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Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Reds, Thursday 8/21, 1:20 CT

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Game Threads

Cincinnati Reds @ Chicago Cubs


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Cincinnati Reds
@ Chicago Cubs

Thursday, Aug 21, 2008, 1:20 PM CDT
Wrigley Field

Josh Fogg vs Carlos Zambrano

Mostly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Complete Coverage >

Interesting Barry Rozner column today in which he:

  • Calls out Alfonso Soriano for not running hard enough on the fly to left last night;
  • Says Lou is frustrated with Kosuke Fukudome and may start giving him days off.
Bruce Miles writes about Geovany Soto and also says:
  • September callups are likely to be Kevin Hart, Koyie Hill, Felix Pie, Michael Wuertz, Micah Hoffpauir... and Angel Guzman. That last one would surprise me, but maybe Guzman IS ready after all.
  • Former #1 pick Mark Pawelek apparently upset the organization because, according to Bruce, "club officials said Pawelek did not acquire a passport in time for a team trip to Canada." Pawelek has been sent home.
Today's Starting Pitchers
Carlos Zambrano
C. Zambrano
Cubs		 vs. Josh Fogg
J.
Fogg
Reds
12-5 W-L 2-5
3.38 ERA 7.71
107 SO 38
53 BB 24
15 HR 13
vs. Hou -- vs. Cubs
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Carlos Zambrano 12-5 24 24 0 0 0 0 157.0 144 62 59 15 53 107 3.38 1.25
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Josh Fogg 2-5 19 11 0 0 0 0 65.1 83 59 56 13 24 38 7.71 1.64

The Cubs will get to face Josh Fogg for the second time this year. The first time, on April 16 at Wrigley Field, they had seven hits, two walks and nine runs off him in two-plus innings. Fogg's lifetime ERA vs. the Cubs is 6.33 in 21 starts and players currently on the team are hitting .364 against him, including Derrek Lee (.441), Jim Edmonds (.429), Aramis Ramirez (.333, 4 homers, 16 RBI), and even Carlos Zambrano (3-for-7).

Z, for his part, acknowledges his mechanical problems:

"I’ve been rushing a little too much and I’ve been working with the pitching coach on correcting some things in my approach," Zambrano said.

He faced the Reds on July 9 at Wrigley Field and allowed only one hit in eight innings -- a HR to Adam Dunn, who's no longer on the team. Dunn had been a particular tormentor of Z's -- only Edwin Encarnacion (10-for-28, 2 HR) among current Reds has hit him well.

Today's game is on CSN Chicago only -- no Reds TV, so EI viewers will see Len & Bob. Also see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

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 1:15 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 2:15, 3:15 and 4 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 204 comments

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Comments

Display:

First..

alright go Cubbies!! Win this series

"Go Cubs Go"

by mkcubs21 on Aug 21, 2008 11:30 AM CDT   0 recs

Curses...

I wanted to be first :(

Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Aug 21, 2008 11:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Shhhh....

We don’t like to talk about curses here.

by SuperContext on Aug 21, 2008 11:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

good afternoon/morning everybody

time to win another series.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Aug 21, 2008 11:32 AM CDT   0 recs

Hey, BCB, whaddya say?

Bats are sure to come alive today. Why? Z will be in the box.

Go Cubs Go.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 21, 2008 11:34 AM CDT   0 recs

Weather

I think our power outage has been about night games with the wind blowing in. A little sunshine should pe up the bats!

Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB

by californiachicagoan on Aug 21, 2008 11:35 AM CDT   0 recs

reminds me of my favorite weather forecast...

Freezing Fog (scroll down)

who knew there were so many kinds

Hoping for freezing, evaporation or dense Fogg this afternoon

by JCD on Aug 21, 2008 11:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Advection Fog.

Hello band name.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 21, 2008 11:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have been saying that Soriano does not hustle...

But I bet lambasted on this site. As long as he hits then he is excused. Nonsense.

"We’ve still got a long ways to go, I don’t like to get giggly over things in July. But the team’s playing well, they really are. They’re playing with confidence, and it shows."

by Cubster on Aug 21, 2008 11:42 AM CDT   0 recs

Enough...

…I’m tired of the “Soriano doesn’t hustle” talk. I happen to think he’s a pretty damn good ballplayer who occasionally makes gaffes in baserunning or fielding, but DEFINITELY cares, gives good effort, and adds a lot to the team.

Let’s just drop this one, and all agree to disagree, okay?

by Chadnudj on Aug 21, 2008 11:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LSA

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 21, 2008 11:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OK...

let’s instead talk about Theriot’s skills as SS ;-}

by Emelie on Aug 21, 2008 12:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm sorry

I couldn’t hear you over the applause :)

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 21, 2008 12:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The white haired dude

In the fifth row agrees with me

"We’ve still got a long ways to go, I don’t like to get giggly over things in July. But the team’s playing well, they really are. They’re playing with confidence, and it shows."

by Cubster on Aug 21, 2008 12:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

wah-wah.... :)

"...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 21, 2008 12:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Awww...

Iz jokin.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 21, 2008 12:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thats so adorable

I may die

Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB

by californiachicagoan on Aug 21, 2008 12:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Eventually, yes...

…but I don’t think there will be a causal connection.

by John Q Freejazz on Aug 21, 2008 1:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Believe it or not...

…hustling is a skill that all ballplayers don’t have. Some guys just aren’t comfortable going full bore all the time because they aren’t wired that way. I know it sounds simple – just run hard, but the bottom line is, not everyone can force themselves to do it all the time.

I don’t think Soriano tells himself to take it easy, he just doesn’t have the motor to go all out all the time.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Aug 21, 2008 12:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Soriano is a typical multimillion dollar player

he goes out there, does whatever it is that his natural abilities allow him to do, and nothing more, now I am not complaining… our record indicates how important he is to the team when he is in the lineup

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Aug 21, 2008 12:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Soriano CONSTANTLY needs a shoe shoved up his ass to play the game the right way

Right now Soriano is one of his patented stupid streaks. He is maddening to watch at times. And if he vaporizes in the playoffs again this year?? Well then I’m going to take the kid gloves off.

by MDBNIU on Aug 21, 2008 12:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes,

you’ve shown remarkable restraint so far.

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 21, 2008 12:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We need someone to play Carlton Fisk to Alfonso Soriano's Deion Sanders

Remember when Fisk of the White Sox got out of his catcher crouch and screamed at Sanders of the Yankees to “run out the fuckin’ ball”? Well we need someone on this team to do the same damned thing. $136 million for ballplayer who doesn’t run hard and gets picked off of first base. Soriano drives me insane. I do not like him and I will never like him. And that is my perogative.

by MDBNIU on Aug 21, 2008 12:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

can we have two BCB threads each day

Soriano apologists line up over there
Soriano haters (except when he hits bombs) over here

by graceunderpressure on Aug 21, 2008 12:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

HAHA!

I like it

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 21, 2008 12:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Lou needs to

get up Soriano’s ass and pull out that dead squirell

"We’ve still got a long ways to go, I don’t like to get giggly over things in July. But the team’s playing well, they really are. They’re playing with confidence, and it shows."

by Cubster on Aug 21, 2008 12:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think they should cut him.

Right now. Pitching is kings, anyways.

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 21, 2008 12:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I suppose he wasn't running hard...

…on Tuesday night when he blew past Mike Quade’s stop sign and scored that run. Yeah, that’s what I thought. Please be quiet – the adults are talking.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 21, 2008 1:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He RAN through a stop sign dumbass

He did the WRONG thing dumbass. He got lucky dumbass. He should have been reprimanded in the dugout by Piniella dumbass.

by MDBNIU on Aug 21, 2008 1:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So now we're advocating Soriano blowing off the 3rd base coach...

To go along with not being able to make an easy catch in left field last night. To go along with his dogging it on the basepads. To go along with him being picked off of 1st base two times within a week. To go along with him standing in the batter’s box to admire a line drive off the wall that he thought was a home run. To go along with him putting every Cub hitter in jeopardy because his actions so infuriate the opponent that they can’t wait to go head hunting for Cubbies.

by MDBNIU on Aug 21, 2008 1:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

An easy catch in left field?

Yes. You are right. You win. And putting every Cubs player in jeopardy? Yea. That too.

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 21, 2008 1:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and his cannon of an arm in LF,

putting Soto in jeopardy when runners round third.

his team leading HRs, putting children in the bleachers in jeopardy. Why won’t somebody think of the children.

"...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 21, 2008 1:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What "easy catch" are you referring to?

Not the bloop that he and Theriot were going for, I hope. Do you even watch the games? And what exactly are “basepads”?

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 21, 2008 1:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You could flag his message...

…and complain to Al. I would do it, but I suppose that would hypocritical of me.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 21, 2008 1:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Stop encouraging him.

Let…it…go…

Happy thoughts.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 21, 2008 1:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You've been neuteured

Unfortunately this board is populated with clueless wonders who never played even an inning of the game as a kid who profess to be experts. You’re a tool.

by MDBNIU on Aug 21, 2008 1:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh let it go

You are no better or worse than anyone else here

by Stan Cox on Aug 21, 2008 1:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it's all an act

He just wants the reactions.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 21, 2008 1:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The only stats I care about are the ones on the back of a baseball card

by carmen_fanzone on Aug 21, 2008 1:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I know

But he seems more offensive today somehow

by Stan Cox on Aug 21, 2008 1:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

See below...

"Thank god I threw out my belt & shoelaces."-Bernies Mustache Wax on Evil BCB, 7/31/08

by Bildo1805 on Aug 21, 2008 1:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Somebody please pull the

plug on Blue Mike. His act is really getting tiring.

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 21, 2008 1:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's just ignore him, I say...

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 21, 2008 1:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Which is too bad

Because sometimes he actually shows insight.

What happens, though, is this breeds personal attacks — like the fanpost that got deleted last night.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 21, 2008 1:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

When there is no name calling going on he can make sense.

by Stan Cox on Aug 21, 2008 1:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I know the guy doesn't like Soriano,

but you don’t have to be a jerk about it. Every ballplayer has shortcomings. D-Lee hits into DP’s, Dome doesn’t have any power, Theriot gets thrown out too much. The fact is, there is no perfect player. When I see him I’ll bow down and worship his ass. Until then, you appriciate a player for what he does, critique him constructively and shut the hell up!

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 21, 2008 1:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh here we go...

Would you please just go away or stop bitching?! Pick one of the two!

by storkysm on Aug 21, 2008 1:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs