jersey cubs fan

didn't he strike out the next batter?

Nice of Havlat get the injury over early before lifting hopes to high with a scoring binge.

they need to keep that idiot broadcasting nba nonsense. get out of the ballpark.

There's credence to the argument that, after flipping Riot and DeRo, you could swap Riot out for Cedeno and improve the lineup. There's credence, but not altogether great IMO. Theriot is 174 points better against left-handers than right handers in his career. Cedeno in his career is 131 points better against right-handers than left-handers. Theriot is 4/6 against Davis, and Cedeno is 0/6. I'm all for giving Cedeno some starts right now, but this is the type of matchup that is good for Theriot. A left-hander who is a nibbler, won't come inside much, and Theriot has had success against him. Cedeno meanwhile struggles against left-handers, loves the ball inside, loves fastballs, and struggles with patience with pitchers who throw just off the outside corner. He also has had no success with Davis in limited at-bats. I'd start Cedeno at least one of Saturday or Sunday, but not tonight. Does Davis really stay outside all the time? He described himself as somebody who comes inside a lot.

gotta love AL teams "trying to make something happen on the basepaths" and just running into outs.

What did he say? "he didn't have it, but X and I both had it fair, it was clear. No, it didn't hit the foul pole, it was just inside the pole."

on the other hand, I would say: Kendall may or may not be upset, but who cares?

This game is going to end around 11:45.

Lots of words don't mean it's right. If he was going to sit him down early, he should have pinch hit his sub 593 OPS pitcher for Ward and his 963 OPS with the bases loaded and the only big inning chance of the night. Plus, Marmol is most likely not the same Marmol from midseason. Lou ran him into the ground with an insane amount of work. He got rocked in Florida and Arizona for a reason. I think it's funny he gets praised for actually using the right catcher.

in fairness, it wasn't just a red light. he picked nevin out as one guy most likely to suffer a major injury and miss most or all of the season, and nevin was hurt a few days later. He separated his shoulder diving for a ball in the OF, unless Carroll had some sort of info leading him to think Nevin had a shoulder that couldn't handle diving on it, I'm not buying it. Nevermind the fact that he's crowing about something he predicted 4 years ago as evidence of don't you dare question the almighty Will I agree that Carroll is too pompous for his own (or anyone's) good, and that it's silly to still be bragging about this prediction. However, it was a pretty impressive call. Here's his quote -- And he did cite his shoulder as the body part to be feared. Link Alright that's admittedly pretty good. My whole deal is if BP will allow Carrol to gloat on their dime then they should demand Silver eat his crow. Alright -- perhaps not unless the Cubs lose another game in the series. I'll bet there won't be a word if we lose another game, though. Doesn't it look petty to anyone else that you allow gloating on one hand, but then ignore when you're wrong on the other?? Maybe I'm all alone on this, fine. It just rubs me the wrong way. It really does. I think these two things are apples and organges. No, strike that, apples, and cucumbers. Yeah, I don't get demanding an apology for being wrong about predicting a sweep just because a different writer wrote about how correct his predictions were.

Will Carroll humble?? The best part about Carroll's gloating is that he pretty much has nothing to do with PECOTA. And the "I predicted Phil Nevin too bitches!" at the end was ludicrous. Acting like a petulant child. I have no idea what people are talking about now.

Considering I thought it was a coin flip going in, and AZ already has the advantage, I'd have to lean to the DBacks. The fact that everybody and his mother were inexplicably calling the Cubs a favorite made it a great bet to pick the DBacks. I don't like the chances of winning with Zambrano at home on 3 days rest, which just makes winning the next two all the more important.

Why? They aren't that good. That may be true, but this is a no contest on paper. I still don't understand how people could have possibly thought things like this before last night.

I don't get why they started the main slate during MLB playoffs opening night. Why not make a big deal of starting Tuesday, when no other sports are one. Promote the crap out of it. Have every team play. Do something. Well, anyway, I'm glad to watch the Center Ice free preview, although I don't see myself buying it unless the Hawks are solid by midseason. I watched some hockey between the Boston and Cubs games. Heard Montreal in French. Saw a sloppy shootout. Normally I'd rather see a team bottom out than finish somewhere like 10th or 11th in the conference and draft 10th-12th overall. But with all the losing, I think I'd actually prefer just missing the playoffs than seeing them draft high again. At least flirt with 40 wins this year and give reason for hope in 2008-2009. Although I'd take a playoff appearance as well.

Francis looks like an actor in a movie with a bad special effects budget with that rotating ad sign behind him right now.

It's a risky idea, if it's true. It's the right gesture, but so much could go wrong if the team happens to lose.

I like our chances against the Rockies, but honestly I just like the team better...I'm a fan of Helton's and as long as it doesn't hurt the Cubs, I'd like to see him do well. I'm with you.

The only part of 2006 I care to think about is Dusty Baker finally left. Oh, and Rich Hill was finally given some sort of shot late in the season.

Actually, yes. I was part of ESPN's "Five Reasons You Can't Blame Bartman" special. I hated to see this kid get tarred and feathered. Alex Gonzalez ought to send Bartman Christmas cards every year. The thing I hate about the networks is their fascination with Bartman and the goat. It has really started up the past few days. It reminds me why I used to pity Red Sox fans with the non-stop curse talk.

Until it ends.

Here's the thing: Sometimes you've got to go out on a limb. In '05, having watched the Cubs-Astros finish the regular season, I thought the 'Stros bullpen was pretty vulnerable. So I toyed with picking the White Sox in four in the Serious. But I chickened out and played it safe with picking the Sox in 5. So, what the heck, let's go with a Cubs sweep. BTW, I've got a great right-hand man helping me in Tim Sassone. He's our Blackhawks writer and a nominee for the writers' wing of the hockey Hall of Fame. Check out his stuff on our page. Tim does a great, great job. If he has the Hawks winning the Central I'll know you two have either spent too much time in the sun or the bars. Wait a minute, does this mean nobody is minding the ship up there in Minnesota for Thursday's game?

thanks bruce. 3 huh?

OPS normalized for park factors and the league. 100 is average.

I wouldn't say he's miles beyond Walker, but he's certainly been better than almost every other versatile player Hendry has gone after.

Wouldn't a goat be somebody who caused the team to lose a big game or something? I was critical of the DeRosa signing because 2006 was the first year he did much of anything over any prolonged duration. He absolutely sucked in the one year he got his most playing time. But I warmed to him pretty much as soon as he started playing. He's been a very nice addition as the starting second baseman. If he can maintain a 100 OPS+ at second base he'll have been more than worth the money.