Game Eighty-Four: Cubs (50-33) vs. Giants (36-47)
Game Time - 9:15pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 189
Location - AT & T Park, San Francisco
Jason Marquis (6-4, 4.96/1.52) vs. Matt Cain (4-6, 4.44/1.36)
Lou Piniella's crew will try to post back-to-back wins on the road tonight for the first time since departing Toronto on June 15th. Jason Marquis is coming off a bad start against the Orioles but has pitched well on the road. Piniella received more than a quality outing from Ted Lilly on Monday and with a well rested pen, if Marquis struggles it could be a short night.
Piniella mentioned before Monday's game Daryle Ward will likely start in left tonight against Matt Cain and Sean Gallagher will start the finale on Thursday. Piniella was toying with the idea of putting Gallagher in the pen when Carlos Zambrano returned but with the way he finished against the White Sox on Saturday, Sean Marshall will be Piniella's second lefty option out of the pen starting on Friday in St. Louis.
Jason Marquis is coming off his worst start of the year against the Orioles. Marquis gave up 7 runs on 7 hits in 4 innings in the series finale and struggled to throw strikes. While he only walked 3 batters, he did not appear to have the confidence or command he displayed over his 6 previous starts. Marquis must throw strikes tonight, give his team a chance and keep his skipper out of the bullpen until the later innings.
Marquis has pitched better on the road than at Wrigley and is 3-1 in 7 starts with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP.
Tonight will be Marquis' 5th career start and 6th appearance against the Giants. He is 3-0 in his first 4 starts with a 2.56 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP while holding the Giants to a .198 batting average. Last season Marquis received a no decision in his only outing against San Francisco and allowed 1 run on 3 hits in 7 innings with 5 strikeouts and 5 walks at AT & T Park on August 21st....the Cubs won, 5-1.
- Rich Aurilia - 6-for-17 with a triple and a home run
- Bengie Molina - 0-for-3
- Aaron Rowand - 1-for-9
- Omar Vizquel - 1-for-6 with a triple
- Randy Winn - 6-for-13 with a double and 2 home runs
Matt Cain always pitches better than his record indicates....Cain's problems have typically been no run support. Cain is a hard thrower and always pitches well against the Cubs. He is coming off a loss to the Indians in Cleveland....4 runs on 8 hits in 5 innings with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. In his two previous starts, one win and one loss, Cain struck out 19 and walked only 2 in 15 innings of work. Cain was 2-3 in 5 starts in June with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and 9 walks in 31 1/3 innings....almost a strikeout per inning.
Cain is 2-3 in 8 home starts this season with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP while holding the opposition to a .241 batting average.
Cain is 3-2 with a complete game in 5 career starts versus the Cubs with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Last season, 1-1 in 2 starts with a 5.73 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. The Cubs beat Cain in Chicago 12-1 on July 18th and lost to him 4-1 in San Francisco on August 23rd.
- Ronny Cedeno - 2-for-6
- Mark DeRosa - 1-for-3
- Jim Edmonds - 1-for-6
- Mike Fontenot - 2-for-4 with a double
- Derrek Lee - 2-for-10
- Ryan Theriot - 2-for-6 with a double
- Daryle Ward - 1-for-5 with a double
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
A few thoughts....
* Obviously there are going to be roster moves with
the return of Z and Reed Johnson. If Marquis tanks tonight does anyone think he will be gone? Possible
one way tickets out of town. Wuertz, Cotts?
* I am surprised that ARam wasn't placed on the berevement list. If a player is going to miss 3 to 7
games due to a family emergency he can be replaced by another member on the 40 man roster. (i.e. so that the team isn't penalized). I find it hard to believe that management was being cheap.
* A happy belated birthday goes out to cco's favorite southpaw----Brian McCabe! I hope you and Heidi had a blast!
I continue to be amazed at the Wuertz bashers. This guy has the 2nd best ERA on the team. I see nothing wrong with using him in blow-outs, and any inning prior to the 7th in any situation.
There are many teams who will want him, and may help create a package to bring a nice return.
couple comments....
Wow, what a HUGE start by Lilly last night, and it should've been a shutout, though I understand why Lou took him out...but putting Wood in there with a non-save situation and huge lead probably wasn't a good idea either, though because he hasn't appeared lately, I also can see the flipside of that as well. But man, that start was huge
Second, StevenF, I understand where you're coming from looking at stats at face value, but you have to see the big picture, and to do so, you have to pretty much watch every game. Wuertz is a two pitch guy with an average fastball and above average slider...He gives up far too many inherited runners, so his stats are a little skewed and at face value, it looks like he's better than he really is. I don't know if MLB will ever change the scorebooks, but they should, because....
1) does it really make sense that they can be credited with a win after they blow the lead of the starter before them, and then the team scores runs after?
2) does it make sense that a reliever can come in a game with the score 4-3 in the ninth, with two out and two runners on, gives up a jack, and then the starting pitcher loses the game and gets charged with 2 more runs?
maybe I'm just bitching because I was a pitcher in college and I saw this scenario play out way too many times...It wasn't my fault that my teammate sucked ass and couldn't do his job. It was my job to go 7 or longer, and his job to nail down the win when the coach took me out (not my decision). Later on in college, when my shoulder started giving me problems, I switched to the closer's role to avoid throwing too many pitches.
Anyway, my take on that type of situation is that I was actually embarrassed if I even gave up a hit, much less a run when my team was counting on me to nail it down. On one occasion, I blew the save, but not the game, and I can tell you this...it was 1-0 when I came in and our ace threw one hell of a ballgame, and I blew it...and to see the look on his face when it happened (even though we won in the bottom of the inning on a walk-off), I would've rather had the run charged to me and the win given to him....it wasn't fair
just like it's not fair that Wuertz' ERA is 2 point something and Gallagher, Marshall, Lilly, and Marquis all have ERA's over 4, and he's usually the one that comes in the game in a jam if it's before the 7th inning....anyway, end of bitching rant
Tonight's lineup:
Fukudome - RF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ward - LF
Soto - C
Edmonds - CF
DeRosa - 3B
Fontenot - 2B
Marquis - P
I like the lineup tonight. I also like Ward batting cleanup...hopefully he'll rack up some RBI's tonight.
Neal, do you know how many more days we have to wait to bring Hoffpauir back up?
Brain fart...sorry for the misspelling Neil.
Andy, Hoffpauir was optioned down on June 24th. Earliest he can be back is 10 days later....would be eligible on Friday.
On another note, Piniella just said on WGN the stats the Cardinals have against southpaws....10 over against righties, one over against lefties. Did not say for sure, but sounds like Marshall could get a start against the Cardinals....
Maybe, Z on Friday, Lilly and Marshall.
Piniella stated they would make their mind up over the next day or so.
The Sun-Times is reporting Zambrano's side session today went good and "all systems go for return from DL Friday to face Cards".
Alright -- game on....
I got some juice flowing on Marquis the Masseuse tonight.... Cubs are 2 run underdogs.... thats total BS and I had to represent.... So, pretty please... keep the freakin ball down
Lineup change...Theriot scratched just before game time
Fukudome - RF
DeRosa - 3B
Lee - 1B
Ward - LF
Soto - C
Edmonds - CF
Fontenot - 2B
Cedeno - SS
Marquis - P
I would rather take an ice picks to my eyes than watch Marquis pitch. I could see Lou blowing his stack if he has another inning like the 1st.
How about a little offense now.
Harden is pitching tonight...trying to stay undefeated. Can we PLEASE trade for this guy!!!
Don't try to sell me on Burnett...if I wanted a pitcher with a barely over .500 record, I would just stick with Marquis.
Ward with the skills in left!
Jason....I am not a Burnett fan, but are you serious?
I agree with him as well, Neil.
Jason Marquis and AJ Burnett.
Guys with great stuff who could never seem to consistently keep it together.
Neil,
What is your honest assesment of the offense the past 10 days or so... They just seem horribly inconsistent to me... In light of your impassioned post the other day... I thought you might sum it up best.
In my own opinion...
The Cubs seem to tatoo average to below average pitchers.... But I swear I have heard the phrase "Boy Maddux is on" or "Damn, Kazmir is unhittable" or "Buherle is Cy Young" or "Contreras is dominant"
All the 4 and 5 type pitchers, we seem to blast into oblivion.... All the 1 and 2 caliber pitchers, we seem lucky to score a single run....
That is not a good omen
Very interesting Matt....maybe I am not seeing something in Marquis that you guys are. Burnett has always struck me as the J.D. Drew of pitching.
Baron, to answer your question....or at least I will try.
They faced several very good pitchers in a row they had either never seen or had very limited experience against. All of the Rays pitchers, two of the three Blue Jays pitchers, all of the Orioles pitchers and the Sox are a different team at home...Buehrle is at the top of his game right now.
I think Burnett was showcasing himself that night...his best start of the season at home to that point.
Aramis Ramirez being distracted for obvious reasons had an impact on the Sox series, he seemed to come up at the right time the entire series but came up with the wrong result. He was the reason the Cubs swept the Sox at Wrigley.
While many have a problem with Soriano leading off, me included, I think we are all seeing the lineup is much better with him leading off and Fukudome in the 5th spot behind Aramis.
On a game note....
LET'S GO OFFENSE, LET'S GO!!!!
Gotta keep this close. Get outta This inning!
Now lets get some runs!!
Props to Jason.
Hes pitched a hell of a game.
Way to get em. Lets get some runs!
Good point Neil,
But is it a plausible scenario that they will pitch several good pitchers in the post-season. I think your offensive results against 4-5 pitchers are a poor barometer for the offense....
If you look at the top pitchers of contending NL teams
St Louis --- Wainwright, Lohse,
Milwauke --- Sheets, XXX,
Florida -- Olson, Nolasco,
Mets -- John Maine, Pedro/Oliver Perez
Philly - Hamels, Moyer
Arizona - Webb, Haren
It's going to ask a lot of Z and Dempster likely -- In the first 2 games of any playoff series against these teams....
Our pitching, Marquis and Lilly included, have done pretty darn good... Stats are deceptive.... By and large, they have done a terrific job keeping the team in ball games... But for the last 10-15 days... this offense has NOT inspired confidence in any measure....
by pitch, i meant face
GET SOME BLEEDING RUNS -- PUHLEEEZEEE .... i got $50 riding on this $#$# game
Come on Ronny!!
Burnett and Marquis have thrown about the same amount of innings in their careers...they have thrown about the same number of walks, proportionately as well. Burnett has the edge with a lower ERA, and a higher number of Ks.
However, Burnett has only ever made 30 starts once in his career. Unless he is benched, this will mark the 5th straight year for Marquis to have 30 starts.
Burnett has a whopping 77-73 record...this guy is a #1-2 starter? I don't think so. Marquis has a better record.
Durability may not matter in the playoffs, I agree.
However, Burnett is living off an undeserved rep.
If I am going to trade for an injury risk, I want the guy with a record like Rich Harden's, who is going to consistently dominate when healthy.
and Matt Cain has allowed 19 hits and 4 walks in his last 20 innings pitched... he has a 4.44 ERA...
he has good stuff, but is not an ACE by any stretch of the imagination...
Scratch that, Come on Theriot
Hell, Lou could have left Cedeno in to do that.
This is SUPER aggravating... we all want this team to win ... but LET no one ever criticize Soriano again.....
This offense right now --- is MEDIOCRE. no 2 ways about it
Baron...Cain has #1 stuff, no run support and a horrible team with bad defense. He has struck out 32 batters in his previous 31 innings leading up to tonight.
Cain is on tonight!! Hate to use the phrase tip your cap but his stuff is amazing tonight...Lets get em in the 9th boys
Can someone give me a time table on when everyone on the DL will be back?
Neil,
Your last 2 posts dont attribute a single criticism to the offense.... I don't think you are accurate in that analysis...
Z is pitching on Friday and I think Johnson is due to come off the DL Thursday or Friday. Soriano is flying back to Chicago I think on Thursday for a checkup, and if all goes well might be taking BP in St. Louis.
Wound up looking at some pitching stats, and somehow ended up perusing the Cubs in 2003.
Can you believe Mark Guthrie and Dave Veres never pitched another year in mlb? I blame Bartman...
Fukudome looks..well...lost?...lacking enthusiasm?...severely disappointed?...his last looking strikeout came across as "oh well, f*** it"...
haven't Cedeno and Fontenot shown enough of nothing for the past couple of months for something to change for one or both of them to not be here? versatility sure is nice but what good is it when it's a versatility that produces nothing?
with Murton's showing last night at the plate and getting those extra base hits and RBIs, i think his trade value is at an all time high and Hendry better move on it for a trade.
so sad that 1/3 of the lineup tonight could be seen as automatic outs and in a row (Fonty, Cedeno and Marquis)...and Fukudome..isn't he becoming more of an easy and (gulp) automatic out on the road too? (ok jump on that comment)
Hey guys...this game is driving me crazy. We look flat. On the other hand I agree with your post Neil and it is not making excuses but we need our guys back. And I would trade the farm for Cain,Lincecum or Sanchez. They all have #1 stuff.
Time to spoil Cains good outing. Come on Offense.
That a boy Lee!!! Good Hustle.
Way to go Derrek!
Remember our 9th inning comeback against SF last year.
Ughh..Daryle!!!!
CMONNN!!!!
Gotta pinch run for Soto here.
Nick...Johnson is scheduled to be back on Thursday. Soriano worked in the outfield today.
Way to go Soto!!
Thanks Neil.
this guys #$#$#$ throwin GASS
Damnit, stick a pitcher in to run for Geo...
Whatever happens -- Theriot is a freaking animal... i love him
Shut up Jon Miller...
Damn, Ryan...That hanging slider should have been crushed..
Bay Area Farnsworth 1
Theriot 0
Baron, you're right, that was a heck of a battle, especially since Theriot didn't start because of flu symptons.
Lets get em tomorrow.
it sucks that we lost, but I guess it's poetic justice for Marquis in that he normally sucks it up and gives up 5 or more, and we (and his teams before) score enough for his record to be good......and he pitches good today, and we can't hit a lick...oh well
Oh well... get em tomorrow, right?
Atleast they showed some life there. Damn I thought we had that one.
I never thought we would badly miss Hoffpauir and we have had a stretch of teams playing their best baseball against the Cubs wich really bothers me. Dlee and Edmonds each missed a home run by a couple of feet.
Good night guys. Tommorrow!
Man, we really need Aramis and Soriano back. The offense felt very punchless tonight. Cain did have great stuff and he's still a youngster that will likely become a star ... but it never felt like we could mount any sort of an attack.
I tell you what, though, I'm more frustrated by our bad luck with divisional alignment than the team right now. The Brewers would be leading the NL East. Hell, the last place Reds would only be 3.5 out in the West.
We'll be fine, especially when Z, Aramis, and Soriano all get back ... it just sucks watching losses when it felt like bad stretches like this wouldn't happen again.
By the way, we better get tomorrow ... I don't love the Lincecum vs. Gallagher matchup for the boys.