Game Twenty-One: Cubs (14-6) vs. Rockies (9-11)
Game Time - 7:35pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 188
Location - Coors Field, Denver
Rich Hill (1-0, 3.86/1.43) vs. Franklin Morales (1-1, 6.60/1.67)
The Cubs are off to their best start since 1975 and as a report in the Tribune mentioned, that Cubs' team "was 28-21 and in first place on June 5th, but went 47-66 the rest of the way to finish in a tie for fifth place in the NL East." So as Lou Piniella keeps reminding everyone, there are still a lot of games left to play this season.
Lou Piniella's crew opens a 2-game series tonight in Denver against the Rockies and another explosive offense. The Cubs have outscored their opponents 44-11 in the last 6 games and with the thin air in Coors Field....the Cubs might have to beat the Rockies at their own game.
Rich Hill is coming off a solid start last Friday against the Pirates. He gave up only 1 run on 3 hits in 5 innings with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts....his first victory of the year. Lou Piniella pulled him after 5 innings because the Cubs had the lead and he wanted Hill's start to end on a positive note. With that said, Coors Field might not be the best choice to try to continue to build his confidence.
Hill and his trademark curveball have problems in Denver. To put it simply, the ball does not break and his career numbers prove it. Hill is 0-2 in 2 career starts against the Rockies, both at Coors Field, with a 11.32 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP....the Rockies have hit an astonishing .357 against him. Last year, Hill lost to the Rockies on August 11th, 15-2, as the Rockies pounded out 7 runs on 9 hits in 5 2/3 innings.
- Matt Holliday - 2-for-4 with a double and 2 walks
- Scott Podsednik - 2-for-5
- Ryan Spilborghs - 3-for-5 with a double
- Troy Tulowitzki - 2-for-3
One of the reasons the Rockies finished last year the way they did was Franklin Morales. The very talented southpaw was 3-0 in 5 starts down the stretch for the Rockies with a 2.88 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP....he held opponents to a .184 batting average. But, so far this season it has not been as easy.
Morales received a no-decision on April 6th against the Diamondbacks, he threw 6 shutout innings and gave up just 2 hits. On April 12th against those same D'Backs in Arizona, Morales left after 4 innings....7 runs on 7 hits with 4 walks and 1 strikeout. He beat the Astros in Houston last Friday, 4 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts. In 15 innings this year, Morales has walked 11 and struck out only 5.
Tonight will be the first time the Cubs have faced Franklin Morales.
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
I'm expecting a slugfest tonight.
Tonight's lineup:
Johnson - CF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Fukudome - RF
DeRosa - LF
Soto - C
Cedeno - 2B
Hill - P
Looks like Lou has all of the "hot hands" in the lineup tonight. Hopefully, we can continue to put up the run production. I hope I'm wrong, but I think we may need it tonight. Hopefully Hill will keep the ball down.
I just knew Fukudome would love Coors!
FUKUDOME!
Does anyone else wish we had a whole line-up of Fukudome's?
GEO!
SOTO!
GEO!
SOTO!
Gucci....slowly but surely they are turning into Fukudome.
FUKUDOME AND SOTO!!!!
That was a very good at bat by Mark DeRosa....he did his job.
okay, maybe a whole line-up of Soto's and Fukudome's!
You gotta love this team's offense! And what a thrill to have offense in the catcher spot! And Fukodome is just an amazing hitting machine. What a steal!!!
Neil - i think you're right!
I wish i could watch this game on tv!
nice single by Cedeno.
Now Hill needs to shut them right down and eliminate any momentum change.
Hill's struggling a little but a well-timed DP
This Rockies announcers are cool. They have nothing but good things to say about the Cubs.
Soto!
You beat me to it AR. They sound professional as hell, and theyre not too boring either.
Soto with the double, flipped the lineup. And then the intentional walk to Cedeno. I would like to have seen Hill take a few pitches...but, Good job Geo!
In the box score, the ball Helton hit to right will look like just a fly out. But last year, and previous years, that was at least a double. Great catch by Fukudome.
Nice job ARAM!
Soto is now only a triple shy of the cycle, which is quite doable seeing as how D-Lee and Fukudome have already done that today.
Interesting note: Hill has thrown only 74 pitches so far where as Morales has thrown 100.
wow..Lou pulled Hill in favor of Wuertz in this situation...is Lou tired of winning?...hopefully Wuertz proves me wrong but he's not the one I would have gone for...
WTF..now Lou pulls Wuertz after he gives up the hits and run...who didn't see that one coming? Bad piece of managing by Lou
Could we please get someone out?
Man, that was quick. The offense is gonna have to pick it up tonight. Wuertz with another bad outing. Cannot leave pitches up like he did...terrible location.
Nice job my Marshall
Well that was wonderful.
oh boy....
Momentai guys.
No worries. We're in Colorado. Remember my prediction.
I don't think Lieber last inning was such a good idea. I know Wuertz has been struggling but with 1st and 2nd w/ 1 out, his slider/sinker would've been nice there.
NVM. Watching Gameday didn't see Wuertz fucked it up again. Cancel my last post -_-;
Seriously Aramis -_-;;
Come on Kosuke..a single will do lol.
What did I tell you guys! Not over yet! YES!!
Did DeRo smack something?
Would have been nice to have a couple more runs there. Lets shut em down and get em next inning.
Man, Nick. It sure is nice to see such optimism on this site. :clears throat:
Seriously though, lets take this thing back.
How many scoreless innings or one run games does this ballpark see? We aint done yet!
Well the eight inning has been pretty good to us the last couple of games lets see if it can happen again tonight.
I think Wuertz will be looking for an Apartment in Des Moines soon.
Cedeno stays hot!
Cedeno > Theriot. Why Theriot is starting, I know not.
And yes, I do realize he started tonight.
Jim, you may be right.
Damn.
Heart of the order in the 9th. Keep us in the game Bobby.
Well, looks like we are going to have to win it in the ninth after a lead off walk to Theriot, Lee lines out, then Ramirez hits a two run bomb, and Wood comes in to close it out.
O.K.....have to give a positive. Bobby Howry with another good inning.
Pulling out the old rally cap..
Aw crap. Mr. Groundout to start the inning..-_-; Get hit like Reed does to get on base..
Here we go, come back time!!
YES!! ARAM!!!!! FUCKIN A!!!
ARAM!
Unbelievable!!!!!!!
GO ARAMIS!!!!
Hubert, root root root for the cobbies or shut up.
Man, I wish I could have heard Len calling that HR! YES!
RAMIREZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!
How did Lenny sound on that one.
Now lets show the Rockies our closer!
ARAMIS!!!!!!!
C'mon Woody...shut em down!
Let's close it out Woody
Damn!
Get this last out. Lets go to extras..
Damn...good inning by Wood, but a couple hits in between all the K's.
Well, now we win it in extra's
Podsednik??!?!?! He loves sticking to the Cubs
Hate is too strong a word but I REALLY REALLY dislike Podsednik...and always have!
Anyone else prefer to see Cedeno swing away, with the way hes been swinging?
For those of you only listening or gamecasting... Woody's stuff was awesome tonight... ball was moving, slider was sick, heater was popping, and he was locating well. You just have to tip your cap to spilborghs for that AB. Can't blame woody tonight.
Well said Cliff.
A wild pitch would be convienient.
HaHa! Tinley Park Jim.... sorry I just read your post about Wuertz apt shopping here in Des Moines...it is crazy how relievers can succeed one year then absolutly BLOW the next! Wuertz looks like a right handed Ohman this year!
THE RIOT!!!!!
THERIOT! YES!
THE Riot comes through!
THE RIOT!!
3 run dong anyone???!!!
The Riot... great job again... going the other way... nice stuff
What a year this has been, and it is only 21 games in.
way to pick up woody boys... well played.
So great to see this team not quit. The offense just keeps the pressure on!!!
Go get em Marmol
Come on Marmol, Now we finish it out.
ok I hate that tool with the hat!
10,000!!!!!!!
10,000!!!!
I think its kinda fitting that Kerry Wood wins no. 10,000.
Good win, for a good ball team. 6 in a row!
WHITE CASTLE!!!! Jim...we are waiting
CUBS WIN!!! What a great hard fought win...let's keep it rolling! With the Cards loss, this one is big!
CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN!!!
Nick is still very excited
aahhh... now i understand. Woody just wanted to get the 10,000th WIN for the ball club. It all makes sense now. ;)
THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!! Congrats Lou on your 100th win as a CUB!
10,000 Wins!!!
it sure was nice seeing howry tossing 92 with controll. iwas waiting on it. way to come through. great win. get lou to make pie his bunk buddy so the two can work on plate discip;ine. ride the wave, go cubs
Nick your awesome dude!
Matt, are you reading my recap? Great observation.
Hey, if the score holds up between the Dodgers and D'Backs....guess what?
So here is a short story; my dad is a mets fan and my mom is a cub fan. They go out from Puerto Rico to Chicago to catch the 2 game series and they stay at the Windham where the Mets are staying. My folks are at the bar and catch some of the Mets players at the bar “pimping” around the day before the second game. My dad is pissed because they just lost a game and they are drinking…and my folks are too. So my dad say…these a##ho### should just leave and take a nap before they get swept tomorrow…and my mom [THE CUB FAN] says to my dad…give me your credit card….your boys need some drinks!!!
What a huge win today!! Talk to you guys on Monday I’m off to Washington!!!!
I'll probably get killed for this but did you guys see Hoffman blew ANOTHER save but this time he cost Mad Dog a win and that pisses me off! I will always be a Maddux HONK and I want him to finish with more wins than Clemens...and you all know why...that and Greg will always be my favorite pitcher.
Na, Im with ya Cory. Ive got a place 'right there' for Maddux.
I have to agree with both of you about Maddux...we've even decided that we were going to name our boy Maddux Gregory. I've always like him as a pitcher and a person.
I am with ya there also Cory.
Man what a huge what if.
I was really mad at Maddux for signing with the Braves, but over time I got over it.
Cubs and DBacks are have the two best records in mlb right now.
I saw the DBacks play last night, and it is interesting to compare the two teams:
Defense: DBacks look very strong here, with Upton, Young, and Byrnes in the OF, they have tremendous speed and can really cover the OF well. With Soriano healthy, and Pie in the lineup, I think you can say the same about the Cubs, but I am not sure anyone has a better arm than Soriano. Up the middle, the DBacks have Stephan Drew and Orlando Hudson and their catcher sucks on offense, so I assume he must be ok on defense...so they are "strong up the middle". I think the Cubs are above average here...definitely a lot stronger than in the Todd Walker days, with Cedeno/Theriot/DeRosa and Soto.
Bullpen: gotta give this to the Cubs. The DBacks lost their top closer in the offseason, whereas the Cubs probably improved with Wood and a more seasoned Marmol.
Starting pitcher: Haren and Webb are a better 1-2 than Zambrano and anyone else on the Cubs, but the Cubs get the edge from the #3-5 starters, and the backup depth with Marshall and Lieber. Randy Johnson could likely wind up on the DL this year, Doug Davis is fighting cancer, and Micah Owens may be a better hitter than a pitcher. If you say Lilly is our #2, then I guess Marquis/Hill/Dempster are more reliable than the DBacks at the back of the rotation. I do wish we could have gotten Haren though!
Offense: Cubs definitely have the edge in power over the course of the season, with proven big bats in Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez. DBacks have some promise with their 3B Reynolds, Chris Young, and Upton, but these guys will be lucky to hit over 30 HRs, whereas the Cubs Big Three are expected to hit closer to 40 HRs each.
I think there is a very good chance that we could see a DBacks/Cubs playoff again this year.
The Cubs are definitely more seasoned, and built for this year and next, whereas the DBacks do have a nice future though, as they are so young.
If you get a chance to goto Chase field, check out the new scoreboard...it will blow you away. 130' wide and in HD. All I could think about was how much I wished I could have that in my backyard to watch movies!
New from the Sun Times:
Soriano jogged lightly again Wednesday but won't increase the stress of his workouts until this weekend in Washington.
''We want to make sure that he can do all the things that a leadoff hitter needs to do,'' Piniella said. ''We don't want to take any chances here early in the year, bringing him back too soon, and all of a sudden we've got another problem on our hands.
''But, yeah, when he comes back, he'll go to left field and lead off.''
computer problems at home
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!