Game Preview: Cubs(18-22) @ Phillies(24-14)

Theriot, 2B #Victorino, CF
Castro, SS Polanco, 3B
Lee, 1B *Utley, 2B
Ramirez, 3B *Howard, 1B
Byrd, CF Werth, RF
Soriano, LF #Rollins, SS
Baker, RF *Ibanez, LF
Soto, C Ruiz, C
*Gorzelanny, P *Moyer, P

Jeff Baker gets an odd start in right field against the lefty Jamie Moyer. No word yet if Xavier Nady is injured or Lou just wanted to get Baker a start, albeit it with the current 5 outfielders already fighting for at-bats, worrying about Jeff Baker getting his hacks would be the least of my worries. For what it's worth, which is absolutely nothing, Baker is 2/7 against Moyer including 1/3 with a double last year.

Jeff Stevens has been called up and will take the bullpen spot of Esmailin Caridad who is back to the disabled list with a right elbow strain. Sean Marshall will get the bulk of the 8th-inning set-up duty until Lou and Larry change their mind again. Marshall's new job probably won't start until tomorrow though as Marshall has pitched three days in a row.

The Phillies are tops in the league in runs scored and tops in the league in OPS against lefties at .846. Good luck to you, Sloth (hat tip to Jacos for the find).

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Game Previews
Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:01pm
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Comments

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:13pm

That is one ugly m'fer.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:58pm

Interesting statistical note on tonight's game:

Philly starter Jamie Moyer is older than the entire Cubs starting lineup combined...and multiplied by 6!

There has to be a backstory regarding the Baker start, doesn't there? As Rob said, it's not like Baker has some incredible history against Moyer.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 5:05pm

he's just not played...hardly been seen since castro came up.

now, why riot/castro isn't getting a rest with nady in RF and baker playing 2nd...hell if i know.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:21pm

There's a certain guy, I am not going to name any names but he didn't drive in any runs last while batting fourth, and his first name sounds suspiciously like "error-miss", who could have sat for a day. There's also a guy who stands across the diamond from him, who K'd three times last night, and has a history of neck trouble who could maybe have taken a day off to rest after the short turn-around from last night's game.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 5:06pm

Submitted by Cubnut on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:58pm.
Interesting statistical note on tonight's game:

Tonight's Philly starter Jamie Moyer is older than the entire Cubs starting lineup combined...and multiplied by 6!

There has to be a backstory regarding the Baker start, doesn't there? As Rob said, it's not like Baker has some incredible history against Moyer.

====================================

CUBNUT: Maybe Lou wants to see if Jeff Baker can handle RF, and if he shows that he can, the Cubs might release Xavier Nady and bring up Chad Tracy. By releasing Nady, the Cubs would not be on the hook for his $2M in potential performance/incentive bonuses, and they could at least salvage about $300K in salary once Nady signs with another club.

Or it's possible that Nady has already agreed to waive his automatic "No trade" (it expires June 15th anyway), and the Cubs might believe they can trade him somewhere where he can play 1B or DH (at least in a platoon), especially if the Cubs eat some of his salary. BTW, if Nady is willing to waive his "no trade" and the Cubs did trade him, prior to June 15th, they would only be able to take back player contracts or cash not in excess of $50,000 aggregate.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 5:25pm

Great insight from you, AZ Phil, as always.

Thanks.

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 5:59pm

I understand why we would get rid of Nady, but don't we have 3 outfielders that can play RF in Wrigley? Fukudome, Colvin and Byrd could all play there. I understand that Byrd would then have to play RF against LHPs, but I can't imagine he's bad enough that you'd prefer Jeff Baker there. Am I missing something?

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:18pm

You're not taking into account that Lou is retarded. This is just what his lineup-magic-eight-ball spewed out. It also picked Z as a long man, btw.

And also, Sloth love Chunk.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:23pm

Left handed hitting Cubs are not allowed to face left handed pitchers.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 9:31am

Colvin looked fantastic vs. Romero.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 11:27am

Good point. All manager decisions should be based on one at bat against one of the better lefty specialists in the majors.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 11:55am

Was just making a comment, Neal. I can understand why Colvin doesn't play much against lefties. I guess I'm the only one.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 05/22/2010 - 12:54pm

For his minor league career, Colvin hit .277 against LH and .276 against RH pitchers. He slugged .460 and .461, he walked less against LH, so yes, you're the only one, besides the most important one, Great Grandpa Lou.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:17pm

what a confounding organization we're hitched to...

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:18pm

Indeed. Cubs bring Howry back.

http://www.csnchicago.com/05/19/10/Cubs-ink-v...

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:19pm

My first baseball prediction ever.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:26pm

I think I saw that post of yours. I assumed you were just making a joke. GAH!!

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:33pm

It's easy to see now why Marlon Byrd was so confident with his playoff guarantee.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:37pm

Yeah...not saying I'm particularly thrilled, but it made too much sense for Hendry not to jump on it. Dunno if he'll continue to suck, but there's not much risk at this point.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:19pm

btw, i know trades only happen after exhaustive scouting, but still - does it make any sense for the cub brass to basically be telling the world that zombie ain't what he used to be?

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:21pm

That's the Cubbie way. Completely devalue a player, THEN attempt to trade them. It worked so well we got Fontenot that way.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:39pm

Plus we got Carlos "The Stopper" Silva - so really it pretty much guarantees you're going to "win" the trade. Bradley is back tonight, ironically. Wonder if the shrink did him any good.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:40pm

That's true. Two examples proves the rule, I always say.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:41pm

I think "Sloth" should be Gorzo's new nickname.

I'd be coole with "The Mask" too.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 6:55pm

Boy, the Cubs defense must have read about the bad BABIP that Gorzelanny's been treated to and are trying to correct things tonight. Three really nice plays so far.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 7:39pm

he'll pitch a simulated game on Monday, 60-70 pitches

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 8:05pm

good, because it looks like gorz might need 2 weeks off thanks to taking a comebacker off of a fist full of fingers.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 8:08pm

That would really suck - not sure how it missed his glove. Hopefully the fact that he was able to finish that play means it's not broken.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 8:10pm

looks like he threw both hands up at the same time...only his throwing hand was in front of the glove hand.

also, k.hill thinks he's a gigantic wuss and needs to walk it off.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 8:42pm

xrays negative on gorz...left ring finger

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 8:24pm

Yeah, I can't see how Castro makes our team any better either.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 9:32am

If you're implying what I think you're implying, then I'm going to take a bit of umbrage with you, sir.

You know as well as I do that Theriot's rocket arm would have made that throw from deep in the hole on a maximum of three bounces.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 9:59am

You know as well as I do that Theriot's rocket arm would have made that throw from deep in the hole on a maximum of three bounces.

3 bounces, eh? Why would he have been throwing to second base?

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