Series Preview: Brewers v. Cubs, August 2 – August 4, 2010
It’s Series Preview time again, as the Chicago Cubs welcome the Milwaukee Brewers to Wrigley Field – still the one team, outside of Arizona, against whom the Cubs have played well this year. The Brewers didn’t conduct a sell-off, so they’ll be at full-strength.
A refresher on the series preview here at Bleacher Nation:
The idea is to hook you up with the bare minimum of what you need to know about every series this year. That way you can look like a genius, hardcore fan in front of all your friends, with minimum effort. Oh, and there will be pictures of beautiful women, too.
Check out the Brewers series preview, after the jump
Aramis Ramirez’s Thumb is Still Bothering Him
Aramis Ramirez sat out yesterday’s series finale against the Rockies because his thumb – which kept him out for a significant stretch earlier this year, and crapped up his performance before that – was bothering him.
Ramirez, who missed 15 games in June because of the injury, said he should be back in the lineup on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers. But interim manager Alan Trammell, filling in for Lou Piniella who is attending a funeral, wasn’t sure about that timetable.
“I’ve seen some wincing with some of his swings and misses,” Trammell said before the Cubs lost 8-7. “I guess we’ll have to tell him don’t swing and miss. Going back to when he first hurt the thumb, that seems to aggravate it more than anything else. I’m not going to guarantee he will play [Monday].” ESPN Chicago.
The Cubs aren’t likely to rush Ramirez at this point, so he’ll play again when he’s ready.
God’s Wrath Watch: Carlos Silva’s Heart is Racing
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Silva left today’s game against the Rockies after facing just four batters. It seems he was just so excited to meet new Cub Blake DeWitt that he could stop his heart from pounding. Just kidding. About the DeWitt part.
Carlos Silva was pulled from Sunday’s game in the first inning because of an abnormal heart rate and he was taken to a local hospital where he will remain overnight for evaluation….
“I went out to him and said, ‘Are you all right?’” Soto said. “He said, ‘Yes, my heart’s racing a little bit.’ He was making funny faces and I went back and said, ‘What’s wrong?’ He said, ‘My heart’s racing.’ I called down [to the dugout].
“[Silva] said, ‘I don’t want to come out of this game,’” Soto said. “But that’s not a finger or a muscle. You’ve got to take care of that. It’s the ticker. You’ve got to be careful.”
Silva had an extremely high pulse and paramedics diagnosed it as PSVT (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia), which is an abnormal heart rate. It was corrected as the right-hander was taken to the St. Jospeph’s Hospital, where he will remain overnight. Muskat Ramblings.
Hopefully the issue is mild, temporary, and Silva will be released from the hospital tomorrow.
No word yet on whether Silva will have to miss a turn in the rotation, and/or who would replace him in that case. With one spot in the rotation already vacated (Ted Lilly), which will be filled with AAA starter Thomas Diamond, you have to wonder how long it will be before Carlos Zambrano gets another shot.
To explode.
Series Preview: Cubs v. Rockies, July 30 – August 1, 2010
The Chicago Cubs head out to Denver to take on a team nearly as disappointing (recently) as the Cubs, the Colorado Rockies. At least it’s really pretty out there. Shrug.
A refresher on the series preview here at Bleacher Nation:
The idea is to hook you up with the bare minimum of what you need to know about every series this year streaks, lineups, game times, broadcast schedule, etc. That way you can look like a genius, hardcore fan in front of all your friends, with minimum effort. Oh, and there will be pictures of beautiful women, too.
Check out the Rockies series preview, after the jump
Lukewarm Stove: Rockies Considering Ryan Theriot
A recent swoon has taken the Colorado Rockies from definite contenders to possible sellers. If they decide to stay the course and compete, they might look to add a versatile player like Ryan Theriot.
Theriot, 30, is an interesting name since he wouldn’t figure to be just a stopgap at second base. He’s a .287 career hitter who has stolen 28, 22 and 21 bases in the past three seasons and is on pace for 26 this year.
Theriot lost in arbitration to the Cubs last winter, settling for $2.6 million instead of the $3.4 he requested. He would be in line to make $4 million-$5 million next season. Which brings us to Barmes, who is in a similar situation.
Barmes’ future as the Rockies’ second baseman is cloudy because of his arbitration-eligible status. He is making $3.35 million this season and could jump to around $5 million next year. It’s highly questionable whether the Rockies would be willing to pay that kind of money for a second baseman. Denver Post.
If you’re not willing to pay $5 million per year for Clint Barmes, why would you pay $5 million per year for Ryan Theriot? Shrug.
For that very reason, Theriot is not expected to be tendered a contract by the Cubs this winter. That does not, of course, mean that the Cubs could not re-sign Theriot to a lower deal, but he would have the opportunity to go elsewhere. With that in mind, the Cubs would likely be content to move him.
Zambranogate: Carlos Breaks His Silence For Realsies
Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano has finally spoken publicly regarding Zambranogate, and while it’s good to finally hear from the horse’s mouth, his statements leave a little to be desired.
“It was a moment of frustration,” Zambrano said Monday in an interview with ESPN. “I was trying to fire up the team. Lee told me to shut up, and I got more excited. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. The last person I would be mad at is D. Lee; he’s a Gold Glover. I was just mad at myself.”
Zambrano said he has already apologized to Lee.
“I texted Lee two days after it happened, and we talked after that,” Zambrano said. “I apologized to him, and he responded well. He’s a professional. He’s one of the best teammates you can have.”
Zambrano will apologize to the rest of his teammates when he rejoins the Cubs on Friday in Denver against the Colorado Rockies. He hopes he and the Cubs can move on after the apology.
“If I play better and do the right things, everything will be fine in Chicago,” Zambrano said. “I love the fans and the city. I do not want to leave Chicago. I came on a mission, and I want that ring.”
Undergoing anger management therapy is part of his road back to the major leagues, and Zambrano said the sessions have made a difference.
“A lot of people have told me I need to change if I want to be successful,” Zambrano said. “Thank God the Cubs have sent me to the doctor for anger management. I’ve had three sessions already … doing exercises. I have to write down every time I get mad.” ESPN Chicago.
Me, too, Carlos. Me, too.
As for the content of the statement – and I’m calling it that, not an apology – I give it two shrugs out of three. He said he apologizes from the bottom of his heart… but he apologizes for trying to fire up the team. And that’s it. I imagine he will give a sincere apology to his teammates, however, and they’ll all leave it in the past.
And, in truth, I’m content to move on. Regardless of whether Zambrano will actually be with the Cubs in 2011, nothing bad can come from letting bygones be bygones, and hoping that Z pitches well this year – out of the bullpen or otherwise.
Zambranogate: Carlos Expected to Return Next Weekend
Chicago Cubs pitcher/formerly angry guy Carlos Zambrano is expected to return to the team next weekend, around July 30, when the Cubs head to Colorado to take on the Rockies.
The plan for Zambrano is for him to pitch out of the bullpen for Iowa until he joins the big league team in Denver the weekend of July 30th.
Zambrano pitched one inning and surrendered one hit on Monday in his only outing for the Cubs’ Mesa, Ariz., rookie league team. ESPN Chicago.
Zambrano has been out since a dugout outburst on June 25 led to a suspension and anger management.
It remains to be seen how he’ll be received by his teammates upon his return, but, given that they’re all professionals, I imagine the reception will be warm enough.
Zambrano will pitch out of the bullpen when he returns unless there’s an opening in the rotation by virtue of a trade or injury, and the Cubs hope he looks excellent – whatever his role – for the rest of the season so that they can at least explore the option of moving him in the winter.
Lukewarm Stove: Rockies Looking at Ryan Theriot?
The Chicago Cubs, even if they weren’t sellers, would probably be looking to move an infielder. They’ve got three guys rotating at second base – Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, and Jeff Baker – and that’s at least one too many. The Rockies, who’ve lost shortstop Troy Tulowitzki until at least August with a broken wrist, are in the market for a middle infielder.
Detroit had talks with the Cubs centering around second baseman Ryan Theriot. Those conversations have cooled down. Major League sources tell ESPNChicago.com that the Colorado Rockies now have apparent interest in Theriot. ESPN Chicago.
Theriot hasn’t been worth a hoot at the plate this year – .278/.317/.313 for a career worst 65 OPS+ (still think you’re worth $3.4 million, Ryan?) – but he remains versatile, and assuming he comes back to his career averages, should be good in the second half.
