Open Thread: Cubs vs. Angels at Tempe, Sunday 3/18, 3:05 CT

by Al Yellon on Mar 18, 2007 12:51 PM CDT in Game Threads

If this pitching matchup were for a regular-season game (or, we can dream, for a postseason game), the MSM would be all over it.

Carlos Zambrano faces John Lackey. Z will go five innings for the first time this spring. Although the Angels are a split-squad today, since this game is at the Angels' home park, we should see most of their regulars.

There isn't much news since my report yesterday of future pitching matchups; I'm excited to see Sean Gallagher throw in the split-squad game tomorrow at Maryvale. Well, except this from Bruce Miles: Ryan Dempster may be hurt:

Dempster is experiencing "parascapular spasms" near his right shoulder blade, or as he put it, he has a "knot" there. He said he hopes to pitch again Monday. He hasn't pitched since last Tuesday.

"Parascapular spasms". I swear, you have to go to medical school these days just to be a baseball fan. I hope Dempster throws in the Maryvale game, so I can give you a firsthand report on how he looks. Sean Gallagher will indeed start the Maryvale game; Wade Miller will pitch in Mesa tomorrow.

There are plenty of places you can see today's game. It's on CSN Chicago. If you are in an area that is in the Angels' local TV territory, you can see it on FSN West. Or, the Mediacenter has it on MLB.TV, and also audio from both teams' radio stations, WGN and KSPN.

Here's MLB.com Gameday for those of you who have none of the above.

Finally, last night I was a guest at the home of Jim McLennan, the SB Nation blogger for the Diamondbacks at AZ Snakepit. He and his wife Chris were gracious hosts and we had a nice evening discussing baseball (and me admiring her collection of Star Trek plates). They were wearing matching D'backs jerseys (his saying "AZSnakepit.com", hers reading "Mrs. Snakepit", on the back). Adorable, if you ask me. Thanks again to them for their hospitality.

Cubs lineup for today, as always courtesy of Bruce Miles:

Soriano, CF
Theriot, 2B
Floyd, DH
Ramirez, 3B
Ward, 1B
Murton, LF
Pie, RF
Blanco, C
Izturis, SS

Zambrano, P

I like this lineup (particularly with Theriot hitting 2nd), but 1B may be an adventure today with Ward there. Still, they have to find out if he can play there, because he's really the only suitable backup for Derrek Lee.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Cliff Floyd

Floyd could play some first base to give Lee a day off every once in a while.

"Harlem Furniture......You'll like our style!"

by Imtrejo on Mar 18, 2007 1:19 PM CDT reply actions

Floyd doesn't play first

The Expos tried to convert him there early in his career, which is when Todd Hundley ran into him and broke his wrist. He hasn't tried to play first since 1997.

It's too bad, because with his bum heel, he can't play the outfield either.

The call of the Cub fan, c. 1893: "one long, ravaged, derisive yell...a cyclonic whoop!"

by cubzfan on Mar 18, 2007 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Like the line-up

Floyd may have some trouble playing 1st, especially stretching one out or saving a bad throw. Hopefully Dempster´s alright, thanks for the update Al. Gettin reeeaaal close to opening day...

by lilkimmer77 on Mar 18, 2007 1:24 PM CDT reply actions

Dempster

Dempster was a guest during the game yesterday and said that he just slept "on his arm" and it causes some muscle tightness. He seemed to think it was no big deal.

"Harlem Furniture......You'll like our style!"

by Imtrejo on Mar 18, 2007 1:24 PM CDT reply actions

Any play-by-play would be appreciated

currently in Argentina

by lilkimmer77 on Mar 18, 2007 1:25 PM CDT reply actions

I just got

home and turned on the tv and the CUbs are behind 3-0. That's all I can tell you right now.

Go Cubs!!

by sue369 on Mar 18, 2007 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Here's hoping....

....Pie has the chance to make some defensive gems today, showing they need to make room for him NOW.

Besides the obvious - Go Irish.

Z. He doesn't need an exclamtion point. He is one.

by PopeFlick on Mar 18, 2007 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

Parascapular spasms

Simple of you break it down. Para meaning parallel, scapula meaning shoulder blade. Basically it's a spasm in the muscle in between his shoulder blade and his spine.

by MerigoldBowling on Mar 18, 2007 2:19 PM CDT reply actions

As an aside

..over in Peoria, fat boy David Wells has coughed up 7 runs in 1 and a third...Chi Sox 7 SD 0.

I really don't like that guy. Can ya tell?

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 18, 2007 3:33 PM CDT reply actions

Lackey is dominating...

I doubt if the Cubs will score until he is out of the game.

The "Bad" Zambrano is working today, the one who loses concentration with two strikes. Ground galls with eyes have done him in, also.

Ramirez has now struck out twice. The Cubs have gotten the ball out of the infield once. I am THRILLED we do NOT play the Angels this year.

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Mar 18, 2007 3:57 PM CDT reply actions

is gameday working at all?

I just tried it but it won't come up

I have on mlb.tv

angels got their 3 on 3 singles and a bases-clearing triple by figgins that just got by Ward down 1B line. theriot made a nice play to cut off the run at home on the next play since figgins was running on contact w/ the infield in.

11 straight cubs have gone down. 3-0 after 3.5

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 3:58 PM CDT reply actions

It isn't

working for me either.

Go Cubs!!

by sue369 on Mar 18, 2007 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Bottom 3rd

Angels up...

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Mar 18, 2007 3:58 PM CDT reply actions

Z is still pitching

Theriot couldn't get pop - single.

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Mar 18, 2007 3:59 PM CDT reply actions

FC

Safe at 2nd Hit and Run

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Mar 18, 2007 4:00 PM CDT reply actions

Keep It Coming Eman

No Gameday, no XM, no nothin'. BCB is all there is!

by Luigi on Mar 18, 2007 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I Know its "ST"...

But, Cinci has only lost 3 games this spring...

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Mar 18, 2007 4:01 PM CDT reply actions

The Bad 'Z'

Re: your post of a few minutes ago. I guess I'd rather that 'Z' gets all the bad out in ST.

by Luigi on Mar 18, 2007 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Indeed,

This is what Pat and Ron just talked about...

Do you think $80MM will help?

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Mar 18, 2007 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Who Knows?

As much as I love watching Zambrano in cubbie blue I have very mixed feelings about giving him the huge contract. What does next year's free agent market look like? I haven't kept up. Moreover, what kind of players could 'Z' bring in trade? Something primo to address one of our many needs I would think, along with prospects.

OTOH, we all know our staff needs a solid anchor if it is every to be what we had all hoped for a few short years ago. If Hill can pick up where he left off last year and if one or two of our minor leaguers ever blossom a guy like 'Z' could really be the icing on the cake. I' glad I' not the GM.

by Luigi on Mar 18, 2007 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

K

2 down.

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Mar 18, 2007 4:01 PM CDT reply actions

K 2

Out of inning.

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Mar 18, 2007 4:06 PM CDT reply actions

Murton just got robbed

garrett anderson reached over & took one away.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:17 PM CDT reply actions

Soriano flies to warning track in RF

after a 10-pitch AB. 2 outs in 6th after izzy single

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:27 PM CDT reply actions

theriot grounds out. inning over

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:28 PM CDT reply actions

4-0

a double and 2 singles. 1st and 3rd 1 out for the halos.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:36 PM CDT reply actions

nice throw by Pie from RF

almost got the runner at third but late. that allowed the hitter to move to 2nd. 2nd and 3rd

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

K for Z but he's coming out after 5 2/3

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:40 PM CDT reply actions

Eyre in

comebacker. inning over.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:43 PM CDT reply actions

FranKie Rodriguez in

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:46 PM CDT reply actions

Floyd lines one to Vlad

almost over his head. 1 out

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

Aram pops to Vlad. 2 outs

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:49 PM CDT reply actions

Ward goes down. still 4-0 after 6.5

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:52 PM CDT reply actions

Vlad lines out to Soriano. nice play

runner advances to third. 2 outs.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 4:59 PM CDT reply actions

tapper back to Eyre. 4-0 after 7

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 5:00 PM CDT reply actions

Darren Oliver in for angels

Murton grounds to SS on first pitch

Pie flies to LF on first pitch

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 5:04 PM CDT reply actions

Koyie Hill (I think) flies to CF. end of 7.5

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 5:06 PM CDT reply actions

top 9th

cedeno Ks looking

soriano flies out

theriot walks

floyd grounds out to 2nd.

cubs lose.

totals: 0 runs, 2 hits. 1 error I don't remember seeing.

good night everybody

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 5:23 PM CDT reply actions

The error

was a Felix Pie throw from RF to 3B that overshot the cutoff man and hit the baserunner, allowing the hitter to advance to second from first.

We love no other, so let our motto be: Victory Illinois Varsity!

by NightPutting on Mar 18, 2007 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions

That was a tough error.

I had originally scored it as an advance on the throw; yes, he overthrew the cutoff man, but it wasn't really an error.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 18, 2007 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions

thanks

I know the ball got away because it hit the runner, but I didn't think he overthrew the cutoff man, as I saw it, but i'll take your word for it. it looked like a low throw that wasn't cut off.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 18, 2007 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions