Gameday Open Thread
Game 104 Thread / Marlins @ Cubs (3 of 4)
SP | Chris Volstad |
SP |
Rich Harden |
2-1, 2.16, 9 K, 6 BB, 16.2 IP |
5-2, 2.12, 112 K, 36 BB, 89.1 IP | ||
SS |
Hanley Ramirez |
LF |
Alfonso Soriano |
RF |
*Jeremy Hermida |
SS |
Ryan Theriot |
3B |
Jorge Cantu |
1B |
Derrek Lee |
1B |
*Mike Jacobs | 3B |
Aramis Ramirez |
2B |
Dan Uggla |
2B |
*Mike Fontenot |
LF |
Josh Willingham | RF |
Mark DeRosa |
C |
*John Baker |
C |
Geovany Soto |
CF |
#Alfredo Amezaga | CF |
*Kosuke Fukudome |
P |
Chris Volstad | P |
*Rich Harden |
Rise and shine, Cubbies. A 12:05 day game in Chicago sees Rich Harden looking for his first win as a Cub, the Cubs looking for reliable offense, and fans looking to maintain bragging rights over the charging Brewers. That's three more uses of the verb "looking" than I'd make if I wasn't rusty from yet another long hiatus.
Who is John Baker?
The biggest pregame news has to be Fontenot's promotion and Fukudome's demotion. This is by my quick count the second time this season Fukudome started a game in center, the first time Fontenot has started the game hitting fifth, likewise for Fukudome hitting eighth.
- Read more about Game 104 Thread / Marlins @ Cubs (3 of 4)
- 51 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Game 103 Thread / Marlins @ Cubs (2 of 4)
Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview
SP | Josh Johnson |
SP |
Ryan Dempster |
0-0, 3.86, 10 K, 3 BB, 11.2 IP |
11-4, 3.05, 111 K, 51 BB, 132.2 IP | ||
SS |
Hanley Ramirez |
LF |
Alfonso Soriano |
RF |
*Luis Gonzalez |
SS |
Ryan Theriot |
3B |
Jorge Cantu |
1B |
Derrek Lee |
1B |
*Mike Jacobs | 3B |
Aramis Ramirez |
2B |
Dan Uggla |
RF |
*Kosuke Fukudome |
LF |
Josh Willingham | C |
Geovany Soto |
CF |
Cody Ross |
2B |
*Mike Fontenot |
C |
Paul Hoover |
CF |
Reed Johnson |
P |
*Josh Johnson | P |
Ryan Dempster |
With Jeff Samardzija (last name = 29 Scrabble points) in a Major League uniform for the first time and the Brewers so close you can smell the Miller High Life and cannibal sandwiches on their breaths, the Cubs go for a second win in a row against the Fightin' Fish.
Kosuke Fukudome returns to the starting lineup, as does Mike Fontenot, who has gone 14-for-41 (.341) with four homers and a 1260 OPS since the first of July.
- Read more about Game 103 Thread / Marlins @ Cubs (2 of 4)
- 77 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Game 102 Thread / Marlins @ Cubs (1 of 4)
- Read more about Game 102 Thread / Marlins @ Cubs (1 of 4)
- 43 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Game 100 Thread / Cubs @ Diamondbacks (2 of 3)
Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview
SP | Jason Marquis |
SP |
Yusmeiro Petit |
6-5, 4.44 ERA, 53 K, 39 BB, 99.1 IP |
0-1, 3.06 ERA, 11 K, 1 BB, 17.2 IP | ||
SS | Ryan Theriot | SS | *Stephen Drew |
RF | *Kosuke Fukudome |
LF | Conor Jackson |
1B |
Derrek Lee | 2B |
#Orlando Hudson |
3B |
Aramis Ramirez | 1B |
*Chad Tracy |
CF |
*Jim Edmonds | 3B | Mark Reynolds |
C | Geovany Soto | C | *Miguel Montero |
LF |
Mark DeRosa | CF | Chris Young |
2B |
*Mike Fontenot | RF | *Alex Romero |
P |
*Jason Marquis | P | Yusmeiro Petit |
The Cubs reach the century mark of the season that may mark their century-long run of futility. A little known fact is that they've lost the 100th game of every season since 1909 foreshadowing their 100-year drought (don't bother looking it up, I've posted it on the Internet, so it must be true)
Game 98 Thread / Cubs @ Astros (3 of 3)
Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview
SP | Ryan Dempster |
SP |
Brandon Backe |
10-4, 3.25, 104 K, 350 BB, 124.2 IP |
6-9, 4.76, 83 K, 50 BB, 111.2 IP | ||
SS | Ryan Theriot |
2B | #Kaz Matsui |
RF | *Kosuke Fukudome | CF | *Darin Erstad |
1B |
Derrek Lee | 1B |
#Lance Berkman |
3B |
Aramis Ramirez | LF |
Carlos Lee |
CF |
*Jim Edmonds |
SS | Miguel Tejada |
LF | Mark DeRosa | 3B | #Geoff Blum |
C |
Geovany Soto |
RF | Hunter Pence |
2B |
*Mike Fontenot |
C | J.R. Towles |
P |
Ryan Dempster |
P | Brandon Backe |
The Cubs' NL Central lead is down to +2 over the Cardinals and +3 over the Brewers as the Lou Crew tries to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Astros.
Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Geovany Soto, and Kosuke Fukudome are a combined 3-for-32 (.094) in the series, and as a team, the Cubs have fanned 14 times and walked once.
Or, as Lou Piniella explained so elegantly after Saturday night's 4-1 fall, "We're not getting much hitting anywhere in the lineup."
- Read more about Game 98 Thread / Cubs @ Astros (3 of 3)
- 30 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Game 97 Thread / Cubs @ Astros (2 of 3)
- Read more about Game 97 Thread / Cubs @ Astros (2 of 3)
- 13 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Recent comments
Bill (view)
A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return. Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.
Sonicwind75 (view)
Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention". Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."
Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost. But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.
Sonicwind75 (view)
I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions. Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022. I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.
Childersb3 (view)
I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
We'll find out soon enough!!!
TarzanJoeWallis (view)
Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.
TarzanJoeWallis (view)
Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.
Arizona Phil (view)
I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."
Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.
Dolorous Jon Lester (view)
Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.
Dolorous Jon Lester (view)
Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to
-give Hendricks another few starts
-give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway
-Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks
Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).
I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.
I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa?
Childersb3 (view)
Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.
And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team.