Chicago @ Cleveland GameThread, Mar 31, 2008 3:05 PM EDT

Game Thread: March 31, 2008

by Ryan on Mar 31, 2008 2:27 PM EDT in Events

Chicago @ Cleveland

Hey, as long as the automated scheduler calls it Jacobs Field, I'm fine with that.

Welcome to the 108th season of Blues/Bronchos/Naps/Indians baseball! If this game is played, it will be the first regular-season game played at home in the month of March in franchise history. It's also the first season opener to be played at home since 2001.

With those useless factoids out of the way, let's concentrate on today's opponent, the Chicago White Sox. Chicago made several major trades over the offseason:

11-19-07: Traded RHP Jon Garland to LA/Anaheim for SS Orlando Cabrera

12-3-07: Traded 1B Chris Carter to Arizona for OF Carlos Quentin

1-3-08: Traded LHP Gio Gonzalez, et al, to Oakland for OF Nick Swisher

They also signed two free agent relievers: Scott Linebrink (4 yrs, $19M), and Octavio Dotel (2 yrs, $11M)

Joe Crede is still the starting third baseman, though the White Sox would like to trade him. Juan Uribe has moved over to second base, replacing Tadahito Iguchi.

Chicago scored only 693 runs last despite hitting 190 home runs. Jermaine Dye and Joe Crede had injury-marred seasons, and the White Sox got little production from left and center field. On top of that, they finished 12th in ERA; that poor showing was due to a bad bullpen and a poor back of the rotation. Hence all the money spent in shoring up the bullpen, and the acquisition of the two young outfielders. Their rotation looks weaker than it was last year, with Gavin Floyd replacing Jon Garland in the rotation.

But today the Indians are facing Mark Buerhle, Chicago's ace. Buerhle has thrown 200 innings each of the last seven seasons, and posted an ERA+ of over 110 in all but one of them. In recent years the Indians have fared very well against Buerhle; they collectively hit .313/.345/.438 against him last year.

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I can't believe I am about to say this, but I have class from 2-630 today and I am not sure I'll be able to miss them (at least not until the 5 o'clock one)...worse than that, the professor in my middle class (from 330-5) does not allow laptops during class!! What do I do?!

I'm not superstitious, I'm just a little stitious.

by jakesinger777 on Mar 31, 2008 9:20 AM EDT 0 recs

Jamey Caroll walk-off home run wins it, I'm calling it now.

by Toxicadam on Mar 31, 2008 9:25 AM EDT 0 recs

LET'S ROCK BUEHRELGVDRUYVTYLE AND THE SOX!!!

OPENING DAY GET PUMPED!!!!!!

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Mar 31, 2008 9:42 AM EDT 0 recs

Not the ideal pitcher to get Pronk started in the right direction. I fear his every swing will be over-analyzed in the early going; perhaps it's deserved, given the stakes. But here's hoping he opens 2008 with a missile into Pronkville, or whatever the kids call that section.

by tabler84 on Mar 31, 2008 9:44 AM EDT 0 recs

Had this exact thought when I saw the opening pitching mathcup. Not the best way for Pronk to start the season. J-Mike and Vic on the other hand...

J-Mike better be hitting 2nd today. Please....

by supermarioelia on Mar 31, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

With the name change taking place at the field, can we carry over the names of our favorite sections? Are we still allowed to call it the homerun porch?

Fingers crossed, but breathing normally

by Chief WaDrew on Mar 31, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

It's been the Ford Homerun Porch for awhile now. That's staying.

by Voltaire on Mar 31, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

Boss just picked up free tickets in addition to his own, bada-bing badda-boom... I'm out the door at noon and headed down to the Pro.

(I'm gonna have to get used to that.... but it sounds better without the "g".)

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on Mar 31, 2008 10:02 AM EDT 0 recs

The Spiders Ryan, don't forget the Spiders.

"the most vehement Yankee-hating guy I know" - Jay

by mauichuck on Mar 31, 2008 10:03 AM EDT 0 recs

And the Forest Cities, I think.

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Mar 31, 2008 10:12 AM EDT up 0 recs

That was the NL team - I'm just counting the AL version.

by Ryan on Mar 31, 2008 10:45 AM EDT up 0 recs

Spiders

Spiders will be the next name for this franchise.

by SuddenSam on Mar 31, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up 0 recs

I'd be into that.

by JulioBernazard on Mar 31, 2008 12:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Oh man. This thread is going to be HUGE. How's the weather looking in Cleveland today?

by zempf on Mar 31, 2008 10:06 AM EDT 0 recs

Checking in from work, I'll be leaving at 2:45 to go to a "doctors appointment." Does that make me a bad person?

by NickFantana on Mar 31, 2008 10:07 AM EDT 0 recs

No Nick, that makes you a "sick" person.

"the most vehement Yankee-hating guy I know" - Jay

by mauichuck on Mar 31, 2008 10:14 AM EDT up 0 recs

Being a Cleveland sports fan, these are the times of the year I feel sickest. I did put a little down on the Tribe to win the whole thing, you can still get pretty good odds, I got 14/1.

by NickFantana on Mar 31, 2008 10:19 AM EDT up 0 recs

Ha ha, same here dude. I only hope the Metro can get me home fast enough. Probably miss the first half hour of the game though. I swear to God, Comcast better be effing right that EI is free this week.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Mar 31, 2008 10:31 AM EDT up 0 recs

Comcast better be effing right that EI is free this week.

I am having exactly the same thoughts about DirecTV.

by NickFantana on Mar 31, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up 0 recs

I have to teach, then go to the airport this afternoon. Ugh.

by APV on Mar 31, 2008 10:22 AM EDT 0 recs

Class until 12:45, then straight home (game starts at 1:15 here) so I won't be offending any of the law professors that seem to post here by watching MLB.tv in class.

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Mar 31, 2008 10:38 AM EDT 0 recs

It's going to be really, really hard to top last years opening day, unless Grady takes the first pitch out instead of the second.

by ASP on Mar 31, 2008 10:41 AM EDT 0 recs

And Michaels does a quadruple toe-loop to rob a homer.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Mar 31, 2008 10:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

No-hitter. CC throwing a no-hitter would be nice.

"the most vehement Yankee-hating guy I know" - Jay

by mauichuck on Mar 31, 2008 10:57 AM EDT up 0 recs

Keeping the opening day no-hitters in the Cleveland family. I like!

Fingers crossed, but breathing normally

by Chief WaDrew on Mar 31, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

oh, and that game last night was awesome. The House that Zimmerman Built.

by ASP on Mar 31, 2008 10:44 AM EDT 0 recs

I know! What a perfect way to end the first game there. I was loving EVERY second of that.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Mar 31, 2008 10:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

That Rauch dude is 6'11" I wonder if he can play power forward.

"the most vehement Yankee-hating guy I know" - Jay

by mauichuck on Mar 31, 2008 10:46 AM EDT up 0 recs

I saw that guy get drilled by a line drive in spring training once. All 6'11" hit the ground. The Sox coaches dusted him off, and kept him pitching.

by dgcambridge on Mar 31, 2008 11:56 AM EDT up 0 recs

Totally made me think of Opening Day at the Jake back in '94. Wayne Kirby pinch hitting for Manny Ramirez to win the game in extra innings. That has to be the weirdest sentence about baseball I've ever written.

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Mar 31, 2008 11:13 AM EDT up 0 recs

My TICKETS still say jacobs field so its still jacobs field for one day.

by NatiTribeFan on Mar 31, 2008 10:45 AM EDT 0 recs

I cannot wait for this to start. That's about all I can offer right now.

I swear, next year is it.

by fwembt on Mar 31, 2008 10:48 AM EDT 0 recs

Any lineup predictions? Same as Oct. 21st with Michaels instead of Lofton?

by FranklinScott on Mar 31, 2008 10:55 AM EDT 0 recs

no class, no work, just 40s of PBR and BASEBALLLLLLLLLL

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Mar 31, 2008 11:12 AM EDT 0 recs

So looking forward to this...heading home from work now...via the gym (got to work on those sit-ups!)....and I look forward to joining you all in a few hours!!

http://www.on-the-bench.blogspot.com - an irreverant take on EPL football (that's soccer!)

by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on Mar 31, 2008 11:22 AM EDT 0 recs

I posted this over in Fanshots, but it's appropriate here, too.

by APV on Mar 31, 2008 11:23 AM EDT 0 recs

i am too excited. liquor stores don't open here for another 90 minutes.

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Mar 31, 2008 11:28 AM EDT 0 recs

Cannot freakin' wait.

by Voltaire on Mar 31, 2008 11:37 AM EDT 0 recs

From everything I see on doppler, it looks like the rain is going to stay away until later tonight.

by NickFantana on Mar 31, 2008 11:43 AM EDT 0 recs

OK, but we're holding you to that.

"the most vehement Yankee-hating guy I know" - Jay

by mauichuck on Mar 31, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up 0 recs

I'll refund your tickets Chuck.

by NickFantana on Mar 31, 2008 11:47 AM EDT up 0 recs

cricket

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Mar 31, 2008 12:05 PM EDT 0 recs

No, no GFP - baseball, baseball not cricket. Sheesh!

"the most vehement Yankee-hating guy I know" - Jay

by mauichuck on Mar 31, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

really? shoot

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Mar 31, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

I thought Uribe was waived?

by JulioBernazard on Mar 31, 2008 12:27 PM EDT 0 recs

Nope, Uribe went from being waived to being named a starter.

Rotoworld has this to say about the lineup:

Unless he changes his mind again, Guillen will go with a lineup of: LHP Swisher, SS Orlando Cabrera, DH Jim Thome, 1B Paul Konerko, RF Jermaine Dye, C A.J. Pierzynski, CF Ramirez, 3B Joe Crede and 2B Juan Uribe. It was expected that Swisher would get the nod in center with Jerry Owens out, making room for Carlos Quentin, but Quentin will sit even though the White Sox are facing a left-hander. The other surprise is that Pablo Ozuna, who has strong career numbers against Indians starter C.C. Sabatahia, won't play second base over Uribe.

by JulioBernazard on Mar 31, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

The decision to not play Ozuna is a weird one. In 31 PAs he's got a .952 OPS against Sabathia. Uribe has a .573 OPS in 46 PAs

by APV on Mar 31, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

ozzieball!

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Mar 31, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

Can we bump this above the Why We'll Win...just so that it's at the top of the page? Or atleast rec it up onto the recommended posts section. All this scrolling is really a drag...

by APV on Mar 31, 2008 12:30 PM EDT 0 recs

I recced

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Mar 31, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Is this actually considered a FanPost? I'm still iffy on the classifications of the main body text.

by supermarioelia on Mar 31, 2008 12:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'll promote it to the top closer to gametime - like at 2:30 or so.

by Ryan on Mar 31, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

No chance we can get it put on the side too?

by supermarioelia on Mar 31, 2008 12:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Based on the programming, the game thread will automatically be at the top of the page. An e-mail from Trei, SBN's site guru:

What does this do differently than a regular open thread story? When
the game begins we put a linescore at the top of your blog. If you
have a GameThread published, it will automatically include a link from
the linescore. Within the GameThread we put an auto-updating linescore
at the top of the post. And if we know you have a GameThread setup for
a game we can promote these elsewhere on your blog in the appropriate
places. But, really this is just laying the foundation for what we'll
do with GameThreads later. First we want to get everyone accustomed to
scheduling and setting these up differently from stories. And then
when we kick it up a notch, you'll be ready to go.

by Ryan on Mar 31, 2008 12:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

awesome

by APV on Mar 31, 2008 12:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

thanks

by APV on Mar 31, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

and is that lemon merengue?

by APV on Mar 31, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think its actually grit meringue.

Formerly known as "tribefan stuck in boston"

by BostonWahoo on Mar 31, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

now i want pie and soup.

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Mar 31, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

It's some variety of cream pie. I got it from wikipedia.

by Ryan on Mar 31, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

Excitement building....building....hell I might even watch an hour of the Jays-Yanks just to get my fix.

by supermarioelia on Mar 31, 2008 12:34 PM EDT 0 recs

if only it was Jay vs. the Yanks

by JulioBernazard on Mar 31, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

Here's B-Ref's game preview

by APV on Mar 31, 2008 12:35 PM EDT 0 recs

i'm watching '07 highlights - again - to tide me over until the liquor store across the street opens.

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Mar 31, 2008 12:37 PM EDT 0 recs

Is anyone going to the game, or just following it here?

by cclemens31 on Mar 31, 2008 12:42 PM EDT 0 recs

I wish.

by Voltaire on Mar 31, 2008 1:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

It'll be better than last year's. Wished the make-up was for this year!

by JK in CBus on Mar 31, 2008 2:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

I love easy blockquoting in v2.0

C.C.:

It means a lot to me to take the ball on opening day. It’s always special. The big thing will be to keep my emotions down.

by JulioBernazard on Mar 31, 2008 12:44 PM EDT 0 recs

Everyone relax. We've still got two hours to go. I shared this yesterday, but I recommend watching the following on endless loop. Calm.

by dgcambridge on Mar 31, 2008 12:51 PM EDT 0 recs

i laughed

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Mar 31, 2008 12:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

I like it because it seems like the farthest extreme from the excitement of Opening Day! against Chicago. I can't imagine what its like to wake up this morning in whatever is left of Winter Haven with day after day after day of rehab ahead of you.

by dgcambridge on Mar 31, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

p.s: Microsoft's Silverlight player (which is now the only player supported for MLB.TV) sucks donkey balls.

by crazymoloh on Mar 31, 2008 12:54 PM EDT 0 recs

Indeed. No linux silverlight (yet) makes Matt sad.

Formerly known as "tribefan stuck in boston"

by BostonWahoo on Mar 31, 2008 12:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

Uninstall Silverlight, restart your browser. When you click on the 800k link you'll have the option of using the old media player (streaming WMV).

by Stinky McDingus on Mar 31, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

The royals-tigers game looks really good to me and seems to work well with my mac.

by FranklinScott on Mar 31, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

I can't get it. When I click on 400k, I keep getting a screen telling me I clicked on 800k and I'm not a subscriber. It does it every time.

by SuddenSam on Mar 31, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'm using premium; we're getting an economic stimulus package, right?

by FranklinScott on Mar 31, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

I already bought the new Mac! Besides, I have an odd connection (satellite to my office 50 yards away, wireless to the house) that slows the connection down, so the premium wouldn't do me any good. But since the company pays for it, I don't complain. Until now. It's doing the same for the Yankees game, too. OMG, what if......

by SuddenSam on Mar 31, 2008 1:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

now experiencing the interminable hold for customer "service." great......opening day, lots of interest, lots of new users, lots of potential glitches, no ramp up of customer support.

by SuddenSam on Mar 31, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up 0 recs