Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates GameThread, Apr 7, 2008 1:35 PM EDT

Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh, 7 April 2008

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 1:01 PM EDT

Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates

It's Ted Lilly and Tom Gorzelanny in the home opener at 1:35 PM. Here's the box: Freddy Sanchez is back at second base. Doug Mientkiewicz starts at first.

For this series, I answered some questions about the Cubs for Byron from the Cubs blog Goat Riders of the Apocalypse, and Byron answered some questions for me. You can read my answers to his questions here.

Bucs Dugout: What do you expect from Kosuke Fukodome? Early reports have suggested he'll be like J.D. Drew but healthy; what do you think?

Goat Riders: Skills wise, JD Drew might be a decent comparison for Kosuke. Where Kosuke's got the jump on Drew will likely be in PR and health. My biggest fear for Fooky was that he would start slowly and the right field bleacher bums would get on him like they did with Jacque Jones. Well, those fears were baseless, as Fooky exploded out of the gate. I'm hoping for a .310/.390/.600 line with 40 doubles, 20 homers, 15 steals, and 15 outfield assists. From what we've seen over the first six games, those numbers are attainable.

BD: Go ahead - say something nice about rookie catcher Geovany Soto.

GROTA: Soto has some Cubs fans cautiously optimistic. The bar isn't all that high, and I think Soto's got more pop then some people expect. The key to remember is that Soto is being compared to Michael Barrett, Jason Kendall, Damian Miller, Paul Bako, and Henry Blanco. In other words, expectations are low, and if Soto's name is even mentioned in the rookie of the year race, he'll have outperformed the recent past by a wide margin.

BD: Am I incorrect to think that Carlos Marmol is a better pitcher than Kerry Wood? Would Marmol have won the closer job if his name were as recognizable as Wood's?

GROTA: Marmol may end up being better than Kerry Wood, but the closer decision is defensible. (Think Mariano Rivera setting up for John Wetteland in 1996 where Marmol is Rivera.) Wood has a reputation for being a fearless competitor while Marmol absolutely self-destructed under the post-season pressure of the NLDS. The Cubs are in the enviable position of having three guys who could close games (Bob Howry, Marmol, and Wood), but Woody is my pick for closer.

BD: Why, given the Cubs' relative abundance of decent starting pitching options (Sean Marshall, Jon Lieber, etc.), is Ryan Dempster in the rotation?

GROTA: Dirty pictures of Jim Hendry, Lou Piniella, or both? This is a question we've struggled with much of the winter. It doesn't make a ton of sense, but it has the added benefit of getting Dempster out of the closer's role. What doesn't compute is that Dempster has exactly one season of effective starting pitching in his past, and that was in 2000. Jon Lieber, meanwhile, won 20 games in 2000 and 17 in 2005. It would seem to me that Lieber ought to have a spot in the rotation. Regardless, we do have a plethora of starting options, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade in the near future.

BD: Was 2007 Rich Hill's peak, or will there be even better times in the future?

GROTA: We at GROTA have high hopes for Rich Hill in the future. Granted, nothing in 2008 has indicated that Hill will have a better season this year than last, but he is a lefty, and that generally confers an extra measure of patience. The other thing you have to realize is that Rich Hill has never had a bad outing in his life... but he is occasionally kidnapped and imprisoned by his evil twin Mitch who likes to hang curveballs and serve up fat floaters right down the middle of the plate.

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I don't like the Cubs

Moving to Chicago 2 years ago, I cannot stand the Cubs. Growing up in West Virginia, I never realized how annoying the hype around the Cubs is. Plus, they're an NL Central rival. On the plus side, I don't have to watch this game on my laptop. On the downside, I have to watch Len and Bob on WGN. Ughhhhhh!

by Pirates_of_the_Windy_City on Apr 7, 2008 1:35 PM EDT 0 recs

You could

put Santo on on WGN - God, I love to listen to him sigh!

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. -- HST

by cocktailsfor2 on Apr 7, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

...radio, I mean.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. -- HST

by cocktailsfor2 on Apr 7, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

I guess

Chris Gomez can't play shortstop at all. Why else would they prefer Rivas over him right now?

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 1:37 PM EDT 0 recs

Yeah, I wondered about that too.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

Already with the walks.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 1:41 PM EDT 0 recs

Derrek Lee

Especially not good with Lee at the plate

by Pirates_of_the_Windy_City on Apr 7, 2008 1:41 PM EDT 0 recs

Charlie

From above...do you think Fukudome will be that good....310/.390.600?

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 1:43 PM EDT 0 recs

My impression

is like Pirates of the Windy City. I think the OBP is reasonable, but the power seems high. He only slugged .600 twice in Japan.

Then again, it's not like I know a ton about this.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 1:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'm not sure that line is possible for him. I think his power is questionable. I don't think he could sustain that many homers.

by Pirates_of_the_Windy_City on Apr 7, 2008 1:45 PM EDT 0 recs

Yeah

I was wondering if 40 doubles and 20 home runs would equate to .600 slugging pct

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ugly, but it did the trick

by Pirates_of_the_Windy_City on Apr 7, 2008 1:47 PM EDT 0 recs

Rivas

And you guys sounded worried

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 1:48 PM EDT 0 recs

Ha

Rivas doesn't even seem competent

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 1:48 PM EDT 0 recs

Am I wrong or didn't the Pirates bring up Bixler because Jack was out? Is there a reason they aren't playing him?

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 1:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

Haven't really heard anything or looked it up,

but I expected him to start today, too.

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 1:51 PM EDT 0 recs

Okway well at least it isn't just me then. I was worried I was making up transactions all of a sudden.

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Damn

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 1:52 PM EDT 0 recs

Baserunning

Again another out trying to get an extra base

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 1:52 PM EDT 0 recs

Just after I got through calling McLouth one of the best baserunners in the majors, too.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

That happens. Like during any football game where a QB has a long streak with no INTs, they show how many attempts it has been and then next pass is picked.

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 1:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah, looks bad,

but sometimes you have to guess on a left. It happens.

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 1:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

he did you the favor of getting on base immediately, though

Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Apr 7, 2008 2:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

Holy crap

what was that??? Please get him off the field!

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 2:05 PM EDT 0 recs

Well

This isn't good.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:05 PM EDT 0 recs

To quote the Pirates announcers

"That wasn't a very good looking play. Not a very good looking play at all."

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:05 PM EDT 0 recs

Funny, the Cubs announcers maintained an awkward silence.

by Pirates_of_the_Windy_City on Apr 7, 2008 2:07 PM EDT 0 recs

Rivas

Is it inappropriate to cut Rivas in the third inning. Seriously?

by dtoddwin on Apr 7, 2008 2:08 PM EDT 0 recs

To anyone who watched

or kept a close eye on the box scores and articles--did Rivas look like this in spring training? I've seen many posts on here say he hasn't been a good defender in past seasons.

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 2:09 PM EDT 0 recs

I believe there were a couple of articles in which Huntington claimed he was impressed with Rivas' defense.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

hmmm

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'm not positive. I could be wrong. I'll try to find them later. It would make a good post if I'm right.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

Bad defense

If Russell doesn't start Bixler next game and/or put him in for Rivas now, and Jason Bay quits looking like he has down syndrome in left field, I'ma be mad

by OpiateOfTheMasses on Apr 7, 2008 2:12 PM EDT 0 recs

Everyone

should look at the picture of Gorzo on the pirates homepage...its pretty good.

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 2:19 PM EDT 0 recs

Gorzelanny doesn't want to pitch to Reed Johnson, apparently.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:22 PM EDT 0 recs

Three walks already.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:27 PM EDT 0 recs

three runs already

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Lots of throwing errors from pitchers so far this year. I think that's the fourth. Maybe they forgot to practice throwing to bases in spring training.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

They probably didn't have time to practice that since they had to try and teach the pitchers where the strike zone was first

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:29 PM EDT 0 recs

Ugly

by Pirates_of_the_Windy_City on Apr 7, 2008 2:30 PM EDT 0 recs

killing themselves

$5 says that after the game the Pirates announce Tom G's "arm trouble".

by Blyleven Curve Ball on Apr 7, 2008 2:33 PM EDT 0 recs

reds fan here

i dont know how much you guys have seen of dumatrait, but with us... he was not good.

Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Apr 7, 2008 2:34 PM EDT 0 recs

it appears he's not improved much

Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Apr 7, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

I went to the home openers in 2006 and 2007 and this is really starting to look about right. Out of reach early as a thank you to one of the few sellout crowds they will get.

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:36 PM EDT 0 recs

Good thing there's a day off tomorrow - the bullpen's going to get a lot of work.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:37 PM EDT 0 recs

Here's a crazy thought

Since the starters aren't logging many innings maybe they need to cut it down to a 3 man rotation and add a couple arms to the bullpen since they handle the bulk of the games.

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

glad i didn't make the trip down for this one.

they better look like they have a clue friday night.

by Blyleven Curve Ball on Apr 7, 2008 2:40 PM EDT 0 recs

I still wish I could have made it. Bad game and all it is still opening day.

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

true, but friday night plays well into a little golf in the hills on saturday.

by Blyleven Curve Ball on Apr 7, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

It's always nice

when in the first game of your fantasy week your starting pitcher is staked to a seven run lead by the third inning.

Apologies for the interruption, Pirates fans. Continue your self-immolation.

by scoreboard on Apr 7, 2008 2:41 PM EDT 0 recs

How is it possible that the Bucs have only just now gotten through the order? Wow.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:46 PM EDT 0 recs

Slogan

I just saw a commercial on FSN and can't tell for sure but, is this year's slogan just simply Let's Go Bucs? Is anyone in the organization trying? They didn't want to roll out We Will for the third year?

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:49 PM EDT 0 recs

No, they decided against We Will.

I haven't seen the advertising, but I like "Let's Go Bucs" a lot better. At least it's not a lie.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

It is better than "We Will" but it just seems lazy. Like they don't care anymore.

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

And of course I don't know for sure if that is the official slogan. I was hoping someone did and could clear it up.

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

I know. But that, in a way, seems more honest. The PR department SHOULD give up on this team.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

You have a point, but I don't like thinking anyone is giving up even though they all are or already have.

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

This is annoying

I think Lanny, Steve, Bob, etc etc are good guys and all, but sometimes I have a lot of trouble listening to them

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 2:52 PM EDT 0 recs

Why because they can't decide on A or B?

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:53 PM EDT 0 recs

It isn't like they spent 5 minutes on it and pulled the cameras off the field to show them running around

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Dumatrait struck someone out! Let's not get used to it, he's positively Duke-like out there.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:55 PM EDT 0 recs

At least we have Doumit.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 2:57 PM EDT 0 recs

Just to follow up, I checked the Post-Gazette about Rivas. I found some praise of Rivas' defense by the writers there, but didn't find any from the front office, so maybe I was wrong about that.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 3:07 PM EDT 0 recs

On the TV broadcast they just Rivas was impressive this spring defensively at second base.

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 3:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

just said rather

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

OK

Bases loaded, one out.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 3:07 PM EDT 0 recs

credit

I'll give a little bit of credit there

by Pirates_of_the_Windy_City on Apr 7, 2008 3:11 PM EDT 0 recs

Yeah. I was going to call him 0-for3vas again, but I'll lay off.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

question looking at the schedule: why no Frank Taveras lumber company bobblehead? does pittsburgh hate him, or does he hate pittsburgh?

by Blyleven Curve Ball on Apr 7, 2008 3:13 PM EDT 0 recs

D Lee

probably should have picked that

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 3:14 PM EDT 0 recs

Gomez keeps coming through.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 3:15 PM EDT 0 recs

Of course they come alive like 15 minutes before I have to go into work

by thebuccodynasty on Apr 7, 2008 3:15 PM EDT 0 recs

Nate the Great!

would that have been a flyout in most parks?? who cares

by DITO on Apr 7, 2008 3:16 PM EDT 0 recs

big hit by gomez

he's now hitting .400 on the season

look out ted williams...

by johnnycuff on Apr 7, 2008 3:16 PM EDT 0 recs

nate!!!!

by johnnycuff on Apr 7, 2008 3:16 PM EDT 0 recs

yay Nate!

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 3:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

Surprising Pirates?

Granted, there were some defensive errors there, but the Pirates run scoring ability is somewhat surprising to me.

by Pirates_of_the_Windy_City on Apr 7, 2008 3:18 PM EDT 0 recs

agreed

i expected them to pack it in, this is very impressive.

by johnnycuff on Apr 7, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

they can mash - well, relatively speaking

I like this Pirates lineup and, as long as Nate keeps maturing, this team is going to be scrappy all year. Also, no surprised to see them get to Lilly. The Bucs have been very solid against left-handed pitching for two years now.

Now, if only they could find a way to dump Paul Maholm...

by Doc's Sports Predictions Guy on Apr 7, 2008 3:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

What's wrong with Maholm?

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 3:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

21-foot high wall.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. -- HST

by cocktailsfor2 on Apr 7, 2008 3:19 PM EDT 0 recs

I can't believe it's only the end of the 4th inning.

by Charlie on Apr 7, 2008 3:26 PM EDT 0 recs

injury delay?

i'm at work so i can only see the gamecast. who's hurt?

by johnnycuff on Apr 7, 2008 3:29 PM EDT 0 recs

Doumit hit by foul

by Blyleven Curve Ball on Apr 7, 2008 3:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Last Night

Home plate ump in last night's Tigers-WSox game caught a high fastball right on the forehead. Of course he was wearing his facemask but it stopped the game for a few minutes. And the Tigers scored a run because of the wild pitch

by Pirates_of_the_Windy_City on Apr 7, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up 0 recs