5/4 Cubs (Hill) @ Arizona (Cruz) 8:40 PM WCIU/WGN-720; XM188

[C.C.]

I PREDICT! The Cubs win tonight and go on to sweep the Padres!!!!

[Master Shake]

I predict we lose. Score doesn't matter.

 

Tell us how you really feel...

 

Seeing as how the opposite of what I say always happens...

 

"I'll get a raise"

"Oil prices won't go over $3 a gallon"

"Honey, we're having sex tonight"

"Cubs will win"

 

... It couldn't hurt to try reverse psychology.

[C.C.]

I predict we lose. Score doesn't matter.

 

Tell us how you really feel...

 

Seeing as how the opposite of what I say always happens...

 

"I'll get a raise"

"Oil prices won't go over $3 a gallon"

"Honey, we're having sex tonight"

"Cubs will win"

 

... It couldn't hurt to try reverse psychology.

 

LOL! Hey, whatever works!

[Fred Hornkohl]

During the last 7 games (2-5)...........

 

04/26 - 05/03      AB    R    H   2b   3b   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
CUBS              220   16   51    9    1    3   71   14   23   33  0.232  0.310  0.323  0.633
Oppt              242   48   69   15    3   11  123   44   33   61  0.285  0.374  0.508  0.882

 

 

04/26 - 05/03        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
CUBS               62.0   69   48   44   33   61   11  4.79  8.85  1.60  1.65  6.39
Oppt               61.0   51   16   14   23   33    3  3.39  4.87  0.44  1.21  2.07

 

 

                  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16    Total

CUBS              1   3   1   3   2   0   1   5   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0      16
Opponents         5   2  10   4  10   7   1   5   4   0   0   0   0   0   0   0      48

 

 

About the only thing they've done well is draw walks. Based on the last 7 games, the CUBS are on a pace to draw 532 walks this year..... compared to 419 last year.

 

Otherwise, they're scoring 2.29 runs per game while allowing 6.86. They're drving in 10.4% of the runners they get on base, and scoring 0.211 runs per baserunner; compared to 18.4% and 0.365 last year.

 

Any way you slice it, this team is in one incredible funk. I don't know what it's gonna take to right the ship, maybe an exorcism ? Maybe, in the words of the immortal Orville Tessier, this team needs a heart transplant, eh?

Edited May 4, 2006 by Fred Hornkohl

[IWU_CUBS_FAN]

Hill goes 5.1 and gives up 4 runs tonite

 

However, somehow the cubs muster up 3 runs before Hill leaves and the cubs get another shot at Valverde and Jacque Jones hits a two run homer.

 

 

BUT, he misses first base and is called out. Dusty doesn't wanna use Dempster and says Rusch is rested and he promptly gives up a walk off to Luis Gonzalez.

[E.J.]

Prediction:

 

Cubs lose 8-1. Hill goes 5 innings, giving up 6 ER on 9 hits. Cruz pitches 7 strong innings. Aramis continues to suck. Pierre gets a couple hits.

 

You heard it here first.

 

I wonder how Aramis would do if he tried just making contact once in a while instead of always swinging out of his shoes? :x

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Cubs lose, 36 bajillion to 1.

[Shavo]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

[soccer10k]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

Seconded. I'll be watching the Lakers-Suns Game 6.

[C.C.]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

Seconded. I'll be watching the Lakers-Suns Game 6.

 

I'd rather watch a Devil Rays Vs. Royals game before I watch a Pro-Basketball game.

[soccer10k]

i predict that Glendon Rusch, angry that he lost his rotation spot, will eat Rich Hill and force Dusty to start him today.

[soccer10k]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

Seconded. I'll be watching the Lakers-Suns Game 6.

 

I'd rather watch a Devil Rays Vs. Royals game before I watch a Pro-Basketball game.

 

I know a lot of people on this board will be watching the Bulls-Heat Game 6, as long as it's close, before the Cubs game.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

Me neither. I'll be at the Padres-Dodgers game instead, with an ear to the NBA games.

 

Go Hill!

[C.C.]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

Seconded. I'll be watching the Lakers-Suns Game 6.

 

I'd rather watch a Devil Rays Vs. Royals game before I watch a Pro-Basketball game.

 

I know a lot of people on this board will be watching the Bulls-Heat Game 6, as long as it's close, before the Cubs game.

 

I'm sure they will...

[soapy]

i predict that Glendon Rusch, angry that he lost his rotation spot, will eat Rich Hill and force Dusty to start him today.

 

I believe this to be the most likely of all the predictions made so far.

[soapy]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

WCIU :x

[Mark_R]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

Seconded. I'll be watching the Lakers-Suns Game 6.

 

I'd rather watch a Devil Rays Vs. Royals game before I watch a Pro-Basketball game.

 

I know a lot of people on this board will be watching the Bulls-Heat Game 6, as long as it's close, before the Cubs game.

 

I'm sure they will...

 

This Cubs isn't nearly as exciting as the Bulls are. The Bulls are young, fresh, and play hard. The Cubs are old, bad, and sometimes unfun to watch.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

This Cubs isn't nearly as exciting as the Bulls are. The Bulls are young, fresh, and play hard. The Cubs are old, bad, and sometimes unfun to watch.

 

We must be watching 2 different Cubs teams, cuz I think this one is always unfun to watch.

[C.C.]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

Seconded. I'll be watching the Lakers-Suns Game 6.

 

I'd rather watch a Devil Rays Vs. Royals game before I watch a Pro-Basketball game.

 

I know a lot of people on this board will be watching the Bulls-Heat Game 6, as long as it's close, before the Cubs game.

 

I'm sure they will...

 

This Cubs isn't nearly as exciting as the Bulls are. The Bulls are young, fresh, and play hard. The Cubs are old, bad, and sometimes unfun to watch.

 

It's not about the Bulls playing hard, it's about Pro-Basketball being so boring the past 6-7 years, at least in my book. Give me College ball any day of the week! And aside from this recent slide I think the Cubs have been very fun to watch this year.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Worthless stats of the day for Thursday.......

 

CUBS are 0-1 on Thursdays

CUBS are 0-1 vs. Arizona

CUBS are 2-0 when they've lost their last 2 game(s) in a row

CUBS are 8-3 when they've lost their previous game

CUBS are 4-5 in games that end a series

CUBS are 7-4 at night

CUBS are 6-6 on the road

CUBS are 10-2 when they get a quality start.... 4-10 when they don't

CUBS are 6-10 when the opponenent gets a quality start.... 8-2 when they don't

CUBS are 11-3 when they score first in the game.... 3-9 when they don't

CUBS are 7-1 when they score in the first inning.... 7-11 when they don't

CUBS are 11-5 when they don't allow any runs is the first inning.... 3-7 when they do

CUBS are 11-2 when they score at least 4 runs.... 3-10 when they don't

CUBS are 10-2 when they allow fewer than 4 runs.... 4-10 when they don't

CUBS are 11-2 when they outhit the opponents.... 2-8 when they get outhit.... and 1-2 when the hits are even

CUBS are 13-3 when they average 18 pitches per inning or less..... 1-9 when they don't

CUBS are 5-1 when they average 4.0 P/PA or greater.... 9-11 when they don't

CUBS are 12-3 when the opponent's starter pitches 6-1/3 inning or less.... 2-9 when he doesn't

CUBS are 9-2 when they get at least 8 hits..... 5-10 when they don't

CUBS are 13-6 when they draw at least 2 walks.... 1-6 when they don't

CUBS are 13-9 when they hit at least 1 double.... 1-3 when they don't

CUBS are 4-1 when they hit at least 1 triple.... 10-11 when they don't

CUBS are 5-1 when they hit at least 2 home runs.... 9-11 when they don't

CUBS are 9-1 when they allow fewer than 4 walks.... 5-11 when they don't

CUBS are 9-3 when the opponent GIDPs.... 5-9 when they don't

CUBS are 0-4 when the opponent triples.... 14-8 when they don't

CUBS are 2-6 when the opponent hits at least 2 HRs.... 12-6 when they don't

CUBS are 1-5 when the opponent hits a sacrifice fly.... 13-7 when they don't

CUBS are 4-6 when they hit an opposing batter.... 10-6 when they don't

CUBS are on a pace to win 87 games this year..... compared to 79 last year

CUBS are on a pace to score 698 runs this year..... compared to 703 last year

CUBS are on a pace to hit 131 home runs this year..... compared to 194 last year

CUBS are on a pace to draw 461 walks this year..... compared to 419 last year

CUBS are on a pace to strike out 872 times this year..... compared to 920 last year

CUBS are on a pace to steal 112 bases this year..... compared to 64 last year

CUBS are on a pace to ground into 187 double plays this year..... compared to 129 last year

CUBS are on a pace to commit 87 errors this year..... compared to 100 last year

CUBS are drving in 20.5% of their runners on base compared to 18.4% last year

CUBS are scoring 0.381 runs per baserunner compared to 0.365 last year

 

 

Hill's 4 starts from last season (0-2).....

 

Hill                    IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR    PC  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
07/25  vs. S.F.        5.0    5    2    2    2    5    1    98  3.60  9.00  1.80  1.40  3.60
07/30  vs. Ariz        6.0    5    2    2    2    4    1   104  3.00  6.00  1.50  1.17  3.00
08/05  vs. Mets        1.3    7    7    7    2    1    0    50 13.50  6.75  0.00  6.75 47.25
08/10  vs. Cincy       3.0    4    6    6    4    2    1    71 12.00  6.00  3.00  2.67 18.00

tot for 4 starts      15.3   21   17   17   10   12    3   323  5.87  7.04  1.76  2.02  9.98

season totals         23.7   25   24   24   17   21    3   475  6.46  7.99  1.14  1.77  9.13

 

CUBS' season series vs. Arizona .......

 

Gm#    Date       Opponent         Score  Starter
26  Wed 05/03  @ Arizona       N   1- 5  Maddux        
27  Thu 05/04  @ Arizona       N    -    Hill        
105  Mon 07/31    Arizona       N    -             
106  Tue 08/01    Arizona       N    -             
107  Wed 08/02    Arizona       N    -             
108  Thu 08/03    Arizona            -             

 

CUBS' offense during last 7 games.....

 

04/26 - 05/03      AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Bynum               4    0    2    0    1    0    4    1    0    1  0.500  0.500  1.000  1.500
Restovich           6    0    2    1    0    0    3    1    1    1  0.333  0.429  0.500  0.929
Ramirez            22    4    6    3    0    1   12    1    3    2  0.273  0.360  0.545  0.905
Barrett             9    0    3    0    0    0    3    0    4    0  0.333  0.571  0.333  0.905
Jones              22    1    7    2    0    1   12    2    1    3  0.318  0.348  0.545  0.893
Cedeno             28    2    9    0    0    1   12    2    1    3  0.321  0.345  0.429  0.773
Walker             24    0    7    1    0    0    8    1    3    4  0.292  0.370  0.333  0.704
Murton             22    2    6    1    0    0    7    4    3    3  0.273  0.360  0.318  0.678
Pierre             25    4    5    1    0    0    6    0    3    2  0.200  0.310  0.240  0.550
Blanco             10    0    1    0    0    0    1    0    2    1  0.100  0.250  0.100  0.350
Perez              13    0    1    0    0    0    1    0    1    1  0.077  0.143  0.077  0.220
Mabry              10    1    1    0    0    0    1    0    0    5  0.100  0.100  0.100  0.200
Hairston           13    2    1    0    0    0    1    1    0    3  0.077  0.077  0.077  0.154

7 game totals     220   16   51    9    1    3   71   14   23   32  0.232  0.310  0.323  0.633

season totals     850  112  216   39    6   21  330  102   74  139  0.254  0.315  0.388  0.703

 

CUBS' pitchers during last 7 games......

 

04/26 - 05/03        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR    PC  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
Howry               3.3    1    0    0    0    1    0    49  0.00  2.70  0.00  0.30  0.00
Dempster            2.0    0    0    0    0    2    0    12  0.00  9.00  0.00  0.00  0.00
Marshall            7.3    4    1    1    1    5    0    90  1.23  6.14  0.00  0.68  1.23
Novoa               5.3    5    5    3    3    8    0   122  5.06 13.50  0.00  1.50  5.06
Ohman               5.0    5    3    3    2    3    0    77  3.60  5.40  0.00  1.40  5.40
Maddux             11.0   18    7    7    1   11    1   174  0.82  9.00  0.82  1.73  5.73
Guzman             10.7   12    9    7    7   12    2   191  5.91 10.13  1.69  1.78  5.91
Williamson          4.3    3    3    3    3    6    0    78  6.23 12.46  0.00  1.38  6.23
Eyre                4.0    3    3    3    4    7    1    76  9.00 15.75  2.25  1.75  6.75
Aardsma             2.3    4    3    3    3    2    2    60 11.57  7.71  7.71  3.00 11.57
Zambrano            4.0    8    7    7    5    5    1   103 11.25 11.25  2.25  3.25 15.75
Rusch               2.7    6    7    7    3    0    4    81 10.13  0.00 13.50  3.38 23.63

7 game totals      62.0   69   48   44   32   62   11  1113  4.65  9.00  1.60  1.63  6.39

season totals     228.7  199  126  115  110  196   35  3886  4.33  7.71  1.38  1.35  4.53

 

Go CUBS !!

[Flames24Rulz]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

Seconded. I'll be watching the Lakers-Suns Game 6.

 

I'd rather watch a Devil Rays Vs. Royals game before I watch a Pro-Basketball game.

 

I know a lot of people on this board will be watching the Bulls-Heat Game 6, as long as it's close, before the Cubs game.

 

I'm sure they will...

 

This Cubs isn't nearly as exciting as the Bulls are. The Bulls are young, fresh, and play hard. The Cubs are old, bad, and sometimes unfun to watch.

 

It's not about the Bulls playing hard, it's about Pro-Basketball being so boring the past 6-7 years, at least in my book. Give me College ball any day of the week! And aside from this recent slide I think the Cubs have been very fun to watch this year.

 

i do agree with you about college ball being more exciting than pro ball, but watching paint dry could be more exciting than watching the Cubs offense right now.

[C.C.]

I do agree with you about college ball being more exciting than pro ball, but watching paint dry could be more exciting than watching the Cubs offense right now.

 

I'm not going to disagree with you there! The Offense has been terrible! Maybe I will watch the Bulls game tonight afterall...

[oldstyle81]

this team is about as bad as ive seen it, no motivation whatsoever. It is like a broken record of last year but without a guy hitting .450. Cubs get swept tonight. so much for everyone saying if they just could keep their head above water, too bad the storm is getting worse and the water is rising. Cy Young, oops read that wrong, Juan Cruz will give up one run, a home run by Aram on 4 hits and 1 walk in a Complete game.

 

And yet we are still 14-12. Hang in there! If we can just ride this out and get healthy we'll be alright.

 

what are we since Lee got injured, 4-6?

[Flames24Rulz]

this team is about as bad as ive seen it, no motivation whatsoever. It is like a broken record of last year but without a guy hitting .450. Cubs get swept tonight. so much for everyone saying if they just could keep their head above water, too bad the storm is getting worse and the water is rising. Cy Young, oops read that wrong, Juan Cruz will give up one run, a home run by Aram on 4 hits and 1 walk in a Complete game.

 

And yet we are still 14-12. Hang in there! If we can just ride this out and get healthy we'll be alright.

 

what are we since Lee got injured, 4-6?

 

5-7, I believe.

[oldstyle81]

I predict that I won't watch this game.

 

Seconded. I'll be watching the Lakers-Suns Game 6.

 

I'd rather watch a Devil Rays Vs. Royals game before I watch a Pro-Basketball game.

 

same here, basketball died when Jordan left