Chicago Cubs @ Atlanta Braves GameThread, Aug 12, 2008 6:10 PM CDT

Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Braves, Tuesday 8/12, 6:10 CT

by Al on Aug 12, 2008 3:30 PM CDT in Game Threads

Chicago Cubs @ Atlanta Braves

Next Game

Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008, 6:10 PM CDT
Turner Field

Mostly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Complete Coverage >

There will be a pregame ceremony tonight honoring longtime Braves broadcaster Skip Caray, who died last week. From Yahoo, here's a column on Skip's funeral yesterday. Skip Caray was an acquired taste -- not everyone liked his style -- but I always enjoyed his dry sense of humor and how he could make games involving the horrid Braves of the 1980's interesting. His call of the Braves' 9th inning win in the 1992 NLCS over the Pirates is a broadcasting classic.

That is, the ceremony and the game will be held, weather permitting. This weather forecast and radar for the Atlanta area doesn't look very encouraging.

Today's Starting Pitchers


R. Harden Cubs	vs.	C. Morton Braves


6-2	W-L	3-5
2.27	ERA	5.70
139	SO	32
40	BB	22
10	HR	6
vs. Atl	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Rich Harden	1-1	5	5	0	0	0	0	30.0	22	8	7	5	9	47	2.10	1.03

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Charlie Morton	3-5	10	10	0	0	0	0	53.2	55	36	34	6	22	32	5.70	1.43

Charlie Morton will be making his 11th major league start tonight, and first vs. the Cubs. Most of the previous ten have been pretty bad, but five days ago threw seven shutout innings vs. Arizona, the best outing of his career. It appears from his gamelogs that if you can wait him out, you'll draw walks and score often. Sounds like a plan for the Cubs tonight.

Rich Harden faced the Braves in interleague play on May 17 in Atlanta and got a win. He allowed four hits in seven innings, all singles, walked one and struck out eight. One of those hits was by Mark Teixeira, who's no longer on the team. Casey Kotchman, who was acquired for Teixeira, is 3-for-12 (all singles) vs. Harden (from Kotchman's days with the Angels while Harden was in the AL).

Today's game is on cable in Atlanta and on WGN, so it should be available to just about everyone. Also see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

The game comment threads (except for this one) have moved off the front page. You can find the overflow comment threads, including the first pitch thread, on the right sidebar of both the front page and any interior page in the box headed "RECENT STORIES IN GAME THREADS". Today's first pitch thread posts at 6:00 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 7:00, 8:00 and 8:45 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 220 comments

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Comments

Haha...

I knew I was useful at work…

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 3:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Who does #2 work for?

by JCD on Aug 12, 2008 3:34 PM CDT 0 recs

That's it buddy, show that turd who's the boss!

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 3:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Will be nice

to have Len and Bob back tonight. Hope the rain holds off.

Good luck tonight Rich Harden!!!

Good luck Shawn Johnson, Lolo Jones and Doug Schwab. Bring home the gold!!!

by sue369 on Aug 12, 2008 3:35 PM CDT 0 recs

len yes...

.....bb no

okay lets not get into this discussion again haha

by cubswynn on Aug 12, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

Then don't bring it up...ha

Good luck Shawn Johnson, Lolo Jones and Doug Schwab. Bring home the gold!!!

by sue369 on Aug 12, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Confused

Yes, or no to Bob tonight?? Musta missed a past discussion…

"I love when they play that Go Cubs Win song."

by BMoney79 on Aug 12, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

yes for me

Good luck Shawn Johnson, Lolo Jones and Doug Schwab. Bring home the gold!!!

by sue369 on Aug 12, 2008 5:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

and me

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Me too

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

by Bump Bailey on Aug 12, 2008 5:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

me

by Emelie on Aug 12, 2008 5:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Gee Whiz

That radar looks bad.

by Matty G on Aug 12, 2008 3:39 PM CDT 0 recs

Man, I hope they get this game in...

Doubleheaders are no good.

"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." - Alvin Dark

by Fishbone2 on Aug 12, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

Both teams are off September 8

And the Braves will be in the middle of a homestand.

Not ideal, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see that. Would make for a long road trip for the Cubs, though—3 in Cincy, 1 in Atlanta, 3 in St. Louis and one in Houston.

Also both off September 15.

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 3:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't think they would schedule it for an off day

Scheduling for an off day like would cost more money. Airplane tickets, hotels, etc… They are already thier now so I think it would be easier to do a DH tomorrow or Thursday.

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Aug 12, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Let's hope they get it in tonight.

"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." - Alvin Dark

by Fishbone2 on Aug 12, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

Why, they married?

Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.

by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 4:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Be nice for them not to play a DH or

have to throw away an off day down the stretch.

"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." - Alvin Dark

by Fishbone2 on Aug 12, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hey-O!

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 4:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

It would also bring in more revenue than a traditional DH

They could do a day/night DH, though.

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 12, 2008 4:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Carl: I don't think the heavy stuff's gonna come down in quite a while, father.

Rveverend: Well – maybe I can get in nine holes before it gets too bad.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Besides, the good Lord wouldn't ruin the greatest game of my life!

"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." - Alvin Dark

by Fishbone2 on Aug 12, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Here father, you better put this on.

Why thanks, son.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 3:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

You know, theoretically, I could break the course record!

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Waaahhhahahahahaha! Did you see that?

You’re really hitting em’ today.

Oh, Eureka!

"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." - Alvin Dark

by Fishbone2 on Aug 12, 2008 3:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ribbet, Ribbet (Frog jumps out of hole)

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Nice...

My favorite is after he gets struck by lightning…
Pickering: “Never tell a Navy man he’s had too much to drink, cause it’s nobodies GD business.”
Smails: “But you’re a Bishop”
Pickering: “I’m no Bishop. My name is Fred. I’m a man like yourself.” (blank stare) “There is no God.”

"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." - Alvin Dark

by Fishbone2 on Aug 12, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

Classic Exchange - one of my favorites.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 3:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

I doubt

this game will get in. The radar looks awful.

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

by Unique on Aug 12, 2008 3:43 PM CDT 0 recs

agreed

With the rain just getting to Atlanta, it appears to have hours to go to clear out. Just clear in Jackson, MS and it was raining there all day. Hope Harden is the type that can mentally prepare to start today and be just as ready tomorrow.

Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.

by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 3:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

The prospect of another day with no baseball...

...ugh.

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 3:48 PM CDT 0 recs

There's no way they play this one

If Lou is even aware of what a radar is, I doubt he even has Harden dress for this game.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Aug 12, 2008 3:48 PM CDT 0 recs

+1

by cubswynn on Aug 12, 2008 3:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

ummm

agree on probably not getting this one in, but why wouldn’t the scheduled starter put on the uniform? (asked hoping I didn’t walk in to a ” ‘cause being nekkid is fun” sort of answer.

Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.

by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

So he wouldn't go through his full warm-up

and thus be unavailable tomorrow…

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 3:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

ahhhhhh.

Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.

by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

I disagree

Yes there is a large area of rain but I don’t think it will be an all night thing… they may be starting at 9pm but there will probably be baseball today… IMO

But then again im not a weather man so dont scold me if it rains until tomorrow

by chicagodave on Aug 12, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

Because of the stakes here...

... they’ll probably wait a LONG time before calling it. There’s a night game tomorrow so as you say, they could easily start at 9 pm or even later.

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

by Al on Aug 12, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't think the rain will be out of there by even 9pm or 10pm

but I agree with your thought.

If they know they’ll have clear skies after 9:30pm or so, they can play till 1am, get back to the hotel by 3am, sleep till noon, and still get to the park by 2pm tomorrow, 4 hours before game time.

That said, I don’t relish having to stay up until 1am to see Woody close it out.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Aug 12, 2008 4:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

I won't make it up that late either.

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

by Al on Aug 12, 2008 4:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

i worked last night and am off tonight

the threat of no game, no us vs. charlie morton (wasn’t that a character in ‘the hardy boys’?), i might go back to bed and get up around 7.

by tim815 on Aug 12, 2008 4:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

I believe it was Chet

Steve Phillips on his computer use as Mets GM, "I played solitaire on my computer in my office."

by Tate491 on Aug 12, 2008 6:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

That Link Al posted says the Rain

isn’t going to stop until Afternoon TOMORROW!

"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." - Alvin Dark

by Fishbone2 on Aug 12, 2008 4:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

That’s what I think. It just cleared Jackson, MS and has been raining there all day.

Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.

by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 4:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

By my back of the envelope meteorology

It’s going to be 8+ hours from now before the rain clears.

Anyone know how it works for pitchers on days like this? WIll Harden even pick up a ball? Will he warmup in the underground area? Will he wait to begin any warmup until 2-3 hours before the game would potentially start?

More importantly- if Harden doesn’t warm up tonight, and the game gets cancelled, I think we might see 97-98mph from an 8-days-rested Harden.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Aug 12, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

It depends on how long they feel the rain is going to go.

It’s possible they’ll call the game before the players even dress.

Remember what they did on May 11? When it was supposed to be Z vs. Randy Johnson at Wrigley? And the long delay made both managers change starters?

It could work that way tonight. The Cubs could warm up Sean Marshall; if it’s eventually called Harden could go tomorrow in a makeup DH.

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

by Al on Aug 12, 2008 4:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

i think that would be ideal

Let Marshall go out there and pitch until 3am, if that’s what it takes, and have Harden go tomorrow.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Aug 12, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't understand why baseball can't just play THROUGH the rain...

the NFL and NBA can.

Rainouts…another stupid tradition left over from the slave owners.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 12, 2008 3:56 PM CDT 0 recs

hahahaha

“Players as Slaves”

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

That’s just stupid. :)

Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.

by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

NHL can too

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 12, 2008 3:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

what they shoudl do

is go to nylon uniforms. After all, we moved away from flannel!

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Come on Drew - Sarcasm will get you nowhere!

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 12, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

well, apparently neither does reality.

so I got that going for me…

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 4:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

If woman's beach volley ball can play in rain

in these outfits…

...what was I saying?

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 12, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

those don’t look very water proof

Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.

by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 4:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

they're water absorbent!

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 4:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Was watching some olympic coverage last night and had to leave the room during the women’s volleyball. Could not keep hearing my wife sound like rainman repeating “I don’t know how they play in those….”

Sorry folks, parks closed. Moose out front should have told you.

by N Oakley on Aug 12, 2008 4:05 PM CDT up 0 recs