So. Here we are. The first game of a 90-game winning streak, and the run of 15 consecutive World Series titles.
I’m actually kidding about the kidding. This actually is a great night, and I’m super bummed that I can’t be there. Anthony Rizzo makes his debut for the Cubs after shredding AAA pitching for another half season. He may not do it all tonight, but it should be fun to watch his progress. And it starts tonight.
Rizzo bats third, about which I’m mostly ambivalent. It feels like a “high pressure” spot, but it also means that he’s got a couple decent bats behind him (Soriano and LaHair). Hopefully he gets a hit early, and that takes the pressure off.
Also of note tonight, Randy Wells gets another chance to show he can still be a big league starter. I know it sounds stupid, but it isn’t meaningless tonight.
Game Info
New York Mets (39-35) at Chicago Cubs (25-48), 7:05pm CT on WCIU.
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
Dillon Gee (5-5, 4.27 ERA, 1.235 WHIP)
versus
Randy Wells (1-2, 4.91 ERA, 1.909 WHIP (yikes))
New York Mets Lineup
1. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF
2. Ruben Tejada, SS
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Lucas Duda, RF
5. Ike Davis, 1B
6. Scott Hairston, LF
7. Daniel Murphy, 2B
8. Josh Thole, C
9. Dillon Gee, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. David DeJesus, CF
2. Starlin Castro, SS
3. RIZZOMG!!!!!!!!!! (1B)
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Bryan LaHair, RF
6. Luis Valbuena, 3B
7. Darwin Barney, 2B
8. Steve Clevenger, C
9. Randy Wells, P
Nothing like sitting back and watching Randy Wells popping 88-89 on the gun
How in the hell do you give the opposing pitcher a base hit and a walk! Randy Wells completely sucks! I thought Dale said that he was done with Wells! Enough already with these has been fucking pitchers! Great Job by Rizzo! Castro, Rizzo, and Soler the Cubs future is brite! Any News about Almora?
RIZZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love having him to begin with, but add the fact that this means Baker isn’t starting, gravy!!!!
Amen brother!
Did Scott Maine really throw a change up to load the bases with David Wright on deck?!!?!
What’s wrong with Dempster? I just read one more week on the DL.
Wow the Mets Defense is making the cubs bats look good lol.
Just like last night!
now bring up Jackson.
NO dont bring up jackson. He is not nearly as ready as Rizzo was. That wouldn’t be a smart move
Cubs prospects are now a lock to go 2-3 with a double in their debut. We should call up Baez, Almora, Lake, Jackson, and Soler. Then we’d score like 20 runs! I think the sample size is big enough.
I think maybe he’s talking about Jay Jackson…to replace Randy Wells on the pitching staff. Just don’t let him start.
exactly if you bring up Jay Jackson better have him as a rp. then who takes wells spot in atlanta?
I was being a bit silly…but maybe the Cubs move Jeff Baker to the Nats for John Lannan?
future cy young winner CHRIS VOLSTAD!!!
RizzOMG! OMG! OMG! Yes!
I’m not going to lie the rocket that Rizzo hit to center got me pretty excited and I thought to myself we get to watch him for many years to come. That was about just as excited i’ve got watching the cubs all year
It’s the Rizzo Rocket(tm)! It’s Rizz-teria! RIZZOMG!
(Is that how you do it?)
The double probably will be changed
interesting that izzo comes up Tuesday and cashner will make his first start on Thur
Rizzo seems too have sparked the defense.
fizzle has sparked soriano as well.
Travis wood pinch hits. Love this guy.
2nd error by valbuena
Yasil Puig has been declared free agent by mlb…mlb trade rumors.com reported it.
Barney got the steal.
Hey random question, so if a guy gets to first on an error and then is scored by a non error hit, is it an earned run
no
thanks I thought it would
anyone remember the old SNL sketch “Bad idea Jeans”…..
Ahhh, 5-3 Cubs are winning with Marmol coming in to close it out, I can just go hang my W flag up now!
I don’t really have one of those….
It’s Marmol Time!!
The Mets just got Marmolized!!!
Marmol’s slider is back!
And the Cubs are undefeated in the Rizzo era!
Brilliant.
Holy shit, series win.
Maine still sucks. I’m beginning to think the state must also suck due to association. If Maine remains in baseball I might have to give up lobster… Just on principal
BOOM!! That just happened Mets!
Marmol’s 100th save.
Wow, and it only took 14 years
*intended to be in response to numerounothehairlover
*also intended to be a joke. I’m aware he hasn’t had 14years worth of save ops.
Huge #Rizzoner after tonight
This is going to make me sound like an awful fan but I hope the Cubs struggle and are awful and are the worst team in baseball at the end of the season. I want that #1 overall pick, most draft slot money, and the largest international free agent pool money for next year.
Things I want to see the rest of this year:
1. Cubs lose the most games in baseball
2. The Cubs trade Garza, Dempster, Soriano, Lahair (for the right deal), David Dejesus (for the right deal), Darwin barney, Geo Soto. I want them all traded to a team who will way over pay for all of them for good prospects (Likely not all these guys will be traded I understand)
3. I want Rizzo to put up good #’s and just develop his game (doesn”t have to be a superstar but just look really encouraging as a future star) / also same goes for Starlin Castro
4. KEEP Bjax and Vitters and any top rate prospects down in the minors to just develop and avoid their arbitration clock from starting. I don’t care what people say, Bjax has not deserved a call up this season. Keep them down there till they can show to be more consistent at the plate and improve the plate approach and limit their K’s
5. I want to see a lot of our prospects preform big time and improve develop, and have a couple guys get into some top 100 prospect lists for next season who are already not on it. Ex: Junior Lake, Matt Szczur, Dillon Maples, Trey McNutt, Vitters, Robert Whitenack, Dan Vogelbach, Jeimer Candelario, and 2012 draft picks
I know the 1st thing makes me sound like a bad fun but I love the Cubs and I think that would be the best thing to help the rebuilding process