The Cubs won the Arizona series but came away less two members of the rotation. They head to Milwaukee, who are coming off three straight wins against the Atlanta Braves. Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks have gotten off to hot starts but the rest of the lineup hasn’t started hitting yet.
Here’s a look at their (small sample size) team numbers and NL ranks so far
| Cubs | Brewers | |
| wOBA | .321(9th) | .300 (10th) |
| SP FIP | 3.86 (5h) | 4.80 (12th) |
| RP FIP | 3.58 (12th) | 7.15 (16th) |
| DRS | -8 (14th) | 4 (3rd) |
Team overview
Baseball Prospectus projects the Brewers to go 85-77 on the season. Oddly enough they project the Cubs to have an equally good offense (777 Runs scored).
Batters
| Player | ZiPS wOBA |
| 2B Rickie Weeks | .350 |
| RF Mark Kotsay | .296 |
| LF Ryan Braun | .379 |
| 1B Prince Fielder | .394 |
| 3B Casey McGehee | .324 |
| CF Carlos Gomez | .301 |
| SS Yuniesky Betancourt | .305 |
| C Wil Nieves | .265 |
The Brewers are without two regular starters. RF and unfrozen caveman Corey Hart is out with an oblique strain suffered in spring training, and there is still no timetable on his return. Starting catcher Jonathon Lucroy broke a pinky at the beginning of spring training, and began a rehab assignment yesterday.
Pitchers
| Player | ZiPS FIP |
| RHP Yovani Gallardo | 3.29 |
| RHP Shaun Marcum | 3.53 |
| LHP Randy Wolf | 4.23 |
| LHP Chris Narveson | 4.47 |
| RHP Marco Estrada | 4.20 |
| RHP John Axford | 3.58 |
| RHP Takashi Saito | 3.48 |
Of course, Greinke would be heading up this list were it not for his pickup-basketball-related broken rib. Yesterday, he threw his first bullpen session since the injury.
Players to watch
I’m going to go with Yuni – will he commit more errors and boneheaded plays in this series as Ryan Theriot will for the Cardinals? For the Cubs, Soriano seems to be swinging the hot bat (except maybe for this Castro guy), so I’ll go with him.
Pitching Matchups
(ZiPS projected FIP in parentheses)
Friday Friday: Carlos Zambrano, RHP (3.74) vs Randy Wolf, LHP (4.23)
Z had a tough time finding the strike zone early in his first start, but settled down a bit as the game went on. He gave up a home run to Garrett Jones and didn’t get his usual ground ball distribution (9 FB, 5 GB, 3 LD). The Cubs won the game so it was good enough for Z to eat dinner that night, though it had to be at a TGI Friday’s. Looking at his career numbers while researching the Gallardo comment below, I had forgotten that he’s never posted an ERA above 4 his entire career. We need to hammer home this fact to every moran Cubs fan who loves bashing Z.
Randy Wolf was hammered for 6 runs in 4 innings in his first start in Cincy. He gave up 10 hits including 2 HRs and walked two, but was lucky that both of the homers were solo shots. He had a poor debut with the Brewers last year, mostly due to a drop in his strikeout rate, but most of the projection systems figure him to bounce back.
Saturday Saturday: Matt Garza, RHP (4.16) vs Chris Narveson, LHP (4.47)
It felt like Garza gave up somewhere between 12 and 100 groundball singles in his debut as a Cub last weekend. His game log would tell you that he also gave up 7 line drives, but he wasn’t hit particularly hard (all of them were singles). Most impressively though he struck out a career high 12 batters. Garza had a lousy spring so this kind of debut was what he needed to make sure the fans/media didn’t turn on him right away. A little wildness from Marmol and a poor decision in what was otherwise a fantastic game by Starlin Castro turned Garza’s W into a L but I’ll take it if he posts more of those performances.
I was surprised to see that Narveson started 28 games for the Brewers last year. He had a bit of bad luck with baserunners last year, given the big split between his 4.99 ERA and his 4.22 FIP. According to fangraphs he has a great curveball but his 88 mph fastball is hittable. ZiPS is not a huge fan but most of the other systems see him as a solid averageish pitcher, which is nice to have as your 5th starter.
Sunday Sunday: Casey Coleman, RHP (4.92) vs Yovani Gallardo, RHP (3.29)
Well, I got my wish that Coleman would be in the Cubs rotation but I can’t say I’m happy with the circumstances. Coleman came up and did a decent enough job in 8 starts at the end of last year. From what I remember he was one of the pitchers who had a much more confidence on the mound with Quade at the helm than Lou. What we see with Coleman is pretty much the best we’re ever going to see out of him – a 1 WAR pitcher is about his ceiling. He should post an ERA in the 4.5-4.8 range and that’s about as good as you can expect from a guy that’s 6th on your depth chart. I’m hoping that I’ll be writing Trey McNutt‘s name in here for Tuesday’s start vs Houston but I’m not holding my breath.
We’ve compared Gallardo to a young Z before but that’s not a particularly great comp. A lot of it is due to the fact that they’re both good-hitting pitchers (laughing). Z was a power sinker guy, but Gallardo doesn’t get the ground balls the way Z did. Both of them posted ERAs well under their FIPs early in their careers. I was surprised to see that Gallardo posted a 1.88 ERA in 2008, despite a 4.09 FIP and a modest .288 BABIP. Oddly enough last year he had the best peripherals of his career, but posted an ERA 0.8 points higher. That improvment combined with the fact that he’s only 25 has led the projection systems to predict a big year out of him. He might even be the best pitcher on that staff, Greinke included.
Prediction
Brewers take two out of three. The Cubs should be steamrolled in the Sunday game but I do like their chances in both of the other two games as the lineup should crush LHP.
Comments
Nice snark.
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs lose.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://www.didthecubsloseyettoday.com
MishQuote Reply
He may as well have gone without dinner. If you’re going to eat at a place that is only 0 WARR, you should just not eat. Al agrees.
mb21Quote Reply
It would be a major shock if Coleman wasn’t more confident when Quade was the manager. After all, Coleman allowed 10 hits in 5.1 innings and 8 earned runs while walking 4 and striking 1 out before Quade. That was obviously Lou’s fault.
I hate that the Cubs have used that as an excuse.
mb21Quote Reply
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So after this series they will be at .500. And that’s if they win the series. FML FTW.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]www.didthecubsloseyettoday.com[/quote]
Not until after about 9 PM tonight…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I like to think that the forest gif is actually a Lilliput like world living in Brian Wilson’s beard.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]I like to think that the forest gif is actually a Lilliput like world living in Brian Wilson’s beard.[/quote]
I like to picture the forest gif in a tuxedo T-shirt because it says I want to be formal, but I’m here to party.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Dammit JG, I’m gonna come at you like a spider monkey!
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/08/the-university-of-californias-baseball-team-is-back/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/08/the-university-of-californias-baseball-team-is-back/[/quote]
Back from what? A protest?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]Dammit JG, I’m gonna come at you like a spider monkey![/quote]
That! Just! Happened!
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Die. Laugh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnHIkS0T9HQ
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://isthegovernmentshutdown.com/
(dying laughing)
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/08/the-university-of-californias-baseball-team-is-back/[/quote]
RC —-> happy panda
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Back from what? A protest?[/quote]
Actually not far from the truth.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Actually not far from the truth.[/quote]
JG almost ———————-> Cal
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]JG almost ———————-> Cal[/quote]
What year?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]What year?[/quote]
I would have been ’96-’00. Pretty expensive for OOS, though. Went to Texas instead.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Ah the late 90’s when a young JG spent all his time listening to third eye blind and watching Can’t Hardly Wait
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I would have been ’96-’00. Pretty expensive for OOS, though. Went to Texas instead.[/quote]
Ah. Would have been nice to have a BBQ connoisseur in my circle of acquaintances.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]Ah the late 90’s when a young JG spent all his time listening to third eye blind and watching Can’t Hardly Wait[/quote]
That’s what broke me.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ah. Would have been nice to have a BBQ connoisseur in my circle of acquaintances.[/quote]
That would have been awesome for you. (dying laughing) Actually, I’d probably be a seafood connoisseur if I hadn’t colleged in Austin.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Die. Laugh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnHIkS0T9HQ%5B/quote%5D
If you haven’t watched this yet, you’re doing it wrong.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
My life sucks. I thought there was a Cubs day today so I wanted to check the time the game starts. This poor excuse of a Cubs blog doesn’t even list what time the game starts. So I go to a wonderful site http://isthereacubsgametoday.com/ to check what time it starts, and it tells me there is no game! So there isn’t a game tonight? I am confused. FML.
On a serious note, I don’t remember there being any night games on Friday’s or Saturday’s before. Did the city allow them since Rickett’s is all buddy buddy with the neighborhood now?
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]If you haven’t watched this yet, you’re doing it wrong.[/quote]
Clean it up.
Dumbass.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Clean it up.
Dumbass.[/quote]
You STUPID bastard!
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
wut?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]My life sucks. I thought there was a Cubs day today so I wanted to check the time the game starts. This poor excuse of a Cubs blog doesn’t even list what time the game starts. So I go to a wonderful site http://isthereacubsgametoday.com/ to check what time it starts, and it tells me there is no game! So there isn’t a game tonight? I am confused. FML.
On a serious note, I don’t remember there being any night games on Friday’s or Saturday’s before. Did the city allow them since Rickett’s is all buddy buddy with the neighborhood now?[/quote]
Even though it’s Wrigley North, I don’t think Tom Tickets has any influence in Milwaukee
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
Cubs-related drunken hookup failure:
http://deadspin.com/#!5789932/cockblocked-by-weed-addiction
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/08/the-university-of-californias-baseball-team-is-back/[/quote]
.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Even though it’s Wrigley North, I don’t think Tom Tickets has any influence in Milwaukee[/quote]Wow I am a retard. Thanks for claryfying that it is in Milwaukee.
But when we play the Giants in May, isn’t there a Saturday game @ 6? I don’t remember these last year. I don’t live in Chicago though so maybe it happened.
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb].[/quote]
How self-righteous can you get?
Even Geovany Soto played stoner baseball.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]How self-righteous can you get? [/quote]
Give him a break. We’re talking about a person who thinks the forearm isn’t connected to the elbow.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Larry Rothschild doesn’t look right wearing a full Yankees jacket and hat. It’s far too formal. He needs to be in a pullover windbreaker.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]Wow I am a retard. Thanks for claryfying that it is in Milwaukee.
But when we play the Giants in May, isn’t there a Saturday game @ 6? I don’t remember these last year. I don’t live in Chicago though so maybe it happened.[/quote]
The Red Sox game the following week at Fenway is at the same time, and they’re both on FOX. I’m guessing they had to get some special dispensation from the neighborhood.
BerseliusQuote Reply
JG, we need an Al Yellon “Serious Business” ‘shop.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Brewers lineup today
2b weeks
cf gomez ((dying laughing))
lf braun
1b fielder
3b mcgehee
ss betancourt
rf morgan
c kottaras
p wolf
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]Wow I am a retard. Thanks for claryfying that it is in Milwaukee.
But when we play the Giants in May, isn’t there a Saturday game @ 6? I don’t remember these last year. I don’t live in Chicago though so maybe it happened.[/quote]
Yes there is, because i will be at that game. I thought it odd too.
MishQuote Reply
Which random Chicago neighborhood ordinance is it that prevents night games on weekends?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]JG, we need an Al Yellon “Serious Business” ‘shop.[/quote]
Not funny.
Words words words words words words words words words comma words words comma words comma words words words words words words comma comma words.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Manny Ramirez retired.
GWQuote Reply
Manny —-> Retired
MishQuote Reply
Manny Ramirez? Retired.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Manny —->
RetiredForced out due to drug policy[/quote]/What I saw’d
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://www.didmannyramirezretiretoday.com
Suburban kidQuote Reply
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/4/8/2098854/the-cubs-have-a-starlin-castro
MishQuote Reply
.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I think that is simple enough to understand.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I think that is simple enough to understand.[/quote]
So the answer is….12?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]SECTION 3. Game-Related Matters Concerning Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. and Wrigley Field.
(A) Regular Season Night Games. Subject to the terms of Section 4-156-430 of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO and this Subsection A, the Cubs may schedule, in each baseball season, regular season home baseball games at Wrigley Field, 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, Illinois (“Wrigley Field” or “the park”), as Night Games, that is, baseball games scheduled to begin after 4:10 p.m. (“Night Game(s)”).
(1) The Cubs may schedule no more than 4 Night Games in the 2004 regular season in addition to the regular season home baseball games allowed in Section 4-156-430(B)(2) of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
(2) The Cubs may schedule no more than 8 Night Games in the 2005 regular season in addition to the regular season home baseball games allowed in Section 4-156-430(B)(2) of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
(3) The Cubs may schedule no more than 12 Night Games in addition to the regular season home baseball games allowed in Section 4-156-430(B)(2) of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO in the 2006-15 regular seasons, and in any regular season after 2015 for so long as the contractual agreement embodied in this Ordinance is continued as provided in Section 7 of this Ordinance, provided however that the Cubs’ compliance with this Agreement will be reviewed after the 2005 regular season, and if the Cubs have not complied with each of their obligations under this Ordinance and Agreement then at the direction of the City (which shall be given on or prior to November 1, 2005), the Cubs shall schedule no more than 10 night games in addition to the regular season home baseball games allowed in Section 4-156-430(B)(2) of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO in the 2006 regular season.
(4) No regular season Night Games shall be scheduled to begin later than 8:00 p.m. Except if required by a national television contract or weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, the scheduled starting time of Night Games shall be 7:05 p.m.
(5) Games scheduled to begin prior to 8:00 p.m. may begin upon the conclusion of weather delays or delays caused by other similar unexpected natural occurrences, or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, as provided in Subsection E.
(6) No regular season Night Game shall be scheduled on a Friday or a Saturday, except up to two regular season games per year may be scheduled on a Saturday night if required by:
(a) Major League Baseball in a manner generally applicable to all major league baseball teams, or
(b) national television contract, or
(c) other circumstance beyond the control of the Cubs, such as by a collective bargaining agreement.
(7) The Cubs will give the City and residents of the surrounding community as much advance notice as possible of the dates and start times of all games.
(8) The proscription on Night Games shall not apply to the following, each of which may begin at any hour and may be held without restriction as to time and shall not count against the annual limitation on Night Games set forth in this Section:
(a) All-Star games,
(b) Post-season or playoff-determinative baseball games,
(c) Regular season tie-breaker games,
(d) Any play-off, Divisional Championship, Conference Championship, or League Championship games,
(e) World Series or other similar championship games, or
(f) Any similar baseball games to (a)-(e).
(B) Regular Season Weekday Afternoon Games. Regular season weekday afternoon baseball games must begin on or before 1:35 p.m., except as provided in Subsection C for the holidays specified in that Section, and except as provided in Subsections D, E and F. However, the Cubs may schedule up to 13 regular season baseball games to begin on Friday afternoon in the 2004 regular season to begin between 1:35 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. and may schedule up to 4 regular season baseball games on Friday afternoon in the 2005 season to begin between 1:35 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. The Cubs will not schedule any Friday baseball games to begin after 1:35 p.m. after the 2005 regular season so long as this Ordinance and Agreement is in effect.
(C) Regular Season Weekend And Holiday Afternoon Games. Afternoon games on weekends during the regular season and afternoon games on Memorial Day, on Independence Day and on Labor Day shall begin at or before 4:10 p.m., except as provided in Subsections D and E.
(D) Double-headers. Except as provided in Subsection E, double headers are permitted as follows:
(1) If the first game begins at or before 1:35 p.m. on a weekday, or on a weekend, and the second game begins reasonably promptly after the first game, provided, however, the first game of a double-header may begin at or before 3:05 p.m. on a weekend only if the weekend game is a tie-breaker, play-off, divisional, conference, league, World Series, or other similar championship or post-season determinative game and the second game begins reasonably promptly after the first game; or
(2) Where one game of the double-header was originally scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed because of weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, and
(a) the first game is scheduled to begin at or before 1:35 p.m., with the second game to start reasonably promptly after the end of the first game, or
(b) the postponed game is rescheduled as part of a double-header permissible under the terms of Article V of the 2003-2006 basic collective bargaining agreement executed between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association (attached to this Ordinance and Agreement as Exhibit A), regardless of whether that agreement is still in effect, in which case a day-night double header will be permitted; or,
(3) Where one game of the double-header was originally scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed because of weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences, or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, and is rescheduled for a date originally scheduled to be a Night Game, and the double-header begins before 4:10 p.m., or
(4) If the Cubs and the City, by and through the City’s Budget Director, mutually agree to the scheduling of a day-night or other double-header.
(5) Day-night double-headers are permitted only as consistent with the provisions of this Subsection. The second game of the day-night double header must be scheduled to begin at or before 7:05 p.m. (or, if later, reasonably promptly after the end of the first game or of any delay due to weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences, or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, as specified in Subsection E) and counts toward the limitation in Subsection A and in Section 4-156-430 of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
(E) Delays; Completion Of Games. Any baseball game at Wrigley Field, the beginning of which is delayed from its scheduled starting time because of weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences, or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, may be begun upon the conclusion of the delay. Once any baseball game at Wrigley Field has begun in accordance with this agreement, it may be completed wi
thout being subject to any restriction, except for those dealing with public safety, as to the time the game may be held.
(F) No Game Requests. The Cubs will request Major League Baseball to not schedule Cubs home games on the day of the Pride Parade and the days of Halsted Street Market Days, with emphasis and first choice being specified for no game on the day of Pride Parade, provided the City gives notice to the Cubs no later than June 30 of the year preceding such events (e.g., June 30, 2004, for the 2005 events). In the event the City does not provide such notice, the Cubs will request Major League Baseball not have regularly scheduled Cubs home games on the last full weekend in June and either the first or second weekend in August of each year. If the request of the Cubs is not honored, the Cubs agree to notify the Relevant Aldermen and the Budget Director as soon as a draft schedule is made available (typically October of the previous year).
(G) Game Times And The Community. The Cubs agree to attempt to schedule games at times consistent with this Ordinance and Agreement that minimize neighborhood traffic and parking disruption, provided however that nothing in this Subsection G will prevent the Cubs from scheduling games at any time not precluded by this Ordinance.
(H) Special Games And Other Events. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following may be scheduled and held at Wrigley Field at any time without restriction as to the time when they may be held:
(1) All-Star games,
(2) Post-season or playoff-determinative baseball games,
(3) regular season tie-breaker games,
(4) any play-off, Divisional Championship, Conference Championship, or League Championship games,
(5) World Series games,
(6) any similar baseball games to (1)-(5), or
(7) any non-major league baseball games or any baseball-related events, or any non-profit event expected to have less than approximately 10,000 in attendance.
(I) Beer And Other Alcoholic Beverage Sales. Subject to the limitations of this Subsection, beer and other alcoholic beverages may be sold in a lawful manner at all baseball games or other events at Wrigley Field. No such sale in open public seating areas and related public concourses may be made after 9:20 p.m. At any Night Game, no such sales in the open public seating areas and related public concourses may be made after the end of the seventh inning.
(J) Further Agreements Authorized. The Budget Director or his designee is authorized and directed to negotiate and execute with the Cubs, from time to time, further agreements or amendments as are necessary and appropriate concerning services with respect to Wrigley Field, including neighborhood protection and improvement.
(K) No Impairment. The City and the Cubs mutually pledge to work together amicably and cooperatively in fulfilling the goals and the requirements of this Ordinance and further mutually pledge not to take any action to impair any of the rights and obligations under this Ordinance or this Agreement. No provisions of the Chicago Municipal Code or other ordinances which may provide for fines or other criminal or quasi-criminal sanctions for ordinance violations will apply to this Ordinance and Agreement.
[/quote]Exactly correct.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]So the answer is….12?[/quote]
We have gone over this. Read the above thread.
Aisle424Quote Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZfpwfQ58Ds&feature=related
/Rodney’d
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]SECTION 3. Game-Related Matters Concerning Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. and Wrigley Field.
(A) Regular Season Night Games. Subject to the terms of Section 4-156-430 of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO and this Subsection A, the Cubs may schedule, in each baseball season, regular season home baseball games at Wrigley Field, 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, Illinois (“Wrigley Field” or “the park”), as Night Games, that is, baseball games scheduled to begin after 4:10 p.m. (“Night Game(s)”).
(1) The Cubs may schedule no more than 4 Night Games in the 2004 regular season in addition to the regular season home baseball games allowed in Section 4-156-430(B)(2) of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
(2) The Cubs may schedule no more than 8 Night Games in the 2005 regular season in addition to the regular season home baseball games allowed in Section 4-156-430(B)(2) of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
(3) The Cubs may schedule no more than 12 Night Games in addition to the regular season home baseball games allowed in Section 4-156-430(B)(2) of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO in the 2006-15 regular seasons, and in any regular season after 2015 for so long as the contractual agreement embodied in this Ordinance is continued as provided in Section 7 of this Ordinance, provided however that the Cubs’ compliance with this Agreement will be reviewed after the 2005 regular season, and if the Cubs have not complied with each of their obligations under this Ordinance and Agreement then at the direction of the City (which shall be given on or prior to November 1, 2005), the Cubs shall schedule no more than 10 night games in addition to the regular season home baseball games allowed in Section 4-156-430(B)(2) of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO in the 2006 regular season.
(4) No regular season Night Games shall be scheduled to begin later than 8:00 p.m. Except if required by a national television contract or weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, the scheduled starting time of Night Games shall be 7:05 p.m.
(5) Games scheduled to begin prior to 8:00 p.m. may begin upon the conclusion of weather delays or delays caused by other similar unexpected natural occurrences, or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, as provided in Subsection E.
(6) No regular season Night Game shall be scheduled on a Friday or a Saturday, except up to two regular season games per year may be scheduled on a Saturday night if required by:
(a) Major League Baseball in a manner generally applicable to all major league baseball teams, or
(b) national television contract, or
(c) other circumstance beyond the control of the Cubs, such as by a collective bargaining agreement.
(7) The Cubs will give the City and residents of the surrounding community as much advance notice as possible of the dates and start times of all games.
(8) The proscription on Night Games shall not apply to the following, each of which may begin at any hour and may be held without restriction as to time and shall not count against the annual limitation on Night Games set forth in this Section:
(a) All-Star games,
(b) Post-season or playoff-determinative baseball games,
(c) Regular season tie-breaker games,
(d) Any play-off, Divisional Championship, Conference Championship, or League Championship games,
(e) World Series or other similar championship games, or
(f) Any similar baseball games to (a)-(e).
(B) Regular Season Weekday Afternoon Games. Regular season weekday afternoon baseball games must begin on or before 1:35 p.m., except as provided in Subsection C for the holidays specified in that Section, and except as provided in Subsections D, E and F. However, the Cubs may schedule up to 13 regular season baseball games to begin on Friday afternoon in the 2004 regular season to begin between 1:35 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. and may schedule up to 4 regular season baseball games on Friday afternoon in the 2005 season to begin between 1:35 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. The Cubs will not schedule any Friday baseball games to begin after 1:35 p.m. after the 2005 regular season so long as this Ordinance and Agreement is in effect.
(C) Regular Season Weekend And Holiday Afternoon Games. Afternoon games on weekends during the regular season and afternoon games on Memorial Day, on Independence Day and on Labor Day shall begin at or before 4:10 p.m., except as provided in Subsections D and E.
(D) Double-headers. Except as provided in Subsection E, double headers are permitted as follows:
(1) If the first game begins at or before 1:35 p.m. on a weekday, or on a weekend, and the second game begins reasonably promptly after the first game, provided, however, the first game of a double-header may begin at or before 3:05 p.m. on a weekend only if the weekend game is a tie-breaker, play-off, divisional, conference, league, World Series, or other similar championship or post-season determinative game and the second game begins reasonably promptly after the first game; or
(2) Where one game of the double-header was originally scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed because of weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, and
(a) the first game is scheduled to begin at or before 1:35 p.m., with the second game to start reasonably promptly after the end of the first game, or
(b) the postponed game is rescheduled as part of a double-header permissible under the terms of Article V of the 2003-2006 basic collective bargaining agreement executed between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association (attached to this Ordinance and Agreement as Exhibit A), regardless of whether that agreement is still in effect, in which case a day-night double header will be permitted; or,
(3) Where one game of the double-header was originally scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed because of weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences, or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, and is rescheduled for a date originally scheduled to be a Night Game, and the double-header begins before 4:10 p.m., or
(4) If the Cubs and the City, by and through the City’s Budget Director, mutually agree to the scheduling of a day-night or other double-header.
(5) Day-night double-headers are permitted only as consistent with the provisions of this Subsection. The second game of the day-night double header must be scheduled to begin at or before 7:05 p.m. (or, if later, reasonably promptly after the end of the first game or of any delay due to weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences, or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, as specified in Subsection E) and counts toward the limitation in Subsection A and in Section 4-156-430 of the MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
(E) Delays; Completion Of Games. Any baseball game at Wrigley Field, the beginning of which is delayed from its scheduled starting time because of weather or other similar unexpected natural occurrences, or by death or serious personal injury to a fan or a player or management employee of the Cubs, all beyond the control of the Cubs, may be begun upon the conclusion of the delay. Once any baseball game at Wrigley Field has begun in accordance with this agreement, it may be completed wi
thout being subject to any restriction, except for those dealing with public safety, as to the time the game may be held.
(F) No Game Requests. The Cubs will request Major League Baseball to not schedule Cubs home games on the day of the Pride Parade and the days of Halsted Street Market Days, with emphasis and first choice being specified for no game on the day of Pride Parade, provided the City gives notice to the Cubs no later than June 30 of the year preceding such events (e.g., June 30, 2004, for the 2005 events). In the event the City does not provide such notice, the Cubs will request Major League Baseball not have regularly scheduled Cubs home games on the last full weekend in June and either the first or second weekend in August of each year. If the request of the Cubs is not honored, the Cubs agree to notify the Relevant Aldermen and the Budget Director as soon as a draft schedule is made available (typically October of the previous year).
(G) Game Times And The Community. The Cubs agree to attempt to schedule games at times consistent with this Ordinance and Agreement that minimize neighborhood traffic and parking disruption, provided however that nothing in this Subsection G will prevent the Cubs from scheduling games at any time not precluded by this Ordinance.
(H) Special Games And Other Events. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following may be scheduled and held at Wrigley Field at any time without restriction as to the time when they may be held:
(1) All-Star games,
(2) Post-season or playoff-determinative baseball games,
(3) regular season tie-breaker games,
(4) any play-off, Divisional Championship, Conference Championship, or League Championship games,
(5) World Series games,
(6) any similar baseball games to (1)-(5), or
(7) any non-major league baseball games or any baseball-related events, or any non-profit event expected to have less than approximately 10,000 in attendance.
(I) Beer And Other Alcoholic Beverage Sales. Subject to the limitations of this Subsection, beer and other alcoholic beverages may be sold in a lawful manner at all baseball games or other events at Wrigley Field. No such sale in open public seating areas and related public concourses may be made after 9:20 p.m. At any Night Game, no such sales in the open public seating areas and related public concourses may be made after the end of the seventh inning.
(J) Further Agreements Authorized. The Budget Director or his designee is authorized and directed to negotiate and execute with the Cubs, from time to time, further agreements or amendments as are necessary and appropriate concerning services with respect to Wrigley Field, including neighborhood protection and improvement.
(K) No Impairment. The City and the Cubs mutually pledge to work together amicably and cooperatively in fulfilling the goals and the requirements of this Ordinance and further mutually pledge not to take any action to impair any of the rights and obligations under this Ordinance or this Agreement. No provisions of the Chicago Municipal Code or other ordinances which may provide for fines or other criminal or quasi-criminal sanctions for ordinance violations will apply to this Ordinance and Agreement.[/quote]Cool story, bro.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]We have gone over this. Read the above thread.[/quote](dying laughing) why couldn’t it just read like this:
SECTION 3. Game-Related Matters Concerning a team pretending to play MLB and Wrigley Field.
(A) Regular Season Night Games. ____________ (number of allowed night games).
Much easier.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]We have gone over this. Read the above thread.[/quote]
I thought it was 12. Shut me right up.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m pretty sure when night games first began that it was 8 and then when Baker took over they started getting more of them. For some reason I think it’s 16, but I’m not sure.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424](K) No Impairment. The City and the Cubs mutually pledge to work together amicably and cooperatively [/quote]
(dying laughing)
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m pretty sure when night games first began that it was 8 and then when Baker took over they started getting more of them. For some reason I think it’s 16, but I’m not sure.[/quote]I believe it is now up to 20
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
IIRC, It’s in the high 20’s now. They play a couple night games a week now. At least that’s what it seems like.
ButchmanQuote Reply
http://cubsinsider.blogspot.com/2011/04/2011-night-games.html
Looks like it’s 28 in 2011
ButchmanQuote Reply
Thanks, Butchman. I just started to look at their schedule and was surprised how quickly they passed 16.
mb21Quote Reply
It also looks like a couple games still don’t have times scheduled for them according to Baseball Reference.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Butchman]http://cubsinsider.blogspot.com/2011/04/2011-night-games.html
Looks like it’s 28 in 2011[/quote]
The Marlin’s literally only play day games on Sundays and still have problems breaking 15K in attendance (dying laughing)
ButchmanQuote Reply
Dunno if you guys saw this as it was posted right above the large block of text shit:
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/4/8/2098854/the-cubs-have-a-starlin-castro
MishQuote Reply
Rays —–> No longer smart
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m pretty sure when night games first began that it was 8 and then when Baker took over they started getting more of them. For some reason I think it’s 16, but I’m not sure.[/quote]
This was pulled from Tunney’s website, so it should be up to date, but it’s so damn complex (and I left a LOT of shit that came before this and after this about parking and other nonsense), so there may be some update buried in there somewhere.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Why did Manny retire?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Why did Manny retire?[/quote]
Because drugs are bad.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Why did Manny retire?[/quote]
http://www.whydidmannyretire.com
2nd failed drug test, 100-day suspension looming. Good for the Rays, I think they don’t have to pay him what he’s due for the rest of the year.
MishQuote Reply
Something drug something something.
I was about to make a joke about how $2M was obviously a gross overpay for the 25th best hitter ever and how the Rays have now been outed as the stupidest team in baseball… But then I realized that maybe whatever shit is now hitting the fan was the reason Boras let him sign for so cheap in the first place.
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Good for the Rays, I think they don’t have to pay him what he’s due for the rest of the year.[/quote]
Also, this. That makes it a risk-free $2M overpay.
fang2415Quote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]Rays —–> No longer smart[/quote]
I don’t think the Rays were able to afford to stay “smart” this year. The 0-for record so far is a bit surprising though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]www.whydidmannyretire.com
2nd failed drug test, 100-day suspension looming. Good for the Rays, I think they don’t have to pay him what he’s due for the rest of the year.[/quote]Good for the Rays in what sense? Losing Manny is huge. Makes what was once a smart decision to sign him look rather stupid too. There’s no way they didn’t know.
mb21Quote Reply
I can honestly say overall, between the Rays and the Cubs, this is one of the worst starts to a season ever for me. (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
Yeah, fang, makes me think that every other team was willing to pay him $0 and the Rays offered $2 million.
mb21Quote Reply
Good for the Rays that he retired instead of didn’t. Obviously it fucks up “The process”. I’ll have more thoughts later.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I can honestly say overall, between the Rays and the Cubs, this is one of the worst starts to a season ever for me. (dying laughing)[/quote]No doubt. The Cubs have to get off to a very hot start to contend and they’re 3-3 against terrible teams. They’re even performing worse than they should have through 6 games while the Rays are eliminated from contention.
mb21Quote Reply
first — love the new yet preemptively discredited site, makes me get, can’t say excited, maybe slightly aroused, like Al getting a good deal on a
handjobbleacherseatsecond — starlin castro does get me excited
third — the bulls are a sight for sore eyes, a soothing song to salve the soul
fourth — you will be dead in october: http://devour.com/video/the-rivalry-begins/
cerulean blueQuote Reply
Maybe everybody knew there was a high likelihood of something like this happening, and the Rays figured that now they’ve lost all their other players, it was worth a $2M gamble — especially since if it goes wrong in the way it looked like it would, they’d get their money back.
So they lose this one, with nothing lost but a roster spot for a couple weeks. And if the upside had panned out, they’d have looked like geniuses.
Tough news for them. But they still look smart to me.
fang2415Quote Reply
on losing streaks and winning streaks…in any given year, a team will succumb to a number of them, but at the beginning of the season they are exaggerated. the important factor to me is how many games below .500 and how many games in back of 1st. six or seven games in, no team is out of contention, not even the rays. when they are 0-10, then i’d worry.
cerulean blueQuote Reply
i should add, since i don’t follow the rays, i wouldn’t yet be concerned that they won’t reach their preseason expectation, which was probably third or fourth place.
cerulean blueQuote Reply
the rays should just go out and trade for Branyan.
dylanjQuote Reply
i should add also, i wouldn’t be concerned about the rays because they have SAM FULD
cerulean blueQuote Reply
[quote name=fang2415]Maybe everybody knew there was a high likelihood of something like this happening, and the Rays figured that now they’ve lost all their other players, it was worth a $2M gamble — especially since if it goes wrong in the way it looked like it would, they’d get their money back.
So they lose this one, with nothing lost but a roster spot for a couple weeks. And if the upside had panned out, they’d have looked like geniuses.
Tough news for them. But they still look smart to me.[/quote]Excellent point, Fang.
game thread is up: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/games/cubs-at-brewers-4-8-2011.html
mb21Quote Reply