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The Harden They Come, The Harden They Fall Thread: Cubs vs. Mets, Thursday 9/25, 6:10 CT

Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets



Next Game

Chicago Cubs
@ New York Mets

Thursday, Sep 25, 2008, 6:10 PM CDT
Shea Stadium

Rich Harden vs Pedro Martinez

Mostly cloudy with a 70-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from center field at 20-30 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65.

Complete Coverage >


Without trying to make any political comment, I note that the Rev. James Meeks is intending to "ring Wrigley Field" with up to 6,000 orange-clad protesters, who are trying to make a point about school funding. Mayor Daley is asking Meeks not to do it and in this case I have to agree with him -- to have 6,000 extra people in the neighborhood that day (or night), with all the traffic and security issues that a sellout crowd produces, is asking for trouble.

Rev. Meeks has a legitimate issue that needs to be addressed, one way or the other. Protesting at a Cubs playoff game isn't the way to do it.

Here's the current weather forecast for New York City:

This Afternoon: Cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind around 18 mph.

Tonight: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 60. Breezy, with a east wind between 21 and 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Given the fact that this rain may go through the weekend and threaten one or more of the Mets/Marlins games, they'll do everything they can to get this one in. I assume Lou will pull the regulars off the field if it's raining too hard and play the callups.

Today, not one but THREE Gratuitous Geo Photos (and he may actually play by tomorrow):

He hits! He fields!

via www.chicagoreader.com

Today's Starting Pitchers
Rich Harden
R. Harden
Cubs
vs. Pedro Martinez
P. Martinez
Mets
10-2 W-L 5-6
2.03 ERA 5.50
177 SO 78
56 BB 40
11 HR 18
vs. NY -- vs. Cubs

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Rich Harden 5-1 11 11 0 0 0 0 65.0 37 14 12 6 25 85 1.66 .95

Note, the stats above are Harden's with the Cubs only; see the pitcher box for his full season stats.
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Pedro Martinez 5-6 19 19 0 0 0 0 103.0 120 65 63 18 40 78 5.50 1.55

Here's what the weird schedule, plus injuries, do: Pedro Martinez has been with the Mets for four years, but he has not faced the Cubs at all in that time. He last faced the Cubs on June 8, 1997. That's completely irrelevant to today's game, as Pedro is one of only three players in that game who are still active (the others: Mark Grudzielanek and Jose Vidro). Just thought you'd be interested in a little bit of Cubs history. Pedro faced Alfonso Soriano quite a bit when he was with the Red Sox and Soriano was a Yankee. If there's a day to give Soriano the day off, today is it: he's 7-for-43 vs. Pedro with no walks and 15 strikeouts.

Rich Harden, in his final regular season start this year, has never faced the Mets. The only current Met to have more than six career AB vs. Rich is Carlos Delgado, who is 1-for-7, that hit being a HR. Harden has thrown 142 innings combined this season, so he wouldn't have qualified for any ERA titles even if he had been in one league the whole year, but coming in with a 2.03 ERA combined, he has a chance to have a sub-2.00 ERA in more than 140 innings, quite impressive.

Today's game is on CSN Plus -- that's a change from the original schedule, the White Sox game was moved to CSN's main channel. For more see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

As always, 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 237 comments

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Comments

Display:

FIRST

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Sep 25, 2008 3:30 PM CDT   0 recs

You were right

about the stars. Each one is a setting sun.

by 26.2cubsfan on Sep 25, 2008 6:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You're a jar

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Sep 26, 2008 8:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

first is the worst, 2nd is the best, 3rd is the one with the treasure chest

"Chase Daniel has more touchdowns (seven) than incompletions (six) the past two weeks. Which is just silly." Pat Forde, ESPN

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Sep 25, 2008 3:32 PM CDT   0 recs

FIRST...to post a picture of a wizard holding a banjo.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 25, 2008 3:32 PM CDT   0 recs

or a wizard dressed like a cat....see what i did there?

"Chase Daniel has more touchdowns (seven) than incompletions (six) the past two weeks. Which is just silly." Pat Forde, ESPN

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Sep 25, 2008 3:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How did you get a picture of my dad..

Wait and my that’s my cat also.

by ThisOldCub18 on Sep 25, 2008 4:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, if this doesn't deserve a HP reference, I dunno what does, SWL...

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

by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 3:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You haven't heard about the 8th Potter book?

Harry Potter’s Hootenanny and the Bellowing Banjo?

by SuperContext on Sep 25, 2008 3:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

POTTERGASM!

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Sep 25, 2008 3:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I didn't say it because I knew you wanted to, drew

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

by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 4:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

we reach

water brother.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Sep 25, 2008 4:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

SABREMAWOOZIWHAZIT!

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Sep 25, 2008 3:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd say the Geo trifecta ought to insure the win

That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou

by Emelie on Sep 25, 2008 3:33 PM CDT   0 recs

Yep. Done deal.

No need to even watch. (But I may anyhow.)

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Sep 25, 2008 3:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

These games are treats

No real repercussions (for the Cubs at least), so I don’t have to get too worked up about the winning and losing. I wanted to scream at Z last night, but that’s about it.

by SuperContext on Sep 25, 2008 3:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i dont and yet I do

I was really irritated with Z last night

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Sep 25, 2008 3:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was listening to radio coverage

When Z had his melt-down. I think I would have been more upset if I had actually been able to see him stomping around out there than I was just hearing Pat and (Corey?) talk about it.

by SuperContext on Sep 25, 2008 4:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd imagine...

…Lou would want to give a couple of AB’s to most of the starters against Pedro, especially considering they may see him again in a bigger game next week.

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

by MPH73 on Sep 25, 2008 3:38 PM CDT   0 recs

What we gonna do tonight?

Start off strong with Rich, get him a few innings of work before the rain comes, then get the bullpen a few more innings of work, including (maybe?) getting Shark back out there to straight out? Mets sure as hell need this one more than we do. At least they can take condolences in the fact that although we beat up on them, we are just as likely to beat up on the Brewers…

Dan

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

by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 3:39 PM CDT   0 recs

Depends on the weather

if it’s raining, and the conditions are deteriorating, get the regulars off the field – no need to risk pulling something.

I look for about 5-6 innings from Harden, then Hart, Guzman, maybe White Castle.

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 Sep 25, 2008 3:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I kinda miss Lieber for games like what I'm envisioning tonight's is going to look like.

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

by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 4:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And Randy Wells is missing tonight, too.

Someone might have to bite the bullet for 2-3 innings tonight if it gets ugly.

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 Sep 25, 2008 5:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have a scheduling problem

New episodes of Earl, The Office and Sunny in Philadelphia, plus my wife’s soaps. It’s always a pleasure to see Dick Harden throw. Pedro may want to tackle Lou.
I guess that’s what a DVR is for, huh? I’ll record the shows, send my wife to the other room and watch the Cubs.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Sep 25, 2008 3:39 PM CDT   0 recs

Pedro has really declined fast.

Remember when he was great… that really wasn’t that long ago.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 25, 2008 3:40 PM CDT   0 recs

Yes he has...

…a little less bite on your breaking ball and a few less feet on your fastball, can make a huge difference.

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

by MPH73 on Sep 25, 2008 3:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

few less feet on your fastball?

He actually doesnt throw it as far anymore?

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer J Simpson

by MikeOxbyg on Sep 25, 2008 3:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sort of...

…it doesn’t go as far, as quickly as it used to.

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

by MPH73 on Sep 25, 2008 3:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Paul Sullivan cracks me up
The Cubs are traditionally known as Major League Baseball’s most prominent hurricane magnets, but they’re also magnets for tropical storms and Nor’easters, as evidenced by the latest forecast for their final regular season game tonight at Shea Stadium.

Heh. Stupid weather.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 25, 2008 3:43 PM CDT   0 recs

Paul is a funny man

Quote from earlier this year…….“the Cardinals starting rotation is the least imposing foursome since the Knack”.

by gocubsgo22 on Sep 25, 2008 4:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Pedro Martinez has been with the Mets for 4 years?

Already? That seems highly, highly inaccurate. What a weird tenure he’s had with the Metropolitans.

"Looks like Milwaukee got their No Hitter" -ak123

by NittanyCub on Sep 25, 2008 3:44 PM CDT   0 recs

He jumped ship

after winning the WS with the BoSox in ’04.

Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Sep 25, 2008 3:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, I remember

it’s just weird to think that he’s been there for 4 years already. I was still in high school.

"Looks like Milwaukee got their No Hitter" -ak123

by NittanyCub on Sep 25, 2008 4:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, me too.

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Sep 25, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

Joe Posnanski encounters a jumper:

This would be slightly less amusing if it hadn’t been the Cubs that brought him to that point.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 25, 2008 3:48 PM CDT   0 recs

Wow this picture is AWESOME

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

by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 4:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

even if i didn't already loathe the Mets

the IDEA of a mascot for a baseball team is enough to push me over the edge.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 25, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the only mascot in all of sports i don't hate is the Phanatic

everyone else is teh s uck.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 25, 2008 5:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I got ya

But, I find it hard to hate a guy/gal stuffed in a muppet costume that probably smells worse than the soil room in a nursing home. Pretty nasty job, glad we don’t have one. And anyone who would willingly subject themselves to that while walking around in front a baseball park in the sweltering heat — without being on the payroll of the team, is nuts.

by StevenABQ on Sep 25, 2008 5:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I do miss the ball girls tho


Totally worthwhile

Cubs Karma: Don't take anything for granted.....

by Andre Fonseca on Sep 25, 2008 5:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

She looks rather uncomfortable

next to that Philli ballboy’s junk.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 25, 2008 5:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey baby...

…it’s not just my job title, ifyaknowwhatimean.

"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Sep 25, 2008 5:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 25, 2008 5:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

good eyes

20 years at Wrigley will do that

Cubs Karma: Don't take anything for granted.....

by Andre Fonseca on Sep 25, 2008 5:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

PROOF!

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 25, 2008 5:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Another SWL classic

so when are you putting together a book of your creations? I smell another Project 3000 fundraiser…..

It has to start some place. It has to start some time. What better place than here. What better time than now. ~Rage Against the Machine

by love the ivy on Sep 25, 2008 5:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

coffee table book.

it’s a moral imperative.

I’ll even let you put my CUBS-Team masterpiece in it. :D

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Sep 25, 2008 5:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Looks like Marla Collins

I still have the playboy issue of her.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Sep 25, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!

HEY CHICAGO WHADDA YA SAY? CUBS SURE DID LOSE TODAY!

by LOUtheMETSfan on Sep 25, 2008 11:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you're singing about barely beating the IOWA cubs

you know that, right?

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 26, 2008 4:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I just had to get it on man.

Yeah, I actually mentioned that fact on Amazin this morning.

Man, you just got to understand that over in New York Mets country, any win is a good win for us. It’s tough seein the ups and downs.

No hard feelings pal.

by LOUtheMETSfan on Sep 26, 2008 4:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is great

Last year when the Mets werent doing all that great, Conan OBrien did a series of Mr. Met trying to off himself. It was very funny.

It has to start some place. It has to start some time. What better place than here. What better time than now. ~Rage Against the Machine

by love the ivy on Sep 25, 2008 5:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm supposed to go to a Nationals game tonight...

…but the weather stinks here in DC: rain, rain, rain, … maybe they can get 6 innings up in NYC through this rain, but I doubt that there will be many fans in the stands.

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Sep 25, 2008 3:58 PM CDT   0 recs

For californiachicagoan

Remember this argument?

My brother’s making the trek from Melrose Park to see this game— obviously, he’s rooting for PSU. Man, I’m excited for this game.

Less than 48 hours, bud.

"Looks like Milwaukee got their No Hitter" -ak123

by NittanyCub on Sep 25, 2008 4:00 PM CDT   0 recs

Agrh

I wish I was there, to make fun of both PSU and Illini. GO BADGERS!

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

by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 4:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You make baby Jesus cry.

"Looks like Milwaukee got their No Hitter" -ak123

by NittanyCub on Sep 25, 2008 4:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh don't gimme that crap.

PSU has played horseshit teams, that’s a fact. Meanwhile, the Badgers played a nationally televised game (at night!), against a scary-ass Fresno State team. I’ll reevaluate PSU after this Illini game. Your road schedule is a hellva harder than Wisco’s.

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

by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 4:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey easy on the PSU schedule...

…it includes my beloved Oregon State. I will make my prediction for tonight, OSU 38 USC 31.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Sep 25, 2008 4:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow I would love that.

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

by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 4:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Your Badgers favored by 6 this weekend in Ann Arbor

Which WI team will show?

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Sep 25, 2008 4:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You're kidding, right?

Michigan is 100 out of 120 teams in points/game, 88/120 in rushing, and 101/120 in passing. And they got blown out by Notre Dame last week!! ND!!

It won’t be close.

Dan

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

by dtpollitt on Sep 25, 2008 4:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude, if the Badgers don't beat Michigan by 30

i’d almost count that as a loss.

Michigan is awful.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 25, 2008 4:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Anyone that is a betting man (or woman)

might wanna grab that line ASAP, if it really is -6…

"Chase Daniel has more touchdowns (seven) than incompletions (six) the past two weeks. Which is just silly." Pat Forde, ESPN

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Sep 25, 2008 4:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's what they said when Ron Dayne came to town.

Just kidding. If MI plays like they did with ND, WI won’t need their offense.

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Sep 25, 2008 4:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs