Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (19-23) at Boston Red Sox (23-20)

In Series Previews by berselius276 Comments

This could be interesting. Or very ugly. If you’re looking to be patronized, be sure to check out today’s column by Gordon Edes.

Team Overview

Team stats with respective league rankings

wOBA: Sox: .331 (7th), .328 (3rd)
UZR: Sox: 5.1 (5th), Cubs: -6.7 (11th)
DRS: Sox: -16 (12th), Cubs: -28 (15th)
SP FIP: Sox: 4.25 (12th), Cubs: 4.03 (10th)
RP FIP: Sox: 3.75 (2nd), Cubs: 3.63 (7th) 

The Red Sox numbers were a lot worse in general than I was expecting. Maybe a lot of it was due to their bad start.

Batters

Player wOBA ZiPS wOBA
CF Jacoby Ellsbury .358 .342
2B Dustin Pedroia .311 .363
1B Adrian Gonzalez .400 .412
3B Kevin Youkilis .395 .390
DH David Ortiz .388 .379
RF J.D. Drew .339 .362
SS Jed Lowrie .357 .340
LF Carl Crawford .241 .357
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia .260 .297

The Red Sox are missing starting SS Marco Scutaro, who strained an oblique a few weeks ago. Aside from that most of their injuries are in the rotation. I’m also smugly smiling at Crawford’s struggles this season, though I don’t expect them to continue. If he turns out to be injured, sucks to be Boston.

I don’t know who the Cubs will end up putting in at DH. I guess it will be Soriano, and we’ll get Reed in LF for the first game at least against a LHP. I thought sending Colvin down was the right move, but it should have been done weeks ago. This is a time where they can actually use him.

Pitchers

Player FIP ZiPS FIP
LHP Jon Lester 4.37 3.07
RHP Josh Beckett 2.71 3.20
RHP Clay Buchholz 4.53 3.80
RHP Tim Wakefield 5.21 4.52
RHP Alfredo Aceves 5.32 4.44
RHP Jonathan Papelbon 1.02 2.48
RHP Daniel Bard 3.72 3.35

There’s a chance we’ll see our old friend Rich Hill out of the Sox pen. He still has my favorite curveball ever, but who knows if he can throw it across the plate. The Sox are missing Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lackey to injuries, but both of those guys were at the back of the rotation anyway so replacing them with Wakefield and Aceves isn’t necessarily a huge jump.

Pitching Matchups

As always, I list ERA, FIP, xFIP, and ZiPS projected FIP

Friday: Doug Davis, LHP (1.80, 1.10, 2.01, 4.19) vs Jon Lester, LHP (3.28, 4.37, 3.31, 3.07), 6:10 PM CT, WGN

Lester has had bad luck with balls leaving the yard this year, but that was been more than balanced out by the number of baserunners he’s managed to strand. He’s given up 9 HR in 9 starts, but given his 3.28 ERA I’m guessing a lot of them were solo shots. He has a whopping 86.8 LOB%, so the runners that do get on aren’t finding the plate. Aside from his lousy HR luck, his peripherals are right on track with what you would expect from him. Hopefully the Cubs righty-heavy lineup will be able to take advantage. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Baker get a start at 1b, but given how relatively hot Pena is hitting I don’t know if Quade will sit him.

Davis had a credible start againt the Giants, striking out six in five innings and only walking one. He was probably helped by the cold dreary conditions and luckily for him it’s also likely going to be cool and drizzly for his game tonight. Combining the Human Rain Delay aspects of Davis’s starts and any Red Sox game means this game probably won’t be over until after 10.

Saturday: Carlos Zambrano, RHP (4.89, 3.55, 4.14, 3.50) vs Alfredo Aceves, RHP (2.60, 5.32, 4.72, 4.44), 6:10 PM CT, FOX

This will be Aceves’s first start for the Red Sox. He pitched for the Yankees for the last three years, and was non-tendered after breaking his collarbone in an offseason bicycle accident. His ZiPS projection is as a swingman, so you can bump that up a bit for his ‘starting’ FIP. According to fangraphs he throws a fastball, a cutter, a curve, and a changeup, but that seems like a lot of pitches for a guy that’s primarily been a reliever. Maybe HP can clear things up if he does a F/X for this series.

Z was rolling along somewhat decently for the first 5 innings but was BABIPed out of the game in the 6th. His BABIP overall hasn’t been that bad (.285) but runners that do get on base have been scoring (62.9 LOB%). I’m still concerned by the enormous drop in his GB rate this season. He’s had luck with HRs but that’s not going to last.

I’m curious to see if this game or NYY-NYM will be the ‘national’ game on FOX this week. I’m certainly hoping for the former. But it’s a moot point for me because I’ll be stuck with Rangers-Phillies. Stupid blackouts.

Sunday: Matt Garza, RHP (3.72, 1.82, 2.43, 3.59) vs Tim Wakefield, KBP (5.40, 5.21, 4.80, 4.52), 7:05 PM CT, ESPN

Garza had an atypical outing against the Reds, walking four while striking out only three in 6 innings. He’s had similar bad luck as Z, with a 62.2 LOB% but at least he can point to a .362 BABIP as a culprit. Depending on how this start turns out, we’ll either say that Garza dominated the Red Sox because he’s familiar with the batters or that the Red Sox dominated Garza because they’ve seen him so often.

Wakefield will probably go on pitching forever for the Red Sox. He started his career in 1992 with the Pirates and is now with the Red Sox for his 17th season. His overall numbers are lousy but you can always count on volatility with Wakefield. If his knuckleball is working that day, he’ll have a good start. If not, he’ll be hit hard. He’s made two starts this year, and apparently it was working against the Mariners (1 R) and it very much was not against the Twins (8 R). Given the Cubs lineup, the amount of swinging that could happen in this game could power the wind farms off Cape Cod.

Prediction

From the pitching matchups you’d think the Cubs could almost be favored in this series…but the Red Sox offense is much better than the Cubs. Sox take two out of three and a decent chance of a sweep.


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Comments

  2. jtsunami

    I heard Tony Campana is going to cover the entire outfield so the Cubs can put 8 in the infield. Just a rumor though.

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  4. Berselius

    [quote name=Mish]http://theprocessreport.com/2011/02/10/matt-joyce-jon-lester-and-the-danks-theory-again/

    Just some stuff on Lester’s platoon splits and why getting some lefties in there might be worthwhile.[/quote]

    Throwing a lineup of mostly right-handed batters is basically begging him to throw his best stuff at you all night long.

    Which means it will be all RHP tonight (dying laughing)

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  5. ZappBrannigan

    [quote name=Berselius]
    This could be interesting. Or very ugly. If you’re looking to be patronized, be sure to check out today’s column by Gordon Edes.

    Team Overview
    Team stats with respective league rankings

    wOBA: Sox: .331 (7th), .328 (3rd)
    UZR: Sox: 5.1 (5th), Cubs: -6.7 (11th)
    DRS: Sox: -16 (12th), Cubs: -28 (15th)
    SP FIP: Sox: 4.25 (12th), Cubs: 4.03 (10th)
    RP FIP: Sox: 3.75 (2nd), Cubs: 3.63 (7th)

    The Red Sox numbers were a lot worse in general than I was expecting. Maybe a lot of it was due to their bad start.

    Batters

    Player wOBA ZiPS wOBA
    CF Jacoby Ellsbury .358 .342
    2B Dustin Pedroia .311 .363
    1B Adrian Gonzalez .400 .412
    3B Kevin Youkilis .395 .390
    DH David Ortiz .388 .379
    RF J.D. Drew .339 .362
    SS Jed Lowrie .357 .340
    LF Carl Crawford .241 .357
    C Jarrod Saltalamacchia .260 .297

    The Red Sox are missing starting SS Marco Scutaro, who strained an oblique a few weeks ago. Aside from that most of their injuries are in the rotation. I’m also smugly smiling at Crawford’s struggles this season, though I don’t expect them to continue. If he turns out to be injured, sucks to be Boston.

    I don’t know who the Cubs will end up putting in at DH. I guess it will be Soriano, and we’ll get Reed in LF for the first game at least against a LHP. I thought sending Colvin down was the right move, but it should have been done weeks ago. This is a time where they can actually use him.
    Pitchers

    Player FIP ZiPS FIP
    LHP Jon Lester 4.37 3.07
    RHP Josh Beckett 2.71 3.20
    RHP Clay Buchholz 4.53 3.80
    RHP Tim Wakefield 5.21 4.52
    RHP Alfredo Aceves 5.32 4.44
    RHP Jonathan Papelbon 1.02 2.48
    RHP Daniel Bard 3.72 3.35

    There’s a chance we’ll see our old friend Rich Hill out of the Sox pen. He still has my favorite curveball ever, but who knows if he can throw it across the plate. The Sox are missing Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lackey to injuries, but both of those guys were at the back of the rotation anyway so replacing them with Wakefield and Aceves isn’t necessarily a huge jump.
    Pitching Matchups
    As always, I list ERA, FIP, xFIP, and ZiPS projected FIP

    Friday: Doug Davis, LHP (1.80, 1.10, 2.01, 4.19) vs Jon Lester, LHP (3.28, 4.37, 3.31, 3.07), 6:10 PM CT, WGN
    Lester has had bad luck with balls leaving the yard this year, but that was been more than balanced out by the number of baserunners he’s managed to strand. He’s given up 9 HR in 9 starts, but given his 3.28 ERA I’m guessing a lot of them were solo shots. He has a whopping 86.8 LOB%, so the runners that do get on aren’t finding the plate. Aside from his lousy HR luck, his peripherals are right on track with what you would expect from him. Hopefully the Cubs righty-heavy lineup will be able to take advantage. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Baker get a start at 1b, but given how relatively hot Pena is hitting I don’t know if Quade will sit him.
    Davis had a credible start againt the Giants, striking out six in five innings and only walking one. He was probably helped by the cold dreary conditions and luckily for him it’s also likely going to be cool and drizzly for his game tonight. Combining the Human Rain Delay aspects of Davis’s starts and any Red Sox game means this game probably won’t be over until after 10.

    Saturday: Carlos Zambrano, RHP (4.89, 3.55, 4.14, 3.50) vs Alfredo Aceves, RHP (2.60, 5.32, 4.72, 4.44), 6:10 PM CT, FOX

    This will be Aceves’s first start for the Red Sox. He pitched for the Yankees for the last three years, and was non-tendered after breaking his collarbone in an offseason bicycle accident. His ZiPS projection is as a swingman, so you can bump that up a bit for his ‘starting’ FIP. According to fangraphs he throws a fastball, a cutter, a curve, and a changeup, but that seems like a lot of pitches for a guy that’s primarily been a reliever. Maybe HP can clear things up if he does a F/X for this series.

    Z was rolling along somewhat decently for the first 5 innings but was BABIPed out of the game in the 6th. His BABIP overall hasn’t been that bad (.285) but runners that do get on base have been scoring (62.9 LOB%). I’m still concerned by the enormous drop in his GB rate this season. He’s had luck with HRs but that’s not going to last.

    I’m curious to see if this game or NYY-NYM will be the ‘national’ game on FOX this week. I’m certainly hoping for the former. But it’s a moot point for me because I’ll be stuck with Rangers-Phillies. Stupid blackouts.

    Sunday: Matt Garza, RHP (3.72, 1.82, 2.43, 3.59) vs Tim Wakefield, KBP (5.40, 5.21, 4.80, 4.52), 7:05 PM CT, ESPN

    Garza had an atypical outing against the Reds, walking four while striking out only three in 6 innings. He’s had similar bad luck as Z, with a 62.2 LOB% but at least he can point to a .362 BABIP as a culprit. Depending on how this start turns out, we’ll either say that Garza dominated the Red Sox because he’s familiar with the batters or that the Red Sox dominated Garza because they’ve seen him so often.

    Wakefield will probably go on pitching forever for the Red Sox. He started his career in 1992 with the Pirates and is now with the Red Sox for his 17th season. His overall numbers are lousy but you can always count on volatility with Wakefield. If his knuckleball is working that day, he’ll have a good start. If not, he’ll be hit hard. He’s made two starts this year, and apparently it was working against the Mariners (1 R) and it very much was not against the Twins (8 R). Given the Cubs lineup, the amount of swinging that could happen in this game could power the wind farms off Cape Cod.

    Prediction
    From the pitching matchups you’d think the Cubs could almost be favored in this series…but the Red Sox offense is much better than the Cubs. Sox take two out of three and a decent chance of a sweep.
    [/quote]
    False.

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  6. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Bahston bahstard]And not winning since 1908? Yeah, we’ve heard the line, every team is entitled to a bad century, but c’mon. Are you guys even trying?[/quote]
    Ouch (dying laughing)

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  7. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=Boston]Do you like apples?[/quote]
    Why yes, I do.

    [quote name=Boston]Well we’re all fagets. How do you like them apples?![/quote].

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  8. Mucker

    Man that sucks about Macho Man. One of my fave wrestlers growing up. I loved when him and George the Animal Steel would get into it over Ms. Elizabeth.

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  9. uncle dave

    I fucking loathe Red Sox fans. I’d sooner go to a ballpark filled with Hutus than those fucks. Maybe it’s because they’re too much like Cubs fans…

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  11. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=uncle dave]I fucking loathe Red Sox fans. I’d sooner go to a ballpark filled with Hutus than those fucks. Maybe it’s because they’re too much like Cubs fans…[/quote]
    They’re what Cubs fans would be if the Cubs ever became successful.

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  12. Mish

    From MLBTR:

    Cubs GM Jim Hendry says he hasn’t discussed next year’s spending plans with owner Tom Ricketts, since he’s focused on turning the 2011 team around.

    (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)

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  13. uncle dave

    [quote name=Jame Gumb]They’re what Cubs fans would be if the Cubs ever became successful.[/quote]…and chose to act like they were still put-upon and cursed despite all evidence to the contrary. The Napoleon thing they got going with the Yankess is way more irritating than anything Yankee fans have going on.

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  14. Perkins

    Cubs GM Jim Hendry says he hasn’t discussed next year’s spending plans with owner Tom Ricketts, since he’s focused on finding his unicorn.

    Fixed.

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  15. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=MLBTR]Cubs GM Jim Hendry says he hasn’t discussed next year’s spending plans with owner Tom Ricketts, since it’s a year away..[/quote].

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  16. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=uncle dave]…and chose to act like they were still put-upon and cursed despite all evidence to the contrary. The Napoleon thing they got going with the Yankess is way more irritating than anything Yankee fans have going on.[/quote]
    I don’t know. Yankees fans — and New Yorkers in general — annoy me more than anyone not rooting for OU or Texas A&M.

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  18. Berselius

    I would have guessed Baker in RF, Johnson in LF, Soriano DH. Wonder if something is up with Ramirez or if Q is just giving him a break.

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  19. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Berselius]I would have guessed Baker in RF, Johnson in LF, Soriano DH. Wonder if something is up with Ramirez or if Q is just giving him a break.[/quote]
    I think he’s getting a break.

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  20. uncle dave

    [quote name=Jame Gumb]I don’t know. Yankees fans — and New Yorkers in general — annoy me more than anyone not rooting for OU or Texas A&M.[/quote]Eh, at least there’s a certain honesty to it all. “The Yankees are better than everyone else. Fuhgedaboudit. Why we even talkin’?” I don’t like them, but at least they have a reasonable point of view.

    Red Sox fans, on the other hand, don’t. All of this bullshit about being the little guy, about suffering, it rings a bit hollow after the last decade-plus of glory. (Add to that the fact they’re all Pats fans and it just gets that much more annoying.) Being second out of 30 is hardly a tragic situation…

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  21. WenningtonsGorillaCock

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck]Man that sucks about Macho Man. One of my fave wrestlers growing up. I loved when him and George the Animal Steel would get into it over Ms. Elizabeth.[/quote]
    The rapture has begun!

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  22. Aisle424

    [quote name=Rice Cube]I think he’s getting a break.[/quote]
    I don’t think Soriano has DHed since at least 2009 in interleague. Last year, Lou used the opportunity to give Lee, Ramirez and I think Soto days off in the field. I’ll have to check that, but I remember being frustrated that the Cubs kept playing Soriano AND Nady in AL ballparks where the DH is available.

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  23. Aisle424

    [quote name=Muck Muckintuck]Man that sucks about Macho Man. One of my fave wrestlers growing up. I loved when him and George the Animal Steel would get into it over Ms. Elizabeth.[/quote]
    I’m wondering if he shouted “I’m coming, Elizabeth!” as he had his heart attack.

    Aisle 424 ——> Not being raptured tomorrow

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  24. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=uncle dave]Eh, at least there’s a certain honesty to it all. “The Yankees are better than everyone else. Fuhgedaboudit. Why we even talkin’?” I don’t like them, but at least they have a reasonable point of view.

    Red Sox fans, on the other hand, don’t. All of this bullshit about being the little guy, about suffering, it rings a bit hollow after the last decade-plus of glory. (Add to that the fact they’re all Pats fans and it just gets that much more annoying.) Being second out of 30 is hardly a tragic situation…[/quote]
    The Yankees might have a better team than most, but it’s more about their view of New York.

    BOS fans don’t fall back on their city like NYY fans do. New York is nice and all, but it’s pretty overrated.

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  25. Aisle424

    [quote name=Aisle424]I don’t think Soriano has DHed since at least 2009 in interleague. Last year, Lou used the opportunity to give Lee, Ramirez and I think Soto days off in the field. I’ll have to check that, but I remember being frustrated that the Cubs kept playing Soriano AND Nady in AL ballparks where the DH is available.[/quote]
    My mistake. He played ONE game at DH last season. One.

    Our most obvious DH on the team, the one that EVERYONE says, “It’s a darn shame the Cubs can’t use a DH except for a few times a year” about and he played ONE game at DH last year. Unreal.

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  26. uncle dave

    [quote name=Jame Gumb]The Yankees might have a better team than most, but it’s more about their view of New York.

    BOS fans don’t fall back on their city like NYY fans do. New York is nice and all, but it’s pretty overrated.[/quote]Sorta like Texans?

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  27. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=uncle dave]Sorta like Texans?[/quote]
    Yeah, except worse.

    edit: I’m about as Texan as GW and b, except I’ve been here longer.

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  29. Xoomwaffle

    [quote name=Berselius]Lineup

    SS Castro
    2B Barney
    3B Baker
    DH Ramy
    1B Pena
    CF Byrd
    LF Soriano
    RF Johnson
    C Hill[/quote]
    CF Ellsbury
    2B Pedroia
    1B AGon
    3B Youkilis
    DH Ortiz
    SS Lowrie
    RF Cameron
    LF Crawford
    C Salty

    I want you to look at those two lineups for a second…

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  30. uncle dave

    [quote name=Jame Gumb]Yeah, except worse.

    edit: I’m about as Texan as GW and b, except I’ve been here longer.[/quote]Texas wants you anyway.

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  32. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=Xoomwaffle]I want you to look at those two lineups for a second…[/quote]
    One of them is trying to win games here.

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  33. Mish

    I’m sure this might be semi-false due to the poor starts, but it looks to me that the Sox lineup has 4 guys who are pretty safe bets to make 5 WAR on a yearly basis, and all but Salty can be expected to be 3 WAR players or so.

    The Cubs had only 2 position players with a 3+ WAR last year.

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  36. Mish

    Also, Johnny Cakes won’t be doing the broadcast for the Cubs, he stayed to watch his son play ball in FL.

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  40. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/20/a-wonderfully-sensible-realignmentschedule-optimization-plan/[/quote]
    I could’ve sworn this was written by And Counting.

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  43. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Jame Gumb]The Yankees might have a better team than most, but it’s more about their view of New York.

    BOS fans don’t fall back on their city like NYY fans do. New York is nice and all, but it’s pretty overrated.[/quote]
    I like NYC. Been there many times and always found the people to be stimulating and friendly. Sure, they like to argue with you and poke fun at the midwest, but generally when you go out it’s a fun time, and I went out a LOT (dying laughing)

    The bleacher creachers in RF at Yankee Stadium are pretty cruel though, but hilarious.

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  44. Horny Goat

    the Cubs will be lucky to come out of Boston with 1 win. I hope it comes tomorrow with Z on the hill.

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  45. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Mish]Bill Buckner will fill in on WGN. Other games are national broadcasts so it shouldn’t be an issue.[/quote]
    wut?

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  50. melissa

    I suppose they chose Buckner since he played with and has knowledge of both franchises. I think it’s a good choice. He should bring a perspective that not a lot of other guys would have. I think we should just be happy they didn’t ask Millar to sit in.

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  51. Berselius

    [quote name=melissa]I suppose they chose Buckner since he played with and has knowledge of both franchises. I think it’s a good choice. He should bring a perspective that not a lot of other guys would have. I think we should just be happy they didn’t ask Millar to sit in.[/quote]
    Thanks for that horrible mental image.

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  56. mb21

    [quote name=Berselius]I’m glad there are no more three-series weeks this season. That shit is lame.[/quote]I’m hoping for a few 2-game series in a week and a make-up game.

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  57. GBTS

    [quote name=mb21]I think WGN is showing literally every single positive highlight for the 2011 Cubs right now.[/quote](dying laughing) I was thinking the exact same thing. That was every hit this season.

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  58. mb21

    [quote name=Horny Goat]Youkilis might go 5-5 tonight if Davis doesn’t walk him.[/quote]I think he goes 0-0 with 5 walks. (dying laughing)

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  59. GBTS

    I’m a sucker for this shit. I’m actually giddy to see the Cubs play in Fenway.

    At least until the 2nd inning or so rolls around. (dying laughing)

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  61. mb21

    That graphic right there is why this Cubs/Red Sox similarities is bullshit. The Red Sox since 1918 have a .510 winning percentage while the Cubs have a .490 winning percentage. There’s little these two franchises have in common other than playing in a ballpark that is old as fuck.

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  62. mb21

    [quote name=GBTS](dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)

    There was a key stat missing from that “Cubs-Red Sox Since 1918” graph.[/quote]R+RBI?

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  63. Suburban kid

    Red Sox announcer just said the Cubs are off to a pretty good start, and Soriano is off to a real good start this season.

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  64. mb21

    [quote name=Suburban kid]Red Sox announcer just said the Cubs are off to a pretty good start, and Soriano is off to a real good start this season.[/quote]If by good start he means relative to their previous sucktitude then I agree. If real good start for Soriano means hitting home runs, but otherwise sucking then I also agree.

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  66. mb21

    [quote name=GBTS]We’re sure these two rosters play the same sport, right?[/quote]Same sport. Different level.

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  72. mb21

    [quote name=Suburban kid]I assume the Cubs are paying Al to cover this series.[/quote]Did Al go to this game or something?

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  79. Horny Goat

    [quote name=mb21]That graphic right there is why this Cubs/Red Sox similarities is bullshit. The Red Sox since 1918 have a .510 winning percentage while the Cubs have a .490 winning percentage. There’s little these two franchises have in common other than playing in a ballpark that is old as fuck.[/quote]
    there a few more than that. Sox had a couple decades after WWII that match the cubs futility and they both had very good teams in the late 60s/early 70s, came outs away in the postseason in the 80s and 2003, so the ballpark being “old as fuck” is not the only thing.

    btw, these are my 2 favorite ballparks. personal choice, and I went to fenway in 2000 before all the improvements

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  87. mb21

    That was a clever play by Ellsbury. He ran right into Baker on purpose. He would have scored regardless, but he didn’t know at that point.

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  90. mb21

    [quote name=Suburban kid](dying laughing)

    THis has the makings of a real rivalry.[/quote]It’s because these two teams are so evenly matched. Up and down the lineup.

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  91. Suburban kid

    [quote name=mb21]It’s because these two teams are so evenly matched. Up and down the lineup.[/quote]That part was clearly implied.

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  93. Suburban kid

    [quote name=mb21]It’s because these two teams are so evenly matched, and their stadiums are both old as fuck. .[/quote].

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  98. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Suburban kid]All those ads on the wall really kill the old timey buzz. Not glorious.[/quote]
    old timey parks had all kinds of ads

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  99. mb21

    [quote name=Suburban kid]All those ads on the wall really kill the old timey buzz. Not glorious.[/quote]It’s funny because I never even notice those until I see someone mention them.

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  101. melissa

    Buckner hasn’t hesitated to criticize the players so far. He said Koyie was just not focused when he let a pitch get away and now he’s bagging on Gonzalez for not scoring on the fly ball. I like it.

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  102. Suburban kid

    [quote name=mb21]It’s funny because I never even notice those until I see someone mention them.[/quote]

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  103. GBTS

    [quote name=Horny Goat]old timey parks had all kinds of ads[/quote]NEWPORTS FILTERED

    NOT JUST FOR NEGROES ANYMORE

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  106. melissa

    Considering the first 4 batters reached base before an out was recorded it’s surprising the Red Sox didn’t score 6 or 7 runs against this team.

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  109. mb21

    [quote name=dob]Now if they can just keep holding them to two runs per inning from here on in…[/quote]It would be a closer game that many expected.

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  110. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Suburban kid]All those ads on the wall really kill the old timey buzz. Not glorious.[/quote]

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  111. Mish

    I’m no longer hoping the Cubs win for their own sake, but rather to drop the Red Sox a half game in the AL East. I think I have to turn in my “true Cubs fan” blazer and bowtie today.

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  119. mb21

    [quote name=Xoomwaffle]Soriano just got a hit and it wasn’t a HR????[/quote]OBP up to .296

    Has anyone noticed the SORIAN-OBP-METER when you post a comment? (dying laughing)

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  120. GW

    [quote name=mb21]OBP up to .296

    Has anyone noticed the SORIAN-OBP-METER when you post a comment? (dying laughing)[/quote]
    edit:yes

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  123. Horny Goat

    nice fucking poke Koyie. Why isn’t Welington playing vs a lefty? I think we’ve already established how Hill has sucked more than a thirsty newborn.

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  124. Suburban kid

    [quote name=mb21]I have to admit that I expected the Red Sox to lead 3 to -4 after an inning and a half.[/quote]hater

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  127. Xoomwaffle

    [quote name=Horny Goat]nice fucking poke Koyie. Why isn’t Welington playing vs a lefty? I think we’ve already established how Hill has sucked more than a thirsty newborn.[/quote]
    It’s not like Hill’s defensive prowess should be keeping him in the game…

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  129. melissa

    [quote name=Horny Goat]nice fucking poke Koyie. Why isn’t Welington playing vs a lefty? I think we’ve already established how Hill has sucked more than a thirsty newborn.[/quote]
    Koyie is 5-12 on this road trip, Let’s See What Happens.

    /Ari Kaplan approved

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  131. mb21

    I don’t mind Koyie Hill playing. It’s not like Welington Castillo is some superstar in waiting or something.

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  132. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Xoomwaffle]It’s not like Hill’s defensive prowess should be keeping him in the game…[/quote]
    exactly. he’s made so many defensive gaffes you might as well give castillo some action.

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  134. Horny Goat

    [quote name=mb21]I don’t mind Koyie Hill playing. It’s not like Welington Castillo is some superstar in waiting or something.[/quote]
    I guess you haven’t been watching. There’s no reason not to give Castillo more playing time.

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  135. mb21

    [quote name=Horny Goat]I guess you haven’t been watching. There’s no reason not to give Castillo more playing time.[/quote]Obviously there is since he isn’t playing.

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  136. Suburban kid

    Are you gonna let him say that HG? (dying laughing)

    Also: Barney with the patented slap double.

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  137. mb21

    I can’t find some of the haters gonna hate gifs that ryno has posted here before. Some of those just crack me up.

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  139. mb21

    [quote name=Suburban kid]Are you gonna let him say that HG? (dying laughing)

    Also: Barney with the patented slap double.[/quote](dying laughing) I don’t have the greatest respect for the Cubs, but it’s not like they’re retarded. Welington Castillo can’t hit and is a horrible fielder. Koyie Hill can’t hit and he holds the running game in check. Castillo isn’t any better than Hill.

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  140. Mish

    fWIW, I think I’ve heard Buckner say 2 or 3 intelligent things, which is already higher than Brenly on the season/career. I don’t think his voice or cadence is good, but yeah.

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  141. mb21

    The better question regarding the back-up catcher for the Cubs is why the fuck don’t they have a better one than Hill or Castillo? Makes trading Robinson Chirinos look that much more idiotic and I don’t even think Chirinos is that good.

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  142. GBTS

    [quote name=mb21]I don’t mind eating Cookies BBQ sauce I found in a dumpster. It’s not like Arbys is some superstar restaurant or something.[/quote].

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  144. melissa

    [quote name=mb21]Koyie Hill can’t hit and he holds the running game in check. .[/quote]
    Like earlier in the game when he threw the ball in left while a runner stole 3rd with a left handed batter at the plate. (dying laughing)

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  146. melissa

    [quote name=Mish]fWIW, I think I’ve heard Buckner say 2 or 3 intelligent things, which is already higher than Brenly on the season/career. I don’t think his voice or cadence is good, but yeah.[/quote]
    i agree, he doesn’t really have a very good broadcasting voice.

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  147. Suburban kid

    There’s no way Byrd wasn’t going to swing at the first pitch, seeing as he didn’t even get to swing on his first at bat.

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  149. Horny Goat

    [quote name=mb21]Obviously there is since he isn’t playing.[/quote]
    Why not play the young guy over Hill. Can’t hurt anything. c’mon. especially tonight against the lefty. I believe Castillo has only started twice since they called him up and Hill has played like shit on defense which was supposed to be his strength.

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  150. mb21

    [quote name=melissa]Like earlier in the game when he threw the ball in left while a runner stole 3rd with a left handed batter at the plate. (dying laughing)[/quote]I’ve posted the numbers a dozen times. Do I have to do it again? Take a look at the number of stolen bases he’s allowed per inning compared to Geovany Soto. It’s a fucking joke. People run on Soto non-fucking stop. It’s not like HIll is holding runners like Molina, but compared to what the Cubs have had since 2004, yeah, he’s holding them just fine.

    Doesn’t mean he’s a good player, but we can give him credit for what he’s good at.

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  152. mb21

    [quote name=Horny Goat]Why not play the young guy over Hill. Can’t hurt anything. c’mon. especially tonight against the lefty. I believe Castillo has only started twice since they called him up and Hill has played like shit on defense which was supposed to be his strength.[/quote]I agree it can’t hurt anything. I’d also start Castillo. I’d release Koyie Hill and call up any person in the minor leagues who can fit into catcher’s gear to be a backup. I’m just saying that Castillo isn’t any good. Hill isn’t any good. The bigger problem is that the cubs have no back-up catcher. Koyie HIll has his strength, which is holding runners, but that’s literally it.

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  153. melissa

    [quote name=mb21]I’ve posted the numbers a dozen times. Do I have to do it again? Take a look at the number of stolen bases he’s allowed per inning compared to Geovany Soto. It’s a fucking joke. People run on Soto non-fucking stop. It’s not like HIll is holding runners like Molina, but compared to what the Cubs have had since 2004, yeah, he’s holding them just fine.

    Doesn’t mean he’s a good player, but we can give him credit for what he’s good at.[/quote]
    No, you don’t have to post the numbers because I was making a joke.

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  154. Horny Goat

    [quote name=mb21]I’ve posted the numbers a dozen times. Do I have to do it again? Take a look at the number of stolen bases he’s allowed per inning compared to Geovany Soto. It’s a fucking joke. People run on Soto non-fucking stop. It’s not like HIll is holding runners like Molina, but compared to what the Cubs have had since 2004, yeah, he’s holding them just fine.

    Doesn’t mean he’s a good player, but we can give him credit for what he’s good at.[/quote]
    Play the kid. You still haven’t proved that Hill is better than castillo overall. Castillo still needs more playing time.

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  155. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]I agree it can’t hurt anything. I’d also start Castillo. I’d release Koyie Hill and call up any person in the minor leagues who can fit into catcher’s gear to be a backup. I’m just saying that Castillo isn’t any good. Hill isn’t any good. The bigger problem is that the cubs have no back-up catcher. Koyie HIll has his strength, which is holding runners, but that’s literally it.[/quote]
    It seems like a lot more teams are running on Koyie this year. Probably just my lying eyes though.

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  156. mb21

    [quote name=melissa]No, you don’t have to post the numbers because I was making a joke.[/quote]Sorry. I can’t tellw hat’s sarcasm because I’m an idiot.

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  159. melissa

    In Koyie’s defense he’s going to have trouble keeping anyone from running on Davis with his slow wind-up. I agree with B though that it does seem his defense has been worse so far this season.

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  160. mb21

    [quote name=Berselius]It seems like a lot more teams are running on Koyie this year. Probably just my lying eyes though.[/quote]I think it’s because Castro can’t tag anybody or catch a throw from a catcher. I’ve heard other team’s announcers bring that to attention. Brenly has brought it up as well. It takes a perfect throw for Castro to catch it on a stolen base attempt and even then he probably misses the tag.

    It should be a simple fix. Trammell worked long and hard with him on it last year.

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  166. Berselius

    [quote name=Horny Goat]Doug Davis isn’t long for MLB[/quote]
    I think he’ll keep his rotation spot for a while. Coleman is probably going down when Wells comes back next week.

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  168. Horny Goat

    [quote name=mb21]I think it’s because Castro can’t tag anybody or catch a throw from a catcher. I’ve heard other team’s announcers bring that to attention. Brenly has brought it up as well. It takes a perfect throw for Castro to catch it on a stolen base attempt and even then he probably misses the tag.

    It should be a simple fix. Trammell worked long and hard with him on it last year.[/quote]
    Soto wasn’t that bad at throwing runners out until this year I believe, and you need at least a decent throw to catch the damn ball if you’re a SS or second baseman. I agree they’ve missed some tags, but that’s the least of the cubs problems. I’m talking about passed balls and bad throws by the catcher, missed throws from outfielders allowing runs to score. Hill has sucked this year, period.

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  170. GW

    [quote name=GBTS]When did Jason Giambi turn 70? He looks like Gandalf.[/quote]
    3HR yesterday, must have gotten a new staff.

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  182. melissa

    Scott Maine appears to have a few issues of his own and it doesn’t end with the abominable chin hair. (dying laughing)

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  186. Xoomwaffle

    [quote name=GBTS]See what happens![/quote]
    That seems about what happens most of the time they “See what happens.”

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  188. mb21

    [quote name=Rice Cube]If Maine can get Crawford out here, will b say “I told you so”?[/quote]I think he’ll tell Patrick Sullivan “I told you so.” (dying laughing)

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  191. Xoomwaffle

    Whoever is calling this game with Smoltz just told him that he had read about Scott Maine being compared to Steve Avery and Smoltz almost had a heart attack. (dying laughing)

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  194. Berselius

    [quote name=mb21]I think he’ll tell Patrick Sullivan “I told you so.” (dying laughing)[/quote]
    (dying laughing) fuck that guy

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  197. Xoomwaffle

    [quote name=mb21]What channel are they on, xoom?[/quote]
    I think it is Vasgersian. I’m really bad with announcers.

    I’m on MLB network. I don’t get WGN.

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  198. Berselius

    [quote name=GBTS]Isn’t Sullivan one of the FJM guys?[/quote]
    He writes/wrote for baseballanalysts

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  201. GBTS

    [quote name=Berselius]He writes/wrote for baseballanalysts[/quote]Oh, I confused him with Ken Tremendous, I follow both of them on Twitter. Which is really fucking stupid of me, considering his name isn’t Ken.

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  204. GW

    [quote name=Berselius]I get WGN, but only in SD

    /firstworldproblems[/quote]
    my hd feed is non-existent right now (lightning and cloud cover?)

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  205. mb21

    [quote name=Rice Cube]The Cubs still think they can win. I admire this.[/quote]They’re trying to win games.

    Can you imagine how good all the other teams would be if they too were trying to win games?

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  206. mb21

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Just noticed your new comment submission message (dying laughing)[/quote]It started at .291 before the game and is up to .297. A walk or a hit in his next AB and it’s above .300!

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  207. Rice Cube

    [quote name=mb21]It started at .291 before the game and is up to .297. A walk or a hit in his next AB and it’s above .300![/quote]
    Pretty cool how you automated it…is it tied into MLB.com’s stat-tracker?

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  208. Xoomwaffle

    [quote name=Rice Cube]The Cubs still think they can win. I admire this.[/quote]
    Are you sure about this? Scott Maine is still pitching.

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  209. mb21

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Pretty cool how you automated it…is it tied into MLB.com’s stat-tracker?[/quote]No, it’s manual. I probably won’t keep it longer than a game or two.

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  210. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Xoomwaffle]Are you sure about this? Scott Maine is still pitching.[/quote]
    But Mike Quade is a genius.

    /undisguised sarcasm

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  213. Rice Cube

    [quote name=GBTS](dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)

    Kenney catches the 440 foot bomb.[/quote]
    Did he throw it back?

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  214. Perkins

    [quote name=mb21]They’re trying to win games.

    Can you imagine how good all the other teams would be if they too were trying to win games?[/quote]
    Is that like when they try to beat the other team?

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  216. melissa

    I really hate it when Cubs fans throw back home run balls in other ballparks. It figures Kenney would hand that ball off to someone else to throw it back. I wonder if it was a Greek Orthodox Priest.

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  217. melissa

    They changed the error on Reed to a hit for Youkilis. I don’t see how that’s not an error. The ball hit his glove and bounced off his chest.

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  220. Horny Goat

    [quote name=melissa]They changed the error on Reed to a hit for Youkilis. I don’t see how that’s not an error. The ball hit his glove and bounced off his chest.[/quote]
    home park advantage. besides, I predicted Youk would go 5 for 5. He just might do it.

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  223. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Berselius]Who runs the Cubs?[/quote]
    oh, THAT Kenney. he’s in the monster seats? (dying laughing)

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  225. Horny Goat

    [quote name=melissa]They showed Tom Ricketts with Kenney up there earlier. Dumb and Dumber do the Monster.[/quote]
    oh…my.

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  226. Horny Goat

    I haven’t heard Kenney’s name mentioned in…forever, I forgot he was actually still part of operations. It all makes sense now.

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  227. GBTS

    [quote name=Horny Goat]I haven’t heard Kenney’s name mentioned in…forever, I forgot he was actually still part of operations. It all makes sense now.[/quote]That’s because you haven’t interviewed him.

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  230. Horny Goat

    doesn’t Pena know how to stretch on some of those wide throws? I’ve seen a bunch where he could’ve stayed on the bag.

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  232. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Berselius]Orange Guy lobbying a DFA for Soriano on twitter[/quote]
    Fuck that guy in his orange face

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  236. Perkins

    [quote name=Berselius]Orange Guy lobbying a DFA for Soriano on twitter[/quote]
    The Man-o-Lantern? For some reason I just thought of Matt Murton when you said Orange Guy. (dying laughing)

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  238. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Perkins]The Man-o-Lantern? For some reason I just thought of Matt Murton when you said Orange Guy. (dying laughing)[/quote]
    he’s probably lobbying for a Murton return as well

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  241. ACT

    [quote name=Horny Goat]we may not recognize these teams tomorrow..wearing dead ball era uniforms.[/quote]Cubs batters will stay in character by hitting .240 with no home runs.

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  242. Perkins

    [quote name=Horny Goat]we may not recognize these teams tomorrow..wearing dead ball era uniforms.[/quote]
    Really? That would be awesome. I thought the 1948 unis the Cubs wore back in 2008 were really sharp. Throwback days are the awesome.

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  243. Horny Goat

    This could be interesting. Or very ugly.

    B’s prediction was accurate either way (dying laughing)

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  245. Rice Cube

    FOX should broadcast the game in black and white. Even though there weren’t really TVs back then.

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  246. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Perkins]Really? That would be awesome. I thought the 1948 unis the Cubs wore back in 2008 were really sharp. Throwback days are the awesome.[/quote]
    I’m not sure which year, but they looked older than WWII

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  247. ACT

    [quote name=Rice Cube]FOX should broadcast the game in black and white. Even though there weren’t really TVs back then.[/quote]Oh God, I hope they broadcast it “silent” in keeping with the era.

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  250. mb21

    [quote name=Berselius]Orange Guy lobbying a DFA for Soriano on twitter[/quote]Kaplan is an idiot, but I wouldn’t be the least bit disappointed with the Cubs if they DFA’d Soriano. I think you could easily argue it is something that would actually improve the Cubs. He’s a horrible baseball player at this point in his career. It’s a damn shame considering the talent he once had, but the injuries have taken that away. It happens. It’s part of the game, but it still sucks to see someone who was once so good be so bad in large part because of the injuries. I’m not sure I’d DFA him just yet. I want to see Brett Jackson return and get in the groove again. Once that happens, I see no reason to keep Soriano around.

    I know it won’t happen, but there’s no reason not to just eat the rest of that contract and move on.

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  251. mb21

    [quote name=AndCounting]I hope the Cubs and Red Sox don’t play each other for another 80 years.[/quote]Too bad. They play tomorrow. (dying laughing)

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  252. mb21

    [quote name=Horny Goat]I’m not sure which year, but they looked older than WWII[/quote]1918 jerseys would make sense.

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  253. mb21

    [quote name=ACT]Cubs batters will stay in character by hitting .240 with no home runs.[/quote]So Soriano would have a .186 OBP?

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  254. Rice Cube

    [quote name=ACT]Oh God, I hope they broadcast it “silent” in keeping with the era.[/quote]
    They should give Buck and McCarver bowler hats and then have them flap their lips while the dialogue cards show up every few seconds.

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  255. Horny Goat

    here we go, Soriano in the best health in 2 years, but hits one of his bad streaks, and predictably MB agrees he should be DFA (dying laughing)

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  257. Horny Goat

    [quote name=ACT]I hope this game forever puts to rest the idea that Samardzija has turned a corner.[/quote]
    it’s hard to be motivated when you’re down by 5 in the late innings.

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  260. Horny Goat

    [quote name=ZappBrannigan]Well that was ugly[/quote]
    With Doug Davis starting and the Sox on a roll? no way.

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  261. Perkins

    [quote name=Horny Goat]I’m not sure which year, but they looked older than WWII[/quote]
    It was the 43-56 uniforms, though they botched the hat by making it navy blue instead of royal. Still a very sharp uniform.

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  271. Berselius

    Lineup

    RF Fukudome
    2B Barney
    SS Castro
    3B Rodrigo
    1B Pena
    CF Byrd
    DH Adolfo
    LF Dewitt
    C Captain Fundamentals

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  272. Berselius

    [quote name=Harry Pavlidis on Twitter]Because the place to play an infielder in the outfield for the first time is obviously Fenway.[/quote]
    You never know

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  275. Mercurial Outfielder

    So DeWitt gets an OF start, but Castillo can’t get a start over Wannabe Bob Vila?

    I’m sorry, AC, but Mike Quade is a fucking numbnuts.

    Which makes him the perfect manager for this entirely horrid team. (dying laughing)

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