Cubs should be glad to miss Mets

2 comments September 30th, 2008

Gotta like this playoff matchup. If I’m the Cubs, I want no part of Manny Ramirez, but that’s easy, just intentionally walk him. But I also wanted no part of Johan Santana, and with the Mets home for the playoffs, that’s no longer a concern.

Piniella’s right to be cautious

Add comment September 30th, 2008

 

After the Cubs clinched the NL Central title on Sept. 20, some (most notably Terry Boers and Dan Bernstein from 670 Score Radio) got on Lou Piniella’s case for taking a cautious approach to the playoffs. It’s no secret that the best team during the regular season doesn’t always win the World Series. Face it, if the Florida Marlins can win two World Series in seven years, the postseason is virtually a crapshoot.

Regardless of the fact that the Cubs are the best team in the NL, Piniella had plenty of reasons to be concerned with potential NLDS opponents like the Phillies and the Mets. And now that they officially begin NLDS play against the Dodgers tomorrow, a high level of concern is still warranted.

This Dodgers playoff lineup isn’t the Dodgers lineup the Cubs faced during the regular season, where the Cubs went 5-2.

Trade deadline acquisition Manny Ramirez easily makes a case that 53 games is plenty of time shore up an NL MVP. With Manny in the lineup for the last two months, the previously 54-54 Dodgers went 30-24 (17-8 in September) on the back of his .396 batting average, 17 home runs and 53 RBIs. 

Also, don’t forget that Rafael Furcal, who missed both series against the Cubs and almost all of the 2008 season, is now healthy.

Looking ahead, if Carlos Zambrano continues to break down in game 2, the idea of Dodgers right-hander Hiroki Kuroda pitching game 3 in L.A. is very concerning. A June 6 Cubs loss at Dodger Stadium saw Kuroda pitch a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts and zero walks.

And it doesn’t matter that Rich Harden–even with his 89 strikeouts in 71 innings for the Cubs–is Kuroda’s counterpart in game 3. Cubs bats have been notorious when it comes to giving Harden run support.

But, if there’s one reason (and there are many) the Cubs will win the series, it’s because they have the 17-win Ted Lilly waiting to pitch an “if necessary” game.

What’s it worth to do this (or not)?

1 comment September 30th, 2008

So fans, should Tony, Gareth and I do our own rendition of Go, Cubs, Go for your listening and viewing pleasure (or pain)?

I don’t know about Tony and Gareth, but my singing voice went south after I quit the eighth-grade choir back at St. Alphonsus in Chicago.  My singing now could drive a goat away.

So, hey, whadda ya say, should this trio sing today?

A fan’s dilemma

1 comment September 30th, 2008

Last year when the Cubs won the Central division I decided to pass up buying a division championship T-shirt because I thought the Cubs would continue to win and I could eventually buy a better shirt.

Of course I was wrong.

This year I face the same dilemma. Do I buy a division title T or wait for the NL champs and/or World Series champs shirt?

I’m leaning toward buying the division T because that might ensure better days are ahead. It’s not a curse/jinx thing, it’s more of I-only-have-so-much-money-to-spend-and-if-I-buy-this-I-won’t-be-able-to-afford-the-next-shirt thing. I think that makes it part of Murphy’s Law, but I’m not a lawyer nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

Which brings me to a question that some folks will answer in tomorrow’s sports section: What makes for a successful season? Is anything less than a World Series title a failure?

For me, yes. I’ve lived through division titles, but I’ve never seen a Cubs World Series. Falling short this year when the Cubs have been the best team in the NL if not all of baseball for most of the season would be a major disappointment.

Of course 2003 was a major downer and we Cub fans lived through that.

One year’s progress, part 1

Add comment September 30th, 2008

The Cubs postseason rotation has gone from Zambrano, Lilly and Rich Hill to Dempster, Zambrano and Rich Harden (with Lilly ready for a Game 4, if necessary).

Advantage: 2008

I don’t love L.A.

Add comment September 28th, 2008

Former Cubs Greg Maddux, Nomar Garciaparra and Juan Pierre get another look at Wrigley Field when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to Chicago to start the National League Divisional Series on Wednesday.

It remains to be seen whether Maddux will see the series from the first base dugout or a suite. Joe Torre isn’t planning on starting him nor guaranteeing a playoff roster spot for “Mad Dog.”

No anguish over this defeat

Add comment September 27th, 2008

The Cubs’ 5-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night eliminated the Houston Astros from postseason contention.

Therefore, the Cubs do NOT have to fly to Houston on Monday to make up the final game of the series postponed by Hurricane Ike.

Better luck next year.

Not gonna make Brew Crew backers happy

Add comment September 25th, 2008

Lou Piniella is resting Soriano, Lee, Ramirez and Soto against the Mets tonight, giving Felix Pie a start in left field, Koyie Hill a shot behind the plate, and Micah Hoffpauir and Casey McGehee manning the corners.

But cheer up, Milwaukee, you’ll probably see these same lineups over the weekend.

Roster battles

1 comment September 25th, 2008

If it were up to me, and it ain’t, Felix Pie should beat out Micah Hoffpauir and Casey McGehee for the final position player spot. Edmonds and Johnson can use the rest late, and Hoffpauir remains unable to generate walks.

As for the 11 pitchers, figure the four starters (Dempster, Zambrano, Lilly, Harden, probably not in that order), Jason Marquis earning another spot on a postseason playoff roster in the bullpen, joined by Wood, Marmol, Cotts, Marshall and two of these three: Chad Gaudin, Bob Howry and Jeff Samardzija.

To be honest, I’d almost go with a 23-man roster, but the Cubs are allowed 25. The final three have each played themselves off the roster several times, but they remain the only viable candidates. Can’t throw away a vote on Ralph Nader here.

Sympathy for the White Sox

Add comment September 24th, 2008

A Mr. Mike Meyer from Machesney Park, Ill., writes, “Dear Roseanne Roseannadanna … ” wait, sorry about that. Just waiting for Season 3 of “Saturday Night Live” on DVD.

Anyway, Mike Meyer’s letter in Wednesday’s Register Star noted that while Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano received a day in his honor from Gov. Rod Blagojevich, White Sox hurler MarkBuehrle did not get the same love from the self-proclaimed Cubs lovin’ chief executive.

First, a point of contention: Mr. Meyer refers to Buehrle’s team as the “(ahem) world champion White Sox.” Buehrle threw his no-hitter in 2007: The Sox were NOT the World Champion; they weren’t even the defending World Champion. They were an underachieving 72-90 mess.

Having said that, Mr. Meyer is correct to note the inconsistency. Big Z gets a day, and all Buehrle could muster was a resolution from the Illinois House.

Actually, Mr. Meyer should have sympathy for me. A White Sox backer is in line for the presidency, and the only line I’m waiting for Gov. Blago to get in is the chow line behind George Ryan.