Sweeping a four-game series is hard, and especially on the road. Nevertheless, the Cubs did it last year in Milwaukee -- a series that defined the NL Central race in 2008 once and for all -- and if they are going to make a statement in this year's race, sweeping a bad Nationals team (there, I said it) is a good way to do it. Washington is on pace to win 47 games this year; they have some young pitchers who might be decent in a year or two, but they are eminently sweepable.
"He said he could have pitched today if he had to," manager Lou Piniella said before Saturday's game, which Lilly originally had been scheduled to start. "So that's a good sign for us."
Lilly, who has been bothered off and on since May by discomfort on the inside part of the knee, said he can't pinpoint where the problem started. An MRI exam revealed nothing serious enough to prevent him from pitching through the occasional flareup.
Since May? Well, since May 1 Ted is 7-4, 3.02 with 18 walks and 85 strikeouts in 95.1 innings. This man really can do anything.
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Garrett Mock made a relief appearance vs. the Cubs on August 23, 2008 at Wrigley Field, allowing a run in 1.2 innings. This is his first start of 2008 after 13 relief appearances, during which he pitched mostly poorly (1.85 WHIP, 6.92 ERA).
Kevin Hart's ERA, 1.69, is misleading, because he escaped major damage to it in his only major league start to date, July 8 vs. Atlanta. He has never faced the Nats, but he has faced Adam Dunn. Once, on April 16, 2008 at Wrigley Field, when Dunn was still a Red. Dunn homered off Hart. That's enough of that.
The Cubs are on WGN again today, along with MASN in the DC area, and according to the Nats website, also on a broadcast channel, DC50. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Once again, a note that you can find out what Nats fans (yes, there are some) are thinking at the SB Nation Nationals blog, Federal Baseball.
Overflow comment threads will post today at 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm and 3:15 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 57 comments
Let's Get the Sweep!
Hoping for a strong outing for Hart and some run support from the offense.
dedfishflote - July 19, 2009
Do you guys think
Hart intentionally shaves that spot under his nose or does it just grow like that?
Whatever it is, hope it gets him 7 innings today. After last night’s adventure, the bullpen needs a rest.
Worf - July 19, 2009
Idunno
but his is one of the weirdest photos we’ve seen all year.
chilango2 - July 19, 2009
looks like a bad actor who makes his living in the San Fernando Valley
…if you know what I mean
LAcarl519 - July 19, 2009
Dirk Diggler?
Zeke - July 19, 2009
And his trusty sidekick, Brock Landers
chilango2 - July 19, 2009
No man, Dirk is Brock Landers
Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly) is Chest Rockwell
D-rose - July 19, 2009
Correct...
carmen_fanzone - July 19, 2009
he's just auditioning for
a gig with the cardinals.
tim815 - July 19, 2009
Bad-da BOOM. Ching!
Zeke - July 19, 2009
He appears to be
channeling his inner Sardo Numspa.
That’s a “Golden Child” reference, for those who only remember the good Eddie Murphy films.
Goodie1969 - July 19, 2009
Golden Child was the freaking bomb
BoVandy - July 19, 2009
i said, i i i i want the knife
plllleeeeaaaassssseee.
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - July 19, 2009 via mobile
I love these 6:35pm starts!
And sweeps are overrated. Instead of bringing out a broom, lets bring out my new favorite toy, and the best housemate a man could have…
Seriously. This thing rules!
sanantonecub - July 19, 2009
Better than a housemate with privileges?
Zeke - July 19, 2009
Some ways yes, some ways no...
After all, all that keeps this housemate happy is keeping her charged up :)
sanantonecub - July 19, 2009
And she actually cleans!
sanantonecub - July 19, 2009
Who gets to keep Hart's frequent flier miles?
Let’s hope he can cut down on the walks.
SecTaylor - July 19, 2009
You've seen this, right?
chilango2 - July 19, 2009
I sure feel better when Fuld is playing LF in the final innings
as BB said last night in the 9th with Fuld in LF, Johnson in CF and Kosuke in RF, “this is our best defensive outfield.”
LAcarl519 - July 19, 2009
unfortunately, Lou seems bound and determined not to give Fuld an actual shot
BoVandy - July 19, 2009
Was he the real luxury or is it Blanco?
Or is it Hoffpauir?
chilango2 - July 19, 2009
And BB is absolutely right
Zeke - July 19, 2009
that sucks
sue369 - July 19, 2009
Twittermeyer's lineup
Sunday lineup: fuky, riot, lee, hoff (rf), fox (3b), sori, font, hill, hart.
Worf - July 19, 2009
Caption for the photo:
“I’m with stupid.”
Molechaser - July 19, 2009
"Hey Riggs, smell our fingers..."
cubswynn - July 19, 2009
Hey Heilman
The strike zone’s dat way…..
nmcubsfan - July 19, 2009 via mobile
Ya take a RIGHT a Albuquerque...
Zeke - July 19, 2009
a=at
Zeke - July 19, 2009
"Sorry officer, he ran that way!"
Vermont Cubs Fan - July 19, 2009
"He" being a Cardinals fan.
Vermont Cubs Fan - July 19, 2009
OK, off to mow the lawn so I can watch the game
See ya
Worf - July 19, 2009
This could be your ultimate game thread today...
You get a chance to mock Mock. ;-)
ballhawk - July 19, 2009
Nope. Not today...
Going to the Lansing Lugnuts Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game shortly. Will have to catch the Cubs game on DVR later…
Zeke - July 19, 2009
Just how high IS your grass?
Zeke - July 19, 2009
which relievers are available
haven’t gregg and marmol thrown three days in a row? what about guzman and heilman? it feels to me like we might be throwing shark and stevens out there for some important innings (hopefully they’re important).
John T. Unger - July 19, 2009
when was the last time Stevens even pitched?
BoVandy - July 19, 2009
just found it, nine freaking days ago.
Is he still even on the major league roster? If so, why did we replace David Patton…..with David Patton?
BoVandy - July 19, 2009
that's how it works
your bottom rung is bottom rung. when we don’t blow the opposition out early, we use up our good relievers to try to hold a late lead.
tim815 - July 19, 2009
our good relievers? Does Heilman fit into that category?
And you go find me another team that uses two or three relievers as much as we do, and our “bottom rung” as little as we do. Never mind that we could have left Stevens in AAA to perfect his pitching if we’re going to use him once every nine days
BoVandy - July 19, 2009
No Kidding..
This is exactly why I don’t understand the need to carry 12 pitchers practically all year. No way Fuld should have been sent down, either cut Baker loose, or option Stevens/Shark. Maybe if Lou would pull his head out of his arse, the bullpen wouldn’t be in tatters.
Why was Wells pulled after 85 pitches last night? Has Alzheimer’s removed his memory of the fact that Marshall is primarily a starter, and can go more than 2 batters? It’s like we’re seeing an older, more senile version of Dusty Baker.
aphoward - July 19, 2009
Darrin Stevens? Samantha's husband?
Or was it Durwood Stevens?
Zeke - July 19, 2009
Score early and often today...
carmen_fanzone - July 19, 2009
Lou did manage last night as if it was the NLCS.....
so today, it will appear to be a “B” game in Mesa
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - July 19, 2009
Well, as I remember the "A" games in Mesa didn't go much better than the "B" games...
Zeke - July 19, 2009
The Nationals SBN site makes me sad.
The recap for last night’s game had 7 comments, several of which were by the moderator. It’s too bad that once May rolls around in DC, it’s time to start the countdown to Redskins football.
I rather enjoyed their nickname for Adam Dunn, though. “The Big Walky.”
Goodie1969 - July 19, 2009
Yeah, that makes me sad too.
Having attended two out of these last 3 games, I’ve decided to no longer make fun of the Nationals and their fans. Obviously the team has their limitations and the fan base needs some expansion, but so far I’ve really had a great experience with all the folks I’ve talked to/sat by at the games.
I was a bit surprised how invested many of them were, despite the team’s lackluster performance thus far. I think that’s great. And obviously I can relate to what it’s like to root for bad teams. Anyway, they’ve been really polite and friendly, and even giving good natured jabs during the course of the game.
It wouldn’t bother me in the least to see the Nationals get some luck going, since I think their fans deserve it. I just ask that it doesn’t start until after the Cubs leave town.
(Btw, that quote from WFB is great :).
CubsWin!Oregon - July 19, 2009
How does Von Joshua see?
The guy barely opens his eyes. It looks like he’s talking in his sleep when Kasper interviews him.
BeerCub - July 19, 2009
Lou: Pull his finger.
Tram: Pull my finger.
lswaidz - July 19, 2009
Alright folks...
Just ordered some Indian take-away and will pick it up from down the street in a few minutes, hopefully getting back in time for first pitch. Ready for CUBS BASEBALL!?
sanantonecub - July 19, 2009
I am!!!
sue369 - July 19, 2009
You're just in it for the Baileys.
sanantonecub - July 19, 2009
:D
sue369 - July 19, 2009
Lineups:
Chicago Cubs:
Fukudome (CF)
Theriot (SS)
Lee (1B)
Hoffpauir (RF)
Fox (3B)
Soriano (LF)
Fontenot (2B)
Hill (Catcher)
Hart (P)
Washington Nationals:
Morgan (CF)
Johnson (1B)
Zimmerman (3B)
Dunn (LF)
Willingham (RF)
Bard (Catcher)
Belliard (2B)
Gonzalez (SS)
Mock (P)
Vermont Cubs Fan - July 19, 2009
JUMP!!!!
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/7/19/954231/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs#comments
sue369 - July 19, 2009
get him to third
come hell or high water riot
tim815 - July 19, 2009
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