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Road trip could bode well for Cubs

By Tom Singer / MLB.com | 5/15/2011 6:13 PM ET

The Cubs hit the road, which thus far this season they have found more friendly than the original Friendly Confines. The Reds will welcome them with the carrot the Cubs are chasing: a game-and-a-half division lead.

That sets a succinct stage for Monday night's opener of the series in Great American Ball Park, a quick-hit two-game set that will be the rule throughout the Majors this week as the sport positions itself for next weekend's onset of Interleague Play.

Chicago, still mired in the depths of the National League Central, looks forward to locating its missing consistency on this seven-game trip. Normally, a tour of Cincinnati, Florida and Boston wouldn't be enthusiastically received.

But there hasn't been anything normal about this season, either for the Cubs or for the rest of the Majors. The Cubs are one of seven teams playing .500 or better ball on the road with a losing record at home, and one of 14 with overall better road records.

The rainout of the Cubs' Sunday home finale against the Giants brought that discrepancy into focus: It delayed Carlos Zambrano's start from Wrigley, where he is winless in four starts, to the road, where he has won all four starts.

Zambrano will go up against right-hander Homer Bailey, who has been spectacular in his first two starts after the start of his season was delayed by an impingement in his pitching shoulder.

Raindrops concluded an unsatisfying 3-5 homestand for the Cubs. They dropped two of three to both of the division's frontrunners, with three of the losses to the Reds and Cards by one run or two.

"We're a game short of the two teams in our division," manager Mike Quade said. "They talk about the fine line in this game. The truth of the matter is, you take two out of three from those clubs and it's a huge difference. You've got to do the things that will allow you to take them and we're not there yet."

On Monday, they'll at least reach Cincinnati, with another opportunity to make a statement against the Reds, winners of nine of their last 11.

Prior to their ongoing spurt, the Reds were 14-15 and 2 1/2 games out. It has been a rotation-fueled charge (Reds starters are 7-0 with a 2.00 ERA over those 11 games) impacted by the returns from injury of Johnny Cueto and Bailey.

"Your team feels very confident, especially early in the game, that there is a good chance for zeros," said Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker. "Let's face it, these two young guys are two of the young top guys in baseball and they're also 40 percent of our pitching rotation. That's a lot. It's like losing your power forward and your point guard. That's makes it tough."

Now that they're back, the tough falls on the opposition.

Cubs: Byrd now sets his sights on Bailey
Marlon Byrd wasn't in Sunday's lineup to face the Giants' Tim Lincecum, against whom he is hitless in three career at-bats. Byrd will now try to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, which would be a career high, against Bailey, off whom he is 2-for-5. Byrd also hit in 15 straight games in 2003, when he was with the Phillies.

Reds: Hanigan sore, so Hernandez strokes
Ryan Hanigan was due to catch Sunday, but his right hand was still too sore from being hit by a pitch in Friday night's game. So Ramon Hernandez stayed behind the plate and hit his third homer in two games, doubling his season total to six and coming within one of his total in 97 games last season.

Worth noting
The Mets, Rockies, Padres and Orioles have also played .500 ball on the road while sporting a losing record at home. Two division leaders -- the Angels and the Rays -- and the Pirates have losing records at home and winning records away.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp...Id=rss_cin

Rainout shakes up Cubs' rotation
Zambrano will work Monday; Coleman pushed back to Thursday


(Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)
The Cubs grounds crew unrolls a tarp over the infield after a rain delay was called on Saturday.

By Dave van Dyck, Tribune reporter

5:11 p.m. CDT, May 15, 2011

With the field already waterlogged from Saturday's constant rain and with radar indicating more on the way, the Cubs postponed Sunday's series finale against the Giants.

It will be played as part of a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday, June 28, one day after the Cubs had given up an off day by scheduling a makeup game against the Rockies.

The postponement means a change in pitching plans.

The planned Tuesday start of Casey Coleman will be pushed back to Thursday in Miami, giving him one more shot at remaining in the rotation. The injured Randy Wells could be back after that, and with the addition of Doug Davis, Coleman may have to return to Triple-A Iowa.

Carlos Zambrano will pitch the first game of the road trip Monday in Cincinnati after being washed out Sunday, and Matt Garza will pitch Tuesday. Ryan Dempster goes on regular rest Wednesday against the Marlins followed by Coleman, with Davis scheduled for the first game Friday in Boston.

"I don't want to bring Casey into Boston on 10 days' rest," manager Mike Quade said. "He's a Florida kid. He's going to pitch good down there."

Replacements for injured Nos. 4 and 5 starters Wells and Andrew Cashner have recorded a 2-8 record, including Davis' one-earned-run-allowed loss to the Giants Saturday night.

If Davis, returning to the game after heart problems, pitches as he did Saturday, the Cubs will have found a low-priced gem. He will make $900,000, although bonuses could raise that to $2 million.

Sunday's rain cost Cubs fans the chance to see a real bargain basement lineup.

Quade had penciled Blake DeWitt into his first start in left field and Reed Johnson into center against the Giants' Tim Lincecum. DeWitt makes $460,000 and Johnson $900,000, compared to the $18 million of Alfonso Soriano and $5.5 million of Marlon Byrd.

Sunday's lineup also would have featured Starlin Castro ($440,000), Darwin Barney ($417,000) and Koyie Hill ($850,000).

"Tomorrow's another day, so we'll take a look at what we want to do," Quade said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bas...1422.story

Big outing for Bailey to show he's putting things together against a team other than Houston.

I love when the Reds play against Zambrano, I'm glad we will get to see him.

(05-16-2011 07:34 AM)BeerCat Wrote: [ -> ]I love when the Reds play against Zambrano, I'm glad we will get to see him.

I'm curious why you love when the reds play against Zambrano.

Zambrano has won 5-consecutive starts at Great American BP, dating to 7/29/07 - posting a 0.75 ERA (3 ER/36.0 IP) Zambrano's nine wins at Great American Ball Park are the most by any opposing pitcher.

Zambrano also on a 12-1 streak since late last year having an ERA in the mid 2's over that span.

There's always a chance that he goes nuts and kills everyone in the stadium though.

(05-16-2011 02:06 PM)bearcatmark Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-16-2011 07:34 AM)BeerCat Wrote: [ -> ]I love when the Reds play against Zambrano, I'm glad we will get to see him.

I'm curious why you love when the reds play against Zambrano.

Zambrano has won 5-consecutive starts at Great American BP, dating to 7/29/07 - posting a 0.75 ERA (3 ER/36.0 IP) Zambrano's nine wins at Great American Ball Park are the most by any opposing pitcher.

Zambrano also on a 12-1 streak since late last year having an ERA in the mid 2's over that span.

I believe he's hit a few HR at GABP as well. With him there is always the chance that he'll lose command and blow up, but I'd much rather face Coleman again than Zambrano.

I'm just glad I get to watch the Reds on TV instead of the comp.

Chapman to the DL
3:37 pm, May 16, 2011 by jfay

The Reds placed left-hander Aroldis Chapman on the disabled list with the left shoulder inflammation. Jordan Smith was recalled from Triple-A Louisville.

Chapman has walked nine batters and only gotten one out in his last three appearances. He started the season writhe 12 straight scoreless outings. He allowed 10 earned runs in his last three outings, ballooning his ERA from 0.00 to 6.92.

Smith started the season with the Reds. He was optioned to Louisville May 5 to make room for Homer Bailey on the roster.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2011/05...to-the-dl/

Fallout from yesterday
12:11 pm, May 16, 2011 by jfay | 28 Comments

I don’t think yesterday’s shouting match will have much of a lasting affect on the Reds-Cardinals rivalry. It was already pretty heated.

That is unless Tony LaRussa decides to make a big deal out of it today. LaRussa is supposed to rejoin the Cardinals today. If he thinks Francisco Cordero intentionally hit Albert Pujols, the rivalry will go form heated to ugly.

Pujols did not blame Cordero.

“I’m pretty sure Francisco didn’t try to do that on purpose,” Pujols told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “He doesn’t want to bring the winning run to the plate with two big hitters, Matt (Holliday) and (Lance) Berkman (coming up next). It’s probably something that slipped. You turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”

What Pujols says has a slightly bigger effect in the club than what Gerald Laird says.

The teams don’t meet again until July 4 (look for hundreds of fireworks references before the series). If LaRussa has his pitchers hit a Red or two, we’ll probably see another brawl. LaRussa has stirred things up in the past, but he diffused the Jonny Gomes-Adam Wainwright controversy by saying Gomes meant nothing by what he said.

He can diffuse the latest, but saying he doesn’t think Cordero hit Pujols on purpose.

As for Aroldis Chapman, I’d send him to Louisville. What harm could it do? He has options use one. He’s nearly blow two seven-run leads. You can’t put him in a game until you’re confident he can throw strikes.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2011/05...yesterday/

Reds Monday lineup
3:42 pm, May 16, 2011 | Written by tgroeschen

Reds-Cubs, 7:10 pm at GABP

Stubbs cf

Renteria ss

Votto 1b

Phillips 2b

Bruce rf

Rolen 3b

Gomes lf

Hanigan c

Bailey p

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2011/05...ay-lineup/

(05-16-2011 03:06 PM)ctipton Wrote: [ -> ]Reds Monday lineup
3:42 pm, May 16, 2011 | Written by tgroeschen

Reds-Cubs, 7:10 pm at GABP

Stubbs cf

Renteria ss

Votto 1b

Phillips 2b

Bruce rf

Rolen 3b

Gomes lf

Hanigan c

Bailey p

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2011/05...ay-lineup/

Heisey is batting .375 over his last 8 games and .304 for may. He has 2 HRs in 23 at bats for May along with 7 total hits and has drawn 3 walks.

The guy is hitting the ball awfully well to be taken out of the lineup IMO.

(05-16-2011 03:06 PM)ctipton Wrote: [ -> ]Reds Monday lineup
3:42 pm, May 16, 2011 | Written by tgroeschen

Reds-Cubs, 7:10 pm at GABP

Stubbs cf

Renteria ss

Votto 1b

Phillips 2b

Bruce rf

Rolen 3b

Gomes lf

Hanigan c

Bailey p

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2011/05...ay-lineup/

Veteran players are like crack to Dusty, he puts them in the lineup no matter what. Only way to break the disease is to go cold turkey and cut the player (not saying Renteria should be cut). Can't imagine how addicted to veterans you would have to be to put Gomes into the lineup now. Maybe against a soft tossing lefty, but against a tough RHP like big Z. Over/under on Gomes K's tonight is 2.5. and I'll take the over.

I could understand Gomes despite his struggles if he was a long time stud who needed to work out of a funk. He's not. Mix in his average at best D and it defies logic. No reason Hiesey should be the 3rd wheel in a 2 man platoon in left.

Updated: May 16, 2011, 4:11 PM ET
Tony La Russa rejoins Cardinals

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- Manager Tony La Russa is back with the St. Louis Cardinals after missing a six-game road trip to be treated for shingles.

The Cardinals were 2-4 during La Russa's absence and were swept in a three-game weekend series at Cincinnati. They began a four-game homestand Monday night with the first of two games against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The 66-year-old La Russa has been slowed by swelling on the right side of his face that nearly shut his eye. He went to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona last week and later returned to St. Louis.

Bench coach Joe Pettini served as acting manager while La Russa was away.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6556810

Like him or not I was listening to doc Rodgers yesterday after game and he said if baker gave heisey the same 30 day full trial Gomes got that heisey would be full time starter after that.

Add that Lewis has been hot and productive, the decision to play gomes especially against a righty right now is simply head shaking. Oh well, let's hope for some luck for Gomes tonight.

I didn't think he looked healthy yesterday. Several times his fastball was at the speed his slider used to be.

Whether he is hurt or has busted mechanics, he can't take up a roster spot right now.

Quote:CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds have placed left-hander Aroldis Chapman on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed pitching shoulder.

The Reds think Chapman's ailment has contributed to his wildness. The team called up reliever Jordan Smith on Monday before the start of a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

Chapman came in with a 9-2 lead in the ninth inning Sunday against St. Louis and walked four of the five batters he faced, throwing 18 balls out of 23 pitches. He hit 100 mph on the radar gun a few times, but his velocity was down overall.

In his last four appearances, Chapman has walked 12 batters and retired only four. Twice, he had to leave the game without getting a batter out.

(05-16-2011 03:27 PM)RealDeal Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-16-2011 03:06 PM)ctipton Wrote: [ -> ]Reds Monday lineup
3:42 pm, May 16, 2011 | Written by tgroeschen

Reds-Cubs, 7:10 pm at GABP

Stubbs cf

Renteria ss

Votto 1b

Phillips 2b

Bruce rf

Rolen 3b

Gomes lf

Hanigan c

Bailey p

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2011/05...ay-lineup/

Veteran players are like crack to Dusty, he puts them in the lineup no matter what. Only way to break the disease is to go cold turkey and cut the player (not saying Renteria should be cut). Can't imagine how addicted to veterans you would have to be to put Gomes into the lineup now. Maybe against a soft tossing lefty, but against a tough RHP like big Z. Over/under on Gomes K's tonight is 2.5. and I'll take the over.

If I were making a lineup, I'd simply have to flip a coin between Janish and Renteria. As far as Gomes, I don't know why Dusty doesn't just sit him in the 8th spot? Why is Hanigan relegated to that spot?

Janish is by far the better option at SS.

(05-16-2011 04:25 PM)Coopdaddy67 Wrote: [ -> ]Janish is by far the better option at SS.

Defensively, totally agree, Janish is the better SS but from the way both are swinging the bat, I'd say it's a toss up.