Game 1
first pitch: 10:05 a.m., PT
television: Channel 4, WGN
matchup: Jake Peavy vs Kerry Wood
As Jonny German over at Batters’ Box pointed out in the comments to yesterday’s game that didn’t happen, the Padres have drawn more walks this year than Baltimore, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and the ChiSox combined. Today’s starter for the Cubs, Kerry Wood, has averaged 4.44 walks per nine innings over the course of his career and issued five free passes in 5 2/3 innings in his 2005 debut. The Padres need to continue their current approach at the plate and make Wood throw a lot of pitches.
Game 2
first pitch: 1:00 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Brian Lawrence vs Mark Prior
Not quite the matchup that we had hoped for, but what can you do. We looked at Prior yesterday; Lawrence’s record against current Cubbies isn’t so good: .333/.393/.560 over 80+ plate appearances. Derrek Lee, Todd Hollandsworth, and Jeromy Burnitz have all done their fair share of damage.
So, are you ready for a double dip?
Previews at ESPN for Game 1:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=250413216
and Game 2:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=250413316
HBP, BB, BB…Did Blum’s homer rattle K-Wood or does he just not have it today?
Is there anything wrong with Greene, or are they just resting him? I’m not getting the SD broadcast. And when (and why) did we get Jesse Garcia? I guess we could use Ramon Vasquez right about now.
I’ll take that kind of first inning.
My favorite part was Peavy fighting off 99 mph fastballs to almost draw a walk and extend the inning.
Ted Leitner gave us this bit of info.
Bochy asked Jake which of the two games he wanted to start. Jake said, “I’ll start both games, Skip.”
You just gotta love the kid.
I thought was an error by Garcia in the first. I think Peavy should have a no-no going.
ESPN is lagging a bit. You can follow along at Yahoo:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=250413216
Two thoughts:
1. What is Geoff Blum (career .317 OBP) doing leading off (aside from hitting a homer, of course)?
2. Kerry Wood has already thrown 63 pitches through the first three innings.
The Blum thing is a pattern for Bochy. When a sub is playing he will traditionally bat in the same spot in the order as the guy he’s replacing.
so much for knocking out K-Wood early and eating up a few bullpen arms
5-1, now.
Bill, didn’t you follow Spring Training this year? That’s why he got the call-up.
Why do we continue to piss away rallies?
Has Nady done enough to stay in the lineup once Roberts returns? Man, I’d hate to see us lose that bat in the name of justifying a bad trade.
I tend to think Bochy is going to move Nady all over the field to keep his bat in the lineup. He’ll sort of be a slugging Gil McDougald.
I hope we just use Roberts as the 4th outfielder he was meant to be.
Seven innings out of the starter. Gotta like that, especially when there’s another game to play.
Yup. And kudos to Bochy for what sounds like a PERFECTLY timed defensive substitution in left.
“Barrett flied into double play left, Lee out at second.”
Did Lee misjudge whether or not this ball was catchable? Did Hydzu just make an unbelieveable play? Anyone watching this game on TV?
Yeah, I think Nady plays third, first and all outfield spots to get 400 or so at-bats.
Eric, according to the Cub broadcasters, Hyzdu made an unbelievable play.
Blum with another bomb? WTF?
Boch’s moves seem to be working today: Blum replaces Burroughs, hits two homers; Hydzu replaces Klesko, makes an unbelievable play. Hope this doesn’t go to his head, which is big enough as it is.
One in the books. Pads have won the series, now they go for the sweep against Prior.
Lawrence doesn’t appear to have “it” today … already 4-0 with bases loaded in bottom of 2nd
Lawrence got smoked. I guess his numbers against the Cubbies didn’t lie. They own him.
Yeah, that was disappointing. But you know what? I’ll take two out of three in Chicago any day.
I mean, you had to expect a loss when your starter is Lawrence and their starter is Mark Prior.