Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview, Monday 9/12, 6:10 CT: You Again?
by Al Yellon on Sep 12, 2011 4:00 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
Email
PrintDidn't we just do this? See the Reds for a series? Thanks to MLB's schedulers, the Cubs are going through a stretch where they face the Reds for seven out of ten games. By the time Thursday rolls around, they are going to likely be good and sick of each other.
The Reds lead the season series 8-6, so the Cubs would have to sweep this set (unlikely) to win the season series. A 3-1 series win would give the Cubs a season split with Cincinnati, which would be nice.
Also, the Cubs open today just two games behind the Pirates for fourth place. The two teams do not meet again, but since Aug. 1 the Cubs are 21-17, while the Pirates are 10-28. Further, the Pirates just got swept by the Marlins at home and now must face the hot Cardinals. I know, I know: some of you want the Cubs to get a higher draft pick next year. Without even knowing who will be better than others in that draft, which is nine months away, I want the Cubs to finish strong this year. (No, I don't think that will save Mike Quade's job, either, so don't worry too much about that.)
And speaking of schedules, the 2012 MLB schedule is expected to be released sometime this week. The Cubs have announced that they will pass out tentative schedules during this year's final homestand starting Friday. If nothing else, it's something to look forward to.
Cubs lineup:
Castro ss, Johnson rf, Ramirez 3b, Baker 1b, Soriano lf, Byrd cf, Soto c, Barney 2b, Lopez p
I have a feeling a lot of you aren't going to like that lineup much.
Reds lineup:
Phillips 2B, Sappelt CF, Votto 1B, Bruce RF, Alonso LF, Mesoraco C, Francisco 3B, Janish SS, Willis P
| Today's Starting Pitchers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rodrigo Lopez. My favorite. Sigh. Lopez started last Tuesday against the Reds at Wrigley Field. He came up one out short of a quality start, and the Cubs nearly lost in regulation until Bryan LaHair homered in the ninth; the Cubs eventually lost in the 13th inning. Lopez gave up two runs on eight hits, which included three doubles. He didn't pitch that badly, but he didn't pitch that well, either. What can you do?
Dontrelle Willis started against the Cubs a week ago today at Wrigley Field. Like Lopez, he didn't pitch either great or poorly. It's kind of like he was just... there. Perhaps the most interesting thing about Willis is his hitting; he's 10-for-29 this year (.385) with a .654 SLG (two doubles, a triple, a home run). Maybe they should think about doing the "Rick Ankiel" with him.
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.
Today's first pitch thread will be up at 6:10 p.m. 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.
119 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Reds?
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 Sep 12, 2011 4:05 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Who?
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
Will this be like a world record for next years schedule being out?
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
by mrcubsfan on Sep 12, 2011 4:11 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Nope.
This year’s was released on 9/14/2010.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
I want the Cubs to finish strong, too, but I think Quade could come back.
At this point I’d say it’s 50/50. I’m just glad to see the team playing better and I hope that some of the younger guys get more playing time. Probably not going to happen, but at least we’ll get to see what they can do heading into 2012.
by jeffmills1972 on Sep 12, 2011 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I have a conundrum.
This lineup and this manager make me not want to watch the Cubs tonight. But this might be the last chance I get to watch the Cubs this season, because I’m heading out of town Wednesday and won’t really be back until October.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
If it wasn't already obvious ...
Mike Quade pushed me over the edge today.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
If a had a dollar
for every if I read about the Cubs every year, I could have bought the team by now and was already printing WS tickets.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
My advice is
get yourself a hot dog, some peanuts and print out a scorecard. You might also need an Old Style or 12. Enjoy the game.
Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker
I might watch this game.
I can’t keep score tonight. I can’t force myself to write in that lineup.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
So make up funny nicknames like "food poisoning"
and write those in instead.
Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker
Don't write in any names, then.
Just keep score.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
Me too, more or less. I'm leaving on Saturday for 14 days in northern Spain.
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 Sep 12, 2011 4:29 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Thanks.
Be nice to come back to a new GM and a Cubs team without Quade, Jamarillo, DeJesus, Listach or Riggins.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
you're going to be missing BCB if all that happens right after you leave....hope you have someone to discuss with
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Sep 12, 2011 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions
The fiance/wife as of Saturday will do.
:)
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Thank you.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Now I've got this
cute song going through my head.
Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker
Ha! I'm never heard that before.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
congratulations, good sir!
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Sep 12, 2011 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions
nice! have a great time, and I hope Ricketts gives you the GM of your dreams for a wedding present!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Sep 12, 2011 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Congrats!
Hope you have a beautiful day Sat. and a wonderful trip.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Thanks, sue!
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Mazel Tov!
Enjoy your time away from the 2011 Chicago Cubs.
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 12, 2011 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Cool... Congrats!
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 Sep 12, 2011 5:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
thanks!
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
My GF and I have been together now for over 20 years.
I wish the two of you a similar success.
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 Sep 12, 2011 5:07 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
If the fiance can put up with ME ...
I think we’ll be good.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Thank you.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
you guys across the pond sure get to take a lot of vacations....I'm jealous
have a great time tho….hope you post a few pics on FB for us
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Sep 12, 2011 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Will do - BTW, my last vacation was almost a year ago.
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 Sep 12, 2011 5:05 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
wow, seems like you just went....my bad
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Sep 12, 2011 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions
NP - Don't worry about it
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 Sep 12, 2011 5:26 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Have a great trip.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
I'm not watching.
I’m going to a JV football game and am excited to go. I’ll be glad when this season is over.
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!
Hmmm...
between Lopez or food poisoning…I take Lopez every time.
Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker
Is 'Food Poisoning' Ramon Ortiz's new nickname?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Or maybe it's Doug Davis.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Wow.
Was he on the team THIS year? Seems like about 10 years ago.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
My scrap-heapitis actually made me excited about that move for about 10 minutes.
Of course, it’s possible that I was excited about the fact that James Russell wouldn’t be starting anymore.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Russell...
… has a 1.007 WHIP and 1.93 ERA in 54 relief appearances this year. He’s been excellent in relief.
If only a certain manager had just left him there.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
Totally agree.
Russell is a reason the Cubs could try to trade Sean Marshall this offseason, IMO.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Or move Marshall into the rotation.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
I'm not sold on that.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
It's an option, I think.
At least he’s done it before with some success.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
I agee completely!
A lot of folks on here say they want to get CJ Wilson (who was converted to starter I believe)—-we already may have a version of him in Sean Marshall.
by gettysburg35 on Sep 12, 2011 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Every time I've seen him in person, they won.
So I like him.
Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker
Can you get to Cincinnati by game time?
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
Well then... all together now...
… “Clearly, we are doomed.”
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
I'd rather watch Lopez pitch than listen to Marty or Tom Brennaman...
Or Joe Morgan. What is it about the Reds?
by jeffmills1972 on Sep 12, 2011 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm okay with this lineup
…wait NO I’M NOT.
I’m going to be that guy today: Why the F is Baker starting at first? Is it so silly to ask LaHair to play his only natural position for a night while he’s up for the month?
"We push bunt, we squeeze bunt, we hit and run, we steal home!" - Larry Cox (I think...) on the 1989 NL East Champion Chicago Cubs
I want to be "that guy" too.
So I’ll point out that since the All-Star break, Jeff “Untouchable” Baker has a .487 OPS.
And he’s our cleanup hitter tonight.
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 12, 2011 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for the tip
I’ll be sure to refer to Baker that way for as long as he remains a Cub.
Which will be forever, of course, since he’s FREAKING UNTOUCHABLE!!!!
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 12, 2011 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions
How about "ptomaine"Baker
he induces nausea and then some
You know, I've also wondered why managers like to have a lineup completely made up of righties against a lefty.
Isn’t there some rationale to have one lefty in there, just to help keep the starting pitcher from getting in a groove? Moreover, if this game goes into extras, the Cubs have ONE right handed bat of the bench (unless I’m forgetting someone).
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
"Deadly" indeed
Koyie Hill, since the All-Star break, has a .434 OPS, including a .152 SLG.
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 12, 2011 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions
That's not good is it
but look at his numbers vs LHP
.269 OPS and .095 SLG
UGH
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
Dear Cubs, if you play slowly, very slowly, I will listen to your win tomorrow morning, like I did this morning.
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 Sep 12, 2011 4:33 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I don't think I could take another game that ends just before midnight.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
I was joking...
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 Sep 12, 2011 4:59 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Lineup
Q can’t deal with the rookies success. By not playing LaHair at first when he could shows he doesn’t get it. He’s committed to playing the vets. It would have been a chance to see how LaHair does there, but maybe Q doesn’t want to see how he does in his natural position. Couldn’t he have put Baker in CF and saved Byrd for pinch hitting?
Baker in CF?
Um, no. That would make for a horrific defensive outfield.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
reed in LF byrd in CF baker in RF
take a shot every time one of them grounds out on the first pitch
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Sep 12, 2011 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions
You want someone to die
From alcohol poisoning?
by tootle on Sep 12, 2011 5:20 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
That does solve it and we could see how LaHair does at first.
Later, friends.
Thanks for all the well wishes. I need to run an errand or 12 before I leave later this week.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Watch the game!
Or you’ll miss Marlon Byrd’s 5-RBI night!!!
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
David, if Byrd ever gets a 5 RBI game,
I’ll buy you dinner at Alinea or Mastros.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
Never been to either place.
So I’m looking forward to it!
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
"Ever" with the Cubs, that is.
Oh, hell. He’ll never ever get 5 RBI ever in his career, so let’s not restrict it to Chicago.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
I couldn't do the recap this morning.
Did you all make poo of the horrible, smarmy, imbecilic TV broadcast from last night? I don’t recall watching such poor coverage of a baseball game.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
It was extra-satisfying that the Cubs won...
…because it foiled the ESPN broadcast team’s repeated efforts to will the Mets to victory.
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
Is that what they were talking about?
I had them on mute. I just couldn’t stand how they kept showing them instead of the game.
Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker
They just kept dwelling on the fact that it was Sept. 11...
…and the game was in New York and how great it would be for the home team to win. It was clear that they had a storyline to stick to.
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
And they also missed a bunch of pitches
to focus on Mike Piazza speaking.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
Good to see Colvin in there after a 2-5 performance...
Oh, he must be tired from playing so much!
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Sep 12, 2011 5:20 PM CDT reply actions
And LaHair
He must have taken too many pitches last night
Colvin's OPS is well over 800 since Sept 6...
Wait, he’s only played in 3 games since then, and 1 of them was only 1 inning. My bad!
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Sep 12, 2011 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Excited about overtaking the Pirates for 4th place...
…could this possibly be what really excites us all as Cubs’ fans? I know many will say, “hey, got to keep some optimism and enjoy the season for what it is at this point”. However, I’m sorry but my hopes climb a bit higher and look out a bit further into the future. We should not be trying to lose of course, but we MUST play the young guys more to see what they are capable of for the future, so we can have a more clear and productive off-season. Yes, you can’t sit the veterans down for the final 2/3 weeks, but really, a more productive balance must be struck. I cannot believe Quade’s direction…worse, I cannot fathom anyone higher sitting the man down and explaining this longer term vision to him. At this point, I cannot get excited about going over 500 the final 2 weeks, but I could be excited about a longer term vision, and I for one see no clear vision at this point. Anyone else agree, or am I off my rocker here?
::Looks at line-up::
::Shakes head and counts the 17 days to the end of the Quade “era”.::
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
::Looks at line-up::
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 12, 2011 5:41 PM CDT reply actions
::Looks at the above animated GIF::
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
...
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
LOL
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Sep 12, 2011 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions
It's time for Cubs' Baseball, so jump, if you dare.
Guten Nacht and be careful…
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bleed Cubbie Blue
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Recent Stories in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Eric Hosmer redefines the Baltimore chop with infield double (Video)
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
