2008 Chicago Cubs Season

[Mild Sauce]

On top of that, if they somehow do the impossible and make the world series, then they're going to be playing 4 of 7 games on the road. If they can't win on the road then they're really in trouble.

[Cajun Cubbie]

Somehow its hard to win games if you can't score. For the most part Lilly pitched well, Howry didn't.

This team needs to start showing they can really win on the road. After the All-Star break 9 out of 13 games are away and in September 16 out of 25 games will be on the road.

[Cajun Cubbie]

Series Matchup
Cubs (27-38) @ Astros (44-51)


Friday, July 18 (7:05 pm CT)
Ted Lilly (9-6, 4.68) vs. Brian Moehler (5-4, 4.28)

Saturday, July 19 (6:05 pm CT)
Carlos Zambrano (10-3, 2.84) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (4-3, 3.48)

Sunday, July 20 (1:05 pm CT)
Ryan Dempster (10-4, 3.25) vs. Brandon Backe (6-9, 4.76)


Series Preview
Season series: 3-3

Cubs are 20-26 on the road. Astros are 22-21 at home.

Lilly hasn't pitched since giving up 4 runs and 6 hits in only2 2/3 innings on July 10, his first loss since June 4. He's 2-1 with a 1.98 ERA in his last 4 road starts. Lilly opposed Moehler on May 19 and gave up 2 runs and 4 hits in 5 1/3 innings to earn the win. He is 2-0, 2.79 in 3 career starts against Houston.

Since coming off of the DL, Zambrano has given up just 1 run in 2 starts.

Theriot currently has a 10-game hitting streak and is 18-for-45 (.400) during this time. He's 6th in the NL in BA (.320) as well as in OBP (.396).

D-Lee is hitting .408 in July and no HRs. He only hit 2 HRs in June. He ranks 10th in the NL in BA (.306).

Fukudome is hitting .167 in July with 15 strikeouts in 42 at-bats.

Moehler has won 3 of his last 4 decisions at Minute Maid Park and has given up just 2 runs in 12 innings in his last 2starts there. In his last start against the Cubs (May 19) he gave up 3 runs and 7 hits in 5 innings in a 7-2 loss. He is 1-1 with a 4.13 ERA in 4 career starts versus the Cubs.

Wandy Rodriguez has a 6.89 ERA over his last 3 starts.
and has a 3-4 record and a 4.50 ERA over 8 career games against the Cubs.

Astros pitchers have given up more home runs (131) than any team in baseball.

The Astros defense is tied for 1st in the NL in terms of fielding with a .987. They also have committed the least number of errors with 47.

Lance Berkman is hitting .211 in July with a .289 slugging percentage. Berkman is 1-for-11 (.091) and Miguel Tejada is 4-for-27 (.148) batting lifetime against Lilly.

Carlos Lee is hitting .449 in July with a .673 slugging percentage.

[Jeff Pico]

Great article on Harden's first start:

http://www.baseball-intellect.com/Ar...den-trade.html

[wrigleybum]

I don't think Marmol and Izzy really compare. Izzy frustrated Cards fans at times when he was doing well, and he has a long stretch of poor pitching (since 2006 I would say), and he is a closer. Marmol has had problems in the last month and a half, before that, lights out everyone loved him.

I've been to several Cubs Cards games at Busch, and I for sure wasn't the only Cubs fan who starting mock cheering when Izzy came in for the save. I don't think were at the point where opponents fans are happy to see Marmol come in, he is just a great arm that is fatigued and hopefully will bounce back.

[Ubiquitous]

And why has Marmol not been good? Is it because he is a scrub or is it because Lou has overused him? If it is because of Lou then why boo Marmol?

Isringhausen routinely gets booed now and he didnt get a long leash this year from Cardinals fans and he was very good for the cardinals for a long time.

And that is bad form on their part. As our mothers always said, "just because Billy is doing it that doesn't mean you can do it".

[rockin500]

Maybe if there name is Sturtze or Williams and they do it game after game and you know they are going to do it. Marmol has been a god for the Cubs for a long time now (relatively speaking of course, most relievers don't have a real long tenure) and to turn after a bad outing does show bad form.

but he has been very bad for a good 3-4 weeks. Isringhausen routinely gets booed now and he didnt get a long leash this year from Cardinals fans and he was very good for the cardinals for a long time.

[Ubiquitous]

dude, anyone who gives up 5 runs in an inning deserves to be booed. There isnt a ballpark in america where he wouldnt be treated as such.

Maybe if there name is Sturtze or Williams and they do it game after game and you know they are going to do it. Marmol has been a god for the Cubs for a long time now (relatively speaking of course, most relievers don't have a real long tenure) and to turn after a bad outing does show bad form.

[rockin500]

I read that Marmol was booed his last outing. Unbelievable how ignorant today's Cubs fans can be. Yeah, he struggled, but I think it's very likely the result of tired arm. It's kind of like booing a guy for getting injured.

dude, anyone who gives up 5 runs in an inning deserves to be booed. There isnt a ballpark in america where he wouldnt be treated as such.

[Scartissue]

It's called being overthrown something Piniella is notorious for with his top pen arms. The Cubs try making it logistical that they send down Wuertz but Marmol is the one who needs sent down to work on his craft.

I read that Marmol was booed his last outing. Unbelievable how ignorant today's Cubs fans can be. Yeah, he struggled, but I think it's very likely the result of tired arm. It's kind of like booing a guy for getting injured.

[nathanKent]

Every year we here one of two things over and over:

"Last years Cubs team would have lost that game"

or, though a bit rarer

"Last years Cubs team would have won that game"

You missed one:

"Boy, we could have won that game if we just still had Jeromy Burnitz on the roster."

[Ubiquitous]

Every year we here one of two things over and over:

"Last years Cubs team would have lost that game"

or, though a bit rarer

"Last years Cubs team would have won that game"

[Next Century Is Here]

How about the late inning meltdown for the top three in the NL central?

Cubs give up 2 in the 8th and 5 in the 9th.
Brewers give up 1 in the 8th and 4 in the 9th.
Cardinals give 2 in the 8th, 4 in the 9th, and 2 in the 10th.

Fortunately, Cubs are the only one to come out with a W.

To me this is the difference between this years Cubs and the Cubs of the last 99 years. This year's Cubs win that game and during the last 99 years they lost it.

[Cajun Cubbie]

Looked like it was going to be an realitive easy win and Harden getting a win in his Wrigley Field debut until the train wreck late in the game. Marshall came in and got the game back under control. At least after the train wreck we still survived and got the W and gained some more ground in the division.


On today's game...it looks to be a very good pitcher's duel. Not taking anything away from Dempster, but seeing Z and The Freak on SI's cover last week might have been the best pitching duel of the year.

[cubsfanfromarkansas]

How about the Cardinals melting down! That was sweet. 5.5 games up!!

How about the late inning meltdown for the top three in the NL central?

Cubs give up 2 in the 8th and 5 in the 9th.
Brewers give up 1 in the 8th and 4 in the 9th.
Cardinals give 2 in the 8th, 4 in the 9th, and 2 in the 10th.

Fortunately, Cubs are the only one to come out with a W.