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Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Pirates, Tuesday 8/26, 6:05 CT

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Game Threads

Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates


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Chicago Cubs
@ Pittsburgh Pirates

Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008, 6:05 PM CDT
PNC Park

Carlos Zambrano vs Ian Snell

Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

Complete Coverage >

There's only one bit of info I want to share up here today. If the Cubs win tonight, they will have won the series, and thus 10 straight series, for the first time since '07.

NINETEEN-O-SEVEN.

Making history every day. This is the best Cub team in my lifetime, and maybe a lifetime before that. Savor every moment.

Today's Starting Pitchers
Carlos Zambrano
C. Zambrano
Cubs		 vs. Ian Snell
I.
Snell
Pirates
13-5 W-L 5-10
3.29 ERA 5.60
111 SO 108
57 BB 74
16 HR 14
vs. Pit -- vs. Cubs
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Carlos Zambrano 13-5 25 25 0 0 0 0 164.0 150 63 60 16 57 111 3.29 1.26
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Ian Snell 5-10 25 25 0 0 0 0 133.1 170 88 83 14 74 108 5.60 1.83

Ian Snell threw well in his last start. To which I say, "Good for him." Snell's ERA has been over 6 for much of the last month; he's 1-5, 6.31 lifetime vs. the Cubs, including this game on August 3 at Wrigley Field, (a rematch of a game vs. Z) where he allowed seven hits and three walks over four innings. The Cubs won the game after Snell was gone. Alfonso Soriano is 7-for-15 (3 HR) vs. Snell; Jim Edmonds and Ronny Cedeno have both homered off him and even Z is 2-for 4, including a RBI double in the 8/3 game.

As for Z, he seems back on track after his last outing. He's 6-1, 3.47 in 11 career starts at PNC Park, including this May 23 game, which, oddly, had the same score as last night's. Jason Bay used to hit Z real well, but he's with the Red Sox now. The only current Pirate who has homered off Z is Brandon Moss, who did so in that August 3 game, the only run Z allowed that day.

Today's game is on WGN and FSN Pittsburgh, so it should be available nationally via EI. 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 6 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 7 pm, 8 pm and 8:45 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 329 comments

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Come on Big Z!

Get it done on the mound and at the plate!!! Go Cubs!

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Aug 26, 2008 3:30 PM CDT   0 recs

I have a really good feeling about the game today

Not to mention I have a bad feeling about tomorrow’s game, so a win tonight would be real nice.

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Aug 26, 2008 3:32 PM CDT   0 recs

Why do you have a bad feeling about tomorrow?

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Aug 26, 2008 3:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why indeed?

Just because Marquis is going?

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

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 3:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Eh. Marquis gets a bum rap I think.

33-23 over the last 2 years when he starts. Every team would like that from its 5th starter.

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 26, 2008 3:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He is exactly what we need from a 5 starter

Still frustrates me to watch him pitch. When guys get on base he gets so scared of the strike zone that it ends up hurting him more.

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Aug 26, 2008 3:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

exactly

i hate defending him bc he can be so frustrating to watch

by cubswynn on Aug 26, 2008 3:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Run support plays into that, too

See: Steve Tracshel, circa 2006

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

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 3:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Second!

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 3:33 PM CDT   0 recs

Why the hell is tomorrow's game at 11:35 CT?

Seriously. They can’t even fill up 1/4 of the ballpark in Pittsburgh on a Saturday night… yet, they want to schedule a 12:35 ET start on a Wednesday afternoon in late August?

What the hell were they thinking? There MIGHT be 8,000 people there, all wearing Cubbie Blue.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Aug 26, 2008 3:33 PM CDT   0 recs

becoming a tradition for get-away day in the mid-week

Banker’s day, BTW looking at the financial report there will be many banker holiday’s for bankers.

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 26, 2008 3:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Getaway day.

Would you prefer the Cubs got back to Chicago at midnight on Thursday?

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

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 26, 2008 3:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thursday's game is a night game. They could have played Wednesday's hame at night.

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 3:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We play a night game Thursday anyway

So… look at it this way. We have to play tonight, finish our game around 10:00 ET, and then have to be at the park early in the morning to get ready for tomorrow’s super early start.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Aug 26, 2008 3:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

12:35 isn't THAT early!

They won’t take BP tomorrow; I suspect they’ll all arrive at the park around 10 am ET. Hardly “super early”.

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

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 3:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not all of us go to work at 4 am...

but 1:35 isn’t too bad.

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Aug 26, 2008 3:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

11:35

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Aug 26, 2008 3:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL. That's way to early for the turnstyles in PNC to work.

They had a lousy 14,500 last night. Let’s see what they get on a Wed afternoon at 12:35 for a team that’s 24 games out of 1st place.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Aug 26, 2008 3:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Prediction.

They’ll draw their largest crowd of the series tomorrow. Weather’s supposed to be nice and often those “businessman’s special” games draw well.

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

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 4:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The ones who aren't Cub fans will either be

too old or too young to know what the hell is going on.

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 26, 2008 3:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Because an 11:35 central start is a 5:35 start for me

AKA, hallelujah!!!

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Aug 26, 2008 3:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

And on NASN too. Oh happy day

by Stan Cox on Aug 26, 2008 3:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice.

I don’t mind the starting time either, because I’ll be able to enjoy the entire game (and the game thread) from cube at work. Hoo hoo!

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 5:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Besides,

afternoon games allow for the chance for businessmen specials on tickets, etc. and maybe even get a few straggling kids out that might not of started school yet

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Aug 26, 2008 3:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm bummed

because I’ve a 2 pm hair appointment (Lou’s stylist!— as if his hair is stylin’) and unless Z’s scorchingly hot tomorrow I’m going to miss the last hour. Feh.

by Emelie on Aug 26, 2008 4:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

2 pm?

Game should be over by 2 pm.

Z’s pitching today, not tomorrow.

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

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 4:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oh.

Never mind.

by Emelie on Aug 26, 2008 5:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Marquis

pitching tomorrow.

Which means

Dempster
Harden
Lilly
Zambrano

for the Philly series

MUY BUENO!

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

"Soriano deep to left!! THAT BALL'S GOOOONE!! A HOME RUN!! OHHH BABY!!" -Len Kasper 8/06/08

SORIANO WATCH: AVG: .286 22 HR 62 RBI

by Galvan316 on Aug 26, 2008 5:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

finally looking ahead aren't you now?

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 26, 2008 5:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Canning still in the running, according to AP...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3554581

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Aug 26, 2008 3:36 PM CDT   0 recs

Wrong

As pointed out in the fanpost, that article doesn’t say he’s one of the 5, just that he was one of the original 9 that had approved books. The article doesn’t say anything new at all.

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Aug 26, 2008 3:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not necessarily.

The article says:

Major League Baseball in June sent out financial books on the three properties to nine preapproved bidders.

The list reportedly included a group headed by John Canning, chairman of private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners LLC; Internet billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban; and the family of online brokerage Ameritrade’s founder, Joe Ricketts.

People familiar with the process — who declined to be named because of confidentiality agreements — told The Associated Press after the deadline for initial bids passed July 18 that Tribune had narrowed the field to five.

Now, that implies that Canning was part of the ORIGINAL nine, but it doesn’t specifically say he’s part of the remaining list.

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

by Al on Aug 26, 2008 3:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Selig could pull an end-around

and put Canning with another group to increase the overall bid.

In a new ownership group, Canning could still be the head, and Selig would still get his friend ownership of the Cubs.

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 26, 2008 4:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm tired.

Long day at work, and I was even late to my own surprise promotion party which made me look good to the leadership.

My kingdom to wake up in the morning to a Cubs win, and Damnyankee/Brewer/Cardinal loss.

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Aug 26, 2008 3:38 PM CDT   0 recs

Hey youve got an excuse

Some should have got you there on time. I’ve had that job before. Trying to guide someone without letting on :)

by Stan Cox on Aug 26, 2008 3:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

let's get up big and early again

it makes for a much enjoyable dinner

and what is this? a night game on wgn? dsm rejoice!!!

by cubswynn on Aug 26, 2008 3:42 PM CDT   0 recs

I know an actually WGN night game....

remember when ALL the games were on WGN. Now I need MLB package which I can’t get because of “line of sight” issues with Direct TV, and so on and so on. No one cares.

"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus

by graceunderpressure on Aug 26, 2008 3:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

dude i know!

my apartment doesn’t face south, so i can’t get direct tv either! mlb.tv has been terrible lately and i’m just going to cancel it

by cubswynn on Aug 26, 2008 3:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

not only does mine not offer the mlb package

i had to go all football season without my beloved hawkeyes, bc they don’t care the big ten network either

by cubswynn on Aug 26, 2008 3:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I despice the big ten network

"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 26, 2008 4:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

despice?

does that mean you take their spices away? :)

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 26, 2008 4:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

These comments

aren’t cutting the mustard

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 26, 2008 4:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Awaiting the buyout by Cumin.

Sorry, that’s Cuban.

make/art

by neverAcquiesce on Aug 26, 2008 4:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

But they did it very Ginger(ly)..

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

by Bump Bailey on Aug 26, 2008 5:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think you guys...

…are a bunch of dillweeds.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 5:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

too bad there isn't a post-season in College Football.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 5:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And SF Giants great, Willie Mace

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Aug 26, 2008 5:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

despise

I use to be able to watch badger basketball every Wednesday they’d pre-emp cbs programmin and but on the Badger games…… now with big ten network. no more.

"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 26, 2008 4:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

put***

"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 26, 2008 4:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I like BTN

because I do get to see all the Hawkeye games.

by sue369 on Aug 26, 2008 4:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Is that always such a good thing though?

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Aug 26, 2008 5:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sure it is.

Just like the Cubs I take the good and the bad with my Hawkeyes.

by sue369 on Aug 26, 2008 5:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good for you, Sue!

I’m the same way, but last year was pretty trying.

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Aug 26, 2008 5:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it was

I just watched the btn’s day at hawkeyes practice.

quarterbacks still look inaccurate, might be another long one even with the very favorable schedule.

by Wad on Aug 26, 2008 5:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah but you live in Iowa, sue

You’d get all the Iowa games anyway, wouldn’t you?

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Aug 26, 2008 5:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah...and say hi to Goober for us too!

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 26, 2008 5:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Do you know sign language?

If not guess what sign I’m giving you right now. :D

by sue369 on Aug 26, 2008 5:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs