Nothing seems to get Derrek Lee going these days. He struck out three times last night, and again seemed unable to turn on pitches. Obviously, I'm not a doctor nor a batting coach, but it would seem logical that someone with the neck and back problems that D-Lee has might be better served with some DL time to rest up.
Maybe facing Chris Young for the first time since June 16, 2007, when Lee felt Young was throwing at his head and a bench-clearing brawl ensued, might energize him. The other things I had forgotten about that game is that Carlos Zambrano took a no-hitter into the 8th inning and the game's only run scored on a homer by Russell Branyan.
The other big news today is the weather; the forecast looks ominous:Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a chance of showers between 1am and 4am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 56. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between one and two inches possible.
But, that could always change or become more scattered. I imagine they'll do whatever they can to get five innings in. Years ago, they'd call a game hours early if there was a forecast like this, but now, with perhaps $1.8 million in ticket sales at stake, they won't do things like that. I hate to tell those of you seemingly obsessed with getting this game postponed and rescheduled that as of now, it is not raining and the radars are clear.
Milton Bradley quote of the day from Bruce Miles' blog:
"You want a bunch of duds walking around with their shoulders slumped and having no emotion, no feeling?" he said. "I don't think the fans want that. I think they want a guy who's going to get into the game and 'feel' a little bit. I've always said I really don't 'play' baseball; I 'feel' it. I try to grasp the moment and make the most out of it. I never really get too cocky about anything I do because I expect to do well."
I'm all for that, as long as he doesn't let his emotions boil over and risk injury or suspension -- and I am NOT referring to the incident currently under review, because I'm on Milton's side on that one.
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Chris Young has made four career starts vs. the Cubs, resulting in three no-decisions and a 1-0 record with a 2.28 ERA. That June 16, 2007 game was the last time he faced the Cubs; he has a 1.80 career ERA in two Wrigley Field starts. Alfonso Soriano is the only active Cub to have more than five career AB vs. Young; he is 3-for-11, all XBH: one double, one triple, one HR.
Ted Lilly's control has been excellent this year; he has issued only nine walks in his six starts. However, more strikes have led to more HR -- seven of them. Fortunately, none of them have really hurt him and four of the seven were in his first start at Houston on April 8. The only current Padre to have a significant number of AB vs. Ted is David Eckstein (5-for-34). Scott Hairston has homered twice off Lilly, but he has held Adrian Gonzalez to a 1-for-9 mark.
Today's game is on CSN. For today's other games see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Overflow comment threads will post today at 8 pm, 9 pm and 9:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 110 comments
I was thinking about the Young thing with Lee this morning
Let hope he says something with his bat tonight.
KaliCub - May 13, 2009
Besides stress testing it on home plate, of course
redward - May 13, 2009
lol
KaliCub - May 13, 2009
Via Gordo
jkobus - May 13, 2009
I assume
“farney” is Freel, right? Where did that nickname come from?
gwood - May 13, 2009
his imaginery friend
KaliCub - May 13, 2009
from Freel - it's the name of his imaginary friend
doofus cubs guy - May 13, 2009
That's right
I remember now. Thanx
gwood - May 13, 2009
Fontenot is 1 for his last 19
why not give scales a start?
WanderingWanderer - May 13, 2009
and I wouldn't have near a problem with Lee in the lineup
if Lou would stop batting him cleanup
WanderingWanderer - May 13, 2009
Because the Cubs are a racist organization
/sarcasm
santoswoodenlegs - May 13, 2009
Because
Fontenot has been good for a year and a half. Scales has been good for a week.
If Fontenot continues to slump, then we should give Scales some starts. But give Fontenot a chance to break out first.
Josh Timmers - May 13, 2009
I'm not saying name Scales the starter for the rest of the year
but when someone is slumping this badly, a night off isn’t out of the question
WanderingWanderer - May 13, 2009
and what quantifies "Continuing to slump"?
1-30? he’s had one hit in his last six games. That’s a pretty prolonged slump
WanderingWanderer - May 13, 2009
six games
is prolonged?
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
jacque jones
brought us a whole new perspective on what a slump truly is. Until Fontenot has 3 hits in about his last 100 ABs, lets give him some starts
murphymj - May 13, 2009
Young!
LIGHT ’IM UP!
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
Old!
HELP ’IM ACROSS THE STREET!
daver - May 13, 2009
Middle Aged
get him some Rogaine
Cubbie-Tim - May 13, 2009
Dead.
Not applicable.
neverAcquiesce - May 13, 2009
Bury 'em?
lswaidz - May 13, 2009
Cremate 'em.
neverAcquiesce - May 13, 2009
Can we scatter their ashes in orbit?
Scotty style? (yes I realize the rocket carrying his ashes exploded…)
lswaidz - May 13, 2009
hey
check THAT out! CLAS-SY!
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
Nothing makes me laugh...
more than when I think off DLee and Young swinging with haymakers and connecting with….air. Baseball fights are weak.
goodstuff96 - May 13, 2009
Nolan Ryan would like to see you
nji232 - May 13, 2009
Or tell it...
to these guys.
santoswoodenlegs - May 13, 2009
see
now that’s too big to post in a game thread, or it could be PERFECT for… something…
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
Caption:
There’s Erin Andrews! Right over there!
tucsoncubsfan - May 13, 2009
+1
santo4hof - May 13, 2009
It's hard to forget that DLee-Young game.
After the Keystone Cops-esque fight, I remember hoping that Big Z would throw a no-hitter and hit the game-winning home run himself. Didn’t work out that way.
daver - May 13, 2009
It seems to me
that Lee has abandoned going to right. Everyone is pitching him outside and down and he’s pulling off the pitches. As soon as I see him driving a pitch to right center I’ll have more confidence he can bring his numbers up. Also, I’d love to see Lou sit Fontenot and Soto for a few games. Neither is making solid contact. and Hill and Miles offers us an acceptable alternative.
tharr - May 13, 2009
Hill and
MilesScalesFixed that for ya.
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
No doubt.
Scales deserves a start after that bomb last night.
daver - May 13, 2009
He may still be catching his breath
after running the bases.
neverAcquiesce - May 13, 2009
Miles is NEVER the acceptable alternative
I’d rather leave a hole a second base
nji232 - May 13, 2009
lol
Cubsfanatic - May 13, 2009
I dunno about THAT.
Ever once in a while, the ball’s just gonna hit him no matter what he does.
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
Caption:
“If I was throwing at your head, I would have hit you in the head. Now get back in the damn batter’s box and watch me strike you out!”
daver - May 13, 2009
Rec'd
cubsnlinux - May 13, 2009
Obsessed whose obsessed ?
I will just continue to chuckle at the thought of you under the giant umbrella arguing with the security trainees about
putting it up since THERE IS NO ONE SITTING BEHIND YOU.
Like I said too much time on my hands.
Doggie Stalker - May 13, 2009
WAY too much.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Don't know if you're getting the storm we had in St Louis
but it got real dark and all thundery, and proceeded to POUND rain, but only for about ten minutes. Then it drizzled a bit and left completely. Not sure if that means a damn thing for you’ll get in Chicago, but there ya go.
neverAcquiesce - May 13, 2009
Caption:
“Yo mama’s so ugly that when she applied for the Ugly Contest they told her ‘NO Professionals’ "
LAcarl519 - May 13, 2009
Caption
WTF? That is Gatorade, which enhances your ability, it should be illegal.
Cubbie-Tim - May 13, 2009
hee
sue369 - May 13, 2009
Marmol
“You suck, you suck, you suck…you’re cool, I’m out.”
10 14 23 26 - May 13, 2009
Caption:
“Surely, this will get me on the BCB Caption Contest…”
neverAcquiesce - May 13, 2009
Love that quote from Bradley
In fact, I love pretty much anything the guy says. Wish we had more players like him.
kanderber - May 13, 2009
+21
Cubbie-Tim - May 13, 2009
+31
Rudey - May 13, 2009
Um don't throw #31 around
It is now RETIRED
Doggie Stalker - May 13, 2009
hell yes
Great quote, and quickly becoming my favorite Cub
nji232 - May 13, 2009
YOUNG
LIGHT EM UP!
Hammer - May 13, 2009
look up :=)
Cubbie-Tim - May 13, 2009
he gets
precedence anyway.
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
Cant wait to get rained on tonight
Itll be worth it.
Hammer - May 13, 2009
how's the radar look?
chitownhawkeye - May 13, 2009
The radar sir....it appears to be...
JAMMED!
santoswoodenlegs - May 13, 2009
I knew I picked the wrong week...
to stop sniffing glue.
hokie316 - May 13, 2009
only one man
would dare to use strawberry!!!
Hammer - May 13, 2009
I lost the bleeps, I lost the sweeps and I lost the creeps.
santoswoodenlegs - May 13, 2009
I love that movie.
slcathena - May 13, 2009
FYI
I work as a seat vendor at Wrigley and at 5:30pm they told us all to go home and that the Cubs were going to call the game between 6 and 7pm. I guess its not 100 percent sure until they announce it, but the fact that they sent all the vendors home makes a washout seem very likely.
ms9av - May 13, 2009
Mother nature 1 Ted Lilly 0
I’ll bet a lot of money that Ted gets his revenge hardcore tomorrow. I’m thinking no-hitter style.
nji232 - May 13, 2009
Awww. :(
That’s too bad, I was really looking forward to the game tonight.
slcathena - May 13, 2009
they still haven't called it, and it's only cloudy
WanderingWanderer - May 13, 2009
*fingers crossed*
slcathena - May 13, 2009
They just said there
are tornado warnings in the area and Hendry is not sure they will play. Will be a split DH tomorrow if they can’t play tonight.
sue369 - May 13, 2009
Wow a split DH
That is gonna be a MESS.
Doggie Stalker - May 13, 2009
Instead of a split DH
they should play a split-squad game!
aldimond - May 13, 2009
I like my idea so much that I've created split-squad teams.
TEAM A
1. Fonz, 2B
2. Miles, SS
3. Dome, CF
4. Hoff-Power, LF
5. Geo, C
6. Big Z, 1B
7. Scales, 3B
8. Harden, RF
9. Lilly, SP
TEAM B
1. Riot, SS
2. LBR, 2B
3. Bradley, RF
4. Lee, 1B
5. Koyie, 3B
6. Reed, LF
7. Freel, CF
8. Marmol, C
9. Wells, P
Only Harden in RF is doing something he’s never done (AFAIK)… and he’s got speed and a good arm, should be just fine!
aldimond - May 13, 2009
:(
I really wanted a game tonight. But I want the team to be safe more.
slcathena - May 13, 2009
there's no tornado anything
here in Melrose Park. Could it be that localized? I’m less than ten miles from Wrigley.
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
They put the
tarp on.
sue369 - May 13, 2009
Well Sports Nite
said they did but it looks like it’s off behind Len & Bob.
sue369 - May 13, 2009
now they're
taking it off.
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
Maybe it was
a watch and not warning. Are you in a watch?
sue369 - May 13, 2009
wait
you sell seats?
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
Soriano should get a nice pad on his SB total tonight
Just get on base and going to third is practically free.
nji232 - May 13, 2009
no, we should drop him to 5th in the line up
Cubbie-Tim - May 13, 2009
only after we get Roberts and Peavy
Probably for something like Felix Pie
nji232 - May 13, 2009
Oh, yeah, *that* Chris Young.
If Ted Lilly decides to grace the bases with his mighty presence he might also steal some bags.
He’ll just have to be careful not to pull the second baseman’s hamstring.
aldimond - May 13, 2009
Whats up everyone.
Are we getting this game in tonight or what?
xene - May 13, 2009
i jsut hope we dont start and then stop soon after and lose theodore for a start
fischisgod - May 13, 2009
and my caps better come back tonight...
grumble grumble grumble
fischisgod - May 13, 2009
gonna be a great season finale tonight
heine41 - May 13, 2009
i hope so i wont get to see it till tomorrow... grumble grumble grumble
fischisgod - May 13, 2009
Twittermeyer reports
Z had a strong pen session. He’s off to florida for a rehab assignment this weekend. Lou says “He’s ready to play.”
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
thats great news
heine41 - May 13, 2009
thats really encouraging...
fischisgod - May 13, 2009
Saw that and
it is good news.
sue369 - May 13, 2009
Have the Cubs mentioned anything
about keeping Wells around to be a part of BP once Big Z is back? If he has another above average outing this week it has to be thought about seriously, wouldn’t you think?
murphymj - May 13, 2009
Thanks!
That’s great news! :)
slcathena - May 13, 2009
Give em hell tonight boys!
Chanman25 - May 13, 2009
The tarp
is coming out.
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
You know better than you bring politics into the discussion....oh wait...
santoswoodenlegs - May 13, 2009
out of town for the week
how is the weather looking/are we looking at getting at least 5 in?
murphymj - May 13, 2009
now
THERE’s our tornado watch.
drewishdrewid - May 13, 2009
CSN probably
had access to that info before it was announced on tv. That’s where I heard it.
sue369 - May 13, 2009
Radar update, from a meteorologist
Shows an area of moderate rain over Chicago, but upstream there is nothing. Rain should end around 7:30pm or so, but it looks good after that. Some widely scattered showers west of De Kalb, but they are moving east-northeast.
Assuming the field is currently playable, I don’t really see a weather reason right now why the game shouldn’t be able to be played.
anvilcrawler - May 13, 2009
thats what i like to hear
murphymj - May 13, 2009
+1 great post
fischisgod - May 13, 2009
Radar update, edit
Fairly significant squall line developing out in southeast Iowa, but that’s about 200 miles away, and a very rough guess would have an arrival time after 11pm. There may be some widely scattered severe storms ahead of this line, but right now there isn’t much after the current rain clears out by 7:30-7:45. Whether that is a big enough window to get the game in, I don’t know
anvilcrawler - May 13, 2009
did everyone around here major in meteorology?
murphymj - May 13, 2009
No but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express
Wait…no I didn’t. And I skipped breakfast. I’m extra dumb tonight.
chitownhawkeye - May 13, 2009
Just to stir up some thoughts during rain delay theater..
If Randy Wells pitches well again in the starting spot am i the only one who thinks lou is going to send Sean to the pen?
fischisgod - May 13, 2009
and the capitals decided to poop the bed......
BOO!!!!!!!!!
fischisgod - May 13, 2009
yeah i'm watching that game
they look horrible
murphymj - May 13, 2009
JUMP
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/5/13/873887/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-padres#comments
sue369 - May 13, 2009
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