8/29 Cubs (Zambrano) vs. Brewers (Sheets) 7:05 CT CSN

[BigSlick]

Wow, the optimism for the Cubs' offense today has me feeling all weird inside.

 

Desperation on the Brewers side really helps optimism for us.

 

This is a pretty big gamble in starting Sheets, hopefully it doesn't pan out for the Brewers.

 

It just sucks that whenever we should knock a guy around we end up getting shut out or something. I have a feeling Sheets will struggle with control, and I'm afraid our hitters just wont let themselves get ahead in counts.

 

But again, I still think we drop a big crooked number on Sheets in the first couple innings.

[gflore34]

Wow, the optimism for the Cubs' offense today has me feeling all weird inside.

 

Desperation on the Brewers side really helps optimism for us.

 

This is a pretty big gamble in starting Sheets, hopefully it doesn't pan out for the Brewers.

 

It just sucks that whenever we should knock a guy around we end up getting shut out or something. I have a feeling Sheets will struggle with control, and I'm afraid our hitters just wont let themselves get ahead in counts.

 

But again, I still think we drop a big crooked number on Sheets in the first couple innings.

 

It sure would help if the Cubs approach Sheets as opponents seem to approach Zambrano - take, take, take and let him pitch himself into trouble.

[BigSlick]

Wow, the optimism for the Cubs' offense today has me feeling all weird inside.

 

Desperation on the Brewers side really helps optimism for us.

 

This is a pretty big gamble in starting Sheets, hopefully it doesn't pan out for the Brewers.

 

It just sucks that whenever we should knock a guy around we end up getting shut out or something. I have a feeling Sheets will struggle with control, and I'm afraid our hitters just wont let themselves get ahead in counts.

 

But again, I still think we drop a big crooked number on Sheets in the first couple innings.

 

It sure would help if the Cubs approach Sheets as opponents seem to approach Zambrano - take, take, take and let him pitch himself into trouble.

 

14th in Walks in the National League. :?

[kujay]

This is going to be one big game if you think about all of that.

 

It's huge, but I'm really down to a point now where every game is the biggest game of the year. Last night was by far the most nervous I've been watching a game all season, and I know it's only going to get worse.

[gflore34]

Wow, the optimism for the Cubs' offense today has me feeling all weird inside.

 

Desperation on the Brewers side really helps optimism for us.

 

This is a pretty big gamble in starting Sheets, hopefully it doesn't pan out for the Brewers.

 

It just sucks that whenever we should knock a guy around we end up getting shut out or something. I have a feeling Sheets will struggle with control, and I'm afraid our hitters just wont let themselves get ahead in counts.

 

But again, I still think we drop a big crooked number on Sheets in the first couple innings.

 

It sure would help if the Cubs approach Sheets as opponents seem to approach Zambrano - take, take, take and let him pitch himself into trouble.

 

14th in Walks in the National League. :?

 

Very frustrating, I believe this may be a contributing factor in their struggles vs LHP. Most of them have been soft tossers who stay outside, the Cubs refusing to take a pitch never let them get behind in the count. As result, they stay outside, never come inside and the Cubs hit weak grounders and lazy fly balls.

[CubColtPacer]

Wow, the optimism for the Cubs' offense today has me feeling all weird inside.

 

Desperation on the Brewers side really helps optimism for us.

 

This is a pretty big gamble in starting Sheets, hopefully it doesn't pan out for the Brewers.

 

It just sucks that whenever we should knock a guy around we end up getting shut out or something. I have a feeling Sheets will struggle with control, and I'm afraid our hitters just wont let themselves get ahead in counts.

 

But again, I still think we drop a big crooked number on Sheets in the first couple innings.

 

It sure would help if the Cubs approach Sheets as opponents seem to approach Zambrano - take, take, take and let him pitch himself into trouble.

 

I'm not sure that's the right strategy. Yes, the Cubs should try to be patient against Sheets tonight. Sheets walks so few guys though that if you are committed to taking a couple pitches, you've got a pretty good shot of being down 0-2.

 

I'd want my 1st couple hitters to be extra patient against Sheets and see how his control is coming back from his injury. If his control is spotty, keep taking pitches and drive his pitch count up. If the Cubs just are committed to taking pitches though, they most likely will be down in a lot of counts.

[SouthSideRyan]

Oswalt vs. Wells tonight. There's distance to be made.

[Andy]

You would think.

 

I busted out my lucky It's Gonna Happen shirt last night. The two times I've worn it were the night we took first on 8/1 and last night. I'm saving it for the next time they need a big win. Tonight it's the Ramirez t shirt in hopes of activating his mojo.

[swordsman]

This is going to be one big game if you think about all of that.

 

It's huge, but I'm really down to a point now where every game is the biggest game of the year. Last night was by far the most nervous I've been watching a game all season, and I know it's only going to get worse.

 

Let's hope the players haven't taken this same position.

 

Welcome to ulcerville. Population: you.

[3Dog]

Very frustrating, I believe this may be a contributing factor in their struggles vs LHP. Most of them have been soft tossers who stay outside, the Cubs refusing to take a pitch never let them get behind in the count. As result, they stay outside, never come inside and the Cubs hit weak grounders and lazy fly balls.

 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

[moorecg]

This is going to be one big game if you think about all of that.

 

It's huge, but I'm really down to a point now where every game is the biggest game of the year. Last night was by far the most nervous I've been watching a game all season, and I know it's only going to get worse.

 

x2

 

I think part of it, a large part of it, has to do with being here in St. Louis....every time they win a game now I hear how the "spunky" "scrappy" "heart of a champion" do gooders are just ready to take the division...it drives me nuts...and with them taking an early lead last night it was just...well...as someone said...ulcer city.

[UMFan83]

This is going to be one big game if you think about all of that.

 

It's huge, but I'm really down to a point now where every game is the biggest game of the year. Last night was by far the most nervous I've been watching a game all season, and I know it's only going to get worse.

 

x2

 

I think part of it, a large part of it, has to do with being here in St. Louis....every time they win a game now I hear how the "spunky" "scrappy" "heart of a champion" do gooders are just ready to take the division...it drives me nuts...and with them taking an early lead last night it was just...well...as someone said...ulcer city.

 

Thank God I don't like in St. Louis, I just work in an office with 3-4 of them. I work in downtown Chicago and my office is 50% Tigers fans, 25% Cubs fans, 15% Cardinals fans, 5% Brewers fans, 5% other (Reds, Pirates, Mariners). Note: not one White Sox fan among the office.

[jersey cubs fan]

This is going to be one big game if you think about all of that.

 

It's huge, but I'm really down to a point now where every game is the biggest game of the year. Last night was by far the most nervous I've been watching a game all season, and I know it's only going to get worse.

 

x2

 

I think part of it, a large part of it, has to do with being here in St. Louis....every time they win a game now I hear how the "spunky" "scrappy" "heart of a champion" do gooders are just ready to take the division...it drives me nuts...and with them taking an early lead last night it was just...well...as someone said...ulcer city.

 

Thank God I don't like in St. Louis, I just work in an office with 3-4 of them. I work in downtown Chicago and my office is 50% Tigers fans, 25% Cubs fans, 15% Cardinals fans, 5% Brewers fans, 5% other (Reds, Pirates, Mariners). Note: not one White Sox fan among the office.

 

So you aren't a corrections officer.

[SouthSideRyan]

This is going to be one big game if you think about all of that.

 

It's huge, but I'm really down to a point now where every game is the biggest game of the year. Last night was by far the most nervous I've been watching a game all season, and I know it's only going to get worse.

 

x2

 

I think part of it, a large part of it, has to do with being here in St. Louis....every time they win a game now I hear how the "spunky" "scrappy" "heart of a champion" do gooders are just ready to take the division...it drives me nuts...and with them taking an early lead last night it was just...well...as someone said...ulcer city.

 

Thank God I don't like in St. Louis, I just work in an office with 3-4 of them. I work in downtown Chicago and my office is 50% Tigers fans, 25% Cubs fans, 15% Cardinals fans, 5% Brewers fans, 5% other (Reds, Pirates, Mariners). Note: not one White Sox fan among the office.

 

How do you wind up with a breakdown like that in downtown Chicago? I'd say about 60-30-10 Sox/Cubs/others up in my office, though all the 60 can do now is root against the Cubs rather than being obnoxious about their own team as they were earlier in the year.

[BigSlick]

Here at U of I, its probably 40-30-30 Cubs - Cards - Sox

[SouthSideRyan]

Here at U of I, its probably 40-30-30 Cubs - Cards - Sox

 

Unless there's been a huge shift since I left(Spring '06), I'm kinda doubting that. I don't doubt that many people jumped ship in '06, but those same people I'm sure are jumping back. I'd peg it at about 50-30-20 Cubs/Cards/Sox

[UMFan83]

This is going to be one big game if you think about all of that.

 

It's huge, but I'm really down to a point now where every game is the biggest game of the year. Last night was by far the most nervous I've been watching a game all season, and I know it's only going to get worse.

 

x2

 

I think part of it, a large part of it, has to do with being here in St. Louis....every time they win a game now I hear how the "spunky" "scrappy" "heart of a champion" do gooders are just ready to take the division...it drives me nuts...and with them taking an early lead last night it was just...well...as someone said...ulcer city.

 

Thank God I don't like in St. Louis, I just work in an office with 3-4 of them. I work in downtown Chicago and my office is 50% Tigers fans, 25% Cubs fans, 15% Cardinals fans, 5% Brewers fans, 5% other (Reds, Pirates, Mariners). Note: not one White Sox fan among the office.

 

How do you wind up with a breakdown like that in downtown Chicago? I'd say about 60-30-10 Sox/Cubs/others up in my office, though offset by the floor where it's majority Cubs fans.

 

We do a lot of recruiting in Michigan and Ohio. I think a third of our office went to UM, and another third went to Western Michigan (which is a Cubs/Tigers mix of fans). I think its a pure and pleasant coincidence that none of our Chicago hires are White Sox fans.....or maybe my boss is screening for them (shhhhhh!)

 

It's kinda fun to have such a mix in the office. On Thursdays when there is a lot of day games, you hear people randomly cheering at random points in the afternoon when their local teams score.

[SouthSideRyan]

That is cool, but would be a bit of a pain here, cause we'd have one TV on the wall to split among too many fanbases. The Sox fans seem to have conceded their right to their game when a Cubs game is on, possibly cause they'd rather cheer against the Cubs anyways.

[CubmanPi]

I could very well be the only person within 45 miles of where I live who cares about any baseball team, so I shouldn't have much trouble commandeering a TV down at the sports bar tonight.

[Guest]

Mostly Dodger and Angels fans to compete with for me. A random Padre or Giant fan every once in a while. Shocking, I know.

[gerby23]

I went from me and my best friend vs. all Astro fans in S. Texas, to me and my brainwashed kids and tolerant wife against all Cards fans in NW Arkansas.

[moorecg]

I went from me and my best friend vs. all Astro fans in S. Texas, to me and my brainwashed kids and tolerant wife against all Cards fans in NW Arkansas.

 

That sounds familiar.

 

I began brainwashing..eh..."training" my kids at birth...My wife was born and raised here...but she's to the point where she'd rather the Cubs win because she knows I'm easier to live with when they do.

[kujay]

I went from me and my best friend vs. all Astro fans in S. Texas, to me and my brainwashed kids and tolerant wife against all Cards fans in NW Arkansas.

 

That sounds familiar.

 

I began brainwashing..eh..."training" my kids at birth...My wife was born and raised here...but she's to the point where she'd rather the Cubs win because she knows I'm easier to live with when they do.

 

My wonderfully patient gal is from the Waukegan/Zion area like myself, and her Dad is a big Cubs fan, so she gets it. To an extent.

 

I still had to remind her today though to please humor my completely bipolar, baseball-induced mania/paranoia/depression over the next 30 (and hopefully more) days.

 

As for the office, if we lose this thing to the Cardinals, I will probably punch someone.

[moorecg]

I went from me and my best friend vs. all Astro fans in S. Texas, to me and my brainwashed kids and tolerant wife against all Cards fans in NW Arkansas.

 

That sounds familiar.

 

I began brainwashing..eh..."training" my kids at birth...My wife was born and raised here...but she's to the point where she'd rather the Cubs win because she knows I'm easier to live with when they do.

 

My wonderfully patient gal is from the Waukegan/Zion area like myself, and her Dad is a big Cubs fan, so she gets it. To an extent.

 

I still had to remind her today though to please humor my completely bipolar, baseball-induced mania/paranoia/depression over the next 30 (and hopefully more) days.

 

As for the office, if we lose this thing to the Cardinals, I will probably punch someone.

 

I understand the feeling about the office....I can only guess its worse here...We represent the Cards...if they knock us out I may have to send out Resumes.

I have multiple partners stopping by my office every single day wanting to talk about "How great Ankiel" looks...or about how "impressed they are with Ryan Ludwick, Brendan Ryan...Bo Hart...name your poison"...my favorite is a buddy over at TC who e-mails me every time they score, OR, when we give up a run....I guess I use the phrase "buddy" waay too loosely.

[gerby23]

I went from me and my best friend vs. all Astro fans in S. Texas, to me and my brainwashed kids and tolerant wife against all Cards fans in NW Arkansas.

 

That sounds familiar.

 

I began brainwashing..eh..."training" my kids at birth...My wife was born and raised here...but she's to the point where she'd rather the Cubs win because she knows I'm easier to live with when they do.

 

<----- That was at 9 months.

My wife corrected one of her friends that other day when they said "...so from April till September, you have to deal with the Cubs?" My wife said, "No, its a full year thing, but the season starts in February when pitchers and catchers report."

Never been so turned on in my life.