bcl412

Is the wind blowing out? If we can work Sheets and get to the pen we have a chance. Although that requires Marquis to no allow more runs.

Yeah let's destroy the bullpen for a game that is probably already lost and a game we don't really need anyways. This game is probably already lost? Destroy the bullpen how? They've pitched a total of 3 innings in the past 4 days. They could pitch Marshall.

You say that every game.

Not sure I agree with that statement, but let's hope we find out for sure. On one hand, a lot of Chicago people came to really dislike Ditka and thought he actually hurt the team more than he helped, at least after the Super Bowl. Plus, much of his popularity is actually outside of the Chicago Bears fandom, kids who fell in love with the Super Bowl shuffle Bears. But, the Bears are still a nearly 100% Chicago team, whereas a very large portion of Chicago hates the Cubs and would really hate Lou. Plus, look at Ozzie and Francona. Neither of these guys have come anywhere close to as popular as Ditka, and both accomplished similar things to a theoretical Lou WS champ. Lou>Ditka

I'm still nervous about the Brewers until we clinch but that's because I'm a very irrational sports fan.

The Twins are my favorite AL team, but I'm pulling for an all-Chicago WS. I can't think of anything that NYers would hate to see more. If that happens we better win. I would hate those 6 games next year more than I hate them now.

I've seen this mentioned a few times now. I wonder if it really matters whether they start or not. Z, Harden, and Dempster have been around long enough for the Mets to know what to expect. With Z, probably not. On the other hand, the Mets roster has a combined 32 PA's against him, with only Delgado, Anderson, and Beltran having seen him for more than 3 PA's. Dempster is a very different pitcher this year in terms of stuff and in terms of what the batter sees with the glove flip. He didn't pitch against the Mets when they came to Wrigley. I just question how big of a difference actually facing a guy makes versus seeing enough evidence on tape to know what he throws, and being briefed by the hitting coach as to when he likes to throw it. It's not like teams go into games blindly; they know what to expect from the opposing pitcher. At least they should. Yeah, but it's one thing to know what's coming, and it's another to see what came and have that be pretty fresh in your memory. Watching tape for 2 days and getting 0 live ABs against him is different from getting 4 live ABs, watching tape of those ABs and then getting 4 more cracks at Z 5-6 days later. I agree. I can't imagine it's really easy to hit one of Z's tailing fastballs until you seen it before and even then it's not easy when he's throwing it where he wants to.

Actually, baseball is a sport where home field advantage makes a noticeable difference in the game, stemming from the home team batting last. In football and basketball it's much more of a minimal difference. So, for situations like the last Astro series, the games could've been played in Wrigley with the Astros batting last, and they'd have more of a home field advantage than the Cubs. What's the difference between home and road winning percentages in those leagues? The biggest difference in winning percentage is in the NBA, where I'm of the opinion that the officiating makes the majority of the difference. All I was saying is that baseball is the only major sport where home field advantage actually makes a difference in the way the game is played. That's why I added crowd effect instead of the rule but yeah the rules are set for the home team advantage. Also when it comes to crowd for football and basketball I always have college sports in mind. The crowd probably doesn't make as big a difference for pros because it is a lot harder for a professional player to become rattled. And because of cavernous arenas and fan apathy over an 82 game season, the crowds simply aren't as loud in the NBA. (unless the Fan-o-meter is on) The only time you really see loud NBA crowds is in the playoffs. And those still don't compare to college.

No need to apologize, I just like letting the world know my pet peeves. It doesn't matter to me where the season ends as long as it ends in late October. The Cubs haven't ended a season against a divisional opponent since 2008. That's a long time ago...er...in the future. I'm confused.

Actually, baseball is a sport where home field advantage makes a noticeable difference in the game, stemming from the home team batting last. In football and basketball it's much more of a minimal difference. So, for situations like the last Astro series, the games could've been played in Wrigley with the Astros batting last, and they'd have more of a home field advantage than the Cubs. What's the difference between home and road winning percentages in those leagues? The biggest difference in winning percentage is in the NBA, where I'm of the opinion that the officiating makes the majority of the difference. All I was saying is that baseball is the only major sport where home field advantage actually makes a difference in the way the game is played. That's why I added crowd effect instead of the rule but yeah the rules are set for the home team advantage. Also when it comes to crowd for football and basketball I always have college sports in mind. The crowd probably doesn't make as big a difference for pros because it is a lot harder for a professional player to become rattled.

Wait a minute. Is it going to be Bush vs Dick Harden

Albert should have 3 or 4 MVP's by now, and it's an absolute travesty that he doesn't. Without him, the Cardinals are a total non-factor this year. And in 2006. If there was ever really a one man gang, Pujols is it. He's the most disrespected respected player ever. Pujols is almost too good. I look at his stats and just go meh because he's doing what he always does. Play very good baseball. I almost think that his consitently good seasons keeps him from winning the MVP award.

If the Cubs win Piniella will be bigger than Ditka.

To the people who want cheap tickets, don't most teams charge premium tickets for the Cubs or is that just a Brewers, Cardinals and White Sox thing? Just wondering because I love Kauffman and would love to go there again if the Cubs play at KC.

In a game where home field advantage wouldn't seem to mean that much in terms of crowd noise, like football and basketball where it can make a difference, it doesn't really surprise me that the Cubs turned the road record around.

If 2 of Soriano, Lee and Ramirez gets hot, we should be in for a long run in the post season.

I've seen this mentioned a few times now. I wonder if it really matters whether they start or not. Z, Harden, and Dempster have been around long enough for the Mets to know what to expect. Have the Mets faced Harden before? Good, starting Dempster is kind of a new pitcher as well.

If other teams have a problem with resting people when they clinch than try harder to be the best team in baseball and not have to worry about it.

I hope Marquis pitches awesome and I think as a guy ,in 6th maybe the 7th, coming out of the pen in the playoffs he would pitch really well.

I agree. I don't think we win tonight but if Sheets can't beat Marquis then the Brewers have no business being in the playoffs. We win tonight though, I can't wait to see Harden try to close out the division.

I think if they throw a third guy in the booth who could do color they'd be fine.

I don't see the Pack beating Dallas but I hope I am wrong.

we need to get out of this and then get the runs back.

I hope Cotts isn't facing Braun

Bruce Miles said in Baseball Discussions earlier today that Lou was starting to trust Howry more and more. Is this a joke. Why would you trust Howry? Unless you're talking about their social relationship and Howry often tells the truth.