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At this point, even if the Cardinals take 3 out of 4 from the Cubs, I'm going to be more concerned that the Cubs will likely be 1 game behind the Brewers than 3 games ahead of the Cardinals with 12 to play. Still, I hope the Cubs don't think that way. When you have a chance to put a team away, you do it without hesitation. Sure. But the Cubs need to win these 4 games because there are very few games left and they are tied for the division lead. The fact that it's the Cardinals only make it marginally more important.

At this point, even if the Cardinals take 3 out of 4 from the Cubs, I'm going to be more concerned that the Cubs will likely be 1 game behind the Brewers than 3 games ahead of the Cardinals with 12 to play.

No. Sosa's injury shortened season was 1996. His career high in strikeouts was 174 in 1997, when he played 162 games.

I agree with everything here except for Jones. Strikes out twice and grounds into at least one DP. He has a .365/.441/.619 line against the Cardinals in his career, a .462/.533/.615 line alltime against Wainwright, and a .458/.519/.583 line in his last 7 days. Anything could happen because it's one game, but all the splits would point to him likely having a good game.

Oh crap career threatening surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That has been their theme, eh? I'm glad Lee had the day off and I was hoping Lou was going to do it anyway, He looks like he needs a day off to recharge. Good thing it did not come back to bite us in the posterior. Hope he's okay for tonight. Wards a nice back up though. Hope we bring him back next season on another one yr deal with a mutual option for a second. It's not like throwing some scrub over at first like a Lenny Harris/Macias over there. I think Ward has a quality bat from the bench. Just think if Lou did the day before, Lee wouldn't have hit the foul ball off his knee. Hindsight, of course it is but I hope Lou has rested these guys enough to have them ready for the last 2 weeks, which I did say their bats would take off right about now thanks to the time off Lou has given them! Lou's a big picture guy imo and I like what I've seen so far. Perfect, no manager is but overall I like what I have scene. I hope they do too but I wonder if he's been disappointed with his lack of playing time. 1) I doubt Ward is that upset with his playing time. He was signed to be a bat off the bench with very few starts, and he knew what he was getting into. 2) It doesn't matter anyway. The Cubs have a 1.2 million club option on him next year, so Ward will be a Cub in 2008. It's just the Cubs option and not the players? Good. If I were hitting as well as he is I'd want to go to the AL and be a DH. Well, I went back and checked just to be sure. I've always heard it reported as a club option, but the places I checked were split down the middle. Some had it as a club option, and some had it as a mutual option. So I certainly hope it's the former.

Oh crap career threatening surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That has been their theme, eh? I'm glad Lee had the day off and I was hoping Lou was going to do it anyway, He looks like he needs a day off to recharge. Good thing it did not come back to bite us in the posterior. Hope he's okay for tonight. Wards a nice back up though. Hope we bring him back next season on another one yr deal with a mutual option for a second. It's not like throwing some scrub over at first like a Lenny Harris/Macias over there. I think Ward has a quality bat from the bench. Just think if Lou did the day before, Lee wouldn't have hit the foul ball off his knee. Hindsight, of course it is but I hope Lou has rested these guys enough to have them ready for the last 2 weeks, which I did say their bats would take off right about now thanks to the time off Lou has given them! Lou's a big picture guy imo and I like what I've seen so far. Perfect, no manager is but overall I like what I have scene. I hope they do too but I wonder if he's been disappointed with his lack of playing time. 1) I doubt Ward is that upset with his playing time. He was signed to be a bat off the bench with very few starts, and he knew what he was getting into. 2) It doesn't matter anyway. The Cubs have a 1.2 million club option on him next year, so Ward will be a Cub in 2008.

A minimum 7-8 games or you're gone with a sophomore at QB, a still somewhat (at best) iffy offensive line and another sophomore at tailback. There are high expectations and then there are unreasonable demands. In 2008 Notre Dame has near-gimme's against SD State, Stanford, North Carolina, Navy and Syracuse. If they can't win 2-3 games out of the remaining seven, then Weiss has failed -- I don't see how 7-8 wins is unreasonable at all next year. It should be expected. PS Again, I want to stress I dislike ND. That is true-I forgot their schedule will be easier than usual next year due to that game they had to give to SD State. He'll probably have to win 2-3 of the other 7 and not get embarrassed in no more than 2 games.

Well, it doesn't look like Air Force will be an easy game for ND either. They moved to 3-0 tonight with a win over TCU after a win over Utah last week. Their next 2 weeks are at BYU and at Navy-if they win those 2, I really will be concerned about that game.

Are you kidding? Indy has some of the worst fans in the country. Before Peyton, they begged for fans to go to Colts games. The pacers don't draw. There is no way they could support a MLB team with cincy so close. Las Vegas is the most logical place for a baseball team. They'd sell 2.5 million tickets annually, no doubt. I don't support the notion that Indianapolis has terrible fans (I can name a lot of places that are worse) but I do agree that Indianapolis could not support a MLB team. There aren't enough baseball fans, and the ones that are here are committed to the Cubs, Reds, and Cardinals. Not enough would switch to make it worth it.

I think Joe Buck really does hate the Cubs, or at least dislike them... he's a Cardinal announcer, it's not too hard to see the connection. Meanwhile, where is the Jimmy-Claussen-is-God coverage the other day does one get the idea that ESPN hates ND? Oh brother, it's the media. They pump up Jimmy because he got hype. As soon as he shows signs of not being good (which he hasn't really yet), they'll rip him down like they do everyone they put up on a pedestal. And Pat Forde JUST WROTE an article blasting Weis for winning with Willingham's players and being unable to win with his own, ignoring A) that Ty couldn't win with his own players (ever notice how NO ONE points out that Ty's only decent season as coach came with Bob Davie's players?) and B) that very few of Weis's players had any experience at all coming into the season and were immediately charged with beating two (current) Top 20 teams, one on the road in front of 110,000. So there's that. ND got thoroughly outplayed in both games and hasn't scored an offensive touchdown yet this season. Not saying the blame all, or even much blame, belongs to Weis. But when Willingham went through those two bad years, the seniors and juniors on that team were all Bob Davie recruits. If your team has bad senior and junior players, you're not going to win, regardless of how promising your incoming freshmen and sophomores were. Look at the guys that Willingham inherited - not many guys who went on to be successful players at the next level. A couple of things. One-Willingham only had success for one season, while Weis has already had it for two. Weis has already put together three great recruiting classes (including the one he already has put together for next year)-Willingham only had 1 in the top 20. Plus, even with two good seasons under his belt, Weis is already getting questioned by people. From an article in the Indy Star: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070911/SPORTS06/709110325/1068/SPORTS06 If ND has two straight losing seasons like they did under Ty, Weis will be fired. It won't be right, just like it wasn't right under Willingham, but it is at least consistent. You sure about that? Even with the extension he signed after his first year? That's a huge financial hit for the boosters to take. I don't think there's much doubt about it. If the boosters want something done, they won't worry about the money, and believe me in that they won't tolerate losing for very long. Weis needs to win at least 7-8 games next year in order to keep his job.

I think Joe Buck really does hate the Cubs, or at least dislike them... he's a Cardinal announcer, it's not too hard to see the connection. Meanwhile, where is the Jimmy-Claussen-is-God coverage the other day does one get the idea that ESPN hates ND? Oh brother, it's the media. They pump up Jimmy because he got hype. As soon as he shows signs of not being good (which he hasn't really yet), they'll rip him down like they do everyone they put up on a pedestal. And Pat Forde JUST WROTE an article blasting Weis for winning with Willingham's players and being unable to win with his own, ignoring A) that Ty couldn't win with his own players (ever notice how NO ONE points out that Ty's only decent season as coach came with Bob Davie's players?) and B) that very few of Weis's players had any experience at all coming into the season and were immediately charged with beating two (current) Top 20 teams, one on the road in front of 110,000. So there's that. ND got thoroughly outplayed in both games and hasn't scored an offensive touchdown yet this season. Not saying the blame all, or even much blame, belongs to Weis. But when Willingham went through those two bad years, the seniors and juniors on that team were all Bob Davie recruits. If your team has bad senior and junior players, you're not going to win, regardless of how promising your incoming freshmen and sophomores were. Look at the guys that Willingham inherited - not many guys who went on to be successful players at the next level. A couple of things. One-Willingham only had success for one season, while Weis has already had it for two. Weis has already put together three great recruiting classes (including the one he already has put together for next year)-Willingham only had 1 in the top 20. Willingham did have defensive talent and Julius Jones left over from Bob Davie. The cupboard wasn't completely bare, and it would have been less bare if he hadn't changed the offensive system around (not that I'm saying that wasn't the right move eventually, but the QB's and wideouts there were not suited for a West coast offense right away) Plus, even with two good seasons under his belt, Weis is already getting questioned by people. From an article in the Indy Star: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070911/SPORTS06/709110325/1068/SPORTS06 If ND has two straight losing seasons like they did under Ty, Weis will be fired. It won't be right, just like it wasn't right under Willingham, but it is at least consistent.

Cubs.com was once again speculating that this was Trachsel's last start of the season before today's game. From looking at the schedule and the fact that Lou is already skipping Trachsel's next start, at most he will get 1 more, and I think there is a pretty good chance that he won't get that one.

It probably is. I actually like giving DeRosa one day off here. He has been awful against Woody Williams (2 for 16) and could use a day off. I do not support Fontenot batting 2nd, even with his good numbers against Williams and his good numbers in September in limited at bats. Kendall 6th is a pretty good idea with his success against Williams, but I'd rather have him 2nd, Jones 6th, and Fontenot 7th. As for Floyd, he's had 3 straight good games at the plate. I don't mind Lou keeping him in trying for a 4th in a row, and he also has good numbers against Williams.

And the biggest reason ESPN puts Holtz on there is to laugh at him, similar to Corso on Gameday. I'm not sure there's anybody in the country left who thinks he's there to provide good analysis.

I'd be surprised if Soto starts tonight with Kendall being 18 for 38 against Woody Williams in his career with a couple of doubles and a home run. Too bad the good part of his career was a long time ago. Which one? Kendall or Williams? The point is, it's both, but this is probably one of Kendall's 5 best pitcher matchups in the entire major leagues. It's not the night to sit him.

I'd be surprised if Soto starts tonight with Kendall being 18 for 38 against Woody Williams in his career with a couple of doubles and a home run.

Now here's the challenge-can somebody find that clip for us?

2 1/2 weeks of development time for Pie is not going to be worth the drop of the Cubs playoff chances. In fact, one could argue that throwing Pie in there now could hurt his development. Trying to make adjustments in the middle of a playoff race can lead to some bad habits just to get a quick fix, and it can also lead to a much faster loss of confidence if Pie struggles and the team doesn't make the playoffs. In short, let him do what he's doing now, and then plug him in from day 1 next year (at worst have somebody to platoon with him against left-handers) and then don't remove him for the rest of the year. Your right. It probably wouldnt do much good now. He should have been playing since he came up though. I think he should have been playing since he came up in June, and the Cubs would have seen the benefits by now. When they made the mistake of sending him down, by the time he came up in mid-August, I felt it was a little too late in the year for him to make his adjustments at that point (plus Jones was in his huge hot streak). So basically I agree with you that if they had played their cards right, they could have gotten his adjustment period to mostly be in 07, not 08.

2 1/2 weeks of development time for Pie is not going to be worth the drop of the Cubs playoff chances. In fact, one could argue that throwing Pie in there now could hurt his development. Trying to make adjustments in the middle of a playoff race can lead to some bad habits just to get a quick fix, and it can also lead to a much faster loss of confidence if Pie struggles and the team doesn't make the playoffs. In short, let him do what he's doing now, and then plug him in from day 1 next year (at worst have somebody to platoon with him against left-handers) and then don't remove him for the rest of the year. Could we not assume for any team that might be out of it might show us some kid from triple A that Pie is more familiar with than another veteran. would you play him then? A pitcher that Pie has faced and had success with in the minors and Jones hasn't faced? Yeah, I'd start Pie in that scenario.

2 1/2 weeks of development time for Pie is not going to be worth the drop of the Cubs playoff chances. In fact, one could argue that throwing Pie in there now could hurt his development. Trying to make adjustments in the middle of a playoff race can lead to some bad habits just to get a quick fix, and it can also lead to a much faster loss of confidence if Pie struggles and the team doesn't make the playoffs. In short, let him do what he's doing now, and then plug him in from day 1 next year (at worst have somebody to platoon with him against left-handers) and then don't remove him for the rest of the year.

I'd actually be slightly surprised if the Brewers went better than 8-9 the rest of the way. 2 of 3 against cincy (home) 1 of 3 against houston (road) 1 of 4 against atlanta (road) 2 of 3 against st. louis (home) 2 of 4 against san diego (home) I think the Brewers will probably leave this weekend a game up on the Cubs (unless the Cubs continue to just dominate the Cardinals) but after that the Cubs should have opportunities to catch them and pass them.

I say this time the Brewers lose and the Cubs win and they get to try out first all alone for a day. Well, the Cubs have their own destiny tomorrow with the Brewers off. In fact, it's kind of strange-for months, the Cubs had played less games then the Brewers. After the next 3 days, the Cubs will have played 2 more games than the Brewers (because of the off day tomorrow for the Brewers and then the doubleheader on Saturday for the Cubs), and then of course the Cubs have those two off days in a week to a week and a half where the Brewers game thread might reach 40 pages.

regardless, dempster puts far too many runners on base to be an effective closer with 1 run leads. Can Fred provide us with the numbers that show how many inherited 1-run leads Dempster has saved or lost? By my quick count, Dempster is 7 out of 9 this season with a 1 run lead. In 5 of those 7 he went 1-2-3.

True, but before tonight all those 3 had a .994 OPS or higher in September. Those 3 have been carrying the Cubs the last couple weeks, so I'm actually glad to see a night where the other hitters stepped up.

Completely agreed-the first ball should have been an out, the second one should have been a double at most, and Dempster did a great job of pitching out of the jam. BTW, to answer the question earlier, Floyd was taken out and Jones did slide over to RF in the 8th.