Two More Weeks: Cubs vs. Mariners at Mesa, Sunday 3/22, 3:05 CT
by Al Yellon on Mar 22, 2009 11:00 AM CDT
in Game Threads
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PrintYou've noticed it. The players have noticed it. This spring training not only is longer than usual (39 games, compared to the usual 30-31), but it seems even longer than that.
We all love baseball, but we're aching for real games that matter. Two more weeks; hang in there, two weeks from tomorrow, there will be games that count.
Until then, we must be satisfied with stories like this one about Geovany Soto and Ted Lilly both being behind in their work to get ready for the season:
Meanwhile, Bruce Miles tells us that Rich Harden may not be ready for what would have been his first scheduled start on April 10:Lilly is not scheduled to pitch either Sunday or Monday, but is staying with Team USA in case the games go extra innings. Lilly is expected to pitch in a simulated game on Tuesday in Mesa.
"He's another guy who has fallen behind some and hasn't really worked as much as he would here in Spring Training," Piniella said.
Harden was scratched Friday because of a stomach bug. He'll pitch at the Cubs' minor-league camp Wednesday, when the rest of the team has an off-day. Manager Lou Piniella said Harden will get "an extended throw" day Monday.
"If he's ready by the time the season starts, he's ready," Piniella said. "If he's not, we've got (Sean) Marshall that'll be ready, and we can throw (Harden) into the fifth-starter's spot and give him more time."
I think I'll head over to Fitch Park and watch that game on Wednesday. And that Lou quote would mean that Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly would face Houston, and Marshall would start the April 10 game in Milwaukee, followed by Zambrano and Dempster, and Lilly would start the home opener on April 13. If the Cubs then wanted to skip Harden's first start, they could continue on with Marshall on April 15 (with the off-day on the 14th) and then onward with the other three.
Today, Z will face the Mariners' Erik Bedard. Derrek Lee is expected back in the starting lineup today. The game is on CSN Chicago, this time with Len & Bob. It's also available at the MLB.com Mediacenter with the Seattle announcers via KIRO, their flagship station.
MLB.com Gameday for the Cubs/Mariners game
Cubs notes: Paul Sullivan posts nine things to worry about regarding the 2009 Cubs, all of which are legitimate and all of which we have discussed here before. As if we don't worry enough already.
MLB notes: Phil Rogers writes that Chris Carpenter is having a great spring and if he keeps that up, the Cardinals will be a force. True, but the key word is "if". Can Carpenter's surgeries hold up? No one knows, yet.
WBC notes: Korea blew out Venezuela last night 10-2, and so they will face the winner of tonight's Japan/USA semifinal in Monday's championship game. Tonight's game is on ESPN at 7 pm CDT. The USA will bat first as the "visiting" team.
MLB.com Gameday for the USA/Japan game
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Idiotic WBC
Either it gets guys hurt or it doesn’t get guys enough work.
This thing is an abomination that should be stopped at the nearest opportunity.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
RE: 9 things to worry about
I saw the story when it posted on the Trib’s Web site last night. I thought I’d share it as a Fanshot. But then I thought I wouldn’t want to give this sad excuse for a writer any extra clicks.
My dislike for Sullivan is well-documented in this Web site. But this piece takes the cake. Sullivan has a penchant for finding fault, creating controversy and seeding doubt. Journalists are taught to look for hidden issues, but Sullivan always overblows them in order to meet deadlines.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
I like how it’s third base where we have a problem with depth. Our 3B depth and our SS depth are the same people, and nobody seems worried about that.
I agree with you.
Both of those are an issue.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
They're really the same issue.
Most teams don’t have three backup IF on the bench. The issue is really “Aaron Miles isn’t very good at baseball.”
makes sense with Harden
I thought they should have made Harden the fifth starter anyways…. that way Harden can be eased along and not pressured to overexert himself to be ready by a certain date….
by FloridaCubsFan on Mar 22, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions
agreed.
you could have predicted at the start of ST that whoever won the fifth starting job would actually be put in the fourth slot. it just makes sense to start the year with Harden as the fifth starter. what is the rush? let him do middle relief to stay sharp during April. as we all know, there will be many games where your starters only go 5 innings.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
i made note of that as well
and think it is a good idea
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
Two non-related thoughts:
First, I’m really excited for this WBC semi-final game. I’d like to see the USA win tonight and face Korea. I wonder what time it is in Japan if the game is on at 7 pm here? Also, where is Dragon? I haven’t seen him on here in months. His insider info related to Dome was great; I’d like to hear this thoughts on the WBC from a Japanese perspective.
Second, maybe I’m just late to the game of analysis, but I really have appreciated how intelligently and patient the Cubs’ staff has been with Harden. I wonder if the A’s treated Harden has carefully as we have in this 1/2 of season Rich has been on the team. I don’t like GameBoard, but it’ll be interesting to see the parallels that may or may not be drawn between his Harden and his position player counterpart, Bradley. We know Harden isn’t going to get 30 starts a year, and it’s probably safe to say Bradley isn’t going to be playing in 140+ games a year, so the way in which the staff both benches and plays Milton will be, IMO, the most interesting subplot of the 2009 season. That, and the excuses. We are up to three, no? Stomach, flu-like, and leg, correct?
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Japan is 15 hours ahead of Chicago.
So it’ll be 10 am tomorrow, there.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
we have had a chance to practice with fragile pitchers
giving us the edge in baby stepping a pitcher
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
Harden appears slated for the DL on an extended spring training until April 20th +
This then changes things like why Gaudin is probably on the 25-man as a (5th reliever) going north replacing the idea of slating Marshall for the swing on an 11-man pitching staff for April. Therefore the bubble moves a bit—-Samardz a decision needs to be made, where then Patton, Guzman and Vizcaino are fighting for a bottom roster spot.
If Samardz than he has option years so the Cubs could then go with 12 where when Harden comes off the extended spring training no big deal. Therefore one of those three will seem to stick and the other two will have new uniforms (or be returned to the Rox).
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
With this in mind
Are we being fed the “Prior” excuse?
Don’t flame me too hard please.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Wait, what?
He has a stomach flu, not a shoulder injury.
Some people have 3 layers, like pie. Blog Blog Blog
Agreed.
I see no indication Harden is headed for the DL. All they’re talking about doing is skipping his first turn in the rotation. He should be ready to face either the Rockies or Cardinals during the first homestand.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
The phrase that's being bandied around is 'not ready to pitch'
Which is different from ‘not able to pitch’. It’s more like he won’t be stretched out enough to have a standard pitch count/pitch more than 4 innings or so
Some people have 3 layers, like pie. Blog Blog Blog
It's no big deal.
The Cubs don’t really need 5 starters until April 25th.
Now, that tells us that they COULD stash him on the DL if they wanted to...
… as late as Opening Day, and still have him ready to make that start on 4/25. I doubt they want to let him go that long, though.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Game is starting now.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Ya' think?
There’s been some grumbling that the Cubs should have kept the fast guy who is now on the Baltimore team named Felix Pie. I think (IMHO) that Gathright might be better suited to the Cubbies than Felix.
"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.
That's surprising, because...
… one thing that sold a lot of people on him when he was in the Cub system, was the fact that he had great springs.
2006: .286 in 35 AB
2007: .352 in 54 AB
2008: .256 in 39 AB, 2 HR
Now, .206 is in 34 AB, small sample size, and who knows what the Oriole coaching staff has had him working on.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I think it's hillarious that PR had three catchers...
…and between Pudge, Soto and a Molina, they picked Pudge to start.
did they bench molina
when ted lilly started?
There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help......"--Bill Buckner
by laidbackliam on Mar 22, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
word is
PR brass started Pudge “out of respect” for his lifetime achievements/accomplishments AND to showcase him so a MLB club would sign him as a FA.
"Hey! Look at the kid in the sombrero!"
So IOW...
… Puerto Rico wasn’t really trying to win the WBC.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Maybe it worked for Pudge
"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland
How did Z do?
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
Still in the game.
Fourth inning. He has allowed a solo HR, that’s it.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Nice effort from Andy White
don’t think Theriot would have even attempted that throw.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
So now we *benefit* from Cedeno ;-}
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
I like A. Blanco and Micah.
"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.
You can typically find 1-2 guys of Blanco's caliber on every AAA team north of the Mexican border.
He’s nice to have as org depth (given our paucity at SS) but little else. There’s a whole Hoffpauir thread, so I won’t bring that in here.
100 BCB points for using "paucity"
and another 10 for avoiding the Hoffpauir talk.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
See, I would have subtracted points
since he tried to sneak in the back door with it.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
I was wondering if anyone was going to take the easy shot there.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
Z doubles! He's da man
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
that umpire's call on Soriano's fly was lame.
no way he was getting the ball out of his mitt when he dropped it
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
and he does :D
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
oooh Gutierrez!
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
Soto shows good patience
…time to take the lead.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
what a time to lose signal!
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
FC by Andy White
2-1 Cubs, one out. men on 2nd and 3rd (for those w/no signal)
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
it's back thank goodness
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
it seems the only people left are the Soto Fan Club & me
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
I'm here
My wife is stuck in San Antonio and AA just cancelled her flight so I’m trying to reroute her.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
ouch. hope she gets back sooner rather than later
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
at least it is nice weather here in Central TX
hope she gets home soon, and all is well
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
Thank you Em and Tim
Aircraft failure in DFW, replacement coming from TUL. Hundreds of thousands of people leaving from SXSW. Kind’uva perfect storm. But hopefully she’ll be in Chicago by 11.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
it's always something isn't it?
I had a similar situation a couple of weeks ago, only it was equipment failure/spring break. Lucky to get out at all. Flying is so glamorous.
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
Are you back in town or still up in AK?
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
back in town until April Fool's day.
packingpackingpackingpackingpacking
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
THANK GOD
people are leaving SXSW, not I can have my bars back. I refuse to wait in line 7 hours and HOPE i can get in for a drink, to listen to a bank I know nothing about, and that is IF they let me in without a $150 wristband.
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
I feel your pain
Maybe next year you can rent out your place and go to Mesa for the week. If the Olympics come to Chicago, I’m leaving and renting it out to rich folk.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
I doubt we'll get the Olympics
our infrastructure is too weak. I’d be willing to bet on it.
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
I hope you're right
but I wouldn’t place any money on it. Global politics and economics will play into the decision and it seems as if the city has a real chance. I tremble in fear thinking about it.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
From your keyboard to the IOC's ears.
I fervently hope you are correct.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Fontenot was a tad too eager...just make contact
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
Wheee! Sori!!! 2 runs!
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
he's guessing right more often these days :-)
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
good to see Marmol throwing well
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
on second thought...
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
just a lil' ol' hanging slider on 0-2....
"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.
this is what drives me crazy about him
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
no movement on his fastball
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
a page out of the Howry book.
let’s hope he learns to throw the 0-2 sliders at the ankles
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
ouch!
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
loving len and bob making fun of the fan's arm, though
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
that was a good fan arm :D
maybe we should put him in the game
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
reminded me of JJ in his last season in RF
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
Well... duh! Bob...
“any pitch is a good pitch if it’s thrown well in the proper situation.”
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
Too bad the Cubs don't face him more often
People in Seattle will curse the day they got him.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
I know... now I'm happy to see him in the lineup
Gutierrez screws up again! whee!
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
He's working for Domino's now?
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)
he can make you wish for koyie hill
in 30 minutes or less
Cubs WIN! FLY IT!
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)
4 in a row.
some nice MoJo as ST drags on and on and on.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
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