Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview, Tuesday 9/13, 6:10 CT

by Al Yellon on Sep 13, 2011 4:01 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs Game Threads

Starlin Castro of the Chicago Cubs receives congratulations after scoring during a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cubs defeated the Reds 12-8. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)

Monday night's win accomplished two things:

Put the Cubs in position for only their second four game (or more) winning streak of the season (the other one was the seven-game streak in early August)
Put the Cubs in position, if they can go just 8-7 over the season's remaining 15 games, to finish with fewer than 90 losses

Small things. Like last year, this team is making a late run, which we discovered after last September's run to be mostly meaningless. Still, I much prefer seeing the Cubs win, to seeing loss after loss. Plus, beating the Reds is always fun. The Cubs trail the Pirates for fourth place by only two games. Some of you might say, "Take the higher draft pick!" But, not even knowing who's going to be out there next June, I'll take the higher finish.

Cubs lineup:

Castro SS, Barney 2B, Ramirez 3B, Pena 1B, LaHair RF, Soriano LF, Byrd CF, Soto C, Dempster P

Reds lineup:

Phillips 2B, Renteria SS, Votto 1B, Bruce RF, Alonso LF, Stubbs CF, Francisco 3B, Mesoraco C, Leake P

Today's Starting Pitchers


Ryan Dempster Cubs	vs.	Mike Leake Reds

10-11	W-L	11-9
4.74	ERA	4.00
169	SO	116
64	BB	36
20	HR	23
vs. Cin	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Ryan Dempster	10-11	31	30	0	0	0	0	176.2	186	96	93	20	64	169	4.74	1.42

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Mike Leake	11-9	32	25	0	0	0	0	159.2	153	73	71	23	36	116	4.00	1.18

Ryan Dempster will be making his fifth start against the Reds this year. The teams will play 18 times this season -- more matchups than the Cubs have had against any other team. Dempster has thrown well vs. Cincinnati this year: a 2.88 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and only one home run allowed in 25 innings. Current Reds are hitting .240 (47-for-196) against Dempster, who is looking to finish up the season strong.

Mike Leake nearly threw a two-hit shutout against the Cubs in his last start, September 6 at Wrigley Field, that is, until Bryan LaHair tied the game with a home run. Reports are that Leake will be shut down for the rest of the year after tonight. Let's have the Cubs give him a sendoff with more home runs.

Today's game is on CSN Chicago Plus (check your cable listings) and FSN Ohio. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation 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.

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Comments

I have no clue what to think of this late surge.

All I know is that I’ll miss baseball—and you sickos—when this is over.

"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo

by chilango2 on Sep 13, 2011 4:06 PM CDT reply actions

We'll be here talking about baseball all winter.

Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation

by Al Yellon on Sep 13, 2011 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Instructs start on Friday.

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Sep 13, 2011 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I know. And some of those chats are more interesting than ones we have during the season.

But the daily nature of the pre/post/game threads is wonderfully unique.

"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo

by chilango2 on Sep 13, 2011 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

True, but October, one way or another, should be pretty interesting...

by TJ11 on Sep 13, 2011 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

ISAH hope so...

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 13, 2011 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions

November, December, January, February

will be too. It is sad when the off season carries more weight than the actual season.

by jpeters407 on Sep 13, 2011 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I would say that all depends on the 2012/2013 seasons

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 13, 2011 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope you are right

but I think there will be more discussion here during the off season than there is now.

by jpeters407 on Sep 13, 2011 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

As a fellow sicko, I must say I agree... ;-)

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 13, 2011 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Good Byrd is playing!

I was worried Colvin and his 3 RBI the last time he played would be in there.

Byrd was the offensive hero last night and needed another start!

by TJ11 on Sep 13, 2011 4:09 PM CDT reply actions

At least LaHair is playing.

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Sep 13, 2011 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Its something I guess....

Maybe the cubs are not sure what Soriano and Byrd can do yet….????

by TJ11 on Sep 13, 2011 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I gotta agree with TJ...

why on Earth is Marlon Byrd in the lineup every stinkin’ game? Byrd has had 1 extra base hit this month, 4 RBIs and scored 3 runs. That’s beyond pathetic. Keep runnin’ him out there, Quade, and hopefully each time gets you that much closer to the exit door.

You know life is good when you hear "Die Hard 5" is in production. Yippee ki-yay, &%^##(&(#&%-ers !

by Easy Ed on Sep 13, 2011 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't understand it at all...

But the managing is predictably bad everyday.

by TJ11 on Sep 13, 2011 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Because...

Any day now he could get his 30th RBI! We need to celebrate these Cubbie milestones!

And Soriano just .011 away from a .300 OBA!

by John916 on Sep 13, 2011 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I am with you TJ

Colvin in center, and I wouldn’t mind seeing DJ at second.

by Grockcubs on Sep 13, 2011 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions

This is a peculiar approach.

Some of you might say, “Take the higher draft pick!” But, not even knowing who’s going to be out there next June, I’ll take the higher finish.

Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!

by shoemile on Sep 13, 2011 4:13 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, I don't get that at all, either.

I can guarantee that there will be a finite number of baseball players in the draft.

I would rather get one of my first 5 choices than one of my first 10 choices.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Sep 13, 2011 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Today's lineup has 2 players I want to see-Castro and LaHair....and 1-Barney that I hope does well.

The others…..nah….

by TJ11 on Sep 13, 2011 4:13 PM CDT reply actions

You must have missed that your boy Soriano is in left.

Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!

by shoemile on Sep 13, 2011 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

That is pretty funny.....

by TJ11 on Sep 13, 2011 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Per Bruce Levine:

Quade says Dempster might get 3 more start to get 200 innings for 4 th straight season.

Let the jackassery continue!

"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo

by chilango2 on Sep 13, 2011 4:35 PM CDT reply actions

Well, why is that jackassery?

It’s not like Dempster is taking starts from someone else.

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Sep 13, 2011 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I wouldn't necessarily call it 'jackassery'

But it shows where Quade’s head is at. And I guarantee if Dempster was taking starts away from someone else, Quade would use that as the reason.

Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!

by shoemile on Sep 13, 2011 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

But he's not, so who cares?

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Sep 13, 2011 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Put another way, who else would start?

James Russell?

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Sep 13, 2011 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions

The point is that this is what is at the forefront of his mind.

As a manager, this is what he feels is important. It goes with his thought that vets like Reed should play over young guys because they’ve “earned” it.

Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!

by shoemile on Sep 13, 2011 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

We have enough ammo to use against Quade ...

without being mad that he’s pitching Dempster over, well, no one.

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Sep 13, 2011 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope it wont be the reason Quade leaves Dempster in a game when he's failing and needs to be taken out

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Sep 13, 2011 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions

quade would never do that

I'm a happy panda.

by jesus christos on Sep 13, 2011 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Ha!

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Sep 13, 2011 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions

If he is not distracted by having to clap.

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 13, 2011 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions

He'll leave him in because he doesn't want Demp to yell at him again.

Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!

by shoemile on Sep 13, 2011 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

And in related news..............

BYRD WILL PLAY UNTIL HE GETS TO 32 RBI!!!!!!!!

by TJ11 on Sep 13, 2011 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

reed will play until he gets to a 20:1 k/bb ratio

I'm a happy panda.

by jesus christos on Sep 13, 2011 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Byrd

Are you saying that Byrd will be in the everyday lineup until next July 4th?

by ClydeR on Sep 13, 2011 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Naw, more like 2013

because BJax will take his spot.

by jpeters407 on Sep 13, 2011 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions

in 2014

by TJ11 on Sep 13, 2011 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Dempster

Quade thinks getting Dempster 200 innings but doesn’t care to find out if LaHare is an everyday player. Quade needs to get a clue!

by ClydeR on Sep 13, 2011 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions

We're in a race

so who cares if we overuse his arm this year…. Too bad the race is to save Q balls job (in his mind).

by LT on Sep 13, 2011 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

No, in his mind we can still win the division.

by jpeters407 on Sep 13, 2011 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Its our year!!!

by TJ11 on Sep 13, 2011 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions

LaHair & Colvin

LaHair should be at 1b every day to see if he is a possibility next year and Colvin should be in the lineup everyday to see if he can get back to last years output. Those two things are more important than getting Baker and Pena at bats!

by ClydeR on Sep 13, 2011 4:36 PM CDT reply actions

I really look forward to seeing the Cubs bury the Reds again - 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 Sep 13, 2011 4:42 PM CDT reply actions

katie casey, if you are here, to find overflow threads use this link:

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/section/Game-Threads

The new threads usually show up 30 to 40 seconds late.

This works 98% of the time… Makes posting jumps easy.

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 13, 2011 4:58 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks!

How do you add the fun pictures?

Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker

by katie casey on Sep 13, 2011 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I can show you.....

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 13, 2011 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions

First you have to find a fun picture - GIS is a good place to do this.

The picture must be on a server in the internet, i.e. a picture on your local harddisk can’t be used, unless you are running a webserver in the background.

Take the address of the image, e.g. http://home.mnet-online.de/dj7mgq/CubsPics/HappyOwner.jpg and use the little tree icon to create an image link. This will look like this:

Find the overflow thread. It will have an address similar to this: http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/9/12/2420511/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-reds-monday-9-12-6-10-ct.

Copy its address (ctrl+c on Windows), return to the comment box and mark the entire image link. Use the chain icon to create a mobile unfriendly link. You should now have something like this:

Remove the http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com from the address of the new thread, for example:

This makes things easier for iPhone and Android users, i.e. the jump is now mobile friendly. The Mobile site users are not catapulted onto the full site, we all know and love on our computers.

Post the jump.

I know this sounds complicated but it really isn’t, once you have done it a couple times.

The above example creates the following image jump:

Questions?

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 13, 2011 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

tl;dr

"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo

by chilango2 on Sep 13, 2011 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Couldn't really make it shorter...

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 13, 2011 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions

joking dude

"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo

by chilango2 on Sep 13, 2011 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Phew... I feel better now... ;-)

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 13, 2011 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Or you can just entire all the HTML stuff by hand.

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 13, 2011 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions

...enter all the...

Geez – I should head for bed.

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 13, 2011 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks!

That does sound a little complicated for me. I appreciate your taking the time to explain.

Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker

by katie casey on Sep 13, 2011 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions

It really isn't, it only sounds complex.

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 13, 2011 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I printed your instructions out

for when I have a chance to try it. Right now, it’s dinner time here.

Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker

by katie casey on Sep 13, 2011 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Guten Appetit

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 13, 2011 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions

thanks again.

Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker

by katie casey on Sep 13, 2011 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions

NP - my pleasure

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 13, 2011 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions

You know Beavis and Butthead come back October 27?

It will rock.

"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo

by chilango2 on Sep 13, 2011 5:08 PM CDT reply actions

What station?

by ubercubsfan on Sep 13, 2011 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions

The MTV. I thought it had gone off the air, but apparently it's still on.

"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo

by chilango2 on Sep 13, 2011 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

It was cancelled long ago.

I don’t know if it will hold the same charm it did in the early 90’s.

by ubercubsfan on Sep 13, 2011 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I meant the channel.

I haven’t even seen it on my lineup since I graduated college. In 2001.

"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo

by chilango2 on Sep 13, 2011 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah. Speaking of old shows making a comeback...

I noticed your avatar there and did you know they are trying to make an Arrested Development movie? That is one I’m really looking forward to if it goes through.

by ubercubsfan on Sep 13, 2011 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions