Chicago Cubs @ Houston Astros GameThread, Jul 19, 2008 6:05 PM CDT

Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Saturday 7/19, 6:05 CT

by Al on Jul 19, 2008 3:30 PM CDT in Game Threads Comment 96 comments

Chicago Cubs @ Houston Astros

Next Game

Saturday, Jul 19, 2008, 6:05 PM CDT
Minute Maid Park

Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

Complete Coverage >

Here are a few more notes on the upcoming sale of the Cubs, listing the seven most likely bidding groups and individuals -- I'm very glad to see Don Levin, owner of the Wolves, still on this list. He's my #1 choice -- a Chicago native, lifelong Cubs fan with deep pockets who already owns a successful sports team in this town. There are a few more details in this Fran Spielman article in today's Sun-Times, and yet another take from the Wall Street Journal.

Our old friend Dayn Perry is at it again, this time with a Baseball Prospectus article ($, I think) trotting out every old North Side/South Side stereotype you can think of. It's so bad that it's worth a read.

Now, onward to more pressing business -- winning tonight's game.

Today's Starting Pitchers


C. Zambrano Cubs	vs.	W. Rodriguez Astros


10-3	W-L	4-3
2.84	ERA	3.48
78	SO	65
38	BB	23
8	HR	8
vs. Hou	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Carlos Zambrano	10-3	18	18	0	0	0	0	120.1	110	40	38	8	38	78	2.84	1.23

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Wandy Rodriguez	4-3	13	13	0	0	0	0	75.0	73	38	29	8	23	65	3.48	1.28

Z has pitched well against the Astros both this year and in his career -- 10-6, 2.67. The Juice Box is also one of his favorite parks to hit in; though he has only four hits there, three of them are homers. He handles Lance Berkman well (8-for-54, but 4 HR), and Carlos Lee hammers him (not a surprise, as El Caballo hits just about every Cub pitcher: 16-for-44, 5 doubles, 4 HR vs. Z). So many of the supposed "expert" sportswriters wring their hands because Z's strikeout total is down, but that's Z realizing he doesn't have to throw the ball 9,000 MPH against every single hitter; his sinker has been devastating this year and that's one of the reasons he's allowed only eight HR.

Somehow, Wandy Rodriguez has turned himself into a decent pitcher. I'd never have expected that from a guy who seemed to have no velocity, little control and a career ERA over 5.00 coming into this year. He has failed to get out of the sixth inning in his last three starts, though. Derrek Lee (7-for-16) and Ryan Theriot (5-for-10) hit him hard, and expect Jim Edmonds (and maybe the slumping Kosuke Fukudome) to get the night off vs. the LHP Rodriguez.

Today's game is a cable extravaganza in Chicago and Houston, on EI and at the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Today's first pitch thread will be up at 6:00 pm CT and the overflow comment threads will post at 7:15 pm and 8:15 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 96 comments

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Comments

First?

SD 5 StL 0 2nd inning – go Pads!

by ChipSet on Jul 19, 2008 3:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

97 degrees there and 50% humid

5-0 Ankiel misplayed a ball and got an error.

"We have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It's our confidence. "--Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

see?

HGH doesn’t make you smart. :P

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2008 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mark Grace didnt think it was an error

how one could be such a good player and such a bad announcer is beyond me

"We have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It's our confidence. "--Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The two talents aren't necessarily the same.

Some of the best announcers were only average players (Stone, Brenly, for example).

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

by Al on Jul 19, 2008 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And some of the best players were...

naw… that’s just too easy of a set up. Someone else can finish it… ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 19, 2008 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe the Cards will actually lose

Chicago Cubs Humor and Parody at The Cubs Brickyard

by AceCubbie on Jul 19, 2008 3:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jim Edmonds (and maybe the slumping Kosuke Fukudome)

oh, god. That means DeRosa in right, and the Mighty Hampster at 2nd again.

We REALLY need Soriano back. Or, you know, an actual outfielder on the bench. Paging Felix Pie…

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the mighty hampster has been pretty

..darn good lately. 320 /469/680 in the last 14 days.

and he has been throwing the leather as well….

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Jul 19, 2008 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

true

but it seems to throw Riot off a little bit. And really, there’s not that much leeway for Riot.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea...the upside could be with all this playing

..time for Fonty, it could pay dividends later this year when were back to 100%. He should have some confidence off the bench.

by JB 23 on Jul 19, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Lou's sitting the lefty's

because of a LHP, why would Fontenot get a pass? Sounds like a good time to start Cedeno. Fonty can’t hit lefties.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 19, 2008 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, that's

actually a good point. I wouldn’t mind that.

If Dome sits, that means Ward in left tho, because only DeRo can play right, with Reed in center…

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 19, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess with Murton gone

he can’t play the “all RH lineup”. So yeah it could be Ward, or it could be Edmonds in CF if he wants better D across the OF.

However, after I posted that about Cedeno, I heard Cwyers in my head saying “Cedeno can’t hit lefties either”....and while it’s not as extreme this year, it’s true that Ronny has a reverse split.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 19, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like Dome is playing per Gordo's Twitter

Fuku dropped to 7th in order vs. lefty tonight. He’s 1 for his last 16.
about 1 hour ago from txt

by JB 23 on Jul 19, 2008 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does he have the rest of the lineup?

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 19, 2008 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not posted yet...

..I will post if it comes up

by JB 23 on Jul 19, 2008 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, that makes sense.

I think Dome will wind up batting 7th fulltime from here on out.

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

by Al on Jul 19, 2008 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that makes too much sense ;)

...Ronny seems to be in the same dog house that Leiber is

by JB 23 on Jul 19, 2008 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not sure why we would sit lefties

they are hitting over .280 off of Wandy, righties are in the .230s

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Jul 19, 2008 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just got Directv, thank God.

And I actually get this game with my SportsPack.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 19, 2008 3:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And oh by the way.

Sue if you’re reading this. I actually do get most games on CSN.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 19, 2008 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fantastic!!!

I’m glad you checked into it and got it. I figured you would get most of them. Good deal.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 19, 2008 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's do this Cubs!!!!

I hope they show more energy tonight then they did last ngiht.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 19, 2008 3:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

AFN tonight!

I would be at the game tonight… if I didn’t get an e-mail back in February saying I was going to England. AFN will have to suffice… with my new tv, too!

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2008 3:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

let's hear it for Cubs and new tvs!

What doesn't destroy you makes you stranger -- The Joker

by Emelie on Jul 19, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want a new tv

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 19, 2008 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want your... I want your...

I want your new tv

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 19, 2008 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll trade you

A baseball…..

..... for a picture of my new tv.

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2008 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no thanks

I just got word – they’re shipping my TV even as i type….

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 19, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brew Crew up 1-0 on Giants in the 2nd

after a rain delay

"We have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It's our confidence. "--Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2008 3:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Woohoo

A cubs game I’ll actually be able to follow!! If I can stay awake. I’m so tired.

Fair sucks. Stoopid 4-H. :whines/cries:

The weather at Wrigley Field may change in an instant, but Aramis Ramirez is always steady in the clutch. - Associated Press (7/11/08)

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jul 19, 2008 3:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Aw, maybe a

Cubs win will cheer you up. :D

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 19, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's go Cubbies!

"Memory believes before knowing remembers. Believes longer than recollects, longer than knowing even wonders."
-- William Faulkner

by jennypage on Jul 19, 2008 4:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Time for the Cub bats to end their extended vacation!

Z needs some good run support (it has been lacking).

Early & often…please.

THIS IS OUR CENTURY!!

by LAcarl519 on Jul 19, 2008 4:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 19, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Giants take the lead over Brewers 2-1

with some small ball (and a JJ hardy error).

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 19, 2008 4:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Now 4-1

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 19, 2008 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pujols put it in the gap

And drives in 3 just like that…..

5-3 Padres

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2008 4:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cardinals adding on

5-4 and cutting it close

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rodriquez

LIGHT EM UP

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

by Hammer on Jul 19, 2008 4:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Do any of you

see the cubs take batting practice very often?

by BradB311 on Jul 19, 2008 4:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm just wondering

If Z is as impressive taking BP as i keep reading about

by BradB311 on Jul 19, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have and YES

He can hit it harder then most of the team

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

by Hammer on Jul 19, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has hit a few out onto the street during BP

and even more impressive – before the bleacher expansion, he would hit them out onto Waveland pretty often… batting LEFT-HANDED!!!

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 19, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cardinals leading 6-5 and Brewers just took a 5-4 lead

We are gonna have to win tonight

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 19, 2008 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's not like the Cards or Brewers

Have ever given up huge leads in the 9th and lost the game…...

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2008 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the Padres and giants are just so bad

outside of Lincincum and Peavy there is no talent on those squads.

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Jul 19, 2008 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Giants tie it

Fuke is hitting 7th tonight? Huh.

by louslovechild on Jul 19, 2008 5:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sneaky Sneaky Power

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2008 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Edmonds sits, DeRo in left

R. Theriot ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .320
R. Johnson cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .268
D. Lee 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
A. Ramirez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
G. Soto c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
M. DeRosa lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281
K. Fukudome rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .276
R. Cedeno 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .269
C. Zambrano p

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 19, 2008 5:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

not sure about sitting Edmonds

lefties hitting 280 against Wandy, why sit the only guy who hit the ball last night

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Jul 19, 2008 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of different ways to look at it

Edmonds doesn’t hit lefties great. So, whose split “wins”? Rodriguez’s reverse split or Edmonds’ normal split?

Also, maybe his foot’s bothering him.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 19, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully our 3-4-5 produce today

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 19, 2008 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully our 1-2 and 6-7-8-9 also produce today

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2008 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 19, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That too, we know our 9 hitter is gonna get his tho

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 19, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol! and... agree

What doesn't destroy you makes you stranger -- The Joker

by Emelie on Jul 19, 2008 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cory Provus reports Lou says:

Slight setback for Wood during bullpen session today. Blister not healed, he’s unavailable again tonight.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 19, 2008 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thats okay Big Z can just go nine innings

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 19, 2008 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Z has the

OK from Lou to go 9 if he can.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 19, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that must be one hell of blister that its still a issue after a week off

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Jul 19, 2008 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm surprised he doesn't have callouses

What doesn't destroy you makes you stranger -- The Joker

by Emelie on Jul 19, 2008 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow! Ronny Cedeno is out of the witness protection program!

I hope he didn’t forget how to play baseball while he was there.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Jul 19, 2008 5:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

lol

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 19, 2008 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

MLB.tv questions

I am thinking of purchasing the mlb.tv package for a month. If you buy this, does it continue to bill you monthly after your first month is over or do you just get one month? Also, does it tend to lag? Is premium worth more than the standard?

2008 Cubs: Who needs nine innings, when you only need a 7th?

by Chanman25 on Jul 19, 2008 5:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, it's automatic billing

So remember to cancel if you don’t wish it to continue. Lag is all dependent on your internet connection – if you have a good one, you’ll be fine. And if you have a good internet connection and a good monitor, absolutely get premium.

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you go about cancelling it. I will be using a debit card to purchase it as well

2008 Cubs: Who needs nine innings, when you only need a 7th?

by Chanman25 on Jul 19, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably will have to call

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

now when they bill you monthly

do they bill you at say the end of July or a month after you have purchased it? (ie August 19)

2008 Cubs: Who needs nine innings, when you only need a 7th?

by Chanman25 on Jul 19, 2008 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the answer to this and all your other questions is pretty simple

if it has anything to do with MLB, the answer will be the choice that costs you the most money, makes the least amount of sense and is the hardest to deal with.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 19, 2008 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I emailed them

to cancel. I ordered it and it wouldnt work on my computer. I called them and they said they’d call me back to help me. I called again and they said the same thing. I still havent heard from them. I’ve been paying for it for 3 months without it working

by BradB311 on Jul 19, 2008 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

THey will keep billing you for sure. I have had some problems with it lagging sometimes but it depends on your internet connection

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Jul 19, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cards win :(

"We have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It's our confidence. "--Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 19, 2008 5:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The padres quit playing that game as soon as the Cards tied it IMO

by JB 23 on Jul 19, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

freaking Padres

what a piece of crap that team is

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Jul 19, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow the padres are fucking horrible

by xene on Jul 19, 2008 5:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They are;

but never count on another team to handle your business. We need to handle our own.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 19, 2008 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

Remember, St. Louis is playing a crappy team at home. The Cubs have done well against those sorts of teams, too. If SD can win one tomorrow, that’s about the best we can hope for.

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

by Al on Jul 19, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs