The Cubs inhabit first place by themselves today for the first time in 2009. And, the schedule, for once, seems to favor them -- they'll play the Astros at home, while the Cardinals host the team with the NL's best record, the Dodgers, who St. Louis has not yet faced this year. LA has the 2nd-best road record in baseball. Only the Phillies have been better away from home. Meanwhile, the Brewers, now in fourth place, host the Nationals -- that might be a get-well potion for them.
So, there's a real chance that the Cubs could extend the lead -- especially since Houston is outplaying its Pythagorean win projection by four games, a fairly large number at this stage of the season. They're 50-48 despite being outscored by 28 runs. Such a differential is rarely sustainable; the most recent example of this was the 2005 Washington Nationals, who were 55-44 and in first place on July 24, 2005, despite being outscored by 20 runs on that date. They finished at .500.
Koyie Hill may not be hitting, but he's been playing excellent defense and calling good games for his pitchers and truly enjoying his time in the spotlight:
"It's a ton of fun and I'm having a blast," Hill said. "I come to the ballpark every day excited I get to play baseball."
Good for him, and good for the Cubs, although they could probably use another "real" catcher if Geovany Soto is going to be out for any extended length of time. The triple Hill hit yesterday was the first of his career. The Cubs are 22-13 in games Hill has started this year.
| Today's Starting Pitchers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soft-tossing lefty Wandy Rodriguez usually drives Cubs hitters nuts. He has pitched twice against them already this year, getting two no-decisions in games the Astros won. One of those was against Carlos Zambrano on June 10 in Houston; Z threw eight good innings but Angel Guzman lost the game in the 9th. Derrek Lee (12-for-27, .444, 3 doubles, 2 HR) and Ryan Theriot (10-for-21, .476, 4 doubles, 1 HR) hit him well.
Z also has two good outings vs. Houston this year -- the June 10 game linked above and six one-run innings in a 4-2 Cubs win at Wrigley Field on April 6. Carlos Lee is still Z's nemesis: 19-for-52 (.365), 5 doubles, 4 HR. Z won't get to face Lance Berkman, who is on the DL.
Cable-only today in Chicago and Houston, and on EI and MLB.TV. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Astros site The Crawfish Boxes.
Overflow comment threads will post today at 8 pm, 9 pm and 9:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 173 comments
Lineup
rejo, riot, lee, rami, milt, sori, baker, hill, z.
Let’s build a 1st place lead!!!!
SackMan - July 27, 2009
DLee back in the lineup....good news.
carmen_fanzone - July 27, 2009
Agreed. Best news I've gotten all day.
slcathena - July 27, 2009
DLee
27ABs | 12 H | 3 2B | 2 HR | 8 RBI | 6 BB | 5 K | .444 AVG vs Wandy
SackMan - July 27, 2009
Light Him Up!!!
carmen_fanzone - July 27, 2009
Rodriguez
Light em up!
I will not be replaced!
Hammer - July 27, 2009 via mobile
That's for damn sure!
sue369 - July 27, 2009
Amazing.
slcathena - July 27, 2009
And... the guy hitting in front of DLee
Riot
21 ABs | 10 H| 4 2B | 1 HR | 2 BB | 0 K | .476 vs Wandy
SackMan - July 27, 2009
hee hee.
that bodes well. :)
slcathena - July 27, 2009
and Milton...not so much
12 ABs | 2 H | 2 K | .167 vs Wandy
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
as long as he works the count and hustles
not worried about him hitting tonight. stuff takes care of itself.
tim815 - July 27, 2009
he's never drawn a walk against Wandy either.
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
If he decides to actually swing the bat tonight
It could be a big night for him. A red hot Soriano is batting behind him, so he should see some strikes.
On the other hand… a red hot Soriano has nobody protecting him. Maybe time to flip spots in the order.
SackMan - July 27, 2009
Good Lord
Ryan Theriot looks like a midget there.
Allie - July 27, 2009
It's called reality.
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
what you cant see is that
theriot jumped and his feet are currently two feet off of the ground.
burncruisin - July 27, 2009
'Strohs beer, refreshing 'Strohs beer.
Drink ’em up Cubbies!
Zeke - July 27, 2009
Do they still make Stroh's?
Itchy - July 27, 2009
Unfortunately, no.
Zeke - July 27, 2009
Sure they do....
My Dad’s a loyal drinker, despite how much I make fun of him for it…
carmen_fanzone - July 27, 2009
Where? I live in Michigan and haven't seen it on the shelves in years...
Zeke - July 27, 2009
Indiana
30 packs for 11.99
carmen_fanzone - July 27, 2009
Really? Fireworks and Strohs! I knew Indiana was good for something ;)
Zeke - July 27, 2009
LOL
Except that stupid rule that you can’t buy beer on Sundays…
carmen_fanzone - July 27, 2009
Philistines!
In Michigan, no beer, wine or liquor sales on Sunday until noon. As if those attending church would be tempted to skip church and buy spirits instead… well, come to think about it…
Zeke - July 27, 2009
Got em in Minnesota as well
bheidge - July 27, 2009
Figures. A beer born in Detroit is no longer available in the state (or at least any part where I've noticed)
Zeke - July 28, 2009
As of yesterday... I changed beers and started drinking Old Style
I will not switch back, as long as the Cubs are in 1st.
SackMan - July 27, 2009
even if the cubs arent 12-12 with RISP?
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
They better not be 2-13 again. That's for sure.
SackMan - July 27, 2009
They BETTER not.
Or ELSE.
AndrewJStone - July 27, 2009
Or what?
sue369 - July 27, 2009
Or they'll be scolded on the internet by SackMan.
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
yet again :-(
sue369 - July 27, 2009
If you have
a better half, they might have something to say about that. Old Style, well how shall I politely say, oh never mind. Boy is the wind blowing out tonight?
wild bill - July 27, 2009
I'll just sleep facing the other direction.
Sacrifice.
SackMan - July 27, 2009
The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind...
Zeke - July 27, 2009
You have
enough Style and believe me you will be a blowin. But blow with the wind, hate the kick back.
wild bill - July 27, 2009
Old Style still tastes good to me!
Itchy - July 27, 2009
At the ballpark, most ANY beer tastes good.
Zeke - July 27, 2009
I would second that.
I can’t stand Old Style, but at Wrigley, i drink it and like it. its totally gotta just be a mental thing, right? or do they brew wrigley beer someplace special and put a little something extra in during the brewing process?
burncruisin - July 27, 2009
you, sir
are a team player
tim815 - July 27, 2009
Water..sparkling water some say comes all the way from....God's country.
Double Kreusned. I live down in Missouri and I sure wish I could drink Old Style…you can buy it here but only in cans (blasphemy!) and it’s so old I’m always disappointed…specially when I go back to my parents in Rockford and buy bottles, tasting the fresh stuff. Nothing like it to me.
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
Headed to the park....
..I am fired up to see the First Place Cubs!!
JB 23 - July 27, 2009
I'm pleased with the job Koyie Hill has done this year!
cubsluver22 - July 27, 2009
Me too
That the Cubs are 22-13 in games Hill has started this year speaks well of his game calling. I’m VERY concerned about Soto, however. He was absolutely killing us at the plate for most of the first half. I mean DFA bad.
Please (please) Geo…….get back in shape and show us that you’re not another Cubs ROY flash in the pan.
leothelip - July 27, 2009
im hoping they have him on a diet and workout program down in arizona
maybe they had woody go down there, cuz he isnt doing much lately
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
Lilly's Surgery
Was a success, according to Twittermeyer.
No word if Lilly performed the surgery himself.
wrigley_boy - July 27, 2009
well of course he did......
JB 23 - July 27, 2009
blindfolded
SackMan - July 27, 2009
while cloning a Unicorn
heine41 - July 27, 2009
with a ballpoint pen.
Bill Potter - July 27, 2009
A leaking ballpoint pen
SackMan - July 27, 2009
Only a leather strap in his mouth to bite on...pain killers are for Rush Limbaugh and mere mortals
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
word is the surgery also gave ted lilly super powers
well… even more superpowers
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
Yes in fact
he has just authored his first super power comic book. He did this while he corrected his knee and save a child from a burning building.
wild bill - July 27, 2009
only 1 child?
hes slacking
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
He went back in time to do it...
And, he’ll go back for more.
SackMan - July 27, 2009
ok
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
I'm going to take my comp to a nice little place here on campus
and watch the game by myself while checking in on BCB. I can’t wait. :)
slcathena - July 27, 2009
What
campus??
DamonBerryhillsMitt - July 27, 2009
I'm working at Stanford for a couple more weeks.
slcathena - July 27, 2009
Oh, that's cool
Enjoy your nice little evening (late afternoon, I guess) ahead.
DamonBerryhillsMitt - July 27, 2009
I'm pretty stoked for it. :)
slcathena - July 27, 2009
there are worse places to be hanging out than Palo Alto in late July...very nice!
LAcarl519 - July 27, 2009
:)
So very true.
slcathena - July 27, 2009
Let's Do It Cubbies!
heine41 - July 27, 2009
Houston has good pitching
and right now Wandy is the best of the lot. Cubs better be patient and make him throw lots of pitches to get to the bullpen.
Doggie Stalker - July 27, 2009
Wandy has been brutal at Wrigley Field, career-wise.
1-3 in 5 starts, 8.25 ERA. 24.0 IP, 36 hits, 22 R (all ER), 5 HR, 10 BB, 15 K.
Let’s hope it continues.
Bill Potter - July 27, 2009
When you said "brutal"
I thought you meant the opposite, glad to see I was wrong. :)
slcathena - July 27, 2009
5 starts with only 24 IP?
More of that please!
Allie - July 27, 2009
lets make it 6 starts with 24.1 IP
muwahaha
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
Wow...
…didn’t know he was that bad here. Let’s hit him early and often.
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - July 27, 2009
The last few years he was brutal on the road and great at home. He's been a little more consistent this year.
thehat34 - July 27, 2009
He's sure had a great year as a whole, so I'm sure hoping the trend against the Cubs continues.
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
Completely OT
But if you ever wanted to see a professional basketball player have a mental breakdown on the internet. Starbury has you covered.
nji232 - July 27, 2009
Wow
I watched all of it
Who’s sadder, Marbury or me? (hint: him)
leothelip - July 27, 2009
Hopefully the Cubs can get to Wandy tonight
He sucks at Wrigley, but seems to be Cy Wandy this season so who knows. Our offense has been really good lately so hopefully that keeps up.
nji232 - July 27, 2009
A win tonight would be good...
We never seem to hit this clown though…
fischisgod - July 27, 2009
I know a guy who could hit clowns....
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
did you leave the word "on" out?
LAcarl519 - July 27, 2009
I'm pretty sure he meant "hit"
as in “bang”
SackMan - July 27, 2009
"pow"?
daily2b - July 27, 2009
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
I might hit the one on the right.
SackMan - July 27, 2009
final answer?
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Only if Bill didn't hit it yet.
No sloppy seconds.
SackMan - July 27, 2009
I think everyone in that pic is on the left.
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
Hey Oh!
DMCub - July 27, 2009
"You'd better put some ice on that."
Goodie1969 - July 27, 2009
Yeah but he'd hit Clara Peller on a bad hair day....
If she still has hair
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
It's the numbers
They are bad! !!!!
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - July 27, 2009
Caption:
Can I pretty please play right field so I can get 4 ABs a game?
tomas21 - July 27, 2009
do it, manny
that’s tough to say.
tim815 - July 27, 2009
Lineup anyone?
cubswynn - July 27, 2009 via mobile
rejo, riot, lee, rami, milt, sori, baker, hill, z.
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
Al mentioned
That the cubs have five games “in hand” compared to st. Louis. Does anyone know what date their games played will be equal? Have all the rain outs been rescheduled? Thx!
cubbiefanTN - July 27, 2009 via mobile
I've wondered that myself, I know one makeup game is very late in the season...
Which leads me to wonder if they have any games that will only be madeup if they are needed. I know St. Louis has 5 off days in August compared to 2 for us (hope that’s right)…if that is right , then they would only be 2 games behind starting Sept.
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
Reds-Yanks cookin up a trade?
For Bronson Arroyo
SackMan - July 27, 2009
is he their
“Wang replacement”?
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Oh no...
SWL is gonna find a pic for that one in T minus 10
SackMan - July 27, 2009
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
swell?
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Bill Gibson's mom is HOT
daily2b - July 27, 2009
+1
I’d totally hit that
Worf - July 27, 2009
She can't decide which wiener to choose...
SackMan - July 27, 2009
"Mrs. Gibson says Skinless wieners are very easy to digest"
I guess that IS what she said!
DMCub - July 27, 2009
That's definitely a classic
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
thats a bit childish
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
Phallus Impudicus
indeed
daily2b - July 27, 2009
SackMan - July 27, 2009
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
I think I'll skip the salad...
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Hoping for a great night of baseball
dodgers better hold up their end
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Time to prove we are contenders...
…by beating a quality ballclub and extending our lead in the central. GO CUBS GO!
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - July 27, 2009
Let's do this
Hammer - July 27, 2009 via mobile
I don't mean to be a big whiner
can we please!! put subject lines on pictures? Especially giant phallic pictures?
Allie - July 27, 2009
+1
NSFW
fischisgod - July 27, 2009
Phhht.
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
I don't know why
but I feel guilty
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Mark Wahlberg plays for the Braves?
dr stabbingworth - July 27, 2009
if you are using firefox,
just install the add on AdBlock Plus. you can right-click on the image and block it via many different options.
tootle - July 27, 2009
And I have blocked some of them
but I don’t want to block everything… i just want to be able to hide them. Because my screen is small and big pictures in a thread kill my ability to read the text around them.
But really, putting a subject line isn’t that difficult or unreasonble is it? If it is, I’ll stop asking for it and just ad-block everyone, I guess.
Allie - July 27, 2009
Gimmicky broadcast by ESPN tonight
Hershieser and Phillips from the 1st and 3rd base dugouts…Weak!!
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Should be an interesting series, though.
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - July 27, 2009
Absolutely
no need for gimmicks
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Agree with you 100%.
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - July 27, 2009
That won't stop ESPN
That whole network is a gimmick
dr stabbingworth - July 27, 2009
I thought that was pretty cool
when they talked about it last night.
If it works, great. If it sucks… then the game should be pretty good.
Allie - July 27, 2009
Scooter says...
A fastball is a pitch thrown REEEEEEEEEALLLY FAST!!!!!!!
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Phillips would suck in a dugout, in the bleachers, on a plane, on a train...
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
Run Differential
As recently as 2007, the Diamondbacks won 90 games despite being outscored by by 20 runs over the course of the season.
It is sustainable if you win a lot of 1 and 2 run games.
azjazzman - July 27, 2009
But they we're exposed for the fraud they were in the playoffs....
eventually.
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
Made it to the NLCS...
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - July 27, 2009
Ouch
vonde6 - July 27, 2009
Go Cubs Go!!!
KC in OK - July 27, 2009 via mobile
I am shocked manny even decided to play with Chris Carpenter on the mound.
It is common knowledge with Manny that if there is a dominant pitcher and it is not july or an important game hell come up with a pulled muscle during BP.
MandMexpress12 - July 27, 2009
LOL.
He bounced into a 5-4-3 DP first time up.
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - July 27, 2009
I know I wrote that after his DP.
I thought something was going to happen with Albert and manny when they ran into each other. I thought Manny was pissed but on replay he was actually making sure he was alright. How awesome would that have been if manny and albert got into something in the 1st inning of the series.
MandMexpress12 - July 27, 2009
lotsa love for Dero
daily2b - July 27, 2009
Much as I love DeRo and what a competitor he is...on and off the field...
He gets no love from me until the season is over. Wait…gotta be a better way to put that…
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
Let's do this Cubs!!!
sue369 - July 27, 2009
shouldn't have cut that off
MandMexpress12 - July 27, 2009
8 more holes of golf to go
hope they go quick so i can watch us pound wandy
ndcubs - July 27, 2009 via mobile
It's in the Hole!!!!!!!!
daily2b - July 27, 2009
TWSS
santoswoodenlegs - July 27, 2009
Cinderella story, tears in his eyes I guess...
Big hitter the Lama, long…
BleedsbluinMI - July 27, 2009
well...
i just gave up after 12 lol….im awful and the cubs are more important anyways
ndcubs - July 27, 2009 via mobile
quitter
daily2b - July 27, 2009
so do you guys think milton bradley can keep up what he’s been doing?
FAN of the BULLS - July 27, 2009
he hasnt been doing much
bheidge - July 27, 2009
.292, 1 hr, 2 rbi, 5 runs in last 14 days. I'm sure his obp is good with the walks, didn't look that up.
So, much better lately, but not spectacular. He should easily be able to keep that up, and that will continue to bost the offense.
BleedsbluinMI - July 27, 2009
shame he isnt hitting for power
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
you mean
hitting .417/.563/.667 over the last 7 days?
That would be awesome.
Allie - July 27, 2009
You're right, all that 14 day prodcuction has been in the last week except for 1 run.
He has been doing better than I gave him credit for. Wow.
BleedsbluinMI - July 27, 2009
I'd even take his last 28 days number
.283 .472 .415
shake n bake - July 27, 2009
mr. eric hannah jr.?
ndcubs - July 27, 2009 via mobile
Other than walking he sure can keep up...
I’ve heard a lot of people criticizing him taking so many walks lately, and surely in a few situations I wish he had let loose. That said I’d like to see him get two more walks tonight, giving Sori at least two opportunities to move him around.
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
All he's doing is clogging up the base baths!! :)
thehat34 - July 27, 2009
I guess you could consider him a dirty player at times...never thought he needed a bath on the bases tho lol
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
Criticizing his walks?
Did you get an audience with Dusty while he was in town?
vonde6 - July 27, 2009
If I had it could have explained him actually having some fire yesterday....
Always pissed me off he never seemed to do that here.
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
2-0 in St. Louis
Derosa looks like a douche in a Cardinals uni
bheidge - July 27, 2009
As much as I like and respect DeRosa
I sure agree he looks strange in a Cards uniform. With his off season wrist surgery, he might be gotten at a better price at the end of the season. I’d sure like to have him back for 2010.
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
NBF disapproves
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
I'm excited for some baseball
The Cards just took a 2-0 lead though. Ugh
wrigleyrocker12 - July 27, 2009
the Chosen One has an RBI
jesus christos - July 27, 2009
2-1 Cards now
lexmarklover - July 27, 2009
Pour it on Dodgers!
Sandberg's evil twin - July 27, 2009
JUMP
wrigleyrocker12 - July 27, 2009
Hey guys!
JUMP!
Clutch16 - July 27, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.