The Cubs welcome Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Braun to Wrigley Field tonight for the start of a four-game series. I suppose they’ll probably bring some other players with them, presumably other members of the Milwaukee Brewers, but don’t expect to hear too much about them.
Chris Volstad makes his debut for the Cubs after a very impressive Spring. After three straight excellent games by Cubs starters, Volstad already has a high bar if he wants to meet to keep up.
If you’re looking for something to do before the game, tune in to AM 1570 The Score (Appleton, Wisconsin) at 4pm CT, where I’ll be on the radio with Justin Hull to talk about this series, and about the Cubs. You can listen on the web here. Yes, this is my first live radio appearance. Be gentle.
Game Info
Milwaukee Brewers (1-2) at Chicago Cubs (1-2), 6:05pm CT on ESPN and WCIU.
Game Thread
The Game Thread lives here, and it’s likely to be a doozy tonight. It comes complete with a Ryan Braun picture ripe for captioning. And, of course, for those who aren’t into message board-style game threads, please feel free to use the comments on this post for your in-game commentary/outbursts.
Starting Pitchers
Shaun Marcum (0-0, -.–, no other stats available yet)
versus
Chris Volstad (0-0, -.–, no other stats available yet)
Milwaukee Brewers Lineup
1. Rickie Weeks, 2B
2. Nyjer Morgan, CF
3. Ryan Braun, LF
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5. Corey Hart, RF
6. Mat Gamel, 1B
7. Alex Gonzalez, SS
8. Jonathan Lucroy, C
9. Shaun Marcum, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Ian Stewart, 3B
6. Bryan LaHair, 1B
7. Geovany Soto, C
8. Marlon Byrd, CF
9. Chris Volstad, P
–
I sure hope Jeff Samardzija isn’t batting 9th today.
Oh, Greg. You didn’t know you can DH for the pitcher in the NL if you use another starting pitcher? Clearly, you don’t watch baseball.
(I kid. Gracias.)
I’d want Volstad’s bat in the 9 hole. hahah I kid.
So the game is on WGN and Samardzija is hitting for Volstad?
Bah. Can I claim radio interview prep?
The Chicago Red Sox would be better off if Billy Beane said yes in Boston
and an Ivy League education is way overrated, beisbol bebe, cut more IFA’s
Of course.
Besides, you’re probably thinking why did I read this if I already knew all of it. haha.
So, this may be wishful thinking, but I’m going to make a bold prediction: Bryan LaHair hits two home runs in this series. Given his end of Spring Training and his start yesterday, I think his bat is heating up. But, he hasn’t had a dinger since the Venezuelan league. This is the series where he reminds fans why he’s our starting 1B.
hope ur right cause this lineup must lead the league in being the slowest on base paths…only way to score will be dingers….3 run homers and good pitching won it for Earl Weaver back in the day…but they had good defense too which Cubs lack so far
Um we have actually scored runs by being aggressive and smart on the basepaths, we may not be fast but they are pushing for the extra base.
I have to say that I’ve loved the base-running thus far. I even loved Soriano trying to steal third. We don’t have campana speed *yet* but I think what we lack in speed, we’re making up in smart decision making. We have 4 SBs and only 1 CS (and that caught stealing was a close call-I think Sori was safe.) Stealing bases creates scoring opportunities and it distracts the pitcher and catcher. I hope we keep it up.
That’s 1. Way to go LaHair.
Wow… ‘grats on the radio appearance.
At this rate you’ll be anchoring two hours of Sports Center by season’s end.
Thanks, Luke. I’ll have to work on my “boom goes the dynamite.”
While I am here and commenting, I sat directly (literally 2ft) behind Marmol, as well as the entire bullpen, at yesterdays game. And the mood was still good. Some laughs and jokes made during the game. Although, Kerry Wood looked a lil pissed the whole game. Although he might look like that every game, who knows. But I just wanted to share that little piece of information with you guys.
Oh and here’s proof.
https://twitter.com/#!/sethrauch/status/189112989243277312/photo/1/large
Says page doesn’t exist. You liar!
I just don’t get Lahair and Stewart being back to back. Bat them 4-6 or 5-7, and I don’t even really care the order, but why not break ‘em up?
Worked out fine yesterday when the Nats sent a lefty to the mound.
Yea, and sometimes it works out when you play Russian Roulette, but I wouldn’t make a habit out of it. The odds aren’t favorable.
Ditto.
The Cubs fan White Sox Fan commercial on MLB TV is awesome… here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtxo4BnYzro
Why is Barney batting second? Please bat him 8th……
From one thing to another, I heard the Marlins’ broadcast team say that Ozzie is flying to Miami for a press conference tomorrow at 10.30 am. This right in the middle of their series up in Philly, no doubt about his Castro comments…
Well Miami, just remember this: Be carefull what you wish for!
Go Cubs!
Ozzie’s deffense: “I mispoke when I said Fidel Castro, I meant to say STARLIN Castro, and it was my bad english that made the reporter hear that “I admired that he stayed in power so long” I meant to say “He will develop his ability to hit for power before long”
Uhg Ozzie, whats next, ode to Ahmadinejad?
I expect Volstad to break out but I’m scared that our D will hold him back. ERA under 3.50???
I am so excited to make triumphant return to leading a game day thread, I love the complete reactionary nature of the game day threads and hope all of you can join.
Anyone at an april night game allowed to boo all they wish. I find schnapps and hot cocoa a nice combo.
A little fun before tonight’s game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyWzAEPAjY0&NR=1&feature=endscreen. I blame the Herpes for his stumble.
I can hear the Benny Hill music playing in my head as I watch.
Wind blowing out very hard to right. I’m calling Stewartbomb.
I second the motion. I think Stewart is heating up plus i like him in the 5 hole.
I say Stewart and Lahair goes yard. I’m predicting a big game for our offense. I’m thinking 8-3, with Volstad going 6 plus with 2 earned runs.
I guess since the season has started and my wish hasn’t been answered, I might as well say go Chris go.
i know this is a tweet but gotta love the hustle from Barney before he realized he hit a ding dong dilly of a dinger
Barney goes long and his slugging percentage reaches .615. He should retire immediately and he could then use BetterMath to average .615 with his slugging percentage for all of last season.
Thats awesome
Still only like .480…
I think we’d all be deliriously happy if Darwin could sustain a .480 SLG for even a single season.
Of course we would – I was just saying that even with the .615 counting as 50%, it’s not like the number goes crazy. I was joking around, homey.
Congrats on the radio gig. As a former resident of Appleton (well, Kimberly, which is kind of a suburb if such a thing exists for a population of around 100K) I can assure you there are plenty of Cub fans in the area who enjoyed your insight. I’d put it at around 25%.
Also, Appleton may be small in size but is a pretty major pit stop. Anybody that’s ever ventured north to see the Packers in Lambeau has probably stopped for coffee, gas, or beer in Appleton on the way. It’s a really good spot to amplify the Bleacher Nation voice. Good for you.
Nice. Thanks for that, Bric, because other than a quick peek on Google Maps, I really knew nothing about it.
Rizzo just hit his 2nd HR of the season. ICubs are winning 4-0 in the bottom of the 3rd.
I heard it was a bomb, too.
Yeah, the PBP guy said he got all of that pitch.
WOW.. Travis Wood just went yard too!!! What did they eat for breakfast?
They ate PCL pancakes…
They should keep eatin’ em. Rizzo just smacked another one..
cubs are the free mlb live game today. gooo cubssss!!
darvish getting rocked!!! cubs saved 100m not signing him.
can we please trade byrd soon, hes the most unclutch player on this team, can never hit with runners in scoring position. I like his hustle every game, but you cant hustle when your at the plate hitting the ball.
put Johnson in
plus not a fan of dejusus already, first of all i thought he was bigger than he is, think him and campana are about the same size. hes not going to produce like a lf should, idc if he leading off and stuff, but if your going to get a guy that cant hit hrs, that plays good d, and a lead off hitter, at least get a guy with speed, he gets throw out stealing as i type this lol, i just dont think he brings much to the table, with this team
he gave up on the fly ball at the wall. not impressed by his defense. he should have made that catch!
Rizzo!
lahaire’s having a better offensive year than pujols! and some of you wanted to spend all that money on pujols.