Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
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| SP | *Ted Lilly | SP | Kyle Lohse |
| 1-4, 6.46, 25 K, 13 BB | 3-0, 2.36, 14 K, 8 BB | ||
| LF | Alfonso Soriano | LF | *Skip Schumaker |
| SS | Ryan Theriot | 2B | Brendan Ryan |
| 1B | Derrek Lee | 1B | Albert Pujols |
| RF | *Kosuke Fukudome | RF | Ryan Ludwick |
| 3B | Mark DeRosa | 3B | Troy Glaus |
| C | Geovany Soto | CF | *Rick Ankiel |
| 2B | *Mike Fontenot | C | Yadier Molina |
| CF | Reed Johnson | P | Kyle Lohse |
| P | *Ted Lilly | SS | #Cesar Izturis |
Breaking News: The Cubs have demoted Rich Hill to AAA Iowa and replaced him on the roster with Sean Gallagher, who will be available to pitch this afternoon in St. Louis.
Of the now departed Hill and his one-inning, four-walk effort last night in St. Louis, Cubs manager Lou Piniella said:
"Hill can't start like this in the big leagues. C'mon.
Every time he pitches, it's an adventure. He's doing his best, but we
have no bullpen. I don't know what the solution is, but I can't start
him anymore until this thing gets taken care of."
About this afternoon's game: With the stink of last night's loss still in the air, the Cubs try to square their series against the Cardinals. The Cards have won three in a row and five of six; the Cubs have lost six of eight. Still, the Cubs have MLB's third-best record, while the Cardinals, who better get to work if they're going to see that 90-loss season so many of us were planning for them, have the game's second-best mark at 19-11. (The D-backs lead the way at 20-9).
Ted Lilly is coming off a loss last Sunday at Washington, in which he gave up just 2 ER over 6 innings and struck out a season-high 7 men. After another busy night for the Cub bullpen last evening, Lilly, who's averaging just a little over 5 IP per start this year, could do Lou Piniella and the relievers a big favor by gobbling up some innings.
Kyle Lohse was one of the abandoned orphans of the 2008 Free Agent Class, not signing with the Cards--and only getting a one-year deal in the process--until mid-March. Regardless, he is 3-0 with a terrific ERA and has won 7 decisions in a row, dating back to late last July. He's 1-1 lifetime against the Cubs, including a dazzling 8 IP, 12 K performance last April in Wrigley when Lohse was a Redleg.
Aramis Ramirez is not in the starting lineup after getting plunked on the wrist last night. X-rays showed no fractures, and Ramirez is on "ice and pain-killers," which could make for a helluva bar drink with the right merchandising. (Note to fellow TCR staffers: we need to get to work on this.)
Finally, my compliments to Bob Brenly, who didn't hold anything back in his criticism last night of Alfonso Soriano and the fact that he is trying to get his game back together on the Major League stage instead of in Iowa or Tennessee. That said, I shudder at the thought of the imbeciles who will greet Soriano with all sorts of insane rage and hostility when he next plays in Wrigley Field, unless he significantly turns his fortunes around on the remainder of the road trip.
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#1 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
This is funny - Lou's stupid comment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ3wTqClhQg
#17 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
I followed the link and then spent 20 minutes watching the Derek Lee vs. Chris Young fight from 8 different angles. Man, I loved that fight. Len Kasper's call just makes it even better. That and Lou's tirade at third base were two of the best moments from last season.
#2 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
So, uh, what sort of favors does Cedeno have to do to get in a lineup? He has the exact same number of ABs as Fontenot and has more hits, total bases, walks, runs scored, and runs batted in. Handedness again?
#3 Fox Graphics have ESP?
Did anybody see the graphics across the top of the screen as Fontenot came up to bat? At the time, the score was 3-0 Cubs with runners on 2nd & 3rd. The graphics then flashed "Homerun" and showed the bases empty and the score as 6-0 as Fontenot dug in and took the first pitch for a ball. The graphics then corrected and showed the 1-0 count on Fontenot and the correct 3-0 score. Immediately on the next pitch, Fontenot cranked a homerun over the right field fence, clearing the bases and giving the Cubs a 6-0 lead.
Do FOX graphics have ESP or what? And did anyone else notice this?
#4 Re: Fox Graphics have ESP?
I didn't catch that one.
But I do like the primary camera angle that appears to be from straight-away center field--as opposed to the usual angle that shades from left/center. Much better angle to watch a left-hander's pitch trajectory.
#5 Re: Fox Graphics have ESP?
Rigged?
#6 Re: Fox Graphics have ESP?
I also noticed the Home Run thing with no men on base, but didn't notice the 6-0. I assumed it was because whoever was doing the graphics incorrectly thought Soto's was a HR because it ended up over the fence. Maybe the dude just didn't see it bounce or something.
But yeah, that was kind of eerie.
#11 Re: Fox Graphics have ESP?
No it definitely wasn't them thinking Soto hit a HR- the score had the Cubs with 6, if they thought Soto had hit a HR, they woulda put it at 5.
I too saw that and thought it was weirrrd.
#13 Re: Fox Graphics have ESP?
I didn't catch it JP but Fox does a delay of about 20 seconds...I know this because I listened to Pat/Ron on WGN so I knew what was coming...maybe so did the graphics people!
Either that or Pat/Ron are also clairvoyant...well maybe just Pat
#22 Re: Fox Graphics have ESP?
I thought about the delay, but the graphic showed up well before hearing Fontenot hit the ball on the radio broadcast, so there must be something else in the mix going on there.
I think you're onto something there about the broadcast delay being involved but it would be more of a delay than the difference between the radio and FOX broadcasts. Then, if the radio is on a 5 second delay and FOX is on a 10 second delay, how would the graphics guys punch up the "HR" graphic in real time before both the radio and TV delays kick in without the graphic also being subject to the delay? Thinking about this starts to screw with my mind....
#23 Re: Fox Graphics have ESP?
I did notice that and told everyone at Parachat. They probably were a little bit behind on the feed, and the graphics intern flashed the special homerun animations a little early.
#34 Re: Fox Graphics have ESP?
The delay really is there to give the graphics guys the proper time to make them. I mean how do you think they produce relevant graphics and stats so fast? Carlos is right in that the guy made a mistake by putting it up too early.
#7 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
Umm, that was not a catch by Ludwick in right. Fucking Buck and McCarver. Such homers.
#8 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
So, Lou is trying to wear Marmol's arm out as quickly as possible, right? I can't figure this out.
#19 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
I'm guessing because he didn't throw at all on Friday and every one else did, he got the full duty. He'll be off limits for sure on Sunday. Hopefully he can avoid seein action on Monday too.
#28 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
I figure that is the line of reasoning, but Marmol has also pitched more innings than anyone else in the pen. In fact, he's pitched more innings than Rich Hill too. In addition, Marshall had pitched to only one batter the day before, and Gallagher should be fresh. My concern is that Lou doesn't seem to care when he uses Marmol, just that he gets to use him a lot. I hope he eases up on the innings soon. Nobody pitches 100+ innings out of the bullpen anymore, and Marmol is on pace to pitch well over 100. Using him in games where difference in runs is over 3 just doesn't make sense to me unless you have absolutely no other options.
Also, when does Ascanio get called up? He's been pitching well and makes more sense in relief than Gallagher. Gally is a starter and I don't see how this time in the bullpen is going to help him develop.
#35 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
Scott Shields
#36 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
Most MLB starters get their feet wet in the bullpen. Santana, Zambrano, etc.
#37 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
Gally got his feet wet last year. I'd be all for giving him Hill's spot in the rotation until Hill gets his stuff together, but sitting in the bullpen and being called on rarely isn't going to help the young guy get better.
#9 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
I was just gonna post re Marmol.
WTF?!
#10 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
The polar opposite to Buck/Carver is Eric KArros/KEnnedy.
KArros is a Cub fan/Bud Man. He said he's stickin' with his pick of the Cubs winning it.
#12 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
Buck has turned homerism to an art as he is constantly working little digs in. Marmol strikes out Pujols and he brings up how tough it must have been for his dear Albert with the ball coming out of the shadows. Fukudome hits a ball to the gap - not a line drive by any means but not just out of the reach of the shortstop either - and Buck calls it a flare. It's just a few little things like that each game that add up to Buck being a jive sounding homer of the worst order.
#14 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
both announcers threw parity out the window on the trap-catch they didnt talk about or show more than 1 rerun of which showed the trap to begin with.
this is a national game, i thought...not a team game.
#18 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
They really are obnoxious on Cardinal broadcasts.
#15 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
I think Buck/McCarver shouldn't do Cardinals games as much as possible. I think Fox is wrong for letting them do the games, but I doubt anything will change. I guess the best bet if you can is sync up your DVR and pat and ron and watch that way if it really gets to you.
#16 Cool stat
saw this from a link on baseball prospectus...
Zambrano's HR Friday night tied him with Fergie Jenkins on the Cubs all time leader list for pitcher-HR's (13).
He's now 37th on the all time MLB list.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/yyfV
#21 Re: Cool stat
After one month...
C Zambrano, 5/20, 1 HR, 250/250/450
A Soriano, 12/71, 3 HR, 169/224/324
Yeah, that's right, it wouldn't make any less sense to bat Carlos Zambrano lead-off.
#20 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
Charlie:
So, Lou is trying to wear Marmol's arm out as quickly as possible, right? I can't figure this out.
Well... if you're the only guy getting guys out consistently, I guess you'll get used a lot. I'd do the same damn thing.
#24 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
After nine more runs Saturday, I'm wondering when Hendry found religion when it came to offense.
Sure, it's easy to say he threw money at a problem to make it go away, e.g. Fukudome, but even when he traded for Kendall last season (a "meh" move if there ever was one), he talked about Kendall's career OBP as an attractive point. So at least he gets it.
Plus, Hendry also got DeRosa, and I thought DeRosa was a one-year wonder in Texas, and he's proven me wrong. And this organization developed Soto, who gets it, and that goes in Hendry's column. Ramirez, Cedeno, Theriot and Reed Johnson are all getting the OBP fever to one extent or another at the exact same time, and that seems to argue in favor organizational philosophy.
For all those people who went after Sarge and Gene Clines during the Dusty years, it's time to heap kudos on Gerald Perry.
This is the Cubs' best offensive team since 1984. I'd be stunned if we didn't win at least 90 games.
#29 Re: Game 30 Thread / Cubs @ Cardinals (2 of 3)
If this OBP renaissance lasts in Chicago, Gerald Perry gets all the credit--well, he'll have to share it with the guys who actually swing the bats, but you know what I mean. But we didn't see much difference in OBP last year from what we had seen in 2006, so as of right now I'm looking at it as a hot month and a change in on-the-field personnel. Foyd-Fukudome, Barrett/Blanco/K.Hill-Soto/Blanco: These two changes have made a huge difference so far.
If Theriot, Cedeno, A-Ram, and Johnson continue to get on base at high rates, that's when Perry really gets some credit, since none of those guys have been much for taking walks in the past (though Theriot was acceptable at it).
When will Perry teach Soriano to identify which pitches are going to bounce and which won't?
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