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Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Wednesday 9/3, 7:05 CT

Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs



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Houston Astros
@ Chicago Cubs

Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008, 7:05 PM CDT
Wrigley Field

Randy Wolf vs Ryan Dempster

Cloudy. Winds blowing in from left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65.

Complete Coverage >


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:

But I don't WANNA go!
Brandon Backe being taken out by Cecil Cooper in the 5th. Cooper almost had to yank the ball out of Backe's hand.

Which ball?
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.

A non-memorable debut, at that
Casey McGehee's ML debut announced on the message board. Not-So-Mighty Casey struck out.

I'm not keeping THIS one.
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

Today's Starting Pitchers
Ryan Dempster
R. Dempster
Cubs
vs. Randy Wolf
R.
Wolf

Astros
15-5 W-L 8-11
2.95 ERA 4.73
160 SO 134
69 BB 64
11 HR 18
vs. Hou -- vs. Cubs

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Ryan Dempster 15-5 28 28 1 0 0 0 176.2 142 65 58 11 69 160 2.95 1.19


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Randy Wolf 2-1 7 7 0 0 0 0 38.1 41 22 20 4 17 29 4.70 1.51

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.

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 7 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 8 pm, 9 pm and 9:45 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 253 comments

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Comments

Display:

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

Lets go Mets!

wow that was even hard to type

by chicagodave on Sep 3, 2008 3:50 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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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

METS WIN METS WIN!

Now lets get the # to 18

by chicagodave on Sep 3, 2008 4:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 3, 2008 4:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!

by wnielsen on Sep 3, 2008 4:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

and sad

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 3, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

thats kinda sad

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 3, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and all of them were

that one guy talking to himself

by Emelie on Sep 3, 2008 4:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

Me likey. Thanks.

Brian McRae's 5 O'Clock Shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Sep 3, 2008 4:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

Se do bheatha

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 3, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

There goes my TWSS

Wait a minute... who am I here?

by malicedoom on Sep 3, 2008 4:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bravo!

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

by chilango2 on Sep 3, 2008 4:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

TWWAS (that's what Woody Allen said)

Wait a minute... who am I here?

by malicedoom on Sep 3, 2008 4:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

that should free up

Felix Pie.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Sep 3, 2008 6:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

Or

L

Mike+Milton+Eamus Catuli = AC000000

by Cub's Paperboy on Sep 3, 2008 4:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

nope

:-P

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 3, 2008 4:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

You are both

needed here. Stick around please!!!

by sue369 on Sep 3, 2008 4:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

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 to parent up   0 recs

Does her father know?

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 3, 2008 5:08 PM CDT to parent up