Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Reds Wednesday Game ThreadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2014-05-01T08:00:18-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/54178492014-05-01T08:00:18-05:002014-05-01T08:00:18-05:00Cubs 9, Reds 4: At Last, A Laugher
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YTjFdi_jsGCxSblavFa6xKvhpoo=/0x420:2667x2198/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32392073/487514197.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Robbins</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Now that's the way I've always heard it should be. (100 BCB points for the song reference.)</p> <p>There are two things we can certainly agree on regarding <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2014_04_30_chnmlb_cinmlb_1" target="_blank">the Cubs' 9-4 win over the Reds</a> Wednesday night:</p>
<ul>
<li> When the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> are winning, the length of the game becomes secondary, and </li>
<li> This team actually <i>is</i> capable of scoring runs! </li>
</ul>
<p><span>Anthony Rizzo</span> was the offensive star of the game, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning (his second this year off a lefthander) and drawing four walks. Last year, Rizzo finished sixth in the National League in walks. The four bases on balls Wednesday night gave him 18 for the season... tied for fifth in the league with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>' <span>Matt Carpenter</span>.</p>
<p>But there were plenty of other offensive heroes in this game, which tied the Cubs' season high for runs. <span>Starlin Castro</span> had three hits; <span>Junior Lake</span> and <span>Emilio Bonifacio</span> had two each, and <span>Nate Schierholtz</span>, who has been slumping badly, had perhaps the biggest hit of the game, a two-run single in a four-run ninth inning that blew a close game open -- off former Cub Sean Marshall.</p>
<p>Both Castro and Rizzo had solid first months of 2014. That's a very, very good thing, especially after Rizzo's mildly disappointing 2013 and Castro's awful year last year.</p>
<p>Before all that, <span>Edwin Jackson</span> was... Edwin Jackson. He gave up four runs in 5⅔ innings, including the first home run of the season by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> catcher Brayan Pena. Pena is not really a power hitter -- lifetime SLG of .363 -- but Jackson just never seemed to get untracked. Even after being given a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Rizzo's homer, he coughed the runs right back. And he looked annoyed when Rick(y) Renteria yanked him with two out in the sixth inning. I'm afraid this is what we're going to get from Jackson the rest of this year.</p>
<p>That's when the bullpen took over and looked really, really good. <span>Brian Schlitter</span>, <span>Wesley Wright</span>, <span>Neil Ramirez</span> and <span>Hector Rondon</span> threw 3⅓ innings and allowed just a single and a double, striking out four. Ramirez in particular was excellent, striking out <span>Jay Bruce</span> and <span>Todd Frazier</span> on fastballs that touched 96 miles per hour. Ramirez was throwing this hard in spring training, too, when I saw him throw; he could easily have made the Opening Day roster.</p>
<p>This will make for some tough decisions when <span>Jake Arrieta</span> is activated to start Saturday's game against the Cardinals. I can't see the Cubs going with an eight-man bullpen for too much longer; the short bench doesn't give the manager much flexibility -- that might have come into play Wednesday night. Castro looked like he had a hamstring issue when he pulled into second base on his ninth-inning double. If Castro had had to leave the game (and he appeared fine after that), Bonifacio would have had to come in to play the infield and <span>Ryan Sweeney</span> center field -- leaving only <span>John Baker</span> on the bench. Had the game gone into extra innings, this could have become a problem.</p>
<p>So two pitchers will likely have to return to Iowa, with Arrieta taking one spot and a position player the other. Schlitter, despite pitching well since his return, is one candidate to go and perhaps <span>Zac Rosscup</span> another, though Rosscup has also thrown well. It doesn't seem likely the Cubs will carry three lefties in the pen.</p>
<p>I'd even consider a DFA of <span>Carlos Villanueva</span>. Villanueva has been beyond awful this year after a decent 2013; he's allowed 40 (!) hits in 19⅓ innings. He doesn't have much future with this team and I wouldn't think much trade value, either.</p>
<p>It's always fun to watch a team you're rooting for do something like this -- timely hitting, solid pitching, breaking a close game open in the ninth inning.</p>
<p>More of the same, please. It won't get any easier with the Cardinals coming to Wrigley this weekend.</p>
<p>Enjoy today's off day and stick around BCB... we've got plenty ahead today including Josh's nominations for the BCB Cubs minor-league player and pitcher for the month of April.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/5/1/5671052/cubs-reds-recap-anthony-rizzo-nate-schierholtz-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2014-04-30T20:50:08-05:002014-04-30T20:50:08-05:00Overflow Thread 3: Cubs vs. Reds, Wednesday 4/30
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4qvlIg4Tg4hQlG5DyV_vQCQp_Sc=/0x1112:2782x2967/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32363671/20140429_mta_sv4_024.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>----</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/4/30/5655524/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-reds-wednesday-4-30-6-10-ctAl Yellon2014-04-30T20:10:05-05:002014-04-30T20:10:05-05:00Overflow Thread 2: Cubs vs. Reds, Wednesday 4/30
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PbO-2Nk8UtY_tEvj_xMJgEc13PI=/0x851:2667x2629/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32363593/487365367.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Robbins</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>----</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/4/30/5655520/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-reds-wednesday-4-30-6-10-ctAl Yellon2014-04-30T19:10:03-05:002014-04-30T19:10:03-05:00Overflow Thread 1: Cubs vs. Reds, Wednesday 4/30
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/w51ei4ZqIo4fzNuZaZGRD60UTY8=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32363431/487377133.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Robbins</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>----</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/4/30/5655514/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-reds-wednesday-4-30-6-10-ctAl Yellon2014-04-30T16:00:14-05:002014-04-30T16:00:14-05:00Cubs vs. Reds Preview, Wednesday 4/30, 6:10 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-x_hPtYLH9MwMKd17LU16S4pyjc=/0x25:4000x2692/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32357039/20140429_mta_sv4_030.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs hope to get out of Cincinnati with a series split.</p> <p>The Cubs are tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> for the fewest wins in the major leagues -- eight. They're nine games under .500, just like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a>, who have one more win. The Cubs are 1-5 in one-run games, and 1-5 in two-run games.</p>
<p>However, overall their pitching hasn't been that bad. They have allowed 104 runs, which ranks 15th in the major leagues -- middle of the pack. (MLB average is 110.) Their Pythagorean record is 11-14, which if it were an actual record would be just half a game worse than the Reds.</p>
<p>The Cubs apparently aren't that "bad." But they aren't that "good," either. The problem is run scoring: 90 runs ranks 27th in MLB... but that's one <i>more</i> run than the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> have scored (and the two teams have both played 25 games). Odd, because my perception of the Braves is as a much better offensive club than the Cubs.</p>
<p>Shows you what you can do when you have excellent pitching. Atlanta's staff has allowed 67 runs, 37 fewer than the Cubs and best in the majors... by a lot. (Next best is the Reds, 84.)</p>
<p>Can this turn around? I have my doubts... but that's why they play the games.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<blockquote>
<pre>Bonifacio CF, Lake LF, Rizzo 1B, Castro SS, Olt 3B, Schierholtz RF, Castillo C, Barney 2B, Jackson P</pre>
</blockquote>
<p><span>Junior Lake</span> and <span>Mike Olt</span> in the same lineup.</p>
<p>Reds lineup:</p>
<blockquote>
<pre>Hamilton CF, Votto 1B, Phillips 2B, Bruce RF, Frazier 3B, Ludwick LF, Pena C, Cozart SS, Cingrani P</pre>
</blockquote>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="680"><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" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="680"><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/7241" target="newwindow"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4332745/edwinjackson.jpg" alt="Edwin Jackson" border="1" height="480" width="320"></a><br><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7241" target="newwindow"> </a><center> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7241" target="newwindow">
<h2>Edwin Jackson</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 target="newwindow" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8680"><img alt="Tony Cingrani" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2505545/tonycingrani.jpg" border="1" height="480" width="320"></a><br><a target="newwindow" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8680"> </a>
<h2><span>Tony Cingrani</span></h2>
<br><h2>Reds</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=5842" target="newwindow"><center>
<h2>vs. Cin</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=32135" target="newwindow">
<h2>vs. Cubs</h2>
</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>This is another pitching rematch, of the game <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201404190.shtml" target="_blank">April 19 at Wrigley Field</a>. <span>Edwin Jackson</span> was the "winning" pitcher despite not pitching all that well, although he issued the fewest walks of any of his starts so far this year -- two (matched on April 24). The Cubs broke a tight game open April 19 against the Reds' bullpen, so that pitching matchup thing might not be of any real worth. Apart from that start, Cingrani has been pretty good this year, although, like Jackson, he's issued a large number of walks (15 in 30 innings).</p>
<p>The April 19 game ran three hours and 20 minutes. Don't expect this one to be shorter.</p>
<p>Today's game is on CSN Chicago.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?ymd=20130401#date=4/30/2014">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=2014_04_30_chnmlb_cinmlb_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/160343/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p>Please visit our SB Nation <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> site <a target="_blank" href="http://www.redreporter.com">Red Reporter</a>. The usual caution is advised.</p>
<p>For 2014, we are going to have the same game-thread routine as 2013. Here's how it works.</p>
<p>You'll find the game preview -- like this one -- posting as the first link in the StoryStream™, 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 StoryStream™. 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/2014/4/30/5653758/chicago-cubs-cincinnati-reds-preview-wednesdayAl Yellon