4/4 - Astros (Sampson) @ Cobs (1Pitch Rich), 1:20 PM CT, CSN

[Springfield_CUBBY]

Lou says Reed Johnson will start in CF tomorrow.

 

Ugh, why? This starter is a righty, as far as I can tell.

 

Either Lou is already going away from him or Pie is hurting more than we thought from the HBP. Either way, I don't likey.

N0, no, no guys - you've got it all wrong. Didn't you see Truffle's forecast?

The exclusive TruffleShuffle forecast: Clouds breaking for some sunshine, temperatures in the upper 40s, winds north-northeasterly at 8-16 mph. Sounds like a lovely early April day in Chicago!

Lou's just playin' the odds and hoping to get as many righties in there to hit 'dem balls up into the jet stream . . .

(wishful thinking, grasping at straws - hoping Pie's OK!)

[CubbieBum]

How the hell are we only one game out of first?

 

Go OPR

 

Because we have an Asian Sensation by name of Fukudome.

[CubbieBum]

Lou says Reed Johnson will start in CF tomorrow.

 

Ugh, why? This starter is a righty, as far as I can tell.

 

Either Lou is already going away from him or Pie is hurting more than we thought from the HBP. Either way, I don't likey.

N0, no, no guys - you've got it all wrong. Didn't you see Truffle's forecast?

The exclusive TruffleShuffle forecast: Clouds breaking for some sunshine, temperatures in the upper 40s, winds north-northeasterly at 8-16 mph. Sounds like a lovely early April day in Chicago!

Lou's just playin' the odds and hoping to get as many righties in there to hit 'dem balls up into the jet stream . . .

(wishful thinking, grasping at straws - hoping Pie's OK!)

 

My guess is its a combo of a couple things. The HBP on the wrist, wanting to not have Reed get cold, having a pre-determinantion that Pie will play a couple games then get a day off.

 

Pie has the second best batting average on the team among starters (.273) so it can't be because he hasn't been playing well.

[ELCABALLO45]

Well back to watching each other's games again. I actually like doing that. See you guys later this month!

[Guest]

Better win this series because the Brewers are playing the Giants so as long as Milwaukee scores three or four runs each game, they'll sweep the series.

[Guest]

Better win this series because the Brewers are playing the Giants so as long as Milwaukee scores three or four runs each game, they'll sweep the series.

[JimSorgi]

Better win this series because the Brewers are playing the Giants so as long as Milwaukee scores one run each game, they'll sweep the series.

 

fixed

[98navigator]

A slight correction, perhaps, of what was reported on Comcast Sports Net earlier:

 

Felix Pie was hit on the right hand in the eighth inning but stayed in the game. If he can't go, Reed Johnson will start in center field.

linkage

 

We'll all find out the deal soon enough.

[Guest]

DirecTV 725 (Astros Feed)

DirecTV 726 (Cubs Feed)

DirecTV 726-1 (Cubs Feed HD)

 

It will also be on DirecTV 640 (CSNC/Cubs Feed)

[Omar]

Did DishNetwork break a deal with MLB? I used to get Extra Innings but not anymore.

[Lockes Eye Scar]

Did DishNetwork break a deal with MLB? I used to get Extra Innings but not anymore.

 

Nope. DishNetwork still sucks.

[wvcbxl]

Are we going to see more of that "baseclogging" thing?

Hope so.

[rawaction]

Lou says Reed Johnson will start in CF tomorrow.

 

Ugh, why? This starter is a righty, as far as I can tell.

 

Either Lou is already going away from him or Pie is hurting more than we thought from the HBP. Either way, I don't likey.

N0, no, no guys - you've got it all wrong. Didn't you see Truffle's forecast?

The exclusive TruffleShuffle forecast: Clouds breaking for some sunshine, temperatures in the upper 40s, winds north-northeasterly at 8-16 mph. Sounds like a lovely early April day in Chicago!

Lou's just playin' the odds and hoping to get as many righties in there to hit 'dem balls up into the jet stream . . .

(wishful thinking, grasping at straws - hoping Pie's OK!)

 

My guess is its a combo of a couple things. The HBP on the wrist, wanting to not have Reed get cold, having a pre-determinantion that Pie will play a couple games then get a day off.

 

Pie has the second best batting average on the team among starters (.273) so it can't be because he hasn't been playing well.

 

Pie's approach has completely abandoned him with runners in scoring position.

[CubColtPacer]

Are we going to see more of that "baseclogging" thing?

Hope so.

 

Unfortunately, probably not. Sampson is not a wild pitcher at all. His highest walk total in the major leagues is 4, and his walk rate in his 150 major league innings is right around 2 per 9 innings. And that walk rate was really high for him compared to his 1.37 walks per 9 innings in the minors.

 

So the Cubs should still be patient, but they are likely going to have to hit the ball well today. Sampson isn't going to give them much free, but thankfully he has shown himself around the league as somebody who is pretty easy to get a hit off of. I don't think the Cubs have had much success off of him though.

[TruffleShuffle]

both guys are prone to giving up home runs, so one would think that the advantage of the wind blowing in will be about equal for hill and sampson.

[C.C.]

both guys are prone to giving up home runs, so one would think that the advantage of the wind blowing in will be about equal for hill and sampson.

 

 

which means both teams will at least hit 3 out of the ballpark.

[AI]

Truff, Clearly the guy from Houston named Sampson is THIS guy...

 

http://www.nba.com/theater/images/gallery/sampson_r_draft.jpg

[UMFan83]

Better win this series because the Brewers are playing the Giants so as long as Milwaukee scores three or four runs each game, they'll sweep the series.

 

It's April. We'll get our chances to knock around the Giants and catch back up if we falter this weekend.

[UMFan83]

I wonder how Lou will configure the lineup with Reed Johnson in there. Will he just hit Pie 8th? Or will he go with his lefty lineup that he made up in Spring? Is that lineup still applicable now that Lou has given up on the Soriano down in the order experiment?

 

IIRC, Lou said this would be the lineup vs. Lefties:

 

Johnson

Fukudome

Lee

Ramirez

Soriano

DeRosa

Soto

Theriot

[jyoung55]

I wonder how Lou will configure the lineup with Reed Johnson in there. Will he just hit Pie 8th? Or will he go with his lefty lineup that he made up in Spring? Is that lineup still applicable now that Lou has given up on the Soriano down in the order experiment?

 

IIRC, Lou said this would be the lineup vs. Lefties:

 

Johnson

Fukudome

Lee

Ramirez

Soriano

DeRosa

Soto

Theriot

 

Soriano's the lead off hitter now remember and that's that. [/paraphrase of Lou]

[Post Count Padder]

Looks like we're getting our first taste of Reed.

[ctcf]

Looks like we're getting our first taste of Reed.

 

?

 

Although from this rotoworld blurb it certainly sounds like the Cubs will be cautious with Pie today:

 

Felix Pie had a "bad" bruise on the back of his wrist after getting hit by a pitch on Thursday.

Pie stayed in the game, and the Cubs don't expect him to need X-rays, but Reed Johnson could start on Friday if Pie's hand is stiff this morning.

[VanceJergins]

I'll be so tik't if we lose to this guy. I hope Rich can start this season like last year.

[big_shooter17]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/5673790.html

 

"Cooper said Darin Erstad will start one game of this weekend's series in Chicago in either left field or right field, meaning Carlos Lee or Hunter Pence will be given a day off."

 

Taking either one of these guys out of the lineup for one game should be nice. Both play well against the Cubs. Pence's sample size isn't that big, but regardless of who Cecil takes out, it isn't a bad thing.

[VanceJergins]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/5673790.html

 

"Cooper said Darin Erstad will start one game of this weekend's series in Chicago in either left field or right field, meaning Carlos Lee or Hunter Pence will be given a day off."

 

Taking either one of these guys out of the lineup for one game should be nice. Both play well against the Cubs. Pence's sample size isn't that big, but regardless of who Cecil takes out, it isn't a bad thing.

 

I forgot all about Erstad being on the Astros. Yes, please.