Today's gratuitous Geovany Soto picture is courtesy of BCB reader KatoRX, who took it at Wrigley Field on September 2:
As we still bask in the afterglow of Z's masterpiece last night, let's refocus, as the players must, on the business of winning this afternoon. The weather box above gives pleasant weather conditions in Milwaukee, though a bit cool, but I suspect the roof may wind up closed even if it's sunny out.
The 7.5 game lead the Cubs have this morning is the largest division lead any Cubs team has had since the 1984 team was up 7.5 games after games of September 20, 1984, four days before they clinched that year.
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Brian Moehler's record against the Cubs this year is far better than his record vs. other teams: 1-1, 2.12 vs. the Cubs, 10-5, but with a 4.45 ERA against everyone else. The potential good news for the Cubs -- as it appeared to be last night vs. Randy Wolf -- is that Moehler is 0-1, 8.53 in five appearances (four starts) in day games in 2008, with 7 HR allowed in 19 innings, suggesting his stuff is easier to hit with better daytime visibility.
Ted Lilly was outstanding in his last outing vs. the Cardinals, exciting all of us not only with his pitching but with his bowling over of Yadier Molina at the plate. After giving up 30 homers in his first 28 starts, Ted has allowed only two in his last three, and none vs. the Cardinals. He is 1-0 with a no-decision vs. Houston this year, the only homer allowed vs. the Astros in 2008 coming off the bat of Carlos Lee on July 18 in Houston.
Today's game is on CSN -- some schedules say CSN+, but this link says it's on the main channel. It's also on FSN Houston, and should be on EI. For those with HD -- as was the case last night, this game will probably NOT be in HD. Also see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
As always, 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 1 pm CT, and the overflow comment threads will post at 2 pm, 3 pm and 3:45 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.