If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Houston: Cubs vs. Astros, Tuesday 6/9, 7:05 CT

by Al on Jun 9, 2009 5:00 PM CDT in Game Threads Comment 84 comments

Caption this!

Ten BCB points for the movie reference.

This is the Cubs' third visit to Houston already in 2009. By Thursday -- the 57th game of the year -- they will have played the Astros 10 times. It would have been 11, if not for the May 15 rainout. The first seven games have resulted in five Cub wins. A series win would make for a successful road trip. While this kind of schedule-making is ridiculous (and MLB should really give the contract back to the two college professors who did it on their kitchen table -- they did a better job), at least the two teams are scheduled for a rare (for Houston) weekday afternoon game on Thursday, so the Cubs can get back at a reasonable time Thursday evening to get ready for Friday's day game against the Twins. (It's also getaway day for the Astros, the more likely reason they did this.)

Here's a type of All-Star voting we can all agree is beneficial: MLB is sponsoring the All-Stars Among Us campaign, to highlight people who have given back to their communities. Each of the 30 clubs will have one representative who will be honored July 14 in St. Louis; click on the link to vote for one of the three finalists to choose one to represent the Cubs.

Bruce Miles has more on Mark DeRosa. Before you groan, he has a good step-by-step analysis of what that deal set in motion and how it has both hurt and helped the team.

More evidence that individual pitcher wins mean nothing: Look who's leading the National League in wins.

Today's Starting Pitchers


Ted Lilly Cubs	vs.	Brian Moehler Astros

6-4	W-L	2-3
3.28	ERA	6.37
59	SO	26
18	BB	10
11	HR	6
vs. Hou	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Ted Lilly	6-4	11	11	0	0	0	0	71.1	59	28	26	11	18	59	3.28	1.08

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Brian Moehler	2-3	8	8	1	0	0	0	41.0	56	29	29	6	10	26	6.37	1.61

This is the fourth series between these two teams this year. As such, it's not surprising that Brian Moehler and Ted Lilly have faced each other already this year, on April 8 in Houston. Lilly allowed four homers that day, but won because the Cubs hit Moehler really, really hard. The good news for Ted is that in the ten starts since then, he's allowed only seven homers. He has been the Cubs' most consistent starter all year, not to mention the fact that he could open the roof at the Juice Box with his bare hands. If he wanted to.

Lilly also defeated the Astros in Houston on May 7, and Moehler got the win at Wrigley on May 17, a game the Cubs would have won if Geovany Soto's line drive had been about two feet higher. Derrek Lee is 6-for-16 with two doubles and three HR off Moehler; the four homers off Lilly on April 8 were hit by Kaz Matsui, Ivan Rodriguez, Lance Berkman and ... Jeff Keppinger?

Cable only tonight in Chicago and Houston, on EI and MLB.TV. For other games today 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 pm, 9 pm and 9:45 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

If it's Tuesday, it must be Belgium

First!

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Jun 9, 2009 5:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly

The correct title is " If It’s Tuesday, THIS must be Belgium". However you were still first in the thread and maybe Al will split the
10 BCB points between us but remember if this were JEOPARDY you would lose .

"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 Jun 9, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I should have known you'd get this one right.

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

by Al on Jun 9, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would have replied faster

but I finally saw SUGAR today. While I thought it lost steam at the end I strongly urge ALL baseball fans to see this film, though you will probably have to wait for the DVD. It certainly gave me new insight into the incredible hardships faced by players from Latin America.

"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 Jun 9, 2009 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glad to hear this.

This movie is definitely on my list.

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

by Al on Jun 9, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I lost fair and square

I always thought the title was the way I wrote it but looks like I was wrong.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Jun 9, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

would have thought

fear & loathing in las vegas… myself

by tootle on Jun 9, 2009 5:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lineup per Twittermyer:

Soriano LF
Theriot SS
Dome CF
DLee 1B
The Game RF
Fontenot 3B
Soto C
Blanco 2B
Lilly LHP

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 Jun 9, 2009 5:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bradley's back?

Cool!

There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons

by Allie on Jun 9, 2009 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ted's gonna be angry he isn't batting 4th

by Craig in South Bend on Jun 9, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You wouldn't like Ted...

when he’s angry.

by CubsWin!Oregon on Jun 9, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

After today, maybe they SHOULD have hit him 4th!

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

by Al on Jun 9, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Milton is back?

Hope he does well tonight. Hope they all do well.

by sue369 on Jun 9, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had been referring to MB as Candy Land.

But… with all the injuries, I might as well start calling him Twister.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jun 9, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This year it's...

Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton

by KaliCub on Jun 9, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking Sorry....

by salparadise23 on Jun 9, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking of Settlers of Catan here

Wait, what?

by Craig in South Bend on Jun 9, 2009 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Operation"

by CubsWin!Oregon on Jun 9, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I keep telling myself we only need Bradley so he can hit in the playoffs....

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 9, 2009 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You keep telling yoursefl that buddy...

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

by Jimmyeatworld on Jun 9, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will....

but I don’t know how much longer I can keep convincing myself. I think I may be on to me.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 9, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I posed that just to see what your response would be...

I actually think he will be a valuable bat in the regular season, (provided he can begin to stay healthy).

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

by Jimmyeatworld on Jun 9, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Every time he comes back...

…I can’t decide whether to be excited at the thought of his bat in the lineup or anxious at the thought of him limping off the field again.

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 Jun 9, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A certain Jim Mora quote comes to mind

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone else just for a moment wonder how could Blanco play 2nd?

Then it occured to me it’s not Henry LOL

"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 9, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have there been any updates on Rami?

I haven’t heard a peep about his progress.

by Craig in South Bend on Jun 9, 2009 5:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Last I heard...

…he’d “resumed baseball activities,” but we still shouldn’t expect to see him back in action until next month.

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 Jun 9, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bruce I think had an update about him starting

limited baseball activities.

But, I think, the less we hear the better while he’s going through rehab. The only “news” can be bad.

There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons

by Allie on Jun 9, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's started "light baseball activities"

they’re still hoping for early july… around the all-star break

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He can play day games?

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 9, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

or play left field for Sori

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This reminds me of that scene in "Airplane"...

…where the woman asks the stewardess for some “light reading,” and the stewardess hands her a pamphlet.

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 Jun 9, 2009 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great Jews in sports history.

Was about 3 pages long. LOL. I can laugh at that. I’m a member of the tribe.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jun 9, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still can't get over the look of this lineup sans Rami

A few people who’ve hit cleanup shouldn’t even be cleaning up the dugout let alone the lineup

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

gee those 8 wins

by jason sure look good

Ramlee Zamfukusoridero

by hiphopgamer26 on Jun 9, 2009 5:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

two more interesting points

bullpen, none of his wins have been blown….

looking at his ERA, it looks like lack of run support has caused the 4 losses more than bad pitching.

oh well….

by cubbiefanTN on Jun 9, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you two related?

by AzCubfan24 on Jun 9, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your point?

Because he had 8 wins with another team doesn’t mean he’d have 8 with the Cubs.

by Craig in South Bend on Jun 9, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

connecting the dots....

how exactly does the marquis information fit into the game preview?

once again, bcb takes another jab at jason marquis. would 8 wins from a starter be shrugged off as insignificant if it were big Z or dempster.

another interesting line from marquis is 81 innings pitched in 12 games, hmms, that’s an average of 6 2/3 per start

by cubbiefanTN on Jun 9, 2009 5:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I liked marquis a lot

did we lose him to FA?

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he was traded to Colorado

for a pile of beans

by tootle on Jun 9, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope they were Maple....

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

nope

they were dfa’ed and signed with the indians

by tootle on Jun 9, 2009 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

marquis wasnt dfa'd

by AzCubfan24 on Jun 9, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no...

the person he was traded for… (Luis Vizcaino) was though

by tootle on Jun 9, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ah gotcha, im hoping to learn to read tomorrow:) sorry

by AzCubfan24 on Jun 9, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol keep at 'er buddy

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hooked on phonics isnt working out so well

by AzCubfan24 on Jun 9, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I'm glad

I wasn’t snarky in my reply… No problem though.

by tootle on Jun 9, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and saving 5 million.

The irony is that I am 99% sure the Rockies will trade him before deadline as they are pretty much out of it and Marquis has value.
They should get a nice prospect or two in return.

"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 Jun 9, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Delicious irony...

We get a released Vizcaino, and an sickly Milton Bradley. Colorado gets a least a B+ prospect.

Awesome.

by Damen Jackson on Jun 9, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vizcaino beans, to be exact.

They appear robust but result in a rather weak brew.

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 Jun 9, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

me too...

never got a fair shake from the fans because the contract that hendry gave him….
all he did was take the ball every 5th game and eat up innings….

by cubbiefanTN on Jun 9, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So that leaves 2 1/3 innings on average

for the bullpen to blow it. And he fits into the game preview because he’s a former Cub. He isn’t the first to be referenced in a game preview, and he won’t be the last. Why is this an issue?

by Craig in South Bend on Jun 9, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

except that

their bullpen hasn’t blown the games.

but maybe with our bullpen he’d be 3-4 and we’d be crying how he’s an overpayed pitcher….

by cubbiefanTN on Jun 9, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right, that's what I'm saying

You seem to be carrying a flag for the guy because he isn’t with the team, and that’s 8 wins out the window or something. Then in other posts, you seem to indicate that you understand that his wins with another team doesn’t translate to wins here, so I’m a bit confused.

by Craig in South Bend on Jun 9, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm not carrying a flag...

just didn’t like the phrasing Al used in the game preview.

“More evidence that individual pitcher wins mean nothing: Look who’s leading the National League in wins.”

maybe i took that the wrong way… reading it again, Al might be saying that a pitcher can have success despite a bad overall ball club.

by cubbiefanTN on Jun 9, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, you read it mostly correctly the first time...

he’s saying that wins are an overrated measure, because a mediocre pitcher like Marquis is leading the league in wins.

It had nothing to do with the Rockies being bad. It had everything to do with the fact that Marquis has not really been one of the best pitchers in the NL this year, despite the win totals this year.

by SouthernCub on Jun 9, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Colorado is a real good situation...

for Marquis. I’ve thought for years he’d be all-world in the NL West. If he can stay somewhere out there for the season, look for him to put up gaudy numbers.

by Damen Jackson on Jun 9, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd never wanna pitch in COL

that park is homer-ville

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not like it used to

be. And as I recall, he’d done well there, even before this season.

by Damen Jackson on Jun 9, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That thin mountain air hasn't changed

holding onto a lead there is tough stuff

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention...

… that Marquis lifetime batting splits in Coors Field are .296/.296/.407 — 8-for-27 with 3 doubles.

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

by Al on Jun 9, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It wasn't a jab.

All it was, was pointing out how meaningless individual pitcher wins are. Marquis has done a decent job for the Rockies, about the same as he did for the Cubs.

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

by Al on Jun 9, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sorry Al

on re-read it came together…. i first took the meaningless as a jab toward marquis. but i see you meant it toward how bad the rockies are….

i think we got into it last year about marqus. oh well, GO CUBS!!!

by cubbiefanTN on Jun 9, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What it really was...

… was a statement that you don’t have to be the best pitcher in the league to get individual wins. Marquis, as I say, has done a decent job. If you judge pitchers by wins only, he’d be the top pitcher in the NL, which we all know isn’t true.

It’s simply a statement that individual pitcher wins are not the best way to judge how good a pitcher is.

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

by Al on Jun 9, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

GO CUBS GO!

I hope to see Sori unleash the fury starting today.. here’s to a hot month!

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 5:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Amazing how much better the lineup looks with Bradley (in theory)...

Hopefully he starts hitting like his reputation suggests, because if he does the offense will look a lot better.

by SouthernCub on Jun 9, 2009 6:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lots of guys on the lineup who are overdue

If we’re only a few games back with half the team struggling at once… it could be exciting once they pick it up.

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes. I like the way you think.

This line from a movie, television show or other piece of popular culture pretty much sums up my entire personality.

by ScottieG33 on Jun 9, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's to a Winning Streak!!!

Those bats are gonna heat up any game now!!!

Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2011

by heine41 on Jun 9, 2009 6:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sori is gonna light it up

Soto has to start hitting at some point. Milton is gonna tear the cover off the ball. I’m gonna crack a beer to a winning streak

If it weren't for the gutter, my mind would be homeless.

by Cubsfanatic on Jun 9, 2009 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ill drink one right there with ya

Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2011

by heine41 on Jun 9, 2009 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I forget who said it

but last year when there was a lot of talk about Lee’s HR power, someone on sports radio made a really good, obvious point that may not be obvious to those in a panic. Going off of memory here, but he said that players have an average for a reason, and established players don’t just fall off. Eventually, those players do come around and start producing. They may not reach their average, but may fall just short of it, which may be more beneficial to the team considering that if that player has a slow start, they may start to come around at just the right time.

by Craig in South Bend on Jun 9, 2009 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah totally agree

I have great hope for the remainder of the season. We’ve been struggling, but we HAVE kept our head above water. When our guys who have been under performing, begin to bring their numbers back up to their career averages, its going to be extremely nice to have that all compressed into 4 months instead of 6.

Albert Pujols for Cubs Starting 1B in 2011

by heine41 on Jun 9, 2009 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs