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Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Nationals, Saturday 8/23, 12:05 CT

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Game Threads

Washington Nationals @ Chicago Cubs


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Washington Nationals
@ Chicago Cubs

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008, 12:05 PM CDT
Wrigley Field

Odalis Perez vs Ryan Dempster

Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Complete Coverage >

There isn't a whole lot, I suppose, that anyone here wants to remember about yesterday's disaster. I will, however, point out that yesterday appeared to have been "Beat The Heck Out Of First-Place Teams Day", as the White Sox and the Angels both also lost blowouts on Friday.

Here are a few photos worth seeing from yesterday:

A trophy!
Chicago native Chris Chelios shows off the Stanley Cup before the game

Safe!
Alfonso Soriano is safe at home on a double steal, the Cubs' first steal of home in two years

At the hop!
A more pronounced hop than usual for Soriano in catching Ryan Langerhans' fly ball in the fourth inning

I sent my friend Jim in search of Nats fans. He found a busload:

A whole bus of 'em!

Click on photos to open a larger version in a new browser window. First three photos by David Sameshima; last photo by Jim McArdle

Today's Starting Pitchers
Ryan Dempster
R. Dempster
Cubs		 vs. Odalis Perez
O.
Perez
Nationals
14-5 W-L 5-9
2.92 ERA 4.06
149 SO 83
64 BB 44
11 HR 18
vs. Was -- vs. Cubs
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Ryan Dempster 14-5 26 26 1 0 0 0 163.1 126 60 53 11 64 149 2.92 1.16
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Odalis Perez 5-9 23 23 0 0 0 0 124.0 136 62 56 18 44 83 4.06 1.45

Odalis Perez has had some success vs. the Cubs -- and has never lost at Wrigley Field (3-0, 2.45 in three starts). Far past time to change that. Aramis Ramirez is 5-for-11, 2 HR vs. Perez and Reed Johnson, who should get the start again in CF, is 6-for-10.

Ryan Dempster can counter Perez's record with a 6-0, 3.33 career mark in 11 starts and eight relief appearances. He left trailing 3-2 on April 25, a game which the Cubs tied up and then lost when Bob Howry allowed a two-run walkoff HR to Wil Nieves. Dempster has handled the current Nats lineup pretty well -- no Nats player who will appear today has ever homered off him.

Today's game is on CSN and MASN -- which means, thanks to the ridiculous Fox blackout rules, EI viewers won't get it. It should be on MLB.TV -- for details 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 noon CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 1 pm, 2 pm and 2:45 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 118 comments

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I second that

a new day and the Sun came up

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 23, 2008 9:04 AM CDT   0 recs

I will bet that the Cubs play one of their best games today

Pitching-defense-base running and hitting….

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 23, 2008 9:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that said Cubs are 1-3 against the Nat's

team sports always has these ironies going

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 23, 2008 9:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I must confess...

…I have this nagging worry that, for some reason or another, the Cubs are doomed to underperform against the Nationals. Like maybe some freakish David vs. Goliath logic applies. I keep thinking of how the awful ’06 Cubs team actually had a winning record (11-6) against the world champion St. Louis Cardinals.

I’m sure it’s nothing. We’ve got the Mayor of Wrigley Field, Ryan Dempster, on the mound today. And the bullpen, which clearly hit rock bottom yesterday, should be on an upswing. And, hey, DLee hit a home run in yesterday’s game! Maybe he’s finally ready to start lifting some balls off the infield turf.

GO CUBS!!!

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 23, 2008 9:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LIGHT THEM UP!

I’m going to the game today with my son and friends. I’m not in the bleachers today, but I’ll be sure to look in your general direction, Al — I’m up near the broadcast booth!

Today is going to be a good day. NO ONE STEPS ON A CHURCH IN MY TOWN!

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 23, 2008 9:06 AM CDT   0 recs

have a great time Drew.

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 23, 2008 9:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hope you and

your son get to see a Cubs win. Have fun.

by sue369 on Aug 23, 2008 10:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good morning, all!

It’d be nice to see the bats jump to life today, right from the get-go. I don’t need HRs, just a single here, a walk or here, a double there – just contact. And timely hitting. And of course, good pitching. Small ball – that’s all we need. And Fook can be a part of that, if he stop pressing.

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 9:07 AM CDT   0 recs

BTW -

my beautiful daughter is the big “4” today, so a big BleedCubbieBlue Happy Birthday goes out to her. I love ya, baby!

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 9:09 AM CDT   0 recs

LOL thanks, Emilie

I just wrapped her dollhouse all by myself – so big! My wife usually does it.

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 10:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Happy Birthday

to a sweet little Cub fan.

by sue369 on Aug 23, 2008 11:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Awww thanks. She sure is, too - both sweet AND a Cubs fan

During the Sox – Cubs games (the 2nd round, @ the Cell) we were watching one of the games @ home, and she said that the blue team just beat the other team yesterday (to her, anything in the past was "yesterday"). I was like “they sure did”. Too bad that 2nd weekend didn’t turn out the same as the previous one…

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 11:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It seems so early

for the Pregame Thread. Oh well, I needed something to do this morning.

Plus, I found out that ATT U-Verse gets CSN Chicago, so that’ll up my normal intake of Cubs game. A good start to the day already.

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 23, 2008 9:13 AM CDT   0 recs

Do you like that U-Verse?

Does it work like regular cable, with a box, etcetera? And do you have to have home phone service? I have AT&T cell & internet, but DirecTV satellite. I’d like to give all of my money to AT&T, for some reason. Maybe it’s the whole shareholder thing…

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 9:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I had Comcast for a year

and they were awful – bad installation, bad service, bad prices. Once U-Verse was available in our area, I couldn’t sign up quick enough. It’s wrapped up in a bundle (home, phone, internet), and we have to have the boxes, but it’s worked great over the past week. Plus, for the first month or so, I get every channel they offer, so last night I was able to flip between 10 different baseball games, thanks for FSN.

We just an HDTV, so we’ll see how everything works with that. But so far, so good.

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 23, 2008 9:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

right now

it’s about 100 a month, total, i think. now that we just got an HDTV, though, I think it might climb a tad higher.

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 23, 2008 11:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Total, for the bundle

or for U-Verse alone?
Sorry to be so inquisitive, but I figured I’d pick your brain a bit…

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 11:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

total for the bundle

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 23, 2008 1:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, I hadn't noticed...

…that the Angels got pwned yesterday. OK, I feel even better now.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 23, 2008 9:19 AM CDT   0 recs

Al, still think Maddux

will “really” help the Dodgers?

Dallas Green!

by SonnyJ9 on Aug 23, 2008 9:27 AM CDT   0 recs

Geesh.

Yes, I do, but that wasn’t very good last night.

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

by Al on Aug 23, 2008 5:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

okay, so i screwed up yesterday

my ‘not starting lineup’ was too strong for the cubs on friday, so i’ve opted for a less-imposing nsl today. i worked last night (third shift), so i’m posting this before going to bed. i’ll be up for part of the game. hopefully we play more than 4 1/2 innings today.

i’m accepting nominations for tomorrow’s nsl, as well as for the buccos series. shoot me an email (e-dress in my profile, or is it my profile?) of players no longer with the gnats (or former expos) or pirates. we all saw what happened when we played carter, dawson, denny martinez, al oliver, and the rest. we got whupped. so i don’t imagine honus wagner, roberto clemente, or willie stargell will be in the nsl in pittsburgh next week.

funny names, worthless stat guys, guess hack fielders, guys who flipped you a ball (or a bird) all qualify as reasons to nominate someone for nsl. feel free to have fun with it. i know i do.

root so loud that i awaken when we’re up 5. and here’s today’s not starting lineup for the nats.

1 marquis grissom cf
2 pepe frias ss
3 bob bailey 3b
4 greg colbrunn 1b
5 jose vidro 2b
6 adolpho phillips rf
7 casey candaele lf
8 terry humphrey c
9 joe hesketh p

by tim815 on Aug 23, 2008 9:30 AM CDT   0 recs

Tim, didn't see an email

But I’d nominate Razor Shines for the Gnats (he’s a former Expo and local legend here in Indianapolis) and maybe Al Martin for the buccos.

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 23, 2008 9:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

fixed, thanks

razor shines was a late scratch (candaele) and love the name. he had (has) the most at bats by a non-pitcher without scoring a run.

al martin, good call

by tim815 on Aug 23, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think Ron Fairly deserves a start at 1B

Tim Foli at ss, Ken Singleton in RF

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

by carmen_fanzone on Aug 23, 2008 10:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think Coco Laboy should play...

Just for having a cool name.

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

by Bump Bailey on Aug 23, 2008 10:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Season Series

The Cubs have to win this series because if they don’t, then they lose the season series. I live and work in the DC area so to lose the season series to the Nats and the O’s is unacceptable. That just can’t happen for my sanity’s sake. My friends and co-workers will be merciless with their attacks.

by McRipper on Aug 23, 2008 9:30 AM CDT   0 recs

just remind them who's going to the playoffs...

(knock on wood)

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 23, 2008 9:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Too easy!!

They know their teams suck so when I say that, it doesn’t bother them. The Cubs should be wiping their ass with these teams and when they lose, it sucks.

by McRipper on Aug 23, 2008 10:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

IIRC in 2006

the Cubs just owned the Cardinals. But I don’t think we Cubs fans claimed we were a better team, especially after the Cards won the WS.

by ChipSet on Aug 23, 2008 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

much calmer, thanks

hope he stays that way :D

by Emelie on Aug 23, 2008 9:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

A little feline Benadryl?

Our dog (a corgi) FREAKS OUT whewn it rains; my vet suggested that we give him half a Benedryl when it’s about to rain – true story!

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

lol I believe it

no… my little guy is just a year old and acts half his age. He’s big on affection but yesterday he was totally out of control, climbing all over me during the rain delay AND the game… made it hard to blog in the game thread. I think he exhausted himself, he’s much calmer today, thank goodness.

by Emelie on Aug 23, 2008 11:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My cat's 11 years old and about 21 pounds.

Like yours, big on affection, but not interested in playing with anything he can’t reach from wherever he’s laying

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 11:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

right.

I’m off. We’ll see you later!

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 23, 2008 9:42 AM CDT   0 recs

Dome going to start?

He seems to really struggle against lefties. I think Lou might send out the same line-up from yesterday.

by McRipper on Aug 23, 2008 10:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

even more bold

hits a homer in his pinch hit at-bat

by cubswynn on Aug 23, 2008 10:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

I’m glad you said it. I was going to.

by McRipper on Aug 23, 2008 10:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, he may not be...

…in the lineup today. Here’s another Dome doomsday article from today’s Sun-Times.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 23, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Fonzie 2 HR's

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

by carmen_fanzone on Aug 23, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

If we have to lose Id prefer it to be against the Nationals. I always want them to do good, just not when they’re playing the Cubs.

by cubsfaninatl on Aug 23, 2008 9:49 AM CDT   0 recs

Here's a hearty GO CUBS

as we take the first stride towards taking the series.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 23, 2008 9:56 AM CDT   0 recs

i think the best we can do is split right?

"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 preachermancubsfan on Aug 23, 2008 11:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Chelios Picture

Did the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup this year?

by McRipper on Aug 23, 2008 10:19 AM CDT   0 recs

Stanley Cup

No, the Hawks didn’t win it this year but they do bring it through town every 47 years to remind Chicago what it looks like.

by the nth on Aug 23, 2008 10:28 AM CDT   0 recs

Isn't that a slap in the face?

I don’t think I would’ve been too thrilled if Mark Grace came back to Wrigley with the WS trophy from 2001 and was hoisting it up on the field.

by McRipper on Aug 23, 2008 10:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He didn't bring it to the United Center

Plus, Mark Grace wasn’t originally from the area.

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

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 23, 2008 10:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Is this a sign?

Clicked on the Cubs webcam to see how the weather was this morning (I live in PA) and saw this, so I printed it quick and scanned it. Dig the car! Ghosts of champions past turning out for us today?

""At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship." -- Steve Stone

by kentmeister on Aug 23, 2008 10:31 AM CDT   0 recs

should've made the file even smaller

sorry, first upload attempt, hope i don’t bog anyone down

""At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship." -- Steve Stone

by kentmeister on Aug 23, 2008 10:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Love the avatar -

Tim the Sorcerer. Well played.

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 10:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

thx

John Cleese is the man :-)

""At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship." -- Steve Stone

by kentmeister on Aug 23, 2008 10:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah, he's still got it

unlike so many other guys from back then who just aren’t funny anymore.

""At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship." -- Steve Stone

by kentmeister on Aug 23, 2008 10:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Everyone in that troupe

being naturally funny + high as kites most of the time = comedy that will never not be funny.

CRAFTY BEAVER!!!

by lostinthevines on Aug 23, 2008 11:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

All Intelligent Men, Too

Terry Jones has a degree in history, Terry Gilliam studied political science, and Graham Chapman had a license to practice medicine!

"Sometimes I feel like as a Cubs fan if I’m not worrying about something, I’m not doing it right." - HalfBlindCubbieGirl

by CaliCub on Aug 23, 2008 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No worries -- that's a cool picture

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

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 23, 2008 10:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Freaky.

Also note the word on the white flag just in front of the “Wrigley Field” sign…NOOOOO!!!!

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 23, 2008 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What's it say?

It’s real fuzzy.

by McRipper on Aug 23, 2008 10:36 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"Nationals"

man, daver has a good eye.

""At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship." -- Steve Stone

by kentmeister on Aug 23, 2008 10:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

duh

as in “League”. gotta wake up today

""At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship." -- Steve Stone

by kentmeister on Aug 23, 2008 10:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually, as in today's opponent

They do that for every game. Also note the Washington, D.C. flag next to it. They’ll fly state/city flags for the opposition, too.

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

by