The last time the Cubs played a weekday afternoon game in Houston was August 16, 2006, one of the most memorable games of that misbegotten season. If the date doesn't ring a bell, read on: it was the day after an 18-inning game the night before had forced the Cubs to call up Ryan O'Malley from Iowa. O'Malley pitched eight shutout innings in his ML debut and the Cubs won 1-0 on a Michael Barrett home run. (Amusement value in the Cubs' starting lineup from both of those games.)
Incidentally, if you've wondered what ever happened to O'Malley, he was recently hired as a minor league pitching coach in the Texas Rangers organization.
Random stat note: today's Houston starter, Russ Ortiz, ranks third-worst among all active pitchers in walks per nine innings. Only Oliver Perez and Ron Villone are worse. More on Ortiz below the pitcher box.
Been wondering why Derrek Lee has suddenly started looking better at the plate? Gordon Wittenmyer found out that he took a "new approach" this spring:
"It's funny, I kind of took that approach in the spring because I didn't finish up real well last year," Lee said. "So I said, 'Maybe I need to change some things.' And it didn't work out for me. So I finally said, 'Let's go back to what I know.'"
He wouldn't elaborate on the changes -- "just small things, just small adjustments," he said. "And I wasn't really comfortable with them. So I tried to go back to what I felt more comfortable with."
That's about the time Lee's hitting began to take life again. After starting .194 with three homers through mid-May, Lee entered Wednesday night's game batting .377 since May 16 -- fourth in the National League -- with a .580 slugging percentage in that span.
Speaking of hitting troubles, Lou thinks he may have found what's wrong with Milton Bradley:
The Cubs manager had video coordinator Nao Masamoto put together film of Bradley's at-bats from last year when he hit .321 at Texas and this year, side by side. After watching nearly an hour of swings, Piniella discovered something.Hope it works (it didn't really last night). The Cubs need Bradley's bat.
"I think we found something that will help him," Piniella said. "We'll see when he gets out there. I have a pretty good feeling that this will help."
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Russ Ortiz. I mean, seriously, RUSS ORTIZ?!?!?1! He's 3-5, 5.71 lifetime vs. the Cubs in 12 appearances (10 starts). His "TV stat line" numbers -- 3-2, 3.96 -- don't look so bad, until you see the 40 hits and 26 walks in 38.1 innings, which result in a 1.71 WHIP. He started vs. the Cubs on May 7 in Houston; after 2.1 innings, six hits and three walks, Cecil Cooper had had enough and yanked him. The Cubs wound up winning that game 8-5. Today might be a good day to give Derrek Lee the day off; he's only 3-for-32 lifetime vs. Ortiz. Reed Johnson is 4-for-4 and Milton Bradley 6-for-16.
Ryan Dempster threw six good innings (two ER) at Houston on April 7; after a tough start Dempster is 3-1, 3.38 in six starts since May 1. Hunter Pence is his Astro nemesis: 8-for-17 (.471) with a double and 2 HR.
The Cubs and Astros are back to cable-only today on CSN Chicago, FSN Houston, EI and MLB.TV. For other games today -- and there are a lot of day games -- see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Overflow comment threads will post today at 2 pm, 3 pm and 3:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 123 comments
Line-up is, per Gordon Wittenmyer:
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
Lineup via Twittermyer
Soriano,lf; Theriot, ss; Fukudome, cf; Lee, 1b; Hoffpauir, rf; Fontenot, 3b; Hill, c; Blanco, 2b; Dempster, p
Al Yellon - June 11, 2009
sorry...
it’s chilango by a nose! :)
I have a good feeling about this lineup though, but of course maybe I just like our chances against Ortiz…
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - June 11, 2009
Well, there goes your good theory of resting Lee today
But maybe he’s benefitting from the at-bats.
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
Maybe.
He’s never hit Ortiz well, though.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2009
At least there is no Aaron Miles in the line-up
Furthermore, I realize Ortiz is hot-garbage, but the fact the Ron Villone is still in the league is unbelievable!
tripdenten - June 11, 2009
In before people start complaining
that Bradley is out again.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
what's the word..
.. on his condition? I thought he stayed in the game last night?
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - June 11, 2009
he did.
I expect he’s resting, it’s a day game after a night game. If he DID pull something in his leg, it’s a convenient rest anyway.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
timing good have been better
Would have been nice to give him a chance to get his bat going against Ortiz (against whom Al notes he’s 6-16)… I’m happy to see Blanco playing instead of Miles though…
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - June 11, 2009
good=could
sorry, it’s 3am here
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - June 11, 2009
Are you staying up for the game?
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
wasn't trying to..
.. just having a bad bout of acid reflux tonight that’s kept me up… :(
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - June 11, 2009
hopefully the Cubs offense won't make it any worse
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
sometimes
they definitely do not help! lol
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - June 11, 2009
Yeah, I guess.
Hard to understand how the guy is ever going to get his timing down at the plate if he gets every third day off.
daver - June 11, 2009
I agree.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
No complaints here ;)
Just wondering if it’s related to the cramp/strain from last night, or other reasons.
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
hopefully
just a rest.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
It's apart of his contract.
Only 2 consecutive days of playing time.
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
Complaining!
Why would I complain?? We got someone in the lineup that’s hitting 60 points higher, has a much better OPS+, and can run full-speed! Why would I complain about that?!
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
Uhm...
RJ is 4/4 and not starting? Why?
Hilary Lee - June 11, 2009
Square D scoreboard update
Fla. 2, StL 1 – Top 4
Pit. 0, Atl – - Top 1
That’s Square D, now part of Schneider Electric.
Bill Potter - June 11, 2009
Et tu Judd?
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
I like Judd better online than on the radio..
BleedsbluinMI - June 11, 2009
there weren't nearly enough
LOUD NOISES in that, and it wasn’t fast enough. :P
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
I'll shut the office door
next time, I’ll slam my desk while typing that.
Bill Potter - June 11, 2009
I'm actually sitting in a Square D plant right now...
Interning with them this summer in Cedar Rapids after being at their Palatine location the past two summers. It might be annoying for most people to hear that on the radio, but to me it’s nice to hear it.
Sobenergy - June 11, 2009
Hearing them say it during the game when they give the updates kinda annoying
But truthfully as far as commericals go during the game, I don’t mind them.
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
Ryan O'Malley
He was with the I-Cubs in Round Rock. On short notice, the Chicago Cubs desperately needed a pitcher to start that game in Houston, so O’Malley was called up and made the trip from Round Rock to Houston. I was very excited to hear about him pitching that gem. I didn’t actually see the game. O’Malley was a pitcher at the University of Memphis.
memphiscub - June 11, 2009
I'm thinking we should win this game
But who knows what offense shows up today.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
It's weird...
But I wasn’t too upset about last night’s loss, let’s light up Ortiz today and win the series!
CubsBullsBears - June 11, 2009
Same here
Idunno why that is exactly, but I was able to carry on with my night without being short-tempered.
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
I'm with you.
Team had hits, opportunities and good pitching from the starter. Winning hit by Geof’n Blum? Okay, next game please.
I hate the 5-0 losses with only a couple of hits and a walk.
N Oakley - June 11, 2009
What in the world were the Astros thinking when they got Russ Ortiz??
ERA+
2005 – 64
2006 – 57
2007 – 81
2008 – Working at one of those portable tilt-a-whirls in the parking lot of Walgreens
2009 – 106
One of these things is not like the other, one of these things is not like the other…
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
Walgreens in Lawrence has a portable tilt-a-whirl?
That’s awesome.
Bill Potter - June 11, 2009
Damn you.
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
I'm applying to grad school there right now.
For the basketball and the tilt-a-whirl.
Bill Potter - June 11, 2009
I meant Russ was working there! Not me! J/K
I was at the student rec center on Sunday, and all of a sudden 80-100 guys walked in. Bill Self was holding his summer camp and the entire friggin’ team was there—all the players, coaches, medical staff, etc., along with teenagers for the camp. They needed to use all 4 courts to practice. I stopped lifted and watched a free KU practice. It was awesome.
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
What an awful decision
quick you still have time to change your mind.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
Mizzou has open enrollment, no?
Anybody can go there, right?
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
Yeah you can just walk in
Its pretty easy.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
One of my good friends is the residence hall coordinator for Discovery.
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
I almost lived in Discovery
I opted for Excellence last year.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
If you got caught do something you weren't supposed to, you probably got in trouble from her...
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
I was just being. sarcastic
Besides, the Indiana State Fair is quickly approaching – lots of tilt-a-whirls and fried Reese’s Cups – how can I leave this state?
Bill Potter - June 11, 2009
Not that I'm high on Indiana either
But the its very important that people stay out of kansas.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
They also got Mike Hampton
reeks of desperation.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
When you sign two guys with whom the Braves have had loads of patience
And then kicked out in disgust – yeah, that’s pretty desperate.
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
I was peeved
but I am quite happy to see Geo’s bat finally havinga lil life
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
having a lil life ***
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
Hopefully Geo gets the power stroke going
A couple homers this road trip is a good sign, but we need more.
nji232 - June 11, 2009
Good Afternoon Boys and Girls!
Let’s get ’em today!
heine41 - June 11, 2009
Hey heine, how are you?
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
Awesome,
Currently sitting in an ENTHRALLING typography class
heine41 - June 11, 2009
What's your favorite font?
daver - June 11, 2009
I hear
Helvetica is quite the rage.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
It's everywhere man, EVERYWHERE!!!
heine41 - June 11, 2009
Yo, Cambria, yo!!!
daver - June 11, 2009
WINGDINGS! WINGDINGS!!
D☹
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
Crap. That didn't work out.
I tried to write “Dan is so much cooler than dat cubfan daver!!!” in Wingdings.
Fail me.
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
Wingdings are a capricious lot.
daver - June 11, 2009
jeez, thats an almost impossible question to answer
I’m a fan of Dakota Handwriting, Lithos, Herculanum
heine41 - June 11, 2009
Well, it's still college and you get to have fun afterwards, no?
Don’t. Ever. Graduate.
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
My school is set up that I go year round
feels like there is no end in sight
heine41 - June 11, 2009
And when you're done you'll want to go back
The real world sucks dude. Find a way to be in academia all your life. Have your grandchildren pay off your student loans.
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
Truthfully?
Not that I’m bound for a cubicle, but I’m ready to start making some money
heine41 - June 11, 2009
You can sell answer sheets and "party favors" at your school...
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
lol I'll keep that in mind
I’m not at the ‘typical’ university.
I’m pretty much in class with the same 10 people every M-Thursday for 10 week semesters.
heine41 - June 11, 2009
Good Luck!
Hard to make a buck or two in this economy!
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2009
I dont believe in the the bad economy anymore
not since looking at my parents 401k’s last night that have rebounded 9k since May 1st
heine41 - June 11, 2009
Nosey nosey
Have THEM pay your student loans.
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
I get included in things like that
I’m 22 and don’t want to be sheltered. I want to know whats going on, and how it all works.
heine41 - June 11, 2009
Happy to hear for someone it's turned around :)
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
Well... have your salary cut by 10%
and your Company NOT contribute to 401k and then come talk to me.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2009
+oo
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
I'm sorry to hear that
and please know i in no way was trying to belittle other’s situations. Hang in there!
heine41 - June 11, 2009
It will get better.
Either I’ll find something new or we’ll dig our way outta this.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2009
so sorry to hear that fish
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
Thanks...
Seems like us in WI have been starting to get hit hard.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2009
Here here!
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
AMilez on the pregame interview with Ron!
daver - June 11, 2009
How EXCITING!
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2009
Apparently his sore shoulder has weakened him this year.
daver - June 11, 2009
or was it Ted Lilly's laughter?
heine41 - June 11, 2009
Not enough to steal 4 mill from under the Cubs noses.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2009
he's lifting that
with his knees.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Amazing when you really stop to think about it.
F O U R M I L L I O N ! ! ! !
$4,000,000.00
tony412 - June 11, 2009
Pretty sick.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2009
Maybe it's for the best if the Cubs don't have that many All-Stars this year
after all, would you want to watch them if they were wearing this?
Bill Potter - June 11, 2009
woah!
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
OMG
I agree! Plus maybe having less All stars this year couldn’t hurt.
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
To be honest, Lilly is the only one who is having that type of season.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2009
And Ted can overcome the stigma of having to wear that schlock
Bill Potter - June 11, 2009
Wow
They should probably rethink the design.. haha
SouthsideCUBSfan - June 11, 2009
Threw up there a bit.
dtpollitt - June 11, 2009
I think they tried to use the bat that the Cardinal is pearched on for the design.
Brutal.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2009
ugh
:::vomits:::
heine41 - June 11, 2009
Ugly
kinda looks like a Phillies jersey
tony412 - June 11, 2009
But...but...I don't even like the Washington Nationals.
daver - June 11, 2009
Wow, an ugly 80's beer league jersey
done in modern cool knits and the most manly of colors, baby blue.
N Oakley - June 11, 2009
Hey now, nothing wrong with a little baby blue
tony412 - June 11, 2009
Ugh.
I don’t like those either.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2009
Like the team and the player, never liked that uni
N Oakley - June 11, 2009
Sandberg Never Wore Them
I’m glad Ryno never had to wear one of those uniforms. I don’t know which was uglier back in 1980 and 1981. Was it the horrible team on the field or the road uniforms?
memphiscub - June 11, 2009
Uniforms or Official Team Pajamas?
Provided in pink for wifes and/or girlfriends.
JFCubFan - June 11, 2009
Can someone please help me out...
I dont get the game today out here and am having a hard time finding a stream for it.. I am really bored and want to watch some of the game before I go to work in a few hours
SouthsideCUBSfan - June 11, 2009
I'm not an expert, but I think MLB.TV is the only way to watch/listen it online
You can go to the cubs website to do the Gameday thing, I think Espn has something similar. I have been able to watch NFL games online for free in the past, but never found anything for baseball. I think they figured out some way to close that down.
BleedsbluinMI - June 11, 2009
JUDD!
STOP SHOUTING!
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
No WGN?
Guess I’m watching on the computer
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
Where on the computer are you watching it
SouthsideCUBSfan - June 11, 2009
Please don't diss the opposing pitcher
No matter how bad they seem to be stat wise often when they face the Cubs they turn into Bob Gibson.
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2009
Actually that goes back to karma
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2009
Chicaco Cubs Baseball
is ON THE AIR!
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
XM must have their feeds crossed
Despite the Cubs being on the road, I get the WGN feed. Fantastic.
Bill Potter - June 11, 2009
Goodbye to the Juice Box?
Nooo! We kick ass there!
Clutch16 - June 11, 2009
Cards down 5-3 in the 7th
heine41 - June 11, 2009
Sweet, go Fish!
tony412 - June 11, 2009
alright here we go
1-1 on Soriano.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
No first-pitch thread?
chilango2 - June 11, 2009
Yes, there is!
JUMP!
Al Yellon - June 11, 2009
Soriano
grounds out to third. One out.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2009
Sorryano Stinks
This guy is terrible. Cant hit, lousy fielder. Get rid of the lazy BUM.
diamondjim - June 11, 2009
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