Archive for July, 2008
July 27th, 2008
Even down here in Bears camp at Bourbonnais, reporters are constantly checking the TV to see how the Cubs are doing. The Brewers have a lot of people scared right now. Still, I say the Cubs shouldn’t give up too much for more relief pitching. Trading for relievers in the middle of a pennant race is a recipe for disaster. That’s how the Astros got Jeff Bagwell (for 40-year-old Larry Anderson). Or, to be Cubs specific, how about giving up Jon Garland to the White Sox for Matt Karchner? Too often somebody else’s middle relievers are no better than your own. The Cubs made a great trade to land Rich Harden. They are very deep in starting pitching. Their relievers will be OK, too. Just stay the course. The Brewers aren’t going to go away, but neither will they stay this hot. And the Cubs just got Alfonso Soriano back. Chicago will catch fire again, too.
July 26th, 2008
The Cubs and Brewers share 60-44 marks. They also share four games at Miller Park beginning Monday.
I really wasn’t supposed to have this much tension this summer.
July 25th, 2008
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Kerry Wood is on the DL for the 12th time in his career. But, as far as Wood injuries go, I’ll take a blister every time.
I’ll also take Jeff “Shark” Samardzija being called up to fill Wood’s void. The former two-sport Notre Dame athlete has been nothing but solid in his six Triple-A starts for Iowa.
It could be argued that it’s too early for him, but now is not the time to stop tweaking the Cubs pitching staff.
July 23rd, 2008
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The Cubs are 1-4 since the All-Star break. The Brewers are on a six-game winning streak and just one game behind in the standings. Kerry Wood has debilitating blister. Derrek Lee leads MLB in grounding into double plays.
The good news? Alfonso Soriano is expected to return to the lineup tonight. Oh yeah, and the Cubs still have the best record in the National League.
No worries.
July 23rd, 2008
Honestly, the Cubs should pay Steve Bartman $25,000 not to do it.
July 21st, 2008
The Cubs’ pursuers in the NL Central meet in St. Louis for four contests. As long as the Cubs play winning baseball, they frustrate the winner and send the loser back another game.
But what should Cubs fans wish to happen at Busch Stadium from now to Thursday? The Brewers’ lineup is stronger top to bottom, in my opinion, but the Cardinals are proving to be peskier. Then there’s the fact that I despise the Redbirds more.
The choices, therefore, are a.) The Brewers; b.) The Cardinals; c.) a split; or …
d.) Global Thermonuclear War!
July 21st, 2008
I’m not big on jinxes or curses. However, this makes me cringe.
It’s one thing to throw up a “It’s gonna happen” or “This is our year” sign in the bleachers. But it’s completely irresponsible as a Cubs fan to prematurely punch a World Series ticket in mid-July.
Patience is priceless.
July 20th, 2008
This man is old.
(Yes, we continue to break news here at C-Notes.)
The Big Unit is 6-7 with a 5.23 ERA in 17 starts this year for the D-backs. He’s not wicked scary anymore.
And yet … Johnson remains 12-0 in 13 career starts against the Cubs. Tonight’s game in Phoenix, most likely, is the LAST chance for the North Siders to hand No. 51 an “L.”
July 19th, 2008
Well, after two games in the post-All-Star Game world we live in, the Cubs have all two of their runs driven in by a center fielder who started the season creaky in San Diego and their switch-hitting pitcher.
This is not the way to run away with the NL Central.
While I would like the April-May Kosuke Fukudome to come back to the Chicago National League Ball Club someday, my anger will be directed toward Daryle Ward, or perhaps Lou Piniella for continuing to play Daryle Ward.
Why is he still on this team? Every time his name is mentioned during games or newscasts, he’s referred to as a solid bat off the bench, a real professional hitter.
When?
For the record, after Saturday’s pinch-hitting whiff, Ward is hitting .259 with one homer and eight RBIs. Not great, but not horrible.
However, his start of the season was ridiculous. He didn’t get his first hit (his aforementioned home run) until April 19, a 13-1 Cubs win over the Pirates. His second hit, on April 30, was in the 19-5 pounding of the Milwaukee Brewers.
His best stretch of the season was the three-game series in Bridgeport’s U.S. Cellular Field (6-for-11). Take that away, and Ward is 8-for-43 ( .186).
(Is it fair to take those games away from Ward? Sure, the Cubs lost them all.)
Micah Hoffpauir (.400) is back from Iowa. That might be news to some since Piniella hasn’t used him yet. With four runs scored since July 12, it might be nice of Piniella to at least give Hoffpauir the chance when a left-handed bat is required.
July 19th, 2008
As the Cubs feasted on the NL West for most of the first half, it’s only fair that the Brewers (enjoying the San Francisco Bay) and St. Louis (welcoming San Diego’s Friars to Busch) get to pile on.
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