Game 14 Thread - Volstad vs. Bailey

Scott Maine called up to replace Kerry Wood, who was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder fatigue backdated to last Saturday. Also, Ryan Dempster is in jeopardy of missing his start on Sunday and is headed for an MRI on his quad. It's posible Randy Wells would be called up to take the start.

Reds Cubs
Cozart, SS
 *DeJesus, RF
Stubbs, CF
 Barney, 2B
*Votto, 1B
 Castro, SS
*Bruce, RF
 *LaHair, 1B
Rolen, 3B
 Soriano, LF
Heisey, LF
 *Stewart, 3B
*Harris, 2B
 Soto, C
Mesoraco, C
 Byrd, CF
Bailey, P
 Volstad, P

Cubs have dropped 5 in a row and are the proud owners of the second worst record in baseball, just a half game behind the Padres for the honor of the top spot. Until yesterday, when they scored 6 times off Adam Wainwright and the Cubs, Reds offense was struggling nearly as much as the Cubs. Reds are without Brandon Phillips and Ryan Ludwick, at least not in the starting lineups, they may be able to pinch-hit though. I've got Volstad going in 2 leagues today, so please pretend like your a major league club for a day Cubs.

Tags: 
Cubs game thread
Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 11:30am
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Comments

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 11:31am

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7836171/mlb...

personal services options and milestone bonuses will be denied on any future contracts.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 11:35am

Project 2003 tigers marchs on

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 11:41am

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/20/...

Cubs in no hurry to promote Rizzo or Jackson

Epstein:
“it’s a little bit early to be thinking about those kind of moves, specifically with your better prospects” and “those guys are continuing their development at Triple-A and things that they’re working on they need to continue to improve.”

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 11:50am

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers...

has 5-10 WR from Baylor Kendall Wright going to Bears, but says they should take T from Stanford - Jonathan Martin.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 11:54am

i have to admit I hadn't given it much thought, but good point on the kiss cam.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/19/...

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 3:32pm

Suddenly, I like Brandon McCarthy.

Submitted by JD
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:00pm

Suddenly, I like kissing guys.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:03pm

carl pavano approves...then disapproves.

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:08pm

Suddenly?

Submitted by JD
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 5:29pm

Until this kisscam thing, I'd never thought of it. Now, it's like, FINALLY, something to do in between wrasslin' matches!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 12:16pm

Noted history-maker Jamie Moyer is one of only four active left-handers who have won at least 15 games in five different seasons. Can you name the other three? (Answer later.)

I got 2.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/rumblings...

Submitted by Wes
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 12:22pm

I am sure excited for some Cubs baseball today!

Wes sent sound: groan

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 6:39pm

I chose this year to give a MLB.TV a try. I even paid the extra $5 to watch minor league games. Good thing I only paid for one month. I haven't watched a single Iowa game yet, and I've already reached baseball saturation.

Submitted by O.Julius
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 6:24am

What you're watching is not 'baseball,' methinks.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 12:24pm

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospect...

Rizzo gets a mention as "In the Team Photo" on their prospect hot sheet. Archer struggling again...

...since being traded the following offseason to the Rays in the Matt Garza trade, Archer has taken significant steps back. He struggles to repeat his delivery and doesn't get ahead of enough hitters to fully take advantage of his plus slider. Archer still isn't giving up many hits, but 10 walks in 6 2/3 innings this week explains why he went 0-2, 43.88.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 12:28pm

on that note...

Guyer with a .693 OPS in 63 PA's in AAA
Chirinos on the disabled list with a concussion
Fuld out for most of season after wrist surgery
Lee with a .504 OPS in 67 PA's in AA (had a .582 OPS in 114 PA's last year in AA to end season)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:15pm

more Rizzo love from Goldstein

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...

Make no mistake about it, Rizzo is raking, as after last night's big game he's now at .393/.433/.786 in 14 games. Just as interesting are the scouting reports that indicate Rizzo has addressed some of the bad habits he got into with his swing last year. This has led to an outcry from all corners of the interwebs for Rizzo to be in the big leagues, and now. Two words: Calm down.

1. It's easy to forget what happened in 2011, when Rizzo had the best numbers in the minors and then turned into the National League's version of Adam Dunn when summoned to the big leagues. The Cubs don't want a repeat of that and don't want to call up Rizzo until they are assured he can stay up for good.

2. Calling him up is going to require a lot of deck chair re-arranging. Bryan LaHair is hitting quite well, and there's nowhere to put him should the Cubs recall Rizzo (and no, the Cubs are not just going to release Alfonso Soriano).

3. The Cubs are not going to complete for a playoff spot this year, so what's the rush?

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 2:25pm

From their Hot Sheet chat:

Anthony Rizzo (IA): I've been knocking at the door to Wrigley, especially of late. How long until they let me in?

Matthew Eddy: Bryan LaHair got 45 games with the Mariners in 2008, didn't hit and had to wait three years for another chance, with last year's Cubs. Anthony Rizzo won't have to wait that long, but there's value for Chicago in keeping him in the minors for a few months. For one thing, they can delay Rizzo's free agency for a year if they exercise some patience now (and it's not like they're going to contend for the Central crown this year). And second, Rizzo could use the repetitions against Triple-A arms to make sure his new swing path takes. Big league hurlers exposed a hole in his swing up in the zone last year.

Rizzo (AAA Hall of Fame): Chances he's just a bust?
Matthew Eddy: Small, but not non-existent. Worst case, Rizzo is an all-or-nothing slugger like Carlos Pena. The good news is that scouts believe Rizzo has a better feel to hit.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospect...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:14pm

Berkman to DL, who's laughing now?

/still the Cardinals

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:28pm

Castro fucks up again.

Stubbs with a lucky inside out single, steals 2b, soto with a not great throw, but Castro alligator arms it and it goes to center. Votto singles him in.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:35pm

this is about to get ugly quick...

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:36pm

volstad's control didn't show up today so far...even thought there's "only" 1 walk.

holy crap this game sucked really quick...and another error (byrd).

3-0, top 1st, 1 out.

awesome. cubs 2012.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:21pm

holy crap this year sucked really quick.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:37pm

yup, bases loades single, Byrd fumbles it, bad throw to 3b, Heisley advances to 2b.

Volstad keeping the ball up.

Submitted by Wes
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:42pm

It'll take the Cubs until Tuesday to score four runs.

Submitted by Wes
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:53pm

As a side note, I never could understand the guys that pitched in short sleeves when it was cold. It's impossible to stay warm. It's impossible to stay loose. I never felt comfortable.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but it never was worth the distraction of being cold to try to show the other guys I'm tough. We all know Volstad is down the clubhouse trying to get warm in the home half of the inning. What's the point?

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 1:51pm

just saw randy wells is in the cubs dugout, fwiw.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 2:10pm

Is that allowed? He's not on the roster or the DL.

Submitted by Tito
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:20pm

Wells is around in case Dempster has to go on the DL.

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:23pm

If Crane can chill out there, then he should be able to.

Submitted by Newport
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 12:12am

If they got beer in the clubhouse, Randy will be there.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 2:48pm

the bad news young bears!

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 2:57pm

Sucks.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 3:12pm

LaHair is looking more and more like a real asset.

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 6:44pm

Agreed. He looks pretty controlled at the plate.

Submitted by superjimmer
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 8:14pm

I don't think it's fair to call him names. You don't even know the guy ...

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 3:32pm

- S. Castro safe at first on left fielder C. Heisey's fielding error, D. DeJesus scored, S. Castro to second
- B. LaHair singled to shallow right, S. Castro scored
- D. Barney grounded out to third, B. DeWitt scored
- A. Soriano grounded out to shortstop, B. LaHair scored

a single, ground outs, and error for 4 runs. woo.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 3:40pm

Or...

HOLY SHIT FOUR RUNS!!! IN GONE GAME!! WOO!!

Submitted by superjimmer
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:58pm

Crunch you are totally in love with the big inning on one hit this year. I like it!

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:59pm

when i grow up im gonna marry it and have little sacrifice bunts

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 3:42pm

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League pitcher Angel Guzman has received a 50-game suspension after a second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for a drug of abuse.

The suspension of Guzman, who is currently on the roster of Triple-A Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League, is effective immediately.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120...

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 3:51pm

woo...painkillers and/or weed...hopefully not coke/speed/smack...hell, hopefully not painkillers.

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:09pm

Ha. I sure am glad to be back in the US. It's so much easier to score not painkillers.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:13pm

i kinda wonder if players sent on rehab assignments to the minors are covered under these more intensely screened pee tests. it might trip up someone one day if it does.

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:17pm

Minors really just seem like exercise for real baseball (though I'm not sure if real baseball is being played in Chicago either)...so I don't really care if players are enhancing in order rehab their bodies into a normative state. Getting suspended for weed, though, is lame. I'm not really sure if I had a point here.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:23pm

jeremy "you gonna smoke that?" jeffress absolutely agrees

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 5:05pm

Damn, I was just about to drop Smoak from my fantasy bench...now I'm not so sure.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:07pm

THIS GAME IS SUCKS.

9-4...just get it over with.

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:11pm

THIS GAME IS SEASON SUCKS.

9-4 3-11...just get it over with.

/fixed

Submitted by The E-Man
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:14pm

Its still early yet.

Small sample size.

This team is not as bad as it is playing when it sucks, and not as good as people think when they win.

The hitting will come around.

The pitching will come around.

The bullpen will come around.

The fielding will come around.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:26pm

Actually, this is a pretty bad team as it is currently constructed. I'm glad Sveum put LaHair in at 4th, now let's see if he goes all Quade on us and keeps platooning him.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:33pm

to be fair to Sveum, whom is actually making me pine for the days of Q-Ball, Lou and Dusty, I believe he's sitting LaHair partly to rest him because of his back problems.

LaHair did say that it's still nagging at him.

Submitted by superjimmer
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 5:00pm

Them are strong words Rob!

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 5:05pm

Good point - I forgot about the back thing.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 4:45pm

When Wood comes off the DL it will be like trading for an All-Star.

Submitted by superjimmer
on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 5:00pm

Woody is done.

Submitted by Hagsag
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:32am

I agree with Big Z, we stinks.

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