UCB Game Blog: Pre-Game

The United Cardinal Bloggers proudly present history in the making.  The first ever progressive game blog (that we know of).  Consider me a less attractive Jeanne Zelasko or a fairly strong representation of Pat Parris from FSN as we get started with today's game.  For navigation purposes, here are the blogs participating.  (Direct links will be added when the posts go up.)

First inning: Stan Musial's Stance (posted)
Second inning: The Cardinal Virtue (posted)
Third inning: Mike on the Cards (posted)
Fourth inning: CardinalsGM (posted)
Fifth inning: CardinalNationGlobe (posted)
Sixth inning: Rockin' the Red (posted)
Seventh inning: Fungoes (up, but Friday's game)
Eighth inning: The Redbird Blog (posted)
Ninth inning: Redbird Ramblings (posted)

Extra-innings and a post-game wrap will be here on this blog after the game has concluded.

And now, to today's game.

The Cardinals and Cubs have a fairly unique rivalry.  It's not one born out of knocking each other out of the playoffs or meeting up in October, like the Yankees and Red Sox or even the Giants and Dodgers from their New York days.  There's not a lot of flat-out hatred of the other side, though some people of course do feel that way.  The Cardinal fans do rejoice in the inevitable collapse of the Cubs, whether it be Durham's glove, Bartman's "catch" or Gonzalez's boot, but it doesn't come across as as much of a life and death struggle as some other matchups due, especially the well-covered rivalry in the Northeast.

I've admitted that, while I have friends that are Cub fans, I'm not much on the team.  There won't be any disappointment in this quarter if and when the 100th anniversary of their last World Series win (and hopefully 105, 110, 125....) rolls around.

However, it's likely that the Cubs are going to be in the NL Central race all year long.  Which would make 2008 an even sweeter year if the Cardinals are able to keep this up.

The Cardinals come into the game riding a three-game winning streak, taking the series from Cincinnati after dropping the first game and weathering another Izzy meltdown to win in extra innings.  The Cubs are coming off a wild series in Milwaukee, losing the first, torching the Brewers in the second, then losing the third when Kerry Wood gave up three runs in the ninth before losing to a Skip Schumaker home run on Friday.

Your pitchers today are Ted Lilly and Kyle Lohse.  Lilly was chased after by the Cardinals in the 2006 offseason and numerous fans thought that the team should have signed him.  He had a decent year with the Cubs in 2007, but is having a rough year this year, posting a 6.46 ERA in April.  He's had his problems with the Cardinals as well.  Albert Pujols has hit him well, which isn't surprising, but seeing that Adam Kennedy is the only other one with a home run off of Lilly is.

Lohse has dealt with some of these Cub batters before, with little success.  Mark DeRosa wears him out, posting a .545 average against him.  Small sample size on all of the Cubs, though, as DeRosa is the only one with more than 7 ABs against him.  Lohse won't have to worry about one of the Cubs that has a home run off of him, since it's unlikely Carlos Zambrano will do much pinch-hitting. 

It's the Cardinals and the Cubs, and it's Stan Musial's Stance bringing you the action.  A win today assures the Cards a series win and that they'll be in first place come Monday.  Enjoy the game and the bloggers bringing it to you!


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Also on the Network: √ Kevin Curtis Out With Sports Hernia [Depressed Fan] √ Trying to Find the Bright Spots [Arin It Out] √ You Have GOT To Be Kidding [C70 At The Bat] √ Fantasy Football Anyone? [Depressed Fan] √ Damon's Miscue Sinks Yankees [Green Pinstripes] √ Two F'ing Hands. [Depressed Fan] √ More Newbies, Please [El Lefty Malo] √ Shea Stadium Seats: This Explains Everything! [Loge 13]

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