04/07 Nationals (1-0) vs. Cubs (0-1) 12:05 CT CSN

[Vanilla Ice]

The Cubs throw out Matt Garza (2011- 5.0 fWAR, 3.32 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 3.19 xFIP, 8.9 K/9 vs. 2.9 BB/9, 10-10) in an effort to stop the 2012 season's first losing streak.

 

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh153/OleMissCub17/cheergarza2.gif

 

The Nationals will go with their new starter Gio Gonzalez (2011- 3.5 fWAR, 3.12 ERA, 3.64 FIP, 3.73 xFIP, 8.8 K/9 vs. 4.0 BB/9, 16-12) to try to continue their good luck.

 

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCt5ncdn8F0eBQ7DqjZDVcuRu7mD-nU9Q2opf3pVvO_xTuqUzS7r9gEYLa

 

Official Prediction: Cubs 4 Nationals 3

Edited April 6, 2012 by Vanilla Ice

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If the Cubs show some patience at the plate, they should be the favorites to win this game. Edited April 7, 2012 by Hairyducked Idiot

[UMFan83]

Wait, why wasn't Garza the opening day starter? Not that it matters much, just wondering.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Wait, why wasn't Garza the opening day starter? Not that it matters much, just wondering.

 

Unknown. It was either something about respect for Dempster or something about the way the matchups line up for the next few weeks.

[Guest]

Continuing with the advanced metrics. I like it. Drop the W-L though. :x

[Derwood]

Wait, why wasn't Garza the opening day starter? Not that it matters much, just wondering.

 

Dempster's seniority on the team

[Soul]

Wow, Gio looks like an impressive young pitcher.

 

I hope the A's got something in return for him. Unloading a lefty starter, when he's still 25 and on an upward trajectory?

[Schwarber Fan]

Expect a right-handed heavy lineup right?

 

Johnson and Mather will probably both start.

[Guest]

Are you putting Mather at 3B or 1B?

[Omar]

Nationals Vs. Garza

                  PA AB  H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO   BA  OBP   SLG   OPS SH SF IBB HBP GDP missG
Jayson Werth      11  9  4  0  0  1   2  2  3 .444 .545  .778 1.323  0  0   0   0         1
Xavier Nady        8  8  2  0  0  1   2  0  2 .250 .250  .625  .875  0  0   0   0         0
Ryan Zimmerman     8  7  3  0  0  0   0  1  1 .429 .500  .429  .929  0  0   0   0         0
Danny Espinosa     5  5  2  0  0  0   2  0  1 .400 .400  .400  .800  0  0   0   0         0
Edwin Jackson      5  4  0  0  0  0   0  0  2 .000 .000  .000  .000  1  0   0   0         0
Wilson Ramos       5  5  1  1  0  0   2  0  2 .200 .200  .400  .600  0  0   0   0         0
Ian Desmond        4  4  0  0  0  0   0  0  3 .000 .000  .000  .000  0  0   0   0         0
Mark DeRosa        3  3  2  0  0  1   2  0  0 .667 .667 1.667 2.333  0  0   0   0         0
Roger Bernadina    2  2  1  1  0  0   0  0  0 .500 .500 1.000 1.500  0  0   0   0         0
Total             51 47 15  2  0  3  10  3 14 .319 .360  .553  .913  1  0   0   0         1

 

Cubs Vs. Gonzalez

                  PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO    BA   OBP   SLG   OPS SH SF IBB HBP GDP missG
David DeJesus      8  8 2  0  0  1   1  0  2  .250  .250  .625  .875  0  0   0   0         1
Marlon Byrd        6  5 1  0  0  0   0  1  2  .200  .333  .200  .533  0  0   0   0         0
Luis Valbuena      4  3 1  0  0  0   0  1  1  .333  .500  .333  .833  0  0   0   0         0
Jeff Baker         3  3 1  0  0  0   0  0  1  .333  .333  .333  .667  0  0   0   0         0
Alfonso Soriano    3  1 1  1  0  0   2  1  0 1.000 1.000 2.000 3.000  1  0   0   0         0
Starlin Castro     2  1 1  0  0  0   2  0  0 1.000  .500 1.000 1.500  0  1   0   0         0
Ryan Dempster      2  2 0  0  0  0   0  0  1  .000  .000  .000  .000  0  0   0   0         0
Bryan LaHair       2  1 0  0  0  0   0  0  1  .000  .000  .000  .000  1  0   0   0         0
Geovany Soto       2  1 1  1  0  0   0  1  0 1.000 1.000 2.000 3.000  0  0   1   0         0
Total             32 25 8  2  0  1   5  4  8  .320  .400  .520  .920  2  1   1   0         1

[The R-Train]

It was asked in yesterday's thread, but nobody answered. When is the last time the Cubs had a scheduled off-day on a Friday (not counting rainouts and such)?

[Theo]

Off day today? freakin lame.

[Schwarber Fan]

Are you putting Mather at 3B or 1B?

 

I'd try him at first and go with something like:

 

Johnson

Barney

Castro

Soriano

Byrd

Baker

Mather

Soto

 

I only put Barney 2nd and Soto 8th because that is how Sveum will do it. Also, seeing that DeJesus has a HR off Gio, he might play.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Wait, why wasn't Garza the opening day starter? Not that it matters much, just wondering.

 

Dempster's seniority on the team

 

Perhaps they thought that labeling him the teams default "ace" would boost his trade value.

[Little Slide Rooter]

@Cubs: #Cubs lineup vs. @Nationals 4/7: Johnson RF, Mather 3B, Castro SS, Soriano LF, Baker 1B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Barney 2B, Garza P

 

Lefty killahs. Call it want you want, but it's U-G-L-Y.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Wind blowing out today, a bit to left.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

@Cubs: #Cubs lineup vs. @Nationals 4/7: Johnson RF, Mather 3B, Castro SS, Soriano LF, Baker 1B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Barney 2B, Garza P

 

Lefty killahs. Call it want you want, but it's U-G-L-Y.

 

Other than the fact that the Mascot is completely washed up and shouldn't be leading off, I don't mind that too much."

[Guest]

I hope that that Stewart isn't going to be platooned all year. He hasn't had much of a split in his career, so let him sink or swim so there's no doubt to his success or failure.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Was alot more interested in this game before I saw that lineup. I'll watch anyway because of the good early season pitching matchup.

[haubrich91]

So glad baseball is back! I love these noon starts on a Saturday at Wrigley.

[El Duderino]

damn you espinosa, starlin would have had a nice defensive highlight.

[Smack]

That was a hell of a throw by Castro even if he didn't get him.

[Sosa21MVP]

Mather gritting out a walk.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Mather gritting out a walk.

 

There are walks to be had today. Good start.

[haubrich91]

Good AB by Mather.