- Wednesday notes: Buzz Bissinger doesn't like bloggers.
- A 50-game suspension was handed out today to former Giants backup catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, who is now playing in Triple-A.
- The All-Star ballots are out. All the Cubs' opening day starters are listed. Derrek Lee, Geovany Soto, Aramis Ramirez and Kosuke Fukudome, based on their performances to date, probably merit votes.
- John Smoltz says he's willing to go back to the bullpen after he comes off the DL. They'd probably be well served making him their closer. If he gets 46 more saves, he'd become the first pitcher in history to have 200+ wins and 200+ saves.
- A win tonight will break the franchise record for wins in April, which is 16 (and that's a legitimate 16 in April 2008, since they lost on March 31). The record was set in 1969.
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Dempster has thrown well all year so far, though he again walked way too many in his last outing. He's already beaten the Brewers once this month. Jason Kendall hits him hard -- 13-for-28 lifetime (.464).
Similarly, Jeff Suppan has a win against the Cubs earlier this month. Lifetime he's got a very good record in Wrigley Field -- 4-2, 3.36 in nine starts -- and one Cub, Derrek Lee, pound him (18-for-39, 6 doubles, 4 HR, 9 walks, .462/.563/.923).
Similar pitchers on a nicer weather night than last night. Go Cubs!
Once again for you out of towners, a WCIU game is on ESPN and so available nationally. There's no Milwaukee area TV so I'm pretty sure everyone gets this. See also today's MLB.com Mediacenter. There are only six more WCIU games, all Mondays or Wednesdays, which are days ESPN does games, so there's a fair chance many of them could be picked up by ESPN. The next one is Wednesday, May 14.
MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)
MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Today's overflow comment thread will post at 8:30 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.