The Cubs face the new-look Dodgers (who were the team that claimed Cliff Lee, by the way, no big surprise) in Los Angeles. It’s a late one …
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (43-60) at Los Angeles Dodgers (56-50), 9:10pm 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
Jeff Samardzija (7-8, 4.19 ERA, 3.59 FIP)
versus
Chad Billingsley (6-9, 3.89 ERA, 3.30 FIP)
Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup
1. Shane Victorino, LF
2. Marc Ellis, 2B
3. Matt Kemp, CF
4. Andre Ethier, RF
5. Hanley Ramirez, SS
6. James Loney, 1B
7. Luis Cruz, SS
8. A.J. Ellis, C
9. Chad Billingsley, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. David DeJesus, CF
2. Starlin Castro, SS
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Bryan LaHair, RF
6. Steve Clevenger, C
7. Darwin Barney, 2B
8. Luis Valbuena, 3B
9. Jeff Samardzija, P
Go Cubs!!!
Wish I could stay up to watch it but, 4a wake up for work will not allow it at all!
But we can catch the late innings when we arise!
ugh when are they gonna start giving Cardenas starts at third? His defense may not be as good but it’d be nice to see some semblance of production out of that position
i believe lee is gone to dodgers. phils wanna get rid of contract .dodgers colleti dnt mind payn the money esp since missing out on pitchers at deadline. watch hell be a dodger
The Phils pulled Cliff Lee off of waivers pretty shortly after the Dodgers claimed him. The Dodgers might have been doing it simply to block CfLee from going to the Giants, DBacks or a team that they might face in post-season.
@Doc: Didn’t the Dodgers then claimed Blanton?
Edit: Crap, I meant “claim”, not “claimed” sorry.
why is Valbuena still on the 25 roster..somebody splain that?!!
Good defensive replacement at 3B, hits well with RISP, has no more options, probably figures to be a decent backup next year instead of Baker, and we can expect this until roster expansion because the Cubs don’t want to lose him…. Pretty much.
I wish I could go to this game. They’re giving away star trek them shirts. Sounds like fun.
also guarntee theyd gladly give up lee or webster they have all there chips in there in all in mode
flip flop lineup Castro with LaHair and DeJesus steals more bases
yes, and lets let them switch positions defensively also
easier to steal 2nd base with lefty batting..worry about stealing 3B later
very true doc however they still in need of a SP
Well, the Dodgers did just acquire Blanton, who’s going to be better than the #4 guy on most staffs.
lol true hell i didnt know they even got him . however kershaw lee billingsley capuano sounds lil more fearsome in playoffs .
Rumor of Brett Jackson meeting the cubs in LA… Any truth?
Jackson joined the Cubs prior to Friday’s game, MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat reports.
Thats in Yahoo… only reason I ask.
Someone is wrong. MiLB has Jackson striking out in his 2 AB’s in Iowa. Game is still going on.
Copy .. figured .. just thought it odd when I was messing around on my fantasy team.
“Recommendation: The Cubs have not announced an official roster move, but it appears Jackson could get the call as early as Friday. He is not in the starting lineup for Friday’s game, but expect him to see plenty of action in the outfield if he is indeed recalled.”
freakin tease ..
Yeah, she messed up. Confused Clayton Kershaw for Jackson.
Blame twitter again
Picked him up anyway.
Muskat thought Kershaw was Jackson before the game. He is still in Iowa.
Brett,
Not for us San Diego cub fans. Looking forward to series down here starting Monday. Thanks again for your great trading deadline effort. Much appreciated!!!!!!
Where is the new guy, Cardines (SP) at third base. Is Sv going to do a Quad????????
Please play the new guys and see what we might have!!!!!
The fact that people call him “the new guy” even though he was on the 25-man for 2 months earlier this year shows just how much Sveum has let him rot on the end of the bench…
test
I think Geo gave Smarj a going away gift. Any thoughts…or just happy to be there.
idk if this has already been posted. im sorry if it has, but daytona cubs music guy gets ejected after playing 3 blind mice after a bad call! LMAO!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5k4Hor27O8
Sweep. Damn.
Dont know if this has been posted yet but take a look…Our future is great…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GebJl7E2jw&feature=player_embedded
Didnt mention that its an interview with Almora…plus Dunston, Vogelbach, and Soler video.
Adv. Box Score
The offense struggled once again. The pitching was not terrible, but 6 runs is too much for a weak offense to come back from. DeJesus 0-3 2K 1BB did a good job of seeing a lot of pitches as he is known for doing. Castro 0-4 made weak contact all night resulting in easy outs. Rizzo 1-4 2K looked rough as well. I have found one weakness in his swing. Sliders and curveballs down and in (off the plate.) He does have a hot zone down and in but it is on the plate. Soriano 0-3 K BB. LaHair 1-3 2B 2K 1BB. Lahair showed some potential of breaking out of his slump, but yet again he struck out twice. Clevenger 0-3 BB has not looked well at the plate lately either, but the only other option is Castillo who is still unproven. Barney 1-4 GIDP. Valbuena 1-3 RBI 2B. Good Defense and clutch hitting, but very inconsistent. Campana 0-1. The bullpen did well and my shout out has to go to Alberto Cabrera. He has some nasty, nasty stuff out there.
Sori hit that ball a long way to center. LaHair should be getting close, but we may get some lefties. So he’ll have to sit. Which can take it longer to get on track.
Was at the game tonight in LA and you talk about two teams with new ownership taking different approaches. It is hard to be patient when you see LA kicking down the door and taking an aggressive approach to building a winner. Sure hope we are getting the last laugh in three to four years with our “futures” we keep investing in. We fielded what amounted to an expansion team tonight and by all counts that will be as good as it gets for the rest of the season.
That LA team already has a Cy Young winner, a solid #2, and two potential MVP candidates in the outfield. All of whom were developed internally. If Theo had started with that, we would be having a very different conversation right now. Unfortunately, all Theo had was an inconsistent young shortstop and an inconsistent aging pitcher (Shark). That’s a very different starting point.