8/29 MIL@CHC, 7:05p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: WGN

[ryno4ever]

Tuesday's gamethread had the most people on during the game, i do believe, than we have had all year! So, just to let you know, that we will be back on for Wednesday's game ...and Vanman has to work, so if anyone would like to give the play by play a shot, jump on in! I get to excited to focus on a play by play (I'm more the Ron Santo or Len Kasper type)....but whether we have a play by play person or not, there are a few of us who will be on the gamethread, so stop on by!

Now...on to the game preview:

The Cubs look to increase their lead in the National League Central on Wednesday night behind Carlos Zambrano in Game 2 of a three-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers.
"Definitely important," Derrek Lee said of the series. "Critical I wouldn't say, but very important. There's still a lot of baseball to play after this series, but it'd be nice to get a separation here, and give ourselves some breathing room."

The Cubs took the series opener, 5-3, on Tuesday night to widen their lead over Milwaukee to 2 1/2 games. The Brewers have lost 11 of their last 14, and Tuesday's loss, combined with St. Louis' 7-0 win over Houston, dropped Milwaukee into third place in the division.

"We're not taking them lightly because they've struggled," Lee said. "We do look at it as an opportunity to create some distance. When you're not playing them, it's a little bit tougher, because if you win and they win, you don't go anywhere. These games, if you win, you do create some distance, so it's important in that sense.

"It's fun to play in games this late in the season that are meaningful," Lee said. "You see free agents, they say, 'I want to go to a team that's a winner, has a chance for the postseason.' So as a player, this is what you look for."

Zambrano is 0-for-August, and has fallen short in four tries at his 15th win. Big Z also has yet to win since signing his $91.5 million contract with the Cubs. He is 2-0 against Milwaukee so far this season.

The Brewers will start Ben Sheets, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since mid-July. Sheets tore tissue in his right middle finger, and his return has been delayed because of a series of blisters on the same finger.

Pitching matchup
CHC: RHP Carlos Zambrano (14-10, 3.95 ERA)
Zambrano walked four and gave up six hits over 5 1/3 innings in his last start against the Giants. Zambrano has to watch the walks -- he walked three in one inning, including a free pass to pitcher Matt Cain, who later hit a two-run homer.

MIL: RHP Ben Sheets (10-4, 3.39 ERA)
Sheets won four of his last six starts before going on the DL. His last outing was July 14 against Colorado. Sheets gave up one run on two hits while striking out three over 3 1/3 innings before injuring his finger on a pitch to Todd Helton. The right-hander is 1-1 in three starts against the Cubs this season.

Player to watch
Lee is batting .341 (14-for-41) with two doubles and five home runs against Sheets.

[Doba]

Please don't rain. Please don't rain. Please don't rain.

[ryno4ever]

I was just thinking the same thing, too, Doba! I live just a couple hours west of Chicago and it has been raining on and off for about an hour now.... and it is still very cloudy. It's heading toward Chi-Town.

[ryno4ever]

THE BATTLE OF ACES:

CARLOS ZAMBRANO
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/players/zambranomug.jpg

VS

THE BREWERS DESPARATE ATTEMPT FOR A REASON TO BELIEVE, FRESH OFF THE DL, BEN SHEETS

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/brewers/BenSheets.jpg

[ryno4ever]

I'll be back in a few minutes, I have to go pick up supper! Then I'll try to find the lineups!

[ARamfan]

Well, I hope it passes through Wrigley Field before the game starts. :confused:

I'm glad to hear that we had so many people visiting yesterday's game thread. That's great! I'm heading out to happy hour at a sports bar and hope to watch the first hour of the game there (assuming no rain delay). Then I'll be checking in on the game thread when I get home. :)

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

[QUOTE=ryno4ever;31490]THE BATTLE OF ACES:
THE BREWERS DESPARATE ATTEMPT FOR A REASON TO BELIEVE, FRESH OFF THE DL, BEN SHEETS

Ouch! Thats great!!!

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Where is this rain everyones talking about? I don't see rain on the radar, all I see is one very small stray shower north of Chicago. Where are you guys getting your information?

[ryno4ever]

Lineups:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/brewers/brewers.gif

Weeks
Gross
Fielder
Braun
Jenkins
Hart
Estrada
Counsell
Sheets

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Cub%20Logos/glittery.gif

Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Ramirez
Floyd
DeRosa
Jones
Kendall
Big Z

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

All I see is a 20% chance for rain.

[ryno4ever]

Where is this rain everyones talking about? I don't see rain on the radar, all I see is one very small stray shower north of Chicago. Where are you guys getting your information?

The skies are very dark at Wrigley. On 670 the Score, they gave an update from Wrigley, and they said it looks very "ominous".

[ryno4ever]

Comcast is doing their Sportsnite from Wrigley...the skies look ugly there.

[ryno4ever]

Play Ball!

[ryno4ever]

Watch out! Z is PUMPED and Fielder did NOT look like he enjoyed Carlos' little dance on the mound there!

[ryno4ever]

HOLY COW! In the Cards/Houston game, BIG BUTT BERKMAN STOLE THIRD BASE!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Houston is up 1-0 on the Tardinals going into the second inning.

[ryno4ever]

The wind just robbed Floyd of a homer... I wonder how many homers we would have if we counted all of the ones that the Wrigley Wind has robbed from the players this year!

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Wow agressive on the bases tonight. I like it!!

[ryno4ever]

Wow agressive on the bases tonight. I like it!!

Yeah, but some of that timely hitting would be nice about now. BTW, Houston is up by 3!

[ryno4ever]

Doba...did you see my post that I have a lot more Cubs songs, let me know and I'll send them to ya?

[ryno4ever]

Here comes the crowd!

[ryno4ever]

no double play...no double play...no double play...no double play...no double play...whew!

[ryno4ever]

Good luck charm time....http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif

[ryno4ever]

Yet another run stolen by the Wicked Winds of Wrigley this year!

[ryno4ever]

Time to get into the Brewers pen....

[ARamfan]

Hi Heather, what happened with the rain tonight? I just got home and there is a HUGE storm coming to Phx. Or at least the clouds say so. I'm hoping my internet connection doesn't go down since I'm watching the game on mlb.tv!!!

[ryno4ever]

maybe not...sheets is putting on his batting helmet

[ryno4ever]

Hi Mara... looks windy and cool, but no rain so far at Wrigley! I hope you don't lose the net connection either!

[ryno4ever]

The offense looked promising for awhile there! We really REALLY need this win.... the Cards are losing!

[ryno4ever]

I HATE THIS WIND TONIGHT!

[ARamfan]

We really REALLY need this win.... the Cards are losing!

You can say that again, Heather!

[ryno4ever]

Mara...did you get to see Cliff's catch in the first inning?

[ryno4ever]

Come on DeRo!

[ARamfan]

Mara...did you get to see Cliff's catch in the first inning?

Of course, and I was very concerned. I thought he might have broken a rib!

[ryno4ever]

Here comes the Pen! :)

[ARamfan]

I think it's time for the 26th man to join the team! ;)

[ryno4ever]

Ugh....

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif Come on Lucky!

[ARamfan]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif Come on Lucky!

That's our hope right now. Z is out and Eyre is in. It's actually scaring me. :eek: Where are the bats?!!!! I keep thinking they'll show up for the last month. Sori hasn't produced like we thought he would, nor has DLee and Rammy...he usually has an amazing Sept. if you look back.

[Doba]

Not good at all.

[ARamfan]

Not good at all.

Not now, Doba. But I know that we've scored 7 in one inning before. ;)

[ryno4ever]

I'm back...had to put my son to bed.... wow, what a buzz kill tonight!

[ryno4ever]

Not now, Doba. But I know that we've scored 7 in one inning before. ;)

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif We just need to score more consistently! Our offense is what is really hurting us!

[ryno4ever]

Houston is up now, 5-0. Come on Cubbies....GET IT DONE!

[ryno4ever]

Come on Woody.

[ryno4ever]

I really can't stand watching Counsell batting!

[ARamfan]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif We just need to score more consistently! Our offense is what is really hurting us!

It is, and I don't get it. At the beginning of the season we all thought our offense would be overwhelming!

[ryno4ever]

Woody just hit 96! And became the 4th on the list for all time Cub strikeouts (just beat Maddux)

[ARamfan]

Woody just hit 96! And became the 4th on the list for all time Cub strikeouts (just beat Maddux)

I heard that and it's awesome! :D

[ARamfan]

Okay, Woody got us out of that inning and now we have the heart of the order coming up! DLee, ARam and Floyd!!!! LET'S SEE SOME OFFENSE GUYS!!!! And Cornelius Floyd!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Rally cap time

[ryno4ever]

UGH! They have to try to hit the ball on the ground tonight! Every time the ball gets in the air...it's an out!

[ryno4ever]

Come on Rammy!

[ryno4ever]

Well, at least it is comforting to know that even if we lose this one, we're still up a game and a half, and the Cards will go back to third, as they are losing in the 8th.

[ryno4ever]

There's a start.... a walk.... now, here comes Floyd! Angel time!

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif

[ryno4ever]

Yeah! Rammy is in scoring position!

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif oops, forgot this guy!

[ryno4ever]

Rammy to third, however, they have not done a good job tonight getting RISP in tonight with 2 outs.

[ryno4ever]

Come on deRo!

[ARamfan]

Yeah! Rammy is in scoring position!

He actually surprised me with this! :cool:

[ryno4ever]

Hmmm.... bases are loaded, no one out, for the Stros.... 6-0 now.

[ARamfan]

Okay, so things don't look so good for the Cubs but I haven't given up hope yet, have you?

[ryno4ever]

7-0 now in Houston....

[ryno4ever]

Okay, so things don't look so good for the Cubs but I haven't given up hope yet, have you?

No, I haven't given up hope, but our offense really makes it hard to hang in there! The offense has been so spotty.... and luckily it has come at very opportune times in the last week or so, but it's just frustrating to watch the offense right now. There have been so many runners in scoring position tonight... and so many fly balls that the wind has knocked down. The Cubs have hit Cordero fairly well...and their pen really has struggled.

[ARamfan]

Rammy just had a good play. I don't usually see him chewing gum. :confused:

[ryno4ever]

the Cubs can't afford to play like this for the rest of the year.

[ryno4ever]

Rammy just had a good play. I don't usually see him chewing gum. :confused:

LOL.... now that is paying attention to fine details, Mara! LOL

[ARamfan]

It ain't over till it's over. Who will be hitting for Weurtz?

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/misc%20cubs%20fun/bubble-gum-95.gif

[ARamfan]

the Cubs can't afford to play like this for the rest of the year.

NOT AT ALL!

[ryno4ever]

It ain't over till it's over. Who will be hitting for Weurtz?

Ward is my guess

[ARamfan]

JJ helps again! ! BASERUNNERS!!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Come on Darryl!!!!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

That bat looks like a toothpick in his hands!

[ARamfan]

Pull out our little angel again!

[ryno4ever]

They have to find a way to get the bats hot again...JJ can't do it by himself.

[ryno4ever]

It ended too quick, I couldn't get the little guy loaded.

[ryno4ever]

I just hope this doesn't light a fire under the Brewers behinds again.

[ARamfan]

No, it won't light a fire for them. We're still ahead! We've even been ahead by percentage points and been happy and O.K. We lost tonight because of a lack of runs and ONLY that! I'm angry because my favs are ARam, DLee and Cliff Floyd. This is very disappointing. :mad:

[ryno4ever]

Lou's postgame press conference...

on Zambrano "He certainly didn't get any run support, but, yeah, we have to get him back to pitching the way he was earlier"

"Not executing when we get chances"

"You HAVE TO PUT 5 TO 6 RUNS ON THE BOARD CONSISTENTLY TO WIN UP HERE"

"We have to crank up this offense a little bit"

on floyd..."He banged his head a little bit, but outside of that, I think he's okay"

"We had chances on him (Sheets) early, and didn't take advantage of it"