Bleed Cubbie Blue

Here's to a Giant-sized sweep!

Odd

Because we have to overcome a midget to do so

Such is

~~life~~ baseball.

I wonder how much Lincecum practices bunting....

I don't think

he’s even allowed to walk to the mound. He’s carried by sherpas specially trained.

The San Diego pitchers...

… are actually moved about in a specially designed transport container that is made of 100% rainbows and dreams. The only injuries associated to date applied exclusively to the staffs pride.

he likes

to establish his dominance with his fastball. At least that’s what that video game commercial says…that should be worth something in the pregame scouting report.

cubbot - May 5, 2009 reply

He usually lets his video game doppleganger do it.

But he DON'T listen to that...

Cubs' Lineup (per Muskat)

Gathright, CF
Miles, SS
Fukudome, RF
Lee, 1B
Hoffpauir, LF
Fontenot, 3B
Scales, 2B
Hill, C
Marshall, P

holy cow.

this lineup scares me more than anything I’ve ever seen. Hoff in Left? Miles at SS?

Gathright leading off?

Well, at least he's fast... (sarcasm)

and he is willing to take a walk. And there really isn’t anyone else in the order that I’d want leading off either.

not even Dome?

and I agree with Fishbone, why isn’t Rami in this lineup? Put Scales at SS, Fonty back at short…

Put Scales at SS, Fonty back at short

huh?

second

Fonty back at second. I remember when DeRosa was moved all over the place, his BA went down, but when he got back to second, he relaxed, and drove the ball.

ok

that is what i thought you meant (second)

gotta have somebody in the middle of the lineup...

If Ramirez was in the lineup and not Scales, I’d prefer Fukudome in the leadoff spot rather than Gathright. But we have to have some pop in the middle of the order.

Also, I don’t think Scales is a shortstop. He’s a 2B/3B, if I’m not mistaken.

move Hoff up

in that case.

But, we’ll see what happens. It’s like another spring training game, only THIS time, it COUNTS! :D

Hoffpauir is already in the middle of the order...

Do you want Scales hitting 6th?

My point wasn’t that Gathright is a good idea in the leadoff spot (he’s not). My point was just that there isn’t really a good approach with this allotment of starters.

Gathright is capable of taking a walk at least.

you got a point.

should be interesting.

or getting hit by a pitch

so's my Grandma Nancy

although she could get out of the way of the chin music like nobody’s business.

TWSS?

It's a grandma so...no.

Not at all.

I'm sure he's fine

Lou just isn’t pushing it and making him play twice in less than 24 hours

Right.

I think it’s night/day that has more to do with it, plus the fact that we’ve already won the homestand and split this series.

Just figured...

Lou would want to get him as many AB’s as he can, since he’s been sitting for 12 days or so. Usually the guys can’t just flip the switch to “on” after they have been sitting for a while. Kind of surprised to not see him in there.

I'd bet

we’ll see Ramirez playing the rest of the week, so he gets the day off today.

is it possible Muskat is just wrong?

I mean, she’s kind of a moron

hahahahahahah

I approve of this post

recd

She might be.

Even a broken clock and all.

Maybe she and Judd should do a podcast.

“Everything you ever wanted to know about the Cubs but were afraid to listen to.”

Our bench, on the other hand,

looks awesome.

finally

the depth we’ve been looking for.

Holy Cow are we forfeiting?

Or are we just banking on a Marshall no-hitter?

goodstuff96 - May 5, 2009 reply

And our A-squad is playing who today?

Homestarr's Knees Tech.

LOL

Craig in South Bend - May 5, 2009 reply

Hmmm... surprising.

I figured Theriot and Bradley would get the day off. But Lee staying in the lineup and Ramirez (who’s been sitting for a while now) not? Interesting.

Congrats to Scales for getting his first MLB action. Piniella sure does like to get MILBers right into the action when they get called up, huh?

let's see what happens

when he gets to the plate the first time. Lou likes his guys to hit. Wouldn’t it be great for Scales to get off to a good start?

Yeah, although I suspect he's going back to the minors in a few days regardless...

oh, sure

so that Wells can come up to start for Z. Still, it could make the guy’s day. Give him stores to tell the grandchildren after a long day as a walmart greeter.

Now I’m depressed.

Oh, it'd be great for Scales as a person...

I thought you were implying that it might make a difference in Scales getting PT with Piniella. I don’t see that happening.

I can envision him

starting this game, and no others for his non-grande cuppa joe.

i think i just threw up in my mouth a little

But I bet we will be pleasantly surprised

it's a small ball lineup

if (and it’s a big if) Gathright can get on base a few times, he could reek havoc (both ways) on the bases.

as long as hes not sliding past the base :-)

Or getting picked off!

exactly

that’s how he reeks havoc both ways – good and bad.

possibly Gathright getting a final tryout?

maybe I’m looking too into this Scales call up but, Gathright hasn’t even been below average so far, and Hendry saying, “A lot of options can happen before Friday. I’m really happy for Bobby. He’s a unique story.” Gathright getting axed so that Scales can take his role?

kylejo - May 5, 2009 reply

that's interesting...

….and not so out of the realm to be true. I like it.

carmen_fanzone - May 5, 2009 reply

Maybe that explains why he's at 2nd

Lou wants to get a look at what he can do outside of his comfort zone and see if Scales can be the all-around back-up.

dr stabbingworth - May 5, 2009 reply

is it overcast in Chicago?

cuz that looks like a “pray for rain” lineup

Yes! Spring Training is back again!

How do you guys think the Cubs will do in April? I think we’ll run the table, myself.

I'm worried about Dome

I just gottat believe that that rough 2nd half is going to carry over and Lou may be forced to bench him by May 1st.

Is he going to bench him...

…in a Delorean?

sniffy the bee - May 5, 2009 reply

Only is his plutonium reserves are still maintained.

Great Scott

Ummmmmmm

My pick to click in the bullpen:

Chad Gaudin. The guy’s got filthy stuff and will be a great swing man.

BOOK IT!!!

Between him and Nasty Neil

Cotts, our Bullpen should be filthy!

I just hope

that Z doesn’t try to bunt for a hit or anything crazy like that.

Don't be crazy!

That is not in a Pitcher’s job description. Stop being a moran.

that'll be good

because then the gamethreads will be full of sweetness and light.

Wow, we have a great bench!

At least for today.

tony412 - May 5, 2009 reply

Just keep it close...

then at the end we can bring in the big guns in to clean up. Maybe Tiny Tim is out of the game by then too.

Ah HA!

Lou’s master plan is discovered!

Y'know, maybe this is Lou's plan.

If they can somehow get Lincecum out of the game by the late innings and hold the Giants offense down, the regulars could make some noise.

The Giants Don't score a lot of runs...

So maybe. That was my theroy anyway.

Pretty random

but I think its just as good as the lineup the Giants run out there every day

BradB311 - May 5, 2009 reply

do not like

makes sad

dr stabbingworth - May 5, 2009 reply

W. T. F. Lou.

Santo Niño de Atocha

That makes me muy nervioso for the streak.

It looks like a split squad lineup from ST,

and watch, they’ll somehow shell Lincecum…at least I hope.

slocs55 - May 5, 2009 reply

Whatever the opposite of ledge jumping is,

you just embodied it. +5 BCB points.

Ledge climbing!

Bridge Building!

bungee jumping

no i think thats what people were doing here a week and two weeks ago

most definitely

willie mays hayes' gloves - May 5, 2009 reply

good lineup today lou

bradley and aramis must have been real tired after all that time off

nji232 - May 5, 2009 reply

Now I know why they are called shock troops.

This line-up is for those of you who cannot get to Mesa

…and if you like left-handing hitting.

San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - May 5, 2009 reply

ryan theriot alfonso soriano aramis ramirez and geovany soto are all taken the day off?

cooltrev - May 5, 2009 reply

given...not taken.

haha

good point

cooltrev - May 5, 2009 reply

so

Lilly, Harden, Dempster and Z.

Bums.

redward - May 5, 2009 reply

Lincecum is jersey #55, right?

If so, we are going after win #5 in a row on 5/5 vs #55

Does that mean I gotta eat Subway today?

NO

because that would be 5 fives (plus tax)

God, they're playing the commercial on the radio right now...

Only thing worse than "Five... Five... Five dollar footlongs"

… was the recent “Saved by Zero” Toyota campaing and the couple years old “This is our country…” John Mellencamp / Chevy ads that practically ruined an entire NFL season for me.

From the east coooooast, to the west cooooooooaaaaast

The Subway one didn't bother me at first

with that construction guy counting out the cadence to his buddies.

“This is our country” was Satanic though.

Not for Mellencamps bank account

JFCubFan - May 5, 2009 reply

On 5-5 (May 5th)

Oh..you already had that...

sorry. I’m tired.

i see how you just pad your post totals

by repeating me now

holy crap, my head might explode

too bad the game doesnt start at

5:55

Maybe the score will be

5-5 through five..

But not with this lineup.

Unique - May 5, 2009 reply

but it could get called in the 5th after a 5:55 5 dollar footlong delay

after the 5th rain delay

with each team using 5 pitchers out of the pen

So long as the Cubs

are high fiving after the game, I’m happy.

High Five!

LIKE A BOSS!

Talk to corporate!

(like a boss)

PROMOTE SYNERGY!

Craig in South Bend - May 5, 2009 reply

Finally! Someone an hour later

4089 BCB Points

sorry dude

I would have been all over that but we have a management “field trip” to a local mexican restaurant to inspect their margaritas and coronas for the evil swine flu…

Good news, none found. Better news, it took at least 4 rounds to be sure :-)

Envy ------------------------------------------------------>>>>>>

Maybe #55 on our side

will knock in the winning run to cap off 5/5…

batting against #55

with a 5-5 tie in the 5th

From your

keyboard…

And our #5 hitter will have 5 RBI and 5 total bases.

Grand slam and an RBI single.

with 5 walks?

Only if the game

goes to fifteen.

What a disgusting lineup...

Reminds me of 2006. This is classic Dusty “forfeit lineup.”

apparently Lou has decided that Lincecum is unhittable

so might as well let his regulars watch

or go for the surprise attack

even TImmy can get over confident lokoing at a line up like this, and that can lead to a few mistakes being taken advantage of

I mean, I get giving guys days off...

And I’m glad to see Bobby Scales in there for the feel good story, but come on. Ramirez just came back last night. Does he really need to sit? And Soriano and Soto as well on the same day as Ramirez? That’s just weak.

Which often won

for some strange reason

cubzfan - May 5, 2009 reply

5 hours

and I am off work

hey, another five!

boy this is exciting…

Tim has been on a roll today

He's like

5 for 5.

You could also say,

everything is “5 by 5” with him. Per Faith the Vampire Slayer.

jdb-44 - May 5, 2009 reply

Does anyone know what's happened to Gordon Wittenmyer?

I haven’t gotten a tweet in ages and this Toni Ginnetti seems to be writing all the articles. Just curious.

He's on the 15 day DL...

My guess is that he’s on vacation?

If he's on vacation...

…he should lose his job. Seriously, are baseball beat reporters allowed to take vacations during baseball season?

Swine Flu?

What? Is that new?

Cos I’ve heard nothing on the news about it.

No?

Also referred to as the “Swizzle”?

anyone else

happy bacon has been cheaper since the Swine Flu scare?

Whats the Swine Flu?

In May?

yeah, it's early

these games don’t really MATTER. :D

5+5+5 day DL?

Maybe his tweeter's on the fritz.

TWSS

I like to point out the obvious

pulled a hammy

sharpening a pencil blunt.

Modern day reporters should only use computers. It’s very specialized.

He isn't paid to gather accurate information.

That’s the job of the other eight guys in his office. He should just focus on writing.

I dont want to see a reporter

get injured trying to gather facts. his job is to report not to research

They don't pay him to gather lineups...

they pay him TO WRITE!

Scales vs. Gathright

I wonder if I’m off in thinking that Scales has a legitimate shot of staying up here come Friday if he plays decently, with the Cubs dumping Gathright. Clearly Joey has been utterly worthless so far.

joey is a joke

but we will get a better look at him today, being in the starting lineup in all

cooltrev - May 5, 2009 reply

that's an interesting thought.

problem is, while Scales is supposed to be able to play third, he can’t play short, and I thought we were looking for someone who could do more backup than Fonty.

Miles can backup SS

How well is certainly debatable, but he fills the role on the depth chart.

maybe

we’ll find out today.

I know i would hate for him to learn on the job

But if you can play third, couldn’t you be a decent fill-in at short?

I know responsibilities are different, and that there might be a learning curve, but he is a professional ball player

I agree

If scales proves he can hit and field even decently, I feel he has way more value that Gathright

I think you might be right.

Another reason for Gathright to get a shot here starting finally.

Didn't the Cubs draft Lincecum initially?

Shoulda gave him Samardzija money to keep him from going to college.

Drafted in the 48th Round

in 2003.

I want to be able to pull out the Bill Murray picture tonight!

been waiting for such a long time to do hthat!

Oh, Cinco de Mayo

Most people don’t know that back in 1912, Hellmann’s mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.

This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.

The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.

The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.

Yes, I fully expect to be insulted for posting that.

Strangely Creative

haha very nice actually

Not gonna lie

Dug that up out of an email from 6 years ago. Still makes me snicker a bit :)

Did not see that coming

Bravo

jkobus - May 5, 2009 reply

Small correction:

the correct and official name is “Five-times Heroic Port of Veracruz.”

LOL

hahaha very nice actually

Anyone know the Giants lineup yet?

It's just as bad

only they’re playing all their starters.

LMAO

Giants' lineup

Lewis, LF
Renteria, SS
Aurilia, 1B
Molina, C
Rowand, CF
Winn, RF
Uribe, 3B
Burriss, 2B
Lincecum, P

Thank ya sir

no problem

AVGs of that lineup

.312
.250
.192
.295
.227
.209
.280
.211
.167

It’s both early in the season, and a bad Giants offense. They’ve scored only 84 runs on the season – worst in the MLs.

Averages

SF @ .238
CHI @ .193

even with

Bobby Scales?

even without Gameboard?

since his average is .000

yes

i think his average gets factored as N/A

how's he hitting in AAA?

that's far too much passion and fire for me in a single lineup

Lincecum's photo

….makes it look like O’Bannion and Randall “Pink” Floyd and the incoming seniors are going to be waiting for him with paddles over by the visitors’ dugout after the game.

D98 - May 5, 2009 reply

I randomly met Scales last year for work.

I can tell you from personal experience that getting the call to the show couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

Here’s to Bobby Scales scoring the winning run on a Koyie Hill single to center off of Bob Howry.

Anyone see last night?

Bobby Howry was throwing 98mph. WTF???

Anger from the boo's?

Or

maybe anger from that lack of Howry Cow shirts not being sold this year.

Were those shirts official?

i doubt he got a cut of that.

No. Just joking around...

I’m sure he has a box full of them sitting around in his garage :)

+1 for howry cow reference!

yay!

joeschmitt - May 5, 2009 reply

WTF indeed

I was screaming at the TV, “why the f you didn’t do that last year?!”

indeed

he set the cubs down in pretty nice order. Interesting what a change of scene can do, eh?

I bet the radar gun read 10 MPH

when he was taking the sign

Oh, yeah!

Forgot we will probably face Bobby boy today, so I guess it doesnt matter how well Tim pitches today as long as we chase him by the 7th

Bobby Scales

sounds like the name of some jazz piano player. Seriously, though, I hope he knocks the cover off the ball today.

This will be an interesting lineup. I give Lou credit for it. With a homestand victory and series split assured, rest most of the regulars (we are in the midst of a 20-game stretch) and get them ready for five tough games on the road vs. division opponents.

Not Bruce Froemming - May 5, 2009 reply

Fonzi looked like he needed a break last night.

He could not stay concentrated in the outfield. He kept doing glove flips in the air, talking to the fans, practicing his swing, etc… between pitches.

Also no Gregg or Marmol today

Heilman will be the closer if needed.

gwl17 - May 5, 2009 reply

Keep words...

…“if needed.”

willie mays hayes' gloves - May 5, 2009 reply

With this lineup, he won't be.

seriously, why not just forfeit the game

and give the entire club a day off. So should this lineup somehow manufacture a 1 run lead heading into the late innnings, NEITHER of our back of the bullpen guys will be available?

in honor of the day, Lou should just murmur “No Mas” when they exchange the lineup cards, and call it a day.

I look forward to your joy

when the team manufactures six runs.

easy there chicken little

the sky isnt falling just yet

OT: Looks like Ankiel is gonna be ok

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4141685

Wtf

I give up

Don't post the

link in the headline of the comments. Put it in the comments box.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4141685

yeah i tried doing that too

hmmm looky there

yay!!!! :D

thanks for the a-ssist

you're welcome

Link Success!

This is truly offensive and it makes me hate Cardinal fans even more.

Via Sarah Spain's Tweeter

how stupid are they

Can’t even get the right racial stereotype. Idiots.

nji232 - May 5, 2009 reply

I was just typing that

I hate them.

Yeah Cowherd talked about this this morning as well

So he busted out those idiots on a national level

That's... just dumb.

Carlos is paid to PITCH, not groundskeep. Stupid Cards fans. :P

Who are you calling stupid, moran!

Please tell me the daughters sign says "Free Bird"

That would only make this the most epically stereotypical STL fan pic EVAR

More like Free Willy

Get a larger shirt chick

I dont want him to pull a hammy

pushing a mower, I hope Lou stops him from continued law mowing

With property values in STL down 80%, how much longer can they afford to pay for lawn service?

Employee22 - May 5, 2009 reply

OUCH!

and it’s getting a ton of hits.

It's now made Deadspin

Some of the replies on Deadspin are hilarious

My favorite: “I didn’t know you hire someone to mow your lawn if you live in a trailer park.”

yes, i liked that one as well

willie mays hayes' gloves - May 5, 2009 reply

That T-shirt really carries a lot of weight coming from those hay seeds in that cow town. Most of

them have old chevys on their front lawns anyway.

woah.

RACIST T-SHIRT CONTROVERSY!!!!!!11!!!!!!1

joeschmitt - May 5, 2009 reply

darn cards fans…

drodd - May 5, 2009 reply

Is it just me

or does Gail Fischer look very pregnant?

It wasn't me!

Employee22 - May 5, 2009 reply

Me Niether!

That's what they all say.

I would have claimed EA fo sho

You sure? ;-)

Lou in today’s pregame on WGN, “we are starting to see green on that ivory.”

drodd - May 5, 2009 reply

and Greg and Marmol

are off limits today. Aaron H will close.

Cinco de Junio...

was pretty hilarious as well.

Do you know how many elephants died to cover that outfield?

redward - May 5, 2009 reply

Nah, not the whole outfield!

He’s talking about that great jazz pianist they just called up from the minors. He’s green on the ivories.

aldimond - May 5, 2009 reply

Is that "ivy"

or do the Cubs have a club-house piano?

Is today the day Al eats his scorecard?

What was the wager again?

I believe he'll eat his scorecard if...

…Gathwright leads the game off with a homerun.

Oh right

I’ll quit my job. That’s right. I may be unemployed in 11 minutes.

Can you imagine

Getting called up, then finding out on the board that you’re starting?
Hell of an experience. I hope he does well

chitownhawkeye - May 5, 2009 reply

For The Chicago Cubs on a picturesque day at Wrigley Field

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/5/5/865374/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-giants

Jump!