Cubs Vs. Nationals: Jeff Samardzija Leads Chicago To 4-3 Victory

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Nationals Vs. Cubs: Jeff Samardzija Shines In 4-3 Victory

The Chicago Cubs got a taste of their new No. 3 starter on Sunday as Jeff Samardzija nearly tossed his first complete game en route to a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. It's the first win of the season for the Cubs, and it signals a bit of a coming out party for Samardzija as a starting pitcher.

A reliever with the Cubs last season, Samardzija came into spring training talking about making the rotation and impressed throughout camp. Named the team's No. 3 starter before the season, he came through big-time in his first start for the Cubs since Sept. 26, 2010.

Over 8.2 innings of work on Sunday, Samardzija gave up three runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out eight and walking zero. The lack of free passes is especially impressive for a pitcher that walked 13 percent of the batters he faced last season.

The Cubs actually led 4-1 going into the ninth inning, but Samardzija allowed a home run to Washington's Adam LaRoche after a throwing error by shortstop Starlin Castro. The Cubs pulled Samardzija in favor of closer Carlos Marmol to finish things off, and Marmol got Xavier Nady to pop up after walking Jayson Werth.

Bryan LaHair had a pair of doubles to lead the Chicago offense, plus Castro had two singles and two stolen bases on the day. Alfonso Soriano went 1-for-2 with a single, 2 RBI and a walk in a solid effort.

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs Vs. Nationals Preview: Jeff Samardzija Starts Against Jordan Zimmermann

The Chicago Cubs (0-2) are still looking for their first win of the 2012 MLB Season. On Easter Sunday, the team sends Notre Dame graduate SP Jeff Samardzija to the mound to face SP Jordan Zimmermann and the Washington Nationals (2-0).

The 27-year-old Samardzija enters the season as a fixture of the starting rotation for the first time in his five-year career. In 2011, the righty pitched 88.0 innings in relief and mustered an impressive 2.97 ERA and 3.66 FIP.

The Cubs drafted him in the 2006 amateur draft and, in order to lure him away from a career as an NFL wide receiver, the team had to offer him a substantial signing bonus and a major league contract. Since then, the 5th round draft pick has generally been considered a disappointment, having only recently earned a rotation spot.

Facing Samardzija will be Jordan Zimmermann, a 26-year-old righty coming off an impressive 2011 campaign where he pitched 161.1 innings with a 3.18 ERA and 3.16 FIP. The 6'2" righty has a devastating slider and throws it about one out of every four pitches, according to FanGraphs.com.

Game Time: 1:20 p.m. CDT

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

Broadcast: WGN-HD (television), 720 WGN (radio)

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Tom Ricketts Interview: Cubs Owner Talks Wrigley, Epstein And Expectations

The staff at CSN sat down with the Chicago Cubs chairman, Tom Ricketts, and discussed a variety of topics from former GM Jim Hendry, the Cubs new internal manual called "The Cubs Way," and the recent changes to Wrigley Field:

Some highlights from the interview:

Theo Epstein was 1 of 25 interviews:

"We made the announcement [about firing Jim Hendry] on August 19th... which was a good time for us to give you about six weeks of time to do some homework. I focused on studying the different organizations to see which organizations were better at not only winning on the field, but developing players off the field. So we spent a lot of homework on that, but then we also spent about 20 or 25 just very discrete interviews with people in the game -- other general managers, other owners, agents, other people who might have input input into who is some of the better guys in baseball, and all roads led back to Theo."

Did Ricketts get a copy of the "Cubs Way" manual?

[Laughter.] I saw a draft. I haven't really read it that carefully. My bunting technique is not critical to the success of the organization at this point... When we talk about the "Cubs Way," it's not just a mission statement. It is actually a very thick document that outlines how we want players to execute in certain situations and how we want coaches to help players execute in those situations.

Ricketts also spoke about the new right field Bud Patio, which now features the first big screen video board, calling the seats in the area a "great view" and lauding the construction as "tasteful."

Lastly, the team owner mentioned the stadium's new WiFi system as well as the team's expectations:

"We're going to get better. We're going to get better this year; we're going to get better next year and the year after that. We're going to keep getting better until we're exactly where we need to be to win it all."

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs Vs. Nationals Final Score: Cubs Drop Second Straight To Start Season

For the first seven innings, it seemed like the Chicago Cubs were on the way to their first victory of the season. The Cubs led the Washington Nationals, 4-2, entering the eighth inning, with the only runs surrendered coming on a two run homer by Adam LaRoche back in the in the fourth inning. However, the eighth inning proved to be a disaster for the bullpen, as Washington scored five runs to pull ahead for the comfortable 7-4 win.

Kerry Wood struggled in his appearance, allowing three earned runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Carlos Marmol wasn't much better. The Chicago closer couldn't even get an out before surrendering two earned runs, two walks, and two hits.

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs Vs. Nationals: Big Fourth Inning Sees Cubs Chase Gonzalez

After scoring only one run in an Opening Day loss, the Chicago Cubs offense has started to show some signs of life, as the Cubs have scored four runs on seven hits in the opening four innings against the Washington Nationals. With three runs in the fourth, the Cubs chased Gio Gonzalez after just 3 2/3 innings.

Reed Johnson delivered the big hit of the inning, as he went opposite field for a two-run triple that gave the Cubs a 3-2 lead. Joe Mather added to the Cubs lead, driving in Johnson on a single. The fact that the Cubs scored three runs with two outs in the inning should give the offense a boost going forward.

Matt Garza has been solid through four innings, with the Nationals scoring two runs on an Adam Laroche home run that bounced off the foul pole. Garza has allowed only two hits so far.

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Nationals Vs. Cubs: Bryan LaHair Available To Play

After missing the final four games of spring training, as well as Opening Day, the Chicago Cubs received some welcome news, as Bryan LaHair should be available as a pinch-hitter on Saturday against the Washington Nationals. According to Doug Padilla at ESPNChicago, LaHair could have started today, but will wait until tomorrow because the Nationals are starting a left-hander:

LaHair, who missed Opening Day, as well as the last four games of the spring, is available as a left-handed pinch hitter off the bench Saturday. One reason he's not starting is that the Washington Nationals have left-hander Gio Gonzalez on the mound.

"Everything went really well [Friday], pretty much a full workout," manager Dale Sveum said. "If everything goes good like it did yesterday, which it should since he’s feeling great today, he’ll be in the lineup [Sunday]."

LaHair is expected to bring some serious punch to the lineup. Last season, LaHair dominated throughout Triple-A and winter ball, hitting over 50 home runs.

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Nationals Vs. Cubs: Lineups, TV Schedule, Game Time And More For Saturday's Game

The Chicago Cubs lost their home opener to the Washington Nationals on Thursday, but after a day off on Friday they get a chance to even their record in the second game of the series. The Nationals will use the same lineup as they did on opening day, while the Cubs have inserted Reed Johnson in right field in place of David DeJesus to face lefty pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. CT, and here is a look at the lineups and TV schedule for the game:

Cubs Lineup:

1. Reed Johnson, RF
2. Joe Mather, 3B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Jeff Baker 1B,
6. Geovany Soto, C
7. Marlon Byrd, CF
8. Darwin Barney, 2B
9. Matt Garza, P

Nationals

1. Ian Desmond, SS
2. Danny Espinosa, 2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Mark DeRosa, LF
7. Roger Bernadina, CF
8. Wilson Ramos, C
9. Gonzalez, P

Date / Time: Saturday, April 7, 12:05 p.m. CT first pitch

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

Starting Pitchers: Gio Gonzalez (0-0) vs. Matt Garza (0-0)

TV: CSN-Chicago, MLB Network

Radio: AM 720 WGN Radio

Streaming: MLB.tv

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs Interested In Nationals LHP John Lannan And Could Deal Marlon Byrd, According To Report

The Chicago Cubs are interested in acquiring disgruntled Washington Nationals left-handed starting pitcher John Lannan, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. The Nationals optioned Lannan to Class AAA Syracuse right before the start of the season, prompting the lefty to ask Nats GM Mike Rizzo for a trade. Wittenmyer added to the trade rumors swirling around Lannan by reporting that the Cubs have inquired and would be willing to part with Marlon Byrd:

Still on the lookout for pitching help in particular, the Cubs, according to a major-league source, inquired again about Washington Nationals left-hander John Lannan, who asked for a trade after being sent to the minors this week when he lost the Nats' fifth-starter job to Ross Detwiler.

The Cubs already had talked to the Nationals about lefty pitching, including Lannan and former Cub Tom Gorzelanny, the source said, with Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd included in those discussions.

The 27-year old Lannan made 128 starts for the Nationals over the last four seasons, and in 2012 he started 33 games while producing a 3.70 ERA and 0.9 Wins Above Replacement (rWAR), according to Baseball-Reference.com.

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs Vs. Nationals Final Score: Washington Rallies Late For 2-1 Win

Both Ryan Dempster and Stephen Strasburg were sharp on Thursday afternoon, but the Nationals were able to scrape together a couple of runs in the game's late stages to pull out a 2-1 victory.

Related: First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Nationals, Thursday 4/5, 1:20 CT

Dempster struck out 10 Washington batters and allowed just two hits and one run over the course of 7-2/3 innings of work. Reliever Kerry Wood followed Dempster in the eighth inning and struggled with his control. He would end up walking home the tying run, though the Cubs escaped without further damage.

But the Nationals picked up the go-ahead and game-winning run in the ninth, and while the Cubs threatened in the bottom half of the inning, they were unable to get even.

Tyler Clippard got the win for Washington, Brad Lidge picked up a save and Carlos Marmol took the loss for Chicago.

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs Vs. Nationals Score Update: RP Kerry Wood Issue 3 Walks, Game Tied At 1-1

Despite an impressive outing from SP Ryan Dempster, the Chicago Cubs enter the bottom of the 8th inning with the game tied 1-1 after RP Kerry Wood walked three-straight batters for a Washington Nationals run.

Dempster pitching an impressive 7 and 2/3 innings with 10 strikeouts and 3 walks. Manager Dale Sveum removed Dempster (108 pitches) after he struck out 2B Danny Espinosa with SS Ian Desmond on first. Wood then relieved Dempster, but had trouble locating his pitches. After 21 pitches, Wood had loaded the bases and pushed across the Nationals first one of the season.

Wood then induced a groundout from former Cub LF Mark DeRosa, ending the inning.

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Commentary
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

A Snark Filled Cubs Opening Day Live Blog

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs 2012 Roster: Bryan LaHair Expected Back For Weekend Games

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Cubs may not be without their first baseman, Bryan LaHair, for too much longer:

LaHair says back much improved, expects to play Saturday, at least off bench, start by Sunday.

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) April 5, 2012

The Cubs entered the season with LaHair as their primary starter for the first base position, despite the fact that the 29-year-old only had 219 PAs in his MLB career. In 2011, LaHair spent the majority of the season with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate and hit an impressive 38 homers with a monstrous .288/.405/.664 slash.

LaHair hurt his back in Spring Training and has been sidelined with back soreness for several days.

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs Opening Day 2012: Lineups Are Set For Nationals Vs. Cubs

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals will celebrate Opening Day together on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field (1:20 p.m. CT), and the lineups are set for a marquee pitching matchup between Ryan Dempster and Stephen Strasburg. Most Cubs talk has centered around President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer during the offseason, and for good reason, but it is an exciting prospect to have some actual hardball to digest for the first time in while. Here is the full lineup for Thursday's Opening Day game against the Washington Nationals:

Cubs

1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Ian Stewart, 3B
6. Jeff Baker, 1B
7. Marlon Byrd, CF
8. Geovany Soto, C
9. Ryan Dempster, P

Nationals

1. Ian Desmond, SS
2. Danny Espinosa, 2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Mark DeRosa, LF
7. Roger Bernadina, CF
8. Wilson Ramos, C
9. Stephen Strasburg, P

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs Opening Day Lineup 2012: Starlin Settles In At No. 3

The Chicago Cubs 2012 Opening Day lineup is a mix of faces both old and new, as well as a mixture of players who are on their ways out of Cubs uniforms and those that are possibly just settling in. There is nothing controversial about the batting order drawn up by new manager Dale Sveum, but maybe the most interesting choice is the decision to bat Starlin Castro third.

Castro is almost certainly the best hitter on the Cubs, but he spent the majority of last year batting either first or second. Castro right now may not have the pop you would look for in a third batter, but most observers project him to grow into that power, and installing him in the three hole means that the Cubs may see him more as a Hanley Ramirez than a Jose Reyes.

Here is the full lineup for Thursday's game vs. the Washington Nationals (with the addendum that 1B Bryan LaHair may miss the game with an injury):

1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Bryan LaHair, 1B
5. Alfonso Soriano, LF
6. Ian Stewart, RF
7. Marlon Byrd, CF
8. Geovany Soto, C
9. Ryan Dempster, P

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

• about 1 year ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Cubs Opening Day Preview: The Epstein Era Begins With A Visit From Stephen Strasburg

Even though the on-field product will look much like it did last season, the Chicago Cubs' 2012 Opening Day game vs. the Washington Nationals represents the beginning of a new era on the North Side. The fingerprints of new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer will be visible in only a few places, namely when new acquisitions David DeJesus and Ian Stewart step to the plate, but there should be even more optimism than normal in Wrigley on Thursday afternoon, even though almost ever Cubs fan understands that the road back to the playoffs will likely still be a long one.

The man hoping to give Epstein, Hoyer and new manager Dale Sveum an Opening Day loss is Nats phenom Stephen Strasburg, who will take the mound looking to complete his first full season in the majors in 2012. That's a bit down the road, though, and on Thursday Strasburg will certainly settle for one of the dominant low-hit, high-K starts that he's become known for. For whatever it's worth, Strasburg was middling this spring, posting a 4.18 ERA and striking out only 17 batters in 23.2 innings, which is a very solid rate for a starting pitcher but down from his stellar career average.

The Cubs will trot out Ryan Dempster, an old standby who will be looking to impress the new brass. Dempster had a so-so spring, putting up a 3.26 ERA in 19.1 innings but he walked eight batters while only striking out 11.

Game date/time: Thursday, April 5, 1:20 p.m. CT

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.

TV: WGN

For more on this story, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.