Know Your Foe #8: The Rockies in Wrigley

by Andrew Martin on Apr 25, 2011 12:05 PM MDT in Know Your Foe

Chicago Cubs (10-11, 4th in the NL Central)

Last Series v Colorado: April 13-14, L 1-2 @ Colorado

Game 1 was Jhoulys Chacin's first career complete game shutout. Chacin struck out 7 batters, induced 13 grounders, walked a mere 2, and gave up 6 hits, 3 of which came off of the bat of Aramis Ramirez. The Rockies tagged Matt Garza for 5 runs, mostly off of the 3-run triple which also scored on a throwing error from SS Starlin Castro.

Game 2 was uglier for the Rockies. Jason Hammel turned in a quality start, going 6IP and allowing 3ER on 7 hits, 1BB, and 5 punchouts. Felipe Paulino came in to try and keep the 3-1 game close, but then proceeded to give up: Infield hit to Koyie Hill, weak groundball single through the 1B-2B hole to Blake Dewitt, a shoetop homer to Starlin Castro, a double down the LF line that landed fair by about 3 inches to Darwin Barney, an Marlon Byrd groundout (3u), and then a seeing eye single to Aramis Ramirez to finish his evening. Franklin Morales allowed Ramirez to score on an eventual Kosuke Fukudome single, but the game was kind of out of hand at that point.

Game 3 went down to the bullpens. Ryan Dempster went 5 and allowed 5, Alan Johnson went 4 and allowed 4 (earned, 5R total). Luckily, Marcos Mateo brought his "give up lots of runs" shorts and the Rockies tagged him for 4 more runs in a big clutch rally. You know, I think that was the last time Carlos Gonzalez got a hit.

Last 2 Series Results: Win 2-1 v SDP, L 1-2 v LAD

Well, I guess we can't expect other divisions to do ALL of our dirty work.

Over the past week, Kosuke Fukudome and Reed Johson turned on the heat a little, posting respective OPS of 1.236 and 1.736. The two batters played in 10 games between the two of them (5 apiece) yet started only 5 of them (Johnson 2, Fukudome 3). The Cubbies have a few guys who batted over .300 in that timeframe, including Darwin Barney, Aramis Ramirez, and Marlon Byrd. Downside is that none of them posted over .800 OPS.

Over that same 7 day period, Ryan Dempster, James Russell, Casey Coleman, and Carlos Zambrano made a combined 4 starts, went a combined 17.1 IP, and allowed 23 runs. All earned. That's an 11.94 ERA. Upside: Matt Garza threw like 6 shutout innings.

To learn more about the Chicago Cubs, click over to Bleed Cubbie Blue or visit your local library.

Raw Numbers 'n' stuff past the jump

Monday through Wednesday: 3-game series at Wrigley Field

Expected Pitching Matchups:

Monday, April 25, 6:05PM MT

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Esmil Rogers	2-1	6	3	0	0	0	0	16.0	17	12	12	3	7	11	6.75	1.50

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Matt Garza	0-2	4	4	0	0	0	0	24.2	33	13	13	0	8	34	4.74	1.66

Tuesday, April 26, 6:05 PM MT

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Jorge De La Rosa	3-0	4	4	0	0	0	0	24.0	14	8	8	1	10	20	3.00	1.00

Cubs undecided about Tuesday starter | cubs.com: News
The Cubs have yet to name a starter for Tuesday's game against the Rockies, and manager Mike Quade said he wasn't sure if left-hander James Russell would get another start.

Wednesday, April 27, 12:20PM MT

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Jhoulys Chacin	3-1	4	4	1	1	0	0	27.0	25	9	8	2	9	18	2.67	1.26

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Casey Coleman	1-1	3	3	0	0	0	0	13.1	19	11	11	2	8	9	7.42	2.03

Expected Lineup

Name	Position	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	wRC+	HR	RBI	SB
Kosuke Fukudome	OF	.415	.529	.439	.443	170	0	2	0
Darwin Barney	2B	.329	.360	.414	.339	102	0	11	1
Starlin Castro	SS	.376	.402	.505	.407	147	1	11	3
Aramis Ramirez	3B	.329	.393	.443	.368	121	1	9	0
Marlon Byrd	OF	.284	.300	.375	.295	74	0	5	1
Carlos Pena	1B	.182	.313	.200	.254	48	0	5	0
Alfonso Soriano	OF	.244	.272	.513	.334	100	6	14	0
Geovany Soto	C	.250	.338	.353	.315	87	1	4	0

The Bench

Name	Position	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	wRC+	HR	RBI	SB
Jeff Baker	IF	.361	.361	.528	.389	135	1	8	0
Reed Johnson	OF	.381	.409	.667	.441	169	1	3	0
Blake DeWitt	IF	.250	.294	.313	.274	61	0	2	0
Koyie Hill	C	.111	.273	.111	.208	18	0	0	0
Tyler Colvin	UTIL	.128	.196	.319	.220	26	2	7	0

Closer

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Carlos Marmol	1-1	10	0	0	0	5	2	10.2	7	3	3	0	7	15	2.53	1.31

Chicago Cubs Injuries

15-Day

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Randy Wells	forearm	04/05/2011
Andrew Cashner	trapezius	04/06/2011

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Comments

Let's hope we get the Casey Coleman who pitched every game except...

…the one he pitched against the Rockies.

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 12:17 PM MDT reply actions

I think that start lengthened his leash

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by Andrew Martin on Apr 25, 2011 12:19 PM MDT up reply actions

Ugh I was at that game

Supporting efforts to create a genetic splice of Jonathan Herrera and Troy Tulowitzki since 2011.
The NewNugs 2011 - Officially back on the Bandwagon
I <3 Johnson

by SurfaceThought on Apr 25, 2011 3:59 PM MDT up reply actions

Go Rox

Club the Cubbies.

by Real Perspective on Apr 25, 2011 12:30 PM MDT reply actions

I feel like this needs to be posted

Tonight: 80% chance of rain
Tomorrow: 60% chance of rain
Wednesday: 30% chance of rain

Rockies announce the cloning and subsequent signing of players named "Carlos Tulowitzki" and "Troy Gonzalez"

by rockiesfan4ever on Apr 25, 2011 12:49 PM MDT reply actions

National Weather Service for tonight:

Tonight: Isolated showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 7pm. Temperature rising to around 54 by 5am. East northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

"Are they called the Rockies because they rock?" - 7 y.o.

by glaucophane on Apr 25, 2011 1:32 PM MDT up reply actions

i don't think the heavy stuff's coming down for quite a while

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 25, 2011 2:07 PM MDT up reply actions

Definitely not looking good tonight

http://www.wunderground.com/sports/MLB/hometeam/Chicago:Cubs.html

47F at first pitch, 89% chance of rain, increasing as the night goes on. The only “good” news is that it looks like they’re expecting thunderstorms rather than steady rain. We might dodge the stormcells or get by with only a delay. Still, starting Ubaldo yesterday rather than tonight is looking like a very smart move.

"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Johnny Herrera Fan Club Member -- "Mr. Fundamental"
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3

by RoarFrom112 on Apr 25, 2011 3:58 PM MDT up reply actions

/lightining bolt to the putter

Worshiping the holy trinity of Cargo, Tulo, and Ubaldo

by squalene203 on Apr 25, 2011 4:28 PM MDT up reply actions

We need to break this streak the Cubs have been on and keep them under .500

So far this season the Cubs have been 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, and 10-10. They currently sit at 10-11 so uh yeah, they need to get off that path now.

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Apr 25, 2011 12:55 PM MDT reply actions

Sounds like the 2010 Rockies.

@CentralCaliRox

by CentralCaliRox on Apr 25, 2011 3:15 PM MDT up reply actions

You mean like that part of the season when we were 16 games over .500?

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 3:29 PM MDT up reply actions

they were stuck around .500 for the first sixish weeks of the season

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 25, 2011 3:57 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

No, like that part where we loved to be mediocre.

Yeah…

@CentralCaliRox

by CentralCaliRox on Apr 25, 2011 5:13 PM MDT up reply actions

You're confusing PR with GLB

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 5:15 PM MDT up reply actions

They set a record in the process

time to stop this record breaking

"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

by jrockies on Apr 25, 2011 3:59 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm okay with the Cubbies setting a new record after every year

the “World Series drought” record.

Some days, I feel like I’ve accidentally entered the Church of Tulowitzki on Baseball Easter.
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by Muzia on Apr 25, 2011 4:41 PM MDT up reply actions

Mission accomplished

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Apr 26, 2011 12:23 AM MDT up reply actions

Matt Garza worries me a bit

He seems like he is just stuck with bad luck based on his stats. Other than him though, this is a series we should win. And even against Garza we should have a shot.

Hoping for Jeff Baker to start a couple. Even if it is SSS I still like and pull for him.

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!

by Arimaris on Apr 25, 2011 1:07 PM MDT reply actions

Cubs lineup posted

1. Kosuke Fukudome (L) RF
2. Darwin Barney® 2B
3. Starlin Castro® SS
4. Jeff Baker® 3B <—— cleanup?!?!
5. Carlos Pena (L) 1B
6. Marlon Byrd® CF
7. Alfonso Soriano® LF
8. Geovany Soto® C
9. Matt Garza® P

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 1:41 PM MDT reply actions

Rockies

1. Fowler CF
2. Herrera 2B
3. Cargo CF
4. Tulo SS
5. Helton 1B
6. Smith RF
7. Lopez 3B
8. Iannetta C

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 25, 2011 1:59 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I like that lineup

Seems to leave a rather large gap down the LF line, however.

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 2:01 PM MDT up reply actions

also, no guy who throws the ball to start the play. forget what they call him.

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 25, 2011 2:03 PM MDT up reply actions

bowler?

you still have to play the game, no matter how shiny liriano's FIP is*

the only organization of humans responsible for more evil in the universe than the philadelphia phillies is the boston red sox

*f. liriano's FIP currently sits at 6.38**
** suck it dave cameron

by papality on Apr 25, 2011 2:08 PM MDT up reply actions

I kind of want to say Jammer.

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 25, 2011 2:11 PM MDT up reply actions

cargo is playing "corner field"

As in, the left one.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 25, 2011 2:05 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs

Oh, I just thought you were pointing out just how much range he has

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!

by Arimaris on Apr 25, 2011 2:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Yay! A Jeff Baker start!

And I have to wonder about that “cleanup” spot too…very strange

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!

by Arimaris on Apr 25, 2011 2:07 PM MDT up reply actions

Did we trade Baker? We must have, doesn't seem like he had enough time to be a FA

or did we just plain drop him? If we traded him what did we get for him in return. Honestly, I would much rather have Baker on our team right now than Wiggy. Better Defense and probably comparable power…

Supporting efforts to create a genetic splice of Jonathan Herrera and Troy Tulowitzki since 2011.
The NewNugs 2011 - Officially back on the Bandwagon
I <3 Johnson

by SurfaceThought on Apr 25, 2011 4:01 PM MDT up reply actions

We traded him for Al Albuquerque

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 4:03 PM MDT up reply actions

and we really didn't have a position for Baker at the time, and he would have been going through arb

Easy to say in 2011, but we traded Baker in 2009. Different situation then.

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 4:04 PM MDT up reply actions

Indeed

I wasn’t necesarly saying the Rox made a bad move, but I still stick by my hypothetical statement.

Supporting efforts to create a genetic splice of Jonathan Herrera and Troy Tulowitzki since 2011.
The NewNugs 2011 - Officially back on the Bandwagon
I <3 Johnson

by SurfaceThought on Apr 25, 2011 4:09 PM MDT up reply actions

excellent, castro batting 3rd

they only win when he hits leadoff, so we’re good to go

you still have to play the game, no matter how shiny liriano's FIP is*

the only organization of humans responsible for more evil in the universe than the philadelphia phillies is the boston red sox

*f. liriano's FIP currently sits at 6.38**
** suck it dave cameron

by papality on Apr 25, 2011 2:07 PM MDT up reply actions

I like how the cubs have trademarked all their right handed batters.

Supporting efforts to create a genetic splice of Jonathan Herrera and Troy Tulowitzki since 2011.
The NewNugs 2011 - Officially back on the Bandwagon
I <3 Johnson

by SurfaceThought on Apr 25, 2011 4:02 PM MDT up reply actions

rain rain go away

cargo needs a hit today..

Rockies record when I am in attendance: 1-0

by pacified on Apr 25, 2011 2:20 PM MDT reply actions

I kinda hoping for a rain out

And a make up game tomorrow afternoon so I can watch it! Selfish I know

by Britbronco22 on Apr 25, 2011 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions

Based on pitching matchups..

I like 2/3 for this series.

@CentralCaliRox

by CentralCaliRox on Apr 25, 2011 3:15 PM MDT reply actions

We're about to play 9 games against Cubs, Pirates & D-backs.

We need to win at least 6 of those 9, with the Giants up thereafter.

TuLO + UbalDO + CarGO = LODO GO

by Maris6161 on Apr 25, 2011 3:26 PM MDT reply actions

Garza has 34 strikes in 24.2 innings

That’s good right? Really good…

by Britbronco22 on Apr 25, 2011 3:43 PM MDT reply actions

Yes. Unsustainable good.

Supporting efforts to create a genetic splice of Jonathan Herrera and Troy Tulowitzki since 2011.
The NewNugs 2011 - Officially back on the Bandwagon
I <3 Johnson

by SurfaceThought on Apr 25, 2011 3:59 PM MDT up reply actions

Of course I meant strike outs in case there's any doubt!

by Britbronco22 on Apr 25, 2011 4:10 PM MDT up reply actions

damn, you fixed it before I could make a joke

Purple Row - For all of your Colorado Rockies-related needs
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 25, 2011 4:10 PM MDT up reply actions

Top of the order dominance

Both teams in this series have incredible tops of the order. The Cubs are #1, with a .391 average from the first two spots in their lineup, headlined by Starlin Castro’s breakout season. The Rockies, though, come in at #5 in the Leadoff Rankings. Thay’ve scored 32 runs in only 21 games, largely due to fantastic production from the middle of the order. Tulo strikes again. Check out the rankings:

http://sportstatistics.blogspot.com/2011/04/leadoff-rankings-week-4.html

by Andrew Leff on Apr 25, 2011 4:17 PM MDT reply actions

Castro's been moved to the 3 hole, just fyi.

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by Andrew Martin on Apr 25, 2011 4:23 PM MDT up reply actions

Just for tonight

Check the rankings:

http://sportstatistics.blogspot.com/2011/04/leadoff-rankings-week-4.html

He’s been hitting in the top two spots almost every game this year. They moved him back tonight I guess to try to jump-start the middle of the order, which—unlike the top—has been struggling this year.

by Andrew Leff on Apr 25, 2011 4:38 PM MDT up reply actions

I apologize for quibbling

But he’s batted 3rd for 3 of the past 4 games.

Purple Row - For all of your Colorado Rockies-related needs
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by Andrew Martin on Apr 25, 2011 4:40 PM MDT up reply actions

We know that

And that’s why we said Fukudome is off to a hot start since he’s been moved up in Castro’s place.

by Andrew Leff on Apr 25, 2011 5:04 PM MDT up reply actions

Welcome to PR

Good top of the order production for sure but without Castro there I don’t know what to expect from the Cubs (not that I knew a lot to begin with)

by jrockies on Apr 25, 2011 4:24 PM MDT up reply actions

we can't have a third andrew.

please find another name.

you still have to play the game, no matter how shiny liriano's FIP is*

the only organization of humans responsible for more evil in the universe than the philadelphia phillies is the boston red sox

*f. liriano's FIP currently sits at 6.38**
** suck it dave cameron

by papality on Apr 25, 2011 4:37 PM MDT up reply actions

Why not? That rule doesn't seem to apply to the bullpen

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 4:39 PM MDT up reply actions

shh, maybe he doesnt know.

you still have to play the game, no matter how shiny liriano's FIP is*

the only organization of humans responsible for more evil in the universe than the philadelphia phillies is the boston red sox

*f. liriano's FIP currently sits at 6.38**
** suck it dave cameron

by papality on Apr 25, 2011 4:46 PM MDT up reply actions

ALeff

On it.

The Big Purple Machine will make a believer outta you!

by El Paso Jeff on Apr 25, 2011 4:58 PM MDT up reply actions

Wrigley Field Cam

Yuck. Can’t tell exactly how hard it’s coming down, but it definitely looks wet and miserable.

by holly96 on Apr 25, 2011 4:43 PM MDT reply actions

Looks like maybe just light rain or mist.

Cars are definitely using their wipers, but most of the pedestrians don’t seem to be behaving as if it were raining very hard.

by holly96 on Apr 25, 2011 4:48 PM MDT up reply actions

That's just Chicago

/dated a woman who lived a block away for three years

/true story

/cool story bro

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 4:51 PM MDT up reply actions

/you should tell it at parties

you still have to play the game, no matter how shiny liriano's FIP is*

the only organization of humans responsible for more evil in the universe than the philadelphia phillies is the boston red sox

*f. liriano's FIP currently sits at 6.38**
** suck it dave cameron

by papality on Apr 25, 2011 4:52 PM MDT up reply actions

/saving it for Providence Tavern

"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

by Mondogarage on Apr 25, 2011 4:53 PM MDT up reply actions

Dated a Cubs fan

=bad baseball fan!

You’ll fit right in!!

"Your classless organization in your unholy city accused our Team of an unspeakable act. It was baseless, the Giants are classless, and I have no sympathy for your eternal damnation."

by RdRnnr on Apr 25, 2011 5:12 PM MDT up reply actions