Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview, Friday 5/6, 1:20 CT: Divisional Games, At Last
by Al Yellon on May 6, 2011 11:00 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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Of the Cubs' first 30 games, only nine (three each against the Brewers, Pirates and Astros) have been within the NL Central. The Cubs are 4-5 in those games, having lost series to Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, and won one against Houston.
That isn't a very good showing, and now, two teams that were supposed to be contenders arrive at Wrigley Field for back-to-back series beginning this weekend. The good news is that pretty much everyone in the Central division has struggled in one way or another. The Cardinals have crept ahead of the pack -- but not by much; the Cubs, although they're still under .500 at 14-16, trail by only three games.
This homestand should be a good test of whether this Cubs team, which in my mind has clearly underachieved, can stay with the leaders in the division, or not.
And amazingly enough, it begins with the best weather day we've had so far in the 2011 baseball season on the North Side of Chicago:
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. West wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Enjoy it while it lasts; there appears, from that link, to be a chance of rain almost every day after that, starting tomorrow, for the next week.
One more note: did you enjoy the throwback-uniform day Wednesday in Los Angeles? (I did.) If you did, the Cubs will be doing it again in Boston:
The Cubs have another scheduled in two weeks in Boston, when the teams will commemorate the 1918 Cubs-Red Sox World Series with replicas from that year.
Cubs lineup:
Fukudome RF, Barney 2B, Castro SS, Ramirez 3B, Soriano LF, Byrd CF, Peña 1B, Soto C, Garza P
Reds lineup:
Stubbs cf, Renteria ss, Votto 1b, Phillips 2b, Bruce rf, Gomes lf, Hernandez c, Janish 3b, Volquez p
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Edinson Volquez last pitched against the Cubs during "the low period" last August when the Cubs were going through the motions. They pretty much did that on that day, August 7, although they nearly came back in the last of the ninth to tie ("nearly" being the operative word). Current Cubs have only 39 total at-bats against him, with 11 hits (two doubles and a home run).
Matt Garza will be making his first career start against the Reds. The Reds player he has faced most is backup OF Fred Lewis (3-for-11). Ramon Hernandez is 2-for-9 against him. No other current Red has more than two AB against Garza.
Today's game is on WGN and FSN Ohio. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter. Be careful over there, though.
Today's first pitch thread will be up at 1:15 p.m. CDT and the overflow threads will post at 2:15 pm, 3:15 pm and 4 pm CDT. If you need more overflows due to extra innings or rain delays, post them in the fanshot section.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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I don't know, the shirt seems to suggest a lack of hustle
I bet that balls is going to land at the warning track
i see it more as being resigned to a groundball to shortstop.
"There had to be a place where the game could be fun again….that place is called Wrigley Field"---Andre Dawson
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought your ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth. Joe Garagiola
The back of the shirt shows...
the bases loaded with the scoreboard showing we are down 1 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th
thats sad.
"There had to be a place where the game could be fun again….that place is called Wrigley Field"---Andre Dawson
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought your ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth. Joe Garagiola
Just because you have Dunston's old number...
… doesn’t mean you should chase the same bad pitches.
"Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes..."
Almost as good as this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=180653150389
Wow, I actually hate those T-shirts.
Remind me of the XXXL Disney cartoon shirts rappers wore a few years back.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
Oh that's really bad.
I don't always block shots, but when I do....I block yours.
Kyle Korver is open as soon as he gets out of his car at the UC. -
Stacey King
I only have one of these...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 6, 2011 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Forced smile.
I don't always block shots, but when I do....I block yours.
Kyle Korver is open as soon as he gets out of his car at the UC. -
Stacey King
It seems to be a hemrhoid problem...
standing like Captain Morgan may have caused inflammation.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
wow that is creepy
keep your kids away from Garza’s van.
...
"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
Adult version
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
He must be camera shy.
Kinda like me, he he.
As long as he pitches well, he can look like that all he wants.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
wow!
Does this come in Starlin Castro? If so sign me up!
by bleedinblue76 on May 6, 2011 11:58 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm really impressed with the image quality
That had to be a really high-speed camera to catch Soriano so clearly in the box like that. I mean, the way Sori sprints out of the box so fast, to get a shot of him and not be blurry….
…yeah, right.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Castro batting third again
I’m not sure about Castro batting third yet, seems like he feels more comfortable batting leadoff.
any word on the return of wells and cash yet?
once the rotation gets healthy and, if pena keeps swinging the bat, this team really does have a shot at the division. not to mention the fact that rammy hasnt really found his homerun stroke. Either way, its good to start off an important series with our best pitcher on the mound. As always, go cubs!
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 6, 2011 11:19 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Wells said he is shooting for return around Memorial Day weekend.
He said that is his target date not the Cubs.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
sweet. just in time for my bachelor party at wrigley
#10 You will be missed.
by Bricks and Ivy on May 6, 2011 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
do the cubs rip your elastic waist band and smack you with things?
because i kinda feel like they take your money and make you feel happy for a few minutes only to feel more depressed when the night is over?—kinda like another occupation associated with bachelor parties.
"There had to be a place where the game could be fun again….that place is called Wrigley Field"---Andre Dawson
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought your ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth. Joe Garagiola
I think it's more a relationship you know you shouldn't be in
but you can’t help it.
by Madison Cub Fan on May 6, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Because the sex is so great?
‘Cuz, honestly, it totally isn’t.
"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
I think it's one of those things...
… where it’s better than expected, but still disappointing.
"Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes..."
I've never pondered sex in the analogy to be truthful
Phubbies hit the nail on the head.
You’ve broken up and gotton back together a few times.
by Madison Cub Fan on May 6, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I feel more like I'm married to the Cubs, and even though I know she's a tramp,
I’m still surprised every time I come home and find her doing the neighbor.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
by davidalanu on May 6, 2011 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Information seems to be scarce.
IMO… as far as this season goes… we should just forget about them at least until one of the beat writes notes “Cashner/Wells is scheduled to make a rehab start…”
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I don't know who has the responsibility for Hitter's Gameplans
but one thing that has been a constant this season is Volquez struggling in the early innings. If the Cubs go up there hacking and freeswinging and don’t give themselves a chance to do some early damage then that would be….unfortunate.
WWOZ.org - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Station
but it would be normal!
"There had to be a place where the game could be fun again….that place is called Wrigley Field"---Andre Dawson
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought your ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth. Joe Garagiola
Not only is this series big ...
today’s game is big. With Coleman going tomorrow and Dempster (who’s still no sure thing) going Sunday, winning the series opener is HUGE.
Also, the lineup is kinda funky. Soriano must have good career numbers against Volquez? Not that I’m not complaining, just puzzled.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
If Coleman is going tomorrow and Dempster Sunday,
does this mean they’re finally skipping Russell’s spot in the rotation? Sensible.
Pena batting 7th?
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
That's exactly what they're doing
And another off-day means we don’t have to worry about a 5th starter until the 14th. Hopefully, they’ll bring up Davis or Ortiz for that one. Other dates to worry about in May: 19th and the 29th. My sincere hope is to see Wells or Cashner around that last one.
"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
I bet we see Wells on the 29th.
I also wouldn’t be shocked if a strong performance by Davis or Ortiz supplants Coleman.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I miss Friday 2:20 starts!
I could get home early and watch a lot of the game. I could drive 5 hours to catch a Friday game without running cars off the road hurrying to get there. The game was on during happy hour. I know the reason why, just wish we could bring back the 2:20 Friday game times.
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
#WINNERS!
I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. -J.R.R. Tolkien
Pitch well Matt.
I don't always block shots, but when I do....I block yours.
Kyle Korver is open as soon as he gets out of his car at the UC. -
Stacey King
*sighs*
Castro batting third again? Then again it is better than Byrd batting third…Hopefully with the day off and warm weather, Castro can heat up again.
The Cubs need to see if this is the start of Fukudome's decline after a torrid April.
Once that starts again, Castro will move back up. That is, if he doesn’t start driving the ball with authority which I think he will.
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
Exactly.
We want Castro to get a day off, when Ernie cheered for a double-header!
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
Always throwback jerseys
Why not throw forward jerseys? I want to see a team that looks like the Black Eyed Peas outfits at the Superbowl. Make me look forward to 2080.
Tried it once
"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
A little OT..
I have tickets for Tomorrow’s game. What are the chances that they are going to get the game in? Weather looks bad for Tomorrow..
Our weather is very similar to Chicago's
I’ve accepted the fact that we are skipping spring. But I just hope the summer is nice
by Madison Cub Fan on May 6, 2011 12:22 PM CDT reply actions
Cubs better run the bases better against these good teams
or they will get the asses whipped. Time for the supposed “fundementals” Quade promised we’d see to show up.
"Go Cubs!"
I hope the Cubs aren't all on Cloud 9 for a winning road trip.
Don’t be satisfied with what you should do, and go out and beat teams no one thinks you can (even though ESPN has us as a favorite in today’s game, must be Garza’s pitching)
"Beisbol been berry berry good to me." -Tony Oliva
Hop - Skip - Jump
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Hitting Coach
When are the Cubs going to change their hitting coach? No harm intended. It’s just time for a change. For the last few years, the Cubs have been watching that knee high, across the plate balls go by. And swinging at that inside or outside pitch down in the dirt. I’m not talking about one player. I’m talking about most of them. The Cubs have a large volume of strike-outs. Old Skool is good in some cases. But sometimes change is good too.
But then I don’t manage anything, but my mouth.
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