TBone

They split that series, and the Cubs won the season series 5-2. Indeed it was a split in a 4-game series. Cubs won Thursday and Friday while the Rox took the weekend games. (and won huge on Saturday) It was more like a Gremlin going head to head against a Pinto. And if you ever go to Coors Field for a Cubs game, stop by the Sports Column beforehand for $2 Old Style before the game. T

Given that the commish vetoed a Jacque Jones trade during the seaon due to payroll implications and the upcoming sale of the club, I find it hard to believe MLB would allow the Cubs to go out and spend a bunch of money, let alone the Trib. I would _think_ that once the books are sent out for review by potential buyers, you wouldn't be able to alter the numbers that much, but I really have no idea about that. T

Looks and sounds like you all had a good time. We were in SportsWorld getting me a new jersey since my old Sosa jerseys didn't seem to have the same mojo as they did in 03. My wife asked if I was going to get a hat, and I said no. I don't recall too much after the 8th inning, but I did wake up and notice a Cubs hat sitting on top of my Ramirez jersey. Apparently the wife made me buy it after the game? What can I say, it was hot as heck, we had GA tickets and went in when they opened the doors, "had" to drink plenty of beers to stay cool while we were out in the sun heckling DBacks players to give us balls in right field, then wound up standing behind home plate where the beer guys get re-filled. Needless to say, we were never short on beers, especially once Hill threw the first pitch. At least the Bears beat the Packers Sunday night.

I think I pretended more realistic things when I was a kid pretending to be Walter Payton than pretending we get Renteia or A-Rod given the potential sale or no-sale of the Cubs in a timely manner. That being said, I'll take DeRo any day over Riot. I'd much rather see Riot being the utility guy who can spell guys or take over for an injury. Yes, his speed is better, but that's about the only thing that he has going for him other than possibly D over DeRo. With an offense that's inconsistent, we can use any "decent" bat in the lineup over another horribly inconsistent singles hitter. T

I'm less than impressed. I saw very few successful sacrifice bunts, although many were attempted by both pitchers and non-pitchers. Offensively, we just didn't execute much in terms of small stuff, hitting to right to get a player from second to third, bunting where appropriate, etc. And Rothchild could try to teach the pitchers how to hold a stinking runner on base. We had 3 lefties in the rotation for much of the year and they couldn't even hold runners on. How does that happen? T

Well, I know I'll get flamed for this, but who cares at this point. I'll be in Chi-town for the weekend, won't get to check the board, and may be trying to forget about baseball for the next 3 months by the time I get back. Nonetheless, it's obvious this lineup isn't hitting the ball. Something's gotta change, and maybe Lou's just trying to get something going. If you look at the possibilities for changes, other than Cedeno over Theriot, I'm not sure there's another logical choice. Although noone's said Soto doesn't call a good game, maybe the pitchers are a bit edgy w/ a rook behind the plate. I don't know, but I don't think this is as bad a deal as many of you make it out to be. (outside of the chance we may very well give up the NLDS record for stolen bases against in a game) I think many of you have too big of a man-crush on a guy who's played all of 19 big-league games and produced big-time offensively in a relatively small sample size. The key to this game will not be who's batting and playing catcher, but rather if we can get a good start out of our pitcher and if anoyone on this team can get a big hit, perhaps bunt a ball fair in the right situation, and our bullpen. Having said that, I hope the DBacks don't wind up with a single in the 9th, steal 2nd, then 3rd with 1 out, and hit a sac fly to win it. Is anyone else wondering why in the heck we're one of the worst bunting teams in MLB along with the inability for pitchers to hold runners? Very poor coaching in that regard at this point in the season to not be able to do these things.

If Kendall's catching last night, does Lilly shake him off at the curveball indicated by Kendall to go fastball against Young? I don't know, just asking...

Lou was essentially saying our pen could better or equal theirs in the game by pulling Z and saving him for game 4, and in most cases I would agree...up to the closer. Unfortunately, Marmol had a bad night. He'll be back later in the series, and hopefully he'll pitch like he has something to prove. But you're right, bring in Woodie or anyone else and give up a run and the second-guessing begins. As it was, the second-guessing has already started. I still feel good w/ Lilly and Hill going in games 2 & 3. Lilly is the stopper of our starters and I think Hill is capable of pitching a better game than Hernandez. Regardless, if we split in Arizona, we should be feeling good about our chances. Now, let's hope the top of the order can get things going tomorrow night. I fully blame tonight's loss to my having to play a volleyball match starting at 8:15. I was unable to wear my Cubs jersey or my lucky pants, although I put the jersey on right about the time the Cubs tied it up. Tomorrow, Cubs jersey and lucky pants for the whole game. Hopefully my clothes stink by the time I show up in Chicago for game 3, as that would mean we won game 2 and I'm wearing the same stuff.

I agree w/ pulling Z at that point. He was at 80 some pitches or so? I think you'll see Z pulling another nice performance in Game 4 now. I really like the way Z's been pitching lately. Outside of his 3-day rest start which I think he was just too amped and overthinking himself, he's looked really, really good. If you ask me, he outpitched Webb tonight. Webb got lucky we stranded so many. Z made just one mistake. Marmol was way overthrowing tonight. Bummer. I don't think he throws too many sliders when he's pitching well, but tonight he was just too amped. There's a place where a Kendall (don't throw tomatoes yet) may have been able to help, although thta would be negated by the 15 SB against him prior to that. Personally, I thought that spot screemed for Woody. He's been there, been pitching very well out of the pen, and would give Marmol a chance at another time when perhaps there's not so much on the line. (for his first postseason experience) I don't feel like we "lost anything" in this game as I thought Webb might pitch them to a win. Unfortunately, we had a great opportunity to steal that game and didn't pull through. Tomorrow night we even it up. It'll just be a little tougher now, but I still feel we've got the tools. Just excecute guys and don't be over-anxious. T

Am I the only one who's wondered often about that play if Moises doesn't spaz out and just walks back to his place in Left if we win the game? T

Problem is, Marshall would be a long reliever which doesn't really help with 2 (out of 3 possible) leftys already in the starting rotation. Can't really argue w/ Marquis over Marshall in that regard. He's been in the heat of a pennant race and has "experience."

Overall I like this. My only worry is the reserves. Three's not a whole lot of pop on the bench. 3 of the 6 can at least hit, maybe not with power. The other 3 are all pretty weak hitters though, although Cedeno's looked good in the last week. T

The Keri dude or whatever. One of the guys that picked the DBacks. T

It's gotta be Hart cause none of those relievers would be a long reliever IMO, and God knows Marquis sucked coming out of the pen?

I'm sure if the Soto signs were actually coordinated, that would happen to be a game in which Lou decides to start Kendall. :( T

Experience may play a factor in certain situations, but over the course of an entire game it usally doesn't play a factor in the overall outcome of the game IMO. Unless of course, you consider Gonzo and the booted grounder in the 8th or the Bull and that grounder that went through his legs. Those had big impacts on their games. ;) You can't discount experience overall IMO, but it just usually doesn't affect the overall game unless it's a big-time situation in which someone barfs it up. If it has little likelihood of affecting one game, it's even less likely to affect the results of a 5 or 7 game series.

all markets except trenton? Sweet! I've been trying to find out if Denver's going to get a little HD for the games. BTW, our power went out in the 3rd inning of tonight's Rocks - Pads game. What a bummer. Thankfully I had a volleyball game where we played horribly. T

I think our pitching in a 7 game series wins out, but their O is clicking. However we've got a few things on our side...experience, (they're very young and even the guys that aren't young don't have a lot of post-season experience) starting pitching, and a closer matchup where we're actually even. That doesn't even take into account that there will be a boat load of Cubs fans in the stands for any game out here. Usually us Cubs fans are 1-3 to 2-3 of the total fan base. I've been to many a Cubs Rocks game out here and we're always loud. If we can get 3 QS in a 7-game series, we're good IMO. Even if not, I'll take our pen and our ability to score against their pen.

I'm not much for signs, (I especially hate the "This year is the year" and "We Believe" signs) but I think this idea might be kinda cool. Blow up a pic of whoever had the goggles in the celebration, with a tag line that says "More goggles please!" T

I looked into the rooftops for a Sox - Cubs game for my bachelor party. We would have been better off scalping tickets to get into Wrigley. Very expensive, although some offer all you can eat and drink if I remember correctly. Your best bet may be to watch the game at one of the bars nearby to experience the excitement.

Fuld has been designated to the Fall League, but apparently told to stay sharp in case of an injury and us needing some speed. That's according to the Sun-Times. (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/582067,CST-SPT-cubnt01.article) Some interesting quotes...

Can't complain too much. He's done a nice job, especially late in the year. I wish his defense in the OF was a bit better as I'm sure a lot of other left fielders would have made some catches he didn't, but his arm in LF and his leadoff homers have done wonders for this team. I know a lot of people would like to have him batting lower in the order, but I think it gives the team a big lift to have the first batter come up and jack one as he's done so often in September. Plus, I'm sure it has a negative affect on the other teams' SP. It would be nice if he were a little more selective at the plate as well, but then he proves me wrong by golfing a low ball into the stands.

Go Rox! And here's why... They have a stupid dinasour as a mascot and his name is Dinger. I kind of wish the Cubs had Tulowitzki. I live in Denver and can't afford to make another trip (have tickets to game 3) to Chicago to see an NLCS game according to my wife. T

You're either a Cubs fan or Sox fan when you grow up in the burbs. My parents were never really sports fans. Back then, WGN showed nearly all the Cubs games and there were no night games. I'd always come home from school and the Cubs would be on. I had a choice between watching the Cubs or Casper the Ghost. Ghosts freak me out. ;) My dad would always crack jokes about the Cubs though and how they would choke. Here's to hoping this year proves otherwise. T

I've been watching the HBO special on the Cubs and their miserable-ness over the years. I always cringe when they show a clip of the Mets fans chanting "Good bye Leo, we hate to see you go." How I would have loved to have been in the stands starting that chant up in mockery today. T