Brew-haha should keep Cubs on toes

3 comments August 5th, 2008

 

Last night’s dugout scuffle between Prince Fielder and Manny Parra is a clear sign of frustration among the second place Brewers (or Fielder’s attack on Parra could simply be a side effect of meat withdrawal). It’s very reminiscent of the scrap between Carlos Zambrano and Michael Barrett.

Now, I know it isn’t that surprising for tensions between teammates to breakdown now and then. But, last season’s dugout fiasco was a turning point that lit a torch under the Cubs (with a little help from Lou Piniella getting tossed after a dirt and hat kicking tirade the next game).

The Brewers situation can go one of two ways: they either continue to buckle under pressure that began with last week’s sweep or they use it as motivation, much in the same way the Cubs did last season.

Team meltdown or no team meltdown, sweep or no sweep, the Brewers aren’t out of the NL Central race by any means. So, the Cubs should continue to be on high alert.

Let’s just hope Ned Yost doesn’t get tossed from tonight’s game.

Perfect timing

Add comment July 23rd, 2008

 

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.