E.J.

You've got to be kidding me. I was at the game, but I was in a drunken stupor and didn't catch that... or that must've been after we left. Dustbrain REALLY pinch hit Macias for Cedeno? And there's talk of his contract being extended?! Sometimes I really just feel like punching something. Yeah, Dusty PH Macias with the bases loaded in the top of the 9th. That's got to be a big boost in confidence for a rookie being replaced by Jose Macias in any sort of critical situation.

So, Murton has only started in 1 of the last 5 games. Cedeno gets PH for by frickin Jose Macias late in the game. What's the point of watching?

We're only 6.5 games out in the Wild Card. We've got ourselves positioned perfectly for one of Dusty's big September runs!!!!

Next year will be the year...

Did they say what damage was done? No. It's a pretty short article just saying that it was a success and basically saying what the doctor was going to do on his shoulder. I'm sure that we'll find out more later in the day.

There's an article up on Chicagosports.com now that says Woody's surgery was a success.

Nomar is on fire.

But that Neifi dude is a switch hitter. That's versatility dude.

Source? Straight from Hendry's mouth on Comcast sports net. Thank you. We remain at 12 pitchers on the 25-man. Did you doubt that Dusty would stick with 12 pitchers? We've had 12 all year long. Why would Dusty decide to change now. :x

I get in and it's already 8-1??? Solid pitching by the Cubs I see.

Or maybe he's pitching better due to not pitching in a pressure-packed situation/team/city? Also a good explanation. It just seems like when pitchers leave Chicago they pitch better, for the most part.

I guess we can call this another one of our pitchers performing much better after leaving Chicago. Maybe Rothschild isn't as good as everyone thought?? :chin:

So, Hendry pretty much lets the fans know that he's packing it in this year by trading away Lawton, but Neifi is still starting over Cedeno? What's the point?

There's an article on the front page of ITI saying that Scott McClain has been promoted to the Major League club. He'll be activated before the game today. Looks like we'll get to see Die Hard get some starts at 3rd base. :D Here's the article: http://cubs.scout.com/2/429806.html

good inning by the Cubs. this should be a fun game.

So 2-0 Marlins already? That didn't take long. :x

The only move that makes sense is Neifi to 3rd and Ronny at SS...thus...it will never happen. You were close. Looks like it will be Nomar at 3rd today with Ronny starting at SS. We'll see how Nomar does at 3rd base today.

All I can say is...WOW. You're done, Todd. Might as well get something of value and write this season off. Do you really expect him to come out and say, "yeah, this season is over. We don't have a chance. Let's pack it in and wait till next year." I don't think that would go over very well.

I didn't watch his entire outing, but from what I saw his fastball was in the 88-89 range.

The problem with Corey is that he still hasn't learned to take a walk, so if he hits around .270 or so his OBP is going to hover around the .300 mark and that's just not that good. I still haven't given up on him, but things have to change drastically for him to succeed in the majors.

There's a Q & A over at ITI (Insider only) with Brownlie. ITI is doing a free preview, so it's available to anyone to read. Here's the link: http://cubs.scout.com/2/426225.html It talks about his loss in velocity, and he says his velocity is starting to come back some what. He said his fastball is hitting 92. Not where he was when he started, but it's better than last year.

Didn't Alex Sanchez test positive earlier this year? And Manny Alexander. Alright, you got me. I guess it would make sense that he'd need to take steroids considering the bat is as big as he is. :lol:

Well, with Sammy and Remmy's contracts off the books and Burnitz's option probably not going to be picked up, the Cubs are going to have a bunch of money ($30-$35 million) to spend this offseason, so I think they can afford to take a flier on some free agent (Burnett, Wagner, Ryan, Millwood). The Cubs really need a power bat in the outfield, but Giles is pretty much it for the FA market when it comes to outfielders. Hopefully Hendry can pull off some sort of trade. I don't know what to think about the SS situation. Nomar just can't seem to stay healthy at all, so I think I'd pass on him. I don't know if Cedeno is ready to take over. He should have had the chance to prove himself when Nomar went down in April so we could have at least seen if he was good enough to take the starting job next year. Now we go into the offseason with SS being a big question mark. I don't know if Hendry would want to throw 3-4 years and probably big money at Furcal. I don't know if it's worth it. I'd like to see Hendry sign Wagner or BJ Ryan to be our closer next year, and bring back Dempster and Williamson as setup men. Dempster has been good as closer, but he's starting to scare me a bit. Fill the rest of the bullpen with young guys (Novoa, Wuertz, Ohman, Brownlie?) I'd also like to see Hendry bring in another starter. I think it depends on if Maddux is going to be here next year or not. If for some reason he retires I could see Hendry possibly making a run at Burnett. If Maddux is back next year (which will most likely happen) then I could see Hendry going after Kevin Millwood. With Woody's health a question mark I think it's important that the Cubs start the season with another solid starter. I'd be nervous going into next year with Rusch/Williams/Hill as the 5th starter. It's definitely going to be a much more exciting offseason this year compared to last year though.

Looks like Damon is denying the rumor that he's one of the guys who tested positive. Boston Herald I guess you have to believe him. Why would he come out and deny it if he knew that he was going to be suspended soon? Sounds like it might not be him, but another of the Red Sox outfield (Kapler). That ones pretty much a no brainer. :lol: I also found this little snippet in the Hartford Courant The guy weighs like 10 pounds and is not ripped whatsoever. How could he be taking steroids? :D

Cpatt has changed his stance a little bit and his hands are a little bit higher, but he still has that loopy, upper-cut swing. Until he changes that he's going to still have the same problems he's having now.