Game One Hundred Twenty-One: Cubs (73-47) vs. Braves (55-65)
Game Time - 6:10pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 188
Location - Turner Field, Atlanta
Ted Lilly (11-6, 4.26/1.34) vs. Tom Glavine (2-3, 4.85/1.57)
Lou Piniella's crew will go for the series and season sweep against the Braves tonight behind Ted Lilly. The Cubs put together two impressive wins against Atlanta on Wednesday and picked up a rare doubleheader victory on the road. The Cubs offense will face Tom Glavine who will be making his first start since departing the mound at Wrigley after the 3rd inning on June 10th. Glavine has been on the DL ever since with a sore left elbow and is expected to be activated in order to make the start tonight.
The last time Lilly pitched in Atlanta was an extremely short start and Lilly must resist the urge to react the message the Braves sent to Alfonso Soriano in the 9th inning in game one on Wednesday. The rainout on Tuesday has already forced Lou Piniella to name Sean Marshall as his starter on Sunday in Miami, an abbreviated start for Lilly tonight could make the next four days even more difficult.
Ted Lilly is coming off a no decision in his last start against the Cardinals. Lilly allowed 2 runs on 7 hits in 7 1/3 innings last Friday at Wrigley and left in the 8th with the game tied at two. Henry Blanco drove in the winning run in the 11th and the Cubs have won Lilly's last four starts (Lilly is 2-0 in his last 4). In two August starts, Lilly is 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.
Lilly is 5-3 in 13 starts on the road this season with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.
Lilly beat the Braves and Tom Glavine on June 10th at Wrigley and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in 6 2/3 innings with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks....for his career against Atlanta, 2-2 in 6 starts with a 5.70 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.
- Gregor Blanco - 0-for-3
- Yunel Escobar - 1-for-3
- Jeff Francoeur - 2-for-6
- Omar Infante - 2-for-5 with a triple
- Kelly Johnson - 1-for-4
- Chipper Jones - 1-for-6 with a double
- Brian McCann - 1-for-4
- Greg Norton - 1-for-4 with a home run
Tonight could be the last time Tom Glavine faces the Chicago Cubs. The future Hall of Famer has been on the DL since June 11th and many are speculating he will hang up his spikes after this season.
Glavine last pitched against the Cubs at Wrigley on June 10th and Piniella's offense must be patient with him tonight and make him work. Glavine has always pitched well against the Cubs in his career.
Glavine is 15-14 in 36 career starts versus Chicago with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP....the Cubs scored 4 runs on 6 hits with 4 walks in 3 innings on June 10th in a 10-5 win.
- Henry Blanco - 5-for-14 with a double
- Mark DeRosa - 2-for-14 with a home run
- Jim Edmonds - 4-for-21
- Kosuke Fukudome - 1-for-2
- Reed Johnson - 2-for-5 with a triple
- Derrek Lee - 17-for-57 with 6 doubles and 3 home runs
- Aramis Ramirez - 12-for-25 with 2 doubles and 3 home runs
- Alfonso Soriano - 9-for-21 with a double and a home run
- Geovany Soto - 1-for-2
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
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As the Blue enter their 13th ten game sequence of the season, let us pause (but just briefly) to render high praise to our team for their 8 win 2 loss record in the 12th ten game sequence just concluded. Yes Faithful, the grade was a magnificent HIGH PASS.
Three grading periods ago, there was anger, fear and some loathing as our lads earned a "FAIL" with a 4 win 6 loss record. Since then our team has gone 15 wins and only 5 losses. It's worth keeping in mind that we may fail again in another grading, period, but our heros seem to be able to regain momentum when necessary.
And who were the Showoffs in the last 10? Soriano led the hitters with 16 H, 3 HR and 10 RBI's. DeRo had 12 H, 2 HR and 12 RBI's. Soto had 11 H, 1 HR and 9 RBI's. And our most helpful acquired player, Edmonds Johnson, had 15 H, 4 HR and 9 RBI's in 39 AB's. Alfonso needed 46 AB's for his production. As Edmonds Johnson likes to say, "You can call me E or you can call me J or you can call me EJ--but don't call me Johnson!"
AND OUR PITCHING GREATS with 2 wins and no losses each were....were....Marquis and Howry! Truth be told, Howry's record is a little mis-leadng. But, in that great Cub in the Sky's scenario, sometimes the least among us shall be first. A season to remember takes little people and big people. Marmol and Samardzjia combined for a praise worthy 13 IP, 6 H and 0 runs allowed in relief.
The No Shows (or as the politically correct teachers now say, Needs Improvement players) were Dome (5 for 35), Ward (0 for 8), Z (0-1, 13 H and 5 HR in 9 IP) and Gaudin (a blown save, 6 H and 4 W in 6 IP. I'm daring to predict that Z will be great again.
Our cumulative grades now include 3 High Pass, 4 Pass, 2 Kiss Your Sister, and 3 Fails. In the interests of being strong at season's end, look for more days off for key players. You can be sure Lou will be paying attention to the standings.
According to the Sun-Times, Kerry Wood will be back in the closer's role tonight.
The Sun-Times is also reporting that Sean Marshall will start on Saturday and not Sunday. Ryan Dempster has been pushed to Sunday and will spend the next two days in Chicago tending to personal business.
The Braves pitcher, Bueno that threw at Soriano on Wednesday was suspended for 3 days by MLB.
Will post lineup ASAP....
Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Fukudome - RF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Johnson - CF
Soto - C
DeRosa - 2B
Theriot - SS
Lilly - P
Thank you Padres for beating the Brewers (finally)! Now let's gain a game back tonight.
So Fukudome is batting second against the lefty?
I want him in the lineup and I believe he is coming out of the slump, but Im just not sure of this.
That said, COME ON CUBS!
Lets sweep. Im surrounded by brooms here at work so I'll hand em out if need be! WooHoo!
Can I just say that I love the 10 game recaps JimK? There's something a little unorthodox about the summary that makes me enjoy them. Thanks!
I take it back Kosuke.
Go get em buddy!
Keep building that confidence back Fuk!
I really wish Soriano would start putting the ball in play more. I know he can be electric at times, but against Glavine and Campillo he's just whiffing at soft toss.
D-Lee! It seems that he has finally made the adjustment and has been avoiding GDP for quite some time
It is great to see our guys putting pressure on the pitchers in the first innings
REED!!!
Also, Trevor I agree with you. JimK I really like your 10-game recaps and I do not think I have said 'thank you' once....but THANK YOU for your hard work.
I agree as well. They're fun.
I think its your diction, haha. "Kiss your sister"
Good stuff. When the season is over could you compile them and show us the grades in order that they were given? Show us the ebb and flows of the season.
Great idea Matt...
Not sure Riot was out there.
Did his leg get in?
Nice job as always JimK. I must admit I enjoy the ten game recaps more wen we get a "high pass". Go Cubs!
Great athleticism there by the bulldog.
OK I spent the afternoon at Petco Park trying to root the Padres to a win.....and thankfully they did.....Peavy is about all the Padres can count on. Now if the Cubbies can finish the sweep....they can pick another game up on Brew Crew..... and pull to within ONE game of .500 on the road!!
Come on Ted, lets stay with the program.
Did Lilly hurt himself on the bunt by Infante?
Just walked Gavine on 5 pitches....bases loaded.
Holy control problems batman!
Thank God.
KOZY-K!
Mark DeRosa is hitting .260 with 2 HR in 23 games since the all-star break.. His defensive versatility earns him a few passes.... but honestly, he isn't exactly hitting too well.....
Fuk, another hit.
ARAMIS!!!
Chop that Atlanta!
Baron, he has like 12 rbi's in the last week. That's pretty good.
ARAMIS!!!! #20...
A-Ram.... You can't put up some 50 yr old soft tossing lefty against him.... YEAH!
You're right Jeff -- 12 Rbis in the last week, but 5 RBI's in the 2 weeks before that.....
He needs to be more consistent... has hit into 8 GIDP...
Derosa in the month of August:
avg .364
obp .436
doubles 4
hrs 2
rbi's 12
DeRosa since the all star break
avg .260
obp .366
doubles 6
HR2
RBIs 17
you picked 12 games in August......
look at the 24 since the all-star break...
He did have a horrible month of July, Baron, but at least he seems to be turing it on in August.
DeRosa road stats on the season
avg .245
OBP .336
Mark has great value for his defensive versatilty and decent offensive contributions... but there is a reason Lou bats him 7th....
Man, Ramirez is one of the best, good and bad breaking ball hitters in MLB.
Lilly is not looking that sharp, they better keep pouring it on.
I'm a little disappointed about the pitching change in Florida. I have tickets to Saturday's game and I was looking forward to seeing Dempster, but Marshall has pitched very well too, so I should still be happy with what I believe, will still be a good result. I'll be in left above the scoreboard. If a Marlin's homer to left, gets thrown back on the field, you'll know who did it.
Lets agree to disagree Baron. I like him, you don't.
Now THAT is something to admire! Sori!
Woo-hoo! Chant time!
Dero's wife is hot, do we agree on that Baron?
SO-RI-ANO (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)!!!!! #22 and he ran...or should I say jogged.
Soriano... he's good.
SORIANO!!!!
Jeff I like people who perform everyday... and bash people that don't.. and except maybe for D.Lee and A-Ram, nobody gets a pass..... I do have a soft spot for those 2.
JimK, I think you should 'gather' all of your 10-game recaps after the season is over and I will publish them all....Awesome idea Matt!
I know I should let it go Baron, but Derosa is a utility guy hitting .276 with 13 hr's and 67 RBI's. He is value knows no bounds for this team. Tell me another guy in the league who can play 5 positions and put up offensive numbers like that. Besides the first 10 games after the allstar break that he, and the rest of the team struggled, he has be one of the most valuable players on this team in my not so humble opinion.
And Jimk when you are done with that, can you come over and mow my lawn?
no arguments there Jeff..
Gary...great point. I will gather them.
I still wonder if Lilly hurt himself. The offense needs to keep hitting....
Derrek Lee is hitting .291 with 17hrs and 71 RBI's. Plays one position (all be it very well), and gets paid almost 9 million more than Derosa. Yet he gets a pass in your book and you don't like derosa? Oh, D-lee also had 22 GIDP compared to Derosas 8.
The numbers aren't adding up Baron. Did Derosa refuse to sign your glove at the last home game?
Sorry, Baron. I didn't realize you agreed with my last post. I'm done debating
I like D-Lee and Aram irregardless as well. :)
Lilly was VERY lucky to get out of the way of that comebacker......it was not a pretty sight earlier this year when Padres Chris Young took one in the face off the bat of Albert Pujols.
As for this De-Ro chat....he's no all star but he's definitely a valuable part of the team. Plays everyday and can play so many places. He has been invaluable.
Somebody showed his August stats that were very good and then it was pointed out that he hasn't done much since the ASB....well hitters have slumps...and in baseball its what have you done for me lately. If you can give D-Lee a pass with as streaky as he has been this year and all the GIDP he has---I dont see how you cant give a pass to D-Ro.
Thanks to those who like the recaps, and those too who don't but concentrate on the games. If I understand the "history" section of the CCO site, everyone's comments and my recaps are there for all to behold. A lot of folk have some thoughts there they would like to have back--as well as many thoughts that have held up.
I'm pleased with my prediction that Z would win 21 and that Dome would go .285 and 12--but not so pleased that I said Hill and Lieber would combine to win 25. We can all probably say, Thank God for JH.
Thank you Cub bats for staying hot. Tonight is not a pitchers' duel. It's sad but true that guys like Glavine and Howry get old--but maybe Howry has another couple of months left.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! GET UP RAMI!
Not good...
Hope he just had the air knocked out of him..
I was just about to write what len just said....I hope thats not a strained oblique.....those seem to keep people out awhile...
Looked like he was holding his back....
D-Ro sends that RBI single with love to Baron.......
Nice RBI DE ROSA!!!
I hope this continues....
Im tired of players getting hurt everytime we see Atlanta...
I'm ready for a HUGE burrito dinner, the first 8 game road winning streak since 1945, and a 4.5 game lead after tonite........
The road woes seem gone..... thats going to be HUGE in September, where we have the nastiest schedule possible
ARAm....Please, Please, Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaase come out on the field in the next inning
Either a twisted back....or strained oblique.......
Well...I tried...
Hopefully its just precautionary...maybe a little rest will be enough
As a side note....what do you guys think of Cory Provus' 5th innings? I think he gets a little too excited
Add Riot to my soft spot list...... He is bouncing around like a rabbit
As if Ronny doesnt get excited, haha
I like Cory.
Duas, I like Provus....but give me Pat Hughes and I miss Ron Santo this week.
Don't get me wrong...I like Cory too...I'm just afraid he's going to get a sore through
throat*
Im gonna get a sore if I dont hear anything about Rami.
I'll get a deeper sore if I hear something I dont like..
Cory just reported the diagnosis on ARAM...Left hip contusion...he is listed as day to day
Not sure how severe that is
Maybe this will educate:
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/hipsurgery/a/hipinjury.htm
More specifically then:
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/hipsurgery/g/hippointer.htm
Great News on Rammy!!!!!!
Poor Astros 8th win in a row today.....they'd be in first place in the crappy NL West.....
Left hip contusion (bruise) for Ramirez....listed as day-to-day.
Thanks Matt and Duas....I will read before I post next time.
Youre good.
Youre the man here, Neil.
So this is just a bruise? I want to hear more, but Im guessing we may not see him until Tuesday in game 1 vs Cincy?
IT WAS AN ACCIDENT ASSHOLE!
I really believe that.
Should have decked his ass..
You KNOW that was planned......
I'm blacked out here in Indy, and wonder if Lilly can get through the 6th. It must be about time for the pen. Re. Marshall starting in FL, that is a lot better than switching Samardzjia between relief and starting. The shark likely moves into Howry's spot in September.
Punkass..
Now Lilly needs to get out of this....
Okay, upon looking at the replay..
It looked fairly on purpose...Why Ted?
Strikeout....
This is not over not with 'Crazy Julian' on the mound.
That type of language isn't typical for Matt Haggard (doesn't offend me personally), so I'm wondering if it's possible there is a third 'Matt Haggard' out there? :)
Matt...It was just a matter of time from yesterday. I am not trying to be negative here, but this is not over.
I know Abby.
Im a little steamed. Im thinking about Soriano's hand against Atlanta. Then Aramis.
And the way that guy just kept trying to bark at Ted when the ump and Soto was pushing him back.
Just a bit unnerved. =)
I hope it is over, Neil. This late in the season I dont want to risk injury or suspensions.
Boy...Theriot is an OBP machine...
I know the NL is not the strongest league in baseball, but what use to be called the "Comedy Central" now has at least the 4 best teams in the entire League in that division. I think playing all that good competition will help the Cubs in the post season.
Isn't a hip-pointer/contusion what ruined Bo Jackson's career? How do we know that what Rammy has isn't serious?
JP
Not to be condescending Gary, but who is better top to bottom.
At least who was better before the trading deadline. Dunn, Nady, Bay, etc. leaving hurt. But the central was stacked madcrazy entering August.
I fully agree with your point though.
.com has the Ramirez story.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080814&content_id=3311037&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc
JP: Hip pointers, though painful, typically arent a major injury. Bo Jackson had a degenerative condition of the hip joint: Nothing similar to Aram's injury. Watch the replay: He simply took the brunt of the force on his hip. This often happens to running backs in football, and it is painful. Football, though, means that the player may land on the contusion again. In baseball, what are the chances of it happening again? I expect Aramis to be out a day or so, and he will be fine.
Gotta love the way the boys are playing.
Hey fellas,
Loks like I have missed a lot tonight, I am loving this score and they we have been playing on the road. Let's keep it up through the weekend.
Hey Nick...
Jimbo, very good points....a couple of days would probably help him anyway.
Howry is done. Thank god hes in now. As an avid Iowa Cubs fan, I can think of numerous players who deserve his spot.
Jimbo...thanks a lot for the post...brings some relief!
How about Howry giving up a 3-run home run?
Okay...get Howry out. Francoeur's first home run since July.
Mark Kotsay with the cycle..
I really dont like to be negative.......
But we gave up Scott Eyre?
Come on Howry...."smell the barn" lol
You're right Neil, time to get him outta there!
Marmol's ERA since the All-Star Break...a whopping 0.00
Howry is our biggest weakness by far in late relief.
I am so tired of seeing Howry let out leads slip away. Time to send him down for a while. He is good for giving up at least 1-2 runs in EVERY appearance. Unacceptable.
OK, kids, help me out here.....
What relief pitcher did we send to the White Sox to get Howry? And what has he done since he left us?
I just cant come up with a name.
Is Reed a stud or what?????????
Jimbo, thanks for note, especially regarding the degenerative and redundant abuse of Bo Jackson's hip. Man, the Cubs do look great offensively today. Howry's a weaklink and Lilly didn't have his best stuff -- but they are for real. I just wish the brew-crew would lose a game or two.
We bought Howry, Jimbo.
We traded David Aardsma (sp?) for Neil Cotts though.
I say we won that.
Thanks Matt. I believe you are correct.
Lou seems pretty committed to letting Howry "work it out". I've seen enough to think he's probably cooked.
Not sure who would take his spot though on the roster if we DFA'ed him, which is the only way to kick him off. Maybe Wuertz again, or maybe Mitch Atkins, or Jose Ascanio redux. Point being, it's not like we have another Carlos Marmol waiting in the wings.
Where did the 2-2 pitch from Wood miss?
Filling in for Jim in Tinley...
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
First time since 1945 the Cubs have won 8 straight on the road and the first ever season sweep of the Braves....
Thank you Atlanta. We get the last laugh with the season sweep. Go Cubs! I hope you are okay Rami!
Cubs Win!! Good Game, Great Series, let's keep it up in Florida!!!
JEZZ IN AZ, WE ARE NOT IN A REVENGEFUL FRAME OF MIND. IT IS SAD TO PICK ON OTHERS FAILURES. LETS NOT LAUGH AT OTHERS MISFORTUNES. LETS JUST PLAY TO OUR CAPABILITIES. WE DON'T HAVE THE NEED TO SHOW UP OTHER TEAMS LIKE OTHER TEAMS USE TO DO TO US IN THE EARLY '90S.
I THOUGHT THAT TED DIDN'T HAVE HIS BEST, BUT THANKFULLY THE OFFENSE CAME THROUGH.
HEY NEIL, DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CUBS HAVE A PALINDROMIC RECORD AT 74-47? LAST TIME THAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN WE WERE 42-24, WHICH WAS THE GAME SORIANO GOT HIT IN THE HAND BY BENNETT.
i went tonight and it was awesome. about 75% cub fans at least. lilly def didnt have his best stuff but glav had worse stuff by far, everything he threw that was in the zone got hammered. he only threw two pitches that fooled batters. just wanted to tell the story of me and my daughter at the game. we were at her first cub game that she was old enough to remember and got there to watch the team hit bp. it was an awesome experience. woody and marshall were robbing hr at the wall like little kids. my daughter and i was in lf at the wall and marshall came over pointed her out and tossed her a ball. i let her try to catch it and it fell back in the maintenence corner behind the wal;l. he saw what happened and left the field and made an attempt to go back and retrieve the ball for her. after he was unable to he sent a guy to go back there and bring the ball himself. what a great guy. i hope he makes the best of the opp sunday. he made my girls day....
Bo...good story and thanks for sharing. FYI, Marshall was moved up to Saturday, Dempster will go on Sunday.
Joet...I did not know that.