tonight via. Gorden Wittenmeyer

Soriano LF
Theriot SS
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Soto C
Dome RF
DeRosa 2B
Johnson CF
Marquis P

interesting that dome is hitting sixth….

"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"

by fischisgod on May 24, 2008 4:05 PM CDT   0 recs

RBI chances?

"I'm like the tide baby: I come and go as I please." --Johnny Drama

by cubs2234 on May 24, 2008 4:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i think this will be the new lineup vs. lefties...

i thnk that soto crushes the ball vs. them and that this works out well

good move lou

"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"

by fischisgod on May 24, 2008 4:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Full lineups for both teams on the front page.

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

by Al on May 24, 2008 5:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And seriously...

... this Pirates lineup looks like a Cub lineup circa 2006. A guy with a .280 OBA leading off, and that “speedy middle infielder” (Luis Rivas, another name for “Neifi Perez”) hitting second.

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

by Al on May 24, 2008 5:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The Pirates just look pathetic...

their body language says “beat me, whip me, make me write bad checks”......The other day, Sanchez took an easy DP ball from the SS and started to run off the field after touching second for the second out…..I can remember the days when that was a huge fine and maybe a trip to the minors…

by crazymountain on May 24, 2008 5:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

interesting

i don’t think we brought Dome here to be a 6th spot hitter, but this just makes our lineup that much deeper, i think. would i rather he be near the top, ahead of the big hitters? yeah, but fonz and riot are getting on base so its not a necessity. Soto, whom we didn’t expect to be THIS GOOD, should be in the 5 spot and dome is going to make the lower portion of our lineup look amazing

"I'll play any day. I don't care if I'm 0-for-30, playing baseball is my PASSION. I'll go out and play." - Geo Soto

by CubbyBlues on May 24, 2008 4:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

excellent analysis

"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"

by fischisgod on May 24, 2008 4:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Seems like sixth IS

ahead of the big hitters…..7, 8 and 9 had 9 RBI last night…

by crazymountain on May 24, 2008 5:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This team has grown up so much!

look at these lineups we can put out there.

So much better then later years.

My 08 Cubs record 4-0
My 08 W.Sox record 0-2 (I havent seen a sox win in 3 years)
Updated April 26th

by Rudey on May 24, 2008 4:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm nervous

about Soriano. He’s fragtile and has something to prove today. Let’s hope he crushes the first pitch again and regains some “confidence.”

by santo4hof on May 24, 2008 4:32 PM CDT   0 recs

Let me ask a question that is going to get me crushed...

After last nights game I heard a lot of “Z should PH more.” Am I the only one that thinks more Z batting is bad for him? It appears he really likes it but you can’t point to a dozen meltdowns (hyperbole) that could be tied directly to a poor AB. Wouldn’t it benefit the team to keep him focused on pitching and stop with all this focusing on his hitting?

Perception is 9/10ths of the law. - Steve Young, NFL legend and multiple concussion recipient.

by Griff5479 on May 24, 2008 4:40 PM CDT   0 recs

damnit

can’t = can

Perception is 9/10ths of the law. - Steve Young, NFL legend and multiple concussion recipient.

by Griff5479 on May 24, 2008 4:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If he's not pitching that day, I think its fine to have him PH

But what worries me are his 900 HR hacks. He swings so violently that I’m afraid he’ll strain and oblique or something.

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on May 24, 2008 4:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed.

One of the reasons he got four hits last night is that he didn’t swing that way. Maybe he learned something.

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

by Al on May 24, 2008 5:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a true thing...

he was hitting like a hitter, not like a big guy trying to hit one to Philly….

by crazymountain on May 24, 2008 5:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Alright i am off to a BBQ go cubs!!!!!!!

"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"

by fischisgod on May 24, 2008 4:48 PM CDT   0 recs

I am going to have a BBQ with my tv on my deck

with WGN showing….. A Cubs win will make it a great evening!

by LT on May 24, 2008 4:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't understand

why they don’t just MRI Sori and find out for sure. I love Fonzie but….I think he feels pressure from his contract and that he CAN’T miss any time. I’m thinkin’ that he will end up with a much more serious injury. I know what my shoulder is like after working 17 years after I tore it up. I could be wrong but he HAS to be hurt. As I said last night, I am 56 and think I can outrun him…..Is there a reason (players assn contract etc.) that the Cubs can’t make him submit to tests to see what is wrong?

by crazymountain on May 24, 2008 5:01 PM CDT   0 recs

It'd be bad form to force anyone to do that.

But they can strongly suggest it. Athletes like to tough out injuries. But in this case, clearly it’s not helping the team.

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

by Al on May 24, 2008 5:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I get why he's nervous

I understand why Fonzi is nervous about his legs, once something that was solid for so long suddenly becoming wonky is scary… Rather than forcing him to tests, I wish they’d send him somewhere like EXST so he could be somewhere warm and GAIN the confidence in his legs without worrying about the cold, etc.

But thats probably fruitless thinking… :-(

by halfblindcubbiegirl on May 24, 2008 5:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dunno, warm places usually have fruit....

however, I think something should be done to ascertain whether or not he IS injured….makes sense to me….

by crazymountain on May 24, 2008 5:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I can relate to toughing out injuries...

I guess we will see how he runs tonight. Just read a quote where he said the two days off made him “lose his confidence”.....

by crazymountain on May 24, 2008 5:37 PM CDT   0 recs

Z's only getting started

He just told Ron Santo that he’ll be pitching for 17 more years.

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

by JohnM on May 24, 2008 5:55 PM CDT   0 recs

gotta hope that arm holds up...

"I'm like the tide baby: I come and go as I please." --Johnny Drama

by cubs2234 on May 24, 2008 6:00 PM CDT   0 recs

Since when:

Is Marquis our number 2?

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

by Galvan316 on May 24, 2008 6:02 PM CDT   0 recs

Well

Since Zambrano pitched last night,

and Marquis is pitching tonight….

Zambrano = #1
The next pitcher is #2 and so on.

So….

Marquis = #2?

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

by Galvan316 on May 24, 2008 6:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No

Lou’s just played around the rotation with all the off days recently… Marquis is just next, not the #2 starter.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on May 24, 2008 6:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks for the Clarify :)

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

by Galvan316 on May 24, 2008 6:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

BBQs and Cubs games

Missed last night’s game went to see Indiana Jones.

We’re grilling tonight just for family. Tomorrow we go to big BBQ.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 24, 2008 6:06 PM CDT   0 recs

Okay then I'm not losing my mind

I lost my mind years ago I noticed it too

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 24, 2008 6:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

L&B say Soriano

says he’s alright

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

by Emelie on May 24, 2008 6:06 PM CDT   0 recs

that video they just showed of him doing sprints pre game....

...he doesnt look alright to me. That was a injured person favoring something…

Felix Pie must play everyday!

by JB 23 on May 24, 2008 6:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

One of you is a liar.

Ron Santo should sing TMOTTBG everyday. Period.

by Schwa on May 24, 2008 6:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Isn't it funny that 2 people can see the same thing...

and come to a totally different perspective?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 24, 2008 6:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

conclusion, I mean.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 24, 2008 6:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

my guess....crazy mountain is an optimist

...and I am a little pessimistic. ;)

Felix Pie must play everyday!

by JB 23 on May 24, 2008 6:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Happens all the time

Happens all the time. It’s the way of the world.

I bet if 100 people posted their opinions we’d have a very wide range of it.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 24, 2008 6:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I see

I see it as somewhere in between. Something is not right.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 24, 2008 6:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Soriano

Can we please stop any talk about Soriano being lazy or not a hard working or playing player?

The guy is playing in pain and gutting it out.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 24, 2008 6:08 PM CDT   0 recs

People have

People have said things like that here and elsewhere on the net that he’s lazy or doesn’t give 100 percent.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 24, 2008 6:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The way I see it: We have to go into the 6th inning with the lead

Here’s an interesting stat of NL teams W-L record when leading after 6 innings. It shows how important Marmol and Wood are to the Cubs:

Cubs 25-1
D-Backs 23-4
Cards 23-7
Braves 21-2
Marlins 18-2
Phillies 17-1
Astros 17-4
Dodgers 16-1

by zevkalman on May 24, 2008 6:11 PM CDT   0 recs

I just hope

they didn’t use up all their runs last night. ;-)

by sue369 on May 24, 2008 6:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

we need half of them with Marquis pitching….

by crazymountain on May 24, 2008 6:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Soriano

Soriano should be sat down with any kind of good lead in the 7th inning for now.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on May 24, 2008 6:12 PM CDT   0 recs

Soriano

The guy is a very streaky hitter, some weeks he sets the world on fire, others he should be in double A, The fact remains the man gives every part of himself every game he’s out there.

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

by Galvan316 on May 24, 2008 6:13 PM CDT   0 recs

Yep, you are right....

he is what he is and I am glad we have him!!

by crazymountain on May 24, 2008 6:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

looks like a lot of dander

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

by Emelie on May 24, 2008 6:13 PM CDT   0 recs

very weird

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 24, 2008 6:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it's more of a product of the sun hitting deep center field where the camera is.

In an inning or so I bet it will look a lot better.

Ron Santo should sing TMOTTBG everyday. Period.

by Schwa on May 24, 2008 6:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You must be a photographer...

I’m totally clueless to that sort of thing.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on May 24, 2008 6:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ha far from it.

Just a hunch. They showed LF-CF and it’s soaking in sun.

Ron Santo should sing TMOTTBG everyday. Period.

by Schwa on May 24, 2008 6:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs