Going For The Sweep: Cubs vs. Nationals, Sunday 7/19, 12:35 CT

by Al Yellon on Jul 19, 2009 11:00 AM CDT in Chicago Cubs Game Threads

Sweeping a four-game series is hard, and especially on the road. Nevertheless, the Cubs did it last year in Milwaukee -- a series that defined the NL Central race in 2008 once and for all -- and if they are going to make a statement in this year's race, sweeping a bad Nationals team (there, I said it) is a good way to do it. Washington is on pace to win 47 games this year; they have some young pitchers who might be decent in a year or two, but they are eminently sweepable.

Good news about Ted Lilly:

"He said he could have pitched today if he had to," manager Lou Piniella said before Saturday's game, which Lilly originally had been scheduled to start. "So that's a good sign for us."

Lilly, who has been bothered off and on since May by discomfort on the inside part of the knee, said he can't pinpoint where the problem started. An MRI exam revealed nothing serious enough to prevent him from pitching through the occasional flareup.

Since May? Well, since May 1 Ted is 7-4, 3.02 with 18 walks and 85 strikeouts in 95.1 innings. This man really can do anything.

Today's Starting Pitchers


Kevin Hart Cubs	vs.	Garrett Mock Nationals

0-1	W-L	0-2
1.69	ERA	6.92
4	SO	6
10	BB	8
1	HR	0
vs. Was	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Kevin Hart	0-1	5	1	0	0	0	0	10.2	7	2	2	1	10	4	1.69	1.59

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Garrett Mock	0-2	13	0	0	0	0	1	13.0	16	10	10	0	8	6	6.92	1.85

Garrett Mock made a relief appearance vs. the Cubs on August 23, 2008 at Wrigley Field, allowing a run in 1.2 innings. This is his first start of 2008 after 13 relief appearances, during which he pitched mostly poorly (1.85 WHIP, 6.92 ERA).

Kevin Hart's ERA, 1.69, is misleading, because he escaped major damage to it in his only major league start to date, July 8 vs. Atlanta. He has never faced the Nats, but he has faced Adam Dunn. Once, on April 16, 2008 at Wrigley Field, when Dunn was still a Red. Dunn homered off Hart. That's enough of that.

The Cubs are on WGN again today, along with MASN in the DC area, and according to the Nats website, also on a broadcast channel, DC50. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Once again, a note that you can find out what Nats fans (yes, there are some) are thinking at the SB Nation Nationals blog, Federal Baseball.

Overflow comment threads will post today at 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm and 3:15 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Let's Get the Sweep!

Hoping for a strong outing for Hart and some run support from the offense.

by dedfishflote on Jul 19, 2009 11:04 AM CDT reply actions

Do you guys think

Hart intentionally shaves that spot under his nose or does it just grow like that?

Whatever it is, hope it gets him 7 innings today. After last night’s adventure, the bullpen needs a rest.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Jul 19, 2009 11:05 AM CDT reply actions

Idunno

but his is one of the weirdest photos we’ve seen all year.

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

by chilango2 on Jul 19, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

looks like a bad actor who makes his living in the San Fernando Valley

…if you know what I mean

"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru

by LAcarl519 on Jul 19, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Dirk Diggler?

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

And his trusty sidekick, Brock Landers

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

by chilango2 on Jul 19, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

No man, Dirk is Brock Landers

Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly) is Chest Rockwell

by D-rose on Jul 19, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Correct...

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 19, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

he's just auditioning for

a gig with the cardinals.

by tim815 on Jul 19, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Bad-da BOOM. Ching!

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

He appears to be

channeling his inner Sardo Numspa.

That’s a “Golden Child” reference, for those who only remember the good Eddie Murphy films.

"I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said." ~William F. Buckley, Jr.

by Goodie1969 on Jul 19, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Golden Child was the freaking bomb

"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer

by BoVandy on Jul 19, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

i said, i i i i want the knife

plllleeeeaaaassssseee.

(This story was produced by BCPDnewservice. Our motto: If you don’t like this story then suck it!)

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Jul 19, 2009 12:31 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I love these 6:35pm starts!

And sweeps are overrated. Instead of bringing out a broom, lets bring out my new favorite toy, and the best housemate a man could have…

Seriously. This thing rules!

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2009 11:07 AM CDT reply actions

Better than a housemate with privileges?

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Some ways yes, some ways no...

After all, all that keeps this housemate happy is keeping her charged up :)

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

And she actually cleans!

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Who gets to keep Hart's frequent flier miles?

Let’s hope he can cut down on the walks.

Drew

by SecTaylor on Jul 19, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions

You've seen this, right?

lenandbob Hart in, Fuld sent back to AAA. Hoffpauir in RF today, Fox at 3B.

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

by chilango2 on Jul 19, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions

I sure feel better when Fuld is playing LF in the final innings

as BB said last night in the 9th with Fuld in LF, Johnson in CF and Kosuke in RF, “this is our best defensive outfield.”

"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru

by LAcarl519 on Jul 19, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

unfortunately, Lou seems bound and determined not to give Fuld an actual shot

"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer

by BoVandy on Jul 19, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Was he the real luxury or is it Blanco?

Or is it Hoffpauir?

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

by chilango2 on Jul 19, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

And BB is absolutely right

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

that sucks

by sue369 on Jul 19, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Twittermeyer's lineup

Sunday lineup: fuky, riot, lee, hoff (rf), fox (3b), sori, font, hill, hart.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Jul 19, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions

Caption for the photo:

“I’m with stupid.”

by Molechaser on Jul 19, 2009 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

"Hey Riggs, smell our fingers..."

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jul 19, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey Heilman

The strike zone’s dat way…..

by nmcubsfan on Jul 19, 2009 12:50 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Ya take a RIGHT a Albuquerque...

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

a=at

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

"Sorry officer, he ran that way!"

Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions

"He" being a Cardinals fan.

Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 19, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions

OK, off to mow the lawn so I can watch the game

See ya

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Jul 19, 2009 11:13 AM CDT reply actions

This could be your ultimate game thread today...

You get a chance to mock Mock. ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 19, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Nope. Not today...

Going to the Lansing Lugnuts Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game shortly. Will have to catch the Cubs game on DVR later…

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Just how high IS your grass?

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

which relievers are available

haven’t gregg and marmol thrown three days in a row? what about guzman and heilman? it feels to me like we might be throwing shark and stevens out there for some important innings (hopefully they’re important).

by John T. Unger on Jul 19, 2009 11:21 AM CDT reply actions

when was the last time Stevens even pitched?

"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer

by BoVandy on Jul 19, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

just found it, nine freaking days ago.

Is he still even on the major league roster? If so, why did we replace David Patton…..with David Patton?

"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer

by BoVandy on Jul 19, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

that's how it works

your bottom rung is bottom rung. when we don’t blow the opposition out early, we use up our good relievers to try to hold a late lead.

by tim815 on Jul 19, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions

our good relievers? Does Heilman fit into that category?

And you go find me another team that uses two or three relievers as much as we do, and our “bottom rung” as little as we do. Never mind that we could have left Stevens in AAA to perfect his pitching if we’re going to use him once every nine days

"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer

by BoVandy on Jul 19, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

No Kidding..

This is exactly why I don’t understand the need to carry 12 pitchers practically all year. No way Fuld should have been sent down, either cut Baker loose, or option Stevens/Shark. Maybe if Lou would pull his head out of his arse, the bullpen wouldn’t be in tatters.

Why was Wells pulled after 85 pitches last night? Has Alzheimer’s removed his memory of the fact that Marshall is primarily a starter, and can go more than 2 batters? It’s like we’re seeing an older, more senile version of Dusty Baker.

by aphoward on Jul 19, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Darrin Stevens? Samantha's husband?

Or was it Durwood Stevens?

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Score early and often today...

‘’Our bullpen did a heck of a job again,’’ said manager Lou Piniella, who has used the veterans so heavily in three games since the break that he plans to use all rookies today: starter Kevin Hart and fresh relievers Jeff Samardzija and Jeff Stevens.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 19, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Lou did manage last night as if it was the NLCS.....

so today, it will appear to be a “B” game in Mesa

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 19, 2009 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

Well, as I remember the "A" games in Mesa didn't go much better than the "B" games...

Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...

Amen.

by Zeke on Jul 19, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

The Nationals SBN site makes me sad.

The recap for last night’s game had 7 comments, several of which were by the moderator. It’s too bad that once May rolls around in DC, it’s time to start the countdown to Redskins football.

I rather enjoyed their nickname for Adam Dunn, though. “The Big Walky.”

"I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said." ~William F. Buckley, Jr.

by Goodie1969 on Jul 19, 2009 11:49 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah, that makes me sad too.

Having attended two out of these last 3 games, I’ve decided to no longer make fun of the Nationals and their fans. Obviously the team has their limitations and the fan base needs some expansion, but so far I’ve really had a great experience with all the folks I’ve talked to/sat by at the games.

I was a bit surprised how invested many of them were, despite the team’s lackluster performance thus far. I think that’s great. And obviously I can relate to what it’s like to root for bad teams. Anyway, they’ve been really polite and friendly, and even giving good natured jabs during the course of the game.

It wouldn’t bother me in the least to see the Nationals get some luck going, since I think their fans deserve it. I just ask that it doesn’t start until after the Cubs leave town.

(Btw, that quote from WFB is great :).

by CubsWin!Oregon on Jul 19, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions

How does Von Joshua see?

The guy barely opens his eyes. It looks like he’s talking in his sleep when Kasper interviews him.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Jul 19, 2009 12:10 PM CDT reply actions

Lou: Pull his finger.

Tram: Pull my finger.

by lswaidz on Jul 19, 2009 12:11 PM CDT reply actions

Alright folks...

Just ordered some Indian take-away and will pick it up from down the street in a few minutes, hopefully getting back in time for first pitch. Ready for CUBS BASEBALL!?

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Jul 19, 2009 12:12 PM CDT reply actions