Game One Hundred Forty: Cubs (85-54) vs. Astros (73-66)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Ryan Dempster (15-5, 2.95/1.19) vs. Randy Wolf (8-11, 4.73/1.44)
Updated - 4:25pm C.T. - According to reports from the Sun-Times, Carlos Zambrano is scheduled to have an MRI on his shoulder and the results are not expected today. Zambrano will likely miss his next start in Cincinnati on Sunday. The Sun-Times reported Kevin Hart will join the Cubs sooner than expected and was recalled on Wednesday afternoon.
No two ways about it.... The Cubs are playing bad ball right now and are in need of a win today. After dropping four in a row at home for the first time this season it is up to Ryan Dempster to stop the proverbial bleeding. Dempster was pushed back a day to get him a little rest and with Lou Piniella using his entire pen on Tuesday night, including Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood for two innings each, the Cubs need a good, long quality outing from one of their All-Stars tonight.
Rich Harden was originally scheduled to start tonight's game but has been pushed back until at least the second game of the Cardinals series next week.
The bottom line....the Cubs must salvage the finale tonight.
Ryan Dempster is coming off the first start in which he allowed more than 2 earned runs since July 13th. Dempster did not have his best stuff and gave up 4 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings to the Phillies but kept his team in the game. Dempster received a no decision after Mike Fontenot and Aramis Ramirez went yard in the 8th. Dempster was just as good in August (3-1 in 5 starts with a 3.19 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP) as he was in July (3-1 in 6 starts with a 1.99 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP).
Many are concerned about Dempster running out of gas down the stretch after spending his previous three seasons in the pen....and he showed signs of fatigue in his last start. Dempster missed high most of the night and walked 4 batters for the first time since July 8th. In his previous 8 starts Dempster walked more than 3 batters only once (July 25th against the Marlins). Dempster must throw strikes and pickup the win he missed out on back in the storms on August 4th. The Astros won the rain shortened game and Dempster did not return after the first rain delay.
Dempster is 1-2 in 3 starts versus the Astros this season with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Hunter Pence (4-for-8 with a grand slam), Carlos Lee (4-for-8) and Miguel Tejada (3-for-9 with a double) have done a majority of the damage for the Astros this season.
- Brad Ausmus - 6-for-25 with 3 doubles
- Lance Berkman - 12-for-32 with a double and 3 home runs
- Geoff Blum - 11-for-36 with a double and 5 walks
- Darin Erstad - 0-for-6
- Mark Loretta - 4-for-14 with a double and a home run
- David Newhan - 1-for-6
- Hunter Pence - 4-for-11 with a home run
- Miguel Tejada - 3-for-9 with a double
- Ty Wigginton - 2-for-11
- Randy Wolf - 3-for-8
The last time the Cubs saw Randy Wolf was in Wrigley back on May 12th in a Padres' uniform. The Cubs scored early and often and chased Wolf after 4 innings. Wolf allowed 7 runs on 8 hits with 5 walks and 2 strikeouts. Wolf has pitched rather well for Cecil Cooper and posted a 2-1 record in 6 starts last month with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The Astros are 6-1 in his 7 starts since being traded to Houston.
Wolf has struggled on the road this season for the Padres and Astros. He is 1-7 in 14 starts with a 6.87 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP....more than 4 runs per 9 innings difference, 2.81 ERA at home and a 1.24 WHIP.
The veteran southpaw is 2-6 in 13 career starts versus the Cubs with a 4.98 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP, at Wrigley 1-4 in 7 career starts with a 5.36 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP.
- Henry Blanco - 2-for-8 with a double
- Ryan Dempster - 1-for-7
- Mark DeRosa - 5-for-26
- Jim Edmonds - 1-for-10
- Kosuke Fukudome - 0-for-1 with 2 walks
- Reed Johnson - 0-for-2
- Derrek Lee - 8-for-32 with 2 doubles and a triple
- Aramis Ramirez - 4-for-16 with a double and a home run
- Alfonso Soriano - 2-for-11 with a home run
- Geovany Soto - 1-for-2
- Ryan Theriot - 2-for-5
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Just think about how all will be forgotten if we beat them 12-3 with two homers and 5 RBI's by Lee.
I say we woop them one way or another.
Let's just get a win (no matter the score) and stop the bleeding.
I would really like to Micah get the start at 1st tonight so Lee can have a couple of days off.
Looks like there will be a rain-delay though.
My friend in Chicago said Bruce Levin (on the radio) claimed Lou said that Harden had 'discomfort' in his arm....this is not a good week. Also, I guess Zambrano did NOT have an MRI today. I don't think thats good news either...Its up to Dempster and the offense now...
So let's see...Z meets with the doctor today, then no-shows on his MRI, which is now rescheduled for tomorrow. Interesting.
With Cub pitchers it almost always seems like interesting sagas.
So Lou indicates that Harden had discomfort in his arm, but Harden is quoted as saying he's not hurt. How many times have we seen this over the years with this organization?
Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Soto - C
DeRosa - RF
Johnson - CF
Cedeno - 2B
Dempster - P
That was not a strike to Lee! If Wolf gets that all night....
Mike, Harden said he did have discomfort but it was normal discomfort for a starting pitcher in the middle of the season, nothing more, that is why he said he is not hurt.
Cuentero is batting what .234, and we can't get him out.
Nice play Ramirez!
Now, lets watch the the Cubs complete the feeling sorry for themselves game by letting a pitcher that is 1-7 on the road with a 6.67 ERA, dominate them. When was the last time the Cubs won a a game with Cedeno in it?
Gary, it is 1-0 in the 3rd inning, not even close to being over with.
Nick,
That's what you say about a team that has been firing on all cylinders. However, I am encouaged by the side not striking out.
They need to brush Pence off the plate. This must stop, the pitching staff cannot allow hitters to get comfortable at the plate. I am not saying to throw high, or even hit him, just let him know the pitch will come inside.
Every team throughout the course of the season goes through this. I just hope were ready by Oct. 1.
Ramirez just missed a couple there.
great point neil.
I'm now listening to MLB audio, top of the 5th. Maybe I can bring some positive vibes. I did bring the enema sticks, hitters, so you'd better start hitting the ball.
Multirun rallies after 2 out and nobody on..... my favorite. Well, it's another game off the schedule, there's a day off tomorrow, and it's on to the pitiful Reds.
I hate to state the obvious but they just look out of it, like they don't want to be there.
Wow Gary your Mr. Positive. 39 come from behind wins and you give up on them in the 5th. Wow.
Gary, be careful what you ask for. Here are the pitching matchups for the series....
Lilly vs. Arroyo
Marquis vs. Cueto
Marshall vs. Harang
WOW!!!! When it's going bad, it's going bad.
I do have one question....why wasn't Soriano standing on 2nd when that ball went to the plate?
I am unable to watch, but Santo couldn't believe we get a runner thrown out at home with less than 2 outs. (I can't either.) Did Soriano have a chance to go to second on the play?
The offense is completely feast or famine...
Randy Wolf has a very mediocre 4.73 ERA on the year and is looking more like Randy Johnson tonight.....
The 10 runs or 2 runs approach spells trouble when you go up against Webb-Haren and Randy Johnson 1-2-3 in the playoffs.....
I'd take a consistent 4-5 runs a game everytime
Come on Offense!!!!
Man, Wigginton is really on my nerves tonight.
Nick....Wigginton is showing he wants to play.
Yes he is Neil. That is why he could be on my nerves.
After the Reds, the level of competition the Cubs will see, will be of the Astros' caliber or better. They won't be able to coast home. At some point in the very near future they will have to rise to the occasion and consistently beat good teams to win a World Series. Do they look like they are up to the task?
Gary, don't think about the Series. Think about the division first. That is the first goal. Don't put the cart before the horse.....
Hey Neil...can you start the bottom of the inning with one of your chants for the offense...
Sorry Neil, anything less than a World Series Championship is a complete waste of time. Fans of teams that win it all in less than century have the luxury of enjoying a "nice" season.
LET'S GO OFFENSE, LET'S GO (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)!!!!!
oh well...we have Valverde to look forward to in the bottom of the ninth...
Something or someone needs too light a fire under all of their ass's, man!
Gary, I don't think he is saying we will be happy with just making the playoffs, but we need to make it there first, and winning the division is the first step.
That played just summed up the entire week. Ugly and poor fundamentals.
What I'm saying is that while on the way to a division title (Wild Card is more realistic), they need to look like a team that can go all the way. After witnessing this game, who in their right mind could see that possibility in this team? I mean the Cubs are at home and Wolfe has only won 1 game on the road the entire year, and now he's is about to throw his first shutout in 4 years!
what happened..i'm following on gameday
Wow, just plain sloppy.
Well since we have been playing pretty good on the road lately, maybe this upcoming road trip is just what we need to get back on track. That and thank god we have an off day tomorrow.
Gary I am not trying to be an ass, but why do you think the Wild Card is more realistic? We have a 4.5 game lead and the Brewers haven't been playing great ball either, just getting swept themselves.
Are we playing great ball right now, hell no, but before this series, we had won 7 games in a row, and what 9 or 10 straight series. There is no reason we can't do that again.
Well the Cubs proved the old adage: You have to score to win. The only minor plus is that Dempster said a Cubs' pitcher's record with his 29th sacrifice bunt. When Aram, Soto and DeRo go 1, 2, 3 against a pitcher they are facing for the 4th time in a game, we just have to resort to saying, "Let's get the next one."
Maybe I can bring some luck to the team this weekend, I will be in cincy for the games.
Make that Dempster "set" a record. Re. winning, it is time for our big people to lead the way. I'm elevating Soto and DeRo to that level along with Aram and Soriano. Hopefully starts contributing too.
My funk may be worse than the Cubs. Insert Lee in the mystery space above.
Good grief, people. Stop the insanity. We are still 85-55. We just got swept by a very, very hot team right now. Lou will round his troops up. Trust me.
Duas....the had Bourn caught in a rundown between 1st and 2nd. Newhan waited then broke for the plate. Theriot tried to throw out Newhan at the plate where I think if he would have tossed to the Shark, the third out would have been recorded before Newhan scored.
What a tank job! Thank goodness the brewer's r sucking as well and the card's blow. This homestand sucked we couldn't hit, field or manage. The pitching was ironically not that bad...well Howry and Wuertz blew...but we already knew that. DeLee is not elite anymore and needs to be moved down in the order. Man I hope we don't choke like the Mets did last year. It's a dark time right now and we need to get back on track...NOW!
Thanks for the clarification Neil...it must be quite difficult to think quickly in that situation
The Astros play their best against the Cubs and they were riding on a 5 game winning streak when they came into town...so that didnt help
actually...cincy plays their best against the cubs too...
Hey guys, I am still gathering info but Dave Kaplan just reported in the post game show that Zambrano's problems are more mental than physical.
Piniella stated he has not talked to Zambrano and that Z left before the game was over last night. I have not read all of the other reports yet, so plase keep that in mind......
Will have something on the front page when I feel I have enough and the right info....
Duas, you are right but the play was in front of Theriot. That is basic ball, he had Bourn on the hook. The play looked like a player trying to do too much. What I mean is, if I can do this, maybe I can spark my team.
The mental mistakes were a plenty tonight, including a big one by Mr. Soriano.
I know it's not a consolation and most people don't give a rip right now but the Iowa Cubs won their first playoff game tonight 10-3. Randy Wells got the win going 6 giving up 2 runs and striking out 6. Jason Dubois led the way offensively going 3-5 with 2 doubles and a homer. He had 3 rbi's and scored a run. Cubs 2nd baseman Scales went 3-4 with 2 doubles, a walk, and two runs scored. Felix Pie contributed with 2 rbi's as well.
Alot of offense down here considering we were shut out at home twice by the Astros makes it extra frustrating!