Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Saturday 8/9, 2:55 CT
St. Louis Cardinals @ Chicago Cubs

The Grand Fox Wizard has decreed that the Cubs and Cardinals will be seen in 56% of the country; their other game, Yankees/Angels, goes to the rest. This means you won't have to listen to Buck & McCarver; instead you get Dick "I Can't Pronounce Aramis Ramirez's Name" Stockton, Eric Karros and Ken Rosenthal.
Otherwise that link appears pretty useless, as it indicates that some markets, including Chicago, are getting game "3", when there are only two games. So, my best advice is: "Check local listings". I'm guessing that the northeast, most of the West Coast and any city considered an AL market gets Yankees/Angels and everyone else gets Cubs/Cardinals.
Kerry Wood wasn't available yesterday because his back locked up on him. Hopefully, he'll be OK today. That article also says that Jason Marquis will NOT be skipped in the rotation and will start Tuesday in Atlanta. This is a good idea -- it gives all the starters extra rest.
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Todd Wellemeyer has faced the Cubs several times since they traded him to the Marlins at the end of spring training in 2006 for a couple of minor leaguers who never made it -- but never in Wrigley Field; today will be his first appearance there since September 24, 2005, when he threw a couple of innings in relief in an 8-3 loss to the Astros. He's 1-1 vs. the Cubs this year with a 4.50 ERA.
Z has always thrown well against St. Louis, going 8-0 in his last 11 starts against them and 9-4, 2.26 overall in 20 appearances (19 starts). He threw six shutout innings against them in St. Louis in a 2-1 win on July 4. He handles Albert Pujols particularly well (12-for-50, 10 strikeouts). Z's strikeouts are down this year, but that's a GOOD thing as he has gotten his sinker working and that's also reduced his walks and HR allowed.
Today's game is on Fox. Yes, I know, for some of you that doesn't work. For other games today 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 2:45 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 3:45, 4:45 and 5:30 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Comments
First
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 9, 2008 11:33 AM CDT 0 recs
Just missed it.
New to the board, and just missed pulling a firsties! Don’t be mad! Let’s go get ‘em today, Z!
by KDoggers on Aug 9, 2008 11:34 AM CDT 0 recs
BASEBALL BASEBALL BASEBALL!!!!
Fox only, tho. Meh
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 9, 2008 11:35 AM CDT 0 recs
Grr.
You’d know that the only weekend I’m going to work all fall, and it has to be the weekend of this series. No TV, no radio reception….I get to watch the 3-D animated pitches come in, though.
by KDoggers on
Aug 9, 2008 11:37 AM CDT
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The best way to top off a Hank White walk off winner
Is a 15-0 blowout win today. LaRussa is gonna try and start a bean ball war, no question. Lou and Big Z need to take the high road and just get guys out.
I’ll bet it just makes LaRussa angrier if we don’t retaliate.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on Aug 9, 2008 11:39 AM CDT 0 recs
Bean ball wars are started by teams not in first place
Lou will keep the team focused on the important things, like winning games
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
by El Borto on
Aug 9, 2008 11:47 AM CDT
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I'm more worried about keeping Z focused
Everybody knows he can get emotional, and if he sees a teammate get drilled on purpose it will be hard to convince him to just keep pitching.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on
Aug 9, 2008 11:56 AM CDT
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I don't see this happening
LaRussa is good at gamesmanship, but part of that is knowing your opponent. Ned Yost is someone who can be drawn into a beanball war—Piniella isn’t going to be as likely to take the bait.
I would be VERY surprised to see any extra-cirricular activities today.
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 9, 2008 11:59 AM CDT
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ned would only be drawn into a beanball war if
he were intelligent enough to realize one player is sending his team into a potentially season-ending slump
by tim815 on
Aug 9, 2008 1:06 PM CDT
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exactly... Geo has showed enough leadership so far this year. I believe that is part of the
reason Z has simmered down a bit. Ugh 2 1/2 more hours until game time. :(
"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 9, 2008 12:25 PM CDT
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agreed
i’m thinking today could get really nasty
sad part is i think the card players still like jedmonds but they will be forced to “take care of business”
by cubswynn on
Aug 9, 2008 11:59 AM CDT
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If managers/teams based throwing at the opposition on fan sentiment
A dozen players would get hit every game.
There’s no reason for a beanball. Nothing happened yesterday to warrant it. Nothing.
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 9, 2008 12:02 PM CDT
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hold on
flipping your bat and staring down the opponent would be a reason to start a bean ball war….i’m not saying it’s gonna happen for sure, but if it did i wouldn’t be surprised
by cubswynn on
Aug 9, 2008 12:30 PM CDT
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I still think fans make more of this stuff than the teams do
Conversely to your statement, I’m not saying it isn’t going to happen—but I would bet against it.
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 9, 2008 12:52 PM CDT
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Just remember - all LaRussa needs is an excuse.
He loves to play his little mind games. So I wouldn’t rule out him deciding to do it for his own reasons, using the bat flip as cover. Probably will depend a bit on the game score. If we keep it tied up going late, probably not. If we stake a big lead, I’d start expecting it.
by cwyers on
Aug 9, 2008 12:54 PM CDT
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I still don't think Piniella is likely to take bait like that
A close game against the Brewers, TLR may do it. A close game against the Cubs, unlikely. A blowout, maybe.
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 9, 2008 12:56 PM CDT
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I don't expect Piniella to fire back.
But I wouldn’t be surprised to see LaRussa start headhunting. Maybe I’m letting my personal distaste for the man color my opinion here.
by cwyers on
Aug 9, 2008 12:59 PM CDT
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thats all we're saying
we dont expect it, but wouldnt be surprised
by cubswynn on
Aug 9, 2008 3:43 PM CDT
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what was ozzie's comment?
i’m not saying anything’s gonna happen, but we’re gonna play them a lot.
by tim815 on
Aug 9, 2008 1:08 PM CDT
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Beanball War?
Becuase the Cards lost one game, in 11 innings, Larussa is gonna start plunking guys? Why is this?
What the ?!?
by kerry wood's hot tub on
Aug 9, 2008 12:08 PM CDT
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see my above post
we’re saying it MAY happened and if it did, it’s not bc of winning the game yesterday, rather jimmy ballgame “showing up” his former team
by cubswynn on
Aug 9, 2008 12:31 PM CDT
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happen*
god i can’t type today…..am i drunk already?!
by cubswynn on
Aug 9, 2008 12:32 PM CDT
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Wow
Thank heaven for small favors, huh? Because I can’t think of anything else that’s good about baseball on FOX.
Of course, if the game wasn’t on Fox today, Brenly would have been working yesterday and there would be no Plesac on the telecast yesterday. They just let Brenly have yesterday off since the Cubs weren’t going to be telecasting in three out of four days. (One off day, one Fox game and one ESPN game.)
Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?
by Josh77 on
Aug 9, 2008 12:00 PM CDT
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wait
tomorrow’s game isn’t on CSN?
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 9, 2008 12:02 PM CDT
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No
it’s on ESPN Sunday Night Game of the Week.
Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?
by Josh77 on
Aug 9, 2008 12:59 PM CDT
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well.
bleah.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 9, 2008 1:35 PM CDT
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The World Series...
Will be broadcast on Fox. Just sayin’
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on
Aug 9, 2008 12:03 PM CDT
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I don't like the national announcers, but I love the production values on the Fox broadcast.
ESPN too – it’s just gorgeous to look at, and I love the extra camera angles I get. (Of course, my day job is in TV production, so I tend to geek out about those sorts of things. ESPN uses an industrial version of the graphics system we use, so I just love to see what you can do with it if you have gobs of money and an unending supply of graphics artists.)
by cwyers on
Aug 9, 2008 12:03 PM CDT
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yes
we’ve talked about this before and you’re right…..i love the camera shots in the dugout or when someone is rounding 3rd on a homerun trout…..k zone is amazing as well as the stats that they have like how a batter does in 0-2 counts
by cubswynn on
Aug 9, 2008 12:12 PM CDT
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IMO, even TBS is better than WGN as far as picture quality,
camera angles, etc. Even when they only did the Braves they were much better.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Aug 9, 2008 2:11 PM CDT
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Didn't know much about Dan's
ability to call a game until yesterday. While I initially found him nerdily goofy, now I think he’s nothing but a tidal wave of words. Wouldn’t shut up for a nanosecond. A verbal tsunami, that man.
by Emelie on
Aug 9, 2008 12:21 PM CDT
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so what you're saying
is that my pbp yesterday wasn’t wordy enough. Ok. I can fix that. :P :P :P
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 9, 2008 12:30 PM CDT
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I thought Plesac was much better than Mark Grace.
Definitely not as good as Brenly, but I thought he did OK considering that he was “pinch hitting” for BB and hadn’t had much experience with Len.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Aug 9, 2008 2:09 PM CDT
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Cubs and Cardinals day baseball at Wrigley.
It cannot get any better. I’m jealous of all in attendance, but I’ll be there in spirit. Let’s win the series a day early and give the Fox and ESPN “announcers” something other than 1908 to talk about.
Go Z. Go Cubs.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on Aug 9, 2008 11:49 AM CDT 0 recs
The guide on my TV
says I’m getting the Cubs game here in Philadelphia. So does the website of the Philadelphia Fox station.
When I go to the Fox sports website, it says I’m getting the Yankees. I’m only a 1 hour train ride from Manhattan so I would be shocked if the Yankees game wasn’t shown.
I better get the Cubs game!!!
by PhillyCub on Aug 9, 2008 11:55 AM CDT 0 recs
I'm in Wilm, De.
And the Comcast Tv guide site says I’m getting the Cubs as well. I can’t remember ever getting the Cubs when the Yankees or the Mets were one of the other options. I’m sceptically hopeful.
"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher
by The Lip on
Aug 9, 2008 12:16 PM CDT
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Same here
If the Phillies aren’t the Fox game, they always show the Yankees, Mets or Red Sox if any of those teams are a Fox game.
Crossing my fingers that we’ll see the Cubs game!
by PhillyCub on
Aug 9, 2008 12:22 PM CDT
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Right there with ya.
"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher
by The Lip on
Aug 9, 2008 12:23 PM CDT
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living in michigan,
i usually get the cubs unless detroit’s playing.
by nathew on
Aug 9, 2008 12:45 PM CDT
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Sacramento gets the Cubs
according to the listings. Makes me happy. My Angels fan wife? Not so much.
Ah well, she’ll probably just play with the baby.
Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?
by Josh77 on Aug 9, 2008 11:57 AM CDT 0 recs
who is todays hero?
my money is on geo, i think he’s due for a big game, but i could see lou playing the “hot hand” and going with hank
by cubswynn on Aug 9, 2008 12:01 PM CDT 0 recs
Biz Z...
Complete game shutout.
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on
Aug 9, 2008 12:04 PM CDT
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Oops... Big Z
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on
Aug 9, 2008 12:04 PM CDT
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Biz Markee is pitching today???
Oh baby you! You got what I neeeed!
by daeviant on
Aug 9, 2008 12:05 PM CDT
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wonder where swl is at
you know he’d have some clever photoshopped pic up by now haha
by cubswynn on
Aug 9, 2008 12:33 PM CDT
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Wow!
Unintentional stroke of genius! Congrats everyone!
by daeviant on
Aug 9, 2008 12:44 PM CDT
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Did someone say Biz Marquis?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Aug 9, 2008 1:11 PM CDT
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I just threw up in my mouth
a lot
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
by El Borto on
Aug 9, 2008 1:14 PM CDT
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Now THAT's
a game face.
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
by Reddevil on
Aug 9, 2008 1:16 PM CDT
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egad.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 9, 2008 1:35 PM CDT
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I'd love it to be geo... but I think it'll likely be z
"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 9, 2008 12:27 PM CDT
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Let's go Z!!!!!!!!
Man I love it when the Cards are on their heels and looking desperate! With LaRussa’s failed desperation yesterday it makes it even more awesome.
"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/
by iluvryno on Aug 9, 2008 12:09 PM CDT 0 recs
what are the chances edmonds gets brushed back or hit today?
by Btown on Aug 9, 2008 12:17 PM CDT 0 recs
I think it will happen other think it won't
Guess we will have to wait and see. Tony LaRussa has got to be desperate to get something going for his team.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on
Aug 9, 2008 12:19 PM CDT
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If they think that....
... Edmonds was showing them up when/if he glanced at the Cards dugout and flipped his bat after his first Hr- good chance, I’d guess.
"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher
by The Lip on
Aug 9, 2008 12:22 PM CDT
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And raise your hand if you're breathing and you think he wasn't showing LaRussa up!
by cwyers on
Aug 9, 2008 12:27 PM CDT
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I seem to recall a story when Edmonds first signed
about him wanting to come to the Cubs more than anywhere else in order to get revenge on the Cardinals for dumping him.
The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.
by DGU on
Aug 9, 2008 12:31 PM CDT
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It's odd.
Edmonds requested a trade out of St. Louis, because they offered him the opportunity to platoon with Rick Ankiel. That doesn’t sound too bad, until you realize that Ankiel is left-handed. (For that matter, so are Schumacher and Duncan.) Shades of when LaRussa benched Ozzie Smith for Royce Clayton.
by cwyers on
Aug 9, 2008 12:37 PM CDT
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----->
Hand straight out sideways. Breathing, yes….....
"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher
by The Lip on
Aug 9, 2008 12:33 PM CDT
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my hand can't get any higher
i’m glad jimmy ballgame is a cub, but he comes across as a tough guy who would do that
by cubswynn on
Aug 9, 2008 12:34 PM CDT
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if he knocks another homer
or a bases-clearing double today, then comes up the next time with two on and nobody out, his uni might get a little dirty
by tim815 on
Aug 9, 2008 1:14 PM CDT
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The great unknown in the equation is the umpiring crew...
Veterans like Tim McClelland would not issue a warning if Edmonds is hit. Z would have a chance to hit someone (below the letters); then the ump would issue the warning. Since things are already even at that point, the warning has no practical value other than not allowing TLR to escalate the matter further.
If we get a younger ump, there would likely be a warning if Edmonds is hit, Z would be ejected if he retaliated, and nothing would be settled…
...until the Cubs put a snowman up the next inning.
Young, hot-headed umps usually screw up in these situations.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Aug 9, 2008 2:18 PM CDT
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Hopefully Chicago hater Rob Drake isn't on that umpire crew this weekend
I didn’t even think to see who was umping yesterday.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on
Aug 9, 2008 2:19 PM CDT
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I was just talking about that hoser.
terrible ump. He should be fired.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 9, 2008 2:32 PM CDT
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