The Cubs went 18-9 in July, their best month of the season so far and best since they went 20-8 in August 2008. A repeat of that August this year would likely put the Cubs in the driver's seat going into September. The Cubs' 11-4 mark since the All-Star break is tied with the Phillies for the best record in the National League and only one game behind the Angels for the best record in baseball since that time.
And, while no one was looking, the Cubs also sneaked back into the mix for the wild card, just in case the division championship doesn't happen. As of today the Cubs are one game off the wild-card lead, and tied with the Rockies and Giants with 47 losses.
There will be some roster moves next week. Per Gordon Wittenmyer:
... the other lefty acquired Thursday from Pittsburgh, Tom Gorzelanny, will join the Cubs' rotation starting Tuesday in Cincinnati. He's scheduled to join the team in Miami today and throw a bullpen session for pitching coach Larry Rothschild.
When Gorzelanny is activated, I would expect either Jeff Stevens or Jeff Samardzija will be returned to Iowa. Personally, I'd send the Shark down and stretch him out to start again. Also:
Catcher Geovany Soto (oblique) is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment today as the DH for rookie-A Mesa, then travel Sunday and play Monday through Wednesday for Class AA Tennessee. Barring a setback, he then would join the Cubs for Friday's series opener at Colorado.
When Geo is reactivated, what I'd do is send Micah Hoffpauir to Iowa for the rest of August to let him get everyday playing time. He is rusting on the bench; he had only 36 at-bats in July and hit .194/.256/.361. Get him some regular AB's, bring him back September 1, and he'd still be eligible for postseason play.
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Burke Badenhop is making his first career start vs. the Cubs (and only his second start of the season). However, on May 1 at Wrigley Field, he came in to pitch in relief and was hammered by Cub hitters, capped by a grand slam by Ryan Theriot. A repeat of that performance would be great.
Carlos Zambrano threw five innings vs. the Marlins on May 3 at Wrigley Field, allowing two runs. Despite the bullpen's efforts to blow that game, it was enough for a win. Z is 5-1, 3.09 in 10 career starts vs. Florida; Wes Helms and Hanley Ramirez are the only current Marlins who have homered off him (once each). Current Marlins are hitting .184 (16-for-87) off Z, who seems to have settled down in his last few starts.
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Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 144 comments
First!
Which is also what we can retake tonight with a win! Let’s go Z!
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
We need Z to be the Ace
We need him to come in and and have Florida “sleep with the fishs”. Let’s have him fire up the team!
gaclaudy - August 1, 2009
I meant for this post to have a fancier title.
But I couldn’t think of one. A win tonight will do.
Al Yellon - August 1, 2009
Its okay
you’re allowed to take a break from puns
Allie - August 1, 2009
Just for the Halibut!
Zeke - August 1, 2009
Did you do that on porpoise?
ballhawk - August 1, 2009
Let's not be anenomes.
katie casey - August 1, 2009
I didn't want to be shellfish.
Al Yellon - August 1, 2009
Tuna the Fish up!
Fan mail from some flounder?
Zeke - August 1, 2009
that trick never works
MOCubsfan - August 1, 2009
I was trying to think of one,
but the best I think of was something along the lines of not letting the Marlins get our goat.
katie casey - August 1, 2009
that would have been really b-a-a-a-a-a-d.. ;-)
ballhawk - August 1, 2009
The game that sends
The Cubs to first for the rest of the season.
Zy Toro Young - August 1, 2009 via mobile
From your fingers to your keyboard to God's PDA...
Zeke - August 1, 2009
Lineup via Twittermyer
Al Yellon - August 1, 2009
I like this...
Theriot has been scuffling and can use a rest.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
+1
katie casey - August 1, 2009
Agreed, having Blanco, a true SS there will shore up the defense
Let’s hope a day off will help Theriot with his bat as well.
I’d like to see Dome playing back further after seeing him too shallow on some flyballs early in the game…it works in Wrigley most of the time but didn’t seem wise last night.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
I'm assuming...
it was Fukudome’s first time in center at (Knock, knock…who’s there?) Landshark Stadium and needed to get familiar with how to play it. Playing too shallow means there is a lot of ground behind him to cover.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
Er
Would rather have Bradley, with his high OBP, replace Theriot in the 2 hole, and put Blanco down in the eighth spot where he belongs. It seems lazy to just drop him in Theriot’s spot in the batting order, too, when he is not the hitter that Theriot is.
vonde6 - August 1, 2009
definetly agreed
hopefully getting Bradley to the 2 spot won’t take as long as getting Sori out of the 1 spot.
shake n bake - August 1, 2009
but bradleys our big LH bat.........
jesus christos - August 1, 2009
and Sori is more comfortable batting leadoff.....
shake n bake - August 1, 2009
but....
bradleys supposed to drive in runs…….
jesus christos - August 1, 2009
Lou seems to do that a lot once he gets comfortable with a lineup
I guess he thinks it’s not worth screwing up the other spots in the lineup. I dunno. I’m all for consistency but also think you need to make up the lineup each day by looking at who you have in there.
ballhawk - August 1, 2009
I was just thinking the exact same thing.
slcathena - August 1, 2009
I like this lineup.
sue369 - August 1, 2009
Is Blanco switch hitting again?
Or his still just a lefty?
Allie - August 1, 2009
hes been switch hitting for a while
jesus christos - August 1, 2009
I don't get to watch a lot of games
last i heard he was nervous about his shoulder so he was staying on the one side.
Allie - August 1, 2009
andy white fears only one thing
that one thing is ted lilly
jesus christos - August 1, 2009
I think
That you are confusing him with Hank White, sir.
vonde6 - August 1, 2009
gee
such a helpful answer.
sarcasm is great… but i was actually trying to ask a question to get an answer.
Allie - August 1, 2009
I haven't been paying attention
But seeing as he only has 23 at bats as a righty, I’m gonna guess he is still hitting lefty.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 1, 2009
Thanks
Allie - August 1, 2009
Um...
… maybe that’s because there are fewer LHP than RHP?
Al Yellon - August 1, 2009
Like I said
I don’t know for sure, it’s a guess. Do you know?
wrigleyrocker12 - August 1, 2009
got it
he’s had 28 PA against LHPs
batted righty for 23, lefty for 5
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=blancan01&year=2009&t=b#plato
shake n bake - August 1, 2009
like it.....Blanco is a true pleasure to watch play defense......very few can throw the leather like he does
….a plus plus defender for sure.
JB 23 - August 1, 2009
Marshall > Gorzelanny
Chanman25 - August 1, 2009
But Sean
has done a really nice job out of the Pen. I like keeping him in there.
DamonBerryhillsMitt - August 1, 2009
I'd rather have him for six inning than 1/3
Chanman25 - August 1, 2009
Eh I can see that
but I’d rather have him for 2/3 of an inning 3x a week to get a few big outs than 6 innings once a week.
Allie - August 1, 2009
OT...was thinking of Ginger chasing the stupid guy and goat off the field last night
Only problem was I thought she might try to make friends instead.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
Unless they threatened me
she’d try to make friends.
She did stand between me and my creepy neighbor when he tried to lean over our fence though. It was the first time I’ve ever seen her NOT wag her tail.
Allie - August 1, 2009
That's her mistress and her turf! Good for her!
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
Marshall is a better relief pitcher than he is a starter
And Marshall has proven that he can be uniquely valuable to the Cubs in the pen. It’s the right move to keep him in the pen.
BLou - August 1, 2009
agreed, but his real value is in long relief, which Lou never uses him for...
JB 23 - August 1, 2009
I think he has done a better job in the pen and keeping him there is the best move.
Who knows if Gorzelanny is better at starting, but either way I think making Marshall a yo you doesn’t work for him. And this way if Gorze doesn’t work out you can still try Marshall. If it does work out then you have them both in the best situation. I’d just up Marshall’s innings now…have him go a full inning at least, preferably more, knowing he won’t be needed to emergency start.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
So what you're really saying there is...
Sean Pen(n) is a great act(or).
ballhawk - August 1, 2009
Don't underestimate...
the affect on pitching for a new team will have. Especially one that the pitcher knows will score runs for him. I like Gorzelanny as a #5 for the time being and perhaps a spot starter in September to give Harden some rest.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
I'd prefer to see Marshall back in the rotation too.
But when Lilly comes back, what would happen? Bouncing him back and forth wouldn’t be very good either.
katie casey - August 1, 2009
Marshall is better...
but right now he is working out great as a stopper for the Cubs.
gaclaudy - August 1, 2009
Agreed that we need Marshall in the bullpen
vonde6 - August 1, 2009
Samardizija
It’s time to put an end to the thought he might actually someday be a starting pitcher. Send him back down to Iowa and focus his development on being a relief pitcher. His pitching repetoire is such that I can never see him being a decent starter. Heck, I have a difficult time seeing him being a semi-reliable middle relief pitcher someday.
I like this Stevens kid. A lot more than I do Spellcheck.
BLou - August 1, 2009
Agreed
with Shark’s array of pitches, he is only a reliever. Last year, he showed signs that he could be a very good set-up man. Let him focus on that and grow.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
I think Shark could become a good set-up/stopper for the Cubs
He did a good job last year doing that. I know everyone wants to be a starter but sometimes being middle relief on a WS champ is better than being a starter on an average team.
gaclaudy - August 1, 2009
ummmm
especially for us. giving us gorz makes spellcheck our eighth(?) starter. we have more on the way. even if harden goes, we will have better candidates by 2011 or so (maybe) in jackson, carpenter, and maybe even coleman or cashner.
tim815 - August 1, 2009
sigh...
Fox is comparing Rose to Jeter…JETER!
Chanman25 - August 1, 2009
What's your argument
Derek Jeter is 35 years old and has 2,700 hits, a lifetime .316 BA and has been Captain on teams that have played in 6 World Series Championships. Before his career is over he will be at the 3,500 hit mark and will be unanimous selection for the Hall of Fame.
BLou - August 1, 2009
Silly me. I thought he meant it was an insult to Jeter
Doggie Stalker - August 1, 2009
But they were comparing hits between the two thinking Jeter could reach his mark
no….and 2 of those WS they didn’t win…
Chanman25 - August 1, 2009
Oh, okay
So Derek Jeter has only been captain of 4 World Series Championship teams and played on another two World Series teams. Shame on me for thinking he will go down in the baseball history books as one of the most prolific post-season performers the game has ever seen.
BLou - August 1, 2009
Why get defensive?
you’ve never let facts get in the way of your opinions before
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
Howdy Maddy...
from Bootown!
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
Shame on me
So continuing yesterday’s thought process on BCB..
1. Jake Peavy is garbage and the White Sox got fleeced.
2. Derek Jeter is a nobody.
BLou - August 1, 2009
I wasn't on BCB yesterday so not sure of anyones thought process
but yours hasn’t changed in a few years…… I thought it was safe to think that facts never got in the way of your points you make.
When the Cubs win 84 ballgames… I don’t plan to see you change your message to I was wrong… they did win more than 83.
Also interesting fact. No one has ever been unanimous selection for the Hall of Fame.
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
Good point Maddy
Not Ruth, not Mays, not Dimaggio or Aaron. For whatever reason, some writers feel that a first year player on the ballot doesn’t merit induction while others may hold a grudge.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
I want an explanation from anyone who doesn't vote for Maddux.
Al Yellon - August 1, 2009
And I want one from the Verteran's Committee
for not inductiing Ronnie. Another reason why I hate Joe Morgan.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
Because Ron Santo is not Hall of Fame worthy
Santo was a good, not great player. Santo did not once play a playoff game. He never got close to the 75% of the vote necessary in his 15 years on the ballot because he didn’t merit it.
Ron Santo is a wonderful individual and in inspiration to many. Hall of Famer? Nope.
BLou - August 1, 2009
Wow...
I was going to defend you with the Jeter argument, but you just lost my support with that post. During his era, there was one…ONE!…tird baseman that compared to him, and he is in the Hall of Fame. In addition, if you compare Ronnie’s numbers and coinsistency to the other third baseman in the Hall, he matches up quite well.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
meant
third…got a little frustrated there.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
Again.....
facts getting in way.
Hows life in the Dells? Madtown gorgous day today. Last night perfect summer evening.
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
Not too bad up here...
had to rake a field for my son’s baseball game Thursday night, because the park and rec dept. thought we got a little too much rain and cancelled the last game of the season. It took me two rakes and a shovel and we were ready to play.
Indeed, yesterday was gorgeous, but I was wore out from a long week.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
we had a volunteer event last night
So missed the whole Cubs game to volunteer @ nursing that was having music outside. It was the perfect evening for it.
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
Listened online....
other than Fox’ home run, not much you missed.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
and that third basemen is one of the best of all time
Glacier - August 1, 2009
Thanks for the brilliant analysis
“Santo did not once play a playoff game”. Brilliant analysis. I am left dumbfounded.
vonde6 - August 1, 2009
didn't you know Ron Santo was a team?
not a player
shake n bake - August 1, 2009
I'd like to see just a single person one time
come out and say that they didn’t vote for Maddux or Cal Ripken, or Ruth. Etc. If you don’t vote for them I’d like on to have the balls to come out and say why. I might not agree w/ them one bit. But they were atleast earn some respect for being accountable.
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
and I want to kick them in the balls
Doggie Stalker - August 1, 2009
its almost impossible to imagine someone wont vote for him...
…but then again it wouldn’t shock me if some moron wont want to see him as a unanimous HOF entrant because Maddux didn’t give him an interview in 1995….
JB 23 - August 1, 2009
not enough
on the speed gun. but i voted for j.r. richard
tim815 - August 1, 2009
Okay
So when Derek Jeter gets into the Hall of Fame on the the first ballot with something like 95% of the vote I’ll look like a jackass.
Meanwhile the party line on BCB is that Jake Peavy is garbage and ditto Derek Jeter. Maybe next topic du jour on this blog that is going down the tubes by the minute will be how Albert Pujols would be nothing more than a #8 hitter on the Cubs.
BLou - August 1, 2009
Wow
I don’t think you’ll have to wait until then to be proved a jackass.
I’m thinking by the time the Cubs win their 84th game you will be :)
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
I'll gladly be labeled lifetime jackass if the Cubs win a World Series in 2009
Thanks for playing our game.
BLou - August 1, 2009
No you said they will win only 83
That the season is over and write it down.
So if they win more than 84, you are wrong. Or if the Cubs win the Central you are also wrong.
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
I'm putting the number at
88 right now. I also think that will be enough to win the division. Besides Carpenter and Wainwright, who do the Cards have for pitchers. Yes, you can argue Piniero, but his lifetime numbers show he can’t keep up this pace.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
The Cards' GM has said a few times since the Holliday trade that
They need to “look internally now” for pitching help, addressing fans wanting to replace Wellemeyer with a trade. With their farm system gutted they aren’t very thrilled with who they can call up which is why he has stayed the starter.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
BLou changes his
“prediction” as he goes along, IIRC. There was, “no more than 79 games…” – or “83 games…” “84”, and “will end up in 4th place…”
etc.
Not exactly going out on a limb with a solid call.
The E-Man - August 1, 2009
SOUR GRAPES!
lexmarklover - August 1, 2009
Funny
That people who would gladly be labeled jackasses so often get their wish.
vonde6 - August 1, 2009
Add to that let's see Jeter get closer to the number of hits before you assume he will do anything.
Saying he will doesn’t make it so at all …sounds like thinking Griffey Jr. was going to beat the HR records before he got injured repeatedly.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
If Derek Jeter quit baseball tomorrow he would be a first ballot Hall of Famer
But the mensa society on BCB shall still insist he is garbage.
BLou - August 1, 2009
Who'd form the BCB Mensa Society?
chilango2 - August 1, 2009
Not sure, but nice to see BLou already has the BCB Mean Society up and running...
ballhawk - August 1, 2009
rec'd ballhawk
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
Bravo.
chilango2 - August 1, 2009
Party line? Going down the tubes?
sounds like someone needs a nap and a blankie
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
Or the Cubs to go on a losing steak
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
That's been obvious every time the Cubs are on a winning streak.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
which I find either stupid or funny depending on my mood
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
It's always puzzled me how real fans can revel in their team's failure, whether they predicted it or not.
I guess they just like to be all knowing that much. Sigh.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
Not to psycho analyze but I think some people just like to feel like they are important even if it involves being an ass.
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
I'd call those people attention whores.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
LOL nobody said Peavy was garbage ........ in your mind they might have
lexmarklover - August 1, 2009
The comparasion was about wins
Rose had over 1900 wins and Jeter has 1200 (the active player with most wins). The question was could Jeter break that record.
gaclaudy - August 1, 2009
Per Twittermeyer
That’s odd.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 1, 2009
I thought he was temporarily assigned to Iowa
BLou - August 1, 2009
I think
He’s just traveling with the team until his start Tuesday, because he’s supposed to throw a bullpen session tommarow.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 1, 2009
He is out celebrating like a drunken sailor
FREE AT LAST.
Doggie Stalker - August 1, 2009
That made me crack up, sure could be true.
Imagine the way Hart feels now…probably a hair different.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
Well at least now
he can get to know each fan personally.
Doggie Stalker - August 1, 2009
There was another tweet from Gordo...
… saying Gorz had walked in unnoticed and unrecognized by anyone.
Al Yellon - August 1, 2009
You're right, thanks
wrigleyrocker12 - August 1, 2009
maybe he is with Bartolo Colon?...
JB 23 - August 1, 2009
Let's get some (early) runs
Here’s hoping the Cubs smack the ball around the yard in the first three inning and let Big Z settle into a groove.
DKT - August 1, 2009
With the idiotic goat stunt last night it would be even sweeter.
Revenge isn’t needed to me as a focus, I would like that regardless given how we have struggled against the Marlins over the years…but sure makes scoring early runs even more fun.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
How can that even be funny to someone
Madison Cub Fan - August 1, 2009
people in florida arent the brightest crayons in the box
jesus christos - August 1, 2009
True...
half are senile and the other half lack an average IQ.
mondello58 - August 1, 2009
Neither was the ump last night
I’ve seen better blues in a box of crayons.
Cracks me up everytime.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 1, 2009
are you saying there's not a single place to rent in Del Boco... Da Buco Vista... Del Booco Vis... Ah, the hell with it...
ballhawk - August 1, 2009
confused by
butterflies
tim815 - August 1, 2009
PHOTO CAPTION: "Titty Twister!"
Zeke - August 1, 2009
haha
wrigleyrocker12 - August 1, 2009
Best caption I've seen in awhile here.
i’d like setting the bar higher but have had no good contributions myself to offer :(
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
It was the first thing that came to my mind.
Not sure what it says ABOUT my state of mind…
BCB THERAPY: “Cheaper than the Real Thing”…
Zeke - August 1, 2009
Score first
and score often Cubs!!!
sue369 - August 1, 2009
Ok off to the bar to watch the game with fellow NYC Cub fans
so any cracks about Fuld will fall on deaf ears tonight.
Doggie Stalker - August 1, 2009
awww, fun!
enjoy!
slcathena - August 1, 2009
She's serious, too.
But don’t let her stare at the ground when the Cubs are batting.
Al Yellon - August 1, 2009
When the OTHER team is batting
Now I am going to be late so be nice everyone.
Doggie Stalker - August 1, 2009
Aww that's no fun
Glad to hear you’re with fellow fans though. Living 5 hours from Chicago I can tell you that sure makes the game a lot more fun. Let’s hope the Cubs gives you guys lots to cheer about!
Sandberg's evil twin - August 1, 2009
The nice thing about baseball
after a loss, you get right back on the horse.
Carlos Marmol…throw strikes.
Curtain Jerker - August 1, 2009
+1, +2, +3
Siddown meat!
Zeke - August 1, 2009
at the game now
Its at least 50percent Cubs fans
Z was hitting bombs in BP
cozmotaylor123 - August 1, 2009 via mobile
Is that how he screwed up his back?
Just asking…
Zeke - August 2, 2009
David Patton
Is starting for Tennesee today in a rehab game.
wrigleyrocker12 - August 1, 2009
hope he doesnt have a freak setback
that would throw the bullpen into chaos
jesus christos - August 1, 2009
those blisters
on your non-pitching hand can be brutal
tim815 - August 1, 2009
no problem
if something does happen to patton, jimbo can sign that mark prior guy, i hear the padres released him :P
jesus christos - August 1, 2009
Good idea for Hoffpauir...
would definitely like to see that.
EJThunder - August 1, 2009
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