Reflections in Houston

What did we learn?

Zambrano CAN actually win an opener of some sort.
Everyone on the Cubs douses their drawers at the intimidating prospect of facing the great and mighty Wandy.
Chicks dig the long ball - and so apparently does Ted Lilly.

In all, the offense did nicely - kinda sputtered a bit in game 2. Lou's still learning the bullpen. Overall, series win - good things.

On to Milwaukee!

One down...

161 to go...

Z pitches well. Soriano and Ramirez do what they do best. Sadly, so do Lee and Fuku. The Hoff comes through. Gregg gets the save. Bradley only tanks one ball in the OF. 20 games.....20 games.....

All good times. Sure Gregg's ERA is 9. who's gonna notice a little thing like that?

The secoind best part of the day - Fat Bastard got lit up in Baltimore....Just something about him being on the Brewers and annoying us like a mosquito in our ear just makes me hope he fails...and fails bad. But hey, he's not even in our league any more. So let's not burn up too many minutes on him. Rickie Weeks - still sucks donkey BA115.

Important point of the day - Z is no longer winless in openers...

Know where your checks come from.

Ryan Dempster was recently criticized by the entire nation of Canada (or at least those not watching the hockey All-Star Game) recently when he revealed he would not pitch for Oh, Canada in the upcoming WBC. Here's the thing - I think it could be argued that pitchers run the highest risk of injury during the daily execution oft heir job. Yes position players could get hurt, but it seems that pitchers are more fragile than the average shortstop. Here's a thought -

Instead of adding 1,000 more pitches to an MLB'ers season, why not use minor league pitchers for the classic? AAA type guys who are not quite ready for prime time. It gives them the opportunity to try out at the big league level, on a world stage, and frankly, it gives the fans the offense they crave. Now, I'm not saying some college hurler should go up there and throw batting practice or anything. But your Kevin Harts and Angel Guzman types.

Just a thought. and a minute. A minute-thought.

History

So, I'm voting, lord knows why, for TYIB awards - it's actually more just an excuse to watch more Cubs highlight reels - and I come across Z's no hitter once more. And I'm watching it, and thinking about watching it live back then. And then I'm thinking about Kruk's comments about how Lou Piniella put a player before the team and let a player who was already hurt go out there repeatedly and let that player gets an accomplishment rather than putting the team first.

You know what? That no-hitter wasn't about Lou, and wasn't about the Cubs, and it wasn't about Zambrano. That no hitter, and every no hitter is about baseball. It's about the magic that happens just every so often and when it happens you have to respect it. You have to respect the game and it's moments. And then, you get to sit back and just say "Wow." THAT'S why we all watch the game. That's why it's so special. Every once in a while, we get to see history, and recognize it for what it is at that moment. Not a year later, not a decade later, but right here, right now, THIS is history. And that deserves respect.
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Screw John Kruk!

Here we go...

Ok, I did not root root root for anyone but the Cubs. I honestly would've loved to see the Mets, but the Dodgers were #2 on the list. With Ramirez, Ethier, Kemp, Blake, Martin. That's a heck of a lineup.

I hate to see if but if Zambrano freaks out again, this is going to be a tough series. If he can stop psyching himself out and just pitch how he's capable, then we're golden. The first two games will determine the rest of the series. Dempster needs to grab that first win, so Z doesn't put even more pressure on himself. If we split, I can live with that. If the Dodgers win 2, may as well go out and party Sat night, cuz there won't be anything else happening...

If Z does blow his top, all is not lost. I feel good about Dempster, Harden and Lilly. If Zambrano steps up and proves he's the ace of this staff - grow up dude - then we can all start booking hotels.

With Lowe's sinker, the Cubs are going to be hard-pressed to get the big hits. It's therefore necessary on them to just hit the ball. Preferably to the holes in the infield. No swinging for the fences unless he's leaving them up. If he's not, God help us all...

Funny thing...

I went to ch3eck the scores of the other games, then I realized - I don't give a crap...It's a nice feeling.

Z had a BAAAAAAAD inning tonight. In my book he just became the game 3 starter. I'm thinking Dempster in Game 1, then Lilly, then Harden then Dempster again. It really depends who they're playing, but you can tell Z it's because he's the only one reliable enough to take an away game. That outta fool him.

If he starts at home, he'll have to be game 1. His psyche couldn't hack being #2, even tho that's how he's pitching recently. And I'm not referring to his being a second starter. He's actually pitching like #2.

If memory serves, Z didn't do so well at the end of last season either, but came back strong in Arizona. We'll see...

Argh...

ZAMBRA NO-NO!!!

As a friend of mine aptly put it -

"The games been over for a good minute or two....WHERE IS YOUR POST????"

Hey man, I had phone calls to make and txt's to send and a kid to put to bed...

Wow. History. Yes, my 23 month old son stayed up for this. Yes my wife, son and I were glued to the TV. Yes, I watched/listened to the entire game. No, I did not go. But I was very tempted...If I'd known...eh well...

What a game. It's funny. This is not even close to the first time the Cubs and Zambrano flirted with a no-no. This season alone I remember prolly three or four that took it into the 6th, 7th, or 8th. But to go all the way - after being out for almost two weeks with "dead arm"/tendinitis. Ho-ly-frickin'-crap dude. I was shaking by the end. I jumped up at the end. There's only so mush you can say about a game like this. Z was battling the Astros - yes, the Kerry Wood 20 K Astros. He was also battling a crappy home plate umpire. There were MANY missed calls tonight. End of the day, you can't complain.

I think deep down, mostly everyone knew Z would throw a no-no. It seemed to be only a matter of time. So here's the real question - What are you nay-sayers saying now? I'll admit, I was leery. I have an earlier post saying "Harden and Z are out? WTF is going on here??" or something like that. I was nervous, sure.

Tonight was another remarkable accomplishment in a long season of remarkable accomplishments. It's history. I watched it. I'll tell my kids and grandkids about it.Do I think this is the clincher? That the Cubs are going to win the World Series? Do I think they're a lock now? Do I think this is the tipping point? That it's all the way to a ticker tape parade?

Hell Freakin' No.

Still got a lot of work to do boys. But...you get a cookie tonight.

Z - You get two minutes tonight. Now get back to work!!

:D

Ron, Ron, Ron...

So it's the 5th inning. Z's dealin'. Pence is up. With two outs, Zambrano drills him in the back on a 2-2 count (I think). Which stunning analysis do you think Ronny offered? I'll make it multiple choice:

A. That was a slider that just got away from him. You hate to see that with a 2 strike count. Zambrano just needs to buckle down and focus on this next batter and not let this get in the way or break his concentration.

B. Aww, that's just too bad. With two outs, only a pick-off play or a caught stealing will allow Zambrano to potentially finish this game having faced the minimum number of batters for the game. You hate to see it, but it happens.

C. He didnt want to do that. Wow. Gosh...ooohhh...He didn't wanna do that right there. Ahh.

I'll give you one guess as long as it isn't A or B.

What a schmuck...

He doesn't deserve a minute and his 15 are up. Now he owes interest.

Dr. Piniella. Paging Dr. Piniella!

Here's the downside for not watching/listening to postgame or BBTN after a loss. I had NO idea what's been going on in the past few days...

Ok seriously folks. Zambrano is getting all creepy and supposed to get an MRI, but doesn't. Harden's hurt? WTF is going on here?? Oh, and a minor little 5 games losing streak...Hey good times...

It's a good thing Milwaukee Sucks donkey butt or we'd be really screwed.

Don't get me wrong. I'm still on board. but this train's gettin' bumpy...

Still a minute...

D.P. Lee needs a nap.

I'm starting to think maybe Lee should get tucked in for a couple of games and get some sleepy time. Now some would argue that the reason Lee's hitting into so many double plays is because people keep getting on base in front of him. That may be. So try putting the ball in the air in those situations. Of course this is coming the day after he tried that strategy and ended the game, so maybe I don't have a leg to stand on. 1 out, bottom of the 8th and bases loaded - you gotta do something there bud. Just go ahead and curl up with your Teddy bear. We'll wake you when we get to Cincy.

Day two of "The Hoff's" benching. Seriously Daryle Ward?? Have you not been paying attention this season? Last year Soto made the post season roster based solely on the fact that he demonstrated he could play in September. It's the Hoff's turn. Maybe the Hoff gets a crack at first tomorrow? We'll see.

Meantime, D.P. Lee's hitting everything in sight - to the opponents' shortstops. And Ramirez forgot how to catch after the 8th tonight. I hate when that happens. Meanwhile Bomb Howry's been pretty much doing what we expect Howry to do at this point..4 runs without retiring a man...And Z better get his poop together cuz this is just getting silly.

That probably should've been a minute, but it's been ruled an error on Ramirez...

how do you spell Soto?

M - V - P. Not that I think he's going to get it. But, and especially after this last week or so, he's definitely part of the conversation... 7 RBI tonight, including two bases clearing doubles. That's clutch. The pitching wasn't there tonight. Another shaky outing for Z. Thank goodness August is over soon.

The Boo-hoo Crew humiliated the Cards tonight, driving yet another nail into the coffin that is their season. However, the really bad schedule is coming up. A ton of road games and IIRC, all the rest of the games after tomorrow are against over .500 teams. That's scary, but I believe the Cubs can start booking some hotels until well into October.

That's another minute that splits the gap.

Squeaker

Z did not have his good stuff today, but he did have a cracked tooth. Listen to me - coming from someone who has suffered a plethora of dental anomalies, this is no small thing. Good for you Z that you stayed out there. Strike 3 for Woody was a gift call, but hey, the Cubs won the series - 7th straight - so it's all good.

Corey Patterson looked lost out in center field today. Kinda sad to see. In the Reds lineup, who's batting below Mr. Mendoza? Paul Bako and Corey Patterson. Who's in the lineup anyway? Yep you guessed it. Got a couple of things to discuss in future postings, but over all, another 1/2 game up, and another page off the calendar.

The minute fades back, he shoots, he SCORES!

Sweep

Kotsay hits for the cycle and the Cubs win the game. I don't care if it was against the Cubs, still kinda cool to see a cycle. and the Cubs won, so good for Kotsay, better for us.

Good to see Lilly last more than 10 pitches this time around. Escobar just really needs to get over that. Woody came in to pseudo-close. The bats came alive again. Hopefully this is a Cubs thing, not just a Braves thing.

Z going tonight has some stuff to make up for. Last two starts, not so Gouda. Last two years in Miami - ditto. Let's get that turned around and b-slap the Fish back to where they belong...

off day...

So the Cubs put the cap on a nice series yesterday. I just love it when the opposing team boots a ball and we turn it into 5 runs...And Chris Carpenter left the game on a medical...Hello Mark Mulder - where ya been? If that's not enough to drive the final nail into the coffin, I don't know what is...

So the Brewers won today - a-holes. The Diamondbacks picked up Adam "Dunn hit ball with little stick!!" (It sounds a lot funnier when I _say_ it, but anyway. Do they really think Dunn is the answer? Nothing against the guy, but boy oh boy, I hope the Dodgers don't have anything planned for October - they'll be busy. At least for 4 games while the Cubs wipe the floor with them. I'm factoring in one loss since we did split the series in LA this year.

Following that, if I had to pick the Phillies/Marlins/Mets vs Brewers, I'm going to have to go Brewers. History has proven though that we can beat them. It'll be an interesting series. I'm thinking Sheets v Zambrano, Sabathia v Harden, Parra v Dempster and with all the extra off days the networks throw in, prolly Sheets v Zambrano again. Or possbily Lilly v Busch? Not even sure where the Brewers rotation depth goes after Parra. We'll see...

I don't even know enough about the AL to make any predictions...

Ummmmmm.....yeah.

So Zambrano didn't miss any bats today. Didn't have his good stuff. In fact he didn't have stuff. He pretty much just tossed in those batting practice balls and watched the pretty smoke making rainbows as the balls left the yard. Let the Cards slap him around like a little bee-otch. Wouldn't mind so much, except it IS against the Cardinals... eh well.

Bottom of the 7th and LaRussa's going to the bullpen, so it's not completely lost. I won't be holding by breath however. Hopefully Dempster can miss a few bats tomorrow. Meantime, I need to find a convenient rope to hang myself with.

Some runs, some runs, a minute for some runs!

Brewers rumble....

So Prince and Parra got into it last night. Took five guys to hold down the fat ba@!#$. Starting to fray around the edges are we brew-crew?

Actually, kinda reminds me of the Zambrano/Barrett title fight last year, only without the trip to the hospital. Having said that, this means that either:
A. The pressure is getting to this young team.
B. We've just seen the beginning of the end for the Cubs.
C. It don't mean diddly.

Personally, I'm hoping for A, but realistically, it's prolly C.

On a side note - it must suck to be a Brewers fan. The Brewers have been bottom dwellers for a couple of decades and now that they've actually got a good team, here come the Cubs.

Always the bridesmaid, never another minute...

Big Johnson

Oh wait.... hehe. Don't get me wrong, it's great that the Cubs won, but why did our bullpen have to piss away another great start by our pitchers...

The big bats came out again late and spanked the Pirates. I dig the fact that Johnson bunts for a base hit yesterday and hits the game winning HR today :).

Samardzija pitched very well after Lou shortened Z up. Gaudin gave up the lead but he's, been a great find from Oakland. Marmol closed it up. Nice job. Would've liked Z to get to 13, but oh well.

Brew Crew lost. Leads back to five. Hope the Cards get b-slapped, but that's secondary right now.

Astros come to town. We shall have to punish them.

One for the minute....two for the show...

Not much to say...

Cubs win yesterday. Z's on the mound today vs. Ian Snell, he of the 6+ ERA. Should be a cakewalk, but the Cubs have a tenancy to make those close games. We'll see how things go.

Magic Number: 48
Home Games Left: 27
Road Games Left: 25
Total games left: 52

poll is up for Howry.

A pol is up to vote for what Bobby's new nickname will be. Myself, I'm leaning more towards Gopher, but that's me.

Great outing by Z and the offense tonight. Good to see the bats come alive again on the road. With Dempster and Harden going, you're almost starting to talk Sweep...I dunno...

Samardzija gave up a run, but with a 7-0 lead, your job is to throw strikes. No biggie. Run with it kid. 2 of 4. So far, I'm happy...we'll see how long it lasts....

Hey. I'm just being honest...

Another minute, another W.

Cubs win, Brewers lose...

Good day. The bats woke up, especially "Little Babe Ruth" Mike Fontenot (Ok Ron, seriously - he has _8_ home runs...). Marquis pitched like crap, but hey - it's July. And I've said it before, and I'll say it again - With a rotation of Zambrano, Harden, Dempster, Lilly - who gives a crap who the fifth starter is?

The BIG series begins tomorrow. Biggest of the year? Maybe. Biggest of the year thus far? Definitely. Cubs ned to win two to leave town in first place. Gonna be rough. Lilly v. Sabathia - ew. Z v Sheets. Interesting.

The key for the next two games, and really all four, but especially against Sabathia and Sheets - Deep counts and a lot of them. Foul balls galore. Get those guys OUT of there, and then systematically dismantle their bullpen.

Here's hoping - and a minute for you...