inari

It won't hit me that the Cubs are really in the playoffs again until the game starts up.

I think our pitching was a tad better back in 2003. Offensively, we are lots better now. A tad better? Our pitching was leaps and bounds better in 2003. This year's team has a marginally better offense and a much better bullpen, but overall, I'd say this team is not as good as the 2003 one and is not even close to the 2004 one.

I'd be stunned if he's not a Cub. He's just the kind of player Hendry loves.

Most of the ESPN guys are predicting a Cubs series win as well.

Rockies will win it here. I have literally zero doubt.

Lineups are posted: CF Lofton 2B Grudzielanek RF Sosa LF Alou 3B Ramirez 1B Karros SS Gonzalez C Miller

I'd be a lot more happy with his production if he was in center, right, or even at second base.

For my neighbor back home, who is currently suffering from cancer. His prognosis isn't good, and if he doesn't get to see them win one this year, it's almost certain he never will.

On paper, absolutely everything is in our favor. I genuinely believe we'll take this series in four games.

I am begging someone to record this for me. I'll be at work.

The 2007 Mets remind me of the 2004 Cubs in so many ways. Coming off a heartbreaking NLCS loss, seemingly safe lead going into the stretch, Moises Alou; the list goes on and on.

Don't know the temperature range to be honest with you, but it was one of the warmer home openers in recent years. That said, everyone still needed to bundle up. I was there. I froze my ass off. Wait until you go to a few more. This year was downright pleasant compared to most of the others I've been to. I have to agree with this sentiment. 2004 in particular sticks out as a terribly cold day (and an awful game too).

I almost went to Mizzou. That count for anything?

90-70 isn't lucky. Best team in the NL, isn't lucky. People have said that for months, still wrong. Now, who is pitching for you guys Game 1, 2, 3? Assuming we meet up. 1: Webb vs -- 2: Davis vs -- 3: No idea vs. -- The DBacks have given up more runs than they've allowed. They're clearly a lucky ass team. Ok? We're great in close games, but when we lose we get murdered cause our long relief guys like Edgar Gonzalez, and Dustin Nippert are terrible.Read it While I agree that the Diamondbacks are one of very few teams where run differential doesn't tell the whole story, they have still gotten quite lucky. They just haven't gotten nearly as lucky as their RS:RA would indicate. They're a good team, but there's no doubt they're the team I'd most like to play. I know alot of people disagree with me, but it wouldn't feel like a playoff game in the daytime... I'm going on Saturday and I'll be pretty disappointed if it's not a night game. Now I've got a question. Do they do the pregame team introductions during the DS or does that not happen till the next round?

When the Cubs choke down the stretch and barely miss the playoffs, they're hell and I don't watch them (2004). When the Cubs never really had a shot to make the playoffs, they're pretty entertaining (every year). When the Cubs are in the playoffs... oh baby.

Don't know the temperature range to be honest with you, but it was one of the warmer home openers in recent years. That said, everyone still needed to bundle up.

Luckily, I was hosting a party at my apartment. Couldn't have risked going out and not having the Cubs on. But otherwise, I was pretty much like you, except I whipped out a bottle of champagne. When you have 60 people over, that doesn't last long, unfortunately. Ha. Unfortunately for me, many of the people there didn't care about the Cubs much because they were all busy celebrating the Phillies being in 1st place. That's why you should've gone to a Big Ten school in closer proximity to Chicago, my friend. Honestly though, I'm pretty pumped about the Phillies too. I despise the Mets, their fans, their stadium, and their stupid mascot. Yankees fans are infinitely more tolerable than their Queens counterparts.

I've got the whole 2 odd some hours on WGN radio recorded at the celebration. It has Lou tearing up, and tons of great stuff. I can post some snippets later if anyone wants it. It's gonna take a long time to clean it up real good. By the way, are the Cubs going to skip any of the main 5 pitchers? I would assume they will give Ramirez some rest. Can you imagine any of the "main" guys playing today and tommorow? First of all, I'd love to get my hands on the radio broadcast. I'm sure I'm not alone. And I'd guess that a couple of players that have had injury issues (Soriano, Rammy) will sit today, and all the starters will be gone by the 7th. Tomorrow, I'd guess everyone plays to make sure they're tuned up, but they will all be out by the 5th. I'd expect Sean Gallagher or Kevin Hart to get the start tomorrow.

I think we traded him for Craig Monroe.

Luckily, I was hosting a party at my apartment. Couldn't have risked going out and not having the Cubs on. But otherwise, I was pretty much like you, except I whipped out a bottle of champagne. When you have 60 people over, that doesn't last long, unfortunately.

Alas, I'll be with my family, otherwise I'd love to join in.

This seems like either a really appropriate or really inappropriate time to share my photos from opening day 2007. You decide which it is. http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465921_3018.jpg http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465922_3260.jpg http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465925_3997.jpg http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465926_4251.jpg Geovany Soto before there was Geovany Soto. http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465928_4894.jpg http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465929_5148.jpg http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465931_5647.jpg http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465932_5904.jpg http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465936_6904.jpg http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465937_7162.jpg http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465938_7414.jpg http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465939_7676.jpg http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465940_7943.jpg http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465941_8208.jpg http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v132/167/41/14824290/n14824290_36465942_8480.jpg Sorry for the netting. Anyway, I thought it was pretty fun to look back at the start of the season. I for one did not expect the ride to be quite this wild, exciting, maddening, joyous, frustrating, thrilling, heart-wrenching, and ultimately, fun.

I'm excited to go get this stuff. Hopefully they'll have it in the sporting stores in Iowa sometime today.

Why am I a Cubs fan? ...you're saying there's an alternative?

With you 100%.