Cubs vs. Mets Preview, Saturday 9/4, 12:05 CT: Looking To Finish Strong

by Al Yellon on Sep 4, 2010 10:00 AM CDT in Game Threads

The Cubs have won their first two games this month.

Believe it or not, that's the second time they have done that this year -- they also did it in May, which stands as the "best" month so far this season, with a 13-15 record. The Cubs' last winning record for a calendar month was September 2009, when they went 17-12 (if you include the brief play in October last year, the Cubs were 18-14 after September 1, 2009).

For those of you who want "a better draft pick" by losing now -- sorry, no. The difference of one or two draft positions next June isn't going to make a huge difference in Cubs history, especially since a lot of #1 picks never make it. It's not like the NFL where teams jockey for a ready-made NFL player in draft position. I'd rather see the Cubs finish strong this September and maybe even finish third. That's within sight, as the Cubs trail the Brewers and Astros (currently tied for third) by only 4.5 games and they will play both of those teams in upcoming series.

Finish up strong going into next year for the new manager, whoever he may be.

Another reminder to everyone, as noted below on the front page and in the headline to this post: today's game starts at 12:05 and is on WGN. Original schedules had this as a 3:10 start as a Fox regional game. Fox is carrying Cardinals/Reds, Rockies/Padres, and Rangers/Twins today (in Chicago, Fox-32 will show Rangers/Twins).

Today's Starting Pitchers


Carlos Zambrano Cubs	vs.	Jenrry Mejia Mets

6-6	W-L	0-2
4.36	ERA	3.25
79	SO	17
49	BB	15
6	HR	2
vs. NY	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Carlos Zambrano	6-6	36	14	0	0	0	0	88.2	99	48	43	6	49	79	4.36	1.67

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Jenrry Mejia	0-2	30	0	0	0	0	1	27.2	29	10	10	2	15	17	3.25	1.59

Jenrry Mejia has made 30 relief appearances this year, including two scoreless innings in two appearances vs. the Cubs in April; he issued two walks to Geovany Soto, the only Cub who reached base against him. Today is his first major league start.

Z started against the Mets in New York on April 20; it was one of his better starts of the year. He allowed two runs and struck out nine, but the Cubs got shut out. His reward for this was being moved to the bullpen. In hindsight, obviously, this was a bad move. Z has thrown very well since returning to the rotation, although still with too many walks. Carlos Beltran -- who isn't even playing every day any more -- is the only current Met who has homered off Z, and that's the only hit he's ever had off him (1-for-15).

Today's game is on WGN and SNY. 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 Mets site Amazin' Avenue.

Today's first pitch thread will be up at noon CDT, and the overflows will post at 1 pm, 2 pm and 2:45 pm CDT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Good luck today Carlos.

I will be watching the Hawkeyes but will check the score during commercials.

A lovely story:

One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....

But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.

The end

by sue369 on Sep 4, 2010 10:22 AM CDT reply actions

was hoping for a shutout today

Oh well. Don’t let EIU score again

by cozmotaylor123 on Sep 4, 2010 11:48 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Hope Stanzi will be ok.

Looks like the D is slacking at times.

A lovely story:

One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....

But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.

The end

by sue369 on Sep 4, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Cubs need to go 15-12 in their final 27 games to avoid 90 losses

With the way they’ve been playing lately, I think it’s possible.

by Chi-Fed on Sep 4, 2010 10:44 AM CDT reply actions

For those of you who want “a better draft pick” by losing now — sorry, no. The difference of one or two draft positions next June isn’t going to make a huge difference in Cubs history, especially since a lot of #1 picks never make it.

But winning meaningless games in September will make a difference in club history?

You do realize the difference between the third pick and the seventh is Manny Machado, who’s been compared to A-Rod, and Matt Harvey. It can make a huge difference.

But saying getting a higher draft pick is meaningless but winning games isn’t is just plain dumb. It can make a difference. Manny Machado is already a top 50 prospect. That’s just not logical.

by Bad Midget on Sep 4, 2010 10:46 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Also the number one draft pick is also wrong here is the last 11 number one picks:

Josh Hamilton
Adrian Gonzalez
Joe Mauer
Byran Bullington
Delmon Young
Matt Bush
Justin Upton
Luke Hochevar
David Price
Tim Beckham
Strasburg
Harper

You could make a case 7 of those players are already at all-star level. Only three people haven’t made it to the majors: Matt Bush, Tim Beckham, and Bryce Harper. Beckham and Harper just got drafted. It does make a differenece

by Bad Midget on Sep 4, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

So, correct me if I'm misunderstanding you. Lose on purpose? Really? Don't even try?

That would look real good on Quade’s resume’. If nothing else, I’d hope these guys have at least a little pride left. I hope they go undefeated the rest of the way. There’s future all-stars throughout an entire draft. Every Hall of Famer WASN’T a #1, #2 or #3 pick in the draft. Winning is contagious. These young kids (Colvin, Castro, Cashner, etc…) need to experience that feeling.

Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Adam Dunn..2011 Chicago Cubs First Baseman - 3 yrs/$42 mill with a club option for a 4th.

by Easy Ed on Sep 4, 2010 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Fine, let Castro and Colvin go 100 for 100 every day, who cares? You increase the chance of an all-star, which is something this team needs. It’s good for the future. I’m not going to curse or anything if they win games, but it’s better than being .500 and getting the eighth pick. Castro and Colvin will be fine, the rest of the team is old and bad. Winning right now is pointless. You can make the bullshit arugment how your playing for pride.. but no one will remember the 10 wins the Cubs got in september, no one will remember 72 wins opposed to 67. No one. But when the draft comes and we have a chance at Manny Machado you’ll remember.

by Bad Midget on Sep 4, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions

You play baseball games to WIN them...

NOT to position yourself in the draft. A team plays an entire 162 game schedule and owes it to the fans, who pay alot of money sitting in the stands, to play to win each and every one of them. And I’d hope this organization, or any other one for that matter, abides by that. Purposely losing games is not an option.
Certainly, 2 teams playing each other like the Mets and Cubs today, who are non-factors in the race,could see what the future looks like by playing untested players, but, when a team like the Cardinals, Padres or other contenders show up on the schedule, then it should be a club’s top priority to field a team that gives them the best shot at winning a game on that given day and give 100% effort trying. Anything less would be shameful.

Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Adam Dunn..2011 Chicago Cubs First Baseman - 3 yrs/$42 mill with a club option for a 4th.

by Easy Ed on Sep 4, 2010 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

I agree with you

I never said try to lose. I said I’m fine with the Cubs losing a bunch of games. Of corse I don’t want the players to give up. I’m just hoping for a higher draft pick

by Bad Midget on Sep 4, 2010 12:37 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I think

the point is, what compelling reason is there to care if they win at this point. I would absolutely rather have a higher draft position than a few more wins. I’m not rooting for them to lose, but I don’t really care if they win either because…seriously…what is the point? Wins don’t mean anything at all, unless they are against a team in contention and it messes with them :p

Also, I can’t help but think of the 2005 draft. The Cubs can get a top five pick in this coming draft if they continue to lose like they have all season. Who was the no. 5 pick in 2005? Ryan Braun. Right now the Cubs would have the 8th pick I believe…who was that in 2005? Wade Townsend. The point is not that we’ll get a Ryan Braun with the no. 5 pick…but that those few spots higher may give us a shot at someone like that we wouldn’t otherwise have. So, it absolutely can, and does, matter if we get a higher pick imo.

by WiscCubsFan on Sep 4, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

exactly right

i don’t want them to give up or lose but I am really cool with it. Nobody will remember the meaningless wins in September. They’ll just remember 2010 as a failure no matter what. Draft picks do matter.

by Bad Midget on Sep 4, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Four of those #1 picks never made it.

Also, I was not talking about “the #1 pick in the draft”. I was talking about the first round in general. It’s not like the NBA or NFL.

Mr. Midget, you had better watch your attitude around here. It’s beginning to wear on me.

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

by Al Yellon on Sep 4, 2010 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Actually only one hasn’t made it to the majors and that’s Matt Bush; who’s actually trying out as a hitter. I don’t count Harper or Beckham because they just got drafted. I think i’ll make a fanpost on this. I can’t fit all the information on just one comment. But there really is a big difference nowadays with scouting and technology that draft picks are becoming bigger and bigger. It does matter. Again, nobody will care if the Cubs win over this last month. The Cubs season will be an utter and total failure. Even if you can cite isolated examples of picks that were higher and lower it doesn’t prove much. You IMPROVE your chance of getting an all-star like player. It doesn’t mean you pick the best one, but getting a higher pick increases the likelihood of that. And Braun is just wayyyy better than Jay Bruce or Tulo, imo.

by Bad Midget on Sep 4, 2010 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Braun was #5...true, but,...

Troy Tulowitski (sp) was #7. Jay Bruce was #12 in that same draft. It’s really all about knowing the talent as much as where you’re at in the draft . There’s stars ALL throughout each draft. Just gotta find them

Joe Girardi...2011 Chicago Cubs Manager...Book it!!
Adam Dunn..2011 Chicago Cubs First Baseman - 3 yrs/$42 mill with a club option for a 4th.

by Easy Ed on Sep 4, 2010 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Precisely.

Having, say, the #3 pick or the #9 pick next year isn’t going to make an appreciable difference, especially in the 2011 draft, which a lot of people think is going to be very deep.

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

by Al Yellon on Sep 4, 2010 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions

However,

Tulowitzki is similar, but Bruce is not even close to the same value as Ryan Braun at this point. I realize each draft has talent throughout if you know how to find it, but you can certainly increase your odds the higher you pick. I doubt anyone would argue that, would they?

by WiscCubsFan on Sep 4, 2010 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Pinella was dead man walking

Am surprised more writers haven’t commented on how rejuvenated Cubs seem since Uncle Lou’s departure. It seems kinda obvious he stayed a year too long and was no longer a motivator. Not saying they’d have had a winning season, but they should not be this bad with that roster. Should be hovering a lot closer to .500 like Milw and surprising ’Stros (who I thought were really heading south earlier this season). Shows what injection of youth and good pitching can do for you.

Since Cubs lineup seems likely to look much the same except for 1B we really need to concentrate on improving the pitching, both starting and relief.

by QuincyCub on Sep 4, 2010 11:09 AM CDT reply actions

Wells himself mentioned this in the Trib...the rejuvenation the players feel with Quade.

I’m happy Lou is gone. He wasn’t excited about being a manager anymore. Best of luck to him in the future, but I’m still happy he’s in Florida.

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Sep 4, 2010 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Caption:

Oops, I pooped a ball.

"You’re playing a baseball game. You’re not playing Tiddlywinks. There is competition, for God’s sake."— Lou Piniella

by PacificCub on Sep 4, 2010 11:21 AM CDT reply actions

Soriano's defense

has been better this year without the hop, etc. But Len mentioned the fact that he is not ’good going back on ball esp. up against the wall. just wish he would make more contact and hit .280 not .260.

by QuincyCub on Sep 4, 2010 12:07 PM CDT reply actions