All Starters Game: Cubs vs. Athletics Preview, Monday 3/8, 2:05 CT
by Al Yellon on Mar 8, 2010 12:00 PM CST
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PrintWith yesterday's split-squad cancellations, many of the minor leaguers and non-roster invitees who were going to get a chance to throw in Cactus League action will have to get their work in elsewhere; the two pitchers who were to start yesterday will throw in relief today. Full pitching rotation for the Cubs today after the jump. It'll be cool today and tomorrow -- only in the low 60's -- but then warming up rapidly toward the weekend.
Before you go there, a few links of interest today:
- Ed Sherman of Crain's Chicago Business interviews new Cubs marketing chief Wally Hayward.
- Joe Posnanski, an excellent writer, posted about the Rule 5 draft on his site. The post explains how the draft works and also gives some interesting history about the draft. I note, however, that Posnanski fails to explain the reason that Josh Hamilton wound up with the Reds. (He makes it sound like the Cubs could have kept him -- let's not start that falsehood again.)
- USA Today posted about a roundtable discussion including baseball people from many areas of the game about how to improve baseball.
Ryan Dempster will make his scheduled start today, his first of the spring. Tom Gorzelanny and Jeff Samardzija, who were supposed to start the split-squad games yesterday, will both throw in relief. Sean Marshall is also expected to throw in today's game. Brett Anderson will start for the Athletics; among relievers for Oakland in today's game will be former White Sox farmhand Gio Gonzalez.
Today's starting lineup, via tweet from Carrie:
SS Theriot, RF Fukudome, 1B Lee, 3B Ramirez, CF Byrd, LF Soriano, DH Soto, C Hill, 2B Baker
There is no radio or TV coverage for today's game. Here's the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
First pitch thread will post at 2 pm CST. An overflow thread will post at 3:15 CST.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Soriano
was on Sportscenter’s Top Plays this morning for his diving catch against the White Sox!
sig
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Mar 8, 2010 12:07 PM CST reply actions
Even a blind squirell finds an acorn
but bravo on a fine play by him, with no injury too (that we know of)
~Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs~ George F. Will
by unretrofied93 on Mar 8, 2010 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
That was my first thought
I turned to my brother as I saw it and said “If you ever want to break your wrist, dive for a ball like Soriano just did.”
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
You have to wait 4 months
for the injury to pop up.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Mar 8, 2010 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
Happy with today's line-up
Usually don’t see opening day lineups until later in ST but I like seeing them early this year. Lou seems to like switching off prospects and regulars on a daily basis. I like it but eventually I’d like to see more Castro/Vitters throwing to Lee, Castillo/Chironos handling Lilly and Z. Just something to ponder.
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
I'd like to see
some more of Castillo as well, but I’m guessing with last year’s ordeal Soto is going to log more innings than usual this Spring.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
Well hopefully that doesn't kill him near the end of the season
Hill needs some reps as well
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
Starting Line Up
According to Carrie’s tweet of our line up today, is this looking like our regular starting roster? obviously with the exception of Soto catching since he’s listed as DH here.
~Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs~ George F. Will
You think Soto
will be locked in at #7 in the order, or could he move up to 5 if he starts hitting the ball?
"If I wasn't in our band I'd hate us, just to be cool." -Daniel Johns
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Mar 8, 2010 12:23 PM CST up reply actions
Soto
If he starts hitting like he did in ‘08 I would hope so. I’d also like to see Fukudome lead off against RHP and maybe try Baker there against LHP. Worth a shot IMHO.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
Glad the weather is better in Mesa
Was raining pretty good on the way into work here in Tucson. Diamondbacks might get rained out if it keeps up.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
From that USA Today article
Reds manager Dusty Baker wishes baseball would return to the days when umpires worked in either the National League or American League. Now, he says, he and the players don’t know who calls the high strike, who calls the outside pitch or who has a tight strike zone.
“We just don’t know these umpires or the games they call,” Baker says. “To me, that’s slowed the down the game a whole bunch. The hitters don’t know the strike zone, and the catchers don’t know how to work an umpire a certain way.”
I’m gonna call bull on this one. One of the better bets in baseball is knowing the home plate ump’s strike zone tendencies and playing the over or under based on that. If lousy Internet gamblers can figure this one out, professional players and coaches certainly can.
The teams keep a book on opposing players – they’re foolish if they don’t all keep a book on umpires, too.
"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
That's one the notions that "As They See 'Em" tackles
This idea that the umpires each have their own strike zone is dwindling. Today’s umpires, because of QuesTec and other evaluating measures, have extremely similar strike zones.
Now, while it is true that teams don’t see the same crews as much as they used to, the similar strike zones of all umpires eliminates this problem.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Guzman...
Are the Cubs still on the hook for his $875,000 salary if he misses the season? Why did they sign him before having an MRI done? Wasn’t he shut down the last few weeks of 2009 because of arm pain?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
That salary is probably covered by insurance.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Guzman's salary appeared to be a huge bargain, if he could pitch
the decision to offer him a $875k contract was a no-brainer.
by holy mackeral on Mar 8, 2010 1:57 PM CST up reply actions
I think teams only insure the biggest contracts.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 8, 2010 2:53 PM CST up reply actions
Pretty quiet
Everyone must still be hungover from the hawks loss, he he
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Actually, everyone's over at Blou's post..
Wasting time telling him how much of a waste of time his posts are.
by DisCUBbobulated on Mar 8, 2010 1:22 PM CST up reply actions
Why do you think I decided to leave that thread?
I wanted to get back to the game threads.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 8, 2010 1:24 PM CST up reply actions
That was funny that we both said the same thing at the same time..
and who said it was only the great minds that think alike!? Yes, it’s very refreshing to actually talk reasonable about baseball issues that actually have some substance, are based in something resembling reality, and don’t feel like something out of “planet of the Apes”.
by DisCUBbobulated on Mar 8, 2010 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
I stand corrected.. much better literary reference there..
I was going for the chest-thumping image – but the self-destructing tribe of man-children collectively destroying reason and civility fits much better. I say leave the comments open and let them have their fun over there.
by DisCUBbobulated on Mar 8, 2010 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, think I'll steer clear, thanks
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Yeah, I was actually writing my comment as you posted yours here.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 8, 2010 1:33 PM CST up reply actions
Everyone's in the Carlos Silva thread, still going at it.
I’ve had enough of that thread, I’m avoiding it from now on. I might lurk there to see if anything new is said, but even if people make new comments in it, it will just be the same things, repeated over and over.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 8, 2010 1:23 PM CST up reply actions
But then where would people complain about other people wasting their time?
"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
But we're playing nice in here
I think it’s good for the site to have one place where everyone can scream and cry. Then everyone else can ignore it and get on with talking about stuff that really matters.
"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
It's spring training for everyone.
If it helps folks get those fingers primed for a season at the keyboard, all the better.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Leave it open
I saw BLou wrote it, and thusly avoided it.
Too quiet
Personally, I had to go out and rent “The Hurt Locker”, since I haven’t seen it yet. And yeah, that Hawks loss was tough to watch.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
I imagine you aren't the only one doing so today
Box Office Mojo tells me that the flick made $14.7M in its theatrical run, barely making a profit on its $11M price tag. It just got a lot of free advertising, though.
"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
That Hawk
loss was very tough to watch. Huet just had one awful period in goal and his defense certainly didn’t help him out any. It just sux because the Hawks really dominated the remainder of the game.
"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." -- Alvin Dark
Excellent movie that didn't get it's due
Lots of people are probably going out to rent that and Up right about now
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
Derrek Lee
Will Hendry try to re-sign Lee before the start of the season or risk losing him to free agency at the end of the season?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
My money is on
DLee quietly signing a 1 or 2 year contract extension in the middle of the season.
"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
D-Lee has already said...
… he won’t discuss contract during the season.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I could see the sides negotiating (quietly) until ST ends.
If no deal is reached then, it will probably go into the off-season, unless Lee puts up another ridiculous year and the Cubs see a need to lock him up before then.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
I don't think so...
…as I don’t believe Ricketts is in the mood to rely on aging players if he can avoid it – especially with Soriano’s and a couple other contracts they have in place.
If Lee does well this year, they may look at a 1-2 year deal then, but I’d bet it’s likely DLee is gone after this year.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I bet they'll wait until the offseason
If this nucleus doesn’t put together in 2010, I imagine big changes next season. No disrespect to D-Lee, but he is one of the two big deals coming off the books at the end of the year. If the Cubs decide to go in a new direction, they’ll have to make some difficult calls.
I'd see him signing a 2-3 year extension
Anything beyond that and the Cubs are not making a wise investment.
Although given Hendry’s history….
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
Is fontenot still hurt from the "slide"?
With Blanco out too, 2b is a bit thin right now – though by all accounts all of this is only temporary. The Fontenot/Baker/Theriot/Blanco platoon in the middle infield is one of the storylines on this team that makes me want to just go out and rent “hurt locker” instead.
It's only spring training.
With four weeks to go. If this were April 8 instead of March 8, I’d be concerned.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Actually.. I was thinking about even if they were all healthy.
I really like Fontenot (sometimes in ways that violate reason), so I hope he comes back a bit this year and gives us some good offense and decent infield. My preference would be for Blanco to start hitting well enough to get on the field more, but that’s just because I can’t get enough of watching his glove.
by DisCUBbobulated on Mar 8, 2010 1:38 PM CST up reply actions
Without having checked,
I’ve the feeling that fewer ST games are being broadcast and/or streamed by MLB-AM this year. Watching that strange Flash thingy at mlb.com is really yuck.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
by eths on Mar 8, 2010 1:41 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Tomorrow's game is on WGN
Isn’t it unusual to have a weekday game (other than the first one) on the radio?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Mar 8, 2010 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
Too bad today's isn't . . .
And I say that as one of the participants in the other thread.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Mar 8, 2010 1:48 PM CST up reply actions
First Pitch Thread is Live. Click the pic to
"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
Rule 5 draft and David Patton
I see no comments on Posnanski’s article-maybe I’m the only one to read it. I have a question about Patton, last year’s Rule 5 pick. He made the team Opening Day, stayed on the roster despite pitching poorly, then was placed on DL in early July. He stayed on DL (did a minors rehab), and was activated on Sept 2. Does this qualify as Patton having spent a full season on active roster, allowing Cubs to option him to Iowa? Or would he have to be on active roster for 2 more months to avoid being returned?
Not that interested in Patton, but more curious about the rule, which Posnanski didnt address. Anyone?
Yes, it qualifies.
You have to spend 90 days on the active roster before you can be placed on the DL. He spent exactly enough time to do that, then was activated after the rosters expanded on September 1. He’s got a full year’s worth of service and can be optioned.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I believe I read somewhere
Patton will be sent to AA.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 8, 2010 2:55 PM CST up reply actions
what an amazing coincidence that Patton got hurt at 90 day point
so the result of the craftiness is they endured a low end reliever for 90 days, but now are able to option Patton to the minors, where maybe he will find himself, and maybe Cubs just stole a useful pitcher. unlikely, but possible. thanks for the info Al, that is why you get the big money.
by holy mackeral on Mar 8, 2010 3:26 PM CST up reply actions
Cubs vs. Yankees
If (a big “if”) the Cubs meet the Yankees in the WS this year, do you think they stand a chance to win it all?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Anything can happen in a playoff series.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 8, 2010 2:55 PM CST up reply actions
A couple of the comments on the USA Today article weren't bad
They were:
1. No more wasting time on an intentional walk. Just tell the umpire and send them to first.
2. Let players re-enter the game. This one would be great for using players in different situations..
3. Bigger standard strike zone. Get ’er done.
4. One more player in the standard squad.
I want my Macias!
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