4/18 Padres (Stauffer) @ Cubs (Z!) 7:05 p.m., WCIU

[ctcf]

I haven't seen a game thread yet, presumably because no one cares. I'm procrastinating over here so if you do actually care...

 

http://i.imgur.com/82wxT.gif

 

On the mound for my hometown Padres:

 

http://i.imgur.com/MaJge.jpg

 

Tim "I kinda look like Vance" Stauffer

0-1, 4.80 ERA, 15 IP, 1.867 WHIP, 7/5 K/BB

 

And opposing him on behalf of our beloved Cobs:

 

http://i.imgur.com/obefx.jpg

 

Z

2-0, 6.11 ERA, 17.2 IP, 1.585 WHIP, 13/9 K/BB

 

And to provide a brief summary of today's goals via silly interwebs pictures...

 

What Z needs to say to walks today:

 

http://i.imgur.com/o9oNQ.jpg

 

And where the Cubs need to be standing at the end of the game:

 

http://i.imgur.com/zTCnM.jpg

 

In sum: Their mascot is creepy/awful. Just win.

[PrimeTime]

LOL. Giraffe kicking that animal is the head is awesome.

[UMFan83]

Temperature should be around 38-39 degrees at game time. The good news is, the snow has likely been melted off the field and seats, so we got that going for us.

[Guest]

Can't do much worse than getting swept by the Padres last year in this series.

 

Get two of three against both SD and LA and then get at least one against Colorado for a winning homestand.

[NCCubFan]

Batting order (per cubs.com):

 

1. Castro, SS

2. Barney, 2B

3. Byrd, CF

4. Ramirez, 3B

5. Pena, 1B

6. Soriano, LF

7. Fukudome, RF

8. Soto, C

9. Zambrano, P

[ctcf]

So what is the weather/conditions actually like in Chicago?

[bukie]

So what is the weather/conditions actually like in Chicago?

Sunny. Cold. Possible showers tonight with a low of 37 degrees.

[mul21]

Is there any particular reason Soto is hitting 8th?

[bukie]

Is there any particular reason Soto is hitting 8th?

The Cubs want someone on base for Castro to drive in?

[UMFan83]

Is there any particular reason Soto is hitting 8th?

 

besides "catches hit 8th, dude"? No, not really.

[CubColtPacer]

Is there any particular reason Soto is hitting 8th?

 

I don't see the problem unlike last year...yet. Soto hasn't started hitting yet while most of the lineup has. The only hitter he should almost certainly be hitting in front of is Byrd (who is both cold and not as good of a hitter) but everyone else is either hot (Barney, Soriano) or could easily be as good of a hitter as Soto (Pena).

[ctcf]

Having been to a Pads game last week and living with a diehard Pads fan, I can firmly say their lineup is horrible. Bordering on mid 00's Cubs bad.

[Rob]

Another WCIU game? Didn't we just have one like 3 days ago?

[ctcf]

Wrigley looks barren.

[wekim81]

another WCIU game, which is awesome for those of us who don't live in Chicago or the Suburbs.

 

Eff it all.

[Guest]

Is there any particular reason Soto is hitting 8th?

 

I don't see the problem unlike last year...yet. Soto hasn't started hitting yet while most of the lineup has. The only hitter he should almost certainly be hitting in front of is Byrd (who is both cold and not as good of a hitter) but everyone else is either hot (Barney, Soriano) or could easily be as good of a hitter as Soto (Pena).

 

I know it's only four games but Soto's at least showing signs of a turnaround. He's hit safely in all four with a .929 OPS and his season OPS has gone from .604 to .701 during that span.

 

Byrd, meanwhile, is down to a .698 OPS for the year and that's with a .358 BABIP.

[ctcf]

Good start for Carlos.

[MSG T]

Good start for Carlos.

 

The three Ks or the 24 pitches?

[Yeti]

another WCIU game, which is awesome for those of us who don't live in Chicago or the Suburbs.

 

Eff it all.

not happy that the Bulls are in the playoffs huh?

[ctcf]

Good start for Carlos.

 

The three Ks or the 24 pitches?

 

Both, I suppose.

[Yeti]

is it me or is Z getting a bit squeezed?

[OleMissCub]

holy christ, these Padres announcers are mothereffing terrible

[OleMissCub]

holy christ, these Padres announcers are mothereffing terrible

 

yes, gentlemen...Hurricane Katrina caused the Astros and Cubs to play in Milwaukee when Z threw his no-no...

 

yikes

[otis89]

Wrigley looks barren.

 

Would you want to sit outside for three plus hours watching a baseball game in these conditions?

[wekim81]

another WCIU game, which is awesome for those of us who don't live in Chicago or the Suburbs.

 

Eff it all.

not happy that the Bulls are in the playoffs huh?

Pumped. That doesnt start til 8:30 tho!