Month: March 2008

Illinois meets up with SIU Tuesday

 

Next Game:

Game #20

Tues 4/1 6pm

Record:  12-7

vs Southern Illinois University

at Rent One Park, Marion, IL

 

Tuesday, the Illini have a road game at Southern Illinois.  More precisely, the game will be at Rent One Park in Marion, IL.  Rent One is the home of minor league team, the Southern Illinois Miners. 

Coach Hartleb has some history with SIU.  He came from there before landing here.  A catcher there, he sported a .305 batting average.  He went on to coach at  SIU before finding greener grass at the UI. 

The Illini are 12-7 and 3-1 in the Big Ten.  That’s good for second place in the conference in the young Big Ten season. 

Don’t forget, Wednesday is the official home opener against St Louis at Illinois Field.  I’ll be there. 

 

Opponent: Southern Illinois University
Nickname: Salukis
Conference: Missouri Valley Conference 
Head Coach: Dan Callahan (14th year)
Hometown: Carbondale, IL
Current Record: 13-10
Baseball Program website: Link
Players to watch: OF Bret Maugeri is currently on a 10-game hit streak, hitting .346.  Tyler Lairson leads the team with a .362 average.
Team Fact: Illinois Head Coach Dan Hartleb is an alum of SIU and played catcher for their baseball team.

2008 Predictions Part I: MLB Division Winners

I passed out a survey to everyone in the TBZ “office” and had them fill them out. The survey included 36 prediction questions about the upcoming 2008 baseball season.  Today’s installment compromises of predictions of division winners, losers, and who will take it all. 

Thanks to Teddy Ballgame, Shawn, Todd V, Don S, Nicky V and Brando for participating. 

-tbz

 

Who will be the AL East Winner?

Boston Red Sox 4 votes
New York Yankees 3 votes

 

Comments:  Brando says, “The young blood from last year and a rebound of JD Drew will put them over the top.”  Todd V notes: “It’s either them or the Yanks, right?  I don’t think the Yanks have the pitching.”  Nicky V who predicted the Sox as well simply exclaimed, “YUCK!” 

TBZ predicts: Boston Red Sox

 

Who will be the AL Central Winner?

Detroit Tigers 4 votes
Cleveland Indians 3 votes

 

Comments:  As it seems to be the pattern here, it was between two teams.  Brando says: “Pitching is still the key.”, though I don’t know if that bodes well for the Tigers or not.  Todd V expresses the same concern about pitching.  He predicts the Tigers “but I wouldn’t be surprised if Cleveland repeated.  Detroit’s bullpen worries me.”

TBZ predicts:  Detroit Tigers

 

Who will be the AL West Winner?

Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels 6 votes
Seattle Mariners 1 vote

 

Comments:  The only real clear favorite though that kinda surprised just a little.  Todd V just doesn’t “see how they can’t win this division.”   Brando thinks “Mike Scioscia will work his magic”.

TBZ predicts:  Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels

 

Who will be the NL East Winner?

New York Mets 3 votes
Atlanta Braves 3 votes
Philadelphia Phillies 1 vote

 

Comments: Our first tie.  You can thank TBZ co-blogger Teddy Ballgame who voted for the Phils for this.  Brando (as well as I) think that “Johan Santana will make the difference.”

TBZ predicts:  New York Mets

 

Who will be the NL Central Winner?

Chicago Cubs 3 votes
Cincinnati Reds 2 votes
Milwaukee Brewers 2 votes

Comments: This was the most hotly contested division.   I voted for the Cubs.  Call me a homer but I think it’s warranted.  Todd V, who predicts the Reds, says that the “upgrades in their pitching will put them on top over the injury plagued Cubs”.

TBZ predicts:  Chicago Cubs. 

 

Who will be the NL West Winner?

Arizona Diamondbacks 3 votes
Colorado Rockies 2 votes
Los Angeles Dodgers 2 votes

 

Comments: Another tough one to pick.  Brando, who is a Dodger fan (a Brooklyn Dodger fan) had a lot to say.  “With Joe Torre at the helm, and Japanese import, Hiroki Kuroda,  the Dodgers are ready.  Oh did I forget to mention Matt Kemp is going to have a big year?” 

As for the DBacks, Todd V was short and sweet.  “These kids can play.”

TBZ predicts:  Arizona Diamondbacks 

 

NL Worst Record 

Brando Pittsburgh Pirates (70-92)  
Shawn Cardinals (60-102)  
DonS Giants 64-98 “Tough times on the Bay; A’s not much better.”
Todd V Giants  
Nicky V Pirates 59-103  
Teddy Ballgame Pirates 62-100  
TBZ Giants 65-97  

 

 

AL Worst Record 

Brando    
Shawn Cardinals (60-102)  
DonS Orioles 66-96  
Todd V White Sox “Just did it to tick off my Chicago buddies”
Nicky V Rays 62-100  
Teddy Ballgame Orioles 58-104  
TBZ Rays 68-94 “Still have talent”

 

World Series Prediction

Brando Boston Red Sox  
Shawn New York Yankees “Yankees over Mets in 7 games”
DonS LAA Angels “Veering from prediction to prayer”
Todd V LAA Angels  
Nicky V Mets-Tigers  
Teddy Ballgame Reds over Red Sox  
TBZ Cubs “What can I say? Our time is up.”

 

Tomorrow:  2008 Award Winner Predictions and more!

3/30/08 Linescore of the Day: Ryan Zimmerman

Ryan Zimmerman:  1 for 4, HR, run, rbi

One hit, one rbi, and run but boy did it really matter.  Ryan Zimmerman’s homerun in the bottom of the ninth against the Braves won the game and put the Nationals in first place albeit after one day. 

I would say enjoy it while you can but I think the Nats will be drastically improved over last year.  Maybe not first-place good but definitely better.  I remember last year about this time the baseball pundits were talking about Washington losing 120 for the 07 season.  Well, that didn’t happen but that still gives you an idea where they were then. 

I think their prospects are much better for the 2008 season. 

Illinois Gets a DH split today against MSU

Tom Tompkins has a short report from Lansing. 

Your guys broke our hearts in the 1st game with those 4 runs in the final inning. It was fairly cold and windy, and we had a lengthy rain delay between games. We got great pitching from two freshman and a winning hit by Eric Roof in the second.

Illinois seems capable of having a memorable season. Good luck the rest of the way.

TT

When I’m presented with a possible four game weekend sweep, I get greedy.  Still, with today’s split, Illinois goes 3-1 over MSU for the weekend and that is GREAT. 

I’ll be honest… looking at the predictions and the pre-season reviews at the beginning of 2008, I was wondering if this just might be a rebuilding year for Illinois.  Considering that they have won 9 of their last 11 games, they just may be for real in 2008.  

Congrats to the team for a well-played series.  It was a comeback game in Game 1 today.  Down 3-1, the Illini came back to score four runs in the top of the last inning to win the game.   Keyed by a double by Craig Lutes and singles by Daniel Webb, Mike Giller, Brandon Wikoff and a walk by Kyle Hudson, that was all they needed to put Game 1 in the books, winning 5-3.  Scott Shaw pitched a complete game allowing just 2 earned runs. 

The Illini came back from a 1-0 deficit in Game 2 but unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the story.  Jonathan Roof scored an unearned run in the 5th inning to tie the game and in the 8th, his brother Eric Roof drove home Kyle Day on a single. 

Illinois’ Aaron Martin had his scoreless inning streak broken at the outset when MSU scored in the first but he didn’t pitch badly.  He allowed 2 ER in 7 IP.  His summer league teammate Ben Reeser came in to pitch the last 2/3 innings and allowed a hit and a walk.  Final Score:  MSU  3 Illinois 2

Up next:  The “official” home opener on April 2 against St Louis.  Wear your Orange and Blue and get out there!!

Former Illini Davis joins Asheville Tourists

 

tourists_premium larsd

Former Illinois catcher Lars Davis has been assigned to the roster of Class A Asheville Tourists. 

Davis, who was the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2007 with the Illini, will join Asheville, which a farm team of the Colorado Rockies.  They are managed by Joe Mikulik. 

By the way, if Mikulik’s name sounds familiar, this is why.

Good luck, Lars!

Illini Sweep doubleheader in Lansing

Yes, there was baseball in Lansing today.  There weather cooperated and the University of Illinois have swept Michigan State in today’s doubleheader.  Because nothing beats being there, here’s the report from Tom Tompkins who is attending the games this weekend.  Once again, thanks to Tom T. for his “eyewitness” reports.  

Under a cloudless blue sky and 40 degree temperatures Illinois jumped off to a top of the first 3-0 lead, and built it up to 9-1 through the end of the 6th. It reminded this Spartan fan of last nights basketball game. Fall hopelessly behind in the first half, and then battle back to a least make it respectable.

Kevin Manson pitched well, holding MSU in check with his fast ball consistently in the 87-89 mph range. It was not until he left at the end of the 6th that the Spartans were able to mount a four run inning to reach what turned out to be the final of 9-5.

Illinois played an error less and impressive game, in front of what looked to be about 30 orange and navy blue clad Illinois rooters. The players I picked out as “ballplayers” were Kyle Hudson (speed and power), Dominic Altobelli (solid contact every time), Ryan Hastings (has the “look”), and Chris Montgomery (tough out).

Jonathan and Eric Roof were fun to watch. Definitely “old school”, get your uniform dirty, show your socks to the knees, hustling, love the game, ball players. Jonathan is a fixture at short, and Eric caught game one.

We came back home to warm up and get a quick dinner, and will try to get back for to check on game 2.

Fun to be watching baseball again.

Tom

Game 1 Final Score Illinois 9 Michigan State 5

Man, I wish I was there.  Indeed, the players that Tom T. acknowledged in his note seem to be the big guys from a look at the box score.  Hudson was 2 for 4 with 3 runs and 2 stolen bases.  That gives him 11 SBs so far this season, by the way.  Altobelli was 3 for 4 with a double, 2 rbis and run.  Catcher Montgomery was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis. 

Starter Kevin Manson seemed to have a solid start (3 ER in 6 IP) but looked to have control problems with 5 walks.  Lee Zerrusen who has been pretty untouchable up until now, got lit for 2 runs but Ben Reeser did his magic allowing just one hit in 2 2/3 innings.

Game 2 Final Score Illinois 2 Michigan State 0

No doubt, the hero of Game 2 was starting pitcher Mike Stankiewicz.  Stanky pitched a 4-hit shutout.  On top of that, he didn’t allow any walks.

It was goose eggs for both teams until the fifth inning (this was the seven-inning game).  Illinois’ first run came when Nick Stockwell scored on a Joe Bonadonna single.  The next inning, Dom Altobelli scored on a Chris Montgomery fielder’s choice.  Those two runs would be the only runs Illinois would need winning 2-0. 

 

There is a Sunday double header left against MSU.  Good luck, Illini!!

No surprise: MLB tickets rising in 2008

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that major league baseball ticket prices are up from last year.  A 10.9% increase from last year. 

Team Marketing Report has done their homework on this topic.  You can even download an Excel spreadsheet with info for every team including data not only on prices on tickets but for concessions items, parking and other incidental costs for attending a ballgame. 

For comparison, check their MLB Fan Cost Index which compares all these costs for all years going back to 1991.

Ahh, league average for a beer in 1991… $2.87.

An MSU fan reports in

Lately, I’ve been corresponding with Tom Tompkins who is a retired educator from Lansing, Michigan.  He’s a big MSU baseball fan and says he may send in periodic reports on the team.  Much thanks, Tom!  In lieu of the big Illinois-MSU series this weekend, here is his first update.  -tbz

 

Good to hear from you. Spring just will not arrive up here.  We got more snow last night, and this afternoon’s game has been postponed.  They are going to try to get all 4 games in with doubleheaders both Saturday and Sunday. The games are being played in Oldsmobile Park, Lansing’s minor league stadium, so they can take advantage of the superior tarps, and ground crew. The weather does look better for tomorrow.

Michigan State lost all the games last weekend due to snow. We walked by the field, and the players had built large (7 or 8 foot) snowmen at each of their 9 positions.  We got a big kick out of it.

Jonathon Roof is off to a great start, hitting in the .320’s, and is second on the team in average, rbi’s and total bases.  Chris Roberts from Oshkosh, Wisconsin is my favorite player on the team, a gifted athlete with a great deal of potential. I believe he was on the All Big Ten Freshman team last year.

I have hopes of seeing some baseball this weekend.

Opening Day Monday. What a great time of year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom

Big Ten season starts this weekend for Illini

Wikoff and Altobelli at the ready against Indiana State

 

Next Game:

Game #16
  • Fri 3/28 2:05
  • Sat 3/29 12:05 DH
  • Sun 3/30 12:05 DH

Record:  9-6

vs Michigan State University

at Oldsmobile Park, Lansing, MI

Note:  Before I get started, Illini fans should know that Friday’s game at Oldsmobile Park has been postponed due to snow.  They will play a doubleheader on Sunday to make up for this. 

This weekend, barring anymore bad weather, will be Illinois’ first Big Ten encounter.  They will be taking on the Spartans of Michigan State at Oldsmobile Park.  Minor league aficionados will know that is the home of the Lansing Lugnuts who are the farm team of Toronto Blue Jays.

The Spartans who are obviously having their own battles with the weather like Illinois, are 7-9 for 2008.  Illinois is on a roll winning six of their last seven games.  A Big Ten matchup may be more of challenge especially on the road but I have a feeling they are up for it.

MSU Looking for Revenge?

The Spartans may be looking for some payback.  The last time these two teams faced each other both teams was the last series of 2007 and both teams were fighting for Big Ten tournament qualification. 

MSU had it wrapped up in the last game, with a 7-0 lead with two outs in the 5th.  What happened next was probably the best comeback I’ve ever witnessed.  It started with a Nick Stockwell homerun over the left field fence and was later bolstered by two homeruns by Lars Davis. 

End result:  Illinois came back to win that game 8-7 and went on to the Big Ten Tournament and Spartans went home.  You can read my account on the whole thing here (plus see some photos).  It’s one of those games I know I will never forget.  I’m sure neither will the Spartans.

Here’s the rundown on MSU.

 

Opponent: Michigan State University
Nickname: Spartans
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: David Grewe (3rd year)
Hometown: Lansing, MI
Current Record: 7-9
Baseball Program website: Link
Players to watch: MSU’s big hitter is Kyle Day who leads the team with a .323 average and 15 rbis.  Jonathan Roof (Shawn’s brother), who plays both catcher and outfield, is hitting .303 with 8 rbis and 9 runs. 
Team Fact: MSU has four players who have pitched AND had at least one at-bat.  That gives them some flexibility.

On a related matter, the local paper, the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette had a nice feature article on Illinois CF Kyle Hudson.  It was mostly highlighting his move from the 9th spot in the order last year to leadoff this year and how he has responded so well to it.  Hudson’s current batting average??  .456.