Philadelphia Phillies @ Chicago Cubs GameThread, Aug 28, 2008 8:05 PM EDT

Bringing a Knife to a Gun Fight: Phillies at Cubs, 8/28/08

by WholeCamels on Aug 28, 2008 8:00 PM EDT Comment 68 comments

Philadelphia Phillies @ Chicago Cubs

Next Game

Thursday, Aug 28, 2008, 8:05 PM EDT
Wrigley Field

Mostly cloudy with a 50-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

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After a topsy-turvy two game series against the New York Mets, no rest for the weary as the Phillies roll into Wrigley Field, where the Cubs, winners of five games in a row, have been nearly unbeatable this year (49-19).

Game One of the series might be the Phillies best chance to win a game, with ace Cole Hamels facing the inexplicably 15-5, 2.85 ERA Ryan Dempster.

Looking at the whole series, you gotta be pretty happy with a split.

Lineup

Philadelphia Phillies @ Chicago Cubs

08/28/08 8:05 PM EDT

Philadelphia Phillies	Chicago Cubs
Jimmy Rollins - SS	Alfonso Soriano - LF
Chase Utley - 2B	Ryan Theriot - SS
Pat Burrell - LF	Derrek Lee - 1B
Ryan Howard - 1B	Aramis Ramirez - 3B
Shane Victorino - CF	Geovany Soto - C
Jayson Werth - RF	Reed Johnson - CF
Pedro Feliz - 3B	Kosuke Fukudome - RF
Carlos Ruiz - C	Mark DeRosa - 2B
Cole Hamels - P	Ryan Dempster - P

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Comments

Go Phillies!

Whoop up on the Cubbies for me please.

by PagsBrewCrew on Aug 28, 2008 8:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sugar Shane!

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Feliz still hasn’t seen a strike, but he managed to strike out.

Weird inning, as everybody was up there hacking yet they managed to draw two walks.

I worry that Dempster will now find his rhythm. Cole has to do his thing.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ump doesn’t give him strike 3 and then Utley dives the wrong way. Why is that 3rd out os hard to get?

by Bilzo on Aug 28, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably should have been an E-4.

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last time the phils played the cubs, they either went 2-1 or 3-1 (can’t remember if it was a 3 or 4 games set) and the one they lost involved a bad homer call that affected the outcome.

I think they phils can hang with these guys and beat them.

by Bilzo on Aug 28, 2008 8:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It was a three-gamer. I’d forgotten all about that home run. That was the game where the Cubs won it on an Utley error in extras.

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This ump is consistently calling the high strike. But that’s the only consistency I see.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

3 outs, on two hard hit balls.
None of them found pay-dirt, but it looks like Dempster is vulnerable.

by Bilzo on Aug 28, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cole throwing mostly fastballs, looks like. I don’t know if the WGN gun is accurate, but they have him at 93-94.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice quick inning in the 2nd.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Seems like Burrell’s hitting into DPs left and right all of a sudden. Wasn’t he one of the best in the league at avoiding DPs just a little while ago?

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He’d only GIDP’d 3 times all year as of the 16th of this month. In the 10 games and change since then, he’s done it 5 times.

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

heh – guy on first with a 3-1 count to burrell.

not how I wanted that to end.

by Bilzo on Aug 28, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

42 pitches for Hamels tonight. Pretty strong, but I have the feeling we might need him to basically pitch the whole game.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think that’s a fair statement.

by Bilzo on Aug 28, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At that rate it would take 126 pitches to go 9 innings. I was thinking, like you, that it might be necessary to go as long as possible with Cole. Do you think Charlie would let him throw that many pitches if it’s 1-0 or 2-1 in the 9th?

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, and he probably shouldn’t. He’s got, what, five or six starts yet.

My hunch is purely a hunch. Plus I’m a little drunk.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn’t advocating that he throw that much, just thinking that if Cole is looking dominant that the temptation would be there in a close game to let him go as long as he can, which I’m guessing is somewhere around 120 pitches. Hopefully we can get a lead and let the bullpen finish up.

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who’s unavailable today out of the pen?

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most likely no one important. Eyre, Saenez and that’s probably it. How many days has Lidge gone in a row?

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two

12 pitches yesterday, 14 the night before. Plus 11 four nights ago.

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure he’ll be in if the Phillies are winning by <= 3 tonight then.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice, nice.

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Subjective, but Werth seems like he’s gotten better against RHP as the year has gone on.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 8:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Feliz really not covering himself in glory with his first two ABs tonight.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

C’mon Cole, get that batting average back up higher.

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 9:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wish we had Derrek Lee. I just love to watch that guy hit.

Though I wouldn’t mind if he had two fewer tonight.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 9:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m just glad we have Cole.

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Cubs are a funny franchise – aren’t they something like only once in the last 30 years of having back-to-back winning seasons? This year it looks like they’re finally building on a winning season instead of regressing.

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Howard and Burrell are never hot at the same time, it seems. Sometimes they’re cold at the same time though.

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A couple big missed opportunities thus far. Killed us last night.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it just me or does it seem like we’re giving up a lot of infield hits lately?

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I know it’s been good pitchers, but the offensive futility of the last two nights has me irked all over again.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 9:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Somebody’s article said third base coach was being successfully aggressive during the homestand. I’m following on computer, not TV, so I’m wondering why Utley couldn’t score from first with two outs on a Howard double. Nothing worse than leaving men in scoring position in a low-scoring game.

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m definitely a believe that 3rd base coaches, in general, should be much more aggressive. In that particular instance though, I think there would have been a very good chance Utley gets thrown out.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

christonabike has it right. It was one of those Howard doubles that was hit so hard, the OF got to it probably well before Utley was even at third. A non-awful throw would have nailed Chase.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well it could have been worse.

The good news is that with a little luck we could get Dempster out of there in one more inning. He’s at 83 pitches.

The bad news is that they’ve got a very good bullpen. No Aaron Heilmans in sight.

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wheels and T-Mac are claiming that the ball Werth played would have been a ground rule double if he hadn’t picked it up.

If that’s the case, that’s a big mistake on either Werth or the management for not letting the players know how that works.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

First leadoff baserunner.

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Carlos!

by taco pal on Aug 28, 2008 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ruiz’ typical ground ball to short becomes a hit thanks to men on base.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That explains it.

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Based on the hit zone chart that should have been a double play!

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dempster has been uncharacteristically wild tonight and the Phillies are finally getting to him.

Awesome.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 9:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Some good ABs this inning—Cole’s bunt with two strikes, Rollins’ sac fly, Utley with his third hit.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Burrell gets on here, Dempster is done.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cole has always had a good K/BB ratio but he’s been even more phenomenal in August. He’s at 8:1 counting tonight.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice job tonight making a good pitcher work. 114 pitches through 6—that’s the good Phillies.

by dajafi on Aug 28, 2008 9:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cole has been fantastic through 7, but since his pitch count over 100 and he’s batting 3rd next inning, I think he’s done.

Durbin or Madson in the 8th?

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DeRosa is OPSing .871 this year. The Cubs look pretty dumb batting him 8 when Fukudome is 7 and Theroit is 2.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Some kind of weird variation on the Tony LaRussa lineup – bat one of your best hitters 8th so your pitchers can bunt him over?

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

More like Lou Pinella is the manager and probably couldn’t even tell you what OPS stands for.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is why you go as long as you can with Hamels.

by phillyinportland on Aug 28, 2008 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ohhh boy

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 10:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

God damned Ryan Madson.

Another 8th inning shitshow. Now Durbin can’t throw a strike.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 28, 2008 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You. Have. To. Be. Kidding. Me.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Christ almighty. This makes me fucking sick.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 28, 2008 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it would be a good idea to give Madson a few 8th innings off, the troubles have seemed to start with him lately.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 28, 2008 10:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Haha, just when this team has you excited they reel off two heartbreakers like this.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 28, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ugh, this one feels so, so much worse though. Last night they weren’t really executing… more getting lucky. They lost, but I felt like they were going to lose the entire game.

by christonabike on Aug 28, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

when you also consider the fact that this likely means a series sweep, it is harder to swallow. ALSO, add to that the fact that the Mets could very well sweep the Marlins and thinks look even more bleak. Of course, this is all worst case.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 28, 2008 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The word "inexcusable" comes to mind.

Every bullpen blows games, but to do so this late in the season on back-to-back nights is, well, inexcusable. And to lose when your ace spotted you a 4-1 lead against the best team in the National League is — you guessed it — inexcusable.

I’m beginning to think a 2-2 split in this series is damn near impossible.

by PhillyFriar on Aug 28, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs