TCR: No Good Will Come of This

Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Cubnut on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 4:50pm

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP Brandon Backe SP Carlos Zambrano

9-12, 5.42, 122 K, 72 BB, 159.1 IP
13-5, 3.53, 114 K, 61 BB, 168.1 IP
       
CF *Michael Bourn LF Alfonso Soriano
LF Ty Wigginton 2B *Mike Fontenot
SS Miguel Tejada 1B Derrek Lee
1B #Lance Berkman 3B Aramis Ramirez
3B #Geoff Blum RF Mark DeRosa
RF Hunter Pence CF *Jim Edmonds
2B *David Newhan C Geovany Soto
C Humberto Quintero SS Ryan Theriot
P Brandon Backe P #Carlos Zambrano

 

While Cub fans are hoping that the team's bats will come back to life (no EBH's among the club's last 27 hits), the greater concern right now is with Carlos Zambrano.

All Cubdom would like to see that the two extra days of rest Zambrano got when his scheduled Sunday start was pushed back to this evening have proven beneficial to his "fatigued" "dead" tired arm. If nothing else, in the span of those two days, the calendar turned from August to September.

As mentioned here—and everywhere else—previously, in five starts this past month, Zambrano went 1-1, 7.42, allowing opponents to hit .284 with a cumulative 917 OPS. He was 0-4, 7.06 in August of 2007, and in his career, Zambrano has gone 12-16, 4.22 in August starts. His lifetime September numbers are better: 17-10, 3.48 in 32 starts. Of course, all that really matters right now is he does this September.

His opposite number tonight, Brandon Backe, was the victim of that eight-run third inning, not to mention a grand slam by Mark DeRosa and a three-run job by Alfonso Soriano, the last time he pitched at Wrigley, the first week in August.

Backe's team, however, comes into the game having won six games in a row and closed to within two games of the third-place Cardinals. Maybe the Astros' veteran catcher, growing wistful as he nears the end of his career, can distract his mates by infecting them with his wistfulness.

(Brad) Ausmus, like most Major Leaguers, considers the Windy City the best of all road destinations. Playing day games at a historic, festive ballpark such as Wrigley Field and having nights free to enjoy some of the "best restaurants in the world," by Ausmus' estimation, make trips to Chicago a pleasure for all.

"I'll miss Wrigley," Ausmus said. "There's nothing more fun than an 80-degree day in the middle of summer at Wrigley Field...When I'm done playing, I plan on making a trip and watching a couple of games from the bleachers," Ausmus said... "That is something I definitely will do."

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#1 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 5:06pm.

Fuku getting benched versus a righty...Godenot time.

#2 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by nohit on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 5:08pm.

Good Z... Good Z... Good Z... everyone repeat it with me...

#3 MLB.tv

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 5:22pm.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/premium.jsp?c...

$20 for the rest of the season or $8 per day.

#4 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Hawkeye on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 5:45pm.

I do not claim to be a stat-head. I am amazed and impressed at the levels of analysis I find on this site. I am very grateful for the expertise.

That said, what are the two best averages in the line-up doing in the #8 and #9 holes? That is absurd.

That is all for now.

#5 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by blockhead25 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 5:59pm.

Theriot has been slumping a bit...but I think as evidence yesterday, Lou doesn't like leading off with 4/5 righties. Without any power, nowhere else really for Theriot to go if he isn't going to be in the 2 spot.

I'd flip Soto and Edmonds, but that would leave 4 righties in a row in the middle of the order.

Who knows. If Z pitches well and Soriano and Lee do what they are capable of, the rest is largely irrelevant.

#6 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Jordan on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:13pm.

I'm still baffled by Lou's insistence on using Howry when the game is close. Seriously. This is killing me.

#7 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Wes on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:17pm.

Howry just Uggla'd the entire game away.

#8 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:18pm.

Yeah, Howry looked like he had it back for a few games there, but back to the same old crap now. But we basically have 3 guys in the bullpen we trust, and they can't pitch everyday or from the 5th or 6th inning on.

#9 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:40pm.

Any scoop on why Z came out? Or Howry is still on an MLB roster?

#10 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Jordan on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:44pm.

Classic cubbery today...

#11 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by blockhead25 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:18pm.

3 double plays with men on 3rd less than 1 out....maddening.

#12 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by 10man on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:19pm.

Howry better not be on the post season roster...

#13 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:20pm.

DLee -- you have got to be fucking kidding me.

Guy walks 2 in a row to load the bases, including walking Fontenot on 4 pithces, throws ball 1 to DLee, and the DP machine swings at the next pitch -- inning over.

If you are going to swing in that situation, it has GOT to be a pitch you can drive in the air.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

#16 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by blockhead25 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:48pm.

He guessed fastbvall, got fastball, but it was way too loo.
I think I would have been less frustrated watching the RNC, and that's saying a lot for a hardcore Democrat like me.

#27 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:33pm.

Correction-- the pitcher had walked 3 in a row before DP Lee's stupid AB.

#14 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:21pm.

Any report on Z?

#37 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:42pm.

He left after five innings and 86 pitches.

"He told our pitching coach that he wasn't feeling good," manager Lou Piniella said.

Zambrano will see the team doctor Wednesday.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/col...

that don't sound good...

#15 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Jordan on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:33pm.

At least the Brewers lost...

This is a frustrating game to watch. We're missing so many opportunities.

#17 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by rokfish on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:50pm.

i think it is time for a hoffpauer sighting

#24 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by big_lowitzki on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:30pm.

Heh...

#18 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:11pm.

Many thanks to Bob Howry and DP Lee for the Cubs 4th straight home loss.

The Astros found 2 of our weak links and exploited them.

#19 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by blockhead25 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:12pm.

- absolutely disgusting game.
- "#1" starter can't go past 5.
- 3 guys on 3rd 1 out...0 sac flies.
- 2 guys failing at sac bunts in extras.
- 2 on, 0 out top of the order up, can't move a guy over.
- Aram making 3 errors in 4 innings.

This reminds me of how we felt during the Marlins series last September...Brewers giving the Cubs chances to put it away, and Cubs just playing bad fundamental baseball.

#31 Re: "#1" starter can't go past 5.

Submitted by navigator on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:51pm.

The other day the media reported he felt "fine." Maybe he was saying "five."

#20 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by rokfish on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:14pm.

speaking of that hoffpauer sighting
lets hope its tomorrow at first base
for derrick (sucks) lee

#21 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:18pm.

Hope Dempster feels like pitching a complete game tomorrow.

What an absurd game to lose -- better win a lot on the road over the next few weeks.

#22 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by mannytrillo on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:19pm.

Len said he still has no word on Z. But anyone understand why Wood was in there for 2 innings and 40 pitches? I understand he has not had much work lately, but why 2 innings? The rosters have expanded, use Lieber or someone less valuable.

#41 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 12:27am.

Why is Wood in for 2 innings? Because it's a tie game in extra innings in an important September game at home.

#23 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:23pm.

Wild guess here...Cubs will stumble into the playoffs again, then get swept. Phils and 'Stros are the first decent teams we have played in a while....so far, looks like we'll be 2-4 at home.

Not good.

#50 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 8:41am.

Anyone remember the White Sox epic August/September collapse in 2005? What did they do in the playoffs? Oh yeah, won the World Series.

Let's not get our panties in a bunch here. The Cubs were playing awesome, now they're playing like crap. Maybe by the time October rolls around they'll be back to awesome. The playoffs are a crap shoot, and I like our chances as much as anyone else's.

#54 Re: Game 139 Thread / Astros @ Cubs (2 of 3)

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 9:24am.

Agree with the overall theme, and I vividely recall the White Sox near collapse, but I don't recall their #1 pitcher going down in Septemeber with an arm issue.

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