ST - 3/11 Cubs (CY Silva) @ Padres (Garland) 2:05 CT

[ctcf]

Tune in today kids as future Cubs ace Carlos Silva looks to show the world what he's made of (bacon covered potato skins with a dish of gravy on the side).

[Sammy Sofa]

Dammit, Carlos Silva sounds delicious.

[CUBZ99]

Heard that most of the kids and some of the players fighting for bench spots are going to play today. Should be fun to follow.

[Schwarber Fan]

Heard that most of the kids and some of the players fighting for bench spots are going to play today. Should be fun to follow.

 

Yep

 

Cubs:

 

Fuld CF

Castro SS

Colvin RF

Millar 1B

LaHair LF

Fontenot 2B

Tracy 3B

Chirinos C

Silva P

 

Padres:

 

Cabrera SS

Eckstein 2B

Headley 3B

Hairston, S. CF

Venable RF

Stairs 1B

Torrealba C

Durango LF

Garland P

[Cubswin11]

That's virtually the Padres opening day lineup, sub out Gonzalez for Stairs, if anyone is questioning what it means for a team to plan on not competing in a season under Selig's new realignment idea see Padres, San Diego 2010.

[Sammy Sofa]

Is that Bryan LeHair with the Cubs?

[UMFan83]

I heard it might rain today, so in the interest of getting the game in, they are going to start the game in the top of the 4th, with the Padres up 6-0 and Silva already done for the game.

[NCCubFan]

I heard it might rain today, so in the interest of getting the game in, they are going to start the game in the top of the 4th, with the Padres up 6-0 and Silva already done for the game.

That's actually giving the Cubs a break, pretending that Silva would only give up 6 runs.

[Cubswin11]

If Silva gives up 6 runs against this sad excuse for a MLB lineup he should be cut no questions asked.

[KaiserCesar]

Castro walks, woo

[KaiserCesar]

This is on gameday audio with the Padres broadcast, btw

 

bases loaded early - Castro walk, Colvin single, Millar walk

[NCCubFan]

If Silva gives up 6 runs against this sad excuse for a MLB lineup he should be cut no questions asked.

All the more reason to hope it actually happens.

[KaiserCesar]

After the bases were loaded, LaHair walks to score a run, Fontenot grounds into a forceout that the infielder bobbled and Tracy grounds out.

 

2-0 Cubs

[KaiserCesar]

Silva escapes doom with the help of a double play. Had some baserunners due to a single, a ball slightly misplayed by Colvin in right and an error by Tracy

[KaiserCesar]

Fuld 2 out double, Castro rbi single after a long at bat

[BeerHere]

Brian Giles retired today due to knee problems according to the announcers.

[KaiserCesar]

Colvin drives home Castro from 2nd

[Schwarber Fan]

Is that Bryan LeHair with the Cubs?

 

yes

[JonnyRed]

Anyone think we should seriously consider bringing Colvin north instead of Fuld? He has been on fire so far. I love Fuld's glove but Colvin gets the nod with his bat.

[Schwarber Fan]

Colvin and Castro are tearing up the preseason

[JonnyRed]

...and why is Lou so convinced that Castro doesn't deserve a real shot as well. My only reason for not considering it is if they think it will be detrimental mentality if he struggles at first. Castro gives us better defense and speed than Fonty and quite possibly a livelier bat.

[Cubswin11]

Anyone think we should seriously consider bringing Colvin north instead of Fuld? He has been on fire so far. I love Fuld's glove but Colvin gets the nod with his bat.

I wouldn't mind it at all, is Colvin really that much worse than Fuld in the OF? I mean Fuld is probably a better CF, but we have Kosuke to back up there and I would think Fuld/Colvin are pretty even in LF and RF on defense.

[KaiserCesar]

...and why is Lou so convinced that Castro doesn't deserve a real shot as well. My only reason for not considering it is if they think it will be detrimental mentality if he struggles at first. Castro gives us better defense and speed than Fonty and quite possibly a livelier bat.

 

I wouldn't go as far as to say Castro would have better defense than Fontenot immediately and Castro's speed isn't the greatest. Considering his prior experience at the upper levels, he needs to start in the minors, but be a possible promotion candidate come June if he's doing really well.

[KaiserCesar]

Anyone think we should seriously consider bringing Colvin north instead of Fuld? He has been on fire so far. I love Fuld's glove but Colvin gets the nod with his bat.

 

It really depends on the Cubs' plans for Colvin. If they think he can start when Fukudome's contract expires, then they might try to season him a bit in AAA. If he's just going to be a 4th outfielder for awhile, then he can be pretty valuable on the bench. I'd like to see him get as many ABs as possible in the minors and not take Fuld or Colvin to start off

[Cubswin11]

...and why is Lou so convinced that Castro doesn't deserve a real shot as well. My only reason for not considering it is if they think it will be detrimental mentality if he struggles at first. Castro gives us better defense and speed than Fonty and quite possibly a livelier bat.

 

I wouldn't go as far as to say Castro would have better defense than Fontenot immediately and Castro's speed isn't the greatest. Considering his prior experience at the upper levels, he needs to start in the minors, but be a possible promotion candidate come June if he's doing really well.

With Castro there would be better defense at SS and I would think Theriot is pretty much equal to Fontenot at 2B. I don't see how Castro breaks camp on the 25-man without injuries. If the Fonenot/Baker platoon is scuffling then I could see a call up in mid May or early June. I don't have much faith in Fontenot to even be a average part of a platoon and think at best he is a 24/25 type player on a roster who starts maybe once a week.