Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Angels Thursday Game ThreadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2015-03-26T22:05:34-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/80334082015-03-26T22:05:34-05:002015-03-26T22:05:34-05:00Angels 8, Cubs 4: An Old Frenemy Strikes Again
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<figcaption>Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Today was a reminder of why we're happy Albert Pujols isn't a Cardinal anymore.</p> <p><b>MESA, Arizona</b> -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> accommodated ESPN's request to start Thursday's game at 4:05 Arizona time, a very odd time to start a baseball game. Just as the first pitch was thrown by <span>Eric Jokisch</span>, shadows started crawling over the home-plate area, making it difficult for many hitters to see.</p>
<p>The Cubs' former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> rival <span>Albert Pujols</span> didn't have any trouble seeing a fifth-inning fastball from his former teammate <span>Jason Motte</span>. He sent it into the fading light for a three-run homer and that was the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>' biggest blow in <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2015_03_26_anamlb_chnmlb_1" target="_blank">the Angels' 8-4 win over the Cubs</a>, the Cubs' fourth consecutive defeat in front of another sellout at Sloan Park, 15,246.</p>
<p>Pujols, though, wasn't the only one to go deep Thursday... well, what would you call it? Afternoon? Evening? Anything that starts before 6 p.m. local time is considered a day game, so I guess "afternoon" it is. <span>Mike Olt</span> homered and tripled for the Cubs, and best of all, didn't strike out in three trips. It's nearly certain that he'll be the team's Opening Night third baseman.</p>
<p>Another homer was hit by <span>Travis Wood</span>, this one as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning. Joe Maddon has said that he might use Wood often in this role, a mid-inning pinch-hitter to save the bench if and when a starting pitcher is knocked out early. Wood rose to the occasion today, and off one of the better pitchers in baseball, Jered Weaver. Of course, we can't expect that all the time, but the more experience Wood has in this role the better. I like the idea -- even though, as you know, I'm in favor of the DH. If the Cubs have a pitcher like Wood who can hit, then absolutely, use his abilities to their fullest.</p>
<p><span>Kris Bryant</span>, playing his first game in left field as a Cub, had only one defensive chance and made the most of it. He snagged a line drive from <span>Collin Cowgill</span> in the sixth inning and doubled <span>Johnny Giavotella</span> off second base. The throw was accurate in direction, though it bounced in front of Javier Baez. Baez made a nice pick to complete the double play, one of four the Cubs turned in this defeat.</p>
<p>Another slick DP by the Cubs came in the ninth inning. With Cowgill on first, <span>Daniel Robertson</span> hit a dribbler down the third-base line. <span>Tommy La Stella</span> made a nice play to get Robertson, but Cowgill tried to take third against Cub sub <span>Jonathan Mota</span> at first. Mota fired the ball to <span>Arismendy Alcantara</span> (who had come into the game at shortstop) at third to nail Cowgill.</p>
<p>So there were good things to be seen in this defeat; along with the double plays and homers, <span>Neil Ramirez</span>, <span>Justin Grimm</span>, <span>Zac Rosscup</span> and <span>Brian Schlitter</span> all threw scoreless innings. The first three are likely going north with the team; Schlitter's still on the bubble. The only discordant note was Motte, who got hit hard and recorded only one out before Maddon came to get him.</p>
<p><span>Anthony Rizzo</span> also hit well today, after a very slow start to the spring, hitting two doubles in four trips. He's still hitting just .158 this spring, but he should be fine come April 5, I think. Baez also had two hits, but struck out twice and is at .159. Of course, he's not an established big-league hitter like Rizzo, and I still think he's best served starting the season at Triple-A Iowa. <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/3/26/8297041/cubs-cut-12-players-from-major-league-roster">As Josh posted earlier today</a>, the Cubs cut down to 40 men in camp and will likely make more cuts early next week. Baez probably will stick around until the last round of cuts.</p>
<p>The crowd brought the season total for 11 dates to 163,108, or 14,828 per date. I'm told the next two games are sold out, though there are still tickets available for Monday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>, and the final Sloan Park game of 2015, Wednesday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>.</p>
<p>The Cubs hosted a reception for spring season-ticket holders before the game with free drinks and snacks, a nice gesture, so here's thanks for that. Appreciated.</p>
<p>Friday the Cubs will host their crosstown rivals, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>, and it'll be old home week again -- the all-A's-trade matchup: <span>Jason Hammel</span> against <span>Jeff Samardzija</span>.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/3/26/8298319/cubs-angels-recap-albert-pujols-mike-olt-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2015-03-26T19:30:02-05:002015-03-26T19:30:02-05:00Overflow Thread: Cubs vs. Angels, Thursday 3/26, 6:05 CT
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/3/26/8277423/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-angels-thursday-3-26-6-05-ctAl Yellon2015-03-26T18:00:03-05:002015-03-26T18:00:03-05:00First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Angels, Thursday 3/26
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/3/26/8277445/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-angels-thursday-3-26-6-05-ctAl Yellon2015-03-26T16:30:02-05:002015-03-26T16:30:02-05:00Cubs vs. Angels at Mesa Preview, Thursday 3/26
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<figcaption>Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs hope to break three-game losing streak tonight -- in a national-TV game.</p> <p><b>SCOTTSDALE, Arizona</b> -- Much of what would ordinarily be in this game preview is covered in the <span>Jon Lester</span> post that <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/3/26/8296027/jon-lester-throws-in-minor-league-game">went up a couple of hours ago</a>.</p>
<p>So I'm going to use this space to give you the following information that I received in a MLB press release this afternoon:</p>
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<pre>Major League Baseball today announced Chicago-born, award-winning rock band Fall Out Boy will headline MLB Opening Night’s first-ever live musical performance as part of the pre-game festivities at Wrigley Field on Sunday, April 5. Fall Out Boy will perform three songs live on-field for fans before the Chicago Cubs host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> in the first official game of the 2015 MLB season. The band’s platinum hit – "Centuries" – also will be televised live to a national audience on Baseball Tonight, airing on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT, immediately followed by the live broadcast of the Opening Night game at 8 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CDT.
With Fall Out Boy’s performance taking place pre-game, batting practice for both the Cubs and Cardinals will be moved earlier by approximately 30 minutes. Gates at Wrigley Field will open at 4:35 p.m. CDT as a result.
"Wrigley Field has always been a magical place to me. In some ways I can chart milestones of my life and growing up there – from going to see Andre Dawson and Ryne Sandberg play, to going with the my dad to the one of the first night games they ever had there, to the first time I took the ‘EL’ there on my own for a game with my friends," said Pete Wentz, Fall Out Boy bassist. "When our band all lived in an apartment together in Roscoe Village, we used to pass out fliers for shows at the Metro after games. It has been a lifetime dream to get the chance to play at Wrigley Field. We are grateful to MLB for the opportunity and so excited to perform for our hometown crowd."</pre>
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<p>I'll give credit to Pete Wentz. He's a celebrity who's a genuine Cubs fan, a guy from the neighborhood. This makes the game even more of an "event" than it was already.</p>
<p>Cubs lineup:</p>
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<pre>Baez 2B, Russell SS, Bryant LF, Soler RF, Rizzo 1B, Olt 3B, Castillo C, Jokisch P, Szczur CF</pre>
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<p><span>Kris Bryant</span> gets his first start in the outfield. <span>Javier Baez</span>, <span>Addison Russell</span> and <span>Jorge Soler</span> get their turn to show the ESPN audience what they've got.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> lineup:</p>
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<pre>Calhoun RF, Trout CF, Pujols 1B, Cron DH, Aybar SS, Iannetta C, Joyce LF, Featherston 3B, Giavotella 2B</pre>
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<p>The Angels bring over many of their regulars for this game.</p>
<p><span>Eric Jokisch</span> gets the call for the Cubs. Others on the Cubs' pitching list for this game (not necessarily in this order): <span>Drake Britton</span>, <span>Justin Grimm</span>, <span>Jason Motte</span>, <span>Zac Rosscup</span>, <span>Neil Ramirez</span>, <span>Brian Schlitter</span> and <span>Blake Parker</span>.</p>
<p><span>Jered Weaver</span> will start for the Angels.</p>
<p>Today's game is on ESPN. It's also on cubs.com with Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2015_03_26_anamlb_chnmlb_1&mode=gameday">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?date=3/5/2015#date=3/26/2015">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p><i>Please note that during spring training, Gameday doesn't usually go pitch-by-pitch as it does during the regular season -- usually, it will update after each at-bat.</i></p>
<p>For spring-training games, we'll have a first-pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time (because I know how you all like overflow threads!). For today, that will be 6 p.m. CT and 7:30 p.m. CT. These threads will <i>not</i> post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked "<a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> Game Threads" at the <i>bottom</i> of the front page. They will also appear in this StoryStream™. The pitcher box and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.</p>
<p>Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/3/26/8268785/cubs-angels-mesa-preview-thursdayAl Yellon