Sunday, March 1, 2009

Introducing the Cubs Blog Mailbag!... And a Preview of Today's game

In place of a Live Chat this week, we will be trying something new!

It's the Cubs Blog Mailbag! You can send me all of your Cubs questions to cubsblogmailbag@aol.com It's easy to send in a question, and I will have a post in about a week answering most of the questions that I get. You can ask anything you would like to know about the Chicago Cubs, similar to the Live Chats. If you would just like to make a comment about the Cubs that's fine too. I'll give you my opinion on any Cubs Topics! So please, send in your questions to our mailbag! You can send in more than one question if you would like, in the same email or in separate emails!

Moving on to today's game....

Records: Cubs (4-0) VS Padres (1-1-2)

Pitching Match-up: Jake Peavy VS Ryan Dempster

Line-up Info: I wouldn't expect to see Soriano, Lee, or Ramirez play 2 days in a row, but we'll see. Milton Bradley is still day-to-day with a quad injury.

TV/Radio: Game on Gameday Audio on mlb.com.

Other Notes:
  • Curt Schilling said yesterday that he would like to pitch for either the Cubs or Rays in 2009.
  • Bruce Miles has been told that the Cubs are open to the idea.
  • Schilling is 10-2 with a 2.23 ERA in postseason in his career.
  • If Curt moves in to the rotation, than the bullpen could be lights out with Marmol, Gregg, Samardzija, Cotts, Marshall, Heilman, and Gaudin.
  • Schilling could even pitch in long relief.

Notes on Cubs "Vineline" magazine:

According to "Vineline" There are six things to watch in Spring Training:

1. Is Carlos Marmol ready for his close-up?

2. Replacing Mark DeRosa

3. Will Fukudome regain the form he showed on Opening Day 2008?

4. Open audition for the #5 starter

5. Marshall is ready to start

6. Finding Fukudome..... and Reed Johnson.

Vineline also listed the Cubs roster, sorting it between "locks" to make the team, "on the bubble", "long shots", and "not ready yet".

Locks:

  • Ryan Dempster
  • Chad Gaudin
  • Rich Harden
  • Aaron Heilman
  • Ted Lilly
  • Carlos Marmol
  • Sean Marshall
  • Luis Vizcaino
  • Carlos Zambrano
  • Paul Bako
  • Geovany Soto
  • Mike Fontenot
  • Derrek Lee
  • Aaron Miles
  • Aarmis Ramirez
  • Ryan Theriot
  • Miltong Bradley
  • Kosuke
  • Joey Gathright
  • Reed Johnson
  • Alfonso Soriano

So, according to this list there are only 3 spots open on the roster. In my opinion; Paul Bako, Joey Gathright, and Luis Vizcaino are NOT Locks to make the team.

On The Bubble:

  • Jose Ascanio
  • Esmalin Caridad
  • Neal Cotts
  • Jake Fox
  • Sam Fuld
  • Kevin Hart
  • Micah Hoffpauir
  • Jeff Samardzija
  • Randy Wells

Long Shots:

  • Andres Blanco
  • Andrew Cashner
  • Jason Dubois
  • Chad Fox
  • Angel Guzman
  • Koyie Hill
  • Mark Johnson
  • Ken Kadokura
  • Luis Rivas
  • Rocky Roquet
  • Bobby Scales
  • Matt Smith
  • Mike Stanton
  • So Taguchi
  • Jason Waddell
  • Bill White

Not Ready Yet:

  • Mitch Atkins
  • Darwin Barney
  • Justin Berg
  • Ed Campusano
  • Welington Castillo
  • Steve Clevenger
  • Doug Deeds
  • Marcos Mateo
  • JR Mathes
  • David Patton
  • Richie Robnett
  • Brad Snyder
  • Jeff Stevens

I disagree, with a lot of the way Vineline put the roster, but it's still interesting to read.

Don't forget to send you questions into our new Cubs Blog Mailbag! cubsblogmailbag@aol.com is the address!

It'll be interesting to see Peavy pitch against the Cubs today!

"I don't care who wins as long as it's the Cubs."

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