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Open Thread: Cubs vs. Braves, Monday 9/11, 6:05 CT

I love doing this kind of thing.

Even though Rich Hill is the OLDEST member of the Cubs' starting rotation (unless you're including Wade Miller, and that's not a given) -- when John Smoltz was drafted by the Tigers in the 22nd round (!) of the 1985 draft, Hill was in kindergarten.

Today's Starting Pitchers
Rich Hill
R. Hill
Cubs
vs. John Smoltz
J. Smoltz
Braves
4-6 W-L 12-8
4.83 ERA 3.63
57 SO 183
32 BB 45
12 HR 20
vs. Atl -- vs. Cubs

If the Braves win tonight, they will become the second team this year (and second in all of Cub history, though this has less meaning with only six- or seven-game 'season series') to sweep the entire season series; the other was the Padres.

Smoltz has beaten the Cubs like the proverbial drum his entire career -- 15-4, though he didn't pitch that well (and got a no-decision) in the Bizarro Baseball game, the 13-12 Braves win over the Cubs in Wrigley Field last May (the one that Atlanta won when a popup hit Aramis Ramirez in the head).

Man, this has been a ridiculous year. Anyway, the last time the Cubs beat Smoltz, the Cub starter was Greg Maddux. The first time Maddux was with the team -- that link is to a game from July 5, 1992, fourteen years ago.

I expect Smoltz's streak to continue tonight, though it'd be nice for Rich Hill to throw a good game again, particularly since the quality of the opponent is a little greater than the one from his last start.

News today: former Cub and Brave outfielder Dwight Smith was arrested for cocaine possession during a routine traffic stop last Friday in Atlanta.

MLB.com Cubs Gameday

Discuss amongst yourselves.