CubmanPi

Fixed Meh. I think Z 'earning his money' this game is a much bigger deal than Sori doing so. His last few starts have been rough, and his last one in SF was definitely a rally killer for a team which seemed to have remembered how to win for the week prior. If Sori is the difference between this team's failure and success against Sheets and the extended use the bullpen is sure to get behind him, then the offense doesn't deserve whatever runs they get. Z needs to allow his bullpen a little breathing room.

I thought it was a little much to boo him before he even started singing, and I was disappointed to hear it. I was listening to the mlb.radio feed, so I heard the fans sing it again on their own and thought that was pretty cool. If the fans would have cheered him at the beginning and just booed him at the Brewers part of his rendition, I think that would have been better and much more along the lines of friendly banter, but I also can't really blame the fans for taking the competition to the point of being unwelcoming to Uecker. If either the Brewers or the Cubs were out of the race, then this game means nothing and I highly doubt the fans give the same reaction - it was solely a product of the magnitude of the series. So while I'm disappointed that they booed him so much, I don't think it was a terrible thing.

Jock's AB in the 7th is also a small sample size. It may not be enough to make the blanket statement that Jock owns Shouse, but in the event that he came through, it's enough to look back and decide you should have known better.

The schedule link on cubs.com shows Thursday's game being broadcast on WGN.

I stand corrected, CCP - good post.

If Z does anything at the plate other than strike out (I'll leave a sac bunt as grey area), I'll be thoroughly shocked and make it a point to eat crow in this thread. He has been overswinging like never before lately. I'll also add that if he pulls his head out of his donkey and pitches like the Z he's supposed to be, I couldn't care less what he does at the plate.

Plus, I'm thinking a premature return of a starting pitcher could prove much more damaging :D

If Yost HAD to go to the pen, any lefty would do. The one he brought out in the 8th K'd all three batters he faced, including our new specialist brought in for the specific purpose of hitting lefties. The other option Yost had was leaving Suppan in. He just hit Cliff Floyd and had only thrown 82 pitches, and he was very easily mowing down the entire lineup. It was Suppan's game, and he should have had more of a chance to lose it. He wasn't even allowed to face the potential tying run in a 3-1 game.

Still no votes for a Brewers sweep? Buncha homers.

Sheets is making hsi first start in forever, he's been having blister issues, and supposedly that ligament hasn't even fully healed, and he will most likely be on a 75- or 85-pitch leash. Watch him throw a shutout.

I find it amusing that the first place Cubs finally get a showdown with the second-place Brewers, win the first game, and only increase their division lead by half a game. I really really hate the Cardinals.

I expect nothing less. I'll be honestly and thoroughly pleased with them if they manage to take 1 game this week.

Suppan knows he pitched fine. I don't want to be in the same county as a brewers fan though, especially if I'm Ned Yost.

Rich Hill just gave me a semi.

One more out, Rich. Let's get this game off to a smooth start.

Look out, warning track!! (Except for Jason Kendall and Daryle Ward, who might find the basket once between them.)

Just got back from the dentist. They were poking needles and drilling around and scraping and doing who knows what, but I couldn't think about anything but this series. Yea, it's all fine and dandy that the Cubs are involved in important games at the end of August, but it'd be REALLY nice if they can actually win said important games. Dont suck, Cobs!!

In this division, a 4.5-game lead with 5 weeks to go is hardly kicking someone to the curb. With the way these teams play, a single good week from either one would be plenty to regain ground, especially considering that the Cubs can't seem to beat Houston or Cincy, against whom 12 games still remain. Also, the fact that no one in this division (who is currently considered "in the picture") seems to be able to put a good week together makes a sweep in either direction highly unlikely in the first place. The Brewers have already shown what they do to lefties, and to Rich Hill in particular. If that trend changes for some reason, and if Soriano comes storming out of the gate, then there's an outside chance of a sweep. OTOH, I didn't watch any of the Mil-SF series, but I was there for the whole Cubs series and was left highly unimpressed with SF, so their sweep of Milwaukee is encourgaing. (Though it would be much more so if the Giants didn't also dominate the Cubs 26 of 28 innings.) If Milwaukee really stunk that badly, then I guess there's a chance the Cubs wouldn't have to do much to take 2 of 3, but I have a feeling that either both teams will play like a steaming pile of it, or they will both come out and play more solidly than either has in the last 6 weeks. Either way, it'll be too hard-fought for a sweep.

I came here to say the same thing. I'm not at all looking forward to waiting another 9.5 hours for this one to get going. Lots of testing and a dentist appt between now and then... this is going to be a looong day.

I'm in support of the low-base, incentives-laden contract, but I also agree that he needs to be used in higher-pressure situations. His current use seems to be quite the waste of a roster spot, and if Lou is unwilling to change that, then it's time to part ways with Kerry.

My thoughts exactly.

Sarcasm? Remember how the Ramirez walkoff game started? Hill was horrible. No sarcasm. I thought 5ER on 2.2IP and 90 pitches was fantastic work. This is supported by the fact that the Cubs won.

Rich Hill has already done such great work against the Brewers at Wrigley this year. I don't see any reason for concern over this game.

I just found one of the only places in California it seems that carries WGN, so I just assumed that I'd be watching the game today. I was more than mildly pissed when I found the White Sox on my tv. :x

I had to scratch my head and think for a few minutes about the type of answer you must be looking for. Then I asked her. We decided there are a few key points worth highlighting. - She does ALL my physics homework ... and thinks it's FUN!! - Every now and then, I let her drive, just to remind myself of how much I enjoy my life. - She went to Berkeley like every other Asian. This isn't necessarily a perk, just an observation. - The smell of fish sauce grows on you after a while. - Her eyes aren't all that's slanted... I hope this was as informative as you hoped. If I had gotten an earlier start on drinking, I'd be able to go into more accurate detail, but I have a feeling that could also result in a little 3-day timeout.