So, all those changes at the top of the order that Dale Sveum talked about? Not happening. The lineup looks the same as ever as the Cubs try to put the brakes on their skid in Houston. In fact, other than Matt Garza batting 9th, it’s a carbon copy of yesterday’s lineup. Maybe Dale just forgot to make out a new card.
Adrian Cardenas is getting another shot at second base, which I’m not sure is performance-related, or injury-related. Darwin Barney did pinch hit yesterday, and he looked fine.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (15-26) at Houston Astros (18-23), 7:05pm CT on CSN.
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, 2.58 ERA, 3.21 FIP)
versus
Bud Norris (4-1, 3.58 ERA, 3.60 FIP)
Houston Astros Lineup
1. Jose Altuve, 2B
2. Jed Lowrie, SS
3. Travis Buck, RF
4. Carlos Lee, 1B
5. Brian Bogusevic, CF
6. Chris Johnson, 3B
7. JD Martinez, LF
8. Jason Castro, C
9. Bud Norris, 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. Adrian Cardenas, 2B
8. Koyie Hill, C
9. Matt Garza, P
Someone above referred to Garza as the Cub’s best pitcher, which he probably is; but the lackluster offense notwithstanding, both Garza and the Cub’s other best pitcher, Dempster are both below .500 for their careers, I believe. It was great watching the club for a couple of weeks as they got good pitching and timely hitting, but we may be watching the Cubs we love to hate for a while more.
Anyone know how this years pitching and hitting compares to last years club at this time? Ramirez and Pena were off to bad starts and the starting pitching was awful.
I’m not sure what the Cubs batting average and ERA were through May 21st of the 2011 season. I’m not sure on how to look that up for last season. I’d be interesting in knowing as well.
2011 Cubs record through May 21 = 21-26
2012 Cubs record through May 21 = 15-27
Chuck,
In May the Cubs scored 123 runs, 8th most in baseball, and 4th most in the NL. They batted .277/.335/.405. Their ERA was 4.62.
In March/April they scored 106 runs (23rd in MLB) and batted .273/.326/.401. Their ERA was 4.99.
I got these numbers from Fangraphs.
Thanks for digging those numbers up, Edwin. I compiled a few stats for comparison:
2011 Cubs through end of May:
BA: .275
OBP: .330
HR: 38
SO: 356
BB: 136
2012 Cubs through May 21:
BA: .245
OBP: .306
HR: 29
SO: 307
BB: 113
Obviously, the Cubs still have 8 games to play this month that will add some to each of those 2012 stats. Not a huge difference so far, though I’d certainly take 2011′s BA and OBP over this years so far.