gflore34

Not that it matters anymore but, why did Lou move Fukudome from the lead off spot? Seemed like a 1-2 of Fukudome and Bradley was working well, they're both OBP machines. Having Lee and Ramirez often come up with runners on base is good thing no?

So what? Holliday can take Pujols, Carpenter, Lugo, LaRussa and Al Hrabosky and collectively shove them up his ass for all I care. I maintain with the proper off season moves the Cubs will be better than the Cardinals regardless of what the Cardinals do.

+1 on the firing of Hendry, the pieces are here for next season, with the right additions this team will contend in 2010. I don't what all the correct moves are but, I do know one thing - Hendry doesn't.

I do like the idea of moving Zambrano, can he net the Cubs a major league ready 2b or SS?

Long term future I don't know but, his immediate future should be taking over LF for the remainder of the season. Soriano' at least, this season, is done, being so, he's not going to help a club looking to make a run. Not that I believe the Cubs are going make a run mind you but, any possibility of run surely doesn't include Soriano.

Personally, I would like to see Soriano given the "Andres Blanco" treatment, and go on the DL because of an "injury." I'd like to see him given the buried deeply on the bench with concrete shoes treatment.

I think it's a little ambitious saying we've got the edge in 3 of those matchups...they are even in my eyes Weaver: 5.56 ERA/1.44 WHIP/47:27 K:BB Gorz: 5.24 ERA/1.16 WHIP/22:8 K:BB Wolf: 3.43 ERA/1.14 WHIP/123:43 K:BB Wells: 3.01 ERA/1.19 WHIP/71:27 K:BB Haeger: 3.86 ERA/0.71 WHIP/2:0 K:BB (one start, 7 IP) - career minors: 3.87/1.41/673:429 Lilly: 3.42 ERA/1.14 WHIP/111:27 K:BB Billingsley: 3.70 ERA/1.24 WHIP/144:66 K:BB Dempster: 4.28 ERA/1.39 WHIP/117:53 K:BB I'd give the Cubs an advantage in games 1 and 3 (Gorz and Lilly) and the Dodgers an advantage in game 4 (Billingsley). Game 2 (Wolf/Wells) is tough to call - I hadn't realized Wolf had been that good this year. Thanks for doing the research :D Red's point is still valid that it is very feasible to win 3 out of 4 here. But, the whole Cobs thing... :Insert Broom Graphic Here: Totally agree...LA is reeling, lost that big lead and Manny is swinging at balls like mad. 3 out of 4 is likely. The Cards are already getting complacent. Put in a real bad lineup card 2 nites ago and lost, putting Ankiel in tonite and benching Ludwick. Of course, they ARE playing the Pads. But again, Holliday has zoomed back to Earth....like 1 for 11 w/1rbi. Pujols has been hacking, scoring more runs on steals than homers. Win this opener and LA will funk even deeper...lose it and I don't know! Tonight' the key Cubs beat LA and they got a real good chance to take at least 1 of the remaining 3 for a split. Got to keep the struggling team from getting up off the ground however, the Cubs have shown a real knack for letting struggling teams wake up.

You talking about the play at home on Baker? Yes, on the Hill single, for some reason thought it was Harden trying to score.

Yep, the '27 Yankees and some of those '30's ear Philadelphia A's teams pale in comparison.

How about an off season philosophy of looking at your core and then trying to improve it with good baseball players? Not left handed, or glove men, or speedy guys but, good baseball players.

I'll acknowledge the Cardinals are good but, superior talent? Come on. Lohse, Wellemeyer, Pinerio, Lugo, Thurston basically, anyone not named Pujols, Wainwright, Carpenter or Holliday are not good or superior at anything.

Saw some of the highlights, wow, is CB Buckner is terrible, didn't realize how bad he was. Missed two fairly easy calls the past two nights.

Marquis, I hope the Rockies aren't foolish to count on him in playoffs.

Seconded about Uggla, sure he'll hit a few HR's but, I never considered him to be a very good hitter.

I know you previously mentioned 2006 but, even this kind of crap has a way turning around in the playoffs. Wouldn't be one bit surprised if they lose a few games in a similar manner.

I know there may be references to 2006 but, all those journey-men garbage arms pitching out their collective minds are going to implode in the playoffs - provided they make the playoffs. That smoke and mirrors act has a funny way of turning around in the playoffs, seen it time and time again.

What about Tejada? He's a FA, he's got way more in the tank than Soriano, for year or two he could take care of offense from the SS. Given he's a FA next season I wonder if the Astros would be interested in moving him now.

I don't believe Fukudome is or has been the problem, its the complete lack of production from Soto, Soriano and 2b. Add Soto with a little more luck and anything from Soriano or 2b and I believe the Cardinals would been looking up at the Cubs.

Soto' numbers are unbelievable, it seems like every time he's smoked the ball its right at someone. Last night was a prime example, he crushed that ball (think it was 3rd), if he pulled slightly would have probably been a bases clearing double.

Did anyone who remained up and watched this clunker find themselves wishing the season was over after Blanks inside the park HR? It was the perfect ending to the night in which Lou showed he's mailed in for the season, that terrible, blown call at 1b was the perfect opportunity for him to show some fire, that he's not going to let this bs of season get to him or give up.

I think we've learned how this season is going to end by the very fact that Lou just sat on his fat ass after Buckner blatantly missed the call at 1b. By the way, think anyone (besides Dempster) on the Cubs staff has figured out Blanks can only hit one pitch?

Removing Gregg from the closers roll could be a step in this direction although, it's going to take some doing on Lou's part to keep him from hurting the Cubs. Perhaps, he be used in a mop up roll the rest of the way because, I don't think DFA' is a realistic option. Soriano getting hot for the last two months could help along with Soto hell, I'd take just one of them getting hot.

The most irritating facet of the night was the BB to Eckstein, that was unforgivable, how do you walk that little sh*t? Why didn't he just throw the ball down the middle of the plate - here it is ,you little sh*t, hit it is as hard as you can. By the way the Cubs are going to get swept in SD again, book it.

I'd let him walk, as illogical as it sounds this is the Cubs and should they re-sign him he'll spend most of the season on the DL, take the picks.

Did you miss '06? You're right, what am I talking about, Franklin will probably set some kind of a post season save record along with Lohse and Pineiro throwing a combined 18 or so shutout innings.