Pregame Thread: Cubs vs. Reds, Sunday 9/7, 12:15 CT
by Al
on Sep 7, 2008 10:30 AM CDT
in Game Threads
Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati Reds
For some reason, the weather forecast didn't make it into the preview box, so here it is:
Today: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming west between 6 and 9 mph.
A great day for baseball and another win.
Bruce Miles has updates on the status of Kosuke Fukudome, Chad Gaudin and Rich Harden.
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Just one year after being a Cy Young candidate, Aaron Harang has been... bad. Blame whoever or whatever you want, but he's spent time on the DL and when he hasn't been hurt, he's been getting hit hard, ranking 2nd in the NL with 15 losses and tied for 2nd (with Ted Lilly) with 31 HR allowed. The Cubs are responsible for four of those homers and have beaten him three times already this year; he's got a 7.27 ERA against the Cubs in 2008, a lot of it coming in this game at Wrigley Field on July 8. Derrek Lee is .310/.396/.714 lifetime vs. Harang (13-for-42, 2 doubles, 5 HR).
Sean Marshall's only career start vs. the Reds was on July 28, 2007 at GABP; he gave up one run in six strong innings and got the win. He'll need to repeat that performance today, thankyouverymuch. Only one Red who'll play today has more than three career AB vs. Marshall -- Brandon Phillips (1-for-5, a HR).
Today's game is on WGN -- no Reds TV. 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 noon CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 1 pm, 2 pm and 2:45 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Me first!
Yea!!!
"Don't give me any of that ole' bulls#!t." - Lou Brown
by mondello58 on Sep 7, 2008 10:30 AM CDT 0 recs
Aww
I thought I had it.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on
Sep 7, 2008 10:32 AM CDT
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HARANG
LIGHT EM UP
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Sep 7, 2008 10:33 AM CDT 0 recs
Whenever Hammer does this in a pre-game thread
I feel optimistic. :-)
by zevkalman on
Sep 7, 2008 11:26 AM CDT
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+1
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 11:42 AM CDT
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Astros series
Hurricane Ike is projected to maybe strike the upper Texas coast next weekend. This could throw a big wrench in the Cubs schedule. I don’t want a 2004 repeat.
by sanks on Sep 7, 2008 10:34 AM CDT 0 recs
Would they consider moving the games to Chicago if that happened?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 11:42 AM CDT
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Interesting thought...
but I would bet that MLB would look for a closer, neutral place. Perhaps Arlington???
"Don't give me any of that ole' bulls#!t." - Lou Brown
by mondello58 on
Sep 7, 2008 11:45 AM CDT
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The Sox ARE home.
Besides, if they’re going to come to Chicago, why play at the Cell?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 11:48 AM CDT
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I was kinda joking
because didn’t a couple of other teams play there a few years ago because of a hurriane?
by daeviant on
Sep 7, 2008 11:50 AM CDT
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Yes, they did.
Expos & Marlins. They did so because it was available and the Marlins were in Chicago anyway. I went to one of the games — great fun, about 5000 people showed up, all hardcore baseball fans. Price was $15 a ticket, sit anywhere.
This was the game I went to, on September 13, 2004.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 11:55 AM CDT
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I was at that game
I remember specifically yelling at Francis Beltran
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
Sep 7, 2008 11:56 AM CDT
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You were there, too?
Attendance in that boxscore was 4,003. Seemed like way more than that.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 11:58 AM CDT
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I had the day off
and my buddy and I figured What the Hell.
It was a fun time.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
Sep 7, 2008 11:59 AM CDT
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They did the same last year
for the Indians and Angels due to the snow. Played it in Milwaukee. Sit anywhere for $10.
"Don't give me any of that ole' bulls#!t." - Lou Brown
by mondello58 on
Sep 7, 2008 11:56 AM CDT
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I went to one of those, too. Great fun.
It wasn’t “sit anywhere”, the seats were assigned, but they were $10; I got a great seat right behind the plate in the 200 level in row 1. They had about 20,000.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 11:57 AM CDT
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If the hurricane hits Texas...
… they’d probably want to stay away from Arlington.
Here’s a freaky thought: St. Louis. The Cubs are already there finishing up their series with the Cardinals. How weird would it be to have a Cubs/Astros series in St. Louis?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 11:48 AM CDT
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My vote would be Omaha
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Sep 7, 2008 11:52 AM CDT
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Cue
Twilight Zone music
"Don't give me any of that ole' bulls#!t." - Lou Brown
by mondello58 on
Sep 7, 2008 11:55 AM CDT
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Hurricane
If Ike hits Houston, it’s likely to hit the Dallas area. If they play in St. Louis, depending on the track of Ike when it hits land, St. Louis is likely to feel effects of Ike as well later in the series. If they have to go to a neutral place, why not Tampa, if the Rays are not in town? Yes you make both teams travel, but there’s a dome there. Be nice to me today. It’s my birthday!
"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.
by No Southern Belle on
Sep 7, 2008 1:51 PM CDT
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Happy Birthday!
The Rays are in New York that weekend. Could work, I suppose.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 3:37 PM CDT
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And I'm in Houston on business next week and have tickets for Friday night's game , could get interesting
Fat , drunk , and ,stupid is now way to go through life son.
by alabebo on
Sep 7, 2008 11:59 AM CDT
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I like to blame Dusty.
He knows how to handle his pitchers.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Sep 7, 2008 10:34 AM CDT 0 recs
Dusty knows best
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on
Sep 7, 2008 10:35 AM CDT
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I'm blaming Dusty for Hurricane Ike and my dead-end job
CRAFTY BEAVER!!!
http://lostinthevines.blogspot.com/
by lostinthevines on
Sep 7, 2008 10:52 AM CDT
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2004
No doubt the 27 games in 26 days played a role in the Cubs falling apart in 2004.
by sanks on Sep 7, 2008 10:36 AM CDT 0 recs
Preferrably
We would like a quick, efficient game, with a lot of runs. Get the guys home early to watch some NFL, rest, and have a break before traveling to St. Louis on the off-day. Get a series win under the belt and rest the body and mind before a series that the Cards would LOVE to take from us.
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 7, 2008 10:45 AM CDT 0 recs
requested an interview?
Lou has to ask to talk to Dome? That’s… interesting.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Sep 7, 2008 11:02 AM CDT 0 recs
I thought he meant that the reporter requested an interview and it was declined by Dome.
Thus he asked Lou. I don’t think Lou has to ask to talk to Dome. I hope not. Surely not, Lou.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been . . . baseball. It rules over America like an army of steamrollers." Terrance Mann
Tommie Agee was out.
by Weeghman Park on
Sep 7, 2008 11:06 AM CDT
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reading it again
I misread. Reporters wanted the interview, Dome declined.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Sep 7, 2008 11:17 AM CDT
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Time to win a series.
A week went by before the Cubs won another game. Let’s hope last night’s game means the Cubs bats woke up, finally. Then, if the pitchers do their jobs (are you listening, Shark and Wuertz?) the Cubs should be fine. Soriano will carry the offense.
Finally, I want to mention Barry Rozner’s latest column about Carlos Zambrano. Al linked to it a couple of days ago. I don’t know where Rozner gets from that Zambrano yanked himself out of the ballgame on Tuesday night because he was frustrated with the defense. Furthermore, I don’t know where Rozner gets that Zambrano was throwing 95 when he was removed from the game.
I was at that game and by the time Zambrano left, his fastball was clocking 87 MPH on the ballpark’s radar gun. I remember commenting to those in the seats behind me that something was wrong with Zambrano because he had no speed in his fastball. The hitters were having a blast with those pitches, clocking between 81 and 87 MPH. As theatrical as Zambrano is, I think it’s unfair to criticize him for lack of effort. The guy always plays to win.
by Fraggin Judge on Sep 7, 2008 11:04 AM CDT 0 recs
Hey Kool Aid!
W-L 86-56 (1st in NL and MLB)
Run Differential +177 (1st in NL and MLB)
Runs Scored 766 (1st in NL, 2nd in MLB)
OBP .358 (1st in NL, 2nd in MLB)
BB 564 (1st in NL and MLB)
ERA 3.82 (tied for 2nd in NL and tied for 5th in MLB)
Earned Runs Allowed 548 (4th in NL and 8th in MLB)
Strikeouts 1109 (1st in NL and MLB)
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Sep 7, 2008 11:31 AM CDT 0 recs
Let's get 'er done!
Glad to see the Cubbies win one in September (3xwhew), I personally was having flashbacks (maybe too much LSD) about ‘69 and all the L flags I saw in late Aug into Sep that year coming back from working the 9-6 shift at North Ave. Beach on the El. This team is much stronger and deeper and can take care of the Division and home field throughout the NLCS (thanks Bud for making the All Star Game count!) and hope to see the Cubbies here in LA early against the Bums and later against Artie’s LA Angles of Anaheim. Go Cubbies, Go!!!!
Mike=Milton+Eamus Catuli = AC000000
by Cub's Paperboy on Sep 7, 2008 11:39 AM CDT 0 recs
Lineups out.
Hoffpauir to imitate a RF again, batting second.
by cwyers on Sep 7, 2008 11:47 AM CDT 0 recs
Sigh.
However, Harang might be a guy that Hoffpauir could tee off against.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 11:49 AM CDT
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I guess its better than DOME
trying to imitate a hitter.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
Sep 7, 2008 11:51 AM CDT
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Dome is a decent hitter.
He’s not spectacular, but he IS a spectacular defender. Hoffpauir would have to hit like Vlad to be as valuable to this team as Fukudome.
by cwyers on
Sep 7, 2008 12:03 PM CDT
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Decent maybe.
Unfortunately he is the worst hitter of any regular on the team. By far.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
Sep 7, 2008 12:05 PM CDT
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Uh, no.
So far this year, he and Theriot are basically identical hitters in total value.
by cwyers on
Sep 7, 2008 12:06 PM CDT
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bla bla
Disagree.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
Sep 7, 2008 12:07 PM CDT
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No AFN today
Damn you, NFL and your three games taking up 30% of my channels. Oh well, I’m not complaining and will be watching those three games (and the three games after) and will love it since that’s more NFL you stateside people get.
GO CUBS!
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on Sep 7, 2008 11:51 AM CDT 0 recs
In Chicago we get six games between now and Monday.
Three this afternoon, one tonight, and an ESPN doubleheader tomorrow.
But, I will be watching the Cubs.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Sep 7, 2008 11:56 AM CDT
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Right...
That’s between now and monday.
For AFN, I get
3 during afternoon timeslot 1
3 during afternoon timeslot 2
1 sunday evening game
2 monday night games
so, 3 more total games :)
But yes, the Cubs are priority uno.
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Sep 7, 2008 11:59 AM CDT
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Oh yeah,
I also have access to a slingbox in San Antonio which gives me 2 more games that aren’t on AFN :)
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Sep 7, 2008 12:00 PM CDT
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what's AFN? Al Fonzo Network?
"There's a lot of things we don't tell you." Lou Pinella
by derv on
Sep 7, 2008 12:00 PM CDT
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American Forces Network
It allows troops stationed overseas (like me) to get access to American programming (and sometimes, live Cubs games!)
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Sep 7, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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Where are you stationed, sanantonecub?
When I relied on AFN there was only one channel.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been . . . baseball. It rules over America like an army of steamrollers." Terrance Mann
Tommie Agee was out.
by Weeghman Park on
Sep 7, 2008 12:00 PM CDT
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Stationed at RAF Molesworth, UK
For AFN there’s now 9 channels, plus the Pentagon channel to make 10. I get them all beamed to my off-base home via satellite, as well a bunch of different radio feeds such as ESPN, Fox sports, NPR, etc.
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Sep 7, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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That's great.
I was in FRG in 1989 and the only Cubs game they ever showed was the playoffs. My family taped the first night game(s) and sent them to me to watch. We had a great party in my BOQ but it was like 10 days after the fact. Thanks for serving. Go Cubs.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been . . . baseball. It rules over America like an army of steamrollers." Terrance Mann
Tommie Agee was out.
by Weeghman Park on
Sep 7, 2008 12:04 PM CDT
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cubs game AGAIN? urgh.
"There's a lot of things we don't tell you." Lou Pinella
by derv on Sep 7, 2008 11:58 AM CDT 0 recs
That happens a lot this time of year
Come November, you won’t need to worry about it anymore.
by Clutch16 on
Sep 7, 2008 12:04 PM CDT
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