The last time the Cubs faced Tim Lincecum, on May 5 at Wrigley Field, Lou sent onto the field a makeshift lineup that included Joey Gathright leading off in CF (the only game he started as a Cub), Kosuke Fukudome batting third, Micah Hoffpauir hitting fifth, and Aaron Miles starting at SS and batting second (surprisingly enough, he actually worked a walk off Lincecum).
I really have no idea why Lou did this; maybe he was thinking "we're going to lose this game anyway to this pitcher, so I'll give my regulars some rest". And you know what, the spring training style lineup might have actually worked if Sean Marshall hadn't given up a three-run homer to Bengie Molina in the first inning. After that, Marshall settled down and matched Lincecum well for the next six innings; each of them allowed a pair of runs between the second and the seventh.
Tonight, there will be a few sub Cubs in the lineup again (see below), but this time out of necessity due to injuries and several other factors. With Carlos Zambrano on the mound, maybe this time, the Cubs can beat Lincecum; they have done so only once before, on August 21, 2007, and that was primarily the fault of the Giants' bullpen, though Jason Marquis matched up well with Lincecum that night. I was at that game in San Francisco; here's the recap I wrote the next day.
There are only three visiting teams that have a winning record at AT&T Park. Believe it or not, last night the Cubs (now 17-16) joined the Dodgers (43-38) and, amazingly, the Pirates (15-14) on that very short list. (Hat tip to BCB reader bison for the link.)
Lineup via Twittermyer:
Fukudome, rf; Theriot, ss; Ramirez, 3b; Hoffpauir, 1b; Baker, 2b; Scales, lf; Hill, c; Fuld, cf; Zambrano, p
Paul Sullivan asks whether the Giants might be a good match for Milton Bradley in an offseason trade and posits whether Aaron Rowand would be a good return:
... both GMs are motivated sellers, and a Rowand-Bradley deal would not be out of the realm of possibility. Rowand has three years and $36 million left on his contract, while Bradley has $21 million and two years left on his deal. Obviously more players would have to be involved, unless the Giants were willing to pay the Cubs around half of the $15 million difference in the contracts.
Well. Rowand has had a mediocre year (and looked awful striking out against Carlos Marmol last night) and is two years removed from his fine offensive season with the Phillies. But he is an outstanding center fielder; getting him would allow the Cubs to move Kosuke Fukudome back to RF (perhaps he could platoon with Reed Johnson there?) and maybe Rowand has one more good year left in him. Maybe some of the difference in salaries could be made up by asking the Giants to take Aaron Miles in return, too. If a deal like this were made, the Giants would probably have to leave Bradley home during any series at Wrigley Field. It's not the only option or even the best one, but it might be worth considering.
Finally, for the third day in a row, I found a fun photo for which I'll run another caption contest. Prize again is a DVD of "Chasing October". Previous winners can enter, but can't win again (ballhawk and KaliCub, who won last night for this entry).
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The crack in Tim Lincecum's armor might be his recent performance. Is he tiring at the end of a long season? In his last six starts he's a pedestrian 3-2, 3.69 with 20 walks in 39 innings. Maybe the Cubs can wait him out and get on base via walks tonight. The more pitches you make him throw, the quicker the Cubs can get into SF's bullpen. Derrek Lee is 6-for-16 (.375) with a pair of doubles vs. Lincecum, but he won't be starting tonight. And maybe someday, Lincecum will look like he's older than 15.
Carlos Zambrano hasn't faced the Giants since 2007, when they had quite a different-looking lineup than today's, on August 23, 2007. Z threw OK that day, but allowed his opposing pitcher, Matt Cain, to hit a two-run homer. Overall Z is 4-1, 3.40 in seven career starts vs. the Giants, and has not lost (3-0) in six road starts (2.76) since the All-Star break. Edgar Renteria (12-for-31, .387) and Randy Winn (6-for-11, two doubles, a HR) have hit Z well.
Today's game is CSN-centric; Chicago and Bay Area. In Chicago it'll be on CSN Plus, so "check local listings" for the channel on your system (CLTV in Chicago and 285 for the HD version if you have Comcast in the city). For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Giants site McCovey Chronicles. Grant, who runs the site, is one of SBN's best writers.
Overflow comment threads will post today at 10:15 and 11:15 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 93 comments
I'm always first.
I’d like to be second.
PacificCub - September 25, 2009
Looks like you're both!
Goodie1969 - September 25, 2009
I win!!
PacificCub - September 25, 2009
Caption:
“You’re doing it wrong.”
PacificCub - September 25, 2009
Backdraft!
ballhawk - September 25, 2009
Caption
Kosuke Fukudome and Eugenio Velez will will represent Major League Baseball on Dancing With the Stars – International! Thursday at 9:00 p.m., following Gray’s Anatomy. Only on Chicago’s ABC-7! (blatant pandering to the blogmeister)
Ross - September 25, 2009
Sumo wrestling would be more fun if we were fatter.
louslovechild - September 25, 2009
No Miles in the lineup for this go-round with The Freak.
Looks like we’re golden!
Goodie1969 - September 25, 2009
Just for fun caption
“The Cubs and Fukudome fall victim to the backdoor double play.”
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
Just for fun caption Part II
“Left foot red.”
ballhawk - September 25, 2009
Just for fun caption...the trilogy
“Eugenio Velez completes the Kama Sutra double play”
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
Just think, Kali...
Sometime tomorrow, we’ll have a third member in our exclusive little club.
And you won’t have to carry the little pink backpack anymore… ;-)
ballhawk - September 25, 2009
ROFL...I just hate that thing.
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
And it's not pink this year.
It’s orange.
Al Yellon - September 25, 2009
Last one, I promise...
“To complete the double play, Eugenio Velez has to go all the way to the land of the rising moon.”
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
Oh my.
I see why you won last night, that is good.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 25, 2009
I aspire to be one sentence funny, so now my life has worth. :)
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
I'm trying to be that way, too.
Not quite as far along as you have gotten, though. :)
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 25, 2009
Keep at it, you'll make the bigs someday. :)
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
Thanks!
Though right now, my legs need rest. I walked about six miles in SF today … up and down some very steep hills.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 25, 2009
Hope you have fun out there
and get a better result on Sunday than in LA.
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
I hope so too.
I was supposed to go on Saturday, but that fell through. So it’s Sunday instead.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 25, 2009
Caption:
My yoga instructor calls this one “crouching Dragon, hidden Giant”
BleedsbluinMI - September 25, 2009
This one is my fav so far
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
yup
Emelie - September 25, 2009
Tonight we shall beat...
…Lincecum!
Of course, we’re going to have suffer through that wretched “K-ville” crap they do before the first pitch.
LeSaboteur - September 25, 2009
Caption:
“Velez and Fukudome unsuccessfully attempt a Pair Camel Spin during the first inning of Thursday’s game between the Cubs and Giants at AT&T Park on September 24th, 2009. The pair skates for the Ice Capades during the offseason.”
yajohn - September 25, 2009
Caption: Piggy back ride, Japanese style
jesus christos - September 25, 2009
Caption:
Told you my farts were powerful enough to knock a man down.
PacificCub - September 25, 2009
CAPTION
Right hand green ….boy this game is hard.
mjk83 - September 25, 2009
Caption:
How can that be a point?!? His technique is all flawed Ump!
tootle - September 25, 2009
First: Reed Johnson is not a RF. Second: there is no reason that the Giants, (if Bradley ends up there), would have to be left in SF when they come to Wrigley.
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
I think Milton should get a restraining order on Al for next year. :)
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
good thinking.
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
LOL
Still, can you imagine the scene @ Wrigley if Milton plays there again? Could get real ugly.
Al Yellon - September 25, 2009
and what a sad comment on the "fans" that is...
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
He probably would get more boos than if Brago threw out the first pitch.
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
that's Blago to you
Emelie - September 25, 2009
I dunno - have you caught any of his public appearances lately?
“Brago” might be more appropriate
ballhawk - September 25, 2009
indeed
linky
Emelie - September 25, 2009
I think the Cubs will more likely turn this season around
than that the facts will ultimately vindicate him, as he can’t stop telling us.
Goodie1969 - September 25, 2009
What's up? It's hot as hell out here...
and the only thing Golf More is guilty of is a really bad haircut…
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
It's practically his costume.
The immediately recognizable trait of a solitary public figure whose destiny is to achieve great heights in his own mind, and then go on about it until we’ve all lost the plot.
Oh, and it’s muggy and sprinkling in Chicago.
Goodie1969 - September 25, 2009
oops..:)
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
If Bradley returns to Wrigley as a visitor next year...
he’s going to get, perhaps, the loudest boos that I’ve ever heard in my life.
kanderber - September 25, 2009
Cant' be any worse than the abuse the "fans" gave to LaTroy Hawkins.
And if it is, it will be even more shameful.
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
much worse
yes, it would be worse. We actually got to “abuse” – as you put it – Hawkins for his poor performances several times while he was actually in a Cubs uniform. We haven’t had the opportunity to publicly chastise Bradley for his latest outburst, which was much worse than any of his previous “transgressions” against the Cubs’ fans and their organization.
jameslcrockett - September 27, 2009
Just make sure it's not a give-away game, no products that can be tossed.
KaliCub - September 25, 2009
and no batteries allowed in the park that day.
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
or signs
Emelie - September 25, 2009
Hey Em!
We’ve got our scapegoat now. I feel better, how about you?
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
::in my best Julia Child voice:: I do! I dooo!
Emelie - September 25, 2009
Was that Julia Child I just heard on television?
Oops, it wasn’t over TV. It was you. I apparently heard you all the way from Alaska.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 25, 2009
♫ Voices Carry ♫
Emelie - September 25, 2009
hmm...
will they have set the schedule and promos before the Cubs get around to trading him or releasing him to sign with another team?
For his sake, I hope he signs with an AL team whether or not they play in Wrigley. It would just be a better move for him to DH.
jameslcrockett - September 27, 2009
if you really wanted to mess with his mind...
(and judging by the vitriol and bile on display here this past week, most here certainly do)
if he comes back to Wrigley next year, every time he’s introduced (lineup, each AB, etc.), no one should say a word. 40,000+ of silence.
ballhawk - September 25, 2009
That's what I suggested we all do when Barry Bonds last came to Wrigley.
Didn’t work. Loud booing ensued.
It will be different for Milton because of this year. He needs to go to a team that won’t play at Wrigley for the duration of his contract. That means any AL team except the White Sox, Rangers or Angels… and whoever we’re guessing will play @ Wrigley from the AL East in 2011.
Al Yellon - September 25, 2009
He needs to go to any team that is willing to give as much we can get for him.
The destination is not a factor, and it shouldn’t matter if that team plays at Wrigley next year, or the year after.
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
Agreed with your first premise.
The second should be a consideration. Avoiding an ugly scene is worth considering.
Al Yellon - September 25, 2009
Couldn't be any uglier than when Hawkins came back to Wrigley...
and an ugly scene ensuing is more of a comment on the “fans” than MB.
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
Couldn't be any uglier than when Hawkins came back to Wrigley...
If an ugly scene ensues, it’s more of a comment on the “fans” than MB.
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
It is, but...
… remember, Hawkins was on the pitcher’s mound for only an inning at a time.
Bradley would be in the outfield every inning (presumably). Much more of a chance for trouble.
Al Yellon - September 26, 2009
That's ludicrous...
The Cubs can’t turn down a trade offer from a team just because they play the Cubs next year. They need to get the best deal they can get. Let the other team, and Milton, worry about how to cope with coming back as a visitor.
kanderber - September 26, 2009
Rowand and the brick wall...
At Wrigley probably wouldn’t be a good combo. Besides that, he’s not exactly the big RBI guy that Lou wants.
CubsBullsBears - September 25, 2009
if...
Bradley was the kind of player Lou wanted… let’s not worry about what Lou wants anymore, ok?
Rowand would be a great option. I’m actually completely for it. I wish they would find a way to get Soriano to the Giants instead… but I’ll take Bradley and Miles for Rowand. They’ll get more value out of Rowand regardless… and getting them to take Bradley’s problem off our hands is worth taking on more contract in return for him.
jameslcrockett - September 27, 2009
Caption:
Fukudome’s long massage from the training staff failed to remove the Giant spasm from his lower back. But the Cubs still had a happy ending.
LAcarl519 - September 25, 2009
Caption:
Kosuke says, “Get off my back!”
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 25, 2009
Caption:
Sorry dude, I thought you were a fire hydrant.
RynoHoF - September 25, 2009
I like this one. :)
Dou - September 25, 2009
Glad we get to see more of Scales in LF tonight!
TJ11 - September 25, 2009
SCA-LES SCA-LES SCA-LES SCA-LES
jesus christos - September 25, 2009
Scales was impressive.
I swore that was going to bounce off the wall, and go for two.
LeSaboteur - September 26, 2009
I can't see
the Giants taking Milton Bradley—at least not the current regime. They are awfully focused on “good citizens” and putting Bradley in that giant right field at AT&T could be disastrous.
But it’s an idea at least worth exploring.
Josh Timmers - September 25, 2009
It would go against...
…their creed of making “AT&T the safest place in baseball.”
LeSaboteur - September 26, 2009
Caption:
Fukudome and Velez audition for Dancing with the Stars.
lohroffc - September 25, 2009
My monitor just melted.
Well done, sir.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 25, 2009
And now the Judges' scores...
Carrie Ann Inaba: TEN!
Len Goodman: TEN!
Bruno Tonioli: TEN!
Goodie1969 - September 25, 2009
This is the winner.
There were two DWTS entries, but this one was posted first. Send me your mailing address so I can send you the DVD. I’ll post this in the recap, too.
Al Yellon - September 26, 2009
Aramis scratched because of sore shoulder.
sue369 - September 25, 2009
Caption: Lost in translation; Fukudome confuses "stealing second"
Shanghai Badger - September 25, 2009
Interesting poll question on the pre-game show...
Which team that knocked us out of the playoffs do you dislike the most?
2008 Dodgers
2007 Dbacks
2003 Marlins
1998 Braves
1989 Giants
1984 Padres
Remember, it’s not necessarily which series upset you the most (Marlins or Padres would probably win that) but which of the other teams did you dislike the most.
It was before I really followed the Cubs, but for me, it’d have to be the 89 Giants. Will Clark was a helluva player and I respect his ability, but I never did like him much – and he really was the face of that team for me.
ballhawk - September 25, 2009
2003 Marlins.
1984 Padres are a close second, but nothing approaches my contempt of the 2003 Marlins.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 25, 2009
Except for
Todd Hollandsworth and Derrek Lee, though, right?
I’d add Juan Pierre, but I didn’t much care for him as a Cub.
Goodie1969 - September 25, 2009
Yep... that one still stings.
For some reason I developed a strong dislike for Pudge that year… even though he wasn’t that instrumental in the NLCS, other than game 1.
Dou - September 25, 2009
Padres for me. Garvey rounding the bases pumping his arms... Hate.
Giants a close second, with Will “Yaweh” Clark.
Jimmyeatworld - September 25, 2009
1984 Padres.
Period.
Al Yellon - September 26, 2009
Caption
Checking the stands to make sure the commissioner is not watching Kosuke goes for the reach around.
ALLCAPS - September 25, 2009
Clutch16 - September 25, 2009
Caption:
This is healthcare reform in my country.
ALLCAPS - September 25, 2009
Caption:
Which page of the Kamasutra was that again? This just does not feel right.
eths - September 26, 2009
Caption:
I don’t understand why Lou needed a left-hander for this.
vonde6 - September 26, 2009
Caption: I'd give and arm and a leg for a Cubs' win
or, He ’ain’t heavy- he’s my brother.
Zeke - September 26, 2009
Or, "He 'ain't Peavy- he's my brother."
Zeke - September 26, 2009
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