By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
We’ve had this conversation before, but it begs resurrecting. We’re all very angry the Cubs are not on T.V.
And they won’t be on T.V. again April 30. But the reasons for the absence of Cubbie blue will be different.
On April 30, WCIU will have the game. That’s a Chicago-only network that is guaranteed rights to a certain number of games each season. Wednesday night, though, caused a stir.
Comcast SportsNetPlus is an auxillary Comcast station that it typically uses when it’s overbooked. The Chicago Blackhawks scored an agreement to have all of its games on television this season. The Hawks played Calgary last night in the playoffs during the Cubs-Reds game. (more…)
By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
First of all, I love walk offs. And I love to see the Cubs win a division game (and it doesn’t hurt that it’s against the Cardinals, right?)
“Amber” commented about this game in my previous post:
Great win today! Nice to see Kevin Gregg and the bullpen finally do well. Don’t know if you’ve read it before, but you should check out Reed Johnson’s blog, it’s pretty funny.
Yes, it was a great game, and, yes, Gregggg… (ah, what the heck, sprinkle a few more in there… gggggg) wasn’t bad. He does have some tail to that fastball, and when he hits his spots, he is OK. It’s just that so far he has missed his spots more than he’s hit them. But he got the Cubs through a jam in this game, which is nice to see.
As for Reed Johnson’s blog, I haven’t read that yet, and plan to. I knew he took over for Mark DeRosa, but sadly, I haven’t made my way over there yet. I will do so. (more…)
By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
I was too busy watching a no-hitter unfold at Modern Woodmen Park during this disgusting game, so unfortunately, I missed Rich Harden throwing over 90 pitches in three innings of work.
WOW! That’s a lot of pitches. Feel free to mix in a groundball out.
Always fun to see one of your most talented starters give up a two-run single to a pitcher — not to mention a pitcher that used to wear Cubs pin stripes. Jason Marquis… I don’t think anyone should be surprised that he came back and got a win in his return outing against his former team. (more…)
By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
Ted Lilly didn’t do anything special. He was just Ted.
There’s nothing overpowering about the Cubs’ left-handed starter, yet twice in the last two months of action (counting last September) he’s taken no-hitters deep into games. It’s his changeup that does it. A superb outing on a less-than superb day, meteorologically speaking (if you will).
Three of my buddies were at the game. The report: “Cold. Wet. Great time.” That’s thanks to Teddy — and maybe also my buddy Josh’s bag-o-groceries. He likes to bring grocery bags full of Pringles, granola bars, sunflower seeds and Gatorade to the ballpark. (His thriftiness is never far from our friendly barbs.)
What was great about Monday was that the Cubs won with what I believe is close to the “worst” possible lineup they could field. I place quotations around “worst” because I think it resembles a lot of average team’s lineup — not much power, but capable hitters. With early season injuries abound, the Cubs had Aaron Miles, Koyie Hill and Reed Johnson in the lineup. Aside from the light-hitting Joey Gathright, that’s about as low-power as this lineup will get. (more…)
By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
So, I’m about to go against the grain here — that grain being the all-knowing powers of sports radio, particularly, a certain Chicago sports radio show that is entertaining, but also critical of everyone and their grandmother.
One recent segment was spent on Reed Johnson and the perplexity they encountered when trying to reason why Cubs fans like him so much. They claim, “He’s just a guy! He’s a fourth outfielder!” and don’t necessarily recognize that it’s OK to love a player for his character and guts above his batting average (which, by the way, won’t end up being too bad, either, I’d wager).
Reed Johnson saved me from a potentially awful Sunday night by robbing Prince Fielder of his first career grand slam — one that would have tied the game. To Prince’s credit, he was gracious in the moment, tipping his helment to Johnson, who returned a finger-point of recognition. (more…)
By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
Kevin Gregg had nine blown saves in 2008. He has one in 2009.
It’s too bad, ‘cus after watching one of Rich Harden’s dirty breakers, I told my buddy that Harden could break the single-game strikeout record if he could ever throw a complete game. I know, that’s a stretch (I mean the complete game part).
I like Harden, a lot, but you know what you’re going to get from him – a strong outing and six, MAYBE seven innings. So, every fifth start, you know you will be relying on the bullpen.
And that might mean Neal Cotts coming in and hitting a guy. Oh well. (more…)
By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
Hold your breath for Geovany Soto. Or thank your stars Paul Bako isn’t with the team. I’ll accept either.
Soto had shoulder discomfort on a throw to second, and gave way to Koyie Hill. Losing Soto would be losing an enormous bat in that lineup. There isn’t much on the injury yet, but likely will be at some point early Wednesday.
To quote DLReynolds from yesterday in regards to Alfonso Soriano’s pace to hit 162 home runs this season:
Can I have the under on Soriano’s home run total
OK, this is your one chance I’ll let you pull your bet off the table! (more…)
By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
OK. Alfonso Soriano can lead off, right? Doesn’t hurt anything.
Leading off the game with a homer off Roy Oswalt is poetry in motion. Thank you for that, Fonzy. Please, just stop jumping when you catch fly balls.
Soriano is on pace to hit 162 home runs this year. I think he could do it.
Some random thoughts from opening day… (more…)
By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
It won’t be long now.
Within the week — within this season-opening week for the Chicago Cubs — we’ll be second-guessing, cheering, jeering, praying and saying this is the year. I hope that is only all too true.
The VetoPower blog is back, and, yes, I know I was primarily absent over the winter, but seriously, I hate the off season, and I hate spring training (did I mention that?) Not to mention, I’ve been neck deep in hockey. (That’s the sport with the curved sticks and the flat, rubber ball.) (more…)
