Sunday, September 28, 2008

Regular Season Recap

We lost game #1 at home to Milwaukee. We lost game #161 on the road to Milwaukee. In between, Chicago piled up 97 wins to take the NL Central title for the second year in a row. That is a feat not accomplished since the 1907 and 1908 years.

The win total of 97 is the best since the 1945 season, when Chicago posted 98 wins. 1945 is a common reference point for most of the statistical categories for this team. In addition to the win totals, their winning percentage is the best since 1945. There was a stat on FOX during yesterday's game that showed five categories that had the best numbers since 1945, and in some cases 1935. In addition to wins and winning percentage, run differential was in there too.

Individual leaders this year put up some pretty good numbers too. Ryan Dempster put up 17 wins, and Ted Lilly matched him. Dempster also led in strikeouts (187) and ERA (2.96). Kerry Wood was the obvious saves leader with 34 in 40 chances. Carlos Marmol led the team with almost twelve (11.75) strikeouts per nine innings pitched.

Hitting awards were more dispersed. Ryan Theriot led in average (.306) and OBP(.386). Aramis drove in 111 runs to lead the team, while Soriano knocked 29 out of the yard for the team lead. DeRosa was the leader for runs scored (103) while Derek Lee tallied the most hits on the team (181).

Five Cubs hit 20 or more home runs, and Jim Edmonds (19) almost made it six in just 85 games with Chicago. The same five players also drove in 75 or more runs apiece. Just for the record, they are Ramirez (27,111), Lee (20,90), DeRosa (21,87), Soto (23,86), and Soriano (29,75).

Let's look forward to Chicago putting up eleven wins in the post season to put the proper end to what is already a fantastic season.

9/28/08 @ Milwaukee; L 1-3; (97-64)

The regular season came to an end today for Chicago. It came at the hands of another complete game victory by CC Sabathia. Combined with a Mets loss, it secured the wild card for Milwaukee.

Only Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Theriot managed hits against Sabathia. They each had two hits, Theriot's securing his above .300 batting average.

Chicago chose to throw almost all the pitcher in the bullpen an inning or two. Losing today means Chicago went 4-4 since clinching.

Now we are back to games that matter. Wednesday Chicago will host the Dodgers. Dempster will be on the mound for Chicago while Derek Lowe will toe the rubber for the visitors.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

9/27/08 @ Milwaukee; W 7-3; (97-63)

They did it. The Cubs won their 97th game of the year, breaking a tie with the 1984 team for the most wins in my lifetime. The win total exceeds the total from every year since 1945. In 1945, Chicago won 98 games and advanced to the World Series. My uncle and grandmother attended one game at Wrigley.

Ted Lilly was not only superb in the 97th win, he was reminiscent of the game he pitched following Zambrano's no hitter. Eerily reminiscent, since he went six no hit innings then...and again today. Eerily reminiscent, since it was broken up in the seventh by the first hitter...both wearing number 8.

Not bad for the #4 starter in the playoffs. Two six inning no hitters in the month of September. Is this team deep or what?

Speaking of deep, Chicago was out to a 4-0 lead through six innings... with no starters playing! My apologies to Kosuke Fukudome and Reed Johnson. Both of you have been on the lineup card numerous times this year. However, it was Daryle Ward homering with Ronny Cedeno on base to give the Cubs the early 2-0 lead. Then it was Mike Fontenot driving in Cedeno and Micah Hoffpauir to extend the lead. I will give 100 to 1 odds that none of those four names make a starting lineup throughout the playoffs.

Once the Brewers rallied (thanks Jason Marquis) these reserves came right back. A pinch hit single by Ryan Theriot was followed by a home run by Kosuke Fukudome. Mike Fontentot drove in another run (Cedeno) to increase the lead to four.

What about Mr. Fontentot? Two more hits today and three rbi. That puts him at 8 out of 13 in the last three days. I think he is my choice for the first left hander off the bench during the playoffs.

In my mind, this win makes tomorrow completely meaningless. While we could tie the 1945 team in total wins, they only played 154 games, so winning percentage still goes to that team. Almost all team records for Chicago since 1945 have been matched or beaten. Not that Lou hasn't been taking it easy, resting most starters, but tomorrow is much like the last spring training game. Get every one an at bat, throw a few pitchers, and get ready for Wednesday.

We still don't know who we play Wednesday. Thanks to the Mets win, and the Cubs defeat of Milwaukee, they are deadlocked for the wild card. The Cubs get the Mets, should they prevail. Otherwise it is the Dodgers should the Brewers get in.

We do know at this point that Dempster will get the start in that game, regardless the opponent. I will be there, as I was last year at the disappointing loss to Arizona. The atmosphere will surely be different than one year ago. GO CUBS GO!

9/26/08 @ Milwuakee; L 1-5; (96-63)

Ryan Dempster went five innings allowing only four hits and a walk. He left the game in a 1-1 tie. Jim Edmonds homer in the second provided the only Cubs run. Milwuakee ended up getting four runs off the relievers and won their fifth straight game.

The only concern right now is injuries, and Geovony Soto was pulled during his second at bat. Cubs.com reports that it was precautionary, and he may play on Sunday. He was originally pulled a week ago and has been given some time to allow the minor injury to recuperate.

Mike Fontenot was tonight's silver lining, managing three hits for the second night in a row. Six hits in two nights raised his average over .300 for the season. It will be nice to have him so locked in during the playoffs as pinch hitter.

Speaking of .300 hitters, Ryan Theriot got two knocks and is at .304 for the season. He broke out of his slump with back to back three hit games against New York. He now has eight hits in his last four games, in an effort to stay above .300 through the end of the season.

Houston was officially eliminated, meaning our regular season ends Sunday. The last two games don't matter, but Chicago has been playing hard throughout. Surely they will manage one more win to get to 97.

Friday, September 26, 2008

9/25/08 @ New York; L 6-7; (96-62)

Chicago got out to an early lead, lost it, got it back, and lost it again. Carlos Beltran ended the game with an rbi single with two outs in the ninth.

Rich Harden pitched six innings in his playoff tuneup.

Micah Hoffpauir was the star on a night when only a couple normal starters played. He went five for five with five rbi. His first two major league home runs came last night as well.

Mike Fontenont had three hits as well raising his average to .295.

Now it is on to Milwaukee for the final series of the season. Houston is a game away from being eliminated, so that missed game will most likely not be made up.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

9/24/08 @ New York; W 9-6; (96-61)

Never say die. Chicago was down 5-1 after a grand slam by Carlos Delgado. Mark DeRosa, who homered for the first run, doubled home two more in the fifth. Chicago added two more on a single by Reed Johnson to tie the game. That gave Zambrano a chance to pick up a win.

He couldn't do it. He left in the bottom of the fifth. Second straight start for Z where he failed to finish five innings. Chicago claimed the lead in the seventh on an rbi hit by Alfonso Soriano. But Jeff Samardizja couldn't hold the lead. He walked in a run in the eighth to tie the game at six.

In the ninth, the Mets had a lead off triple, but couldn't score. That sent it to extra innings. Theriot managed a two out hit in the tenth to get to Derek Lee. If he manages to keep his average above .300, he will be the first Cub shortstop to play over 100 games and hit .300 since Ernie Banks. He then stole second and scored on a bloop double by Derek Lee down the right field line. That extended Derek Lee's hitting streak to nine games.

Aramis Ramirez followed that with his 27th homer of the year to put the Cubs up by three runs.

Kerry Wood came in and shut down the Mets, striking out Jose Reyes to end the game. 96 wins. Tied with the 1984 team for most in most of our lifetimes.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

9/23/08 @ New York; L 2-6; (95-61)

Just prior to the game I spoke to Gene, godfather to my oldest son Zach. He is a huge Mets fan. The only game I ever saw at Shea Stadium was with him. He was at the game last night. He was asking for my support for the Mets. I told him I couldn't root against the Cubs, but didn't expect much in a matchup that pitted Johan Santana against Sean Marshall.

Turns out, I was half right. Sean Marshall left the game after five innings with a 2-2 tie. He did a pretty good job, striking out seven. Much better than I thought. However, Santana ended up going eight innings allowing only the two runs. A really poor sixth inning by Chad Gaudin was the difference as the Mets scored four times. The killer was a three run triple by Jose Reyes.

Reed Johnson and Kosuke Fukudome had spotted the Cubs a 2-0 lead after three innings. After that, Chicago managed just four hits the rest of the way. Johnson and Fukudome each had a couple hits to lead the way.

And with the luxury of playing for nothing, we move on to the next day. Two wins needed with four games to play for my lifetime regular season win total. Big Z will go tomorrow and try to pick up one of them.

9/22/08 @ New York; W 9-5; (95-60)

If Jason Marquis doesn't get a chance to be in the playoff rotation, maybe he can pinch hit. With the game tied 2-2 in the fourth, Marquis came to bat with the bases loaded and no one out. He hit the first pitch he saw into deep right center field for his first career grand slam. He grounded out in his next at bat for his fifth rbi of the game.

As for the position players who had a nice day, DeRosa and Theriot each collected three hits. Reed Johnson went two for two with two rbi and scored a run. Derek Lee hit a solo shot to give him twenty home runs on the season. The Cubs now have five players with 20 or more home runs.

The win moves Chicago to 3-0 on the season against their current first round playoff opponent. It also clinches the best overall NL record, giving them the home field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.

The only cause for concern tonight would be Geo leaving early. Presumably it was a sore hand, and was just precautionary. My guess is he gets today off too. Lou also adjusted the pitching rotation for this week in preparation for the playoffs.

Sean Marshall will get Harden's start tonight against Santana. Speaking of pitching, we didn't address Marquis. He did a reasonable job getting Chicago to the seventh inning before turning things over to the bullpen. He gave up four runs. Since he drove in five I guess that's okay. He allowed eight hits and four walks. Still, he earned his eleventh win against nine losses assuring him of finishing the season above .500.

Two wins to go to best the 1984 team.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

9/21/08 vs. Cardinals; W 5-1; (94-60)

On the first day after clinching the NL Central, Lou Piniella gave nearly all the regulars a day off. Kosuke Fukudome led off and played right field. He was the only opening day starter in the lineup today. We all know that he is currently considered a starter. The starting lineup included four guys who didn't get called up until the rosters expanded.

Much like Friday's loss, when these guys played a significant role, they got some timely hits and drove in runs. Felix Pie had two hits and scored twice while Casey McGehee had two hits and two runs driven in. Micah Hoffpauir had a double and an rbi as well.

Ryan Dempster earned his seventeenth win of the season in five easy innings. No walks, six hits, and only one run allowed. He only threw 67 pitches before turning things over to the bullpen.

Win #94 puts this team in second place, behind only the 1984 team with 86 wins, in season win totals since 1945. That team had 98 wins. Those are the only two numbers we are playing for in our last seven regular season games. 3-4 gives us 97 and puts us above the 1984 team. 4-3 ties us with the 1945 team while 5-2 gets us the most wins since the 1935 team.

Realistically, the fans care about those, but the team is in preparation mode for the playoffs. Players will be rested, the rotation will be adjusted to favor the playoff match ups. Playing the two teams fighting for the wild card won't bode well for racking up a 5-1 record. I'll take 97 wins for the most in my lifetime, and then prepare for the pennant for the first time in my life.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

9/20/08 vs. Cardinals; W 5-4; (93-60)

Ted Lilly is the most appropriate pitcher to win the NL Central clinching game. His recent success and win at all cost attitude has been vital. Not bad for the #4 guy in the rotation.


The St. Louis Cardinals are the most appropriate opponent. These guys have been our rival for as long as anyone can remember.

Kerry Wood is the most appropriate closer. Think back to 2003, when he was a starter. One of only three rostered players who was on the 2003 team.

Jim Edmonds is the most appropriate person to record the final out of the clinching game. At the beginning of the year we didn't know about center field. Edmonds was just the former Cardinal we all hated. Nice for him to be the guy who does it against the Cardinals.


Chicago...for the second time in 100 years...we have repeated.


In a game that started out all Chicago...and became a toss up...the Cubs prevailed. A 5-0 lead evaporated as St. Louis pulled within one. Troy Glaus only has four hits against Chicago this year, but they are all big ones. His three run homer today gave St. Louis hope.


Hope is all they had. Ted Lilly was terrific through seven innings. Yes he gave up the three run bomb, but he does that. The rest was great. Then we had Marmol and Woody for an inning each. Just the way it is supposed to work. Seven strong from your starter, and one excellent inning each from the bullpen studs.

Offensively, Chicago made it easy on Lilly. Actually, the Cardinals defense made it easy. In the bottom of the second, after a leadoff double by Edmonds and a walk to Soto, DeRosa hit a double play ball. It was fielded well, but indecision allowed DeRosa to beat the relay. After a walk to Kosuke and a strikeout for Lilly, Soriano singled to left. Brian Barton misplayed it and three runs scored as the ball rolled to the wall.

In the fourth, Soto reached on an error and then scored on DeRosa's double. DeRosa then came around to score on a squeeze bunt by Lilly.

When Edmonds squeezed the fly ball for the final out, the Cubs celebrated on the mound. They celebrated not with a dog pile, but just as if they had won one more game. That tells me they think there is more work to do.

This win, this division title, is just a step along the way. The whole team knows that. The goal is the first World Series title. It is nice to know the whole team is prepared for that.

9/19/08 vs Cardinals; L 6-12; (92-60)

A day after Chicago's "defining moment" game, the Cubs lost miserably to the Cardinals. Z didn't have it, giving up five runs in the first. Adam Kennedy capped that inning with a grand slam on his way to a four for five day. Three more in the second ended Zambrano's day early. He wasn't the only one. In the top of the fifth Lou Piniella made six position player substitutions.

In a season where we only need two wins to clinch (or two Brewers losses) this is an easy one to let go of. Like Bob Brenly said, we need to look for a silver lining in a game like this. He was specifically talking about getting some work for Angel Guzman to see what he has and how he can contribute.

Other guys who got a chance and did well today...Mike Fontenot (doesn't he always), Ronny Cedeno (two runs), Daryle Ward (two hits, a run and an rbi), Micah Hoffpauir (a hit and a run) and Casey McGehee (two rbi). More evidence that this team has a variety of guys who can get it done on any given day.

Zambrano was probably emotionally not all there after returning Thursday from Venezuela following the death of his grandmother. His defining moment for the day was trying to leave the field as Lou came to take him out. He was made to return to the mound and give Lou the ball. He later apologized.

Milwaukee lost to Cincinnati later in the day, meaning the next Cubs win is the NL Central clincher. All eyes on Chicago today at 3:55 ET as they look to take the next step in an historic season.

Friday, September 19, 2008

9/18/08 vs. Brewers; W 7-6; (92-59)

I'm at work preparing for a meeting with the Regional VP who is in town today. I'm tracking the game on my phone, and the Cubs lead 2-1 when I have to go to the meeting. Rich Harden is in trouble again so I am a little concerned. By the time I get out of the meeting and get Ron and Pat on WGN 720 on my car radio, it is extra innings.

At that point I am rushing to board meeting for the CCFA. Again, I have to track the game on my phone as Chicago wins on Derek Lee's single in the twelfth. As happy as I am, I have no idea about the circumstances surrounding this game until the next morning.

Having missed everything from the top of the fifth to the bottom of the tenth, I didn't realize the Cubs were trailing 6-2 in the ninth with two outs and no one on. For the Brewers, this loss may be worse than getting swept by us in Milwaukee. This very well may have signaled the absolute end of their season.

My friend Gerry told me that he was listening, and Pat and Ron actually called it. He said once Aramis Ramirez doubled...error on Ryan Braun....they said all Chicago needed was an rbi single, another base hit, and a three run homer by Soto. That is exactly what they got. I can't even imagine the atmosphere at the game at that time.

I won't even go into stats for any individual in this game because this is about the team. Everyone did what they had to do, when they had to do it and earned a win in what may be called the defining game for Chicago Cubs 2008. They never give up, they are never out, this is their year!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

9/17/08 vs. Brewers; L 2-6; (91-59)

The winning streak is over. Chicago won't clinch the title in this series with Milwaukee. The only silver lining to that is they stand a good chance to do it against the Cardinals.

Jason Marquis started out extremely rough today, allowing the first four hitters to reach base. Prince Fielder's bases clearing double gave Milwaukee all the runs they would need, and there still hadn't been an out recorded in the game. He is six for nine in the two games so far with six rbi.

The lone highlight was a line drive home run by Aramis that took less than two seconds to leave the park. I mean, Fontenot made a nice diving catch at second base, but for the most part this was a game we were destined to lose.

When you look back at the predictions for the remainder of the season when we were 80-50, at this point it was predicted we would be 93-58. We lost one game to Hurricane Ike, presume please it was a win. We are only one game worse than that prediction. The end result of that prediction was a 99-63 record.

Presuming that Houston won't need that one game, should we finish right on track with these predictions, we end up 98-63. 98 wins is phenomenal. Most in my lifetime. Heck, 6-5 gets us 97 wins. Still better than the 1984 team (96) and the best since the 98 wins in 1945....the last time the Cubs played in the World Series.

Just as we knew the losing streak would stop, so to did the winning streak. A win today and two over the Cardinals on the weekend makes next week irrelevant...for the Cubs at least. Both Milwaukee and the Mets will be fighting for their lives and taking turns rooting for the Cubs.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

9/16/08 vs. Brewers; W 5-4; (91-58)

Kerry Wood on the mound. Prince Fielder at the plate. Two outs, top of the ninth. Cubs clinging to a one run lead. The Brewers have two runners on. Prince Fielder already has two home runs on the night. A ten pitch battle, won by Kerry Wood. Strikeout looking!

Two more games off the magic number and the winning streak continues! The magic is back at Wrigley.

For the third game in a row, Alfonso Soriano scored in the first inning. That has to be encouraging to a starting pitcher. What was more impressive is this time, it was against CC Sabathia. For the first time since coming to the NL, CC was hung with the loss. How sweet that the Cubs got the honor.

The Cubs tacked on two more runs in the third to open up a 3-0 lead. Ryan Dempster kept the Brewers scoreless for five innings. He had allowed only three hits and a walk heading into the sixth. Then it got a little closer. A Ray Durham double led off the inning. Two batters later Prince Fielder got his first home run of the game to pull the Brewers within one run. Dempster worked his way around two more hits in the inning and was pulled for the seventh.

Chicago, looking more like the team from three weeks ago, added some late runs to help protect the lead. Soriano homered in the seventh. Fielder answered in the eighth to keep it a one run game. In the Cub eighth, Henry Blanco came through with a two out pinch hit single to make it a two run game again.

Woody needed it, as he allowed three hits and a run in the ninth. Still, he got the big out when he needed it and picked up his 31st save on the season. For Dempster it was his 16th win, his 13th at home. That is the most since Fergie Jenkins in 1971. I do believe this team is trying to put up the best numbers in my lifetime in every category. The most important numbers I want them to put up are six zeroes.....right under the Eamus Catuli sign.

Monday, September 15, 2008

9/15/08 vs. Astros @ Milwaukee; W 6-1; (90-58)

Ninety Wins! For only the fourth time since I have been on the planet, the Chicago Cubs professional baseball team has posted 90 wins. And there are still 14 games to go! They maintain an eight game lead on Milwaukee heading into a three game set with the Brewers at Wrigley. That will be the Brewers first under interim manager Dale Sveum, since they fired Ned Yost today.

Imagine that conversation. Brewers GM: "Ned, the organization is going to have to make some changes. Go clean out your locker, but stay out of the way of the Cubs who are using our field to expand their lead on us." Poor timing to say the least.

The Cubs won their 90th game much like they won their 89th. Alfonso Soriano scored in the first inning to put the Cubs up 1-0. They added to that lead throughout the game, while their pitcher kept the Astros hitless. At the end of the sixth inning, the magical season was seeming just a bit more magical. Cubs pitchers had held the Astros without a hit for fifteen consecutive innings. The seventh was started with an error on Aramis Ramirez...and the crowd cheered. Unfortunately, a base hit followed that and the no no was gone. However, that was the only hit allowed all day. The entire two game series for that matter.

In their last three games, Harden allowed two runs, Zambrano none, and Lilly one. That's 27 innings with three earned runs. 1.00 is a pretty good ERA I think. Thank the pitchers for getting this team on the right track. And we all know, good pitching wins playoff series.

The Cubs did play long ball today. Edmonds had a solo shot and the big inning was the sixth. Lee and Soto each had two run bombs to put the game out of reach at 6-0. Chicago's offense hasn't been silent during these wins. They have exactly seven hits in each of the last three games. However, the pitching has stolen the show.

What a difference a week makes. Last Monday was a day off for Chicago. They had barely broken their six game losing streak with a win at Cincinnati, only to lose again the next day. Talk of the inevitable collapse was on us. Tuesday was another loss, this time to the Cardinals.

But then something happened. The Cubs won two one run games behind solid pitching from Lilly and Harden. Then Hurricane Ike gave Chicago two days off. During those two days, the Brewers dropped both games to Philadelphia. Chicago got back to playing ball with yesterday's no hitter, while Milwaukee dropped two more. Now Ned Yost is fired, the Cubs almost go back to back no hitters when they haven't had one since 1972, and the lead seems all but insurmountable.

The only question surrounding the Cubs now is who is the first round opponent. What seemed to be a foregone conclusion that the Brewers were the wild card team, is gone. If the Phillies catch and pass the Brewers, Chicago gets the Phillies instead of the NL West champs.

What's on deck for Chicago. A sweep of the Brewers...come on we are all thinking it....clinches the NL Central title at Wrigley Field against the team that beat us on opening day. Talk about a spiritual cleansing!

GO CUBS GO!

9/14/08 vs. Houston @ Milwaukee; W 5-0; (89-58)

The first no hitter since 1972! Big Z is back in a big way! These headlines steal the thunder...or add to Cecil Cooper's argument...that Milwaukee is not neutral. Combined with a double header sweep of the Brewers by the Phillies, Chicago easily had it's best day in two weeks.

The game started with Alfonso Soriano hitting a lead off home run. That proved to be enough for Z, who allowed only a walk and a hit batter through nine innings. Chicago added four more in the third. With two outs, consecutive hits by Lee, Ramirez and Soto gave the Cubs a five run advantage.

But tonight was about Z. After concern over his health, and five really shaky starts, he has shown us he is fine. 110 pitches tonight says "my arm is fine." Not only was he healthy...he was excellent. 73 were strikes. He had a season high ten strikeouts.

Two days off and a day like Sunday helps Chicago fans have a short memory. The last two weeks are fading away quickly. There are no more days off for Chicago, so they will need to play like they did today more often than not. Another win today and then Milwaukee comes to Wrigley. Four in a row makes Chicago NL Central champs!

Friday, September 12, 2008

9/11/08 @ St. Louis; W 3-2; (88-58)

For the first time in September, Chicago has a winning streak. Two games....so far...but it is a winning streak. Combined with the Brewers loss, Chicago's lead extends to 5.5 games and the magic number is 11.

The Cubs jumped on the Cardinals in the top of the fifth. They sent seven hitters to the plate, scored two runs, and never got a ball out of the infield. Solid Cub baseball right there.

Soto walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second when Pujols booted Reed Johnson's grounder. The Cardinals seemed to pick themselves up when Rich Harden popped out trying to bunt. They couldn't stand the prosperity, so Wellemeyer threw a wild pitch so that the runners could advance. Consecutive walks to Soriano and Theriot plated the first run. Derek Lee hit a grounder to Lopez...he did catch and throw this one accurately...but it was to first allowing a second run to score.

The Cubs tacked on what proved to be the deciding run when Mark DeRosa doubled to lead off the sixth and Mike Fontenot doubled right after him.

Harden allowed his only two runs in the sixth, which was his last inning. Samardizja, Marmol, and Wood each pitched scoreless innings to finish it up and get Harden his fifth win as a Cub. For Wood, it was his first scoreless inning of work in September.

Now it is a waiting game. With Hurricane Ike bearing down on Texas, the first two games against Houston have been postponed. The last I heard was a double header Sunday and then the final game on Monday which was to be Chicago's last off day of the season.

Hopefully Philadelphia will keep beating the Brewers so we can work the magic number down while resting at home Friday and Saturday.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

9/10/08 @ St. Louis; W 4-3; (87-58)

The W Flag is flying again. It hasn't flown in my backyard often lately. So I'll take any win I can get. And any win is exactly what Chicago got. They scored four runs in the second inning, three unearned after two errors by Cardinals substitute third baseman. Just like the day before, they never touched the plate again. Then Kerry Wood picked up a save, but not before allowing two runs on home run by Ryan Ludwick.

The bright and shining performance was by Ted Lilly. He went eight innings with only one run allowed. In addition, he plowed over Yadier Molina on an attempt to score in the second inning. He was out, but it was sure nice to see the fight...as if we expected anything less from Lilly.

Felix Pie got the scoring started for Chicago. Following singles by Fukudome and DeRosa, Pie singled to drive in the first run. Errors on an attempted sacrifice bunt and Soriano's ground ball allowed two more runs to score. Aramis Ramirez came through with a two out single to plate the final run.

Soriano also made a nice throw from left to cut down a run on a two out single. Defensively Chicago was solid, with a slight exception for Wood. After a couple rough outings, he at least managed the save. It would have made us all feel better if he didn't allow a two run bomb in the process. Glad it wasn't a one run lead.

Regardless, one more win. One more game off the magic number. One more game won without Harden and Z. Look at the major league standings. The recent slump notwithstanding, Chicago still owns the third best record in all of baseball, only one game back of the Angels.

The slump isn't a uniquely Chicago experience. It has happened to the Angels and the Red Sox. Teams that were playing poorly...Houston Astros...are suddenly hot. Two and a half weeks to go, our fortunes will change.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

9/9/08 @ St. Louis; L 3-4; (86-58)

I wanted to start writing this entry in the first inning. Theriot singled, followed by consecutive doubles from Lee and Ramirez. The Cubs were up 2-0 after only four batters. I was encouraged.

I wanted to start writing this entry in the third inning. Theriot tripled to lead off. Aramis Ramirez singled with two outs to make it 3-0. Dempster still hadn't allowed a hit.

Needless to say, I didn't start writing it then. When Albert Pujols came to the plate in the sixth inning with two on and no out, I thought to myself walk him. Instead Dempster gave him a fastball on the outer half of the plate that Pujols promptly hit into the right field stands.

Just like that the optimism and the hope were gone. Not mine..well yes mine too...but the Cubs. In July and early August no lead was safe for the opponent. Chicago found a way to win. Now in back to back games, early leads have been erased. The team is playing like they are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Chicago didn't score again the rest of the game. It went to the bottom of the ninth. Whereas the Reds on Sunday needed three runs, St. Louis only needed one. And they got it. On a check swing grounder with a drawn in infield, St. Louis was able to squeak out a run and take this game away.

My only consolation this morning is that the Reds beat the Brewers again! If it wasn't for the Brewers matching us loss for loss over the last ten games, Cubs fan may have committed mass Harry Caray.

On the positive side, Harden and Zambrano are ready to go. Each threw a bullpen session with no issues. The top two pitchers have one start total in the month of September. It doesn't require a large hadron collider scientist to realize that may contribute to the recent slump.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Silver Lining

In trying to cheer myself up, I stumbled across a nice post at bleedcubbieblue.com. Seems like Chicago is just positioning itself to mirror the September results of past World Series Champions.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

9/7/08 @ Reds; L 3-4; (86-57)

Ryan Theriot left the game today in the sixth inning because he was feeling sick. After his team blew a 3-1 lead in the ninth the entire Cub contingent is feeling sick.

Kerry Wood, pitching for the first time in four days, allowed a single and two walks to load the bases. A double and a single followed to score all three and give Cincinnati the win. Wood picked up his fourth loss of the season.

Sean Marshall had been sharp in his spot start. He allowed only three hits and two walks in six innings. Ronny Cedeno doubled in the seventh to break a 1-1 tie and put Marshall in position for the win. Mike Fontenot hit for Marshall and tacked on one more.

Ironically, the ninth inning double was originally ruled an error on Cedeno. After giving the Cubs the lead in the seventh, his failure to make that play may have cost them the game.

Chicago leaves Cincinnati with Monday off before they head to St. Louis. Thankfully the Brewers took it on the chin today in San Diego to stay four games back. They have only gained two games on Chicago over the last ten games.

Chicago needs to get back on track starting immediately. They have suffered through tough streaks this season, and this one is no different. But with only 19 games remaining, it is time to put an end to it.

9/6/08 @ Cincinnati; W 14-9; (86-56)

The Chicago Cubs threw a party for Derek Lee's birthday. It was a good one too with five home runs, eighteen total hits, and a convincing win to break that nasty losing streak.

Lee went four for six with three runs batted in. But it was Alfonso Soriano who stole the show on Lee's 33rd birthday, hitting three home runs for the second time as a Cub. He drove in five runs and scored four times, also tallying four hits.

Mark DeRosa finished an impressive third in this rbi competition with three of his own all on a home run in the seventh inning.

The Cubs had the lead extended to 11-1 in the eighth inning. Jason Marquis had another solid outing for the Cubs. Something much needed by this worn out pitching staff. The bullpen however, didn't follow up Marquis' solid outing and allowed the game to get much closer.

In the end it didn't matter. The win was therapeutic, at least for this fan, if not for the entire Cub faithful. I am sure the team itself breathed a sigh of relief in picking up their first win of September.

The Cubs will try to pick up their first series win with a victory on Sunday. Sean Marshall will spot start again for Chicago. Their wounded, Harden and Zambrano, will both try to come back later this week.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

9/5/08 @ Reds; L 2-10; (85-56)

In an effort to lift the spirits and inspire some hope, let's not talk about the last six games. Let's talk about the last thirteen. Since August 22nd, the Cubs are 7-6. The Brewers have only gained a half game on them in that two week stretch. We added three games to the lead on the Cardinals in those two weeks.

In fact, if anyone wants to start giving Chicago crap about how badly this week has gone, just tell them "wait 'til next week."

In today's debacle, Ted Lilly gave up five runs in two innings. The offense didn't do anything until Lou started playing the whole bench. Koyie Hill had two hits, producing the only two runs Chicago scored.

What else can be said about a day that started with Lou Piniella and Matt Sinatro getting lost on the way from Chicago to Cincinnati? They eventually found their way. So too will the Cubs.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

9/3/08 vs Astros; L 0-4; (85-55)

Chicago fans are saddened by the longest losing streak since June 2, 2007 for their beloved Cubs. One night after an offensive explosion, Chicago managed only six singles against Astros starter Randy Wolf. Wolf ended up throwing a complete game shutout against Chicago. The loss prevented Chicago from gaining ground on Milwaukee, who lost earlier in the day to the Mets.

After seven straight wins, the Cubs have endured five straight losses. Realistically, we'll take 7-5 over a twelve game stretch at this point in the season. It just looks worse when it is so streaky.

Chicago will get a day off today and three games against the Reds. That will be their only sub .500 opponent for the rest of the year. If there is a time to get back on a winning streak, this weekend will be it.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

9/2/08 vs. Astros; L 7-9; (85-54)

The Cubs fell again on Tuesday night, but extra base hits wasn't the problem. Alfonso Soriano led off the bottom of the first with a home run to break a three game streak of singles. Chicago went on to add three more home runs and three doubles on their way to fifteen hits.

No, offense wasn't the problem in this 7-9 extra inning loss. Pitching and defense, that was the problem. Zambrano left after five innings. More on that later. Bob Howry gave up four runs without getting anyone out. The Cubs....no, Aramis Ramirez...committed three errors in the late innings. And finally, Kerry Wood gave up a two run homer which was the game winner.

On a positive note the Amazin' Mets, our nemesis from '69, did beat the Brewers for the second straight day. That keeps Chicago's lead at 4.5 games. If only Chicago could find a way to beat Houston. The loss yesterday assures Chicago of their first series loss in over a month. Houston leads the season series 8-6 with four games left.

Still on the positives, the offense certainly broke out of the slump. Every player with more than one at bat, except Zambrano, managed a base hit. After Soriano's lead off shot, DeRosa, Soto, and Edmonds all went deep with solo shots. Soto added a double on a three hit night for him. Ramirez and Ryan Theriot both doubled as well. Lee and Fontenot both collected two hits, and Kosuke pinch hit and managed a walk and a hit. I think Cub's hitting coach Gerald Perry is breathing just a little easier right now.

Larry Rothschild though, along with all the Cub fans across the country, are a bit nervous. Big Z left after five and is going to have his arm examined. In his last six outings he is averaging less than 5 1/3 innings. Luckily the Cubs have won four of those outings, but Zambrano was credited with the win only once. To leave with sore arm after getting an extra two days rest isn't what we hoped to see today.

The errors by Ramirez and the late inning home run allowed by Wood sure reminded me of April. My only consolation is that we went 15-8 that month, and that should be good enough to keep us in first place through this month.

Sweet Lou has been around baseball a long time and he doesn't seem concerned. Chicago has lost four in a row before, as recently as the end of June. Just as the sure as the previous streaks ended, so will this streak. Chicago will turn it around...hopefully sooner than later...and put together another hot streak. I just hope Zambrano is part of it.

Monday, September 1, 2008

9/1/08 vs. Houston; L 0-3; (85-53)

Four hits...four singles. That makes three days of singles. 26 of them to be exact. Now I know Chicago can win with small ball, we watched it happen just last week. I know Lou says this team is built around pitching and defense. All that said...you can't win if you don't score.

Today may have had more to do with Roy Oswalt than the Chicago bats. He went 8 1/3 innings allowing only the four hits. Two were in the ninth inning.

The only good news on they day...Milwaukee lost too. The lead remains 4.5 games. Chicago was also shutout on August 1st, 3-0, and that month turned out okay. Maybe we can look for history to repeat itself.

As for Chicago's pitching and defense, Marquis went six innings and only gave up the two runs. Chicago did commit two errors today and a run scored on a wild pitch.

In reality, the tear Chicago was on not only couldn't continue, it was bound to be followed by a dip. We can still win the series. Good outings by Zambrano and Dempster combined with a little upgrade in the offensive production will make us forget the first 3 game home losing streak of 2008.

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