Open Thread: Cubs vs. Pirates, Sunday 5/25, 12:35 CT
by Al
on May 25, 2008 11:00 AM CDT
in Game Threads
Chicago @ Pittsburgh
In five games between the Cubs and Pirates in Pittsburgh so far this year, the teams have played 59 innings -- that's an average of almost twelve per game. Enough of that. Time to win in nine, and then say goodbye to the Pirates for more than two months; their next meeting after today will be on August 1.
Notes:- Nice article about Rick Sutcliffe and his current battle with colon cancer. Thanks to my friend Craig in Kansas City for the link.
- Sean Marshall pulled a hamstring in his last start. He'll miss at least 1, maybe 2 starts. So much for Lou's "get another lefty in the rotation" plan. Bruce Miles' article also says Alfonso Soriano's "confidence" in his leg is up, but I still saw him running pretty slowly last night.
- Geovany Soto likes hitting fifth. And with the number of runs he's driving in, he ought to stay in that slot.
- MLB is getting very concerned about maple bats and the way they shatter into pieces, rather than just crack. Good. They should be, and do something before someone else gets seriously hurt. Pirates batting coach Don Long was lucky:
Long suffered a gash to the left side of his nose and just above his lip when whirling wood became a near-lethal weapon. The sharp end of the bat not only left a nasty scar, it damaged a nerve that left part of his upper lip without feeling.
"The ball (off Nate McLouth's bat) was hit down the right-field line and I was following the ball and didn't even see the bat break," Long recalled during a recent stop at Wrigley Field. "It hit me and I saw the blood coming out.
"I was lucky. It could have hit me in the eye."
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Hard to believe after 11 games against the Pirates in less than two months, but the Cubs have not faced Paul Maholm yet this season. His last appearance against the Cubs was last September 21 at Wrigley Field, and Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano homered off him and Maholm allowed ten hits and six earned runs in two innings. (Maybe that's why his face looks so blank in that picture.)
Ted Lilly's overall numbers don't look that great, but in his last six starts he is 5-1, 3.13 with 42 strikeouts in 37.1 innings. His only appearance against the Pirates this year wasn't good -- 3.2 innings, allowing 5 earned runs on April 7, but the Cubs won that game anyway.
Same TV drill as yesterday: WGN, FSN Pittsburgh, EI, and 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 2:00 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Hear, hear!
I’m in the mood for a blowout!
"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 25, 2008 11:16 AM CDT
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woo hoo
Sue’s first! Let’s hear it for the girls!
It's fun to be a Cub right now. -- Mark DeRosa
by Emelie on
May 25, 2008 11:47 AM CDT
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Wear protection...
... helmets (done), safety goggles, and kevlar uniforms for the base coaches!
by DrCrawdad on May 25, 2008 11:17 AM CDT 0 recs
At this rate they're going to need plexiglas shields!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 25, 2008 11:22 AM CDT
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Maybe MLB should install some penalty-boxes for the base coaches!
"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 25, 2008 11:23 AM CDT
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Set up the batting practice screens!
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on
May 25, 2008 12:49 PM CDT
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Lineups
Cubs
Soriano, LF
Theriot, SS
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Johnson, CF
Fukudome, RF
DeRosa, 2B
Blanco, C
Lilly, P
Bucs
Sanchez, 2B
Rivas, SS
McLouth, CF
Bay, LF
Nady, RF
LaRoche, 1B
Bautista, 3B
Paulino, C
Maholm, P
by Bruce Miles on May 25, 2008 11:19 AM CDT 0 recs
Johnson batting fifth?
::: shaking head ruefully :::
I think Lou may be losing it.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 25, 2008 11:21 AM CDT
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Not to mention
that if Ronny had had a performance akin to Theriot’s performance last night, I doubt he’d be starting the next day.
Johnson batting 5th is just silly.
"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 25, 2008 11:22 AM CDT
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About last night
Lou said he walked to the mound slowly that one inning because he was mulling his options at the time. Was a pretty funny sight.
by Bruce Miles on
May 25, 2008 11:23 AM CDT
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One wonders what the other options were!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 25, 2008 11:24 AM CDT
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That was funny.
According to some on the board, the Pittsburgh announcers were pretty incensed about it….
"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 25, 2008 11:24 AM CDT
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it's a Soto-less lineup.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on
May 25, 2008 11:34 AM CDT
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I think Lou is just trying to motivate Lilly at the plate.
Lilly: .267/.313/.333
Johnson: .259/.342/.360
Ted’s got his work cut out for him today.
by cwyers on
May 25, 2008 11:36 AM CDT
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Especially with Reed in an RBI spot.
Ted’s gonna be PO’d.
"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 25, 2008 11:37 AM CDT
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Lilly needs to start hitting better if he wants to stop hitting ninth.
He really controls his own fate here, y’know?
by cwyers on
May 25, 2008 11:39 AM CDT
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Maybe we should send him down
to work on his swing….
"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 25, 2008 11:41 AM CDT
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I dunno.
Until Hoffpauir gets some more at-bats to prove himself, Ted’s still our second-best lefty hitter (unless you count Zambrano, the switch hitter). It really short-changes our lineup to not have Ted around. You’ve got to let him play through the slump.
by cwyers on
May 25, 2008 11:43 AM CDT
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We could sign Matt Morris to fill his spot
until he gets straightened out.
"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 25, 2008 11:44 AM CDT
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I really wish you would take this seriously.
Sometimes I think you’re just kidding around with all of this.
by cwyers on
May 25, 2008 11:47 AM CDT
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Reed Johnson is hitting 5th today.
I can’t take anything seriously after seeing that.
"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 25, 2008 11:48 AM CDT
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Some of Reed's power is starting to come back.
Theriot’s now the guy that has an OBP above his SLG.
by cwyers on
May 25, 2008 11:52 AM CDT
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This is serious:
If we could somehow get 2006 Reed Johnson (.319/.390/.479, 124 OPS+), I’d be overjoyed, but seeing as he’s 32, I’m not hopeful.
"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 25, 2008 11:56 AM CDT
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this
is SHOCKING
"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 25, 2008 12:12 PM CDT
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Un-freakin-believeable...
Devin Hester, you are rediculous! -Jeff Joniak
by ARAM FOR MVP on May 25, 2008 11:49 AM CDT 0 recs
I'm starting to fear the cardinals are actually for real
Beat the dodgers again last night with a loshe vs penny matchup and are playing very well on their west coast road trip, a trip we always struggle on regardless of if the nl west sucks like it does this year. Outside of the NL central I see the only teams that can be great are the dbacks and phillies, mainly because the phillies have such a great lineup. However, it does not look like the cardinals are going away anytime soon
"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.
by CubsBall2202 on May 25, 2008 11:51 AM CDT 0 recs
I'm starting to really dislike Lou.
He’s always going with his “vets” over the more talented younger players. If he doesn’t think he can win with young players, look at the Diamondbacks. Cedeno is rotting on the bench behind the much less talented Theriot, who is having a nice little season so far. But we all know Ronny brings so much more to the table.
Then there’s Pie, who’s been called our CF’er of the future by Hendry and Fleita being touted up so much, only to never see consistent playing time behind the scrappy (see the trend here) Johnson, and far less talented Edmonds. It’s really sickening. You can’t get in any rhythm when you only get 4 games in a row at most, this coming from a former player myself.
It’s great what he’s doing to these guys’ confidence.
Devin Hester, you are rediculous! -Jeff Joniak
by ARAM FOR MVP on May 25, 2008 11:53 AM CDT 0 recs
I agree, Cedeno should be in at short.
He has a much stronger arm and better range and can actually display hitting for power at times while the most you will get out of riot is a double. And anyone who says to get rid of Edmonds I would have to agree strongly with, I don’t care if it was for the league minimum, this guy is done and we all knew that beforehand
"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.
by CubsBall2202 on
May 25, 2008 11:58 AM CDT
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One more thing
Would any of you consider moving Marmol to the rotation next year? Really, he could probably do it, and be like Kelvim Escobar (without the injury) and we could replace him with Ascanio, or possible sign K-Rod in the off-season. Thoughts?
Devin Hester, you are rediculous! -Jeff Joniak
by ARAM FOR MVP on May 25, 2008 12:05 PM CDT 0 recs
No.
One, Marmol’s been tried as a starter and he has shown neither the stamina nor the repertoire for the job.
Two, he’s likely the best setup man in the majors. He’s too valuable where he’s at to consider moving him.
IMO, It’s best to leave him where he is, especially considering that with Hart, Marshall, Gallagher, and Hill, the Cub have plenty of options for nest season’s rotation without fixing something that isn’t broken.
"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 25, 2008 12:08 PM CDT
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i mentioned this half-jokingly
in the wrap-up thread. he was a starter when he came up and had mixed results. his stuff is obviously much MUCH better now and he is as dominant a pitcher as there is in the bigs. if the yanks can do it w/joba, i see no reason the cubs couldn’t with marmol but considering he was a starter in the bigs and he is soooooo good in his spot now, i dont think he will be a starter again.
"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 25, 2008 12:09 PM CDT
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Here at last
Made it into Chicago yesterday for my long delayed visit. Despite jetlag it was great to just sit in a bar with some cub fans to watch the game. Long long time since I did that. Only thing missing was the win. Lets get one today. Then its back to Wrigley Field and I’ll be there. Friendly Confines! Cubs Baseball! Meeting Al! Can’t wait.
by simonuk on May 25, 2008 12:06 PM CDT 0 recs
welcome, simon
you’re going to love your time in Chicago
It's fun to be a Cub right now. -- Mark DeRosa
by Emelie on
May 25, 2008 12:10 PM CDT
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hendry sounds like it will be a while till edmonds' chance runs out
:(
"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 25, 2008 12:20 PM CDT 0 recs
That situation has a good chance of resolving itself...
... just as soon as Edmonds gets hurt. Say, sometime within the next 30 minutes, I’d guess.
by BlueSox on
May 25, 2008 12:23 PM CDT
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Yeah.
that was depressing to hear.
"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 25, 2008 12:25 PM CDT
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Who knows what the hell was going through his mind when he decided to sign this washed up hack
"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.
by CubsBall2202 on
May 25, 2008 12:34 PM CDT
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Morgan is dead wrong. Not every play would be reviewed. Every PITCH.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on
May 25, 2008 12:56 PM CDT
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38th
Yes!
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 25, 2008 12:24 PM CDT 0 recs
Chicago Cubs Baseball Is On The Air!
I love hearing Pat say it…
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 25, 2008 12:32 PM CDT 0 recs
it is the best!
"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 25, 2008 12:34 PM CDT
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I just hope..
The Cubs are livelier than this thread..:)
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 25, 2008 12:35 PM CDT 0 recs
Weak flyout to start the game
"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.
by CubsBall2202 on May 25, 2008 12:36 PM CDT 0 recs
sigh..
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 25, 2008 12:37 PM CDT 0 recs
as len points out
how the hell can the pirates, who have a tiny payroll, afford so many (freaking UGLY) jerseys?
"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 25, 2008 12:37 PM CDT 0 recs
lol..
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on
May 25, 2008 12:38 PM CDT
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2 pitches 2 outs
geez..
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 25, 2008 12:37 PM CDT 0 recs
ugh not a good 1st
theriot looks AWESOME
"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 25, 2008 12:38 PM CDT
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Jeeze what a terrible inning
"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.
by CubsBall2202 on May 25, 2008 12:38 PM CDT 0 recs
+1
look sluggish
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 25, 2008 12:39 PM CDT 0 recs
Let's go Theodore!
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 25, 2008 12:41 PM CDT 0 recs
DLee catching today...
"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 25, 2008 12:41 PM CDT 0 recs
Ya I don't know, I just have a bad feeling about today
"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.
by CubsBall2202 on May 25, 2008 12:42 PM CDT 0 recs
Crap
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 25, 2008 12:42 PM CDT 0 recs
wow sweet home run RIVAS
"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 25, 2008 12:42 PM CDT 0 recs
cept NOT damn it
"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 25, 2008 12:43 PM CDT
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wierd ball
not even out…
It's fun to be a Cub right now. -- Mark DeRosa
by Emelie on
May 25, 2008 12:43 PM CDT
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SCREWED AGAIN!
it didn’t go out.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 25, 2008 12:43 PM CDT 0 recs
fonz should catch that
he looks like a total fool
"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 25, 2008 12:44 PM CDT
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Adam Dunn like...
''As long as he doesn't talk World Series, I'm happy.'' Lou Piniella on Ronny Cedeno.
by CubsBullsBears on
May 25, 2008 12:45 PM CDT
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reminded me of jose canseco
when the ball hit his head and bounced out – same degree of tomfoolery
"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 25, 2008 12:45 PM CDT
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I did say to myself
he should have caught that.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on
May 25, 2008 12:46 PM CDT
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Either way, the fact that LUIS RIVAS is hitting it that far
we deserve to be down 1-0
"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.
by CubsBall2202 on
May 25, 2008 12:44 PM CDT
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touche
"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 25, 2008 12:44 PM CDT
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Luis Rivas should never be putting a charge into anything
"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.
by CubsBall2202 on
May 25, 2008 12:47 PM CDT
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Damn..
Replays show it’s not a homer…..but geez, I can jump higher than Sori..
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 25, 2008 12:43 PM CDT 0 recs
Yeah, now you could...
... but he’s got a aching leg.
by DrCrawdad on
May 25, 2008 12:45 PM CDT
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He told Lou it's ok..
It’s just a “confidence” thing says Sori..
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better lear