Sammy Sofa

Then why bother? Because I am a Cubs fan. Have been for well over 30 years. I want them to win as much as anyone else. It kills me to see them fail time and time again, yet I can't walk away. I blame my dad for inflicting me with the sickness. Are you my long-lost brother, because we're the same. Look, I know two of you will take this the wrong way, but it really comes across like you just generally don't like the team or being Cubs fans. It's like you prefer when things are going bad because it gives you an excuse to be as melodramatic and "woe is us" as possible. I obviously don't know either of you, but that's just how the posts come across. I'm not saying this to start drama or whatever; it's just something that keeps coming up and surely you've seen how so many people respond to your posts because of their tone and repeated bouts of self-loathing.

Even that top 4 really isn't that awe inspiring outside of the Phillies. The NL is just bad.

Where? From who?

We'll see. Their performance to this point does not dictate the rest of year since it's still only the first of May. If Aramis ever wakes up and Lou gets wise and starts playing Soto more and higher in the lineup you could see this offense be much more consistent. Nothing is set in stone at this point. you are right nothing is set in stone. That's why they play the games. But it's looking increasingly unlikely that we are going anywhere. Even if we get better hitting, can we assume that the pitching will hold up. Will gorz and silva have under 3 eras all year? Hell the pen hasn't even had the chance to suck for us lately. And despite all this we could get our crap together. But don't expect to fatten up on crappy teams to get back in a playoff race. Well have to play .550-.600 ball against a schedule that is packed with contenders. So unless we suddenly play like a top 1-2 team in the NL it's gonna be tough. Were not going to be able to win 85 games and take a weak division this year. I think you're pretty drastically overrating their schedule. It's obviously not a cakewalk, but the NL by and large is not very good, so even the "contenders" are still very beatable. And "increasingly unlikely" still doesn't erase that it's only May 5th. Sure, Gorzelanny or Silva could fall out of the rotation, but you have Zambrano available to move right back in. Yeah, the bullpen could be horrible, or it could be perfectly serviceable.

Then why bother?

Ugh, Aramis just cannot do anything with pitches he usually crushes. Very frustrating.

We'll see. Their performance to this point does not dictate the rest of year since it's still only the first of May. If Aramis ever wakes up and Lou gets wise and starts playing Soto more and higher in the lineup you could see this offense be much more consistent. Nothing is set in stone at this point.

He could just come back out and pitch the 9th if they go ahead. And they still have Marshall.

When is the last time he pitched? 1st of May. Yeah, getting him work tonight actually makes sense.

And then the Pirates took a series from the Brewers in Milwuakee. We're all kinds of screwed up.

Why would Lou view Chad Tracy as the first bat off the bench? They're only down 2. I'm just baffled as to how he justifies so many of his managerial decisions.

This wasn't a guy to show patience against tonight. He was consistently throwing in the zone and throwing first and second pitch strikes. They were just making bad contact.

Well, even a good team is going to look piss poor over the course of a 162 game season, and lose to bad teams. Not that this is necessarily a good Cubs team.

I'm assuming it's just the plays when Theriot is shaded over due to a hitter, but damned if it doesn't seem like those rollers up the middle are always getting by him.

Lou, PLEASE, if Fontenot reaches you have to let Soto hit. It's just common sense.

Alright Fontenot, time to let some of sneaky power sneak back in.

That doesn't seem like a very constructive post. I think he should stop. Maybe you should ask him nicely. Sorry, I should have mixed in some variation of "ONLY THE CUBS" or "ballgame" or complaining about the team like they're the worst thing in the universe or how awful it is to be a Cubs fan.

Good Lord, some of you people are schitzo.

I'm glad I got to make fun of Church when he was with the Nationals. I hope I made him cry.

Yeah, there's zero chance he actually thought he fouled it.

Possible stress fracture. We're keeping an eye out.

Like I said on the first page, the Cubs win this one 8-3. Relax, boys. It's in the bag.

I don't think so. Other fan bases hate us. It isn't like oh man they suck, lol crap either. Well, of course. Fans of teams like the Cardinals and White Sox and Brewers aren't going to be fond of the Cubs or their fans. I just think it's a stretch to effectively imply that the average baseball fan outside of rival fanbases hates the Cubs.

Did Hill catch Lilly's last start?

Is Byrd OK after that double by CM? He seemed to be hoofing it.