Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. White Sox - 05/19/06

By Neil on May 19, 2006 14 Vote 0 Votes

Game Forty-One: Cubs (17-23) vs. White Sox (26-14)
Game Time - 3:05pm C.T. WGN TV, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 180
Location - U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago

Greg Maddux (5-2, 3.10) vs. Mark Buehrle (4-2, 3.42)

Welcome to Interleague Play and the "Crosstown Classic"....part one....The North vs. the South, the Civil War of Chicago. For years it was a given that the Cubs would be the first team in Chicago to win the World Series and last year the Sox proved everyone wrong by winning the fall classic. This weekend is more than just three baseball games....this is for pride....this is for all the bragging rights....this is not business, this is personal.

Greg Maddux is coming off another great start and should have recorded the victory and looks to put the Cubs back on the winning track against the Sox and Mark Buehrle. The Cubs and Sox split their 6 games last year, with the visiting team winning the series both times. Maddux is the All-Time leader in Interleague Play with a 19-7 record.

The White Sox have fallen to 2nd place in the American League Central, 1-game behind the Detroit Tigers, but have played well the entire year. The addition of Jim Thome has added another dimension to the White Sox offense, but the slugger is just 2-16 lifetime against Maddux.

Mark Buehrle had the worst 1st inning a starting pitcher could have his last time out against the Minnesota Twins. Buehrle allowed 7 runs, but only 1 earned, and was the first pitcher since 1900 to allow 7 runs in the 1st inning and still earn the victory. Buehrle has not been consistent this season and has allowed 10 earned runs in his last 3 starts (17 2/3 innings) and has given up 32 hits during that span.

The Cubs have to take pitches and make Buehrle work. If Buehrle gets into a rhythm it could be a long afternoon for the Northsiders.

Hopefully Aramis Ramirez will be back in the lineup and with his injury, he could be the DH. Juan Pierre has to get started and if he has a good weekend the Cubs could repeat their performance from last year.

Let's Talk Cubbies Baseball....IT'S ON!!!!

Jim (Gramps) Schwartz

Jason, you hit it on the head. I also feel indifferent. Maybe I am in a funk, but I do not care any more. I have been a fan for 58 years (since I was 6 years old) and have never felt this way. Trust me, I have seen some bad Cubs' teams, but to have so much hope at the start of the season and now to see this is disgusting. We started 3 second basemen and 2 catchers. And to think they picked up another second baseman this week. I have been a Dusty basher since before the season started and now I am really wondering about Hendry. Like Durocher always said: "Back up the truck and load everybody in and bring in new life." I think the bunt by Perez to end the game was the last straw for me. And to hear Dusty back him for doing it!! Earlier I heard Walker say on ESPN that he also thought it was a good play by Perez. What the hell is going on? Maybe we expect too much out of a bad team. Sorry I am rambling, but I am so frustrated with this team.

Jason B. from AZ

This abysmal display has the affect of creating indifference...you are no longer mad or sad. Your anger has subsided, and you expect the Cubs lineup to make every pitcher look like Cy Young at this point.

(sigh)

jim (tinley park) via New Jers

Seriously, did anyone think that we could actually win a game this weekend? Put me in the Dump Dusty category. This guy needs to go.

Neil

This is SO FRUSTRATINGâ€¦I understand why Jones is not in the game...Buehrle is a lefty, but at least with Jonesâ€¦he could get lucky and do something positive. Jones has what...1 career hit against Buehrle? Something like that. Seeing Neifi in there EVERYDAY is just bad...Ryan Theriot is a right hander, couldn't he do just as well? 0-3 with an error and only hitting .189, but remember "That is his game."

Steve

YES!!! We have Glooroo and Rally Killer in the same lineup. Don't 2 negatives make a positive? Oh wait, that's only in arithmatic.

jim (tinley park) via new jers

Memo to Jim Hendry:

It is time to release:

Neifi Perez, this guy is fat, slow, and basically done. Thank you for f------G This season Mr.Hendry.

Oh, I forgot, the great Kerry Wood is back on his way to a no more than 14 win season. This has to be the most dreary season since 1994.

Steve

Nice throw Neifi. He is so good. I really like how he plays the game. Really. How he can just throw so far wide of 1st base. Its brilliant. And the sweet swing that he has. Its a thing of beauty. I'm so glad that Dusty puts him in the lineup everyday. Neifi is the heart and soul of the city. A real gamer. I don't know how he keeps getting overlooked for the All-Star team. Hall of Famer, no doubt about it.

Neil

This is painful...just painful. Why is Neifi in the lineup? Jacque Jones has always hit the Sox well...

6-1 in the 5th, runners on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs...way to go Murton!!!

Zip

I am going to enjoy "baseball" this weekend....ChiSox and Cubs baseball. Come what may, I am going to enjoy it.

5-1 right now....ChiSox....but, I am going to enjoy it.

You HEAR ME?!??! I am enjoying this....

I am enjoying this.....

;-)

Steve

What's this? Runner's at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. I like it.

Steve

Nice line up Crusty. We have to keep Neifi "Rally Killer" Perez in there. You never know when your going to need that 2 out bunt layed down. If you wanted to get Hairston in the lineup, put him at 2nd. Jones is one of the few guys hitting the ball with any kind of consistancy. Crusty is really begging to get fired. Please accomidate him Mr. Hendry.