big_shooter17

Better friggin not be. I am in the absolutely no faith camp.

Now Ward? I guess that Lou knew that anyone would be walked.

Stranding time!!! That or if they come in, Howry has an opportunity for a very well earned win.

I am fairly certain that Lou will now think that Howry has to come around next time. He thinks that the law of averages mean that he will pitch good soon even though the reality is that this outing is actually a good Howry outing.

Piniella sucks

Lou just wanted Wood to come in while behind so that he wouldn't have pressure on him. That and Piniella is frequently a jackass when using his chum for life, bob howry.

I had this feeling that when Harden would have a shaky start, that'd be when the Cubs would actually score to make up for those games where he was spot on and couldn't buy a win.

This is the inning that decides the game. They have to hold 'em or else it is over. I have confidence with whoever Lou will use in the 8th and 9th, but this is it.

He didn't do it, but he did get two more RBI. Has a player ever hit two grand slams in the same inning before? Fernando Tatis a few years ago for the Cards.

If it was Houston against Cincinnati, you could be assured that this thing would have been called ages ago.

I just liked DeRosa because he has more pop and this is the place to take your shot.

I think that this is a spot for DeRo

This is the inning that the offense will come alive.

They will still pull this out. Next inning the Cubs will get it started.

Yet he's one out from a quality start. I can't say that I'm happy with mediocre pitching. I'm just not mad about it either. That's kind of what mediocre is. In a pennant race, mediocrity steams me up a little. I guess we're just different like that. He's a 5th starter... Jeff Karstens is out pitching him. Funny how the way that Karstens is pitching and the Cubs are hitting affects how Marquis' performance is judged. If it were 6-3, everyone would be saying how Marquis did a nice job of keeping the team in the game and did what he needed to do.

I was about to say that if Fielder wasn't tossed for breaking that bat, I'd be even more upset about Sinatro's ejection.

I especially love how Sabathia was very average while the guy that we got blew their lineup away. I know that it is just a couple of games, but the media made it sound like the Brewers made a far better move than we did. I love how Harden looked much better than Sabathia while we all know that Harden can do much better than that.

No

If Hendry was even thinking about picking up the phone this afternoon, I guess that he has reinforced his decision to stand pat this afternoon.

??? Cubs team OBP: .355 Marlins team OBP: .319 My mistake, looked at the wrong stat there.

I have to admit that I had really hoped for a Harden vs. Sabathia matchup here as soon as we got Rich. I would love to have us take that one just to make a statement. That said, if Lilly can get it done and the Harden game is won against Dave Bush who we are bound to hit hard at some point, that would do just as good for me.

Have to say that fans have already put a statue out in front of Wrigley with the stuff being said. I have to say that Kevin Hart looked really good last year and people were going to name babies after him. He did look good against the Marlins but is that a team you want to compare him to. The Marlins have no plate discipline and are free swingers and swung at some bad pitches. Lets wait a few games when he goes against a few veteran teams and they are laying off those pitches. Then you throw him in the middle of a playoff race with a team trying to win now and also lets see how he bounces back after his first rough outing. I'm not saying that he's not going to be a good pitcher but realistically how bout we wait till he's thrown a few more innings..... The difference between Samardzija and Hart is that Jeff has shown better stuff in these first few innings. His pitches look like he can dominate. With Hart, he needs to hit his spots and cannot rely on what his stuff alone. I will not say that Samardzija is or will be Kerry Wood right up front, but pitchers who can throw the ball like this don't have to be on to pitch well. Kevin Hart is much more hittable. The Marlins may be free swingers, but they have a higher OBP than the Cubs and are right up there in HR overall. I don't think that you are giving enough credit to a team that is also in the middle of a pennant race. This said, I am not someone who is hailing Samardzija as the savior of the bullpen, but he certainly is capable of helping this team more than some of the other guys that we have seen this year. If he can settle in as the 7th inning guy, I'd be very happy.

I also am not from Chicago, but have done the Wrigley trip a couple of times. Shedd Aquarium is a must in my opinion and I'm not really a sea life kind of guy. I would put that as a must visit personally. I know that it is kind of kitschy and stuff, but I did like the Billy Goat Tavern and have gone twice. I thought that the burgers were fairly good and it is one of those neat kinds of places to visit. If you like art, the Art Institute is pretty good. I don't really know what I'm looking at with that stuff, but I had a pretty good time there. The parks in Chicago are great and try to go to Second City if you have a free night, both times that I went, I had an awesome time. Otherwise, in my opinion, just enjoy downtown.

I am fully expecting Lou to say things about him. One time is one thing, but this time he showed a lot more anger and to toss 2, Lou will be more likely to say something because now he will be defending one of his coaches as well as himself.

Yep. He was ejected while walking back to the dugout. That's right, now I remember. After this one, there better be a complaint filed and like I said earlier, the complaint should have nothing to do with the call, but with the way that the umpire handled it. These guys are supposed to be mediators on the field, not children that react in the way which garners them the most facetime.