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Game Thirteen: Cubs (7-5) vs. Reds (6-7)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Ryan Dempster (1-0, 0.69/0.62) vs. Aaron Harang (1-1, 2.14/0.90)
Lou Piniella's crew opens an 8-game homestand tonight against a familiar face in Dusty Baker....as well as a list of several former Cubs that includes Corey Patterson, Paul Bako, Chris Speier, David Weathers and Kent Mercker. The Reds send their ace, Aaron Harang, to the mound in the first night game of the new season at Wrigley Field. Tonight's game figures to be filled with a tremendous amount of determination by the Reds to beat the Cubs for their new manager....and at the same time, end their 3-game losing streak.
Both teams will have players wearing number 42 tonight in honor of Jackie Robinson. Derrek Lee, Daryle Ward, Gerald Perry and Lester Strode will don the legend's number for the Cubs.
The Reds have been a thorn in the Cubs' side for many years and with Dusty Baker now in the dugout, the competition between the two teams figures to take it up a notch. The Cubs have had trouble hitting against the Reds while the Cubs' pitchers have had problems keeping the always-dangerous Reds' offense off the board.
The Reds always seem to bring their 'A-game' when they play the Cubs, especially at Wrigley, and tonight Lou Piniella's crew should receive the best Cincinnati has to offer.
Ryan Dempster should be 2-0 on the young season and to this point has been the Cubs best starting pitcher. Dempster is coming off a gem against the Pirates and if not for a mistake by Kerry Wood to Jason Bay....the Cubs former closer would have two wins to go along with his other unbelievable stats. Tonight is a big test for Ryan Dempster.
Ryan Dempster will face his former team for the first time as a starter since April 27, 2005. Dempster beat the Reds at Wrigley, 8-7, and allowed 6 runs on 8 hits in 5 1/3 innings with 5 walks and 7 strikeouts.
Dempster is 3-3 in 31 games, 7 starts, with 5 saves in his career versus the Reds with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP.
- Paul Bako - 2-for-5 with 2 doubles and 4 walks
- Adam Dunn - 3-for-6 with a double and 6 walks
- Ryan Freel - 1-for-5 with a double
- Ken Griffey, Jr. - 6-for-19 with a double and 3 walks
- Jeff Keppinger - 1-for-3 with a double
- Corey Patterson - 5-for-14 with 2 doubles
Aaron Harang is arguably the most underrated pitcher in all of baseball. Harang has put up Cy Young type numbers for the past two years....and always has his way with the Cubs' free-swinging offense.
Harang, like Dempster, should be sporting a better record. Harang has been just short of dominating in his first three starts and an unearned run was the difference in his last start being a loss instead of a no-decision. Harang has allowed only 6 runs, 5 earned, in his first 3 starts (21 innings) with 15 strikeouts and just 5 walks.
In 15 career starts against the Cubs, Harang is 8-3 with 2 complete games, a 4.44 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Last season he was 3-2 in 6 starts with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP....in 8 career starts at Wrigley, Harang is undefeated....4-0 with a 4.65 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
- Ronny Cedeno - 2-for-13 with a home run
- Mark DeRosa - 3-for-9 with 3 walks
- Derrek Lee - 12-for-35 with 2 doubles, 4 home runs and 3 walks
- Felix Pie - 2-for-4
- Aramis Ramirez - 8-for-30 with 3 home runs
- Alfonso Soriano - 3-for-15 with a double
- Geovany Soto - 3-for-4 with 2 doubles
A report in the Chicago Tribune on Monday night indicated Felix Pie would be back in the starting lineup on Tuesday.
Also, for all of you that are attending tonight's game....remember, Stay Classy Cubs Fans! The last thing anyone needs to do is boo Dusty and fuel the Reds fire.
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Trips to the Northside
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I agree Neil not only are we going up against a Red's team that just kills us but we're also dealing with the ex-Cub factor and I hate that they are coming off being swept by the Pirates right after we swept Pittsburgh.
Quick I-Cubs update, Jake Fox singled home the winning run in the 12th inning to beat the Brewer's AAA team the Sounds in Nashville. He also earlier hit a 2-run homer off the Brewer's highly touted Yovani Gallardo who I believe was on his 3rd and final rehab start. Cotts pitched the final 2 innings to pick up his 2nd win of the year and believe it or not his era is still at 0.00!
Lets go Cubbies! Get Harang early and I hope Patterson k's four times ;)
I was planning on watching the Iowa game tonight...
=(
You guys probably saw but...
The Brewers signed Jeff Weaver to a minor league deal and the Mariners placed Erik Bedard on the 15-day DL today with the hip problem.
Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Fukudome - RF
DeRosa - 2B
Soto - C
Pie - CF
Dempster - P
I predict a Felix Pie coming-out party today. Demp. gives up 3 runs and the Cubs win 6-4.
[I'm thinking of going into the Tarot buisness]
Why in the world does Soriano hop every time he catches a ball?
I'm only watching Gameday and dont know what happened....why is Fontenot pinch hitting for Soriano in the first inning? Did he get injured on that catch?
Soriano's out. Fontenot replaced. Will update.
Paging Matt Murton
what happened to Soriano? What's going on...obviously I don't have CSN...I'm just following online
Just started watching, what is wrong with Soriano?
k...found it on espn.com
"Cubs fans generally don't need more bad news, but they might get some.
Alfonso Soriano left the Cubs game against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday in the top of the first inning at Wrigley Field with what appeared to be a right leg injury.
Moving to his left for a shallow fly ball off the bat of Ken Griffey Jr. to left field, Soriano made what has become his trademark skip to make the catch and landed awkwardly. He immediately began to limp, favoring his right leg, and was helped off the field.
Mike Fontenot pinch hit in the first spot in the batting order in the bottom of the first inning.
There was no immediate word on the extent of Soriano's injury."
Soriano caught the ball and had to be helped off the field. Reports are saying right calf strain.
Damn that hop...
DEROSA!!!!
DEROSA!!!!
I hope Soriano is not out that long, that is not what we need.
Im a Soriano guy, but Im sure Matt can match Sori's 177 avg if push comes to shove..
Dempster?!?!?!?! That was #595 for Griffey
Does anyone else think Hendry should dig out Lofton's number for Left? I do not think he is playing anywhere.
I am all for bringing Lofton in as well. He can't be any worse than Soriano already is!
Reportedly, Lofton has been offered $1-2 million by a couple of teams, but he wants $4-5 mil--so he's still staying home for now.
I would much rather have Murton in Left than a very old lofton. Murton is comfortable in left and like Matt said he can definetly match that .177 avg. Sorinao has been throwing up there.
The offense to kick it into gear!!!
Man, living in Ohio I have to listen to these reds announcers, ughhhh
D-LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#5 for D-LEEEEEE!!!!!!!
Are there anymore DLee doubters left????????????
Hell yes, #42! (For the day) =)
Now we need to get Ramirez going.
I hate seeing anyone get hurt, but I sure hope Murton gets the call up. Soriano's been killing us in the leadoff spot. An extra bat will be wonderful...this is Murton's chance.
The other alternative is bringing Patterson up, and moving DeRosa to left. We're very fortunate to have his defensive flexibility.
After 3 starts Dempster has certainly exceeded all our expectations. Gotta give him his props. Another really quality start! Way to go!
agustin,
Your prediction is holding up pretty solid so far but where's the Pie coming out party?
You're right Cary, this is exactly what our bullpen needed to.
What a play by Fontenot!! Now lets get out of this!!
Wow. That is the kind of inning that should carry you to a victory. NOW, lets win this, and get Soriano back ASAP.
got outta that jam, now let's some insurance.
Way to getta outta that jam, now let's some insurance.
Thank GOD... whew! Two fantastic plays there to make up for Marmol's brain-fart. Good thing Riot held on to that ball instead of making a hurried throw to try to turn two also.
Time for Ramirez to get Hot!
I got a feeling... ARAM sends one, right here.
That a boy Ramirez!!! Nice peice of hitting
That a boy Ramirez!!! Nice peice of hitting
Derosa...make 'em pay
DERO!!!
Aramis and DeRosa!!!!!
Way to go Derosa...although why that was just a single I don't know
It looked like the runners held up for some reason, maybe the wind helped the ball more than they thought, but I agree David, it should be runners on 2nd and 3rd.
didnt catch the start. what kind of reception did dusty get. i hope a good one.....bb
didnt catch the start. what kind of reception did dusty get. i hope a good one.....bb
Carlos CAN DO IT!!!!!!
when howry comes along and gains arm strength we will have A nasty pen. it shouldnt take a month or so to get him to full strength...bb
THE RIOT!!!! These kind of games are alot better than the extra inning ones.
The Riot with showcasing the power!
Normally I wouldnt do this. But someone chimes in every time the "little leaguer" doesnt do something as well as he should.
So...
WOOHOO!!!! He's a effin Riot! Gwahaha! Look at that little leaguer go!
Bo, welcome and I agree but what just happened with Wuertz. Up by 5 have to throw strikes...now is 9-5.
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
i agree. but i personally think that something is wrong with him. the last two outings he has ditched the slider and it is his pitch. he has a slightly above average fastball that he keeps going too. go cubs go. my favorite song!!!!! i love to hear it..
I have never posted here before, but read the posts everyday. I just wanted to say CUBS WIN! It is awesome to see Dempster pitching this way, when we have had such inconsistant starting pitching this year (besides Z).
any word on the extent to Sori's calf?
Nick, Piniella said in his post game press conference that Soriano is having an MRI right now and they would know in the morning. Lou said, "He might be out for a while." Lou thought it was a cramp at first and denied it was a "Cubbie Occurrence."
Cubsfaninbama, welcome!
Where are you at Bama?
Listen to ESPN 1000 for the press conference and upates.
I'm in Alabaster, AL...about 20 miles south of Birmingham.
Matt, letsee how many of those homers he hits over the course of the season before you go showcasing his power ^_^
=) Thats the last home run we'll see for awhile. And the wind REALLY helped it out. You force my hand though buddy, haha.
Yep, Bama. Im familiar with Alabaster. Im in Mobile. Good to see a Bama Cubs fan here.
It figures that after not ever being injured in his career, Soriano misses significant time in his first two years as a Cub. Good thing he was doing horribly, and shouldn't be hard to replace. Murton looks good now. Good win, Z vs. Fogg tomorrow should be advantage us, then it's up to Lilly to get his head out of his ass.
Matt...do you get all of the Cubs games down there or did you buy a package from satellite? I have directv, but end up having to watch the games through gameday on MLB.com unless they are on WGN.
Austin...I have to agree with the Lilly comment. If Hill and Lilly don't get straight, I say move Marshall and Leiber to the starting rotation to try to get some quality innings.
I use mlb.tv
I remember when WGN use to carry over 100 games. Now were down to 70-ish. So Ive tried both Extra Innings and mlb.tv over the past 3 seasons. I kept the latter on my college kid cheap income, haha.
I had mlb.tv for awhile, but it seemed to buffer a lot and not stay steady, so I cancelled it. I signed up for directv thinking I would get CSN Chicago, and that is when directv decided to sign that deal with MLB for the package you have to pay for...that was bad timing on my part.
Extra Innings has improved since I left. Offering both broadcasts is a plus. And Ill sign back up when MLB launches the Baseball channel next season.
RE: I predict a Felix Pie coming-out party today. Demp. gives up 3 runs and the Cubs win 6-4.
Hey I'm good at this...
1]I correctly predicted that the Cubs would win
2]I correctly predicted a Felix Pie coming-out[of the ballgame]party today...
Boy... Pie saved a couple of runs but his bat is prohibitive and then Reed comes up with the base hit...I hate to say it but he is tatooing his name on the bench.