The Cubs have played 108 games -- two-thirds of the season; they are tied with the Phillies and Angels for fewest games played, and still have four games in hand vs. the Cardinals (who have to face Zach Duke today -- maybe the Pirates can salvage one game out of their series). The current Cubs winning percentage -- .537 -- would get them 87 wins for a full season (meaning they'd go 29-25 for the remaining 54 games). That probably won't be enough -- I think, given the way the division race is going now, it'll take 90 wins to take the NL Central, meaning the Cubs would have to go 32-22.
Is that doable? Sure it is. But they'll have to step it up -- and hopefully, the injury parade of starting pitchers to the DL is going to end after Carlos Zambrano returns. The acquisition of Tom Gorzelanny looks even more fortuitous now; hopefully, with Ted Lilly's return from the DL about the same time Z comes back, the cost of Z's back injury will be only one game (Friday's). Jeff Samardzija will make his first major league start on Wednesday at home vs. the Phillies, taking Z's spot in the rotation that day.
As first mentioned in Worf's FanPost, speaking of Z, his batting practice exploits are going to be cut back:
The Cubs put their Opening Day starter on the 15-day disabled list Saturday for what they believe is an aggravated bulging disc he has had in his lower back for the last several seasons.
They also believe his exuberant approach to BP before his starts might have contributed to the back acting up and forcing him to leave his Aug. 1 start after three innings and then causing him to cut short his pregame warmups Friday.
If that's the case, "we can curtail that," manager Lou Piniella said of how much BP Zambrano is allowed to take before starts.
| Today's Starting Pitchers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jason Hammel was acquired by Colorado from Tampa Bay just before Opening Day this year. He pitched both in relief and as a starter in Tampa, and has been mostly a starter (19 starts in 22 appearances) for the Rockies. He has never faced the Cubs and only one player in today's lineup -- Milton Bradley -- has ever faced him (1-for-1).
Randy Wells will also be facing his opponent, the Rockies, for the first time today. Since this is the Cubs' 109th game, and Wells comes in with 102.1 innings pitched, if he throws at least 6.2 innings, he will then qualify for the league leaders list (one IP per team game played). His current 2.73 ERA, if he qualified now, would rank sixth in the NL.
National TV today is available on WGN. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Rockies site Purple Row.
Overflow comment threads will post today at 3:15 pm, 4:15 pm and 5 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 204 comments
Here's to Wells and another W!!
LAcarl519 - August 9, 2009
No AFN coverage...
Damn.
Going to have to stick with good old MLB.tv hooked up to the big screen.
Just got back from Cambridge… gotta love the Apple Store :)
sanantonecub - August 9, 2009
Light 'em up Cubs!
Anyone know why tomorrow’s game is a NIGHT game on “getaway day”?
Zeke - August 9, 2009
caption:
Miles turns his last double play for the Cubs. He was released soon thereafter.
LAcarl519 - August 9, 2009
Any word on how aramis is doing?
cubswynn - August 9, 2009 via mobile
Day to day. Sore, but not DL-sore, as of yet, anyway.
Blue Heron - August 9, 2009
Twitter seems to be on the fritz again
Wittenmyer’s updates from Friday are just starting to show up:
chilango2 - August 9, 2009
Those silly hackers must be at it again.
lswaidz - August 9, 2009
Let's go get 'em, Randy!
Win series… that’s all we need to do the rest of the year and we’ll be good to go.
lswaidz - August 9, 2009
I guess I'm glad they're going to curtail his swinging NOW, but
why the hell did no one stop and think “hmmm,bad back, huge cuts, maybe we should tell Z to stop doing that” BEFORE he hurt himself again?
Illicat - August 9, 2009
I was at the game in Florida
where he was hurt….He was putting on a show in BP…..the crowd loved it….we all know how that turned out
cozmotaylor123 - August 9, 2009
Wow...
I never realized the gut Miles has
Worf - August 9, 2009
Any word on how aramis is doing?
cubswynn - August 9, 2009 via mobile
Didn't you already post this like 5 posts up...?
lswaidz - August 9, 2009
Sorry!
I’m getting weird reception. Outside of the ozarks.
cubswynn - August 9, 2009 via mobile
hot as helsinki right now
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
Any word on how aramis is doing?
cubswynn - August 9, 2009 via mobile
Disregard
cubswynn - August 9, 2009 via mobile
Day-to-day from what I've heard.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
Any word on how a ram ram is doing?
xene - August 9, 2009
See the 3 posts above from cubswynn
dtc0405 - August 9, 2009
Hey I'm in bfn of Missouri.
Leave me alone!
cubswynn - August 9, 2009 via mobile
Sorry, I didn't mean any offense towards you,
I was just wondering how he missed all three of those posts
dtc0405 - August 9, 2009
No it's cool.
I deserve getting grief. The iPhone is being crazy today.
cubswynn - August 9, 2009 via mobile
what ? no good?
xene - August 9, 2009
he's day-2-day
some soreness
dtc0405 - August 9, 2009
The last month
we’ve gone 17-9, at .653 winning percentage. If we kept up that pace we could win 35 more which would put us at 93 wins if my math is correct. I would settle for 90 wins especially the way injuries seem to follow us around.
We have 22 home games and 13 away over the next 5 weeks (starting Tuesday). A west coast trip and a trip to NY and Pitts could mean a pretty good stretch going into mid September. Maybe we can play .650 baseball for 5 weeks?
mrcubsfan - August 9, 2009
I like you're thinking.
cubswynn - August 9, 2009 via mobile
i see moyer is starting today
so we miss the one starter of theirs we can hit
tim815 - August 9, 2009
looks like Cliff Lee and Blanton on Wednesday and Thursday
dtc0405 - August 9, 2009
Actually we will miss Hamels too
but he has not been that good this year.
Doggie Stalker - August 9, 2009
He's picked it up lately, I think.
I’ll look up splits…
cubsforever - August 9, 2009
Never mind.
August ERA: 8.71
cubsforever - August 9, 2009
I invite those hanging out here to take a gander
at this flame war. It’s livelier than this thread.
chilango2 - August 9, 2009
No kidding
This is what happens when there is no Blou to attack.
Doggie Stalker - August 9, 2009
YOU MUST AGREE WITH MY OPINION OR YOU ARE A POOPYHEAD!
Oh, sorry. Thought I was still in there.
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
Man, I am happy I did not get involved in that.
The arguing there looks brutal.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
Actually, it's pretty funny
There’s really mainly only one person that’s going off.
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
CalCalendar, yes.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
And I'm afraid I set him off, initially...
chilango2 - August 9, 2009
I think it was Worf, actually.
The person in question did say that Worf was the “top idiot of the day” or something like that.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
No, Worf posted the fanpost
Cal called him an idiot for doing so. That’s not on the original poster.
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
Makes sense.
Cal started this whole issue by attacking Worf, but that’s not Worf’s fault.
That’s one post that all people here should read before making their first comment.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
He's still going at it
The only thing I disagreed with was that Zambrano was one of the all-time greatest Cub pitchers. I don’t think he’s been around long enough to call him that, but that’s my opinion.
What I have commented a lot on is his demeanor, but he doesn’t agree that it is relevant. He’s coming off as a bit childish.
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
Oh, I could tell.
You’re coming off as a voice of sanity in all of that.
And I can see he is still going strong. Wonder if anything will cause things to die down there.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
I take it back.
You’re one of several people trying to talk sense into him. Doesn’t seem to be working, though, for the reasons you stated.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
I think it's time for me to give up
Definition of insanity and all that.
He has toned it down, though.
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
I don't think you did
You tried to get him to be civil. He had already started the attacking before you did that.
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
OK good
chilango2 - August 9, 2009
Why is gameday so slow?
There’s been one strike on Julio Lugo for about 4 minutes.
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
maybe another fan jumped?
tim815 - August 9, 2009
TLR changed his lineup at
the last minute? ryan is hitting first, not the previously posted eighth
tim815 - August 9, 2009
lineup
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
No Miles, no Soto either
Yet another iteration of the lineup…
chilango2 - August 9, 2009
Hill needs to play..
its been awhile
cozmotaylor123 - August 9, 2009
is this a joke?
Illicat - August 9, 2009
not at all
its important to get your back up catcher some work every once in awhile
cozmotaylor123 - August 9, 2009
he started 24 straight games, and Soto has played just the last two.
Hill is not hurting for work.
Illicat - August 9, 2009
I was clearly kidding
cozmotaylor123 - August 9, 2009
alright, I asked, and you said no
sarcasm doesn’t come across on a message board like some think it does
Illicat - August 9, 2009
Maybe Baker can have a big day against his old team.
cubsforever - August 9, 2009
that would be great
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
A Bucs win would really be nice
Along with a Cubs victory, of course.
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
When Soto was out...
I sure gained a lot of respect for Koyie Hill. I for one, think he’s the toughest guy on the team. Brenly’s right, he would have broke Nunez into a bilion pieces.
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
Next time, Dan Uggla shouldn't intervene.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
That's billion
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
I also gained some respect for Uggla...
Altough, it still can’t make up for the 2008 all-star game.
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
why did you gain respect for Uggla?
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
Because he grabbed Nunez...
And pushed his ass towards the dugout when he was staring down Koyie.
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
lolololol nice
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
Leadoff double for Garrett Jones!
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
Garrett Jones has amazing HR-RBI ratio
12:19
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
That's a little thing I like to call
Playing for the Pirates.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
2-0 Bucs
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
Oh yeah!!!!!
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
HELL YEAH!
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
2-0 pitt
more surprising….
Onedec a single after a hr
tim815 - August 9, 2009
And quickly erased in a GIDP
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
at least he wasn't out
oversliding second base
tim815 - August 9, 2009
Indeed.
The Pirates hit some shots that inning.
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
No DeRo in the lineup
Is he hurt? He normally crushes lefties.
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
VEB
said upper back stiffness.
heh
tim815 - August 9, 2009
Hmmm
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
If we still had Ronny Cedeno...
Then we wouldn’t have Aaron Miles and Aaron Heilman.
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
that is the best argument for Cedeno anyone has ever made
Illicat - August 9, 2009
tough to shoot holes in the logic
tim815 - August 9, 2009
2-0 pirates
bottom of the third.
top’o’the’order for pittsburgh in the third
tim815 - August 9, 2009
and the bucs lead off the third with a book rule double
tim815 - August 9, 2009
1st and third
none out
tim815 - August 9, 2009
1st and 3rd no outs
Delwyn Young at the plate!
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
Hopefully he tosses a bat...when he hits a homer.
Curtain Jerker - August 9, 2009
nope
just a single.
the cardinals starter getting hit like the pinata he is
tim815 - August 9, 2009
Joel Pinata.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
yussir
tim815 - August 9, 2009
And he singles!
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
In play runs(s)
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
3-0 Bucs!!!
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
and onedec is in the hole
tim815 - August 9, 2009
3-0 prats
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
British?
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
yes mister
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
Blimey!
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
Tea and crumpets for you, sir?
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
I'm more of a Scotch and dark chocolate kinda guy
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
hahaha
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
Someone say British!?
That calls for the resident guy living over there.
sanantonecub - August 9, 2009
Good evening
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
And to you, good sir.
sanantonecub - August 9, 2009
Thanks, but it's only 1:20 here
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
Slackers
sanantonecub - August 9, 2009
heh
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
No, that calls for some Hermione
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
Everything's better with a little Hermione
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
Things are getting tight in that other thread
I’m staying out of it.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
I think it's done
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
I dunno, "Not Bruce" just brought his special brand of sunshine over, and attacked someone
Illicat - August 9, 2009
Yeah, I saw that.
I really need to close that window.
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
as do I.........
and done
Illicat - August 9, 2009
One out
Jones fans on a 3-2 pitch
2 on, 1 out
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
and a 5-3 DP ends the inning
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
before Onedec had the chance
but pearce homered earlier
tim815 - August 9, 2009
onedec isnt pleased at all
jesus christos - August 9, 2009
pearce
double play
ndcubs - August 9, 2009
Anybody besides me think that looked like a Cub inning ?
2 on nobody out and a full count on the batter, 3 pitches later the inning is over with no runs scored.
Doggie Stalker - August 9, 2009
heh
tim815 - August 9, 2009
Crap
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
Good luck today Randy!
Fire up those bats Cubs!!!
sue369 - August 9, 2009
Beautiful day for baseball here in Denver.
Warm, sunny and just a light breeze. Traffic and sports coming up after these commercial messages.
DKT - August 9, 2009
Sounds much better
than the weather we have. Thunderstorms with lots of damage.
sue369 - August 9, 2009
and lots of rain (at least here in Michigan...)
Zeke - August 9, 2009
Yes us too.
sue369 - August 9, 2009
Is that in Illinois?
I didn’t hear that.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
Central Iowa.
sue369 - August 9, 2009
Alright
That makes sense now.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
Welcome Sue
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
:D
sue369 - August 9, 2009
uh oh
One on, no outs for Albert
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
and to third on a really, really bad pickoff throw
Shanghai Badger - August 9, 2009
And Pujols walks.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
wtf duke wtf
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
1st and 3rd for Holliday
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
i call dp right here
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
I'll take a sac-fly.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
Sac fly
3-1 Bucs
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
Ludwick pops out
2 outs
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
Molina singles...
1st and 3rd, 2 outs for Greene
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
molina pulls a fonzie and gets picked off
jesus christos - August 9, 2009
Gathright
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
molina is supposed to
embarrass runners
not embarrass himself as a runner
but we’ll take it
Onedec to lead off
tim815 - August 9, 2009
ONEDEC ONEDEC ONEDEC ONEDEC
jesus christos - August 9, 2009
Molina picked off. 3 out.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
Cubs lineup for today's game:
Theriot (SS)
Bradley (RF)
Lee (1B)
Fox (3B)
Fukudome (CF)
Soriano (LF)
Baker (2B)
Hill (Catcher)
Wells (P)
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
Meh
No Miles = happy day. Still not wild about Fuky 5th though.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
but how can we trade miles
for a quality prospect
if we don’t play him 5 times a week?
tim815 - August 9, 2009
by quality you mean....
jesus christos - August 9, 2009
a day old bagel
Illicat - August 9, 2009
BLou would specify
a donut
tim815 - August 9, 2009
alive or kicking
tim815 - August 9, 2009
i see
jesus christos - August 9, 2009
I don't really understand finding a consistent leadoff hitter and then moving him out of the spot
but Theriot hasn’t done terrible there, so, so be it
Illicat - August 9, 2009
Molina gets picked off..
Have a taste of your own medicine jerk!
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
sweet
pick off
ndcubs - August 9, 2009
Who would win in a fight
Ted Lilly or Chuck Norris?
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
Ted MIGHT let Norris carry the pink backpack...
Zeke - August 9, 2009
update..
last game there was no pink backback….it was bright orange
cozmotaylor123 - August 9, 2009
Wha??? Is it hunting season already?
Zeke - August 9, 2009
if norris is allowed his posse
from texas rangers, it would be a push
tim815 - August 9, 2009
ONEDEC strikes out
jesus christos - August 9, 2009
horror
tim815 - August 9, 2009
is that possible?
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
unpossible
tim815 - August 9, 2009
Single. One on...
Zeke - August 9, 2009
Jamarillo (is that his REAL name?) out 4-3. Runner at second. 2 out...
Zeke - August 9, 2009
sounds like a spanish cheese
tim815 - August 9, 2009
Or the start of a Frank Zappa song...
Zeke - August 9, 2009
Duke out 4-3. End of inning. 3-1 Bucs after 4.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
Greene GO 5-3. One out.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
shame dero is sitting
tim815 - August 9, 2009
Quiet...
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
Batter GO 4-3. 2 out for the Cards.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
Pinero Ks looking. 3-1 Bucs mid 5.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
1 hit each
1-8 for pirates
tim815 - August 9, 2009
McCutcheon GO 6-3. One out.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
Milledge out WL. Young up.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
pittsburgh offense
seems confident with their three runs.
rolls eyes.
tim815 - August 9, 2009
So quiet
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
Beuller?.....Beuller?.....Beuler?.....
Zeke - August 9, 2009
I'm still here.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
Just waiting for
the Cubs game to start. :-)
sue369 - August 9, 2009
Me too.
Vermont Cubs Fan - August 9, 2009
Young Ks. 3-1 Bucs after 5.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
Ryan IF single between 3rd & short.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
uh oh
ryan reaches on an infield hit
tim815 - August 9, 2009
Lugo 6-4-3 DP
Yes!!!
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
HELL YEAH!
lexmarklover - August 9, 2009
Lugo DP4-6-3. 2 out. The human neck is up...
Zeke - August 9, 2009
lugo DP
yay
tim815 - August 9, 2009
Make that 4-6-3 DP
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
In regards to 87 wins
It’s encouraging that 6 of the final 8 opponents we face to end the season currently have losing records. Get through August and the injuries and continue to beat the teams we’re supposed to beat and the central is ours for the winning.
cubbiefanTN - August 9, 2009 via mobile
Let's look ahead to the next two weeks, shall we...
Cincinnati @ St. Louis
San Diego @ St. Louis
St. Louis @ Los Angeles
St. Louis @ San Diego
Philadelphia @ Cubs
Pittsburgh @ Cubs
Cubs @ San Diego
Cubs @ Los Angeles
Slightly higher degree of difficulty for the Cubs. Let’s just keep winning ballgames and things will be just fine…
DKT - August 9, 2009
Pooholes PF 2. 3-1 bucs mid 6.
Zeke - August 9, 2009
Albert pops out
cubfanwill - August 9, 2009
albert clouts one all the way to the
catcher
tim815 - August 9, 2009
JUMP
wrigleyrocker12 - August 9, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.