Milton Bradley will be back tonight -- and hopefully for more than one game before he goes out again. Aramis Ramirez won't start but hopefully will be available to PH (see the full lineup below), and Carlos Marmol will be available for setup duty.
I promised this at 6 pm CDT; it's up a little early because the starting lineup is out, and today's earlier thread was getting a little slow.
Anyway, we won't see Lou forced to use Reed Johnson as his cleanup hitter again; in fact, Reed gets today off with a righthander going. With Micah Hoffpauir at first base and Koyie Hill catching, that gives Lou three lefthanded hitters in tonight's lineup (Fukudome, Hoffpauir and Fontenot) and four switch-hitters (Bradley, Hill, Miles and Z).
Maybe the Cubs can actually have a breakout hitting night. Z, incidentally, is making his first regular-season start against the D'backs since that disastrous Opening Day start on April 4, 2005, where he gave up seven hits and four walks and had to be pulled with a 9-3 lead, one out short of a victory. Since then, Z's only appearance vs. Arizona was in the 2007 NLDS -- nuff said about that, I suspect. He and Randy Johnson were supposed to match up last Mother's Day at Wrigley Field, but with a rain delay and bad field conditions, both Z and Johnson were pulled from their starts. Z will miss the two-game San Francisco series next week; he'll start tonight, then Sunday vs. the Marlins.
Ex-Cub watch: the Padres recalled Chad Gaudin from Triple-A and he will start their game tonight against the Rockies. He's determined to stay in their rotation; if he does, he's likely to start the afternoon game on Thursday, May 14 at Wrigley Field.
From twittermeyer, tonight's starting lineup:
Soriano, LF Theriot, SS Fukudome, CF Hoffpauir, 1B Bradley, RF Fontenot, 3B Hill, C Miles, 2B Zambrano, P
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Today's game is on WGN. Weird broadcast stat of the year so far: the Cubs are doing far better in WGN games (4-2) than in CSN games (3-6). That's a reversal of the last three years. Yes, I know it doesn't matter, but it is a weird coincidence. For more see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 142 comments
gaudin eh?
LIGHT ’EM UP
eswan9 - April 28, 2009
Do you really hold a grudge?
cubswynn - April 28, 2009
only against the Pads
…and I live there. SWL and me got something in common ha ha.
eswan9 - April 28, 2009
you can also light up this Petit guy too
eswan9 - April 28, 2009
I have really
enjoyed Dome in RF but I hope MB has a great game. At least Dome is still in the lineup.
sue369 - April 28, 2009
Dome has definitely been a nice surprise.
He looks like he’s having fun.
cowsarecool220 - April 28, 2009
is it too early to say I told you so about Dome?
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
Why don't we just be happy he's playing well.
cowsarecool220 - April 28, 2009
i was being a smart a$$
since we keep seeing people say that about Bradley, and I had posted before the season why he was going to be fine. It was just that your post was the one I choose to be one to, not picing on you.
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
No problem
cowsarecool220 - April 28, 2009
damn skippy there is no problem
cuz I am a black belt at chinese checkers, and not afraid to use it
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
easy, tim...
…this is the new and improved, politically-correct BCB ;-)
derv - April 28, 2009
Please see my sig line, new today!
AndrewJStone - April 28, 2009
Not too early Timmy...
Jimmyeatworld - April 28, 2009
Dome has been awesome.
I am so thrilled! :)
slcathena - April 28, 2009
Zambrano's headshot looks like he's in a horror movie poster and playing the role of supporting bad guy.
This lineup at least somewhat resembles a normal 2009 Chicago Cubs lineup. I bet we score a lot of runs tonight—6 or 8—and Zambrano is the calming force against an inferior pitcher. Koyie has hit well this year (OP+ 131) and I expect him to have a few hits tonight. We need to get Micah and Miles out of the everyday starting lineup.
Dan
dtpollitt - April 28, 2009
well, he has not pitched well here
eswan9 - April 28, 2009
What Cubs pitcher has pitched well there?
I remember a particularly bad outing by Maddux in 2006(?). I can’t think of any good performances off the top of my head.
chilango2 - April 28, 2009
none of the above comes to mind
eswan9 - April 28, 2009
If he can pitch reasonably
he’ll be fine, if the offense can give him some support.
chitownhawkeye - April 28, 2009
How many walks for the cubs tonight?
my guess is 5
bheidge - April 28, 2009
Jake Fox hit #12 this afternoon
All the minor league games are over, but there wrap will be at the normal time tonight.
Josh Timmers - April 28, 2009
I know it's just minor league...
…but that’s still very impressive.
cubswynn - April 28, 2009
What, that the games are all over
by 6 p.m.? :)
Not Bruce Froemming - April 28, 2009
Depends. Who's #12?
If he’s a BAMF like GaHill, then yeah, pretty impressive. But if he’s a scrawny little guy like Eckstein, then, not so impressive.
ballhawk - April 28, 2009
Good use of “BAMF” and nice GlenAllen Hill. I’ve never seen a Cubs player hit a ball further @ Wrigley than he did in 2001 or 2000, on top of that building in left field.
dtpollitt - April 28, 2009
that was impressive.
derv - April 28, 2009
How many HR does he need to hit before we send Gaithright away and put Fox on the bench?
what’s wrong with replacing a one dimensional player with another?
santoswoodenlegs - April 28, 2009
Left handed
That determines 95% of Lou and Hendry decisions.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Anybody got a mirror to hang in front of them??
eswan9 - April 28, 2009
Because HR's from LH batters count for more runs than a RH batter?
santoswoodenlegs - April 28, 2009
well a leadoff HR from a certain LH batter would count for quite a lot in these circles... ;-)
ballhawk - April 28, 2009
Ummmm
I guess you have to ask management that, I’ve always thought they counted the same.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
For the record:
In 19 games (counting tonight), here’s the monster list of left-handed starting hurlers we have faced this year:
Wandy Rodriguez (a loss)
Personally, I think Lou’s crazy about getting more LH bats in here (both as his charge in the off-season and why our bench sucks). If our offense wasn’t anemic last year against the Dodgers we wouldn’t care if they hit from the left or from the right—we were #2 in MLB in scoring last year. With a predominantly RH hitting lineup.
dtpollitt - April 28, 2009
See, I guess having all these extra LH batters has our opposition scared to send any starting LH Pitching to face us!
santoswoodenlegs - April 28, 2009
Exactly!
Sure scared CC from re-signing with the Brewers. The $161M deal with the Yankees was just a smokescreen…
ballhawk - April 28, 2009
They're loving that deal right now
chitownhawkeye - April 28, 2009
Maybe I should shut my mouth...
…but in 2009 here are the stats:
2009 NL
RHP = .302
LHP = .294
2009 Cubs
RHP = .279
LHP = .359
2008 Cubs
RHP = .314
LHP = .339
Then again, we’ve only had 63 PAs against LHP in 2009 (like I said, only ONE LHP starter), and 645 against RHP, so I think this is just a real small sample size. Well, that, and the fact that Kosuke has a 168 OPS+, which skews the hell outta this statistic so early in the season. Even so, if Lou is concerned with us hitting well against left-handed pitchers, this has less to do with our abilities (clearly we hit southpaws well last year, damnit!) to hit a certain type of pitcher and more with our abilities to hit the ball in general. I think Lou overreacted in the off-season.
Dan
dtpollitt - April 28, 2009
There was a clear overreaction
Which led to one of the most questionable decisions Jim Hendry has ever made, signing Aaron Miles.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
don't you have it backwards?
dont we want left handed hitters in order to hit better against RHPs?
joeschmitt - April 28, 2009
they just look more pretty
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
SOB
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Meh.
Aramis misses a few games every year. I’m not worried about him. Since he’s been with the Cubs he’s played (2008-2004):
149
132
157
123
145
games in each of his full seasons. I’m more concerned with Soto and Bradley than I am A-Ram.
dtpollitt - April 28, 2009
I know he gets hurt
just too bad he had a setback.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
In other words...Aramis Ramirez is...
santoswoodenlegs - April 28, 2009
that will get you a loaf of bread
and several rolls of TP.
eswan9 - April 28, 2009
So we don't do so well against this Petit guy
2-0 2.81 ERA in 3 starts against us.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
we have no chance.
…but let’s play the game anyway.
Go Cubs. Break this AZ jinx!!
LAcarl519 - April 28, 2009
We have a chance
Just have to overcome bad history is all.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
GO CUBS GO!!!!
KC in OK - April 28, 2009
Some good news
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Imagine if you told your boss:
“Hey, I’ll try and work today. We’ll see how that goes.”
chilango2 - April 28, 2009
I say stuff like that to my boss all the time.
santoswoodenlegs - April 28, 2009
Is your company hiring?
chilango2 - April 28, 2009
In this economy? Not right now.
santoswoodenlegs - April 28, 2009
They live a good life
Seriously tho, I give DLee all the credit in the world for trying to man up and play.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
+25
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
Personally, I'd rather see Lee take another day off. I'd rather he feel well enough to kick ass, not just try and play.
santoswoodenlegs - April 28, 2009
My point exactly
chilango2 - April 28, 2009
Amen to that one!
100yearitch - April 28, 2009
+6
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
Agreed, especially ...
… since a LHP (Doug Davis) is going tomorrow and you’d probably sit Hoffpauir anyway.
Al Yellon - April 28, 2009
Alright Cubs, Lets get it rolling again!
heine41 - April 28, 2009
Correct me if I'm wrong
Jake Fox is strictly able to play 1B and LF correct?
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Define "able"
dtpollitt - April 28, 2009
Able
In LF- the ability to be equal to or greater than Chris Duncan; at 1B- the ability to catch throws from the other infielders, and occasionally look like an athlete when Theriot/Aramis make bad throws.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
This just in
Derrick Rose can jump like crazy. I’ve never been happier to be wrong about a player debate.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Were you denying his greatness?
Craig in South Bend - April 28, 2009
I thought B-Easy was the better pick for the team
I was wrong.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Yeah
I was going back and forth with who they should have drafted until I saw Rose play more and more throughout the year.
Craig in South Bend - April 28, 2009
People who wanted Rose because he wasn't a trouble maker
are still wrong with that argument because Beasley isn’t the horrible human some made him out to be. Rose just is the better basketball player tho.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
I love Derrick Rose.
He missed key free thorws in the final minutes of the NCAA Championship game, allowing Chalmbers to stroke a 3, and KU to win. John Calipari’s perspective on free throw shooting is well documented (check out the 2009 tourney edition of SI for more on this): Calipari thinks that “They’ll hit ’em when it counts.” Good job, coach! He’s going to ruin and slime all over the UK program. w00t!
dtpollitt - April 28, 2009
I'll tell you what
Calipari will make UK really good as long as he doesn’t get nailed for illegal recruiting. Something Bill Self has done a very good job at.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Boooooo hooooooo Mizzou fan.
Everybody knows the rules of the NCAA recruiting scheme are so washed down and irrelevant these days any coach could probably get slapped with some violations. He’s a good guy, loyal to KU, produces players that both make the NBA and graduate with degrees, and his a fat ring. I’ll take him.
dtpollitt - April 28, 2009
I'm not saying I wouldn't take him
I’m just saying that casting the “slime” label isn’t a good idea. It has become impossible to recruit a 5 star basketball player legally, which doesn’t bug me at all because if I were a coach I would be doing all the crap too. Just don’t sneer at something when it’s happening right next to you.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Hawks win last night
Bulls and Cubs win tonight?
jkobus - April 28, 2009
2 things I'm fully aware of each year
Cubs will not play well in Arizona, and they will not play well anywhere in Florida. With that in mind, I’m hoping for a Bulls win more than anything else. The Cubs will have tons more chances throughout the year.
Craig in South Bend - April 28, 2009
Bulls need Gordon to play
Otherwise I dont know how much of a chance they have.
jkobus - April 28, 2009
I agree with this
Oddly enough, I would almost want to see them rest Gordon throughout the game tonight. I don’t like them relying on one player to do everything, and if he isn’t hot, they’re done. I’d rather see them pull together as a team and try and outplay Boston.
Craig in South Bend - April 28, 2009
If a Rose can have a game...
like he did in game in game 1 they wont need Gordon as bad
jkobus - April 28, 2009
Another weird coincidence
Cubs win everytime the camera catches Brenly picking his nose.
JFCubFan - April 28, 2009
I hope he has a cold then
100yearitch - April 28, 2009
It scares me
that you (or someone) is keeping track of that.
chitownhawkeye - April 28, 2009
is it a small sample size?
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
I don't know what size it is. What does Brenly do with it after he picks it?
zevkalman - April 28, 2009
Bet ya $50 the Smails kid eats it
LT - April 28, 2009
Welp, hopefully Bradley can go out there and stay healthy and perform well
Chanman25 - April 28, 2009
Whoa whoa whoa there buddy. Back the truck up.
Which is it?
(1) Go out there
(2) Stay healthy
(3) Perform well
You can’t have your Monopoly and eat it, too.
dtpollitt - April 28, 2009
I predict Z will go deep tonight.
Even Z has started slowly at the plate this season, he has no hits and shockingly 1 walk! Z is easilly the most difficult batter on the Cubs to walk.
cowsarecool220 - April 28, 2009
Lou wins the battle
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Anyone else miss the Shawon-o-meter?
I think we need to start the Gameboard-o-meter, as this is getting out of hand. Coming into tonight, it’s a whopping .042.
ambrosiadreams - April 28, 2009
I don't think so.
Not Bruce Froemming - April 28, 2009
yeah, well just leave some room for OBP on that sign
as long as he can keep that +.240 differential, I’ll be ecstatic if he hits anything north of .250
ballhawk - April 28, 2009
I miss those
and I suggested a Hoff-Walk-O-Meter but it was denied
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
Bulls up 47-44 at half
Hinrich with 14, rose with 6, gordon with 5
jkobus - April 28, 2009
Watching the game. Why is Gordon missing shots?
zevkalman - April 28, 2009
Saving them for some fourth quarter
ONIONS!
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Im not watching
But he is 2-11 right now. Not pretty. But he has 4 assists
jkobus - April 28, 2009
those are not missed shots
he calls them passes
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
ha :-)
zevkalman - April 28, 2009
have a Zambrano ?
Where was the game he took a no hitter into the 8th inning,,I think
Seems like the game was not on TV…remember it being on the radio here in Des Moines….
any help??
cozmotaylor123 - April 28, 2009
he recently took a no-hitter the whole game
You may have heard about it.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
He came close to no-hitting the Astros in Houston
(a couple of years before he no-hit them in Milwaukee).
cowsarecool220 - April 28, 2009
this was
a few years back…I was thinking it was in AZ
cozmotaylor123 - April 28, 2009
Well he used to tease us with a no-no about twice a year
I do think I know what game you speak of, but I have no clue what day or year.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
got it
August of 2003…went 7 2/3 of no hit ball…
I remember a close call at 1st base..
cozmotaylor123 - April 28, 2009
Way to long ago for my poor brain to remember.
cowsarecool220 - April 28, 2009
Yep, I remember that one.
My friends Carole & Ernie got married that night. We were following the game on my cellphone.
Al Yellon - April 28, 2009
PETIT
LIGHT EM UP!
(this ones for Sue)
Hammer - April 28, 2009
And pass em around!
willie mays hayes' gloves - April 28, 2009
dont Bogart
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
These 8:40 games suck
jkobus - April 28, 2009
Agree
Feel worse for Al – but I get up 630-7ish.
Hammer - April 28, 2009
I just hate not catching any of it
cause I am at the library by 8 and then I cant watch it on Gameday cause I get to distracted. bleh
jkobus - April 28, 2009
Gotcha -
Ideally for me is 6:05 game.
In college (assuming thtats where you are) I always planned my schedule around games. Usually I would do early classes.
Hammer - April 28, 2009
I prefer the west coast games this time of year
While I’m in school and up late anyway. After mid-May I have to wake and go to work at 730 everyday which doesn’t work well with games ending at 12:30.
nji232 - April 28, 2009
I preffer the 6:05 game.
Cause I am out of classes by then every day. Just need to get a tv and cable in my office at work for next year so I can catch all the day games.
jkobus - April 28, 2009
530 am for me
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
When Im bold and work out in the morning 530 for me too
Hammer - April 28, 2009
6:30 or 7?
Luxury!
Al Yellon - April 28, 2009
Ha I know
But lets be honest you are at EVERY HOME GAME – you need to sacrifice!!!
Hammer - April 28, 2009
+1
I would wake up whenever the hell you tell me to for that luxury
jkobus - April 28, 2009
2 yeats
For 2 years back in the 90s when I was single and goofy I worked the 4-1230 shift and went to every home game. I worked walking distance from the park.
puckishcubsfan - April 28, 2009
I'll raise you a browning
ballhawk - April 28, 2009
It might be late enough for me to catch the end of the game
If, unlike last night, I want to.
chitownhawkeye - April 28, 2009
Exactly
If the Cubs were up 5-1 I wouldhave stayed awake…..
Hammer - April 28, 2009
Woke up
Woke up at end of Hawks game to hear husband yelling Hawks win! Asked about Cubs. He said the Score. Went back to sleep.
puckishcubsfan - April 28, 2009
Yeah, this is rough.
It’s a 9:40 start for me and I have to be at school at 7:30 which means getting up by 6:00 at the absolute latest.
slcathena - April 28, 2009
70 - 66 Bulls end of the third
jkobus - April 28, 2009
Scalibrini (sp?) is one ugly, ugly dude.
kanderber - April 28, 2009
But he is a Finals MVP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPLxRzFno4c
Villeslgr - April 28, 2009
Im out ALL
Go Cubs
Light these pitcher up!!!
Hammer - April 28, 2009
I realized today I may have jessica (doggiestalker) beat on Maddux devotion
I was thinking of but decided against it of making a fanshot “What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done related to being a Cubs fan?”
I realized the 3 craziest are all Maddux related for me.
1. The morning of his 20th win in 1992 I had 3 wisdom teeth pulled and still went to the game.
2. I rearranged my entire schedule and paid a rebooking fee to see him go after 300 cutting Trixie camp short for me.
3. I had ankle surgery this morning and despite the fact I will be on crutches and in a cast I am going to the game on Sunday for the retirement ceremony.
puckishcubsfan - April 28, 2009
To better judge this we need to know what crazy things Jessica has done for Maddux.
zevkalman - April 28, 2009
Jessica
1. gave birth to octuplets, during the pregame, and was there for the opening pitch
2. Taught the children in Somolia how to play catch the same morning he won #300 while still being at the game, her only transportation was one roller skate, which she used like a skateboard
3. his rookie game, she wrote his HOF speech
Cubbie-Tim - April 28, 2009
Trixie camp?
chitownhawkeye - April 28, 2009
Nestled in comfortably on the shores of Lake Zurich, no doubt.
znohitter - April 28, 2009
So I hear there's a baseball game to-nite.
znohitter - April 28, 2009
Ray Allen just fouled out
The Bulls have a good chance at this!
jkobus - April 28, 2009
go boston
bheidge - April 28, 2009
Braves take a 2-1 lead over STL
Big 2-out bases loaded single
nji232 - April 28, 2009
Game thread’s up.
znohitter - April 28, 2009
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