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Is Matt Murton alive ?

I thought this was going to be a rant on the way Piniella managed last night's game. He's not dumb, but I thought last night was about as bad as you can manage a close ballgame: 1. Removing Marshall after 86 pitches at 6 innings. I can understand if he's up at 100 and laboring, but he was cruising. 2. Marmol batting for himself with Zito well over 100 pitches in a 2-2 game in the 7th. Baffling. 3. Leaving Marmol in the game for the 8th. Wuertz was fresh and available. Why stretch Marmol, again, for 1+. Marmol probably needs 2+ days rest after logging 4 innings and 76 pitches in the first 5 games out of the break. 4. Leaving Ohman in the game after the Bonds AB. This even had Len confused.

So this batch of minor leaguers would be dealt with during the first week of August? (I ask because I am headed to India on Tuesday and won't be able to access Roadkill till the 29th). India in July ? I hope you are headed to Mussoorie or someplace in the hills.

I think that's a great idea. Nothing else has worked this season against LHP.

Obviously I have a different viewpoint here, but this is a level playing field. Everyone has equal access to the db. The rules have been the same for a long time now -- finder's keepers. I would bet that I'm as busy in my non-fantasy-baseball life as anyone in the league. But I find a few secs each day to hop on the site, check the scores and run through my list of players I want added to the db. I've been checking for Snider (or Snyder), Joba, McGee & others about every day for the better part of the season. When I saw there were a bunch of new players added over the ASB, I checked to see who else may have been put into the db. Each and every person in the league has that same ability to make that time and do that searching. Heck, with waivers you only have to check the database the night before waivers run to find all new players in the db - once or twice a week. The process itself is perfectly fair, though the results in this case may seem skewed. That said, if people want to change the rules, I'm perfectly willing to go along. I disagree. I was out of town on business when this took place. Many people go on vacation during the summer. A new crop of players being added needs some sort of announcement and all teams given an equal shot at these players. I've always been in favor of a minor league draft, but oh well. We did that once, maybe twice a few years ago. Maybe it's time to consider it again ?

I have to argue that today, you need all the offense you can get. If there was ever a day to put Fontenot at SS and in the 2nd spot; today is the day. While SS isn't his natural position, he can play it. Ted Lilly is an extreme fly ball pitcher. The Cubs need baserunners today. Izturis could prove me wrong and go out and put up a 3-5, but that's much more likely with Mike Fontenot in the lineup.

This should end today.

20-30 MPH W-SW wind today. 11-9, Astros.

Still 2 days to go, but that may swing the week. Nearly an 80 point swing with Garland putting up a solid -33.25. Is that a record ?

21 of 23 pitches for strikes today. Sick.

That's two near heart attacks for Ron this week.

Congrats, Craig Biggio. One of my first clear memories of a baseball game was attending this weekday afternoon game at Dodger Stadium: 2 HR - 6 RBI Biggio hit two bombs into the LF pavilion and threw behind Mike Sharperson at 2nd base to catch him trying to get a lead on a bunt (Biggio was catching).

That happened to Nomar last night in his first game at 3rd base now that Loney has taken over 1st.

"Son, wins and losses are how you judge a pitcher. I mean, Howry battled and got his team in position to win the game. That's what a team needs." - Joe Morgan

C'mon Frenchy! Only 6 pts for him this week.

Rapada ?

Through a source, there has been some chatter this week, nothing more, nothing less. The number of homers that Hill and Marshall gave up in their last starts alarmed some folks I'm told. My sense is that both will be under some scrutiny in their next starts. The big question I have is that if Marshall or Hill were dealt for a major bat, who would step into the rotation? Wow. If true, and I suspect it is, the Cubs really get nervous with young players over a very small sample size. Ted Lilly and Rich Hill are 2 and 3 behind Peavy in WHIP. I could care less if Hill gives up a solo HR or two as long as he keeps throwing strikes. With the wind blowing out more often as the weather has heated up, it's no wonder HR's have been flying. If Marshall had enough starts to qualify, he'd be 5th in the NL in WHIP. If I am the Cubs, I am concerned with the month long suckatude of Jason Marquis and how that might turn into a disaster in the second half of the season.

Why would the Rangers agree to a Jacques for Gagne deal? I'm sure it wouldn't be a straight up deal. Agreed. The Cubs would have to send a prospect or a wad of cash or both.

I'm still pissed at John Stockstill for picking Brownlie with the pick before. I recall Delroy Lindo and I having an extensive discussion on that pick. Speaking of the '02 draft, here are the first rounders currently in the majors: Upton Greinke Fielder Loewen Francis Hermida Greene Swisher Hamels Loney Guthrie Francouer Blanton Cain 14 out of 30 is quite good and 4 after Brownlie.

Damn it! No pic showing for me! Strange, I'll work on it or put it in a different place.

And here is a picture taken by my fiancee of Don, Matt, and Me at Wrigley last Saturday after a few beers and the fight: http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos3621/1/99/63/54/79/8/879546399108_0_ALB.jpg Clearly, someone here had a couple more than the others...

That's about the best lineup I've seen for the Cubs since Ramirez went down. Nice to not see a giveaway lineup on getaway day.

Nice starts for Maine and Lee. Now, the offense is going to have to do something...

Solid. I'll probably have to play 40 minutes of full court press like UAB......

What if we tie ? Is there a spell off to decide the winner ? !