6/5 Cubs (Zambrano) @ Astros (Buchholz) 7:05 on CSN

[treebird]

OML the Cubs looked significantly less than horrible for nearly a whole series. Hope you enjoyed it, because that was probably the non-April high point of the season. Let's all hold hands and enjoy the view from the top.

 

Hooray Cobs.

[BigSlick]

OML the Cubs looked significantly less than horrible for nearly a whole series. Hope you enjoyed it, because that was probably the non-April high point of the season. Let's all hold hands and enjoy the view from the top.

 

Hooray Cobs.

 

Still 11 games back from .500, which is just incredibly depressing.

 

If we can take 3 outta 4 from the 'Stros, and take care of the Reds, that would ease my aching heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too bad I know it wont happen.

[Andy]

Z's pitching, so maybe we can squeeze one more day out of this. Actually, Kerry is pitching the next day (and was really good last time out), so maybe we can get two more days.

 

Who am I kidding? We're gonna win the pennant.

[Drew Doughty]

Z's pitching, so maybe we can squeeze one more day out of this. Actually, Kerry is pitching the next day (and was really good last time out), so maybe we can get two more days.

 

Who am I kidding? We're gonna win the pennant.

 

that's not the spirit! i said we were going to be swept before the weekend started and we took two out of three!

 

Now, I'm not only clamoring for the Astros to sweep us in this series, I want them to no-hit us in every game! No-hits all around!

 

PS go cubs

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

OML the Cubs looked significantly less than horrible for nearly a whole series. Hope you enjoyed it, because that was probably the non-April high point of the season. Let's all hold hands and enjoy the view from the top.

 

Hooray Cobs.

 

Still 11 games back from .500, which is just incredibly depressing.

 

If we can take 3 outta 4 from the 'Stros, and take care of the Reds, that would ease my aching heart.

 

Too bad I know it wont happen.

 

 

In conjunction with a bunch of Cardinals losses!!!

[soccer10k]

Can we just play the Cardinals all the time. Actually, I would be content just playing the NL Central all the time seeing as the Cubs are 14-11 in the division so far this year.

[C.C.]

Man I hope we get 2/3 this series. The matchups favor us so that means we lose 2/3... : (

[Banedon]

[senseless optimism]

 

Yay! We won a series against the first place team! And the Astros have lost 20 of 28! We're on our way! With Pujols out, the Cardinals should fall back to the pack! Here come the Cubs!

 

[/senseless optimism]

[badger1679666666]

Man I hope we get 2/3 this series. The matchups favor us so that means we get swept and score 2 total runs : (

 

FYP.

[Big Fergie J]

I like the match-ups in this series.

 

I'm starting to believe the Baseball Gods will look favorably on the Cubs in the month of June.

 

Go Cubs !!

[Sammy Sofa]

The Cubs are hitting hard...if they can keep it up, there's zero reason they should lose today or tomorrow with Z and Wood on the mound. If they can just hold on and make some small gains here or there until Prior and Lee get back 2-3 weeks from now...hey, it'll look slightly less horrible!

 

GO CUBS!!!

[Derwood]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

[Banedon]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

 

In '04, the Cubs were 50-40 in the Central, 15-15 in the West, and 16-14 against the East.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Cubs win, 5-2

[Balsa]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

Last year, they were flat out MISERABLE against the NL East.

 

As far as this series goes, I'm going with unadulterated enthusiasm. Go COBS.

 

We just gotta take it one game at a time, and not look at the big picture. C'mon Cubs just keep winning series until Lee and Prior come back....

[Fred Hornkohl]

Worthless stats of the day for Monday........

 

CUBS are 5-2 on Mondays

CUBS are 0-0 vs. Houston

CUBS are 7-6 when they've lost their last 1 game(s) in a row

CUBS are 12-19 when they've lost their previous game

CUBS are 10-9 in games that start a series

CUBS are 13-12 at night

CUBS are 10-19 on the road

CUBS are 15-8 when they get a quality start.... 7-25 when they don't

CUBS are 17-9 when they score first in the game.... 5-24 when they don't

CUBS are 11-7 when they score in the first inning.... 11-26 when they don't

CUBS are 18-15 when they don't allow any runs is the first inning.... 4-18 when they do

CUBS are 19-7 when they score at least 4 runs.... 3-26 when they don't

CUBS are 15-6 when they allow fewer than 4 runs.... 7-27 when they don't

CUBS are 17-8 when they outhit the opponents.... 3-21 when they get outhit.... and 1-4 when the hits are even

CUBS are 18-16 when one of Maddux, Marshall, or Zambrano start

CUBS are 8-2 when they hit at least 2 home runs.... 14-31 when they don't

CUBS are 13-7 when they allow fewer than 4 walks.... 9-26 when they don't

CUBS are 0-9 when the opponent triples.... 22-24 when they don't

CUBS are 3-12 when the opponent hits at least 2 HRs.... 19-21 when they don't

CUBS are 3-13 when the opponent hits a sacrifice fly.... 19-20 when they don't

CUBS are on a pace to win 65 games this year..... compared to 79 last year

CUBS are on a pace to score 651 runs this year..... compared to 703 last year

CUBS are on a pace to hit 121 home runs this year..... compared to 194 last year

CUBS are on a pace to draw 409 walks this year..... compared to 419 last year

CUBS are on a pace to ground into 171 double plays this year..... compared to 129 last year

CUBS are drving in 19.3% of their runners on base compared to 18.4% last year

CUBS are scoring 0.350 runs per baserunner compared to 0.365 last year

CUBS are extra base hit ratio is 28.6% compared to 35.8% last year

 

CUBS are 6-6 when Zambrano starts

Zambrano is 8 of 12 in quality starts

Zambrano's ERA pitching to Barrett is 3.83 ... pitching to Blanco it's 2.25

CUBS score 4.02 R/G overall.... 4.58 R/G when Maddux pitches

CUBS hit 0.75 HR/G overall.... 0.92 HR/G when Maddux pitches

 

CUBS' offensive support of Maddux.....

 

04/03 - 06/04      AB    R    H   2b   3b   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
CUBS w/Zambrano   409   55   95   20    2   11  152   52   33   68  0.232  0.291  0.372  0.663
CUBS overall     1865  221  479   81   15   41  713  204  139  285  0.257  0.311  0.382  0.693

 

Zambrano's previous starts (3-3).....

 

Zambrano                IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR    PC  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
04/03  vs. Cincy       4.7    7    5    5    5    5    2   105  9.64  9.64  3.86  2.57  9.64
04/08  vs. St. L       6.0    4    2    0    4    5    0   111  6.00  7.50  0.00  1.33  0.00
04/13  vs. Cincy       6.0    4    5    4    3    8    2   103  4.50 12.00  3.00  1.17  6.00
04/18  vs. L.A.        6.0    4    1    1    5    3    0   112  7.50  4.50  0.00  1.50  1.50
04/24  vs. Flor        7.0    6    3    3    3   12    1   114  3.86 15.43  1.29  1.29  3.86
04/30  vs. Milw        4.0    8    7    7    5    5    1   103 11.25 11.25  2.25  3.25 15.75
05/05  vs. S.D.        7.0    4    0    0    3   10    0   107  3.86 12.86  0.00  1.00  0.00
05/10  vs. S.F.        8.0    5    1    1    5    6    0   110  5.63  6.75  0.00  1.25  1.13
05/16  vs. Wash        8.0    4    0    0    2    8    0   122  2.25  9.00  0.00  0.75  0.00
05/21  vs. CWS         7.0    4    4    4    3    9    3   113  3.86 11.57  3.86  1.00  5.14
05/26  vs. Atla        6.7    2    2    2    6    8    0   124  8.10 10.80  0.00  1.20  2.70
05/31  vs. Cincy       6.0    4    2    2    3    6    1   101  4.50  9.00  1.50  1.17  3.00

Home                  43.7   32   21   18   26   52    5   778  5.36 10.72  1.03  1.33  3.71
Road                  32.7   24   11   11   21   33    5   547  5.79  9.09  1.38  1.38  3.03

Day                   42.3   33   25   22   28   48    8   781  5.95 10.20  1.70  1.44  4.68
Nite                  34.0   23    7    7   19   37    2   544  5.03  9.79  0.53  1.24  1.85

Season totals         76.3   56   32   29   47   85   10  1325  5.54 10.02  1.18  1.35  3.42

 

Zambrano's starts against Houston last year (1-1)......

 

Zambrano                IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR    PC  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
08/17  vs. Houst       8.3    3    2    1    3   10    0   116  3.24 10.80  0.00  0.72  1.08
09/24  vs. Houst       6.3    9    6    6    1    4    2    94  1.42  5.68  2.84  1.58  8.53
09/30  vs. Houst       7.0    4    1    1    3    8    1   116  3.86 10.29  1.29  1.00  1.29

totals vs. Houst      21.7   16    9    8    7   22    3   326  2.91  9.14  1.25  1.06  3.32

season totals        223.3  170   88   81   86  202   21  3564  3.47  8.14  0.85  1.15  3.26

 

CUBS' bullpen usage for the last week......

 

              Sun        Sat        Fri        Thu        Wed        Tue        Mon           Totals
             04 Jun     03 Jun     02 Jun     01 Jun     31 May     30 May     29 May
             at St. L   at St. L   at St. L   no game    vs Cincy   vs Cincy   vs Cincy
pitcher        IP Pit     IP Pit     IP Pit     IP Pit     IP Pit     IP Pit     IP Pit        IP Pit

Dempster                            2.3  30                          1.0  19    1.3  21       4.7  70
Eyre                                2.0  41               0.7  18               0.7  17       3.3  76
Howry                    0.3   5    0.7  27               1.0  20                             2.0  52
Ohman         0.3   6               0.3   3               0.7   6    1.0  15                  2.3  30
Williamson               0.7  20    0.3   5                                                   1.0  25
Novoa                    3.0  33    0.3   3               0.3  12    1.0  18                  4.7  66
Aardsma       0.7  18               1.7  27               0.3   6    0.3   3    1.0  17       4.0  71
Marmol        2.0  28                                                                         2.0  28

Totals        3.0  52    4.0  58    7.7 136               3.0  62    3.3  55    3.0  55      24.0 418

 

CUBS' season series vs. Houston last year (9-7) .......

 

Gm#    Date       Opponent         Score  Starter
22  Fri 04/29  @ Houston       N   3- 2  Maddux        
23  Sat 04/30  @ Houston       N   5- 7  Wood        
24  Sun 05/01  @ Houston           3- 9  Prior        
42  Mon 05/23    Houston       N   4- 1  Rusch        
43  Tue 05/24    Houston       N   4- 2  Mitre        
44  Wed 05/25    Houston       N   1- 5  Maddux        
119  Mon 08/15  @ Houston       N   4-12  Rusch        
120  Tue 08/16  @ Houston       N   4- 1  Maddux        
121  Wed 08/17  @ Houston       N   4- 2  Zambrano      
154  Fri 09/23    Houston           5- 4  Rusch        
155  Sat 09/24    Houston           3- 8  Zambrano      
156  Sun 09/25    Houston           3- 2  Williams      
159  Thu 09/29  @ Houston       N   3- 2  Rusch        
160  Fri 09/30  @ Houston       N   4- 3  Zambrano      
161  Sat 10/01  @ Houston           1- 3  Williams      
162  Sun 10/02  @ Houston           4- 6  Maddux        

 

 

CUBS' season series vs. Houston .......

 

Gm#    Date       Opponent         Score  Starter
56  Mon 06/05  @ Houston       N    -    Zambrano      
57  Tue 06/06  @ Houston       N    -    Wood        
58  Wed 06/07  @ Houston            -    Marshall      
63  Tue 06/13    Houston       N    -    Marshall      
64  Wed 06/14    Houston       N    -    Rusch        
65  Thu 06/15    Houston            -             
82  Mon 07/03  @ Houston       N    -             
83  Tue 07/04  @ Houston            -             
84  Wed 07/05  @ Houston       N    -             
92  Tue 07/18    Houston       N    -             
93  Wed 07/19    Houston       N    -             
94  Thu 07/20    Houston            -             
118  Mon 08/14  @ Houston       N    -             
119  Tue 08/15  @ Houston       N    -             
120  Wed 08/16  @ Houston            -             

 

CUBS' hitters during the last 14 games......

 

05/20 - 06/04      AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Womack             23    3   11    1    0    0   12    1    2    2  0.478  0.520  0.522  1.042
Jones              57    8   19    3    0    4   34   13    3    9  0.333  0.367  0.596  0.963
Nevin               6    2    1    0    0    1    4    2    1    0  0.167  0.286  0.667  0.952
Barrett            50   10   18    2    2    1   27    5    4    7  0.360  0.411  0.540  0.951
Ramirez            59    8   18    2    1    4   34   13    2    5  0.305  0.349  0.576  0.925
Murton             45    8   15    3    0    2   24    3    2    7  0.333  0.367  0.533  0.901
Walker             54   10   18    2    0    1   23    8    5    3  0.333  0.390  0.426  0.816
Cedeno             53    4   17    1    0    0   18    5    3    8  0.321  0.357  0.340  0.697
Pierre             62    8   17    4    1    0   23    3    3    5  0.274  0.318  0.371  0.689
Bynum              16    3    3    0    0    1    6    3    0    6  0.188  0.235  0.375  0.610
Perez              29    5    6    0    1    0    8    4    0    2  0.207  0.207  0.276  0.483
Mabry              13    0    1    0    0    0    1    0    4    3  0.077  0.294  0.077  0.371
Blanco              8    0    1    0    0    0    1    1    0    1  0.125  0.125  0.125  0.250
Hairston           15    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    2  0.000  0.063  0.000  0.063
Theriot             1    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0  0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000

14 game totals    517   69  151   21    5   14  224   64   29   69  0.292  0.337  0.433  0.770

season totals    1865  221  479   77   15   41  709  203  139  283  0.257  0.311  0.380  0.691

 

CUBS' pitchers during the last 14 games......

 

05/20 - 06/04        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR    PC  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
Marmol              2.0    1    0    0    0    3    0    28  0.00 13.50  0.00  0.50  0.00
Ohman               7.3    5    0    0    3    8    0   108  3.68  9.82  0.00  1.09  0.00
Eyre                8.3    8    3    2    2   12    1   148  2.16 12.96  1.08  1.20  2.16
Howry               6.3    6    2    2    3    4    0   134  4.26  5.68  0.00  1.42  2.84
Wood               11.0    7    5    4    6    7    1   171  4.91  5.73  0.82  1.18  3.27
Zambrano           19.7   10    8    8   12   23    4   338  5.49 10.53  1.83  1.12  3.66
Dempster            8.3    8    5    4    4    8    0   145  4.32  8.64  0.00  1.44  4.32
Aardsma             4.0    5    3    2    1    3    0    72  2.25  6.75  0.00  1.50  4.50
Novoa               9.7    7    5    5    7    8    3   181  6.52  7.45  2.79  1.45  4.66
Rusch              10.0   10    7    6    3   15    2   185  2.70 13.50  1.80  1.30  5.40
Marshall           15.7   22   11   11    7    8    1   255  4.02  4.60  0.57  1.85  6.32
Maddux             16.7   24   15   15    4    5    1   237  2.16  2.70  0.54  1.68  8.10
Williamson          3.3    4    3    3    4    3    0    58 10.80  8.10  0.00  2.40  8.10
Hill                4.0    5    7    7    5    2    2    87 11.25  4.50  4.50  2.50 15.75
Wuertz              1.0    3    2    2    2    1    0    46 18.00  9.00  0.00  5.00 18.00
Ryu                 1.3    7    6    6    0    0    4    28  0.00  0.00 27.00  5.25 40.50

14 game totals    128.7  132   82   77   63  110   19  2221  4.41  7.69  1.33  1.52  5.39

season totals     487.7  455  281  262  242  419   68  8288  4.47  7.73  1.25  1.43  4.84

 

Percentage of baserunners driven in

 

04/03 - 06/04      BDI  LOB   RBI%
Restovich            1    2  0.333
Walker              25   52  0.325
Lee                  7   17  0.292
Nevin                1    3  0.250
Jones               20   60  0.250
Barrett             18   64  0.220
Perez               11   40  0.216
Ramirez             21   80  0.208
Murton              16   68  0.190
Bynum                4   19  0.174
Cedeno              15   73  0.170
Womack               1    6  0.143
Blanco               3   18  0.143
Hairston             4   27  0.129
Pagan                1    8  0.111
Pierre               5   63  0.074
Mabry                2   29  0.065
Theriot              0    2  0.000

team               162  679  0.193

 

Go CUBS !!

Edited June 5, 2006 by Fred Hornkohl

[C.C.]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

Last year, they were flat out MISERABLE against the NL East.

 

As far as this series goes, I'm going with unadulterated enthusiasm. Go COBS.

 

We just gotta take it one game at a time, and not look at the big picture. C'mon Cubs just keep winning series until Lee and Prior come back....

 

I think we still have a shot why not! The central is going to be a dog fight the whole year no one is going to run away and hide. I just hope there isn't a let down for this series.

[badgercub]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

Last year, they were flat out MISERABLE against the NL East.

 

As far as this series goes, I'm going with unadulterated enthusiasm. Go COBS.

 

We just gotta take it one game at a time, and not look at the big picture. C'mon Cubs just keep winning series until Lee and Prior come back....

 

I think we still have a shot why not! The central is going to be a dog fight the whole year no one is going to run away and hide. I just hope there isn't a let down for this series.

 

I really don't think the Cards will collapse without Pujols, they can easily move Edmonds to first and put Taguchi or whoever in center. They still have a formiddable pitching staff, something the Cubs didn't have(and still don't), to weather the storm of Pujols being out.

[Banedon]

I wish you'd make some longer posts, Fred. Ya know...something with substance. :P

[soccer10k]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

Last year, they were flat out MISERABLE against the NL East.

 

As far as this series goes, I'm going with unadulterated enthusiasm. Go COBS.

 

We just gotta take it one game at a time, and not look at the big picture. C'mon Cubs just keep winning series until Lee and Prior come back....

 

I think we still have a shot why not! The central is going to be a dog fight the whole year no one is going to run away and hide. I just hope there isn't a let down for this series.

 

I really don't think the Cards will collapse without Pujols, they can easily move Edmonds to first and put Taguchi or whoever in center. They still have a formiddable pitching staff, something the Cubs didn't have(and still don't), to weather the storm of Pujols being out.

 

And would you like to explain to me how they will replace Pujols's production offensively?

[badgercub]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

Last year, they were flat out MISERABLE against the NL East.

 

As far as this series goes, I'm going with unadulterated enthusiasm. Go COBS.

 

We just gotta take it one game at a time, and not look at the big picture. C'mon Cubs just keep winning series until Lee and Prior come back....

 

I think we still have a shot why not! The central is going to be a dog fight the whole year no one is going to run away and hide. I just hope there isn't a let down for this series.

 

I really don't think the Cards will collapse without Pujols, they can easily move Edmonds to first and put Taguchi or whoever in center. They still have a formiddable pitching staff, something the Cubs didn't have(and still don't), to weather the storm of Pujols being out.

 

And would you like to explain to me how they will replace Pujols's production offensively?

 

They may not replace him offensively, but they have the pitching to holdup and not have a major collapse like the Cubs have while Lee has been out. Which is the basis for which people think the Cards will fall back to the pack. Even without Pujols they most likely will play at or a little above .500 ball. At least that is my opinion. Guys like Rolen, Edmonds can pick up some of the slack.

[Derwood]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

Last year, they were flat out MISERABLE against the NL East.

 

ok, that's what i'm remembering then

[Balsa]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

Last year, they were flat out MISERABLE against the NL East.

 

ok, that's what i'm remembering then

Yep. Remember this?

http://i.esmas.com/image/0/000/004/242/CachorrosAPNT_.jpg

[soccer10k]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

Last year, they were flat out MISERABLE against the NL East.

 

As far as this series goes, I'm going with unadulterated enthusiasm. Go COBS.

 

We just gotta take it one game at a time, and not look at the big picture. C'mon Cubs just keep winning series until Lee and Prior come back....

 

I think we still have a shot why not! The central is going to be a dog fight the whole year no one is going to run away and hide. I just hope there isn't a let down for this series.

 

I really don't think the Cards will collapse without Pujols, they can easily move Edmonds to first and put Taguchi or whoever in center. They still have a formiddable pitching staff, something the Cubs didn't have(and still don't), to weather the storm of Pujols being out.

 

And would you like to explain to me how they will replace Pujols's production offensively?

 

They may not replace him offensively, but they have the pitching to holdup and not have a major collapse like the Cubs have while Lee has been out. Which is the basis for which people think the Cards will fall back to the pack. Even without Pujols they most likely will play at or a little above .500 ball. At least that is my opinion. Guys like Rolen, Edmonds can pick up some of the slack.

 

How do you know that Rolen and Edmonds pick up the slack and won't slip? It hurts a team's offense when they lose their best offensive weapons. The past few years when the Giants play without Barry Bonds, they are at best a .500 team, but with him they are a playoff contender. Just look at last year when Bonds led them to a winning streak when he came back at the end of the year. I don't have the splits but I've listened to numerous Giants games the past few years where the announcers have said the Giants's record is horrible without him. So don't underestimate the effect one player can have on a team.

[NorthsideAvenger]

i seem to recall that the cubs played well against the central but poorly outside of the division in 2004 as well. how did that turn out again?

Last year, they were flat out MISERABLE against the NL East.

 

As far as this series goes, I'm going with unadulterated enthusiasm. Go COBS.

 

We just gotta take it one game at a time, and not look at the big picture. C'mon Cubs just keep winning series until Lee and Prior come back....

 

I think we still have a shot why not! The central is going to be a dog fight the whole year no one is going to run away and hide. I just hope there isn't a let down for this series.

 

I really don't think the Cards will collapse without Pujols, they can easily move Edmonds to first and put Taguchi or whoever in center. They still have a formiddable pitching staff, something the Cubs didn't have(and still don't), to weather the storm of Pujols being out.

 

So you are removing Albert Pujols bat (one of the game's best bat) and essentially replacing him with Taguchi. :shock: Sure, the Cards can expect the same production out of Taguchi as they got out of Pujols. :roll: The Cards lineup without Pujols, rivals that of the Cubs lineup without Lee. And no their rotation is not formiable, they're solid, but not beyond reproached, tho. Carpenter is their only "guarantee", Mulder/Marquis are both GREATLY underachievers, and Suppan/5th starter are what they are. The Cards have a solid rotation, but not one that can keep the team that can dominate while Albert is out. I don't see a collapse, but what I do see is the Cubs closing their lead by half (if not more) before Albert before Albert comes back.