The Molina-Lilly Rematch: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Tuesday 5/19, 7:15 CT

by Al on May 19, 2009 5:15 PM CDT in Game Threads Comment 87 comments

Think carefully, Yadier. Next time this could be Ted Lilly.

This is Ted Lilly's first appearance vs. the Cardinals this season, and thus his first time at Busch Stadium since he barreled over Yadier Molina last September 10. Ted was out on the play, but the Cubs won anyway, 4-3, despite Kerry Wood making it close by allowing a HR to Ryan Ludwick. It was one of Ted's best starts of 2008 (eight innings, five hits, no walks, one run allowed); he's rumored to be following it up by parting the Mississippi River near St. Louis with his bare hands.

That's an awfully suspicious look on Joel Piñeiro's face (below). What is he looking at?

This morning, BCB reader IVYHopesDreams wondered why David Patton is still on the roster. Bruce Miles elaborates and asks why do the Cubs have 12 pitchers if they are only going to use 11 of them?

The guy the Cubs are trying to hide here is rookie David Patton, the Rule 5 kid out of Colorado they obtained at the winter meetings in a trade with the Reds. Having Patton on the roster would be all well and good if the Cubs were actually going to use him. As it is, Patton hasn't appeared in a game since May 9 at Milwaukee, when he gave up 3 hits, 1 walk and 2 runs in two-thirds of an inning. Before that, Patton pitched May 5 and May 1. Since the 9th, he's warmed up, but he hasn't gotten into a game.

This seems unfair to Patton, who hadn't pitched above Class A ball until this year and who needs the work, both to stay sharp and to rebuild the confidence he had in spring training, when he wowed the Cubs and made the team.

Bruce suggests calling up Jake Fox. Fox doesn't have a position he can play, but at least he can hit. Jose Ascanio could go back to Iowa if the Cubs want to keep Patton, or maybe they can make a deal with the Rockies to keep Patton and send him down.

Today's Starting Pitchers


Ted Lilly Cubs	vs.	Joel Piñeiro Cardinals

5-2	W-L	4-3
3.27	ERA	4.17
38	SO	14
9	BB	7
9	HR	2
vs. StL	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Ted Lilly	5-2	7	7	0	0	0	0	44.0	37	17	16	9	9	38	3.27	1.05

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Joel Piñeiro	4-3	7	7	0	0	0	0	45.1	56	25	21	2	7	14	4.17	1.39

15 of the Cubs' 36 games have gone three hours or longer this year and the shortest game by time was 2:29, at Arizona on April 27. Tonight's game is likely to move along, because the two starters, Lilly and Joel Piñeiro, have combined for 89.1 innings so far this year with 16 walks (nine by Lilly, seven by Piñeiro). Piñeiro has only struck out 14 and allowed 56 hits, too, so you know teams have been putting the ball in play against him. Alfonso Soriano hits him well (15-for-45, .333, 4 doubles, 3 HR), and the newly hot Derrek Lee is 6-for-10 lifetime against him.

In addition to pitching, Ted Lilly will help 1000 old ladies cross the street to the stadium before the game, rescue hundreds of pets and get them to a pet shelter and bail out three St. Louis-area banks, all by game time. After that, he will take his 6-2, 2.99 (11 starts) lifetime record vs. St. Louis and beat them with his right hand tied behind his back.

Not really, but he could if he wanted to.

Albert Pujols hits him pretty well (9-for-28, .321, 2 HR) but he handles most of the rest of the team. For the record, Yadier Molina is a .174 lifetime hitter (4-for-23) against Ted.

Today's game is on WGN -- two games in a row available nationally! For today's other games see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Overflow comment threads will post today at 8:15 pm, 9:15 pm and 10 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Pineiro looks like one shifty character.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2009 5:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No he just hears

Lilly coming

"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg

by gwood on May 19, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ted's saying, "Psst, Joel, no - over here."

Then BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When Lilly approaches

you cannot tell from which direction he cometh. Joel is simply guessing and Lilly is smiling because he knows Joel guessed wrong.

"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg

by gwood on May 19, 2009 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Greg Maddux could put a baseball through a Life Saver if you asked him. ~ Joe Morgan

by Sioux City Cubs Fan on May 19, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well played.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 19, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Greg Maddux could put a baseball through a Life Saver if you asked him. ~ Joe Morgan

by Sioux City Cubs Fan on May 19, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like or is?

by Born Again Cubs Fan on May 19, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He probably is.

His numbers tell me he’s also pretty hittable. Let’s extend the Cards losing streak, shall we?

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is pretty good actually

and an extreme ground ball pitcher. Cubs hitters should be patient and hope to get in the bullpen. Last night Cardinals issued
a combined 11 walks.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on May 19, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, that's more BBs than the Padres gave up when I was at the game last Thursday!

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

looking forward to 2 days coverage in a row.

by ryanbaker08 on May 19, 2009 5:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

YAY baseball!!!!!!

:D So excited for this game, off days are sort of maddening.

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on May 19, 2009 5:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Has felt like a week, hasn't it?

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"

by AndrewJStone on May 19, 2009 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's felt like at least that long!

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on May 19, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your telling me...

Last night was the last one in the world I needed to be an off night.

Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!

by Chris Dobbertean on May 19, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al, Blackout Link

http://blog.streamingmedia.com/the_business_of_online_vi/2009/05/mlbtv-expects-to-do-away-with-blackout-restrictions-sooner-than-you-think.html

Thought you might be interested

"Cubs Win!!"

by northofwrigley on May 19, 2009 5:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That's nice to hear, but I'm not holding my breath. They've had FOREVER to fix this problem, and they're JUST NOW admitting that it IS a problem.

I give them another 3 years of hemming and hawing before it even begins to be fixed.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 19, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No kidding?

“It’s not as if MLBAM has been blind to the problem and [MLB.com CEO] Bob Bowman told me last week that of all calls to the support center for MLB.TV, not surprisingly, blackout restrictions are the number one complaint.”

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on May 19, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lineup:

Soriano
Riot
Dome
Lee
Bradley
Fonty
Soto
Miles
God

Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!

by Schwa on May 19, 2009 5:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHA. God is right

by ryanbaker08 on May 19, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How embarrassing must it be to have Aaron Miles hitting in front of you.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 19, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I logged in from my iPhone doing 75 down HWY 35 just to say "LOL" to this.

That, and:

1- Lou was severely out-coached by TLR last series. Don’t screw this series up, Lou.

2- No link to VEB, Al?

3- SBN needs mobile commenting!

Dan

PS- Don’t worry, Madison the Beagle’s driving.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money."

--Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on May 19, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed 100% on #3

by ryanbaker08 on May 19, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're working on it.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on May 20, 2009 4:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tsk tsk Doctor

Safe driving laws prohibit texting while driving…

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

by chilango2 on May 19, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And he said...

“let there be a series sweep” and it was good.

by AndrewJStone on May 19, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see D Lee is 6 for 10 vs Pineiro. Hopefully he will continue his hot streak.

by ryanbaker08 on May 19, 2009 5:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Got it seems like it's been so long since a Cubs game.

Can’t wait for this one!

by kanderber on May 19, 2009 5:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

I can’t believe there is still an hour left sigh

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on May 19, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we get Ted to get this game going already?

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 5:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

JIMMY!!

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 19, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

TIMMY!

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am so lame

but I always snicker at that exchange.

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on May 19, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's not lame...

The exchange is kinda funny; but it’s a pre-game ritual now.

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hopefully

the Cards use the same lineup they did against the Brewers yesterday.

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 5:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Per Twitter

Ryan
Rasmus
Pujols
Molina
Duncan
Stavinoha
Braden
Pineiro
Thurston

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

by chilango2 on May 19, 2009 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

gracias

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought TLR gave up on batting pitcher 8th

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on May 19, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

nope.

by tootle on May 19, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You get my check?

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

got a tough choice to make

stay in and watch the cubs or go to a lake bar, drink and enjoy the 85 degree weather

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 6:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Watch and drink

Or find a radio.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by jkobus on May 19, 2009 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can you catch the game at the lake bar?

If so, problem solved…

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ah, I am in Minnesota

it is not likely to be on

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So is Al Franken your senator yet or what?

by JFCubFan on May 19, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

beats the hell outta me

I stopped paying attention to that debacle a long time ago

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wise move.

It appears to be the never-ending election…

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on May 19, 2009 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Minnesota? Great state!

What town?

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Minnetonka

home of the famed Vikings Love Boat scandal.

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

St. Paul here!

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on May 19, 2009 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

see below...

Shout out to St. Paul!!!

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man, I miss it up there...

Heard it was in the 90s today up there.

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

by chilango2 on May 19, 2009 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least high 80's, been beautiful the last couple days

Unfortunately been sitting inside the library doing finals week stuff.

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on May 19, 2009 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't spent too much time in St Paul

usually go to the Triple Rock when I make it over there.

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Slide on down to the Triple Rock...

and listen to what Reverend Cleophus has to say. You get wise, you get to church!

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

its been far to long

since I last saw that movie

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best Movie Ever...

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm familiar with Minnetonka.

My mom’s side of the family is from St. Paul, and I went to college my first year in St. Paul.

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm here going to college myself

University of St. Thomas!

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on May 19, 2009 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How does one college oneself?

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 19, 2009 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

Lots and lots of skill

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on May 19, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rah Rah! Sis Boom Bah!

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

there was a lot of exclamation points in the series, got a little over zealous.

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on May 19, 2009 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That'll happen in America...

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

English major by any chance?

I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...

by Jimmyeatworld on May 19, 2009 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

Political Science and International Studies majors with Communications and Middle East Studies minors.

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on May 19, 2009 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i really hope the astros can take some from the brewers.. tonights matchup doesnt look too promising though..

by ryanbaker08 on May 19, 2009 6:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hampton on the mound?

yeah not promising at all

by bheidge on May 19, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

TWSS

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

by santoswoodenlegs on May 19, 2009 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He could hit a couple of jacks

to help him get a win.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on May 19, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The ABA approach for this series.

Anyone
But
Albert

Honestly, if he sees a decent pitch in this series when it matters…it’s a huge mistake.

Walk him. A lot.

I have nothing funny or creative to write.

by Canadian Cubs Fan on May 19, 2009 6:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We challenged him in the last series

And came away fairly unscathed. I’m all for letting Lilly pitch to him with no one in scoring position.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on May 19, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the key

no one in scoring position. He may be the only guy in the league that I’d intentionally walk with the bases loaded, score permitting, to try to avoid more damage.

by chitownhawkeye on May 19, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cool!

MLB.TV is now showing the Lead-off Man show.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on May 19, 2009 7:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs