bukie

This is fun.

I think Boston matches up better with Miami than the Bulls, mostly due to the thin frontcourt not hurting them as much in the matchup, and Boston's defensive ability to limit Miami's transition. I'd still give Chicago and Miami a 75% chance each at reaching the conference finals regardless. As for the rest of the East: - Indiana, to me, is the kind of team that has no business losing their first round matchup, and no business winning their second round matchup. Whoever they catch in the first round, they'll beat in 5-6, and whichever of the Bulls/Heat they catch in the second round, they'll lose in 5-6. - Atlanta is only winning in the first round if they face Orlando, otherwise they're not making it out of the first round. - Orlando is only interesting if they somehow get Miami, which is either going to take a serious nose dive from them over the next two weeks to drop to 7, or they'd have to win their first-round matchup. If they bring it 100% every night, I think their best chance is against Boston aside from Miami, but their composition of Dwight plus shooters is a matchup nightmare for the Heat if they can catch them. - Philly should be better than they are, but they've been just plain terrible the past three weeks. They're excellent at blowing out bad teams, which inflates their overall statistical ratings, but I don't think they're a threat against a playoff team, especially with their troubles down the stretch of games. They'll be lucky to steal two games in their first round series. - New York, I just don't get the appeal. They'd have to get insanely lucky to win two games, and even to take a game from Miami/Chicago they'd need to play well all-around.

Coincidentally, tonight's win clinched the Central Division.

Rose 1-13 from the field for 2 points, and a -24 for the game. And the Bulls won by 10.

Paul Maholm says that's not so easy. Maholm got one out before the Brewers plated any runs.

Shawn Camp has the easiest relief job in the world, get one out before the Brewers plate 8 runs.

119, he's done now.

8 pitch K for Braun, 113 pitches.

Two pitches to get Morgan. Braun up with Garza at 105.

Let's go 7 pitch inning.

Reed Johnson still isn't helping, but has been more productive than Byrd. It's a low bar.

Please no. We've got plenty of bullpen guys who could probably use the work. He's on deck now, so we'll see what the decision is pretty quick.

LaHair joins the hit parade, and now every Cub hitter has at least one hit (Garza is not a Cub hitter).

103 pitches through 8 for Garza. Curious if he pitches in the 9th.

Garza lasted 7 pitches that time.

Castro and possibly LaHair if projections are to be trusted. Maybe Soriano if last year was a clear anomaly.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN198608130.shtml Remains the best game I've ever attended. Bonds' rookie year, and Dunston won it with a HR.

Clevenger's average down to .625.

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Matt+Garza+San+Diego+Padres+v+Chicago+Cubs+qZ7YxQnq1lKl.jpg

That was a fast inning.

The 2012 Cubs. Catch the excitement!

Pitch F/X had strike 3 in the high-outside corner.

The Cubs have now outscored the Brewers for the series.

Manny Parra sighting.

This game is a hilarious example of the importance of defense and baserunning.