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IGT: Cubs @ Mets---09-22-08

bmfc1 Sep 22 2008 05:42 AM

It's early, but rather than sit and mope about yesterday, I want to think about tonight's big game. Jason Marquis is pitching for the Cubs. Two reasons to like him and only two: he's a M.O.T. and he was born in Manhasset, LI. This year, he's 10-9 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He hasn't faced the Mets this year. Last year, the Mets beat him up twice. Given that he's a righty, you would think that Schneider would get the start but Brian is 1-17 lifetime against Marquis while Ramon is 5-11 with 2 HR and a double. Wright, Beltran and Delgado also have HR's off Marquis.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 22 2008 07:17 AM

MOT? When Marquis was a rookie with the Braves, one of the oldetime forumites reported encountering him working out at a staten island high school field and concluded he was a dick in addition to being a Yankee fan.

bmfc1 Sep 22 2008 07:20 AM

M.O.T.: "Member of the Tribe, a colloquial term for Jews"--Wikipedia.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 22 2008 07:22 AM

ah. Indians fan.

TransMonk Sep 22 2008 08:39 AM

The Cubs have very little to play for during this series. They need either a win or a Philly loss over the next week to secure homefield through the NL side of the playoffs. The SNY booth was speculating yesterday that Marquis is not guaranteed a postseason roster spot, so this may be an audition of sorts for him. As for the rest of the series, they were relaying that according to their information they would be surprised to see a starter go more than 5 innings. Going 6-6 in our twelve games against Washington and Atlanta makes these 4 with the Cubs that much more necessary. Right now, I think a split does very little for us. 3 of 4 would be nice and a sweep would rock. Anything less than a split will feel a lot like last year.

metirish Sep 22 2008 08:46 AM

I'm very wary of playing the Cubs , and especially wary that they might have " very little to play for" in this series .Lou Piniella will not want any complacency creeping into his squad. Danger here.

bmfc1 Sep 22 2008 08:50 AM

Some pertinent points from [u:8701d479f4]The Chicago Sun-Times[/u:8701d479f4]: The Cubs "magic number" for best record in the NL is one. The "framework" for starting pitchers is five innings. Rest for the position players will be "spaced out." Slumping Kosuke Fukudome will get some ABs. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1176823,CST-SPT-cub22.article

Benjamin Grimm Sep 22 2008 08:54 AM

I think a split would be okay if the Pirates manage, at the same time, to take two of three from the Brewers. I'd like there to be a magic number no higher than 2 when we wake up on Friday morning. To get there, we need a combination of Mets wins and Milwaukee losses that add up to four in the seven games that will be played over the next four days.

HahnSolo Sep 22 2008 09:32 AM

I would think Lou would want his regular position players to see the Mets pitchers, since the Mets are a likely first round opponent.

bmfc1 Sep 22 2008 11:54 AM

From Adam Rubin: [u:9bf8ac8294]Marquis vs. Mets (lifetime, 5-5, 4.55):[/u:9bf8ac8294] Carlos Delgado .556, HR, 9 AB Ramon Castro .455, 2 HR, 11 AB Luis Castillo .409, 22 AB Damion Easley .333, 3 AB Fernando Tatis .333, 3 AB Marlon Anderson .308, 13 AB David Wright .300, HR, 20 AB Jose Reyes .292, 24 AB Endy Chavez .214, 14 AB Ramon Martinez .176, 17 AB Carlos Beltran .118, HR, 17 AB Brian Schneider .059, 17 AB Ryan Church .000, 2 AB Here’s Cubs manager Lou Piniella, as quoted on the team’s Web site, about how they’ll approach the Mets series having already clinched the NL Central: “When we go to New York, we’ll play a team that’s in contention for the postseason, and we’ll play as representative a lineup as we can. At the same time, we still haven’t clinched home-field advantage for the playoffs, and we have to do that, hopefully. And then we have to look at a few positions on our team to ensure that we give people ample opportunity to make this team. There are probably a couple spots that we can play around with. …I can’t let these guys all sit. We have to use them to keep them as sharp as possible. We’ll play our regular lineup in these games (against the Mets). The worst thing that can happen is Major League Baseball calls us and tells us, ‘Hey, you people have a responsibility,’ and we’re going to honor that.” … Ted Lilly has a career-high 16 wins. … Jason Marquis issued five walks against the Brewers while surrendering three runs in 5 1/3 innings in his last start. It was his first appearance in 11 days. … Reliever Chad Gaudin, who was obtained from the A’s on July 8, has been out for more than three weeks with lower-back soreness but is expected to see action this series. … Chicago has four players with 20-plus homers: Alfonso Soriano (29), Aramis Ramirez (26), Geovany Soto (23) and Mark DeRosa (20). Bergen Catholic’s DeRosa has set career highs for homers, RBI (83), walks (68) and runs (98). … Ramirez leads the Cubs with 109 RBI. He reached triple-figures in RBI before Sept. 1, the first Cub to do so since Sammy Sosa in 2001. … Infielder Ronny Cedeno is hitting .328 since July 24. … Jim Edmonds has started 54 of the Cubs’ last 80 games in center field. … Kosuke Fukudome hit .193 in August and is hitting .217 this month. … Soto earned NL Rookie of the Month honors last month.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 22 2008 12:09 PM

I wasn't aware that there was a "Rookie of the Month"

G-Fafif Sep 22 2008 01:27 PM

In the week in which the results of the Ten Greatest Moments at Shea balloting is announced, it's noteworthy (perhaps) that Jason Marquis was the opposing starter in one of the finalists, September 21, 2001.

bmfc1 Sep 22 2008 02:22 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 22 2008 04:42 PM

Remember what I pointed out earlier about Schneider and Castro vs. Marquis? I guess that was irrelevant to Jerry. I'm sure he knows better: Reyes, ss Murphy, lf Wright, 3b Delgado, 1b Beltran, cf Church, rf Castillo, 2b Schneider, c Niese, p

HahnSolo Sep 22 2008 02:53 PM

Would anybody beside me like to see Endy get a start in right against a righty? Church hasn't been himself. Plus the threat of a long ball off the bench from Church is greater than Endy's.

Gwreck Sep 22 2008 02:54 PM

...have been talking about same for the past 3 days in various IGTs. He can still put Church out for defense in the late innings if necessary but it's time for a day off for Ryan.

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2008 03:03 PM

If I though for a second that Endy could actually hit I might switch them up. But he can't.

TransMonk Sep 22 2008 03:14 PM

Yeah...I can't believe I had to wait until 9/22 to say this, but Ryan Church is killing us.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 22 2008 03:36 PM

TransMonk wrote: Yeah...I can't believe I had to wait until 9/22 to say this, but Ryan Church is killing us. I mean, they pinch hit Easley for him yesterday and he's literally lame.

bmfc1 Sep 22 2008 04:26 PM

[u:f73a96e6d1]Chicago Cubs[/u:f73a96e6d1] Alfonso Soriano LF Ronny Cedeno 2B Derrek Lee 1B Aramis Ramirez 3B Geovany Soto C Mark DeRosa RF Reed Johnson CF Ryan Theriot SS Jason Marquis P [u:f73a96e6d1]New York Mets[/u:f73a96e6d1] Reyes, ss Murphy, lf Wright, 3b Delgado, 1b Beltran, cf Church, rf Castillo, 2b Schneider, c Niese, p

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2008 04:50 PM

Seven more days, all we got to do is survive -- B. Dylan

Benjamin Grimm Sep 22 2008 05:44 PM

Niese looking pretty good, but he gives up a double and a single with two out in the second. Bottom of the inning, Delgado walks, Church singles him to third, and Delgado hustles home on a wild pitch. 1-1 after 2.

TransMonk Sep 22 2008 05:52 PM

I like this Niese kid.

metirish Sep 22 2008 06:14 PM

Marquis with a grand slam...season is officially a joke.

mario25 Sep 22 2008 06:18 PM

A week left in the season and the Mets are starting a kid with 2 career starts

TransMonk Sep 22 2008 06:18 PM

TransMonk wrote: I like this Niese kid. I take it back. WTF...I go eat dinner for 15 minutes and I come back and we're fucked?

mario25 Sep 22 2008 06:44 PM

5 rbi's for the opposing pitcher...real nice

Rockin' Doc Sep 22 2008 06:49 PM

Turn out the lights, the parties over...

mario25 Sep 22 2008 06:53 PM

It is sad to watch this team fizzle out again....

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2008 07:00 PM

Niese & Parnell playing out the 'Backup Quarterback Syndrome'

bmfc1 Sep 22 2008 07:03 PM

mario25 wrote: A week left in the season and the Mets are starting a kid with 2 career starts Just like last year when Humber started the 4th to last game. That's how Omar's teams do it.

mario25 Sep 22 2008 07:13 PM

Did they give up trying to win tonite....2 men on no outs why not hit for Castillo????? He couldnt get a hit off of a freakin tee!!!!

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2008 07:13 PM

Runners on 1st & 2nd w/0 outs 4 seperate times in a ten-inning span = 0 runs

metirish Sep 22 2008 07:14 PM

Who would you have had start tonight instead?....I'm drawing a blank here.

mario25 Sep 22 2008 07:14 PM

Since when do you hit Castillo 7th anyway???? He is either an 8 hole hitter or the bench.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 22 2008 07:16 PM

Um. Well. THIS sucks. Dammit.

Elster88 Sep 22 2008 07:27 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 22 2008 07:30 PM

mario25 wrote: A week left in the season and the Mets are starting a kid with 2 career starts All right smart guy, who did you want starting today?

metsguyinmichigan Sep 22 2008 07:29 PM

Kaboom D-Wright to bring them within four. Games like this, you have to expect once in a while. It's why the bullpen horrors are all the more damaging.

DocTee Sep 22 2008 07:29 PM

Would've been nice if Omar had acquired some arms for the stretch run, rather than rely on untested ones again...would think he'd have learnd his lesson

Elster88 Sep 22 2008 07:31 PM

DocTee wrote: Would've been nice if Omar had acquired some arms for the stretch run, rather than rely on untested ones again...would think he'd have learnd his lesson Who would you have brought in? I guess Omar was supposed to anticipate Maine's injury? The bullpen I'll give you, but I still want to know who was available and what you would've been willing to give up to get him.

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2008 07:33 PM

If they could have grabbed some chip-away runs when they had all those runners on then Wright's blast and these couple of hits would mean a lot more.

DocTee Sep 22 2008 07:35 PM

Joe Blanton, for one. Couldv'e had Huston Street for the pen, too. Matt Cain?

Elster88 Sep 22 2008 07:38 PM

Why would you have wanted a starter? Where was the hole in our rotation at the trade deadline?

DocTee Sep 22 2008 07:44 PM

Redundancy. In case one falters, gets injured or is otherwise unavailable or ineffective.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 22 2008 07:47 PM

I don't know if you can fault Omar for not getting a starter. I remember at the deadline we were all calling for a reliever and an outfielder to replace Alou. We had some depth at starter. You can't blame him for throwing Neise out there. He did well in his last start. This is almost one of those games were you throw the kid out there and hope the offense can keep you in the game and that the pen doesn't blow it.

mario25 Sep 22 2008 07:47 PM

Gotta hope the Brew crew keeping sucking down the stretch

Elster88 Sep 22 2008 07:49 PM

It doesn't work that way. You don't trade for Joe Blanton when your bullpen sucks and your rotation is doing well. Wasn't his ERA over 5 at the deadline? I'll give you credit if there is a post of yours from the trade deadline where you were begging Omar for a starter. But I doubt you could've had the foresight to think that way because the rotation was in great shape at the deadline. Everyone looks like a genius making trades two months later.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 22 2008 07:49 PM

Phils win. Forget the division and hope the Pirates can hold their own against the Brewers.

metirish Sep 22 2008 07:49 PM

Mets "fans" cheer heartedly when Castillo gets hit by the pitch...

KC Sep 22 2008 07:50 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 22 2008 07:51 PM

I'm as pissed off as the next guy, but how many teams make deals for redundancy at starting pitcher in case of injury or faltering? Or was Omar supposed to be cutting edge and be the first to have guys to plug in if things went bad? And where do these redundant pitchers go in terms of roster slots is another question?

metirish Sep 22 2008 07:50 PM

What I remember about Street is him injured or something around trading time.

mario25 Sep 22 2008 07:56 PM

The fact they still have a shot with the bullpens suckage this year is amazing. Hopefully the Mets redo the bullpen and fix the 2b position before 2009.

KC Sep 22 2008 08:08 PM

The fact they still have a shot with the offense's suckage this year is amazing too. Too many games where they score early which is fun to watch and then they'd go to sleep only to have opponents creep back and then the pitching fizzles and it's all on the the pen.

metirish Sep 22 2008 08:12 PM

Tough road having to use seven and eight pitchers a night .

KC Sep 22 2008 08:13 PM

A good project for the off-season would be to look at each game and see what the blown rally/go ahead to blown hold/save/whatever ratio was this year. My guess is that the offense sucked.

cooby Sep 22 2008 08:24 PM

Is this game over? I am never sure until fairy puts up her POTG

themetfairy Sep 22 2008 08:28 PM

Not yet. Pitching change for the Cubs in the bottom of the 9th with the two on and two out. Kerry Wood coming into the game.

themetfairy Sep 22 2008 08:31 PM

Now it's over :(

mario25 Sep 22 2008 08:37 PM

Let me guess Castillo struck out looking

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 22 2008 08:43 PM

="KC"]I'm as pissed off as the next guy, but how many teams make deals for redundancy at starting pitcher in case of injury or faltering? Or was Omar supposed to be cutting edge and be the first to have guys to plug in if things went bad? And where do these redundant pitchers go in terms of roster slots is another question? Eh. For all the talk about Omar being all about "the big splash" he played it way too timidly this year and last. I'm not going to pretend it would be easy or painless but the prospect of a suffering bullpen was foreseeable both years, and easy to see in retrospect that he'd done way too little to improve the bullpen over the offseason. Who knows what might have been possible were he more aggressive. He also waited too long on Randolph, bet too heavy on Alou, Pedro, El Duque and brought back a bench from which nobody improved. He's next.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 22 2008 08:58 PM

By the way, first game I turned off before it was over this year!

Rockin' Doc Sep 22 2008 09:07 PM

cooby - "Is this game over? I am never sure until fairy puts up her POTG." This game was over as soon as Jason Marquis hit his grand slam.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 22 2008 09:12 PM

I disagree. It was over when The Schneid hit into the DP in the following half-inning, and even then it took Castillo's DP and Church's popup to really kill it dead.

Gwreck Sep 22 2008 09:43 PM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I disagree. It was over when The Schneid hit into the DP in the following half-inning, and even then it took Castillo's DP and Church's popup to really kill it dead. Indeed. This was a 5-kick-to-the-groin night: 5. Ayala dicking around and letting up a run in the 9th for no apparent reason; 4. Church's pop-up 3. Castillo's GIDP 2. Schneider's GIDP 1. Marquis I seriously considered leaving the game early (yes, it's true) and might have if there weren't 6 more games at Shea, ever.

Gwreck Sep 22 2008 09:46 PM

By the way, I figured out the Castillo problem. Santana (not a terrible hitter) is going tomorrow. Jerry should hit Castillo 9th, Tony LaRussa-style. Yes, I'm 100% serious.

G-Fafif Sep 22 2008 10:54 PM

However bad it looked on TV or online, it looked even worse from Mezzanine. Too many Cubs fan, too much Castillo, not enough pitching. Squeezes the Shea sentimentality right out of a fella.