Game One Hundred Thirty-One: Cubs (80-50) vs. Pirates (57-73)
Game Time - 6:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Ted Lilly (12-7, 4.25/1.32) vs. Jeff Karstens (2-2, 2.25/1.11)
Lou Piniella's crew opens a quick 3-game road trip tonight in Pittsburgh behind Ted Lilly. The Cubs will face three of the good young arms in the Pirates' rotation in the final series of the season against the Bucs. Lilly will face Jeff Karstens tonight, Carlos Zambrano is scheduled to match-up against Ian Snell on Tuesday and Jason Marquis is slated to face Zach Duke in the finale on Wednesday. The Cubs have won 11 of the first 15 versus the Pirates this season and must not take the 'Battling Bucs' for granted over the next three days. The Pirates have traditionally played their best ball of the season against the Cubs and the next three games figures to be more of the same.
The Pirates are coming off a disappointing loss in Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon. They chased CC Sabathia from the game and had a chance to beat the Brewers in the 12th inning but were unable to capitalize after loading the bases with no outs.
Derrek Lee and Kosuke Fukudome are expected back in the lineup tonight. Lee was held out on Sunday after leaving Saturday's game with back spasms. Reports indicated Lee aggravated the bulging disc problem "that cropped up early last season in Philadelphia." Fukudome was held out of the starting lineup in order to continue to work on the adjustments made by Gerald Perry and Lou Piniella in his swing. However, Fukudome launched a pinch-hit home run on Sunday that will hopefully allow the Cubs' right fielder to relax at the plate and contribute down the stretch.
This is an important 3-game set for the Cubs. With both the Brewers and Cardinals off tonight before opening a brief 2-game series in St. Louis on Tuesday, the Cubs could put a little distance between themselves and the two closest pursuers in the division before welcoming the Phillies to Wrigley for a 4-game series on Thursday.
Ted Lilly allowed only 2 runs on 2 hits in 7 innings in his last start against the Reds but the Cubs offense managed only 1 run off of Bronson Arroyo and Lilly was tagged with his seventh loss of the season. Lilly was the proverbial hard luck loser and his teammates will need a similar performance out of the 'Bulldog' tonight while they try to figure out Jeff Karstens.
Lilly had won his last three decisions before last Wednesday and his team was 5-0 in his last 5 starts but they could not plate enough runs to take Lilly off the hook....neither of the runs the Reds scored were off a hit and a wild pitch on a swinging strikeout put the tying run 90' away with only 1 out. But that was then....
Lilly has pitched better on the road this season than at Wrigley. In his first 14 road starts, Lilly is 6-3 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Lilly has been shelled at PNC Park this season and received two no decisions but gave up 9 runs, all earned, on 17 hits in 9 2/3 innings with 4 walks, 3 strikeouts and 3 home runs.
Lilly beat the Pirates 5-1 on August 2nd at Wrigley and held the new-look Pirates to 1 run on 6 hits in 6 1/3 innings with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks. This season Lilly is 1-0 versus the Bucs in 3 starts with a 5.63 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP.
The Cubs' lone southpaw in the rotation has put together a good month so far....Lilly is 2-1 in his last 4 starts with a 3.04 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.
- Ryan Doumit - 5-for-10 with a double
- Andy LaRoche - 0-for-2
- Adam LaRoche - 4-for-9 with 3 doubles
- Nate McLouth - 5-for-9 with a triple
- Jason Michaels - 2-for-2 with a double
- Brandon Moss - 1-for-1
- Luis Rivas - 4-for-15 with 2 home runs
- Freddy Sanchez - 3-for-16 with a double
- Jack Wilson - 3-for-12 with a double
The Cubs will get their second look at righty Jeff Karstens tonight after he shut them out back on August 1st at Wrigley. Karstens made his Pirate debut a very memorable one and tossed 6 innings of shutout ball against the Cubs a day after Lou Piniella's crew completed a 4-game sweep in Milwaukee. Many thought it was a let down on the Cubs part, but Karstens followed his gem against the Cubs with a near perfect game in Arizona in his next start.
Karstens threw a complete game shutout against the Diamondbacks and allowed 2 hits, a walk and struck out 4. Many thought the Pirates stumbled across a gold mine as Karstens was one of the players the Bucs received from the Yankees in the Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte deal.
Karstens has come back down to earth a little and has lost his last two starts....both at home, one to the Reds and the other to the Mets. Karstens allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, on 7 hits in 7 innings to the Reds and 4 runs on 9 hits in 6 innings against the Mets. In his last two starts, he has served up four home runs....two in each outing.
Karstens has yet to post a win in his new home park and is 0-2 with a 4.85 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. The Cubs must be patient tonight, something they failed to do the last time they faced Karstens. He has walked 8 in his last 12 innings of work (2 starts) while striking out only 4....the Cubs should have chances to score early and keep tacking on runs.
Like the Reds and Nationals, the Pirates will only gain confidence as the night wears on if the Cubs do not score early and often and take them out of it mentally.
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Initially I felt a little guilty about stealing Harden from Oakland, especially after hearing that Gallagher was smoked for 10 runs (or whatever it was), and is now on the DL, while Harden has been such a stud. But now...screw them...it's our turn! Let's get us some Pirate booty!
Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Edmonds - CF
DeRosa - 2B
Fukudome - RF
Soto - C
Lilly - P
Series like these two (Nat's & Bucs) are the kind, at this point, that we need to take advantage of and SWEEP... no more of this 2-1 stuff against pathetic teams. We may have the best record in baseball, but we've also got the 2nd & 3rd best teams in the NL right behind us and not falling off the table like I wish they would. The September schedule scares me... I have nightmares of '69 all over again. All I'm saying is don't let off the gas pedal guys! Finish with a sprint!
If the Cubs keep taking 2 out of 3 they will be fine but I agree eric that the September schedule is hairy. Then again, if we have to put the money where our mouth is, so be it. This team isn't like past teams, and I'm confident they aren't worried about Sept.
Hellooo guys!
I would not mind a sweep either but 2 out of 3 ain't bad at all. Hey lets start with a win today ok and then go for the sweep.
I missed commenting on the site for a couple of days but I'm back home now. I did read daily though and it has been fun. Lets take advantage of the Cards and Brewers 2 game series!
Doing the radio coverage tonight. Edmonds got mad when I graded him a no show in an earlier post today--and he hit a triple. (He went 0 for 14 the last 10.) My other position no show, Dome, is also mad and got the sac fly. Here's hoping for more Cubs offense.
Lee gets RBI and Aram 3 on the HR. That qualifies for Takin' Care of Business!!! Cubs up 5--0.
ARAMIS!!!! #23....
JimK...too funny. Edmonds with a double and a triple.
These guys understand motiation. They know that right after the No Show list comes Butkus, the Fridge and JimK with the enema sticks and the bull prods!
They understand motiVation too!!
Gotta keep tacking on!
Man, first Reed gets red hot and now it looks like Edmonds may be breaking out of his slump. The Cubs have gotten tremendous production out of these two "steals" by Jim Hendry.
Keep tacking on is right. I don't want to see another one of those "Nats" loses.
Lilly's nick name should be changed from Bulldog to Idaho.
EDMONDS with his 3rd extra base hit of the game!
Okay Gary, you got me. Probably a dumb question but please explain....
I know its a little early to "coast" in this game but in the later innings, if this lead is still 8, do you try and sneak some rest for Soto, Lee?
Great game tonight thus far. Without looking too far ahead, I think Wednesday's start for Marquis may be "his last stand". I can see Lou/Hendry waiving him (in an attempt to save on next years salary) if he doesn't have a quality outing. Regardless of being the #5 starter, there's not a lot of positive spin coming from Lou for him these days.
But am certainly enjoying tonights game...and kudo's to Lilly for another good outing.
Trevor, I think so. It is the classy thing to do.
Also, Cary the Cubs would still owe Marquis for next season even if they release him.
Hey Guys, man it looks like I have missed alot so far. Nice to see the offensive explosion, I think this is one of those Ramirez Hot streaks we are seeing now.
Cary, Neil's indeed correct, but I do agree that Marquis may be banished from the rotation if he can't beat the Pirates, after blowing the one against the Reds. Either that or just make him a 3-4 inning pitcher (max, regardless of score), and have him split innings with Marshall.
Injuries can derail teams, and the one I am worrying about is Lee. Back pain may have been a bigger issue this year than we were told and possibly the cause of so many DP's. So if he needs rest, Lou should give it to him.
I really like the way players on this team react to servings of humble pie. Soriano embarassed himself early with poor play and came back with focus and production. Dome has been taking extra batting practice with Lou. A shorter swing seems to be the cure for what has been ailing Kosuke. Others have adjusted either their mechanics or their attitude.
Mark, I agree I think Marshall should be in the rotation and Marquis could be pitching for his job. If he is beaten that is one thing but if he beats himself that is another.
Neil,
I call Lilly Idaho becuase he gives up as many "taters" (old nickname for a homerun) as the state does. I am pretty sure he leads all of basball.
Trevor, so much for that idea. I am glad to see Cedeno but I would not pull the regulars at this point. LaRoche with a 2-run shot, both home runs by lefties.....
Gary...gotcha. And yes, he leads the league in home runs allowed.
Good job Ted. Now we get to see if their new Hanes helps Howry and Cotts get through an inning or two unscathed. They want to throw 90's + stuff low and away or high and inside--but their underwear hasn't been letting them.
This was a good win, I know it was a blowout, but a good win to start the series.
WOwoW!Great offensive display and good job by Lilly!CubsWin!
Everyone had fun tonight. Especially Dome and Edmonds. We're in Pittsburgh. Let's have a Rolling Rock! And let's keep rolling tomorrow.
Great win! Feel soo excited that we might be getting Dome back on track...he went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI's.
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!