Game Twenty: Cubs (13-6) vs. Mets (10-8)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Ted Lilly (0-3, 9.16/1.71) vs. Nelson Figueroa (1-0, 3.60/0.80)
Lou Piniella's crew will look to finish the 8-game homestand today with a 7-1 record after an impressive win on Monday night. Ted Lilly's horrible start to the season has been well documented and unfortunately for the Cubs' southpaw....his biggest test of the season will come this afternoon against the Mets.
Ted Lilly showed improvement in his last start and today would be a good time to show results. The Cubs are 1-3 in games Lilly has started and that is the most important record that must improve.
Ted Lilly is 1-1 in 4 career games, 3 starts, against the Mets with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP....last year, Lilly beat the Mets the only time he faced them on August 4th at Wrigley. Lilly allowed 2 runs on 7 hits with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk in 7 2/3 innings....one of his best starts of the season.
- Carlos Beltran - 2-for-7 with a home run and 2 walks
- Luis Castillo - 4-for-12 with a double
- Carlos Delgado - 3-for-14 with a double and 2 walks
- Jose Reyes - 0-for-4
- David Wright - 1-for-3
Nelson Figueroa will make his third start of the season today for Willie Randolph. The injuries in the Mets' starting staff have forced Figueroa into the rotation and he has responded with two very good outings. Figueroa was called up from Triple-A when Pedro Martinez was put on the DL.
Figueroa beat the Brewers in New York on April 11th and allowed just 2 runs on 2 hits with 6 strikeouts and 2 walks in 6 innings. He received a no decision his last time out against the Nationals. The Mets won the game and he surrendered only 2 runs on 3 hits in 7 innings with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks.
Today will be Figueroa's 4th career start against the Cubs and in his 7 previous games, Figueroa is 0-3 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.
Figueroa has not faced the Cubs since 2004, when he pitched for the Pirates.
- Derrek Lee - 0-for-9
- Mark DeRosa - 0-for-1
- Aramis Ramirez - 3-for-6 with a home run
- Daryle Ward - 0-for-4
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Today's lineup:
Johnson - LF
Pie - CF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Fukudome - RF
DeRosa - 2B
Cedeno - SS
Blanco - C
Lilly - P
That's an interesting lineup.
It's good to see Pie and Cedeno rewarded for good performances last night. Hopefully Theriot's back stiffness isn't anything serious. Those two need to carry over last night's success today since we're missing Soto's bat and the Mets have been feasting on lefties this season (8-1)
Go get 'em boys.
Wow that stunk!! Bases loaded and they don't score.
Did Hank not get the memo about patience?
i miss pagan... i was always high on him as a 4th or 5th OF.
This is not good.
Way to get out of it Theodore!
Good job Teddy Boy!!!
Way to pitch out of a jam Lilly. Let's get some Runs!!!
Good job Lilly.
RC Cola! =D
Mets were just lazy there. Ill take it.
Walking the light hitting catcher wasnt really a great move in hindsight either.
Ah, ask and you shall recieve
Afternoon fellas nice score! I just got back from the I-Cubs game and Sean Gallagher was awesome! He went 7 & 2 thirds 3 hits, 1, walk 12k's and the only run came on a solo hr by Chris Shelton. If he sounds familiar he should he's that dude that had like 20 dongs in April either last year or two years ago then was sent to the minors by June.
Anyway Sean constantly hit 97 and his curve was devistating! Oklahoma is good too that was only their 4th loss they're now 15-4. Sean is now 2-1 with a 1.93 era.
One negative Patterson had to leave the game early with an injury and he was 2 for 2 before that.
Whatever happened to radio highlights on mlb.com? I love Pat's voice, but it seems that mlb.com has done away with them this year.
Cory...Stop that!!! Grr, haha. I watch I-Cubs game after the Big Cubs games. I work a graveyard shift and the I-Cubs are my entertainment..Could you please start posting this stuff on the game racaps?
Please! =)
Damn it...Len's doing it too...
Lily has been much improved. Yeh, hes been in a lot of jams. But the best pitchers are these guys who can get out of them.
Do any of you who live in Chicago have an extra fridge magnetic schedule ya'll could sell me? Or direct me somewhere online I could get one?
Good job by Lilly today.
Sorry Matt i'll stop.
Aint a biggie Cory. Id still like to read your analysis. Especially since you get better looks than I would. But thanks!
Whomever locks down the 6 hole in the Cubs lineup is going to be in line for MANY MANY RBI opportunities this year... every game i listen or watch it seems there is at least 1 or 2 runners on for that hitter.
any bets on what Big Murt will do here? I have a good idea but won't mention it...
chopper. hmm...
No kidding whats that dude gotta do to get the ball in the air!?!
That was frustrating I hope the runs we just left in the 7th and back in 2nd don't come back to bite us!
I was all for the Murton to Chicago bandwagon...
But, I admit this isnt how I planned for it to go.
it's a shame the cubs scouts couldn't figure out what the Red Sox scouts did along time ago about Matt Murton... the poor guy is not a big league difference maker. The worst of it is he seems like a real good guy.
Marmol is above average.
MARMOL!!!
Marmol is a MADMAN! That kid rocks!!
"What got into Nuke" Pie is on fire!
listening to game today and missed his AB last night... how does Pie look? Is there a difference in his swing after working with Lou & Perry so much recently?
Im really sipping the RC Cola Cans right now. Hot damn.
RC Cola!!!! Way to go
RC Cola!!
CEDENO!!!!!!
He got a chance to redeem himself after striking out with bases loaded in the previous inning, and he came through big time this time!!
Cliff, to be fair. I dont think the Red Sox figured anything out about Matt. Have you read the reports over the years about he Sox considering trying to get him back for the past few years.
For what thats worth, right?
Good Lord Cedeno! I think Fontenot's ab's just took a hit!
On Murton, Peter Gammons said Murton was one of the best pure hitters he'd seen...whatever that means... but we all know what a Red Sox honk he is.
I could get used to these close games turning into laughers in the last inning or two. It's like a cat playing with a mouse and then dropping the hammer down.
Another Great Game today, this team is clicking on all cylinders.
Nick is Excited!!!!
Where is Jim and the "NATION REPRESENT!" I can't fully celebrate until I see that.
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
Yes!!!!Looking allright guys. Cedeno is possesed with Fukuway!! I had never really rooted for RC until this spring. If he keeps this up we might see take over SS. I like it