Ted Lilly may be able to do just about everything, but that won't keep him off the DL after he has a MRI on his shoulder today:
Look for the Cubs to place left-hander Ted Lilly on the disabled list today.
Lilly, the Cubs' lone all-star, had an MRI arthrogram performed on his left shoulder Friday after experiencing soreness in the front part of his shoulder. The procedure involves shooting a dye into the affected area, and manager Lou Piniella acknowledged Lilly likely will be out two weeks. The Cubs said they'll know the results today.
"Oh, gosh," Piniella said. "We were just talking about getting (Ryan) Dempster back. We were happy about that. All of a sudden, the Lilly situation. It seems like every time we get player, we lose one. Let's see what the MRI says on Theodore, and we can go from there."
So, Kevin Hart goes today, Rich Harden tomorrow (hope for a cloudy day and tell Rich it's a night game, even though it's not, and even though Harden claims it doesn't matter), Carlos Zambrano on Monday vs. Houston, and then Ryan Dempster's return from the DL on Tuesday.
I forgot to mention in yesterday's recap the condition of the playing surface at Wrigley Field after the three concerts last week. If you saw the grass as "green" yesterday, that's from the many gallons of spray paint they used to make it look that way. There are many indentations in center field from the stage supports, two patches near the warning track (one in center field and one in right field) and another near the pitcher's mound. It doesn't look great, but it's not nearly as bad as the field looked after the Police concerts two years ago. Of course, the entire drainage system and field were redone that offseason. I suspect the field will have to be resodded (but not completely redone) when this season is over. After next Thursday they'll have 11 days to get things looking better.
| Today's Starting Pitchers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Johnny Cueto's overall numbers look good, but he has an 8.26 ERA in his last six starts. That includes allowing 7 HR in 28.1 innings. He did throw seven shutout innings vs. the Cubs in a 3-0 Reds win on April 22 at Wrigley Field. Ryan Theriot is 7-for-16 (.438) lifetime vs. Cueto and Alfonso Soriano has homered off him twice in 12 career AB.
That has to be a really old photo of Kevin Hart, but it's the only one I could find in that size format. He's been really lucky to not allow more runs than he has this year, given the 15 walks in 15.2 IP. He has made three career relief appearances vs. the Reds, covering 5 innings. He's allowed two runs in those innings and 1 HR, which was to Adam Dunn, who is long gone from the Reds, in a game the Cubs were winning 11-2 at the time.
Cable-only again today, CSN Chicago and FSN Ohio, and thanks to Bud's Idiotic Blackout Rules, this game is NOT available on MLB Extra Innings (only games that start after 6 pm CT on Saturdays appear on EI). For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter.
Overflow comment threads will post today at 1 pm, 2 pm and 2:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 132 comments
First! Go Cubs! Go Jim!
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
What happened to the "old" picture of Hart?
That was awesomely bad.
If we can beat Cueto today, I think we sweep.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
given Harden's home and day game performances YTD, I love your optimism.
LAcarl519 - July 25, 2009
He's too talented to be as bad as he's been this year.
I think he has a monster second half.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
That sure would be nice.
And I agree, he certainly has the ability.
Blue W - July 25, 2009
Go Cubs!
Off to Wrigley, have a great Saturday everyone.
AndrewJStone - July 25, 2009
The Trib article makes it sound like the MRI
has already happened and that Ted will be out 4-5 starts. Linky:
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/07/shoulder-sends-ted-lilly-to-dl-will-also-have-knee-surgery.html
DC Cubbie - July 25, 2009
Ouch
I hope that trade Al was talking about involves a starter
dtc0405 - July 25, 2009
That article reports Justin Berg has been called up from Triple A.
daver - July 25, 2009
I said they could have all the conerts they wanted at Wrigley...
…as long as it didn’t hurt the field. I’m not happy about that report.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
I hear ya...
As much as I like music, baseball fields are for baseball. I can’t believe that there wasn’t anywhere else in Chicago they could have held those concerts. Let’s get another win today!!
Fonzie2178 - July 25, 2009
Well I don't think it's a problem with not having another venue.
The promoters picked Wrigley because they knew it would be a nice draw.
I’m all for revenue generating events like this, but not at the cost of damaging the field.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
No, I know,
I was just blowing off some steam. They just renovated the playing field and have started to beat it all up again. I’m right with you, I probably can’t think of any musician who wouldn’t want to play at Wrigley, but let’s not tear the place up.
Fonzie2178 - July 25, 2009
What's the weather like
Today? Should we expect a HR fest like yesterday?
cubbiefanTN - July 25, 2009 via mobile
Would you believe it ACTUALLY feels like Summer?
http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/mlb/gameforecast/60613?eventid=293925&epc=be
Wind appears to be blowing in however.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
Wunderground also has the wind blowing more in than out
Weather forecast
eths - July 25, 2009
Any further info
From Deep Goat, Al? I’ve been scanning this morning and have yet to see the Cubs mentioned in any potential deals. I’m anxious.
Kegler - July 25, 2009 via mobile
I think Bruce Levine said that Lilly would be out until August 15
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
I just want to know if
its a starter or a reliever? Al says possibly both. Is the player that will lead to excitement a start or reliever? I’m not familiar with sources and what not, but I can’t image, with all the starting pitchers in the big leags you would be giving away any secret information.
TCobb1911 - July 25, 2009
he is called Deep Goat for a reason
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
I don't care what his name is.
There are a ton of starting pitchers in the league. I think people get a little picky if a guy isn’t allowed to say: starter or reliever. This isn’t national secuirity we’re talking. We’re talking about a nameless athlete.
TCobb1911 - July 25, 2009
I agree.
I personally don’t mind but I can see why people get mad.
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
Sit tight.
This is what makes the trade deadline fun.
DamonBerryhillsMitt - July 25, 2009
AARON LIND?
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
Hafta be honest...
No idea what that means. No clue who Aaron Lind or Adam Lind or any other kinda Lind is. Musta been absent from BCB the day that became funny.
DamonBerryhillsMitt - July 25, 2009
SEE THIS
Devin B - July 25, 2009
Damn for some reason I remembered him...
…even screwing up his name too, calling him Aaron. This is like a big fish story that has taken on a life of it’s own haha.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
That's the ERIC HANNA Post
Is that the same post where “Adam Lind” rose to fame? Gonna have to reread the comments when I get back to work on Monday.
DamonBerryhillsMitt - July 25, 2009
Right.
They are the same ones.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
Ha, ok I c it now
Just reread ERIC’s portion.
DamonBerryhillsMitt - July 25, 2009
or Roy Halliday....
JB 23 - July 25, 2009
Ted is saying 3-4 weeks, he is also having knee surgery
DC Cubbie - July 25, 2009
Why do the baseball gods continue to crap on us?
SackMan - July 25, 2009
I just heard Levine say 2-3 weeks about 30 minutes ago...?
JB 23 - July 25, 2009
I'm purely speculating
but I think the deal that Al said could happen will be similar to the one that Bruce Levine reported with the Pirates. I just hope that it’s not Tom Gorzelanny.
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
I HATE Saturday day games
because that means the game isn’t on the MLB Package. Sure, the Cubs are on FOX every once in a while, but not today. I think subscribers to the package should be able to watch ALL the games, regardless of the blackout rules. Thanks for nothing, Bud!
DKT - July 25, 2009
agreed
not that i’m a subscriber to the package, but agreed in principle. I also don’t like how I can’t watch cubs games on my iphone due to the fact that I live in cubs territory
laidbackliam - July 25, 2009
Agreed. Although my boss probably loves it.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
noon games on Saturday that are on WGN get around the Fox blackout but
games on CSN do not (it seems).
Note to Cubs: Saturday noon games should be on WGN…pls. (for those of us who live outside the Chicago viewing area)
LAcarl519 - July 25, 2009
Amen
DKT - July 25, 2009
I always find it very strange...
…that in Europe, I have less trouble watching Cubs games than fans in the “greater” Chicago area. No black outs here. As many problems as MLB-AM has with their streaming services, it is much better than say 20 years ago. We still had American Forces Network on AM radio back then, but maybe only 3 or 4 Cubs games were broadcast per season. However, the time difference between here and CONUS has always been a problem. Night games tend to start at between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM (my local time).
eths - July 25, 2009
I broke down...
and got MLB.tv today…the month subscription, as there will be times in the next month where I won’t be home and can’t watch on EI anyway.
Chris Dobbertean - July 25, 2009
Do you have the iPhone?
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
I do. Love the fact that the mlb.tv app works on it now!
Now the battery can wear down in a half hour!! :-(
LAcarl519 - July 25, 2009
The 3Gs...
Has greatly improved battery life.
CubsBullsBears - July 25, 2009
I hope jim pulls the trigger on a sp
Hart doesn’t belong in the big leagues as a starter
ndcubs - July 25, 2009 via mobile
Or get Marshall back in the rotation...
Or get Spellcheck in the roatation…
Or call up Jay Jackson…
SackMan - July 25, 2009
No to Samardzija.
The kid needs another pitch to be a starter.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
+1
see what I did there?
drewishdrewid - July 25, 2009
Marshall to the rotation is the only realistic option there.
daver - July 25, 2009
Agree, I wonder how long it will take him to get ready to start?
JB 23 - July 25, 2009
I vote for coolcat
ndcubs - July 25, 2009 via mobile
You mean the Juggernaut?
daver - July 25, 2009
B i g s m o o t h
ndcubs - July 25, 2009 via mobile
Ah, OK. Marshall. We're on the same page.
daver - July 25, 2009
he doesnt have the type of stuff that allows him to walk batters like he did his last start
DC Cubbie - July 25, 2009
Caption.. Search continues for Red CF Taveras
Shown here immediately before his disappearance. Volunteer search teams have recovered several items from the Wrigley Ivy where he was last seen, including Jacque Jones, Jimmy Hoffa, and offensive numbers for several members of the current Cubs lineup. When asked to participate in the search, Cubs manager Lou Piniella threw up his hands and said “what do you want me to do?”.
DisCUBbobulated - July 25, 2009
I'll throw it out there - Cliff Lee.
The Indians are dangling him, and he won’t demand the same cost as Halladay. I could see the Cubs targeting him.
Bill Potter - July 25, 2009
Yeah I definitely think he gets moved.
More so than Halladay. I’d love to see what he could do in the NL (for the Cubs of course).
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
He'd fill in nicely for Lilly and round out the rotation pretty resoundingly.
daver - July 25, 2009
Sounds good to me.
3.17 ERA
103 K
1.32 WHIP
I wouldn’t mind seeing those numbers in blue pinstripes.
Blue W - July 25, 2009
RJ
Theriot
Lee
Ram
Fukudome
Soriano
Fontenot
HIll
Hart
lineup = sucks
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
Bradley is out. Interesting.
I still don’t get why the hell Lou doesn’t just leave Dome in the leadoff spot.
daver - July 25, 2009
yes especially when he's hitting over .300 when leading off
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
Where'd you get that lineup?
daver - July 25, 2009
radio
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
That makes too much sence
ndcubs - July 25, 2009 via mobile
ya esp when facing a righty
But before we jump down Lou’s throat. What are Kosuke’s career numbers vs Cueto?
MandMexpress12 - July 25, 2009
Kosuke is 1-3
reed has never faced him
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
I am assuming then
with Milton out of the lineup. Lou’s thinking is that it is better to use kosuke to split up the righty’s. And hoping with Dome hitting well that maybe he can drive in some runs.
MandMexpress12 - July 25, 2009
Milton is 0-3 with 2 Ks so that might be a reason why he isn't in the lineup
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
Small sample size
I think Bradley needs as many AB’s as possible to gain some confidence. Two days on and one day off would piss me off…
DKT - July 25, 2009
I agree.
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
WTF?
How many days off does Bradley get? It’s absurd. You’re paying a switch hitter $30 mil for 3 years to be your everyday RFer… and he sits whenever he wants to. F’n BS.
At least leave Fukudome in the lead-off… and if you;re gonna sit Bradley, then put Fox in RF. Fox destroys righties.
Ugh… so pissed.
SackMan - July 25, 2009
You tell 'em SackMan.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
How do you know he
wanted to sit today? Maybe he wasn’t given a choice.
sue369 - July 25, 2009
Reed sucks at leadoff
I do not get the fascination with him in the spot. Hes probably a better 5/6 hole hitter than Fukudome anyway. Also, idlike to see Fox get a stasrt in right.
Ryanocm1 - July 25, 2009
yup, he is a contact guy....after Fukuy's 2-4 day yesterday the mind
..boggles at these things..
JB 23 - July 25, 2009
I'm with ya on Fox.
I’ve drank the Kool-Aid and I’m sold on him. Figure out a way to get that freaking bat in our freaking line up.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
If the Cubs win today, I'd start Jake tomorrow behind the plate v. Micah Owings.
daver - July 25, 2009
STOP MOVING FUKUDOME IN THE LINEUP!!!!
ARGH!
drewishdrewid - July 25, 2009
sadly he's both the best leadoff option
and one of the most powerful hitters in the lineup. #1 in OBP, #3 SLG, #4 ISO
shake n bake - July 25, 2009
I love Reed
but not in the lead-off spot. Why does Lou not leave Dome in the lead-off spot?
sue369 - July 25, 2009
Lou channeling Barbara Billingsley when he referred to Lilly as "Theodore."
For those of us who grew up on “Leave it to Beaver,” I could not help but chuckle when I heard Lou’s angry reference to Lilly as Theodore yesterday as he was clearly trying to convey that he was miffed about this shoulder soreness being kept from him for 2-3 days. My guess is he gave an earful to Larry and Theodore yesterday.
Let’s hope the “Beav” is on the mend quickly!
LAcarl519 - July 25, 2009
Gee whiz...
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
he looks ready to go to me!
LAcarl519 - July 25, 2009
LOL Matt Lawton .... blast from the past
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
This Old Cub
Will be on tomorrow at 10:00 AM on the MLB Network. It really is a must watch for Cub’s fans. Set your Tivo’s if you have never seen it or just want it saved on your tivo.
MandMexpress12 - July 25, 2009
Come on Levine, talk rumors!!!
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
Lou is so G-D dumb sometimes...
Leave Kosuke in the leadoff spot, it’s really pretty simple! Especially when the alternative is Reed Johnson! Ugh.
I do, however, love that he referred to Lilly as “Theodore.” That’s awesome
kanderber - July 25, 2009
Also...
Who the hell is Justin Berg? Never heard of him.
kanderber - July 25, 2009
Apparently this guy...
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
"You got a problem? C'mere and say that."
daver - July 25, 2009
he's got that Ted Lilly-like stare that says
“mess with me and I’ll tear off your arms and beat you to death with them’
DC Cubbie - July 25, 2009
"With my toes...."
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
he was with the Yankees and traded to the Cubs for Matt Lawton
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
was pitching relief for the I-Cubs
2.00 ERA in 36 IP 4.8 BB/9 (More than Z, less than Heilman)
shake n bake - July 25, 2009
Caption
“How many balls are in here, anyway? Damn – there’s another one! Oh, hi there! Nice kitty!”
Clutch16 - July 25, 2009 via mobile
Caption
“MY ARM!!!! IT’S GOT MY ARM!!!! AGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!”
daver - July 25, 2009
RJ leading off against a dominating righty?
I miss Lil’ Sammy Fuld
californiachicagoan - July 25, 2009
It might surprise
but so do I. 2 home runs in 3 games at Iowa now maybe Lou will bring him back.
Doggie Stalker - July 25, 2009
it seems like Fuld's success will pressure "poor Fonzi's fragile ego"
so any glimmer of success by Fuld and it is “off to Iowa you go!” I sometimes wonder if the goal is to win the WS or protect Fonzi AND Hendry’s egos. Actually I am not confused about this any more, the facts seem to speak for themselves.
How truly sad. The Cardinals seem to not give a crap about who they step on. Tony the Drunk and management just puts the best 25 names on the roster at all times. It seems that Cub management doesn’t have the same single-mindedness. The Cubs seem to leave 1-3 guys in Iowa or rotting on the bench (Fox) that can make the team on the field a hell of a lot better.
Prove me wrong Jim & Lou. Please, prove me wrong!
LAcarl519 - July 25, 2009
what?
there’s absolutely no evidence for this. Give me a break. Soriano is a multi-time all-star, Sam Fuld is a defensive replacement player!
drewishdrewid - July 25, 2009
This is a ridiculous post
They dont even play the same position. Did Sori have an issue when Pie was called up? Um, no. He loved the guy, and even let him stay at his place.
I understand you hate Sori this season, but why dont you blame him for the Recession, too.
californiachicagoan - July 25, 2009
If you will read it again, I was saying that Lou is afraid of any success that Fuld might have as a
starter could pressure Soriano. It is Lou’s perception of Soriano and that Lou does not want to put any more pressure on Soriano and that is why he never gives Fuld a chance to start. Whenever Fuld does well in the field or at bat he is sent packing. It seems you and Drew keep seeing everything I say as negative about Soriano even when what I am saying is about Lou & Jim and their management of the club and the egos.
LAcarl519 - July 25, 2009
let Fox start at C already
DC Cubbie - July 25, 2009
We're saving Fox's bat for game 7 of the NLCS
SackMan - July 25, 2009
No need to overextend him right now...
DKT - July 25, 2009
Because he is not a catcher ?
We keep pretending he is and hoping Hill’s knees survive another week. Again the dumbest move yet by the Cubs.
Doggie Stalker - July 25, 2009
agree the fact JH can't find a backup C is perplexing
is Soto even swinging a bat yet…he’ll probablyl be about 350lbs. before he gets back
DC Cubbie - July 25, 2009
Jake's actually been catching since high school.
It’s definitely a risk, but Hill needs a break and the lineup is better with Jake’s bat in it. Again, I’d probably only do it vs. Reds if the Cubs win today and clinch the series. But catchers, after all, do not drop out of the sky.
daver - July 25, 2009
What was Lilly doing in St. Louis anyway ?
Maybe he decided to run over Yadiar for old times sake and hurt his shoulder
Doggie Stalker - July 25, 2009
why not Micah in right and Dome in center?
DC Cubbie - July 25, 2009
Why RJ leading off is so stupid.
—Reed’s numbers versus RHP this year: .218/.287/.359/.646
—Reed’s OPS leading off this year: .360 (very small sample size, I’ll give you that). That’s OPS, not OBP.
—Kosuke has been GREAT leading off: .333/.404/.578/.982
And frankly, while Reed has a VERY good month of May, outside of that he has been pretty pathetic at the plate this year. You could argue that him being in the lineup in and of itself is an awful decision, but really there’s no justification for him leading off. None.
Lou really pisses me off sometimes.
kanderber - July 25, 2009
It's f'n BS
Keep Dome in the leadoff spot. He’s tearin it up.
RJ sucks vs righties
Fox mashes righties, and we don’t even want to use him.
SackMan - July 25, 2009
Its makes ZERO sense.....
JB 23 - July 25, 2009
We are talking Lou here
It took over two years and an epic slump to get him to take Sori out of leadoff
Doggie Stalker - July 25, 2009
Halladay to the Phillies off?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4355464
I also read today that Pedro is only getting $885,000. That definitely seems like a reasonable risk to take.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
I didn't realize Halladay was 32...
thought he was late 20’s for some reason.
kanderber - July 25, 2009
Lenny Dykstra is a wacko
lexmarklover - July 25, 2009
what about Eric bedard? he might cost too much compared to Halladay and Lee
DC Cubbie - July 25, 2009
Or Washburn.
2.71 ERA 1.06 WHIP and he’s a lefty.
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
Both of these would be excellent
and they are both on my fantasy team! How about getting Edwin Jackson, too? What about Scotty Feldman?
californiachicagoan - July 25, 2009
Edwin Jackson?
Why would the first place Tigers give up their best pitcher?
cubswynn - July 25, 2009
As his Fantasy Baseball GM
I’ll approve the trade!
californiachicagoan - July 25, 2009
SackMan's stat of the day
Milton Bradley RISP = 74 PA | 14 RBI | 15 K | 17 BB | .204 AVG
Jake Fox RISP = 30 PA | 17 RBI | 2 K | 2 BB | .292 AVG
SackMan - July 25, 2009
Milton is better with RISP than without
shake n bake - July 25, 2009
Judd's going to interview the head groundskeeper.
I hear this guy can rake.
daver - July 25, 2009
I'm jealous that you can make such good puns.
zevkalman - July 25, 2009
The Cubs need a starting pitcher
They should inquire whether or not Zach Duke is available in Pittsburgh, he would fill in quite nicely for Ted Lilly. I know for sure that Cub-killer Doug Davis is available in Arizona, but the asking price for either could be high.
tripdenten - July 25, 2009
What the hell is this...
Johnson leading off, Dome 5? No Bradley? Lilly having knee surgery? I sleep-in late one day and everything goes to crap.
CubsBullsBears - July 25, 2009
JUMP!!!
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/7/25/962115/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-reds#comments
sue369 - July 25, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.