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I could see Boston sending a low, low level player to the Cubs for Nevin in August if Nixon doesn't come back. Big Papi has been playing a little bit more at 1st base of late and they might be able to use his bat at DH or 1st.

Good pitching, good hitting, good defense. Every club goes through stretches in the season where they look unbeatable and all 25 contribute to the winning. If this manager and club need the pressure off to win, well, that's pathetic.

Hmm. Maybe this battle isn't over yet after being down 45 or so to start the day. 2 QS coming from Mussina and Piniero and about 20 pts down without those being factored in. Buddiga got a lot of help with implosions by Carmona and Jenks. Also, Santana couldn't make it through 6 innings. Both teams have 3 batters tonight. The difference will be how Madson pitches against FLA.

Class comments as expected from Mad dog:

It's the same Will Carroll that broke the Prior news earlier this year. I might be inclined to believe him.

Looks like the tie at the top may finally be broken as well. Buddiga and the budcrew have tanked against their opponents today...

Dude, you need that defense with the wind blowing out and Maddux on the mound.

It definately depends on the approach of the player. For instance, Murton's walk/bb ratio is much closer to 1:1 when he is going well. When he's not, it's more like 0.3:1. Murton never gives up an AB and is comfortable with looking for a ball in a zone when he's up in the count. When he's down in the count, he looks for the pitcher to go off the plate with him and changes his approach. Murton hits .283/.411 when he's ahead 1-0, and he's .281/.311 when he's down 0-1. Murton is willing to try and work the count back into his favor even if he gives up a strike on the first pitch (often a pitcher's pitch). This is an inherent advantage of zone hitting. When Murton got away from this approach in June and looked like he was going after every first fastball, he struggled. With Jacque, the AB is basically over after he gets down 0-1 (.201/.217) compared with 1-0 (.336/.384). He's also incredible on the first pitch (always fastballs). That's the sign of a hitter who when he's up, can look fastball and kill it. Jacque is a great fastball hitter. When he's down in the count, he'll swing at anything that comes out of the pitchers hand high. He has no ability to work the count and basically has to go after a fastball early as was previously mentioned.

With all due respect, it sounds as if you're defending Hendry. A lot of people on here know that I can't stand Hendry as much as I can't stand Baker. But I think you're giving Hendry way, way too much credit if you believe he's trying to justify NOT re-signing him. It's Hendry's call to fire him or re-sign him. For the most part, it was his call to hire him. As I've said for three seasons now, Hendry and Baker are two peas in a pod. Regarding the re-built system. I think most of us were fooled into thinking we had a dominant system. Our pitching prospects may have been good, but I can run a list of position players who were just flat out overrated and overvalued. I'm not defending Hendry at all, because I think he gave into the idea that speed could win because Podsednik and the "Speedy White Sox" won the World Series. I tried to make that point clear in the second paragraph. He's as guilty as anyone. I disagree that it's Hendry's call only on letting Baker walk. I think there is much more to it. I think there is a fundamental flaw in this organization and would prefer total regime change. Building a team of baseball players as a opposed to track athletes is just a starting point. Instead, I am just presenting a view on how Hendry might be operating to try and continue in a great job. He certainly has enough evidence to make Baker the fall guy and continue on as GM, if his bosses still like the job he's doing.

Is it possible that Hendry is keeping Dusty on to help justify NOT re-signing him in the offseason ? By that I mean, Hendry chose Dusty, and he needs ammo to go to his bosses after the season and say this guy is just not getting the job done and we need a change. He's not winning. His clubs have gotten worse every year he's been the manager of the Cubs. He's not developing players from the system Hendry re-built. It's one and done for many of the young players. Dusty isn't patient enough to wait for results. This does not absolve Hendry of any guilt in the current Cub situation. He brought in many of these players and put together some awful contracts. But, Dusty asked for more speed in the offseason and a better bullpen. Hendry went out and got that for him. Unfortunately, Hendry did nothing else to help this club and banked it on Wood and Prior holding up the rotation. And, Lee holding the lineup together by doing nothing to acquire a top tier player in the outfield or at SS. I think there is a motive, maybe political, and Baker will not return. It might be wishful thinking, but this is how I optimistically see it.

Sounds like my manager.

indeed, 300's look likely for both clubs. this is nothing new. you've got the last ab though!

woo woo!

It is true.

The team is a reflection of its manager.

Cedeno should've taking that play himself. I think it depends on where Neifi was positioned. I figured he would have been shaded a little closer to 2nd for a DP chance with Maddux pitching. It seemed like he was closer to the line. It's a tough call, though it did seem Ronny's momentum should have been carrying him toward and through 2nd base.

Question: Will Baker corner Neifi in the dugout and chew him out for bailing with Wright bearing down on him as Cedeno delivered a perfect flip ? Or, will Baker get all over Cedeno for leading Neifi into trouble and not attempting the DP himself ?

An incredible lineup given that Neifi is 3-28 career against Steve Trachsel. He's hot though dudes, I mean, who else can have an OBP for July less than their batting average ?

Buddiga and Raw Dawgs battle as well. Historically, this is a close, high scoring match.

I don't think he's looking to disprove the theory that he abused Prior and Wood. Instead, in Zambrano, he can show everyone how good his teams can be if Wood and Prior were on the mound every 5th day like Zambrano. It's like '"see, I told you so. Just give me my horses. If Wood and Prior were out there every day we'd be in the thick of it!"' I'd be more worried about what might happen if Zambrano has a non-arm related injury. Would the club let him pitch through it because he's "tough and a horse" or would they use preventative medicine and sit him out. I can see Z pitching through something like that and risking his arm because he overcompensated to battle through an injury. The most important thing for a pitcher, besides the arm, is his lower half.

Not only is it a bad quote, it's stupid and wrong. But, what's new from Dusty's mouth ? Certainly not mindless drivel. First of all, it's a testament to how bad the offense is on this team. Everyone throws a heck of a game against the Cubs. Secondly, Dusty is wrong. Here are the Cubs run totals when Maddux pitches: 5 4 4 7 6 1 4 3 1 4 8 6 6 5 2 0 6 0 4 2 The Cubs have scored 4 runs a game for Maddux this season. The Cubs as a team average 4.1 runs a game. Nothing special happens when Maddux pitches. No one throws some great game against him. The Cubs can't hit and Maddux has been horrible since May 1st. In fact, I believe he has been the worst starting pitcher in the National League in that time. 2-11 with a 5.68 ERA.

If you wanted to pick a group to help run a smear campaign, look no further than the Chicago Cub organization. They've proven to be excellent in this field. Unfortuantely, they haven't put a product on the field worth watching since then.

You don't want to let Murton get hot here. He's 17-47 with 12 runs and 10 rbi. That would defeat the purpose of the platoon. And besides, Dusty's more powerful than you think. Did you see that HR Nevin hit last night ? Clutch. That's what's been missing this year in LF. Clutchness. The Cubs need that. I mean, we've got enough young guys in there already.

It's been hot too. I don't understand why Novoa is struggling so much. Maybe they are waiting for the weather to cool down to bring up Wuertz ? Must've been why they sent him down in April to begin with. Wherever Dusty's managing in 2014, you'll see Novoa right there with him. It's a match made in heaven.

Jacque hit the backstop screen this year. That was pretty awesome. I think Murton threw a guy out at the plate this year in April. In fact, Matt has 3 outfield assists this year. Pierre and Jones have 1 --- total.