Game 151 Thread / Brewers @ Cubs (3 of 3)

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SP David Bush SP Rich Harden
9-10, 4.24, 103 K, 42 BB, 172 IP (NL)
 5-1, 1.65, 78 K, 19 BB, 60 IP
       
CF Mike Cameron LF Alfonso Soriano
2B #Ray Durham SS Ryan Theriot
3B Ryan Braun 1B Derrek Lee
1B *Prince Fielder 3B Aramis Ramirez
SS J.J Hardy CF *Jim Edmonds
RF Corey Hart 2B Mark DeRosa
3B *Craig Counsell C Geovany Soto
C Jason Kendall RF *Kosuke Fukudome
P David Bush P *Rich Harden

 

I sat through last night's loss at Wrigley, which I could have done without. On the other hand, I may have the distinction of having seen Ben Sheets's last-ever appearance for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Today's starters, Bush and Harden, matched up during that fateful series in Milwaukee at the end of July. The Cubs won that game, 11-4, and Bush (1-7, 5.16 lifetime against the Cubs) allowed seven runs in 6 1/3 innings. Harden fanned nine and allowed just one run in his only career appearance against the Brewers. Overall, the Cubs have won 8 of the 10 games he has started since coming over from Oakland.

On the subject of magic numbers and division-clinching, Barry Rozner of the Daily Herald points out that if the Cubs clinch the NL Central on Friday, the clinching wouldn''t be official until the Brewers play at night in Cincinnati, long after the Cubs/Cardinals matinee is over. Same thing could happen on Saturday. In other words, there might be no in-Wrigley celebration for the players or the Cub faithful this weekend.

A few players we talked to Wednesday came up with some other ideas.

First of all, they're certain the team leaders, Ryan
Dempster and Kerry Wood, will organize a group outing to a restaurant
or bar where the club can watch in private, and, if necessary, douse
each other with cheap, sticky, smelly beverages that never fully leave
your clothes.

I wish Rozner's sources had been a little more specific about the possible site of this player party. I'm thinking I'll just camp out at the TGI Friday's I know of in Oak Brook and cross my fingers.

Tags: 
Gameday Open Thread
Submitted by Cubnut on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 9:33am
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Comments

Submitted by blockhead25
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 12:53pm

Cubs win today, lose tomorrow, Brewers lose Friday night, Cubs win Saturday = Weekend Celebration at Wrigley.

Completely unrelated, but I was in Chicago over the weekend and we spontaneously decided to drive up to Milwaukee for Monday's game. I truly think that was the most fun I've ever had at a game. It seemed like a small town atmosphere with a bunch of families just there to have fun and root for the Cubs. Everyone around us was as friendly (and sober) as could be and it was just a great day at the ballpark. Sometimes I think a little gets lost when there are 40,000 screaming drunk fans at Wrigley. The game in Milwaukee reminded me more of what it was like going to a game as a kid when I didn't notice the stupidity of fans and just loved being at the ball park.

Submitted by johann
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 12:57pm

The possibility of less drunkenness and stupidity and more of a family atmosphere is the one thing that could make me support a new stadium.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 1:02pm

I am not sure that the problem is the stadium.

Submitted by blockhead25
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 1:12pm

Yeah, I'm not sure that has much to do with a new stadium. It's more to do with a 90 mile drive on a Monday afternoon for a game that was scheduled a few days before. Just a bunch of hardcore fans, many of whom live in Wisconsin or near the border that don't get to go often. So they brought their little kids and their families and just went to a game.

I think as long as Cubs baseball is played in Wrigleyville, it's always going to be a party/drunk atmosphere. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way, as there is something very special about Wrigley and the location...but being up in Milwaukee in a half full stadium with a bunch of young kids and families just seemed like the good old days when I'd go to a game in 1983 with my parents with 10,000 in the crowd and just truly appreciated what it meant to spend a day at the park.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:44pm

To think of how close I once was to being a part of Johann's family.

Submitted by Transmission
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 1:07pm

And on the second day, Trans said "let there be further recappage."

And Trans saw that this, too, was good.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:43pm

Is good relative?

Submitted by Brick
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 1:53pm

Bush vs Harden? HAWTTT

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 2:00pm

Harden hitting 96 on the gun...good to see...

Submitted by billybucks
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 2:03pm

Harden through 2 innings -- no hits, 5 K's. Trails 1-0. Cubbery!

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 2:08pm

Seems like that 1-0 deficit was the result of walking three guys, not Cubbery.

Unrelatedly, there are not 40,000 drunks at Wrigley. Obviously there are a lot of them, but let's not do what uneducated media does and generalize.

Submitted by billybucks
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 2:14pm

Tito-

My "Cubbery" reference was more general in nature....

Harden could throw a 150 pitch no-hitter.

Submitted by billybucks
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 2:28pm

Walking Craig Counsell with 2 outs and nobody on?

"Command" seems to be an issue.

Submitted by Brick
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 2:53pm

Holy cats. 115 pitches through 5??

Is he done for the day?

ETA - Gameday shows that as nearly a grand slam... How scary was it?

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 2:53pm

Awesome deke by Kosuke to keep the runner on second from scoring on a double. He may suck balls with the bat right now, but that kind of defense is pretty valuable.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 2:56pm

No way does Harden go out for the 6th.

Submitted by retrofade
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 3:04pm

Wow, in so Harden's last appearance, his command was absolutely on, but his velocity was down. Today, his velocity is back up, but his command is nowhere near where it usually is. At least that's what it looks like from the comments and following the game on GameCast.

Submitted by Wild Thing
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 3:09pm

STOP WALKING CRAIG COUNSELL!

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 3:21pm

Get the shark out of there! He's done enough damage!

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 3:22pm

Thank you!

Submitted by billybucks
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 3:27pm

Nice to see we've got that middle relief problem fixed.

Why in the world is Geo playing again?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 5:19pm

Still wondering why Geo is playing?

Submitted by billybucks
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:01pm

One run in ten innings agains the Brewers bullpen. Inconceivable!

Good thing Kerry struck out Prince Tuesday night -- otherwise, this would really be getting uncomfortable.

Geo and Dero need a day off, Lou, while Kosuke needs a plane ticket home. Playing Geo today was a really bad decision.

Submitted by blockhead25
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:13pm

I really don't like our relief options. Outside of Marmol (who is giving up HR's a bit too much too) I don't have confidence in anybody.

But, I put this one on Harden. A starter only lasting 5, puts a lot of pressure on the bullpen.

Oh. My. God.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:13pm

Yeah, pretty bad decision on Geo.

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:16pm

Yeah, having Geo in the game really was a bad call!
Wahoo!!!

Submitted by billybucks
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:45pm

OK, who's the wise guy who posted the "no Geo" thing under the billybucks name?

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:17pm

All I can say is, if Howry comes into this game, I am going to lose my mind.

Submitted by Bigz
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:21pm

(PAT): Can you believe it?!?!?
(Ron): OH YEAH! OH YES! OH GOD! OH MAN! OH MY GOD!

Submitted by CA-Phil
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:31pm

I was listening to Pat and Ron the day the news came out about how Ron was on the HOF ballot again and thought about his potential acceptance speech...

OH YEAH OH YES OH GOD OH MAN kind of summarizes it, with a "That's right, Pat" thrown in. He's a Cub treasure and a seemingly very nice man, but depth of knowledge and articulation??? Maybe he should replace Sarah Palin on the ticket (CA-Phil ducks)

Submitted by dcf
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:22pm

two out ral-ly
two out ral-ly

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:35pm

lol CA Phil

Anyways: "There's always next year." ®™

Submitted by Brick
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:48pm

What happened with Edmonds?

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 4:50pm

Frosted tip break

I kid, Jimmy.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 5:08pm

These umpires need to get off the power trip and understand they shouldn't affect the outcome of the game one way or the other. Running Edmonds halfway through an AB is inexcusable.

Be a professional and look the other way if Big, Bad Jimmy is saying mean things you fucking pussy.

Submitted by dcf
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 5:20pm

Cubs win

Magic number 2

Brewers in a dogfight for the wildcard, now looking up at 2 teams

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 5:22pm

Brewers are only looking up at 1 team really. Either Mets or Phils will win the East and Brewers are chasing the one who doesn't.

Submitted by dcf
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 5:26pm

That's right. I stand corrected. They are 2 games back in the loss column to the Mets

Submitted by rokfish
on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:20pm

my vote is for the mets to be the wild card

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