The Rubber Game

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 4:49pm

Ted Lilly's first start of the season and him and the to try and take the first series of the year.

"It's the biggest game of the year," Lilly said.
 

Wow.
Ted's Intensity (aka Tedtensity) just made us punch through the TLFCHQ
Italian Granite counter tops... and our hand doesn't even hurt. Damn
right it's the biggest game of the year, Ted continues,

"Because
it's the first one," Lilly said. "They're all important. Every one I'm
starting is the most important, and that's the mentality you have to
have."
 
Here's the lineup courtesy of: Soriano,
Fukudome, Lee, Bradley, Ramirez, Fontenot, Theriot, Hill, Lilly

Some minor site news after the jump...

I'm going to be M.I.A. from the website for the next week and a half or so, it's just time to stop neglecting the rest of the world and take a little time to see my niece for the first time and watch her get baptized, as well as visit my sick, but resilient father and generally try and catch up on far too many things I have been neglecting. The rest of the TCR crew should pick up the slack for the most part, but if posting and updates are a little sparse during that time frame, I hope everyone understands. And do try to keep the comments at something resembling a civil discussion.

Also, you may want to for the TCR '09 Contest. If there are any mistakes, drop it in the comments and I'll change it. See everyone on the other side....

 

Tags: 
Site news
Gameday Open Thread

Comments

Submitted by jacos  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 5:14pm  
TED LILLY'S INTENSITIES IN TEN CITIES!!!!!! (sound:electric guitar) All kidding aside Rob, good luck and God bless. Don't eat too much cheese.

Submitted by Romero  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 5:18pm  
Rob is lying. He's just covering for himself while he begins posting at BCB. RUBBERS!

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 5:28pm  

close....actually in 10 days there's going to be http://www.robg.com

ditch these anchors once and for all. :)

Submitted by The Joe  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 5:39pm  
I think Hrothgar is going to lose the contest.

Submitted by Ted Lilly Fan Club  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 6:59pm  
Sweet God we're excited, just threw back a case of Bud Extra and we still are shaking. TLFCSC predicts a pretty solid one for Ted - 6 2/3 IP 7 k 1 BB 2 ER 1-2 BB, 1B, 1 HBP (Hunter Pence) - but we wouldn't be surprised if TL sends one ya ya for his first of 15 HR this season. Rob, appreciate the props. Enjoy your time off. TLFCSC has hacked your login so we'll post in your name as long as you like. Who knew your password was "KellyClarksonRulez."

Submitted by Ryno  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 7:06pm  
I figure this will be a high scoring game tonight.

Submitted by SJS  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 7:09pm  
All the best Rob.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 7:23pm  
Just don't go all John Hill on us Rob.

Submitted by Brick  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 7:46pm  
You and your father are in my thoughts, RobG. And say hi to your niece!

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 8:07pm  
Man, I like these kind of games. Everyone getting hits and no pressure as it is a sleeper. Nice!! GO Cubs!!!

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 8:34pm  
Looks like I talked a little too soon. 8-4 now. Lilly still struggling with the long ball. We might need some more runs.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 9:09pm  
All the best to your family, Rob. Re Ted Lilly - he has been throwing batting practice for hr's since the WBC. I hope he and Rothschilds work this shit out. Wrigley will be even tougher.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 9:10pm  
n/t

Submitted by The E-Man  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 9:10pm  
Err... Added an s above to Rothschild.

Submitted by Pell Mell  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 9:35pm  
Best to RobG and thanks for all your work on the site. P.S. enough with the Astro homers already

Submitted by The E-Man  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 9:37pm  
Ex Cub watch: Ronny Cedeno playing LF for the Mariners.

Submitted by Q-Ball  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 9:56pm  
Question on David Patton: I haven't seen him pitch, but according to Gameday (which isn't always right), he sports a mid-90s fastball. Last couple are just south of 95. What is the scouting report on Patton? With that kind of gas, no wonder we were interested in keeping him.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:08pm  
he's also got a decent developing change and i believe a slider (not sure on the slider, but he's got a 3rd pitch with promise).

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:27pm  
Muskett said it was a curve and it was his out pitch.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:41pm  
sweet.

Submitted by Wes  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:02pm  
We're splitting hairs at this point, but Bob said (and I agree) that's it probably a knuckle-curve.

Submitted by jacos  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:28pm  
Brenly said he had a "spiked curve ball"

Submitted by The Joe  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:08pm  
Yup, Manny's right. Fukudome is done.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:22pm  
:) HA HA

Submitted by The Joe  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:24pm  
...although, he'll probably go 0-20 now that I say that. Maybe you jinxed him good? Good confidence boost for him at least. Go Cubs.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:20pm  
CUBS WIN!! CUBS WIN!! 11-6! Our Cubbies took the road series vs. Houston 2 games to 1. Can't ask for more than that. THE GOOD: Offense. Many guys had big nights: Fukudome, Theriot, Fontenot, Ramirez, Soriano. They jumped on HOU early and all but put the game away after the 2nd inning. THE BAD: Bradley. Yes, he is only 0-9, but this situation could turn into Jacque Jones v.2 very quickly. Hopefully Bradley can get a hit over the next series so he doesn't go hitless heading back to Wrigley. THE UGLY: Lilly. Being spotted an 8 run lead wasn't enough to put this game in cruise control as Lilly was continuing his gopher ball spree. Lilly is still not in good form, hopefully he can find in over the next couple starts. Off day tomorrow and then to MIL. Let's take that series and then head back to Chicago for the hone opener. Go Cubs!

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:24pm  
Um, yeah, Bradley doesn't have a hit yet in 3 whole games, guess that makes him another Jock Jones. He also has what, 5 walks? I think the 400-ish OBP is just fine, thanks. You wanna worry about someone's bat, worry about Lee.

Submitted by jacos  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:27pm  
"but this situation could turn into Jacque Jones v.2 very quickly" Are you talking fan wise or performance wise? I don't believe either would happen.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:34pm  
Both.

Submitted by Bigz  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:26pm  
VOTE NOW! Who will have more home runs this year? a) D Lee b) Fontenot

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:56pm  
I'll guess Fontenot, with 200 fewer PAs. Given equal PAs, Fonty in a landslide. In 1-on-1 basketball in a game to 11 playing 1's and 2's, I'd say 11-2 DLee, with 5 blocks and 3 dunks. Fontenot would hit a lucky 2-pointer.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:29pm  
I didn't watch the game, but I have to admit that I laughed out loud when I saw Fukudome's line. Maybe trashing Fukudome before every game will be this year's "this lineup sucks".

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:57pm  
Can Guzman really hit 101 mph or was Houston's gun way off? It seemed pretty accurate the rest of the game, but Guzman had one that reached 101, and a couple others at 97. I didn't realize he had that in him.

Submitted by Romero  on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:07pm  
DD, Guzman only throws 101 when he's not had enough biscuits for breakfast. Otherwise, LOOK OUT.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 1:41am  
At one time, the scouts were saying Gooz had better stuff than ANY pitcher that had come through the Cubs system in a decade and wasn't named Mark Prior. Man, if he's ready to stay healthy and fulfill even some of that potential, the Cubs are going to have a ridiculous bullpen. Shoot, I'll settle for Gooz turning into what Juan Cruz became, that would be plenty fine with me.

Submitted by SJS  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 2:12am  
Speaking of Juan Cruz, no one has been able to answer this for me, why didn't the Cubs give him an offer after knowing that he wouldn't cost them a 1st round pick (or whatever MLB regulated his FA status to be)?

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 7:00am  
The Cubs management think Cruz is a clubhouse problem. Allegedly that's why they got rid of him in the first place.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 9:19am  
He would have cost the cubs a 1st rounder. He didn't cost KC a 1st rounder because their 1st round pick was top-15 protected. He cost them a 2nd rounder.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 1:45am  
Gameday says 95-96 mph mostly...

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 6:59am  
Houston's stadium scoreboard gun has always been about 2 MPH faster than other places.

Submitted by Charlie  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 11:09am  
It's pretty much standard for the Houston gun to run hot. Oswalt used to get distracted looking at his velocity on the ballpark radar gun.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 8:38am  
MANNY: as a reasonable man, don't you think it's a little early to bail ok Bradley? Did you see his ab when he was down 0-2 and milked a bb? Jock jones rarely did that.

Submitted by Thisistheyear  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 8:57am  
Yeah, he has looked NOTHING like JJ thus far. Although he doesn't have a hit he has produced some solid ABs; something JJ never did.

Submitted by jacos  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 9:00am  
I can see where Manny's coming from but it's a different situation with the team playing well, Bradley does get on base and as long as he does not get doubled off second on fly balls THREE TIMES in one week it would be a pretty cold hearted bastard to boo Bradley. Or a dumbass.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 9:31am  
I am just saying it COULD turn into a JJ situation. I think he is better than JJ, but there are bigger expectations though. I just hope he doesn't get off to a slow start, like JJ, and the fans start getting on him, like JJ, and he gets surely, like JJ. If he comes to Wrigley 0-18 or something, even if he has a few BB's I don't think it will be pretty.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 10:24am  
Well, can't you say that about everything? He "COULD" turn into a JJ situation (you hypothesize), but I believe you also said last year that, " ____ (name the player) is only a leg injury from being completely useless..." Or - maybe that was for Cliff Floyd, the year before...Am I wrong here? But he "COULD" also perform to his career averages, too. It is just way too early to make statements like this, IMO.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 11:18am  
No, I didn't say any of that stuff about a leg injury last year. I think that was Crunch. And I don't think it is too early to talk about it as it happened early to JJ. And he COULD perform to his career averages, but he hasn't thus far and I am saying that if he does go hitless in the first 6 games I hope it doesn't turn into a JJ situation. Not to hard to understand i don't think.

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 12:15pm  
1- that's pierre i was talking about...or pretty much any speed/singles guy. 2- comparing JJ to bradley is f'n retarded for 100 reasons be it in the field or (especially) at the plate unless you're talking about how he might be boo'd for not producing some hits before the first home game

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 12:37pm  
I'm pretty sure that's what Manny was referring to. There are a few key differences here though: 1) Jacque was a disappointing signing before he even played a game. I think Cubs fans were kind of pissed Hendry didn't go get an impact player, and they were already primed to boo him before he ever stepped to the plate. 2) Related to point 1, MB will be on a longer leash because he has a track record of success and was seen as a big FA signing. 3) Jacque seemed like he didn't give a shit out there. No one will ever say that about MB. Also, Jacque was booed as much for his boneheaded baserunning and awful outfield throws as his shitty bat. 4) I think most fans will seriously be scared to boo him because of his past. Not even drunk frat guys are dumb enough to make a star player turn on his fanbase this early. If Cardinals fans were smart (they're not, they're morans), they would infiltrate the right field bleachers at Wrigley wearing Cubs gear and just mercilessly hurl racial epithets at Bradley all season.

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 12:41pm  
at least cards fans can (at least as of now) visit wrigley bleachers without having crap dumped on them or surrounded by idiots screaming at them. the yanks OF fans barely get a chance to watch the game in between all the drunk-frat-boy-reject "looking for conflict" exercises and call-and-response with player names. there's some scaaaaaaarey stuff on youtube with them busy screwing with people who paid to see a game rather than watching the game. ...there's also some funny stuff.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 12:47pm  
That's exactly what I was talking about.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 1:14pm  
Oh yeah! Sorry. Pierre. That was ugly. Ricky Nolasco would be so sweet right now...