The White Sox still have some work to do. Whoever wins that game is going to have a tough time of it in Tampa.
On the bright side of town, the Cubs had a downtown rally complete with Jim Belushi mumbling, Da Mayor and Blago each getting their share of boos, plus old cubs (Santo, Banks, Billy Williams) and current Cubs (Hoffpauir, Lee, Marshall, Crane Kenney). Daley Plaza had a famous sculpture adorned with a Cub cap and large screen TVs while speakers hissed out some really loud highlights of days gone by.
Now that the bullshit is out of the way, it's time to get down to business. Dempster versus Lowe. Let's get it awn!
How it breaks down:
The Cubs heavily right-handed lineup faces LA's righty starters Lowe, Billingsly and Koruda. The Dodger staff has been good. Lowe hasn't lost since August. The Cubs can get runs in a number of ways and have plenty of flexibility. Jimmy Edmonds, we'll be looking to you for some big at-bats.
Dempster, Lilly, Harden and Big Z will face the much-discussed Manny Ramirez, but also a good core of hitters in Ethier, Kemp, Martin and Loney. Hopefully, Dempster is as invincible at home in the playoffs as he has been all year, while Big Z gets his act together after a tough back end of the season (despite his no-no). Lilly has shined while Z struggled and I expect big things from Harden (if only for 6 innings a pop).
The offensive edge has to go to the Cubs even with Manny on the Dodgers. The Cubs scored 155 more runs than the Dodgers, were second only to the Cards in NL team batting average (.278 vs the Dodgers .264) and led the NL in slugging percentage (.433 vs the Dodgers .399). The Cubs also led the NL in walks with 636 (vs the Dodgers 543).
The pitching is very close. Statistically, the Dodgers top 3 compare favorably to the Cubs top 3 (or 4, depending on where Big Z fits these days). Lowe is as formidable a starter as there is, but for overall consistency and experience, I lean to the Cubs here. However, I'm willing to listen to arguments. Similarly for the relief pitchers, the Dodgers have been very good throughout, while the Cubs middle relief has struggled at times. It's hard to argue against a cleanup crew of Marmol and Wood, but if the starters struggle, getting to them may prove to be a problem.
In the end, the Cubs win this series in 4 games. The massive home field advantage for the Cubs (55-26) versus a Dodger team that has been anything but stellar on the road (36-45) gets them through this series. The Cubs have proven to be the class of the NL for an entire season and if they play like that team, they win this series. The Dodgers can't be overlooked and any slips by the Cubs will be tough for them to overcome. Experience and the attitude I've seen from this club lead me to believe they are ready to play and have their eye on the prize here.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
..and another thing, the Bears....
Another non-Cubs post, but let's look back on the fatal play in OT for the Bears last Sunday. The defense stopped Tampa deep in Tampa territory only to give up an automatic first down on Peanut Tillman's unnecessary roughness penalty.
The penalty was valid. Sure, Tampa players did some things. Jeremy Trueblood threw weak punches at a helmeted player while both were on the ground, which started the whole mess. Nevertheless, we all know last one in is a rotten egg. Tillman got nailed on the field.
Usually, however, the NFL acknowledges these things by fining everyone involved. The onfield refs are going to miss some of this stuff, but the video doesn't lie. In this case, Tillman got fined $5,000. No word on Trueblood. What? Do you recall Jamar Williams getting a really stupid taunting penalty for jawing at a Tampa player at the end of a play? He got fined $7,500. WTF?
The penalty was valid. Sure, Tampa players did some things. Jeremy Trueblood threw weak punches at a helmeted player while both were on the ground, which started the whole mess. Nevertheless, we all know last one in is a rotten egg. Tillman got nailed on the field.
Usually, however, the NFL acknowledges these things by fining everyone involved. The onfield refs are going to miss some of this stuff, but the video doesn't lie. In this case, Tillman got fined $5,000. No word on Trueblood. What? Do you recall Jamar Williams getting a really stupid taunting penalty for jawing at a Tampa player at the end of a play? He got fined $7,500. WTF?
We Interrupt Cubbie Fever for this White Sox Update
The Cubs and Sox both lost last night in extra innings. For the Cub fan it was no big deal and possibly a blessing, depending on if you want Milwuakee, New York or Philly to be the Wild Card in the NL.
For the Sox fan, it was brutal. Swept in the dome, the White Sox now find themselves 1/2 game back and out of first place for the first time since August 24. I can't say I'm surprised, though I was rooting for the Sox to get it done in Minnesota.
The players seemed resigned to losing games against the Twinks. Even after last night's game, players could be heard discussing the "fluke" nature of many of Minnesota's hits. It just didn't sound like a team angry with itself for letting this slip away.
Their fate is no longer in their hands and they have only themselves to blame. The Sox put up six in the fifth inning and were up 6-3 after the Twins' half of the inning. Not good enough. It was disheartening to watch.
For the Sox fan, it was brutal. Swept in the dome, the White Sox now find themselves 1/2 game back and out of first place for the first time since August 24. I can't say I'm surprised, though I was rooting for the Sox to get it done in Minnesota.
The players seemed resigned to losing games against the Twinks. Even after last night's game, players could be heard discussing the "fluke" nature of many of Minnesota's hits. It just didn't sound like a team angry with itself for letting this slip away.
Their fate is no longer in their hands and they have only themselves to blame. The Sox put up six in the fifth inning and were up 6-3 after the Twins' half of the inning. Not good enough. It was disheartening to watch.
Funny or What?
Cubs players think they're funny. You be the judge. See Soto, Dempster, The Riot, Fontenot and DeRosa at funnyordie.
See more funny videos at Funny or Die
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Ho Hum
The Cubs play their final regular season game at William A. Shea Municipal Stadium. USA Today has a few top memories. The passing of this park is getting very little pub with Yankee Stadium set to blow. Nonetheless, we salute you, Shea Stadium.
The Cubs won in 10 innings last night when Lee doubled in Theriot (who had singled with 2 out and stolen second base) and Ramirez followed him with a homer. Wood would pitch a clean inning and get his 34th save. The Cubs had posted 4 runs in the fifth to tie the game at five after being down 5-1 when Zambrano imploded in the third inning.
Theriot, Lee, Ramirez and DeRosa did the majority of the work offensively and it was good to see the core of the lineup hitting together. Lee and Ramirez each took three walks. It would have been nice had Zambrano not labored so badly.
Fortunately, Dempster and his gaudy home stats will likely start the first playoff game and be the man for a Game 5 at Wrigley, if needed. Hopefully, it won't be needed.
In other NL news, Milwaukee and the Mets are now tied for the WC and there may be another weather situation coming up in the east. Look for some more griping by Houston if the Mets end up playing games at the back end. In the West, the Dodgers are 4 up with 4 to go. The vaunted D'Backs are not going to ruin anyone's first round this year. Philly sits 1 1/2 games up of the Mets and I would expect them to hold that.
In the AL, the White Sox managed to drop 2 to the Twinkies and cling to a 1/2 game lead. Gavin Floyd is set to face Kevin Slowey tonight. The ChiSox players sound like they didn't expect to win at Minnesota. Not the kind of attitude you expect from Ozzie's boys, but something fans have seen in their demeanor over the years in the Metrodome. The rest is done, with the Angels, Rays and Boston clinching playoff spots. The Rays are a game away from claiming the Division, so expect Boston to be the Wild Card out of the AL.
On the other end of things, Detroit and Seattle are the bottom of their respective divisions. These two teams had a lot of believers before the season got started. Detroit should be embarrassed by how much blame their manager is shouldering for this season. They have simply not played up to par. No amount of managing was going to get them over the hurdle. Seattle has the worst record in baseball right now. Yes, Washington has one more win (59) than Seattle (58). Seattle has lost 100 games. Wow.
The Cubs won in 10 innings last night when Lee doubled in Theriot (who had singled with 2 out and stolen second base) and Ramirez followed him with a homer. Wood would pitch a clean inning and get his 34th save. The Cubs had posted 4 runs in the fifth to tie the game at five after being down 5-1 when Zambrano imploded in the third inning.
Theriot, Lee, Ramirez and DeRosa did the majority of the work offensively and it was good to see the core of the lineup hitting together. Lee and Ramirez each took three walks. It would have been nice had Zambrano not labored so badly.
Fortunately, Dempster and his gaudy home stats will likely start the first playoff game and be the man for a Game 5 at Wrigley, if needed. Hopefully, it won't be needed.
In other NL news, Milwaukee and the Mets are now tied for the WC and there may be another weather situation coming up in the east. Look for some more griping by Houston if the Mets end up playing games at the back end. In the West, the Dodgers are 4 up with 4 to go. The vaunted D'Backs are not going to ruin anyone's first round this year. Philly sits 1 1/2 games up of the Mets and I would expect them to hold that.
In the AL, the White Sox managed to drop 2 to the Twinkies and cling to a 1/2 game lead. Gavin Floyd is set to face Kevin Slowey tonight. The ChiSox players sound like they didn't expect to win at Minnesota. Not the kind of attitude you expect from Ozzie's boys, but something fans have seen in their demeanor over the years in the Metrodome. The rest is done, with the Angels, Rays and Boston clinching playoff spots. The Rays are a game away from claiming the Division, so expect Boston to be the Wild Card out of the AL.
On the other end of things, Detroit and Seattle are the bottom of their respective divisions. These two teams had a lot of believers before the season got started. Detroit should be embarrassed by how much blame their manager is shouldering for this season. They have simply not played up to par. No amount of managing was going to get them over the hurdle. Seattle has the worst record in baseball right now. Yes, Washington has one more win (59) than Seattle (58). Seattle has lost 100 games. Wow.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Marshall - In!
Sean Marshall pitched well enough yesterday to earn a spot on the roster for the NLDS. Despite not getting a decision in last night's game, Marshall earned the nod. He will be a much needed lefty in the pen during the playoffs.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
How Dry You Am
...or may be.
Wrigleyville bars have been asked to go dry after the 7th inning stretch as is done inside the stadium. The city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications notes the dry period is voluntary and would only last until after the game is over on "clinch games".
I'm all for maintaining public safety, but this is just odd. I can't argue that it would not reduce, however small, the overall level of drunkenness. However, the bar and restaurant owners are rightly concerned about what this would do to their take on those days. Perhaps the public safety should be paramount here, but I just don't see this action curbing the behavior of the worst offenders.
Heck, not everyone even cares about the Cubs. Though, they might want to steer clear of the area if that's the case. There is nothing worse than bumbling into an impromptu street celebration of that kind.
Wrigleyville bars have been asked to go dry after the 7th inning stretch as is done inside the stadium. The city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications notes the dry period is voluntary and would only last until after the game is over on "clinch games".
I'm all for maintaining public safety, but this is just odd. I can't argue that it would not reduce, however small, the overall level of drunkenness. However, the bar and restaurant owners are rightly concerned about what this would do to their take on those days. Perhaps the public safety should be paramount here, but I just don't see this action curbing the behavior of the worst offenders.
Heck, not everyone even cares about the Cubs. Though, they might want to steer clear of the area if that's the case. There is nothing worse than bumbling into an impromptu street celebration of that kind.
The Year of Pappas Love
I didn't really expect to post much of anything until playoff match ups are determined. That is, of course, unless something momentous happened.
I have to give Marquis a nod for getting another win, hitting a grand slam and collecting five RBIs last night. He did this at Shea Stadium against a team clinging to hopes of an NL East title and clinging to a lead in the Wild Card race. The win assures the Cubs home field throughout the NL playoffs and helped the Brewers inch closer to the Mets for the WC.
It's a strange place to be, playing the Mets now. If the Mets get the WC, they face the Cubs. If Milwaukee gets it, the Cubs face the Dodgers (in all likelihood). Now, nobody really wants to face Santana in a 5-game series, but the Dodgers are dangerous and Manny is still a very real threat (though, I don't have the same dread my acquaintances do of one hitter in the playoffs, no matter how great). The Cubs will follow it up with a similar situation - 3 games at Milwaukee this weekend.
The last Cub pitcher to drive in 5 runs? Milt Pappas in August of 1972, just 22 days before Milt's September 1972 no hitter. On August 11, 1972, Pappas went 3 for 3 against the Mets in a 7-2 Cub victory at Wrigley. Pappas had an RBI double, a two-run homer, and a 2-RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. Milt also pitched the full 9 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 strikeout and no walks.
Thanks to baseball-reference.com for the game stats.
I have to give Marquis a nod for getting another win, hitting a grand slam and collecting five RBIs last night. He did this at Shea Stadium against a team clinging to hopes of an NL East title and clinging to a lead in the Wild Card race. The win assures the Cubs home field throughout the NL playoffs and helped the Brewers inch closer to the Mets for the WC.
It's a strange place to be, playing the Mets now. If the Mets get the WC, they face the Cubs. If Milwaukee gets it, the Cubs face the Dodgers (in all likelihood). Now, nobody really wants to face Santana in a 5-game series, but the Dodgers are dangerous and Manny is still a very real threat (though, I don't have the same dread my acquaintances do of one hitter in the playoffs, no matter how great). The Cubs will follow it up with a similar situation - 3 games at Milwaukee this weekend.
The last Cub pitcher to drive in 5 runs? Milt Pappas in August of 1972, just 22 days before Milt's September 1972 no hitter. On August 11, 1972, Pappas went 3 for 3 against the Mets in a 7-2 Cub victory at Wrigley. Pappas had an RBI double, a two-run homer, and a 2-RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. Milt also pitched the full 9 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 strikeout and no walks.
Thanks to baseball-reference.com for the game stats.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Now What?
Now the Cubs are a game away from locking NL home field. They don't have to worry about the Angels since the AL took care of business in that long ass All-Star Game. Thanks to the fact that the powers that be think it's a monumentally impossible logistics task to wait until the end to determine where home field in the World Series is, the Cubs do not have to fret over the AL's best.
The Cubs have only to determine their initial playoff rotation and set it in motion. They can scrutinize and nitpick while determining the rest of the playoff roster. And they can wait and watch as the rest of the NL picture solidifies. This time of year is a tricky business for teams like the Cubs. Rest is nice. Rhythm is crucial. After months of pedal to the metal baseball, it's not time to come to a screeching halt, only to fail at the restart next week. However, a key injury at this point would be hellish.
It's a good time for fans to get some rest too. The baseball playoffs are tense and last long into the night.
Other tidbits:
The Cubs have only to determine their initial playoff rotation and set it in motion. They can scrutinize and nitpick while determining the rest of the playoff roster. And they can wait and watch as the rest of the NL picture solidifies. This time of year is a tricky business for teams like the Cubs. Rest is nice. Rhythm is crucial. After months of pedal to the metal baseball, it's not time to come to a screeching halt, only to fail at the restart next week. However, a key injury at this point would be hellish.
It's a good time for fans to get some rest too. The baseball playoffs are tense and last long into the night.
Other tidbits:
- The first back-to-back NL Division Championships since 1908.
- The ChiSox head to Minnesota for 3 with a 2 1/2 game lead and 7 games to go.
- The Cubs and Sox haven't been in the same postseason since 1906.
- Neal Cotts could go down as the only player to win a World Series for both the Cubs and Sox.
- The Cubs ended their 2008 home season having drawn a Chicago baseball record 3,300,200 fans.
- During the Bears game on Sunday (vs the Tampa Bay Bucs) the announcers mentioned the baseball joy in Tampa, mentioning that the first post-season appearance in franchise history was clinched by the Rays. Immediately after, a clever camera person panned to a group of Soldier Field fans sporting Cub caps.
- Koyie Hill made his first major-league start since August 16, 2007. A big step after cutting off the fingers in an accident last October (see pictures in The Sporting News blog of the restructured hand).
- Say so long to Yankee Stadium. 85-years of history in one of baseball's hallowed buildings. Mariano Rivera got Brian Roberts to ground out to end a 7-3 Yanks win over Baltimore Sunday. The new stadium will be just as special. Wrigley is next on the chopping block. Progress stops for no man.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Cubs Win, Cubs Win!
2008 National League Central Division Champions.
I'm just gonna let that sink in for a while.
I'm just gonna let that sink in for a while.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Crazy, Crazy
The Cubs lost a rather unmemorable game on Thursday night. It was fairly nondescript other than a nice putout at home with an assist from Soriano. That was mostly only memorable because it happened in the midst of a bar discussion about just how bad Soriano really is in the field.
Yesterday, the Cubs followed up with even more lackluster play. Until the ninth inning, that is. The Cubs managed to tie the game with 4 runs in the ninth, including a 2-out, 3-run homer from Soto. Lee then singled in pinch-runner Marquis in the 12th for the win.
Now, with a chance to close out the division with a win at home versus the Cards and a Milwaukee loss, Big Z uses up all the hits and runs he was keeping to himself in his last start. Down 9-0, it looks ugly.
Yesterday, the Cubs followed up with even more lackluster play. Until the ninth inning, that is. The Cubs managed to tie the game with 4 runs in the ninth, including a 2-out, 3-run homer from Soto. Lee then singled in pinch-runner Marquis in the 12th for the win.
Now, with a chance to close out the division with a win at home versus the Cards and a Milwaukee loss, Big Z uses up all the hits and runs he was keeping to himself in his last start. Down 9-0, it looks ugly.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Where the Tension Is
The Cubs are destined to win the Central and will most likely have the best record in the NL. They sit 9 games ahead of the flailing Brewers in the Central and 8 1/2 games over the Mets, the current leader for the Wild Card.
The Phillies lead the East by a 1/2 game over the Mets and at 84-67 they are unlikely to catch up to the Cubs (91-58) with 13 games left (11 for the Phillies). The Phillies have the easier schedule down the stretch and the Mets are sitting on 4 straight losses, including yesterday's 1-0 loss to Washington. The Mets get the Cubs and the Marlins. The Phils get Florida, Atlanta and Washington. I'll take the Phillies.
The NL West is a mess right now with the Dodgers having surged to a 4 1/2 game lead over the Diamondbacks. Since acquiring Manny, the Dodgers have been on fire (as has Manny) and the team many Cub fans feared like death is looking like they won't even make the playoffs.
The NL Wild Card is a tight race with the runner-up in the NL East duking it out with the fading Brewers. Houston (3 back of WC), St Louis (5 back of WC) and Florida (5 back of WC) still have a dreamer's chance, but time is running out. I still think the Brewers are better than the Mets here, but they are in shambles with 2 losses to the Cubs and the firing of Yost. I don't want to but I'm going to take the Mets here. They have to pull a few games out of their ass and with Milwaukee losing a Sabathia start yesterday, I think they're cooked.
Over in the AL, the Angels have locked it with a 92-58 record and an 18-game lead over Texas. This one was over a while ago. The White Sox cling to a 2 1/2 game lead over the Twins in the AL Central and face the Twins three more times in MN. With four games in Tampa before they get the Sox, I'm going to take the White Sox for the Division here.
The Central-leading White Sox are 84-66 and it looks like the top two teams in the AL East have 89 wins each and it can be assumed that one of them will take the Wild Card. Tampa Bay has a 1-game lead by virtue of two fewer losses than the Red Sox. The Rays and BoSox play their last game versus one another today and then the Rays get Baltimore, Minnesota and Detroit to close it out. Boston gets to go to Toronto for 3, then Cleveland at home and finish with 3 at home against the Yanks. With nothing left, the Yanks are going to look to spoil the Division crown for Boston. I'll take the Rays for the Division and Boston settling for the WC.
So, to recap...
NL East - Phils
NL Central - Cubs
NL West - Dodgers
NL WC - Mets
AL East - Tampa
AL Central - Chicago
AL West - Angels
AL WC - Boston
I don't see the Mets/Phils or the Rays/BoSox ending in any kind of 163rd game situation (or the Sox/Twinks, for that matter).
Is any of this what I thought at the beginning. I picked the Cubs and with 95 wins, but most people did. I did not see the Dodgers or Mets. I went with Arizona and St Louis as the WC. In the AL I had Cleveland, Angels, Yanks, Boston as the WC. I thought Tampa would be good, but not like this, and the Yanks disappoint yet again. You can never shake the Yankee in you, no matter where you live.
The Phillies lead the East by a 1/2 game over the Mets and at 84-67 they are unlikely to catch up to the Cubs (91-58) with 13 games left (11 for the Phillies). The Phillies have the easier schedule down the stretch and the Mets are sitting on 4 straight losses, including yesterday's 1-0 loss to Washington. The Mets get the Cubs and the Marlins. The Phils get Florida, Atlanta and Washington. I'll take the Phillies.
The NL West is a mess right now with the Dodgers having surged to a 4 1/2 game lead over the Diamondbacks. Since acquiring Manny, the Dodgers have been on fire (as has Manny) and the team many Cub fans feared like death is looking like they won't even make the playoffs.
The NL Wild Card is a tight race with the runner-up in the NL East duking it out with the fading Brewers. Houston (3 back of WC), St Louis (5 back of WC) and Florida (5 back of WC) still have a dreamer's chance, but time is running out. I still think the Brewers are better than the Mets here, but they are in shambles with 2 losses to the Cubs and the firing of Yost. I don't want to but I'm going to take the Mets here. They have to pull a few games out of their ass and with Milwaukee losing a Sabathia start yesterday, I think they're cooked.
Over in the AL, the Angels have locked it with a 92-58 record and an 18-game lead over Texas. This one was over a while ago. The White Sox cling to a 2 1/2 game lead over the Twins in the AL Central and face the Twins three more times in MN. With four games in Tampa before they get the Sox, I'm going to take the White Sox for the Division here.
The Central-leading White Sox are 84-66 and it looks like the top two teams in the AL East have 89 wins each and it can be assumed that one of them will take the Wild Card. Tampa Bay has a 1-game lead by virtue of two fewer losses than the Red Sox. The Rays and BoSox play their last game versus one another today and then the Rays get Baltimore, Minnesota and Detroit to close it out. Boston gets to go to Toronto for 3, then Cleveland at home and finish with 3 at home against the Yanks. With nothing left, the Yanks are going to look to spoil the Division crown for Boston. I'll take the Rays for the Division and Boston settling for the WC.
So, to recap...
NL East - Phils
NL Central - Cubs
NL West - Dodgers
NL WC - Mets
AL East - Tampa
AL Central - Chicago
AL West - Angels
AL WC - Boston
I don't see the Mets/Phils or the Rays/BoSox ending in any kind of 163rd game situation (or the Sox/Twinks, for that matter).
Is any of this what I thought at the beginning. I picked the Cubs and with 95 wins, but most people did. I did not see the Dodgers or Mets. I went with Arizona and St Louis as the WC. In the AL I had Cleveland, Angels, Yanks, Boston as the WC. I thought Tampa would be good, but not like this, and the Yanks disappoint yet again. You can never shake the Yankee in you, no matter where you live.
Another Step Closer
The Cubs won again, beating the Sveum-led Brewers 5-4.
Despite the fact that Sabathia took the mound for the Brewers, Soriano starting the game with a hit yet again. A double off the wall (did he come out of the box a tad slow? maybe....) put Soriano in place to score a run in the first. He did just that when Lee, heating up at the right time, doubled Soriano in. Ramirez notched two RBIs in the third off Sabathia on a double that scored The Riot and Lee, who had both singled. Soriano added a big homer in the Seventh. Ramirez scored the eventual winning run by leading off the eighth with a double and coming in on a Blanco single.
Dempster got the win and posted a good line with 7 innings, 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 9 strike outs and one walk. Somehow it felt more intense. Probably due to the starters' stellar performances the last two game, but also due to Dempster having some minor hiccups to work through. Fielder, a killer for these Cubs, did a lot of damage with 3 RBI, 3 hits and 2 runs. He bombed a massive 2-run homer in the sixth and a solo shot in the eighth off of Marmol. Wood got the save, but not before giving up a run and putting the tying run on third with 2-out and Fielder at the plate. Wood threw a barrage of fastballs (7 straight) before dropping a slider on a 3-2 count to punch Fielder out. Wood called the pitch a "slurvy slider". Whatever you call it, it froze Fielder and brought on the end-game cheering at Wrigley.
Despite the fact that Sabathia took the mound for the Brewers, Soriano starting the game with a hit yet again. A double off the wall (did he come out of the box a tad slow? maybe....) put Soriano in place to score a run in the first. He did just that when Lee, heating up at the right time, doubled Soriano in. Ramirez notched two RBIs in the third off Sabathia on a double that scored The Riot and Lee, who had both singled. Soriano added a big homer in the Seventh. Ramirez scored the eventual winning run by leading off the eighth with a double and coming in on a Blanco single.
Dempster got the win and posted a good line with 7 innings, 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 9 strike outs and one walk. Somehow it felt more intense. Probably due to the starters' stellar performances the last two game, but also due to Dempster having some minor hiccups to work through. Fielder, a killer for these Cubs, did a lot of damage with 3 RBI, 3 hits and 2 runs. He bombed a massive 2-run homer in the sixth and a solo shot in the eighth off of Marmol. Wood got the save, but not before giving up a run and putting the tying run on third with 2-out and Fielder at the plate. Wood threw a barrage of fastballs (7 straight) before dropping a slider on a 3-2 count to punch Fielder out. Wood called the pitch a "slurvy slider". Whatever you call it, it froze Fielder and brought on the end-game cheering at Wrigley.
Magic Number: Division - 4; Wild Card - 5 (Mets)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Gilded Lilly
One day after Z pitches his no-hitter, Lilly goes seven innings and gives up only one hit. Samardzija, Marmol and Howry finished it off without giving up a hit (though they did give up a run) and the Cubs became the first team in history to follow a no-hitter with a one-hitter (the Cubs also had back-to-back one-hitters by Lieber and Wood on May 24-25, 2001). For the two games, the Astros hit .019, the Cub starters pitched 16 scoreless innings and gave up one hit while striking out 19. The mini sweep of the 'Stros put the Cubs 5-3 for this longest road trip. They went to 4 cities in 11 days, including two unscheduled rest days due to Ike, and managed to win the final 4 games after starting 1-3.
Samardzija and Marmol managed to give up a run without giving up a hit, which was the only smudge on this two day series. Samardzija walked two with one out and gave way to Marmol. Marmol then let the runners move up on a wild pitch before a sac fly brought in the run.
The Cubs offense got on track a bit with 6 runs on 7 hits (just in time to face Sabathia). Soriano led off the game with a single, was moved over by a Lee single and brought in by a Ramirez sac fly. Good way to start the game and, just like yesterday, that one run was all they would need. Edmonds added a solo shot in the fifth inning (which also included a Lilly single). Four more runs were added in the sixth as Fontenot walked ahead of a Lee homer and then Ramirez singled ahead of a Soto homer.
The Brewers were off yesterday and now the Cubs own an 8-game lead in the Central. Apparently that was enough for Milwaukee management, who fired Ned Yost despite the Brewers being tied for the Wild Card with only 12 games left before post-season play. The Brewers look respectable at 83-67 with a very young, talented team. However, this team has a $90 million dollar payroll and people expected more from them. They fell flat at home mid-season against the Cubs and let them slip out of town in first place, then just recently floundered against Philly and their lead in the Wild Card race evaporated before their eyes. In non-Sabathia starts, the team has gone 15-22 since July 26th - when they were tied with the Cubs on top of the Central. They held a 5 1/2 game lead on the WC on September 1. This is too similar to the 2007 collapse when the Brewers couldn't hold an 8 1/2 game lead in the Central. Yost did good work otherwise, posting a .532 winning percentage and making Milwaukee relevant again. This might be there first playoffs since 1982, but they'll have to do it behind Dale Sveum.
Welcome to Managing in the Bigs, Dale. Here come the Cubbies and their chests are puffed out. Sabathis versus Dempster. Should be a good one.
Magic Number: Division and Wild Card - 6
Samardzija and Marmol managed to give up a run without giving up a hit, which was the only smudge on this two day series. Samardzija walked two with one out and gave way to Marmol. Marmol then let the runners move up on a wild pitch before a sac fly brought in the run.
The Cubs offense got on track a bit with 6 runs on 7 hits (just in time to face Sabathia). Soriano led off the game with a single, was moved over by a Lee single and brought in by a Ramirez sac fly. Good way to start the game and, just like yesterday, that one run was all they would need. Edmonds added a solo shot in the fifth inning (which also included a Lilly single). Four more runs were added in the sixth as Fontenot walked ahead of a Lee homer and then Ramirez singled ahead of a Soto homer.
The Brewers were off yesterday and now the Cubs own an 8-game lead in the Central. Apparently that was enough for Milwaukee management, who fired Ned Yost despite the Brewers being tied for the Wild Card with only 12 games left before post-season play. The Brewers look respectable at 83-67 with a very young, talented team. However, this team has a $90 million dollar payroll and people expected more from them. They fell flat at home mid-season against the Cubs and let them slip out of town in first place, then just recently floundered against Philly and their lead in the Wild Card race evaporated before their eyes. In non-Sabathia starts, the team has gone 15-22 since July 26th - when they were tied with the Cubs on top of the Central. They held a 5 1/2 game lead on the WC on September 1. This is too similar to the 2007 collapse when the Brewers couldn't hold an 8 1/2 game lead in the Central. Yost did good work otherwise, posting a .532 winning percentage and making Milwaukee relevant again. This might be there first playoffs since 1982, but they'll have to do it behind Dale Sveum.
Welcome to Managing in the Bigs, Dale. Here come the Cubbies and their chests are puffed out. Sabathis versus Dempster. Should be a good one.
Magic Number: Division and Wild Card - 6
No No, No Problem!
The Cubs finally played a game against the Astros. They played it in Milwaukee of all places, where the ghost of Milt Pappas (OK, just the repeated use of Pappas - alive and kicking - as the easiest "obscure" trivia answer in Cub lore) was laid to rest.
Big Z felt right at home. After an 11-game rest and a ton of hair pulling and woe-is-me discussion by Cub fans and Chicago sports media, Zambrano got a win.
Not just any win. A no-hitter. The first in Miller Park history. Big Z gave up 1 walk and 1 HBP over 9 innings and 110 pitches. He also went 1 for 3 at the plate and scored a run in the Cubs 5-0 victory over the beleaguered Astros. The one walk came in the 4th and was followed by a Tejada double play ball. Z also hit Pence in the 5th with 2 outs, which was followed by a nice leaping catch by Lee on a hot liner to first.
This may not rank as the best no-hitter ever pitched. The Astros have certainly had a lot on their minds of late and having a supposed home game in Milwaukee didn't help. Neither did the fact that the 'Stros arrived in Milwaukee just a few hours before first pitch and had been sitting on their asses for two days waiting for some decision to be made.
You no doubt will read all the teeth gnashing over how poorly this was handled by MLB and Houston ownership, but it was a tough situation. They should have made an earlier decision, but hindsight is like that. Milwaukee may have seemed like Wrigley Lite on Sunday night, but many parks would have produced a majority Cub fans. Their appeal is evident every time they play an away game. With scheduling such a bitch anyway and weather everywhere in the shitter, the dome in Milwaukee was not a ridiculous choice. Unfortunate for the Astros, for sure, but not ridiculous. Would they prefer to lose a home game or be forced to ruin the potential playoff rotation with games after the season is over? Not to mention, depending on how the revenue is doled out, Milwaukee would certainly produce the most, if not close to the most, tickets sold of any other "neutral" venue.
Nevertheless, Houston was riding a hot streak, winning 14 of 15 prior to Sunday and had leapt into the Wild Card race. The slumping Cubs had been doing a similar amount of sitting around (though clearly with less angst) and Zambrano was coming off a string of bad outings culminating in bench time to rest his aching shoulder.
Big Z hadn't pitched a shutout since 2004 and hadn't had a complete game since June 16, 2007. His performance was stellar, with a zipping fastball and excellent command. 73 strikes, 37 walks, 10 strikeouts, 13 groundouts, 4 flyouts (only 2 balls left the infield, total) and 28 batters faced. It was also a good day for what has seemed like a shaky defense recently for the Cubs.
Soriano started the game out with a HR. That would be all she wrote, but the Cubs added four more in the third in typical fashion. Two singles started off the inning and with 2-out, Lee doubled in Cedeno and Zambrano. Ramirez singled in Lee and advanced to second on an error. He was immediately picked up on an RBI double by Soto. DeRosa walked and Johnson, the ninth batter of the inning, recorded the last out swinging at air in the 10th pitch of the at-bat (having recorded 5 fouls on a 2-2 count).
Now the Cubs stand 7 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee in the Central despite having won only 4 of their last 10 games as the Brewers dropped both ends of a double header to Philly. The Brewers and Phils are now tied for the Wild Card, Houston is 2 games back, St. Louis 4 1/2 back. So much for the Central being the dregs of the NL. Magic Number: Division and WC - 7 games (15 remaining)
Big Z felt right at home. After an 11-game rest and a ton of hair pulling and woe-is-me discussion by Cub fans and Chicago sports media, Zambrano got a win.
Not just any win. A no-hitter. The first in Miller Park history. Big Z gave up 1 walk and 1 HBP over 9 innings and 110 pitches. He also went 1 for 3 at the plate and scored a run in the Cubs 5-0 victory over the beleaguered Astros. The one walk came in the 4th and was followed by a Tejada double play ball. Z also hit Pence in the 5th with 2 outs, which was followed by a nice leaping catch by Lee on a hot liner to first.
This may not rank as the best no-hitter ever pitched. The Astros have certainly had a lot on their minds of late and having a supposed home game in Milwaukee didn't help. Neither did the fact that the 'Stros arrived in Milwaukee just a few hours before first pitch and had been sitting on their asses for two days waiting for some decision to be made.
You no doubt will read all the teeth gnashing over how poorly this was handled by MLB and Houston ownership, but it was a tough situation. They should have made an earlier decision, but hindsight is like that. Milwaukee may have seemed like Wrigley Lite on Sunday night, but many parks would have produced a majority Cub fans. Their appeal is evident every time they play an away game. With scheduling such a bitch anyway and weather everywhere in the shitter, the dome in Milwaukee was not a ridiculous choice. Unfortunate for the Astros, for sure, but not ridiculous. Would they prefer to lose a home game or be forced to ruin the potential playoff rotation with games after the season is over? Not to mention, depending on how the revenue is doled out, Milwaukee would certainly produce the most, if not close to the most, tickets sold of any other "neutral" venue.
Nevertheless, Houston was riding a hot streak, winning 14 of 15 prior to Sunday and had leapt into the Wild Card race. The slumping Cubs had been doing a similar amount of sitting around (though clearly with less angst) and Zambrano was coming off a string of bad outings culminating in bench time to rest his aching shoulder.
Big Z hadn't pitched a shutout since 2004 and hadn't had a complete game since June 16, 2007. His performance was stellar, with a zipping fastball and excellent command. 73 strikes, 37 walks, 10 strikeouts, 13 groundouts, 4 flyouts (only 2 balls left the infield, total) and 28 batters faced. It was also a good day for what has seemed like a shaky defense recently for the Cubs.
Soriano started the game out with a HR. That would be all she wrote, but the Cubs added four more in the third in typical fashion. Two singles started off the inning and with 2-out, Lee doubled in Cedeno and Zambrano. Ramirez singled in Lee and advanced to second on an error. He was immediately picked up on an RBI double by Soto. DeRosa walked and Johnson, the ninth batter of the inning, recorded the last out swinging at air in the 10th pitch of the at-bat (having recorded 5 fouls on a 2-2 count).
Now the Cubs stand 7 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee in the Central despite having won only 4 of their last 10 games as the Brewers dropped both ends of a double header to Philly. The Brewers and Phils are now tied for the Wild Card, Houston is 2 games back, St. Louis 4 1/2 back. So much for the Central being the dregs of the NL. Magic Number: Division and WC - 7 games (15 remaining)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Lookee What I Found
It's a couple of victories!
The Cubs managed to take two in St Louis and win a series. They are now sitting on 88 wins and are 5 1/2 games up on Milwaukee (lost to the Phils last night) and 8 1/2 up on the next teams in the Wild Card hunt. Amazingly, Houston is one of those teams and they are tied with the Phils now at 80-67.
Now the Cubs are getting a breather as the hurricane resulted in two cancelled games in Houston [pause for a prayer for the weather beaten masses]. The sizzling Astros are 9-1 in their last 10 and the Cubs are hoping this time off will cool them just a bit.
On Wednesday, the Cubs got 8 innings and 1 earned run (in the first on a Pujols ground out that scored Izturis) surrendered from Lilly. Hell of an effort. The Cubs managed 4 runs in the second inning, which started out with 4 straight singles and was aided by 2 errors from Felipe Lopez at third. The inning also featured Ted Lilly barreling into Molina at home plate, catching him in the jewels with his knee. Soriano nailed Izturis at the plate in the third, which would turn out huge as Woody would give up a Pujols double followed by a Ludwick homer to cut the lead to 4-3, the eventual final score.
Thursday was no less fun. Harden went six innings and gave up 2 runs in the sixth inning. Six is pretty good, but there was more Cub Angst this morning as reports of lowered velocity and Harden fading in the sixth came across the wire. It doesn't take much to get people in a tizzy. Soriano and Fukudome both added outstanding catches in the eighth inning and Samardzija, Marmol and Wood locked it down. The Cubs posted two runs in the fifth without a hit thanks to a succession of events - a walk, a rare Pujols error, 2 more walks (The Riot walked scoring Soto) and a ground out (Lee grounded out, scoring Johnson). DeRosa and Fontenot hit back to back doubles to add another run in the next inning.
The ninth was another doozy as Wood gave up a lead-off double. The bunt that followed was fielded by Lee, who fired to third. With Ramirez having to backpedal to the bag after charging the bunt and the runner on the move, it would have been a miraculous play. As it happens, it was anyway as Brendan Ryan overslid third after beating the tag and Aramis got him on the retag. He looked safe, but it was bang bang. A bloop single then put 2 on and 1 out before Woody K'd Miles and induced a pop up from Pujols, who had us all worried.
Two strange wins, but you take what you get. I'm still concerned about the hitting, but the Cubs made some runs out of nothing (or the Cards gave them out for free with purchase of a hot dog) and the pitchers navigated a tough lineup to get it done. The bunt play last night was typical of the Cubs lately, with Lee opting for the ridiculous play at third rather than the out at first (though perhaps Miles beats it anyway) and Ramirez doesn't actually hold the tag through the slide, he holds it up to the ump before realizing the runner was in the dirt past third. They still got the results, but boy is it tense. Soriano has been on target in the field and Fukudome proved his glove yet again.
The Cubs now face 16 games in 15 days. With the concerns for Big Z and Harden, this could really push the staff. Expect some of the middle relief to get rode hard. Either Z or Marquis is going to have to eat some innings on Sunday. I expect it will be up to Marquis regardless of how he is pitching.
Magic Number: Division 11, Wild Card 8
The Cubs managed to take two in St Louis and win a series. They are now sitting on 88 wins and are 5 1/2 games up on Milwaukee (lost to the Phils last night) and 8 1/2 up on the next teams in the Wild Card hunt. Amazingly, Houston is one of those teams and they are tied with the Phils now at 80-67.
Now the Cubs are getting a breather as the hurricane resulted in two cancelled games in Houston [pause for a prayer for the weather beaten masses]. The sizzling Astros are 9-1 in their last 10 and the Cubs are hoping this time off will cool them just a bit.
On Wednesday, the Cubs got 8 innings and 1 earned run (in the first on a Pujols ground out that scored Izturis) surrendered from Lilly. Hell of an effort. The Cubs managed 4 runs in the second inning, which started out with 4 straight singles and was aided by 2 errors from Felipe Lopez at third. The inning also featured Ted Lilly barreling into Molina at home plate, catching him in the jewels with his knee. Soriano nailed Izturis at the plate in the third, which would turn out huge as Woody would give up a Pujols double followed by a Ludwick homer to cut the lead to 4-3, the eventual final score.
Thursday was no less fun. Harden went six innings and gave up 2 runs in the sixth inning. Six is pretty good, but there was more Cub Angst this morning as reports of lowered velocity and Harden fading in the sixth came across the wire. It doesn't take much to get people in a tizzy. Soriano and Fukudome both added outstanding catches in the eighth inning and Samardzija, Marmol and Wood locked it down. The Cubs posted two runs in the fifth without a hit thanks to a succession of events - a walk, a rare Pujols error, 2 more walks (The Riot walked scoring Soto) and a ground out (Lee grounded out, scoring Johnson). DeRosa and Fontenot hit back to back doubles to add another run in the next inning.
The ninth was another doozy as Wood gave up a lead-off double. The bunt that followed was fielded by Lee, who fired to third. With Ramirez having to backpedal to the bag after charging the bunt and the runner on the move, it would have been a miraculous play. As it happens, it was anyway as Brendan Ryan overslid third after beating the tag and Aramis got him on the retag. He looked safe, but it was bang bang. A bloop single then put 2 on and 1 out before Woody K'd Miles and induced a pop up from Pujols, who had us all worried.
Two strange wins, but you take what you get. I'm still concerned about the hitting, but the Cubs made some runs out of nothing (or the Cards gave them out for free with purchase of a hot dog) and the pitchers navigated a tough lineup to get it done. The bunt play last night was typical of the Cubs lately, with Lee opting for the ridiculous play at third rather than the out at first (though perhaps Miles beats it anyway) and Ramirez doesn't actually hold the tag through the slide, he holds it up to the ump before realizing the runner was in the dirt past third. They still got the results, but boy is it tense. Soriano has been on target in the field and Fukudome proved his glove yet again.
The Cubs now face 16 games in 15 days. With the concerns for Big Z and Harden, this could really push the staff. Expect some of the middle relief to get rode hard. Either Z or Marquis is going to have to eat some innings on Sunday. I expect it will be up to Marquis regardless of how he is pitching.
Magic Number: Division 11, Wild Card 8
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
This is getting old
I agree with Piniella. I'm tired of watching the Cubs play like this.
Last night was just more of the same....eighth loss in nine games. Dempster pitched OK, but with the Cubs up 3-0 in the bottom of the sixth he made a big mistake. After giving up a double and a bunt single (tough play that wasn't going to get Miles, though Lee made a good hockey save to keep the ball from getting too far away and keeping the advancing runner at third), Dempster grooved one to the guy you don't want to make a mistake with. No doubt about the Pujols 3-run homer to tie it up. Dempster did compose himself to get out of the inning and through the seventh without further incident (a good sign, if you ask me).
The offense offered up a little help, with usual suspects The Riot (2-5, 2 runs), Ramirez (3-4, 2 RBI) and Lee (1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI) doing the damage and posting an early lead for Dempster. However, the bats did not come alive late and the Cubs never scratched home plate after the third inning.
Marmol had the mound in the ninth and pissed it away with a single, a balk, a walk, a sacrifice to move runners to 2nd and 3rd, and a fielder's choice scoring the winning run.
Can Lilly be the stopper tonight like he was last year pitching after a loss? Let's hope so. I don't feel like watching more of this.
Division Magic Number is 15. Wild Card Magic Number is 11. With the team playing like this, those numbers seem astronomically large with 18 games to go. The Cubs will make the playoffs. Of that there is no doubt, but will they come in like champs breaking the tape on the regular season race or will they trudge in behind, just happy enough that it's finally over?
Last night was just more of the same....eighth loss in nine games. Dempster pitched OK, but with the Cubs up 3-0 in the bottom of the sixth he made a big mistake. After giving up a double and a bunt single (tough play that wasn't going to get Miles, though Lee made a good hockey save to keep the ball from getting too far away and keeping the advancing runner at third), Dempster grooved one to the guy you don't want to make a mistake with. No doubt about the Pujols 3-run homer to tie it up. Dempster did compose himself to get out of the inning and through the seventh without further incident (a good sign, if you ask me).
The offense offered up a little help, with usual suspects The Riot (2-5, 2 runs), Ramirez (3-4, 2 RBI) and Lee (1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI) doing the damage and posting an early lead for Dempster. However, the bats did not come alive late and the Cubs never scratched home plate after the third inning.
Marmol had the mound in the ninth and pissed it away with a single, a balk, a walk, a sacrifice to move runners to 2nd and 3rd, and a fielder's choice scoring the winning run.
Can Lilly be the stopper tonight like he was last year pitching after a loss? Let's hope so. I don't feel like watching more of this.
Division Magic Number is 15. Wild Card Magic Number is 11. With the team playing like this, those numbers seem astronomically large with 18 games to go. The Cubs will make the playoffs. Of that there is no doubt, but will they come in like champs breaking the tape on the regular season race or will they trudge in behind, just happy enough that it's finally over?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Now Panic?
I've been out of town and I can't say I'm sorry I have missed the Cubs descent into madness.
Things are not going swimmingly. That's obvious. There is a growing sense of doom here in the Windy City. I am choosing to ignore it. The Tribune has a piece in the Sports Section today with comparisons to 1969.
I understand. Things always happen. Goats , Bartman and the '69 Mets. Who will play this year's Leon Durham or Brant Brown? I can't say I haven't felt that way in years past. This team just doesn't have that feel to me.
The Cubs have lost 7 of 8 and done it every which way but loose. No hitting. Bad pitching. Bad fielding. Big Z and Harden on the bench. Kid K blowing one late. Nevertheless, this team amazingly has a 4 1/2 game lead over the Brewers and a 7 1/2 game lead over the Phillies (the next closest contender for the Wild Card).
I've gone over the remaining schedule already and it isn't pretty. However, it is exactly what this team needs to right the ship prior to the playoffs. They don't need to flail through a soft schedule and flop themselves into the playoffs. They need to harden up (Harden up, too) by playing tough opponents and quality pitching as they tune this engine back up. Despite this mini-slump, the Cubs still lead the NL with 86 victories and are only 1 back of the Angels for tops in the majors. They are still 2 games above .500 away after muddling all year at a below .500 clip for games outside of the Friendly Confines.
This Cub team is a solid group and still have more going for them than the rest of the National League and can match up with the tops in either league. I refuse to feed into the negative mindset after this latest drop in production. This is what baseball is all about. I'm looking for Dempster, Lilly and Harden to reel off three good starts in a row against the Cardinals. The atmosphere will be there and I expect the Cubs to respond.
Things are not going swimmingly. That's obvious. There is a growing sense of doom here in the Windy City. I am choosing to ignore it. The Tribune has a piece in the Sports Section today with comparisons to 1969.
I understand. Things always happen. Goats , Bartman and the '69 Mets. Who will play this year's Leon Durham or Brant Brown? I can't say I haven't felt that way in years past. This team just doesn't have that feel to me.
The Cubs have lost 7 of 8 and done it every which way but loose. No hitting. Bad pitching. Bad fielding. Big Z and Harden on the bench. Kid K blowing one late. Nevertheless, this team amazingly has a 4 1/2 game lead over the Brewers and a 7 1/2 game lead over the Phillies (the next closest contender for the Wild Card).
I've gone over the remaining schedule already and it isn't pretty. However, it is exactly what this team needs to right the ship prior to the playoffs. They don't need to flail through a soft schedule and flop themselves into the playoffs. They need to harden up (Harden up, too) by playing tough opponents and quality pitching as they tune this engine back up. Despite this mini-slump, the Cubs still lead the NL with 86 victories and are only 1 back of the Angels for tops in the majors. They are still 2 games above .500 away after muddling all year at a below .500 clip for games outside of the Friendly Confines.
This Cub team is a solid group and still have more going for them than the rest of the National League and can match up with the tops in either league. I refuse to feed into the negative mindset after this latest drop in production. This is what baseball is all about. I'm looking for Dempster, Lilly and Harden to reel off three good starts in a row against the Cardinals. The atmosphere will be there and I expect the Cubs to respond.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
PANIC!
What a rough week. Even the 3-day weekend didn't help. The Cubs have now lost four in a row, Fukudome is looking at pine time and two ace pitchers are looking at missing starts.
The dogs are beginning to howl and the fans are antsy. The heroics of the first few Phillie games (Ramirez granny on Friday, Soriano's game winning HR in the seventh on Saturday) were quickly forgotten over the next four games. To put it mildly, the Cubs have looked bad. The hitting is dormant and the pitchers are fumbling.
The last thing any Cub fan wants to hear about is star pitchers with dead arms and injuries. However, the team still sits atop the majors with 85 wins and a 4 1/2 game lead over the Brewers (who are having their own heart palpitations over Sheets and his groin right now). Even the hand wringing over the away record has subsided some now that the Cubs are 34-31 away from Wrigley.
The bad news is that September includes 6 vs St Louis, 6 vs Milwaukee, and four more against Houston, who have been playing well. The only relief is a three game set at Cincy because the four games in NY with a Mets team hanging tight to a 2 game lead in the East will not be easy. To add to the drama, among the 5 teams (4 in the NL) with more away victories than the Cubs are Milwaukee, St Louis, and the Mets.
It's liable to get intense, but I still think the Cubs have the goods. The question remains how well they can position themselves for the playoffs. They need to get Zambrano right and continue to keep an eye on Harden. I'm looking for Dempster to prove just how valuable he is to this team by carrying them toward the playoffs along with strong efforts by Lilly and Marquis, who has done good work lately. The offense has been in a lull recently, but top to bottom, they are too good to stay there.
Dempster can start tonight by halting this losing streak and putting the team back in gear before heading off to Cincy.
The dogs are beginning to howl and the fans are antsy. The heroics of the first few Phillie games (Ramirez granny on Friday, Soriano's game winning HR in the seventh on Saturday) were quickly forgotten over the next four games. To put it mildly, the Cubs have looked bad. The hitting is dormant and the pitchers are fumbling.
The last thing any Cub fan wants to hear about is star pitchers with dead arms and injuries. However, the team still sits atop the majors with 85 wins and a 4 1/2 game lead over the Brewers (who are having their own heart palpitations over Sheets and his groin right now). Even the hand wringing over the away record has subsided some now that the Cubs are 34-31 away from Wrigley.
The bad news is that September includes 6 vs St Louis, 6 vs Milwaukee, and four more against Houston, who have been playing well. The only relief is a three game set at Cincy because the four games in NY with a Mets team hanging tight to a 2 game lead in the East will not be easy. To add to the drama, among the 5 teams (4 in the NL) with more away victories than the Cubs are Milwaukee, St Louis, and the Mets.
It's liable to get intense, but I still think the Cubs have the goods. The question remains how well they can position themselves for the playoffs. They need to get Zambrano right and continue to keep an eye on Harden. I'm looking for Dempster to prove just how valuable he is to this team by carrying them toward the playoffs along with strong efforts by Lilly and Marquis, who has done good work lately. The offense has been in a lull recently, but top to bottom, they are too good to stay there.
Dempster can start tonight by halting this losing streak and putting the team back in gear before heading off to Cincy.
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