Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview, Monday 7/18, 7:05 CT: Heading For History
by Al Yellon on Jul 18, 2011 5:00 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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The Cubs are 20 games under .500, and it's July 18.
The last time a Cubs team was at least 20 games under .500 on July 18 was in 1966. Entering the games of July 18, 1966, the Cubs were, in fact, thirty games under .500 at 29-59 -- and that was after a win over the Cardinals. It got worse: on July 31, 1966, which is the last date on which a Cubs team was at least 20 under on any date in July, they lost to the Mets, making them 32-71. That's a .311 winning percentage; had they kept up that pace in 1966, they'd have finished 50-112. They wound up playing a little better over the season's last two months, going 27-32 to finish a club-record-tying 59-103. (And they had to lose that year's last four games to tie that record.)
(Note: the 1981 team spent much of the season pre-strike 20+ games under .500. They reached it at 8-28 on May 24 and never again got better than 20 games under. I'm leaving that club out of this discussion because... it didn't play in July, and in the post-strike half-season played near-.500 ball.
As noted on the right sidebar, this year's team will have to go 21-45 just to equal that 59-103 record. That's a .318 pace.
Don't say it can't be done, because it has been, although the only Cubs team since 1966 to play that badly over that long a period of time was the 1999 bunch, who went 19-42 from August 1 until the end of the season. The winning percentage of that record? .311.
With that cheery thought, on to tonight's matchup.
Cubs lineup:
Fukudome RF, Castro SS, Ramirez 3B, Peña 1B, Byrd CF, Soriano LF, Hill C, Barney 2B, Lopez P
Phillies lineup:
Rollins ss, Martinez 3b, Utley 2b, Howard 1b, Ibanez lf, Ruiz c, Brown rf, Mayberry cf, Halladay p
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Rodrigo Lopez pitched twice against the Phillies in 2010. You really don't want to know what he did against them; if you insist, highlight the blank space here (I put it in white text so anyone who doesn't want to look doesn't have to): two starts, 8.18 ERA, five walks in eleven IP. Anyway, current Phillies are hitting .337 (30-for-89) against RoLo, with six doubles and two home runs. Clearly, we are doomed.
Roy Halladay -- who Cubs teams had actually hit fairly well in three starts from 2005-2010 -- gave them just six harmless hits and struck out nine on June 10 in Philadelphia. That game was only close because Jose Contreras had an awful inning. I wouldn't expect much more off Halladay tonight.
Today's game is on WCIU, which means a lot of you won't be able to watch it. Perhaps you're happy about that. It's also on CSN Philadelphia. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Phillies site The Good Phight.
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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Halladay vs. Lopez...
makes you wonder why this game isn’t on prime time ESPN or FOX. Sure to be one helluva duel. We stinks.
With the 1st pick in the 2012 Baseball Amateur Draft, the Chicago Cubs select...
Stranger things have happened
Remember June 8, 2005? Sergio Mitre outpitched Roy Halladay in a 2-0 Cubs win. If it’s happened once it could happen again, right? Right?
by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 18, 2011 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Hate it when on WCIU!!
Seems like a classic mis-match, I’d give the Cubs less than 20% chance…but ya never know in baseball, Lopez could pitch lights-out and we scratch out a few vs. Doc H. thats the great thing about baseball and why I keep watching, even in this miserable season.
PS guys on WSCR ripping Ramirez (who reiterated he won’t waive NTC, I think) calling him a "dog.‘’ I have mixed feelings on him but he’s certainly been a run producer and won’t be easily replaced.
Whaaa? The Cubs are still playing baseball in 2011?
No.
That’s “WHAAAAH! The Cubs are STILL playing baseball in 2011.”
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
Quade Is Abnormally, Infinately, Fierce (and) Intelligent?
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
I like the "fierce" part LOL
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jul 18, 2011 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Obligatory whine.
Also, the Phillies are a sleeper to trade for Aramis. Who the heck is Martinez?
by SenorGato on Jul 18, 2011 5:11 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Don't forget that...
Their stadium is where he got hot in June or May…whenever that series was. They need the offense too…
by SenorGato on Jul 18, 2011 5:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Michael Martinez
He’s holding the fort at 3B until Polanco returns from the DL. He has a .559 OPS this year, so count on at least one XBH from him tonight.
by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 18, 2011 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Ramirez would even be an upgrade from Polanco offensively...
And he could absolutely thrive in their home park. I think the phillies are honestly an awesome match if they want him…I think Polanco has the all powerful intangibles, but Aramis would bring a much needed bat.
by SenorGato on Jul 18, 2011 5:19 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Good point
Philly’s offense has been scuffling this year – they’ve only outscored the Cubs by 13 runs (401-388, although they’ve played two fewer games), and the Cubs have a higher team OPS than the Phillies. Polanco’s a better defensive player, but Ramirez would give them a huge boost on offense.
by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 18, 2011 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Also a good fit
since ARam is RH.
Basically all of their thump comes from the left-side.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Can it be admitted that Im awesome then?
by SenorGato on Jul 18, 2011 10:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
This guy:
Who the heck is Martinez?
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
Lopez vs. Halladay?!?!
talk about Bambi vs. Godzilla….
I’ve seen low budget horror movies that will be better than this game.
Looks like a Monty Python graphic...
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
I wish Soto was batting.
Otherwise the lineup is the best we can possibly do.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I need to find something else to do tonight.
I have a bad feeling the Cubs might get no-hit.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
+1
I was thinking the same thing. The Cubs haven’t been no-hit in forever, but with this team’s incredible knack for futility, it wouldn’t surprise me.
Scott Bora$ is satan.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Jul 18, 2011 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Koyie Hill will have 2 hits tonight.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 18, 2011 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions
one will drive in a run...so there's that.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 18, 2011 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
and he'll throw out a runner
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
by jesus christos on Jul 18, 2011 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
apparently rami wont approve a trade before the deadline
http://eye-on-baseball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/30695883
fffffff
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
Didn't Fred McGriff say the same thing before the Cubs traded for him?
And Derrek Lee vetoed a trade to the Angels last year before the deadline – a few weeks later, he was traded to the Braves.
by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 18, 2011 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Depends on how much of the Aramis & Zambrano contract they would take on.
If it frees up a lot of money we’re basically trading two players for more cashflow.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
yes because it makes it easier to watch pujols or fielder play baseball
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
by jesus christos on Jul 18, 2011 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly.
“Here, take our really expensive so-so players, and you don’t even have to give us anything in return. Promise.”
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
That's basically what the Blue Jays did with Alex Rios
by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 18, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
If the entire AL East was broken up into the other five divisions, I'm convinced we would have 5 former AL EAST division champions.
That’s how good the AL East is.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I think a big payroll-cutting move like this give Jimbo a great deal of respect and perhaps extra time as GM.
It would show we are actually trying to do something for the future, rather than, you know, nothing.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Prospects
Your’re assuming the Cubs would get prime prospects in return, right?
Regardless of whether the prospects have potential to be good major league players, what if Ricketts takes most of the savings and cuts the payroll?
by AboutTheCubs on Jul 18, 2011 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions
No, I'm assuming if there was a Zambrano & Aramis for Inge deal, it would be to cut payroll, not for actual prospects.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Wouldn't he be committing fanicide by doing that?
He’s already asked for $200M and been slapped in the face.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
EVERYONE WILL COME BACK AS SOON AS THEY START WINNING.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 18, 2011 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions
what's winning?
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
by jesus christos on Jul 18, 2011 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions
it's this crazy thing where a baseball team scores more runs than the other team and are still ahead after the 9th inning.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 18, 2011 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions
this foreign idea intrigues me
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
by jesus christos on Jul 18, 2011 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions
pay close attention to the Phillies in the game tonight to see it first-hand...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 18, 2011 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I think a lot of pitchers can be had for the nearly $34,000,000 we're spending on Aramis & Zambrano this year,
and the $19,000,000 we’re spending on Zambrano next year. But no, I know he’s the 13th most valuable SP since he came into the league full-time. He just turned 30, so there’s that.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
yeah
and our pitching is already so bad… If it were the Red Sox dumping Lackey and looking to replace him, I’d have a lot more confidence.
Zambrano hasn't hit 200 IP since 2007.
And he’s not getting any younger. I understand the metrics that say he’s valuable. I just don’t really care for him and am quite sick of his antics, excuses, odd injuries, etc.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
me too
that being said, we have no one in house to replace him with, and I have little faith in our ability to do so otherwise. I just don’t want to live through another season like this. We may not have a choice…
Oh, I thought last year that 2011 and 2012 were going to be wasted years.
Backloaded contracts will do that.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
+1
If the price for signing Fielder or Pujols includes one year of Brandon Inge (at $5.5 million, plus a $500K buyout of his 2013 option) then I’m in.
by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 18, 2011 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
You should consider that...
Those guys would be happier to have Ramirez/Zambrano around too. Sure the money helps, but so does having solid vets to join a potential stud.
by SenorGato on Jul 18, 2011 5:44 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah seriously I hope Hendry laughed at that.
Or were getting some damn good prospects.
by SenorGato on Jul 18, 2011 5:41 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Payroll flexibility is useful, too.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Wow. I stopped reading after I saw that.
We’d lose 110 games.
R.I.P. to my grandfather, Andrew Wiley
The reason I am a Cub fan forever
We could lose 110 games this year, with them.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
He also said this in
an interview on CSN tonight. He wants to stay in Chicago in the summer after he retires.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Yikes I could have sworn some of the 70s teams were worse
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
OT Questions
Taking my son to Cooperstown this Thursday. Any advice on don’t-miss stuff?
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
Those of you who have Directv..
MLB Extra Innings is supposed to be free for part of this week. Those of you not in the blackout zone may benefit from this. Those of us in the blackout zone will benefit more.
"Cubs fans....the wind beneath the Hawk's wings." Andre Dawson, on his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, 7/25/10
Rest in peace, Ronnie. You will always be in my Hall of Fame.
I think it is the Phils broadcast, but I don't know.
Blacked out screen in Southern Illinois :(
"Cubs fans....the wind beneath the Hawk's wings." Andre Dawson, on his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, 7/25/10
Rest in peace, Ronnie. You will always be in my Hall of Fame.
I hate to sound too negative, but I feel I must post my thoughts, they are as follows:
This.Aint.Gonna.Be.Pretty.
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Yes. Water
is indeed wet. I’ve just completed my testing via the shower. :)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
::offers to buy enough beer/wine (sourcream too, cuz they ALWAYS forget sourcream) to get d2b an invite also::
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
::wonders if some beer/wine gets him an invite to ubercubfans house::
(and the distance from Roselle)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Shade right now doesn't matter. It's so damn hot and humid right now.
It looks like it’ll storm soon and I’ll be pissed if I lose power from it.
I'm certain there's a good story there...
(he hints…)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Ever been the 'get out of jail free' card for a father that wakes you up in the middle of the night to make you be his passenger so the police would just let him go?
Ever been thrown out in the middle of the night when you were 11 because your dad came home shitfaced drunk and it was 20 below in just PJs and have to have the police make him let you back in. The list can go on and on.
yikes...glad you made it out of that stuff alright.
…explains the pics you post tho ;)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jul 18, 2011 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm an exe-AAer
so I seen/heard it all. (I don’t drink, just found meeting too cult-like). Sorry you hadda go thru that cuzza one of “us”. :[
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Good Man! Me either!
When I settle in at new place, I may consider a “2011 Cubs Send-Off Party”! :) We could gripe/cry/hug face-to-face!!!
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Hey! What ever happened to our "Whatcha having for dinner" poll???
Me…fighting with (soon to be exe-) Roomy. Cold pizza. yummmmy! Aint it funny how petty people become after years when they realize they failed to plan properly for the future? (::he states, venting::)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Wait a minute...wait a minute...
I asked (above) “What are we having for dinner?” and YOU responded: “Roomates”?!
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Hmmm...
Mine is VERY HEAVY (400#s+) and would likely be “fatty” v. “marbled”… :)=
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
JUMP TO GAMETHREAD ON MR. AL BUNDY!!!
(just below)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Aren't we 'sposedta jump over to athe gamethread now? (on firefox am I...v. IE so could be "lost")
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Silly Uber!!!!
That’s NOT YOUR picture! THAT’S Al Bundy!!!
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
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