Where was this all summer long?
Not only the baseball, but the great weather. Under a perfect, cloudless sky with low humidity and a light breeze blowing off Lake Michigan, Ted Lilly threw the best game of his All-Star season. Limiting the Astros to just four hits -- and two of them were dink hits that wound up being scored as doubles -- Ted threw eight scoreless innings, walking no one, and made Derrek Lee's two-run homer in the fourth inning stand up for a 2-0 Cubs win over Houston, maintaining the slim wild-card playoff hopes for another day.
D-Lee's bomb gave him 90 RBI with 31 games remaining, matching his total from all of last year, and giving him his fifth 90+ RBI season. He's driven in 100 only once, in his great 2005 season (107, which, thanks to Don't-Clog-The-Bases-Dusty, is the second-lowest RBI total for anyone who had 45 or more HR in a season. Only Troy Glaus, with 47/102 in 2000, had fewer), and is on target for his fourth 30+ HR year. Despite having playoff teams each of the last two years, the Cubs didn't have a 30-100 hitter on either one. The Cubs' last 30-100 man was Aramis Ramirez, who had 38 HR and 119 RBI in the lost 2006 season.
Just goes to show you that team effort is required for postseason play, and the Cubs had that today. They didn't hit much, but didn't need to, given Lilly's outstanding pitching performance, and in spite of a little shakiness from Carlos Marmol in the 9th, he settled down and registered his eighth save. Lou Piniella seems to have a pathological aversion to complete games -- the Cubs have only two nine-inning CG since he's been managing -- and even though Lilly had 105 pitches (69 strikes) through eight, I think I would have given him a shot at finishing.
Lilly was also helped out by some outstanding defense. Mike Fontenot made a diving catch of a Kaz Matsui foul popup in the sixth inning, and Andres Blanco made two great plays, a spear of a Jeff Keppinger line drive in the third, and ranging far to his left to stab a Miguel Tejada ground ball in the fourth. I don't think I need to say -- but I will anyway -- that Ryan Theriot wouldn't have made either of those plays.
In addition to his fine defense, Blanco slapped a double down the LF line and scored on Lee's homer, and laid down a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt in the sixth. That's one game's worth of good performances by Blanco in the field and at bat. Has Aaron Miles done all of those things in his entire season's worth of work? Tell me again why Miles needed to be on this team in the first place? Blanco could have given better production (he's got a .620 OPS, which is pretty bad, but it's almost 170 points higher than Miles') and better defense for a small fraction of the money spent on Miles.
Lesson learned, we hope, for Jim Hendry: sometimes the answer you seek is right in front of you.
I must make a Milton Bradley comment today -- he didn't run out a ground ball to short in the first inning, which led to some boos. Those, I felt were deserved -- you've got to run out every ball. What if Tejada had thrown the ball away?
Today was, apparently, senior citizen busload day at the ballpark; this was the last of the "value dates", with ticket prices relatively low, and many buses pulled up on Waveland discharging groups of seniors out for a nice outing on a beautiful early September day. As you may have seen via tweets from BCB's ballhawk, bleacher tickets were available on the street for as low as $5 (or maybe free by game time). The bleachers did eventually fill up, and the announced crowd of 39,192 had only about 5,000 no-shows; the park was reasonably full, and those who did attend enjoyed not only the win, but the quickest nine-inning game by time all year, two hours and fourteen minutes.
So -- time grows shorter. Keep winning, and hope the teams in front of you lose. Go Mets, Marlins and Phillies tonight, and let's beat those White Sox in the makeup game tomorrow afternoon. Keep the faith.
0 recs | 331 comments
First
Great win, let’s keep it up
cubswgnrocks - September 2, 2009
I saw a tweet from Carrie Muskat...
… speculating that MB fell out of the box awkwardly and possibly tweaked an ankle or something to that effect on the play that it looked like he didn’t run it out.
Link.
Sounds like he played the rest of the game. Hope he’s ok.
AndrewJStone - September 2, 2009
If that's the case...
… he’s forgiven.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
arguably
he still shoulda run it out, but I expect the play was over almost before he recovered from the stumble.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
He wasn't brought in to run out grounders
He was brought in to play baseball!
Worf - September 2, 2009
Show me one
exact quote to prove he was brought in to “play baseball.”
Liar!
The Jade Scorpion - September 2, 2009
The replays clearly showed him slipping...
and almost falling over. He was more concerned with regaining his balance and not hurting himself – which I’m totally fine with. Last thing we need to see is another Nomar incident…
DKT - September 2, 2009
Urk
I seize up when I remember the exploding groin muscle…
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
OK...
… in that case, Milton’s absolved of this one. I didn’t see him slip, I was watching the ball.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
um... TWSS?
Emelie - September 2, 2009
ofcourse
the cubs went far too long without a starter getting hurt
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
This certainly puts in perspective
all the hysteria over Micah Hoffpauir early in the season.
Derrek Lee is still good, folks.
Goodie1969 - September 2, 2009
Yep.
10th in HR. Sixth in RBI. 14th in OPS.
He’s having a fine season. If he hadn’t gotten off to the slow start he might have made the All-Star team.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
Gives me a sliver of hope for Soriano.
If he can half as dramatic of a comeback, we may just be OK.
AndrewJStone - September 2, 2009
Which is why...
… a win today, while resting him, was a good thing.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
Soriano...
…going on one of his nuclear streak would probably be a prerequisite for the Cubs going on a streak and making an unlikely run at the last playoff spot.
Here’s hoping he finds the launching pad again!
The Jade Scorpion - September 2, 2009
Sorryano - please!
Cannot field or run. To call his streaks nuclear is a real stretch. Put Fox in and pray some team will take AS with Cubs only paying half his outrageous salary. Maybe throw in Miles as a kicker.
Feenix Cubfan - September 2, 2009
Oh brother
Where art thou? Where is thou head?
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
Um, that dark place I thnk.
sue369 - September 2, 2009
US Cell?
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
hee
sue369 - September 2, 2009
rofl
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
FWIW...
I can only remember one person claiming DLee should be replaced by Hoff.
cubswynn - September 2, 2009
There were a few around
Most of the Hoff-love was for him to have a spot on the 25-man, but there was more than one poster who wanted him starting.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
I guess my point is that those calls were few and far between.
Not that it makes a difference.
BTW, I haven’t seen the infamous Clutche on here in a while. Weird. (sarcasm)
cubswynn - September 2, 2009
And you won't.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
Did I miss something?
Did he get banned?
cubswynn - September 2, 2009
SHHH!
But yes.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
why?
brian custer - September 2, 2009
For those who participated in game threads, the answer should be obvious.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
his wonderful and charming
way to discuss the pros and cons of the team?
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
Yeah, that's about right.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
it's your board
…
brian custer - September 2, 2009
I kiss your feet
Emelie - September 2, 2009
ew.....
Zeke - September 3, 2009
Wow.
Hoffpauir sent down, Clutche banned. It’s a tough game, folks.
daver - September 3, 2009
you gotta produce.
drewishdrewid - September 3, 2009
Yeah, Clutche's whiff rate was high from the git-go.
daver - September 3, 2009
I havent seen BLou in a while as well
did he get the 5th boot?
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
Too much kool-aid in these parts for his liking.
I think he promised not to come back for the season.
I’m sure he’s here, chuckling gleefully with every loss though.
AndrewJStone - September 2, 2009
He's actually making comments on the Bears blog...
And well, carrying his BCB reputation with him over there.
adam316 - September 3, 2009
well
at least he’s consistent.
drewishdrewid - September 3, 2009
I'll chalk that up as a W
heine41 - September 2, 2009
and seeing as how Hoff was in a good groove with the bat and DLee was struggling at the time
what was wrong with wanting Hoff to start for awhile, giving DLee a breather to maybe clear his head and get back into his own groove. That’s one of the things backups are supposed to do, yes?
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
My problem with the whole Hoff-steria
was not just that people were saying “Hoff is on a roll, keep running him out there,” but that many were convinced Derrek Lee was in serious decline and we had seen the last of Derrek Lee the power-hitting RBI guy. Some even claimed that Hoff was better, and we should just trade or DFA Lee.
Of course it was patently ridiculous even at the time, but the rest of the season has proven just how ridiculous.
Goodie1969 - September 2, 2009
Understood. My problem with the problem with the Hoff-steria
was the over-reaction to those that offering up reasonable comments, like Hoff getting a few starts here and there.
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
And he did get a few starts
When Lee’s neck was bothering him. It’s just that once June rolled around, he went from being the 10th guy on the bench to the 13th guy to the 25th to being back in Iowa where he thrived again. The debate polarized early on into LEE! vs. HOFF! though, and middle-grounders were not tolerated.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
Actually, Hoffpauir didn't hit much at Iowa this year.
.217/.267/.373 in 90 plate appearances.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
Didn't realize it was that bad
Guess I should read Josh77’s stuff more, huh?
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
tis the life of a journeymen free swinger…
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
Hindsight is 20/20 here
Lee pulled himself out of it, and Hoff got figured out.
The parallels between Hoff/Lee and Fuld/Sori are not lost on me. The difference there is that Lee’s slump was for ~1 month, not Sori’s 4.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
They did figured out Hoff.
But he certainly had a positive impact on the season.
cubswynn - September 2, 2009
Sure, but it also seems reasonable to think that Lee could have pulled himself out of it that much sooner
had he taken a breather here or there. No way of knowing obviously, but it’s not an out-of-this world scenario.
On a somewhat related note, I’m starting to wonder if the league is slowly catching on to Fox. Pat & Ron were talking a bit about how Fox was struggling with the breaking stuff. I hope he’s able to make the necessary adjustments so he can be as productive next year – either with the Cubs or somewhere else.
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
His first two at-bats were terrible
I mean, if I want to watch a left fielder flail away at sliders a foot outside, I’d rather they play Soriano.
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
Isn't that the typical assessment for any hitter that hits well in the MInors
and comes up still raking? You don’t have to be a scout to say that he has to learn to hit the breaking balls. The opposing pitchers will be able to tell you that.
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
True - just seemed like to me that Fox lasted a lot longer before being "figured" out
And it’s really not fair to say yet that he has been figured out. After all, he did have a 4-4 day not that long ago.
I guess my point was just that it was pretty obvious with Hoffpauir. Fox was (is) productive for a lot longer. At least that’s my perception. Be interesting to see if the stats confirm/refute me.
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
Going from my faulty memory here
Fox didn’t get nearly the PAs to begin that Hoff did. Hoff was spot-starting and Fox was PHing, starting at 3B only when Fonty was seriously struggling. And when Soto went down, Fox was effectively shut down again, as he was the emergency catcher.
The league may have taken the same number of PAs to figure both out, it’s just that Fox’s were spread out a lot more than Hoff’s were.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
PAs
Jake Fox: 189 PAs in 2009. 48 hits, 11 walks, 32 Ks.
Micah Hoffpauir: 194 PAs in 2009. 42 hits, 12 walks, 42Ks.
That’s the difference between a .286 avg (Fox) and a .233 avg (Hoff). Fox has 6 more hits in 5 fewer PAs, and ten fewer Ks.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
and when fox does k
he doesnt look like a complete moron
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
K style points!
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
Fox has a nice stroke.
But he still seems to be (only) a fastball hitter. I suspect some more practice will help him with pitch recognition, but he’s had quite a few ugly at bats, at bats where I’ve expected him to produce. Pound the inside corner with a change/breaker/off-speed pitch, and he’ll have trouble with it.
LeSaboteur - September 2, 2009
What was wrong with it?
Other than being moronic, you mean?
Worf - September 2, 2009
how so?
(reaches for pen and paper to record observations on seeing if Klingons can be reasonable…)
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
Anyone who thought that D. Lee was washed up suffered from a lack of perspective...
Jimmyeatworld - September 2, 2009
JIMMY!!
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
TIMMY!
Jimmyeatworld - September 2, 2009
JIMMY AND TIMMY!
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 2, 2009
VCF
Cubbie-Tim - September 3, 2009
I agree that it would have been nice to see Lilly start the 9th.
katie casey - September 2, 2009
My Magic spreadsheet does not lie
September is supposed to be an over .500 month for the Cubs, let’s make it WAY over .500 and see where the chips fall.
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
24-6 would be a good thing to post to get to 90-69 (with 2 games to make up)
A mighty strong finish
Ivy Walls - September 2, 2009
We have 10 upcoming games against weaker teams
to accomplish 24-6 we need to go no worse than 8-2 over these 10 games.
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
Basically
even winning two out of every three probably won’t be good enough, as they’ll finish somewhere around 87 or so wins, which I can’t see getting it done. 90 wins or bust!
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
Yep, I agree
The Cubs have to go 8-2 three times and the final game victory as the cherry.
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
For all intents and purposes
we have to go 8-2 over each 10 game period to end the season with one game left which we may or may not need to win to decide our fate.
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
The Daily Circus
With Milton Bradley continues….. something everyday with him. Please Ricketts dump him! Forget all the argument from both sides, this is a classic addition by subtraction case.
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2009
Fail.
AndrewJStone - September 2, 2009
+1
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
Yes he is a fail
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2009
failure that is
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2009
Notice...
… that nobody is even bothering to refute your posts anymore, and instead is just pointing out how epically lame the ideas in them are.
Congrats. You’ve broken our collective spirit. We now no longer wish to even correct you in your failed ways.
AndrewJStone - September 2, 2009
Failed Ways?
Because Milton Bradley continues to bring negative attention to the team day after day after day with his antics? I’m quite sure that’s exactly why not many other, if any teams wanted him. He’s a circus act everywhere he goes!
As far as all the failed ways stuff—Were all just fans-nothing more. We all have opinions one way or another. If some of you were as baseball smart as you thought you were, you wouldn’t being commenting on blogs. Instead you might actually work for a mlb front office somewhere.
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2009
Heh.
Ok man, whatever.
By the way… what color is the sky in your reality?
AndrewJStone - September 2, 2009
Please continue to embarrass Cubs fans
The rest of us sure appreciate it.
Wait no we don’t.
nji232 - September 2, 2009
We need a new word for this sort of thing
I propose “macchione”, as in “Man, I wish cubsluver22 would pull his head out. That macchione makes me ashamed to wear my Cubs cap in public.”
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
Whats with the namecalling?
Al you allowing namecalling now? Cause I have a few if this is allowed now!
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2009
Oh, please.
It was a joke.
Right?
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
I didn't find it funny!
What’s with the seperate set of rules around here lately? You used to not let your blog run like this. Now it’s getting to where certain people can name call,curse, disrespect others etc. I thought this blog was about discussing Chicago Cubs baseball. I’m disappointed, I’ve always enjoyed your work and find it to be a great daily read but this is quickly turning into cubs.com message board. You can’t have an opinion around here without being called a racist, failure etc.
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2009
Correction...
… you can’t have a FAILED opinion (and one that you are unwilling to back up with evidence) around here without being called a failure.
AndrewJStone - September 2, 2009
I don't approve of namecalling here.
But seriously, you need to lighten up a little bit. We know what your position is on Milton Bradley. When you keep repeating it over and over… I think people have heard it enough.
A better idea would be for you and the others to just walk away.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
::whistles walking by::
KaliCub - September 2, 2009
I never joke around
I am always 100% serious in every single comment I make. Honest.
On the not-so-kidding side of things, one-note posters get to be old very quickly, especially when that one note is sour.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
+1
If some of us are ganging up on them, well, that is good clean BCB fun.
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
+1
sue369 - September 2, 2009
-1
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2009
+/- 1
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
well, sure if you're one of the gangers...
…not so much fun, I suspect, if you’re one of the gangees.
And let’s not get into what the gangrenes are going through…
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
All he is doing is
trying to bait people. He does it in every game thread too. Just ignore him.
sue369 - September 2, 2009
oh poop
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2009
All aboard the Failroad!
daver - September 2, 2009
Choo choo!
AndrewJStone - September 2, 2009
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
-1
heh. See what I did there?
Or is the tinfoil blocking your view?
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
The sliding catch in foul territory?
That was nice – plenty of hustle.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
in cubsluver22's fevered mind
Bradley timed that catch so he had to slide.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
Stop
Attacking me
cubsluver22 - September 2, 2009
Stop
Trying to turn every thread into a MB hatefest.
Mike Martin - September 3, 2009
Thank you.
It really, really, really gets old.
sue369 - September 3, 2009
The lovefest gets old too!
It’s not very objective either.
I for one am somewhere in the middle and quite sick of the whole thing.
katie casey - September 3, 2009
Amen
eths - September 3, 2009
There isn't a lovefest...
… there are a few of us who are dedicated to defending a player who is unnecessarily abused and is being made the scapegoat for this disappointment of a season when he has, in fact, been one of the teams better players since all start brake, which happens to coincide with the time-frame of the team tanking.
And if the criticism of his wasn’t so darn easy to deflect, we probably wouldn’t take the time or find it a worthwhile endeavor.
Many here wanted to ditch DLee back in July. Everyone just needs to chill on MB and let him do his thing.
AndrewJStone - September 3, 2009
My First Post
I struggle with some of the code words in these posts, and I can’t figure this one out.
What’s an All Start Brake?
Everyone on the bus sticks there feet down to stop in – Flintstone style?
I'll Have a Pint - September 3, 2009
How many is "many"?
ballhawk - September 3, 2009
believe me
when Bradley does something worth criticism, he gets it.
drewishdrewid - September 3, 2009
Why am I
Getting blamed for the entire MB post? Hell I didn’t participate one eyeota in the one that turned into who’s racist and who’s not that got deleted. Matter of fact I haven’t particapated in a majority of them. I’m as pissed off as I have ever been with this team, this year. So what if I wanna voice that.
Sue since you constantly wanna run your mouth in every post that someone criticizes it, with things like you don’t have to read it etc. Take your own advice and don’t read mine or if you don’t like what you read pass them on by. No one forces you to respond!
The above poster is right Bradley shouldn’t shoulder the entire blame and really in my eyes even if he had played like he’s capable for the entire season, we still would be in this shape. Too many players playing poorly and too many injuries.
My main problem is fundamental mistakes, not being in shape, and MB acting like some sorta victim. I’m a white man and in no way prejudice. I realize that racism still exist and I have friends who deal with it from time to time. They don’t pull the card every time something don’t go their way or pout for days when someone does discriminate against them. They laugh it off or deal with it right then and forget about it. With that being said there are times he is unjustly flamed but I still think without a shadow of a doubt the Chicago Cubs as a whole would be better off without him. Injury history, temper, etc. Everywhere Bradley goes he brings about negativity in some sorta fashion.
Aaron Miles has been abused worse than anyone on here and he isn’t defended like MB. Why not? Let’s remember by all accounts he had a bad injury. IS that a reason for his bad play? I don’t see the daily excuses for his bad play. He gets boo’d constantly. Has he went out and said everyone is abusing him because he’s white? I haven’t read or heard that anywhere.
My point is that I come on here almost daily and in almost every post I find a post that someone is complaining about Heilman, Miles, Theriot etc but no one defends them like they do when MB is talked about in a negative light. Why is that?
cubsluver22 - September 3, 2009
3 Letters
gaclaudy - September 3, 2009
?
huh
cubsluver22 - September 3, 2009
Andy White with some superb play
Meaning Lou will sit him tomorrow, of course. “Ride the hot hand” indeed.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
Along those lines:
Miles needs to be on this team because it’s the Cubs and us fans are forbidden to be happy.
chilango2 - September 2, 2009
How silly of me to forget that.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
I think you are wrong
it is cuz Neifi turned down a one year deal, so Hendry had to lock up MIles
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
I think you are correct.
sue369 - September 2, 2009
There are 31 games remaining.
In case you want to edit the post.
Corey Patterson - September 2, 2009
Thanks.
You’re right. Hey, look! That’s even better than 29!
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
Nice job Ted
A very well-pitched outing indeed. It also seemed like a pretty short game, clocking in something at like 2:20.
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
2:14, the shortest 9-inning game of the year.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
last nights was pretty short too
the people sitting behind me kept commenting that if the 9th inning went quickly it would be one of the shortest of the year
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
Short and Sweet
That’s how I’d describe today’s game.
memphiscub - September 2, 2009
2:14, I think
And let’s not forget that Lilly broke up the no-hitter in the 3rd, as well.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
I had forgottne about that!
Hopefully he can stop the headfirst slides…
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
I know that both the Cubs and Sox seem like they're out of contention
but tomorrow’s one-game set should be more exciting than the usual midsummer matchup, given that both teams are trying desperately to put win streaks together.
Could be a good game, considering the Sox are throwing some cat out there I’ve never even heard of. Cross your fingers.
Goodie1969 - September 2, 2009
We've got people for that
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
Awwww... Ain't he sweet.... cootchy, cootchy, coo....
eths - September 3, 2009
We've already got 18% of August's win total in the bag! LOL
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
Ouch
chilango2 - September 2, 2009
More than 2 CG
Z had the no hitter but haven’t Marquis and Dempster had Complete Game Shutouts in the last two years?
ak123 - September 2, 2009
Demp had a CG last year, no SO.
Marquis had a CGSO last year.
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
Correction, Marquis' CGSO was in 2007
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
Lilly had a CGSO the day after Z's no-no in Milwaukee last year
chilango2 - September 2, 2009
For that matter,
that game was a no-hitter until the sixth or seventh inning, IIRC.
Not Bruce Froemming - September 2, 2009
Yeah, broken up in the 7th with two outs
chilango2 - September 2, 2009
i think he had a no no going in the game vs milwaukee a week after the cubs clinched the central as well
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
And opening day at Wrigley.
cubswynn - September 2, 2009
the baseball gods disapprove of ted lilly having a no hitter it seems
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
They dislike him exchanging thunderbolts with them
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
that was a great series.
the Astros had 1 hit in 21 innings or something like that.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
Haven't the Ass-tros...
Succeeded in having those games removed from the record books?
Cry me the Rio Grande, fat men.
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
dont tell that to Kaplan
who said otherwise on CTL
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
if Kaplan says it
believe the opposite.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
For sure
sue369 - September 2, 2009
always
I wish he was not on that show, cuz its good otherwise
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
36-24 in division
That’s the best out of anyone in NL Central and hopefully the key to catching up in the Wildcard.
If I did my counting right Cubs have 21 games left against NL Central. We WANT Cardinals to clinch the day before Cubs play them so the B-team is on the field for post hangover game.
I know it’s a slim chance, but it can be done.
ak123 - September 2, 2009
As long as they don't clinch against the Cubs
because that will mean two things…1: They beat the Cubs and 2: It’s going to be insufferable listening to The Best Fans In Baseball™ celebrate at our expense.
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
Actually I don't care if they do
As long as Cubs take 2 of 3 from that series.
ak123 - September 2, 2009
Love your
“Best Fans in Baseball” trademark. If you add “self-proclaimed” to it, that would be perfect.
Not Bruce Froemming - September 2, 2009
Thanks
As far as the self-proclaimed part goes, we all know someone who says something over…and over…and over…usually to convince themselves, much less others.
Anyone can support a winner. Drawing 39,000 to see two mediocre teams on a Wednesday in September? That’s real devotion.
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
I can remember
the days of Vern Rapp and Garry Templeton and Ken Reitz. And a lot of empty seats at Busch Stadium.
I think there are about 6-7 franchises that can lay claim to having fans that are among the best. But it’s the ultimate in arrogance to say you’re “the best,” because it’s impossible to quantify, IMHO.
Not Bruce Froemming - September 2, 2009
curtain jerker is joe morgan?
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
Ouch
Did I kill your dog or something to deserve that comment? Just kidding…
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
no..
well i dont think you did. but last i checked joe morgan and co have trademarked best fans in baseball
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
Yes.
As I pointed out after the game ended, our final mark against Houston this year was 11 wins, 6 losses.
Pretty impressive, especially when you consider the Astros have given us problems over the years.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 2, 2009
$5 bleacher seats?!
That really bums me out. Wish I could have gotten out of work.
cubswynn - September 2, 2009
You probably don't want to read this then...
there were tons of free bleachers floating around. I had a few of my own that I couldn’t give away. People kept coming up and asking “you want to go to the game?” and then they laughed when I showed them my tickets.
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
Will you have any free tickets soon?
:D
Azul Cachorro - September 2, 2009
That renowned ticket scalper Joaquin Andujar summed it up in one word... "you never know"
Like I said earlier, there were lots of free tickets today and yesterday. But tomorrow, Sox vs Cubs, I kinda doubt it, but who knows?
If you’re flexible, best thing to do is just come on down to Wrigley and make sure to bring your glove and/or your thirst. If you get a free ticket, great – go in and bug Al. If not, then stay outside, put your glove on and bug me. Or go to Murphy’s and bug the cute bartender.
Oh, and by the way – not necessarily in that order…
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
Great win.
I’m hating being so far out, but loving getting psyched up for a must win game everyday
heine41 - September 2, 2009
I feel the same way.
We may not get to the real show, but technically, we’re in the playoffs now.
Hey, I gotta have something to get excited for.
Goodie1969 - September 2, 2009
Agreed.
Just go out there and win every day. I’m guessing that’s what the 2007 Rockies told themselves. It worked for them.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
And no one believed in them except the faithful, but most importantly......
They were scrappy :)
heine41 - September 2, 2009
Yes, winning breeds more winning
With no margin for error the remainder of the season, we have to take this little winning streak and stretch it into a long one to have any chance at all. If StL stumbles along the way, so be it, but we need to put pressure on those guys and create a little angst in their team. They are simply in cruise mode right now with no one really nipping at their heels.
In the Wild Card we have to pick up a game and a half per week. Need to keep winning and Colorado and SF to stay playing at their middling clip right now.
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
The Rox scored 103 runs during that season-ending streak of 14-1 ball
if we can get that kind of offense to end our season, I like our chances.
BigJohnAZ - September 2, 2009
lol yeah, to not lose another game
heine41 - September 2, 2009
97 wins!
Devin B - September 2, 2009
Fukudome leading off today I see....
…and on base twice with a hit and walk. I just wish Lou would realize that this is the best option…
Just keep doing it and maybe they can get hot again. I think Theriot is worn out right now (understandably)
JB 23 - September 2, 2009
I was not displeased to see Riot get a day off
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
And I loved Dome's hit
Slapped a slow bouncer off the end of the bat to SS and then beat the throw. I commented at the time that is was Ichiro-like.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
That was a rad hit.
I wish I could’ve taped it, but don’t have the capability. I suspect he’ll have more of those in the future; if I remember correctly, it took Dome about two years to figure out the J-League.
LeSaboteur - September 2, 2009
Just saw MLB highlight
and Dome said about this basehit that he tried to make it a foulball and it stayed in fair territory.
dragonsfanatic - September 3, 2009
Lets make a bet to see who Lou puts as leadoff tomorrow
The cynic in me says Riot.
KaliCub - September 2, 2009
I've got a dollar on Miles.
AndrewJStone - September 2, 2009
Your getting 35-1 odds on that too.
KaliCub - September 2, 2009
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
Actual quote?
Or an extremely good approximation of Lou-speak?
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
just me channeling my inner Lou
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
lol......
..run him back out there all you want Lou, just dont bat him in the lead off spot.
JB 23 - September 2, 2009
my life savings say Theriot
Illicat - September 2, 2009
My Life Savers agree with you
But my gummi bears are remarkably silent. I think they’re plotting something…
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
You make me cry. :-(
sue369 - September 2, 2009
Lou makes me cry.
Well, not cry, but sometimes I throw things
Illicat - September 3, 2009
I know the feeling.
sue369 - September 3, 2009
a good win.
now, go win tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that… it’s happenstancing!
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
hee
sue369 - September 2, 2009
I sure hope so
we have not had a long streak yet, so we are due
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
Didn't see the game, but...
from reading Al’s recap I see that Fontenot had another nice day in the field. He really deserves a lot of credit for his glove, especially as of late. He hasn’t produced offensively this year, but he’s been very good playing second base.
kanderber - September 2, 2009
he had
at least one “WOAH!” play.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
The sliding catch in foul territory?
That was nice – plenty of hustle.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
That was awesome.
sue369 - September 2, 2009
Who was
the motivational speaker Dusty brought in during spring training years ago? Maybe we could bring him, or someone like him next year?
ChicagoRobb - September 2, 2009
Why in the name of Satan's butthole
would we want to emulate anything Dusty did?
Worf - September 2, 2009
Was it this guy?
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
I'm living in a van with aaron frickin miles!!!
BleedsbluinMI - September 2, 2009
uhh down by the river
BleedsbluinMI - September 2, 2009
you put Aaron Miles
in a van by the river……then release the parking break, and run like hell
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
Just go get his magic dust.
Worked in September ’03.
And he’s obviously not using it in Cincinnati. He’s gotta have a stash somewhere.
Goodie1969 - September 2, 2009
Mack Newton was his name...
Jimmyeatworld - September 2, 2009
tomorrow's game should be epic
two desperate teams w/an intra-city rivalry thrown in.
i wish i had a ticket…
brian custer - September 2, 2009
Tickets are available.
Seriously. Go here.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
would i pick them up
at will call/ is that how it would work?
brian custer - September 2, 2009
Yes, you'd have to do will call.
Or print-at-home, but will call (IIRC) is free.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
thank you
brian custer - September 2, 2009
You're right...
I did will call for my Thursday ticket last week. There was a charge to print at home, however.
Chris Dobbertean - September 2, 2009
Looks like Lee is making a strong case...
….for extending his contract and avoiding free agency in 2011. Hope the Cubs do it in the off season so it doesn’t become a distraction next year.
ronsanto10 - September 2, 2009
D-Lee...
… turns 35 in September 2010. By 2011, we hope Josh Vitters is ready for 3B and Aramis Ramirez can move to first.
I think that after 2010 we thank Derrek for seven good years and bid him to the AL, where he can DH.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
Agreed
Although that will be a very sad day.
Not Bruce Froemming - September 2, 2009
Yes, it will.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
Hmm...
If he continues to bounce back from ’06, and continue to put up the numbers we expect,do you try to sign him for one or two more years and allow him to retire as a Cub?
LeSaboteur - September 2, 2009
That's a good question.
Al Yellon - September 2, 2009
depends on what he is asking for
and does Pujols want to join the Cubs
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
I'll continue beating this drum...
…by myself, but no Pujols. He has the same negative as D. Lee: his age; yes, Pujols is four-years younger, but that’s still not the kind of investment the organization should be looking to make.
Pujols will command A-Rod money on the free market, but I suspect he’ll take a sweetheart deal to stay with St. Louis. It’s where he’s played his entire pro-career, and it would be in the Redbirds’ best interest to resign him despite the expense. If we’re looking to peel away an established All Star, I say the Cubs look seriously at Adrian Gonzalez; he’s two-years younger than Pujols, and we could possibly get a good 2B in his brother in the same deal.
If the Cubs are looking at really long term investment, I would suggest AGonz, or attempting to wrest Schierholtz away from the Giants. We need a long term, team-controlled player at the 1B.
LeSaboteur - September 2, 2009
Appreciate the interesting take on this
Do you put any credence in the rumors that Pujols is actually older than his official age?
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
he isnt saying he is
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
I have only heard of this in passing...
…and I say no, I put no stock in that claim. It’s impossible to carbon date a live human (there are no rings like in a tree), and until something comes out that suggests otherwise, who cares? He could be 42, and his numbers still speak for themselves.
Exchanging D. Lee for Pujols, in my opinion, is simply trading one ability over the other — defense for offense — and I’d rather have D. Lee’s glove, and marginally less offensive production.
LeSaboteur - September 2, 2009
Numbers disagree
Preface, I’m a Cardinal fan, but I’m mostly a baseball fan.
You’d have to be crazy to want D. Lee instead of Pujols.
WPA: Lee 2.26 Pujols 6.41
OPS: Lee .924 Pujols 1.116
UZR/150: Lee 3.1 Pujols .1
WAR: Lee 3.5 Pujols 6.9
Albert’s UZR numbers in the past years have stomped Lee. Not sure why the off year this year.
That said, Lee is a stellar player. I thought he was washed up earlier this year; he has certainly proved me and everyone else wrong.
rencelas - September 3, 2009
That HAS TO BE the highest WAR in the league, no?
Greinke is 7.6 this year, and I can’t imagine a player having a higher WAR than those two in 2009.
dtpollitt - September 3, 2009
Gonzalez would be appealing
But I’ll bet the Padres pull out all the stops to keep him. Not only is he from San Diego, but he spent some years as a kid living in Tijuana, and the Padres really are keen on tapping the market in Baja California.
SD Smooth Jazz Man might know more about this.
Not Bruce Froemming - September 2, 2009
Gonzalez...
…also grew up wanting to be Padre, so it’s a double win for the organization: a hometown kid who has openly expressed desire to be on the team. With the way the FO has been running the organization recently, I wonder if that relationship might be souring. I can only speculate. Gonzalez will go for far less than Pujols, and we could have AGonz’s prime production years instead of a potential diminishing return on Pujols.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankees came calling with a 10-year, $300-million dollar deal.
I can’t speak for the Halos (I know the Athletics don’t), but all the NL West teams are actively recruiting a Hispanic fanbase. Every third ad at AT&T Park is in Spanish, and there are full articles in the team magazine are bi-lingual, printed side-by-side.
SD & TJ already have a very fluid border, so I wouldn’t doubt the Padres to be pulling a large fan base from there. If I’m not mistaken, the Friars have even played exhibition games in Mexico.
LeSaboteur - September 2, 2009
Rec'd
I happen to be a huge fan of Gonzalez. I would absolutely love that deal. :D
Azul Cachorro - September 2, 2009
BCB flames fantasy trades
But doesn’t flame nonsense like this that will NEVER HAPPEN.
Mike Martin - September 3, 2009
I don't think
anyone actually thinks Pujols will actually get picked up by the Cubs.
drewishdrewid - September 3, 2009
I don't know about "very sad" but it'll suck to see him go...
kanderber - September 2, 2009
Will be surprised if Vitters is ready by Spring of 2011...
as he’s only in A ball right now, and not exactly dominating A ball. I think Sept 2011 would be the earliest we’d see him (assuming he handles AA in 2010 and gets to AAA by early 2011.
That said, I agree that it’s not in the best interest to extend Lee beyond his current contract. We’d be better off with a stopgap at 1B for 2011 and transition Ramirez to 1B in 2012 when (hopefully) Vitters is ready to take over full-time.
SouthernCub - September 2, 2009
Question for those in the know:
Andrés Blanco still has options, right? He can be sent to Arizona—heck, even a Winter league—to work on his batting, right? Does he have a shot at being an everyday player next year?
chilango2 - September 2, 2009
I don't know about being an "everyday" player
but he certainly could be a useful tool on the bench.
Not Bruce Froemming - September 2, 2009
We need no other real
‘tools’ on the bench other than Aaron Miles.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - September 2, 2009
Miles is a tool of a player
too bad we need a five tool player
Cubbie-Tim - September 2, 2009
i hear this felix pie guy is good...
and this corey patterson guy as well…
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
You should check your radio
I think that you are receiving broadcasts from 2006. You might have old electricity in your house.
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
i dont know
i think theyll be the next willy mays
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
Meanwhile
I’m very high on this Mike Harkey guy. I think he’ll be the next Fergie Jenkins.
danimal15 - September 2, 2009
I also heard this Prior kid
is the next Nolan Ryan
Mike Martin - September 3, 2009
Nah.
Kerry Wood is the next Nolan Ryan.
Prior is the next Tom Seaver.
Al Yellon - September 3, 2009
Blanco is out of options.
However, and I’m quoting from this great resource:
All that said, as great a defender as he is, I wouldn’t look to Andres Blanco to become an everyday player. He wouldn’t likely ever bring enough offensive production of any kind to the table. Nonetheless, I think any contending major league team needs an able-bodied glove-man to back up its middle infielders and Andy White certainly appears to fulfill that role.
daver - September 3, 2009
tomorrow's
Game, is really big- the Cubs have been floating between 500 and 3+ for what feels like weeks. Beating the Sox and winning 3 in a row might be just the recipe for an interesting September. Losing tomorrow would be one more wet blanket on an already damp season. I’m feeling 7-4 Cubs.
Slakkr - September 2, 2009 via mobile
Ramirez at 1st base???
Lee is good for at least a few more years! I’d trade Ramirez over Lee.
ronsanto10 - September 2, 2009
You're kidding, right?
For one thing, Ramirez is 3-4 years younger than Lee is, IIRC.
Not Bruce Froemming - September 2, 2009
why?
ARam is younger and under contract longer.
Slakkr - September 2, 2009 via mobile
Ramirez is also more injury-prone....
ronsanto10 - September 2, 2009
good point
dump ramirez and sign dlee until hes 45
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
MOAR YEARS!
I say sign him until 2027
Illicat - September 3, 2009
How do you figure that?
Jimmyeatworld - September 2, 2009
This whole "injury-prone" thing with Ramirez
is way overblown.
Typically, he misses what, about two weeks worth of games? Maybe three?
This year was not the usual.
Not Bruce Froemming - September 2, 2009
Yes
There is no mistaking him for Nomar.
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
more injury prone?
incorrect
Illicat - September 3, 2009
Mmmm...that's debatable.
daver - September 3, 2009
Good game and several
contributed to the win. Len said today that Derrek and his wife are due any day with their second child. Could be he may be making a quick trip back to Chicago while on the road trip.
sue369 - September 2, 2009
Giants just won 4-0
Brad Penny pitched into the 8th.
Mets-Rockies tied 2-2 and the Marlins are up 7-3 but Atlanta has the bases loaded.
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
i guess the AL is the better league…
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
Yep
Look at Smoltz and Lugo too.
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
joey gathright PRing
hell get picked off in 1…2…3…
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
woah
he stole a base…
who knew
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
And scored a run!
On a wild pitch…
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
DAMNIT HENDRY YOU GAVE HIM UP TOO SOON
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
that was
his moment.
drewishdrewid - September 2, 2009
i sometimes wonder whether gathright would have been more useful than freel
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
I hope that you don't spend too much time on that one
vonde6 - September 2, 2009
he didn't come
with an imaginary friend.
drewishdrewid - September 3, 2009
Well, I was one of Gathright's few defenders when he was here...
…but the Cubs really needed a backup third baseman, though Freel never really did much of that anyway.
daver - September 3, 2009
Lou and CGs
Al,
Do you know if any reporter asked Lou today why he wouldn’t let Lilly finish?
I agree. He seems to have a pathological dislike of CGs. You’d think he’d have an appreciation for them, having played on teams like the 1975 Yankees, which had 70 CGs, with Catfish Hunter throwing 30 of them himself.
danimal15 - September 2, 2009
I don't know if that question was asked.
And I know you think every starter should throw nine innings.
But yesterday really was ridiculous.
Al Yellon - September 3, 2009
CGs
Al,
There’s no need to make fun of me or try to misrepresent my point of view. I don’t think every starter should throw 9 innings every time (you keep pulling that out of your hat). I just don’t think it’s too much to ask once every 10th start or so. Lou evidently disagrees.
danimal15 - September 3, 2009
It's a "joke". Remember those?
I agree with you re: Lou’s predilection for no CG’s.
But you should know as well as I do that we are never going back to the era of 30 CG per year pitchers.
Al Yellon - September 3, 2009
joke
OK – I can take a joke. It’s just that you make the same one every time I post, on this topic, and it’s tiring.
I agree we’ll never go back to 30 CG a year pitchers again, and I don’t believe we should.
I think Lou’s decision to take Lilly out yesterday goes back to the fact that he’s pretty much become a “push-button” manager in most phases of the game. It’s the 9th inning, so better get the closer in. I don’t find him too imaginative in general, especially not this year. I miss the days of managers like Don Zimmer, who were willing to do crazy things sometimes, even though they didn’t always work out. Not many managers today differ much from the norm.
danimal15 - September 3, 2009
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/09/discussion-nl-rookie-of-the-year.html
i find it funny only cards fans are saying rasmus
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
you know his .314 OPS is really worthy
So is his 94 OPS+
nji232 - September 2, 2009
his OPS is russell martin-like...
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
What the hell happened to that guy?
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
.314
Come on, even Aaron Miles has a greater OPS than that.
Rasmus is OPSing .742.
Andyfantastic - September 2, 2009
I meant OBP
I’m an idiot.
nji232 - September 2, 2009
except it was only one poster saying Rasmus
dcfcblues - September 2, 2009
Dome lead off again today?
and on base twice… is it just a temporally order to rest Theriot, or is Lou thinking about to continue to let Dome lead off against RHP?
dragonsfanatic - September 2, 2009
probably to just rest theriot
unfortunately
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
The new avatar is nice
So I made this for you:
Clutch16 - September 3, 2009
hahahahaha
Cubbie-Tim - September 3, 2009
LOL!
sue369 - September 3, 2009
GETITD ON ELOU!!!! 1 ! one
drewishdrewid - September 3, 2009
Me have little understand of your typing.
eths - September 3, 2009
Good thing his name is in ALL CAPS!!!!1111!!!!
daver - September 3, 2009
what am i going to do with my brian roberts and peavy jerseys then?
jesus christos - September 3, 2009
See this would have been nice in AUGUST
but given the fact we are currently on pace to win every game of the month, well the division is ours then!
Chanman25 - September 2, 2009
By that logic I'm gonna be drunk every night this month.
dtpollitt - September 2, 2009
Which is entirely plausible.
dtpollitt - September 2, 2009
hahahah
Chanman25 - September 2, 2009
But not probable.
dtpollitt - September 2, 2009
maybe
Chanman25 - September 2, 2009
Dan, I have the utmost faith that you will do everything in your power
to make sure no one will be able to use the “small sample size” argument against you in this situation.
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
I think we could agree that
after 3 days of drinking in a row it is no longer a sample size issue. I mean, that’s 10% of the month, entirely covers a normal person’s work week plus one more day, and is pressing on the liver. I can do this.
dtpollitt - September 2, 2009
Stay strong, brother.
Clutch16 - September 2, 2009
Remember...
…it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009
please report back at months end, and let us know what your BABIP numbers are
BABIP as in “Batting Average on Babes In Play”
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
The BABIP Gods are great & wrathful gods - They require many sacrificial kitties
After one good night’s rest
Provided the heaven’s consent
we will well pursue our quest
eths - September 3, 2009
Sooooo, it only took 130 games to get a 10 game winner on the team.
and 131 games to get two 10 game winners. Man, we are bad.
dtpollitt - September 2, 2009
And if you're wondering...
…in 2008 we had a 10 game winner after game 90, and another after 101.
dtpollitt - September 2, 2009
2008 seems like one of those one in a lifetime kind of seasons...
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
one once meh
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
Zambrano won his tenth in game #84 in 2007, and Lilly, game #94.
dtpollitt - September 2, 2009
once in a lifetime for more than 1 reason
jesus christos - September 2, 2009
by that logic, after tomorrow, we'll have three? ;-)
ballhawk - September 2, 2009
I LIKE YOUR THINKING
dtpollitt - September 2, 2009
Two down and 23 to go...
Even if the hard numbers still look bleak, 10.5 out of first and 6.0 back in the wild card race, after the last two games, we can start to reawaken that delicate thing called hope. This team is not last years team, and to be realistic the chances still are not good, but for some strange reason my gut says “it’s gonna happen.”
Eamus Catuli – Thursday is thrash the Sox day.
eths - September 3, 2009
If the Cubs beat the White Sox...
on Thursday, they will not only draw even for the season series, but the all time series as well.
montecarlo - September 3, 2009
Come on, Al
Your first line infuriates me greatly. Where has this been all summer? How exactly is this different from what we’ve seen all summer? Great pitching? Check? Inefficient lineup? Check. Derrek Lee supplying the offense? Check. Barely defeating an inferior team? Check!
It might make some Cubs fans happy when they see Randy Wells and Ted Lilly turn in performances such as we’ve seen the last two days, but it makes me so angry. These are the reasons I didn’t want to give up on the season, didn’t want to let a playoff spot slip so far away, wanted the team to make those vital additions – completions, really – to the roster available in August. Turn just those two losses to the Marlins because of a lacking bullpen and the Cubs aren’t just at least in fourth place, but right on the heels of the leaders. Those are just the two most important games, but there were plenty others.
Any team with pitchers such as Lilly, Wells, Ryan Dempster, Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano has a chance to put up a long win streak. Unfortunately, there isn’t a win streak long enough for them to jump four teams. I’ll concede three of those four teams could be getting over their hot streaks in time for the Cubs to put something together and jump over them, but the additions the Giants made to a pitching staff already rivaling the Cubs will make it near impossible to make up 5 games on them.
Not only have we seen this constantly this summer… but this is the 2005 season all over again… and it is very frustrating.
jameslcrockett - September 3, 2009
Happy??? Angry???
Why shouldn’t we be happy to see Wells and Lilly pitch well? Why shouldn’t we happy to see good defence? Why shouldn’t we happy to see any form of win?
What I do agree with is that some of the front office decisions have been hard to understand, to put it mildly, and that the continuing lack of a good stable offence is frustrating. And yes they have blown some important games. But, as long as the team continues playing well and showing effort, I would not and will not give up on them, as long as it is mathematically possible. Especially if they start scoring more runs on a regular basis. If the Cubs win the two series from the 18th to the 20th and the 24th to the 27th (sweeps are too much to hope for ?) then things could become really close in the wild card race. Of course they will have to win most of the other games still on the schedule and hope for a nice little series of losses by Colorado and/or Saint Louis.
Many, many ifs, I’ll grant you that. Assuming it all comes together, then we will be in play-offs. And then anything can happen.
eths - September 3, 2009
I share your frustration...
… and your point about the bullpen blowing those two games in Miami (as well as others) is taken.
However, this is NOT 2005. After 131 games in 2005, the Cubs were 62-69, 8 games behind the wild-card leader and behind seven other teams. They had lost seven of their last nine games.
This team is closer to the leader and has played better recently. I still have hope.
Al Yellon - September 3, 2009
I think you know what I meant...
I’ve seen you make the same points… it’s 2005 in that they were close and they made no improvements to the major-league team in July or August, bringing in only Jody Gerut/Matt Lawton. The team then collapsed to 8 games back by the end of August ending in a moribund September.
One win doesn’t mean anything to me. A series win doesn’t mean much to me. They need to do more than just win every series from here on out. This team as it currently stands is a .22 caliber pistol in a situation where you need a .357.
jameslcrockett - September 3, 2009
I'm just
gonna be happy they won, and hope they can make up the distance.
drewishdrewid - September 3, 2009
Holy crap, I just realized we have THREE type A free agents this year.
Let them all go. Yup, all of them. Grabow, Harden, Gregg. That’s 6 draft picks, right? If we offer compensation and get turned down it’s 2 picks, if we just let them go it’s 1.
dtpollitt - September 3, 2009
You offer Kevin Gregg arbitration
and you are going to get another year of Kevin Gregg. Not a fun risk.
nji232 - September 3, 2009
no kidding, the only thing you offer Gregg is a ride to the airport....
…thank you sir, safe travels.
JB 23 - September 3, 2009
Why can't we just bid like in The Price is Right?
“One dollar, sir.”
“One dollar? That’s your offer?”
“Yes…take it, or leave it.”
dtpollitt - September 3, 2009
Personally, I’d offer arbitration to all 3 and yes, make a lowball offer to Gregg.
leothelip - September 3, 2009
No DLee today.....
…per ESPN radio, he is proud father of a new baby! (no word yet on boy or girl)
JB 23 - September 3, 2009
Well then the lineup below will be reworked
I’d bet Fox plays first, but would Lou have him bat third?
nji232 - September 3, 2009
Congratulations, DLee!!!!
eths - September 3, 2009
It's a boy.
sue369 - September 3, 2009
Today's lineups out
Massive Lou fail
Dome leading off, so Milton has to bat fifth. Lou is an idiot.
nji232 - September 3, 2009
Making it green because
Lou IS an idiot. At least in 2009.
dtpollitt - September 3, 2009
Dome should lead off...
…but that doesnt mean he has to bat Milton 5th. That defys logic ( Yes I know they are both LH)
JB 23 - September 3, 2009
New lineup
Dome, Riot, Aramis, Milton, Fox, Soriano, Baker, Hill, Dempster
From Gordon’s tweet
nji232 - September 3, 2009
My head says I know lineup orders matter naut.
But my heart and bullshit sensor say otherwise.
Lou, you’re an idiot.
dtpollitt - September 3, 2009
"Look what do you want me to do?"
“We got this Bradley guy who hits better second, but I have to have a left hander in the middle of the order, I have to. What can I say "
nji232 - September 3, 2009
You're still here? Why?
JUMP!
Clutch16 - September 3, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.