Chicago Cubs vs. Florida Marlins Preview, Thursday 7/14, 7:05 CT: The Second Half Begins
by Al Yellon on Jul 14, 2011 5:00 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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This is the last visit that the Florida Marlins will ever make to Wrigley Field.
You're scratching your head, wondering what I mean by that. Here's the deal -- when they move into their new stadium next year on the site of the former Orange Bowl in Miami, part of the agreement that got the stadium built is that they change their name to "Miami Marlins". Which sounds a lot better, if nothing else. So next season, the "Miami Marlins" will come to Chicago to play the Cubs.
This year, the Marlins have had a bizarre season in which they were 29-19 and just a game out of first place on May 26, then had a 3-21 collapse which resulted in the firing of manager Edwin Rodriguez.
Since Jack McKeon took over, the Marlins have righted their ship to some extent, going 11-8. They're far out of playoff contention, but look like a better team. The Cubs swept a two-game series from them in Miami in May -- and that was before their collapse -- so perhaps the Cubs can get the second half off to a good start in this four-game series.
In addition to that, keep a close eye on attendance this weekend, particularly Saturday, which was designated a "marquee" game for all price levels. It could be well short of a sellout at those prices.
The Cubs are 6-4 over the last 10 years in the first game after the break. Three of the losses came in winning seasons (2001, 2003, 2008) and one in a 96-loss year (2006). Like a lot of things connected with this team, this makes little sense and has little or no predictive value.
Cubs lineup:
Fukudome rf, Castro ss, Ramirez 3b, Pena 1b, Byrd cf, Soriano lf, Soto c, Barney 2b, Garza p
Marlins lineup:
Bonifacio 3b, Infante 2b, G. Sanchez 1b, Ramirez ss, Morrison lf, Stanton rf, Cameron cf, Buck c, A. Sanchez p
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Matt Garza used to start quite a bit against the Marlins, when he was a member of the Rays. Last year he made two starts against them and got hit pretty hard -- to the tune of a 14.14 ERA -- even though he won one of the starts. In four career starts vs. Florida he has a 5.09 ERA. Current Marlins are hitting .273 (12-for-44) against him with three HR.
Anibal Sanchez is having another solid, and more importantly for him, healthy season. His last start against the Cubs was on September 18, 2010 in Miami, where the Cubs defeated him and scored four runs off him in five innings, drawing five walks. This year's Cubs team doesn't seem capable of drawing five walks in a week, much less in five innings. Current Cubs are hitting .295 (13-for-44) against him with three home runs (two by Alfonso Soriano, two by Carlos Pena).
Today's game is on CSN Chicago and FSN Florida. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Marlins site Fish Stripes. They seem a little lonely over there.
Today's first pitch thread will be up at 7:05 p.m. CDT and the overflow threads will post at 8 pm, 9 pm and 9:45 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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They Angels are *at the least* going to ask for LaHair.
That may be too much to handle. Not sure our farm system is ready for that so soon after…so soon after breaks down into fetal position.
Meh.
I’ve gotten used to calling them the “Florida Marlins”. “Miami Marlins” might take some time to get used to.
Now, if only they could change their names to “Gators” and switch leagues by 2015….
Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.
State high point count: 4/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jul 14, 2011 5:12 PM CDT reply actions
OT: Found an apartment in Marlborough!
I’m quite pleased with it. :)
"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
Glad to hear the news Clutch!
’spose ya got a nice view…etc., etc.? (Ironically, I was kinda enjoying your “semi-mobile postings”…)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Still can't move in for a week
That’s ok – Natick/Framingham have their own charms. I’ll probably move most of my crap out to the new joint on the 21st, but keep spending nights in this place until I have cable/Internet hooked up at the new place.
"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 never picked you for a creature comforts kinda guy
I figured you’d be good with your truck, a grill and some steaks…or a squirell, or several ground-hogs… :)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Can't say I've ever et groundhogs
And squirrel just doesn’t have enough meat on the bones. Gotta nail two or three of the suckers to get a meal. Decent meat, though – a little gamy, but their vegetarian, so it’s lean. Gotta have a fully-stocked spice rack, tho.
My creature comforts are pretty much taken care of by Ikea, though. The GF is insisting on a “grown-up” living room, so I’m showing her how much that sort of thing costs. We’ll stick to Ikea (for now)
"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
Ready or not here I come
Be at the entire 10 game home stand. Can’t wait for the Monday T shirt
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Jul 14, 2011 5:18 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
rec'd
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 14, 2011 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I got a free t-shirt at the Royals game during the Cubs series.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I made my daughter a Deathly Hallows T-Shirt for her to wear while she stands in line all day long today.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 14, 2011 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I WISH I was going tonight.
Stupid obligations.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
LOL...you're a grownup.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 14, 2011 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Debatable?
"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
Let's see how she feels at the end of the 10 days.
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, "Wait, what the hell are you talking about?"
Are you going to be sitting with Al?
Maybe I can finally meet both of you. Would be really cool. Going to be sitting in the bleachers for first time in awhile.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Jul 14, 2011 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought Edwin Gonzalez resigned?
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 14, 2011 5:19 PM CDT reply actions
Hopefully this is the start of a strong finish.
They could probably use one. They’ve got the right pitcher on the mound IMO.
Good to have Cubs baseball back
even if it is marking time for the trading deadline, roster expansion, and the start of the offseason.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
only 70 more games until this seasons over!
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
this season was over 25 games ago
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 14, 2011 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions
The truly frightening part is
even after all this… most of us will watch 90%+ of the games, hope with all our hearts for trades (that’ll most likely never happen), eagerly await news on the fates of Quade, ’cuse me, Mikey n Jimmy H and be crying for the return of Cubs Baseball by Mid Feb…
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
That's what I'm talking about
It’s all well and good to lament this team (which everyone kinda figured would be lamentable), but when we’re all staring out our windows and waiting for spring, we’ll be remembering Cliff’s walkoff, or Baker’s, or the way Garza shut down the Sox…
"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
True. And those that say they'll do otherwise
in Roselle, we gots us a lil name for them folk: Liars. :)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
hi guys! I rushed home from work so fast to catch this game! I couldn't wait. We ARE hopeless, aren't we?
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jul 14, 2011 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
It's a disease
Incurable, by the looks of things
"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
"Hopeless"?!
Haha! Was there ever a doubt?! :)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
It's my favorite time of the year
The Midusmmer Waste of Time is over, there are no other sports to distract anyone, and the trade talks are heating up.
"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
OT: Only in America
"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
We have two chairs
similar to that in our family room.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
I want one of those bobble heads.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Jump 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
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