Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Wednesday 9/3, 7:05 CT
by Al
on Sep 3, 2008 3:45 PM CDT
in Game Threads
Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs
Think of it this way. The Cubs have won seven of their last 11 games, in this sequence:
WWWWWWWLLLL
What if those 11 games had gone:
WWWLWWLLWWL
You wouldn't be so worried then, would you?
There's a chance of rain tonight, but they had better get tonight's game in, because even though both the Cubs and Astros are off tomorrow, we are supposed to get the remnants of Hurricane Gustav in the Chicago area tomorrow, with heavy rain and wind.
In the meantime, there were actually a few things from last night's game worth memorializing with a photo:
Brandon Backe being taken out by Cecil Cooper in the 5th. Cooper almost had to yank the ball out of Backe's hand.
Jim Edmonds leaping and missing a catch on Hunter Pence's drive in the 6th. When he came down, a BP ball came out of the ivy.
Casey McGehee's ML debut announced on the message board. Not-So-Mighty Casey struck out.
A fan in the bleacher boxes throws back Geoff Blum's 11th inning HR ball
Click on photos to open a larger version in a new browser window. All photos by David Sameshima
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Above are Wolf's numbers with the Astros only; see the pitcher box for his combined full season stats.
And even though most of the current Cubs haven't hit Wolf that well -- the best are Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, both .250 with 1 HR -- Wolf has a 2-6, 4.98 lifetime record in 13 starts vs. the Cubs and 1-4, 5.36 at Wrigley Field, including being hit early and often earlier this year when he was with the Padres, eight hits and seven runs in four innings, including a HR by Alfonso Soriano.
Ryan Dempster pitched on Tornado Day, August 4, and gave up two runs in five innings and had to be removed after the long rain delay. Two weeks earlier, he threw eight shutout innings against the Astros in Houston. Lance Berkman has homered off him four times in 43 career AB.
Today's game is on CSN and FSN Houston. Also 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 7 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 8 pm, 9 pm and 9:45 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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phurst
"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 Sep 3, 2008 3:46 PM CDT 0 recs
I like how in the Best Starts By Cub Teams Since 1900 chart
2008 is sandwiched in right between 1908 and 1969.
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on Sep 3, 2008 3:48 PM CDT 0 recs
Let's end this streak here
And have a good feeling going into the off-day.
by Clutch16 on Sep 3, 2008 3:49 PM CDT 0 recs
Don't really need our help
It’s 9-2 in the top of the 9th.
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on
Sep 3, 2008 3:51 PM CDT
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Crap
I probably just jinxed it.
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on
Sep 3, 2008 3:51 PM CDT
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haha
well the way their pen is you never know, but we should be good on this one
by chicagodave on
Sep 3, 2008 3:52 PM CDT
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both teams have lousy pens
so maybe it’s all good.
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on
Sep 3, 2008 3:54 PM CDT
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Big Z News?
Anyone hear any radio reports in Chicago or anything today about Big Z yet?
by ethicsmax on Sep 3, 2008 3:56 PM CDT 0 recs
Let's hope no news is good news
Maybe 1-2 missed starts and he comes back strong for the final two weeks of the season.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
by DKT on
Sep 3, 2008 4:57 PM CDT
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Edmonds was really
in the air after that ball in the ivy.
Good luck tonight Dempster. Let’s get this team rolling in the right direction.
by sue369 on Sep 3, 2008 3:58 PM CDT 0 recs
Yeah, for an old guy...
Jimmy’s got some hops!!!
The only stats I care about are the ones on the back of a baseball card
by carmen_fanzone on
Sep 3, 2008 4:57 PM CDT
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Time to get a win.
Keep that offense rolling from last night.
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 3, 2008 3:59 PM CDT 0 recs
And the magic number is now 19
NY 9, MIL 2
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 3, 2008 4:00 PM CDT 0 recs
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 3, 2008 4:01 PM CDT
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Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Sep 3, 2008 4:03 PM CDT
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FWIW
BCB had 599 comments for the Mets-Brewers game, while Evil BCB had 146.
When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
by gwood on
Sep 3, 2008 4:09 PM CDT
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thats funny
"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella
by Madison Cub Fan on
Sep 3, 2008 4:10 PM CDT
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and sad
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 3, 2008 4:10 PM CDT
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But mostly funny.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel
by Blue W on
Sep 3, 2008 4:13 PM CDT
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I was trying to think
of some jab to take at the Brewer fans, but just posting those numbers was all I could come up with.
When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
by gwood on
Sep 3, 2008 4:10 PM CDT
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thats kinda sad
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 3, 2008 4:10 PM CDT
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LOL, we win.
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 3, 2008 4:47 PM CDT
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SWL update the Magic # yet?
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Sep 3, 2008 4:00 PM CDT 0 recs
Yes.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 3, 2008 4:01 PM CDT
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Me likey. Thanks.
Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Sep 3, 2008 4:03 PM CDT
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With sparkles please.
Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...
by N Oakley on
Sep 3, 2008 4:01 PM CDT
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Only because you said please.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 3, 2008 4:05 PM CDT
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gracias
Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...
by N Oakley on
Sep 3, 2008 4:05 PM CDT
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Se do bheatha
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 3, 2008 4:10 PM CDT
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Isn't that a Vivid DVD title?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Sep 3, 2008 4:02 PM CDT
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L.O.L.
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
by Reddevil on
Sep 3, 2008 4:02 PM CDT
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oh my
Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...
by N Oakley on
Sep 3, 2008 4:03 PM CDT
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There goes my TWSS
Wait a minute... who am I here?
by malicedoom on
Sep 3, 2008 4:06 PM CDT
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Bravo!
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on
Sep 3, 2008 4:30 PM CDT
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LOL
we’ll have to change it up a bit at 17
Go ahead, Z me.
by tony412 on
Sep 3, 2008 4:07 PM CDT
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TWWAS (that's what Woody Allen said)
Wait a minute... who am I here?
by malicedoom on
Sep 3, 2008 4:08 PM CDT
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16 in Alaska
Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...
by N Oakley on
Sep 3, 2008 4:19 PM CDT
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I hope Demps is on tonight...
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 3, 2008 4:03 PM CDT 0 recs
With Milwaukee's loss
and a day off tomorrow, it would be nice to see the Cubs roll in a laugher tonight. Looking for DeLee and Soto to have big games tonight…
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
by DKT on
Sep 3, 2008 4:59 PM CDT
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OT: Iowa Cubs playoff call-ups
Jake Fox, Sam Fuld, Rocky Roquet and Wellington Castillo will join the Iowa Cubs (link – it’s at the bottom)
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 3, 2008 4:03 PM CDT 0 recs
Rocky Roquet?
Is that Rah-Key or Rah-Kay or Rah-Coo? I hope Rocky’s his nickname, not his parent’s doing…
The only stats I care about are the ones on the back of a baseball card
by carmen_fanzone on
Sep 3, 2008 5:09 PM CDT
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that should free up
Felix Pie.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Sep 3, 2008 6:56 PM CDT
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Some early runs
and get us through 5 quick ones
Go ahead, Z me.
by tony412 on Sep 3, 2008 4:07 PM CDT 0 recs
I just pray for no Howry
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 3, 2008 4:08 PM CDT
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me too
"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella
by Madison Cub Fan on
Sep 3, 2008 4:08 PM CDT
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We're saving him for the Cardinal series.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
Sep 3, 2008 4:09 PM CDT
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I hope you mean Lou is going to drop Howry on Tony.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel
by Blue W on
Sep 3, 2008 4:12 PM CDT
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Yeah, yeah, that's what I meant.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on
Sep 3, 2008 4:13 PM CDT
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I think Howry might've overtaken
Cedeno on the swearing scale.
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 3, 2008 4:18 PM CDT
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I agree
Howry is way worse than Cedeno every was on the swearing scale, IMO
When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
by gwood on
Sep 3, 2008 4:27 PM CDT
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40 is the new 30...
…blue is the new black…and “Howry!” is the new “Cedeno!”
Stay hip, people.
"I see the playoff schedule posted in the paper, and that stuff makes me nervous because you can't take anything for granted. We have a great team. We have a really good team. We're playing well, but we haven't won yet." - Jim Edmonds, 8/31/08
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 3, 2008 4:27 PM CDT
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I agree
but then is 35 the new 25? Howry if he pitches tonight might reach above Cedeno and create level of cursing
"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella
by Madison Cub Fan on
Sep 3, 2008 4:33 PM CDT
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Dammit
He’s still employed?
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
by Reddevil on
Sep 3, 2008 4:09 PM CDT
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haven't seen anything to the contrary yet
but i’ve been looking…
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 3, 2008 4:11 PM CDT
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laundry done?
"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella
by Madison Cub Fan on
Sep 3, 2008 4:11 PM CDT
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nope
:-P
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 3, 2008 4:12 PM CDT
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no time like the present
"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella
by Madison Cub Fan on
Sep 3, 2008 4:12 PM CDT
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i thought you were staying away today anyway?
:-)
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 3, 2008 4:15 PM CDT
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I did until almost 3
thought you were also :)
"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella
by Madison Cub Fan on
Sep 3, 2008 4:27 PM CDT
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i was following the brewer game anyway
so i jumped into the thread…. and somehow followed it here.
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Sep 3, 2008 4:28 PM CDT
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I got to Brewers thread about 3 ish
I actually got most of my errands done this afternoon.
"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella
by Madison Cub Fan on
Sep 3, 2008 4:30 PM CDT
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Shanghai needs to show up, too
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Sep 3, 2008 4:57 PM CDT
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Have no fear
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Sep 3, 2008 5:21 PM CDT
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And HBCG was around on the game thread with me til about midnight!
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on
Sep 3, 2008 4:58 PM CDT
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