Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Marlins, Friday 8/15, 6:10 CT
Chicago Cubs @ Florida Marlins
Replay is coming soon to a ballpark near you. They promise it will be used only:
to determine whether a ball leaving the field is fair or foul, or whether it actually went over the fence. It would not be used on close plays on the bases, or to determine balls and strikes.
That's fine with me. If they can use it to get some of the egregiously bad calls made earlier this year right, that's a good thing. I presume that if there are plays where the replays don't show conclusively one way or the other, then, as in the NFL, the ruling on the field would stand.
Now, on to Florida, which has been a house of pain for the Cubs the last two years -- they haven't won in Miami since July 10, 2005 -- it wasn't always that way. Through the 2005 season the Cubs were 29-27 all-time in Miami, and won two of three there in the 2003 NLCS. It's way past time to turn it around.
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Josh Johnson threw well two weeks ago at Wrigley Field, and left with a no-decision in a game eventually lost by Bob Howry. That's not likely to happen again tonight. Johnson allowed homers to Reed Johnson and Geovany Soto that day -- the only runs the Cubs scored.
Z had his worst start of the year in his last outing vs. the Cardinals, so he needs to turn it around tonight. He beat the Marlins at Wrigley Field on July 24, and is now 6-4, 3.38 on the road this year. His only loss to the Marlins (in the regular season) was on July 1, 2002; that was before Z became the Z we know now, and there's no one left from that long-ago Marlins roster still on the team (for that matter, have a look at that day's Cub lineup for some laughs).
Today's game is an all-cable extravaganza on CSN Chicago, the Sunshine Network, and EI. Also see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Once again, a reminder that 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 noon CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at xxxx pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Happy Friday to everyone...
…and a very happy fish-frying weekend to all!
by Shawon O Meter on
Aug 15, 2008 4:01 PM CDT
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Almost time for BASEBALL!!!
Let’s get Game 1, Cubbies!
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 15, 2008 4:00 PM CDT 0 recs
I have a new game at work
called, “Guess what time Al will put the pregame thread up.” Scintillating, I know…
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 15, 2008 4:01 PM CDT 0 recs
I just obsessively hit
refresh.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 15, 2008 4:03 PM CDT
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Haha...Yeah...Guilty also...
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:04 PM CDT
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LOL
Guess I’ll just have to keep you guessing!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 15, 2008 4:12 PM CDT
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Al, I've got nothing but time haha...
Challenge hereby accepted!
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:14 PM CDT
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First?
"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella
by Lou In Blue on Aug 15, 2008 4:02 PM CDT 0 recs
Sorry, brah
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:03 PM CDT
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-50 BCB Points for the use of "brah"
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Aug 15, 2008 4:05 PM CDT
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The umps concur.
1.5 technical balks.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 15, 2008 4:32 PM CDT
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Oh, they're covering the spread tonight.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 15, 2008 4:33 PM CDT
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Oooooh, -50 points!!
You’re not going to be able to buy ANYTHING in the BCB store now!!
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Aug 15, 2008 4:34 PM CDT
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I had a pretty good haul the other day, though
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:35 PM CDT
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I meant
Put the children first!

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella
by Lou In Blue on
Aug 15, 2008 4:08 PM CDT
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Nothin' better than a nice friday fish fry. Yep, something certainly to look forward to
GoCubsGo
by MinnesotaFan on Aug 15, 2008 4:05 PM CDT 0 recs
Im going out for it tonight w/ a friend lol
They have fish fry and EI…… perfect for a Friday night supper
"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.
by Madison Cub Fan on
Aug 15, 2008 5:05 PM CDT
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I must need a new prescription
I thought I saw stripper
by tootle on
Aug 15, 2008 5:12 PM CDT
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An updated prescription is always recommended
when seeing strippers.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 15, 2008 5:12 PM CDT
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What to look for tonite.
Mike Jacobs the 1st baseman could not hit a ball above his belt if his life depended on it.
Still they throw him low splitters around his ankles and he has over 20 HRs. He has a golf swing down pat.
Which proves the watching film is a bunch of CRAP.
I Iive in FL and watch these guys a lot…. going to the games tonite and Sunday courtesy of my ESPN buddies………….. Johnson is one of the toughest pitchers in the NL.
by nimblenikelfoos on Aug 15, 2008 4:10 PM CDT 0 recs
Johnson is tough; Marlins are 6-0 in the 6 games he's started this year
I, too, live in South Florida. I listen to the Marlins on ESPN Radio 760 when in the car. They’re coming off a rough series against the Cards.
I hope that Tropical Storm Fay stays way south of Cuba or we’re in for some serious rain and wind from the feeder bands late Sunday or Monday. Most current forecast shows west coast of Florida getting hit Tuesday. Spaghetti models have it all over Florida.
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on
Aug 15, 2008 4:33 PM CDT
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Spaghetti Models....


As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Aug 15, 2008 4:41 PM CDT
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I'd like to
use my chop-stick…
nevermind…
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 15, 2008 4:43 PM CDT
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This gives a new meaning to pasta-diving Theriot!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Aug 15, 2008 4:47 PM CDT
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"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on
Aug 15, 2008 4:59 PM CDT
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As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Aug 15, 2008 5:00 PM CDT
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Whatcha lookin at Willis?
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on
Aug 15, 2008 5:01 PM CDT
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"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on
Aug 15, 2008 5:00 PM CDT
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Good news and bad news
Good news: AFN Game! AFN Game!
Bad news: I don’t know if I want to stay up for the midnight start and entire game…
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on Aug 15, 2008 4:11 PM CDT 0 recs
I'll be happy with anything but getting swept.
Even one win has to be considered a road victory in Florida. Best to do it tonight.
Go Cubs.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on Aug 15, 2008 4:13 PM CDT 0 recs
I am a little greedier than you I guess...
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:14 PM CDT
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me too...
i think if we can win tonite (good odds with Z going) that we have a pretty good chance of taking 2 out of 3. Especially if team carry-overs some of the positve momentum from the ATL series.
"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens
by bobby h on
Aug 15, 2008 4:18 PM CDT
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Oh, I agree.
But if we leave Florida with one win I won’t be deflated, unlike the trouncing we took at Tampa’s hands.
Hell, I want all three, and would still be ecstatic over winning the series. But I’m also realistic of how the Cubs play there (Arizona as well – go Dodgers!).
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 15, 2008 4:22 PM CDT
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Oh I know
and I would have said the same thing before this current 8 game road winning streak, but it just feels different. This is a new swagger on the road, and in a special season, it is a VERY special development as of late…Let’s hope we keep it rolling!
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:23 PM CDT
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Plus, a win gets us to .500 on the road.
And taking the series guarantees it through the weekend. Pretty sweet.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 15, 2008 4:24 PM CDT
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Love it.
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:25 PM CDT
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First
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on Aug 15, 2008 4:16 PM CDT 0 recs
shall be last and the last shall be first...
GoCubsGo
by MinnesotaFan on
Aug 15, 2008 4:19 PM CDT
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Alou, McGriff, Sosa....
Murderer’s Strikeout Row
These guys were mostly all-or-nothing, weren’t they? I guess I remember Alou having a pretty good average with lots of strong hits, doubles in the gap…..he was Mr. Clutch back then.
Thank God it’s NOT 2002.
"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/
by iluvryno on Aug 15, 2008 4:22 PM CDT 0 recs
For sure
only Sosa and McGriff were hitting over .250
A ugly win is better than a pretty loss-Lou
by NIUcubbie on
Aug 15, 2008 4:35 PM CDT
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This team's on a roll
I don’t see Zambrano stopping it. 6-2 Cubs tonight.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Aug 15, 2008 4:23 PM CDT 0 recs
+4
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on
Aug 15, 2008 4:25 PM CDT
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LQTM?
stumped
"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.
by Madison Cub Fan on
Aug 15, 2008 5:07 PM CDT
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I was waiting for someone to inquire.
Laughing quietly to myself. Demetri Martin.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 15, 2008 5:09 PM CDT
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i was thinking something
the marlins.
"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.
by Madison Cub Fan on
Aug 15, 2008 5:12 PM CDT
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It's Gonna Happen!

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 15, 2008 4:27 PM CDT 2 recs
Excellent...Milton wins.
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:28 PM CDT
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Best one yet
I like this better than Murton on a unicorn
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
by El Borto on
Aug 15, 2008 4:28 PM CDT
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creative use of the twss
APPROVED
"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.
by Madison Cub Fan on
Aug 15, 2008 5:08 PM CDT
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My hero!!
I think it’s just his face. - dat cubfan daver
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Aug 15, 2008 4:32 PM CDT
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I think we need some type of
ceremony where we officially make Milton the mascot of BCB.
Also, I think we should all go on a worldwide search for Milton, and then do a ESPN: Outside the Lines – The True Story of Milton.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Aug 15, 2008 4:37 PM CDT
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It was 2003
The NLCS was over. Would Milton ever be able to hold his head high again?
Next, on Outside the Lines… after these messages.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 15, 2008 4:38 PM CDT
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I read that
with the “Behind the Music” voice in my head.
“Milton was on top of the world. But little did he know that soon, it would all come crashing down.”
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 15, 2008 4:40 PM CDT
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YES!
With the Bartman debacle behind him, MIlton looked to rebuild his sign, and his hopes for next year. But would the Cubs be able to deliver? Milton didn’t know it then, but he wouldn’t taste real comeback success for over four years…. next, on Outside the Lines.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 15, 2008 4:43 PM CDT
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Times were bleak...
…The future, little did Milton know, would be bleaker…After a disappointing campaign in the 2003 NLCS, 2004-2006 teams sent Milton over the proverbial ledge…Would he pick the sign up, dust it off, and provide the intangibles the 2008 Cubs needed to make it in the long haul? We tell you next…
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:44 PM CDT
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Milton just couldn't stop eating
…and eating and eating and eating. His blue Cubs shirt barely fit anymore. He was growing an extra chin. “I know”, he thought, “I’ll grow a porn ’stache and wear a Cubs hat.”
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Aug 15, 2008 4:46 PM CDT
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Milton's journey began in the small town of Vincennes, Indiana.
The son of a coal miner, life wasn’t always easy in the Burbank household. His mother, Eunis, explains:
“We didn’t have much. Jasper worked from sunup to sundown, and I kept house best I could. But Milton…there was just a gleam in his eye. He made you feel good about yourself.”
But then came the day when Milton’s father brought home the brand new television. Milton gazed into the magnificence of the screen, onto which Channel 9 shown brightly. WGN. Home of the Cubs.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 15, 2008 4:47 PM CDT
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hahaha
Eunis and Jasper Burbank…nice.
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Aug 15, 2008 4:48 PM CDT
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Cheetos.
His favorite food. Back before trans and saturated fats, Cheetos were king.
So sat he did, Milton, by the boob tube, with his Cheetos and WGN.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Aug 15, 2008 4:49 PM CDT
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On Monday, the next off day...
…can we do an entire thread about this? I am intrigued…And I can only imagine the possibilities…
Brian McRae's 5 O






