Abe Frohman

I'm hearing that Z pointed at his head, as if to tell Barrett to think. Barrett then points at the scoreboard. Z clocked him in the dugout. True?

I think they were talking about dumbest players.

I'm sure that with more playing time, Murton would definately show more power. Jones is another story. He has plenty of at-bats, and one HR? This team needs an infusion of power. The lack of production from the OF is puzzling.

HeHateMe

Bruce is the voice of the people.

The dude got like half of our hits! I actually liked tonights version of the lineup. We'll probably see the same again in late August, I'm sure.

Do Opossum's really have opposable thumbs?

She looks very athletic and flexible to me.

We'll see in 24 hours or so, right?

Did you guys see the girl with A-rod on the front cover of the NY Post? At least he wasn't out all night playing cards and dropping a few hundred grand, you know?

I freaking love it. It worked, and you all know you would love it if a Cub pulled it off. Who cares if it is bush league. I'll tell you what else is bush league: Mark Grace shaking McGwire's hand after he just owned Trachsel, or Sammy Sosa running up and jumping into his arms after he just hurt your team. Not really, but you know...

What would YOU guys do if you had a million dollars?

7 1/3 IP - 3 ER - 5 K ......and the W

Honestly, you haven't been watching the Cubs swinging the bats pretty well lately. Aside from one good inning in LA, this team hasn't done crap offensively since the White Sox series. They've put up a bunch of zeroes, and far too few crooked numbers over that time. I'll give you that, because they have put together some innings that shoulc have kept them in some games. They have not been consistant with the bats, but they have been good enough to pull some wins out that have been losses. I agree, they are going to have to be more consistant with the bats, but the pitching has got to hold the opponants. The LA game the other night is exactly what I have been talking about. Eyre letting Abercrombie steal 2nd and 3rd without a look turned into a quick run and a rally that killed them. Plainly, the Cubs are playing bad baseball all around.

I disagree. Good hitters should be able to launch first pitch fastballs right down the pipe over the bleachers. Ted Williams doesn't. Well, if you launch enough first pitch fastballs into the bleachers, then you won't see first pitch fastballs anymore. And then? You guessed it. You'll have to be more selective/patient. In addition - the more pitches you make the pitcher throw, the better collective chance your team has to crush a mistake pitch, start a rally, etc. If you work the pitcher, he will make mistakes. Seeing more pitches is good. Working the pitcher for a hitable ball is the key.

I disagree. Good hitters should be able to launch first pitch fastballs right down the pipe over the bleachers. Ted Williams doesn't. Good hitters can hit with two strikes. If you swing and the first pitch every time, even if it is a piped fastball, you are going to get yourself out more than you are going to hit it into the stands.

Honestly, I have noticed the Cubs swinging the bats pretty well lately. It's just hard to overcome taking a lead and watching the bullpen not throw strikes and give it back to the opposition. The problem is pitching.

I'll tell you what, I think Brenly made a GREAT point in tonights game. Several times, Barrett called for the high fastball - and I don't think any of the pitchers hit the spot once. Most of the "high" fastballs were left over the plate. So what happens? Bases loaded in a situation where you really want to keep the ball on the ground and Barrett (once again) calls for the high fastball, and it gets pissed on to the wall, clearing the bases. Here's your chance, Cubbies. Gonna need to play some ball as everyone in the NL Central is sucking right now.

I'm kinda with you there. We need bullpen help.

DOH! Yes, Chris Walker! I guess I have Abdul Mahmoud Rauf on the mind. He was a great college basketball player for LSU (Chris Jackson). Didn't realize Walker was that old. Doesn't look like he'll be getting a chance in the near future either, with our logjam in the OF.

How far away do you think Patterson is from being our 2nd baseman? He is already considered one of the oganizations best baserunners and plate disciplined hitter (I know, it's funny). I wonder about Chris Jackson, the outfielder, also. Lots of speed coming up.

I was referring to the comment that Barrett could be a 2B or RFer. With Jones, Floyd, Murton, and Pagan rotating around between CF/RF - doesn't seem like there is enough room when you consider Felix Pie is probably the best thing for the Cubs in CF (defensively with offensive potential). At 2nd base, I wouldn't even really consider Barrett and option. Maybe 1st or 3rd, but the Cubs obviously don't have a need for him there. No - we need a MIFer or corner OFer who can hit. In one of my fantasy worlds, we deal off Jones and Izturis, make Floyd a backup, and make DeRosa the super-sub. We call up Pie to play CF, and start Theriot and Barrett in the MIF. I think one of the best things for this Cub team would be to have a set lineup. I know that is tough as Piniella has a whole slew of people to keep happy, but I think a deal needs to be made to stop some of this pressure of who to play, and where. I'd like to see an outfield of Soriano, Pie, and Floyd - or maybe Murton in LF, Pie and Soriano in RF. Either way, the lineup keeps getting shuffled and that can't be helpful when trying to get everyone settled into a role. Regardless, Barrett is a tough cookie and doesn't seem right with the bat at this time. It seems Blanco should be mixed in a little more - and that seems to be happening with him now being Zambrano's personal catcher.

Do we really need another Middle Infielder or Outfielder?

Trevor Hoffman also has one of the best changeups in the game. Which also begs the question -- if a guy tops out in the low 80's with his fastball and his other pitch is a changeup, how can you not hit him? Yeah, you're right. Most good change-ups are harder than 81 - and I'm not defending Wade Miller, just making the point. It really sounds like his career is over. Topping out in the low 80's prolly isn't going to cut it in MLB.

I don't think Trevor Hoffman got over 84 the other night, but he made the Cubs look like they were swinging rubber bats anyway. Lots of us can hit 80 on the gun, but can we pitch?