Game One Hundred Sixty-One: Cubs (83-77) vs. Diamondbacks (69-92)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 188
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Ryan Dempster (11-8, 3.51/1.30) vs. Doug Davis (8-14, 4.19/1.53)
For the final time this year ... Chicago Cubs Baseball is on the Air! The Cubs play their final game of the season this afternoon against Doug Davis and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Today also concludes a long stretch of games ... the Cubs played ball in 56 of the seasons final 59 days.
Ryan Dempster will shoot for his 12th win of the year. Dempster should top the 200-inning mark for the second consecutive year (195 in 30 starts). If Dempster is able to pick up the win this afternoon he would join Ted Lilly (12-9) and Randy Wells (12-10) for tops on the staff.
Today is a rematch of the game in Arizona on April 29. Doug Davis beat Ryan Dempster in the finale of the three-game series, 10-0.
For the last time this season it all starts with Ryan Dempster and winning a ballgame ...
Ryan Dempster is in the middle of his best stretch of the season. Dempster is coming off his first complete game shutout of his Cubs' career and has completed at least eight innings of work in three of his last four starts.
Dempster had a lot of personal issues at the beginning of the season ... then spent time on the DL. Since his return he has pitched much better than back in April and May. Dempster is a big key for the Cubs moving forward, like his teammates finishing the season on a positive note would be a good way to spend the off-season.
Ryan Dempster is 7-3 in 13 home starts this year with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP ... in his last six starts, 3-1 with a 1.39 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Dempster has struck out 33 batters and walked just eight in his last 45 1/3 innings ... a big reason for his success.
Today will be Dempster's second start of the year against Arizona. Dempster took the loss back on April 29. Dempster allowed five runs on six hits in six innings with three walks and four strikeouts.
Ryan Dempster is 1-5 (with a save) in 15 career games, 11 starts, versus the D'Backs with a 5.89 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.
- Eric Byrnes - 0-for-4
- Doug Davis - 0-for-2
- Stephen Drew - 2-for-4 with a double
- Mark Grace - 2-for-12 with 4 walks
- Augie Ojeda - 2-for-5
- Mark Reynolds - 1-for-6 with a walk
- Ryan Roberts - no official at bat - one walk
- Justin Upton - 1-for-6 with a walk
- Chris Young - 0-for-5 with a walk
The Cubs will face an old nemesis to close out the 2009 campaign. Doug Davis has owned the Cubs in recent year ... and shut them out back in April in Arizona. Doug Davis has put together a below average season but throw his record and performance out the window when he faces the Cubs.
Davis is the definition of a crafty lefty and he has three speeds on the mound ... slow, slower and even slower. Davis will become more and more deliberate as the game progresses, especially with runners on base.
The Cubs must make him work and not swing at his pitch. Granted today is the last game of the year, but going out with a loss against Doug Davis would not be a good way to end the season.
Davis is coming off a loss to the Giants and is 1-3 in his last five starts with a 6.84 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP.
Doug Davis' best start of the year, by far, came against the Cubs.
Davis is 8-6 in 15 career games against the Cubs with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.
- Jeff Baker - 2-for-13 with a home run and a walks
- Ryan Dempster - 0-for-3
- Mike Fontenot - 0-for-3
- Kosuke Fukudome - 0-for-1 with 2 walks
- Reed Johnson - 2-for-7 with a double
- Derrek Lee - 5-for-27 with a double, 3 home runs and 3 walks
- Aaron Miles - 2-for-11 with 2 walks
- Aramis Ramirez - 5-for-25 with a double, 2 home runs and 2 walks
- Geovany Soto - 0-for-5 with a walk
- So Taguchi - 7-for-23 with a double, a triple and 4 walks
- Ryan Theriot - 5-for-12 with a walk
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball ... One more time
On this, the final game of a disappointing season...I'd like to wish
everyone on the CCO a healthy and prosperous offseason. May laughter come easy...and mat we all be excited about the playoffs a year from now....No kool-aid just wistful.
Hey Neil,
In regard to the season record predictions, If I am closest in the loss total and Boseph is closest to the win total, isn't that still a tie?
Gary, that is a great question. Have not thought about that ... but I will. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
Well, the way it looks is this:
Wins: Me
Losses: You
NL Central Standings: The real loser here is Milton Bradley...amiright??
Fukudome HR's: You
Big Z HR's: Tie (and we both guessed right on the mark)
So the way it looks is that the Central standings is the dealbreaker.
Grace will likely be our biggest challenge today. Maybe he hits for the cycle. LOL
Maybe 78 is the most critical number for the season. That's the number of games ARAM missed--and Bradley didn't miss. ARAM's bat was a huge loss. Had Bradley missed 78 games, he wouldn't have qualified for the third year of his deal--another huge loss for the Cubs.
The final lineup of 2009:
Theriot - SS
Taguchi - LF
Lee - 1B
Fox - 3B
Baker - 2B
Johnson - RF
Soto - C
Fuld - CF
Dempster - P
It's past the holiday, but atoning is always in order. The goofus had a line of .257-12-40. How would you grade an expert who predicted .270-20-70? It's certain that another expert who predicted .295-25-95 would get an "F".
Yes, in the season-long battle of the experts, Aaron (the Bull) Dunn gets a pass and JimK (the Saber) Bradley gets an "F".
The prize (to be shared) of a 6 pack of Miller Lite and 4 ball park franks awaits the determination of a place and time.
If I win The Fuku HR guess and tie you on the Zambrano HRs, that's an overall win for me, not a wash between the 2 of us. You did guess the Cubs place in the standings, but that should be be negated because you picked the Astros to finish first. JK
It's not that big of a deal to me and with these final words on the matter, I rest my case.
Nice job by Fuld holding Tracy at second
Theriot has gotta come back next season with more patience
If he comes back...He is one of the few tradeable pieces.
He really seems to be stronger in the first half...all 3 seasons.
Demp does something in the 3rd that he hasn't for a while--gives up 2 runs. Cubs waist a Fuld leadoff double in their half. Come on bats!!
Davis could be extra tough today. It his last impression before be becomes a free agent.
They wasted Fuld's double too. LOL
Why won't they pitch Chris Young differently?
Good question, Neil. DBacks are teeing off on D today. Young's 3 run homer makes it 5 zip. Maybe I'm fortunate having to leave for the street cookout. I do have the Colts to cheer. Peyton has simply been a surgeon with his passing this year--albeit against weaker teams.
Davis may be pitching for a contract, but he always does this to the Cubs. They allow him to succeed, plain and simple ... but it is still happening. They have yet to score a run against him this season ... 11 innings.
I've said it before. The Cubs must make changes and improvements to their advanced scouting.
The Cubs always seem to have trouble against off-speed stuff.
Put it in your suggestion to Rickett's list Neil...lol
Will stop back after the game...back to work.
We have a new Mighty Mite...Sam Fuld with a blast into the bleachers on the final day. Demps day is done and the Cubs are down 5-1 after 5.
SAMMY!!!
First career homer and RBI!
Durham N.H. is incredibly beautiful at this time of year when the foliage is ablaze. If Fuld returns to his home town...he'll be ablaze as well with his first homer.
Love that Fuld got his first RBI and even better that it was on a homerun! There was a recent article on Cubs.com with Fuld talking about how he was getting riibed by his teammates for not having an RBI. Especially when Colvin gets one without having an official at bat. I really want to see Fuld get a shot and CF next year in a platoon with Reed Johnson. (Obviously have to sign Reed as a free agent).
Neil....
A big tip of the Cubs hat to you for all your hard work this season. As frustrating as it became at times, you never missed a beat and on behalf of all CCO members I say... THANK YOU.
A second tip to Abby for being so patient and understanding as her hubby spends so much time on the computer....as well as a continued tip of the cap to all the CCO members who make this site what it is!
Stay Classy Cubs Fans.....
Joe, thank you.
Neil I cannot add anymore to what has been said from all the other members of CCO, the work you do for your fellow fans is fantastic and we appreciate all the work you put in.
Good riddance 2009 Cubs...
Thanks for all you do Neil. It was not the best of years but not the worst of years either. As always, Wait Till Next Year. What'll it be? AC0164101?
I am debating whether or not to go visit the grandkids in Phoenix next March.
Have a pleasant Winter and see you next year.
Shame the CUBBIES lost to this horrible douchebag of a team.