Top 9 (10:44): Well, there goes the shutout. Should have been over with a Soto strikeout, but the First Base Umpire is evidently an idiot. Anyways, a Reed Johnson strikeout brings this one to a close.
Meanwhile, in Houston, the Brewers are losing by 5. Good night. Goodnight.
Bottom 8 (10:28): Nothing happened. Whatever. C'mon Franklin!
Top 8 (10:22): Jason Motte sucks, then doesn't. Dennys Reyes made Fukudome look like an idiot.
3 MORE OUTS!!
Bottom 7 (10:11): Rick Sutcliffe is absolutely gushing over the new Busch Stadium. For a former Cub, I sort of like this guy.
Another hit from Duncan starts the inning off right. Sacrifice works from Barden (although it probably should not have). Walk to get to Khalil Greene who flies out weakly. Heads up running play from Duncan on a ball that shouldn't have scored the run.
Dempster out. 2-run lead. I feel better, but I wonder who is coming in
Top 7 (9:54): "Another good inning from McClellan."
Bottom 6 (9:49): Another inning ending double play. Chances of victory: 55%
Top 6 (9:40): McClellan pitched nicely. I hate hitting batters, but if you have to hit someone I suppose I prefer Fukudome, who is most likely to get on anyway. Nice K to end the inning.
GET SOME RUNS!!
Bottom 5 (9:30): Carpenter is done. Damn.
Waino pinch-hitting, that is how shallow the Cardinal bench is. Feeble strike out.
Kyle McClellan is warming up. I am confident that the Cardinals are going to lose if they don't score again.
Another easy inning for Dempster.
Top 5 (9:24): I ran to the restroom (TMI?) and suddenly the top half of the inning was over. I guess that's a good thing. I hope Carp isn't at 75. :(
Bottom 4 (9:18): Pujols turned a single into a double. My heavens this man is good! Molina moves him over to 3rd for Duncan. I am supremely concerned about a K here, or weak grounder back to the pitcher. What shall it be ... base knock! Run! Credit Albert Pujols for creating that opportunity.
Stavinoha adds a double-play to his strike out in his first at bat. I am not impressed.
Top 4 (9:11): Lead-off walk = shit. Fly out leads to double play! Another fly out ends the inning. I am pleased.
That said, the broadcasters seem to think Carp is on a 75 pitch pitch count. Dang. I fear we are looking at at least four innings from the bullpen.
Bottom 3 (9:00): Carp swung! Weak grounder though. Ugh. Schumaker reaches but Rasmus lines into a double play in front of Pujols. Crap.
Top 3 (8:52): The Cubs hitters that have reached have all done so by going with the pitches and taking them to the opposite field. Anyways, Carp gave up a double (it was a single and Stavinoha took his sweet time getting to it) but got out of it. Carp is up next, let's see if he swings.
Bottom 2 (8:44): DO SOMETHING!!!
Top 2 (8:37): Yep, a pitcher's duel. Settle in.
Bottom 1 (8:30): Ugh. Is this going to be a pitcher's duel? *Sigh*
Top 1 (8:22): Soriano K - grrrreat! So excited! Then the crap from Carp. Walk to Fukudome. Derrick Lee single. Then a double-play! It worked out. Whew!
Thank you, ESPN, for this evening. That said, your love of the Cubs is bound to annoy ths shit out of me tonight, but you can't be any worse than WGN ... I hope.
Before we start, let's have a look at Alphonso Soriano looking ridiculous during a WWE event in Chicago. PLAY BALL!
Showing posts with label Chicago Cubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Cubs. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
LIVE BLOGGING!!
RECAP: Joel Pineiro was awesome. Molina was clutch in the first, and Rasmus homered (again).
Top 9th (10:19): Quick first out. Un-quick second out. Soriano K. Awesome game!
Bottom 8th (10:12): Two fly outs to right. Pujols double (how the hell did he get to 2nd on that?). Molina ground out. The Cards clearly feel they have scored enough runs. I hope they're right.
It's Ryan Franklin intimidating beard time!! EDIT: J.P. going for the shutout! What was I thinking?
Top 8th (10:02): Duncan and Stavinoha out. Improved defense. One pitch, one out. Another out and then a Geovany Soto K. Cubs look like shit, let's be honest.
Bottom 7th (9:57): Another easy inning for Lilly. The Brewers have a 2-run lead in Houston right now.
Top 7th (9:52): J.P. keeps rolling. Two fly outs in the game (this does not include Lee's line out to center).
Cubs broadcasters are so desperate they are hoping for Cardinal errors. "All Cardinals, all Pineiro so far."
Bottom 6th (9:45): Molina hustle out. Duncan hustle out. Stavinoha to the warning track. Lilly would be winning this game most days.
When Derrick Lee does pretty much anything the broadcasters make comments about his health. "Hope he is alright." Really? So fragile that his health is a concern everytime he fields a ball? Sad.
Top 6th (9:40): One pitch, one out. Lilly out. Soriano out. J.P. is working faster than I can type! (Not really.)
Bottom 5th (9:34): I thirst for runs. The Cardinals, however, are shit. Two hits. That's it. Two. Pathetic.
J.P. strikes out looking. Thurston lines out to 1B. The Cardinals have officially let the struggling opposing pitcher find a groove. this pathetic inning is about to end ...
Wait ...
Ryan reaches for the third time with a single to center. Rasmus no-doubt dinger. 3-run lead. Russ smiles, sips beer, sits back.
Lilly's curveball is nasty, btw. It look's unnaturally ... um ... curvy(?).
Top 5th (9:22): The Cubs keep swinging on the first pitch. Two quick outs. Unfortunately, Fontenot's swing gave him a double. Fortunately, Soto still sucks. Cubs stranded their first runner of the night. Good stuff.
Bottom 4th (9:15): Chris Duncan K's looking. Pathetic. Has he done anything recently? Stavinoha single followed up moments later by Barden double-play. I guess the Cardinals are satisfied with one run.
Rasmus' sacrifice is starting to look sensible.
Top 4th (9:10): One pitch, one out, for Soriano. 35 pitches to get the first 10 outs = nice. Two pitches, second out. One pitch, third out. 38 pitches through 4 IP = RUSS LIKES!
Now, SCORE!
Bottom 3rd (9:06): Thurston draws a walk and sprints to first base. I love that. Brendan Ryan, who also walked to lead off an inning, walks again. Two men on and no outs, Rasmus fails to move the runners over. Terrible. Got to get that runner to 3rd so the next hitter can get a sac fly.
Pujols through two at bats: 3 LOB, 2 in scoring position. Ugh.
Will Molina deliver? No. Wasted opportunity.
Bob Brenly stupid comment counter: 3 ("... when Cubs fans are in attendance all you see is blue." Really? Cubs fans don't wear white or gray?).
Top 3rd (8:50): Remember when Giovany Soto was good? Me either. Aaron Miles hits like a girl. Ted Lilly got embarrassed by a ball in the dirt.
J.P. looks pretty good. Now that I have said that I expect total failure.
Bottom 2nd (8:46): Stavinoha = CRAP. Barden = CRAP. J.P. = SHIT. Cards' half of the 2nd = *pfffttt* (that's supposed to be a fart noise -- I am trying to suggest it was a bad half inning).
Top 2nd (8:40): Before the first pitch of the inning WGN showed an overweight Cardinals fan with his chest painted and suggested a dress code for "this park." Whatever.
D. Lee gets a single up the middle. Milton Bradley hits into DP. Mike Fontenot swings like a girl.
Easy inning.
Bottom of the First (8:32): Lead-off walk, sacrifice (WHY!?), then Pujols. Teeming with anticipation ... for a foul out. Ugh. Thankfully, mercifully, Molina drives the run home -- improving his .429 average with runners in scoring position.
LaRussa looked PISSED after Rasmus' bunt. He isn't the only pissed off observer. Are the Cardinals so pathetic that they need to sacrifice runners into scoring position in the first? Terrible decision by Rasmus, who is batting .080 against lefties.
Broadcaster note: The Cardinals have only scored 13 runs with Ludwick out. I feel sick.
Top of the First (8:18): Bob Brenly just called Chris Duncan a "truck driver" and said to "be careful." I have no idea what he is talking about or who he is talking to. J.P. took one batter to piss me off. The broadcasters are already getting a lot of mileage out of how great the Cardinal staff was last month and how crappy it has been in May.
Molina pick-off! Cubs broadcasters think it was a bad call. Objectivity FAIL!
First Impressions (8:13): WGN looks like shit and their broadcasters are shit. Bob Brenly is a nice guy, but I don't like him as a broadcaster. I may have to mute this slop. They think Derrick Lee is going to have a good game because he had a good game yesterday. Great analysis, thanks.
Since I am watching this evening's game on WGN. And since I haven't watched or blogged the last three games (thankfully?). And since Art and Beth have left and hopefully un-cursed the Cards. Here goes the live blogging.
Top 9th (10:19): Quick first out. Un-quick second out. Soriano K. Awesome game!
Bottom 8th (10:12): Two fly outs to right. Pujols double (how the hell did he get to 2nd on that?). Molina ground out. The Cards clearly feel they have scored enough runs. I hope they're right.
It's Ryan Franklin intimidating beard time!! EDIT: J.P. going for the shutout! What was I thinking?
Top 8th (10:02): Duncan and Stavinoha out. Improved defense. One pitch, one out. Another out and then a Geovany Soto K. Cubs look like shit, let's be honest.
Bottom 7th (9:57): Another easy inning for Lilly. The Brewers have a 2-run lead in Houston right now.
Top 7th (9:52): J.P. keeps rolling. Two fly outs in the game (this does not include Lee's line out to center).
Cubs broadcasters are so desperate they are hoping for Cardinal errors. "All Cardinals, all Pineiro so far."
Bottom 6th (9:45): Molina hustle out. Duncan hustle out. Stavinoha to the warning track. Lilly would be winning this game most days.
When Derrick Lee does pretty much anything the broadcasters make comments about his health. "Hope he is alright." Really? So fragile that his health is a concern everytime he fields a ball? Sad.
Top 6th (9:40): One pitch, one out. Lilly out. Soriano out. J.P. is working faster than I can type! (Not really.)
Bottom 5th (9:34): I thirst for runs. The Cardinals, however, are shit. Two hits. That's it. Two. Pathetic.
J.P. strikes out looking. Thurston lines out to 1B. The Cardinals have officially let the struggling opposing pitcher find a groove. this pathetic inning is about to end ...
Wait ...
Ryan reaches for the third time with a single to center. Rasmus no-doubt dinger. 3-run lead. Russ smiles, sips beer, sits back.
Lilly's curveball is nasty, btw. It look's unnaturally ... um ... curvy(?).
Top 5th (9:22): The Cubs keep swinging on the first pitch. Two quick outs. Unfortunately, Fontenot's swing gave him a double. Fortunately, Soto still sucks. Cubs stranded their first runner of the night. Good stuff.
Bottom 4th (9:15): Chris Duncan K's looking. Pathetic. Has he done anything recently? Stavinoha single followed up moments later by Barden double-play. I guess the Cardinals are satisfied with one run.
Rasmus' sacrifice is starting to look sensible.
Top 4th (9:10): One pitch, one out, for Soriano. 35 pitches to get the first 10 outs = nice. Two pitches, second out. One pitch, third out. 38 pitches through 4 IP = RUSS LIKES!
Now, SCORE!
Bottom 3rd (9:06): Thurston draws a walk and sprints to first base. I love that. Brendan Ryan, who also walked to lead off an inning, walks again. Two men on and no outs, Rasmus fails to move the runners over. Terrible. Got to get that runner to 3rd so the next hitter can get a sac fly.
Pujols through two at bats: 3 LOB, 2 in scoring position. Ugh.
Will Molina deliver? No. Wasted opportunity.
Bob Brenly stupid comment counter: 3 ("... when Cubs fans are in attendance all you see is blue." Really? Cubs fans don't wear white or gray?).
Top 3rd (8:50): Remember when Giovany Soto was good? Me either. Aaron Miles hits like a girl. Ted Lilly got embarrassed by a ball in the dirt.
J.P. looks pretty good. Now that I have said that I expect total failure.
Bottom 2nd (8:46): Stavinoha = CRAP. Barden = CRAP. J.P. = SHIT. Cards' half of the 2nd = *pfffttt* (that's supposed to be a fart noise -- I am trying to suggest it was a bad half inning).
Top 2nd (8:40): Before the first pitch of the inning WGN showed an overweight Cardinals fan with his chest painted and suggested a dress code for "this park." Whatever.
D. Lee gets a single up the middle. Milton Bradley hits into DP. Mike Fontenot swings like a girl.
Easy inning.
Bottom of the First (8:32): Lead-off walk, sacrifice (WHY!?), then Pujols. Teeming with anticipation ... for a foul out. Ugh. Thankfully, mercifully, Molina drives the run home -- improving his .429 average with runners in scoring position.
LaRussa looked PISSED after Rasmus' bunt. He isn't the only pissed off observer. Are the Cardinals so pathetic that they need to sacrifice runners into scoring position in the first? Terrible decision by Rasmus, who is batting .080 against lefties.
Broadcaster note: The Cardinals have only scored 13 runs with Ludwick out. I feel sick.
Top of the First (8:18): Bob Brenly just called Chris Duncan a "truck driver" and said to "be careful." I have no idea what he is talking about or who he is talking to. J.P. took one batter to piss me off. The broadcasters are already getting a lot of mileage out of how great the Cardinal staff was last month and how crappy it has been in May.
Molina pick-off! Cubs broadcasters think it was a bad call. Objectivity FAIL!
First Impressions (8:13): WGN looks like shit and their broadcasters are shit. Bob Brenly is a nice guy, but I don't like him as a broadcaster. I may have to mute this slop. They think Derrick Lee is going to have a good game because he had a good game yesterday. Great analysis, thanks.
Since I am watching this evening's game on WGN. And since I haven't watched or blogged the last three games (thankfully?). And since Art and Beth have left and hopefully un-cursed the Cards. Here goes the live blogging.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Break It Down! - April 26th Edition
We all know it has been a mixed bag so far this year from Wellemeyer. Bad start, good start, bad start. That means he is due, right? Probably not, but Wellemeyer is pitching for a team that has won 5 straight and 9 in a row at home. The Cardinals have also scored the most runs in the National League, so he has that going for him.
Rich Harden is a fragile little girl. I expect him to strain something sneezing between innings - 3 months on the DL.
Sooooo, every so often I check ESPN's "Accuscore Projection" to find out who is going to win the day's ball game. The computer says the Cubs win Sunday, 58% likelihood. I guess there is no point in watching. Still, the game is on WGN so I will probably watch it anyway.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in St. Louis. GO CARDS!!
Rich Harden is a fragile little girl. I expect him to strain something sneezing between innings - 3 months on the DL.
Sooooo, every so often I check ESPN's "Accuscore Projection" to find out who is going to win the day's ball game. The computer says the Cubs win Sunday, 58% likelihood. I guess there is no point in watching. Still, the game is on WGN so I will probably watch it anyway.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in St. Louis. GO CARDS!!
Ohhhhhhhh, now I understand
Apparently the Cardinals didn't beat the Cubs Saturday. According to the Cubs' website, the "shorthanded Cubs" "fell short" against the Cardinals. Here is a summary:
"Sean Marshall tossed six solid frames, but he scored half of the runs produced by a makeshift Cubs lineup, and the 'pen allowed things to get away in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Cards."Awfully early for the excuses, isn't it?
Break It Down! - April 25th Edition
Last week Sean Marshall pitched 5 innings against the Cardinals and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. Marshall didn't factor in the decision, but the Cardinals won 7 - 4. In that game Duncan had 3 hits, including a home run against Marshall.
During last week's series Mitchell Boggs allowed 1 run to the Cubs in 2 innings of relief. Two hits and a walk, three strikeouts. Not bad. Still, he's a rookie starting against one of the finest offenses in baseball (at least I am told they're one of the finest offenses in baseball). That having been said, the Cardinals score 1.4 more runs per game than the Cubs.
Notes:
- The Cardinals 8 game streak of scoring 5 or more runs per game ended last night (I expect them to start a new streak tonight);
- The Cardinals have won 8 straight home games entering today's game;
- St. Louis leads the Major Leagues with a .303 batting average. They lead the National League with 64 extra-base hits;
- Ryan Franklin is 5-for-5 in save opportunities;
- Earlier in the week LaRussa said that Albert Pujols is a "perfect player." Buster Olney of ESPN considered the question, and determined that Albert is in fact the second most perfect player, behind only Willie Mays.
- Somebody at ESPN actually took notice of a rivalry other than the Yanks-Sawx. In the article, which I think trivializes the rivalry, the author calles Aaron Miles "a cheaper version of Mark DeRosa." What a joke. I like Aaron Miles, but his slugging percentage was .398 last year. DeRosa's slugging percentage was .481, to go along with 87 RBI.
I was just looking at the Major League standings and I noticed that Boston has won 8 consecutive games. Ugh. Peter Gammons must be so happy.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in St. Louis. GO CARDS!!
During last week's series Mitchell Boggs allowed 1 run to the Cubs in 2 innings of relief. Two hits and a walk, three strikeouts. Not bad. Still, he's a rookie starting against one of the finest offenses in baseball (at least I am told they're one of the finest offenses in baseball). That having been said, the Cardinals score 1.4 more runs per game than the Cubs.
Notes:
- The Cardinals 8 game streak of scoring 5 or more runs per game ended last night (I expect them to start a new streak tonight);
- The Cardinals have won 8 straight home games entering today's game;
- St. Louis leads the Major Leagues with a .303 batting average. They lead the National League with 64 extra-base hits;
- Ryan Franklin is 5-for-5 in save opportunities;
- Earlier in the week LaRussa said that Albert Pujols is a "perfect player." Buster Olney of ESPN considered the question, and determined that Albert is in fact the second most perfect player, behind only Willie Mays.
- Somebody at ESPN actually took notice of a rivalry other than the Yanks-Sawx. In the article, which I think trivializes the rivalry, the author calles Aaron Miles "a cheaper version of Mark DeRosa." What a joke. I like Aaron Miles, but his slugging percentage was .398 last year. DeRosa's slugging percentage was .481, to go along with 87 RBI.
I was just looking at the Major League standings and I noticed that Boston has won 8 consecutive games. Ugh. Peter Gammons must be so happy.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in St. Louis. GO CARDS!!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Break It Down! April 24th Edition
The Pitchers:
- Cardinals: Adam Wainwright is pitching on 7 days rest tonight. He was flip-flopped with Lohse because Tony preferred Lohse against the Mets and Waino against the Cubs over the alternative. That worked out well against the Mets. Wainwright's last start was a win against the Cubs last Friday. The main reason the Cardinals won that game, however, was Zambrano's meltdown, not Wainwright's success. I am hopeful that Wainwright can get deeper into this game, but I am not confident of it.
- Cubs: Ryan Dempster hasn't pitched since last Saturday, when he gave up 4 runs over 6 innings (as I predicted). Dempster didn't factor in the decision (7-5 extra innings loss). I expect more of the same tonight, with a possibility of even more runs from the red hot Cardinal bats.
The Lineups:
- Cardinals: Ludwick, Schumaker, LaRue, Molina, Duncan, and Pujols (surprise!) have all enjoyed some degree of success against Dempster, but I wouldn't say anyone has owned him. Last Saturday Ludwick and Greene did the damage and Albert and Ankiel went a combined 0-for-10. After their success in the Mets series I expect much more from those two gentlemen.
- Cubs: These losers only scored one run over the past two days. Although Waino wasn't great last week, only Fukudome really did damage, and I expect the Cubs to be similarly productive tonight.
NOTE: This game is on WGN so I should get to watch it! If I am really lucky maybe I will get to see Jeff Smardzija, who got recalled the other day. *Groan*
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in St. Louis. GO CARDS!!
- Cardinals: Adam Wainwright is pitching on 7 days rest tonight. He was flip-flopped with Lohse because Tony preferred Lohse against the Mets and Waino against the Cubs over the alternative. That worked out well against the Mets. Wainwright's last start was a win against the Cubs last Friday. The main reason the Cardinals won that game, however, was Zambrano's meltdown, not Wainwright's success. I am hopeful that Wainwright can get deeper into this game, but I am not confident of it.
- Cubs: Ryan Dempster hasn't pitched since last Saturday, when he gave up 4 runs over 6 innings (as I predicted). Dempster didn't factor in the decision (7-5 extra innings loss). I expect more of the same tonight, with a possibility of even more runs from the red hot Cardinal bats.
The Lineups:
- Cardinals: Ludwick, Schumaker, LaRue, Molina, Duncan, and Pujols (surprise!) have all enjoyed some degree of success against Dempster, but I wouldn't say anyone has owned him. Last Saturday Ludwick and Greene did the damage and Albert and Ankiel went a combined 0-for-10. After their success in the Mets series I expect much more from those two gentlemen.
- Cubs: These losers only scored one run over the past two days. Although Waino wasn't great last week, only Fukudome really did damage, and I expect the Cubs to be similarly productive tonight.
NOTE: This game is on WGN so I should get to watch it! If I am really lucky maybe I will get to see Jeff Smardzija, who got recalled the other day. *Groan*
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in St. Louis. GO CARDS!!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Break It Down! April 19th Edition
The Pitchers:
- Cardinals: Todd Wellemeyer was crap in his first start and he wasn't in his second. The result is a 1-1 record, a 4.50 ERA, and no idea what to expect from him. Last year Wellemeyer won his only start at Wrigley, but none of his 4 starts against the Cubs was particularly notable (2-2, 3.32 ERA). Hard to say what we can expect from Wellemeyer, but one would like to think he'll be better than his first start this season (5 IP, 5 ER on 12 hits and 2 walks) and at least nearly as good as his second (7 IP, 1 ER on 7 hits).
- Cubs: I hate Ted Lilly for some reason. Not sure why (other than his uniform). Anyways, Lilly was 3-0 in 5 starts against the Cardinals last season with a 3.06 ERA. Lilly is also 2-0 so far this seasosn. These are not things that make me feel confident. Crap.
The Lineups:
- Cardinals: Ted Lilly throws the baseball with his left hand, so it may be safe to assume that he will perform nicely against the Cardinals. In fact, no one on the Cardinals current roster has been terribly good against Lilly. Only Pujols (surprise!), with 2 HRs and 7 other hits in 28 ABs, has had any noteworthy success.
- Cubs: None of the Cubs have been very good against Wellemeyer - in 77 ABs the current Cubs roster has 0 HRs and 0 triples against Wellemeyer, and only 5 doubles. Still, the Cubs lineup is good, I am sure they will breakthrough for a few runs.
NOTE: This game is on national television, ESPN2 to be exact. I am looking forward to watching.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in Chicago. GO CARDS!!
- Cardinals: Todd Wellemeyer was crap in his first start and he wasn't in his second. The result is a 1-1 record, a 4.50 ERA, and no idea what to expect from him. Last year Wellemeyer won his only start at Wrigley, but none of his 4 starts against the Cubs was particularly notable (2-2, 3.32 ERA). Hard to say what we can expect from Wellemeyer, but one would like to think he'll be better than his first start this season (5 IP, 5 ER on 12 hits and 2 walks) and at least nearly as good as his second (7 IP, 1 ER on 7 hits).
- Cubs: I hate Ted Lilly for some reason. Not sure why (other than his uniform). Anyways, Lilly was 3-0 in 5 starts against the Cardinals last season with a 3.06 ERA. Lilly is also 2-0 so far this seasosn. These are not things that make me feel confident. Crap.
The Lineups:
- Cardinals: Ted Lilly throws the baseball with his left hand, so it may be safe to assume that he will perform nicely against the Cardinals. In fact, no one on the Cardinals current roster has been terribly good against Lilly. Only Pujols (surprise!), with 2 HRs and 7 other hits in 28 ABs, has had any noteworthy success.
- Cubs: None of the Cubs have been very good against Wellemeyer - in 77 ABs the current Cubs roster has 0 HRs and 0 triples against Wellemeyer, and only 5 doubles. Still, the Cubs lineup is good, I am sure they will breakthrough for a few runs.
NOTE: This game is on national television, ESPN2 to be exact. I am looking forward to watching.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in Chicago. GO CARDS!!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Break It Down! April 18th Edition
The Pitchers:
- Cardinals: Kyle Lohse has been awesome so far this season. Just so you don't think I am being a total homer, the stats back me up. Lohse is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in 16 innings of work. This includes his shutout last week against Houston. All that having been said, I must note that Lohse was pretty mediocre against Chicago last year in three starts. To be precise, 18.1 IP and 13 runs for a 6.38 ERA. Conclusion: cautiously optimistic.
- Cubs: Something about Ryan Dempster just pisses me off. I don't know what it is. Anyways, he is 1-0 so far this season in 2 starts. 4.50 ERA. If Reed Johnson hadn't robbed Prince Fielder though, Dempster's ERA would be much higher. In three starts against the Cardinals last year, however, Dempster was 2-0 with a 2.90 ERA. That's pretty close to his 2.86 home ERA last season too. Ultimately I don't know what to expect from Dempster, but I assume will be 6-8 innings, 2-4 runs. Middle of the road.
The Lineups:
- Cardinals: Ludwick, Schumaker, LaRue, Molina, Duncan, and Pujols (surprise!) have all enjoyed some degree of success against Dempster, but I wouldn't say anyone has owned him. Then again, the Cardinals have scored more runs per game than any other team in the NL so far this season (6 per game). I feel alright about the Cardinals' ability to score runs against right-handed pitchers.
- Cubs: Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Theriot, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirex have all enjoyed some success against Lohse in the past. I guess all these guys will start. Geovany Soto has sucked so far this season, but he has 3-for-8 against Lohse, so I assume he won't sit Saturday.
NOTE: This game is on national television, FOX, in theory. I am sure I will get stuck watching some friggin' AL East game. Whatever. Enjoy it if you get to see it.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in Chicago. GO CARDS!!
- Cardinals: Kyle Lohse has been awesome so far this season. Just so you don't think I am being a total homer, the stats back me up. Lohse is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in 16 innings of work. This includes his shutout last week against Houston. All that having been said, I must note that Lohse was pretty mediocre against Chicago last year in three starts. To be precise, 18.1 IP and 13 runs for a 6.38 ERA. Conclusion: cautiously optimistic.
- Cubs: Something about Ryan Dempster just pisses me off. I don't know what it is. Anyways, he is 1-0 so far this season in 2 starts. 4.50 ERA. If Reed Johnson hadn't robbed Prince Fielder though, Dempster's ERA would be much higher. In three starts against the Cardinals last year, however, Dempster was 2-0 with a 2.90 ERA. That's pretty close to his 2.86 home ERA last season too. Ultimately I don't know what to expect from Dempster, but I assume will be 6-8 innings, 2-4 runs. Middle of the road.
The Lineups:
- Cardinals: Ludwick, Schumaker, LaRue, Molina, Duncan, and Pujols (surprise!) have all enjoyed some degree of success against Dempster, but I wouldn't say anyone has owned him. Then again, the Cardinals have scored more runs per game than any other team in the NL so far this season (6 per game). I feel alright about the Cardinals' ability to score runs against right-handed pitchers.
- Cubs: Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Theriot, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirex have all enjoyed some success against Lohse in the past. I guess all these guys will start. Geovany Soto has sucked so far this season, but he has 3-for-8 against Lohse, so I assume he won't sit Saturday.
NOTE: This game is on national television, FOX, in theory. I am sure I will get stuck watching some friggin' AL East game. Whatever. Enjoy it if you get to see it.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in Chicago. GO CARDS!!
Break It Down! April 17th Edition
This is the face of the enemy:
P.J. Walters and the Cardinals face off against Carlos Zambrano today. Zambrano is probably my most hated baseball player and if memory serves he performs really well against the Cardinals. Turns out, not so much. Last season Zambrano was 1-2 against the Cardinals with a 12.75 ERA. We won't talk about the preceding seasons (suffice it to say my memory hasn't actually faltered).
Albert Pujols (surprise!) has 5 dingers off of Big Z. I would LOVE it if he made it 6 today. Also look for Schumaker to get things going, he has a career OBP of .400 against Zambrano.
All this having been said, the Cardinals are starting a rookie today against one of the finest lineups in the National League (or so we are told). I expect a Cardinal loss, but as long as they are competitive today I still like our chances to take 3 of 4 in this series.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in Chicago. GO CARDS!!
P.J. Walters and the Cardinals face off against Carlos Zambrano today. Zambrano is probably my most hated baseball player and if memory serves he performs really well against the Cardinals. Turns out, not so much. Last season Zambrano was 1-2 against the Cardinals with a 12.75 ERA. We won't talk about the preceding seasons (suffice it to say my memory hasn't actually faltered).Albert Pujols (surprise!) has 5 dingers off of Big Z. I would LOVE it if he made it 6 today. Also look for Schumaker to get things going, he has a career OBP of .400 against Zambrano.
All this having been said, the Cardinals are starting a rookie today against one of the finest lineups in the National League (or so we are told). I expect a Cardinal loss, but as long as they are competitive today I still like our chances to take 3 of 4 in this series.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in Chicago. GO CARDS!!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Break It Down! April 16th Edition
I am totally swamped at work today so let me just say this:
Wainwright has got to be sharp today against a very patient Cubs ball team. If he pitches like he did in his first 2 outings then he may be lucky to go 5 innings. For the Cubs, Sean Marshall is making his first start of the season. He has been pretty good against the Cards in the past (2-1 with a 3.38 ERA lifetime against the Cardinals). No hitter on either team has particularly notable success against either opposing pitcher. I predict the first team to 5 wins.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in Chicago. GO CARDS!!
Wainwright has got to be sharp today against a very patient Cubs ball team. If he pitches like he did in his first 2 outings then he may be lucky to go 5 innings. For the Cubs, Sean Marshall is making his first start of the season. He has been pretty good against the Cards in the past (2-1 with a 3.38 ERA lifetime against the Cardinals). No hitter on either team has particularly notable success against either opposing pitcher. I predict the first team to 5 wins.
Well that's it in the way of analysis(?). Wish I were in Chicago. GO CARDS!!
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