Game 121 Open Thread: August 18, 2006

Here, here Larry. These guys obviously see only what they want to see(mostly $$$$) and need to come out of their ivory tower once in a while.

Who else wants to see the Cards sweep the cubs?

Lets see some hands people!

News: Mark Mulder (shoulder), who gave up five runs in four innings Thursday in a rehab start for Triple-A Memphis, said he would fly to Chicago, where the Cardinals were to start a three-game set against the Cubs, Friday. He said he didn't know whether a fourth rehab start would be necessary. "I could care less about the results," Mulder said. "I just wanted to throw strikes. I wasn't happy with the fact that I walked those guys. A few pitches I left up over the plate that they hit hard, but it was because I had gone ball one, ball two, whatever it was, and I was behind in the count."

Analysis: Mulder said pain wasn't a problem for him Thursday. "My biggest concern is getting my arm ready to go out there and be able to throw 90-100 pitches in a game," Mulder said. "I want to have the arm strength to be able to compete out there. My arm, as far as arm strength goes, is fine." The winningest pitcher in the majors from 2001-05, Mulder started the year 5-1 and had a 3.69 ERA after throwing 8 1/3 shutout innings against the Mets on May 17. Over his next six starts, Mulder had an 11.39 ERA and lost four of his five decisions. He had a 6.09 ERA when he went on the DL. Consider him a risky play for Fantasy Week 21 (Aug. 21-27) at this point. He might not return until late in that week.

He's gone .364 / .378 / .545 against Cubbie pitching in '06.

David Eckstein SS Season .288 1 21
vs. pitcher .000 0 0

Chris Duncan LF Season .338 11 25
vs. pitcher .000 0 0

Albert Pujols 1B Season .326 35 94
vs. pitcher .333 0 1

Scott Rolen 3B Season .321 17 75
vs. pitcher .000 0 0

Juan Encarnacion CF Season .278 16 63
vs. pitcher .000 0 0

Preston Wilson RF Season --- 0 0
vs. pitcher --- 0 0

Ronnie Belliard 2B Season .260 0 5
vs. pitcher --- 0 0

Gary Bennett C Season .186 0 13
vs. pitcher 1.000 0 0

Jason Marquis P Season .167 0 4
vs. pitcher .000 0 0

it's like they don't know the difference.

i admit, there's a sick part of me that just wants to say screw the cards. if they are gonna be all business with me, then i can do the same and go watch another team that's committed to winning, not filling seats. i've just rooted for the cards so long that would be almost impossible.

Sure blame it on ownership greed all you want but we all know from the Yankees that money doesn't instantly translate into winning.  That's the beauty of sports, teams either come together and win or sputter and lose for reasons we don't always know.

But WHY wasnt Timo or So sent down?? Now we have a bunch of worthless scrubs on the bench (minus speizio).  

Of course, since there are absolutely no consequences to me being wrong, I'm not exactly taking a big risk here.

"Marmol in his last outing was quite good.  He did walk eight and give up five hits though..."

also: we better win this game, 'cos i don't think Suppan can out-duel Zambrano tomorrow.

i really really really want to win this series.

or maybe it's just marquis' pitching that scares me.

As I type this, Marmol just threw past first on a pickoff.  AP scores on Marmol's second throwing error of the inning.

A Cub underhand/sidearm threw it to second base, through the 2nd basemens legs as Pujols slide in.  Pujols went to third and was GASED.  He still almost got thrown out there.

Rolen then was plunked and an issue was warned.  It wasn't intentional and the ump overreacted.

The pitcher then threw the ball away on a pick off attempt and Pujols scored, with Rolen going to second.

Juan hit a ball under the 2nd basemens glove and we had them at the corners.

The rest should be easy to figure out.

In essence, the Cubs are playing like the Cubs.

Luis Ordaz? Aaron Holbert? Timmy Jones?

Let's not tax the Cub bullpen.

Yeesh.  

Painful to see fears realized so quickly.

can Spivey play SS? Belliard? Spiezio? somebody not named Miles or Hart?