June 10 @ Chicago Cubs

[Sox fan in Tex]

For the first time since 1918, the two teams will duke it out. This one takes play at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Game time is scheduled for 2:20 EDT and it looks to be a hell of a game.

 

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/276520.jpg

Bronson Arroyo: 4-2, 3.89 ERA

 

vs.

 

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/chc.gif http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/118120.jpg

Greg Maddux: 4-3, 4.12 ERA

 

The game preview...

Only the Cubs know as well as the Red Sox what it is like to play 81 home games in a historic shrine.

The Red Sox get to visit the National League's version of Fenway Park when they play at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon, marking the first time two of baseball's most tradition-laden teams have faced off since the 1918 World Series.

 

There are storylines galore. Red Sox right-hander Bronson Arroyo will pitch against Greg Maddux, the legendary righty that he idolized as a kid. Former Red Sox icon Nomar Garciaparra -- now an injured Cub -- is likely to get his World Series ring.

 

This will be the first time the Sox have seen former teammate Todd Walker since 2003, when he was their best hitter during the postseason. The second baseman who replaced Walker in Boston (Mark Bellhorn) is a former Cub. Red Sox right-hander Matt Clement -- who won't pitch in the series -- played three years for the Cubs.

 

"That's my favorite place to go to in the National League," said Arroyo, who knows Wrigley from his years with the Pirates. "Old ballpark, tiny locker room, but good character to the place. Great vibe in the stadium, even during batting practice. It's a little different than any other stadium, man. It's more like a party in the afternoon. People come in almost like they're going to the beach or something. It's fun to play in that park and I'm definitely looking forward to it."

 

The last time most Sox players saw Garciaparra was the night of July 31, 2004, when he packed his bags in the visitors' clubhouse at the Metrodome, just moments after learning that he had been traded to the Cubs. Garciaparra has been out since severely tearing his left groin on April 20, and there's no word on when he'll return.

 

"Nomar meant so much to this team," said Sox center fielder Johnny Damon. "It's unfortunate how his career has been going the past couple of years, with the string of injuries and being traded. We always wish Nomar the best. Hopefully he does get his ring this weekend. Hopefully he's there, so we can catch up. Nomar meant a lot. I'd love to see him."

 

What Damon doesn't look forward to quite as much is facing Maddux.

 

"You look for him to move the ball around," said Damon. "The guy knows how to win. He doesn't give in. We need to try to get on him early. He can definitely carve you up a little bit. He's a really good pitcher."

 

Just ask Sox first baseman Kevin Millar, who knows all about the type of infamy that can occur against Maddux.

 

"I hit three double plays off him my first three at-bats in one game, which is my claim to fame," said Millar. "He's just a competitor. There's no secret. You just see the ball, hit the ball with Greg Maddux."

 

While Boston pitchers will be rooting for the wind to be blowing in all weekend, the hitters hope for the opposite.

 

"When the wind is blowing out, it's an absolute launching pad," Millar said. "You could have eight or nine home runs in a game there by accident. You see guys throw their bat down there like they've hit a popup and it's a home run. If the wind is blowing in, it's a tough stadium to score runs at because it plays bigger than it is. It just depends on the weather. It's one of the few stadiums where the weather dictates what kind of game it's going to be."

 

There figures to be a good bit of envy from the Chicago natives over the weekend. Last October, the Sox snapped their mammoth World Series championship drought at 86 years. The Cubs haven't won it all since 1908.

 

"Going up against the defending champs, it's going to be a lot of fun," said Cubs catcher Michael Barrett. "I'm excited for the fans in Chicago. We look at it not just as another game, but another game we need to win."

 

Some notes of my own, here are all of Bronson's starts this year:

                   H/A  IP  H R ER SO/BB HR BF   G/F  PC  GSc
04/08 B.Arroyo..... A  6.0  3 2  2   4/1  1 22   7/7  95   61 W
04/14 B.Arroyo..... H  5.2  9 5  5   1/4  0 30  10/6 104   28
04/19 B.Arroyo..... H  7.0  8 1  1   3/1  1 30  10/8 103   59
04/24 B.Arroyo..... A  6.0  7 3  3   2/0  1 25  11/5  84   48 W
04/30 B.Arroyo..... A  7.0  5 2  2   5/1  0 27  5/11  99   63 W
05/05 B.Arroyo..... A  8.0  3 1  1   8/2  1 29  4/12 113   78 W
05/10 B.Arroyo..... H  6.2  3 2  1   4/3  0 27  6/10 106   63
05/16 B.Arroyo..... A  7.0  6 4  4   4/1  0 29   8/9 104   52
05/25 B.Arroyo..... A  6.0  6 5  2   1/0  0 25  11/6  90   47 L
05/30 B.Arroyo..... H  2.2 10 7  7   3/2  1 18   2/1  64   11 L
06/01 B.Arroyo..... H  1.1  0 0  0   1/0  0  4   2/1  13    -
06/04 B.Arroyo..... H  6.0  6 2  2   2/1  1 26  6/10 102   53

[RedSoxRooter]

It would be so cool if they gave Nomar the ring during the 7th inning stretch. But it aint gonna happen.

[YanksHater213]

The Cubs score 3 on a solo homer by Burnitz and a 2 run homer by Hollandsworth... We got one back on a RBI single by Renteria...

 

3-1 Cubs

[yeszir]

Day games = boring around here.

[RedSoxRooter]

I love day games.

 

 

7-2

[elsrbueno]

apparently the pressure of pitching against his hero was too much for Arroyo.

 

7-2 after 5 1/2

 

This one's started UGLY. I can't listen on account of this afternoon crap. Just can check the scores over the internet.

 

We need a Lincoln Park, 7 run 7th inning! (only WEEI listeners will know what I'm talking about, but hey, can't afford TV!)

[YanksHater213]

Wow, we are playing pretty terrible of late...

[elsrbueno]

This one's gone from bad to worse.

 

Apparently Maddux hit a homer off of Halama, and now the score's 9-2 with Chicago still threatening. A 7 run 7th is no longer enough!

 

What is it about the Sox, they just can't get it together this year?!?!?

[Are U Kidding Me]

11-2 this is awful!

[RedSoxRooter]

11-3.

 

Maddox out. Bullpen fightin' time.

[elsrbueno]

Renteria comes up with another chance to do some damage and flies out. The man's hitting .257 with RISP and .161 with RISP and 2 outs.

 

I understand we've got to be patient, but how far does this go? Is it too late to just get Orlando back?

[YanksHater213]

We need to get into what I would call a groove... very soon, or else it will be too late to catch up to the O's

[elsrbueno]

This team is wicked frustrating. Just like about this time last year they sucked for 3 months, then stepped it up in August but it was too little, too late.

 

Luckily for us last year, no other team really put up a fight for the Wild Card. This year it's a way different story. With Minnesota, Texas, Toronto, and New York all serious contenders, the Wild Card is far from a guarantee.

 

We need to start winning consistently now!

 

Or as Yankshater would say-- get in a groove.

[elsrbueno]

by the way, Embree gave up 3 runs in 1 inning of work.

 

Who was it who said we had more than enough pitching?

 

I think whoever said send Embree to Pawtucket wasn't too far off track.

[redsoxrule2004]

I was just watching Sox/Cubs game with some guys and I have a bet that the 7th inning stretch was NOT sung by Tozy Danza - can you tell me who the 2 guys were that sang? Thanks!

[stocker323]

I didn't see it but I thought Don and Jerry said it was Chris Chelios and Jack O'Callahan. I am moving this to the game thread by the way.

[BeanTown33]

It would be so cool if they gave Nomar the ring during the 7th inning stretch.

i still dont think he shoule get a ring at all. i hate him. never was a nomar fan. not like he did s*** to help us get there anyway. his ass was always out for breaking a nail or something.

 

nice hr by bellhorn, too bad he was the only one on base. how sad. this game apparently didnt go to well. im glad i missed a majority of it.....

[BeanTown33]

why must they wait til the last inning to decide to attempt a rally??

[vegassoxfan]

i think its now time to get serious about another starter. everyone but clement is so inconsistent its so frustrating. and my little brother could get more outs than embree. what a roller coaster ride this year.

[RedSoxRooter]

If I told you we'd be trading for a healthy Curt Schilling in July, would you be happy?

[stocker323]

If I told you we'd be trading for a healthy Curt Schilling in July, would you be happy?

But the thing is, we don't know what Schilling we will be getting. Will it be the Schilling of last year, or will it be the Schilling which we thought was healthy in the beginning of last year. He is still a huge question mark.

[soxie thefangirl]

Christ can Embree get any worse?

[YanksHater213]

Sadly, yes...

[Zenny]

Thoughts from today's game:

 

1. Bronson needs to figure out how to pitch to lefties.

2. John Halama needs to realize that Greg Maddux and lefties like Jeromy Burnitz should not be hitting homeruns off him.

3. Alan Embree blows donkey testicles.

4. Where the hell has Manny been?

5. Derrek Lee is one hell of a baseball player.

[stocker323]

Thoughts from today's game:

 

1. Bronson needs to figure out how to pitch to lefties.

2. John Halama needs to realize that Greg Maddux and lefties like Jeromy Burnitz should not be hitting homeruns off him.

3. Alan Embree blows donkey testicles.

4. Where the hell has Manny been?

5. Derrek Lee is one hell of a baseball player.

Another thing about Bronson, I was watching Baseball Tonight and I felt that they made a very good point. Bronson does not use his fastball enough. Too often he relies on his curveball and changeup, and recently he has been leaving them over the heart of the plate, but the hitters suspect it'll be something offspeed. I'd like to see him add another weapon to his repertoire.

[YanksHater213]

Yeah... I think todays game is somewhat of a big game. We have been slumping lately and we need a win to keep our morale up and try to get a little bit of momentum so we dont end up losing another series. We have got Miller on the hill today - dont really know what you will get from him. Hopefully we will get all of the good outings and promise he has shown throughout his career in Houston. He needs to come up huge today.