Know Your Foe #5: Cubs Hesitantly Make Return to Coors Field
by Bryan Kilpatrick on Apr 15, 2011 3:00 PM MDT
in Know Your Foe
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PrintChicago Cubs (6-6, 3rd in the NL Central)
2010 Record vs. Colorado: 2-3
Last Series vs. Rockies: July 30 through August 1, 2010 (L 0-3 at Coors Field)
The Cubs were in the midst of a pretty bad stretch of baseball when the Rockies arrived at Wrigley Field in May of last year. By the time they left, the Lovable Losers and their fans had hope again, as the Cubbies silenced the Rockies' bats and earned a two-game sweep. Let's just say that things would be different, however, when the Cubs made the trek to Coors Field in late-July. The Rockies used a historic inning, as they racked up 11 consecutive two-out hits (and 13 straight two-out baserunners) to put up 12 runs in the eighth inning, which turned a fairly tight game into a complete laugher. More LoDo magic would ensue the following night, as Carlos Gonzalez hit a walk-off home run off of Sean Marshall which also gave him a cycle in the ballgame. An 8-7 victory in the finale gave the Rox a sweep, leaving thousands of insufferable Cubs fans stunned as they finally left Coors Field.
Marshall, who is still in the Cubs' pen, had a miserable series at Coors last year and is definitely one to watch if the Cubs use him in relief during the upcoming series.
Last Series Results: L 1-2 at Milwaukee, W 2-1 at Houston
The Cubs have been led offensively by Starlin Castro, who has 10 hits over the last two series (although all of them are singles), and Aramis Ramirez, who has posted a .933 OPS in that same timeframe. Meanwhile, Alfonso Soriano has gone ice cold, as his .556 OPS over the past week would suggest.
Pitching-wise, the Cubs best starter has been Matt Garza, who is pitching much better than his ERA (5.68) and lack of wins would indicate. He has racked up 20 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched, while walking just 4. Ryan Dempster has posted a nice strikeout rate (22 in 20 innings), but he has also allowed four homers.
See what the Cubs' SBN community, Bleed Cubbie Blue, has to say.
Pitching matchups and other pertinent information after the jump...
Friday through Sunday: 3-game series at Coors Field
Expected Pitching Matchups
Friday, April 15, 2011 @ 6:40 PM MT
Saturday, April 16, 2011 @ 6:10 PM MT
Sunday, April 17, 2011 @ 1:10 PM MT
* - AAA stats; Sunday will mark Johnson's MLB debut.
Expected Lineup
| Player | Pos | AVG | OBP | SLG | wOBA | wRC+ |
HR | RBI |
| Starlin Castro | SS | .389 | .411 | .500 | .407 | 145 | 0 | 3 |
| Darwin Barney | 2B | .345 | .394 | .448 | .352 | 109 | 0 | 4 |
| Marlon Byrd | CF | .353 | .377 | .471 | .362 | 116 | 0 | 4 |
| Aramis Ramirez | 3B | .326 | .404 | .478 | .383 | 129 | 1 | 6 |
| Carlos Pena | 1B | .185 | .343 | .222 | .278 | 62 | 0 | 4 |
| Alfonso Soriano | LF | .250 | .283 | .545 | .346 | 106 | 4 | 10 |
| Geovany Soto | C | .220 | .304 | .341 | .292 | 71 | 1 | 3 |
| Tyler Colvin | RF | .147 | .237 | .382 | .261 | 51 | 2 | 6 |
Bench
| Player | Pos | AVG | OBP | SLG | wOBA | wRC+ |
HR | RBI |
| Koyie Hill | C | .000 | .400 | .000 | .279 | 63 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Baker | Util | .385 | .385 | .577 | .417 | 151 | 1 | 6 |
| Blake DeWittt | IF | .125 | .222 | .250 | .218 | 24 | 0 | 2 |
| Kosuke Fukudome | OF | .313 | .500 | .313 | .393 | .136 | 0 | 1 |
| Reed Johnson | OF | .100 | .100 | .200 | .127 | -35 | 0 | 0 |
Closer
Injuries
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Comments
the Rockies are the only NL west team with a better record than the Cubs
This cannot stand
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 15, 2011 3:05 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
I see what you did there
Unfortunately, the Gints and Dodgers may not be able to help themselves.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Would be nice to win the first two
And take the pressure off Alan Johnson and let him dominate on Sunday
Tonight seems like the key
Unless Garza is very hittable and not just getting burned by BABIP boosters.
I want to say how awesome a particular Rockies player is and that he will be the MVP, but the last time I mentioned it in my sig he went out with an injury, so, GO PLAYER WHO IS SO AWESOME!
and 8 more k's
He’s pitching like Nuke LaLoosh, he’ll either K you, or you’ll be safe.
He’s also given up 4 dingers in 20 innings
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Walked 18
New League record.
Struck out 18
Another new league record.
two Icehouse 24 oz beers = $3.20 two "fancy" Bud Light 24 oz beers = $5.00
NOW who comes out on top?
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 15, 2011 4:56 PM MDT up reply actions
Hit the mascot...
twice!
/oh why can’t this be true
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Would be nice to win the first three.
If we have to lose one, I don’t want it to be Sunday. Because that’s the game I’m going to.
If we win the first three, it's a sweep.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Nope
It’s a three game series. ;-)
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
...it....was.....majestic...
it sure as hell was.
Baseball is FINALLY here. That old ballpark, man, it's back in gear. Haven't seen it in a while. Man, it makes me smile.
by The Lodo Magic Man on Apr 15, 2011 3:48 PM MDT up reply actions
Man, I still feel bad for the Cubs for that game
They just had to be the team we played when our offense finally decided to let loose.
We are Fangirl. We are Legion.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."~ Winston Churchill
Would a little positive thinking hurt anyone?
Haters gonna hate. (with optional vuvuzela)
is ready for tomorrow night. Will be sitting Section 117 Row 30. Seats 1-6.
I want us to get the big win tonight. Garza gives up a lot of hits but he can also get a lot of K’s
119. Row 32.
Sup?
Baseball is FINALLY here. That old ballpark, man, it's back in gear. Haven't seen it in a while. Man, it makes me smile.
by The Lodo Magic Man on Apr 15, 2011 3:48 PM MDT up reply actions
oh wait. Those are my tickets for Sunday.
Goddamnit.
Baseball is FINALLY here. That old ballpark, man, it's back in gear. Haven't seen it in a while. Man, it makes me smile.
by The Lodo Magic Man on Apr 15, 2011 3:49 PM MDT up reply actions
You should make some signs
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say it's playoffs or bust"- J. Hammel
Toddfather, Tulo, CarGo plus The Answer - Rox 2011 NL West Crown
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Winning
aGainst the Cubs
is Not difficult
Baseball is FINALLY here. That old ballpark, man, it's back in gear. Haven't seen it in a while. Man, it makes me smile.
by The Lodo Magic Man on Apr 15, 2011 3:52 PM MDT up reply actions
think about this
The last 2 years when Tulo and Cargo have hit for the cycle. Hammel was the pitcher. And Gorazalanny was the starter for them. But he is now gone, and there stands in the way is Casey Coleman, whom the folks over at Bleed CUbbie Blue has stated to me. They would rather drag someone out of the crowd than have him pitch. Maybe, they can both hit for the cycle tomorrow night. OMG, that would be so FREAKING AWESOME! Will be watching it tonight on TV, however, I don’t think I will be here on the Row tonight to chat will yall due to my wireless internet card getting hit this morning by a little rubber ball my mom threw to my son and it getting broke.:(( My mom’s is limited so I can’t be on here. I might check in every now and then. SO just in case I dont make it tonight. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
A) A Badass
B) Because he’s a Badass
two Icehouse 24 oz beers = $3.20 two "fancy" Bud Light 24 oz beers = $5.00
NOW who comes out on top?
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 15, 2011 4:03 PM MDT up reply actions
Is he really that good? I have seen his name so many times pop up on here. Did I also see that he went 20-14 for the Sky Sox last year?
What pitches can he throw and what kind of velocity does he have?
HAHA NO
He went 10-8 with a 5.91 ERA. Low velocity, decent control, not much in the way of strikeout pitch. His best pitch when I saw him was a loopy curve. He’s been mentioned a lot here out of a joke and not because he’s a prospect.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 15, 2011 4:09 PM MDT up reply actions
Because of the double header.
Rox would not have a starting pitcher ready to go on normal rest Sunday. They don’t want to push people this early in the season.
two Icehouse 24 oz beers = $3.20 two "fancy" Bud Light 24 oz beers = $5.00
NOW who comes out on top?
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 15, 2011 4:19 PM MDT up reply actions
Also, Reynolds was going to be sent back down anyway with Ubaldo coming back Monday.
two Icehouse 24 oz beers = $3.20 two "fancy" Bud Light 24 oz beers = $5.00
NOW who comes out on top?
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 15, 2011 4:22 PM MDT up reply actions
Still wonder if there wasn't a better option...
it would have been cool to see Rex Brothers out there.
There are plenty of better options
But they all entail the risk of messing up someone’s arm and/or disrupting the staff for an extended period of time. I would rather send a punching bag like Johnson out there and lose 12-2 than do that, especially with a key division series coming up right afterward.
by Northsider1964 on Apr 15, 2011 4:35 PM MDT up reply actions
So who would you start?
two Icehouse 24 oz beers = $3.20 two "fancy" Bud Light 24 oz beers = $5.00
NOW who comes out on top?
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 15, 2011 4:44 PM MDT up reply actions
Not a starter.
two Icehouse 24 oz beers = $3.20 two "fancy" Bud Light 24 oz beers = $5.00
NOW who comes out on top?
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 15, 2011 4:55 PM MDT up reply actions
brothers hasn't been a starter since college
Nicasio is really the only option for your criteria
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 15, 2011 5:18 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I still wish they'd have rescheduled Jimenez's workout so he could have thrown Sunday
He is eligible to come off the DL in time.
RockiesRoster.com - Your best source for organizational contract and transactions information.
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates
~WolfMarauder
by Greg Stanwood on Apr 15, 2011 5:46 PM MDT up reply actions
I think that's exactly what they would have done
But apparently felt the thumb wasn’t ready for a good test. Hold that workout too soon, and you’re right back to Square One.
by Northsider1964 on Apr 15, 2011 6:03 PM MDT up reply actions
Then we better bring someone else up too
I’m not a fan of having the bullpen cover 7 some odd innings Sunday with the SFG’s on tere way in.
by BostonTransplant on Apr 15, 2011 4:48 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Would need to make another roster move.
Dunno if they would send Stewart to extended spring and possibly bring another BP arm like Daley. Doesn’t sound like Morales will be going to DL.
two Icehouse 24 oz beers = $3.20 two "fancy" Bud Light 24 oz beers = $5.00
NOW who comes out on top?
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 15, 2011 4:54 PM MDT up reply actions
Won't happen
Johnson is taking one for the team if need be.
A better solution would be for us to score 12 runs ourselves.
Long picture, guys, long picture. 159-3 will still win us a division title.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Precisely.
Don’t screw with your starters arms in a non-division home game in April.
Tha’s what my mom always said.
two Icehouse 24 oz beers = $3.20 two "fancy" Bud Light 24 oz beers = $5.00
NOW who comes out on top?
by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 15, 2011 4:58 PM MDT up reply actions
A shot out of the dark
At least they won’t have a good line on Johnson and won’t be able to guess his pitches as easily.
by Real Perspective on Apr 15, 2011 5:42 PM MDT up reply actions
Rex Brothers
is a reliever
"There have been only two geniuses in the world. Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare." ~Tallulah Bankhead
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." ~Greg, age 8
JFK
Wow...And there goes all my credibility... That was stupid....
Looking through the AAA roster, though, it doesn’t seem like any of the pitchers have been very good. Is the team as bad as it looks? Or is that place just tough to pitch at?
Like pre-humidor Coors Field
With another 1,000 feet of elevation for good measure
The Colorado Rockies aren't a team, they're an armada.
Mostly the latter, a tiny bit of the former (John Maine, imo)
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
No real prospects are pitching there.
Look back through the AAA preview from a week or so ago. Plus they need a humidor
"My eyes! The goggles do nothing!" - Rainier Wolfcastle
by BittenAnkles on Apr 15, 2011 5:09 PM MDT up reply actions
Rex Brothers is a relief pitcher
If he starts, who’s pitching the 2nd inning?
The Colorado Rockies aren't a team, they're an armada.
Tyler Matzek
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
followed by Brent Mayne
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Brent Mayne - perfect record with Rox
Would like to see Brent back on the mound. What a night!
Anyone know what he is doing now? Fishing?
by Real Perspective on Apr 15, 2011 5:38 PM MDT up reply actions
Ubaldo pushed back to Monday
To keep Rogers on regular rest.
It’s a shame to miss Ubaldo vs Pot Head
Sorry I guess that was discussed in the Rockpile, and is unrelated to the Cubs series!
by Britbronco22 on Apr 15, 2011 4:19 PM MDT up reply actions
Go Rogers
Yeah, well, Esmil should handle the dude anyway.
by Real Perspective on Apr 15, 2011 5:39 PM MDT up reply actions
this infernal wind
I would like it to stop now.
Showing extreme symptoms of Rocky Mountain Baseball Fever since 1993.
We need chacin to dominate tonight.
I’m a little worried about this series. On the one hand, we are taking names and melting faces. But the cubbies had a day off when we played 2 on the east coast yesterday. If chacin can hold them to 3 or less, we’ve got a good shot. But I’m not expecting another 6-7 run performance from a tired offense. If we get tacos tonight, this team is ridiculously hot.
"Ubaltulargo"- Together striking fear into the hearts of unbelievers.
The Cubs pitching is not very good.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
eh...
obviously not great. but garza could come out and dominate. and we are throwing out the indomitable Alan Johnson on sunday. i still think we take the series. but i’m just a little worried that we might be overlooking to the giants series. if not, we really can start to get excited about great things for this team.
"Ubaltulargo"- Together striking fear into the hearts of unbelievers.
Garza absolutely can come out and dominate
and even if he doesn’t, he’s likely to get a lot of K’s from batters who chase, like Cargo. But he’s been extremely hittable this year, and has given up 20 hits in less than 13 innings.
Garza’s very good. But he’s not very good right now.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
I'm looking forward to facing Matt Garza
He quite loudly complained about pitching in the dry air in Arizona this spring, and looking at the Sun-Times, it sounds like he wants to throw more fastballs tonight than he did in his first two starts this year.
The Colorado Rockies aren't a team, they're an armada.
Here's Garza's quote on pitching in Arizona this spring
It sucks here. It’s so dry, but whatever. Now it’s time to go to Chicago, where there’s a little more moisture in the air.
The Colorado Rockies aren't a team, they're an armada.
To continue on the topic of minor league pitchers...
Nicasio looks quite good out there. Could be a good option for the major league team in the future. Looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.
And I will admit to being wrong. There really are no better options. Throw Alan Johnson out there against another wild pitcher in Ryan Dempster and see who gives up the most runs.
Dempster has an 11.50 ERA at Coors
I think we’re going to see an old-school, pre-humidor slugfest on Sunday
The Colorado Rockies aren't a team, they're an armada.
And buy an extra of those huge bags of kettle corn, 'cause it's going to be one of those days
/turns humidor off
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Nicasio is potentially really really good, yeah
But as you probably already realize, not the kind of callup you make from AA for a single spot start, in this situation.
Most teams have to do this a couple times a season, it’s no big deal. That’s why we get 162 games.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Lost track of him in the Fogg
Is he still in the majors?
by Real Perspective on Apr 15, 2011 5:40 PM MDT up reply actions
No. He's not even signed with an organization right now.
RockiesRoster.com - Your best source for organizational contract and transactions information.
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates
~WolfMarauder
by Greg Stanwood on Apr 15, 2011 5:47 PM MDT up reply actions
Josh the dragonslayer
Uhh.. he might need a new sword to take on big dragons.
by Real Perspective on Apr 15, 2011 5:41 PM MDT up reply actions
(Reply not working so...) You're not necessarily wrong about Sunday
If it was a must-win game, no way does Johnson see the mound. But this is 162-game marathon, and it’s no time to pull someone out of an already-overworked pen or start someone on short rest. It’s just not worth it, because doing so could adversely affect several games instead of just one. Worst case is you take you medicine and get beat. Best case is Johnson pulls a Greg Reynolds and we steal a W. But either way, it’s one game and one game only.
gotta check, i'm in club at the very end, too, but I think I'm down RF line, not LF this time
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Originally had seats on that side, but friends of ours wanted to come.
So we got more and that’s where we’re at. Were able to sell the others.
Glad you were able to sell them.
Hope it was to Rox fans!
I prefer the LF side, but when my wife comes with me, I try to stay to the right, just because it’s closer to the handicap accessible elevator and parking lot section, so it’s a bit easier on us.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
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