7/7 Gm 2 Cubs (Williams) @ Braves (Smoltz) 6:35 PM, WGN

[rickrolled]

Let's be honest. The Cubs are playing horrible baseball right now. We've lost 7 in a row, haven't had a lead in a week, and we've scored 1 run in our last 3 games. It needs to stop here. We need to get back on track in this game. We need good pitching and the hitting needs to wake up.

 

The pitching matchups:

 

Cubs: Jerome Williams

http://images.sportsline.com/images/baseball/mlb/players/60x80/292135.jpg

1-3, 4.96 ERA

 

Braves: John Smoltz

http://images.sportsline.com/images/baseball/mlb/players/60x80/8074.jpg

9-5, 2.68 ERA

 

Just win.

[ZZ Thorn]

Woot first post!

 

Go Williams!

[rocket]

my prediction on today's travesty of a lineup:

 

1. Neifi - SS

2. Walker - 2B

3. Ramirez - 3B

4. Burnitz - RF

5. Hollandsworth - 1B

6. Barrett - C

7. Macias - LF

8. Patterson - CF

[halplm]

We will lose again. I'll still listen, but only because I've already paid for it...

[ZZ Thorn]

I am smoking in my cubicle - everyone else is gone. WOO-HOO! PARTY IN ZZ'S CUBICLE!

[series65cubsfan]

I am smoking in my cubicle - everyone else is gone. WOO-HOO! PARTY IN ZZ'S CUBICLE!

 

After that game, I'm going to have to step out myself. You're not on the road?

[frostwyrm]

The Marlins are about to move to 4 games ahead of us in the WC race, 4.5 if we lose. Dodgers up 5-2 over the Rockies after 5, and they'll have us tied if they win and pass us if we lose again. The Braves will be 8 in front of us if they win. We really need a win in the worst way.

[otis89]

I'm calling it. Smoltz will throw a perfect game. I think Dusty said he's going to trot out that joke of a lineup he had set for yesterday for this game.

[dalgreen]

The Marlins are about to move to 4 games ahead of us in the WC race, 4.5 if we lose. Dodgers up 5-2 over the Rockies after 5, and they'll have us tied if they win and pass us if we lose again. The Braves will be 8 in front of us if they win. We really need a win in the worst way.

 

As much as I hate the players on this team, I still think we can win the wild-card, especially if we get some players.

 

But if Lee has to be out of the lineup, just what is a good lineup with these make believe players we have (outside of Walker and Ramirez)?

[Omar]

With the way they're playing, I'm giving up on the Cubs. No match-ups, sorry.

[ZZ Thorn]

I am smoking in my cubicle - everyone else is gone. WOO-HOO! PARTY IN ZZ'S CUBICLE!

 

After that game, I'm going to have to step out myself. You're not on the road?

 

After living on the road in 2003 and 2004 for all intents and purposes, I've only been on the road 6 weeks in the last 5 months. Fortunately, I have a lot of comissions to show for it (I just dropped off nearly $.5 mil (2% of which is mine) in invoices at the City of Chicago yesterday, now if they can just pay me before 2006... thank you big city bureaucracy).

 

That'll change tho - I've got easy trips (i.e. close together with not much driving in between meetings) lined up for the next two weeks - gonna be nice to be on the road. XM Satellite radio will sure come in handy.

[otis89]

With the way they're playing, I'm giving up on the Cubs. No match-ups, sorry.

 

If the Cubs win, you must no longer give us anymore match-ups. :wink:

[Jon]

my prediction on today's travesty of a lineup:

 

1. Neifi - SS

2. Walker - 2B

3. Ramirez - 3B

4. Burnitz - RF

5. Hollandsworth - 1B

6. Barrett - C

7. Macias - LF

8. Patterson - CF

How wrong.

 

I wasn't paying much attention, but Dusty already gave the lineup during the pregame show before game 1. I'm not sure if it's exactly the same as yesterday's, but Neifi and Macias are batting at the top.

[frostwyrm]

The Marlins are about to move to 4 games ahead of us in the WC race, 4.5 if we lose. Dodgers up 5-2 over the Rockies after 5, and they'll have us tied if they win and pass us if we lose again. The Braves will be 8 in front of us if they win. We really need a win in the worst way.

 

As much as I hate the players on this team, I still think we can win the wild-card, especially if we get some players.

 

But if Lee has to be out of the lineup, just what is a good lineup with these make believe players we have (outside of Walker and Ramirez)?

 

Agreed, without Lee and Nomar the offense is just plain bad. I'd still like to see other people besides Neifi and Macias at the top of the lineup.

[Roast]

I'm not sure if it's exactly the same as yesterday's, but Neifi and Macias are batting at the top.

 

:puker:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/sign0181.gif

 

I Surrender.

 

 

 

:club:

 

And I want dusty's head.

[johnnyba99]

I'd say this game is a must win at this point. And we'll need 2 of 3 in Florida. If we can get to the break at a minimum of 6 games out, we've still got a good shot. The teams in front of us will be playing each other a lot in the second half and I think that is to our advantage.

[Brian]

WE MISS YOU DERREK*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Although with the lineup around him he's probably enjoying giving his back the rest.

[Flames24Rulz]

Perez and Macias at the top of the lineup...looks like i'll find something to do tonight. At least I'll be gone all weekend. Unfortunately, the Cubs offense has ran away and hid for about a week.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think we're about to be sellers at the deadline.

 

What can we get for Burnitz, Hollandsworth, Perez, Rusch, Remlinger, Dempster, Maddux, Patterson, and Hairston?

[IowaCubsFan]

I think we're about to be sellers at the deadline.

 

What can we get for Burnitz, Hollandsworth, Perez, Rusch, Remlinger, Dempster, Maddux, Patterson, and Hairston?

 

At this point, I'm praying for a white flag trade of epic proportions. It's time to restock the minor league cupboard; hopefully this time with some guys that are patient at the plate, get on base, and play good, fundamental baseball. Oh yeah, and maybe get a closer prospect or two.

 

Let's just hope that MacPhail and Hendry aren't under the delusion that this team will threaten anyone in the second half.

[nikao]

What the heck--why not this one:

 

1-Perez-SS

2-Macias-1B

3-Patterson-CF

4-Ramirez-3B

5-Dubois-LF

6-Burnitz-RF

7-Hairston-2B

8-Blanco-C

 

That should score some runs, right, Dusty? Look at all that speed at the top of the lineup!

[Balsa]

Well....this should be fun. ](*,)

 

*mutes TV and puts on BB King record*

[J.R.]

Don Baylor's ouster was the highlight of 2002 for me.

 

Here's to a great '05!

[Guest]

Well....this should be fun. ](*,)

 

*mutes TV and puts on BB King record*

Not a bad idea. In honor of Dusty, the first record I'll spin will be Green Day's American Idiot.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think we're about to be sellers at the deadline.

 

What can we get for Burnitz, Hollandsworth, Perez, Rusch, Remlinger, Dempster, Maddux, Patterson, and Hairston?

 

At this point, I'm praying for a white flag trade of epic proportions. It's time to restock the minor league cupboard; hopefully this time with some guys that are patient at the plate, get on base, and play good, fundamental baseball. Oh yeah, and maybe get a closer prospect or two.

 

Let's just hope that MacPhail and Hendry aren't under the delusion that this team will threaten anyone in the second half.

 

Well with the number of Rule V casualties that we could have, I'd like us to package vets with mid range prospects to get better prospects. Don't know if that makes a lot of sense, but that's what I'd do.