Game Thirty-One: Cubs (18-12) vs. Cardinals (19-12)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: ESPN Sunday Night Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Jason Marquis (1-1, 4.45/1.62) vs. Todd Wellemeyer (2-1, 4.14/1.19)
It's Sunday Night Baseball and it's the Cubs and Cardinals....despite what ESPN will say tonight, the best rivalry in all of baseball. The rubber game of the weekend series will feature two starting pitchers facing their former organization. Todd Wellemeyer could never match the expectations he set in his big league debut and Jason Marquis was tossed to the side by Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan....so both pitchers should be out to prove a point tonight.
In other News.... Jon Lieber will replace Rich Hill in the Cubs' rotation and should take the mound in Cincinnati for his first start of the year on Wednesday. With Lieber in the rotation, Sean Gallagher will likely be used as the long man out of the pen. Maybe those roles should have been reversed? Also, Juan Mateo declined his assignment to the Daytona Cubs and is now a free agent....best of luck Juan, too bad he was lost in the debacle of 2006.
Lou Piniella's crew will try to win back-to-back games for the first time since their season long 6-game winning streak from April 18th - April 23rd. Baseball fever....catch it!
After two quality starts against the Pirates and Rockies, Jason Marquis took a couple of steps back in his last outing against the Brewers. Marquis threw strikes but did not miss to many bats and the Brewers scored 5 runs on 10 hits in just 5 innings. The Cubs bullpen allowed another 5 and the Cubs lost the first, and only, game this season in which they have scored at least 4 runs.
Jason Marquis will get another chance to beat the organization that shunned him following the 2006 season. Marquis is 4-1 in 5 starts, 7 career games, with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. There is no love lost between Marquis and his old teammates. He posted a 3-1 record in his first season away from the Cardinals last year with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.
- Rick Ankiel - 2-for-3
- Chris Duncan - 3-for-8 with a home run
- Troy Glaus - 4-for-6
- Cesar Izturis - 7-for-17 with 2 doubles and a triple
- Ryan Ludwick - 1-for-5 with a double
- Aaron Miles - 6-for-13 with a double
- Yadier Molina - 2-for-8 with a home run
- Albert Pujols - 4-for-14
Todd Wellemeyer will make his first career start against the team that drafted him. Wellemeyer was the Cubs 4th round pick back in 2000. After a spectacular debut on May 15, 2003 in which he struck out the side against the Brewers and picked up a save in a 4-2 Cubs win, Wellemeyer struggled as a Cub, at times showing promise, but not much consistency.
Jim Hendry traded Wellemeyer to the Marlins for Lincoln Holdzkom and Zach McCormack on March 28, 2006.
Wellemeyer has been one of the many surprises for the Cardinals this year. Once again Dave Duncan has worked his magic and Wellemeyer responded with a very good month. In his first 6 starts, Wellemeyer has allowed more than 4 earned runs only once and has had three outings in which he allowed 2 runs or less.
Wellemeyer is coming off a loss his last time out against the Reds. He allowed 4 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks. Wellemeyer is throwing strikes to the tune of a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio....in 37 innings this year, Wellemeyer has recorded 36 strikeouts and only 12 walks.
The Cubs' offense will have their opportunities, Wellemeyer has given up 32 hits and 6 long balls....they just have to take advantage and not allow him to get comfortable on the mound.
Wellemeyer has pitched only 1 inning against his former organization....no runs and 1 hit allowed.
- Mark DeRosa - 0-for-0 with 2 walks
- Reed Johnson - 1-for-4
- Aramis Ramirez - 1-for-1
- Alfonso Soriano - 0-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball…..
Theory gentlemen (And Abby if shes near):
I have reason to believe that Ronny Cedeno has stolen Medium Z's computer. Z, in his anger and rage at not being able to speak to the familia has pitched lights out baseball. Not to mention Z's nasty computer induced cramps are gone.
Cedeno, for his part, has signed on to chicagocubsonline.com (A Site For The Cubs Faithful!) and has lobbied for playing time under the assumed name of Hubert!
Any thoughts?
I'm not a Riot basher but I want RC to pull through big time. He has always had the talent and is finally getting the mental aspect and attitude figured out as well. If Ronny and Ryan are both at the top of their games consistently, I would roll with RC Cola.
Anyone know if the game will be blacked out in Des Moines/Iowa? I'm going to really ticked off if it is.
Ramirez is not in the lineup....same starting eight as Saturday
Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Fukudome - RF
DeRosa - 3B
Soto - C
Fontenot - 2B
Johnson - CF
Marquis - P
Weren't they having Cedeno play some CF in Spring Training? Maybe Lou should give him a chance in CF to get his bat in the lineup
I'm with you, Neil, on the implication that Gallagher might be better starting, and Lieber reileving. Lieber, while giving up frequent hits, has given up few runs one time through the order. But longer stints seem dangerous to me.
Does anyone know Ramirez's status? How long is he out?
Andy, he is listed as day to day.
Great play D Lee!!
Do the Cards get a 2 out first inning like Soriano gives the Cubs? How can Lou send Hill down in a flash but can put up with his nonsense?
How about Marquis striking out one of the best in the game and then walking the next two???
Hope he can rebound...
Dear DLee, thank you.
Way to go Reed! Now why is this guy batting 8th??
Great catch by Lee and way to get it started GEO!
Nice sac fly....good to put the ball in play. That'll work.
Cary, I agree 100%
Way to go Theriot, that was a quality start to the DP.
Great dp by Riot
4 hits, 3 walks and 38 pitches in 2 innings by Marquis....
But somehow he gets out of it... Hes like the Ugly, Pot-Bellied guy with the hot girlfriend... you cant figure it out, but he gets it done somehow...
Wow! Marquis struck out Ankiel and then a 4-pitch walk to Duncan.
I really liked Joe "I hate the Cubs" Morgan's assessment of Soriano's catch. That was a beauty.
Beautiful three pitch strike out. Wasted lead-off double.
When Soriano strikes out, his at-bat looks like a minor leaguer's at bat....no read on breaking pitches
Lots of pitches by both starters.
I sense that Marquis will follow Hill out of the rotation. The walks and hits to guys like Itzuris drives Lou nuts.
6 hits and 5 walks in 4 innings.....
Marquis should be the bat boy for the team.... He is the worst pitcher ever, and somehow escapes criticism by many people...
He sucks, no 2 ways about it... just plain sucks.
And Marquis earns $7m a year. Baron, I agree. What a pathetic outing from a "major league" pitcher.
I like Soriano when he is hot but at this point is agonyzing. Soriano=Juan Pierre...can't take a damn pitch????
Lead off walk by the Riot....I smell a 3 run inning....
Come on D-lee... make 'em pay!
Come on Lee.
Pujols made him pay for the walk
If there's a silver lining, Gagne imploded again today, and the Brewers pitching staff (outside of Sheets) is really reeling.
THAT was ugly.
Holy cow, from his KNEES. Molina's throw was fantastic, and that sucks.
What a great play by Molina.
On a side note, does anyone remember Izturis recording a 2-hit game for the Cubs? Just curious.
Theriot...that is unacceptable...again?
Cary, you are right but here come the Astros.
If Marquis wants to know why he is always left off the playoff roster tell him it's because he walks a douchbag like Kennedy to face Pujols with 2 out!
Note to Pinella.....STOP TRYING TO RUN ON MOLINA!!!!
God I hate the Cardinals!
The Cards are playing fundamentally sound currently. But I'm not sure their pitching (e.g. Wellemeyer) can hold up for the long haul. And I have a suspicion that Pujols is just one twinge from a DL or surgery stint. It's still a long road for them with a lot of "if's". With the Brewers pitching woes, this division is definitely there for the taking...but not with outings like this one by Marquis. I really wish we'd see Gallagher and Samardjia in the rotation, with Marshall and Lieber in long relief. But that's just my nickles worth.
Ronny Cedeno > Ryan Theriot.
My name is Yadier Molina and I just quelled the riot.
My name is Theriot, I have no speed yet I tried to run on a guy with a bazooka for an arm.
Really 3 hits against Wellemeyer?!!? Now we'll make this rookie piece of crap look like Brandon Webb....as I type DeRosa and Soto prove me right!
COME ON LETS GO!!!!
I know this is a long way off but I really think that Hendry will pull the trigger before the trade deadline for another quality pitcher to try and put the Cubs over the top. He hinted at this in the last weeks of Spring training (I tried finding the article and came up empty).
Why isn't Cedeno in the lineup in any capacity? He has a .471 OBP OO;;
Fontenot is doing a helluva job though..
Trevor: Who is on the market...as far as SPs go?
AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Piece of crap hit! WHERE'S OURS!
If they rename Cedeno, Cedenot will he play? Oo;
Hey I'm ready for the biggest comeback this year...Who's in?
Mr. Hendry, please, it's time to move Reed to left and give Pie the Center (and the 300 at-bats he deserves).
Sori had no clue fielding. Did you see how Reed was stunt and surprised how Sori just let go and left the ball rolling past him?
When our super star can't prevent opposing runs or at least show the messege that he's ready to stop them: This is, Gentlemen, Cubs baseball at its worst.
Agustin, I with you.
agustin, I AM IN. This is it, just watch...
We are like the only team in baseball that can't go 1st to 3rd on a single or 2nd to home on a single..
I think Derrick really feels pressure to perform at his highest when Aramis is out.
Lee is having a REALLY BAD night! Offensively I should say.
Cedeno has to be sent on that ground ball. I know he got a late break, but they all seem to freeze up with the bases loaded.
Hubert, I'm not sure who is available or not. Part of that will depend on what teams are out of it by that time as well. I just think that if there is an opportunity to get someone, Trader Jim will try and make it happen because he knows that this rotation may win games but not a championship.
I agree Neil it almost makes you miss the good ole "Wav'n Wendle Days".....almost.
Lack of clutch in that 7th is gonna be what Neil is writing about later.
De Rosa is batting real clutch.. NOT!!!..
Really missed a huge chance there in the 7th. Man I hate the Cardinals.
Can we put Gallagher in the rotation and make Marquis his masseuse?
Apparently Gally can throw 97mph..
Man if Soriano had that Japaneese coach he'd look like Stallone after Rocky I!
What happened to RJ's power? Didn't he hit like 20+ dongs a couple a years ago? He is warning track power at best.
I'd like to see Lou give Gallagher a chance in the rotation.
As I look at LaRusa and his uppity demeanor, you should all listen to his OWI tape trying to recite the alphabet to the cops...Rome plays it all the time...it's hillarious, almost as much as him falling asleep with his foot on the brake at that stoplight just before that ABC memory last year.
p.s. I'm pretty sure Ankiel is gay!
Swing the damn bat Lee!!!WTF??
We better step it up or these guys are gonna run away with this!
Absolute total bummer all damn week!
In the last two at-bats of Soriano I'm pretty sure Piniella made him take the first pitch...boy he is killing us right now and we need Aramis badly.
Anyone else notice that we always stink it up the day after the offense has a big showing? For a team that it "supposed" to be competing for the World Series this year, we have got to start beating the teams we are supposed to beat.
Last year, Soriano batted .299, led the team in HRs, and had a HIGHER .OBP than Theriot.
Yet to read some of these posts, you would think Soriano was either the offensive version of Barry Zito or the anti-Christ.
The fact is that Cubs fans are riding Soriano, unnecessarily, because he has a large contract and he hurt himself doing his odd "hop".
If he was paid less, or if he had hurt himself jumping into a wall to make a catch, everyone would be saying "you gotta give him some time...gotta get that rust off".
We did not lose tonight because of Soriano.
We lost tonight because we had Theriot, Fontenot, Johnson, and DeRosa in our starting lineup. None of those guys would start on the Yankees or the Red Sox. Soriano is the type of star that can start on the Yankees though. In fact, he is so good, that when you trade him, you get ARod in return. When/if the Cubs trade Mike Fontenot, they will get a PTBNL.
Is this starting to sink in yet?
The inability for the rest of the lineup (and not just Soriano) to pummel a Cubs-castoff like Todd Wellemeyer, is the reason we lost tonight.
That and stupid basestealing attempts by Ryan Theriot.
If Cedeno has his act together, then Theriot's starting days are numbered. Theriot and Fontenot are good backups...great 4th infielders.
Couldn't Cedeno have started in place of Fontenot tonight? What are the Cubs doing with Eric Patterson?
Corey Patterson was "can't miss" and so was Pie. Time to move on with Pie, as the Cubs have a small championship window the next 2-3 years with their core veterans. They are trying to win now.
We don't have time for Pie.
Here is what I would do:
Cedeno at SS, Patterson at 2B. If neither are ready for it, then they are trade-bait to get Brian Roberts.
Is Tyler Colvin the next "can't miss" kid? Give him a shot. If he isn't up for it, then go trade for a veteran stopgap for 1-year, ala Kenny Lofton. Trade Pie for a lefty reliever or something useful.
This frees up DeRosa to be a supersub, which we will need as there are always injuries, such as Aramis right now.
Soriano
Roberts/Cedeno
Lee
Ramirez
Fukudome
Soto
Patterson/Cedeno
Colvin/Veteran CF
Give Gallagher a shot at the 5th starter...if he can't cut it, trade him for Brian Roberts asap. I am tired of hearing how great these farms guys are, and how they are untouchable, and each and every time we don't trade them while their value is high. Look at Rich Hill. What a shame. Shame on Jim Hendry for bragging for 3 years in a row about how valued Hill was by other GM's, yet Hendry couldn't possibly part with a guy compared to (you guessed it) Barry Zito. Oh, the irony.
Same thing with Cedeno...either make him the starter now, or trade him while his stock is back up...don't let him rot on the bench and go into a slump and be worthless at the trading deadline.
I think we need to put Kerry Wood in the rotation, perhaps along with Gallagher, and trade the aging farmhands for solid middle relievers to support Marmol as closer.
Zambrano, Lilly, Wood, Gallagher, Dempster. Lieber and Marshall continue to be good backup plans, and hopefully Rich Hill is wisely traded after going 4-0 in AAA with 82 Ks in 5 games.
I would like a lot of upgrades...but Alfonso Soriano is not a guy I need to move or change in anyway.
Great post Jason B. I agree with about 90% of what you wrote (still unsure about Kid K in the rotation).
By the way, maybe I've just not noticed but have you written a "you know better" column in a while? Always enjoyed your columns. (No offense to the other column writers)