The Cubs will look to keep their series loss-less streak alive (I really wish they hadn’t tied those two series, so I could just say “series winning streak” – so much cleaner) by heading up to Miller Park for a three-game set with the Brewers. The teams are tied at the bottom of the NL Central, so this is clearly a huge match-up.
Matt Garza returns to the rotation tonight after a bout of the flu(like symptoms). The Cubs’ lineup has four of the five bench players in it, largely because Dale Sveum wants to load the lineup with righties against lefty Randy Wolf. Sveum probably knows Wolf’s tendencies pretty well, so I’ll trust his instincts.
The game’s on WGN, so if you’re hanging out tonight anyway, watch the game.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (13-18) at Milwaukee Brewers (13-18), 7:10pm CT on WGN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
The Game Thread lives here. You should participate in the madness. 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.
The Series Preview for this series lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Matt Garza (2-1, 2.67 ERA, 9.6 K/9)
versus
Randy Wolf (2-3, 6.68 ERA, 13.1 H/9)
Milwaukee Brewers Lineup
1. Nyjer Morgan, CF
2. Rickie Weeks, 2B
3. Ryan Braun, LF
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5. Corey Hart, RF
6. George Kottaras, C
7. Taylor Green, 1B
8. Cesar Izturis, SS
9. Randy Wolf, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Reed Johnson, CF
2. Jeff Baker, RF
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Bryan LaHair, 1B
5. Alfonso Soriano, LF
6. Joe Mather, 3B
7. Welington Castillo, C
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Matt Garza, P
Why do I feel rather “eh” about this lineup? I’m assuming this is the R-heavy lineup b/c of Wolf? I dunno, I get match ups and stuff…but I’m not feeling it. I hope I’m proven wrong!
I have a good feeling about tonight’s game. I think Castillo reminds us why he’s the future behind home plate, I think Mather has another SuperJoe performance. I think Reed Johnson gets a hit or two. And, I think Baker reminds us why he should start against lefties. LaHawesome, of course, continues his On base streak, preferably with a dinger.
Wolf falls under the catagory of pitchers we should lite up, but will probably be dominated by
Who’s afraid of Virg—- i mean Randy Wolf? Not this guy!
What’s the best Bryan LaHair nickname so far? I need a good one that I can use consistently.
A couple of good ones have floated around this site. I believe Ace coined “LaHawesome” and “LaDiculous” but those seem to more often apply to his actions than him personally (though obviously they could be nicknames). One floated around earlier this week that might be in the running: El Pelo.
So far we’re still debating Jordan was known as His Airness. LaHair could pick up something from elsewhere like ‘old Rough and Ready.’ Maybe even Gadzilla
(in keeping with the monster theme).
The hair and the bunny have been mentioned- by me
You are correct – I stick mostly with LaDiculous now, but it is more of a descriptor of actions than a true nickname.
I’m a big fan of the nicknames the players actually use. IIRC, his is “Creature.”
What a funky name. Wonder where that comes from. It’s a bit “Beast” like.
Time for CREATURE MODE!
My bro-in-law calls him “Pubic.”
Pubic LaHair.
That’s not poster-worthy, which I think is what you want. But it’s damn funny. And he means it in a loving way.
It’s kind of funny. A week or two ago, my thought would have been “aw crap, LaHair vs. a lefty.”
Now I think “it’s going to be so cool when he improves his platoon split with a big game today.”
Imagine this rivalry if Wrigley moved to Deerfield or Highland Park?…many Brewers fans would reconsider allegiance.. would sell out more often than not with 70 night games…shuttle buses and metra taking fans to/from..plenty of parking in huge lot….I am sure Ricketts has plans drawn up for a Wrigley for the next century north of Chicago while keeping the vines, scoreboard etc for nostalgia…get it done
David Kaplan has mentioned building a new park (since it would cost much less than the renovations) in the waveland golf course a few times during CTL and he also mentioned making Wrigley into a sports recreational center for the city.
Hey Die–What are the visiting hours?
“The Cubs will look to keep their series loss-less streak alive (I really wish they hadn’t tied those two series, so I could just say “series winning streak” – so much cleaner)”
Brett, just wanna say that your affinity for the English language is obvious and, as a rhetoric and composition professor, it’s one of the reasons I enjoy this Cubs site above all others. I’ve come to expect clarity from you despite the difficulties of discussing stats, complex analysis, and baseball jargon for a wide readership. You manage it well, all while injecting a thread of wry and honest humor (along with the occasional, tastefully gratuitous pin-up girl. Congrats, you know your audience).
Well done, sir. Clink, clink.
Ok, I’m done now. I just hate to leave good feedback in thought form when I can share it. Thanks for all the hard work. It’s appreciated by me and, I suspect, many, many others. I hope you hear it as often as people think it.
I’ll get back to ranting and commenting on Game Day Threads now.
Me like that you say things to me about good I do. Thanking you.
LOL. And here here to the OP’s point!
I’m too drunk to notice if anyone has mentioned LaHair is in vs. a lefty. This is the first man crush I’ve had in, well, a long time
how about someone get on in front of lahair
Wolf’s era sucks, so this is a goldern opportunity for our offense. The brewers were supposed to be the class of the NL Central, so the fact that they are not makes me very happy. I just hate it when Baker starts. Hope he proves me wrong.
Dont know how long you have been a Cub fan, cali, but soft tossing lefties usually dominate us. I would guess the Cubs beat 1 out of 7 soft tossing lefties. And if said lefty is making his first career start, then forget about the cubs scoring any runs.
That’s one of those things that fans of all 30 teams believe. Just like they all believe their teams always get dominated by no-name spot starters.
How well I remember that day last year when every team in baseball lost to no-name spot starters. The Cubs even lost twice: they were the only team that had a doubleheader…..
Those spot start games do stand out. I still remember the Ryan O’Malley game. I don’t remember much else about that season, though.
Theo–I told you last month he has Steve Blass disease!
Holy shit!
You said it man! Nobody f*cks with De Jesus!!
-marmol 3 run lead why? marmol 3 run lead- why? Marmol-3 run lead- why oh why oh why?
When I look at Marmols ERA it amazes me its not higher. I can’t remember him throwing a scoreless frame.
Did you read his lips after that bomb? I think he said, “shove those topps-stats up your ass Cubs1967!”
yes……….i did see that.
sticks and stones may break my bones…………
grow up kid. it’s bedtime.
Weren’t you pretty much boo’ed off CCO because you were a negative nancy?
looks like if dale won’t take him out, nature will- marmol to the 160 day DL!
Never want to wish an injury but marmol if he goes to the 15 day DL might be a plus
How about the NFL’s DL? Season long please…
why does marmol keep eating all our steak and ruining everyone’s lives!
Intercourse Marmol, Bosio, and Sveum!
Weak.
F-ing MARMOL!!!! Fire the jacka—!!!!
Its not Marmol Its Sveum. What kind of person continues to not learn over and over and over again. What did Marmol do when he came in? Went 3-1 on every batter end threw mostly breaking pitches!
Is Axford a member of the the Allman brothers?
this stinks we need a rh relief pitcher badly,volstad sounds good for a trial run since he gets hit hard second time around..how bout a soriano for beckett trade then move volstad to pen m2c……..then we could put lehair in l.f. an call up rizzo as soon as his service tenure status is up wich is why he’s in 3a in the first place that should be soon.
DeJesus saves us!
Nobody f*cks with De Jesus!
FU Axford!! I LOVE IT
From the highs to the lows. Garza probably shouldn’t have pitched tonight. He lost 12 pounds to the flu according to another website. There doesn’t seem much they coud do in trades. Are there any pitchers in AA that look good? Perhaps that should be looked into? How is maple doing? After he signed there was talk about him being one player that might make the jump to the majors this year.