According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs and Astros will play two of the three games from this weekend series at Miller Park on Sunday night and Monday afternoon. The Sunday night game is scheduled for a 7:05pm C.T. start time and Monday will begin at 1:05pm C.T. Bob Nightengale from the USA Today is also reporting the Cubs and Astros will play two of the three games in Milwaukee.
The third game of the series will be made up on September 29th if necessary.
Updated - 9:06pm C.T. - It's Official - The Cubs and Astros will play at Miller Park on Sunday night and Monday afternoon.
Pitching match-ups have not been released. Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and/or Jason Marquis will start against the Astros with the third starting the first game against the Brewers at Wrigley on Tuesday.
Will update when more information becomes available....
Carlos Zambrano will start on Sunday, followed by Jason Marquis on Monday against the Astros. Lou Piniella should send Ryan Dempster to the hill on Tuesday night against the Brewers.
This is a great break for the Cubs...two days rest, home field advantage with the Astros traveling, at least one pitcher with limted NL experience and a game that hopefully will never be played at the end of the year with the hottest team in the NL. This would be a good time to compete and send a message!
The biggest question of the series for the Cubs is if Zambrano is going to be healthy.
This worked out very well for the Cubbies!! Two back to back days off in mid-September...which is great for the bullpen and for our stud rookie catcher Geo....we don't have to play a doubleheader....we only have to travel 90 miles for the game and as Mark Loretta said it is essentially a home game for the Cubs regardless that the Astros get last bats.
Also great news...the Phillies beat the Brewers again...so now our lead is 6 games!!! Magic Number 10!! The Phillies and Brewers play a double header tomorrow....can you imagine a Phillies sweep and a Cubs win? Suddenly the lead would be 7 1/2 games!!
Just read that Steve Stone signed a six year deal with the Sox to move from radio back to TV. He will team with the Hawk to do games. Sigh.....wish he was back on the North Side.
Man this is working out great. Hopefully the layoff will reinvigorate the team and we come out and take care of business. Time to make a statement boys!
Quote from Steve Stone:
"I know there are a lot of players who have played for both sides of town, but I do believe I'm the only broadcaster who has done radio on both sides of town and now television on both sides of town," he said. "The fans on both sides of Chicago have treated me so well that it didn't matter who I was working with or who I was playing with."
Ummmmm did he forget about his long-time partner Harry Caray?? lol
Ok, I liked Stone and I understand his history. And I know this may not sit well with some. BUT if Steve Stone is willing to spend the next 6 years with that A-hole Hawk and call the effing Sox games, well then F**! him too.
Perhaps you don't hate Hawk and the Sox quite as much as I do and that is fine. But if Stoney is taking this route, I have no love lost.
I don't know about all that....the Cubs are the ones who shafted Stone because of the crybaby players....and right now Brenly, though no Stone, is doing well as analyst. So....why shouldnt he take the job. I've always enjoyed Hawk's broadcasts...especially back in the early 80's with Drysdale....I couldnt stand DJ...but would watch a Sox game to hear Hawk and Stone together.
Hey Jim (Tinley Pk)...pick me up on your way to Milwaukee tomorrow!
Karma, anyone? Not having to play in that sorry ass excuse for a ballpark in Houston is crazy good! Playing in Wrigley Field North is BETTER! FILL IT UP CUB FANS! How cool is that, a chance to see the guys for 2 games, no doubleheader! Wrap it up this week!
I never thought Steve Stone was all that great until he was NOT with the Cubs. Hmm, he was pretty good with the O's and now with the Sux. Brenly is decent, much better than the Chipper. Pat and Ron are the best, they fly in the face of being negative and so what if they are homers, what do you want, strangers doing your team's games? How bout Greg Maddux and Sammy Sosa as your announcers, YEAH!
Cubs website now shows Zambrano being tomorrows pitcher and then Marquis Monday. That would leave Dempster for game 1 versus Milwauke against Sabathia!! Then probably Lilly versus Sheets game 2 and Harden versus Parra game 3.
Kevin I:
Yeah, I'll pick you up then we could go over to Bodkin's and say hello.
I know Jim [tp] must be thrilled about Steve Stone.
_Tks Neil for the update..great news! and good because I cant take much more time without baseball.
I wish I could be there...but I'm going to the upcoming Mets series in NY, anybody wants to help me out there?!
A few thoughts.....
*Steve Stone doesn't make a team better or worse.
*The Kasper/Brenly duo has gotten better each year.
*Seeing the Twins win a double dip and Milwaukee loosing is like having to choose what Kardashian sister you want to go home with.
Jim....funny you mentioned Bob Brenly. Don't know if you saw, but he signed a 4-year deal on Saturday to remain the Cubs colorman. Worth $3.5 million. So Stone will stay on the South Side and Brenly on the North Side.
Bud Selig...I mean MLB...chose Miller Park as a neutral site.
Shocker.
Gotta like a HR ballpark...could get our guys going!
Will the game be televised tonight and if so, what channel will it be on?
Greg...the game is supposed to be on WGN.