Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Padres Friday Game ThreadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2015-04-18T08:30:02-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/81547122015-04-18T08:30:02-05:002015-04-18T08:30:02-05:00Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 9
<figure>
<img alt="So, about that fourth pitch..." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2_JmMaj7kNcyi-1DRttOm4v-z1s=/0x109:1612x1184/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46158888/GettyImages-470118352.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>So, about that fourth pitch... | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The WPA life of a reliever can often go completely south on one event. Case in point: Friday afternoon.</p> <p>You know, for all of the hype that surrounded this game, I'm quite disappointed that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/players/4300/chris-denorfia?_ga=1.219371231.719799296.1327116326">Chris Denorfia</a> didn't actually make his Cubs debut.</p>
<p>(Yes, I know. Bad joke. Made many times on Friday. I didn't have anything else. Commence the pelting with rotten tomatoes. Kinda feels like ref camp Friday. And there's still two days left!)</p>
<p><b>Graphs for Game 9 </b>(courtesy of <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2015-04-17&team=Cubs&dh=0&season=2015" target="_blank">Fangraphs</a>):</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Game 9 Chart 2015" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DV9c0bQN44n3InCu0NUitBF5JNU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3620252/Game-009-2015.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p><b>Stats for Game 9:</b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="299">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="83">
<p><b>Pitcher</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p><b>IP</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p><b>H</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>HR</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p><b>ER</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p><b>BB</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>SO</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p><b>pLI</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p><b>WPA</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="83">
<p>Z Rosscup</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p align="right">0.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">3.2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.070</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="83">
<p>P Strop</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.64</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.043</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="83">
<p>H Rondon</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.58</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.030</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="83">
<p>J Hammel</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p align="right">6.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.95</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.002</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="83">
<p>B Schlitter</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p align="right">0.1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.46</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.507</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="83">
<p><b>Total</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="28">
<p align="right"><b>9</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right"><b>8</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>2</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right"><b>5</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right"><b>2</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>7</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right"><b>0.97</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right"><b>-.362</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="327">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p><b>Batter</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>AB</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p><b>R</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p><b>H</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>HR</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p><b>RBI</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p><b>BB</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p><b>SO</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p><b>pLI</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p><b>WPA</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>D Fowler</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.64</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.204</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>J Herrera</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.37</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.185</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>A Rizzo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.31</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.119</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>J Hammel</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.79</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">.038</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>A Alcantara</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">2.39</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.057</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>W Castillo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">0.73</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.074</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>M Montero</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">3.27</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.080</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>C Coghlan</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.32</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.085</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>S Castro</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.07</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.101</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>J Soler</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">2.46</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.103</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p>K Bryant</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right">1.64</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right">-.186</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="89">
<p><b>Total</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>34</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right"><b>4</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="21">
<p align="right"><b>7</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>0</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="27">
<p align="right"><b>2</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="23">
<p align="right"><b>3</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="24">
<p align="right"><b>12</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="35">
<p align="right"><b>1.5</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="right"><b>-.138</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Writer's Note: </i><i>The daily selections of the three Heroes and three Goats are based solely on the top three and bottom three WPA scores for the game. The selections are not based on my subjective opinion.</i></p>
<p><b>THE THREE HEROES:</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Superhero - </b><span>Dexter Fowler</span> (.204). Wins the "table-setter" award for the game with his ground-rule double in the seventh and then his single and stolen base in the ninth.</li>
<li> <b><b>Hero</b> - </b><span>Jonathan Herrera</span> (.185). He owes <span>James Shields</span> a <b>huge </b>fruit basket for this one. But credit where credit is due: It did seem like he was completely in Shields' head when he was on third base.</li>
<li> <b>Sidekick -</b> <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> (.119). Primarily a result of his double in the fifth to extend the lead to two.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>THE THREE GOATS: </b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Billy Goat -</b> <span>Brian Schlitter</span> (-.507). I admit; it pretty much stinks when you have try to strike out the same guy twice. Heck, even the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Padres</a> announcers knew that you struck out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/players/129891/wil-myers?_ga=1.249649472.719799296.1327116326">Wil Myers</a>. But there were about a million better places (okay, maybe not that many) that the next pitch could have been thrown than that.</li>
<li> <b>Goat - </b><span>Kris Bryant</span> (-.186). Welcome to the bigs, Kris! Very slick glovework out there. I'm sure the bat will follow soon.</li>
<li> <b>Kid - </b><span>Jorge Soler</span> (-.103). His run-scoring single in the fifth was a huge positive, but it was negated by everything else in the game including the game-ending grounder to third.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>RANKINGS THROUGH GAME 9 ("x" indicates player on disabled list):</b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="305">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p><b>Heroes</b><b></b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>1st</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>2nd</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>3rd</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>Total</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Anthony Rizzo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Dexter Fowler</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Jorge Soler</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Phil Coke</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Jake Arrieta</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Matt Szczur</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Travis Wood</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Jonathan Herrera</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Hector Rondon</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2.5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Arismendy Alcantara</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Jason Hammel</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Welington Castillo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Starlin Castro</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Chris Coghlan</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>David Ross</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Jason Motte</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Pedro Strop</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0.5</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="305">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p><b>Goats</b><b></b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>1st</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>2nd</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>3rd</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center"><b>Total</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Dexter Fowler</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Chris Coghlan</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Jon Lester</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Anthony Rizzo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Miguel Montero</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>x-Mike Olt</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Kyle Hendricks</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Brian Schlitter</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Jorge Soler</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Starlin Castro</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Kris Bryant</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Welington Castillo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>x-Neil Ramirez</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>David Ross</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Phil Coke</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="151">
<p>Arismendy Alcantara</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="39">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="299">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p><b>Overall</b><b></b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center"><b>Hero</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center"><b>Goat</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center"><b>+/-</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Anthony Rizzo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Jorge Soler</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Jake Arrieta</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Matt Szczur</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Travis Wood</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Jonathan Herrera</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Hector Rondon</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2.5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Dexter Fowler</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Phil Coke</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Jason Hammel</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Arismendy Alcantara</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Jason Motte</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Pedro Strop</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0.5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0.5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Welington Castillo</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>David Ross</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Starlin Castro</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>x-Neil Ramirez</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Kris Bryant</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Brian Schlitter</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Kyle Hendricks</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>x-Mike Olt</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Miguel Montero</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Chris Coghlan</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-6</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="147">
<p>Jon Lester</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="51">
<p align="center">-6</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Fowler and Rizzo continue their podium-standing ways, while Herrera picks up his second positive tally in a row.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/4/18/8448791/cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-9Russ La Croix2015-04-17T17:05:06-05:002015-04-17T17:05:06-05:00Umpires 5, Cubs 4: Bad Ball/Strike Calls Doom Cubs
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Wc-EUecVUCjTY_jOqV_xK9LyaaI=/0x0:3060x2040/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46157756/usa-today-8524237.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Kris Bryant's debut game was overshadowed by some really awful umpiring.</p> <p>So, did anything interesting or controversial happen in Friday's game?</p>
<p>Everyone was focused pregame on the debut game for prized prospect <span>Kris Bryant</span>, and Bryant's performance is worth discussing, but it's only about 10th on the list of key things that happened in <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2015_04_17_sdnmlb_chnmlb_1" target="_blank">the Cubs' 5-4 loss to the Padres</a>.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> scored all five of their runs on home runs, a two-run shot by <span>Will Middlebrooks</span> in the fourth off <span>Jason Hammel</span>, and then a three-run homer by <span>Wil Myers</span> in the seventh off <span>Brian Schlitter</span>. Both homers came immediately after pitches that likely were "strike three" were called balls by plate umpire Sam Holbrook, who had a horrendous game calling balls and strikes. Here's a screencap of the Schlitter pitch to Myers, the third pitch of the at-bat (the circled "3" in the pitch-trax box):</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="schlitter strike call" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/884KqMNRV8ziqKO_DrdnLZTw7a0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3619502/Screen_Shot_2015-04-17_at_2.23.45_PM.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Granted that the TV pitch-trax doesn't always show the accurate location of a pitch, both Schlitter and <span>Welington Castillo</span> thought they had Myers struck out, and so did I. The pitch to Middlebrooks was in almost the precise location. It wouldn't have been so bad if Holbrook had at least been consistent, but he wasn't. Pitches in that location were called both balls and strikes at various times during this game, and as I have written before, I would have no problem with automated ball-and-strike calls. No more "interpreting" the zone, no more calling pitches differently depending on the situation. Call 'em by the book. When Joe Maddon came out after Myers' homer and got tossed (his first ejection as a Cub), Len & JD noted that at one point it was real easy to read his lips. He said, "All five runs," and he was right. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> pitching threw well enough to shut out the Padres, but were foiled by bad umpiring.</p>
<p>At the very least, umpires need to be held accountable for egregriously bad calls like these two.</p>
<p>The other somewhat controversial call happened in the bottom of the seventh, when <span>Dexter Fowler</span> hit a ball that lodged in the still-leafless vines in left-center field. Both Myers and <span>Justin Upton</span> at first appeared to go for the ball, then remembered the rule that says that any ball caught in the vines is a ground-rule double and held up their arms, as player are taught to do at Wrigley. Meanwhile, Fowler circled the bases. After the umpires conferred and then discussed it with the replay folks in New York, the call of double was upheld.</p>
<p>Now. The point of the rule is so that players don't have to go searching for a baseball hidden in the ivy. But in April, there's no ivy and the ball was visible. The rule, unfortunately, is written so that any ball caught is a ground-rule double. I got into a discussion with Len on Twitter about this and he's right -- the correct call was made by rule. I would say that the rule needs to be rewritten to account for balls like that one that are clearly visible and thus playable.</p>
<p>That said, had Myers or Upton actually played the ball, it probably would have wound up as... a double. So there likely wasn't any harm done to the Cubs by that play.</p>
<p>One more thought about this -- usually, balls that disappear into the ivy are left there, because it would take too long to search for them. In this case, with the ball visible, there really wasn't any reason to leave it there. What if another ball had been hit to that precise location and hit the ball stuck in the vines and both balls dropped to the ground? Then which ball gets played? That's another thing that could and likely should be written into the rule, that if a ball gets stuck like that and is visible, it should be removed after the play is over.</p>
<p>I'm 600-plus words into this recap and have only described three plays!</p>
<p>The Cubs started off well, scoring two runs on just one hit in the third by playing small ball. Small ball, that is, after Hammel hit a ringing double off the left-center field wall. <span>Jonathan Herrera</span> laid down a nice bunt that <span>James Shields</span> threw away. Hammel scored and Herrera took second, where he advanced to third on an infield out and scored on a wild pitch. Nice way of taking advantage of every opportunity.</p>
<p>The Cubs scored another pair of runs in the fifth on four straight hits by Herrera, Fowler, <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> and <span>Jorge Soler</span>, a nice long-sequence offense.</p>
<p>But you can't fight the umpires when they are making bad call after bad call that favors your opponent. It's easy, I suppose, to complain about those calls; after all, the pitchers involved still had a chance to retire the hitters after that. But on both occasions, the Cubs' pitcher did, in fact, at least as shown by pitch-trax, did strike out the hitter. They shouldn't be required to do that a second time.</p>
<p>800-plus words in, let's talk about the earlier big story of the day, Kris Bryant's<span></span> big-league debut. I thought he might have a tough time against Shields, who, after all, is very good. Shields struck Bryant out three times, mixing up his pitches well and showing him a repertoire he likely never saw in the minor leagues. Bryant grounded out his fourth time at bat.</p>
<p>What was most impressive about Bryant's debut was his defense, something that wasn't supposed to be his strong suit. He made several strong throws to first base and started two double plays, one on a 5-4-3 around-the-horn grounder, the other by snaring a sharp line drive off the bat of <span>Alexi Amarista</span> and doubling <span>Jedd Gyorko</span> off first.</p>
<p>Bryant will be fine going forward, I'm sure. He struck out several times in his pro debut at Boise two years ago and then hit .354/.416/.692 with four home runs in 65 at-bats before he got promoted to Daytona. Heck, he could come out tomorrow and smash a home run or two -- maybe after the Cubs get the benefit of some of that bad ball-and-strike umpiring.</p>
<p>Not at Wrigley today -- and thanks for your kind words in the game preview thread -- I watched an ABC-7 broadcast for the first time. The "whooshing" logo that accompanies replays -- eh, don't really care. That's what a lot of channels do these days, it kind of comes with the territory. Remember that the actual game coverage is provided by the same crew that does the other channels' games, so it was pretty much the same. The only thing that separates ABC-7 coverage from other games is the graphics, and one thing I definitely missed in the scorebox that's provided both by CSN Chicago and WGN-TV is a pitch count. Perhaps ABC-7 could add that going forward.</p>
<p>I watched this game with my dad, who was just as appalled with the ball-and-strike calls as I was. The "Umpires 5, Cubs 4" headline, incidentally, was his idea.</p>
<p>Russ La Croix is, as you know if you read Cub Tracks, away at a basketball officiating camp this weekend. He promises to have Heroes & Goats ready by morning. (And if I could give "goat" to Sam Holbrook, I would.)</p>
<p>Saturday, the Cubs will look to even the series with <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> taking the mound against <span>Tyson Ross</span>. I trust the umpiring will improve. It could hardly get worse.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/4/17/8447787/cubs-padres-recap-kris-bryant-umpires-bad-calls-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2015-04-17T16:05:01-05:002015-04-17T16:05:01-05:00Overflow Thread 3: Cubs vs. Padres, Friday 4/17
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AoVFX4bbX-ifr0N_83gSTg7a2Wc=/0x253:4412x3194/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46148346/usa-today-8436376.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>----</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/4/17/8390705/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-padres-friday-4-17-1-20-ctAl Yellon2015-04-17T15:20:02-05:002015-04-17T15:20:02-05:00Overflow Thread 2: Cubs vs. Padres, Friday 4/17
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9qIoGGQXmNp7_ykz5sRIEnayjEk=/0x0:3734x2489/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46148318/usa-today-8436384.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>----</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/4/17/8390699/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-padres-friday-4-17-1-20-ctAl Yellon2015-04-17T14:20:02-05:002015-04-17T14:20:02-05:00Overflow Thread 1: Cubs vs. Padres, Friday 4/17
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NbU5gIBA2NBBDpZMS_G28TZFjF0=/0x145:1616x1222/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46148314/usa-today-8451864.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>----</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/4/17/8390695/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-padres-friday-4-17-1-20-ctAl Yellon2015-04-17T11:30:02-05:002015-04-17T11:30:02-05:00Cubs vs. Padres Preview, Friday 4/17, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eL4LFbwap-I7PdHnj7vTvFgz7BY=/0x0:3350x2233/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46148216/usa-today-8481217.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Some kid from the Cubs farm system is making his big-league debut today.</p> <p>So, let me tell you a little personal story, something I don't do much here.</p>
<p>My dad is 93 years old and lives in San Francisco. He's doing remarkably well for someone that age. He's not a big baseball fan but does follow the Cubs, and also the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> since they're available on his local cable system.</p>
<p>Recently, he had a minor medical procedure. Nothing serious and he's fine, but after scheduling it for earlier this week he asked me to come out to California to help him out.</p>
<p>When he made this request I realized I'd have to miss this weekend's series at Wrigley. So be it, I thought. An early-April set against the Padres? No big deal.</p>
<p>Of course, now it is a big deal. And this is why I'm not going to be in Wrigley Field for <span>Kris Bryant's</span> major-league debut. I'll watch via MLB.tv.</p>
<p>It's OK, really. I'll see Kris Bryant play many, many games and hopefully spend his entire career with the Cubs.</p>
<p>Just wanted you all to know.</p>
<p>Here are today's particulars.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<blockquote>
<pre>Fowler CF, Soler RF, Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Coghlan LF, Castro SS, Castillo C, Hammel P, Herrera 2B</pre>
</blockquote>
<p>Cleanup in Bryant's debut game. No pressure there, right? Here's the Cubs' cool lineup tweet:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Here is today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a> starting lineup. Preview: <a href="http://t.co/NAJzzqsFLs">http://t.co/NAJzzqsFLs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGo?src=hash">#LetsGo</a> <a href="http://t.co/WcSxwcAQ5X">pic.twitter.com/WcSxwcAQ5X</a></p>
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/589075156443668482">April 17, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>Padres lineup:</p>
<blockquote>
<pre>Myers CF, Norris C, Kemp RF, Upton LF, Alonso 1B, Middlebrooks 3B, Gyorko 2B, Amarista SS, Shields P</pre>
</blockquote>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="680">
<tbody>
<tr class="yspsctbg">
<td class="ysptblhdr" height="18" align="center"><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 width="1" height="1" type="block"></spacer><spacer></spacer>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="yspscores" align="center" width="45%">
<a target="newwindow" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7709"><img alt="Jason Hammel" src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3461776/GettyImages_464964772.0.jpg" height="480" border="1" width="320"></a><br><center> <a target="newwindow" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7709">
<h2>Jason Hammel</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/9219"><img alt="James Shields" src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3617028/jamesshields.0.jpg" height="480" border="1" width="320"></a><br><a target="newwindow" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/9219">
<h2>James Shields</h2>
</a> <br>
<h2>Padres</h2>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="35" class="ysptblbdr2">
<spacer width="1" height="1" type="block"></spacer><spacer></spacer>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="ysprow2" valign="top">
<td class="yspscores" align="center"><a target="newwindow" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp?playerId=6480"><center>
<h2>vs. SD</h2>
</center> </a></td>
<td class="yspscores" align="center">--</td>
<td class="yspscores" align="center"><a target="newwindow" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp?playerId=28474">
<h2>vs. Cubs</h2>
</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span>Jason Hammel</span> pitched well enough to win in his first 2015 start, last Saturday in Colorado (six innings, three earned runs). His only start against the Padres in 2014, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN201405250.shtml" target="_blank">May 25 in San Diego</a>, wasn't that great but like the Cubs, the Padres have made significant changes over the winter and a lot of the players in that game aren't on their team anymore. Two new members of the Padres have significant time vs. Hammel. <span>Matt Kemp</span>: 7-for-25, two doubles, a home run. <span>Justin Upton</span>: 8-for-29, two doubles, two home runs. Shut those two guys down and this could be a good day for Hammel.</p>
<p><span>James Shields</span>, who reportedly considered signing with the Cubs this past offseason, has faced the Cubs only once -- <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TBA/TBA200806190.shtml" target="_blank">June 19, 2008</a> while with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a>. That's completely irrelevant to today, of course. <span>Chris Coghlan</span> is the only Cub who has more than five career at-bats vs. Shields; he's 5-for-13 against him with two doubles and four walks.</p>
<p>It should also be noted that Hammel and Shields were Tampa Bay teammates in 2008, the year the Rays went to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">the World Series</a> (and also were both on the 2006 and 2007 Rays).</p>
<p>And Shields looks kind of sad in that photo. Let's keep him that way today.</p>
<p>Today's game is on ABC-7 Chicago. <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/chc/downloads/y2015/chc_ota_schedule.pdf" target="_blank">For coverage info in other Midwest markets click here</a> (link opens .pdf).</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?ymd=20140401#date=4/17/2015">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=2015_04_17_sdnmlb_chnmlb_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/483910/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p>Please visit our SB Nation <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> site <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gaslampball.com">Gaslamp Ball</a>. The usual caution is advised.</p>
<p>Once again for 2015, we are going to have the same game-thread routine as the last couple of years. 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 most 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 "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). 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/2015/4/17/8390629/chicago-cubs-san-diego-padres-preview-fridayAl Yellon