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The only night game on the Cubs' Cactus League schedule will occur at the unusual time of 7:35 local time (most of the night games here are at 7:05). An old broken-down lefthander, Barry Zito, will face an up-and-coming lefthander, Sean Marshall. Zito is not having a very good spring (5 starts, 19.2 IP, 25 H, 8 BB, 8 K, 5.49 ERA, about in line with his two years in a Giants uniform), and at only 30 (31 in May), it has to be wondered if Zito is done, with five years and $94.5 million left on that free agent deal he signed before the 2007 season. It appears now as perhaps the most monumentally bad free agent signing ever.
Other Cub pitchers expected to go tonight are, with one possible exception, all pitchers who should be in the Opening Day bullpen: Luis Vizcaino, Kevin Hart, Angel Guzman, Aaron Heilman and Carlos Marmol. With the Cubs' spring roster having been cut to 37 the other day, don't expect any further cuts until after the Cubs face the Indians on Sunday. Tonight may be Hart's last shot at impressing Lou enough to make the 25-man roster, and Marmol is expected to throw tomorrow, too, to start getting into a routine of throwing on back-to-back days. And according to this Yahoo report, David Patton still has an outside shot at making the 25-man roster.
The front page of the Cubs website reports that Kosuke Fukudome will be in the lineup tonight. However, via Gordon Wittenmyer's Twitter (and also via email from Bruce Miles), here is tonight's starting lineup:
Soriano, LF Fontenot 2B Lee, 1B Bradley, RF Ramirez, 3B Johnson, CF Soto, C Theriot, SS Marshall, P
Early lineups can be changed, so we'll see what lineup actually takes the field. Incidentally, that looks very much like a regular-season lineup vs. LHP (that is, if you assume that Mike Fontenot is the starting 2B and not a platoon player).
The game can be seen on the MLB Network, and if you happen to live in the SF Bay Area, it's on CSN Bay Area, and on radio there too (KNBR) and at the MLB.com Mediacenter.
MLB notes: CC Sabathia will start the season opener and home opener for the Yankees, which means the Cubs will miss him in the two exhibition games there. On target to pitch those two games for the Cubs are Ted Lilly (Friday) and Rich Harden (Saturday). For Lilly, a former Yankee, that will probably be a very big deal.
Tomorrow, Carlos Zambrano will face the White Sox and Ryan Dempster will go on Saturday with the group down I-10 to Tucson (yes, I am planning to go there), with Lilly on Sunday and Harden to resume Cactus League play vs. the Royals on Monday -- and that should set up the rotation perfectly for Z to pitch on Opening Day in Houston.
MLB.com Gameday for tonight's game
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 144 comments
At long last
I’ve been waiting for this thread all day long…
I imagine the call on MLBN will be the Giants’, right?
chilango2 - March 26, 2009
Probably picked up from the CSNBA feed, I'm guessing.
Al Yellon - March 26, 2009
meh
opening day couldn’t get here effing soon enough
Chanman25 - March 26, 2009
may it wait until hendry upgrades our bench
tim815 - March 26, 2009
meh, I just want to watch Cubs baseball
Chanman25 - March 26, 2009
Real, meaningful Cubs baseball.
A week from Monday. We’re getting there.
Al Yellon - March 26, 2009
thank god
Chanman25 - March 26, 2009
Any Cubs baseball is good baseball
I don’t care if they play Andres Blanco and whomever. Like Martha Stewart says, “it’s a good thing.”
chilango2 - March 26, 2009
Andres Blanco is intriguing.
He’s 25 next month, plays all the infield positions, and can probably hit well enough to fill a bench role.
If the Cubs need a backup IF, I suspect Blanco will be the first one they’ll call on.
Al Yellon - March 26, 2009
Andres Blanco is the very picture of a replacement level player
He can play defense, but he would be lucky to slug over .300, let alone have a BA or OBP that high
berselius - March 26, 2009
I like that lineup
DTJchris - March 26, 2009
Maybe switch Fontenot and Johnson
DTJchris - March 26, 2009
What the hell happened to Zito?
He was so good and then he fell flat on his face. Apparently, A. Jones caught the same bug.
calicubfan - March 26, 2009
Dontrelle Willis also comes to mind
I saw that kid pitch for the Kane County Cougars and he was electric.
chilango2 - March 26, 2009
Eric Gagne?
Just not the same guy without steroids or HGH
calicubfan - March 26, 2009
In my opinion
D-Train was only good because people were so distracted by his terrible mechanics. Everybody’s gotten used to them now.
wrigleyrocker12 - March 26, 2009
the article
had shark and guzman in the pen, but not vizcaino
tim815 - March 26, 2009
If Guzman is there over Vizcaino
I’d be REALLY mad. There’s just no reason for it.
wrigleyrocker12 - March 26, 2009
Of course there is. Guzman is younger and
the Cubs have a lot of time invested in him. He has a much higher upside. Guzman has peaked and he would be lucky to bring much in the way of a trade. You may not agree with it, but that’s probably their line of reasoning.
willie mays hayes' gloves - March 26, 2009
Checking in
This may be the first time I’ve been involved in a game thread from beginning to end.
northernsails - March 26, 2009
What is wrong with the MLB telecast on MLBNetwork...?
They have some meaningless 2nd-rate video that is all screwed up….
zevkalman - March 26, 2009
Awesome!
had no idea the game was on tv 2nite! Got my fav burrito goin, I’m ready!
daily2b - March 26, 2009
Slightly OT but...
If you took the color of those gawd-awful San Diego Padre uniforms from the Nate Colbert era and mixed in the color of those gawd-awful Oakland A’s uniforms of the Sal Bando era…
…the result might approximate the color of the uniforms the Missouri Tigers are wearing in tonight’s NCAA regional semi-final. Yuck! It’s like some tarnished bronzed moldy brown mustard color!
It’s working though – they have a 9 pt lead on Memphis with just under 2 minutes left in the 1st half.
ballhawk - March 26, 2009
I wish they'd stop talking about the Giants.
I mean, who cares? Not anyone in San Francisco, for sure.
zevkalman - March 26, 2009
wow is it windy
looks like it will be interesting in the OF
bheidge - March 26, 2009
nice approach by Bradley
It does look as though he’s developed into a professional hitter
daily2b - March 26, 2009
The idea of seeing him in even 120 games
is really getting me excited.
Brett Taylor - March 26, 2009
Fontenot
probably should have came up with that. I will give him a pass with the wind though
bheidge - March 26, 2009
I've played in similar conditions
Vegas/Arizona, brutal
daily2b - March 26, 2009
Wrigley
isnt exactly a calm area either. They should get some good practice playing the wind
bheidge - March 26, 2009
This wind reminds me of the game the Cubs
played against the Marlins right before a hurricane a couple of years ago (maybe 2006?)
cowsarecool220 - March 26, 2009
Yeah,
how about that Bears/Pack game a couple of years ago…doesn’t make for good veiwing, conditions like these.
daily2b - March 26, 2009
wow
wind’s really messin w/ Winn
daily2b - March 26, 2009
Soriano
looks bad up there. No approach at all……
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Pablo Sandoval
looks like he is going to be a first baseman/DH in a few years
bheidge - March 26, 2009
We can't lose to Zito!!!!!!
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
Hello! Is this thing on???
Not much of a game thread going here, folks. No scoring updates, no play-by-play, and worse of all… no EA pictures!
ballhawk - March 26, 2009
march madness?
daily2b - March 26, 2009
no Micah yet
Got the cubs game on TV, switching between the basketball games, fantasy basketball and Ebay on my laptop.
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Here you go ballhawk
DTJchris - March 26, 2009
Bless you boys!
ballhawk - March 26, 2009
Bases loaded for A-ram
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
3-2 Cubs
At least…once the scoreboard updates itself.
northernsails - March 26, 2009
Easy now
Milton….not happy about that call. Looks like he could have been safe
bheidge - March 26, 2009
little fired up...
daily2b - March 26, 2009
hahah crazy ass milton
xene - March 26, 2009
I don't think Milton is happy very often
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
he looked pretty happy
with the BB
daily2b - March 26, 2009
and the
HR
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Marmol on to pitch
his slider should be moving well in this wind
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Derrek Lee...
Hate to say it, but he’s done….
Love his defense…love his quiet leadership…but he’s done. He just can’t handle the inside fastball anymore. Barry Zito is a lefty that throws 87 max, and he just tied him up with an inside fastball. He’s done…
PS – He’s still a better option than Hoffpuair, but we need to upgrade now!
mutleyil - March 26, 2009
I am willing to bet
Derrek Lee is far from done. When you have Zito’s curveball in the back of your head, a 87 MPH fastball comes in much quicker.
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Whatever you say dude...
His lack of production since 2005 speaks for itself. I can accept him as a great defensive 1B, but he needs ti be hitting 7th, not 3rd.
mutleyil - March 26, 2009
lack of production?
what are you expecting from him?
What is your basis for him being done? Him batting .317 & .291 the last two years or him not getting around on a Zito fastball in Spring Training?
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Wow
He’s not the same as he was in his career year? For serious? I’m sure thats unheard of.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
take him out back and beat him I guess
derv - March 26, 2009
Oh wise one
Please tell me if the housing market will recover this year or next
Employee22 - March 27, 2009
and Marmol
is a little wild. beanball
bheidge - March 26, 2009
I finally get to use my Gameday Audio
And now that my bracket is busted, its time to abuse it.
TkGoUWGB - March 26, 2009
Ta ta to two twos!
Duke and Memphis both go down in flames. The Memphis loss in particular killed my bracket. Oh well, as long as I finish ahead of Al… ;-)
ballhawk - March 26, 2009
Damn, me too
I had Memphis all the way. As you said, as long as I finish above Al, that’s cool with me. Don’t think it will be very hard though : )
DTJchris - March 26, 2009
Though, I did have Villanova over Duke
so my bracket isn’t completely dead.
DTJchris - March 26, 2009
I had both
My bracket is sleeping with my other recyables.
TkGoUWGB - March 26, 2009
Must be hell being a Mizzou fan
They are quite the Jekyll and Hyde team. I think at one point, they were leading by 24, and just a few minutes later it was under 10. Same thing against Marquette – totally dominate then turn into zombies out there. Good thing they built up huge leads in both of those games. but I don’t know if they’ll be able to build such a lead against UConn.
ballhawk - March 26, 2009
What do you know...
Marmol is an unpredictable wild child….
Just like he has always been…
mutleyil - March 26, 2009
Everyone must be adjusting to the wind
And i think this radio guy is making stuff up now.
TkGoUWGB - March 26, 2009
Are you here just to insult the players?
You do realize that:
a) Everyone is entitled to their bad days
b) Marmol is considered to be among the most dominant relievers in all of baseball, and
c) This is only Spring Training
right?
northernsails - March 26, 2009
Whoa now
Just a little joke. It sounds like its just short of a tornado out there and I felt like making a little joke. I think if you go through my posts, you will realize that I almost defend people tooo long on here. The player has to suck real bad for a long time for me to go off on him. Marmol is probably in the same boat as Lily and Soto and is trying to find his arm right now.
TkGoUWGB - March 26, 2009
I was replying to mutleyil
northernsails - March 26, 2009
He went from...
effectively calling Derrek Lee a bust, to calling Marmol “an unpredictable wild child.”
northernsails - March 26, 2009
What I said...
is that Derrek Lee is done. He’s not a bust because he has given us some very good years. I honor and appreciate what he has given to us, but as someone that has become a very astute baseball observer over the last 30 years, I’m telling you that Derrek Lee has nothing left. We’ll see over the next 7 months who is right.
And you’re damn right I called Marmol a “wild child.” He still has no idea how to pitch, so we’d be better served with Gregg as our closer. Falling behind 3-0 to everyone is not my idea of a good closer.
mutleyil - March 26, 2009
SPRING TRAINING
And when you have 2x the Ks to IP… you can be forgiven the occassional wildness.
He’s still the pitcher I’d want up in the biggest spot.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
Marmol the wild child vs Kevin Gregg
You claim to have been such an astute observer of baseball you should be well aware that Kevin Gregg isn’t exactly know for his pin point control……..
Gregg – 68.7 IP 37 BB 58 K 3.41 ERA
Marmol – 87.3 IP 41 BB 114K 2.68 ERA
See my comment above regarding your Derrek Lee assesment
bheidge - March 26, 2009
You're right...
But it should be pointed out that your stats are Gregg as a closer, and Marmol as a set-up man. At least we know he’s capable of closing games. Marmol has shown a psychological propensity to melt down, whereas Gregg is reliable.
mutleyil - March 26, 2009
Show your "facts" and "proof"
that Marmol is “wild.”
I seriously would love to see them. And i want to see actual statistics, not just rhetoric or anecdotal nonsense.
northernsails - March 26, 2009
Do you really...
Need me to run a statistical regression analysis to prove Marmol is wild? He falls behind everyone 2-0 and 3-0, and is constantly battling to recover. Do you disagree?
mutleyil - March 26, 2009
On everyone?
Hyberbole, much?
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 27, 2009
Yes, actually, I do
Bringing in remarks like you did necessitates it. Back up your theories, or they’ll just get tossed out the window.
Let’s see your statistical regression, assuming you can even come up with it.
northernsails - March 27, 2009
this spring, or career?
derv - March 27, 2009
You've actually inspired me...
Not sure if MLB has sophisticated enough stats, but I want to see how “effective” he is. I’m going to try and do a statistical process capability on Carlos. I’ll let you know what I find out…
mutleyil - March 27, 2009
Doesn't baseball prospectus
have things like first pitch strike % or something?
I have problems reading their charts but I’m sure one of you could check it out.
But I can guarantee you he doesn’t start EVERYONE out 3-0.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 27, 2009
Whereas Gregg has never ever blown a save?
Or been wild?
I don’t see any psychosis in the stats Heidge posted.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
rookies
derv - March 26, 2009
Gregg has the experience
and I really wouldn’t mind having Marmol in the same role as last year. However, last year Marmol was consistently brought into situations with runners on, late in the game, and did very well in those situations. I never played baseball, but I am guessing those scenarios are more psychologically taxing than say, 9th inning, no runners on, anywhere from 1-3 run lead…….
bheidge - March 26, 2009
I love people like you...
that think fans capable of critical analysis are “negative” or “cynical.” I’ve been following baseball for 30 years, and I’m giving you an objective opinion. Carlos Marmol is wild…that’s not news. Entrusting him with the Closer position on our team is foolish at best, and asinine at worst.
mutleyil - March 26, 2009
whose your choice for closer?
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Where's your critical analysis?
I’ve yet to see any? All I’ve seen from you mutley is sweeping remarks without evidential basis.
northernsails - March 26, 2009
You show me yours...
I’ll come back in another thread to provide statistical evidence of why Carlos is not our best option at Closer. Where is yours to show that he is?
mutleyil - March 27, 2009
I haven't decided if he is
I’d like our best reliever (who is Marmol whether you’re finely tuned baseball acumen agrees or not) in the highest leverage situations possible. Which is rarely the 9th. Its usually the 7 or 8 when the other team is rallying and has their best hitter up in a spot with RISP.
But I’d like to know why you think he’s so much more prone to being psyched out than Gregg.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 27, 2009
I dont need any evidence
because I haven’t made any claims. I’ve simply been responding to yours. If I had said something like “Derrek Lee is a stronger first-baseman, offensively, than Albert Pujols” I would be honor-bound to provide some reasonable statistics to back up that claim. I did no such thing. All I did was tell you to back up your own claims or they wont mean anything.
northernsails - March 27, 2009
wow 30 years?
Did you play in college too?
Sheesh.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
hes been following baseball for
30 years and still uses the phrase “whatever you say dude” as a rebuttal
bheidge - March 26, 2009
I've given my opinion above...
Please take the time to read it before you criticize…
mutleyil - March 26, 2009
What are you basing your opinion on?
Other than your robust 30 years of baseball watching? You have a stat or something?
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
fair enough
we are entitled to our own opinion. I am not trying to change your mind. Although I have to say basing your opinions on what appears to be gut feelings isn’t the smartest thing to do.
bheidge - March 27, 2009
What's happening? Looking ugly on gameday.
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
Rowand just ripped an RBI single
after Sandoval stole 2nd and Soto threw it into center.
Itchy - March 26, 2009
thanks
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
I think this wind
is messing with everyone tonight.
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Marmol
comes back. 3 pitches, 3 strikes. K
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Soto
absolutely tags one, to the wrong side of the field. Nothing is flying out to left.
bheidge - March 26, 2009
whats the score?
derv - March 26, 2009
CHC 3 SF 4
bheidge - March 26, 2009
thx
derv - March 26, 2009
Is Gameday slow because of preseason?
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
Spring training gameday sucks
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
Strike him out throw him out
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
eesh Blanco
got to put that ball in your pocket
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Hmm??
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
forced a throw on a slow grounder
threw it well past the first baseman
bheidge - March 26, 2009
NCAA over. I'm here. What have I missed?
dtpollitt - March 26, 2009
Is your bracket as big a mess as mine?
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
I had Memphis
derv - March 26, 2009
I had them in the final game
losing to Pitt.
Actually i’ll only be completely screwed if tomorrow goes like today did. :-P
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
I had them winning it all - like an idiot. At least I didnt pick Purdue to win like I normally do
derv - March 26, 2009
Boiler up.
I missed most of the game (I only got to see some of the first half)..if the rest went like the first couple minutes, its probably for the best.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
Yep - they never led the entire game, but played pretty impressive defense
derv - March 26, 2009
I love our defense.
But I love ugly basketball. Guess thats what happens when you’re born and raised in big 10 country, huh?
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
16 as sophs, elite 8 as juniors, then onto final 4 and beyond as seniors. we are on the 4 year plan LOL
derv - March 26, 2009
The Baby Boilers are growing up.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
Bradley hit another HR
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
Marmol was wild
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
exactly. what inning, outs, etc?
derv - March 26, 2009
bottom of 6
runners on 2nd & 3rd 2 outs Pablo Sandoval batting
bheidge - March 26, 2009
only 6th inning?
didn’t this game start like… 3 hours ago?
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
Wow
sold out game to start….now only a handful of people left
bheidge - March 26, 2009
Fontenot 3 K's and hit into DP
northofwrigley - March 26, 2009
he's been on fire all spring
he was due for a slow night.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 26, 2009
the Babe himself
couldn’t hit one out of the park every at-bat, you know
northernsails - March 26, 2009
LBR has a strategy, I am sure
derv - March 27, 2009
Well that's a first for me
A wind induced cancellation of the game. Cubs lose 5-3
TkGoUWGB - March 27, 2009
cant say I have seen that either
although they looked miserable out there, Cubs and the Giants
bheidge - March 27, 2009
weird
northofwrigley - March 27, 2009
Something happened to the Giants TV feed.
Both MLB Network and MLB.TV are showing a show called Prime 9.
cowsarecool220 - March 27, 2009
Apparently
the games been called due to wind.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 27, 2009
Never heard of that before.
cowsarecool220 - March 27, 2009
Me neither
Must’ve been really bad.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 27, 2009
the game was called because it was too windy. Wusses
northofwrigley - March 27, 2009
Eh
it is the definition of a meaningless game. No point forcing it when we’re finally starting to get close to opening day.
halfblindcubbiegirl - March 27, 2009
But....
We had em where we wanted ’em..=(
XD
MattHaggard - March 27, 2009
Everyhing was flying to right field
and nothing flying to left. Soto hit the hardest ball of the night to left field and it didnt even make the warning track
bheidge - March 27, 2009
jokes
northofwrigley - March 27, 2009
I thought
Leon Durham was going to come up with that one this time.
bheidge - March 27, 2009
Every time... =(
MattHaggard - March 27, 2009
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