The first All-Star balloting report is out, (link opens .pdf!) and three Cubs are leading their positions -- two outfielders (Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome), and Geovany Soto. Good for the voters for recognizing Soto. Soriano doesn't really deserve All-Star starting consideration, and I assume Fukudome is getting a ton of online votes from Japan. Aramis Ramirez is third despite his fine start, but both David Wright and Chipper Jones are off to better starts.
Now, more importantly, on to tonight's game.
| Today's Starting Pitchers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One of the biggest reasons the Dodgers are struggling is Derek Lowe, who is off to a disappointing start. At age 35 he may be starting a decline phase of his career -- so this would be a great time for the Cubs to hasten that decline. Derrek Lee is about the only Cub who really hits him well (10-for-22, .455/.500/.636). Lowe is 0-4, 7.29 in his last six starts and hasn't beaten the Cubs since he one-hit them at Wrigley Field on August 31, 2005. (Get a load of the lineup that day, too.)
Z is at last off to a great start, and the way he's going, maybe this will finally be the Cy Young year we've all been hoping for. The best thing is that he's kept his control and command all year and kept his walk total down.
Today's game is on WGN and ESPN2, so virtually everyone in North America with cable/satellite should be able to see it. Otherwise check 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.