Game One Hundred Twenty-Eight: Cubs (78-49) vs. Nationals (45-83)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jason Marquis (8-7, 4.67/1.44) vs. John Lannan (6-12, 3.81/1.34)
After winning two of three from the Reds to start the homestand, Lou Piniella's crew will welcome the Washington Nationals to Wrigley today for the first of three. The Nationals won the 3-game series against the Cubs in D.C., with today's starter John Lannan posting a shutout win in the third game against Ted Lilly.
The Nationals snapped a 12-game losing streak on Thursday night with a win in Philadelphia. The 12-game skid was the longest since 1976 when the franchise was still north of the border and known as the Montreal Expos. While the Nationals might be the owner of the worst record in the National League, they must not be taken for granted this weekend. The Cubs appeared to let up in the series against the Reds and must regain the intensity they had on the road trip last week.
The last time these two teams met it was April 25th and the Cubs were 8 games over .500 at 15-7 while the Nationals were 7-16 and if not for Carlos Zambrano, the Nationals could have swept the series. The most memorable moment from the last weekend in April was 'The Catch' by Reed Johnson. Johnson should be in the starting lineup for the next two games with Manny Acta sending two southpaws to the hill.
Jason Marquis is coming off a solid win in the first game of the day-night double header Wednesday. Marquis held the Braves to 2 runs on 6 hits in 5 1/3 innings and started the road trip and day with a solid win. Marquis struggled with his command early on but settled in and ate up a few innings for his manager.
Marquis has won his last two starts after a winless July. Marquis has actually pitched well of late and has allowed more than 4 runs in a single start only once since June 26th....and has held teams to 3 runs or fewer in 5 of his last 7 games.
Marquis is 2-1 in 3 starts this month with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP but only 6 earned runs in his last 2 starts (11 2/3 innings).
Marquis did not face the Nationals back in April in D.C. and is 3-4 in 18 career games, 10 starts, against the Nationals/Expos franchise with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP....at home this season, Marquis is 4-4 in 12 starts with a 5.68 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP.
- Ronnie Belliard - 3-for-7 with a home run
- Christian Guzman - 1-for-10
- Willie Harris - 1-for-4
- Austin Kearns - 8-for-19 with 2 home runs
- Lastings Milledge - 2-for-2 with a double
- Ryan Zimmerman - 2-for-6 with a home run
The Cubs will face southpaw John Lannan for the second time this season. Lannan is the best 6-12 pitcher in the league and the best starter on the Nationals staff. Not only did Lannan shutout the Cubs back on April 27th at Nationals Park but he has put together similar outings against other teams all season. Lannan's biggest issue has been consistency.
For example, Lannan allowed 1 unearned run in 6 unbelievable innings against the Brewers in Milwaukee on August 10th. Lannan shutdown the high-powered Brewers' offense and allowed only 1 hit with 5 walks and 6 strikeouts. In his last start, Lannan surrendered 8 runs on 7 hits in 4 innings with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts at home against the Rockies.
Lannan will be making his first career start at Wrigley and they must make him work. In his last three starts he has walked 11 batters in 17 innings with 16 strikeouts. Lannan is in his first full big league season and could be running out of gas. The Cubs must run up his pitch count and get into the Nationals bullpen as soon as possible.
After posting a sub-3 ERA in April and ERA just over 4 in May and ERA's in the mid-3s in June and July, Lannan is 0-1 in his last 3 starts with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.
Lannan has actually been much better on the road this season than at home. He is 4-5 in 14 starts with a 2.40 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP....at home, 2-7 in 10 starts with a 6.27 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. The Cubs' offense must not make it easy for the talented southpaw.
As mentioned Lannan beat the Cubs 2-0 back on April 27th in D.C. and surrendered only 4 hits (2 walks and 2 strikeouts) in a 2-0 win over the Cubs and Ted Lilly.
- Henry Blanco - 1-for-3
- Ronny Cedeno - 1-for-3
- Mark DeRosa - 0-for-3
- Kosuke Fukudome - 1-for-3 with a double
- Reed Johnson - 1-for-3
- Derrek Lee - 0-for-2
- Aramis Ramirez - 0-for-3
- Ryan Theriot - 0-for-2
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Today's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Johnson - CF
Soto - C
DeRosa - RF
Cedeno - 2B
Marquis - P
I would like to make a statement.
Marquis gets a bad wrap.
Is he are best pitcher......NO
Is he ever going to be in the running for Cy Young.....NO
Does he have games that he gets blown out.......YES
But, for the most part, he keeps his team in the game. He's not going to throw a 2- hit shutout very often be he will keep the opposition to 3 to 4 runs a majority of the time and will eat up innings. Which is all you can ask for out of a 5th starter. Is he overpayed for these services......YES
But he does his job and grinds it out. And he deserves some respect for that.
I know Marquis can be an innings eater. However of the current 5 Cub starters, Marquis is averaging the least amount of innings per start. Even Harden is averaging more innings per start.
These 3 games should be easy to win. Our 1st goal to capture the divison is getting closer. Derrek Lee needs a big performance today. He has no 4-bagger this month.
Jason Marquis needs to pitch effective baseball or else we'll give those Nats a winning streak. For the Cubs to stay hungry, they need to be patient, focus, never letting off the gas pedal and bringing in a bunch of baserunners.
I know this is off the topic, but I am with you, Lew. I too, am going to miss Candle fighter. He seems so sincere in his last post, like he's stuck between 2 fixes. For those who missed his final post, go to When Big Z Talks, Big Z Listens. I happen to read all the posts whether I comment or not.
So long, Candle fighter! Come back for the playoffs, I know you're reading.
Go Cubs!
Rain Delay....
No estimated start time...still raining at Wrigley.
Pitchers have not begun to warm-up.
Neil,
I think you posted the line up too quickly and that is what is causing the rain delay.
Either that or the Karma strains are out of wack since Candle fighter has announced his last posting.
Nay, I like blaiming Neil for everything so I'll go with that one.
That maybe true about the innings. but the guy is there every 5th day(I don't think he has been hurt since he's been here) and for the most part pitches OK. Like I said before, gives us a chance to win. Which is all you can ask from a 5th starter.
Roland...you are exactly right.
First pitch slated for 2:20pm
Len Kasper's pregame interview with Z produced a couple of memorables. Z has had at least 1 RBI in each of his last 6 or 7 starts. You have to back to 1920 to find a longer steak by a pitcher. Z put to rest the possibility that he could pitch left handed. He said he can throw effective 85 mph fastballs, but that he doesn't have the two or three other pitches you need to be a successful starter in the bigs. He did say that he could play first base.
Unlike Lew and Matt, I won't miss the appeaser. We all want peace and victory, but we need to remember that foxhole fighters are sometimes necessary for their assurance. Candles are disallowed on the battlefield because they inform the enemy where to fire their rifles and launch their mortars. It's my belief that the area between the lines in baseball is a combat zone, albeit with a few concessions to civility--and so are the observation posts of the Faithful.
Since there is a rain delay, and as Lou might say it, I'll say that me and the Mrs. are celebrating 49 trips around the sun together today. (The trips were free, the luggage, underwear, jumpsuits, meals and sunscreen were not.) So my philosopher's marital gene is wondering again today the following: If a husband states an opinion deep in the forest, and no one hears him, Is He Still Wrong?
OK Cubs, it's time to be competitive and combative and win another series!!!
jerljr,
I agree with you, I think Marquis takes some unwarranted heat. I'd say he is a 3 or 4 starter on most teams. I am completely satisfied with Marquis as a fifth starter.
Lou said recently that he believes Marquis' noted decline in production in the 2nd half is due to overworking him in the first half. Maybe that is why Marquis hasn't logged as many innings this year. Lou may be trying to keep him fresh for August and early September.
JimK,
Congrats on the 49 years!
If a husband states an opinion deep in the forrest and his wife doesn't hear him, he is still wrong.
I've tried it.
Congrats on the 49 years JimK, while you are celebrating 49 I am celebrating my 29th B-Day today. Happy Anniversary.
Let's go Cubs!!
Nice Job Sori!!
Did Sori actually steal home or was it a passed ball? At work and cant watch the game.
This kinda falls under the supersitions blog, but if you'll remember I went to the middle game of the cubs v marlins series...where the cubbies lost 1-2. The experience was great but doesn't even come close to wrigley. we were sweating like crazy from the 3rd inning on and that was even at night! highlights were blanco's homer and getting to see the shark pitch, but I am still upset that lee, rami and soto all sat til the end. doesn't make any sense to me.
I brought this up because I wanted to mention that per my father (i'm 30), I am no longer allowed to attend any more cubs games this year.....so rest assured faithful, I will be watching from the couch!!:)
Jim K...CONGRATS!!!!
roguesqr09...too funny.
Jerljr....yes, Soriano stole home and I missed your previous comment....you got me.
DLEE!!!!! There we go!
Hola.
Okay, Derrek. I'll shut up. You can hit third.
Okay? Okay.
Soriano stole home?
And I missed it?
I was joking a few weeks ago that the Cubs should try and steal home. Wow.
Thank god for mlb.tv.
Derrek LEEEE!!!!
Number 18!
DERO!!!!! He is on FIRE!!
RE: Marquis, I agree with previous posters that he isn't that bad.
The Cubs are now 33-22, or .600, in games Marquis has started the last 2 years.
He takes the ball every 5th day and is durable. That stat above goes to show you the value of a durable innings-eater, which is what Marquis is.
Again, I'm not saying he is Cy Young, but for a 5th starter, he is VERY good. Just look around the league.
DERO ONTO WAVELAND!!!!
Number 16!
Can you believe this production from DeRosa. Talk about MVP's of this team!!
When you look at the production we get below Ramirez, it is staggering.
Wow!
Nick....Happy B-Day!
Thanks Neil.
And this is why Pinella is an awfully good manager of pitching staffs. Hardin gets 6 days rest, and looks sharp again. Marquis gets 7 days off and look refreshed early on today.
Pinella doesn't push the staff (though it helps being 5+ games up).
Also on resting, Soto is having a 1.000+ OPS August so far, after looking tired in July. Just like Marmol, he was getting overworked. Resting both those guys is key. It helps with Blanco, he is an excellent defensive C.
There's just nothing like 5 innings of afternoon delight. DLee and DeRo, Alfonso on offense and 5 shutout innings by the # 5 starter. Let the good times role.
The Mrs. just answered another question. She says women talk twice as much as men because they have to keep repeating themselves.
Do I need to eat my previous post defending Marquis? Cmon Jason, throw some strikes!
Same with me Matt. Got to see Sori do that when I get home.
And as far as Lee, I dont care if he hits HR or not. He does what is needed at the time. except that stretch he had after the all-star break.
Derosa I would say is our MVP since the all-satar break with Soriano and Dempter as close second and third. With an honorable mention to Hardin. He's pitched as good as CC but just hasn't got the wins.
POP QUIZ: According to Baseball Prospectus, who on the Cubs has the highest WARP (Wins Above Replacement Player, a measure of worth relative to the average guy at that position?)
ANSWER: Mark DeRosa, at 6.0
Soto was close which you would expect
Argument for DeRo as MVP
Come on double play ball
Unreal!!
Oh no..
Ugly..
..Just ugly..
That wasn't a DP ball.
Let's kep our going and get this back.
Gotta throw strikes!!!
Marquis and Cotts did the unthinkable--3 walks when you have the lead. Then a grand slam that may have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. As Dandy Don used to say on Monday night football, Mo is fickle. Cubs score 4, then Nats score 7. That sucks, big time.
Come on Offense, let's get those runs back!!
You have got to be kidding me! Slept-walked through the Reds series and now they are mailing in another one. After today they will be 1-3 against the pathetic Nats. I know a super high level of intensity is hard to maintain, but come on! These guys just lost 12 straight!
C'mon bullpen, just hold them and give us a chance to come back.
Marquis wasn't great, but the bullpen has lost this game. Cotts and Gaudin, I guess they were due to lay an egg. Howry was his usual predictable self. Oh well, get them tommorow
Aaron 'Bleepin' Boone....
Maybe this will wake them up and they will not take ANY TEAM for granted the rest of the season.
All four walks have scored. Gotta throw strikes!
After 5 shutout innings, Marquis and 3 relievers give up 10 earned runs in 3 innings. The Cubs lost focus, and my remarks in the 5th weren't focussed either. It's another serving of humble pie served up by the game that's good at doing that.
Keith Morland's right about the pen failing badly. Maybe Gaudin learned something about the wind blowing out today. Lou and JH probably are thinking Howry won't have post season roster elgibility.
OK I done....D U N.....done for today.
You can't stop Willie Harris, you can only hope to contain him.
What the blank is going on? Are they tipping pitches? Two home runs for Willie Harris.
wow, 13-5. This is a horror show. I would think that Lou would light a fire under some peoples backside for after today. This can be a good test. They can either step it up and play up to their abilities as a team, or they can watch themselves crumble. Not superstitious or anything, but they said in the pregame this was the latest the Cubs had been 30 games over .500 since the 69' season.
wow, 13-5. This is a horror show. I would think that Lou would light a fire under some peoples backside for after today. This can be a good test. They can either step it up and play up to their abilities as a team, or they can watch themselves crumble. Not superstitious or anything, but they said in the pregame this was the latest the Cubs had been 30 games over .500 since the 69' season.
How does their offense score 13 runs against us. Just goes to show. Anybody can beat anybody.
The Cub's pitchers said "come on it's the Nats" and skipped the pitching part and proceeded to throw. The best they can do is split the season series. Lou took an end of season nap and the team followed suit.
If I was Lou, I would burn them up in the post game press conference. Dont mention names because its more then one person's fault. But that pitching performance from the bullpen is unexceptable.
Hell, it looks like out of the relievers Howry had the best performance. He's only responsible to one run.
This is just one game and hopefully a HUGE wakeup call. They play 5 more games in a row against teams with a losing record and those in my humble opinion are must wins for a team trying to win the division.
Worst case is they are 4 1/2 up best case is Pittsburgh takes it to the Brewers tonight.
Will have a very short recap up later.
Neil,
Instead of a recap, just post a picture of a flaming pile of dog crap, and then superimpose a picture of Lou kicking it. Seems simpler, and a more acurate representation of the game.
A very disappointing loss.....Even Neil had to resort to "blanks"....
The bullpen just fell apart....