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Clever headlines? I'm out of 'em. There are 92 games left including tonight. That's about all I can say about this one. Go past the jump and look at the little blurb I have on Cliff Lee for the most interesting thing about this game. And about the Cubs in general? They haven't won more than two games in a row since May 22-25, and have won more than three in a row only twice (four straight from April 23-26, again from May 16-19). On the other hand, they haven't lost more than four in a row all season, either. It's the drip-drip-drip of relentless mediocrity.
Here's something worth reading -- a piece on the history of baseball scoreboards, including the iconic board at Wrigley, as well as some information on the play-by-play boards that used to be set up in downtowns of big cities so that people in pre-radio days could follow the game. They look like giant, live versions of MLB Gameday.
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Usually, here I'll tell you about the Cubs' opposing pitcher's record against them, some of the hitters he's faced, etc. Instead, I want to point you toward one number in Cliff Lee's 2010 record: 4. Yes, four. That's the number of hitters he has walked this year, in 77.2 innings. At first I thought it was a typo, but nope -- that's correct. Four batters walked, and they deserve recognition: Evan Longoria of the Rays on May 16; Howie Kendrick and Juan Rivera of the Angels on May 28; and Joe Mauer of the Twins on June 2 (the Mariners won the last two of those games). That's it. That's sick. Of all qualified starters, the next lowest walk total is 14, by Carl Pavano -- in 19 more innings. The 2010 Cubs are about the least patient team I've ever seen. Not only are we doomed, but this game could be over in about an hour and a half.
Randy Wells has never faced the Mariners or anyone on their team for more than three at-bats.
Today's game is on WGN and FSN Northwest. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Mariners site Lookout Landing. Be careful, though, if you mention [name redacted]. Or Carlos Silva.
Today's first pitch thread will be up at 9 pm CDT, and the overflows will post at 10, 11 and 11:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.