Game Seventy-Three: Cubs (35-37) vs. Pirates (35-40)
Game Time - 6:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WCIU - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Rich Harden (4-4, 4.95/1.40) vs. Zach Duke (8-5, 3.09/1.19)
The Cubs difficult 10-game road trip comes to an end on Wednesday night. After dropping six of their first seven, Lou Piniella's crew must put together a good series in Pittsburgh. The Cubs enter play today in fourth place in the Central but with the same amount of wins as the Pirates. The Cubs hit a low mark for the year at two games under .500 after they did not show up to the South Side on Sunday ... and if they are not careful could limp home Wednesday night in last place in the division.
The Cubs will face a very young and improving Pirates team that always plays their better games of the season against the Cubs. The Pirates are 21-14 at PNC Park this season (Cubs are 21-13 at Wrigley) and the Cubs are a pathetic 14-24 on the road. The Pirates won four straight before Sunday's loss to the Royals and are playing with much more confidence than the Cubs right now. This is not the same Pirates team the Cubs have faced in recent years and no one on the Cubs should take this series for granted.
Angel Guzman will have one more bullpen session before going on a rehab assignment later in the week with the Peoria Chiefs. Guzman's absence has created a huge hole in the bullpen.
Jake Fox is expected to start at third tonight with the other slots filled by the usual suspects. It is past time for this roster to start playing as a team and start winning on a consistent basis. Just one win at a time is all it takes ... and tonight it starts with Rich Harden.
Rich Harden, like the rest of the Cubs, has been inconsistent at best this season. Since coming off the DL on June 13, Harden has put together only one good outing (0-2 in three starts with a 5.51 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP) and has given up a ton of home runs. In 11 starts (60 innings) Harden has served up 13 long balls and his strikeout to walk ratio is very concerning.
Harden has walked 30 batters and struck out only 67. The nearly 2:1 ratio is one of the many reasons Harden has not performed the way he did last season for the Cubs.
The Tigers beat Harden in his last start. Harden surrendered four runs, two earned, on four hits in 5 1/3 innings with four walks and three strikeouts ... two of the four scored after an error by Geovany Soto and after Harden left the game.
Harden is 2-1 in four road starts this season with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP.
Tonight will be Harden's first start of the year against the Bucs ... and the first of his career.
- Eric Hinske - 4-for-14 with 2 home runs and 2 walks
- Craig Monroe - 1-for-3
- Brandon Moss - 0-for-2
The Cubs will face another difficulty lefty tonight in Zach Duke ... and one that has dominated the Cubs when they actually scored runs. There is no two ways about it ... the Cubs will have a very difficult time plating runs tonight against Zach Duke.
Zach Duke has been excellent of late and since May 6 he has allowed more than four earned runs three times ... and he has been lights out at home this season, 6-2 in eight games with a complete game shutout, a 2.64 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.
The Cubs won the game Duke started against them in May. Duke received a no-decision in the 5-2 loss to the Cubs ... Duke surrendered just two runs on eight hits in seven innings with two walks and three strikeouts.
Duke is 4-5 in 14 career starts against the Cubs (with a complete game shutout) with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. The Cubs have hit .292 against him but have plated just 31 earned runs in 14 starts (92 innings).
- Andres Blanco - 0-for-3
- Milton Bradley - 3-for-7 with 2 doubles, a triple and a walk
- Mike Fontenot - 1-for-1
- Ryan Freel - 4-for-10
- Kosuke Fukudome - 1-for-6
- Micah Hoffpauir - 0-for-1
- Derrek Lee - 10-for-37 with 2 doubles, a home run and 3 walks
- Aaron Miles - 5-for-13 with a walk
- Alfonso Soriano - 15-for-29 with 4 doubles, 2 home runs and 2 walks
- Geovany Soto - 3-for-15 with a double and 2 walks
- Ryan Theriot - 11-for-28 with 3 doubles and 2 walks
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Just when all seems bleakest we get to play the Pirates. Oh wait they nearly have as many wins, oops. Here we go Cubbies this is the start of the run, it has to be! Pit, Mil, Stl, this is where we see if our boys in blue are contenders or pretenders. Still no word on the wire about a move, other than the token DL'ing of Miles. Sad! I guess if Jim refuses to make a move, and Lou refuses to make a move the Cubs are going to have to do it the old fashion way...win baseball games despite horrible management!!! Welcome to Dilbert baseball Cub fans! Go Cubs Go!!!
I've lamented all year how our scouting department (not just in draft and player development..but advanced scouting) has failed us.
Here's another classic example, and a story ESPN did about it:
Updated: June 28, 2009, 2:01 AM ET
Did the Cubs fail to scout Scott?
Podsednik continues to beat up the Cubs
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ESPN Stats & Information
The Cubs should have seen it coming.
Scott Podsednik was the star of the White Sox's 8-7 victory Saturday, going 4-for-5 and coming up short of a cycle by a triple.
It was one of his best games all season. He hit his third home run of 2009.
Podsednik's success has come against fastballs and changeups this season.
So what did the Cubs throw him? Fastballs and changeups.
In Podsednik's first four at-bats, 16 of 18 pitches he faced were fastballs or changeups. He went 4-for-4.
In Podsednik's final at-bat (vs. Carlos Marmol), he faced no changeups and 6 of 9 pitches were sliders. He flied out.
Maybe the Cubs finally figured it out.
On Friday, Podsednik went 2-for-5, and both hits came off fastballs (0-for-1 vs. slider)
And anyone wondering why teams are holding our offense in check? Obviously, it's a combination of bad players, and inconsistent track records, but it's also because our players don't know how to make adjustments, and our advanced scouting sucks.
Ok, I don't want defend our scouts or management becuase Lord knwos they don't derserve it, but weren't there 28 other teams that "failed to scout Scott", too ?
What am I missing ?
no, I think you didn't read it all...just as I didn't at first (I thought the same thing as you did at first)....this was purely advanced scouting that they were talking about...NOT for signing the guy
Aaron...I challenge you to say something
you really like about the Cubs...and it can't be a starter...Good luck...lol
Damn...I was going to say the rotation...but here it goes. I like Guzman and Ascanio in the pen. I think they're the real deal. Ascanio needs far more work than just once every 5 games or more. Just like Guzman, once he got into regular action, I think Ascanio would have similar stats. I also like ARAM...A LOT
Additionally, I like what I've seen from Fox and Hoffpauir, and I like some of the Cubs minor leaguers (though most of them weren't drafted by us...they were traded for or signed via international free agency). I also like Von Joshua, Ryne Sandberg, Alan Trammell, Mike Quade, Wrigley Field, Bob Brenly, Ron Santo and Pat Hughes, and the Wrigley Field organist...I also like Ronny Woo, because I've seen him at road games too, and he pisses off the other teams and fans, and I love it.
There, is that good enough for you?
I think Ascanio would be better served in the starter role than a pen role. He's definitely struggled there this year and, really, I can't justify them using him in close games. Guzman, though, has been a great pen guy.
Could not have said it better myself!!
Just checking Aaron...wanted to be sure you were still one of us!!!lol
I like all that you mentioned also...I hope Ascaino gets an opportunity in the rotation next season...Guzman/Marmol
(if Marmol gets straightened out).
close/8th...and go from there.
I don't know if Wells is the keeper he appears to be or a one year wonder.
Don't worry so much about Hendry...he'll be history soon along with the Trib.
Our real challenge is our entire outfield....How we handle and exit this mess will determine how we return to contention.
After month's of expounding our weeknesses/faults...I thought it might be good to think about what you like.
Let's get a win!!! Go Cubs
In Aaron's defense, other than the starters there is not a whole lot of good things to say so far this year. Last year you could say, "I really like their determination, heart, never say die attitude and one team one goal attitude". You could also throw in players, like Wood, Dero, Soto, Aram, Marmol.
Just not the same this year and throw in guys like Bradley, Miles, Patton and it is hard to find.
To be honest the only thing keeping me a fan of this team is that I have been and always will be! It is part of my nature like my arm or breathing. But there are not a lot of guys I can genuinely root for, and if they were not Cubs I would probably laugh at the teams that had them. I will always root for this team, I will always pull for them, scream when they win, and probably scream louder when they lose, but all in all, I am a fan of this team because I am a Cub fan, not because I love the current edition of that team.
cloycub13...I don't think Aaron or most of the negative posts really need defending this year...the team is underperforming...even to traditional
averages.
Lou read too many philosophy books in the offseason...and is grinding his teeth instead of his brain.
Hendry really should have gone when Mcphail left...but then the Trib would just have corporate types to make baseball decisions....It's the slow sale that has really impacted us...and Sprucing up for the sale...(Soriano)....
and the baseball Gods re injuries...seems like we have more than our share of injuries at key moments this year....and it is absolutely uncanny
how Bradley erupts...(looking bad) and Dero goes to the Cards the next day.
Our 2 best bullpen guys...one goes DL and the othr can't find the plate///has bad mechanics??? all at the same time?
Yep...it's the baseball Gods...what else
when Lou Pinella doesn't know what to do
and is quiet? Hmmmm.
Jim Hendry can't make one good move???
Hmmmm...did Sianas come back for a visit this year?
Johnson finds the plate...then has back spasms to the DL?
Ronnie Woo Woo must not be Wooing enough.
Jim Hendry trading enough.
Lou Pinella...THE LOU PINELLA...managing enough.
And the hitters? Well we know about that...We need help from above...that is,
If we havn't been sinners...and then lookout...it's forty days and forty nights...to last place. Time to pray...but I think we'll be ok...lol
That was pretty motivational, I admit.
Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Fox - 3B
Soto - C
Bradley - RF
Freel - CF
Blanco - 2B
Harden - P
Well, at the very least we'll get to see if the rumors are true about Ryan Freel being an "all-out" defensive center fielder in the shades of Reed Johnson like Brenley and the Chicago sports writers say he is. At the very least, he can't be as bad defensively as he was at 3rd.
I like the lineup sans Freel in center.
Just stick Fuld out there. They are a wash on offense and Fuld is a plus defender. L/R matchups don't matter for those two because neither can hit..
For those hating on Len Kasper.
A) He's the least of our problems.
B) He's the play by play guy. He's supposed to be vanilla. The key to a good PBP guy is his ability to play off the color man -- something Len does with BB VERY WELL.
So please stop that. It's silly. Having two color men in one booth would be way more ugly than the status quo...
Matt, you hit it on the nose. While I gave him a hard time when he and Brenly replaced Chip and Stoney (I loved how those guys told it like it was), I do think that Kasper, despite his puberty-esque voice at times, does a fantastic job with play-by-play. One thing is for certain, Brenly and Kasper are PERFECT together, just as Santo and Hughes are perfect on the radio. We are very very lucky to have announcers that genuinely care about the team, and we have color commentators that aren't afraid to share their feelings over the air.
All you have to do is listen to other team's broadcasts on mlb.tv to truly appreciate what we have.
Harrelson and Stoney are VERY awkward. Stone always does a fantastic job of analyzing the game, pitching situations especially, and general fundamentals, while Harrelson is corny, and VERY biased...not to mention a mean spirited guy, which is why Tom Paciorek was let go a number of years ago.
We are truly blessed to have:
1) awesome announcers from Brickhouse to Harry, to Chip and Stoney, Santo and Hughes, and Brenly and Kasper
2) Wrigley Field, and the surrounding neighborhood with awesome bars to drown our sorrows after years of defeat
3) A loyal fan-base
We have not, unfortunately been blessed with:
1) An owner that legitimately wants to win...ever, actually
2) Good upper management...again, just like the owner, this has been our downfall
3) Good player development (to think our last legitimate power threats were developed over 40 years ago with the likes of Banks, Santo, and Williams)..and we haven't had any since, has to be one of the longest droughts of any team in MLB.
Ron Santo is basically our equivalent of Hawk Harrelson. I mean, besides the fact he was a huge prick back in the day, not to mention a bit of a prick still today, the only real reason he's still doing to whole radio deal is so he can stay noticed for a potential HoF nod from the veteran's committee. The second he gets the call, he'll be well on his way out.
On the other hand, Pat Hughes is just so ridiculously good at his job he makes up for Ron basically repeating most of what he says.
Don't ever put Hawk Harrelson in Santo's league. Hawk Harrelson parlayed one. THAT"S ONE good season with the Red Sox
into an entire career....and is abysmal as an announcer...even my father...gone since '87,,,couldn't understand how Hawk
held his job.
Santo was excellent for many years...and though his mind is not as astute as Stony's...he is a GREAT HOMER...."OH MAN,
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU COMPARED HAWK TO SANTO.!!!"
Well said.
Hey Smarty,
I didn't ask for 2 color guys in the booth. Was Harry a "color" guy ? He was PBP that was exciting to listen to.
All I said was that Len is an apologist and very dull as an announcer, with essentially no personality. If that's what you like, than good for you. But he puts me to sleep, just like Joe Buck. Last time I checked, sports are supposed to be exciting. I just like guys who have passion.
And I thought it might be nice to talk about something other rehashing the same crap every day over and over and over about Dero, Bradley, Sori. I wish we had Dero back too, but how many times can we keep re-hashing it ? It gets really old. Newsflash: It's done. He ain't coming back. Let it go.
Relax chief.
Not singling anyone out.
Ya'll provided your points. And I provided mine.
Ain't that what we do here?
Yep, I'm with ya.
We agree to disagree.
no problem.
Bradley being dropped from 3rd to 6th? Lou is a mad man! The next thing you know, he will proclaim that a .235 hitting K machine does not belong at lead-off.
You think?
lolol! excellent!
Without dwelling too much on DeRosa for another evening, think about how many roster/lineup variations we've seen at 2B, 3B and what should have been RF...all in which could have been solved by retaining one guy who could have seamlessly rotated between the three.
Bryan we agree, sadly it is dead and gone and we have to win without him in despite of management! Worse yet we could have had him, and now I even hear local radio people in WI (brewer homers) saying that because of that deal Stl is the Favorite in the division and I have to say I agree.
But, we have to find a way to be positive, I almost felt guilty after yesterday and the lament filled doom fest that we all were a part of during that crosstown debacle. Me especially. I do not feel better today, but as Cub fans we need to keep our heads held high. Remember the crap hole cards in 06. Imagine if the year we all jump ship mid season is the year they make that fated run? Just imagine! I do not want to be saying in Oct, damn I wish I would not have given up on them. People will call me out LOL.
That has been the point all season
Bryan...but let it go...there's nothing WE can do.
Eric Karros for radio color man!
I'd take Pat & Ron, Len & Bob over the treacherous JMx2 (Morgan & Miller from ESPN)
I can't believe ESPN allows Miller, Morgan and Phillips to broadcast games. It's painful to watch or listen to Cubs' games on any other networks....
We're very lucky...
I know they were different teams, but I'm completely behind this team until they're eliminated from Playoff contention.
Just a little nugget for everyone to remember:
2003 Chicago Cubs were 47-47 at the break, and 3 games out of first.
2007 Chicago Cubs were 44-43 at the break, and 4.5 games out of first.
Yes different teams, different seasons, but if we're able to continue hanging close to our division leaders, we're within striking distance! We're a hell-a weekend series from being .5 game out of first place! Let's hope that a 3 game series against the Pirates gets us on a tear!!!
But....on the other hand, we're going up against Zach Duke, who has absolutely owned the Cubs in his career. Even his last start he should've won, only giving up 2 runs. The only real chance we have is if Fox , Freel, and Blanco have excellent games, because otherwise, we're running pretty much the same lineup out there as the last time we faced him.
Additionally, maybe last year Harden might've been a slide buster, but NOT this year. He's giving up bombs left and right, and being hit very hard. I just don't see us winning the game unless Fox can come through with a couple of big hits, as he's been our biggest RBI threat of late.
Lee, Fox, Soto, Bradley thats a new wrinkle in the heart of the order. There is some hope that Ribbies will come!
Way to be clutch ANDY WHITE!
I have to admitt that is hard not to like Blanco...he has been lucky to be in a lot of high pressure situations and done a nice job right of the bat. Usually AAA players freak out...not this kid.
Harden got good wood on that one ... robbed by LaRoche
Harden looks like Harden.[early but true]
Richie brought the good stuff to the table tonight it appears via gamecast.
If Bradley thought about the team instead of his own stats there would have been some situational hitting there in the 2nd, and the score would be 2-0. For the good of the team, that bad apple needs to go.
Theroid!
^^
Matt, is there any chance for an available stream to watch this game? Don't know how you do this but appreciate your efforts!
Streams are easier to find for nationally televised games because mlb.tv won't carry it.
So these games against less popular teams and on WCIU are rarely streamed anywhere.
I looked and will keep an eye open.
your best bet is to download tvants.. and check for an available stream.. tonight there is one up.. it all depends on if someone wants to stream it
Beat me to it.
The only TVA stream I can find is that Pirates one, but I couldn't get it up.
But he's right.
Download TVAnts and go here for options:
http://myp2p.eu/index.php?part=sports
Ther ya GO THERIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THERIOT! number 7 and second on the road
Walking the eighth place hitter on four pitches?!?!?!?!
Oh boy, I really hope this is not the begining of Dr. K and Mr Walk for Harden. He seems to be dominant and then the wheels come off for an inning or 2. Put it all together Richie, Cubbies really need this one.
Nice pitch by Harden to end the inning...
Milton with a nice double, first RBI in nearly two weeks. Maybe this will get him going
Seems we have been saying maybe this will get him going for a while, but I will keep the faith and obviously Uncle Milty coming up like he should is a big part of that faith.
Good job by Harden ... they just dinked and dumped all of those hits. No solid contact...
Opponents know that You can't stop those bold bashers of baseballs, Blanco and Bradley. You can only hope to contain them.
OK JimK let's not get to carried away with the stupid slogans or catch phrases or whatever the heck you call that stupid saying. How about Harden's velocity and command tonight? Keeping the ball down for a change. He isn't hanging those changeups like he has since he came off the DL.
Milton can only hit right not lefty.
Harden really needs to get out of this inning!!!
The psychotic jerk off with two hits tonight. Maybe he can make a friend.
I think a Hoffpauir/Bradley platoon in right would work best for the team. I doubt Bradley's ego would ever allow that to happen without him throwing a hissy fit about not being a full time player. But I don't know how he defends the huge disparity between his left and right handed stats.
93 pitches thru 6...9K's
The Cubs are lucky to have the lead.
If I was the Cubs starting pitcher and I saw that 5 of the 8 guys in the lineup (not including myself) are batting below .250 I would hope and pray I throw a no-no.
A no no is not neccesary, but it has maybe felt like that alot this year... If we have 1 more run than they do it's a win, that is all that matters. If I were a starter I would be more worried about the backend of the Bullpen walking tying and winning runs and then gift wrapping Gopher balls. Just my take.
Vitters will join Class A Daytona on Tuesday
Good job by Harden again. Offense MUST tack on!
LET'S GO OFFENSE! LET'S GO!!!!
I see Chad Gaudin was named player of the week. Granted, his surge is recent, but it appears that every single move made by Hendry this season, has turned to crap.
thats the carlos we have been expecting.
8 pitches.
3 outs.
Lets get this one nice and easy huh guys?
Another hard hit ball by Bradley.
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
Please say that again and again and again...we need it!
Good Win!
Not the offensive break out I wanted to see, but with road wins hard to come by, I'll take it.
Hey Hey!!!
Great win!! I napped from the 6th--must have comfortable about the outcome. I mean, how many games have we lost this year with a three run lead in the 6th.
Hey Wilson T....a belated response. What that post was...was humor. It was funny when it left here.