Game Ninety-Three: Cubs (36-56) vs. Astros (45-49)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T. WGN, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Greg Maddux (7-10, 4.99) vs. Roger Clemens (1-3, 2.96)
Updated - 5:32pm C.T. - Maddux has ERA Lowered to 4.60
Let the battle begin!!! The battle of 300 winners, the battle of future Hall of Famers and the battle between the Cubs and the Astros, Tonight's game is very special and one that we saw last season, tonight's match-up features two of the best pitchers to ever take the mound and while both are on the downside of their career, if they are both on it could be a very good game to watch. Maddux beat Clemens last April in Houston 3-2, it would be great to see history repeat itself.
Roger Clemens has posted only one victory all season and it just happens to be against the Cubs. Clemens beat the Cubs on July 3rd and held them to 2 runs on 4 hits, Carlos Marmol could not beat the Rocket that day. Clemens, like Oswalt, has received little to no run support this season and has allowed more than 2 runs only once in his 5 starts. Clemens is throwing a lot of pitches in a short time, he is averaging nearly 18 pitches per inning and over 98 per start and has only pitched into the 7th inning once. The Cubs must make Clemens work, he will throw strikes but to this point of the season he has struggled to do so on a consistent basis.
Greg Maddux has been a victim of either no run support of bad defense all season long. Maddux has made a career out of pinpoint control with a solid defense behind him and he has not had either since April. His last outing against the Mets he allowed 6 runs, 5 earned on 8 hits in 7 innings of work but a missed double play and throwing error cost him 2 runs and the Cubs a shot at starting the second half with a win.
The Cubs offense must give Maddux some run support and an early lead. This could be the last time that Maddux steps to the mound at Wrigley in Cubbie Blue and it would be gat to see him walk off a winner.
Let's Talk Cubbies Baseball....
Update - According to a report from the Associated Press on Wednesday, Greg Maddux's ERA was lowered from 4.99 to 4.60 after scorer Ron Jernick changed the ruling on a base hit against the Marlins on May 24th. The play in question happened in the 5th inning when Ronny Cedeno's throwing error (a one hop throw) allowed Florida's Hanley Ramirez to reach 1st base safely with 2 outs. The Marlins went on to score 6 runs that inning. Maddux has now been charged with just 1 earned run instead of 6 which dropped his ERA more than a third of a point. The hit was taken away from Ramirez and an error was given to Cedeno on the throw. The Cubs appealed the scoring decision 8 weeks ago.
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I think Clemens took steroids or HGH in the past, but this matchup is still so cool that I had to Tivo the game.
When the internet and storage advances in the future, they should have it so that you can download any game, and any pitching matchup, that was ever broadcast, and be able to start viewing it right away. It would be cool to watch Fergie vs Tom Seaver, etc...
I hope we see the April Maddux tonight!
If there is a game, there is rain in the area...here is the lineup:
Pierre - CF
Theriot - 2B
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Jones - RF
Barrett - C
Pagan - LF
Cedeno - SS
Maddux - P
A few thoughts....
* With Spier arrested this morning for a DUI, I guess you can take him out of the intrim equation if Baker were to be let go. I admit, I kind of liked him. Out of all of Dusty's coaches he was the one who did his job the best.
* I also suspect Clemens of being on the juice at some point in his career.
* Theriot at 2B tonight? Is Walker about to be traded or does he just plain suck vs Clemens? Might as well see what Theriot can do.
Jim, I think something is brewing with Walker.
Cedeno has to make something happen there. He just looks frustrated and uncomfortable at the plate.
I am stuck listening to the Houston announcers, thanks to DirecTv...
They just said of Theriot "should have been an error...a big league 2nd baseman should make that play"
Then Cedeno wusses out on making that tag...too bad, especially since Barrett finally had a nice throw.
If these guys score, it would be a shame to count against Maddux and/or wind up costing him the victory.
Jason, I agree that both of those plays should have been made.
Cost Maddux 2 more runs. He has pitched extremely well.
Those two defensive miscues just cost the Cubs two runs...
This team just can't withstand any mistakes.
Poor Maddux...he deserves better than this.
Ok...let's go...how about a Pierre leadoff hit, a Derrick Lee double, an Aramis Ramirez homer, and even a hit by RC Cola this inning!
Maddux deserved better tonight and on the season.
Riddle me this, Batman: who was the better manager in the top of the 9th inning?
There is not a single injured hitter right now, and Maddux started the year as one of our starters...looks like we had "all of our horses" tonight...so how did we do?
Why was Pagan playing? Murton isn't getting better on the bench. Meanwhile, Jones is cooling off fast, and I don't think Hendry will trade him, which is too bad. Jones will probably finish the year near .260 and will be arguing with the fans all day. He is 0-4 with 4 Ks against Lidge...good thing Dusty stuck with the righty-lefty matchup there.
Shea Hillenbrand was designated for assignment today by the Blue Jays.