Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Mets Sunday Game ThreadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2013-06-16T15:33:31-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/41901732013-06-16T15:33:31-05:002013-06-16T15:33:31-05:00Mets 4, Cubs 3: So Much For Trading Carlos Marmol
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Z3AeJ8eviCLhOLUh3OIGpKppETw=/0x0:1977x1318/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14886773/20120821_jla_bs6_187.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sunday's Cubs/Mets matchup was a really good game, until the ninth inning.</p> <p>As many of you know, I sometimes get recaps to road games posted right after the last out; I'll start writing in the seventh inning or do, depending on the score, so I can wrap it up quickly and get it posted.</p>
<p>Sunday, for some reason, I didn't do this. I just had a feeling I'd have to rip everything up and start over, and instead of having a recap titled "Sweep!" with effusive praise for <span>Matt Garza's</span> great outing and good bullpen work, I have to tell you about yet another blown save by <span>Carlos Marmol</span>. This one was about as dramatic as they come, two home runs and four runs allowed, resulting in <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2013_06_16_chnmlb_nynmlb_1" target="_blank">a 4-3 Mets win over the Cubs</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> were going for their first series sweep in New York since 1991, but now that 22-year drought will have to wait another year.</p>
<p>It's the 11th time in Marmol's career, and <i>second this season</i>, in which he's allowed four runs in an appearance. It's the second time this year he's given up two home runs in a game.</p>
<p>I don't know what else to say about this pitcher, who had actually been good in his last four outings, and who had to be the closer today, with <span>Kevin Gregg</span> unavailable after he had pitched four days in a row. The pressure must be too much for him, or (as was suggested to me by BCBer elgato), maybe he was tipping his pitches. Or both. Whatever it is, any scouts from any teams watching him today thinking, "Hmmm, maybe I can recommend him after all," likely packed up and went back to their general managers saying "Nope, not this guy, move along, nothing to see here."</p>
<p>At this point, as I've written before, it's probably a good idea to simply release him. He can't be counted on in any critical situation; granted, the Cubs aren't going anywhere in terms of contention this year, but loss after loss in this fashion can't be good for anyone in the organization.</p>
<p>One more thing about this Marmol meltdown -- and it was memorable, if nothing else -- after he gave up the homer, walk and single, I think I'd have brought <span>Blake Parker</span> in the game. It was clear Marmol had nothing, and how much worse could it have been? You can't completely blame Dale Sveum -- as noted, Marmol was the only real option to start the inning -- but once he's pitched the way he has, why stick with him?</p>
<p>All of this ruined an outstanding start from Matt Garza. The same scouts who must have been shaking their heads at Marmol likely sent great reports back to their GMs about Garza. Seven innings, three hits, two walks and no runs -- his best start of the season. Keep this up, Matt, and you'll likely find yourself in the uniform of a contender (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a>? <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>?) in a few weeks.</p>
<p>Cubs starters were excellent all weekend, although keep in mind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> aren't a very good team. <span>Edwin Jackson</span>, <span>Scott Feldman</span> and Garza combined for 20 innings and allowed just 10 hits and two runs, with 18 strikeouts. It's just too bad that Marmol couldn't have recorded three... stinking... outs to get the Cubs out of New York with that elusive sweep.</p>
<p>So the Cubs head to St. Louis for a four-game set against the team with the best record in baseball, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>. Oddly enough, St. Louis is coming off a series loss to the worst team in baseball, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>. That was the first series the Marlins had won all year against any team not named "Mets". The Marlins are 8-3 against the Mets, 13-44 against everyone else. Meanwhile, the Mets managed to end the season series 3-3 with the Cubs. That, as they say, is baseball.</p>
<p>Going forward, I would like to watch Cubs baseball without Carlos Marmol. Thank you in advance, Theo and Jed.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2013/6/16/4436130/cubs-mets-recap-carlos-marmol-matt-garza-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2013-06-16T14:55:04-05:002013-06-16T14:55:04-05:00Overflow Thread 3: Cubs vs. Mets, Sunday 6/16
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/puoToGzz31N7HoF-Cq0RzoZPd0M=/0x230:2668x2009/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14847001/20130615_jla_ag9_055.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>----</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2013/6/16/4426182/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-mets-sunday-6-16-12-10-ctAl Yellon2013-06-16T14:10:06-05:002013-06-16T14:10:06-05:00Overflow Thread 2: Cubs vs. Mets, Sunday 6/16
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i5U-QGDf9f2ycWysF9EYEdUvRDg=/122x0:3876x2503/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14846957/20130615_jla_ag9_073.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>----</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2013/6/16/4426178/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-mets-sunday-6-16-12-10-ctAl Yellon2013-06-16T13:10:04-05:002013-06-16T13:10:04-05:00Overflow Thread 1: Cubs vs. Mets, Sunday 6/16
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9LHHu148bUNygy5JR2T7LNWDBuk=/0x1:4000x2668/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14846897/20130615_mjm_ag9_044.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>----</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2013/6/16/4426172/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-mets-sunday-6-16-12-10-ctAl Yellon2013-06-16T10:00:06-05:002013-06-16T10:00:06-05:00Cubs vs. Mets Preview, Sunday 6/16, 12:10 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/b2I7tVINsHxUit1_xcjRxnJiJUA=/0x1:4000x2668/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14846825/20130615_mjm_ag9_049.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs go for their fourth straight win, and their first three-game sweep of 2013, Sunday in New York.</p> <p>What will the Cubs do to replace <span>David DeJesus</span>, who will be out at least three weeks? <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-chicago-cubs-dejesus--20130615,0,7533257.story" target="_blank">Paul Sullivan has one possible answer</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<pre><span>Ryan Sweeney</span> and <span>Julio Borbon</span> will replace DeJesus in center, and the Cubs will bring up someone from Triple-A Iowa early next week.
[Manager Dale] Sveum said <span>Brett Jackson</span> is still "developing" at Iowa and unlikely to merit a call-up. That leaves <span>Dave Sappelt</span> as the most likely call-up.</pre>
</blockquote>
<p>It's true that the Cubs are too lefthanded (Irony!), but Sappelt didn't hit well when he started the year with the Cubs and hasn't hit well at Iowa (.254/.306/.369 in 130 at-bats). I'd rather see the Cubs activate <span>Steve Clevenger</span> from the DL -- he gives them flexibility at several positions -- and just give the CF job to Sweeney full-time and see what he can do. The Cubs don't need six outfielders.</p>
<p>Consider the source -- <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/sc-spt-0616-whispers-rogers-baseball-20130616,0,2409626.story" target="_blank">Phil Rogers</a> -- but if this were to come true, I think we'd all be happy (depending on the return):</p>
<blockquote>
<pre><span>Kevin Gregg</span> couldn't make the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>' bullpen in spring training, but he has pitched so well for the Cubs that he's on the short list of players the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> are considering as they continue to try to solve their closer dilemma. His experience and strike-throwing ability appeal to the Tigers, who would consider <span>Carlos Marmol</span> as part of a package.</pre>
</blockquote>
<p>Gregg AND Marmol to the Tigers? Sign me up. Let's start with <span>Drew Smyly</span> as part of the return. Who else would you want?</p>
<p>Cubs lineup:</p>
<blockquote>
<pre>Valbuena 3B, Castro SS, Schierholtz RF, Soriano LF, Rizzo 1B, Navarro C, Sweeney CF, Barney 2B, Garza P</pre>
</blockquote>
<p>This will be the first time that <span>Dioner Navarro</span> has caught Matt Garza as a Cub. The two were teammates with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> from 2008-10, and nearly came to blows in the dugout <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080608&content_id=2875917&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb" target="_blank">during one 2008 game</a>. Things were all patched up between them, according to all reports.</p>
<p>Mets lineup:</p>
<blockquote>
<pre>Valdespin 2B, Murphy 1B, Wright 3B, Byrd RF, Duda LF, Buck C, Quintanilla SS, Nieuwenhuis CF, Hefner P </pre>
</blockquote>
<table cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" border="1" width="700"><tbody>
<tr class="yspsctbg">
<td class="ysptblhdr" align="center" height="18"><center>
<h2><i>Today's Starting Pitchers</i></h2>
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="ysptblbdr2">
<table class="yspwhitebg" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="700"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" height="3">
<spacer type="block" height="1" width="1"></spacer><spacer></spacer>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="yspscores" align="center" width="45%">
<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7823" target="newwindow"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2682599/mattgarza.jpg" alt="Matt Garza" border="1" height="480" width="320"></a><br><center> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7823" target="newwindow">
<h2>Matt Garza</h2>
</a> </center> <br><center>
<h2>Cubs</h2>
</center>
</td>
<td align="center" width="10%">vs.</td>
<td class="yspscores" align="center" width="45%">
<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/9162" target="newwindow"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2628117/jeremyhefner.jpg" alt="Jeremy Hefner" border="1" height="480" width="320"></a><br><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/9162" target="newwindow">
<h2>Jeremy Hefner</h2>
</a> <br><h2>Mets</h2>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="ysptblbdr2" colspan="35">
<spacer type="block" height="1" width="1"></spacer><spacer></spacer>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ysprow2" valign="top">
<td class="yspscores" align="center"><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp?playerId=28528" target="newwindow"><center>
<h2>vs. NY</h2>
</center> </a></td>
<td class="yspscores" align="center">--</td>
<td class="yspscores" align="center"><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp?playerId=30870" target="newwindow">
<h2>vs. Cubs</h2>
</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix">
<table class="zebra">
<thead><tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody><tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2013 - <span>Matt Garza</span>
</td>
<td>1-1</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>27.1</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>6.26</td>
<td class="td-last">1.35</td>
</tr></tbody>
</table>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix">
<table class="zebra">
<thead><tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody><tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2013 - <span>Jeremy Hefner</span>
</td>
<td>1-6</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>70.0</td>
<td>66</td>
<td>37</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>4.11</td>
<td class="td-last">1.26</td>
</tr></tbody>
</table>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p>Matt Garza hasn't faced the Mets since 2011, so let's look at his overall record so far this year. Or maybe let's not, because that 6.26 ERA and 1.354 WHIP don't look so good. Garza got crushed in his last outing, last Tuesday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> (boxscore link not provided, so as to not give you heart palpitations). He's going to need to do better than that to attract anyone in the trade market. Current Mets are a small-sample-size 9-for-35 (.257) against Garza; his former teammate <span>Marlon Byrd</span> is 4-for-10 with two home runs off him.</p>
<p>The Cubs hit Jeremy Hefner pretty hard <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201305180.shtml" target="_blank">May 18 at Wrigley Field</a>, the only game the Cubs won in that series. Hefner has made 12 starts this year and the Mets have won one of them. (Oddly enough, against their crosstown rivals, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>.) A continuation of that losing streak would be nice.</p>
<p>Today's game is on WGN.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?ymd=20130401#date=6/16/2013">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_16_chnmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=gameday">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/CHC.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/117705/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p>Please visit our SB Nation <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> site <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/">Amazin' Avenue</a>.</p>
<p>Here's the scoop on game threads for 2013. You'll find the game preview -- like this one -- posting as the first link in the StoryStreamâ„¢, which will then contain all the overflow threads and the recap. The recap will also be on the front page as a separate post; once I post a game recap, the stream for each game will be retitled "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.</p>
<p>In general, game previews will post two hours before game time. Exception: for day games after night games, that will usually be 90 minutes.</p>
<p>You will also be able to find the First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads in the box marked "<a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (<a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/game-threads">you can also find them in this section link</a>). They will also appear in this StoryStreamâ„¢. As I've done for each regular-season game for several years now, we'll have the First Pitch thread at five minutes before game time (moved up from actual game time per your requests), then an overflow one hour, two hours and 2:45 after game time.</p>
<p>Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2013/6/16/4426084/chicago-cubs-new-york-mets-lineups-preview-sundayAl Yellon