Chicago Cubs game threads

Open Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Wednesday 5/21, 7:05 CT

By Al Yellon@bleedcubbieblue May 21, 2008, 4:15pm CDT

Next Game

Chicago Cubs
@ Houston Astros

Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 7:05 PM CDT
Minute Maid Park

Sean Gallagher vs Shawn Chacon

Clear. Winds blowing out to center field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Complete Coverage >

Barry Rozner says that not only will the Cubs win the NL Central, they ought to win by at least 10 games.
Bruce Miles talks stats with Ryan Theriot, and reminds us:
Theriot made some changes to his swing over the winter and came to spring training in good shape, proving that perhaps you can work and "grit" your way to better numbers.
Sean Gallagher went on the Kerry Wood diet over the winter and lost 30 pounds. If you're interested in the company that provides Wood, Gallagher and others with the diet plan and meals, Sunfare, here's their website, although as of now they only operate in the Phoenix and Los Angeles areas. (It ain't cheap, either.)
For the Astros fan point of view, check out the SBN Astros site The Crawfish Boxes. (You see lineups posted there because they wait longer to post their game threads, only an hour before game time. I don't think you guys want to wait that long. Right?)

Today's Starting Pitchers


S. Gallagher Cubs	vs.	S. Chacon Astros


1-0	W-L	0-0
4.40	ERA	4.14
10	SO	35
7	BB	27
1	HR	9
vs. Hou	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Sean Gallagher	1-0	4	2	0	0	0	0	14.1	14	7	7	1	7	10	4.40	1.47

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Shawn Chacon	0-0	9	9	0	0	0	0	54.1	53	29	25	9	27	35	4.14	1.47

Shawn Chacon has set an unusual record this year: his first nine starts all ended with a no-decision. He's actually pitched fairly well in most of them, including 8 shutout innings against the Phillies on April 15. The Astros are 4-5 in Chacon's starts. He is 1-3, 8.31 in 5 career starts vs. the Cubs, and Aramis Ramirez eats him for breakfast, lunch and dinner (.588/.600/1.706, yes, that's one-point-seven-zero-six, 10-for-17, 4 doubles, 5 HR, 13 RBI).

Sean Gallagher threw OK in his first start, better in his next one, and now is the time for him to continue what appears to be a developing consistency. He pitched one scoreless inning in relief against Houston last August 8, and the only hit he has allowed to a current member of the Astros is a single to Kaz Matsui, last year when Matsui was with the Rockies.

Today's game is on cable in Chicago and Houston and at the MLB.com Mediacenter.

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.