IMPORTANT SITE NOTE!
Since we now have up to five separate comment threads for each game, in an effort to reduce the clutter on the front page -- I don't think it looks good to have all the overflow threads there with just one line -- I'm removing the threads from the front page, starting today. Now, don't worry -- they will still be easily linkable. Go look at the right sidebar -- you will see a box that is titled "RECENT STORIES IN GAME THREADS", right below the FanPost list (or on pages other than the front page, below the "RECENT POSTS" list). The first pitch thread and the overflow threads will all be there. The only game thread that will continue to be on the front page will be this one, the pregame thread, since it has other useful links and the pitcher box. Note, this is not intended to discourage participation at all -- the same number of threads will post at the same times as the last couple of weeks. They'll just be in a different location. Thanks for understanding.Saturday notes:
Jeff Samardzija has temporarily stopped blogging.
The Cubs are going to ask the city for up to ten more night games, including Friday and Saturday nights.
The NHL has asked for, and the Cubs have approved, a temporary video board to be placed behind the LF bleachers for the Winter Classic on January 1, 2009.
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Paul Maholm has a weird record vs. the Cubs. He's 4-0, but with a 6.15 ERA in seven career starts (six of which the Pirates have won). One of those was on May 25, when he allowed five earned runs in eight innings, but the Pirates won in 11. Curiosity: neither the winning nor losing pitcher in that game is still active with that team -- Damaso Marte is with the Yankees and Jon Lieber is on the DL. Alfonso Soriano homered off Maholm in that May 25 game.
Ted Lilly is leading the major leagues in HR allowed -- 25. This isn't good. He was the starter in that May 25 game vs. Maholm and allowed four ER in 6 IP, including HR by Xavier Nady (OK, he's not on the team any more either) and two by Luis Rivas, who has hit only three all year. Lilly's going to have to do better than this, period. The Cubs need to keep winning series.
Today's game is on cable only in the Pittsburgh and Chicago markets. With the usual Saturday Fox blackouts (END THE BLACKOUTS!!!) it won't be on EI. It should be available through the MLB.com Mediacenter.
MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)
MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Once again, a reminder that you can find the overflow comment threads, including the first pitch thread, on the right sidebar of both the front page and any interior page in the box headed "RECENT STORIES IN GAME THREADS". Today's first pitch thread posts at noon CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 1 pm, 2 pm and 2:45 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.