Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview, Sunday 8/7, 1:20 CT: Eight Would Be Great
by Al Yellon on Aug 7, 2011 11:00 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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Sweeping series is never easy, but the Cubs have a chance for back-to-back series sweeps if they defeat the Reds on Sunday.
The Cubs have actually had a history of this in recent years. Despite an overall record of 91-96 against the Reds since 2000 -- a time in which the Reds have been mostly bad, and the Cubs have had six winning seasons -- the Cubs have swept the Reds in a three-game series twice at Wrigley Field during that time: May 22-24, 2001 (which included a one-hitter thrown by Jon Lieber on May 24) and July 24-26, 2009.
Let's make that three sweeps this afternoon. And check out this note about what the Cubs have been doing so far this month:
It’s the formula that has led to a 6-0 mark to begin August. That last happened in 1969, a year of Cubs infamy. According to STATS, the Cubs have had only two 7-0 starts to August, in 1909 (9-0) and 1927 (8-0).
Cubs lineup:
Castro SS, Campana LF, Ramirez 3B, Peña 1B, Byrd CF, DeWitt 2B, Soto C, Colvin RF, Wells P
Reds lineup was not available at posting time.
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Randy Wells last pitched against the Reds in 2010. His three starts against them last year resulted in a 2-1 record and 2.61 ERA in 20.2 innings, with just two HR allowed. Wells looked better in his last outing; maybe he's finally returning to his good late-2010 form. Drew Stubbs and Joey Votto are the only current Reds to have HR off Randy, but Votto is just 3-for-17 (.176) overall against him.
Bronson Arroyo threw seven good innings against the Cubs on May 7 at Wrigley Field, allowing just one run. But the Cubs came back and won that game in the bottom of the ninth. In seven starts since June 25, Arroyo has posted a 6.65 ERA in 44 innings and given up 13 (!) home runs. He leads the major leagues with 30 HR allowed, and the Cubs seem on a home run binge lately. Among current Cubs, Aramis Ramirez (two) and Blake DeWitt, Carlos Pena, Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd (one each) have homered off Arroyo.
Today's game is on CSN Chicago 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 1:20 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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"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
by Clutch16 on Aug 7, 2011 11:01 AM CDT reply actions 8 recs
I love reddit as much as any other redditor,
but I find the rage comics to be incredibly stupid.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I'm terribly sorry you feel that way
"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 love these little know stats you throw in Al.
This ride has been fun, why don’t we just keep it going?
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
by mrcubsfan on Aug 7, 2011 11:05 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Did I miss something?
Where is Barney and why is Dewittless in there at second?
Fire Jim Hendry... out of a cannon...
It's "DeWitt"......
… and Arroyo’s a righty, Blake DeWitt hits lefty.
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Yesterday....the Reds pitcher was a righty and Johnson started over Colvin.....
So the Question is valid….
Not really.....
Apples and oranges
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I am saying there is little reason for Quade's lineups this year.
He makes stupid moves on a daily basis….
But I am sure he will be back doing the same thing again next year.
And after a while.....
…. you’re a broken record and easy to dismiss.
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by BeerCub on Aug 7, 2011 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 7 recs
Enjoy the fine managing of Mike Quade!!!!
Its hilarious watching all the Kool Aid drinkers get high and mighty!!!!
Except Barney
is hitting 31 points higher vs. righties and in the last week has rebounded to .272 BA…
Fire Jim Hendry... out of a cannon...
And you did miss something
Blake DeWitt has homered off Arroyo.
Among current Cubs, Aramis Ramirez (two) and Blake DeWitt, Carlos Pena, Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd (one each) have homered off Arroyo.
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And Barney is coming back to earth in a hurry.
A Barney/DeWitt platoon might be the best option right now anyway.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I agree
The point is not that Dewitt should not play, it is that Quade constantly assigns roles to him that he can’t handle. He could be a useful bench player and/or a platoon partner as you pointed out pete. I wouldn’t trade Ted Lilly for him, but……oh, wait.
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
DeWitt is not a platoon player.
He has worse stats vs righties than lefties, and Barney has better stats vs rhp than DeWitt. Barney isn’t spectacular, but he’s much better than DeWitt, who should be the fifth guy of a ML bench.
Righty Vs. Lefty
It is true that Dewitt has in his career been better against LHP, but it is only 200 ab and we need to remember, Barney is not THAT good..especially lately, and he is only 2 months younger than Dewitt. Add to that the fact that lefties are murdering Arroyo this year and I am ok with it.
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
I'm not saying to bring out the pitchforks because DeWitt is starting today.
But it would be ridiculous if DeWitt and Barney platooned, especially because DeWitt would be starting the majority because he’s the LH hitter. It’s ok if he starts from time to time, but he should not take significant starting time away from Barney at this point. Barney may not be a star but he’s clearly been much better than DeWitt this year, who’s been absolutely pathetic.
Do you realize how bad Blake DeWitt is this year?
factor in his bad defense at second and you see why he should definitely not be starting at 2B vs all righties.
I'll give you defense but
have you seen Barney’s numbers lately? Last 28 days: .219 / .269 / .315.
DeWitt is a better hitter while Barney is a better defender.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
Despite Barney's slump, he's still putting up superior numbers to DeWitt.
Even vs RHP he’s puting up better numbers. The only tool DeWitt has over Barney is power, and even DeWitt has a slg % under .400. I’d much rather have Barney’s speed/baserunning, defense, and better plate discipline over DeWitt, who really just sucks in every facet. Not to mention DeWitt is awful with RISP while Darwin has actually been very good.
I won't disagree that Barney should be the starter
but starting DeWitt occasionally isn’t that bad an option. I also suspect that DeWitt’s hitting numbers will be better by the end of the year.
Regardless, neither should be starting but the Cubs don’t have much choice.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
I understand that
.655 ops vs righties is lame…he won’t take a walk..but Barney has a .669 ops vs righties and as pete pointed out, has been horrible for the last month or so. I have really seen no reason to get over excited about Barney…he is limited.
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
If Barney is limited, than what is DeWitt?
Shouldn’t Darwin be allowed to work out of his first slump of the season, especially considering his numbers are still better than his backup right now?
Obviously neither one is going to morph into Ryno
And I think Dewitt gets way too much playing time, but Barney having better plate discipline is like saying I am a better diplomat than Rosie O’Donnell…the competition ain’t that stiff. I like barney but 13 walks in 400 pa’s does not a disciplined hitter make.
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
No it does not.
But it’s better than his competition, not to mention DeWitt will K alot more. Barney can at least put the ball in play more and move runners over more often than DeWitt.
Dewitt
I like Dewitt in there today. Platoon advantage, give Darwin a day off and lord knows, Franchise HITS like a second baseman…add the history and I think Quade can get a break on this one. Now, if he will just keep him out of left field….
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
And fields LF
like a fat girl chasing a chiuahaha up the stairs….
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
Hard to complain about it after watching Alonso out there yesterday...
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 7, 2011 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes,
But we see that far too often as it is..Alonso/Alfonso….hmmm.
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
So Sullivan says Quade wanted to rest Colvin vs a RHP......
What is wrong with him?
I really think he dislikes playing Colvin. Probably is pissed they traded Fukudome.
So Colvin has started to hit, taking away Quades excuses not to play him and he still benched him yesterday.
its like he enjoys jacking with him.
by TJ11 on Aug 7, 2011 11:16 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, that's it, he's pissed they traded Fukudome.
The team won yesterday, Colvin’s hitting .147 against righties and he’s playing today.
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by BeerCub on Aug 7, 2011 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Don't confuse TJ
with facts, BC.
He’s pissed they traded Fukudome …. that makes sense.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 7, 2011 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well....
….. I do NOT want to get into some annoying bitchfest with him, but we get it already with the Quade hate.
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ATTENTION: Mike Quade
Please confer with TJ11, prior to making up line-up card, for the remainder of season…he IS amazing!!!
Sincerely,
BCB
Fire Jim Hendry. Injuries aren't the problem.
by Easy Ed on Aug 7, 2011 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Quade
doesn’t know what he’s missing.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 7, 2011 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
It was also understood that Colvin would play everyday to see what he can do
And he has 2 homeruns in LIMITED playing time so far.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 7, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Rather a sheep than an ass
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His playing time
hasn’t exactly been limited.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 7, 2011 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Waivers
Sorry if this was discussed yesterday, but it makes a “Z” trade possible now, because there is no way anyone will claim him. But it does beg the question; why was he the only one?
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/zambrano-farnsworth-places-on-waivers.html
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
He's not the only one
Probably just about every player on the Cubs except for the younger guys was place on waivers.
by LT on Aug 7, 2011 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
This is routine
If anyone claims them, and then they could be on the hook for the entire contract if the team putting them on waivers says “go ahead, take him”.
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Sure it is...
The Red Sox consistently place just about their entire roster on revocable waivers each year, for flexibility if nothing else. 2 years ago the Blue Jays did it with Rios, and the SSiders claimed him, much to their regret. But so far this is the only Cub to be posted, which makes me think Hendry is serious about his “untouchables” and about not listening to offers for some of the veterans.
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
Z will not be the only Cub on waivers.
Soriano may be on waivers right now for all we know. And if he isn’t now, he will be at some point in the next couple weeks.
You don't know
There is never a list of every player put on waivers. Some names get out but many don’t. I’m sure there are more across MLB than just Zambrano and Farnsworth but I haven’t seen that list.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
MLB trade rumors
Is usually very good at staying on top of this stuff…if Z was not the only one placed on waivers it would surely have been publicized by now. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen, just means that it hasn’t yet.
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
MLBTR is just citing what Peter Gammons said...
and Peter Gammons is just telling us who he has heard was placed on waivers. That doesn’t mean Zambrano was the only Cub placed on waivers. It just means that’s the only guy Gammons has heard about from the Cubs.
Z is probably the most marketable player the Cubs have on waivers
Sori being on waivers would not be big news because no one wants him even if the Cubs pay most of his $$. Just because MLBTR didn’t put the names out there doesn’t mean they have been placed on waivers.
by LT on Aug 7, 2011 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
MLB trade rumors only knows as much as anyone on the internet.
They don’t have enough time and space to name every player that will be put on waivers.
All true, and all good points guys...
But when we combine the lack of news with Hendry’s untouchable comments during the deadline, I just don’t see us doing much this season. Maybe during the winter meetings, but as LT said Z is probably the most marketable player the Cubs have on waivers, and even then, where is the market for him?
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
He never said anything about guys like Soriano being untouchable.
And for all we know that was just him holding out for better offers. Z will not be the only Cub on waivers.
I hope you are right.
Byrd may be marketable. I love Marlon, but Brett Jackson projects more as a CF than a corner, and this team definitely needs to get younger. No one will touch Sori at 3/54, even with the team picking up dollars. I would love to move Byrd to left…
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
Agreed.
Ideally we get rid of Soriano and place Byrd in LF, but I’m afraid Byrd may be the one who can actually be moved.
Sad but true
Maybe Dempster, but then again, our rotation is far from solid and I like having him around. The other guys, Grabow, Johnson, Baker, ARam, Pena, Sori, Wood, et al are either too expensive or just a rental and will not really bring back anything of value at this time. Maybe if there are injuries around the league.
When you are going through hell, keep going- Winston Churchill 1940
If we are talking about tradeability
I wouldn’t be surprised if no one is traded this month. But most of the guys you mentioned were most likely placed on revocable waivers.
by LT on Aug 7, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Weighty Eight today - 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.
Keep it going guys!!
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Hey Sue! The date for Eight?
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Hiya eths! Absolutely.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Now you're thinking with
Recursion
"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
This is embarrassing
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
SERIOUS JUMP FAIL
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Nice link eths!
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 Aug 7, 2011 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
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