Looking Ahead
(because looking backward sucks.)
We've been looking forward to it for a while--an easier schedule in August, not only compared to what we've faced lately, but compared to what our division rivals have to deal with. Here's how the month shapes up:
- Aug 1-3: @Braves (3 games) -- a better team than their record suggests, though hurt by losing Tim Hudson to injury and Mark Teixiera in a trade. (Hudson is bigger--Kotchman is a nice substitute at first.)
- Aug 4-6: @Reds (3 games) -- they lost Griffey but kept Dunn. The top of the starting rotation makes them a dangerous opponent no matter what, though.
- Aug 8-11: Nats (4 games) -- back home, and if we don't take three out of these four, we don't deserve to make the playoffs.
- Aug 12-14: @Padres (3 games) -- like the Braves, better than their record, but the Padres still aren't very good. One challenge will be relying on a homer-happy offense in Petco.
- Aug 15-17: @Dodgers (3 games) -- I'm not convinced Manny makes this team much better. He does, however, increase the average age of the starting lineup, which is what Joe Torre really wants.
- Aug 18-20: Astros (3 games) -- sounds easy, but that didn't go so well last time. And now they have LaTroy Hawkins. (uh...)
- Aug 22-24: Pirates (3 games) -- like the Nats series, we really should take this one. The Pirates are building for the future, which is great for Pittsburgh and good for baseball, but not likely to help the '08 Rats win 75 games.
- Aug 26-27: @Cards (2 games)
- Aug 29-31: @Pirates (3 games)
Lots of easy opponents, but plenty of road series. The situation reverses itself in September: 16 of 26 at home, but half of the 26 games are against the Mets, Phillies, and Cubs.
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Todays Lineup
Back to the same ol’
2B Rickie Weeks
SS JJ Hardy
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
RF Corey Hart
3B Bill Hall
CF Mike Cameron
C Jason Kendall
P Jeff Suppan
We really need to scratch and claw for a win in hotlanta. Something to cut the tension.
by SgtClueLs on Aug 1, 2008 2:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
the cynic's viewpoint
Braves: The Crew does not avoid Jorge Campillo, and hopefully they won’t make him look like a superstar this time. Good Sheets needs to show up to the park.
Reds: Oh, joy, Parra, McClung and Suppan pitching in Great American Launching Pad. At least the Brewers can try to launch things off Bronson Arroyo.
Nats: Did this go well the last time? At least it’s at home.
Dodgers: Watch for Hong-Chih Kuo; that guy is ridiculous this year. Will McClung try to knock Manny in the head again like in Boston?
Pirates: Jason Bay’s sister would probably improve their pitching staff, except for the fact she’s on the DL about as much as he is. Honestly, with all their changes, I don’t know how to evaluate the Rats except as “a slightly different flavor of crappy.”
by morineko on Aug 1, 2008 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Cubs close out September with 4 games at the Mets sandwiched between home-and-home series with the Cards and Brewers. In August they play 3 at Atlanta, 3 in Florida* and close out the month with 4 games against Philly. 7 bad days could cost a team a playoff spot. Hopefully our bad 7 days are behind us.
*Assume the sweep™
by Getting Yosted on Aug 1, 2008 2:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So
we couldn’t scratch out a win over the last 4 agqainst the Cubs and the Pirates are leading them this afternoon 3-0 in the 8th. Wow, this really is wierd!
The Bambi's Bombers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!
by 80badger on Aug 1, 2008 3:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
My worry is how bad they played at Miller Park in July
You take away the Pirates sweep at the start of the month and they did not win a series at Miller Park in the month of July. That is playing Houston and Colorado and the Reds besides the Cubs
That makes me nervous they finally figure out how to win on the road and then lose their at home Mojo
If Loving CC is wrong I do not want to be right
by WSB Chris on Aug 1, 2008 4:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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