• Cubs Convention
  • Interviews
  • MLB Transaction Glossary | Rules
    • Major League Baseball Transactions Glossary
    • MLB Rule 7.13 – Collisions at Home Plate
    • MLB Slide Rule on Double Plays Adopted for 2016 Season
  • Archives
    • Chicago Cubs Online General Info
    • Community Blog Archives
    • CCO Cubs-Metrics
    • CCO Cubs Podcast
    • CCO Feedback
    • CCO Predictions
    • CCO Opinion – You Know Better
    • The CCO Wrigley Perspective
    • Fantasy Baseball
    • The Northside Media Guide
  • Cubstory

Chicago Cubs Online

A Site for The Cubs Faithful Since 2005

  • Home
  • News | Transactions
    • News and Transactions
    • Cubs Regular Season Notes
    • Cubs Spring Training News Reports
    • Cubs Off-Season News Reports
  • Minor Leagues
    • Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 2008 to Present
    • Minor League Transactions Glossary
    • Cubs Minor League Players and Pitchers of the Year 1990 – 2017
    • Minor League Updates – 2005-2007
  • Rumors
    • If The Ivy Could Talk – Cubs Rumors
  • Game Day
    • Let’s Play 2 – Game Recap
    • Talkin’ Cubs Live
    • Cactus League-Spring Training
  • Opinion
    • The CCO, Live from Wrigleyville
    • Notes from the Soap Box
  • 40-Man Roster | Contracts
Chicago Cubs Online > Talkin' Cubs Live > Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Nationals – 07/04/07

Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Nationals – 07/04/07

July 4, 2007 8:30 am By Neil Leave a Comment

Game Eighty-Three: Cubs (42-40) vs. Nationals (33-50)
Game Time – 11:05am C.T. WGN TV, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 183
Location – RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington D.C.

Rich Hill (5-5, 3.49/1.33) vs. Matt Chico (3-5, 4.74/1.54)

Happy 4th of July from everyone here at the CCO…. Coffee, donuts and Cubs’ baseball? Today’s start time of 11:05am C.T. is the earliest for Lou Piniella’s crew of the year and it will be a battle of southpaws. Rich Hill will take on fellow lefty Matt Chico and the Cubs offense will look to get back on track after a lackluster performance on Tuesday night. After Tuesday’s game, Lou Piniella praised his two catchers and said that both Koyie Hill and Rob Bowen have been doing a good job of handling his pitching staff. The Cubs need to stay on track today against a team that is struggling to score runs and it all starts with Rich Hill. The Cubs have struggled against southpaws this year to the tune of an 8-11 record. Lou Piniella’s crew will not only face a lefty, but a rookie they have not seen before….typically not a winning combination. The Cubs need to score early and often and give Rich Hill time to get into a rhythm. Aramis Ramirez is scheduled to be back in the starting lineup. Rob Bowen should make the start behind the plate and Mark DeRosa should start in right field.

Rich Hill has really struggled of late. After getting beaten around by the Padres on June 17th (5 runs on 5 hits, in 3 innings with 3 home runs), he pitched a very good game against the White Sox before taking a few steps back against the Brewers. Hill gave up 5 runs, again, in 3 innings on 5 hits. Hill struggled with his command and could not locate his trademark curveball. Piniella has received quality outings from Jason Marquis, Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano, so his bullpen has received some much-needed rest but Rich Hill needs to finish the first half on a positive note with a winning record.

Hill beat the Nationals on May 5th at Wrigley. He allowed 1 run on 6 hits in 6 innings of work….the win was Hill lone victory in the month of May. Hill has cut down on his walks and his strikeout to walk ratio is very good (more than 4:1, 33 strikeouts to 8 walks in his last 33 1/3 innings) but his problem lately is he is being hit very hard in between the k’s….18 runs, 16 earned, on 31 hits in his last 6 starts.

Matt Chico has done his job for Manny Acta. Today will be his 18th start of the season and he is coming off the best start of his career. Chico did not allow a run on 6 hits in 6 innings of work against the Pirates and has only allowed 1 earned run in his last 2 starts (12 innings). The Cubs will have plenty of chances against Chico (38 hits, 13 walks and 18 strikeouts in his last 35 innings) they just have to take advantage….which may be easier than it sounds.

Chico is 3-1 with a 5.17 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP in 9 starts this season at RFK. Lefties are hitting .315 with a .375 OBP while righties are hitting .272 with a .349 OBP.

  • The Cubs are 115-92 all time on July 4th….most wins of any single day as well as the most losses of any single day.

Let’s Talk Cubs Independence Day Baseball….

Filed Under: Talkin' Cubs Live

Archives


Memories of Mr. Cub

A Tribute to Mr. Cub

Forever, THE Cub
What is Eamus Catuli
What is Eamus Catuli?
Lakeview Baseball Club

Subscribe to the CCO

Get Cubs Updates in Your Inbox

Tweets by TheCCO

Stats


Trips to the North Side

Copyright © 2021 5 & 11 Online Productions
Privacy Policy | Commenting Policy | About | Contact
ChicagoCubsOnline.com is not affiliated with the Chicago National League Ballclub

7ads6x98y