Game One Hundred Four: Cubs (60-43) vs. Marlins (54-49)
Game Time - 12:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Rich Harden (5-2, 2.12/1.11, 0-1, 0.73/0.89) vs. Chris Volstad (2-1, 2.16/1.14)
The Chicago Cubs will take the field on the last Saturday in July with a one game lead over the Brewers and a four game lead over the Cardinals after both teams lost on Friday night. While most of the baseball world will be focusing on Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame inductions on Sunday (quick note, Ron Santo should be preparing his speech this time next year), Lou Piniella's crew will try to get back in the win column behind Rich Harden.
The Cubs' offense will have to face yet another good young arm in the Marlins' system for the first time today. Chris Volstad is scheduled to make his third career big league start for Fredi Gonzalez and the Florida Fish.
Dominic DiAngi will throw out the first pitch of today's game. DiAngi was hit in the head by a foul ball of the bat of Ted Lilly back on July 10th against the Cincinnati Reds.
For the first time as a Cub, Rich Harden will pitch today on normal rest. After Jim Hendry traded for Harden the week before the break several reports suggested the Cubs would do their best to give Harden extra rest when possible. Harden responded his last time out and pitched a gem on eight days between starts.
Harden was a hard luck loser his last time out and actually pitched better than a future Hall of Famer. Harden struck out 10 for the second straight outing, tossed 4 perfect innings before allowing his first, and only hit, to start the 6th inning. A solo home run by Alex Romero was the only hit and run Harden allowed in 7 innings.
The Cubs need another solid outing from Harden today and his teammates need to award him with a win. Harden should be 2-0 as a Chicago Cub....not 0-1. Harden has allowed 1 run on 6 hits with 5 walks and 20 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings in his last 2 starts.
Harden faced the Marlins in an A's uniform back on June 20th in Oakland. Harden received a no decision but allowed only 1 run on 5 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Today will be Harden's second career start and appearance against the Fish.
- Alfredo Amezaga - 0-for-4
- Jorge Cantu - 1-for-6
- Luis Gonzalez - 1-for-2
- Jeremy Hermida - 0-for-3
- Hanley Ramirez - 2-for-3 with a double
- Cody Ross - 0-for-2
- Dan Uggla - 1-for-3 with a home run
The Cubs will get their first look today at Chris Volstad, one of the top pitching prospects in the game. The 21-year old, 6'7" right-hander was drafted out of prep school in the 1st round (16th overall pick) of the 2005 draft. Volstad was the Marlins' top pitching prospect according to Baseball America at the beginning of the season....and he has not disappointed.
Volstad was 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 15 starts in Double-A before getting his chance in the Show. Volstad has responded quite well and in his first 3 games, 2 starts, at the big league level he has posted a 2-1 record with a 2.16 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP while opponents have hit just .217 against him. In 16 2/3 innings he has struck out 9 and walked 6 while giving up just 13 hits....and no home runs.
Volstad is a sinker baller with a fastball that ranges from the upper 80's to lower 90's.
In his first career big league start, Volstad beat the Dodgers 3-1 in Los Angeles....he allowed only 1 run on 5 hits with a walk and 6 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. Volstad lost his last outing and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. The Cubs success today will depend solely on the scouting reports....and making the youngster work. If the Cubs' offense allows him to get comfortable on the mound, it could be a very frustrating afternoon at Wrigley.
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
According to ESPN 1000....
Mike Fontenot will hit 5th today and Kosuke Fukudome will hit 8th.
Have partial lineup, will post full as soon as possible.
Bruce Levine reported the Cubs (and Sox) are interested in George Sherrill and the Orioles have a scout watching the Cubs.
Stay tuned....
I hope Lou puts The Riot in the 3-hole...
Duas, the top 4 spots have not changed. It looks like Fukudome is in center and DeRosa is in right....but again, not sure on the positions. That is the reason I have not posted the lineup.
Reed Johnson has been very hot lately, I think Lou has to keep playing him until he cools off.
Today's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Fontenot - 2B
DeRosa - RF
Soto - C
Fukudome - CF
Harden - P
A 4-pitch walk and then 3 straight swinging strikeouts to end the 1st inning....16 pitches
Thanks to WGN carrying the game and an early start, I get my first look at Harden. WOW! He's the perfect pitcher for a free swinging club like the Marlins. I see no reason why he won't strike out 12 to 15 today.
Aramis with a 2-out RBI....good slide by Derrek Lee at the plate
I am convinced that the Cubs won't turn it around until Ramirez does. Just look how he has changed the complection of today's game already. A home team pithcher that is dealing and a 1st inning run produced with a 2 out hit.
Gary...excellent point.
Ugh, screw the early start.
It breaks me.
Since theres the delay. Where did the first run come from?
And how has Harden looked?
Matt...2-out double to left by Derrek Lee and a single to left by Aramis Ramirez. Very good slide at the plate by Lee, hooked and touched home with his hand.
Im glad to hear Aramis and Derrek are seeing the ball.
Thanks Neil.
Hooked and touched home? Similar to the play at the plate he missed the other day?
Matt, exactly. Good memory
The metamorphosis of a new network..
::sigh::
WGN's trying too hard with this.
Hacking again....they are not making Volstad
...Nevermind
ARAMIS!!!! Number 18
Gary?
Signs of pyschic ability.
Way to go Rami!
That was the first home run allowed at the big league level by Chris Volstad....4-pitch walk follows, his first free pass. Make this guy work!!!
Aramis with the glove!
Wooo!
Excellent leaping catch by Aramis...saved a run.
Thanks Aramis!
I have been reading the site regularly for a couple of seasons now, however, this is my first post. I wanted to first thank Neil for all of his hard work, it is unmatched, and my days would not be same without this site. Secondly, I wanted to thank all of the regulars who contribute their opinions and knowledge on this site daily, it consistently challenges me to increase my knowledge base, and I absolutely love it.
Finally, I wanted to comment on just how impressive Rich Harden has been in a Cubs uniform. I believe that as we watch what is going to be highly documented historical second half, one way or another, Harden may be the peice that we look back on and rave about. What an excellant pick up by Hendry, and lets pray this young man stays healthy, because his presence in a short playoff series might just be the difference from years past.
One more run for Harden from somewhere?
Baron...my thoughts exactly
4 innings from our bullpen makes me feel very queasy right now.
How many great performances by Harden is this team going to waste?
As Lou decides to leave Marshall take the bat, I'm thinking; boy we are at a low point with the reliever situation...then Marshall takes a major league at bat and gets a hit and looked a lot better there than Soriano. Baseball is strange. Wow now the HR and tie game...
Another solo home run by Hermida....3rd home run in last 5 at bats
The Marlins' pitching staff has had the Cubs' number for years....Baseball is a numbers' game, but the Marlins move players after players, year after year.
Could it be the advanced scouting, on the Marlins' end?
Someone on our staff needs to back Hermedia off the plate. He did the same shit to us last September.
Harden gets pimped out of another win.
Michael...thank you very much, and welcome to the CCO!
For the love of God Cubs, score some frekin runs and reward your pitchers! I mean, why should it feel like "game over" when a reliver gives up a late game tying run? Pathetic.
Absolutely Jim(tp), as much as that guy has been killing us, the only pitch he should be seeing should be placed between his shoulder blades.
Well, all Lou needs to do is not put in Howry and we can win this.
Boseph you made me gag a little just mentioning Howry's name.. (I actually like Bob but he has been truly bad as of late)
For as amazing as our starting pitching has been lately, our offense has been sporadic AT BEST....
It doesn't seem to matter who the pitcher is.... Its either 8 runs, or 2.... There is ZERO consistency
Interesting stat...
Though ranked 3rd overall in offense, the team ranks in the bottom 10 of MLB in average with RISP and 2 outs, and with Bases loaded.... ie --> true clutch situations.
I hope and think Boseph was being sarcastic. I really didnt think Marmol and Cotts would get out...
Phew..
Lets go win this one!
GO GET EM LOU
Rob Drake is the worst ump in the Majors....ask anyone. Second missed call in two games.
Seriously. I hate all these umps with power trip egos, he threw Lou out of the game pretty quick it looked like to me.
I actually thought Derosa was out.
Lou's tantrums are no fun anymore... I was waiting for at least 2 uprooted basepads
Jim...to be honest, I could not tell. I am basing my opinion solely on Sinatro's reaction.
Dave Kaplan and Todd Hollandsworth talked about Drake in length. I quote, "the worst ump in the majors."
Great Catch by Reed!!
Will WGN still carry Lou's post game even though we are in extras? I want to hear Lou's take on Drake.
Also, I do not know if anyone saw, but Lou bumped Brian Gorman after he was ejected. Lou will probably get a few games to think about it....
Drake tries so hard to be a part of the action.
He's a joke. He through out Guillen for arguing the other day.
He wants so much to be a deciding factor that he becomes a gimmick.
Matt...well said.
Just an observation:
Watching that catch by Soriano in left, I havent seen him with that little hop lately. Have I missed it? Could he have been ordered to stop?
Just wondering
Jim, you are right. DeRosa was out.
threw*
Sorry. Im kinda fired up now. Pardon my grammar. My point stands though.
Good base hit by Kosuke. Looks like the hits he was getting earlier.
Hey guys, how about we get the win now!!
Come on Soriano!
What I think is crap is that Lou may get a few games for "bumping" and a lot of times it is the umpires that cause the contact. The ump was continuing to walk towards Lou and get in between and when Lou moved to the left, so did the other ump and that's when the "bump" happened. I understand suspending managers when they are trying to cause contact with the ump but have some flippin perspective.
LET'S GO!!!!!
0-10 for Soriano and Theriot combined in the 1-2 slots.... Very hard to put up runs that way
Now there's some smart bullpen management: stretch Marmol, then put in Gaudin, and screw the matchups. If we can't score this go-around, lets stretch out Gaudin a little more.
1-15 from the top 3 spots... DISGRACEFUL
Bad move by the Marlin hitter.
Great throw by Reed. Just waiting for him!
Great throw by Reed!
reed needs to be out starting center fielder he covers so much ground makes good throws and comes up with big hits
Damn...
ARGH! FFS!
Baron great observation but Theriot should not be brought back into this discussion again. For cry'n out loud he owns the 5th highest BA in the NL. Look rather to Soriano, Lee and Aramis. They are the All Stars not Theriot. Theriot has been nothing less than spectacular at the plate and at SS.
Lastly, during ST I remarked that the CUBS should trade DLee because he hasn't been the same since his personal family challenges with his daughter and all. I said we should trade DLee and let Hoffpauir be our future.
I would love to see us go after this Hanley Ramirez dude and put that bat in the lineup with his great range at short we would have most certainly the best inf in the NL. This with Theriot at 2B.
What say you all??
I say absolutely not.
We'll give more than that after the game.
We've got a comeback to watch, first.
As it should be. This team didn't deserve to win.
Not today anyway..
Man..
Now I begin to tire about saying "lets do it tomorrow.."
Pitching did their job AGAIN and they were let down.
What can be done to get these guys hitting?
A few thoughts....
* This offense needs an enema!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* Hermedia owns our pitching staff!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* Yeah, I am ballistic right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is what I think about D-Lee Barry.
Derrek is perceived as a superstar slugger. But he's not.
Before the monster career year in 05, Derrek was good for a .280 avg and 25 long balls.
I believe that this is the real Derrek. He's improved to a .290-.300 hitter and a hot/cold clutch mentality.
He is better suited for another spot in the lineup.
My ideal lineup would be:
Theriot
Lee
Soriano
Ramirez
Fukudome
Soto
DeRosa
CF of choice
That wont happen though because D-Lee is perceived a true 3 hole guy. He's not.
What he his is a professional hitter who along with Kerry Wood is the heart and soul of Chicago Cubs. If we're going to win, we need to win with Derrek. Players love playing with the guy and I value that.
I like the Hoff. However, until he proves otherwise he is just another flavor if the month. I dont want to give him a full-time job because I worry that he would become Todd Hollandsworth in 2005. Remember?
you're right Gary we are not a very good team right now. These guys look like if the chemistry was dead. Trading Derek would be a bad move, this team is short of leadership and he is probably the closest thing we have. They'll get hot sometime, hopefully soon.
Trade DLee for Texiera, Hanley Ramirez or Brian Roberts and put Hoffpauir at 1B. I'm telling you faithful, DL will not ever mirror his 2005/06 numbers. Trade while his value is still high.
Everything is falling into place for us for a prolonged run in the NL. DLee, for the money is no longer the player he was. He seems a bit aloof out there anymore.
I'm only thinking with a purely Baseball business mindset not with my heart because of course I love DLee but winning must be the primary motivating factor these days. Gentlemen??
self-sabotage by a leader-less offense.
I guess these guys need to see themselves officially in 2nd place before they start playing with some fire.
How is Mike Fontenot, a bench-player at best, batting in the #5 spot?
Not having an everyday CF is screwing up the consistency of our lineups, and I think that is hurting the team. There is a lot to be said for routine. DeRosa should start at 2nd...not Fontenot.
All I can say is that Ramirez and Soriano are due for nice long hot streaks.
I don't know what to think about Lee anymore. I think he is still a solid hitter, but it may be time to take him out of the #3 spot.
I prefer:
Soriano
Theriot
Ramirez
Lee
DeRosa
Fukudome
Soto
Johnson/Edmonds
"DLee, for the money is no longer the player he was"
So, why would someone want to take that?
I like Tex. And I like that youre thinking. But his value for his paycheck is really low at the moment. Those DP numbers especially.
Hey Matt, we think alike. [had not read your post] but yeah, Derek is basicly the guy you describe which is still a very good player.
I like it Jason B.
And I wanted to do something similar.
But does Rami seem like a 3 hole guy? I jusr cant picture it.
That may just be because of the novelty of the thought though. I do like your lineup though.
Anyone listening to Lou?
He aint happy with Doof Drake.
Matt, I completely understand your thoughts, believe me but I do disagree with your assertion that Lee is a leader that the players respect. I think for the first time in a couple of decades we have a bucket load of talent and a Manager who knows the ins and outs of the game. I believe, if you query the players they will tell you it is Wrigley and the fan base that draw them to us. No one player is bigger than the organization so on that count I will respectfully disagree with you.
Oh you misunderstand.
I agree with ya that Wrigley is a huge draw to players. In fact the road record agrees fully with you.
I just feel like Derrek is a good guy winning ball clubs have. A lot like Kevin Youkilis I think.
But yeh. No one player is bigger than a organization or league. Never and wont say that.
Great second half Cubbies really dynomite! I can't believe this offense is this PATHETIC! Makes me sick. Where's the heart??!!
Ive got a platoon partner for Kosuke...
SAMMY SOSA!!
Im only half way kidding.
Ive got a platoon partner for Kosuke...
SAMMY SOSA!!!
Im only half way kidding..
DLee and Cedeno for Hanley Ramirez and minor league prospect.
orrrrr
DLee, Fontenot and a minor leage prospect for Brian Roberts.
Imagine an IF or Ramirez, Ramirez, Roberts and Hoffpauir!!!! Soto, Ramirez and Roberts up the middle with Reed Johnson in CF. That is a helluva a defensive squad!!
It makes a whole helluva alot of sense to me and I am not into moving ppl just to move ppl.
The problem is that it doesnt make sense to the Marlins.
The Marlins just got done signing Ramirez to a long term deal to keep him in their small maket town.
Similar to the same deal the Rays gave to young Evan Longoria.
The Marlins GAVE us D-Lee because they couldnt afford the contract that WE gave him.
No one outside of AAA wants Ronny Cedeno, really.
Barry,
Hoffpauir in for D.Lee? Are you drinking in the afternoon? Hoffpauir has never hit more than 16HR in a minor league seasons and before getting hot in 2007, hit .267 and .268 in AAA..... And please dont compare their defense... D. Lee has consistently been the best defensive 1st baseman in the NL
and Trade D.Lee for Brian Roberts?? It's a good thing you don't manage a ball-club
Everyone:
Derrek Lee is awful. He's my least favorite Cub by far. He is beyond pathetic. It's a disgrace that he is "known as a superstar". He has NEVER had a big hit for the Cubs and has had only ONE in his career (vs. the Cubs, we all know to which side of the field).
My one stat: .220 career with bases loaded.
Go look at his BA with RISP in close and late situations. Look at his slugging pct with runners on. We all know that the only f****** thing we can hope for when he is up in a big spot is a ground ball single. He has warning track power and even when he hit 46 HR he only had 107 RBI. Why? Because he is pathetic. The one aspect of his game that would keep me from trading him for Roberts is his defense. He's the best in the league at 1b. He is no effing superstar and, at bestm is the 6th most dangerous hitter on our effing team. Ramirez, Soriano, Soto, ZAMBRANO, Theriot or Johnson or Derosa or Fontenot or Hoffpauir (why the HEL* doesn't he play more), and then Lee.
I've watched every single game but two over the last 6 years, and i'm 22. I would have traded Lee for Adrian Gonzalez when Hendry had the chance before they signed Lee to the long term deal.
I love Lou, but he has managed worse than Baker in the last week. He's making things worse by acting like things are bad. Marshall for 3 innings - that's pathetic, Harden out after 88 pitches? Samardzija in with a lead late for his ML debut?
Don't get me wrong. Both pitchers did a very good job, but it was asking for too much from them. Especially Marshall in for the 3rd inning. That was a horrible decision. I saw Lou shaking his head when Hermida got the HR. What was he expecting to happen? Marshall has ALWAYS followed that same pattern in his starts as well. I love Marshall too, I love his mental strength.
K - i'm done. Well, lookie here. Lee is up with Soriano on 2nd. LMAO.
LMFAO, harmless fly to right. Wow, thought it was gone that time.
You know what's funny? I hadn't read the comments before I posted mine.
Haggard: brilliantly put. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to watch every game and to know when Lee is coming up constantly with men on and knowing, without a shred of optimistic doubt, that he will not come through - and beyond that, will hamper and destroy our scoring chances with the DP.
Not that it matters, but here's my lineup:
Soriano (I only have recently conformed to this idea. I think it's great for many reasons. We have a solid lineup. Think about it, many times, we have a guy like Reed/Font in the 8 spot. Best 8 spot hitters in the NL. We also have the best hitting SP in the league, though only one of them can bunt worth a poo. Second reason? Gives us more chances for a big inning by distributing the power balance in our lineup. It really makes the opposing manager squirm knowing that the Cubs have the most dangerous 1 hitter in all of baseball)
2 spot - vs Lefties - Fukudome (sounds crazy huh, well - look at his stats vs lefties. He slugs less but his BA is better and his OBP is almost identical). You put him here because he DOES slug less. You want him further down in the lineup against righties because he has a better slugging against them. If you don't put him here, then obviously you have Theriot vs. lefties.
Vs righties - Theriot.
3 spot - Easy. Aramis. I don't know why he is 4th. I really don't. I smell a change at some point. I think Lou will do it. I really do. I think he'll displace Lee.
4 spot? Tough. Only because you have no better option, you put Lee here. I think Lee is a prototypical 5 hitter. Here, Lee can't kill you with the DP (well, at least in the first inning if only one guy gets on). I'm not kidding here - put Zambrano here when he is pitching.
5 Spot - Soto/Derosa when Blanco is subbing
6 spot - Derosa vs lefties/Fukudome vs righties/
7 spot - Theriot vs lefties/Edmonds vs righties
8 spot - Fontenot/Reed/Blanco
So, has Marquis just solidified a bullpen long-man spot. Samardzija now in the 5 spot? Yes. PLEASE
PLEASE. I'd rather have Samardzija give up 4 runs while dominating some hitters then Marquis barely getting by when he doesn't get hammered.
I remember when Marquis was whining about possibly being left out of the Rotation, probably thinking that he was better than Dempster (since Hill had solidified the 3 spot in the Rotation...lol).
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo