Spring Training Game Eighteen: Cubs (6-11) vs. White Sox (8-10)
Game Time - 3:05pm C.T. TV: WGN (White Sox) - Radio: 720 WGN, Gameday Audio on MLB.com, XM Radio Channel 177
Location - Tucson Electric Park, Tucson
Rich Hill (0-1, 7.04) vs. Nick Masset (0-1, 3.00)
The Crosstown Classic from the Desert.... The Cubs and White Sox face-off for the first time today in 2008, Spring Training or not, it is the Cubs vs. the Sox. Lou Piniella's crew will be without Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee and likely Kosuke Fukudome if he sticks to his play two, take one of schedule. Ramirez and Lee are expected to get extra at bats in minor league camp today. The Cubs play the Angels again on Sunday at HoHoKam, weather permitting (forecast is calling for rain and 58 degrees), before their only day off in the desert on Monday.
According to Lou Piniella, Rich Hill needs to have a solid start today against the Southsiders and he will have a 2-hour bus ride to think about it. In other news, Andres Blanco was reassigned to minor league camp on Friday according to a report in the Tribune. The Cubs spring roster currently stands at 41. Here's more on the game and a little from the rumor mill....with info on the trade.
Lou Piniella said Rich Hill has not pitched this spring the way he did a year ago and would like for him to pitch better over the next two weeks. The Sun-Times asked Piniella if Hill would remain in his rotation. Piniella said he would be left in the 4th spot and they are going to let him pitch. But the following quote says it all:
"But of all of our starters, I would think he is the one that needs to step it up here the most."
Today will be Hill's fourth appearance and second start. In 7 2/3 innings he has allowed 6 runs on 11 hits with 5 walks and 7 strikeouts....a 2.09 WHIP.
Also, Bruce Levine reported on Saturday morning that Felix Pie would not return to the lineup until Tuesday or Wednesday. Pie is apparently very tender.
From the Rumor Mill
Bruce Levine talked about the report on Friday in the Sun-Times about the new deal on the table for Brian Roberts that included Jose Ceda, Sean Gallagher, Donald Veal and Ronny Cedeno. Levine said the report was unfounded and that deal is not on the table. Levine added Jim Hendry was not happy about the report and that general managers do not like to see names of their players in the papers. They end up having to answer a bunch of questions from the players and agents.
The Cubs are sick of all the Roberts talk according to Levine....from Lou Piniella to Mark DeRosa and everyone in between. Levine indicated the Cubs are talking to teams about deals to make the club better....the Rangers, the Nationals, the Orioles and the Red Sox. Levine quickly said during one of the segments that the Nationals might be interested in Jason Marquis but did not go into any specifics.
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Today's lineup....
Theriot - SS
DeRosa - 2B
Hoffpauir - 1B
Ward - DH
Fukudome - RF
Murton - LF
Soto - C
McGehee - 3B
Fuld - CF
The Sox have all of their projected starters in the lineup.
They have to find a place for Hoffpauir
Neil:
I agree with you 100% on Hoffpauir!
I remember Aaron posting about him as well last year. I would pay to watch him in batting practice, just an awesome swing.
Is there anything that ruins a good ballgame quicker than listening to "Hawk" Harrelson trying to do play-by-play?
Hill is really struggling so far. I hope he figures it out soon.
Lahey looked good...nice movement.
Hill was effective and it will be interesting to see what the mainstream media says about his performance.
Read on cubs.com that the Wood has the edge for the closer role. Kinda surprised about that but I'm happy for Woody if he can stay healthy in that role.
Wood has to show he can go consecutive days (at least) before he gets the job. But, Lou is just about ready to announce his rotation and closer, both should be resolved within a week.
I hate Neil Cotts.
boy that is a sweet lefty swing (hoffpauir)
Can Hoffpauir play RF? We may have an opening...
ok... please someone from out in AZ tell me that Fuk looks ok after that collision...? my heart just skipped a beat there.
please advise.
Me too. He seemed to grab his left shoulder...
That did not look good...
On another note, that was a horrible call by the ump....it should hae been the other way around.
he did Chad... he definately came down on that side and grabbed it after. Stupid Hawk and DJ haven't said anything about it but that doesn't mean nothing happened... they have their heads up KW's but so far that they don't think any Cubs fans are watching the game.
Hawk and DJ won't say a word about it unless it happens to a Sox. Those two suck. If Cotts hadn't already played himself off the team, he definitely has with his performance today.
I totally agree about Hoffpauir, this guy is raking the ball. starting the game at .455 then went 2 for 2 before I stoped listening. to bad he's not a righty with him and Ward coming off the bench to pinch hit. Got to find a place for this guy.
Anyone have any news about Fukudome? Is he OK? Santo made it sound bad.
I would think Fuko is ok because the last we we saw on tv was Lou walking off the field by him self---if Fuko was hurt Lou would have been attending to him
I agree, Hawk stinks. When Geo got a basehit and was taken out for a pinch runner, he didn't even mention it, nor did he say anything about Fuko's flip. Give me Len and Bob anyday on tv. Just another reason to hate the Sux...