Let’s try that again, shall we? Tonight’s matchup isn’t nearly as favorable as last night’s (which resulted in a 9-2 loss). Tonight the Cubs get Roy Halladay (whom, yes, I know they’ve handled decently over the past few years – still, it’s Roy Halladay), and throw Chris Volstad out there.
This may be Volstad’s last chance to show that he can improve on his “one bad inning” problem. It’ll start with scrapping the slider, then improving out of the stretch, and then staying down in the zone with a little more action on his sinker. It’s a lot to ask.
I’ll be at the game again tonight in right field, so say hi if you happen to be there.
Game Info
Philadelphia Phillies (19-19) at Chicago Cubs (15-22), 7:05pm 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
Roy Halladay (3-3, 3.20 ERA, 2.32 FIP)
versus
Chris Volstad (0-5, 6.92 ERA, 3.84 FIP)
Philadelphia Phillies Lineup
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Juan Pierre, LF
3. Shane Victorino, CF
4. Hunter Pence, RF
5. Carlos Ruiz, C
6. Ty Wigginton, 3B
7. Hector Luna, 1B
8. Freddy Galvis, 2B
9. Roy Halladay, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Tony Campana, CF
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Bryan LaHair, 1B
5. Alfonso Soriano, LF
6. Ian Stewart, 3B
7. Geovany Soto,C
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Chris Volstad, P
So was Cardenas brought up just to get pinch hits?
This could of been a good day for him to start.
I ripped Quade fairly hard for bringing up players from Iowa and then leaving them to twiddle their thumbs on the bench. Sveum is starting to look awfully Quade-like, at least in the case of Cardenas.
On the other hand, he did play Clevenger (when he was healthy) and has been willing to play Castillo at least a little bit. Maybe he’ll eventually remember that Cardenas does in fact possess a glove.
I think the ability to use that glove might be the issue, at least if reports of his prowess are accurate
He can’t be worse in left than Soriano on slow and achy legs.
Maybe Volstad can have his first good outing, his ERA has to balance out eventually right? Then again I could find an extra bottle of Jack in my freezer and pretend the Cubs have a shot. (I put it there for these kinds of days)
Soto has been scratched.
Trade?
No, knee soreness…
I live in small town Iowa. Lots of little towns around have 7 man football because they don’t have enough kids for 11 man. Any chance the Cubs could just bat the first 4 or 5 guys, then start around again??? They could claim a lack of available major league quality players.
How would the Twins approach this exemption?
Soriano should not be playing given his legs….who is making out lineup card?
Is it possible to send a player to AAA right in the middle of a game in which he’s physically pitching for the big club?
Brett I’m here at the game too. How far left are you? I would love a picture
Sorry about that, Jesse! I wasn’t checking the comments during the game.
Watching Volstad pitch is like chewing glass. And send him to a Tony Robbins seminar or something, he looks like he is going to start crying out there. Grow a pair my man.
Casey Coleman should probably start stretching.
How many two out runs can Volstad give up? He must be trying to break the all time record. The man is approaching or might have eclipsed Doug Davis as a Cub bad.
Volstad should probably start picking out his seat in the bullpen. Send down Coleman and get Wood up here to see what he can do.
That multi-view made me dizzy.
Volstad done! Time to try a new starter.
Sorry to say Carlos is better.
no doubt, but there is no way he could have came back this year, you can make a good argument that he is doing good this year because of the change of scenery.
Sorry if someone posted this already, but it’s hilarious.
Samardzija mocking Hawk Harrelson:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/17/jeff-samardzija-takes-a-little-dig-at-hawk-harrelson/
Agree
Volstad sucks, Coleman did a good job as long relief, and Parker has some good stuff that I would like to see more in the future. Castillo really is not good at handling pitches, and it is even more obvious in comparision with Ruiz. His bad habits are making the pitchers work harder and get into more trouble. Castillo needs to be coached up more on that. Another day, another Castro throwing error… Sigh…)=
Yeah Volstad is as good as good as gone at this point. Travis Wood will be brought up but will Volstad move to the pen or is it still possible for him to be demoted?
I think he would go on waivers if they tried to demote him
Volstad should go to Iowa if his contract allows otherwise cut all ties. Addition by subtraction.
Bright future!!! Today in AAA. Rizzo homered(14);vitters homered(4);and Brett Jackson homered(4)
Awwwww… Damn Reed Johnson!!!! He definetly isn’t the same guy he was a year or two ago.