04/05 CUBS (Zambrano) @ Atlanta (Lowe) 3:05 CDT, WCIU & ESPN

[erik316wttn]

What up bitches!!!!! Another year of game threads.

 

"What the [expletive] is lou doing know!"

 

"Marmol pitch [expletive] strikes!"

 

"Riot has no [expletive] range!"

 

"Please don't be hurt Ram! PLEASE!!!"

 

"Soriano [expletive] sucks!!!!!!"

 

"DLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!"

 

"RAM!!!!!!!!!!"

 

"Bring up CASTRO ALREADY!!!!!"

 

"SOTO POWER!!!!"

 

Just getting warmed up guys.

 

You forgot the best one:

 

 

Geovany Soto

[Prizefight]

Waking up today the birds were singing louder, the sun is a little brighter and the air smells oh so sweet.

 

I can't wait for tonight. :D

[Hairyducked Idiot]

[random old-time player from current opponent] just [did something today's players from current opponent have done frequently in this game]

[erik316wttn]

My working hours are great this week. Usually I'd hate them, but I have today off, I work a crappy shift tomorrow but it doesn't matter because the Cubs are off, I'm off by 2 on Wed and I'm off on Thursday so I won't miss a single pitch of the opening series. \:D/ \:D/

[Derwood]

my last class was 10 years ago, so this start time is perfect

[Cubswin11]

I have three classes today, 9:30, 12:30, and 3:30 but I am skipping out on the 12:30 and 3:30 to catch a glorious day of baseball! I will have 3 games available from noon until the start of the Cubs (2 ESPN games and Brewers on FSN WI). Next year (Will have graduated from College) I am going to do everything in my power to attend opening day wherever the Cubs may be playing.

[fiver]

Somehow, I have to stop myself from the checking the score online from 3-5 and then crank up the DVR when I get home.

[Cubswin11]

Derek Lowe seems like he is the exact kind of pitcher that would give the cubs fits on opening day. I predict lots of weak grounders.

 

That sinker can give us fits.

 

Anyway, let's make some predictions about Cubs firsts.

 

First Cubs hit: I'll say brand new Cub Marlon Byrd

First run scored: Lee

First opposing batter to K: Rookie Phenom Jason whatshisname

First Cubs relief pitcher used in 2010: Grabow

First Cubs HR: ARAMBOMB!!!

 

Cubs win today 7-2. Book it.

I agree that Lowe could make this game frustrating for us, lots of balls in play and few strikes outs. I'll give it a go

 

First Cubs Hit: Kosuke

First Run Scored: Soriano

First Opposing Batter to K: Martin Prado

First Relief Pitcher Used: Berg

First Cubs HR: Byrd

 

Cubs win 8-5

[Cubswin11]

Per the Braves.com message board their lineup will be

 

Melky Cabrera, LF

Martin Prado, 2B

Chipper Jones, 3B

Brian McCann, C

Troy Glaus, 1B

Yunel Escobar, SS

Jason Heyward, RF

Nate McLouth, CF

Derek Lowe, P

 

That's a pretty deep lineup

[Old Style]

What a glorious day! I am leaving work early so I can be home for the game. At this point I still have a small glimmer of hope that this may finally be the year. Hopefully I am still thinking the same way come the end of August.

[jersey cubs fan]

I should leave early today.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I just felt my first pang of Cubs optimism.

 

There's just so much bad in the NL. Pirates, Nationals, Padres, Mets, Diamondbacks are all bad. I'm also far from sold on the Reds.

 

That leaves four playoff spots for 10 teams. It would take some luck, but that's not awful odds.

[Exile on Waveland]

Probably be a radio/gamecast game for me today, though hopefully I can catch the end after work. Pretty excited.

[Andy]

[random old-time player from current opponent] just [did something today's players from current opponent have done frequently in this game]

Dusty Baker just said 'dude, baseball ain't fishing'

[kujay]

I just felt my first pang of Cubs optimism.

 

Same here. I basically took last year off from being emotionally invested in the Cubs, but like the battered spouse, I know the Cubs only hurt me because they love me and I'm back and ready for more.

 

Let's do this.

[jb10194]

Glad that I have Spring Break this week. Although it doesn't really matter since all of the games this week are night games #-o

Still, it will be nice keeping up with all of the other games this week

4:05 Eastern time (or the equivalent where you live) is night?

 

My bad. I meant to say every other game this week besides this one

[Andy]

I just felt my first pang of Cubs optimism.

 

There's just so much bad in the NL. Pirates, Nationals, Padres, Mets, Diamondbacks are all bad. I'm also far from sold on the Reds.

 

That leaves four playoff spots for 10 teams. It would take some luck, but that's not awful odds.

I'm trying to just enjoy the season for now. If we're in it in late July or August I'll get excited. Right now I'm just glad to have baseball.

[ctcf]

Leaving to go teach my class now. Will return just in time for CUBS BASEBALL.

 

God that feels GOOD.

[Sammy Sofa]

Today is a good day.

[Guest]

Kaplan and Sirott will be joining the BSquared team on 312sports...right now!

 

:D

[Schwarber Fan]

First Cubs hit: D. Lee

First run scored: Fukudome

First opposing batter to K: McCann

First Cubs relief pitcher used in 2010: Caridad

First Cubs HR: Soriano

[jersey cubs fan]

I've lost all respect for 312sports if they are affiliating with Kaplan. He's the worst human being following Chicago sports.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

From Fangraphs' chat:

[Comment From Okobojicat]

Someone give me a scenario in which the Cubs win the division this year? There has to be one doesn't there?.

11:00

Dave Cameron: Sure - the Cardinals and Brewers buses crash into each other on the way to a game.

11:00

Dan Szymborski: OK, just verified that Bogues is in NBA Jam Tournament Edition. They didn't get the height right (he seems to be taller than Mookie Blaylock in a game I just played).

11:01

patrick newman: heh, was thinking along the 'devastating accidents' line myself

11:01

patrick newman: another scenario would be if Ditka takes over as manager

11:01

JeffZimmerman: The Cubs find the Hot Tub time machine and go back to when most of their players were good.

11:01

Dan Szymborski: The Cubs aren't that bad, they're not the favorite, but they have a chance.

11:02

Dave Cameron: They're a good 5-8 wins behind the Cardinals in true talent though, so that chance isn't a very good one.

11:02

Dan Szymborski: Especially with a Silva/Samardzija suicide pact.

11:02

Dan Szymborski: Variance is a bitch.

11:03

Dave Cameron: I'd give the Cubs less than 10% odds of winning that division.

11:04

Dan Szymborski: I'm not that pessimistic.

[OleMissCub]

I've lost all respect for 312sports if they are affiliating with Kaplan. He's the worst human being following Chicago sports.

 

that's not very nice

[Sammy Sofa]

But it's very true.