Can The Cubs Win A Series? Cubs vs. Athletics Preview, Thursday 6/17, 1:20 CT

by Al Yellon on Jun 17, 2010 11:30 AM CDT in Game Threads

The Cubs last won a series three weeks ago, defeating the Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Since then they have lost five straight series, going 6-11 -- and yet, have lost only 1.5 games on the division lead in that time.

There's still a huge uphill climb. But I believe it still can be done, although it will not be easy. Winning this series would be a good start; a win today would also put the Cubs over .500 in interleague play for this year (currently 4-4).

Today's Starting Pitchers


Randy Wells Cubs	vs.	Dallas Braden Athetics

3-5	W-L	4-6
5.15	ERA	3.95
56	SO	50
19	BB	14
6	HR	9
vs. Oak	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Randy Wells	3-5	13	13	0	0	0	0	71.2	88	42	41	6	19	56	5.15	1.49

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Dallas Braden	4-6	13	13	2	1	0	0	82.0	81	38	36	9	14	50	3.95	1.16

Neither Wells nor Braden has faced today's opponent before; Marlon Byrd has gone 6-for-16 (three doubles) off Braden in AL action. Wells has faced Adam Rosales (2-for-6) and Kevin Kouzmanoff (0-for-3) before. Since his perfect game, Braden has been quite a bit less than perfect -- in six starts, 0-4 with a 4.75 ERA in 36 innings. Let's hope that continues today.

Today's game is on CSN Chicago and CSN California. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Athletics site Athletics Nation.

Today's first pitch thread will be up at 1:15 pm CDT, and the overflows will post at 2:15, 3:15 and 4 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Go get 'em, boys.

I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted - George Best

by Blue W on Jun 17, 2010 11:34 AM CDT reply actions

Let's hope so!

They’re due! Of course they’ve been due since 1908…….

"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"

by Itchy on Jun 17, 2010 11:35 AM CDT reply actions

I'm going today!

So I know the players will put in a bit of extra effort, just for me. Besides, I was there last time we won a series.

by pygreg on Jun 17, 2010 11:39 AM CDT reply actions

Why does he have Theriot leading off? His OBP is terrible

lineup thursday is 2b riot, 3b baker, cf byrd, 1b lee, rf nady, lf sori, c soto, ss castro, p wells

"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"

by Itchy on Jun 17, 2010 11:40 AM CDT reply actions

lineup = meh.

I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted - George Best

by Blue W on Jun 17, 2010 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Same as yesterday?

Let’s hope it produces some results.

by JSB on Jun 17, 2010 11:44 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Line up = "oh no! A LHP is on the mound!"

by fsuapollo on Jun 17, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Lou continues to see that first sweep of the playoffs he had with the Cubs every night in his dreams.

Why lord…whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy didn’t we have more leftys? He just can’t seem to shake batting them opposite as much as possible.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Another lefty

We face 4 lefties this week. Sucks.

by JSB on Jun 17, 2010 11:43 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Yep

but Colvin needs to get in against a lefty sometimes, don’t you think?

"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"

by Itchy on Jun 17, 2010 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

We face two more this weekend. Maybe get him in on Sunday against Saunders? Seems like a guy Colvin could hit.

by JSB on Jun 17, 2010 11:52 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Nady needs to be showcased

I think Fuke needs to be also, but he hasn’t started in at least a week. IMHO, Nady and Fuke won’t be on this team come August. Need other teams to see them play. Colvin will be the everyday starter in RF by seasons end: even against LHP. I think.

"It was a perfect situation for the Brewers," Hill said. "They had a guy up there at the plate [in Counsell] who takes a lot of pride in what he does and he practices those situations, so when it does come up, he gets the bunt down to the right side of the field. They have the perfect guy on first base [in Gomez], who is one of the fastest guys in the league, and they had one of the worst fundamental teams on the field, so it was a perfect situation for them."

by louslovechild on Jun 17, 2010 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I hope you're right about Nady & Fuke

maybe we can even get something for them too!?

"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"

by Itchy on Jun 17, 2010 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Soto and Colvin should be in the lineup today.

Let’s hope the Cubs can build on yesterday’s nice win. Be good today Wells!

by JSB on Jun 17, 2010 11:41 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Don't you mean,

Be good Wells today? :)

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Jun 17, 2010 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

The Riot bobblehead is horrible

"Any player who gets the opportunity to play at Wrigley should welcome it"

by Itchy on Jun 17, 2010 11:44 AM CDT reply actions

I tweeted -> @Brommmietze: @bleedcubbieblue

I, herewith, declare Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel as the official Ryan Theriot Bobblehead theme song.

#cubs

"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster

by eths on Jun 17, 2010 12:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Tis good.

Gonna disappoint Worf though…I liked his choice of Barney’s theme song.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow Ned Braden, er I mean

Dallas Braden looks like a tool in that photo.

"I don't know what the big deal about Crackerjack is"

by theGraceyslumpbuster on Jun 17, 2010 11:55 AM CDT reply actions

Ok, that Dallas Braden picture to me is the winner for goofiest picture of a pitcher this year so far.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

Didn't Colvin come into last nights game and smack a double off a LH pitcher?

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 17, 2010 12:11 PM CDT reply actions

He got a double but I don't remember if the pitcher was LH. I'm sure Jessica knows though.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes it was a lefty

Did not watch game but checked box score. Lou had no choice. He had put Colvin in defensively to replace Nady and then the A’s had a lefty on the mound when Colvin came to bat.

"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 17, 2010 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I imagine he grumbled to himself about it, if he was awake.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions

And that Cubs pick looks like Nady is worshipping Byrd's awesomeness.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:13 PM CDT reply actions

Nady = Glenn Close w/beard

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 17, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions

That could be uncanny with that fro on him Close had in Fatal Attraction.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

...

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 17, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Whoa.

I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted - George Best

by Blue W on Jun 17, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

She scared me

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Her fro looked like this

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmm...could be another Sean Young/Ace Ventura Pet Detective thing going there.

Ace will figure it out.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Nady ?

This comment belongs up there with your wooden head !

by If we only had Hubbs on Jun 17, 2010 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Anyone have any poop on Wells?

I’m wondering why he wasn’t replaced by Gorzy.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:26 PM CDT reply actions

Wells won the beer-pong match to decide who would start.

I spent 90% of my money on women and drink. The rest I wasted - George Best

by Blue W on Jun 17, 2010 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Wells wasn't imploding yet when the Z move was made.

I’m of the mind that Wells needs to stay in the rotation to see what we really have. Just as last season wasn’t enough evidence for Wells to be a decade long fixture, an inconsistent and at times very, very bad run here in 2010 shouldn’t be evidence to jettison him.

I’m all for seeing more of Gorz (or dealing him), but the Cubs need to find a way to move a veteran starter rather than just demoting Wells, IMO.

by fsuapollo on Jun 17, 2010 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh I meant why he wasn't replaced after his last outing, not when the Z move was made.

And I’d sure explore any of those moves with Gorzy, sure.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm meh about Wells. Sure would keep him in the pen if you do replace him.

And then again if he does have another bad outing, perhaps some time in the minors would help his mechanics. He’s starting to be consistent in meltdowns now.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Cubs not so good on Thursdays

2-6 so far this season.

Does it make a difference?
Hope not.

by JFCubFan on Jun 17, 2010 12:27 PM CDT reply actions

I wonder how often Lou has trotted the same lineup out there two days in a row.

Perhaps that will negate the Thursday effect.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I know.

It makes following them at work suck balls

by Mapmaker on Jun 17, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't remember the last time we looked good playing on a getaway day for either team.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Not as bad as I thought

Cubs are 9-12 in the last game of a series this year (not including the one game make-up @ PIT, which was kind of its own trip).

by fsuapollo on Jun 17, 2010 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

If Wells puts two guys on in the first inning Lou should take him out of the game

by Mapmaker on Jun 17, 2010 12:37 PM CDT reply actions

Wells starts, Gorz starts throwing in the pen right away?

Just in case.

by Steven Schweickert on Jun 17, 2010 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

How to inspire confidence

As Wells walks off the bull pen mound, Gorz walks on and starts warming up…

"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas

by RiskyBusiness on Jun 17, 2010 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

The earlier the better. Wells can lose it so darn quickly.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 17, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Wells

Apparently most of Wells problems have come with guys on base. Supposedly him and Larry worked on it after the last start. Hopefully that will make a difference. I have been beating the drum that Wells has pitched better than his results. Let’s hope he makes me look smart today.

by JSB on Jun 17, 2010 12:47 PM CDT via mobile reply actions