7/6 Cubs (Marquis) @ Pirates (Maholm), 6:05 CT, CSN+

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Game Notes.

 

REALLY STRONG STRETCH: Thanks in part to yesterday’s 4-2 win over the Nationals at RFK Stadium, the Cubs have won 11 of their last 13 games and boast the best record in all of baseball since June 3 with a 21-10 mark (.677) in their 31-game span.

 

Yesterday’s victory, coupled with Milwaukee’s 6-3 loss in Pittsburgh, puts the Cubs 4.5-games back of the Brewers in the N.L. Central – that’s the closest they’ve been to the division leader since they were 4.5 back on April 29 … just 13 days ago, Chicago was a season-high 8.5 back of Milwaukee.

 

After their loss on June 2, the Cubs were a season-low 9 games under .500 at 22-31 through 53 games prior to their current 31-game run.

 

BREAK TO BREAK: Aramis Ramirez has recorded 117 RBI in 136 games since the 2006 All-Star break – that ranks third in the N.L. behind Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard (140) and Colorado’s Matt Holliday (125) … Ramirez’ .609 slugging percentage in that span is second in the N.L. only to Howard (.659) while his .319 batting average ranks fourth (Holliday is first with a .334 mark).

 

Carlos Zambrano’s 18 victories since the 2006 All-Star break rank second-most in the N.L. behind John Smoltz’ 19 wins and are tied for third in the majors with Oakland’s Dan Haren and the Yankees’ Chien-Ming Wang … the Twins Johan Santana leads all hurlers with 20 wins in that span.

 

ROAD TESTED: The Cubs’ 23 road victories this season rank tied for third-most among N.L. clubs with Atlanta, Florida and the Dodgers … only San Diego and the Mets, with 24 victories apiece, have more road wins … Chicago’s .535 road winning percentage ranks tied for third with the Dodgers and Braves among Senior Circuit clubs – New York and San Diego, both 24-18 on the road, lead with a .571 mark.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

More from the game notes...

 

ABOUT THOSE SERIES: Chicago has won its last 4 series, going 3-0 against the White Sox, 3-0 vs. Colorado, 2-1 vs. Milwaukee and 3-1 in Washington … it’s the first time Chicago has won 4 consecutive series since winning 4 in a row from May 23-June 5, 2005 (vs. Houston, vs. Colorado, at Los Angeles, at San Diego).

 

The Cubs have won their last 6 series-opening games since June 6 and are 8-1 in their series-openers since June 4 in Milwaukee.

 

WINNING THE CLOSE ONES: The Cubs are 8-3 in their last 11 games decided by one-run since June 7, upping their season tally to 10-15 in one-run contests after starting the campaign 3-13 in such contests.

 

Additionally, the Cubs have won their last 6 games decided by 2 runs or less and are 11-4 in their last 15 such contests to improve their season tally to 19-23 in games decided by 2 runs or less after starting the campaign 5-19 in those contests.

 

D’OH! NO HOMER: The Cubs have gone a season-high 6 games in a row without a home run, last connecting for a blast via Aramis Ramirez’ walk-off, 2-run homer last Friday vs. Milwaukee…this is the Cubs’ longest homerless drought since April 29-May 5, 2006, a 7-game drought.

 

AT THIS POINT LAST YEAR…: With a 43-41 record in 2007, the Cubs have posted a 12-game improvement compared to their 31-53 record through 84 games in 2006

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

And even more tidbits from the press notes...

 

NOT A COINCIDENCE: Since June 3, Cubs relievers have posted a 3.10 ERA (34 ER/98.2 IP) and have stranded 31-of-34 inherited runners – the 91.2-success rate ranks first in the majors in that span (Texas is second, having stranded 84.6-percent of their inherited runners – 33-of-39).

 

Prior to June 3, the Cubs’ bullpen had produced a 4.44 ERA (75 ER/152.0 IP) in the team’s first 52 games of the season.

 

The Cubs and Pirates enter tonight’s contest with impressive records in their last 10 games … the Cubs’ 8-2 mark is tops in the majors while the Pirates are 1 of 2 N.L. clubs sporting a 7-3 record in their last 10 games (also Atlanta Braves).

 

Chicago is slated to face 2 left-handed starters in this Pittsburgh series … the Cubs are 4-2 against left-handed starters since June 7, but are 8-12 against them overall – Chicago is 35-29 against right-handed starters … in a totally unrelated note, the Cubs have won their last 5 night games since June 25 vs. Colorado and have gone 7-1 under the lights since June 13 vs. Seattle.

[killthegoat06]

Please don't suck cobs.

[otis89]

Is it game time yet? I hate night games when I have nothing to do during the day.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Is it game time yet? I hate night games when I have nothing to do during the day.

 

Yeah, ain't that the truth !!

[E.J.]

My g/f's dad and stepmom are coming into Chicago for the weekend. Going to the top of the Hancock for drinks and then the Chicago Chophouse for dinner. Should be a good meal, but it's coming at the expense of watching the Cubs. :x

 

tell you what - i'll go eat the steak, you watch the cubs

 

I hate steak, so I'm definitely down with the offer. It would also get me out of having to hang out with her stepmom, who isn't the nicest person in the world.

[CubmanPi]

Game Notes.

 

ROAD TESTED: The Cubs’ 23 road victories this season rank tied for third-most among N.L. clubs with Atlanta, Florida and the Dodgers … only San Diego and the Mets, with 24 victories apiece, have more road wins … Chicago’s .535 road winning percentage ranks tied for third with the Dodgers and Braves among Senior Circuit clubs – New York and San Diego, both 24-18 on the road, lead with a .571 mark.

I keep meaning to ask, WTF is a Senior Circuit club, and why does it matter how they rank among senior circuit clubs vs among the rest of the league?

[killthegoat06]

Lineups? :P

[C.C.]

Maholm owns us. We lose this game 4-1

[killthegoat06]

Disagree. Cubs win 17-13.

[Lockes Eye Scar]

Game Notes.

 

ROAD TESTED: The Cubs’ 23 road victories this season rank tied for third-most among N.L. clubs with Atlanta, Florida and the Dodgers … only San Diego and the Mets, with 24 victories apiece, have more road wins … Chicago’s .535 road winning percentage ranks tied for third with the Dodgers and Braves among Senior Circuit clubs – New York and San Diego, both 24-18 on the road, lead with a .571 mark.

I keep meaning to ask, WTF is a Senior Circuit club, and why does it matter how they rank among senior circuit clubs vs among the rest of the league?

 

Senior circuit = National League

[CubColtPacer]

Game Notes.

 

ROAD TESTED: The Cubs’ 23 road victories this season rank tied for third-most among N.L. clubs with Atlanta, Florida and the Dodgers … only San Diego and the Mets, with 24 victories apiece, have more road wins … Chicago’s .535 road winning percentage ranks tied for third with the Dodgers and Braves among Senior Circuit clubs – New York and San Diego, both 24-18 on the road, lead with a .571 mark.

I keep meaning to ask, WTF is a Senior Circuit club, and why does it matter how they rank among senior circuit clubs vs among the rest of the league?

 

The National League is referred to as the Senior Circuit because it is the older of the two leagues. So they are just saying how the Cubs rank in the N.L. in those categories.

[CubmanPi]

Thanks.

 

Vance's game notes are the only place I've ever heard that term used.

[dew1679666265]

Game Notes.

 

ROAD TESTED: The Cubs’ 23 road victories this season rank tied for third-most among N.L. clubs with Atlanta, Florida and the Dodgers … only San Diego and the Mets, with 24 victories apiece, have more road wins … Chicago’s .535 road winning percentage ranks tied for third with the Dodgers and Braves among Senior Circuit clubs – New York and San Diego, both 24-18 on the road, lead with a .571 mark.

I keep meaning to ask, WTF is a Senior Circuit club, and why does it matter how they rank among senior circuit clubs vs among the rest of the league?

 

The Senior Circuit is the National League. It's called that because it's been around the longest, I believe.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Thanks.

 

Vance's game notes are the only place I've ever heard that term used.

 

Don't get around much, do you ?

[Guest]

Thanks.

 

Vance's game notes are the only place I've ever heard that term used.

 

Don't get around much, do you ?

Unlike us, he wasn't there back when they assimilated the AL, you know. ;)

[BleacherBadger]

Cutting work early, hitting the links, then hittin the 19th hole to watch the game. What a Friday!

 

Let's Go Cubs! Cubs chase Maholm in the 5th, score 6-1, win the game 7-4.

[CubmanPi]

Thanks.

 

Vance's game notes are the only place I've ever heard that term used.

 

Don't get around much, do you ?

Unlike us, he wasn't there back when they assimilated the AL, you know. ;)

As much as I enjoy holding up a mirror to remind the old people in my family just how old they really are, it's always nice (read: safer) when someone else does it for me. Thanks Tim!

[Fred Hornkohl]

Thanks.

 

Vance's game notes are the only place I've ever heard that term used.

 

Don't get around much, do you ?

Unlike us, he wasn't there back when they assimilated the AL, you know. ;)

 

yeah.... I remember when we got the news about General Custer out there in injun country....... we had the day off, but we were still basking in the glow of the White Stockings 16-2 victory over the New York Mutuals the day before. Al Spaulding got the win... raised his record to 22-4 !! Ah, those were the days !!!

[Derwood]

hooray for Pirates series! I actually get to watch all the games (on FSN Pittsburgh, but still).

 

I'll be at the game tomorrow, and am happy to be seeing Lilly instead of Marquis

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Thanks.

 

Vance's game notes are the only place I've ever heard that term used.

 

Don't get around much, do you ?

Unlike us, he wasn't there back when they assimilated the AL, you know. ;)

 

yeah.... I remember when we got the news about General Custer out there in injun country....... we had the day off, but we were still basking in the glow of the White Stockings 16-2 victory over the New York Mutuals the day before. Al Spaulding got the win... raised his record to 22-4 !! Ah, those were the days !!!

 

Fred, could you tell us about the time you discovered fire?

[Fred Hornkohl]

Thanks.

 

Vance's game notes are the only place I've ever heard that term used.

 

Don't get around much, do you ?

Unlike us, he wasn't there back when they assimilated the AL, you know. ;)

As much as I enjoy holding up a mirror to remind the old people in my family just how old they really are, it's always nice (read: safer) when someone else does it for me. Thanks Tim!

 

Hey..... I got yer mirror, sonny..... right here !!!

[Fred Hornkohl]

Fred, could you tell us about the time you discovered fire?

 

Well.... it wasn't so much that I discovered fire..... it was more like it discovered me !! Man, that lightning stuff is a bitch !!!

[TysonCBulls423]

Finally registered! I've been reading for a few weeks now and I'm excited to post here and join the NSBB fam. Go Cubs!

 

Lee will homer tonight. I can feel it :lol: