Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Preview, Thursday 7/7, 6:05 CT: A Four-Game Sweep?
by Al Yellon on Jul 7, 2011 4:00 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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PrintHere's how bad things are.
The Washington Nationals could sweep the Cubs in a four-game series by winning tonight. The last time the Nats swept a four-game series was the final four games of the 2009 season, when they swept a four-gamer from the Braves in Atlanta.
The last time that franchise swept a four-game series in its home park, it was known as the Montreal Expos and the home park was Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan, Puerto Rico -- a four-game sweep of the Mets from April 11-14, 2003. Meanwhile, the Cubs were last swept in a four-game series last August 16-19 at Wrigley Field by the Padres. The Padres are also responsible for the Cubs' last four-game sweep on the road, from May 5-8, 2006.
It could happen tonight. Stay tuned. (If you dare.)
Cubs lineup:
Fukudome RF, Castro SS, Ramirez 3B, Peña 1B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Soriano LF, Barney 2B, Garza P
Castro batting 2nd > Castro batting 3rd.
Nationals lineup:
Bernadina LF, Espinosa 2B, Zimmerman 3B, Morse 1B, Werth RF, Ankiel CF, Rodriguez C, Desmond SS, Hernandez P
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Matt Garza is coming off his best start as a Cub, the nine-inning, one-run CG he threw in the loss to the White Sox last Saturday. That probably means doom, as you know. Garza has just one career start vs. the Nats, on June 12, 2009 in interleague play when he was with the Rays. Only one player who was on the Nats that day -- Ryan Zimmerman -- is even still on the team. The two Nats Garza has faced most -- Ivan Rodriguez and Matt Stairs -- are backups now. In short, who knows?
Livan Hernandez used to beat the Cubs like the proverbial drum. But last August 23, Mike Quade's first game as manager, the Cubs hit him hard, including a HR by Blake DeWitt. Aramis Ramirez, who is hot lately, hits him well: 12-for-35 (.343), three doubles, four HR. So maybe this won't be a sweep after all.
Today's game is on WGN and MASN2. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Nationals site Federal Baseball.
Today's first pitch thread will be up at 6 pm CDT and the overflow threads will post at 7 pm, 8 pm and 8:45 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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Comments
I think Garza gets the win and we avoid the sweep.
A lot of odds in our favor including that four game sweeps are difficult. But then again, this is not a normal season for the Cubs. I still go for the win.
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
WGN
despite the terrible season I am grateful to be able to watch the game.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Hammer, Hammer, Hammer...
You say that now… but I’ll be sure to check with you during the game! :)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
I always think the same thing
Then I watch the games and regret it.
by KD1 on Jul 7, 2011 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought he was in center for it?
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 7, 2011 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep he was in center
"No enemy is more dangerous, than the enemy that has nothing to lose." Mark Grace
by GateCity, VA Cubs Fan on Jul 7, 2011 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions
THANK YOU
GC VA C F… I’d almost forgotten how amazing that effort was!
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
that nonchalant flip of the ball from glove to hand at the end is a perfect ending to a perfect catch.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jul 7, 2011 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Killing my day Blogging the CUB.
Would it be to diffcult for Castro to move to third? Move Barney to SS and DJL to second. The season is a wash. Just asking. Second question “does anyone trust Hendry with making trade deadline decisions?”
this
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
by jesus christos on Jul 7, 2011 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
There is not reason for Hendry to be making the mid season moves.....
I would make the position shifts you were talking about however……But Quade would just play DeWitt at 2b anyways…
You are right - Quade would play DeWitt
With 1.5 years left on his contract I think TR ought to cut Jim Hendry loose. The same can be said for Crane Kennedy. Perhaps Randy Bush can interm the GM spot unitl a Club president is hired. Keep Quade until the year ends.
I like Hendry but I do not see a plan here.
I hope they don’t get swept anyway. Oh sugar – I live in DC.
Crane Kennedy?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
JFK's
twin brother…
Also, the idea of Bush being interim GM until the end of the year should make people shudder more than having Hendry
Somebody else said that earlier.
Why do you think that, hans?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
His arm is erratic enough at short.
And his bat isn’t powerful enough to play 3rd
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
Only one way to answer this:
A) Yes. B) BwwwwAAAWWWWAAAAH!!!!
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Steve Stone has been suggesting this, too.
I think it’s a little early to give up on Starlin as a SS and his bat is still a bit of a mystery in terms of how much power it will eventually generate. Plus, as a long-term plan, it doesn’t really work because, sadly, I’m still doubtful Barney will ever hit enough to justify a starting position — unless maybe there’s enough production elsewhere to make up for it.
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
Relax everyone!
I just used this -==> http://make-everything-ok.com/
This team will be fine now.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 7, 2011 4:16 PM CDT reply actions
But what if all the other teams did to?
Is that when we have to adjust our perceptions of reality?
by portlandcubfan on Jul 7, 2011 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions
GeeWiz! Thanks SWL!
I just used this lil gadget on my job, my GF, my car, my family, my friends and the TV series Lost!!! All I can say is WOW!!!
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Sweep
It can get worse folks.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010) and Ron Santo (February 25, 1940-December 2, 2010).
If you disagree with me in any way, you are wrong.
Of course it can.
The final frontier is being behind the Astros in the standings.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
OVER/UNDER ... how many weeks after the AS break will that take?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 7, 2011 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm gonna go under
We’re only five games up. I think we can erase that is 3 weeks
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
We need something to shoot for
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010) and Ron Santo (February 25, 1940-December 2, 2010).
If you disagree with me in any way, you are wrong.
Seems like the 'Stros usually do well in the second half...
…so it could happen.
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
It pisses me off that United won't let me purchase Economy Plus seating for my international flight.
I have a bad back and I want to fit in my seat.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
They can't let you...because TERRORISM, that's why.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 7, 2011 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions
And please, none of the "implanted explosives" I've been
reading about? Sounds downright painful! :)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
I thought it was physically impossible to bat ARAM 3rd.
Isn’t that what we were told earlier this season?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
At least Quade appears to have halted with the Castro in the 3-hole business.
For the time being, at least.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
He'll be back batting third next series.
Book it.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 7, 2011 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I hate that band.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 7, 2011 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions
I bet we win tonight.
Garza’s been pretty good, and even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Garza deserves a win
after what happened to him last game…CG and still gets the L.
Cubs in the Economist
The Cubs made the staid, British-focused Economist magazine. It isn’t flattering to either the Cubs or us as Cubs’ fans. But an interesting read.
AlaskaFan
"Year after year after year after year . . . . . after year after year after year . . ." - Steve Goodman, "Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
And this is beautiful prose:
… the highly paid Cubs star Alfonso Soriano, loitered around left field looking at a fly ball that eventually landed fair.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
"Loitered".
Now how often do you see that word used in a piece about baseball?
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
In Chicago, with our blessed beat reporters and columnists, never.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
interesting article...
but implies being a cubs fan is purely a choice made by cubs fans to shield themselves from the disappointment of not winning. think you can just look back to 03 07 or 08 to see that is not necessarily the case
Ah well, yet another night game.
At least Peoria played played at a reasonable time of day – love their simple audio stream app for the iPhone.
Here’s hopig the big Cubs avoid the sweep: GO CUBS!
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
by eths on Jul 7, 2011 4:58 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
LOL, just as soon as we have bombed Benton Harbor.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
by eths on Jul 7, 2011 5:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Is that what happened there?
Amazing that town hasn’t recovered since, but hey, Silver Beach is awfully nice.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jul 7, 2011 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Ja, vee gott lost on ze vay to Pearl Harbor.
Guten Nacht & enjoy the game.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
by eths on Jul 7, 2011 5:07 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Midnight here, alarm in 6 hours
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
by eths on Jul 7, 2011 5:10 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Very Well Sir
Goodnite. But you’re gonna miss a good game!!!
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
This preview needs more reverse jinxes
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Jul 7, 2011 5:02 PM CDT reply actions
I guess I should have dissed Garza.
Oh, well.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
In game thread you could try:
Let’s not go get ’em Matt???
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
Mmm, I don't know.
I think the reverse jinxes work only for retread pitchers.
Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.
Saving them until a more appropriate time...
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
this is NOT me
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 7, 2011 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Still more national media on the Cubs
Andrew Sullivan’s The Dish is holding forth on The Joy of Losing with some interesting comments from Cubs’ fans.
AlaskaFan
"Year after year after year after year . . . . . after year after year after year . . ." - Steve Goodman, "Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
Thanks Alaska
Tho painful to relive that (at the time I recall thinking the ball mighta been catchable…as time goes by it was clearly catchable…), I found the comments there an interesting synopsis of cub fans in general. Do we wanna win it all? You betcher @ss!!! Does our world crumble if we don’t? No. I think its been a bit different as we’ve been “in it” in the recent past more often than we’re used to…maybe? :)
"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011
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