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

I'm opening the game thread early today because I'm heading out and won't be near a computer again before the game starts.

Tonight's national telecast is on WGN. I presume local cable systems in the Atlanta area carrying the game on Sports South won't black it out with a Braves logo with a roll of $100 bills, as some Comcast areas in Chicago did last night:

Somebody at Comcast has a sense of humor!

Alfonso Soriano's leadoff HR last night was his 35th. That ties Bobby Bonds for 4th-most in major league history (Brady Anderson, 44; Craig Biggio, 52; and Rickey Henderson, 81, are the three who have had more). Soriano also became the first Cub to hit three HR off the same pitcher since Sammy Sosa hit three of Houston's Tim Redding on September 23, 2001.

Today's Starting Pitchers

J. Marquis Cubs vs. T. Hudson Braves 5-2 W-L 6-4 2.84 ERA 3.09 40 SO 54 26 BB 22 6 HR 3 vs. Atl -- vs. Cubs

Jason Marquis is facing his former team, the Braves, for the first time as a Cub. However, in three starts for the Cardinals vs. Atlanta, he is 0-2 with a 14.40 ERA. A great deal of that came from this game on July 18, 2006, when Tony LaRussa left him in to take his second 12+ run pounding of the season. He got over the first one earlier this year by beating the White Sox.

Andruw Jones is his tormentor, 7-for-10 lifetime with four home runs.

Tim Hudson is 2-0 lifetime with a 3.00 ERA in 3 career starts vs. the Cubs. The white-hot Alfonso Soriano has hit 3 HR in 34 career AB vs. Hudson -- but has only 3 other hits. Jacque Jones also has 3 HR in 34 AB vs. Hudson -- and a total line of .324/.343/.618. And, Hudson has been hit hard lately -- he is 1-3 with a 6.66 ERA in his last four starts. Let's continue that trend tonight.

MLB.com Mediacenter

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2006 version)

Discuss amongst yourselves.