badgercub

Actually, it probably is. I called the public relations department to get permission to use the Cubs logo on a groom's cake. The girl asked that I email the request and she would respond. Her name was Veronica Lopez and her email address was vlopez@cubs.com. On a sidenote. You don't need the Cubs permission to use their logo on a cake. You would only need it if you were somehow going to profit from the use of the logo. Unless of course you need it for the baker requested it. I highly doubt the Cubs would even know if you used it or not.

Will be joining the team in Phoenix.

The game is on the 23rd not the 22nd.

Zito is a reverse split guy, against whom lefties hit slightly better than righties. That probably doesn't justify playing Floyd over Murton here, but at least there's some reasonable thought process here. here's the splits: Lefties - .272 .342 .441 Righties - .246 .326 .418

They aren't that bad either. They return just about everyone from a team that went 12-1 last year, the only loss being to Michigan where special teams and an injury to one of the best cornerbacks in the country let them down. That game was close in the second half. Sure they have an easier schedule, but they beat the teams that were put in front of them.

With only 10 days until the first games I thought I would bump this thread. Can't wait for the season to start, should be wild here in Madtown with the Badgers having such high expectations placed on them. A 2:30 start time for the first game of the year should have everyone lubed up pretty good before game time. Any Coug fans on here with a prediction? I think Bucky rolls 35-10

Yes, i've watched the games and they are throwing better lately. However with Weeks back up and Braun showing his true defense at 3B the teams defense is going down the tubes. Their FIP is better than the Cubs on the year but they have the 2nd worst fielding stats in the NL and thats the root cause of the teams struggles. Plus/Minus suggests the Cubs have made 67 more close plays than the Brewers, thats a huge number! Capuano sure wasnt throwing the ball well last night. Thats the problem with just looking at the stats though. If Hardy makes a good throw on Pujols or Braun doesn't flub a grounder at 3B or Weeks makes a play on a grounder up the middle or if Fielder makes the play on Edmonds liner to 1st (Lee makes that play), if Parra doesn't come in and let in the inherited runners then Capuano's stats look fine. He was throwing the ball just fine though. He had one of those innings where the defense just barely misses play after play and suddenly his stats look terrible. He was ahead of hitters, he threw strikes, he got groundouts when he needed them, the defense didn't make the plays. 6 K, 1 BB, 1 extra base hit (a gapper double) in 4.1 IP is going to be a good outing most of the time, the singles are largely out of the pitchers control. Keep drinking the Brewer Kool Aid. Their pitching staff is horrible, the bullpen has been overused which will only make things worse down the stretch. Sheets is out and Gallardo is showing the inconsistency typical with young pitchers in their first go around. The fact that the starter only lasted 4.1 IP is a clear sign the pitching staff is experiencing difficulty.

What does the weather look like for the game tonight? Before I make the 2.5 hour drive this afternoon, just wondering if it looks like they'll get the game in.

I would say the Cardinals are the team to watch out for. Milwaukee is done. Sheets is still out and Ned Yost has run that bullpen into the ground. The Brewers don't have the pitching to win this thing. The Cubs need their offense to pick up if they want to have any chance at all. Lee is cold, Soriano is out, and Ramirez has been in and out of the lineup due to various ailments, if these guys can turn it around the Cubs have a chance, if not I say watch out for the Dirty Birds.

if it is his foot, could it be a reocurrance of the blister problem he had a few starts back?

I really hope Fontenot and Jones are not in the lineup against a lefty. What are Moyer's splits against righties and lefties? I thought I heard that lefties hit him better. I might just be making this up though. edit: just looked it up Lefties hit .022 higher than righties with a .005 higher OPS

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1.. - let the countdown be over, doesn't look good. Let's hope Hendry gets something done by Aug. 31 and a mysterious injury occurs to get the person on the playoff roster.

Not for Marmol

lol. that is too good.

Then why did you post "did anyone just hear....." I have been listening for around an hour and haven't heard a thing. Just had an interview with Hendry, said he is "working the phones" no mention of any specific players by Hendry or the Jesse Rogers, the update guy.

sure, start here http://www.highlightskids.com/GamesandGiggles/HiddenPics/HiddenPicsPrintable/HP1792_dinosaurdig.asp

One of my personal favorites was: "He likes it in the 2 hole."

I wouldn't imagine, it would take a while to get him stretched out so i would think Gagne will be the set up man.

I don't religiously follow the minor leaguers, but looking at the box scores I notice Clevenger is having a good season and has continued to hit well after being promoted. Anyone have any idea of how he projects in the future? I noticed he hasn't hit for power, but his plate awareness looks pretty good as his OBP is good and his K/BB ratio is near 1. Defensively is he ok? Just caused me to take a look when I saw his stats and how bad our current catching situation is. Thanks for any info.

What do you think they are going to say. Of course they are happy with what they have, they are surging and on the verge of taking over the top spot in the central. Just because they are happy with what they have doesn't mean they aren't open to making the team better. That is just GM speak so as not to offend any player that might eventually be dealt, and to cover their own $*%*( if something doesn't get done.

I think if Z is the only 20 game winner and his ERA drops just a tad more he will win the Cy Young. Wins still mean the most to the voters

Rick Sutcliffe in 1984. It should be mentioned that he started the season with Cleveland going 4-5, was traded to the Cubs and went 16-1 to close out the season and lead the Cubs to the Eastern Division Title, garnering him Cy Young in the N.L. while Sandberg was named MVP.

As long as it is going extras would be nice to see it go like 16 innings or something. Cubs get a depleted reds bullpen, and the Brewers use up their pen heading into St. Louis and the dog days of summer.

I would take Yovani Gallardo of the Brewers, I think that guy is the real deal. We should learn a lot about him with Sheets out. I think he could be a legit #1 if not now somewhere down the road.

There shouldn't be. He's been our best player for 3 years. Best position player. I'd argue Big Z as the best Cubs player though during that time period. Zambrano wasn't acquired via a trade though was he? He was aquired from Venezuela for an 8 ball. That's also how we got Sammy from the Rangers when Dubya was owner. Too bad they got him from the White Sox for George Bell