Game Twenty-One: Cubs (10-10) vs. Marlins (13-8)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WCIU - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Sean Marshall (0-1, 4.50/1.42) vs. Chris Volstad (2-0, 2.70/1.16)
Updated 4:55pm C.T. - According to a report from the Sun-Times, the Cubs will not place Aramis Ramirez on the DL. Ramirez "ran much better" than on Tuesday. Bobby Scales is in Chicago and the Cubs were contemplating another roster move to keep him, but decided against it. The Sun-Times stated the Cubs will not make any moves before tonight's game against the Marlins.
The fifth place Chicago Cubs open up an important four-game series against the Marlins tonight. After not being competitive in three of their last six games, the Cubs need to get back to basics tonight, play hard and just try to win a game.
Alfonso Soriano has publicly questioned his team's desire and tonight would be a good time to start seeing improved play in all three facets of the game. While many are brushing off the team's record and standing within the division, which is irrelevant at this point, the lack of focus, effort and consistency are a few of the things that has this writer concerned after 20 games.
The Cubs are expected to be without Aramis Ramirez and he could be placed on the DL before tonight's game. Lou Piniella also should go back to his plan of giving Geovany Soto a couple of days off. Koyie Hill is hitting and Soto is hurting.
While Piniella will likely play the lefty-righty match-ups to the book, right handers hit slightly better against Chris Volstad on the season... .195/.167.
After a rough road trip it will not get any easier tonight. The Cubs face a very good team for the next four games that can win games a lot of different ways. They have excellent starting pitching, a great pen and an explosive offense...but one thing is unclear, if no one is in the stands to watch the Marlins win in Florida, does it really count as a win?
It will be up to Sean Marshall to keep the Cubs from dropping below the .500 mark for the first time in over a year. Marshall will make his third start of the season and his first against a team not managed by Tony LaRussa.
Marshall did his part last Saturday and put his team in position to win...but a couple of misplayed balls in the outfield led to three runs and Albert Pujols took care of the rest with a grand slam off David Patton.
Marshall allowed three runs on six hits in six innings with a walk and five strikeouts...a very good outing for a fifth starter in any rotation.
The Marlins did not do much offensively in two games against Marshall a year ago. Marshall was 0-1 with a blown save but gave up only three runs on five hits in eight innings (one start) with three walks and 13 strikeouts (3.38 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP)
For his career Marshall is 1-3 in five games, four starts, against the Marlins with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.
- John Baker - 0-for-1
- Jorge Cantu - 0-for-3 with a walk
- Jeremy Hermida - 2-for-4 with a home run and a walk
- Hanley Ramirez - 4-for-10 with a double and a home run
- Cody Ross - 1-for-4
- Dan Uggla - 5-for-13 with three doubles
The struggling Cubs' offense will not get a break tonight after managing only two hits against Doug Davis on Wednesday. Chris Volstad is one of the best young pitchers in the league and in his first four starts of the year has allowed only seven earned runs (23 1/3 innings).
Volstad is coming off back-to-back no decisions. He allowed only two earned runs on four hits to the Phillies in seven innings with six strikeouts and only one walk. The Marlins are 3-1 in his four starts.
Volstad has never beaten the Cubs but has held them in check in two starts last season. In 12 innings the Cubs' offense has managed only four runs on 12 hits (3.00 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP).
- Mike Fontenot - 3-for-5 with a double and a walk
- Kosuke Fukudome - 1-for-4 with a walk
- Reed Johnson - 2-for-3 with a double
- Derrek Lee - 2-for-5 with a double and a walk
- Alfonso Soriano - 0-for-6
- Geovany Soto - 1-for-5 with a double
- Ryan Theriot - 1-for-5
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball...
Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Fukudome - CF
Lee - 1B
Bradley - RF
Fontenot - 3B
Hill - C
Miles - 2B
Marshall - P
A few thoughts....
* Although not a must win series, they really need to take 2 from the fish. They catch a break by missing Josh Johnson.
* Monday they get Tim Lincecum.
This is a make-or-break situation for the Cubs tonight. Jorge Cantu and Hanley Ramirez are two of the most dangerous men in baseball right now and the rest of their team isn't too bad either. If the Cubs can take the series, they'll have good momentum going into the San Francisco portion of the homestand. If they split it, then it's a "too early to tell" sign as to whether or not they can come back. But if they lose this series...well, let's not think of that. Effort will be needed to win 3 or 4 here.
Neil,
You said it best about Marshall, "Marshall allowed three runs on six hits in six innings with a walk and five strikeouts...a very good outing for a fifth starter in any rotation"
I don't think Marshall gets enough credit from fans. Hell, he doesn't even get enough credit from management. If he did, we never would've signed Marquis, and probably wouldn't have been in the whole trade situation to save money in order to sign Bradley. We might've still retained DeRosa...but, I digress.
Neil, from what you said, it seems Volstad's a lefty, and I'm too lazy to look it up right now. Could you please tell me? I don't recall ever watching a game with him throwing. Is he finesse, or does he throw hard?
aaron:
I found what you are looking for:
Strengths: Volstad has shown the ability to learn quickly, made a significant change in his curveball grip in the spring and picked it up immediately with noticable improvement. An all-round athlete, was an all-state selection in basketball his senior year of high school. Has a slightly below average fastball which should reach at least average as he matures, an improving breaking pitch and an already plus changeup.
Weaknesses: Has issues with stamina, packs only 190 pounds on his 6'7" frame with thin legs. As he tires, the ball comes up and he gets hit hard. Despite his size, his fastball is below average, around 89, topping out at 92. Has a high leg kick and long delivery, expected of a tall pitcher, becoming a bit more compact as he gets stronger should help him with holding runners on.
2008 Outlook: Volstad is number one on this list for the second consecutive year and had some early success with his first experience in a higher classification (Double A). He will likely start the 2008 season again in Double A, with question marks surrounding the parent Florida rotation, Volstad will appear in the majors, for how long depends on whether or not his command improves.
thanks buddy....but is he a lefty?
No, he is a Righty.
btw, I feel just awful for Bobby Scales right now. A report from the Tribune said he was in uniform for the game and everything, then was informed he wouldn't be activated. I'm sure we can all sympathize for that guy, and I hope all of you are rooting him on to finally get that call-up. He deserves it at some point.
Yes...I always root for someone like him...but unless the Cubs go outside the organization for a reliable backup to ARAM...he should get a shot sometime this season...ARAM seems to be susceptable to leg/groin problems.
Does this mean Aram is not going DL?
No DL for now for Ramirez. They are hoping to have him back by Saturday.
He is available to pinch hit tonight
Could this be another one of those 'Dominant' opposing starters? Only 11 pitches taken in the first inning. Ideal for an offense that got shut-out the last game.
Baron, no Volstad is dominant, period. Look at his stats that I posted.
This entire series will be difficult for the Cubs offense.
That was a good play by Fontenot
looks like volstad will shut is out....wow i have to listen to the marlins announcers with mlb extra innings all they talk about is bartman...
The struggling Cubs play the first place Marlins while the Cards get to play the Nats. I know, I know, it all averages out in the end. Unless it just not your year, and everything that can go wrong, does.
Nice throw Koy!!!
Atta boy Koy
Was that actually a runner caught stealing? I am rubbing my eyes.
Please Sean, break that 2nd time through the order jinx.
Great throw by Koyie
9 up, 9 down
Good job by Marshall getting out of that inning, second double play of the night
A hit!! Ryan Theriot!!!
Lee needs to sit right along side of Soto. Let him get healthy.
Sorry Neal, but swinging at fast balls 2 feet off the plate had nothing to do with his neck.
Agreed
Lee is not right, has not been right since the beginning of spring training. If he cannot perform due to injury, he should sit.
Soriano with a strike to Miles!
WELCOME MR. BRADLEY!
Milton!!!
Back-to-back jacks....
LITTLE BABE RUTH!!!
Welcome to Chicago Milton, and nice to see LBR get that pop back in the past couple of games
Nobody needed to build some good will more than Bradley.
I was virtually dancing like a wave when Litlle Babe Ruth's longball passed that 394' mark...
Gary,
Milton said he wants love. We need to tell him: We'll love you back if you play us 120 games!
Fontenot bat is coming back around good to see
Nice inning for Marshall
Sean seems out of gas. He still got that control, just not enough speed to fool the batter as a combo...
So do we go to Heilman/Gregg to finish the game?
Come on Marmol.
And that's exactly what you DON'T want to do.
He didn't look right yesterday...so why's he in again today?
Oh for the love of frikking crap.
Not again...
YOU HAVE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!! Ugh....
Unbelievable.
Both Cubs and Bulls in a couple of nail biters. Which one to watch???
wow...we have got to be the worst team in all MLB right now
Aaron, no they are not the worst team. And please do not put up a bunch of stats.
Right now they are a .500 team with stats in the middle of the pack.
i respect marmol for bending but not breaking
Poor Sean, he really deserved a win there.
Lee saved a run with that dig out.
Cubs need to quit having a defined "Closer" role. If its the start of a new inning, go with Gregg. If there's runners on base in a jam. Go with Marmol. Know your players and what situations they excel in!
sorry...I'm so pissed right now becaues the Celtics keep getting bullshit calls from the refs...unbelievable they hack so much, no fouls, but the Bulls have ticky tack fouls calle don them
No worries.
Z with a pinch-hit single...bring in Joey Gathright to run.
Any way Big Z can take a few ground balls in the infield tomorrow?
Why is Gathright not in....?
I really do not like Z running here. This is not smart.
Wait until we can get a guy in scoring position to bring in Gath. No use in having him stranded at 1st and burning a guy off the depleted bench.
Good call...but Z and common sense on the bases usually do not meet.
True, at least it wasn't Harden in there running. I bet he could keep it close in a footrace with Gathright.
I'm calling for a walk off home run by Milton Bradley in the 9th! God knows that could help a multitude of things.
THROW F**&^&^** STRIKES!
The Cubs need to end this now. I am going to tomorrow's game and I don't want to see them sleepwalking through my game.
Jesus Shuttleworth is doing big things for the celtics right now.
Lee Blows with the bat.
enough said.
Johnson hits for Fontenot... if they don't score who move into the infield? Am i forgeting a player or does Soriano get bumped in?
Who will play 3rd
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
Soriano should play 2nd with Miles going to 3rd
Lost opportunity like that one in the 9th always comes back to haunt a struggling team ...I want to think positive now but it's very difficult.
Okay, so I was wrong. Hill at 3rd and Soto behind the plate
throw strikes
This has "very bad" written all over it.
More walks....
Ugh...well...there goes the game.
Theriot,has to be the worst defeseive SS in the leaugue!
No wonder I can't stay positive!!
just shaking my head
I can't watch this anymore..it hurts. I'm going to bed.
Ron Santo sounds like us.
Ron just said "this is embrassing"
Marshall deserved better than this
Pat H. just mentioned that "lost opportunity" in the 9th; wish I hadn't said anything. As Ron just said, "This is embarrassing!"
our bullpen is terrible
As soon as that first walk was issued in the 10th, I immediately turned to youtube, looking up some Korean pop.
Chae Yeon looks great on a PC screen... maybe a little plastic job on the tip of her nose, but other than that, she's fine, can dance, can sing, good R&B, and definitely looks prettier than a late-inning Cubs baseball!
Gee, the Marlins are on their way to another 8 run inning.
Comment by radio guys was that Marlins are not a pushover....that's exactly right; it seems to be the Cubs!
God that was a rough 10th, lets just hope they can turn it around in May
gonna be a long, long year, folks
Three more games to go...here's hoping they can do better tomorrow.
ugly....speechless...at least the Bulls overcame bad officiating so my night wasn't completely lost.
in my switching back and forth between games, I was shocked when Marmol came in. What a horrible managerial job that was. Know your players Lou!!! He should've left Marshall in for one more. Marmol was clearly struggling in AZ, and still was tonight.
One of the best basketball games I have ever watched. Aaron I was seeing the same thing as you. How many times can the bulls take it into the paint and not get a sngle call.
Hawks fell short and the Cubs are making it real hard to back them. This bullpen is pathetic. Marmol is the only guy I trust and he is not ready to be back on the mound yet. The first month has gone by and these guys look awful, except for a few players. I really hope May is a better month. The warmer the weather usually means the hotter the bats get so.................................
no...unfortunately, we've already dug ourselves a huge hole---5 games, and like I said before, the Cards have an absolute cakewalk of a schedule. We better pray they have key injuries, or we're screwed....just look at their schedule if you don't believe me. They're playing Washington right now. We're playing a very good offensive team when our's sucks ass right now, and we could be 8 back by the end of this series...actually, a very high likelihood of that, and if we fall 10 back, watch out for a fire sale this year.
Aaron:
Fire sale? Hendry can't even do that.
He has som many guys with no trade provisions it is silly. Just to name a few:
Aramis
Lee
Fukudome
Dempster
Zambrano
Soriano
This core bettr win now or else they will be a very old and bad team soon.
Jim (TP),
You're right about all of them except for Fukudome. I do not believe he has a no-trade.
The only ones I'd keep out of the group are ARAM, Z, and Soriano (normally I wouldn't, but you have to have some power other than ARAM).
The unfortunate thing, is that only those 3 would bring something decent in return. Perhaps Fukudome would if he keeps up the hot start, but Dempster and Lee are so bad right now, they might not bring squat.
The problem is, with ticket prices so high, and the economy in the crapper, we might just see a firesale this year if we remain non-competitive. I can't remember what year it was...maybe 2005 or 2006, when everyone started filing out of games early, or even worse, not showing up at all, and the Tribune FINALLY decided to do something about it, and spend money to field a competitive team.
Well, when you have one of the league's highest payrolls and you're still not competitive, you're bound to see a firesale. The one thing that would hold that up this year would be the sale not going through. If that's the case, then it could get really ugly. I envision empty seats, fans throwing things on the field, etc. if something doesn't change. Like I said, with the expense of the ticket, even the most die hard of fans in these times isn't going to put up with the garbage play they see on the field.
Lee is horrible at bat, and now not very good in the field with his lollipop throw to Theriot---who shouldn't have been given the error. Lee also botched a grounder to first the other day that led to a big inning. I will be the happiest fan when Hendry and Piniella realize that Lee has completely lost all worth to this team. He's not even a leader for cripe's sake. A leader is like Soriano who calls out his teammates for poor play. Lee disagreed with him. WOW!!!!!!!! If all of us can see it, and Soriano can see it, then Lee must really be living inside a bubble.
I keep hoping Dempster can turn things around, because I really like the guy....and think he keeps the team loose, and can provide a little leadership, but I still strongly disagree with the contract, and think Dempster's career and contract most parallel Carl Pavano's career.
Remember, when Pavano received the ridiculous ill-fated contract from the Yankees, he too was coming off a career year, at 18-8, 3.00 ERA. He only had 2 other years with a sub-4 ERA, and both were in abbreviated seasons for him, which closely resembles Dempster's career. I hope Dempster can turn it around, but history doesn't lie either.
Please keep in mind that I'm not saying the Cubs will be able to trade Lee and his $13 million contract when he is Mr. Sucky Mc Suck Face right now, nor am I suggesting that they'll be able to find a taker for Dempster's equal contract. All I'm saying is it might be a Jason Marquis-type of trade, or where we accept a Gary Matthews Jr. or Carl Pavano, etc. in return with equally as bad contracts. Sometimes, these trades actually work. (see 2003, Todd Hundley for Eric Karros and Grudz).
I still can't believe they haven't gotten rid of Joey Gathright. When he's available to hit, and you're pinch hitting with one of your pitchers, then there's a significant problem with the way your team is constructed.
There's absolutely no reason Gathright should be on this team right now when we're playing short-handed on the infield and our back-up catcher is playing 3rd base. Bring up Jake Fox for crying out loud!!!!!!!!! Or at least Bobby Scales, and DFA Gathright, who never should've replaced Pie in the first place.