Come To Think of It...Baseball To Debut Instant Replay in Wrigley Field

It's kind of ironic, really.

MLB plans to roll out its newest technology in what is likely baseball's least technologically-advanced stadium. Hey, we're just getting used to having lights.

But yes, instant replay will be available to umpires, starting Thursday night at Wrigley Field, in a game between the Cubs and Phillies.

Replays will be used to determine potential home runs—whether balls went over the fence, were fair or foul, or if there was fan interference. Only the umpires' crew chief can request to see a replay.

Do not count Cubs manager Lou Piniella among the supporters for replay.

"This is not going to work," Piniella said. "I shouldn't say it's not going to work, but this could turn into a little bit of a fiasco initially."

As for the game itself, it is a matchup of two, fine starting pitchers, Ryan Dempster and Cole Hamels. The Cubs go for their sixth consecutive victory, while the Phillies have won nine of their last 12.

The Cubs owe them one, as the Phillies took two of three from Chicago back in April. And this is the beginning of a very tough schedule, where the Cubs play 26 of their last 29 games against teams currently above .500. 

Do not count Cubs manager Lou Piniella among the supporters for tough schedules.

"Our schedule gets tough," Piniella told the Cubs' official Web site. "I've got all the confidence in the world in this team, but I'll tell you what, we're going to be tested."

Dempster is 3-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 12 career starts versus Philadelphia, while Hamels is 3-1 with a 3.00 lifetime ERA versus the Cubs. He allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings of a 7-1 win over Chicago on April 12.

Wind back to replay for a moment. It has moved along so quickly that most managers haven't been properly trained on its use. Lou is obviously confused.

Do not count Cubs manager Lou Piniella among the detractors for throwing things on the field.

""Do you throw out a red handkerchief or something?" Piniella said, laughing. "What's the format? What do you do? I'd love to be able to throw a red hanky or a green hanky on the field. Can you imagine being able to throw something on the field and you can't be ejected? Nobody has told us anything. I think we should be schooled on it somehow."
"

Come to think of it, this could get interesting.

Pitching Matchup
PHILADELPHIA		CHICAGO
	Cole Hamels 11-8, 3.20 Last appearance: 8/23 vs LAD 7.0 IP, 2 ER Dec = Win		Ryan Dempster 15-5, 2.85 Last appearance: 8/23 vs WAS 7.1 IP, 1 ER Dec = Win