Game Eighty-Nine: Cubs (52-36) vs. Cardinals (50-39)
Game Time - 2:15pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet (Chicago) - TBS Sunday Afternoon Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 188
Location - Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Sean Marshall (0-2, 4.87/1.43) vs. Todd Wellemeyer (7-3, 3.86/1/28)
Updated - 12:34pm C.T. - Paul Sullivan reported the Cubs "look to have six All Stars". Geovany Soto, Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, Ryan Dempster, Kerry Wood and Carlos Zambrano. Will update when the list is made official.
Updated - 1:25pm C.T. - Geovany Soto was named the starting catcher for the NL team. Soto is the first rookie catcher to start for the National League. Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome were also voted as starters.
Updated - 1:48pm C.T. - The Cubs had 7 players selected to the NL All-Star team: Geovany Soto, Kosuke Fukudome, Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Dempster, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano and Aramis Ramirez
It's a new day and a new week and the Cubs will attempt to win the rubber game of the series this afternoon behind Sean Marshall. The first two games have come down to the 9th inning and today figures to be more of the same.
In order for the Cubs to post a win today, Aramis Ramirez and Jim Edmonds will have to contribute to the offense. Ramirez ended his 0-for-28 slump on Saturday in a big way and hopefully that will lead to a good game at the plate in the series finale. If Jim Edmonds is in the lineup, Lou Piniella was not too happy about the play at the plate on Saturday, he must end the 0-for-his-return-to-St. Louis. Edmonds hit the ball hard in the second game, and had nothing to show for it. Maybe his party on Saturday night for his new teammates will relax him and the rest of the Cubs on getaway day.
The Cubs not only complete their longest road trip of the season today, 3-6 in the first 9 games, they also end a very difficult stretch of playing 23 of 32 games on the road. The Cubs are 16-15 in the last 31 games.
Before today's game against the Cubs and Cardinals on TBS, the Superstation will air the All-Star selection show for the 79th Midsummer Classic at 1:00pm C.T. Several Cubs are expected to be named to the NL squad and will join Lou Piniella in New York on July 15th.
Sean Marshall will be making his third start of the season after spending most of the first half in either the bullpen or down in Triple-A with Iowa. Marshall pitched good enough to beat the White Sox his last time out but a solo home run by Carlos Quentin and a 2-run shot by Brian Anderson gave Mark Buehrle more than enough run support. Marshall allowed 3 runs on 5 hits in 7 innings with 5 strikeouts and a walk....much better than his start against the Orioles, 4 runs on 7 hits in 4 2/3 with 7 strikeouts and a walk.
Marshall must not give the Cardinals any help....both walks Marshall has issued this year as a starter have scored.
Marshall made his big league debut against the Cardinals on Sunday night baseball back on April 9, 2006. The Cubs beat the Redbirds 8-4 and Marshall gave up 4 runs on 4 hits in 4 1/3 innings. For his career, Marshall is 1-1 in 6 games, 4 starts, versus St. Louis with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP....the Cardinals have hit .312 against him.
- Rick Ankiel - 0-for-1
- Adam Kennedy - 1-for-1
- Ryan Ludwick - 0-for-4
- Aaron Miles - 0-for-3
- Yadier Molina - 3-for-9 with a double
- Albert Pujols - 3-for-8
- Brendan Ryan - 2-for-4 with a home run
After being named Pitcher of the Month for May in which he posted a 4-0 record with a 2.19 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP, Todd Wellemeyer has come back down to earth....a little. Wellemeyer missed a start last month with inflammation in his right elbow and has not posted a win since beating the Nationals on June 5th in D.C. ....he was 1-1 in 3 June starts with a 5.02 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.
The Mets rocked Wellemeyer in his last start and scored 6 runs on 12 hits in 5 innings. Wellemeyer walked 2 and struck out 2 but threw 98 pitches....the most since he tossed 100 against the Padres on May 25th. Wellemeyer held the Tigers scoreless in his previous outing and gave up only 4 hits in 5 innings. The Cubs must make Wellemeyer work, unlike the first time they faced him, when the former Cub beat Lou Piniella's crew in the series finale back on May 4th. The Cubs' offense scored only 2 runs on 3 hits with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts in 5 innings. Wellemeyer beat Jason Marquis 5-3 and Wellemeyer scored one of the Redbirds five runs while another former Cub, Cesar Izturis scored twice.
Wellemeyer is 5-3 in 8 starts at Busch Stadium this season with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. The Cubs former 4th round pick in the 2000 draft is 1-0 in 2 games, 1 start, versus his former organization with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.
- Mark DeRosa - 0-for-2
- Jim Edmonds - 0-for-4
- Mike Fontenot - 1-for-1 with a double and a walk
- Kosuke Fukudome - 0-for-2
- Reed Johnson - 2-for-6 with a double
- Derrek Lee - 0-for-3
- Aramis Ramirez - 1-for-1
- Geovany Soto - 1-for-2 with a double
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
The Sun-Times is reporting that both Kosuke Fukudome and Jim Edmonds will not start this afternoon.
Will post lineup when becomes available....
Today's lineup:
Johnson - CF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Soto - C
DeRosa - RF
Murton - LF
Fontenot - 2B
Marshall - P
Also, Cesar Izturis is back and in the Cardinals' starting lineup.
Congrats Cubby All Stars!
The 7 All-Stars is a franchise record. The previous high was is 1988, the Cubs sent 6....
Ryne Sandberg
Andre Dawson
Vance Law
Rafael Palmeiro
Shawon Dunston
Greg Maddux
More on this later....
I'm going against the odds and says that if Murton makes contact he will hit it in the air
DeRosa with the RBI!
A very good job of manufacturing a run....
Ramirez doubled, Soto with a fly out to right, Ramirez to 3rd and DeRosa with a line drive single to right with the infield moving in with the pitch....
Rob...good call, Murton hit it off the end of the bat.
Hi all,
Congrats to all the all-stars!
Good job by Aram, Soto and Dero to get that run in.
I miss Sunday afternoon baseball on WGN TV.
Yo Duas.
I miss Chip Carey on WGN on Sundays. I love listening to the guy still.
And this peice on LaRussa and Edmonds is really interesting. I missed Tony's comments, somehow.
Wow! Impressed with the 7 guys on the All Star team! Maybe this will get them going...especially Aramis with his first appearance.
It feels like last night loss was a year ago...let's get this series today!!!
Aramis with a big 2-out RBI single....
You dont mean Aramis' first all star appearance do ya?
Aramis appeared in the 2005 All Star Game, as a starter because someone (the original 3B starter) backed out.
Marshall should be out of this inning....
Great job by Marshall to get Pujols!
Nice job by Marshall.
Albert his hitting over .400 against lefties apparently.
Incredible.
Not a fan of the first pitch swing, but if it works...
DERREK JUST MISSED IT!!!
Good job by Aramis getting the run in. Lee's ball just missed....
Another double play....
Ugly..
Youre an all star now Geo.
You gotta rep now.
Can someone tell me where the Cubs rank when it comes to number of GIDPs by a team? Are the Cubs first in the MLB? Any idea what the MLB record is for most GIDPs by a team in a year?
Someone calm Ron down..
oh that Murton...good try..but who told the red-headed hands of stone that he could play daring defense like that?
That would be Jimmy Ballgame, Rob.
XD
Rob, I don't know about the record, but the Cubs are ranked 17 in GDPs in the majors, and ranked 9 in the NL....seems not too bad.
Has Murton upped his trade value enough for something to happen yet?
Geez, does Murton suck. I hope this is the last that we see of him.
Thank you Duas....you beat me to it.
...there is another one.
Please trade Murton back to the Red Sox...give the kid a chance somewhere else, and get something in return.
What is the deal with Wellemeyer rarely ever going over 100 pitches in his starts? I know he used to be a reliever, but Dempster didn't have a problem, and he was a reliever the past few years.
Now I am curious what our other obscure bullpen guys from the past few years are doing these days. I know Farnsworth is still with the Yankees, and Borowski just got let go. Remlinger should be in a nursing home. I think Latroy is out of baseball now.
Uh-oh...as soon as I typed "Latroy" Marshall gave up a HR. Karma.
Im scared to type Scott Chiasson (sp?) if thats the case...
Brewers are about to win...this is an important game to close out.
Mr. Perez...meet Derrek Lee.
The Cubs have won only 2 of their last 13 road series???...ouch! that smarts.
Quick poll:
Does Marshall get to stay in the rotation?
Based on last 2 starts....yes.
Ok...everyone rest easy. I checked, and it seems like the only relief pitcher of substance we have let go is Juan Cruz.
Cruz and Z came up the same time, but Cruz never lived up to his potential as a starter with the Cubs. He had a bad year in 2003 with the Cubs, and in 2005 with the A's, but otherwise has good numbers. He has been fairly reliable for the DBacks, and would be a "power arm" that Lou likes in the pen.
Here is a shocker: Andy Pratt hasn't pitched in a while, and 6-finger Al is no longer in MLB.
I am with Santo, another 5-8 runs would be great.
LET'S GO OFFENSE, LET'S GO!!!
There's your All-Star caliber hit Soto!
That's the All-Star GEOVANY SOTO!!! Number 15
GEO!!
SOTO!!
GEO!!
SOTO!!
More than making up for the DP.
Matt,
Don't tease Neil like that...Marshall is his boy!
But, I agree, leave Marshall in the rotation...I never understood why he ever left. Good 4th-5th starter, consistent, and is one of those guys that can get better over time, because he relies on being a pitcher, like his mentor Maddux, and not just a thrower with great stuff.
I wish Gallagher would have done better his last few outings...having Z, Marshall, and Gallagher all doing well gives the Cubs some long-term security in the rotation. Dempster may leave via FA, and Marquis is always going to be trade-bait. Lilly probably finishes his contract and then leaves.
(note...typing "Lilly" causes Soto to hit a HR...remember this in the playoffs)
The perfect scenario, for me, is to replace Marquis' spot in the rotation with a solid #2, preferably Rich Harden.
Harden is around 27.
If you trade for, and lock up, Harden...you would have two young aces, in Z and Harden, with 2 other young solid pieces in the rotation, in Marshall and Gallagher. That means you only need one other guy, and Dempster or Lilly will more than suffice.
That stretches the Cubs playoff window out another 3-4 years.
Well that was dumb.
Why did Quade do that? Ankiel has one of the best arms in the National League....that is another momentum changer. Why was Marquis not running?
That was a bad, bad decision.
Ward. Not you Jason. I agree with all of that pure heartedly. As long as Harden is healthy.
I think Springer threw that one harder than Dunston, and from half the distance...
Way to hustle Kosuke, took advantage of the error.
Jason, well said. If the Brewers get C.C., like it looks like will happen, the Cubs have to upgrade. My thoughts are it will take at least Gallagher and Veal to land Harden.
And to go further on that thought.
I would give Veal and Gally to do that deal.
Especially if Marshall can hold down that #4 spot in Gally's stead.
Maybe overpaid but Jason Marquis is a decent no. 5 guy.
I don't understand why everyone is stuck on Rich Harden...aside from the fact he is an injury waiting to happen....
Aside from the Oakland is 7 games over .500 and just 5 games out of first and about the same for the wild card. Not sure the A's are going to fold shop in the next three weeks and dump people. Wouldn't make sense.
Well, looks like 2 out of 3 from the Redbirds which normally would be great in St Louis....just disappointing that it should have been a sweep. That blown save cost us a 2 game swing over the Cards and would have dropped them in 3rd place 5.5 back while the Brew Crew would have jumped them and been 4.5 back. Oh Well....at least that die-hard fan who wrote on here the Cubs would be out of first place after today can eat his words.....
Now back home for what SHOULD be an easy homestand.....
I have no problem trading Gallagher and Veal for Harden...he is everything you hope Gallagher and Veal can someday become. I can live with Marquis as a 5th starter, but I would rather see another farm arm in the rotation next year, to go with Z, Harden, Lilly, and Marshall.
Perhaps Angel Guzman will be a long-awaited feel-good story in 2009? That would be great.
Maybe late next year, or 2010, Marmol becomes the closer, and Wood returns to the rotation? That would also be great to see.
I would expect Burnett to come to Chicago in the next week or so. Toronto is looking primarily for a SS. Ronny Cedeno can be part of a package and throw in one or two others.
Joe, we all agree the Cubs need a 1B to compliment the MSZ as 1A.
That's two guys.
CC or Harden.
Also, did everyone else read about Rich Hill's ned dilivery allowing him to throw strikes. AZ Phil is saying Rich should go back to Iowa soon. A fixed Rich Hill could pay dividends this season and the future.
Also, the Tennesee Smokies (Cubs SL AA) are coming down to Mobile for a five game set in late July. Ive got the press pass.
Is there any players who might be part of a July deal ya'll want me to keep an eye on? I was hoping to see Samardija but that may not happen. Maybe Hill will be in AA around then?
Joe...I Agree with everyone here. The Cubs need an impact starter, a 1B to Zambrano as Matt titled. Harden is a HUGE risk and one that I question but trading for Wolf or even Maddux is not the answer.
If Burnett can pitch to his ability, he could work and Derrek Lee could give Jim Hendry a first hand account of what kind of teammate he would be.
Matt....great point on Rich Hill. Here is the link:
http://www.thecubreporter.com/2008/07/04/does-hill-turn-corner
Joe,
I agree with Matt here...Burnett is not a #1-2 type starter. Harden wins twice as many games as he loses...that is hard to do. He is also young enough that the injuries are behind him. I agree he is an injury risk, but no one saw Prior and his flawless mechanics breaking down, so all pitchers have injury risk. If injury histories automatically mean you shouldn't be on the Cubs, then we shouldn't rely on Kerry Wood as our closer.
Matt,
I am confused by your statement, as it would indicate that pitching coach extraordinaire, Larry "By God, Throw a Towel!" Rothschild was somehow unable to fix Rich Hill, but the guy in A ball figured it out?
Matt...James Russell, Josh Lansford and Welington Castillo.
No doubt that this is the most important game of the season. Not going to count the eggs yet, but I feel comfortable up 6 with an out already recorded in the ninth. Marshall really showed something today. The staff might be coming around. It's been a rocky couple weeks and Woods blown save last night was enough to make you jump off a bridge... but with Cincy and San Fran at home... well, I think my confidence is renewed.
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
meant to say that Harden's injuries could be behind him, because of his age.
Cubs win!!
HUGE WIN!!! Great job by Sean Marshall!
yo everyone bad news hear im a huge cubs fan but i live in milwaukee and news is that the brewers are gonna complete the sabthia deal by tonight and announce the deal tomorrow. he could make his first start as soon as tuesday. and it looks like there giving up laporta and alcides escobar
cubbiessss
yo everyone bad news im a huge cubs fan but i live in milwaukee and im listening to the radio and the word is that cc sabathia could be a brewer by tomorrow and looks like its for laporta and alcdies escobar (2 of there huge top prospects) not good news but this guys numbers arent great this year
i wanna hear all ur comments
Today was a new day.
I like how we handled their big bats.
Marshall was amazing. Made Lou look good!
JJ, I would just repeat what I had said about Harden.
The Brewers jumping on CC so early means another 3 starts if they had waited til the 31st.
The Cubs have to counter. I worry that Beane would see the Cubs as desparate. Hendry has to make this seem a lot less like a knee jerk reaction to avoid making Harden's price go up.
Ill mark them down, Neil.
I would have no problem trading Gallagher and Veal (for example) to the A's for Harden. But before everyone gets too worked up about trading for a "1B" starter, the Cubs have 2 starters in the All-Star Game this year with records of 9-3 and ERAs of 2.96 and 3.24. (Congrats to Dempster!!)
Harden would be a great addition but guys like Burnett (8-8, 4.92 this year, 77-74, 3.87 career) I could pretty much live without. Its easy to imagine him getting torn up in a Game 2 or 3 situation when Lilly can pitch just as well or better.
By the way, Sabathia in the playoffs last year was 1-2 with an 8.80 ERA with 13 BB in 15.1 IP. No guarantee that'd happen again but he isn't exactly having a stellar year and I'll be looking forward to Round 2 of Sabathia sucking in the postseason if the Brewers sign him and win the WC.
If the Brewers get CC, I worry about the Cardinals making a move, and the next logical move is Rich Harden. The Cardinals have made big moves in the past, when they are in the hunt, or leading the division, such as Larry Walker, etc...
I don't want to see the Brewers and Cardinals get top starters, and the Cubs settle for a mediocre, career .500 pitcher, like Burnett.
That is the team we need. They let the Cardinals know that a bad loss is not going to kill the swagger. I feel momentum shifting to our side once again!
Hey Matt...you are right about Aramis I was just angry the fight that he has often been overlooked for the allstar game. But you have to believe you are in great shape when 7 guys of you team are on the all-star team and non of them are named Marmol and DLee! You can throw in Theriot's effort.
Great win! Jason B... call Oakland and make it happen. We need that pitcher.
Sorry for the bad grammar.
ill be at the game tuesday where if everything goes as said cc with be making his brewers debut and ill tell u guys how he looks (even tho im sure u guys will all be following it)
Great game, hopefully they're turning the corner with Big Z back, and Soriano on the way.
ESPN just said that Sabathia to the Brewers looked very likely, and that there is no chance for them to sign him next year.
I agree that Harden is the next best thing.
With the Sabathia-to-Milwaukee deal now complete, the Cubs can't wait until the trade deadline to pull the trigger on a trade for a new pitcher. Obviously Harden is high on the radar, but he's already been hurt once this season so that's problematic. What's more, Oakland is still in contention, so they may not be ready to give up the ghost just yet.
The main point about acquiring Rich Harden first and foremost is that Oakland is in the race. They are abover .500 and only a few games out of the division and wild card. I dont see Beane giving up in the next three weeks and dropping a top pitcher. Just dont see it. Harden may be a waiver trade after the deadline if the A's fall out.
Besides Beane typically always asks for the world....and to give that much up for someone with the injury history as Harden....tough call.
No, I do not think Wolf and Maddux are the answers. Sadly I think the Padres feel they are still in the race at this point with such a crappy division and wont deal anyhow. Sad part is they are probably right with Peavy back and Young on his way.
I'm not saying a player with an injury history should not be on the team.....but to put the stake of the playoffs on someone like that.....no way.
I think at this point with whats available, Burnett's the answer. Then let's see what happens with Hill. Then we give ourselves some options with Zambrano Dempster Lilly and a mix of Burnett, Marshall, Marquis, Hill and Gallagher. I like the prospects of that mix...especially if Hill suprises us.
I agree that we probably won't be able to pry Harden from the A's. I'd actually prefer the Murton for Maddux deal. Greg will normally give you 6 quality innings...and that's all we really need. If Marmol can get back to form and Gallagher provide a spark in the 6th or 7th (along with Howry) we might look very solid. I think a Z, Maddux, Dempster, Lilly, Marshall 5 can match up very well against the Brewers and Card's.
This is all or nothing for the BrewCrew. Sheets has already stated "he's gone" to free agency (and I still want to see if he can stay healthy the whole second half of this season). And no way they will keep CC next year as well (can you imagine them outbidding the Yankees, BoSox, Dodgers or Phillies).
It should be some 2nd half of the season!
One more comment on Maddux. Atleast he'll throw strikes (v. the inconsistency that Marquis brings). The guy is just a battler and a winner. Third time the charm I think...and think what he still brings on intangibles to guys like Dempster, and now kids like Gallagher and Marshall. Invaluable both short and long term.
If we cant get that quality starter, then I would like a all star reliever and maybe another left handed bat.
But lets see where this goes. Maybe its time for Mr H to get crafty.