soapy

fantastic play

three in a row right up against the wall. hahahah...at least one finally fell in.

We have to take him over Dunn though because can you imagine how bad Dunn's defense would have been in right field? wait, what should Bradley have done there? I am not watchign at this point, just following online, so going off reactions. it took a funny bounce off the wall. he did absolutely nothing wrong, but i wouldn't expect cubswin2009 (most ironic name ever) to consider that.

We have to take him over Dunn though because can you imagine how bad Dunn's defense would have been in right field? wait, what should Bradley have done there?

i don't really think Pujols admires his HR's anymore than a lot of guys, like Soriano or Ramirez.

for dew and anyone else suggesting Durham: how long is it going to take a 37 year old who hasn't been playing to get in "game shape"? i can't really see him as a viable option as far as replacing some of Ramirez' production. edit: i guess some others already beat me to that question.

hahahaha...nice

I'm sure the Mets are looking to acquire more than a 1B who can't hit anymore. And I'm all for playing Hoff more, but Soto will come around. However, if Lou saying that he'll play Hill over Geo if he doesn't turn it around soon lights a fire under him and gets his bat going, then I'm all for it. But wouldn't you say Soto already is coming around (or even has come around)? His SLG is still pathetic but he's got a .280 BA and .362 OBP in May.

completely boggled the mind.

why are people assuming that Hendry isn't considering/trying to find a replacement for Aramis at 3B and/or also trade Fox? you seriously think this stuff hasn't occured to him? i have my problems with Hendry, but i have to believe he's working on a solution. I'm in favor of calling up Fox to use off of the bench with some occasional action at 1B or possibly RF, but I really can't see Lou letting him anywhere near 3B. on one hand people are getting on Lou for panicking (rightfully so), but then they want Hendry to turn around and do exactly that; panic. Before the last two games the offense has put up the following run totals in May: 8, 6, 6, 4, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6, 4, 6, 6, 11, 5, 5. That's 5.6 runs per game. Lee and Soto are (seemingly) starting to hit and the Cubs are three games back. I'm all for finding someone to fill in at 3B while Ramirez is out or if they think he won't be the same when he comes back, but I don't want to see Hendry make a panic trade.

I thought Bruce's most recent blog would make for an interesting discussion topic. Bruce questions the need for 12 pitchers, given that they really aren't even using 12. Patton hasn't appeared in a game since May 9. He's appeared in one of the last eleven games. His 1.784 WHIP isn't exactly lighting the world on fire, not that one would expect much more from a guy who's never thrown above A. At what point is it no longer worth holding a roster spot for him just so you don't have to give him back? What are you going to get from Patton that you can't get from someone like, say, Jeff Stevens (as one example). Of course the other candidate to be removed is Cotts. Lou has finally stopped going to him, and now seems poised to make Marshall his lefty out of the pen. Setting aside whether or not that's a good idea, things appear headed that way, particularly if Wells puts together a few more good starts. Point being, the Cubs aren't even use 12 pitchers. At this point it seems the extra bat could be of more help. Despite not having a position, it probably makes sense to call up Jake Fox and take advantage of his incredible hot streak (or maybe it's even more than that). He could get plenty of PAs as a pinch-hitter and getting a little time at 1B, LF, RF or even (gulp) 3B. Curious to see where everyone else comes out on this.

i check these threads and the box scores every day and i could almost never tell you who actually won the game(s).

well, sure. if they can maintain that success rate then why not. i doubt that can/will happen though.

my biggest fear is that Lou is going to (and maybe to some extent, he already has) use this as justification for trying even harder to "make things happen" on the base paths with steals and hit-'n-runs leading to even more unnecessary outs on the bases. BB was falling all over himself the other day about how they need to "make things happen" and "push the right buttons" with Ramirez and Lee out (and Soto/Fontenot struggling).

Member 2007, maybe need to float back to the post of 2003 hahahaha...yeah, what a noob.

Yeah, I think it was July '03. He'd just been chosen to be on the all-star team and then blew out the knee at 1B.

this

probably the most incredible game i've ever seen. i can't even fathom if it's a Det/Chi finals and the Hawks win......oh goodness.

.300/.364/.500 in the last five games. hopefully Milton is heating up. God knows they need it.

poop

this is fun, in a "hostel" sort of way

good effort, miles, you pos

seriously. i just had a round cancelled due to rain for the second time this week. accuweather can eat it for lying to me all week about today's weather.

opps...Marmol I guess I don't see why warming up excessively the night before would make him reluctant to use Guzman. He's pitched in one of the last seven games (and not since Sunday) while Marmol has now pitched in seven of the last nine games. I understand wanting to be cautious with Guzman's injury history, but come on...

you think Guzman wasn't capable of getting out of that "near disaster"? no team has the luxury of using their "top" bullpen guys in tight games only and relegating the other four to garbage innings. Guzman and Heilman especially have to be used in those situations sometimes. i can understand Lou's desire to avoid Cotts and Patton in those spots if possible, but Guzman and Heilman have been terrific.