That is, if it doesn't rain tonight. As of now it looks like there may be enough of a break to get the game in.
If they do play, and the Cubs win tonight, they will have a winning record for April (11-10). The last time the Cubs had a losing April was... 2007, when they were 10-14. That year worked out OK (well, at least till October). Last year, the Cubs looked like they were going to lose three of four to the Marlins at Wrigley Field when they trailed 5-0 after the top of the third in the final game of the series. Instead, the bats suddenly came alive; they tied the game on a three-run homer by Aramis Ramirez in the 4th and won 9-6, starting a 25-6 stretch. It'd be nice to replicate that beginning tonight.
Meanwhile, think about the 10-10 start this way: let's say someone had told you, just before Opening Day, that the hitters expected to hit 3-4-5-6 in the lineup would have made 51 combined starts out of a possible 80; that Ryan Dempster would be walking people like he did in 2001; that Kevin Gregg would have a 5.62 ERA, and that the Cubs would have let go their only relief pitcher with an ERA of 0.00. What would you have said the team record would have been? About 5-15, right? So 10-10, given the circumstances, isn't too bad.
Is MLB attendance down in 2009? Yes, Jayson Stark says, but look how much:Guess how much lower the average crowd at a major league baseball game was this April than it was last April. Go ahead. Just guess.
Before we go on, we should tell you that we're not including the two New York teams in this question because their new parks aren't the same size as their old parks. OK, got that? Great. Now take a guess. How much lower?
Five percent? Ten percent? Fifteen percent?
Uh, how about 287?
No, not 287 percent, obviously.
Would you believe 287 people?
We kid you not. The average crowd at a baseball game this April was just 287 customers smaller than the average game last April -- even with one fewer weekend to draw from.
As Stark says, some comparisons that have been made so far to 2008 aren't fair because the two new NYC parks this year are both smaller than their predecessors (not to mention the ridiculously-priced premium seats that have gone mostly unsold). We won't likely know much about whether MLB is weathering the recession until we see whether midsummer games that would normally sell well, have lower attendance or not. Many teams are even with or up over last year's numbers at this time.
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Chris Volstad started twice vs. the Cubs last year, on July 26 at Wrigley Field, a Marlins win, and August 17 in Miami, a Cubs win. He allowed six hits and two earned runs in both games but got a decision in neither. The only Cub to homer off him was Aramis Ramirez, who, of course, probably won't be playing tonight.
Sean Marshall pitched decently enough in both his starts, both against St. Louis, both losses (only one loss to Sean; in the other he left leading 4-3 and the bullpen blew the game). Hanley Ramirez, who is 4-for-10 lifetime vs. Sean, will probably return tonight (80 percent chance, says manager Fredi Gonzalez). Lifetime Marshall is 1-3, 4.38 in five games (four starts) vs. Florida.
Today's game is the first of six this year (the next one will be on Monday) that only Chicago-area viewers can see on WCIU. It should also be available on EI via FSN Florida. If you are in one of Bud's Blackout Areas, you are probably out of luck tonight, though. I'd appreciate reports from the field nationally on whether you can see this game or not. For more see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
For the Marlins fan point of view, please visit our SB Nation Marlins site, Fish Stripes. They seem a little lonely over there. Go visit. (Be nice.)
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 93 comments
First!
Let’s get a win tonight!
goodstuff96 - April 30, 2009
Not enough...goodstuff.
daver - April 30, 2009
I do not believe in calling first.
daver - April 30, 2009
I didn't either but then I've never had the chance...til now
I got a little excited.
goodstuff96 - April 30, 2009
Now I feel a little guilty.
Keep trying – it’ll happen for you eventually.
daver - April 30, 2009
According to my computer, goodstuff IS first.
SouthernCub - April 30, 2009
Really?
I’m first on mine. Lemme refresh.
daver - April 30, 2009
Crikey, you're right.
goodstuff – you win!
In Bob Brenly voice, “Now that’s what I call…too much good stuff.”
daver - April 30, 2009
This is the happiest day of my virtual life!
goodstuff96 - April 30, 2009
Continuing the former Cubs updates (though not in FanShot form)
I have located Carmen Pignatiello and Tim Lahey. They’re playing for Rochester and are in Indianapolis tonight to take on the Indians, though Lahey is on the DL.
Bill Potter - April 30, 2009
Wasn't Lahey the Rule 5 guy last season?
daver - April 30, 2009
Indeed.
Bill Potter - April 30, 2009
Volstad
LIGHT ’EM UP!
MJMars - April 30, 2009
vroom vroom Volstad
daver - April 30, 2009
Paaty statah
gwood - April 30, 2009
The guys at Fish Stripes are probably used to being lonely...
Have you seen the stands at a Marlins home game lately?
goodstuff96 - April 30, 2009
one wonders
how they’ll react to actual fan noise.
drewishdrewid - April 30, 2009
Adjusting to actual fans should probably come first
Baby steps.
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
LOOKS VACANT........
My daughter lived near Fish Stadium….Went to alot of Cubs games there..She said several times it was about 1/2 Cub fans…..Fish had few fans…..they had buy one ticket get 2 free plus a fish hat…..
cubs north - April 30, 2009
is it wierd
That BCB readers’ expectations for this series are normally distributed??
From 4 to 0 wins.
3
11
23
9
5
As per the sidebar poll? I know its a small sample, but its pretty interesting.
wax eagle - April 30, 2009
you know DrCrawdad (or whatever that PaleSux fan's name is)
always hits the “Get Swept” button 3-5 times.
LAcarl519 - April 30, 2009
Nah, that's what you should expect if the teams are evenly matched...
SouthernCub - April 30, 2009
Curse you, WCIU
Neifi Puppy - April 30, 2009
+26
Cubbie-Tim - April 30, 2009
So those of us outside the Chicago area will not get a Chicago feed
on DirecTV, right? I just checked and there is only one feed (ch 729).
With the Cubs at home, it will be weird to not have Len & Bob calling the game. As long as we get a win, I don’t care. Sometimes it is nice to hear the guys from the other team groaning. Let’s hope the Cubs make it a long night on the Fish announcers!
(payback for what Len & Bob had to do yesterday)
LAcarl519 - April 30, 2009
My DirecTV guide
show the game on channel 655 (Fla1). I’m not sure if I will be blacked out though. I will be watching the Bulls but will check during commercials to see how the Cubs are doing. They seem to do better when I don’t watch.
sue369 - April 30, 2009
Home stand
The Red Sox had a long home stand last week and won all of them. Here’s to hoping for the same results!
GO CUBS!!
Freddyd - April 30, 2009
Fantasy dilemma
To start Marshall or not? I’m in a ridiculous H2H league in which I’m currently losing ERA (by 1.64), WHIP (by .6), K/BB (by 2.8), and K/9 (by 1.2)…
As a Cubs fan, it’s hard to bench a Cubs starter, but what’s the probability that even if the Cubs win tonight, Marshall will get shelled?
Hilary Lee - April 30, 2009
check the wind first
Bill Potter - April 30, 2009
What specifically
Am I looking for?
Hilary Lee - April 30, 2009
is it blowing in
or out.
drewishdrewid - April 30, 2009
It says...
From the west or west-southwest at around 12mph all night. Is that a lot or little for Wrigley?
Hilary Lee - April 30, 2009
that would be out.
12mph isn’t nothing.
drewishdrewid - April 30, 2009
Alright
I’m sitting him. I hope he’s lights out tonight though. I’ll take a Cubs win and not get the benefit for my fantasy team!
Hilary Lee - April 30, 2009
how deep is your league that you actually have marshall on your team?
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
20 teams
With 30 man rosters.
Hilary Lee - April 30, 2009
holy hell, now thats a fantasy league. damn
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
It's got a money prize too
$25/season to play. Something like 70% of the entry fees go to the winner at the end, with the rest divided between 2nd and 3rd place.
Hilary Lee - April 30, 2009
what site hosts leagues like that?
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
Yahoo
Hilary Lee - April 30, 2009
To clarify:
The money is collected and distributed separately, not through Yahoo…
Hilary Lee - April 30, 2009
sounds fun, didnt know yahoo got crazy like that.
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
Man, that's almost the entire MLB roster
SouthernCub - April 30, 2009
N/K
Can you take AAA guys to fill out a bench?
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
Lineup
Haven’t seen it posted yet.
Per Gordo: sori, riot, fuky, lee, bradley, font, hill, miles, marsh
madcow256 - April 30, 2009
Still hoping for a big game for Bradley
Unique - April 30, 2009
I wish he'd switch Bradley and Lee.
drewishdrewid - April 30, 2009
The General is in action tonight!
Chanman25 - April 30, 2009
So what's new?
Everybody calmed down a little bit since this morning?
chilango2 - April 30, 2009
uh oh, what happened this morning?
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
The bruhaha over DGU's post
and the overall angst and despair over the general state of the team.
chilango2 - April 30, 2009
Whoa
Didn’t see the latest number of comments on that post. I read through it when it was relatively sedate. Do I even want to look?
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
Meh
I got pretty irritated at the comments. Nothing said there will give you any greater knowledge or insight on the Cubs.
chilango2 - April 30, 2009
Yeah
You have to stay on an even keel with this team, otherwise you will go crazy.
eswan9 - April 30, 2009
There are plenty who are willing to take that trip
But I’m with you, got to stay level.
chitownhawkeye - April 30, 2009
No HanRam tonight
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
Tonight's game will be Ramirez-free?
Do I have to watch the Southside team to get my Ramirez fix?
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
it appears so
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
Cantu is the guy who scares the crap out of me in this series
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
Cardinals up 2-0
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
OT: Nats just tied the Cards at 2
2-run HR by Zimmerman in the bottom of the 1st. Zimmerman’s now hit safely in 19 straight games.
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
thats why you play the games
eswan9 - April 30, 2009
FRIED FISH TONIGHT.............
Cubs have to focus…….They can do it……
cubs north - April 30, 2009
With apologies to SWL
Original comment here.
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
oh, VERY nice.
drewishdrewid - April 30, 2009
Love it
One of SWL best!
mrtobby - April 30, 2009
GOT A BBQ......
STick that fish on it and cook it well……….
cubs north - April 30, 2009
Random but scary stat
Aaron Miles career HR/Slg%= 16/.362 never had a season above 99 OPS+
Carlos Zambrano career HR/Slg%= 17/.391 OPS+ of 124 last season.
nji232 - April 30, 2009
I always say that he's a pretty good pitcher for a power hitter
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
Rondo/hinrich just started a mini fight
Bulls game getting interesting. Rondo should be getting kicked out and Hinrich might have to go too.
nji232 - April 30, 2009
I'd take that trade-off
Rondo’s a playoff beast.
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
flagrant 1 foul, weak ass NBA refs
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
David Stern has his orders in
Bulls have no chance to win this series. The refs won’t let the Celtics lose.
nji232 - April 30, 2009
worst group of officials ive ever seen in any sport, period.
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
Angel Hernandez does basketball now?
goodstuff96 - April 30, 2009
I meant as a whole.
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
If you translate Angel Hernandez to Italian
you get Bennett Salvatore, oddly enough.
Bill Potter - April 30, 2009
haha
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
i laughed out loud.
AzCubfan24 - April 30, 2009
Ha!
Separated at birth!
goodstuff96 - April 30, 2009
Unfortunately that just is how it is
While it isn’t all fixed, games have been determined by refs under orders for a long time.
nji232 - April 30, 2009
I just have one thing to say about tonight...
Go Canucks!
mikeinseattle - April 30, 2009
why?
no love for the Blackhawks? Seattle is still in the USA.
LAcarl519 - April 30, 2009
Judd to Reed Johnson:
JS: “How long have you been reading ‘Hot Rod Magazine’?”
RJ: About three weeks.
chilango2 - April 30, 2009
Same issue?
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
I believe so, yes
chilango2 - April 30, 2009
Needs the Cliff's Notes
Obviously
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
Volstad
LIGHT ’IM UP!
drewishdrewid - April 30, 2009
YOMP YOMP
JUMP!
drewishdrewid - April 30, 2009
Warm up the fry-daddy
It’s time to JUMP!
Clutch16 - April 30, 2009
Hey Al,
the game is available in Omaha.
OmahaCub - April 30, 2009
This is a little late, but...
… Omaha’s not in one of Bud’s Blackout Areas.
Al Yellon - May 1, 2009
Great blog
Headed to Wrigley on Sunday. Is there any better way to spend the day?
BoilerTMill - April 30, 2009
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