Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview, Thursday 9/15, 6:10 CT: Jet Lag
by Al Yellon on Sep 15, 2011 4:00 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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I've written about this before, but the Cubs -- for the second straight month -- have a night game on the road, then a day game in Chicago the next day. This is simply unfair to the Cubs, even though a flight from Cincinnati to Chicago is less than an hour. What if tonight's game goes into long extra innings?
There are two solutions to this problem. One would be for MLB to have required the Reds to play a day game today. That wouldn't have been too onerous -- if the Reds had been in contention this year, they'd have drawn a decent crowd; since they're not, attendance wouldn't be that much different for a day game. (Plus, it would have been warmer; it's only going to be in the 40s tonight.)
The second is for the Chicago City Council to allow the Cubs, two or three times a year when necessary, to play a Friday night home game, if the game on Thursday is a night road game. I don't think this is too much to ask, either. On the tentative 2012 schedule, the Cubs have just one Thursday road game before a Friday home game: May 3 -- again in Cincinnati -- and May 4 at home against the Dodgers. In the future, I believe the Cubs will be allowed to increase their home night game schedule to around 40 dates -- and they should be permitted Friday night home games under a circumstance like that.
Cubs lineup:
Castro SS, Barney 2B, Ramirez 3B, Pena 1B, LaHair LF, Byrd CF, Colvin RF, Hill C, Wells P
Reds lineup:
Phillips 2B, Stubbs CF, Votto 1B, Alonso LF, Heisey RF, Frazier 3B, Hanigan C, Janish SS, Bailey P
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Randy Wells went seven innings in his only start against the Reds this year on August 7 at Wrigley Field. That's good. The six earned runs he gave up -- not so much. (Still, he and the Cubs were in line to win the game until Sean Marshall had one of his rare bad outings.) However, in his six starts since that one, Wells has been outstanding -- the Cubs have won all six and his ERA is just 2.21, with a 0.959 WHIP. If he can keep this up and finish the year strong, it will be an excellent sign for next year.
Homer Bailey has also made just one start against the Cubs this year, on May 16 in Cincinnati. Carlos Pena homered off him that day. Other current Cubs who have homered off Homer: Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd and Starlin Castro. Perhaps it can be "Homer Off Homer Night" at GABP.
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.
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I'd rather have more day games
than more night games.
Football? Football? What's a football?-Ralphie Parker
by katie casey on Sep 15, 2011 4:14 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm sick and lonely and bored and hungry and cold.
I don’t stand a prayer.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
Your BCB Snuggie™ hasn't arrived yet?
"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'd settle for a pizza and a wife who doesn't work 13-hour days.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
Oh shoot, I just read the recap. Quade is dumber than my boss. And I thought that was impossible.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
The world doesn't revolve around the Cubs
As home team, the Reds have the right to choose day or night. We should have learned by now what the situation is and understood how to deal with it. It’s time to stop acting like victims and act like we’re good enough to deal with bumps in the road. We’ve had teams come in for day games after a night road games and they don’t act the they’re entitled to a night game. Winners deal with adversity. Losers whine about why they aren’t treated fairly.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
That's completely wrong.
Many teams play day games on getaway day, regardless of who the opponent is. MLB allows this because the flight is less than two hours. Just because they allow it, doesn’t mean it should be happening.
And as I said, the Cubs should be permitted to play some Friday night home games in these situations.
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What's completely wrong?
That the Reds have a choice?
That teams have come here for a day game after a previous night game?
That the Cubs should stop acting like victims instead of champions?
By your response you’re saying all of those are completely wrong.
Enrich my knowledge.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
Sorry I didn't answer this earlier.
The Cubs aren’t acting like “victims”.
The Reds DO have a choice. It’s simple courtesy to the visiting team. Other MLB teams do this. The Reds should have done so.
FWIW, most other teams coming to Chicago for day games on Friday either have off days before, or day games scheduled. For example, the Astros had a day game on Wednesday and probably spent their off day in Chicago Thursday.
Same thing happened in August — the Reds had an Aug. 4 off day and spent it in Chicago, while the Cubs were playing a night game in Pittsburgh.
Why should the Cubs get screwed by the schedule while other teams aren’t?
I guess this doesn’t fit your “whining” narrative, though.
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So you're pissed because the Reds
didn’t act in our best interest. I’m shocked. The reality is that the Cubs are have a unique situation whereby most of their games are played in the day. That was their choice and they agreed to the terms. Now you want an exemption to thr rule because it’s your team. It’s my team too but when you insist they got screwed, What is it but whining.
It’s a tough baseball world out there and this organization better stop behaving as if other teams owe us a break.
In the end, exactly what did I write that was
completely wrong?
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
It's not whining.
Again, I ask: why should OTHER teams get the courtesy of a day game on getaway day but the Cubs don’t?
You haven’t answered this question.
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No Al
you never told me what was completely wrong about my comment. All you did was telling us how unfair the Reds were to the Cubs, MLB set the schedule.The Reds felt they would be better served by playing a night game Thursday.Other teams act in their self interest just as I hope the Cubs will do in the future,
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
You still haven't answered my question.
Even the Reds broadcasters bashed their own team on the air for not scheduling a day game on Thursday. It’s simple courtesy.
Simple fairness and courtesy. If you’re not in favor of such things, I don’t know what else to say.
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LaHair and Colvin are both starting?
Did Quade get fired today?
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 15, 2011 4:27 PM CDT reply actions
It would be nice to have LeMahieu start also
He has been muddled on the bench since the call up.
I agree
Barney hasn’t hit much lately (.608 OPS since the All-Star break). Not that DJ is a lot better, but it wouldn’t hurt to let him start at 2B once in a while. I just don’t get why they call guys up (Colvin, LeMahieu) just to have them rot on the bench.
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 15, 2011 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions
But that's what the Cubs do to all of their prospects!
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Sure they do
They sit on the bench and watch the game, just like we do.
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 15, 2011 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions
He just made a honest mistake, nothing more, nothing less.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Wow, LaHair's starting...and unfortunately Koyie Hill is too.
With the rosters expanded, why the heck isn’t Castillo or Clevenger up here getting some PT over Hill at this point? Is this some sort of Jeff Huson/Chad Fox sort of arrangement where the Cubs are trying to get Hill to some kind of benchmark for games played whereby he can receive a full pension? Or is the organization just this inept?
This should’ve been a day game in Cinci, its not like anyone is going to show up anyway.
I like the idea of adding a few more night games, but mostly in situations where the schedule is set up like this, overall I’m not too keen on the Friday night home games unless they are playoff games.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Here's why.
Castillo is injured — hamstring problems. Otherwise he’d have been activated.
Clevenger is in the Southern League playoffs. I assume he’ll be called up when they are over.
Hill is likely starting because there’s the day game tomorrow, so Soto can start tomorrow at home.
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Thanks for the clarification,
good to know re: Castillo, I’ve been out of the loop. Although I’d rather see Michael Brenly than Hill at this point.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
I've got it!
Randy Wells can start and Carlos Marmol can start at Catcher, Randy can 8 innings, then switch with Marmol. They both can’t be that much worse at the plate than Hill.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
How Tough Will Raising the Number of Night Games Be?
That’s given the objection of the neighborhood to any night games. I don’t think the neighborhood would even approve of the number being raised to 32 from 30.
Good things come to those who wait... and wait....and wait.
At this point..
… the Cubs have had 30 night games for almost 10 years. Having another 10 nights wouldn’t be that objectionable to anyone. The team will have to give the neighborhood some perks and protections, then they’ll likely get what they want.
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I'd object
cause the weekday season tix package would ony have about 10 games in it!
by doofus cubs guy on Sep 15, 2011 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions
At that point...
…. there wouldn’t be a weekday season ticket package.
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I Threw Out That Number 32, Because...
this home day game after a road night game will have happened twice this season. I was thinking that if the limit got raised to 32 from 30 that it would have taken care of that issue. Next season, the Reds and Cubs could very well play a 11:35 AM CT on that Thursday before the Cubs come home to play the Dodgers on that Friday. 32 doesn’t seem like an unreasonable amount of home night games.
Good things come to those who wait... and wait....and wait.
(Edit) Could Very Well Play a 11:35 AM CT Game......
Good things come to those who wait... and wait....and wait.
Obviously someone objects or it would have already happened.
Didn’t the Cubs agree to the terms as they exist? A deal is a deal.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
A deal can always be modified.
Right? If not, the Cubs wouldn’t have lights at all.
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Of course it can Al
and I’m not opposed to changing the deal. But you stated there would be no oblection to that and, obviously because it hasn’t changed thus far, there are numerous objections.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
Or maybe the question hasn't been asked yet.
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I can't believe I'm about to open up this can of worms...
What happened to Blake DeWitt? It’s been more than two weeks since he started a game. Not that I’m complaining, I’m just curious, since he was one of Q’s favorites earlier this year.
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 15, 2011 4:32 PM CDT reply actions
I think they were just showcasing him for a trade,
but were too dim to realize nobody wanted a slow, light-hitting third baseman/awful left-fielder in the first place.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Thanks
And he’s still available to pinch “hit” if necessary, right?
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 15, 2011 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions
LaHair has a modest 8 game hitting streak.
Let’s see if he can push it to 9 tonight.
Does Byrd have a clause in his contract that states...
If he gets 450 ABs, he donates $2M to JDRF or somethin’? It’s really the only reason I can think of to keep putting him in the lineup. Enough already, Quade…sheesh!
You know life is good when you hear "Die Hard 5" is in production. Yippee ki-yay, &%^##(&(#&%-ers !
It is pretty amazing
RBI is a team-dependent stat, but it’s hard to believe Byrd has nearly 450 plate appearances this year, mostly in the 3, 5, and 6 spots in the order, and fewer than 30 RBI. Byrd has only 9 more RBI than Colvin, and only 5 more RBI than DeWitt even though he has more plate appearances than Colvin and DeWitt combined.
by Jody Jody Davis on Sep 15, 2011 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Just out of curiosity...
For those of you who don’t want to see more night games or specifically Friday night games, why not? I know it’s a different level but here in Des Moines I love going to Friday night I Cubs home games. Maybe that is also because I work days and can’t take much time off to see day games so night or weekend day games are my only option. Are there other things going on Friday nights in Chicago you would rather go to?
what am I supposed to do all day on Friday then?
I’m a proud member of Lee Elia’s 15%!
by doofus cubs guy on Sep 15, 2011 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Personally, congestion and traffic in the Wrigleyville area,
and I occasionally like to go to bars around there on weekends and don’t wanna always deal with obnoxious drunks and pay for $10 beers. So, for completely selfish reasons.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Wrigleyville residents agree with you.
And though I was never bothered by the obnoxious drunks when I lived there, I know I’m in the minority, so there are un-selfish reasons to agree with you too. Night games are really horrible for the majority of people who live there.
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Sep 15, 2011 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions
But, Byrd is taller, so he's got that going for him, which is nice.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
That is really sad...
…I know RBIs aren’t the end-all-be-all stat, but combine that with a poor OBP and SLG and his lack of walks and we’ve got a real problem on our hands here. Continuing to play him with this much regularity can only be further damaging his trade value as the offseason approaches.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
No she is mine so back off
Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, it doesn't mean that we too can't not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.
by Fat Punk Kicker on Sep 15, 2011 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh I'm taken and Mila is the jealous kind.
But I just love when stuff like this happens and I get to see things.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
She loves me I don't care what that restraining order says
Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, it doesn't mean that we too can't not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.
by Fat Punk Kicker on Sep 15, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
the FBI will be knocking at your door in 10 minutes
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Sep 15, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
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