The three games being carried by Fox today are the Cubs game, Atlanta at Arizona and Minnesota at Tampa Bay (sounds like Fox NFL Sunday, doesn't it?), so you can forget about any rainouts in the other games. The Cubs are the feature game, but Fox's link above, unlike other years, doesn't list the percentage of the country carrying each game.
Without posting a huge list of markets (you can check yours at the link above), it appears the backup games are going to the Southeast, Arizona, parts of the northwest and much of New England. The exceptions are baffling: they're sending the Tampa game to New England, presumably, because the Rays are in the Red Sox division. But Hartford, Connecticut -- filled with Red Sox fans -- gets the Cubs game. The Cubs are going to Milwaukee, Madison, Wausau and Green Bay in Wisconsin -- but not LaCrosse (all of 100 miles from Madison). Grand Rapids, Michigan gets the Cubs, but Lansing doesn't (less than 70 miles apart). Cleveland and Columbus get the Cubs, but Toledo doesn't. Las Vegas, where there might presumably be some Diamondbacks fans, gets the Cubs game.
What Fox ought to do is what some Fox markets do for NFL games -- let their own viewers vote via a web poll or some other method. That way they'd maximize ratings by broadcasting the game in each market that the majority of people in that market actually want to watch.
Or, at the very least, make all their games available on EI and/or MLB.TV -- if they want to "protect" the local advertising, it's not that difficult technologically to insert the local ads to people watching via those alternate methods.
Unfortunately, all of that makes too much sense, so it'll never happen. (Oh, and the Fox-TV market listing link also says "start times are all 1:00 p.m. ET". That's wrong, too.)
Thought I'd toss out this rumor I heard yesterday, which actually makes some sense: the Cubs may have some interest in the Pirates' Freddy Sanchez. Sanchez can play 3B -- though he hasn't since 2006 -- and could platoon at 2B or even take over there once Aramis Ramirez returns. I have no idea how serious this "interest" is or what it would take to get him. But it's an intriguing idea.
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Eric Stults has one career start vs. the Cubs; it was on September 5, 2007 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs hit him pretty hard, but only three Cubs on the active roster today played in that game: Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto. Soto went 2-for-2 off Stults, who missed some time earlier this year with a jammed thumb.
The last time Ryan Dempster faced the Dodgers, he ... well, let's not talk about that. Actually, Dempster has a good lifetime record vs. LA: 3.01 ERA, 4-3 record in 19 appearances (9 starts). He had a 2.92 ERA with a win and a no-decision against them last year including seven strong innings against them on May 26, 2008 at Wrigley Field. Andre Ethier is a Dempster tormentor: 5-for-11 with a homer; that homer was a devastating game-winner off Dempster when he was still a closer, on September 6, 2007.
See above for TV information for today. Try to not get too steamed if your market isn't carrying the Cubs game, but you can curse Bud Selig under your breath if you want. For today's other games see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Overflow comment threads will post today at 4:15 pm, 5:15 pm and 6 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 114 comments
First
let’s get it done. Go Cubs !
Cubbinstrongsince86 - May 30, 2009
My best guess
Is that Lansing is closer to Detroit, and Minnesota is in their division. As long as we get it here in Grand Rapids, I’m happy.
nathew - May 30, 2009
i like trading for pirate third basemen
as long as it doesn’t involve vitters, jackson, or thomas.
tim815 - May 30, 2009
fleece the pirates.
buckmulligan - May 30, 2009
Stults came off a 10 days rest for his last start
after he jammed his thumb and he was a WALK machine , giving up 7 in barely over 4 innings so for PLEASE, PLEASE be patient Cub hitters,
Doggie Stalker - May 30, 2009
He's going today, and he still has a banged-up thumb.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 30, 2009
just to throw out there
Freddy Sanchez = GREAT PICK UP
if im not mistaken I believe he won a NL batting title a few years ago, I LOVE THIS RUMOR Lets go Jimbo get him!
BelieveinBlue2314 - May 30, 2009
In what world do you live in?
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
Meaning what?
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
Freddy Sanchez does not = Great Pick Up
It is a very small upgrade and we would have to give up way too much for it.
This team needs bull pen help. Save the few prospects we have for that.
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
Bull pen has stabilized a lot
Even if Heilman still makes me nauseous.
I’d like to upgrade the offense if possible. And Sanchez would do that.
Allie - May 30, 2009
I agree
It’s hitting that this team needs. Sanchez would be very good pick up, as far as I’m concerned. That’s why I think adding Peavy would be pointless, although if the PAds want to give him up, I’d take him. Peavy can hold a team to two runs just like Dempster could and still lose. This team needs to ad some bats wherever they can.
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
I NEED TO START PROOFING. ARRGGHH
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
Regarding Connecticut
I’m not sure why FOX does that. Hartford sits right on the borderline between Red Sox territory and Yankees territory. The line goes through Connecticut, almost directly through Hartford. If they gave us in Vermont the Twins and Rays (I’m in Chicago now), one would think they would give the same game to CT given all the fans of the Red Sox and Yankees there.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 30, 2009
Freddy Sanchez is a good idea...
…. as the every day second baseman. I would imagine at least one of Fontenot or Freel or Miles could be offered/go to the Pirates, along with the usual prospects, leaving whoever stays to platoon at thrid until Ramirez gets back.
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
Someone we dont want to go would have to leave also...
Maybe a Jake Fox, or Randy Wells, he is a great player were not gonna rob the Pirates for him like we did with Aramis….
BelieveinBlue2314 - May 30, 2009
I'd be okay....
… if the Cubs sent both Fox and Wells over. I’d miss Wells more really, as he’s pitched admirably. Fox has no position in the NL. Let the Pirates confirm that, not the Cubs.
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
+1
i agree, Wells has looked so good it would be shame
BelieveinBlue2314 - May 30, 2009
Its been a while since Hendry shopped in Pittsburgh
Kind of a shame we’re not likely to get as good a deal as last time, though!
Allie - May 30, 2009
where are we seeing this rumor?
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Al mentions it in his post
Allie - May 30, 2009
I meant
elsewhere. :D
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
No idea
First I’ve heard of it at all.
But Hendry shopping in Pittsburgh has gone well in the past, so you never know.
Allie - May 30, 2009
Yeah, except...
…h efleeced Dave Littlefield so much he eventually ended up having to give him a job. :)
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
True
hehe
Allie - May 30, 2009
Not as good of a deal
I still wouldn’t mind though…I, for some sadistic reason, love the Bucs just allowing themselves to be canibalized by their division.
Craig in South Bend - May 30, 2009
When Aramis Returns (if the Sanchez deal went through)
We would have one of best lineups in baseball, not to mention a beastly infield, can Sanchez lead-off or has he ever?
BelieveinBlue2314 - May 30, 2009
Sanchez has hit 2nd
in all but 4 games for the Pirates so far this year. Last year it was about 50/50 leadoff and 2nd in the order while hitting 3rd for most of 2007.
Sobenergy - May 30, 2009
GO CUBS GO!!
I’m in town and going to the game tomorrow…YAY!!
KC in OK - May 30, 2009
Have way too much fun
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
Stults will have a big cheering section
He has a lot of family in northern Indiana, including my nephew’s wife. They love it when he gets to pitch at Wrigley.
cubzfan - May 30, 2009
We get Cubs on Fox! Now my day's shot for sure :-D
Emelie - May 30, 2009
There are a lot more
Dodger fans in Vegas than Diamondback fans—so that explains why Vegas is getting the Cub game.
Josh Timmers - May 30, 2009
Because.......
…… Vegas has their Triple A team. among other reasons.
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
A bigger reason
is that most people in Vegas are not from Vegas—they’re transplants from elsewhere. And the #1 place they move from is Southern California.
For the people who are locals, there’s just a lot longer tradition of the Dodgers than the D-Backs. People in 1998 didn’t decide to stop cheering for the Dodgers because there now was a team in Phoenix.
On top of that, if you check the cable lineup for Vegas, they get Fox Sports West and Fox Sports Prime Ticket, not Fox Sports Arizona.
Josh Timmers - May 30, 2009
Oh also
The Dodgers AAA franchise is in Albuquerque. They left Vegas last season. Can’t believe I missed that.
Josh Timmers - May 30, 2009
Any word on lineups?
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
Nothin' on twitter yet.
Allie - May 30, 2009
I haven't gotten a twittermeyer
in days.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Hmm
I guess I haven’t either. Last update was the 25th!
But I hadn’t really been paying attention.
Allie - May 30, 2009
I've been avoiding getting into the whole Twitter thing...
How exactly does it work, anyway?
CubsWin!Oregon - May 30, 2009
http://tipjunkie.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-heck-does-twitter-work.html
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Don't do it.
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
ha...
Well, I can’t argue with the Admiral….
CubsWin!Oregon - May 30, 2009
Hmmm...
That website doesn’t like Internet Explorer…and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna install Firefox. :-p
(I’m fighting the counter-culture for fighting the man, you understand).
CubsWin!Oregon - May 30, 2009
Sanchez
Just had this conversation with my brother last week. 2b is really the only place we can make any moves in this lineup. (barring moving the riot to 2nd and picking up a real SS, but i digress…)We’ve got people pretty solidly in place at every other position. Sanchez would be a fantastic pickup for us.
But I can’t really see us giving up the prospects to get it done.
billywan - May 30, 2009
What does Sanches bring to the lineup?
Where does he hit?
How does he make the line up “Fantastically” better?
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
Please state why...
…. you don’t seem to like him.
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
I don't dislike him as a player
I just don’t see how another singles hitting middle infielder helps this team.
This team needs pop.
That’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
Fair enough
But right now I’d take anyone with a penchanct for getting on base.
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
god why don't I proofread
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
I got the point and
the only people who care are grammar Nazis and I love to annoy them!
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
seems like
he improves the black hole hat is our current 2b situation. miles/fontenot/scales is pretty awful. seems to have a bit more range than our current 2b midget options as well. (i’m sure a stathead will come along and prove this all wrong…)
i wouldn’t mind seeing him hit 6 or 7. right now the 7-hole is where rallies go to die in our line up. we’d be scoring a lot more runs with a real hitter at the bottom of our order, i would think.
billywan - May 30, 2009
Yup
The last few days someone like Fukudome or Bradlet get on and it seems the next several batters are some mix of Hill, Fontenot, Scales, Blanco, etc., and then no one scores.
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
You make a good point.
IMO. I think Soto’s lack of power has hurt this lineup more than anything. LBR has had a slow start but I think he’s very comparable to Sanchez.
We are struggling because AmRam is out. Sanchez will help while AmRam is out but once AmRam gets back will Sanchez really be worth what we had to give up to get him.
If Sanchez, could hit 35 homers a year then I would say yes, but in reality hes just same kind of player as LBR except having a better year.
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
i guess
that’s the crux of the argument then. i’m not all that high on LBR. i like him and root for him. but i’m not sure he’ll ever hit for much average. and sanchez seems to have a better track record in that regard.
but yeah, it really does come down to what we’d give up for him. i wouldn’t sell the farm for him. but if they want one of the 7 2b we seem to have on this team, i’m all for it.
maybe neal cotts would look good in black and yellow?
billywan - May 30, 2009
Yes!
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
1) leadoff
2) by being in it
leothelip - May 30, 2009
I would love to see that but
Lou has already shown he will not pull Alfo out of the leadoff spot.
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
Personally,
I wouldn’t be a fan of a Sanchez deal; his stats are tied way too closely to his hot and cold batting average. But I do wonder why with the money owed Sanchez this year (and 6 million in 09), the Cubs would be thinking about Freddie, but say DeRosa is too expensive to bring back.
Damen Jackson - May 30, 2009
Sorry,
I meant 8 million next year.
Damen Jackson - May 30, 2009
Interesting rumor
Sanchez is hitting better this year than ever before. .330/.365/.511 for an OPS+ of 131.
He is being paid $6.1 M this year, with a club option for $8 M next year, or a 600K buyout. So, the remainder of the year, he’s probably only making about $4 M, even with the buyout, and the Pirates would probably let him become a free agent, anyway.
What do the Pirates need? They seem to have a lot of young pitchers. Most of their hitters have been terrible. Can’t see them being interested in Hoffpauir or Fox. Maybe try to send them Miles to even out the money, and then two good AA prospects? Is Tony Thomas too much?
cubzfan - May 30, 2009
They would ask for Sanchez
Well or Marshal, Fox or Hoff, and one of the prospects we got for DeRo.
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
Take Marshall out of that mix...
… and maybe Hoffpauir, and they can have the rest.
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
God
I hope they want Hoff.
I’d love to get rid of him.
Allie - May 30, 2009
Really?
BeerCub - May 30, 2009
Yep
Course why would they? They have one of the LaRoche’s who plays a good 1B.
Allie - May 30, 2009
They may be looking to get rid of LaRoche too.
burncruisin - May 30, 2009
Really?
He’s one of the best hitters on the team.
I’m not saying he should play over DLEE but I don’t think hes a great guy to have off the bench.
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
I would be very hesitant to get rid of Wells.
He is Zambrano/Harden insurance, with the added benefit of currently pitching better than both of them.
Goodie1969 - May 30, 2009
I wouldn't give Wells to the Pirates.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
No on Chris Archer
they can have any of the other DeRo prospects. Not Chris Archer.
Josh Timmers - May 30, 2009
Who is this Archer you speak of
Cubsfanatic - May 30, 2009
Chris Archer?
Right here.
1.29 ERA for Peoria. 47 strikeouts in 35 innings. Opponents batting .160 against him.
Yeah, he walks too many (20 in 35 innings) but that’s a huge improvement from last season when he walked 84 in 115.1 innings, which was why Cleveland gave up on him. But if he continues to make that kind of progress in his control, he’d be a major prospect.
Oh, did I mention he’s only 20 years old?
Josh Timmers - May 30, 2009
Chris Archer
is a 20-year old prospect that plays for Peoria. Like said before, he was acquired in the DeRosa trade. He is 2-0 this year with a 1.29 ERA in 9 starts. In 35 innings this year he has allowed 19 hits and has struck out 47.
That trade with the Indians is looking better and better. Even though we miss DeRosa sorely.
Unique - May 30, 2009
Lineup
Soriano
Theriot
Bradley
Lee
Johnson
Soto
Scales
Fontenot
I would of tried to play Fox at third today.
Unique - May 30, 2009
scrappy
Cubsfanatic - May 30, 2009
Very.
Unique - May 30, 2009
Why, so Juan Pierre
can have five bunt hits and Furcal can have four?
The Dodgers are not the team to play Fox at third against.
Josh Timmers - May 30, 2009
Just saying..
I would try it. I know he’s a butcher at third but that lineup just sucks.
Unique - May 30, 2009
I would like to say, I hate this lineup.
I would be shocked if they score more than 3 runs today
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - May 30, 2009
we've been playing with
a version of this lineup for weeks.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
I'd like to see Geo tear it up today
pretty please
Cubsfanatic - May 30, 2009
me too
sue369 - May 30, 2009
Geo and everyone else
Allie - May 30, 2009
Is a "rent a player" trade allowed?
In other words, say we give up some good pitching prospects, or whatever Washington might want, for 2 months of Ryan Zimmerman. Then when Ramirez gets off the DL, return Zimmerman to the Nationals. Maybe trade prospects + PTBNL to the Nationals for Zimmerman, and have a deal with the Wash GM that Zimmerman will be the PTBNL once Ramirez gets back. Is this possible? It just came to my mind today.
Sobenergy - May 30, 2009
what are you smoking!
please share.
Cubsfanatic - May 30, 2009
I probably didn't explain it well enough
Pretty much trading for a player, and returning him as a PTBNL once Ramirez gets back (like renting him for 2 months). Or maybe I am just smoking something.
Sobenergy - May 30, 2009
And not necessarily Zimmerman, as that would probably cost too much
That was just an example
Sobenergy - May 30, 2009
hahaha good stuff man
Zimmermans no joke though… even on the Natinals
Cubsfanatic - May 30, 2009
well
I don’t think there’s anything that prevents it. I guess.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Ok, thanks
It was just a wild idea I had and was curious about.
Sobenergy - May 30, 2009
Sanchez would be a fantastic addition to the Cubs
And would hopefully be a long-time addition. I’ve been following him since 05, and had him on my Fantasy roster in 06 when he won the batting title. 07 was a down year for him. He hits for average, and has great at bats, works the count, and can spray to all fields. His glove is above average at the least, and would be solid at 2B or 3B until Rami gets back. Having Sanchez hit second IMMEDIATELY makes whoever hits 3rd a better hitter, as Freddy will bring over a career 338 obp, plus decent speed (I’d call it hit and run speed). Plus it would let Theriot hit lower in the lineup which he’s proven he’s better at.
I’d say go for it, Jim… give them Wells, Hoff ad Blanco and get a decent middle-relief pitcher back as well. Make it so.
lswaidz - May 30, 2009
aye aye
Cubsfanatic - May 30, 2009
You want to give away
a young, cost controlled pitcher who is doing better than Z, Harden or Dempster, our first bat off the bench/backup first baseman, and the first guy to play SS who actually has the range for it in a long time…
for another second baseman?
Do the Pirates HAVE any decent middle-relief pitchers?
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Whatever it takes, Drew
This team’s pitching has been fantastic, and when Harden returns, we’re going to have far too many good starting pitchers, and we can afford to deal a guy like Wells (or Marshall, but Wells looks better to a young team like Pittsburgh right now, who already had some good LHP starters). Evan Meek or Jesse Chavez would both fit in well in our bullpen… in 24 appearances Chavez has 4 holds, an ERA at 3, and a 2.43:1 k/bb ratio… he’s averaging just over 7 k/9 and is only 25… Meek is servicible, but either way it’d be nice to get something back… I’d also take Tom Gorzelanny, only because he’s from the Chicago area and he’d be a nice guy to have at AAA just in case.
lswaidz - May 30, 2009
Sorry
I happily send Wells to the pen, or back to AAA. Harden is, at best, a 50-50 chance for retention next year. Instead of spending $15mill on another pitcher, we could call Wells right back up again in April.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Yeah
that isn’t pittsburgh bargain shopping.
Allie - May 30, 2009
There is a flaw in this plan.
We would still have Aaron Miles.
Goodie1969 - May 30, 2009
The Gatorade
machine is hoping Demp brings his “A” game today.
sue369 - May 30, 2009
where did the bad pitcher
hit you…
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
lets pray it was the strike zone!
Allie - May 30, 2009
lol
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
I was really FIRST on this thread!
I opened up BCB on my blackberry when there were zero comments but comments are not yet allowed from mobile devices so I couldn’t post anything! Just sayin’ … :-)
zevkalman - May 30, 2009
No comments from mobile devices?
Clutch16 posts all the time from his iPhone, I thought.
Allie - May 30, 2009
he's going to the full page
not the mobile page.
drewishdrewid - May 30, 2009
Hm
Okay.
Never used a “mobile device” so I have no idea.
Allie - May 30, 2009
didn't know you could post from full page
good to know
Emelie - May 30, 2009
I thought he does too.
sue369 - May 30, 2009
At least on the blackberry it says:
zevkalman - May 30, 2009
My iPhone says the same thing.
Craig in South Bend - May 30, 2009
JUMP
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/5/30/893363/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-dodgers#comments
sue369 - May 30, 2009
just asking
why no Jake Fox against the lefty?
plenz - May 30, 2009
fox
screwed again i get the devil rays.
NOMAR - May 31, 2009
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