There's been a lot spilled on this site today regarding Carlos Zambrano's comments yesterday.
The only thing I have to add, other than that I agree with Z's comments, and other than maybe too much about Carlos Marmol, he was dead-on. It's actually nice to see Z not throw a punch, or a tirade in front of TV cameras in the dugout, or break equipment -- instead, this seemed measured and dead-on, the mark of a team leader. It doesn't appear that he's going to be suspended for the comments, and that is the correct choice. A suspension would send the wrong message. So would a trade; Z just turned 30 and appears to have turned the corner as far as being a consistently good pitcher. He could be a leader of a renewed Cubs team in a year or two.
There is one more thing I need to say here again. We are all frustrated with the play of this team. But I will not tolerate the personal attacks that are again appearing in the comments, some of them from longtime posters here who should know better.
Criticize and bitch about the team, sure. Attack your fellow BCB'ers, or call them names -- don't. Just don't, or you will find yourself asked to leave, or take a timeout.
Oh, yeah, Matt Garza has been activated and Scott Maine sent back to Iowa.
Cubs lineup:
Fukudome RF, Barney 2B, Castro SS, Peña 1B, Ramirez 3B, DeWitt LF, Soto C, Colvin CF, Garza P
Ugh. DeWitt in LF again.
Reds lineup:
Stubbs CF, Phillips 2B, Votto 1B, Bruce RF, Gomes LF, Cairo 3B, Hanigan C, Janish SS, Leake P
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With the weird scheduling these days and Matt Garza's stay on the DL, he is making consecutive starts against the Reds; the Cubs were in Cincinnati less than three weeks ago. In that last outing on May 17, his second start against the Reds this year, Garza's own throwing error helped the Reds win the game. Matt gave up no earned runs that day, but three runs overall. Let's hope for better results today.
Mike Leake has had some, um, interesting adventures since he last pitched against the Cubs, which was last year. He even got sent to Louisville for a time. Since his return he's put up decent starts against the Braves and Brewers. Interestingly, Tyler Colvin has the best record of any current Cub against Leake -- 3-for-6, all home runs. Maybe this can help Colvin get back on track.
Today's game is on WCIU and FSN Ohio. That means, given WCIU's reach and various bizarre blackout rules, this game is likely to be seen almost nowhere. Given the current state of the Cubs, maybe that's a good thing. here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter. The usual caution is advised.
Today's first pitch thread will be up at 6 p.m. CDT and the overflow threads will post at 7 pm, 8 pm and 8:45 pm CDT. If you need more overflows due to extra innings or rain delays, post them in the fanshot section.
Discuss amongst yourselves.