I know it's just the worthless Nationals, but ...

[GlassCow]

I can't wipe this stupid grin off my face. I almost forgot what it felt like to dominate a series like this. Let's take 2 or 3 in Philly and go back home with tons of momentum.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I hear you, It is hard not to get excited about a 4 game road sweep even if it is against the worst team in the modern era of the game. Even if we take 1 of 3 from the Phillies, its still a 5-2 road trip.

[PrimeTime]

Jake Fox needs to be in that lineup everyday....Either In the field for Bradley or behind the plate...It's a huge offensive boost over Koyie Hill and im willing to sacrifice the defense..I think Lou said fox would be in Monday and Tuesday which is good.

[Cubs Fan In NY]

I don't really think it matters if it's the Nationals, a sweep is always good even if it's expected. The way this season has gone so far nothing is really expected but with 11 runs today and Soriano showing serious signs of life, the rest of the season looks very promising.

[JonJayCutler]

The road Cubs of May and June would not have swept all four games. I don't think anything should be taken away from this series. Its not like were throwing our A lineup out there. Heck, not one person who pitched today was on the big league club to start the season.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

Its great to roll through a team like the Nats. These are the games you have to get when you are chasing another team in the standings.

 

I think that the next three games will really tell us a lot about where this team is going. If we can take two of three then I think this team is really going to be ready to roll, but getting two will probably require wins on Monday and Tuesday.

 

 

Edit: Apparently we are no longer facing Hamels so thats a welcome surprise.

Edited July 20, 2009 by NeifiIsMyHomeBoy

[Soul]

I wasn't expecting a sweep. I figure even a poor team could find a way to scratch out a win at home in a 4 game series.

 

I hope they can build on some momentum, because they are definitely going to need it against the Phils. But obviously I'm tempering my enthusiasm.

 

It was fun to watch though. Today was A LOT of fun to watch. Been awhile since I remember seeing a merry-go-round like that in an inning.

[dew1679666265]

Its great to roll through a team like the Nats. These are the games you have to get when you are chasing another team in the standings.

 

I think that the next three games will really tell us a lot about where this team is going. The Phillies have been playing well recently, and the Cubs are facing Hamels in the final game of the series. Lifetime the Cubs have hit .214, obp of .252, and slugged .410 against him. If we can take two of three then I think this team is really going to be ready to roll, but getting two will probably require wins on Monday and Tuesday.

 

We're actually not facing Hamels, according to Len on the broadcast today. He said Hamels wouldn't pitch and it would, instead, be Joe Blanton getting the start.

[rawaction]

The best thing about the series is HOW they did it and WHO they did it with. Again it's the Nationals and you gotta take it with a grain of salt until they show they can play like this against other teams. But this series featured a great outing from Harden. Big go ahead HRs by Soriano. A big Aramis HR. Fontenot starting to hit. Fukudome getting on base at will. A couple good performances from Marmol and Gregg. Even Zambrano and Wells won without having their best.

 

The Cubs pitching has been pretty dominant since Harden's disaster on the 4th. The bullpen has been getting better each month. If the last 2-3 days mean anything and Soriano, Fontenot and Ramirez start hitting, as Lee, Theriot and Fukudome continue what they've been doing....this could still be the team many people thought it would be. Bradley and Soto would be icing on the cake.

[CUBZ99]

These are the type of teams you have to take advantage of. It is great to finally see that little glimmer of hope that maybe the team can start pulling it together. Fuku seems to be much more comfortable in the leadoff spot,and is returning to form. With Hoffpauir and Fox hitting the way they are, Bradley better get it going or it looks like the Cubs may have a better option.

 

The O could really get going and a middle of the order of Lee, Rami, Sori, and Fox(or Bradley) could be pretty formidable.

[biittner77]

Just got back from the game. Getting to Nats park was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I'd say it was about 65% Cubs fans there today. I think I saw about 100 different types of Cubs shirts and counted 19 people with "W" flags after the game.

 

As for the game itself:

Jake Fox looked really bad at 3rd.

 

It was nice to see Soriano trying to hit pitches away to RF.

 

Smardz looked really good hitting 95 most of the time. He pounded the strike zone and challenged hitters.

[Soul]

it's interesting that the W flags & shirts have only recently taken off. The Cubs have been hoisting that thing for decades after every win.

 

I've got 2 neighbors here in Mad-town who faithfully raise their W flags after every win. It irks the Brewer fans :)

[erik316wttn]

Fortunately, a 4-game sweep against the Nationals still counts.

 

I feel that 2 of 3 in Philly will be a tremendous victory. They're on fire right now, and we don't play well there, anyway. I think we can knock around Grandpa Moyer in Game 2, and Z vs. Hamels in Game 3 is in our favor with the way Hamels has struggled this year.

 

Of course, now watch them get swept.

[erik316wttn]

it's interesting that the W flags & shirts have only recently taken off. The Cubs have been hoisting that thing for decades after every win.

 

I've got 2 neighbors here in Mad-town who faithfully raise their W flags after every win. It irks the Brewer fans :)

 

If I had a flagpole I'd totally fly it.

 

I'm thinking of getting one and hanging it on the wall in my den, though.

[jiml60]

It's 4 wins and after the way the first half of the season went, to only be 2 out of first place is remarkable. A win is a win.

[erik316wttn]

It's 4 wins and after the way the first half of the season went, to only be 2 out of first place is remarkable. A win is a win.

 

Hopefully Soriano is back on track and the last 2 games haven't been flukes.

[inari]

I don't really think it matters if it's the Nationals, a sweep is always good even if it's expected. The way this season has gone so far nothing is really expected but with 11 runs today and Soriano showing serious signs of life, the rest of the season looks very promising.

 

Quite frankly a four-game sweep, even against the Nationals, should never really be expected no matter what the other team involved is. It's very difficult to sweep a four game series, and the Cubs deserve a good deal of credit for doing so. Winning two of three in Philadelphia would obviously go quite a ways towards establishing a confidence that the Cubs can play with anyone. The players should already have it, but heck, I'd like to have it as a fan.

[brinoch]

The Cubs are slowing reeling me back in.

 

I think they'll win the division.

 

Damn it.

[jiml60]

It's 4 wins and after the way the first half of the season went, to only be 2 out of first place is remarkable. A win is a win.

 

Hopefully Soriano is back on track and the last 2 games haven't been flukes.

 

Hope so too, it would be nice if this was the start of one of his hot streaks; they're going to need an offensive boost going into Philadelphia.

[NCCubFan]

Fortunately, a 4-game sweep against the Nationals still counts.

 

I feel that 2 of 3 in Philly will be a tremendous victory. They're on fire right now, and we don't play well there, anyway. I think we can knock around Grandpa Moyer in Game 2, and Z vs. Hamels in Game 3 is in our favor with the way Hamels has struggled this year.

 

Of course, now watch them get swept.

As previously mentioned, Hamels isn't pitching; Blanton is instead. This is because of Saturday's rainout when Blanton only pitched a couple of innings before the postponement.

[chuckywang]

Yes, I know that

 

1) The games still count in the standings

 

and

 

2) The Nats have a couple of MLB quality players

 

 

... but let's face it, this is a AAA team we just beat. They haven't even won 30 games. I'm not going to get excited. The next series against the Phillies will be more telling. The Phillies are playing well right now, and they are the world champs. It'll be quite a statement series if we can take it on the road.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The Nationals have the 5th best offense in the NL, and we held them under 3 runs per game.

[soapy]

as enjoyable as it was to get a sweep (and gain ground on everyone in the division), the way this season has gone i half expect them to turn around and get stomped by the Phillies. it sure would be nice if they didn't.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Nationals have the 5th best offense in the NL, and we held them under 3 runs per game.

 

Our pitching hasnt been a problem, its the offense. Yeah, they pounded the Nats for 26 runs in 4 games, but aside from Lannan, these are awful pitchers. We'll see what happens in Philly vs. decent, but not great starting pitchers.

[biittner77]

It's 4 wins and after the way the first half of the season went, to only be 2 out of first place is remarkable. A win is a win.

 

Hopefully Soriano is back on track and the last 2 games haven't been flukes.

 

Hope so too, it would be nice if this was the start of one of his hot streaks; they're going to need an offensive boost going into Philadelphia.

 

It is certainly encouraging to see him take what the pitcher is giving him and punish mistakes. Philly's starting pitching will make less mistakes but if soriano can continue to not be helpless against that slider away good things will happen.