Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals Preview, Wednesday 3/9, 2:05 CT: Heading For The 80s
by Al Yellon on Mar 9, 2011 12:00 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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PrintThe Cubs (and the rest of the Cactus League) are headed for one of the best stretches of weather I can remember this early in March. The highs are expected in the low 80s for at least the next week with no hint of rain. For a comparison, check out this story from March 7, 2010, just over a year ago, when a heavy rainstorm and temperatures in the 50s cancelled two Cubs split-squad games -- both of which were sold out. (Incidentally, in regard to the White Sox policy detailed in that post, they finally did agree to refund tickets to that game.) No Cubs games this spring have been anywhere near a sellout.
A few other notes for today:
- Bruce Miles runs down some of the current roster battles and other things shaping up.
- I usually don't agree with Steve Rosenbloom -- or even want to post links to him -- but I think he's right about the Cubs' "Wildcat Way" plan. What worked in a "bowl atmosphere" on one college football Saturday in November, to me, doesn't translate to nine (NINE!) weekend days in the summer. (The rest of the "RosenBlog", though, I could do without.)
- Marlon Byrd's latest blog post is about his new teammate Carlos Pena.
- Good bit of trivia from Carrie Muskat's blog:
Greg Maddux faced 20,421 batters in his career. Just 310 of them saw a 3-0 count. That's roughly one every three starts. Thanks to MLB Trade Rumors for the research.
Matt Garza will start today against the Royals' Bruce Chen -- who faced the Cubs last Friday at Surprise. That's a... surprise. I can't remember the last time, if ever, I saw a pitcher have back-to-back spring training starts against the same team. Obviously, it's a quirk of the schedule, but still an unusual occurrence.
Since I'm still on the road, when the lineups come in, please post them in the comments.
Here's all the media information for today.
MLB.com Gameday for today's game
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today. Today's game is on MLB.com with Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie.
Please visit our SB Nation Royals site Royals Review.
There will be an overflow thread posting at 3:30 p.m. CST. As usual, the overflow thread will NOT post on the front page but will be in the "Recent Stories In Game Threads" box on the right sidebar. If you need an extra overflow thread beyond that one, post it in the FanShot section.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Oh my...
on that Rosenblog piece. Even I feel like I just took a shotgun blast to the face on this one.
Cubs Festivals
As someone that lives near Wrigley, I am opposed to the idea. Chicago has too many festivals as it is. They tend to be overcrowded, serve flat, warm beer, and end up with people constantly searching for their group of friends. Wrigleyville is enough of a sh%t show as it is on gamedays – adding these festivals will only make things worse.
I think you need to start warming to the idea...
Or start calling politicians to complain. The Ricketts’ primary strategy appears to be wrapped around turning Wrigleyville into a year-round revenue source for them, and this seems to be only the one of the first few steps down that road.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 9, 2011 12:21 PM CST up reply actions
Does anyone else almost feel dirty for actually agreeing with a column of his?
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 9, 2011 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
I doubly feel dirty for agreeing
because I’m someone that does festivals.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
He is my least favorite sports writer and rarely ever read his columns
Normally it’s minutes of my life I can’t get back.
I also like festivals, but would I want one around Camp Randall on a football Saturday. No way.
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 9, 2011 12:37 PM CST up reply actions
I could see if it was only once a year or something,
but it just doesn’t seem fair to the neighbors. I also don’t care for encouraging the party atsmosphere. Of course if the festivals are as classy as the ones I do maybe the neighbors wouldn’t mind at all-ha ha.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
It seems like the neighbors are mostly irrelevant...
If I’m understanding the situation correctly, basically the Ricketts family seeks to buy up what portions of the immediately surrounding area that they can, bring as many of the independent business owners along as possible under the promise of enhanced year-round revenue, and force capitulation from the holdouts.
Once the immediate few surrounding blocks are wrapped up under the Ricketts initiative, then you can pretty much do whatever you want. It’s hard to make the argument that the neighbors are negatively impacted, when most have come out in support of it. The residential neighbors at the fringes of this enhanced shopping plaza area may be put out, but it’s much more politically palatable at that point, especially if state and/or local government has chimed in with cash or tax support.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 9, 2011 1:02 PM CST up reply actions
I suppose I shouldn't knock it til I know more about it.
Who knows…. I may want to somehow take part in this stuff someday.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
Oh, you can knock it...
I’m just assuming that by the time most see what’s happening, the area businesses will have embraced it, most remaining residents in the immediate area surrounding Wrigley will be at worst indifferent, and the Cubs will have procured enough political support to force the rest along for the ride. Or so goes the plan.
As of right now, the initial execution of the pitch has been very unrefined, leaving most stakeholders lukewarm at best. Whether they can rally the troops and execute remains to be seen, but I don’t blame anyone for looking at what they’ve done so far, and wondering “WTF?”. And all that is before we start discussing the on-field product, which has at least the perception of not getting nearly as much attention.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 9, 2011 1:37 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think there are many immediate neighbors left and of those that are,
they’re mostly renters. And you know what kind of clout a renter has in Chicago. The teacher that owns the building down the left field line – the only building on Waveland or Sheffield without signage or seats of some kind is the only one I can think of that still operates as the residence of its owner. I could be wrong and if anyone lives there, I’d love to know more.
This is just a way for Ricketts to start making money without the infrastructure investment of the triangle building. I haven’t been impressed with the Ricketts and have been downright critical of their attempts at corporate welfare in both Mesa and Chicago but I really can’t blame them for trying this. With Daley out of City Hall they must no doubt feel chances are better for approval.
A little bit, yes
However, I take comfort in the idea that even a stopped clock is occasionally right.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 9, 2011 12:45 PM CST up reply actions
I think that it would be lousy for residents
as well as some of the businesses and regular vendors in the area.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
10,001 today
low 80’s, spring breakers and the five figure barrier is broken today!
by doofus cubs guy on Mar 9, 2011 12:25 PM CST reply actions
But it's a Wednesday
I go 9023
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 9, 2011 12:27 PM CST reply actions
I'm going with 8,329
Baseball is back!!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 9, 2011 1:09 PM CST up reply actions
Hah!! 8887
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
People afraid that their caps will obscure the ash on their foreheads
7,562
"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
On the Maddux stat...
Do you think intentional walks were exempt from that stat?
Because baseball reference shows Maddux issued 177 IBB in his career… which would, presumably, all have had a 3-0 count.
If the 310 number includes all those intentional walks… that would mean the “real” number was just 133… which is even more ridiculous.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Thank you!
I was just about to ask this.
by sloathcheck78 on Mar 9, 2011 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
paging DS
to let us know this.
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 9, 2011 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
Muskat is wrong
He had 310 instances where the 3-0 pitch resulted in something (hit, walk, HBP, out, etc.), but he actually got to a 3-0 count 644 times in his career.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=maddugr01&year=Career&t=p
nice catch. still pretty good, of course
ask not what the Cubs can do for you - ask what you can do for the Cubs.
by holy mackeral on Mar 9, 2011 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
Career totals...999 BB
he just didn’t wanna give up that 1000th BB, did he?
"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous
Maddux did not mind walking a guy if he needed to
he just did not need it that often.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 9, 2011 2:28 PM CST up reply actions
Good find. Thanks.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Lineup
Per Carrie Muskat
Here’s Wednesday’s Cubs lineup vs the Royals:
2B Baker
SS Castro
CF Byrd
3B Ramirez
C Soto
LF Soriano
1B Pena
RF Fukudome
P Garza
See the Cubs 2011 schedule at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2011.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
That is an odd line up order
But no Hill for 3 days now? Hope Soto uses his opportunity today!
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 9, 2011 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
This is an absolutely terrific lineup vs. LHP, IMO.
Baker and Byrd are all-world against lefties and Fook and Pena are horrid against them. Love Soto in the 5 spot as well. We might finally have a manager that gets it.
Q has said repeatly he would like Dome lead off but even if you trade those two
I’d be impressed if during regular season we’d see this line up.
C’mon Soto show everyone you deserve a chance at a spot besides 7th or 8th!!!
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 9, 2011 1:12 PM CST up reply actions
I think
I would still flip Pena and Soriano, so you wouldn’t have two lefties in a row.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Me too
But I just don’t see Sori hitting 7th realistically. But a girl can dream :)
''"I always thought I was the most competitive person out there. I never thought I'd find anybody more competitive until I met him.'' Ryan Dempster talking about Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 9, 2011 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
Ex-Cub hit with foul ball
Braves Minor League manager Luis Salazar was airlifted to Orlando Regional Hospital after being struck in the face by a line drive that Brian McCann pulled into the home dugout at Champion Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
Salazar was hit as he stood along the rail of the dugout in the first inning of Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals. He appeared to be stiff-legged as he fell back and seemingly struck his head against the hard dugout floor.
An ambulance transported Salazar out of the stadium to an area where he could be airlifted to the hospital.
Luis Salazar, recently named the manager of the Braves’ Class A Lynchburg affiliate, played 13 seasons in the Majors. (MiLB.com)Salazar, 54, was recently named Class A Advanced Lynchburg’s manager. He experienced a 13-year Major League playing career that included stints with the Cubs, White Sox, Padres and Tigers.
Many of the players, including McCann, appeared distraught during a 14-minute delay that began after Salazar was hit and fell to the ground.
McCann completed his first-inning at-bat with a half-hearted swing and miss for a strikeout and then exited the game. He was replaced behind the plate by Wilkin Castillo.
"Go Cubs!"
Best wishes to Salazar
Really hope he’s ok…
by daily2b on Mar 9, 2011 2:02 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
That's awful, hope he'll be okay.
Baseball is back!!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 9, 2011 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
Doing a search on Luis Salazar hit
I came across a blog called tigerdroppings that had this quote:
Reports he was “unconcious and not breathing on his own for several minutes” as being administered CPR.
If true, that is very scary indeed. Best wishes to him.
by jerry morales rules on Mar 9, 2011 2:25 PM CST up reply actions
he's reportedly breathing on his own
was unconscious for 20 mins
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on Mar 9, 2011 2:28 PM CST up reply actions
I hope he recovers with no long term ill effects.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
here's the links i've been following
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on Mar 9, 2011 2:35 PM CST up reply actions
2 straight walks by garza to start the game.
This could get fun.
Apparently, it did.
Butler RBI single. royals 1-0.
Howdy - Did I miss anything?
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Only Garza deciding the plate isn't worth throwing at.
Walking people then giving up bunches of hits is more fun!
Move along, nothing to see here.
Baseball is back!!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 9, 2011 2:24 PM CST up reply actions
MIST !!!!
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
BTW - I thought this game was going to be televised
No video on the iPhone AtBat app…
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
No TV listed in the MLB media center.
Baseball is back!!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 9, 2011 2:25 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks - I must be getting old or something
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Hey, look, we gotta give them other guys a chance???
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Silva out there throwing batting practice again...
Oh wait, it’s Garza? Oye vay.
Garza's ERA is now near Silva's
why is he guaranteed a spot in the rotation? Yes I am kidding but every time I look at Archer & Chirinos stats in ST , I get a little queasy
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
Given the fact
Since Garza is only throwing fastballs he can be a little predictable to hitters. My concern is if he can’t control his FB, we can forget about him locating his breaking ball.
I like seeing Ramirez hitting right side of the field there.
5-1 now. Soriano please give me a hit. I’ll take back all the hopping jokes.
We got our own version of ...
“Spahn and Sain then pray for rain” right here with the 2011 Cubs.
We need a motto.
“Dempster and Zambrano and hope for tornado?”
Our strongest point doesn’t look all that strong.
"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous
Can anyone listening to the game...
tell me if Garza is using a breaking ball yet?
Why on earth not?
Everybody else is throwing breaking stuff. Is Garza hurt?
Saving his arm for the playoffs.
"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous
I like this new out-getting-tactic the Cubs are employing this inning... ;-)
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Replacement for Marty Brennaman? Check out the jersey being worn in this link.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/13191495
He’d definitely be more interesting than the cranky oldster.
And now, just for the hell of it, a picture
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Another Herschell Gordon Lewis fan?
I have a signed copy of his bio. A former co-worker co-wrote it.
Japanese Baseball = Soccer according to the audio stream
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Yeah I kinda just blew that off as Gameday being Gameday.
Who knew Garza could hit it further than half our team?
Kila Watch (Yes, that ship has sailed, but can't a guy reminisce?)
He’s not playing today, but I’ve been pondering this. I know Spring Training stats are meaningless and all, but Kila Ka’aihue is off to a sterling .389/.421/.889 start with 3 homers in 7 games. Call it blind stupidity, but I would not be surprised if he finishes the year with a higher wOBA than Carlos Pena (and I am totally fine with the Pena signing).
Perhaps but I doubt he will finish with more RBIs
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 9, 2011 3:06 PM CST up reply actions
Let's go Jay Jackson.
The more familiar the Cubs play gets the more I’d rather just watch the kids.
Is it me or is this game a tiny bit boring?
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Byrd !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Thanks.
I was working and can’t hear the audio in the other room.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
Hey you guys. How are you?
Another inept game, I reckon?
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
A ST classic
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Jeff Gray is pitching for the White Sox?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
I've never heard so much advertising for Cubs' tickets...
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
You going to come out for that Tyler Colvin bobblehead?
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
If I come - still not sure about the financial realities - it would be in May (St. Louis series).
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
They have a cereal bowl and a golf item giveaway then.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
No free beer?
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
If I'm there, I'd be happy to get you one
…..as long as you are 21. :)
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
If we were in Wisconsin, and you were my mother, I would only have to be 12...
Otherwise if someone wants to ID me at 50, then I would be rather confuzzled
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
I got carded last year.
I’m not quite 50, but considering I’m more than double 21….it was rather confuzzling. I said thanks for the laugh.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
Oh and the second round goes on me!
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Can you bring some from home?
The beer here probably will taste like swill after what you must be used to.
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
Not sure if that is allowed, but may be I can.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Wow
finally got a chance to pop in and say HI!
Wish we were doing better, but it could be worse.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
Ew-heard something about a someone getting a spider bite.
Who was it?
♪♫ It’s a beautiful day for the ladies, so throw all your dishes away. ♫♪
Multi-Jump at your own risk
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Jeez
Looks like another long, long, long year. Is there a pool for guessing the date the Cubs will be eliminated?
Virus
Got onto this site yesterday and my Avast software blocked a trojan horse. Saw you wanted to know about it, so there ya go.
Actually, there were some notes on where to send this info
support (at) sbnation (dot) com
They might not see it here.
Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago
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