Game One Hundred Forty-Seven: Cubs (75-71) vs. Cardinals (86-62)
Game Time - 3:10pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: FOX Saturday Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Ryan Dempster (10-8, 3.84/1.35) vs. Chris Carpenter (16-4, 2.45/1.00)
The Cardinals magic number was reduced to six after Matt Holliday finished off the Cubs on Friday night ... and it will not get any easier for the Cubs this afternoon with Chris Carpenter taking the hill. It will be up to Ryan Dempster to keep his team in the game and the Redbirds off the scoreboard while the offense tries to figure out the Cardinals' ace.
Milton Bradley could be back in the lineup this afternoon ... or maybe not. Bradley took batting practice on Friday but was held out of the game due to knee inflammation.
Sam Fuld was back on the field Friday night as a defensive replacement after several reports indicated Fuld could miss the remainder of the season. Fuld made a couple of nice catches but is still having trouble swinging the bat.
Today it all starts with Ryan Dempster and just playing ball ...
Ryan Dempster is coming off his longest, and one of his best starts of the year. Dempster pitched a season-high eight innings and shutdown the Brewers on just four hits. Dempster was incredibly sharp while pitching in a one-run game.
Dempster has been as inconsistent this season as the rest of his teammates this year. One start he will resemble the pitcher that won 17 games a season ago, then the next he will look like a fourth or fifth starter in a big league rotation.
For the Cubs to contend next season they will need Ryan Dempster to pitch more like the 2008 version than the 2009 version.
The Cubs' second starter, when the season began, has pitched better on the road (4-5 in 15 starts with a 3.63 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP) than at Wrigley (6-3 in 12 starts with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP).
Ryan Dempster is 2-1 in his last three starts with a 1.69 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP ... against the Cardinals this season, 0-1 in three starts with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.
- Rick Ankiel - 1-for-10
- Chris Carpenter - 0-for-7
- Khalil Greene - 3-for-15 with a home run and a walk
- Matt Holliday - 2-for-4
- Ryan Ludwick - 8-for-16 with 2 doubles and a home run
- Julio Lugo - 4-for-16 with 2 home runs and 3 walks
- Yadier Molina - 5-for-19 with a double and 3 walks
- Albert Pujols - 11-for-37 with 2 doubles and 5 walks
- Colby Rasmus - 1-for-3 with a double
- Brendan Ryan - 0-for-4
- Skip Schumaker - 11-for-27 with a double
The Cubs will see this afternoon the definition of a true ace. Chris Carpenter is one of the big reasons the Cardinals will win the NL Central title this season ... and be a favorite to win the World Series. Carpenter has put together a tremendous year and could win his second NL Cy Young Award.
Chris Carpenter is coming off his first loss since June 30, and that's not a typo. Carpenter went two full months without losing a ballgame and over that stretch the Cardinals were 11-3 in his starts.
Before his loss to the Braves (seven runs on nine hits in six innings with two walks and three strikeouts), Carpenter had not allowed more than three earned runs since his loss on June 30 ... in other words Carpenter has dominated every time he has taken the ball for Tony LaRussa.
In 25 starts Carpenter has pitched 172 2/3 innings and has struck out 132 batters with only 32 walks.
This afternoon will be Chris Carpenter's third start of the year against the Cubs. He is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP ... for his career versus Chicago, 9-3 in 16 starts with a 3.02 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.
- Jeff Baker - 0-for-1
- Milton Bradley - 3-for-11 with a home run and a walk
- Ryan Dempster - 0-for-8
- Mike Fontenot - 1-for-6
- Kosuke Fukudome - 0-for-7 with a walk
- Koyie Hill - 0-for-3
- Derrek Lee - 14-for-42 with 2 doubles, a home run and 3 walks
- Aaron Miles - 2-for-4
- Aramis Ramirez - 12-for-42 with 3 doubles, a home run and a walk
- Bobby Scales - 0-for-2
- Geovany Soto - 2-for-4
- Ryan Theriot - 3-for-6 with a double
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Last night, I liked our chances--and they were good until the 9th inning. Once again, we needed a couple of timely hits. Today, I don't like our chances, and I hope that I'm wrong two days in a row.
While in agreement that age is a creeping threat to several of the Cubs key players, I don't agree that this team with just the usual minor changes won't win more games next year than it does this year. (I am expecting one or two substantial changes in addition to parting with players like Harden, Johnson, Gregg, Heilman, Cotts, etc.)
Our dastardly problems are the corner OF spots. Certainly, it's arguable that Lee, Baker, Theriot and Rameriz can be a very productive group. (There is no reason not to expect Lee and ARAM to hit 55 or 60 HR's and drive in 200.) Catcher needs to be more productive offensively--and there's a chance of that happening with Soto (or a trade). CF is at least OK with the likes of Dome and Fuld. Some role players like Fox, Blanco and Hoffpauir could be very helpful. Our pitching staff (absent this year's turkeys) ranks in the upper echelon.
I think some tend to wrongly malign solid players--like Theriot (in part because we have the dastardly problems in the corner OF spots). Defensively (perhaps excepting range) and offensively, he compares very well with Furcal, Hudson, Renteria and F. Sanchez--other middle infielders that we tend to like more. Those good comparisons include BA, HR, RBI and OBP. The teams they handle the middle for (Dodgers and Giants) are highly competitive.
I'm not saying that we can beat the Cards or the Dodgers next year (unless Carpenter and Pujols miss half the season, e.g.), but we can do better than we did this year. I am saying that we will be transitioning to a new core group over the next two seasons. I am also not saying that a strategic big contract move won't happen. Unless you think we have to win next year, the next two seasons should be interesting and fairly pleasant.
As far as Bradley and Soriano are concerned, my guess is that Bradley will be moved and Soriano will either be a lot better or that he will only play against left-handed pitchers. Historically, he has hit much better against lefty pitching. (Last winter, I did a best offensive team analysis that resulted in Hoffpauir platooning with Sori.)
Hey Jim! That would be a high priced platoon partner. I hope the Ricketts impress us with good decisions, that is all we can hope for and frankly I would not know where to start without eating up contracts.
You are right on the overpaid platooner. But, if Hoffpauir or someone else were in LF and hitting for average and power, we would all figure out that the advantage goes to the team. Soriano could turn into a sulker, but we would be winning more often.
Your and my big job this winter will be getting Geo back on track mentally and physically. I think that is doable for two reasons: Soto was ROY following a breakthrough season at AAA, and he has yet to sign a big contract. Yes, he could be a one year wonder. In that case we have to get someone else.
Today's lineup ... Bradley is back
Theriot - SS
Fukudome - CF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Bradley - RF
Soto - C
Baker - 2B
Scales - LF
Dempster - P
According to reports from the Sun-Times and Tribune, Milton Bradley took himself out of the lineup following batting practice.
Micah Hoffpauir to start in right field
New Lineup:
Theriot - SS
Fukudome - CF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Hoffpauir - RF
Soto - C
Baker - 2B
Scales - LF
Dempster - P
I think Geo is never going to hit for a high average but he's got power and if he loses 10-15 pounds he'll catch likr he did last year.
I think Zambrano holds him back as a leader. Z seems like the tough guy that keeps everybody in check but is not a true dleader and does not let others take over his territory. All in all I think Big z IS as big a cancer as Bradley. And I really love to se Z pitch
This could get ugly quick ... I am hoping for the best but also hoping they do not get no-hit today
Good job by Dempster after the leadoff double by Schumaker
Demp pitched out of a leadoff double. No score after one.
Hoffpauir with the Cubs' first hit, at lease that is out of the way...
Hoffpauir erased the no-hitter, and Demp pitched out of trouble again in the second. ARAM's "d" could have been better twice.
We've hit some balls hard. Scales singles and Demp moved him over. Time for a key hit.
No key hit from Theriot and Dome--still no score.
Nice pitch from Dempster to jam Holliday to end the third inning.
Demp made excellent pitches against Pujols and Holliday--walked Albert and got a third out grounder to first from Matt.
Neil and I have defined an agreeable person. That's one who agrees with you. We see 'em about the same today. LOL
ARAM and Micah singles with one out. Soto hits it hard to third--but it's a DP. It's more futility when you may get very few opportunities.
Demp 2, DeRo 0 after a called strike three.
Baker right on a 90 + cutter and a 80 + curve that he lines into left center for a hit. He does see pitches well. Scales gets his 2nd hit. 2 on no outs in the 5th. Our little people are making serious bids for jobs.
DLee disappoints with easy flyout to end the inning. Bases loaded and no score. Mo has to be shifting to the other guys.
Nice patience by Kosuke but Theriot and Lee first pitch swinging ... two outs on two pitches.
Scales just tipped a catchable ball over the fence for a leadoff HR.
That play sums up the entire year. Scales with an assist on the home run, 1-0 Cardinals
The Scales miscue was a right at the top of the fence, and a little tougher catch than I thought. But he should have caught it.
So Demp allows just the one run. The Cubs go quickly in 6th. You wonder if Demp can keep up his excellent outing.
Demp an excellent 6th including a DeRo strikeout to end the inning.
Cubs go quietly in the 7th. Demp is only up to about 80 pitches, so here's hoping his excellence continues.
Dempster has pitched a very good game ...
Demp gets two outs with a double play. Carpenter's single is overrun by Scales. Then Scales absolutely puts a vice grip on a weak fly ball for the third out. Bobby has had his experience in LF revealed today. But he does play with considerable intensity.
The Riot with a leadoff single in the 8th. Dome lines out to right.
Lee singles to left. The Cards pen is busy.
ARAM grounds into a DP. And that's the way it is in 2009.
LET'S GO OFFENSE! LET'S GO!!!
Unless they rally, the Cubs second complete game of the year will be a loss ... Sean Marshall notched the other
Demp retires Pujols for the 3rd time. Albert has one walk. Scales catches Holliday's knuckling liner while falling on his face for the third out. Demp gives up 1 run in 8 innings. Scales will get some good-natured grief from his adventures in LF today.
Hoffpauir with his third single--this one off Franklin. Micah can still be "Money" in my view.
Soto with a nice single to right center...
Way to go Baker!
Soto lines a single to CF....two on no outs. Wild pitch moves the tieing run to 3rd. Baker's SF to right ties the game!!!! We haven't quit today.
Scales DP ends the threat.
Scales grounds into the Cubs' fourth double play of the day ... three have been inning ending.
Ludwick grounds one up the middle off Marmol. Carlos threw excellent strikes, but Cards punch across the winning run. That's what a team that wins a lot of the time does.
This was a hard fought game with excellent starting pitching.