Open Thread: Cubs vs. Pirates, Saturday 9/8, 6:05 CT

There isn't a whole lot that I can say about tonight's game, except this:

JUST WIN, Z. JUST WIN.

Today's Starting Pitchers

C. Zambrano Cubs vs. I. Snell Pirates 14-12 W-L 9-11 4.35 ERA 4.01 155 SO 155 87 BB 56 21 HR 21 vs. Pit -- vs. Cubs

Maybe reverse psychology will work today. Z hasn't beaten the Pirates since September 3, 2005; since then he is 0-4, 6.26 in five starts against them. Jason Bay absolutely kills Z -- 12-for-33 (.364/.447/.939, four doubles, five HR, 16 RBI). Jack Wilson, who homered last night, is hitting .700 (yes, that's right, SEVEN HUNDRED, 14-for-20) in his last five games.

We are doomed, particularly because not only does Ian Snell have a great smile in that photo, but he has recently invented a wireless device that's 100 times cooler than the iPhone, whips up seven-course gourmet meals for the entire Pirates team on days that he starts, and has just finished delivering the entire press run of Sunday's Tribune containing the article about me and BCB.

They'll play the game anyway tonight, but as you can see, we're done for. (Think that's enough?)

The only TV coverage today is on WGN; no Pittsburgh channel is carrying the game, so it won't be on EI. Thus if you don't have WGN, check today's Mediacenter link.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2006 version)

MLB.com Gameday for the Brewers/Reds game (6:10 CT start)

MLB.com Gameday for the Cardinals/Diamondbacks game (8:40 CT start)

Discuss amongst yourselves.