Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Brewers Tuesday Game ThreadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2015-08-12T08:00:11-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/88941942015-08-12T08:00:11-05:002015-08-12T08:00:11-05:00Cubs 6, Brewers 3: The Hits Just Keep On Coming
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<figcaption>Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs won their fifth consecutive game Tuesday night with timely hitting.</p> <p>Of all the interesting facts surrounding the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>' fifth straight win, <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2015_08_11_milmlb_chnmlb_1" target="_blank">6-3 over the Brewers</a> Tuesday night, I think this one is the most impressive:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">8th consecutive game in which <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs">@Cubs</a> have knocked out opposing starter before end of 6th</p>
— Len Kasper (@LenKasper) <a href="https://twitter.com/LenKasper/status/631273670195851264">August 12, 2015</a>
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<p>This means the Cubs offense is pounding pitchers early and often, and again Tuesday night they made a starter throw a colossal number of pitches. After a 1-2-3 first, the Cubs scored three in the second inning, using three straight hits and a pair of errors, as well as a sacrifice fly. Cubs pitcher <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Dan Haren</a> got in on the fun with a bunt that scored a run when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> catcher <span>Jonathan Lucroy</span> couldn't handle a throw. <span>Kris Bryant</span>, <span>Jorge Soler</span>, <span>Miguel Montero</span> and <span>Addison Russell</span> all had hits in that inning, and then <span>Taylor Jungmann</span> completely lost command and control in the third, when he walked three surrounding a couple of outs and an <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> double. That inning was helped along by a video-review reversal; <span>Chris Coghlan</span> had been called out trying to steal second, but Jungmann threw 81 pitches and recorded eight outs; by the time he left the Cubs had a 4-0 lead.</p>
<p>The Cubs continued the offensive parade against <span>Tyler Thornburg</span> in the third, with three more walks and Soler being nicked by a pitch with the bases loaded. Both the runs scored in that inning came home without a hit, as a bases-loaded walk to Rizzo scored the other one. The Cubs' efficiency brought home six runs on only seven hits, but seven walks helped add to that total. Thornburg managed to record only four outs while throwing 43 pitches. In all, Brewers pitchers threw 186 pitches Tuesday evening -- in only eight innings!</p>
<p>The seven walks brought the Cubs' season total to 386, or 3.477 per game, which puts them on pace for 563 walks this year. That wouldn't be a team record (that's 650, set in 1975) but it would be their highest total since 2008 and over 120 more than last year, a credit to the patience that's become a hallmark of this team. They're second in the major leagues in walks this year, just three behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> for the top spot. The team on-base percentage of .318 ranks 14th, in the middle of the pack, but it's above the league average of .314 and a significant improvement over last year's .300 team OBP.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, "I Throw 88" Haren (and that's not making fun of him, that is <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ithrow88" target="_blank">his actual Twitter handle</a>) was baffling Brewers hitters with his not-so-great fastball, some offspeed stuff, and excellent location. He gave up a run in the fourth on a pair of doubles and then in the sixth made his only real mistake, grooving one to <span>Adam Lind</span> after issuing a walk. The two-run homer made it 6-3 and one batter later, Haren was lifted to a warm ovation.</p>
<p>The bullpen took over and did an excellent job. <span>Travis Wood</span>, <span>Justin Grimm</span>, <span>Pedro Strop</span> and <span>James Russell</span> (first save since <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIA/MIA201406160.shtml" target="_blank">June 16, 2014</a> -- and that was in a 13-inning game) threw 3⅔ scoreless innings, allowing just two singles. I liked Maddon's use of Russell to give <span>Hector Rondon</span> another day of rest, and was especially pleased to see that Maddon didn't reflexively bring in <span>Jason Motte</span>, who was warming up, just because righthanded hitters were coming to bat.</p>
<p>Now, some praise for <span>Starlin Castro</span>, who came into the game replacing Coghlan at second base in the sixth. It was the first time in Castro's big-league career that he had played anywhere but shortstop, and the first time he'd played second at all since he had a few games there in the 2009 Arizona Fall League. Castro made a nice diving stop on a ground ball by <span>Logan Schafer</span> in the seventh, but could not recover in time to throw him out (few second basemen could have), and then making <a href="http://m.mlb.com/video/v358274983/?game_pk=415337" target="_blank">this outstanding play</a> (no embed code available, click on the link) on a popup into the Brewers bullpen. <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-report-cubs-brewers-spt-0812-20150811-story.html" target="_blank">You are likely going to see Castro start there this weekend</a>:</p>
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<pre>"To make that (catch) in the bullpen, with the (stuff) on the ground, and guys flying all over the place and there's no room left, it's at night, it's different," said manager Joe Maddon, who plans to start Castro at second this weekend against at least one of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox's</a> left-handers — <span>Jose Quintana</span> or <span>Chris Sale</span>.</pre>
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<p>I think we'd all like to see Castro succeed, for his own sake and for the sake of the team. He is hitting slightly better (.247 BA, 19-for-77) this year vs. LHP than against RHP (.233, 78-for-335).</p>
<p>Credit where credit is due: there were also a couple of fine defensive plays by Bryant at third base Tuesday evening, snagging line drives that appeared headed for left field.</p>
<p>The win was not only the Cubs' fifth straight, but 11th in their last 12 games and 12th in the last 14. Coupled with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>' win over the Pirates, the Cubs now trail Pittsburgh for the top wild-card spot by just 2½ games. They maintained a 3½-game lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> for the second wild card, as the Giants also won, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>, next on that list, dropped to 5½ games behind the Cubs after a loss to the Dodgers.</p>
<p>Really, things couldn't have been better at Wrigley Tuesday evening. The weather was perfect (temperatures in the 70s, light winds, clear skies), the crowd was into the game and the Cubs executed pretty much every time they needed to.</p>
<p>Keep it going, please. <span>Jason Hammel</span> faces <span>Matt Garza</span> as the Cubs go for their second six-game winning streak in the last two weeks, Wednesday evening at 7:05 CT.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/8/12/9136557/cubs-brewers-recap-dan-haren-anthony-rizzo-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2015-08-11T21:51:02-05:002015-08-11T21:51:02-05:00Overflow Thread 3: Cubs vs. Brewers, Tuesday 8/11
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/8/11/9091835/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-brewers-tuesday-8-11-7-05-ctAl Yellon2015-08-11T21:06:02-05:002015-08-11T21:06:02-05:00Overflow Thread 2: Cubs vs. Brewers, Tuesday 8/11
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<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/8/11/9091827/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-brewers-tuesday-8-11-7-05-ctAl Yellon2015-08-11T20:05:01-05:002015-08-11T20:05:01-05:00Overflow Thread 1: Cubs vs. Brewers, Tuesday 8/11
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<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/8/11/9091821/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-brewers-tuesday-8-11-7-05-ctAl Yellon2015-08-11T17:01:02-05:002015-08-11T17:01:02-05:00Cubs vs. Brewers Preview, Tuesday 8/11, 7:05 CT
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<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs go for their fifth win in a row tonight.</p> <p>The Cubs just swept the Brewers a couple of weeks ago in Milwaukee. Since then the Brewers took three of four from a pretty bad <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> club, then lost two of three to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>. The Brew Crew took two of three from the Cubs in Wrigley in May, but that was a very different Cubs team than the one that's on the field now.</p>
<p>And after going 16-36 against the Brewers from 2011-13, the Cubs are 17-12 against them since the beginning of 2014.</p>
<p>Let's keep this roll going, shall we?</p>
<p>Finally, here is your once-a-series reminder about SB Nation's partner daily fantasy game, FanDuel. <a target="_blank" href="http://partners.fanduel.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_6819b_970">If you want to participate, here's the link.</a></p>
<p>Here are today's particulars.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
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<pre>Fowler CF, Schwarber LF, Coghlan 2B, Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Soler RF, Montero C, Haren P, Russell SS</pre>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We're back! <a href="https://twitter.com/ithrow88">@ithrow88</a> makes his home debut tonight vs. the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brewers?src=hash">#Brewers</a>. Game preview: <a href="http://t.co/04O8Sp1r2v">http://t.co/04O8Sp1r2v</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGo?src=hash">#LetsGo</a> <a href="http://t.co/RV45Tzh1fS">pic.twitter.com/RV45Tzh1fS</a></p>
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/631179235340595200">August 11, 2015</a>
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<p>Brewers lineup:</p>
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<pre>Peterson RF, Davis LF, Lind 1B, Lucroy C, Gennett 2B, Herrera 3B, Segura SS, Schafer CF, Jungmann P</pre>
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<p>Once again, enjoy the lineup calligraphy of Brewers bench coach Jerry Narron (nice photo of Wrigley, too):</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tonight's lineup against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. First pitch 7:05 CT on <a href="https://twitter.com/fswisconsin">@fswisconsin</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/620wtmj">@620wtmj</a>. <a href="http://t.co/IXm07s2mZY">pic.twitter.com/IXm07s2mZY</a></p>
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brewers/status/631175990828494848">August 11, 2015</a>
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<h2><i>Today's Starting Pitchers</i></h2>
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<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7172" target="newwindow"><img src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3942550/danharen.0.jpg" alt="Dan Haren" height="480" border="1" width="320"></a><br><center> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7172" target="newwindow">
<h2>Dan Haren</h2>
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<h2>Cubs</h2>
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<td align="center" width="10%">vs.</td>
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<a target="newwindow" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/9990"><img alt="Taylor Jungmann" src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3953860/taylorjungmann.0.jpg" height="480" border="1" width="320"></a><br><a target="newwindow" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/9990">
<h2>Taylor Jungmann</h2>
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<h2>vs. Mil</h2>
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<h2>vs. Cubs</h2>
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<p><span>Dan Haren's</span> first start with the Cubs was about what we could have expected; it might have been better except for some sketchy defense behind him. He has not faced the Brewers this year; with all the changes in the Milwaukee lineup that could be an advantage to him. This will be his first start in Wrigley Field since <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201308200.shtml" target="_blank">August 20, 2013</a> when he was with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>, facing a pretty mediocre Cubs lineup. He pitched well that day. Hopefully, more of the same.</p>
<p>The Cubs faced <span>Taylor Jungmann</span> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL201507310.shtml" target="_blank">July 31 in Milwaukee</a> and hit him pretty well, seven hits in 5⅔ innings. That is, to date, one of just three starts in Jungmann's 11-start career in which he has failed to go at least six innings. Having seen him before, and recently, ought to help the Cubs, I'd think.</p>
<p>Today's game is on CSN Chicago.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?ymd=20140401#date=8/11/2015">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_08_11_milmlb_chnmlb_1#game=2015_08_11_milmlb_chnmlb_1,game_state=Live">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/484008/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p>Please visit our SB Nation <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> site <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewcrewball.com">Brew Crew Ball</a>. If you do go there to interact with Brewers fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p>The 2015 Game Thread procedure has changed a bit. Here's how it will work going forward.</p>
<p>You'll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p>At the same time, a StoryStream™ containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.</p>
<p>You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/game-threads">this section link</a>). They will also appear in the game's StoryStream™ as noted above.</p>
<p>The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p>Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/8/11/9130141/chicago-cubs-milwaukee-brewers-preview-tuesdayAl Yellon