It's rare that a game this early bears importance, but this one does.
Coming home 1-2 against a team that really isn't very good, would not be a good start to the year.
Coming home 2-1 from a road series, is gratifying to any team and sets the stage well for a festive home opener Friday with Kerry Wood pitching.
Tonight, Ryan Dempster faces Brandon Webb.
No quotes of vs. team stats today -- I just have a good feeling about Dempster despite his horrid spring.
Remember, game time is thirty minutes later than last night to accomodate ESPN2, 9:10 pm CT. Chicago area viewers will see the game on CSN.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 12 comments
I wish...
..I shared your optimism about Dempster, Al, but I don't. I have never seen much encouraging from him in his entire career. He simply lacks the command to be a good major league pitcher.I'm hoping he can keep on top of things enough to be a league average innings eater, but I think that is overly optimistic.
Dave Geiser
dvdmgsr - April 6, 2005
It's not "optimism"...
just a hunch.Al Yellon - April 6, 2005
Webb
...is quite tough, so I worry a bit about that. I also worry about the fact that Dempster has never been good. It is sort of a depressing thought, to think that we could start the season 1-2.Jason Rieger - April 6, 2005
But...
But...but...Dempster was an All-Star in 2000! At least that's what everyone keeps saying when they want to avoid mentioning his 4.99 career ERA.andyrut - April 6, 2005
not mention
...people are pretty good at forgetting that 2000 was 5 YEARS AGOJason Rieger - April 6, 2005
Webb
is not tough at all. The guy walked over 5 batters per nine innings last season, which is worse than what Dempster is likely to do. His K/BB ratio was a poor 1.3/1. His His ERA hasn't been too bad, but it's likely that he's just been lucky in his career so far. I don't fear him at all.Josh Timmers - April 6, 2005
Dempster reminds me of the old joke...
The one where the guy goes to the doctor for surgery, and pleads with him, "But Doc, will I be able to play the violin?"The doctor assures him, "Well sure, you will be able to play the violin after the surgery."
To which the patient replies, "Great, because I've always wanted to learn!"
That's Ryan Dempster in a nutshell. Unless Tommy John surgery somehow makes bad pitchers into good ones, I am not encouraged.
Dave Geiser
dvdmgsr - April 6, 2005
I guess this will be a test
to see how different this year's team is. Last year pitchers with good stuff but poor control ate the Cubs aliveJason Rieger - April 6, 2005
Slightly OT: Sammy in Baltimore ...
Just a quick note elsewhere tonight -- went to "Sammy Sosa T-Shirt Night" in Baltimore tonight. Love him or hate him, words cannot describe how odd it was to hear him announced as "batting for the Orioles" and see him in orange.Sammy picked up right where he left off -- grounded out twice, hit a fly ball to deep center, did the hop, and it was caught at the wall. Struck out in his last at bat.
We're still paying him . . . .
08Cubs - April 6, 2005
tonights game
Sucks.Not a very bright, intriguing comment, but what else can I say? Too early to pick the team apart.
Floyd - April 6, 2005
Yup
A disapointing series, really. It was such a great first game, perhaps too good. It's tough to lose two of three after the opener against an Arizona team that is, well, pretty bad. The most frustrating thing was the total lack of situational hitting, especially in game three. The Cubs were getting the bat on the ball but long fly balls do nothing for you, especially when you're down by seven runs.DmL
dmlichte - April 7, 2005
Darth Ivy Chat
The line is:I have a bad feeling about this.
Ivychat - April 7, 2005
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