Game 104 Thread / Marlins @ Cubs (3 of 4)

Game Chat | BR Preview

SP Chris Volstad SP Rich Harden
  2-1, 2.16, 9 K, 6 BB, 16.2 IP
5-2, 2.12, 112 K, 36 BB, 89.1 IP
       
SS Hanley Ramirez LF Alfonso Soriano
RF *Jeremy Hermida SS Ryan Theriot
3B Jorge Cantu 1B Derrek Lee
1B *Mike Jacobs 3B Aramis Ramirez
2B Dan Uggla 2B *Mike Fontenot
LF Josh Willingham RF Mark DeRosa
C *John Baker C Geovany Soto
CF #Alfredo Amezaga CF *Kosuke Fukudome
P Chris Volstad P *Rich Harden

 

Rise and shine, Cubbies. A 12:05 day game in Chicago sees Rich Harden looking for his first win as a Cub, the Cubs looking for reliable offense, and fans looking to maintain bragging rights over the charging Brewers. That's three more uses of the verb "looking" than I'd make if I wasn't rusty from yet another long hiatus.

Who is John Baker?

The biggest pregame news has to be Fontenot's promotion and Fukudome's demotion. This is by my quick count the second time this season Fukudome started a game in center, the first time Fontenot has started the game hitting fifth, likewise for Fukudome hitting eighth.

Harden faced the Marlins on June 20th of this year, giving up a run, 2 BB and 5 K in 5.2 IP for a no decision. Volstad has never faced the Cubs. Drafted 16th overall in 2005, Sickles had him rated as the fourth best Marlin prospect coming in to 2008 with a "B" grading. How someone 6 foot 7 can be a ground-ball pitcher is beyond me, but Volstad is. Fan Graphs also tells us that at the moment he's a two-pitch pitcher: 90 mph fastball and 79 mph curve, with the infreqent change-up as well.

Random Fantasy Question: Over the course of this season I traded Dan Uggla for Ted Lilly and then Lilly for Ryan Theriot. Which of the three would you most want on your fantasy team?

 

 

 

Tags: 
Gameday Open Thread
Submitted by Transmission on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 11:08am
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Comments

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 12:03pm

Uggla.

Go Cubbies.

Submitted by Ted Lilly Fan Club
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 12:07pm

Theodore Roosevelt Lilly.

Go Cubbies.

Submitted by Transmission
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 12:12pm

Over/Under on Harden's K's today is set at 10.

Submitted by Transmission
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 12:13pm

And I'm taking the Over.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 12:52pm

Casey Blake to the Dodgers for RHP Jon Meloan and C Carlos Santana

NY Post says Marte, Nady deal will be Jose Tabata, Daniel McCutchen, Jeff Karstens and Ross Ohlendorf.

Submitted by ruz
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 12:56pm

"injury delay"

wha'appen?

Submitted by Jace
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 1:12pm

Home plate umpire took a fastball directly off his chin. The catcher didn't even deflect it... He had to leave the game.

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 1:16pm

The biggest pregame news has to be Fontenot's promotion

Aramis Ramirez needs protection. If you insist on batting .900 you're gonna fill the five.

and Fukudome's demotion.

If you're gonna make great catches and hit like Felix Pie you're gonna play centerfield and bat 8.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 1:31pm

The Cubs have someone batting 900?

Damn.

And protection is, for the most part, a load of crap.

AND... going into today's game, Kosuke had reached base in 7 of his previous 14 at-bats. While I understand demoting/moving down a guy who is struggling, I don't understand demoting/moving down a guy AFTER he seems to be coming out of his slump.

And of course... he has reached base in each of his first two at-bats today.

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 1:56pm

ftr, Mike Fontenot was the only Cub with a .900 OPS and that's in danger.

Felix Fukudome in July .185 .274 .277 .551

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 7:36pm

Well... I would bet money that Fontenot will not end up with an OPS over .900. And FWIW... Edmonds is also over .900, at least a Cubs.

And of course... most people would consider the fact that Fontenot would not qualify.

But I am sure that you know that already.

Submitted by ruz
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 1:50pm

And I'm taking the Over.

Good call.

Submitted by ruz
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 1:59pm

Whoops, I guess it was a push.

I'm not watching the game, only following it online, so -- why take Harden out after 5 innings and only 87 pitches? His line (10 Ks, 2 H, 3 BB) was pretty good.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 5:08pm

I think because he threw 112 last game.

 

Submitted by Brian
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 8:58pm

112!? Wow, I don't know how he was able to even get out there today.

Z averages at least 112.

Harden has to be able to throw more pitches if he's gonna help, especially considering all the pitches he racks up getting all those strikeouts.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 11:10am

maybe you're thinking of a different Rich Harden that hasn't spent most of his first 6 years on the disabled list.

A little caution is a smart move right now...the season doesn't end on July 31st or anything.

 

Submitted by Brian
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 2:21pm

So with what we've seen since the big trades, I have a legit question. Would you rather have a pitcher who goes 5-6 innings and gives up 1 run or 8-9 innings and gives up 3-4 runs.

I guess it depends on the bullpens, so let's say the bullpens are the Cubs and the Brewers...

Submitted by ultrapeanut
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 2:36pm

What the hell did the Cubs do to Jeremy Hermida?

Submitted by Wedge2
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 2:59pm

I'd want 1. Uggla 2. Theriot 3. Lilly

Submitted by Thisistheyear
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 3:46pm

Uggla for sure.

The Bayou boys are playing well in the heat. I wonder what the Cubs record would have w/o Soriano if Theroit wasn't playing as he was. It's nice to see.

Submitted by Bigz
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 4:04pm

so sick of this brand of baseball

Submitted by billybucks
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 4:08pm

Can't win in Houston.
Can't beat Randy Johnson.
Can't beat the Marlins.
Can't hit a HR with a man on base.
Can't hit anything with runners in scoring position.
Can't win at home with Dempster and Harden starting, each giving up one run.

Scary stuff. The Summer of Joy has taken an ugly turn.

Last 7 of the year are in NY and MIL -- Cubs unlikey to win more than 2 of the last 7 -- better start winning some home games, boys.

Submitted by Pootie T
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 4:11pm

Hey, at least Soriano is back.

Submitted by billybucks
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 4:15pm

One other good thing --

Howry had the day off, so he can come in and lose tomorrow's game in the 9th.

They need to start hitting quickly -- if they get their butts kicked in Milwaukee next week, then can't win with a ton of home games in August, the road-heavy September schedule will probaly be too much to overcome.

Submitted by Chifan
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 4:30pm

that we wont hit this way the rest of the year. Not only is August filled with home games, but they are home games aganist some bad teams.

Submitted by billybucks
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 4:54pm

What's a "bold ledge"?

I'm with you, Chifan, just frustrated.

Submitted by Chifan
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 12:17pm

I meant a bold step onto the ledge.

Submitted by Chifan
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 4:25pm

is on the block. If Jimbo was smart he would offer up Soriano and a solid prospect for Manram without taking a look at their contracts, I'd say it save the Cubs 80 million throught the course of their contracts.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 5:11pm

If Jimbo was smart he would offer up Soriano and a solid prospect for
Manram without taking a look at their contracts, I'd say it save the
Cubs 80 million throught the course of their contracts.

speaking of jumping off the ledge...wow.

Soriano has an NTC anyway...but if the Red Sox want to deal Manny while being one of the better teams in the AL, you know there's some serious behind-the-scenes problems going on...

 

Submitted by Chifan
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 12:29pm

Manny's issue is he wants 2 option years at 20 mil per picked up and since Theo hasnt yet Manny's being TO. If we did in an unlikely scenerio trade for him and picked up the options he would be fine. Id rather have Manram at 2/40 then Soriano at 6/106 (could be a little more if the signing bonus is spread out and not dispursed fully when when he signed.)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 5:12pm

LaTroy Hawkins DFA'd...

Chris Carpenter to pitch Wednesday for the Cardinals.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 6:41pm

Today was just like an extension of yesterday, except they had fewer chances today. I really don't know if this might just be the coming back to Earth of the offense. The pitching is doing great, for all the people wanting to get rid of Howry yesterday...do you want to get rid of Gaudin today? These games are not the bullpens fault. You have to score more than 2 runs if you want to win games. Simple as that.

I'm discouraged at this point of the season...maybe having a great offense was too good to be true.

Submitted by johann
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 9:06am

Here's the thing: I have problems with this team, but it's just as ridiculous to judge the offense by this slump as it was to anoint them the best offense ever because of the beginning of the season. In the end, you have to judge a player by their season wide numbers and not what they did over a one month period. At the end of the season ARam and Lee will probably hit .300 and it will be a successful season.

To me, no one should be surprised by Fuku's hitting. The platitudes he was getting at the beginning were a bit much for a tiny sample size and it was to me pretty much given his numbers would go down from Japan, especially in home runs. I'd say league average with outstanding defense is just about right for him.

Soriano is a very streaky hitter who will get hurt. Again, no one should be surprised by this. He will go on a tear, we'll win a bunch of games and people will forget this bit.

Soto is a very good hitter but is also young and will go through these streaks. While obviously we'd all love for him to be the exception, it's no knock against him he's been slumping because rookies do that. He'll bounce back at some point and in the end it will average out to quite good numbers. A 1.048 OPS (what he hit in April/March) was fun as all get out but also unrealistic for an entire season, especially for a catcher. In the end, he's second in the NL and 3rd in the MLB in OPS and that is still really, really good for a rookie.

Theriot just seems to be hitting and hitting and hitting and who knows when it will end. Logically it should end, but hey, who are we to argue with scrap.

DeRosa, despite some claims to the contrary, was never and will never be a great hitter. He is quite useful as a super-utility player but a 109 OPS+ is the highest he's ever hit and the highest you're likely to get from him. Johnson, DeRosa and Edmonds are all extremely replaceable (note I didn't say bad) players and thus there should no hesitation to replace each one with the hot hand. But the fact we get slumps from any of them again should be no surprise.

It just seems we have some unrealistic expectations some times from hitters. Someone goes on a hot streak hitting way over their career numbers and suddenly we expect them to hit like that all the time. Most hitters get a .300 BA at the end of the season by hitting .400 for a while, then .200, etc, etc. You enjoy the .400, ride out the .200 and with our team, it just happens most of the guys are hitting .200 at the same time which hopefully means they'll all hit .400 at the same time.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 7:33pm

Hey all... so I am thinking about buying tickets from a scalper tomorrow.

Any ideas on what I should expect to find in terms of availability and price?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 8:19pm

Does Wrigley do those electronic tickets that you can email? If so, try Ebay in the morning before you go...that's worked for me at other parks.

 

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 8:28pm

Why am I so pessimistic that the Astros can hold this lead vs the Brewers? I mean they held it last night surely they can do it again?

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 9:01pm

Well tied now. Braun homer. 4-4. Seems like Gagne has gotten better since he gave up those homers to the Reds. That sucks.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 9:03pm

Ok Brewers up 5-4, unless Torres gives it up looks like we have company in first place.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 9:16pm

I really don't know if I can handle having to scoreboard watch for 2+ months.

Submitted by 10man
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 10:08pm

Well hopefully we can salvage a split tomorrow. The Brewers series will be a big psychological push either up or down for the rest of the season.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 11:14pm

f'n pooholes...

STL takes a 10-8 lead, top 14...

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 11:30pm

meh...STL wins.

its almost august and the top 3 teams in the NL are from the NL Central.

take that world of speculative sports journalism.

don't the cubs are too surprising...and most people wouldn't be too shocked to have the brews up there...but, STL? wow.

Submitted by Chad
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 12:49am

I hate this MotherF#$%ing team.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 1:22am

I'm definitely hating the offense right now...these last 2 games were extremely winnable.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 3:51am

One problem with Saturday's lineup:

You have four players, you are going to play three of them. Here's their OPS's since the ASG (everyone talks about how Lou likes to go with the hot hand).

Player 1. 1.556
Player 2. 1.188
Player 3. .632
Player 4. .727

Your team is struggling offensively. Which three do you play? Well of course, you play 2,3,4, who as a bonus give you the worst possible defensive combination as well.

Then late in the game you decided to PH for one of those guys with player #1. Who do you pinch hit for? Well of course the guy with the 1.188 OPS.

Pinhead, it's not rocket science. When your team isn't scoring, PLAY THE HOTTEST HITTERS. There was no excuse to be playing DeRosa over Johnson yesterday, unless 'stupid' is an excuse.

Submitted by Brick
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 8:54am

Weird extra-innings rules introduced for Olympic baseball.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-bbi-...

Submitted by Rekes
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 9:40am

This rule is common in amateur baseball, well at least variations of it. Personally, I think it is a great rule for the All Star Game, but start in the tenth inning.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 11:34am

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080726&c...

sorry if the link is 3/44...

"There's very little room to put someone in, in my opinion, if you're healthy," Hendry said Saturday. "I would think that for the most part if we did something it would be reaction to a health issue more than feeling our people weren't capable of doing their job."

seems to indicate that Samardzija is going to be a big part of the bullpen.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 12:54pm

I didn't really see an out pitch from Samardzija the other day. I think he's likely to scuffle. If not him, who goes down when Wood is ready?

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 12:59pm

samninja seems to have 2 fastballs and an occasional slider...i think someone in parachat said they saw a change, too...i dunno.

either way it seems 4 outta 5 times (rough ass estimate) he's gonna throw his heater.

he does get really really amazing movement on it for how fast it is. i wonder how he gets that kind of break on a 95+ ball.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 11:36am

set Anthony Reyes free...

goes to Indians for a minor leaguer RHP Luis Perdomo

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