RedFlash

I was thinking about this last night, and is there anything that Selig or MLB could do if the Cubs just said they didn't want to play the games at the end of the regular season and would gladly forfeit? Has a team ever forfeited a game before? Not that I have a problem with it - I actually think it would be hilarious if the Cubs just gave MLB the finger - I was just curious about it. The White Sox were the last team to "forfeit a game" and that was the infamous "Disco Demolition" incident. As to when the last time a team volunteerily forfeited one game, much less three, IDK, if that even happen. And if the Cubs did clinch the division, before that "potential" scenerio, I have no problem with either forfeiting the series, or simply use the young players and key role players to play out the series.

LF is a more likely scenerio, cause they got Votto at 1st base.

So, it appears that nothing will be decided until the damage in Houston is assessed. I guess will just have to keep an eye on the weather channel all evening and tomorrow morning. Considering the possible damage Houston area is going to face, I doubt they will go around Houston seeing how the city fares against the storm. Considering I'm looking at the 12 hour forcast, and at midday Saturday, Houston is expect to still be "under heavy rain and winds---winds are projected to be at 40 mph.". I doubt Selig and McClane and whoever will be out in that weather on Saturday. The earliest they will be able to see how Houston is after Ike's damaged would be Sunday night. IMO, I doubt any of the games will be played in Houston, despite McClane villiany about having care for money over safety. Even if they deem the field decent enough by Sunday, nobody will be out to watch the game due to more important issues. Bottomline: McClane is fighting the good fight, but ultimately he is losing the fight.

I smell Bud Selig/Jerry Reinsdorf all over this. Both know Cubs fans want Cuban as owner, and for different reasons neither want Cuban as a Cub owner. Cuban is one that will not get himself manipulated like this article suggests. So I really do doubt the credibility of this guy who reported this.

Yup, the Panthers are always a tough draw. The Colts just didn't plain show up last week, and the Bears overpowered them. But the Panthers will show up. Games against Carolina seem to be the most exciting, at least for me, since I live in NC. So I can't wait till we *hopefully* blow their brains out. I love that matchup against the Panthers without Steve Smith. If Smith wasn't suspended I would give the Panthers the advantage, but without Smith, I almost see the Bears beating the Panthers by 2 scores. Smith is a good WR, no doubt. I don't think he is still a great WR though. I think everybody is putting way too much stock in a game that happened 3 years ago (edit: he actually had 14 catches in the regular season matchup too). He's 29 now. Steve Smith was in his prime then. Chris Thompson was on the Bears roster. If you seriously think the Bears will win by 2 scores w/o Smith and lose with him, that means you think Steve Smith makes up at least 10 points by himself. That's just not the case. I don't believe that it ever was, even as good as his 2005 season was. Even now, Smith still requires double coverage, regardless. Smith is a guy who can dominate a game as much as any WR can in today's game. His mere presence forces teams to account for him, which opens up room for either the slant or the flanker, and the TE and the RB. So to downplay his importance isn't necessarily a smart thing to do. Now, I will give you this, overstating his presence---like most---is also not a smart thing to do. But the fact remains, Smith can and will change a game if the opportunity arises, which has happen more then once. With that said, I think the Bears can win by 2 scores. I am not impressed with Carolina's skilled players.

In a close game, I never turn on the radio during the game if I haven't already been listening. It's bad mojo to shift things like that. In close games (especially the 9th) I usually turn the TV off or turn the channel and peek on the progress of the inning on my laptop or pace all over the house. My Wife thinks I'm crazy..... You are crazy. So am I 8-) Nah, that doesn't make anybody here crazy soul, the thing that makes us crazy, is our choice of rooting for the Cubs. We know the Cubs are going to break our hearts, but we still cheer for them....That's crazy.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=Ak1YjzBUS9tHTi6QagQ9.4ERvLYF?gid=280911124&prov=ap Foul out, infield single, flyout - I doubt Lilly was impressed by Lopez either. Who's Felipe Lopez? And Felipe.....a word of advice.....son.....when you are RELASED by one of the bottom 3 teams in baseball, you have no room to talk crap. Just because the Cards thought you can help them, doesn't mean you are actually valuable. You don't have to be impressed with Lilly, but the bottomline is.....he owned your arse, and he's likely to pitch in the playoffs, and you my son are likely to be looking for another employer in October. You son, have no credibility to be talking crap. Leave that to those who are actually productive.

Something tells me the Cubs are going to take 2 from the Astros, all but eliminating them from the division title.

:banghead: Situation Howry, all screwed up..... I thought the city of Chicago seen the last of this sensationalist bum, but hey, he now can go even more public of his disdain of Ozzie and the White Sox. But why Trib would you sully you're decent name and bring in the biggest douche in Chicago? Was Sullivan and Rogers not enough, you needed to round out the the Stooges. Oh well, I won't be reading the Trib much

Yup, the Panthers are always a tough draw. The Colts just didn't plain show up last week, and the Bears overpowered them. But the Panthers will show up. Games against Carolina seem to be the most exciting, at least for me, since I live in NC. So I can't wait till we *hopefully* blow their brains out. I love that matchup against the Panthers without Steve Smith. If Smith wasn't suspended I would give the Panthers the advantage, but without Smith, I almost see the Bears beating the Panthers by 2 scores.

It's fine to voice concerns about his velocity, but you're jumping to conclusions with the "he isn't the same pitcher" type stuff. It's been pretty well documented that Harden's velocity varies from start to start and it will sometimes drop duringthe seeason. Hell, it's happened before this with the Cubs, and then it comes back. Let's wait and see his next few starts before we start flipping out. I never "flipped out". True, but to say he "isn't the same pitcher" despite making his first start SINCE AUGUST 29TH, or 2 weeks ago, reeks of slight panic.....I expect Harden to be back in the 92-95 range next start out. If the lack of velocity is prolonged, that's one thing (one start doesn't make it prolonged), but right now, to suggest he isn't a "the same pitcher" is trying to get a rise out of people.

I don't much care for all of these crazy scenerios, but I do know they are important to watch for. But the simpliest of simple truths is this...................in the words of Al Davis, the Cubs need to do is this........."Just win, baby." No other scenerio applies to the Cubs, other then taking care of the business at hand.......

Self high five, guys............ After this series in St. Louis, I half-jokingly order everybody to drink a 5th of Jack, or whatever your drink of choice is...............

Do you count Carlos Delgado, Richie Sexson, and Jason Giambi as good---potentiall available---1st basemen? Cause that is basically it for 1b this offseason, other then Tex.

I think it is a sad state of affairs that we, as Cubs fans, are begging our #3 hitter to do something productive.

That idea has never ever been discussed here. Ever. You are the first to think of this. No, really. I know it has, it's just Lee' act of hitting the weakest of dribblers with RISP is growing extremely tiresome. Yet Piniella won't move his "franchise" out of the 3 spot, unless Derrek goes to Lou and says he needs to move for the 3 spot. Until then, "Mr. GIDP" will hit third, for better or for worse.

Except for the fact that the 2008 astros won't make the playoffs. I'm sick and tired of hearing about the great moves to get Hawkins and Wolf. You do realize the Astros are only three games out in the wild card, right? Yeah, maybe so, but I think they are due for a semi-bad losing streak (say 4 of 5) within the next week, which will essentially eliminate them for any postseason chances. And personally, I think the Cubs will end the Astros season.

There's no assuming, Rich Harden will be back with the Cubs in 09. Great production, plus cheap club option===no brainer..

Not me. Rich Harden hasn't pitched since August 29 or something like 13 days. So no, I prefer that one of the team's co-aces pitches more then once every two weeks. If he is comfortable, and is healthy he should start tonight. Edit: NM what I just said. I just saw the weather in St. Louis, and I doubt, very doubt the game will get in tonight. But seeing as the first two games in Houston have been postponed, how about playing the last Cards game in St. Louis tomorrow?

I know this is gonna sound strong-willed, but I seriously doubt the Astros will sweep the Cubs, especially if those games are pushed back.

Not all of us like the "junk in the trunk." If Junk is your thing, I hear Queen Latifah is available..... Regardless of the "talent" at ESPN, Erin Andrews is still one major fox, that I believe most if not all of us guys on this board would love to "get wit it" so to speak.

Kyra Sedgewick.....

I prefer to have taste. Ouch. Don't listen to him, Fall Out Boy is a decent group. I personally like "Thx 4 for memories" and "This ain't a scene."

The Civil War? The Jurassic Age?

Thanks vance.... And Cubs ya'll better win, cause I wont to see this Destiny chick in more game threads....So win.