9/23 Pirates (Gorzelanny) @ Cubs (Z) 1:20 PM CDT WGN/720

[UMFan83]

This is it. The last home game of the season. Last chance to see the home white pinstripes in the regular season. After this, we will have to earn our playoff spot on the road.

 

After starting the season horribly, then straightening out for a couple of months, followed by another terrible stretch, Z has started going erratic mixing in bad performances with good ones. I honestly have no idea what to expect out of Z tomorrow.

 

On the other hand, Gorzelanny has been one of the best left handed pitchers in the NL. The last 2 games notwithstanding, we suck against lefties. The matchup is in their favor, but destiny is in ours. The Cubs will attempt to increase their lead in the NL Central tomorrow. Go Cubs!

[Sammy Sofa]

It depresses me that we have to be so nervous about our ace starting tomorrow.

 

Well, at least we won the series.

[XZero771679666304]

It depresses me that we have to be so nervous about our ace starting tomorrow.

 

Well, at least we won the series.

 

Yeah, but a Cubs win coupled with a Milwaukee loss tomorrow would spell almost certain doom for the crew.

 

 

With Z going for the Cubs and Cappy going for the crew, I think tomorrow could have a lot to say about how the rest of the season plays out. The Brewers will play the Cards while the Cubs will go to Miami. I think we have to leave tomorrow at least 2.5 up. That Reds series scares the crap out of me.

[David]

Not that UM hasn't been solid in his own game thread starts, but why isn't Derwood starting this one? Gotta keep the streak goin and stuff...

[Guest]

Not that UM hasn't been solid in his own game thread starts, but why isn't Derwood starting this one? Gotta keep the streak goin and stuff...

 

He's on vacation and away from a computer so he asked for a spot starter.

[Omar]

Not that UM hasn't been solid in his own game thread starts, but why isn't Derwood starting this one? Gotta keep the streak goin and stuff...

 

He's on vacation and away from a computer so he asked for a spot starter.

 

If Cubs lose, we know who to blame.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

Another good day to hit tomorrow. Wind from the South at 10 mph. After blowing in basically all Summer, it's interesting how the pattern has turned late in the season.

[kujay]

We've got them on the ropes now. Knock 'em out Z.

[UMFan83]

Not that UM hasn't been solid in his own game thread starts, but why isn't Derwood starting this one? Gotta keep the streak goin and stuff...

 

He's on vacation and away from a computer so he asked for a spot starter.

 

If Cubs lose, we know who to blame.

 

Blame Derwood :)

[Little Slide Rooter]

Another big ace vs. ace game for Big Z. Hows about you dont choke this time around big guy?

 

The offense has already taken down 2 pitchers this weekend who have had our number their entire short careers, lets make this guy number 3.

[Omar]

Pittsburgh Pirates Vs. Carlos Zambrano

                    **PA**  AB  H  2B 3B HR RBI  BB  SO   BA   OBP   SLG   OPS  
+-----------------+-------+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+-----+-----+-----+
Jack Wilson          43    39   8  1  0  0   1   3   3  .205  .262  .231  .493 
Jason Bay            39    33  12  4  0  5  16   6   6  .364  .462  .939 1.401 
Freddy Sanchez       25    23   4  0  0  0   1   1   3  .174  .240  .174  .414 
Jose Castillo        22    21   5  0  0  1   4   1   5  .238  .273  .381  .654 
Adam LaRoche         21    16   2  0  0  0   2   4   6  .125  .286  .125  .411 
Xavier Nady          19    17   7  5  0  0   7   0   2  .412  .421  .706 1.127 
Ronny Paulino        16    12   1  0  0  0   1   4   6  .083  .313  .083  .396 
Nate McLouth         15    10   3  1  0  0   1   4   4  .300  .467  .400  .867 
Jose Bautista        13    11   1  1  0  0   0   2   5  .091  .231  .182  .413 
Matt Morris          12    11   2  1  0  0   0   0   3  .182  .182  .273  .455 
Cesar Izturis         8     7   1  1  0  0   1   1   0  .143  .250  .286  .536 
Matt Kata             7     7   1  0  0  0   1   0   0  .143  .143  .143  .286 
Paul Maholm           5     4   0  0  0  0   0   1   3  .000  .200  .000  .200 
Tom Gorzelanny        3     3   0  0  0  0   0   0   1  .000  .000  .000  .000 
Nyjer Morgan          3     3   0  0  0  0   0   0   1  .000  .000  .000  .000 
Ian Snell             2     2   0  0  0  0   0   0   2  .000  .000  .000  .000 
Salomon Torres        2     2   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  .000  .000  .000  .000 
Shane Youman          2     2   1  0  0  0   0   0   0  .500  .500  .500 1.000 
Tony Armas            1     1   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  .000  .000  .000  .000 
Shawn Chacon          1     1   0  0  0  0   0   0   1  .000  .000  .000  .000 
+-----------------+-------+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+-----+-----+-----+
Total               259   225  48 14  0  6  35  27  51  .213  .300  .356  .656 

 

Chicago Cubs Vs. Tom Gorzelanny

                    **PA**  AB  H  2B 3B HR RBI  BB  SO   BA   OBP   SLG   OPS  
+-----------------+-------+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+-----+-----+-----+
Matt Murton           9     7   1  0  0  0   0   2   0  .143  .333  .143  .476 
Aramis Ramirez        9     9   1  0  0  0   0   0   1  .111  .111  .111  .222 
Alfonso Soriano       8     8   1  0  0  1   1   0   5  .125  .125  .500  .625 
Ryan Theriot          8     8   1  0  0  0   0   0   0  .125  .125  .125  .250 
Mark DeRosa           6     3   0  0  0  0   0   3   0  .000  .500  .000  .500 
Jacque Jones          6     6   1  0  0  0   0   0   1  .167  .167  .167  .334 
Derrek Lee            6     6   3  1  0  0   0   0   0  .500  .500  .667 1.167 
Ronny Cedeno          4     4   2  1  0  0   1   0   2  .500  .500  .750 1.250 
Cliff Floyd           4     3   1  1  0  0   2   0   0  .333  .500  .667 1.167 
Jason Marquis         3     3   0  0  0  0   0   0   2  .000  .000  .000  .000 
Craig Monroe          3     3   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  .000  .000  .000  .000 
Geovany Soto          3     3   2  1  0  0   0   0   0  .667  .667 1.000 1.667 
Rich Hill             2     2   0  0  0  0   0   0   1  .000  .000  .000  .000 
Steve Trachsel        2     1   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  .000  .000  .000  .000 
Carlos Zambrano       2     1   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  .000  .000  .000  .000 
+-----------------+-------+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+-----+-----+-----+
Total                75    67  13  4  0  1   4   5  12  .194  .260  .299  .559 

[Vanilla Ice]

Win, you lovable winners.

[Andy]

We should've had Southpaw start. But I'm ok with saving him for the playoffs I guess.

 

How the hell are we in first?

[SouthSideRyan]

Aerosmith, if you're in here please stop trolling the Brewer board, it's obnoxious and makes for awful karma.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I said this in the first game thread of the series:

 

We're gonna sweep this series. I guarantee it.

 

Don't make me wrong, Cubs.

[CUBZ99]

Aerosmith, if you're in here please stop trolling the Brewer board, it's obnoxious and makes for awful karma.

 

I'm guessing by his posts, it is more likely he is from Cubs.com board.

[inari]

A Cubs win and a Brewers lost will just about end this race.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Win [expletive]!

[otis89]

Win, you bums!

[Sammy Sofa]

Is Bay likely to sit again tomorrow? If so, there's absolutely no excuse for Z not to totally dominate the Pirates.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Zambranos 3rd and final "season" of 2007 begins tommorow.

[XZero771679666304]

A Cubs win and a Brewers lost will just about end this race.

 

Yeah, it would be all but over.

 

Of course, I won't feel any manner of peace until the thing is clinched.

[UK1679666180]

I love Gorzelanny, he shouldn't be with Pittsburgh though.

[VanceJergins]

I'm feeling good about Zambrano. He was starting to get back on track until he had to pitch on 3 days rest, and he didn't even do that bad last time out. I think he'll shut them down.

[SouthSideRyan]

Aerosmith, if you're in here please stop trolling the Brewer board, it's obnoxious and makes for awful karma.

 

I'm guessing by his posts, it is more likely he is from Cubs.com board.

 

Nah, I know he posts here.