Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
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| SP | *Zach Duke |
SP |
Carlos Zambrano |
| 2-2, 4.04, 16 K, 18 BB, 49 IP | 6-1, 2.03, 31 K, 15 BB, 62 IP | ||
| 2B |
Freddy Sanchez |
LF |
Alfonso Soriano |
| CF |
*Nate McLouth |
SS |
Ryan Theriot |
| LF |
Jason Bay | 1B |
Derrek Lee |
| 1B |
*Adam LaRoche | 3B |
Aramis Ramirez |
| RF |
Xavier Nady | RF |
*Kosuke Fukudome |
| 3B |
*Doug Mientkiewicz |
C |
Geovany Soto |
| C |
Ronny Paulino | 2B |
Mark DeRosa |
| SS |
Brian Bixler | CF |
Reed Johnson |
| P |
*Zach Duke | P |
#Carlos Zambrano |
Z's quest for the Cy Young continues as does the Cubs quest for the best record in baseball, just a game behind the Diamondbacks. They'll have to battle known Cub killer Zach Duke (10 GS, 4-3, 2.56 ERA, 36 K, 16 BB). They seemed to start solving that Rubik's Cube in the last start when they got to Duke for five earned runs in four innings.
Go Cubs!












#1 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Or those like me, who are out of the area, the game can be shown on TVAntz here:
http://myp2p.eu/competition.php?competitionid=&par...
#2 Re: Blue everywhere
#5 Re: Blue everywhere
the new blue of the text seems a little watered down. harder to read.
__________________________That's Manila with an "L"
#22 Re: Blue everywhere
agreed, especially on white.
#6 Re: Blue everywhere
I like the blue.
__________________________The Mexican homeboy.
#3 This is just wrong. Jerry Seinfeld....
at the game wearing a brand new Cubs cap with the tag still on it.
But he's a well-known Mets fan..
http://fileserver.glam.com/2/-2727246a7dbf68cd61.j...
#4 Len & Bob didn't mention it but SORIANO
just hit his 250th career home run.
(9 on the season)
#19 Re: Len & Bob didn't mention it but SORIANO
250th career homer and 250th career RBI.
can we please move the power hitter with the low ob% who doesnt steal anymore into a RBI slot?
any day now...
#7 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
No one at Parachat? That's weird.
__________________________The Mexican homeboy.
#13 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
its called a beautiful day
#8 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
That sucked.
__________________________Antagonizing TCR posters with my my "assinine" "socialist drivel" and my signatures since 2003.
#9 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Well, Zambrano and Marmol were bound to have bad games. It just so happens it's in the same game. Also, thank god Soriano is surging with the currently quiet bat of Lee (.548 OPS in the last 14 days). But if Wuertz can actually start pitching well again, that would help out this bullpen so much.
#10 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
I don't believe in jinxes, but, as soon as Len said "Marmol has his A+ stuff today", he gives up an 0-2 single on the next pitch, then grooves one to the Pirates best hitter to lose the game. Makes you wonder...
Lee, Rammy and Fukky need to get going -- another 0-fer day for 3-4-5 in the lineup.
A win tomorrow would be nice -- be a shame to end this nice homestand on a downer.
#11 Soriano
Holy God, Soriano's BA is up to .295, better than Lee and ARam. That was quick.
And 10 HR's in 29 games.
#12 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Funny, you haven't seen any articles discussing Soriano's lack of bat speed and timing these days. Could it be that the club actually knew what it was doing when it didn't send him down for a rehab stint in the minors?
#14 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Regardless of how hot he is right now, that still doesn't mean it's acceptable to let him flail at crap not even close to the zone for a week after coming off the DL. Here's what he did off the DL:
5/1: 0-4
5/2: 1-6 3K
5/3: 1-4 2K
5/4: 1-4 K
5/5: 1-4 K
5/6: 2-5 K
5/7: DNP
5/8: 1-4
That's a cumulative 7-31. .226 with three XBHs (two 2Bs, HR), 2BBs and 8Ks. He started warming shortly thereafter. He still needed a rehab assignment. His hot streak now has nothing do with that fact.
#24 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
It's great that you've identified the source of his hot streak! Share that info with the rest of the team and we'll be the best team in the history of baseball!
__________________________Let's hug it out, bitch.
#15 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
2nd time this season cubs have scored 4 or more but lost. just have to call it a bad day at the office, and turn the page.
here's hoping jason marquis can pitch the way he is capable of on sunday. probably would be a bad idea to run through the bullpen before heading to houston.
does anyone know why fukudome sat on friday vs gorzelanny but played today? the inconsistency on this had me curious. thanks in advance.
__________________________"knowledge is good"
#20 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Just a scheduled day off, I believe. It's been 9 days since we've had an off day and it's another 4 until we have one.
It didn't really matter which day he sat in this series since we're facing all lefties. Rather give him that day off against a lefty than opposed to one of the Houston right-handers, be it Moehler, Sampson, or Chacon.
#16 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
I regret to tell you that I am attending tomorrow's game which will be a Marquis loss. I am saying this to prepare myself in advance, thereby reducing some anxiety. It will be his last start for a while, however, fortunately as Lou will not have the patience for it.
Jason Marquis is a bad pitcher. Unfortunately, by the luck of the draw with my games, it will be my 3rd time seeing him so far this season. I was 0-2, tomorrow, 0-3.
Maybe there will be an AL team who may want him at the deadline - or the Mets.
__________________________Disappointed by "Cubbery" since 1966
#17 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Today was the first appearance of the year by Cra-Z we hadn't missed him. Ah well you just can't win em all and they had been beating the Pirates so consistently. Its time for Lee, Ramirez and Fuku to step it up though. Tomorrow's game should be at least high scoring with alot of bullpen appearances. Neither Marquis or Dumatrait are any good.
#18 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Marmol sucks.
__________________________I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me- hst
#21 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Hoffpauir didn't start tonight at Iowa. Could he be in Chicago ready to play tomorrow?
#23 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Notwithstanding the loss, our offense is really on fire. I think we have some good trade bait for picking up an arm or two. If you had told me that 1/4 of the way through the season that we'd have the following players with OPS over .800 I'd have said you were high:
Soto
Soriano
D Lee
A Ram
Cedeno
Fukudome
Derosa
Theriot
Fontenot
CF is the only position that hasn't provided us great offense and Reed Johnson has a .340 OBP. We're almost 50 points above the median for team OBP! I'm not expecting Cedeno or the LSU wondertwins to keep this up all season, but it's nice while it lasts.
Besides being the best offense in baseball, we're in 3rd in the NL for ERA and our defense has been pretty damn solid.
By and large our players are playing good baseball. Pardon me if I sound like I'm drinking the Kool-aid, but things are feeling pretty good right now for this staying an exciting year all season long.
__________________________Let's hug it out, bitch.
#25 CF is the only position that hasn't provided us great offense
Er, Reed Johnson leads the Cubs in BA with runners in scoring position. He had a .361 average going into the game today (nobody else is even close)and an OPS over .800 .
#26 Re: CF has provided us with the most bombastic offense ever
Whatever, Bluewater Boats. That's why he starts everyday, right? That .258 BA and .328 SLG percentage strike me as Barry Bonds-esque.
Having a good BA with runners in scoring position would strike me as good, not great with the stats above. Throw that together with Pie and now Edmonds and you're really going to argue that CF provides us great offense this year? Seriously?
I can't wait to see what the next name you chose is, Cubswinthepennant. Is the game that you troll until people stop responding and then change your name to hope they'll start responding again? Do you have a little clubhouse with Silent Towel and Mannytrillo where you make up special handshakes and plot your next moves?
You sir, are a TCR terrorist.
__________________________Let's hug it out, bitch.
#30 Re:CF is the only position that hasn't provided us great offense
Well, that thin-skinned
responsenonsense was completely over-the-top.I guess it's just me who thinks that batting average with runners in scoring is measuring anything worthwhile but for the record after yesterday's game Reed Johnson raised his to .378 (.444 .459 .904).
And it pains me to have to point out to someone so knowledgable that Reed Johnson has played enough to be QUALIFIED. In fact, only two other NL players with 37 AB's with RISP have a higher batting average, Orlando Hudson and Matt Kemp.
#36 Re:CF is the only position that hasn't provided us great offense
I don't negotiate with terrorists.
__________________________Let's hug it out, bitch.
#37 Re:I don't negotiate with terrorists.
A less insane response might have gone something like this, "Wow, I had no idea that Reed Johnson had played that much and contributed anything at all to our offense. I really didn't. But maybe I was confusing him with Felix Pie."
#39 Re:I don't negotiate with terrorists.
It's interesting that you got all of that from what I said. Those are some big assumptions about what I did and didn't know. I stand by my assertion that CF has not provided great offense for us this year.
I'd try to pat you on the back, but both of your own hands are clearly aldready occupying that space.
__________________________Let's hug it out, bitch.
#27 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
How about this on...
Sit lee down for a game. horrible slump and today was the icing. He needs to rest a bit.
__________________________"I will ruin this house with my anger!" - Master Shake
#28 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
Derrek Lee is a selfish egomaniac prick I tell you. His refusal to bat lower in the lineup is HURTING our team. He either needs to be moved down or benched! He is a cancer on our team.
I mean thats how it works when all-star players are struggling right? Assassinate their character?!?!? No one can hit forever so in the end all players end up being what I said above. Thats cool how that works.....
#29 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
No Chad you just keep sending Lee out to bat, eventually he will work himself out of it.
It's called baseball you might of heard of it. Players get hot and cold. I know its new research but it does happen.
#31 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
If you rest him for a day, won't he come back refreshed? You could send him to a day spa if you thought that would help.
__________________________Let's hug it out, bitch.
#32 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
a day spa...
__________________________==========
do you recommend the Swedish massage by Olga?
One week until the Winter Meetings...Woo!
#34 Re: Game 43 Thread / Pirates @ Cubs (2 of 3)
I hear Big Z swears by the sea mineral wrap.
My wife goes on occasion. I think that's the one where they baste you in oil, sprinkle salt all over you and wrap you up in seaweed sheets like a sushi roll.
__________________________Let's hug it out, bitch.
#33 Peoria Chiefs
I ventured down the intersate from Madison to Beloit, Wisconsin last night (affectionately referred to as "the taint of Wisconsin" by the rest of the state). The Peoria Chiefs were battling the Twins A team, the Beloit Snappers (a really stupid looking turtle). It used to be more of a rivalry when Beloit was a Brewers affiliate.
It rained pretty much the entire game off and on. The game lasted 3.5 hours and I confess I did not stay for the entire thing. My parents were with me and I simply couldn't force my mom to sit in 50 degree rain for that long. But a few things from the game struck me.
Ryno looked good out there coaching third, waving runs in, giving signs, etc. It was cool to see him from only about 30 feet away. Peoria's starting pitcher Zach Ashwood got lit up. He only gave up 3 runs before exiting in the 4th, but he had given up 7 hits and 2 walks, and even his outs were hit hard, including a lineout double play with the runners in motion that saved him from one big inning. They were just squaring him up with regularity and he doesn't throw very hard either.
Josh Donaldson got a couple of hits to finally get his average above .200 for the year. He looks like an athlete and actually did surprisingly well blocking pitches. His throws to second might need work though. Although I saw just one game, even his tosses down between innings were often pretty far off. Dylan Johnston is a beast of a man and had been hot lately, but he basically just watched pitches last night. Two K's looking at fastballs right down the middle and in his other at bats he took a ton of pitches also. Jovan Rosa had a pretty good game and his clearly the team's leading hitter. Overall the defense was not great, and the team had trouble adapting to the wet grass (a couple of slips turned outs into doubles). It was interesting to see some of the younger guys that Arizona Phil talks about on here, but I don't expect many on this team to move up the ladder too far.
#35 I don't expect many on this team to move up the ladder too far
Thanks for the report, although it's not encouraging. Ryno wanted to move up in the system this year but was rebuffed. Maybe he saw the handwriting on the wall.
#38 Re: I don't expect many on this team to move up
I forgot to mention the best part of the night - the national anthem yelled by some guy who, not kidding on this one, had a cheat sheet for the lyrics to which he referrd numerous times. It was perhaps the worst rendition I have ever heard.