Game Ninety-Four: Cubs (56-37) vs. Giants (39-54)
Game Time - 12:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 189
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Rich Harden (5-1, 2.34/1.14) vs. Kevin Correia (1-5, 4.96/1.49)
Lou Piniella's crew will try to win their third straight series today behind the newest Cub, Rich Harden. Wrigley Field will be full of energy today when Rich Harden takes the mound and hopefully the very talented right-hander will be able to harness the excitement and notch his first win at the Friendly Confines.
Lou Piniella mentioned before Friday's game that Geovany Soto would likely receive Saturday off, so look for Henry Blanco behind the plate. Also, the Cubs have decided to stick with a 13-man pitching staff throughout the weekend and will not make a roster move until after the All-Star break.
For a little extra credit today....whether you are watching or listening to today's game, count the number of times the phrase "when healthy" is used when describing Rich Harden.
It appears the Cubs are going to be very cautious with young Mr. Harden. Results have shown he pitches much better with 5 days in between starts (4-0 in 6 starts with a 1.63 ERA) but when Lou Piniella was asked about the possibility on Friday of the Cubs using a 6-man rotation, he said with the upcoming schedule (20 in a row without a day off) that would not be a possibility.
If the Cubs can keep Harden on the mound for the remainder of the season, the trade Jim Hendry made could one day be regarded as one of the best in the history of the team.
Harden was 5-1 in 13 starts for the A's with a 2.34 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Opponents hit just .206 against him and he struck out 92 batters in 77 innings.
Harden will make his second straight start in Chicago. He last pitched on the South Side on July 6th. Harden lost to the Sox, 4-3, his one and only defeat of the season.
The very talented right-hander has never pitched at Wrigley and should be in for a huge surprise when introduced at the Friendly Confines this afternoon.
Harden beat the Giants earlier this season in Interleague play....6 shutout innings, allowed only 1 hit, struck out 9 and walked 2. For his career, Harden is 2-0 in 4 starts versus the Giants with a 0.84 ERA and a 0.61 WHIP....they have hit just .074 against him.
- Rich Aurilia - 0-for-2
- John Bowker - 0-for-2
- Ray Durham - 1-for-10 with a double
- Bengie Molina - 3-for-19 with a double
- Aaron Rowand - 4-for-11 with 2 doubles
- Omar Vizquel - 2-for-7
- Randy Winn - 5-for-14 with a double
The Cubs will get another shot at Kevin Correia today after facing him last week in San Francisco. Correia received a no decision after Ray Durham launched a 3-run homer into right field off of Carlos Marmol to tie the game at 5....Mike Fontenot won it in the 8th with his solo shot.
Correia pitched well early on but the Cubs offense finally broke through and plated 4 runs on 7 hits in 6 1/3 innings with 5 walks and 4 strikeouts. The Cubs must make him work once again today and not allow him to get comfortable on the mound.
From July 2nd:
- Mark DeRosa - 1-for-3
- Jim Edmonds - 2-for-2 with a home run
- Mike Fontenot - 0-for-2
- Kosuke Fukudome - 1-for-4
- Derrek Lee - 1-for-3
- Geovany Soto - 1-for-3 with a double
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
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Wind blowing out to right today
Today's lineup
Theriot - SS
Fukudome - RF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez-3B
Soto - C
Edmonds - CF
DeRosa - LF
Fontenot - 2B
Harden - P
for the mlb all star package does this mean the game isnt on?
Watch every out-of-market game LIVE (July 13 - July 19)
does that mean the game wont be on today cuz its the 12th?
does anyone have there mlb tv account that there willing ti give me for today cuz its not on mlb extra innings? i promise i wont use it ever again this just one time i wanna see hardens debut!
What does Soto need to do to get a day off?
Since Fox dropped this game I get to follow on Gameday. Somebody please tell me how the hell Derossa legged out a triple.
I don't fear the jinx, so I will just come right out and say it:
Welcome to Chicago, the newest Ace of the Cubs, and World Series messiah, Rich Harden!!!!
Whoooooooooo!!!!
So far so good...more to come, Cubs fans!
Hole Crap. Fontenot is hitting out of his mind this week.
Ryan R, Rowand bobbled the ball in center, so DeRosa made it in safely.
Just read that Hoffpaiur was a triple shy of the cycle the other day and had 4 RBIs. I sure wish we could find a way to get him on the roster after the All Star Break
So far, Hardin is pitching strikes 66 2/3% and has 4 K's in less than 3 innings
scratch that...5 K's in less than 3 innings.
you can take your CC and shove it!!! With or without the periods!
Harden's lookin good... Now if only someone can sort Fukudome out... dunno whats goin on with him
EDMONDS!!! He's been a heck of a pickup this year!
Edmonds!
Way to go Hollywood!
Obviously a very exciting day with Harden's debut and hopefully we can keep scorin runs and he can keep dealing...but i was gonna see what u guys though about what Len keeps calling a changeup - he says the pitch he throws at 88 and then like 84 are both changeups, however, i read that his best pitch is a splitter and I think the pitch he keeps throwing around 88 to strike guys out is his splitter and the 84 pitch is the change...not that it matters cuase its effective but what do you guys think?
Striking out the side!! WElcome to Chicago Harden!
Harden looks like Marmol when Marmol was lights out...
He just struck out the side.
I can't believe anyone argued with me about this guy.
Yes, he is an injury risk...but after 100 years, you are due for a risk or two.
If he stays healthy and pitches like this, then there is no better 1-2 in all of baseball.
Harden's got the most befuddling array of pitches..... Fastballs from 88-97, Changeups from 84-88, Great Command..... He looks pretty special.
56-23: Strike to balls....wow. 5IP, 9K!
JJ the moment you would sign up for .tv you would have access. Including todays game. Not to mention you would have access to all of the archives.
To those of you watching on gameday. Where had Rich been on the speed gun?
He's been effective regardless.
Matt,
His fastball is mid nineties up to 96, then his chaneup and slider are anywhere from 83 to 88. I'm sure gameday dosen't do the mevement of either justice. Seems like he is flat out nasty. I'm guessing that they only let him go to around 100 pitches as he's got 79 through 5.
Ive got the feed. I just didnt pay attention to the speed gun. Doing some cleaning. But that speed is really comforting.
The movement is nasty. The sliding, breaking, off-speed pitch is pretty.
I was just curious about the velocity. They made such a big deal about it after his last two starts.
The Oakland "Cubs" stood out yesterday. Today, Harden is showing why he is a suburb pitcher. Please stay healthy Rich, and we can win it all!! I'd say more, but I'm not talking while the sweeeeeet flavor lasts.
Harden has looked great. Hitting a wall
I love how Harden manages himself...keeps the heat around 88-92 and then when he needs to goes up to about 96...i also love how his last pitch was 96 and he was already into the sixth inning...i have heard about his GREAT stuff but have never really seen him pitch until today, and he clearly has GREAT stuff...Great start today Rich nad I will be in Arx for his next one! Lets finish this one out and then put pressure on the Cards and Crew!
I can tell you that was at 96 to finish the outing!
Wow.
That did make me feel better after watching Gally and Big Murt.
I pray we keep him healthy.
It's nice to see them stick to Harden's under-100 pitch limit. Hopefully we can nip these Harden-Prior comparisons in the bud.
At least Harden doesn't have "genetic looseness" in his shoulder. I always wondered if that diagnosis was from a real doctor or some voodoo witch doctor.
I think Harden draws better comparisons to Kerry Wood. Nasty stuff, violent delivery, high K's, but also high pitch counts as a result.
Wood often only lasted until the 6th, due to throwing so many pitches, and he would give up some walks, too.
Prior was more accurate...in his prime, Prior seemed like a combo of Greg Maddux and Kerry Wood...the nasty stuff, plus the ability to locate at will.
Wood was oft-injured, too...and he is a major part of our team right now. Let's hope we can say the same for Harden, come October!!
Think of Harden's Cub ERA.
=D
All those who wanted to watch Harden's debut, but don't have cable or are blacked out on mlb.tv....you can watch the archived game 45 minutes after the end of the game. I know it won't be live but you can see how he pitched. Just go to http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp#20080712 and click on the Cubs' game (400K or 800K). The archived games are completely free...you just need to be a registered member of mlb.com (which is free). HOpe this helps!
wow..seems everyone left this site as soon as Harden left the game..lol
Harden is a better overall pitcher then Wood which is where I think the Prior comparisons come in. When healthy, Prior and Harden are among the top 5-10 starting pitchers in baseball. Woody (when he was a healthy starter) was probably a little farther down, more like top 15.
Let's enjoy this Harden thing. The wheels could come off at any moment ... let's just hope it doesn't happen this season!
I hope the All-Star break gets Marmol back on track.
Marmol is REALLY struggling.... Rothschild needs to get his fat arse moving and do some work with him
Lou is stupid for pitching Marmol in spots like this, were up 5 going in and he brings in a setup man in a spot where Marmol NEVER Pitches good i just dont understand it
Heres an anology: Dusty Baker is to Mark Prior as Lou Piniella is to CARLOS MARMOL.
This is hard to watch :(
Is lou out of his f_ing mind? Why the hell is he still pitching!? The trainer comes out and he leaves him in afer he sucks. Why? WHat is he thinking?
Lou is seriously out of his mind...bring anyone in when this starts to get out of control this is retarded...and it spoils a great day by Harden this is unbelievalbe. wow
is lou having a mother #$#$# brain cramp? why is he leaving him in there..
That was a sub-50 IQ job of managing by Lou.....
I think Lou wanted to give Marmol a chance to get out of it to boost his confidence. It would really suck if we lost this one just so Marmol can gain his confidence!
WILL THE REAL CARLOS MARMOL PLEASE REPORT TO WRIGLEY FIELD?!?!?!
Lou is going to WRECK Marmol just like Dusty did Prior and Wood if he keeps pitching him in spots like today...there are all those other guys in the bullpen, were up 5, and he brings in our best reliever who already has a million innings this year...this one is going to hurt marmol more mentally than physically because he got WORKED and blew a HUGE lead...i am so f------ mad!
Lou was trying some moronic Dr Phil crap with Marmol's confidence.... That was truly one of the worst managing decisions ive ever seen
I agree, Baron.... especially since Marshall was ready to go from the pen...
I dont want to comment on the top of the inning...
DeRo just misseed it.
Damn..
and Marmol is on pace to throw 104 innings this season as a relief pitcher... to say he has been ruined through over-work would be an under-statement....
Harden made a great impression on us...and we made a horrible impression on him! Just Embarrasing!
Marmol is over worked. His velocity is down and he throws more breaking stuff since he has struggled.
Lets not forget to comment on the stupidity of Theriot.
What are the chances that Lou will skip the press conference after the game?
I even go back to the eighth inning when he kept switching pitchers...i understand bringing cotts but then leave him in to finish the inning instead of bringing in howry and managing like its a one run game when ur 5...unreal decisions by Lou and i have lost all faith in him as our manager...i really feel after today how i felt about Dusty toward the end of his tenure and i never thought i would say that
Jason b. - be very afraid of the jinx.
Rich Hardin- Welcome to the Northside of Chicago, just another Cubbie occurence.
Yes Ryan...he managed the 8th inning as if it was a one run game and he managed the 9th inning as if it were a 20 run lead....unreal
I am suprised Lou didnt leave Marmol in for another inning...
Lou should send Marmol out in the tenth, that would be even better!
and this is why Len and Bob are a couple of ass-kissing company men.... they're pretty benign -- but you know Steve Stone would have ripped the manager a new one... deservedly so
I rather think Len and Bob are handling it well.
What I dont like about the company:
"Extra Innings Presented by Chevy"
Only a matter of time before Wrigley is named.
Thanks Marshall, that is how you get it done.
I await the post game press conference.
THe media should give him tough questions. I want to see how sweet Lou really is.
The Cory Provus extended post game show should be interesting as well..
If he brings Marshall in we win, hands down; and he better not use he wasnt ready as an excuse cause when the trainer came out they could have said marmol was injured and marshall would have got as many warm up throws as he needed
I agree Matt, the media better not puss-out on this one, Lou needs to be called-out on the carpet. Lou wins more than he loses, but HE lost this one.
Im ready to see Fukudome back in the 5 spot.
He was so good there.
The problem is what to do with Soto and Hollywood.
man if marmol cant turn it around hendry needs to go out and find a new set up men cuz hes so wild
this is painful, I was hoping the offense would pick us up in short order.
Now they decide to pitch to Lee and walk Aramis!
Haha...Marshall's hit is a def bright on a quite gloomy day
SEAN!
Let's go DeRo, Let's go! clap, clap, clap
Great comeback DeRo!
Let's go Cubbies!!!! Clap, clap, clap clap clap
Quade was hugging Fontenot.
"Plase, son..."
Reed is gonna win it...
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED
CUBS WIN!!!!
God damn that was close!!!!
Phew..... No such thing as a nice relaxing Saturday huh?
On a day where we counted on our Harden, it was our Johnson that come through!
Someone had to say it!
Holy Cow!
Reeeeeeeeeeeed Johnson comes through!!! You saved Lou some major embarrassment....cuz we lost this one...Lou would never hear the end of it
Sean Marshall goes unsung cause his stuff is not as good as Rich Hill.... But when it comes to in-between-the-ears.... Theres no comparison... Marshall knows how to pitch
good stuff Matt, good stuff LOL
Let me get in on the Marshall love fest, too.
He deserves this win big time.
He has a rotation spot waiting for him.
Does anyone else think that DeRosa may have been out?
Most of us are looking at a red dot on gamecenter. :)
Most of us are looking at a red dot on gamecenter. :)
Some clubs go all year without giving up 2+ run leads in the ninth. The Cubs have done it twice in a week. I find that somewhat alarming. I am not sure what Lou's is trying to accomplish by staying with a pitcher through a complete melt down.
It sounds like to me Lou was trying to teach him a lesson.
"Let me tell you what I think Marmol learned from today..."
Can someone tell me what Lou said in the press? I don't have access to Comcast right now. Anyone think I can see the replay on Len&Bon's blog?
And yes, leaving Marmol out there pitching 36 through 10 batters was insane. Lou better admit something about it.
Wow, I walk away with a 7-2 lead and this is what happens. I seriously think that Marmol's problems are all in his head. I'm not worried about the amount he's working. I am worried that he may have a million dollar arm and a 10 cent head. I think the one time he got roughed up a month ago screwed with his brain. I think the break will do him some good and look to see him come back to form in the second half.
Dorasaga
In a nutshell:
-Lou hopes Marmol learned a lesson.
-He doesnt fault Theriot's throw.
-Wood is still unavailiable and wont throw til after the break (including the ASG)
The PR is still going on.
Lou seemed to feel justified about leaving Marmol in there. He kept reinterating that Marmol had some things to work on in there and that he left him in to learn them.
Jeff from AZ,
What jinx...er...Cubs won right...ahem.
I have no more confidence in Marmol right now than in any other run-of-the-mill middle reliever. That is a shame, as he was really something special.
I have to eat crow when I said they should have converted Wood back to a starter, and made Marmol the closer, as he obviously isn't ready yet.
I wouldn't give up on the kid, but he needs to be shut down for a week. Kevin Hart does not inspire me either. I don't need a bunch of Kerry Woods in my bullpen. You can give up a run here or there...just don't give up 4-5 runs an innning!
Don't we have guys on the farm that can just throw strikes and keep the ball down? That is all you need to do as a reliever...keep the ball down and let your defense do the work for you.
I walked away from the game around the 6th inning, after Harden was done. I am actually a little shocked at what happened here, and I am a hard guy to shock.
Lou does seem to have some mental farts when it comes to managing his bullpen. If your new ace came in and kicked butt, you need to close out that game, with veteran relievers...why put Hart in at all? Or he should have put Marshall in to start the 7th.
If Harden will be on strict pitch-counts (as he should be) it almost makes sense to do a pitching platoon, where Harden goes 5-6 innings, and then Marshall takes us through the 8th inning, and hands the ball to Wood.
I agree with whoever said Lou should have left Cotts in for the whole inning...if no one ever stays fresh in the bullpen, then Marmol will never get the rest he needs.
Matt,
Thanks. I hope I'll find the rest of the PR somewhere.
Jason B.,
The problem was that Wood was not available today (Len Kasper talked about it). I have the feel that Lou rather give the veteran more rest but not the young arms in the pen.
I'm quite pissed off right now, enough that I'm watching the DBacks game... and both sides score like hell right now... and the commentator who grew up an A's fan talked about "Do not discount a Billy Beane's trade..."
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!