The National League playoff mess got somewhat sorted out Sunday with the Mets complete collapse finally complete following a loss to the Marlins. Tom Glavine was pulled in the first inning, an inning which saw the Mets give up 7 runs. In a game that determined their playoff lives, they were terrible. The Phillies were able to take care of the Nationals though, and clinched the NL East crown, assuring that the NL Wild Card would come from the West.
That means that the Cubs will begin Wednesday in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. The D-Backs had the best record in the National League despite being outscored this year, and since they cannot face the Wild Card since it will come out of the West, the Cubs head west. It will be Zambrano and Lilly in the first two games (Wednesday, Thursday) against Brandon Webb and a starter to be named later for Arizona. the series would then shift to Chicago over the weekend for games 3 and 4.
The Phillies will play the Wild Card team, the Padres or the Rockies. A one game playoff is shaping up with the Brewers pounding the Padres in Milwaukee, and the Rockies leading at home. If things continue like this they will face off Monday night (time TBD) for the right to travel to Philadelphia, and face the Phillies.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
NL Playoff Picture Clears, Slightly
Rally Tomorrow
For you Cubs fans who work in the city, your lunch break has been planned.
At 12PM Monday afternoon, head over to Daley Plaza for a Cubs playoff rally.
"This year Cubs fans have proven once again they are the most loyal in professional sports. Monday's celebration is a tribute to them and the heroics of the 2007 Chicago Cubs."Highlighting the afternoon's events are scheduled appearances from Governor Rod Blagojevich, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and former Cubs playoff team representatives: Andy Pafko (1945), Tim Stoddard (1984), Mickey Morandini (1998) and Doug Glanville (2003). Cubs President John McDonough and Hall of Famer Billy Williams will also be in attendance. Wayne Messmer, the voice of Wrigley Field, will serve as the afternoon's emcee.
It'll be worth it just to see Mickey Morandini again.
Starting Lineup Almost Set For Game 1
Manager Lou Piniella, despite not knowing exactly who they're playing yet on Wednesday, has already set 8 out of 9 position spots.
- Alfonso Soriano - LF
- Ryan Theriot - SS
- Derrek Lee - 1B
- Cliff Floyd - RF
- Aramis Ramirez - 3B
- Mark DeRosa - 2B
- Jacque Jones - CF
- Geovany Soto or Jason Kendall - C
- Carlos Zambrano - P
I prefer Soto's bat and throwing arm over Kendall's experience and pitch calling. Although Kendall is a good contact hitter, his arm and the his inability to throw out runners on the basepath (2 for 52) makes Soto the right choice.
Lineup Almost Set for Game 1 [MLB.com]
Soriano Sets MLB Record
In the first inning of today's game against the Cincinnati Reds, Alfonso Soriano hit his 12th leadoff homer of the season. The first inning shot off of the Reds' Homer Bailey was the 7th leadoff homer for Soriano this September, a major league record for the most leadoff homers in a month by any player.
Soriano now has 44 career leadoff homers. The record is 81 by Rickey Henderson.
Soriano Is A Record Setter [MLB.com]
Another Day, Another Win
The Cubs threw out a minor league team on Saturday and where still able to beat the Reds 4-0. Rich Hill threw six innings and allowed one hit, the Reds only hit of the day, in the win. Hill was going to be skipped until he begged Lou Pinella to get out there to get some work. He hadn't pitched since last Saturday and wasn't going to pitch til Game #3.
Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno each hit home runs for the Cubs in a line up that only included Ryan Theriot as the only regular at shortstop. Henry Blanco filled in at first with Daryle Ward still nursing a sore hand, but that really didn't seem to matter as the Reds seemed to only be at the ballpark this weekend to clear out their lockers.
- The Cubs are hoping for a loss from either the Mets or Phillies Sunday, but not both. If one team wins and the other loses the Cubs head to Arizona regardless of what happens in the Wild Card Race.
- There is still a four way tie possible between the Mets, Phillies, Padres, and Rockies. The games could stretch till Wednesday or Thursday and the teams could cross the country the few times to sort everything out. In that case it is likely the Cubs will head home after the weekend until things get sorted out.
Rare Sighting In Chicago
Yesterday, at an event in Hyde Park, the last person in the world you would think would be wearing a Cubs fan was spotted wearing one. Chicago's Mayor Daley, as big of a White Sox fan as it gets, was actually wearing a Cubs hat yesterday. I'm just as shocked as you.
"They're a hot team, and that's exciting for Chicago," Daley said. "We're all sports fans. We're all Chicago fans, and we look for them to win the World Series this year."The more Cubs fans the merrier. Hop on board, Mayor Daley.
Sox Fan Becomes Temporary Cubs Fan [Chicago Sun-Times]
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Let the Champagne Fly!
Alfonso did what he does best in hitting his 6th lead off home run of September (13 is the record for one year, also held by Soriano) and put the Cubs out front early. Derek Lee would later add his own bomb, one of the 2-run variety, that would pace the Cubs to victory.
Carlos Zambrano was fantastic, going seven strong scoreless innings in a game the Cubs needed, if not in the standings then at least mentally. Bob Howry and Ryan Dempster each gave one inning of relief to lockdown the victory in Cicny.
After trimming the magic number down to just 1, the team gathered in the clubhouse to see if the Padres would help them out for the second straight night and defeat the Brewers in Milwaukee. Former Cub Greg Maddux went to the hill and was able to get a win, as he did his job in just keeping the game close and allow the Padres to lurk around.
The Padres grabbed the lead after a 3-run fourth inning, but gave it back on a Corey Hart (no sunglasses despite being a night game) game-tying home run in the bottom half of the inning. However, K. Greene drove in the next three runs (double, home run) and officially eliminated the Brewers from playoff contention.
- The D-Backs clinched a post season berth, but there are still too many scenarios to know where the Cubs will actually open up.
- The Mets' Month of September is something all baseball fans should be glad they don't have to watch. Their 7 game lead evaporated. They now find themselves 1 game back of the Phillies in the East and 2 back in the Wild Card with two games to play.
- Saturday may not mean much for the Cubs, but it will go a long way to settling them on a destination. We'll be sure and keep you posted.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Where To Find The CUBS Tonight...
TV: Comcast SportsNet - 6:10PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Carlos Zambrano (17-13; 4.08 ERA) vs.
Bronson Arroyo (9-14; 4.22 ERA)
Could tonight be the night? Well the Cubs will actually have to win a game & then be followed up with a Brewers loss. But it's my birthday today, and I think that's what I deserve to get for it.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Cubs Swept from Miami, Still in Control
Padres Help Out Cubs
The Padres really have no choice other than to play the schedule they are given, and thankfully for the Cubs that means a season ending trip to Milwaukee. The Padres took the opener of their four game series in the Cheese State 9-5 and kept themselves out front of the "Best of the Rest" (Wild Card) while trimming a game off the Cubs magic number.
Rickie Weeks did his best to keep the Brewers in the game, belting two home runs, but the Brewers were unable to overcome five errors to pull themselves a game closer to the Cubs. The five errors were the most for the team in eight years, but overall it just shows that the pressure may have spread from Ned Yost (suspended after being tossed Wednesday) down to the players themselves. The Brewers haven't made the playoffs since 1982.
- Chris Capuano has been inserted as Friday's starter in place of Ben Sheets. Sheets threw a bullpen session, but his hamstring still gave him some discomfort. He will be available out of the bullpen for possibly an inning over the weekend.
- Finally, Cubs fans can forget about Jake Peavy rescuing them. Hopefully this will not matter, but the Padres will not pitch Peavy on 3 days rest unless they need a win to force a playoff. If they are guarenteed a playoff, Peavy will be saved in case he needs to pitch that game. Essentially, the Cubs just need to win.
Cubs' Rookies To Get Hazed Tonight
Scott Eyre was on The Score this morning with Mully and Hanley and has mentioned that the Cubs rookies will be hazed tonight. The rookies will be leaving the ballpark after today's game (hopefully a win) dressed as: wonder woman, Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy, Batman, Robin, and a border patrol worker just to name a few. Ryan Dempster was named the leader of the hazing. He will be getting the costumes and will put them in the lockers during the game. Should be funny.
Cubs Lose Again
The Cubs have now lost 9 straight to the Marlins. Marquis was flat with his fastball and that beard is just awful looking. Don't grow a beard unless you actually have enough facial hair to fully grow one.
I'm too disgusted to talk about last night's game and I've already moved on from it. Let's clinch this thing already!
If you missed the game, read this article [Cubs.com]
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Cardinals Help Out Cubs
Albert Pujols hit his 32nd home run in the first inning, and extended his streak to 7 straight seasons with at least 100 RBIs as the Cards knocked off the Brewers. Carlos Villenuava was able to keep the Brewers in the game pitching a strong six innings, despite leaving the game trailing 3-2. The bullpen then allowed the Cardinals to put the game out of reach with a four run 8th inning, in which Ned Yost was tossed yet again.
Yost was tossed because Seth McClung plunked Pujols, as was McClung, but that still makes three out of the last four days Ned has watched from the clubhouse. I can only imagine that the pressure is getting to him. The Brewers fail to gain a game and slice one off the Cubs magic number with the loss, but neither team seems to want to take control in the final week. Either way, Cubs fans will take it.
Where to Find the Cubs Today.....
TV: Comcast SportsNet 6:05 PM
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Brewers Win
Milwaukee delays the inevitable, getting a 13-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Manager Ned Yost was kicked out, again, as he has come to the realization that Milwaukee once had an 8 game lead in the NL Central at one point. Maybe next year, Ned.
Monday, September 24, 2007
You've Got To Be Kidding Me
Hate is a strong word. It's really a word that should be used to describe feelings towards a baseball broadcaster. However, I absolutely HATE Chip Carey. Carey's smug demeanor, which only rivals that of Joe Buck, is something Cubs fans had to endure for what seemed like decades. Chip was supposed to be a hometown announcer, but he thought he was doing a national broadcast for Fox or ESPN that got off when the Cubs lost and talked to the listening audience in such a condescending manner, it cost him a job at the end of the '04 season. We make fun of Hawk Harrelson's over-homerism with the White Sox, but I'd rather have that any day. Carey made up some garbage about how he made a tough decision to move to Atlanta and announce for the Braves. The Tribune and Cubs people said that he had no decision, that he was let go by the organization.
Anyways, the pompous assbag could be announcing Cubs playoff games for TBS during the NLDS. There are 4 broadcast teams (one team includes Steve Stone; another team includes Bob Brenly), one of which Carey is the lead announcer. That would be a nightmare. Cubs playoff games on mute are still playoff games, however.
Nightmare Alert [Hardball]
Cubs Lunacy Hits New Records
Cubs fever has run rampant in Chicago with the team nearing their first playoff appearance since 2003. Tickets for the NLDS sold out in what seemed like 2 seconds if you were trying to buy them. Cubs fans, although not in unison, doing the tomahawk chop when the Brewers/Braves score was put up on the board. And now this... an Indiana couple has named their first born son, Wrigley Fields.
The father of Wrigley Fields is, obviously, a big Cubs fan and has been waiting for Wrigley to be born since he and his wife first started trying to have kids 15 years ago. Maybe God wouldn't allow them because He didn't want some poor kid to be named Wrigley Fields. After 15 years, God has given up. Wrigley Fields, welcome to the madhouse that is Cubs Fandom right now.
Wrigley Fields Is Born [Yahoo]
thanks to Gina at The Booze News
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Cubs Can Smell It
The bats continue to stay hot, as the Cubs sweep the Pirates in the last home stand of the season. Regular season, that is. With the 8-0 win over normally unhittable Tom Gorzelanny, the Cubs are now 3.5 games up on Milwaukee. The Cubs magic number is now at 4.
- Carlos Zambrano pitched great, that is until he left due to cramps. Again. Z picked up his 17th win of the season, going 6 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits. Zambrano struck out 6, walked only 3, and didn't look like he was in any bit of trouble at all.
- Derrek Lee went 2 for 4, including his 20th homer of the season. The Lee Power is finally here and it couldn't come back at a better time. Having Lee hitting like this could do wonders for the Cubs in the postseason.
- Geovany Soto continues his hot hitting, going 2 for 3 and is now hitting .393 for the season.
- Ronny Cedeno (Ronny played!?!?!?!) went 3 for 4, with a homer and 3 RBI. The rare hitting performance still won't allow Ronny to make the playoff roster. The Cubs need the pitchers and the pinch hitters who hit with a little more consistency than a guy who's hitting .200.
- Speaking of playoff spots, leave off Craig Monroe? The supposed good hitter against lefties was eaten alive by a good lefty today in Tom Gorzelanny, going 0 for 3 with 1 K.
- The crowds were rowdy all weekend, I can't wait for the playoffs.
- And we can't say it enough, THANK YOU ATLANTA!
Sunday Scoreboard Watching
Magic # is now at:
5
Braves beat the Brewers, 7-4. Great series Atlanta!!!!!
Saturday Scoreboard Watching
Thanks Atlanta! Braves in in extra innings, 4-3 over the Brewers. [Yahoo]
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Power Surge Continues, Cubs Topple Pirates
Fifteen hits, including four more home runs, and the Cubs offense seems to be rolling at the most important part of the year. Alfonso Soriano didn't homer on the first pitch for the third straight day, but he did hit two home runs and drove in five runs as the Cubs beat up on the Pirates for the second straight day.
Derek Lee got the Cubs on the board with a first inning home run into the bleachers in left field for his 19th of the year. The Cubs would then add a second run on an error by second baseman Freddy Sanchez on a ball off the bat of Geovany Soto (he better play the rest of the year, no excuses). Despite the wind blowing in this afternoon, the offense kept adding to the run total throughout the game instead of making Rich Hill try and make the first inning runs stand up.
Hill pitched only five innings Saturday and surrendered three of the Pirates five runs. the key to the afternoon though, was Hill's ability to settle down after Zach Duke's RBI double in the second. Hill kept the Cubs in the game and was able to get himself in line for a win, which turned out to be his 10th of the year, and become the 4th starter with at least that many.
The bullpen was again fantastic with only Bob Howry and Ryan Dempster allowing a run apiece after the Cubs had jumped out to a 9-3 lead late. The real story was the offenses ability to keep swinging for the fences, Ramirez also joined Lee and Soriano with a blast of his own, while showing that the line up was finally rounding into the threat fans knew it would be all year long.
- The Cubs have now hit 36 home runs in September, by far the most for any month the team has had all year. Soriano has twelve of those bombs.
- Sam Fuld was inserted into right field as a defensive switch and made a great catch on the run as he crashed into the wall in right center. He even had enough where with all to throw the ball to first to complete a double play. One of the best plays all year.
- Steve Trachsel will indeed make another start for the Cubs Thursday in Florida. It's Miami, so chances are the game will take 7 hours with an actual rain delay and then Steve taking his sweet time out on the mound.
- N.L.D.S. tickets go on sale Sunday morning through Cubs.com at 9am. We are almost assured of not receiving press credentials, so if anyone has a way to get Bryan and I tickets, we would be much obliged.
Mark Prior At Wrigley Yesterday
Mark Prior was at Wrigley Field on Friday, throwing for the 3rd time since he had surgery on his right shoulder. Prior still thinks he'll be on the squad next season:
The goal is, obviously, to come back, I expect to come back. This day and age playing, we're fortunate to have medicine and technology that gives us a second chance.Prior has also been watching the Cubs so far this season and says it's tough to watch at times:
I've been watching the guys all year, and it's tough being away and watching it, it's like getting an ulcer -- some of these games are interesting. The guys are playing good and are in a very good position. The next nine, eight days will be fun to watch. They're playing well, so it should be good.This will probably the last you'll hear about Prior for a few months. Prior is heading back to San Diego today to continue his rehab. Time will only tell if he's ready for Spring Training. Oh, and if he'll get an invite to Cubs spring training.
Prior Throws A Ball!!! [Cubs.com]
Where to Find the Cubs Today....
RADIO: WGN 720
Braves Bullpen Colapses, Brewers Win
Tim Hudson was cruising through seven innings last night, as the Braves took a one run lead into the top of the eighth inning against the Brewers. That's when it all seemed to fall apart. After two were out and nobody on Hudson gave up three consecutive singles, and a run, then intentionally walked Geoff Jenkins to get to Kevin Dillon. Good move right? Not if Ron Mahay is in your bullpen.
Bobby Cox brought in Mahay to face Dillon and four pitches latter it was a 2-1 Brewer lead. Bill Hall would then single to score a third run, and that was the runs the Brew Crew needed to stay within 1.5 games of the Cubs. So the Brewers can beat Tim Hudson, but not a guy that hasn't pitched in the major leagues in three years like Jeff Bennett. Hopefully John Smoltz can contain the Brewer offense Saturday evening.
Ramirez Huge as Cubs Trounce Pirates
Two and two thirds innings was all that Jason Marquis was able to last on Friday afternoon, as he surrendered seven runs to the Pirates at Wrigley. All Cubs fans have to say is thank goodness for Aramis Ramirez.
Ramirez hit two three run home runs, including one that literally ended up into the trees on Kenmore and may have been the second longest home run ever at Wrigley. We'll never know since the cameras didn't catch it's actually landing spot, and because Glenallen Hill's shot on to the roof across the street has been grossly under measured but that is for another time.
Friday was a balmy day for September, and that could only mean that it would be a hitter's paradise at the Friendly Confines. The Pirates jumped out to a one nothing lead, but the Cubs roared back as Soriano and Ramirez each homered in the first. Jason Marquis was unable to keep the Pirates hitters down though, and he surrendered seven runs on eight hits and a walk.
The Cubs bullpen was stellar again however, closing the door on the Pirates and keeping the game at a manageable deficit until the offense could rally. Kevin Hart, Scott Eyre, Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol all combined to give up just one hit, and Ryan Dempster gave up a few in the ninth, including a home run to Xavier Nady, when the game seemed in hand.
- Geovany Soto homered again for the Cubs in the sixth inning for his third this year since being called up. He also threw out a base runner, and is making things extremely tough on Lou Pinella to leave him out of the line up each day.
- Every starter, minus Jason Marquis, had at least one hit on the afternoon. A good sign against a left handed starter.
- Piniella got his 1,600th career managerial victory to move past Tommy Lasorda for sole possession of 16th place on the all-time list.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Where to Find the Cubs Today....
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Milwaukee Loses, Again
Thanks Atlanta. Milwaukee lost to a pitcher who hasn't faced Major League hitters since 2004.
Magic # down to 9!
Braves 3 - Milwaukee 1 [MilwaukeeBrewers.com]
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Brewers Lose!!!!!!!!
Cubs are back in first. Hunter Pence drove in the winning run. Thanks Houston!
Houston 5 - Milwaukee 4 [Yahoo Sports]
Lidge Does What Lidge Does Best
Brad Lidge blew a save against the Brewers tonight, giving up a 2 run homer to Rickie Weeks. You got to be shitting me, Brad Lidge? This game is now in extras. Die a slow death, Brad Lidge.
"The Stopper" Does It Again
Ted Lilly did it again for the Cubs, pitching 7 solid innings and gave up only 2 runs to the potent Reds offense on 3 days rest. He gave up a bomb to Adam Dunn, but limited everybody else to only 4 hits. Lilly struck out 8 and only walked 1. Although Lilly didn't get the win, he showed why he is the team's #1 pitcher again. When the Cubs lose, they can count on Lilly. The Cubs can count on Lilly, period. Those Lilly critics are awfully quiet now.
- Alfonso Soriano led off the bottom of the 1st with his 28th homer of the season.
- Geovany Soto hit his 2nd homer of the year. Get used to seeing him around, he is the catcher of the future.
- Big play in the 7th, Alfonso Soriano threw out the speedy Norris Hopper trying to score on a single from 2nd base. 16th outfield assist on the year. Keep testing Soriano and keep failing.
- Ken Griffey Jr. left with an apparent groin explosion. He went down like a ton of bricks. Too bad too, Griffey has such a good year. Still one of my favorite players of all-time.
- Bob Howry pitched the 8th & the 9th. No Dempster, despite a save situation. The TV crew of Len & Bob are saving he's sick, but we don't believe it....
- And Howry threw smoke too. He throws like that, he should be the closer. Marmol should be in the 8th and other must throw innings and Dempster should be a 7th inning guy.
No Dempster Tonight?
Cubs' TV guys Len & BB say that Manager Lou Piniella is going with Howry as the closer tonight because Ryan Dempster has the flu. How many of you believe this? Me neither. We're obviously tracking this story...
Where To Find The Cubs Tonight...
TV: WCIU & ESPN - 7:05PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Ted Lilly (15-7; 3.82 ERA) vs.
Tom Shearn (3-0; 4.15 ERA)
The Cubs Staff Ace pitches after a loss, which he is 9-1 in such starts. Cubs need a big outing from Lilly tonight. The Brewers take on the Astros, going for their 5th win in a row.
Cubs Fall to Reds, in NL Central
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
NLDS Tickets On Sale This Sunday
It's time to get ahead of ourselves. 2 Games for the NLDS at Wrigley Field will go on sale this sunday at 9AM. Don't show up to Wrigley Field, you can't get them there. You can do the following to get tickets:
- Go online at Cubs.com and get in the virtual waiting room at 8:30AM. They will randomly select people starting at 9AM.
- Illinois Residents can call 800.843.2827
- Out of State Residents can call 866.652.2827
- Legal scalping websites like Stubhub or EBay or etc.
- Illegal scalpers who meet you in alleys, charge face value for the tickets, but charge $1,000 for the envelope that's holding the tickets.
- Watch the games on TV like the rest of us at a bar.
Every other detail is found here [Cubs.com]
Cliff Would Like For You To Relax
Cliff Floyd and the rest of the Cubs players are feeling the excitement of a division race with the Brewers these last 2 weeks, but they are doing their best to stay focused and calm. Cliff thinks the fans are overexcited and need to ease on the anxiety a little bit. They probably have more anxiety than any of us as players, so hopefully we can eliminate some of that, maybe by playing some games where we have a little cushion at the end, and everybody can relax and have a beer and chill out.
Cliff, there's no way any one of us are calming down right now. This doesn't happen too often and we're going to enjoy it and get out of it whatever it's worth. We haven't had this much fun since 2003 when it comes to baseball. Calming down is the last thing are our minds. But we will have another beer though, Cliff.
Have A Beer & Chill Out [Hardball]
Where To Find The CUBS Tonight...
TV: Comcast SportsNet - 7:05PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Carlos Zambrano (16-12; 4.14 ERA) vs.
Aaron Harang (15-4; 3.65 ERA)
Carlos Zambrano is throwing on 3 days rest, a move Manager Lou Piniella made so that he can have his best pitcher (debatable; Lilly has been staff ace this season) vs. Cincinnati's Cy Young candidate. 11 games to go...
Alfonso Soriano's Bum Leg
Did you see him running to 2nd base last night during his double? He is absolutely afraid to use that leg. He looked like one of those dogs that still run with a hurt leg, but just drag it behind them. It doesn't look like that leg is getting better until next season starts. If he can't run, he needs to move down in the order. What's the point of getting on in front of Theriot, Lee, and Ramirez if you look like Doberman that got it's leg caught in a car door?
Cubs Win!
It’s just one of those seasons right now. This was a game the Cubs should have lost. Instead, the Cubs win 7-6. David “Tackleberry from the Police Academy Movies” Weathers didn’t record an out in the 9th inning, but gave up 3 runs to give the Cubs a crazy win. Mark DeRosa went 5 for 5, including the game winning hit that scored Sam Fuld. In his last 2 games against
This was an important game to win, as
Monday, September 17, 2007
Where To Find The CUBS Tonight...
TV: Comcast SportsNet - 7:05PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Rich Hill (9-8; 3.91 ERA) vs.
Bronson Arroyo (9-14; 4.31 ERA)
Rich Hill looks to become the Cubs 4th starting pitcher with at least 10 wins. Hill pitched well last outing and he'll need to do it again. Obviously, this is a must win.
Zambrano Limping Around
Last night I wrote that we were probably done seeing Steve Trachsel. Not so fast. Guess who hurt themselves with a chair in
On Tuesday, Zambrano will be making his first ever start on 3 days rest. Manager Lou Piniella believes that he has his rotation set up perfectly with the correct matchups the rest of the way. Dealing with a cut on his foot is the last thing the Cubs need right now. It could be nothing, as Zambrano threw a pain free bullpen session. At least that’s what is being reported.
Chair Always Wins [Daily Southtown]
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Not Really News
This is not surprising, but Steve Trachsel is out of the rotation for the Cubs. I'm still not sure why Trachsel was picked up to begin with. If you're going to choose between Sean Marshall & Steve Trachsel, I'm going with Sean Marshall. They haven't pitched effectively lately, but with Marshall being a lefty, I'd rather see him throw.
Good Bye Steve Trachsel [Chicago Tribune]
Murton's Homer Leads Cubs
The Cubs won again today, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2. Matt Murton hit a 3 run homer in the 3rd inning that put the Cubs up for good. Jason Marquis pitched well for the Cubs, pitching 6.1 innings, giving up 1 run on 5 hits. The bullpen struggled, putting guys on nonstop, but was able to get out of their jams today. Dempster pitched the 9th, getting his 28th save of the season.
- Geovany Soto went 4 for 5 with 2 doubles, making a claim that maybe he should be the Cubs starting catcher. Or at the very minimum, getting 3 starts a week. This could keep Jason Kendall fresh and get Soto's .423 batting average on the field.
- Ronny Cedeno, also getting a rare start, went 2 for 5. Hopefully that was Ryan Theriot's last day off of the season.
- Jason Marquis picked up his 12th win of the season. He is now 12-8 for the Cubs. Critics still laughing at the Cubs for signing him?
- Little used Sam Fuld make a great catch in the 8th inning, going over to the wall in foul territory in right field to make the snag. Lou has found a way to use almost everyone on his bench, possibly finding another outfielder that could be used as a defensive replacement.
- Cubs "held" Albert Pujols to 5 for 15, but more importantly, only 1 RBI. The Cardinals offense struggles and stuggle even more when Pujols has little impact.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Where to Find the Cubs Tonight.....
RADIO: WGN 720
Joel Piniero (5-4; 4.79 ERA)
"El Uno" to the Rescue
Theodore Lilly did something he hasn't done in quite awhile, he started a game following a Cubs win, and still managed to dazzle. Lilly went six innings and only gave up two runs, both in the first, on four hits. Lilly was dominating after the first as he kept the Cubs in the game the entire afternoon.
Even after he was lifted after the sixth, the bullpen picked up right where he left off, with three scoreless, hitless innings. Kerry Wood picked up his first win as a reliever after an uneventful seventh inning (always the best kind), and Carlos Marmol and Ryan Dempster followed to record a hold and a win respectively. Dempster also got the cards to go 1-2-3 a night after giving most Cubs fans heart attacks, but despite his occasional flare up, he has been good all year.
The reason for Wood's first win in relief was the ball hit off of the bat of El Uno in the top of the eighth. The Cubs offense looked sluggish against Braden Looper for most of the day, and only recorded five hits in all. Soriano, however, showed why he was the best player available last winter when he was able to hit the home run off of Ryan Franklin. Cliff Floyd had walked in front of Soriano, and with pinch runner Sam Fuld on first, Soriano crushed a ball to left for the winning runs.
- Aramis Ramirez did not play in the first game, with Mark DeRosa manning the hot corner. There is no injury, just a precaution with two games on the day.
- Derek Lee committed an error, his fifth of the year, when he allowed a ball down the line to drop for a hit. Fontenot should have called him off, but we understand why he deffered to the Gold Glover.
- Soriano's home run stretched the Cubs streak to eight straight games. The Cubs also have 22 home runs in September, already surpassing their August total of nineteen.
Where to Find the Cubs this Afternoon.....
RADIO: WGN 720
Cliff Flexes Again, Cubs Win
All Carlos Zambrano needed was an extra days rest, who would have thought that. Zambrano threw just over 100 pitches in eight of the strongest innings he has thrown all year. His only mistake was a pitch to Albert Pujols in the sixth that he crushed for a solo home run, and the Cardinals lone run on the day.
The Cubs got on the board first in the fourth with a RBI single by MVP Mark DeRosa following Aramis Ramirez' double. Then in the seventh after Zambrano gave up the tying home run, Cliff Floyd came up with what may be his best hit of the year. Not because it was a home run in his third straight game, but because it got the Cubs right back out in front and was able to let Zambrano head back out to the mound with another lead.
The Cubs would later tack on three more after Daryle Ward pinch hit, bases clearing RBI double. Ward was pinch hitting for Zambrano, and Lou Pinella said after the game that Zambrano was going to pitch the ninth, but he couldn't pass up the chance to add on a few more runs. Good thing he did.
Ryan Dempster was brought in to start the ninth despite the 4 run lead because he was already up and warming, that wasn't smart. Dempster gave up two solo shots and got two outs, but after giving up a single following the second home run, Pinella had seen enough. Howry was summoned from the pen to calm things down, but that didn't happen either. Howry surrendered two hits to load the bases, but finally was able to get a ground ball to finish off his 8th save of the year.
- Expect to see some weird line ups with the double header Saturday. Chances are Ramirez won't play both games, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Lee sit for one of the games if his knee starts to bother him again.
- Dempster is still the closer according to Pinella. He said he wouldn't hesitate to throw him today if needed.
- Sean Marshall will return to the rotation for the night game as well.
- The Cubs will get to see how Zambrano will work in the playoffs after starting on an extra days rest last time out, and now on short rest. He is expected to start Tuesday at home against Cincy instead of Wednesday.
Brewers Don't Want to Win
The Brewers went into their game Friday night knowing that a the Cubs and Cardinals would beat each other up this weekend and that they would be able to gain ground on at least one of them. Then, when you looked at the pitching match up you saw Ben Sheets vs. Tom Shearn, a proven ace against a guy who lived in a trailer outside his Triple A stadim to save money.
Well, we didn't see this happening. Shearn out dueled Sheets, as the Reds continue to play some very capable baseball the last few months of the year. Sheets only lasted three innings, while Shearn lasted deep into the seventh. The Red bullpen tried to give it away with a two run home run in the 9th, but they hung on for the win 6-5. Keep it up Cincy, the Cubs need your help.
Friday, September 14, 2007
One More Equals a Win Streak
Finally, the bats seem to be awake. "El Uno" homered to open the game for the eighth time this year and before Steve Trachsel was even on the mound, he had a four run lead. Aramis Ramirez also had a home run in the first, a three run shot, and the Cubs plated the first four batters of the game.
Steve Trachsel lasted only five innings and gave up only two runs, solo shots to Carlos Lee and Mark Loretta. he tip toed in and out of trouble in all five of his innings, but was able to keep the Cubs in the game. That was all Lou Pinella asked of him.
The bullpen also pitched lights out again, going four scoreless innings, with Scott Eyre and Kerry Wood each with one inning and Carlos Marmol with two. Eyre improved his ERA to 1.02 after the All Star break, another player like Jacque Jones who has been huge since losing their jobs early in the year.
The real story was the offense though. With Derek Lee nursing a sore knee after fouling a ball off of it Wednesday, his replacement Daryle Ward hit one of four Cub home runs. The best part was the Cubs ability to tack on runs after their initial scoring, to give their pitchers a sense of comfort as far as their leads.
- Cliff Floyd homered for the second consecutive day, after yelling at the media "Have you ever seen a guy this big with only five home runs?" No Cliff, we haven't. Keep it up.
- When Lance Berkman was asked who he thought had the team to win the Central, he responded with the Cubs. He said they had the pitching and overall talent. Let's hope your right Lance.
- Theodore Lilly has had a great year and has already matched his career win total. With a few more quality starts down the stretch, it is possible he could end up with 18 wins, and on the fringe of the NL Cy Young race.
- Jacque Jones took a ball off the head Thursday and normally we'd make fun. However, the ball hit the wall first and then his head, but it happened on a ball hit to left field that he had no business being near. His defense since Soriano has returned with a bum leg is fantastic. Keep it up Jacque.
- Cubs headed to St. Louis after the game for yet another huge series. Four games in three days that could essentially bury the 2007 Cardinals. Hopefully the brought their shovels.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Where to Find the Cubs Tonight...
Cubs Win A Thriller, Move Into Tie for 1st Again
Fellas, how about a blowout win? Not only will the players need a rest after a long grueling season, I feel we, the fans, will need a vacation as well. Not to get overly dramatic, but last night may have taken a year off my life.
Rich Hill pitched very well, giving up a run over 7 innings of work. Hill, who gets the worst run support in MLB, only got 3 runs of support last night. In his 7 innings of work, he made it stand up. Ryan Dempster, however, made things interesting as usual. As previously mentioned on this blog, Ryan Dempster suffers from “Joe Borowski Syndrome,” or JBS. JBS makes things harder than they have to be and push fans, managers, players, etc. to the absolute sanity/insanity limit. If the team has a 3 run lead, JBS causes the pitcher to give up 2. Last night, the Cubs were up by 2. Dempster gave up a lead off single in the 9th to Mark Loretta. Next batter, Mike Lamb, tripled scoring Josh Anderson (pinch ran for Loretta). 3-2 Cubs. With the tying run on 3rd and nobody out, Lou stuck with Dempster, even though the next batter was Luke Scott. Scott got the game winning hit off of Dempster on Tuesday. Dempster gets Scott to ground out, keeping Lamb at 3rd. 1 out. Orlando Palmiero is intentionally walked, setting up a possible game ending double play. Sure enough, the move pays off. Eric Munson hits grounder to Derrek Lee, who bobbles it for a second. Lee hurries the throw to Ryan Theriot, who holds his position with Palmiero bearing down on him and makes a great throw to Dempster to complete the double play. If Munson is safe, the game is tied. Dempster, who had trouble finding the bag with his foot, barely got the base in time to retire Munson.
Nothing’s ever easy with this squad.
Although after almost 100 years of never winning the world series, nobody should expect anything to ever be easy. With the win, the Cubs are back in a tie for 1st place. Steve Trachsel gets what could be his last shot as a Cub tonight vs. Woody Williams. The Brewers don’t play tonight, so this is a great opportunity to take over first, hopefully for good.
- Cliff Floyd’s homer in 2nd was an absolute missile. When (if) Cliff Floyd makes contact, it’s going to be a rocket.
- Soriano/Lee/Ramirez combined for 0-12, with 2 Ks.
- Alfonso Soriano made his 15th outfield assist of the season, hosing Hunter Pence at 3rd base. When will teams finally learn not to run on Soriano?
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Where to Find the Cubs Tonight......
TV: WGN-TV - 7:05PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Rich Hill (8-8; 4.02 ERA) vs.
Matt Albers (4-7; 5.88 ERA)
How can a place that big feel so small? The Astros have switched things up yet again and are going with Albers instead of the rookie Patton as planned. Seeing as how he was lefty and Albers is righty, this should help the Cubs a bit. Also, with the Brewer loss this afternoon the Cubs can make up for their loss last night and regain the ground they lost.
Brewers Keeping Cubs Alive
Just when things seemed to be going the Brewers way, this happens. A night after they reclaimed sole possession of First Place, the Brew Crew had a day game in Pittsburgh and a chance to show the Cubs that they could threaten to run away with the Central. Not happening.
The Brewers, who have beat up on lefties all year, were hand cuffed by Marist alum Tom Gorzelanny for 6 2/3 innings. Gorzelanny surrendered only two runs on six hits and left with the lead in the seventh. The bullpen proceeded to give up two more runs, but Ronny Paulino's RBI single and Josh Phelp's RBI triple were enough to pull out a win.
The Brewers now can only watch as the Cubs will play tonight and Thursday in Houston, while the Brewers have tomorrow off and head home to play the Reds. While it was no guarantee the Brewers would have opened a bigger lead, they could have at least kept the Cubs at bay until the weekend. Hopefully the Cubs can take advantage tonight against Matt Albers.
Gorzelanny stellar, Pirates take series against Brewers [foxsports.com]
Driving Me Insane, But Not Driving in Runners
The Cubs lost to the Astros in 11 innings last night, 5-4.
- The Cubs left 15 runners on base
- The Cubs got 5 innings of shutout relief from innings 6-10 (Only 1 hit given up)
- The Brewers won, putting the Cubs back into 2nd place
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Cardinals Bad Luck Continues..
Chris Duncan will miss the next ten days due to a diagnosed sports hernia. Duncan had been experiencing a groin problem for the last few months and aggravated it Sunday while running the bases. He flew to St. Louis and missed the game at Wrigley to have it examined on Monday. He will likely need surgery, but will see if the pain subsides enough to play out the stretch for the Cards.
This comes on a day when Scott Rolen had his shoulder surgery to clean out his shoulder. Rolen had been on the Dl since August 31, and is expected to be back by Spring Training. The Cards have suffered through not only these injuries, but also the death of Josh Hancock, the reason the Cubs and Cards will play two on Saturday. Add to that Juan Encarnacion possibly never being able to play again after getting struck in the eye by a foul ball, and all I can say is maybe God was a Tigers fan last October.
Duncan done for 7-10 days [cbssportsline.com]
Where To Find The CUBS Tonight...
TV: Comcast SportsNet - 7:05PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Jason Marquis (11-8; 4.13 ERA) vs.
Brandon Backe (0-1; 4.76 ERA)
Last time the Cubs were in Houston, they were just coming off of Alfonso Soriano's quad injury and were swept out of Houston. Not happening this time around.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Well That Didn't Last Long For Milwaukee
Sunday, Milwaukee is in first. Monday, the Pirates put the hammer down on Milwaukee, beating the Brewers 9-0. Milwaukee is back to being tied for first with the Cubs. What a strange season, it's almost like nobody wants to be in first. As long as the Cubs are in first on the last day, I don't care where they're at right now. The Cubs seem to have the same feeling.
Brewers Get Beat Badly, 9-0 [Brewers.com]
The Stopper Does It Again
Ted Lilly does it again for the Cubs, pitching the Cubs to a victory after a loss. Lilly is now 9-1 in 16 starts after a loss and is now 15-7 for the season. Lilly has been the best Cubs' pitcher all season and he has to be at least mentioned among contenders for the NL Cy Young Award. Lilly threw 7 strong innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits. The 3 runs came off of 2 homers, something Lilly is prone to doing as a flyball pitcher (26 homers in 30 starts this season). Lilly was able to strike out 7, but more importantly walked 0. He has provided the Cubs with a big lift once again and hopefully this can be carried over into their series with Houston starting tomorrow night. Cubs win big, 12-3.
- Aramis Ramirez went 4 for 5, hitting 2 homers and scoring 3 times. Ramirez was dropped in the order to #5 by Manager Lou Piniella, with the move paying off this time.
- Jacque Jones went 3 for 4, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.
- Derrek Lee went 3 for 5, with a triple shy of the cycle. If Lee & Ramirez can sustain a hot streak down the stretch, there's no reason why the Cubs can't win this division.
- Cubs now travel to Houston for a 3 game series. The last time the Cubs were in Houston, they got swept. And yes, the Cubs have to face Wandy Rodriguez, a pitcher who gives the Cubs problems for some weird reason.
Where To Find The CUBS Today...
Cubs Lose Series to the Pirates
The Cubs ended up losing 10-5. The Cubs got homers from Alfonso Soriano & Geovany Soto (first of his career), but they never could get a big inning going against Matt Morris. Manager Lou Piniella, who had been preaching to the Cubs fans not to get too high when the Cubs entered first place, urged everybody to not get too low with the Cubs dropping out of first place after Sunday’s loss. Cubs have to get their act together quickly, as they face the fading Cardinals in a makeup game at Wrigley today. If I see another Cubs player ground into a double play, I’m going postal.
- Kerry Wood didn’t get an out, but he did give up 3 runs to put the game completely out of reach for the Cubs.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Marshall Re-surfaces
Remember Sean Marshall? He was in the starting rotation when Wade Miller got hurt? Wait, you don't remember Wade Miller? It has been a long season, one of the longest I can ever remember. Too many things have happened and it would take too long to recap those right now. Anyways, Sean Marshall will be returning to the starting rotation, sort of. Marshall was named by Manager Lou Piniella to make a spot start in a doubleheader against St. Louis on September 15th. Marshall hasn't pitched in a game since August 31st, so he'll be pitching on 2 weeks rest.
Piniella also mentioned that Kevin Hart may start on thursday against Houston, which could allow Zambrano to pitch against St. Louis on 6 days rest. An amped up Zambrano on extra rest? I feel sorry for the catcher. Z will be throwing 99 MPH.
Who Is That Guy? [Chicago Tribune]
Where To Find The CUBS Today...
TV: Comcast SportsNet - 12:35PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Steve Trachsel (0-1 as a CUB) vs.
Matt Morris (8-9; 4.54 ERA)
Cubs go for the series win & this game needs to be over around 3:15PM, because the Bears are playing the Chargers.
Zambrano Back on Track
Remember when we said that the Cubs' fans knew what they were doing when they booed Carlos Zambrano? So far, the plan is working. Zambrano pitched 6+ innings, giving up 1 run and 2 hits while striking out 8. Z walked 5, but he seemed to be in complete control most of his outing. I'm not saying that Cubs fans deserve all the credit -- no wait -- that's exactly what I'm saying. We've awoken a sleeping giant, and just watch Zambrano carry the Cubs to the playoffs. He's got 4 more starts and we can already foresee him winning all 4.
The bullpen looked good again last night, with Carlos Marmol getting Zambrano out of a bases loaded jam, and then Bob Howry getting Carlos Marmol out of a bases loaded jam just an inning later. Ryan Dempster, whose last outing was a blown save, pitched an uneventful 9th inning. That's what we needed to see out of him ... nothing. It appears he's quickly forgotten about Thursday and put it behind him. The good closers do that.
Cubs win, 5-1.
- Alfonso Soriano hit a 2-run homer in the 5th that just barely got over the glove of Nate McClouth in left field.
- Jacque Jones went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI, with an RBI coming from a triple in the 9th inning for added insurance. Everybody's least favorite Cub is playing consistently good baseball this second half, I'll admit it. It's good to get contributions from him. As well as he's done this second half, you'd have to feel we're playing with house money at this point with Jones. Especially when expectations of him were, well, zero.
- Cubs go for the series victory, in another must win game. (They all are must win games.)
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Where To Find The CUBS Tonight...
TV: WGN - 6:05PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Carlos Zambrano (14-12; 4.35 ERA) vs.
Ian Snell (9-11; 4.01 ERA)
The Cubs need a big start out of Zambrano more than ever tonight. This will be the first start for Zambrano since his small fight with the fans. We all saw how well he pitched after he fought Barrett, we're hoping for the same turnaround starting tonight.
Cubs' Prospect Suspended
The suspensions being handed out at the minor league level finally hit the Cubs organization as minor league pitcher Scott Taylor was suspended for 50 games Saturday following a positive test for a drug of abuse under the minor league program. No word on whether it was steroids or another type of drug, since this is supposed to be kept quiet, but rarely is anymore. To be honest I have never heard of him, and with a 4-11 with a 5.74 ERA in 26 appearances split between the rotation and bullpen, odds are you never have either.
Taylor was at Single A Daytona of the Florida State league. I am sure the organization is not happy with the news, but chances are they were not expecting to much from the 20 year old anytime in the near future anyway. Since the season has ended, the suspension will be served at the beginning of next year. Taylor was the 26th minor league player suspended for drugs this year alone.
Daytona pitcher suspended [cbssportsline.com]
Cubs Skid Continues
Rich Hill was roughed up Friday night to the tune of 6 runs and nine hits over six innings. The disturbing trend, not only by Hill but all Cubs pitching, is that they are getting hit hard by teams they should be handling easily.
The other thing that is not helping, is the fact that any type off offense the Cubs can muster is just never enough. They saw another lefty last night in Tom Gorzelany, and with a similar result to most other days, a loss. The Cubs are now 15-22 against southpaws this year, but the hitting seems to have disappeared all together.
The Cubs left 15 runners on base, a common theme over the last few weeks, and show no signs of breaking out of that anytime soon. The team looks like it is pressing, but with only three weeks left in the season they cannot afford to wait it out, everyone needs to settle down and hope they haven't let there chance to bury the other teams get away.
- Geovany Soto was 2-4 in the game and looks to have brought his hitting stroke with him from the minors where he was the PCL MVP.
- The bullpen again pitched well, 2 scoreless innings, and for the most part they have the last few months. Hopefully this can continue.
- The Cards and Brewers both lost, so the NL Central race did nothing except bring everyone closer to .500 again.
ER Is Still On TV?
I guess so because Derrek Lee will make a cameo appearance on an episode that will air on October 18th. During the Cubs next day off, which is Sept. 20th, Lee will shoot a scene with Uncle Jesse from Full House (John Stamos). Derrek Lee was happy to do the cameo in which he plays himself because ER will be doing an episode with a boy suffering from Leber's congenital amaurosis. Lee's daughter Jada, suffers from the same affliction. He believes the show will create more awareness of the disease, a disease Lee has helped raise over $1 million in his "Project 3000."
The way the Cubs are playing right now, this might be your only chance to watch any Cub on TV this October.
Lee on ER This October [Chicago Tribune]
Friday, September 7, 2007
Where To Find The CUBS Tonight...
TV: Comcast SportsNet PLUS - 6:05PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Rich Hill (8-7; 3.84 ERA) vs.
Tom Gorzelanny (13-7; 3.57 ERA)
Cubs face a tough lefty in what is a must win game (they all are at this point). The Cubs need to win at least 2 out of 3, if not sweep. Anything less will be devastating. I mean they're the Pirates!
Coin Flip Results
Quick rundown for the Cubs:
- Cubs will host the Brewers if there is a tie.
- Cardinals will host the Cubs if there is a tie.
No flip was made if all 3 teams tie in the division. I guess they'll just pray that it doesn't happen.
Here Are the Rest of the Results for the Coin Flips [Cubs.com]
Slim Soto Could Start in '08
Geovany Soto was behind the plate on Wednesday, where he caught Ted Lilly’s 14th win of the season and went 2 for 3 with an RBI. Soto had a terrific season at Triple-A Iowa, earning Pacific Coast League Player of the Year honors by hitting .353, with 26 homers and 109 RBI. Lou Piniella likes what he sees in Soto and is open to the idea of Soto being the Cubs’ No.1 catcher next season. Last year, Soto hit .272 with 6 homers and 38 RBI. Soto’s secret to this year's success? Getting out of the buffet line.
According to Soto, Geovany learned of a diet from Kerry Wood (bulimia?) and it helped him lose 20 lbs. I followed it and lost 20 pounds this spring.
It's [hard to follow], especially during the baseball season, because of late-night eating and road trips. It was a good thing for me to do. I'm glad I did it.Time will tell on whether or not Soto can keep off the weight. The Cubs would hate to pass on re-signing Jason Kendall for a catcher that may or may not balloon to Rich Garces, Ruben Quevedo, or Hector Villanueva weight.
Watching Soto play in his limited chances, it seems that Soto might be worth the risk. Soto threw out a baserunner (albeit Shea Hillenbrand), something Jason Kendall has yet to do, but he also could be the hitter that Michael Barrett was with the team. Soto appears he could be the combination of a Michael Barrett & Henry Blanco, except without the passed balls and the mullet.
Soto Could Start in ’08 [Chicago Tribune]
The Natural Not So Natural?
Rick Ankiel is having a monster comeback so far this season. Ankiel has 9 homers in 81 at bats this season, with 2 homers coming yesterday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nothing could go bad for Ankiel, right?
Wrong.
The New York Daily News is reporting that Rick Ankiel received a 12 month supply of Human Growth Hormone in 2004. This was around the time Ankiel was making his last attempt at pitching, before switching to outfielder in 2005.
So what does this mean for this season? Nothing. It doesn't sound like he's getting caught using it now. What it can mean is that it's going to be yet another distraction for the St. Louis Cardinals, so I'm all for this breaking news. Between Tony LaRussa's drunken escapade, Josh Hancock's drunken death, it's probably nice for the Cardinals to not be in the news for something to do with drinking.
But as the saying goes, once a cheater - always a cheater. Ankiel might have some explaining to do.
Ankiel A Cheater? [NY Daily News / AOL FanHouse]
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Where to Find the Cubs Today...
RADIO: WGN 720
The NL Central Race’s Random Info
BREWERS have 23 games remaining
- 13 games on the road (26-42 this season)
- 10 games at home (45-26 this season)
- 15 games vs. the NL Central (34-30 this season)
- 4 games vs. the NL East (15-14 this season)
- 4 games vs. the NL West (14-17 this season)
- 6 games vs. Cincinnati (3-6 this season)
- 3 games vs. Pittsburgh (9-4 this season)
- 3 games vs. Houston (11-4 this season)
- 4 games vs. Atlanta (1-2 this season)
- 3 games vs. St. Louis (5-7 this season)
- 4 games vs. San Diego (0-3 this season)
- 29-26 this season vs. teams remaining on schedule
- The Brewers last 11 games line up to be against teams competing for playoff spots.
CARDINALS have 26 games remaining
- 14 games on the road (30-37 this season)
- 12 games at home (38-31 this season)
- 19 games vs. the NL Central (35-26 this season)
- 4 vs. the NL East (12-19 this season)
- 3 vs. the NL West (15-14 this season)
- 4 games vs. Pittsburgh (8-6 this season)
- 3 games vs. Arizona (3-1 this season)
- 5 games vs. the CUBS (4-7 this season)
- 3 games vs. Philadelphia (2-4 this season)
- 4 games vs. Houston (7-5 this season)
- 3 games vs. Milwaukee (7-5 this season)
- 1 game vs. New York (1-5 this season)
- 32-33 this season vs. teams remaining on schedule
- The Cardinals do NOT have an off day the rest of the season. They play 26 games in 25 days.
CUBS have 24 games remaining
- 16 games on the road (33-32 this season)
- 8 games at home (38-35 this season)
- 20 games vs. the NL Central (31-28 this season)
- 3 games vs. the NL East (15-18 this season)
- 1 game vs. the NL West (17-17 this season)
- 1 game vs. Los Angeles (2-4 this season)
- 6 games vs. Pittsburgh (4-5 this season)
- 5 games vs. St. Louis (7-4 this season)
- 3 games vs. Houston (6-6 this season)
- 6 games vs. Cincinnati (5-7 this season)
- 3 games vs. Florida (0-3 this season)
- 24-29 this season vs. teams remaining on schedule
- The Cubs play only 6 more games vs. teams in contention for a playoff spot. The Cubs, however, have struggled vs. the non-contending teams all season.
Lilly, Cubs Snap Skid
Manager Lou Piniella tried to give his struggling offense a spark by resting some regulars. Ronny Cedeno started at short, Craig Monroe started in center field, and Geovany Soto started behind the plate. Now while Ronny Cedeno did nothing offensively as usual, Soto went 2 for 3 with an RBI and Monroe had a double and scored a run. Soto also helped behind the plate, throwing out Shea Hillenbrand trying to steal, which is something Jason Kendall has yet to do as a Cub.
In the 8th inning and the Cubs only up by 2, Piniella put Ryan Theriot & Jacque Jones back in the lineup. Theriot hit an RBI double, scoring Soto. Theriot then stole 3rd base. Jones singles with the infield drawn in, scoring Theriot. Mark DeRosa would hit a 2 run single later in the inning to blow it wide open, with the Cubs winning the game 8-2. The Cubs finally got some clutch hitting, something they had been missing in the first 2 games with the Dodgers. And the Cubs only hit into one double play!
- The Dodgers commited 3 errors, one of which involved Jeff Kent throwing a ball into the stands.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Derrek Lee Honored for Work in Community
Derrek Lee was named the Cubs' Roberto Clemente Award winner, and was to be honored on the field prior to Wednesday's night's game. He is now one of 30 Major League Club nominees for the national 2007 Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community.
Even though most Cub fans would recognize Lee's work with "Project 3000," he also is involved in Chicago-area RBI, "Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities," baseball teams. Chevrolet , the award sponsor, will donate $7,500 to the charity of Lee's choice, along with the other team representatives. They will also donate $30,000 to the league winners charity as well. Lee does give a ton of his time and effort to help raise money and there is no real shock at him picking up this distinction.
D-Lee honored for helping community [cubs.com]
Where to Find the Cubs Tonight........
Tuesday Scoreboard Watching........
So while no one seems to want to win the division, the Cards and Brewers actually did something productive Tuesday. First up, the Brewers were able to even up their series with the astros with a win against Brandon Backe. It was Backe's first start in the major leagues this year after shoulder surgery last year. Ryan Braun homered, again, and Francisco Cordero nothced another save. Cordero has now set the Brewers single season save record with 40.
The Cards also secured a win behind Joel Piniero, moving over .500 and to within one game of the Cubs. Chris Duncan had an RBI double, Rick Ankiel also had an BRI, and Russell Branyan hit a home run four days after being aquired by his fourth team of the year. Still no news on Juan Encarnacion, but Mark Mulder is supposed to make his first start of the year on Wednesday against the Pirates.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Where To Find The CUBS Tonight...
TV: Comcast SportsNet - 7:05PM
RADIO: WGN 720
Steve Trachsel (6-8; 4.48 ERA) vs.
Brad Penny (14-4; 2.88 ERA)
Trachsel pitches for the Cubs tonight for his second go-around with the club. Recently struggling Brad Penny tries to regain his Cy Young candidate form. Zambrano has no chance to getting booed tonight. Does Lou give Zambrano the chance to pinch hit tonight at some point, giving the Cubs the chance to accept the apology and give him a wild ovation? Doubtful, but it would be pretty cool.
Big Z Loves Us Again
Carlos Zambrano, as expected, did some major backpedaling and removing of foot from mouth. Zambrano apologized and said that he loves Cubs fans and that he's going to pitch better in his last 4 starts. The most important thing Zambrano did? I think the next four starts I'll do the best to be Carlos Zambrano, and the one thing I started today was with my hair. Thank God. Zambrano not only embarrassed himself with his mouth, he also embarassed himself with those frosted tips he had on his head. I don't what was a bigger joke yesterday, your hair or your pitching/baserunning performance.
And by the way Big Z, I was in the Left Field bleachers yesterday and still saw Mike Quade's stop sign. Get your head in the game.
Z Says Sorry [Hardball]
Big Z Doesn't Want to Hear Your Boos
After giving up 8 runs in 4+ innings and losing his 5th decision in his last 6 starts, Carlos Zambrano walked off the field amid loud boos from the sold out crowd at Wrigley. During the game, Zambrano gave up a 2 run single to the pitcher, ran through a stop sign by third base coach Mike Quade and was thrown out at the plate, and walked 5 guys in 4+ innings.
I don't accept the fans booing at me. I thought these fans were the greatest in baseball, but they showed they just care about themselves. That's not right. When you're struggling, you want to feel support. I'll remember that. I know there will be great moments in my career.'
Wipe the tears away Zambrano. Sometimes it’s necessary to know you suck at a particular moment in time. Monday vs. the Dodgers, you sucked. Get over it. By going to the media and griping about it, the booing is only going to get louder if you pitch horribly again in your next outing.
And as usual, Cubs fans get no credit. I’m expecting to read throughout the blog world and MSM about how, once again, Cubs fans know nothing about baseball or how to be a real fan. What happened the last time Zambrano got all riled up? Zambrano fought Michael Barrett. Then, he went on a tear on the mound. The Cubs fans have now officially riled up Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano has verbally fought the fans with his postgame comments. Just wait and see what will happen next. Sure, Zambrano is crazy. But Cubs’ fans are crazy….. like a fox.
We Know What We're Doing, Z [Chicago SunTimes]
Zambrano Struggles, Again
Monday, September 3, 2007
Where to Find the Cubs Today.....
RADIO: WGN 720
Cardinals Lose Two More Players...
Juan Encarnacion may have played his last baseball game for the Cards, and probably anyone else. Encarnacion suffered vision loss and broken bones in his left eye after taking a foul ball line drive off of it Friday night while standing in the on deck circle. He is still in the hospital, due to experiencing headaches and nausea, and until the swelling goes down there is no thought of reconstructive surgery.
Scott Rolen also was placed on the disabled list this past weekend after having shoulder surgery. The shoulder had been causing Rolen pain all year, but it seems like it just turned out to be too much to swing after all this time. The surgery essentially ends Rolen's season unless he has a miraculous comeback.
Encarnacion, Rolen done for at least year [foxsports.com]
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Cubs Use Long Ball to Take Series
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Trachsel to Start Tuesday or Wednesday
Lou Pinella is unsure of what the Cubs rotation will look like after Carlos Zambrano's start on Monday, but what he does know that it is hard to change things at this point. Trachsel was acquired to help with the stretch run, and while Cubs fans won't look forward to sitting through 4 hour games, Trachsel is a veteran who can help the team.
It look like Sean Marshall will be skipped, but nothing is set in stone just yet. Skipping Marshall, or even moving him into the bullpen would not be a bad thing in our mind though. When Sean is good he is good, but there are too many bad starts, like Friday, that the Cubs can't afford down the stretch. Marshall would give Pinella a lefty who could go long if needed, much like Sean Gallagher or Kerry Wood from the right side. The only good thing with a month to go is that the Cubs may have questions involving too much pitching, instead of not enough.
Trachsel will start this week against Dodgers [cubs.com]
Cubs Call Ups No Suprise
The Cubs made had five members of their minor league syatem called up for the game Saturday, but none of the names are a real suprise since they all have been up at one time or another. Eric Patterson, Geovany Soto, Ronny Cedeno, Sean Gallagher, and Will Ohman were the players called up.
Soto gives the Cubs a decent bat, plus a third catcher, while Gallagher and Ohman add to already well performing bullpen. Ohman had already apologized to Mark O'Neal, the Cubs trainer, after the whole "barking shoulder" fiasco that followed Ohman's demotion earlier this year. Chances are Ohman will be forgiven, but pitching well in September will make fans forget about it too.
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