The lineup is slightly less likely to be the focal point of tonight’s game, though it is the “new” lineup with Bryan LaHair in right field, and David DeJesus in center field. And, hey, Adrian Cardenas finally draws a start at second. Darwin Barney was due for a night off.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (24-46) at Arizona Diamondbacks (35-35), 9:10pm CT on CSN, MLBN.
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
Paul Maholm (4-5, 4.88 ERA, 1.319 WHIP)
versus
Ian Kennedy (5-7, 4.13 ERA, 1.287 WHIP)
Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup
1. Willie Bloomquist, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Justin Upton, RF
4. Jason Kubel, LF
5. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
6. Miguel Montero, C
7. Chris Young, CF
8. Ryan Roberts, 3B
9. Ian Kennedy, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. David DeJesus, CF
2. Starlin Castro, SS
3. Bryan LaHair, RF
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Luis Valbuena, 3B
6. Geovany Soto, C
7. Steve Clevenger, 1B
8. Adrian Cardenas, 2B
9. Paul Maholm, P
–
Well we could have Pete Mackanin i guess.
I had always believed Terry Francona was gonna be the manager of Cubs(sources independent of the media). How Sveum got the job, I can’t answer.
Sveum got hired because he is a YES man, almost an unknown potential manager with a mid level ceiling. Who ever happens to be hired as his replacement, once the Cubs are competitive, will be respected around the league.
How’d you figure out the ceiling of a manager? Is the evaluation process similar to that of a prospect?
Evaluation of a manager is probably done best by gut feeling.
Yep. You have the ability to read through the lines.
Im proposing the same thing MG did – I have no interest in you replying to my posts, so if you will please refrain from doing so, I will do the same in regards to what you post.
it is for the best
No problem. You don’t have very much content in your comments either.
Thanks: both for agreeing to my proposal and showing everyone your lack of maturity.
There’s no way to really know the ceiling of a manger. Bruce Bochy got fired from the Pads and won a WS it’s players who determine the managers worth.
That can be debated till the cows come home! Was Phil Jackson the reason the Bulls were so successful or Jordan and Pippen and the rest?
Phil had a big part, he innovated the triangle offense, that helped the Bulls win 6 championships and the Lakers 5 championships.
True but I think MLB managers are less impactful than NBA managers. If you create a stellar offense and influence/draw all the plays you have more impact than a MLB has.
Yeah I agree, I thought that was a silly comparison
Figured as much the NBA and MLB are entirely different beast.
That’s abolutely right, my friend! But the BIG question is it the coach, manager, etc. or the players, or the combination of management and player greats that get you to the “Show?”
EXCELLENT NBA coaches make a huge difference (read: Jackson, Auerbach, Popovich), but even a mediocre coach can lead a talented team to a championship (read: Spoelstra). MLB managers are involved in literally every single play of a game – even down to calling pitches in some cases. Not to mention defensive alignment, when to give someone a green light, when to hit and run, etc. They make all the decisions in a game. NBA coaches definitely don’t do that.
I agree. The manager is much further down on the importance totem pole than fans tend to think. I feel like this has been posted 1000 times already, but shuffling lineups has very little effect on results. Its the quality of players that make the difference, and Sveum certainly has little to no say in that.
drew – if you are on twitter send me a tweet @MichiganGoat
I think what most fans want to see is the best players on the field. That doesn’t seem to happen with Dale which rubs people the wrong way. Now that can also be that the FO wants certain guys on the field to showcase trades.
Thats the problem though – Even the perfect combination of players on the 25 man would result in a 1-2 win improvement over an entire year.
Just watching this game alone you wonder why Dale just keeps these guys in to get shelled. It’d be nice if he could get someone out while they still had some confidence.
He’s in way over his head? Should be working at advance auto?(I take that back, sorry)
As long as the manger can at least put the players in the best chance to win.
Well maybe that is the case but but I’d sure like to see guys like Lahair and Cardenas getting regular ABs, just to see what they have at least. Valbuena? Seriously i guarantee Vitters could strike out and commit errors like that. I know thats a completely different animal but its just hard to watch this group.
Im with you on Cardenas, and I agree most people want to see LaHair against LHP, but I am with Dale on that one.
If you want Sveum to play certain guys just to see what they can do, Im on board. If you think its gonna make a difference in W – L record, I disagree.
Same here, I think I have been one of the strongest pushers to get Cardenas on the field.
Cardenas really flashed some of the potential Theo & Jed saw in him tonight with that over the shoulder grab and a solid night at the plate.
I want to see what they can do. This team is flat out no good there’s no way around that. They can’t hit with RISP and there bullpen is inconsistent. We wasted a chance to evaluate talent last year and i’m concerned it will happen again.
Seriously why is shawn Camp in the Game!!! Sveum is way over using him!!! The game is a blow out! They are losing by 5 runs up in the 8th. Idc about your pride Dale Sveum! Don’t over tax guy just because he’s one of your only arms in the pen who can get a guy out. Do whats best for him and the cubs long term by not hurting this guys arm because he’s over using him
Again, Sveum is not a manager!
I don’t understand you. All you do is reply to other comments yet you never really add anything but negativity to the conversation. I literally have never seen you say one thing even remotely positive. What’s even more annoying is you act like you have no idea what’s going on if you offend someone or someone accuses you of being BetterNews/Joe. I was around for his crap. It got old very fast. If Brett and MG both say you are, then I have to believe them. More of because Brett said it and he has access to finding that out. But, the main point is we all know it’s going to be a bad season but you don’t have to be such a damn cynic about it. It’s just going to make the season that much longer. If you don’t have anything useful to add or are just going to say something negative, then please do everyone a favor and keep it to yourself. It’s really getting old.
NCMoss: Are you talking to me or Goldfinch?
More like MOLDfinch MIRITE? (because his act is getting old, by the way diehard did stupid things like what I just did and yes this is me further making fun of him/it.)
Definitely not you, Serious Cubs Fan.
Agreed. I remember seeing Camp say he’s fine with pitching everyday, but nearly any player you ask will tell you he’s ready to go, especially one who consistently has to fight for a job. He needs a breather every now and then or his arm will be completely shot in a month or two.