Game 66 Recap: Cubs 0, Braves 2


A Loss, or a Metaphor?
W - Vazquez (5-6)
L - Dempster (4-5)
S - Soriano (6)
Things to Take from This Game

 

1. An Evening Full of Singles and Scoring Opportunities...
The Cubs had 9 hits off of Vazquez, all of them singles, and another hit off of Soriano in relief. 

 

2. ...That Leads to Nothing but a lot of Getting Left Stranded on Second Base.
The Cubs left 12 men on base.  Perhaps most
confounding was the decision to let Blanco bat with the bases loaded
and two outs in the sixth. 

 

3. But at Least there are Consolation Prizes?
We can be happy that Dempster had a fine performance, gutting out 6.2 innings in the Atlanta heat.  He still had some control problems, but other than McLouth, the Braves struggled to do much against him.  And that has to make up for some of the frustration at getting shut out, right?

 

The futile details, below.

Game Recap
Inning 1 - Top
  •  Wow, we have a funky lineup tonight.  It works, initially, with Theriot leading off the game by singling sharply to the left of the shortstop.
  • Then, not so much, as Fukudome grounds into a 4-6-3.  I miss it as I'm synching up my mlb.tv.
  • Fox singles to left. I miss that, too. Ok, now back on it.
  • Wow, Len with a FanGraphs.com reference, saying that Dempster and Vazquez get more swings and misses than anyone in the game. (By percentage, I take it?  Wasn't fully explained.  In any case, go Len!)
    • (researching... Ok, this is what Len is referencing.  Indeed, he's correct.)
  • Lee with a sharp single in front of McLouth in center, extending the hit streak. Fox to second.
  • 3-2, 2 out pitch to Hoffpauir, a big off-speed curve and he swings over and in front of it.
Inning 1 - Bottom
  • Dempster strikes McLouth out on a slider, I think, diving inside toward his knees.  Nasty pitch.  McLouth also lost a bat into the stands, earlier in the AB. 
  • Kelly Johnson with an easy bouncer to Fontenot at third.
  • Jones walks on an outside fastball
  • McCann sends a lazy fly to Hoffpauir, easy inning for Dempster.  Three hits, no runs.
Inning 2 - Top
  • Larry Rothschild is away at a funeral, Lester Strode is tonight's pitching coach.
  • Big looping curve to Fontenot.  It's up in the zone and he singles to center.
  • Blanco slices one to left, where Garret Anderson makes a bit of an awkard catch right on his hip.
  • Three quick strikes to Dempster, the last one a fastball on the outside corner, looking.
Inning 2 - Bottom
  • Dempster's kid will be leaving the hospital soon, reports Len.  Here's to good news. 
  • 3-2 count to Anderson, he flies out to Fox in left.  Len cheers for a hop as the ball's in the air, but no, just a plain old catch.
  • Kotchman with a soft liner to Fontento
  • Len reminds us that we can vote for the All Star game starters.  I'm sorry, but there's no way I'm voting for Soriano to overtake Beltran for the third outfield spot.
  • Francouer grounds to Theriot, who makes a bad throw to Lee.  Lee with the nice pick at first.
Inning 3 - Top
  • Theriot with another single into center.
  • 0-2 to Fukudome, k's swinging at a fastball.
  • Fox with a soft fly to Francouer
  • 3-1 to Lee, he drives a fastball to deep right center, but McLouth tracks it down.
Inning 3 - Bottom
  • Diory Hernandez (who!?!?) the shortstop hitting .192 with a leadoff walk.  Vazquez with a perfect bunt up first to advance him. 
  • Cubs have five hits, no runs.  McLouth gets the Braves' first hit, singling softly to center, and it scores Hernandez. 0-1 Braves
  • and McLouth gets a nice jump, steals second.  A high breaking pitch, throw is a bit to the right side of the bag.  Theriot catches it way in front of the bag.  31st consecutive successful steal for McLouth.
  • and now Johnson walks.  Soto out to talk with Dempster.
  • Full count to Chipper.
  • Hit and run, Chipper K's and Soto nails the previously unnailable McLouth at third.  Soto suddenly 7 for his last 11 in stolen base attempts. Nice way to get out of a big jam.
Inning 4 - Top
  •  Hoffpauir grounds to Johnson
  • Soto K's swinging
  • Fontenot with a bouncer back up the middle, Hernandez comes over to get it and makes a nice running throw.
Inning 4 - Bottom
  • Curve in the dirt, McCann tries to check his swing, but on appeal it's strike three.
  • Anderson lines a double just out of Hoffpauir's reach, bouncing up against the right-field wall. 
  • Kotchman chops back to Dempster, who catches Anderson off of second.  Dempster runs right at him, driving him back to second.  Flips to Theriot, who chases him toward third, before flipping to Fontenot for the out.  Kotchman holds at first.  Nice play.
  • Francouer lines one just out of Fukudome's left, is able to stretch it into a double.  Runners at 2 and 3, 2 outs for Hernandez.  Len and Bob note that Dempster is taking a lot of time, laboring in the Atlanta heat.
  • Fastball just off the corner, full count to Hernandez.  Comes back with a nice slider for called strike three.

Inning 5 - Top
  • Interesting.  LouPa wanted to give Theriot a night off, but with Reed Johnson ailing, he wound up needing to put Fox in left, instead of third.  The plan had been to have Fox, Blacno and Fontenot at 3rd, Short and 2nd.  But no go.
  • Blanco singles into left-center.
  • Dempster pops a bunt foul, McCann runs for it, slides, and crashes head and knees first into the padding of the wall.  Shaken up, seems to be ok. Eventually, Dempster gets down the bunt back to Vazquez.
  • Theriot cues one out to Johnson at second, Blanco to third.
  • 1-2 to Fukudome, he watches a fastball sail past that, someone, is called a ball. phew.
  • 3-2 curve to Fukudome, he flies out to Francouer.  We've had a few chances to get to Vazquez, and turned up nothing.
Inning 5 - Bottom
  •  Vaquez K's swinging at a slider out of the zone.
  • McLouth grounds back to Dempster.
  • 3-0 to Johnson, fastball over for the strike.  Eventually loses him to the walk.
  • Chipper with a solid liner to right-center, Fukudome gets over, but Jones makes it in to second.  Johnson holds at third.  two outs for McCann.  Dempster better be pitching around him to get to Anderson...
  • A lot of sliders later, full count, and Dempster gets a slider up.  McCann lines it hard to Lee, who makes the catch.   Phew.
Inning 6 - Top
  • Fox flies toward the left field line, Anderson gets it.
  • Full count to Lee.  Eventually rolls out to short.
  • Hoffpauir bounces one back up the middle, just to the right of Johnson.  (Check that, Johnson take out with leg cramps, Martin Prado in.)
  • and Cox and a trainer are coming out to check with Vazquez. BJB had been mentioning that Vazques was looking a bit tired this inning, and he does look kind of spent right now.  Bullpen starts warming up.
  • Soto singles up the middle as well, this time just left of the bag.  8 hits, all singles for the cubs.  Runners at 1 and 2, 2 outs.
  • 3-0 count to Fontenot.  Slider for a strike, walks on the next pitch.  Loaded for Blanco.
  • We learn Bradley is 3-18, Soriano 2-9 against Vazquez.  Perhaps why Blanco gets to hit.  I dunno, I think it would be worth bringing someone in for this AB...
  • ball 1 to Blanco.  Fastball down the middle for a strike.  Fastball outside, 2-1.  Blanco flies the next one to straight-away center, inning over.  8 LOB through 6.
Inning 6 - Bottom
  • Ripping off the Sausage Race, in Atlanta they have the Tool Race.   There are just too many possible jokes here.
  • And as long as we're pointing things out for others to joke about, the Drill wins, but wow, the drill bit is.... limp.
  • Anderson singles past Theriot, diving to his right. 
  • Kotchman weakly singles to second, Blanco gets the force to Theriot, but too slowly hit to get Kotchman at first.
  • Francouer reaches for a slider and just does feather it over Dempster's head, into center for a single.
  • Hernandez rolls right to Theriot, who starts a nice 6-4-3.
Inning 7 - Top
  • Dempster has thrown 105 pitches, and Miles was coming out to pinch hit.  But Dempster seems to have talked his way into staying in, so down 1-0 in the 7th, Dempster leads off the inning. 
  • Six pitches later, called strike three.
  • Theriot with another one back up the middle, this time Prado gets to it, makes the out.
  • Fukudome walks.
  • Full count to Fox, he chops one into the left-side hole.  Hernandez gets to it, makes a strong throw, but Fox just does beat the throw at first.  (Or does he?)
  • That chases Vazquez after 116 pitches, Peter Moylan in.
  • Lee with a lazy fly out to Francouer. 10 stranded in the game.

Inning 7 - Bottom
  • Gregor Blanco pinch-hits for Moylan.  3-0 count, Dempster comes back for called strike three on a high curve.  Thanks for the help, ump. 
  • McLouth lines a fastball up over the plate into right, one-hopping the wall for a double.
  • Prado singles, McLouth to third.  LouPa comes out to check on Dempster, and leaves him in.  LouPa really trying to save the bullpen tonight, it seems.
  • Chipper drives one to the warning track in center, for an easy sacrifice fly.  0-2 Braves. Prado advances from first to second.  Marshall in to face McCann. 118 pitches, 8 hits, 4 walks, 6 K and 2 ER for Marshall.
  • McCann pulls one to Blanco's left, he makes a nice stop, throws him out.
Inning 8 - Top
  •  Mike Gonzalez in to pitch for Moylan.
  • Hoffpauir with a very, very high fly ball to center.  Too high to be a home run.< /Major League>
  • Soto wiffs at a slider, I think, that dips across the outside corner.
  • Fontenot grounds to Prado's left at second, makes the play.
Inning 8 - Bottom
  • Hart in to pitch.
  • Garret Anderson with a soft grounder to Fontenot.  Easy out.
  • Kotchman falls to his knees, trying to avoid a pitch near his feet.  Kind of funny.  Walks on a slider that misses the outside corner.
  • Francouer hits a soft fly into shallow right, and Hoffpauir makes a nice belly-flop dive for the catch.
  • And after turning the wrong way, Hoffpauir catches a drive from Hernandez at the warning track.
Inning 9 - Top
  • Diaz in to play left, and Rafael Soriano in for Gonzalez. Double switch.
  • Blanco swings and falls to a knee, but manages to single into left field.
  • Bradley hits for Hart, K's swinging at a pitch in the dirt.
  • Theriot also K's swinging at a tough slider.
  • Blanco takes second uncontested.  3-0 to Fukudome.  Walks.  Tying runs on base for Jake Fox, two outs.
  • Fastball strike 1 to Fox.
  • A bit of a hanging slider, Fox is out in front of it, strike 2.
  • Fastball on the low and outside corner, perfect pitch, called strike 3.  12 stranded for the night.
Inning 9 - Bottom
Parachat Recap
Inning 1
  •   Settling in.
  • Andrew, CincyKid rally the forces for a good parachat to recap...
  • Sawing him off at the bat knob.  Oh my.
  • The McLouth trade.
  • Braves' shabby treatment of Glavine.
  • CincyKid gets his first "oh,honey!" task of marriage.  In the middle of a Cubs game. 
Inning 2
  • Oh my. 
  • More on the Pirates
  • How hot IS it?
  • Drugs to take when going with the kids to see Transformers.
  • Remembering when we regretted trading away Willis, and knew that Lee was finished.
  • Is it too early to mention Dempster's pitching a hmm-hmm?
    • yes, damnit, that's why I called it a hmm-hmm and not a no-no, Cincy Kid.
      • damnit, now you made me do it.
  • Beltran onthe DL
  • Father's day gifts.
Inning 3
  • What did Andrew and AngelFanWife get Rob for father's day?
  • Jacos declares that Charlie Brown would be justified in smacking Lucy.
  • Newport.
  • Do I dress like Charlie Brown?
    • No.
  • It's Rob's birthday.  Way to have been born, Rob.  We're proud of you.
  • Rob and Al are Friends.
  • Torrance, CA.
  • Ammonia sniffing
  • Eamus-catuli's overly technical explanation of his connection to the porn industry.
  • I am very, very confused.
  • In the midst of all the talk about the porn industry, Ryno emits a curious *groan*

Inning 4
  •  No one cares about Whip's health
  • Is getting traded from Pittsburgh to Atlanta really an improvement?
  • Attempting to list Cox's couches [sic] that go on to manage
    • Sofa, so good!  Hah!  I crack myself up
  • Horror Punk.
  • Guys your age who are dead.
  • Eye shit.
  • The price of dairy is doubling?!
  • Chicago politics.
  • Bible tokers.
  • Hoffpauir deserves a head-start when he plays defense.
  • Craving some Anderson.
  • "If ballplayers were animals, Hoffpauir would be a holstein" - Ryno.
  • Milking ballplayers.
  • Remember when Hendry went after.....
    • Garret Anderson
    • Jason Schmidt
    • Jake Peavy

Inning 5
  •  Making a backwards K in parachat.
  • Moneyball, the Movie
  • Holy Moly, it's Chad.
  • Theriot's throws from short, compared to Dunston's.
  • Re-hashing some TCR drama between parachatters that took place in the comments, that I know virtually nothing about to begin with, and understand even less about, now that I've followed along in the re-hashing session.   It appears that they've kissed and made up.  Except I didn't see nearly enough kissing.
  • Explaining away Sosa's "false positive."  heh.
  • Hitting like leadoff men, sans the sub-.300 OBP and the power.
  • Time to retire the song "Jump"?
    • never.
  • Parachat flaunts its old-school street cred. Hilarity ensues.  Only no one seems aware that it's ensuing.
  • Pulling a Trans.
  • Jewdicious.  lolol  
Inning 6
  •  The Fatburger and Sliders.
  • Ryno misses steroids.
    • So do the A's
  • Paul Noce warns us about cocaine.
  • A's who've been linked to steroids.
  • "Marmol hit wells with a pie yesterday in the tunnel... only took 3 tries to hit him" - Crunch
  • The Girl from Ipanema
  • Most important AB of the game so far, and Parachat is telling jokes like "What did the Drummer get on his IQ test?  Drool."  Good grief.
  • Racing Tools.
Inning 7
  •  Panning the decision to keep Dempster in.
  • Recipies.
  • odd moving parings.
  • AC/DC.
  • the NY Punk scene of the 1970s.  Because it hasn't been discussed enough, by enough people who fit this profile.
Inning 8
  •  Clearly, I'm missing something about this photo.  It must be a pun on something I'm too young to know about.
  • Parachat degenerates into wanton obscurantism as an end unto itself.
Inning 9
  • Parachat is going to buy me a third monitor and an intern, so that I may watch all the allegedly hillarious things Whip, Crunch and Paul Noce are finding on youtube.  My cup runneth over.
  • If I stop recapping, the terrorists win.
  • I stop.
  • Crap.
Cubs' record in games recapped on the computer that isn't powered by hampsters drops to 2-2. 
Tags: 
Game Recap
Submitted by Transmission on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 10:18pm
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Comments

Submitted by Transmission
on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 9:34pm

They say you have to write what you know...

Submitted by Chad
on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 9:37pm

i really hate lou pinella. was anyone shocked that dempster couldn't get out of the 7th? why didn't he bring in marshall to face chipper? chipper is a weaker hitter from the right side followed by 2 lefties. and he lets dempster hit for himself to lead off the 7th. genius. and jake fox batting 3rd? oh and why is soriano and bradley sitting on the same day? i get it if guys need rest but Jesus!

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 10:25pm

No HR's, 0-6 with RISP and no extra base hits. Good combination for a shutout. We did, however, hand McLouth his first CS of the year, so it wasn't a total waste.

Submitted by Chad
on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 11:55pm

Well maybe if Soriano or Bradley were playing or Lee was batting 3rd things would have been different

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 11:32am

We would have been 0-4 with RISP?

An aside, you guys and my brother talked me into using this Firefox... it's a real piece of shit.

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 12:15pm

1. Would we have been 0-4 with RISP with Soriano or Bradley in the lineup? Perhaps not.

2. Firefox is far better than Internet Explorer. But I'm on Mac so I use safari. you can use it for PC but i don't know how well it translates.

oh and it wasn't me who talked you into it.

Submitted by Chifan
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 12:05pm

The Bullpen really needed a rest with all the work it had gotten recently. So in a 1 run game I can see why he would try to maximize Dempster's outing. Anyways it was going to be Miles PH'ing for him anyway. Do you think it was likely that he would get a hit? The most aggresious non call to the bench was the Cubs previous at bat not sending Bradley out there. Vazquez was having control issues that whole inning and Blanco is not a patient hitter, while Bradley is the most likely person on the draw a walk. My guess is that Vazquez would be hestiant to go 1-0 to him that the first pitch would be a fastball in the zone, which Bradley could have been able to turn into a 2-run double at the least.

Submitted by Ryno
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 12:10pm

I don't care much either. Offense should have scored some runs.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 11:35pm

Mmmm Bunny Pancake!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 12:32am

thought make-up game meant exhibition game?

Submitted by Iowa Cub
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:18am

Totally off topic, but did anyone catch the CWS game last night? It was a lot more exciting than watching the Cubs game, that's for sure. Anyway, LeMahieu came up huge with a game-tying double in the 9th (and had a HR in the 7th as well). LSU went on to win in the 11th. I don't if he's going to be a good pro or not, but he sure is fun to watch as a college player.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:14am

Yeah, the double in the bottom of the 9th was certainly a money play. Maybe after they're done he can come to Chicago and give the Cubs some pointers on hitting with RISP.

Submitted by MikeVail
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:25am

In the Sun Times, Ramirez says he "couldn't be happier" where he is and that he hasn't had any setbacks. But the Tribune quotes him as saying he is going to be in pain throughout the rest of the season. Having some trouble reconciling those...

Submitted by Ryno
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:42am

Ramirez... team masochist?

Submitted by John Beasley
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:23am

It's no secret he likes getting his nuts squeezed.

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:44am

Dude read between the lines. There is a expected timeline of recovery. and at a certain stage, he can start to play baseball again. he's closer to that than he expected (or on the exact pace). He never claimed that he will be pain free. He is just saying that he's getting closer to being able to play baseball

Submitted by Ryno
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:46am

I just noticed I have 3 mentions in this recap. I'm honored and grateful. I'd like to thank my mom, my agent, and God... I love you all *tears up*

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:16am

Really? I was happy I escaped without too many mentions. I fear the backlash.

Submitted by Transmission
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:21am

Among my great recapping joys are abusing you and crunch.  I hope you know it's meant in good cheer.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 1:15pm

Glad to be of service.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 11:54am

Matt Clement: Basketball Coach

http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/basketba...

Submitted by granolaCUB
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 1:45pm

I wonder if the kids will show up the first day of practice wearing those faux goatees?

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 1:49pm

no but towards the end of the third quarter they will constantly be looking to the bench to see if they can come out of the game.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 2:06pm

Did Clement really have that knock on him?
I don't remember seeing that anywhere else.

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:39pm

then you weren't paying attention.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:42pm

Yeah I usually did heroine during Clement games. Wood and Prior was peyote. And Z, of course, was coke.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 12:29pm

Sandberg Game

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryne_Sandberg

Can't believe no one else remembered probably the most pivotal game in this club's existense.

~touch of exageration~

I remember riding home on my ten speed from baseball to catch the end of the game.

Submitted by granolaCUB
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 1:59pm

good stuff Jacos

if you want some chills:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j22sMwYdOdc

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 1:36pm

DFA'd by the Indians...

Submitted by MikeC
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 1:48pm

Harold Reynolds, graduate from the Dusty Baker School of Hitting...

http://deadspin.com/5299963/harold-reynolds-wont-e...

Big power hitters swing and miss and strikeout. Or they hit home runs and walk. And at the end of the year their OBP is always going to be higher than most of the other guys on the team because they clog the bases.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 2:36pm

Nice how he uses Dave Kingman of the .302 career OBP as an example of how guys who hit home runs have always been walked a lot. Kingman's career high in walks was 62, and he finished in the top 10 in walks once. Theriot, for reference, walked 73 times last year.

Submitted by granolaCUB
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:42pm

Now that's a dude that I sprinted home from school to watch. His homers were epic. I think at least two landed in the lake.

Submitted by granolaCUB
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:48pm

speaking of King Kongesque homers - you guys remember this one?

http://ballhype.com/video/glenallen_hill_best_home...

Submitted by Hawkeye
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 11:48pm

That was a really long game. Really long. I moved down to right behind the 3rd base dugout and hit my knees on the dugout as I jumped up. When Hill hit that ball I swore repeatedly, "Holy Shit... Holy Shit... HOLY SHIT! That was the hardest hit... HOLY FUCKING SHIT! THE DUDE ON THE ROOF HAS THE BALL! HE HIT THE BALL ONTO THE FUCKING ROOF! I am pretty sure that has never happened before!"

If that is the greatest play I ever witness in person then I will die a happy man. If there is a better play I personally witness then that will be simply epic.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:13pm

in a dusty-centric universe he's the only person to ever use the phrase "clog the bases"...which was said before and after dusty...even if it's out of vogue since dusty last updated his album collection.

Submitted by Transmission
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:21pm

Ok, I'll call this one:  give me a citation of someone using that phrase before Dusty?  I'd never heard it.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 6:46pm

well it probably won't make you happy, but it's fallen out of use in the internet age...hell, it was out of use in most of the early 90s, too.

it's a thrown around phrase from players and sportswriters...

http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2008/04/clogging-base...

there's a blurb about sportswriter use of it...i could look around old articles to try to find something, but anything pre-late90s is really hard to find on the innerwebs.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 2:31pm

On a side note, Jay Jackson came through with another fantastic outing last night (okay, that's overstating it, I'd like to see him go longer more consistently). An interesting debate I was having with someone is how to view Jackson's "potential". That is, is he a potential "TOR" (say, a "2"), or is he more of a mid-rotation guy. To be honest, I've never found it all that interesting to draw that fine delineation (as I often use "2/3" as a numerical projection), but the comment had me thinking and I was curious what people thought about Jackson's potential as of now. Stuff wise, if his change keeps progressing, I think he's got that "TOR" #2 caliber stuff. Performance wise, it looks that way as well, provided he continues to refine his command.

Anyhow, Jackson is certainly the most exciting guy in our system right now, IMO, and he's making the gap between Vitters and the rest very close (or maybe it should now be Vitters/Jackson, and maybe even Cashner, and the rest - Cashner had another solid outing today, 4 ip, 1 h, 4 K's).

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 2:38pm

He's a potential #2 for Toronto? Top of Rotation? Tough or Righteous? Tap Out Redeemer?

Submitted by Raisin101
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 2:54pm

Top of Rotation.

Wish the rains had held out a little longer for Daytona today. Cashner hadn't thrown many pitches and should have gone at least 5 (for only the 2nd time this season).

Submitted by Brick
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 2:59pm

Or just this guy.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:38pm

If you're wishcasting he's Harden or Oswalt type. More realistic at this point I'd say he's a #3.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:52pm

I don't expect Jackson to be anywhere near Harden or Oswalt when both were at the top of their game. When healthy, Harden was one of the most dominant arms out there, in the elite level. From 2001-2006, Oswalt was one of the top pitchers in the game. In Harden's case, health has always been an issue, and in Oswalt's case, I think father time has caught up a bit. Short of it is, I'm not expecting Jackson to be a "legit 1", as there are only about 10-15 of those guys in any given season.

Whatever the delineation between a "2" and a "3" is, I don't claim to know how people draw that fine line(as I noted in the post). That said, the idea of Jackson being a potential top of the rotation guy versus a middle of the rotation guy, well, I'd make the argument that he is in the former. Again, all we're discussing is potential, but with 2 plus pitches and the makings of a solid 3rd pitch, no serious mechanical issues that have been noted, a healthy K rate in AA and an improving BB rate, I don't see why he wouldn't be considered for that.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:09pm

Well, you just don't know what wishcasting means. Athletic, comparatively short right handed pitcher with a very good fastball. Oswalt, for instance, didn't really take off until he hit AA age 22. Jackson isn't doing quite as well, but he's a little younger. He probably doesn't have the same fastball that Oswalt discovered that year, but it still seems to be a pretty good pitch.

Submitted by Wes
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 5:09pm

I'm wishcasting that the epic fart I just ripped smells like roses, since we're wishcasting ridiculous things.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:46pm

what are the reports on his change? I haven't had a chance to follow daytona all that closely, partly because all the rainouts made it hard to remember who was pitching when.

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 5:22pm

I love how some of you guys here at TCR keep track of the Cubs' minor league players and their development. It gives me a heads up on a lot of these players that I am otherwise too lazy to find out about myself.

Submitted by Andy
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:48pm

I don't think this is 3/44 yet. If so, eat a dick...isn't that the official The Joe 3/44 defense?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090623&c...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:03pm

Wouldn't "Sandberg Maintains Ostrich like Pose" be a more appropriate title for that link?

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:22pm

Speaking of eating dick..

"We have some other players like [Rafael] Palmeiro coming up soon "

Cindy Sandberg says "Hi"

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 5:30pm

Oooooo, that hurts.

Submitted by waveland
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 6:19pm

from Sandberg's wikipedia page:

"In 1990, Sandberg led the National League in home runs–a rarity for a second baseman–with 40. Sandberg was only the third second baseman to hit 40 home runs... Sandberg, Brady Anderson and Barry Bonds are the only players to have both a 40-homer (1990) and 50-steal (1985) season during their careers."

Not very good company to share that record with.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:15pm

Sandberg, however did it in 1990, whereas Bonds ('93) and Anderson ('96) did it as baseball had firmly entrenching itself in the steroid era.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:24pm

Maybe this has been covered, but Peoria has six players, including three starters, on the East squad in the Midwest League all-star game tonight.

Starters are Harrison, Vitters and Burke. Subs are Ridling, Carpenter and Buchter.

Ridling won the HR derby yesterday.

Submitted by Raisin101
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:31pm

Per the Cubs itself, Brett Jackson has signed.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:52pm

Groan.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 5:23pm

How long until he is introduced at Wrigley Field as a "superstar 5 tool sure fire can't miss prospect", who then hits .260 and suffers a major injury?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 5:24pm

Speaking of Brett's, Brett Hull made the NHL Hall of Fame. Presumably PED free. Although reports in the Toronto press claim Cindy Sandberg was spotted outside eating a dick.

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 5:25pm

I'm wishcasting that the epic fart I just ripped smells like roses
---
try Febreze...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K12CJdxQbT8&feature...

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 5:28pm

1. reply is your friend

2. i was expecting some sort of ironic or pithy youtube video there. i did not.

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 5:34pm

back to the same old, with a DH...

Sori, Theriot, Bradley, DLee, Hoffpauir (DH), Soto, Fontenot, Blanco and Z

vs

Granderson, Polanco, Cabrera, Thames, Kelly, Inge, Ordonez, Laird, Santiago and E Jackson

(edit is my friend)

Submitted by Brick
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 6:08pm

•Rob and Al are Friends.

1. reply is your friend

(edit is my friend)

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 6:14pm

since Z is pitching but not the DH...doesn't that leave our bench one player short?

answer. Aaron Miles

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:33pm

Gameday had Zumaya hitting 103 mph on his fastball. A majority of his pitches were at 100+. Unbelievable. Even more unbelievable, he throws an 85 mph change-up over the heart of the plate to Hoffpauir, who (after missing on the fastballs) clobbers it into the right field bleachers for a 2-run HR.

Thank you, Micah Hoffpauir.
Thank you, Joel Zumaya.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:50pm

brenley had high praise for that changeup. best pitch he's ever seen, supposedly.

Submitted by mannytrillo
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:52pm

Fuck this team!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:53pm

that's gross. you're gross.

Submitted by champsummers
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:03pm

painful

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:02pm

glad I came on to see howry blow it

back to this horrific transforners movie

they have ebonic robots yikes

Submitted by Chifan
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:13pm

It looks like the Pedro talk is back on:

http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog?post=42794...

Given the crap that is on our pen besides Guzman and Good Marmol if he would be a welcome addition.

Submitted by Wes
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:02pm

I believe Pedro said somewhere that he's coming back to start. He doesn't want to be a reliever. I went looking for that quote, but I couldn't seem to find it anywhere.

Submitted by billybucks
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:43pm

The thing that really sucks is now I can't even wish we still had Woody.

Ah well -- Gregg did have 9 straigt outings without giving up a run. Last time was....when he served up a 2 run bomb to blow a win for Wells.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:43pm

bwhahah...vlad cut his dreds today because he's been having trouble fitting his hair into his helmet.

get a new helmet that's bigger with 10 lbs. less pine tar on it...or cut your hair...hmmm....

Submitted by Ryno
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:16pm

Blah blah blah, Kevin Gregg sucks... Kevin Gregg blows... blah blah blah...

After you guys settle down I hope you'll realize blown saves happen. If Gregg makes a habit of it then we can talk.

Submitted by Hawkeye
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 11:43pm

Well... Gregg has 11 saves and 3 blown saves. His ERA is 4.18 and his WHIP is 1.42. I am not excited about his place as the closer.

Guess I am feeling chatty.

Submitted by Chad
on Wed, 06/24/2009 - 12:32am

Hendry is fucking idiot. Can't sign Wood, fine. Make Marmol the closer. If he can't hack it, trade later.

i have this dream that through some bizarre set of circumstances i inherit the cubs tomorrow.

first thing i do is go and fire lou pinella at home plate and pull Brenly out of the booth to manage the rest of the season.

then i fire Hendry by twitter.

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 06/24/2009 - 3:09am

I mean this in all seriousness - I've had that dream that you're managing the Cubs once or twice, too. Probably a sign I spend too much time here.

In my dream you go like 2-20 because Chadball failed miserably. They fired you and hired Al. I usually wake up right around the time I'm putting the noose around my neck.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 06/24/2009 - 5:51am

I just woke up from a dream where the Cubs traded Z for Moyer and Chan Ho. So whichever one of you clowns did that is fired.

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 06/24/2009 - 9:14am

Third move: Re-acquire Izturis

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 06/24/2009 - 9:43am

Did you watch the game, Chad? Were you watching the CSN feed?

Just before that final at-bat Bob Brenly said that so many fly balls have just died in CF that he should just throw one down the middle. I shit you not.

Submitted by Indiana JJ
on Wed, 06/24/2009 - 10:53am

In fairness to BB, he said "throw a high fastball out over the plate" not a hanging breaking ball belt high. But, yeah, that was kind of weird how that happened.

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