This is the only day game on this road trip; with the 0-5 record so far this trip (all in night games), the Cubs have sunk under .500 at night (11-12), while maintaining a winning record in day games (10-8).
Yes, I'm grasping at straws. Wouldn't you?
Still don't want Mark DeRosa back? His numbers through yesterday -- .260/.326/.438 -- are at least approaching his career averages, and his 30 RBI would lead the Cubs, by a considerable margin (Alfonso Soriano has 25).
Rick Morrissey's column contains a clue about the real source of Rich Harden's injury:
His quote in reaction to the injury was pretty amazing too:
"It hit me out of nowhere."
No. Injuries don't come out of nowhere for Harden. They come out of everywhere. This is a man who could get hurt falling asleep.
Never mind the fact that the last sentence is just silly; the rest of the Morrissey column is the usual nonsensical blather about "how did we not see this coming", etc. The clue to the reality is Harden's quote, which perhaps has more honesty than Lou might like. Harden had not missed a start all year -- although he was pushed back a day or two a couple of times, mainly, I think, just to pace him -- and threw fine last Sunday with no complaints of any problems after that start.
I think this "injury" is simply a convenient way for Lou to get an extra look at Randy Wells. David Patton should go, either to Iowa (if the Cubs can make a deal) or back to the Rockies (if they can't) and Jake Fox should be called up, so the Cubs can actually get some benefit from having the 11-man staff that Lou has now used for 14 days while Patton has not thrown a single pitch in a game. When Harden comes back, Fox can head back to Iowa till he is needed to DH in the interleague games in late June.
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Today's pitching matchup is a rematch of the rain-shortened 7 1/2 inning game at Wrigley Field on May 13. The Cubs hit four homers off Young (Ryan Theriot had two, Geovany Soto and Alfonso Soriano one each); the Padres hit two off Lilly (both by Adrian Gonzalez, who homered on Friday off Z, but had only a single last night. Keep the ball in the ballpark and the Cubs, who scored six runs off Young on May 13, should have a pretty good shot at breaking out of the offensive slump.
It's on WGN today -- nationally -- so you can watch... if you dare. For today's other games see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Overflow comment threads will post today at 4 pm, 5 pm and 5:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 61 comments
Hey Al,
are you writing these 2 hours ahead of game time, or earlier with an automatic post.
If it’s the latter… last year (when it felt like they came out earlier) we had more time to rant before the game thread.
I mean, what else am I supposed to do at work….. work ?
(if its the former, no problem, of course)
ballstitch - May 24, 2009
It's earlier... why?
They still post two hours before game time. It’s different when there is a day game following a night game, like today, where there isn’t that much time in between a recap and a game thread.
You’ll have more time tomorrow, if you’re working, that is.
Al Yellon - May 24, 2009
Some of us
indeed are working on Memorial Day. But the double time is nice.
Not Bruce Froemming - May 24, 2009
Yes, it is.
Al Yellon - May 24, 2009
didnt mean to sound like a complaint
I just really like passing time at work watching the discussion go on and on. and I do work tomorrow… double time. yay.
ballstitch - May 24, 2009
what I mean is...
I remember last season (I think) reading night game threads before I left work at 4pm. This season they post 2 hrs before game time and I dont see it from work at all. Is this a correct perception or am I mistaken ?
anyway, thats where my perception of a later post time came from. if you’re writing them after 4, then thats how it is. But I thought perhaps if you were writing them before then, and delaying the post, you would consider sending them out as soon as you were done.
I should have been clearer the first time.
ballstitch - May 24, 2009
Hmm.
I can’t specifically remember times for threads last year. I’ve decided this year to have them post two hours before game time — because if I did it earlier than that, I think they would have to go to overflow before the first pitch even hits.
Unless there’s a huge groundswell for earlier posting times, I think I’ll leave them where they are.
Al Yellon - May 24, 2009
fair enough
perhaps on a down day I’ll post a poll and see what the interest is like, if you’re game for that. if you just want to stick to 2 to hours, I’ll leave it alone.
ballstitch - May 24, 2009
Sure, go ahead.
Keep in mind that it also is subject to my own time constraints!
Al Yellon - May 24, 2009
I guess I should say this.
I’m glad they’re pacing Harden. The temptation would be to overreact to the slump and say we need him now.
And it’s hard to see us even making the playoffs right now, but if we’re going to win in the playoffs, we’ll need Harden ready to go.
DGU - May 24, 2009
I've said it before and I'll say it again.
Come playoff time, the Cubs need to use two, maybe three starters. Everyone else needs to come out of the pen. Harden would fit that role perfectly. Then again we need to actually make the playoffs.
cubswynn - May 24, 2009
Hard to see us making the playoffs?
Four games out of first place/wild card? Please. It’s way early.
Al Yellon - May 24, 2009
Agreed
Let’s win today and then we’ll get a win tomorrow (I’ll be bringing my perfect record to Wrigley).
cubswynn - May 24, 2009
You need to come to more games.
Al Yellon - May 24, 2009
I'd love to but...
…that darn thing called $$$ gets in the way.
cubswynn - May 24, 2009
Ah, good point.
Al Yellon - May 24, 2009
I meant to convey
that I understand why it’s hard for some people to see that.
I personally still have a lot of confidence in this team compared to our NL central rivals.
DGU - May 24, 2009
I think pacing Harden
is a happy side effect to getting two more weeks of Wells/Marshall
Worf - May 24, 2009
Sosa hurt his back sneezing
…if we can believe that. Perhaps he tripped over a box of syringes.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - May 24, 2009
There isn't such a thing as a must win game this early on
But for the sanity of all Cubs fans- this is a must win game. Ted is perfectly suited to pitch in this park because it will swallow up all those flyballs he gives up.
The key against Chris young is get a fast guy or two on base and go crazy with the steals. Even this offense can muster 3 runs against this clown, and that should be enough to win with Ted pitching.
nji232 - May 24, 2009
And, you don't want to go 0-6 on a road trip.
Al Yellon - May 24, 2009
I hear the Marlins are shopping Dan Uggla.
He hasn’t done well since the ASB last year, but he could provide a little pop while Aramis is gone. He does have 8 home runs and 30 RBI’s so far this year. Thoughts?
cubswynn - May 24, 2009
He will cost too much I'm sure
and he isn’t much for hitting for average IIRC.
nji232 - May 24, 2009
Not to mention we already have 3 second basemen.
I’m just looking for answers to this miserable drought.
cubswynn - May 24, 2009
If he could play third
I think I would be all for it.
nji232 - May 24, 2009
If he could play third
I think I would be all for it.
nji232 - May 24, 2009
What would he cost?
Do we still have some credit left over from the Ceda-Gregg trade?
DGU - May 24, 2009
Probably wouldn't cost that much...
The Marlins are one of those teams that will want to cut costs at all costs once they definitively fall out of the race, and Uggla is struggling. Not to mention he’s a young guy who could help for 3-4 years+, so I wouldn’t mind seeing the Cubs give up a few prospects for him.
Poloplaya14 - May 24, 2009
Here's the link...
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/103913-marlins-looking-to-deal
cubswynn - May 24, 2009
Would you give up
Vitters and 2 other top prospects for Ramirez?
Unique - May 24, 2009
Hanley Ramirez?
DGU - May 24, 2009
Yes.
Unique - May 24, 2009
Then, yes.
There’s really not much I wouldn’t put on the table for Hanley.
DGU - May 24, 2009
I wonder
if the Marlins would trade him — if they got a type of deal that would save them money in the longrun.
He’d look so good in Cub blue. Wishful thinking – I know.
Unique - May 24, 2009
Ummm YES
nji232 - May 24, 2009
Uggla could be useful.
He’d be a good buy-low. He’d be an All-Star reputation player, and so a psychological boost for the team. The Marlins have been willing to field miserable defenders in the past, so maybe they’d even have interest in Jake Fox.
DGU - May 24, 2009
Snark
“the Padres hit two off Young "
Wow, that guy is quite a workhorse. He pitches for both teams! ;)
salparadise23 - May 24, 2009
Whoops.
Must be tired. I’ll fix it.
Al Yellon - May 24, 2009
The Cubs are playing today?
It’s 80 degrees and sunny here in CT so I’ll be BBQing all day even if it’s one of 2-3 games a week I can get on WGN.
If the Cubs decide to play today and score more than 3 runs someone let me know :)
Enjoy the day everyone!
ak123 - May 24, 2009
Lineup
Soriano
Theriot
Johnson
Lee
Bradley
Fontenot
Soto
Scales
Boy that lineup scares me. Wooah.
Unique - May 24, 2009
Yikes
What a bad lineup. Reed should never hit third.
nji232 - May 24, 2009
I don't know what Lou is thinking.
Ted Lilly must be pissed.
Unique - May 24, 2009
I'm sure Teds 3 homer
10 RBI day will make Lou rethink his decision.
nji232 - May 24, 2009
You have got to be
kidding me. Reed hitting third? And I thought cleanup was the worst place in the lineup he could hit.
serbianking33 - May 24, 2009
I'd hate to play create a lineup
but if you’re gonna have those players in the lineup why not have:
Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Bradley
Soto
Fontenot
Johnson
Scales
Unique - May 24, 2009
In 3 career PAs.
Reed is hitting .500/.667/.500 off of Chris Young with 1 K and 0 XBH and 1 HBP. Looks like Lou scanned his matchup book and missed the # of PAs section.
DGU - May 24, 2009
lol.
Obviously.
Unique - May 24, 2009
In Lou's defense
I think he wants to keep players in comfortable positions in the batting order. Lee has been doing better as of late.
nji232 - May 24, 2009
Yeah..
but I don’t think hitting third should make a difference on how well you hit.
Well unless your name is Alfonso Soriano.
Unique - May 24, 2009
Either way
I don’t know if Reed is comfortable hitting 3. At least I’m not comfortable with him hitting 3.
I’d rather have a struggling MB hit 3 than Reed.
serbianking33 - May 24, 2009
Its a weak defense
Lou just hit the sauce too hard last night and wrote his lineup at the bar.
nji232 - May 24, 2009
Yikes
Its even worse when you read it on gameday or something and see all the averages listed.
Allie - May 24, 2009
It's good that Dome is getting a day off.
I think Dome may need to get a day off every 10 days.
DGU - May 24, 2009
I agree
he does need a day off.
But he’s about the only one I don’t dread when he comes up to bat.
Allie - May 24, 2009
Possible scene from "Heathers 2"
INT. SAWYER HOME – NIGHT
Veronica’s dad is watching the Cubs on TV. Len Kasper’s voice can be heard in the background, announcing the game action.
KASPER:
Boy, you just hope that balk doesn’t come back
to haunt the Cubs.
(SOUND OF BASEBALL BEING HIT)
And a base hit to center, Kosuke comes up with it,
he’s just going to hold on to it. And it’s 3-1 Padres.
VERONICA’S DAD:
Will someone tell me why I watch this team?
VERONICA:
Because you’re an idiot.
VERONICA’S DAD:
Oh yeah, that’s it.
Goodie1969 - May 24, 2009
Alright, I say Cubs are gonna wn 5-3
Yes, the losing streak will finally end :D (gotta stay positive)
Nooblet - May 24, 2009
absolutely :D
sue369 - May 24, 2009
Go Cubs?
crickets
LT - May 24, 2009
JUMP
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/5/24/885065/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-padres
sue369 - May 24, 2009
this game...
is already over, i can tell you that right, we lose at least 3-0, a pitcher with an era over 5 and we have 2 hits….wow can you say pathetic, if you aren’t panicking now, i would start, and how about raul ibanez with 17 homeruns, i insisted that hendry should have pursued him instead of bradley but i thought over time bradley will be a good pickup, boy was i wrong, and so was hendry
jvick88 - May 24, 2009
4 runs
well any hope of coming back is gone now cuz 4 runs to tie is way to much to ask for from a lineup that is stack (on paper that is)
jvick88 - May 24, 2009
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