Game One Hundred-Eleven: Cubs (58-52) vs. Phillies (61-48)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Rich Harden (7-7, 4.41/1.35) vs. J.A. Happ (8-2, 2.74/1.12)
After a long, disappointing 10-game road trip, the Cubs return home tonight with the first of three against the World Champs. The next six games are a very important stretch for the Chicago Cubs. They enter play tonight three games back of the Cardinals and must put together a successful homestand against the Phillies and Pirates.
The next six games will be anything but easy for Lou Piniella's crew and they must show up to the field ready to play. The Cubs will face two of the best the Phillies have in J.A. Happ and Cliff Lee as well as Pedro Martinez in his 2009 debut on Wednesday night. The weekend series against the Pirates will not be a cake-walk. They are hitting and putting runs on the board with a exciting young team. If the Cubs take them for granted, several former Cubs will enjoy beating them at Wrigley.
The next six games will have a big impact on the remainder of the season ... because after the homestand the Cubs face a difficult week on the West Coast with three in San Diego and four in Los Angeles.
The Phillies were swept at home over the weekend by the Marlins and figure to give the Cubs all they can handle over the next three games. While the Cubs made the long trip back to Chicago from Colorado on Monday night, the Phillies spent Monday in Chicago and should be well rested for the series. Two of the first three games of the season against the Phillies were very close and with the Phillies offense, no lead is ever safe. It will take a complete team effort to win the series against one of the best teams in the Senior Circuit.
The Cubs will likely be without Aramis Ramirez for the third straight game ... and he could be headed to the DL. Ramirez is scheduled to see the team doctor today and could receive a cortisone shot in his sore left shoulder.
The Cubs could end up making another roster move before game time. They added Esmailin Caridad on Monday but he threw 78 pitches in 5 1/3 innings, which should make him unavailable for the Phillies' series.
Carlos Zambrano's back injury was not labeled as serious and Lou Piniella indicated in his pre-game show they would determine the next step for Zambrano today. The Cubs are expecting him to return to the rotation on August 21 against the Dodgers.
While the offense will have their hands full with J.A. Happ, it all begins with Rich Harden ... and one win at a time.
Rich Harden has been very good since the All-Star break and his team will be asking for more of the same tonight. Harden is 2-1 in five starts in the second half with a 1.80 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. One of those five starts came in Philadelphia and he held the Phillies explosive offense to one run on four hits in seven innings with two walks and six strikeouts.
Harden has struggled at Wrigley this season (3-5 in 10 starts with a 6.84 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP) but was very good in his last outing at the Friendly Confines. Harden held the Reds to one run on one hit (a home run by Joey Votto) in six innings with no walks and eight strikeouts.
Harden is coming off a loss to the Reds. He gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits in six innings with four walks and nine strikeouts. Harden did not pitch that badly, he received no run support and recorded the Cubs only extra base hit.
Rich Harden is 1-0 in three career starts against the Phillies with a 0.90 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP.
- Paul Bako - 0-for-2
- Pedro Feliz - 1-for-6
- Ryan Howard - 1-for-7 with 2 walks
- Raul Ibanez - 5-for-26 with 2 doubles, a home run and a walk
- Jimmy Rollins - 2-for-8 with a home run
- Carlos Ruiz - 0-for-6 with 2 walks
- Matt Stairs - 2-for-9
- Chase Utley - 1-for-8
- Shane Victorino - 2-for-9
- Jayson Werth - 1-for-6 with 2 walks
The Cubs will get their first look tonight at one of the best young southpaws in the game. J.A. Happ is the favorite for NL Rookie of the Year award right now .. and has been just short of brilliant. Happ posted a win in his first eight decisions before losing two of his last three ... and only one was a 'bad start'.
J.A. Happ is coming off a complete game shutout against the Rockies. He allowed just four hits and struck out a season-high 10 batters ... with just two walks. Since June 20, Happ has allowed more than three earned runs only one time ... a loss on July 24 to the Cardinals when he was rumored to be in the deal with the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay.
Since the rumors subsided, Happ is 1-1 with a 1.20 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP ... four walks and 15 strikeouts in 15 innings.
Aaron Miles (0-for-3) is the only Cub that has faced J.A. Happ.
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"J.A. Happ is coming off a complete game shutout against the Rockies. He allowed just four hits and struck out a season-high 10 batters ... with just two walks. Since June 20, Happ has allowed more than three earned runs only one time ... "
I am definitely watching this game tonight. I would love to see a perfect game, even if it is against the Cubs. As long as it isn't by a White Sock.
Dear Cubs, please show up and fight for your lives with
pride....is that too much to ask? Kick some Philly arse and
things might change. Thanks.
Tin Tin
Hey Neil...back from a long hiatus, fighting the good fight...aka trying to run a profitable business in 1984 America.
Okay, I'm coming down of the political soapbox, sorry!
As someone here said recently (Suzy?), I think the next three games will decide our season.
We are home, surrounded by the greatest fans in the world. It's the proverbial gut-check time, and we'll soon see whether or not all the moves, non-moves, managerial acumen (or lack thereof) will produce a team that is ready to lay it all on the line. If we lose 2 of 3 or worse, the Cards will run away with the division. They smell blood in the water, and nobody is better at making smart decisions down the stretch than LaRussa though it pains me to say it.
Wild card? Forget it.
I'm hoping for the best, I really am. My guess is that if it doesn't happen, Ricketts cleans house as soon as the sale goes through and we rebuild to a certain extent. Either way, it's going to be an interesting August/September.
Hey Scott ... good to hear from you.
I know its only August but my gut instinct tells me the next 9 games will determine our fate in the race for the NL Central. I think we can get 7 from 9 against the Phillies, Pirates and Padres but with this team nothing is certain.
Tonight's lineup:
Theriot - SS
Bradley - RF
Lee - 1B
Fox - 3B
Soto - C
Soriano - LF
Baker - 2B
Fuld - CF
Harden - P
Ramirez had a cortizone shot Tuesday and is looking to be back on Thursday.
Thats great news Neil. Not an ugly lineup either...
I'd have to disagree with your assessment of our lineup. Have you seen the play on the field lately? Terrible defense in LF, and mediocre at best in RF, 2B, 3B, and SS. There have been so many singles turned into doubles and doubles turned into triples just b/c of outfielders not hitting cut-off men and infielders bobbling throws from the OF. I mean, seriously, not even our pitchers can field a slow come-backer w/o falling flat on their faces. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Theriot is NOT a SS. If you don't have a SS that can play D, the entire defense is adversely affected. I think this lineup is terrible, especially defensively.
Except that Dome is one of the only productive professionals lately and he's out 2 games in row? Yet Soriano's sorry lame ass goes everyday...is Happ a lefty?
Yep, one of the best young southpaws in the league.
I know he's throwing up amazing numbers, just didn't know he was lefty too!
He almost got bumped out of the rotation because Moyer has "seniority" and Pedro is...well...Pedro.
Game OVER!!! before it even starts. If Happ shut down the Rockies high powered offense....we don't even stand a chance against him. Harden is prone to the gopher ball, and while he held his own against the Phillies last time...I believe he'll keep us in the game, but we'll still lose after the pen makes it out of reach. I'm thinking final score somewhere around 7-1 or 6-0 tonight, Phillies win.
I'll see you on that and pump up the runs a bit: Cubs lose 10-4 after Happ comes out in the 9th.
Mr. Research (Aaron),
Make sure you see my response on the other section to your little Dunn-Sori comparison.
hey, nice try !!!
I think Theriot, Lee, Fox, Soto and Baker play impressively tonight and Harden pitches a five hitter with 6 SO's through 7 innings. I don't know the final score and neither do those guys making predictions. But it won't be a blowout for either team.
Baker is terrible...
Another useless pickup by JH
I would rather have Bobby Scales than Baker. Baker is useless, a sub .200 hitter and a below average defender. And when he wears those shades.... it just doesn't help.
cc, it's pointless to try and pick a fight with Aaronator. He's just too damn good.
Kidding Aaron, just kidding!
Seriously, chill out cc...it's not worth it!
Have a glass of wine, and enjoy the game!
that's what I said...when bloggers result to that, it's kind of childish, unless someone specifically asked a question from you...you just let it go in the next section....CC, chill out like Scott said
Not until you admit that Dunn is a turd.
:-)
Great At bat for Jake Fox....
Not playing him regularly is pathetic lunacy
Identical ending to both the first and second inning, two on, two out and a line out in the infield.
JAKE!
Well done Mr. Fox. And Mike Quade as well, good send just as Mr. Brenly stated.
Soriano with a nice sac fly ... great to see
I agree....Cubs have been making this guy work, and he's got major control issues...would have loved another run there, but we'll take it.
Great catch by MB!
Bradley's putting together a good game
Wow, it's quiet here tonight...where's Suzy, Matt, Joe, Aaron?
After the weekend, I think a lot of people are 'baseballed-out'
How can you ever get tired of Cubs baseball?! (No one better take that comment seriously)
You might be asking the wrong person (laugh)
I've long wondered how you do it Neil..
the teetotaling probably helps
Maybe Neil drinks alcohol. Or maybe he does yoga. He has to have some coping mechanism...
Hey Scott...welcome back.
Harden's dealing...nice to see for a change.
Hey Hey...good to see you back Scott!! I'm here...was out with the little princess as she picked out her new bike....
Logged on to be very impressed with the game so far....VERY nice...maybe Daddy can be as happy as his little girl if it keeps up!!
It's really hard to believe how bad Soriano has been this season...what did he have a one week hot streak after April.
I wonder how Ricketts will take to a $90 million dfa...we really cannot afford to play him.
They should make a horror movie about Soriano's contract, everytime its mentioned to me I poo my pants.
Remind me to never sit behind you at a game...Reggie!!!
Well, I can't even remember the last time a Cub pitcher threw 5 good innings in a row let alone 5 perfect ones.
Yuck
This Bum offense of ours has to wear down a starting pitcher....
OUCH! Maybe I should go back to Wal Mart!!
Yes, maybe you can pick up a good deal on a couple of players for us....Joe. lol
LOL too funny. Well I thought I saw Larry Bowa and Jay Johnstone on the clearance rack. Thad Bosley was 50% off. There were good deals to be had on Leon Durham, Bump Wills and Jody Davis.
Kick in the teeth alert.
LET'S GO OFFENSE! LET'S GO!!!!
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/stats/byteam?cat=Situational&cut_type=39&conference=MLB&year=season_2009&sort=722
The Cubs are dead last in all of Major League Baseball batting with RISP....
which is real nice appreciation for the starting rotation, which has the 3rd lowest ERA in the majors
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/stats/byteam?cat=Situational&cut_type=47&conference=MLB&year=season_2009&sort=837
DAMN IT! Is this typical or what? Were not going to score anymore.
Yes Harden! The great escape!
Good job by Harden...time for the offense to get him a win.
How about surprising us...3-5 runs and a bullpen that gives up zip???
Pretty please?
Come on Cubs. Don't let the Ho embarrass you again.
Whats Park's era against the Cubs? If you had a pitching staff of nothing but Chan Ho Park clones supported by eight Jeff Keppingers, that team would beat the Cubs 15-0
I'm back after a busy afternoon on the site and smiling after 7 for a couple of reasons. Harden has exceeded my lofty prediction for one. Now we need to find a way to scrach out a win!
Piniella's going to have to find a new spot for Marmol.
Oh. My.
Marmol is ridiculous.
Horror show.
Could someone help me understand how Marmol walks two and hits one...and is left in the damn game to face Howard who is a LEFTY??? Why did Lou wait till after Howard walked to bring the lefty Grabow in????? Was Lou napping again???
A run without a hit.
I knew...i knew it was too effing good to be true. 7 solid innings, at home, into their bullpen...man o man.
i bet Ron is having conniptions.
me, like i said, knew after Marmot plunked Victorino that it was over.
i'm outta here. save yourselves! run! run like hell!!
I sounded the kick in the teeth alert in the 6th, you should have been prepared.
Just got home, put my kid to bed, thought i check in...
yep...
so the question begs: was Marmot's last year and aberration or is this year? he had control issues in 07 too...
what does JA stand for? as in JA Happ?
James Anthony
maybe Sori is about to "get hot"...
Carlos, Carlos, Carlos. You killed us.
Bradley could sure go a LONG way towards redemtion if he jacked a 2 run shot to win the game!!
make that a 3 run homer.....son of a b*#$*(!!
Back to a 2 run shot....lol
That is not even close ... first review at Wrigley.
What was not close? Good or bad? What happened?
Ruiz hit a ball very foul, down the left field line. Was called a home run, they reviewed and reversed the call.
MILTON WITH A HUGE RBI!!!!!
BRADLEY!!!!
Someone's starting to come around.. The 2 hole suits him perfect
Dare we say Milton is finally looking good?
Bradley with some redemption!!!!!!
Cmon FOX!!!!!!
Can we "Nation Represent" tonight?
Bradley has a near .600 On base percentage in August.... right around the time he shifted to the 2 hole....
Bradley gets some redemption Joe--driving in the tieing run. So what we have is a trip to the dentist instead of a stall on the railroad track with an oncoming train barrelling down. Here's hoping we don't lose another tooth.
OMG ... Charlie Manuel made a pitching change to face Miles.... that bum!!
If there are any boxing fans out there, an agreement has been reached for an Oct 3rd bout between Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams .... for those in the know --- this will be a WAR!!!!!
http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296366&page=2
Nice to see Miles doesn't change.
Nice contribution guy.
Kevin Gregg doing surprisingly well there.
Pavlik is crap baron Williams willbreak him.
On a baseball note, it is really hard to
have 12 hits and only manage 3 runs. At some
point dumb luck says runs will start falling. I hope
it's sooner than later.
Isn't baseball the weirdest game ever? Gregg gets a shutdown inning. The much maligned Bradley picks up the shakey Marmol. Now any kind of a bizzare victory will do.
Spoke too soon. Never praise the Gregg.
BULLSH*T!! 4 runs on THREE hits???
In 27 innings pitched to right-handed hitters, Gregg has given up 9 HR!!!!!!!
Just speechless, Gregg went through the heart of the Phillies order and looked very good.
As Joe said, 4 runs on 3 hits for the Phillies
The wind made Bradley's blast to the wall an out. Francisco hits a liner under the wind and into the LF basket for the go ahead run.
Make this guy throw a strike!
Soto I beg of you don't swing at **** PATIENCE!
He didn't listen to my plea.
Absolutely Horrible.
Curses Again!!!
The Phillies were awful but we outawfuled them.
Close only counts in horseshoes and dancing. This tough loss bespeaks and underscores that we are not a playoff team.
Harden pitches his ass off makes one mistake....Baker goes 4 for 5.....and Bradley comes through in the clutch.
Can SOMEONE go off in that locker room tonight???
Will the folks at the CCO post my bail if I stand on the dugout at Petco next week and go off for them since they have no leaders? lol
Bring a pillow for Lou.
If you hurt KGregg badly enough[try leveling his twisted lip with an uppercut] that he goes on the DL for the remainder of the season I will bail you out and take you fishing one week with expenses covered. The dude gets his best inning in a year in and he serves up a home run in the next to loose the game. Tipping his pitches? really? no Gregg you are a LaTroy impersonator.
btw the lowly Pirates are leading the Rockies 7-3 in the eighth.
We are toast.
you know who is really been bad that doesn't get ripped too much around here ? Soto.
He's down to about .220 (BA, not weight, haha) with like 29 RBI's ....I know he was hurt, but that's BRUTAL.
The Cards, Giants, and Rockies all lost tonight. But Atlanta is now tied with us and the Marlins may be one game back. The Cards are three up with 47 to play, and we have to outplay the other 4 to get the wild card.
We are still patchwork in the rotation, the back of the pen is not reliable and some position players aren't contributing much or are gimpy. That has to be more issues than some of the other contenders. I thought I saw Slim in the exit tonight. I don't think he left but his ice cream cone only had one small dip on it.
I agree Jim...