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First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Sunday 7/20, 1:05 CT

Must. Win. Today.

(And before you start, yes, I am well aware that the Cubs are still in first place by 2.5 games, and will still be in first place even if they lose. But winning this game is pretty much a "must", if only to prove to themselves that they can win in that horrid excuse for a ballpark in Houston.)

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Comments

First
Kinda easy to be first today

Very slow thread

YAY!!!
left you a comment on the pre-game, Sue

I’m so sorry for you and your friends. I’ve got you all in my heart.

+1

My thoughts go out to you and your friends.

I saw it Em. Thanks.
Missed it first time

Missed it my thoughts are with you.

Is this Game 7 of anything?

If not, then it’s not “must win”

It might not be Win or Go Home

But it’s Win or suffer the angst of lots of Fans used to winning this season

Oh, them.

To hell with them. They whine too much.

Al recognized that in his caveat
And I disagree with his statement

Will Houston win home field in the playoffs? If not, why in hell do the Cubs need to prove they can win there?

Pride? Confidence? Avoid a sweep?
No

Pride is a fan emotion. Players know there are a lot more games to go.

Confidence is another fan emotion. I guarantee these guys aren’t dragging their feet.

Unless it’s the NLDS, there is no damage in a sweep.

I need this win for my sanity
And yes, I was first.
maybe not - I've got cubsonWGN4ever on the top of my screen.

need to wait a few for the servers to synch up and refresh.

that's what I see too..

him at 1:00, DaBard at 1:01.

Nope...guess again
I'm ALWAYS first

I just choose not to grace the world with my words.

except when I'm first

heh

May you strive to be graceful more often...
Wow, I hope your

head fits through your doorway. These kind of comments are a real turn off for me.

Did you hear that?

It’s the sound of my heart breaking into 1,000 pieces.

Or it was last night’s chicken wings coming back. One of the two.

only 2 game lead

al, not 2.5

Question for Al (if you're on the thread).

Maybe the reason for the home/road differential is that you don’t go to the bathroom during the break in the 7th inning when the Cubs are on the road and you’re not at the game? Or maybe you’re going during the break, and you should be going before the Cubs bat in the seventh?

Of such things, a kingdom can be lost or won. ;-)

LOL!!!

You may be on to something.

Maybe

Maybe Al could get something from each opposing team to put in his bathroom so when the Cubs are on the road he can go into his bathroom and pretend it’s whatever park the Cubs are in.

I hope we get an early big lead...

so the trolls stay the f’k away…

HUGE plus one
You and me both.

Last night was getting too depressing for me in here.

You mean like that Cardinal fan?

I refuse to enter that thread again. I saw his post. Didn’t see him here when the Cards were 5 back.

man, you're on a roll...

did you bychance, happen to, you know, read the post?

No, I made it to "Cardinal fan"

And figured it was too pretty a day to slap a troll. They tend to smell bad when you whack them.

I have to agree....

...he tried very hard to say the right things, but he was baiting, no doubt about it.

Nice hit for Dome.

Hope he can continue to hit. 1-0 Cubs!!!

there we go

hope this wakes them up

My kinda start! Back to back doubles!!
Great start Cubbies!!!
I missed this!

Round and round they go :)

Good hits by Dome and Lee.

Dome looks like he leans away from the pitch while he is swinging.

C'mon Jimmy Ballgame...

let’s get a couple runs this inning.

why did st louis fans call him jimmy ballgame?

curious

That's more like it!!
Yes!!!!!

Always nice to get a lead…..let’s pound em today.

Jim Edmonds continues....

to score points with me. I wonder what our record would be like in the absent-Soriano era without him.

HELLO CUBS!
Come on Dempster...hold em.
All righty, let's go Demp....

I’ll take 2 runs to start the game anytime.

Dempster must be going out there

breathing a little easier knowing that he is LEAST going to get a few runs support.

a solid start is always a good thing
I'd love to

see Demp get a road win today.

lets go demp

time for a first road win

Wow, nice catch DeRo!
good catch DeRo!
I love Sori..

but no way he makes that catch..

Oh, he does.

But my guess is that is worth a bone break AND a muscle tear.

web gem

derosa

Nah...

He’s not wearing a Yankees or Red Sox uniform.

Way to go, DeRo!

God help us if that ball gets past him.

Yes... it could have been 2-1!

THE HORROR!

reminded me of a catch I made in little league

:)

you must have been a hero that day :D
I was thinking more of a catch....

I blew in softball a few years ago. Inside the parker.

I must be dreaming

the Cubs are scoring early…

i think i signed a few autographs

vbg

That a way, Demp...

123

Nothing is sweeter

While it didn’t apply here a starting pitcher loves nothing better than batting in the 1st inning.

How much fun

would a few more tuns be this inning?

Shall I compare a few more runs this inning....

to a summer’s day?

Pictures

While Dempster now has the dorkiest official pic on yahoo sports with the departure of Gallagher at least they have a picture of Fukudome now.

It looks naked in

here without avatars/

maybe it's SBN feng shui
I'll see if I can find my Ba-Gua...
Come on Geo!!!!
Nice to see the offense strike early today

Question about the rotation
Harden tomorrow and Marquis Tuesday or vice versa?

And if Marquis pitches well Tuesday making it 3 good in a row does the world spin off it’s axis?

No the axis will be fine, the dbacks offense is horrid
That inning sucked.

Geo bails out the pitcher by swinging at ball 3, and the next two batters pop up in the infield.

That was a nasty pitch to Geo...
Harden tomorrow....
Thanks

Thank you.

Padres with an early 1-0 lead in stl
I have given up relying on the Padres to help us...lol
I want some Wood

I am going through serious Wood withdrawl.

I want to see me some today.

Seriously I’m worried about rust with him not pitching in 9 days and he might get a little wild.

TW...

nah…too easy..

Thought I heard something yesterday

About him not being available and not knowing when he would be again (because of the blister).

I wondered

I kind of wondered why he wasn’t used just to get some work in yesterday.

wood doesn't rust...

it does however, rot.

Can I count the ways....

I hate Carlos Lee.

Ah, but Miguel Tejada makes me feel better.
Another broken bat hit...

...that’s about 12 for them this series…..

Man, even Carlos Lee's singles look like they're going to go out in that park...
I was just thinking this morning (it happens occasionally)...

The Cubs looked awful on a road trip to St. Louis and Cincinnati in early May. Sori misplayed a couple of balls in the OF. DeRo was 1-18 with 8 Ks. DLee didn’t hit. Ramy was hurt. Lieber got lit up. The team looked lethargic. Several BCBers were out on the ledge. And then…

The Cubs went on a tear. Every hitter got hot. Every pitcher threw well. And the Cubs ended the month with the best record in baseball.

These last two games have reminded me of that. If they go on a three week tear now like they did then, we’ll be in great shape.

Keep the faith!

In no way am I out on the ledge....

Unlatching the window, maybe. ;-)

I have seen the Cubs

In many worse positions tan they are right now. And I am still around.

yes yes

Im glad you pointed that out, I was arguing with a Cardinals fan in class and he said we were done as we know it… i was like DUDE its the FIRST TWO GAMES AFTER THE ALLSTAR BREAK… REMEMBER WHEN….. and cue what you just wrote above

Pitcher's best friend...

.....double play…2 down

Maybe

Maybe DLee hits into so many because he likes the pitchers so much and heard they were a pitcher’s best friend forgetting it’s for the pitcher on the mound and his pitcher is not on the mound.

Um......maybe......

He hasn’t actually grounded into a lot (any?) since that bad streak of his.

WOW

I guess, anything to stand up for our boy DLEE

another good inning, Demp...

....keep it going!

I wonder how many fans that have ditched out on the Cubs over the years of struggling

And our now back… but I am sure there are like 200000 fans that gave up on the cubs over the years… imagine this fan base WITH them

There were 10 or

so last night who have given up after the last 3 losses.

Really? (I wasn't around) ... how lame
Consider yourself lucky.
I may be selfish

here but some more runs here would be great.

why does that make you selfish
Some on here

might take it as selfish.

I guess your right

but it could NEVER hurt to get more runs… its all part of the game in an effort to win, I dont know why people would think thats selfish

Reed Johnson looks like a 70's porn star now....
RJ!!!! Fumanchu AND Goat???? ARRRRRRRRRRRGH
He looks pretty funny huh?
he was looking good last night

I liked him with the full beard.

I like him no

matter what his facial hair is. He is one of my favorites.

me too... solid all the way

the beard is for entertainment value

twss

tickle tickle??? ;-)

you are so bad...... :D
Ugh

Another poor AB from Dome.

Whats happened to dome? No more patience at the plate
That double looked pretty sweet...
Ya the double was nice, but im talking about overall lately his at bats
preaching to the choir, dude.
DLee keeps trying to play golf with his bat
God, DLee swung at a bad pitch.
DLee come on....

..no way you should be swinging at that…damn.

Nice pitch Demp....1 down
So a buddy of mine told me last night

Ramirez wears his sox high up now because his friends back home tell him it makes him look faster? Is this true?

that's what's reported
Thats pretty funny

I like it

Hadn't hears that.
Demp!!!

Looking very good!!!!

Good job Dempster!!!!!
Both pitchers look sharp...

good game…

I'm guessing 94% on the text poll question for Central Division...
I'm guessing you're right...
The question is who would pick the West.
Does Edmonds wear eyeliner?
only with the away gray uni's...
Glad someone else noticed that.

I’ve been wondering as well. He sometimes looks like Liz Taylor in “Cleopatra”.

Geovany does.
for real?

I’m getting a kick out of this guy-liner fad. It’s so hard to pull off well even as a woman…

Wouldn't get all smudged and stuff when the players sweat?
there are waterproof versions
Geovany doesn't wear

it during games.

Ah

but Jedmonds does?

He wore it during

the Cubs convention. I couldn’t believe that’s what I was seeing and then the guys on Sports Nite said something about it.

chicks dig that?

starts to google men’s eyeliner...

not this one

but Geo’s such a stud he could come out in a fan police pink tutu and I’d still swoon

LOL...

love that pic!

You guys are really not kidding?????

These guys are really wearing eyeliner?

yep it's a fairly new guy fad
Do women think it's cool????
Geo and Jimmy's

wives must think it is.

not I, said the little red hen
I'm not sure about Jimmy

but I have seen Geo wearing it. He doesn’t wear it during games though.

So Harden vs. Randy Johnson tomorrow...

I hope it’s the Randy Johnson who’s been horrible all year…

I think the other RJ

Left the building a while ago.

Cubs have never beat Johnson

time for that to change

Backe has certainly settled down...

....I’d like more runs….

Backe looks like he has filthy stuff...

surprised he hasn’t had more success…

Always love it when the other teams's leadoff hitter leads off the 4th,

and it’s his second AB.

good catch, ARam!
Rami doing his best Brooks Robinson...

...great play

Nice play A-RAm
dang DeRo so close! Good try.
18 broken bat hits now for Houston...damn it.

DeRo almost got that one…

Nice try there by DeRo

At least he kept it in front of him.

Nice F-Bomb DeRo...lol..
I kinda like that

It would have been a great catch, but he expected to make it.

Dome with the tip toe catch..

defense is playing well today!

Dome, making it look easy.
I think that no one wants Sori back more than DeRo

He’s only batting .250 in the last 28 days. I’m sure he’d like to settle down at 2B for a while so he can feel more comfortable.

What spot do you like him hitting?

It doesn’t seem to matter much, but I like him in the 2 hole…

I like him #2

He’s a great RF hitter (prefers pitches on the outer half), but he’s been jammed most of the year—that’s why you see him opening up so early and so vulnerable to breaking stuff away.

Pitchers don’t like to jam #2 hitters with a base stealer on, so he would see more outside pitches.

He’s also willing to take pitches and hit with two strikes. But Lou is in love with speed—he’d rather have Ryan “CS” Theriot batting #2.

Agreed...

And I don’t see how Theriot is much faster when I think about it.

Good work by demp so far
I do like Dome out there in Right though

At least that part of his game is rock solid.

yep. have total confidence in him out there
Let's get some more runs!!!
We're looking bad on this guy's breaking ball....
FONTY!!!!!! 3-0!!!!!
WONDER HAMSTER STRIKE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!
WOOOHOOO!!!!!! 3-0

Thank you Fonty!!!

Oh my GOD

Thank you Minute Maid Park!

The "Stealth Bomber" strikes again!!!
Sneaky Hamster Power!!!!
the hampster does it!
Just as I say we're looking bad on breaking balls...

.....Fonty shuts me up. lol

Nice way to get Backe rattled and off rhythm
Sneaky Power!!
This balls gotta chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaance GONE!
8 homers for Fonty?

Wow.

maybe

maybe that power aint so sneaky.

Did you notice Backe jumping up and down on the replay?

Kind of fun to watch.

I'll have to catch

it at the end of the inning.

yeah that was a great moment
Riot keeps his hit streak going......nice.
Ryan, listen to me, do NOT STEAL
it's Sunday - Thou Shall Not Steal
from god's finger to Theriot's synapses
and the hit streak continues
Jeez, that was a low strike call on that pitch to Dome.
OT: so what do you think the average age is of BCBers
I'm 22...

I’ll say 31 though

Im 22 as well
If you're 22

If you’re 22 that means you were born the year I graduated high school. I feel so old.

I really felt old the other day in an Osco when I saw the date for buying cigarrettes. People born the year I graduated college can smoke and vote this year.

I'm 55....

I’ll say 31, though. ;-)

12

I jest… average? 32

I vaguely remember Al saying his estimate was in the 20s
id be curious im about to hokey pokey

Im about to hokey pokey so put me down for 40 for me.

I’d guess mid 20s.

I think we are all aging in dog years (7:1) this season

...but it is worth it

Just turned 58
Curious

I wonder who our oldest and youngest regular is.

I'm guessing NOMAR is the oldest
My guess is 38.
14 when we're losing...

i think we’ve all aged though to over 100.

I know my gray hairs are increasing. Ms. Clairol and I are on much better terms.

even when we're winning but have a bad inning
dunno, but I'd say the game thread average age is decidedly younger than the overall bcb average age.
yea probably because I am sitting here with a laptop watching the game on wireless internet

I would say more young people would be doing that

hmm... I wasn't going by use of technology... ;-)

...but you’re probably right.

Dome flies out....3-0 Cubs....
back to back hits...

....Get out of this Demp….

+1

Let’s not give back the run that Fonty got us.

DP and a Strikeout coming up
im sticking with my prediction
Could you reverse the order?

Half way there on the k.

does Reverse order count?
I'll take the other way around, too.
Another cheap hit....damn it...
Wow what the hell are we doing
Well this could be the turning point of the game right here
Come on Cubs
Big strikeout right there
Theres my strikeout

Now to turn me into a true psychic, we are getting a DP

that depends...

did you ‘box’ that prediction?

Nice now the force out at home
lets get a dp

here

throw strikes demp....
c'mon Ryan, you've got cajones of steel
somewhere out there, there has to be a guy with the name

Charles Andrew Jones or something with those initials for first and middle names.

poor guy…

whats demps

pitch count?

Ron Santo:

“This does not get easy.”

Backe is 3-5 with bases loaded...

not an easy out

Ryan has cajones of steel

and Ryan (Theriot) is part of the cajun connection… ok lame i know

full count... hang nail time
Wow that looked like a ball to me

I’ll take it though!!!

Backe with a nice little dance...hehe
Wow gift call right there
how is he not thrown out?

he argued balls strikes

Hissy fit does not equal arguing
pay back for the last call

...which should ahve been strike 3

Yeah, the ump's given Backe that low strike all day!!!!!!!!!!!

No reason to complain now, Brandon.

We'll take it....
i thought he went

on the half wing

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!
CLAPCLAPCLAP!!!! Inning over!
Great job by demp, momentum is all ours now
things look a tad brighter
Right on!

Way to pitch out of that.

great escape inning
I never noticed before but it seems as though Dempster

abandons the mitt wiggle when men are on and he works out of the stretch. Nice. It seems to work

And BCB breathes a collective sigh....
What a huge save by Demps
He isn't a closer any more...
He closed the 5th just fine
Sorry I was using some dry humor type thing...

Yes but I and others have pondered whether his experience as a closer helps in tight situations.

Now, let's jump on Backe while he's ticked off.

DLee, Aram and Jimmy Ballgame coming up.

LET’S DO SOME DAMAGE!!!!!!

Demp 59 pitches

....40 strikes…

thanks

been looking for a pitch count

complete game?

u think

be nice but I doubt it
No, he'd have to average 10 pitch innings the rest of the way.
When was Lee's last hr?
someone

said back against the sox

I think hell get one tonight in the 8th
cwyers is counting to himself on the overflow thread

jump here

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