Anomalied

Who is Jacque Jones?!

whew

If So freaking Taguchi wins this game, I'll jump out the window

Please. Please. If we choke this one up... definitely the most deflating loss of the year... no, no, positive thoughts

Hit the showers, chump. All right, Howry. Shut the door.

All right, pull this clown.

Man, Daryle Ward turned out to be the biggest bargain of the year. He's been huge.

'atta boy, Cliff!

All right... at least let their best player earn it.

Considering that most of us were conceding defeat last night before it even started, and the obvious mismatch in our favor tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if we lost.

I don't want Trachsel pitching for us in the playoffs.

If Lee is out, I'd go... 1. Alfonso Soriano (LF) 2. Jacque Jones (CF) 3. Aramis Ramirez (3B) 4. Cliff Floyd (RF) 5. Mark DeRosa (2B) 6. Daryle Ward (1B) 7. Jason Kendall © 8. Ryan Theriot (SS)

well, we were due to catch a break this was a big one, guys whew... heart rate returning to normal

double play, please...

Why do we do this to ourselves.

0-1 come on baby

NEED a strikeout here, Dempster.

Unbelievable. This is not happening.

Who gives you crap? Maybe not around here, but just about every Cub fan I mention it to brings up the age-old argument of "oh, but he hits so much better in the one hole". But who says that Lou has to cater to whatever King Alfonso wants? Just because he's hit .183 or whatever in the five spot doesn't mean that he'll perform that poorly over a whole season. You'd need a much larger sample size. The guy swings at everything, doesn't walk, doesn't even steal anymore... he just doesn't fit the mold of a leadoff hitter. He should be hitting cleanup or fifth, but for some reason most Cub fans I talk to about it just won't accept that he could hit lower in the order.

His OBP is the same as Pierre's was last season... and people still give me crap when I say he shouldn't be leading off.

If we manage to sign Fukudome, I'd like to see... 1. Alfonso Soriano (LF) 2. Ryan Theriot (SS) 3. Derrek Lee (1B) 4. Aramis Ramirez (3B) 5. Kosuke Fukudome (RF) 6. Mark DeRosa (2B) 7. Geovany Soto © 8. Felix Pie (CF) Sticking Pie at the bottom of the order will put him in a low-pressure spot, where I believe he will excel. Once he does, move him up. I still think that he'll eventually be our leadoff hitter and Soriano can move down to the 5 (where he belongs).

Ridiculous to boo Wuertz with a nine run lead, but I love how the crowd is immediately back on his side the first time he throws a strike.

Well, this certainly helps to relieve the bad taste yesterday's game left in my mouth.

For reference, and assuming Ward and Eyre's options are exercised... I don't know if players like Cedeno or Gallagher will make the team, but I just added them to fill out the roster. http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4359/cubsnn4.jpg I figure we're saddled with Eyre and Dempster, but after his performance in the second half, Jacque Jones could warrant a few suitors. Let's say he's traded for prospects. Starting Lineup 1. Alfonso Soriano (RF) 2. Matt Murton (LF) 3. Derrek Lee (1B) 4. Alex Rodriguez (SS) 5. Aramis Ramirez (3B) 6. Mark DeRosa (2B) 7. Geovany Soto © 8. Felix Pie (CF) Starting Rotation 1. Carlos Zambrano (SP) 2. Ted Lilly (SP) 3. Jason Marquis (SP) 4. Rich Hill (SP) 5. Sean Marshall (SP) Bench 1. Ryan Theriot (IF) 2. Mike Fontenot (IF) 3. Daryle Ward (IF/OF) 4. Angel Pagan (OF) 5. Henry Blanco © Bullpen 1. Ryan Dempster (LR) 2. Michael Wuertz (MR) 3. Will Ohman (MR) 4. Kerry Wood (MR) 5. Scott Eyre (SU) 6. Bob Howry (SU) 7. Carlos Marmol (CP) The lineup is heavy on right-handers, but lefties have given us the most trouble, so I wouldn't be too worried. Yeah, I know A-Rod seems like a pipe dream, but you never know. As for Soriano moving to right, I'd trust his defense out there much more than I would Murton's. I don't expect the rotation to change. Marmol taking over the closer's role is bound to happen after the terrific season he's had. Dempster then becomes the long reliever/spot starter.

Come on! Why can't we catch a break?!