Maple or Oak: Wood is Back!

August 3rd, 2007

Cubs; WGN 9; 2:20 PM ET; Hernandez, 7-4, 3.02 ERA vs. Zambrano, 14-7, 3.47 ERA

Today is a big game for the Cubs, and the Mets. Today is also the return of a former great Kerry Wood.

Short Post today, but good luck Woody!

The Sun is Shining

August 2nd, 2007

Cubs; WGN 9; 2:20 PM ET; vs. Phillies; Sean Marshall, 5-4, 3.10 ERA, vs. Lohse, 6-12, 4.58 ERA

Ah, yes, the sun is shining. Well, actually, it is a quite overcast day. But that was sort of a metaphorical comment any how. I meant the sun is shining on the Cubs, who yesterday, finally tied the Brewers in first place, and are technically 1st place due to winning percentage. The Brewers have a .537 WP and the Cubs have a .538 WP, placing them in 1st place if the season ended today.

The good thing is that right now the Brewers are playing the Mets. If they lose and the Cubs win, hello sole-possesion of 1st place. Nothing could ruin my mood. Except seeing the Cubs get mutilated by the Phillies in game 4 of the set. As long as we don't fall behind 7-1 in the 3rd I'll be OK (Just Kidding, that's so unlikely).

Thanks,

Ryan

The Brewers won. The Mets lost. The Cubs remain.

August 1st, 2007

Cubs; CSN Chicago; 8:05 PM ET; vs. Phillies; Moyer, 9-8, 4.75 ERA vs. Hill, 6-6, 3.59 ERA

Yeah, the Brewers won 4-2 in 13 innings, and the Cubs remain 1 behind the Brew Crew. Today is another chance to win a game and hope they lose one. Today, the former Pirate Oliver Perez takes on Claudio Vargas, who's ERA is almost 1.50 points higher (Ollie's is 2.84, Claudio's is 4.30).

If the Brewers lose, and the Cubs win, it means a universe in complete serenity. The stupid "Cubs suck" jokes will stop. Instead the "it's just luck" talk will kick in. That's what you get for being a Cub fan, though, I guess. I'm fine with it. I love the Cubbies. I've been a fan since I was 5 and the Cubs still sucked then, and now I'm older and it looks like the Cubs can do some good here.

Thanks,

Ryan

This Might Be the Cubs Big Break

July 31st, 2007

Cubs; CSN Chicago; August 1st, 8:05 PM ET; vs. Phillies; Moyer, 9-8, 4.75 ERA vs. Hill, 6-6, 3.59 ERA

It is July 31st, the day of the deadline deals, and the free-agents-to-be being traded. In 2007 some big deals were Mark Teixeira going to the Braves, Eric Gagne to the Red Sox, and, surprisngly, Matt Morris went to the Pirates.

Jim Hendry lay silent until 4 PM ET yesterday, the date and time that the trade deadline passed. The fact the Carlos Zambrano remains a Cub still tells me 2 things: a) They are going to try to re-sign him come the offseason, and b) He will help the Cubs come October, and he's been the biggest help to this point as it is.

Carlos has done a phenomonal job this year, not counting the season before June 3rd. Imagine that he had played as well then as he is now. Give the Cubs 4 or 5 more wins, lower his ERA to about 2.20, and Give him a 17-4 record instead of 14-7. I think his chance of a Cy Young are still good, with a 3.47 ERA and leading a playoff contending team to the playoffs with the most wins in the Major Leagues. He is ahead of 6 players who have 13 wins, none of whom start tomorrow, and none won today. His next start is Friday, August 3rd, against the New York Mets' Orlando Hernandez. Then, Ted Lilly faces off against John Maine, and Jason Marquis faces what is presumed to be Tom Glavine on Sunday.

The Cubs won today, 7-3, Marquis got the win as the Cubs scored 3 in the bottom of the inning he gave up his 3rd run, to give the Cubs a 5-3 lead, which was unanswered. Carlos Marmol-ade went the 7th and 8th, and Bobby Howry went the 9th to close it out, a non-save situation.

Tommy G. (Glavine) was shutting down his opponents in Milwaukee, 2 hits, 1 run. Unfortunately, no more, as Guillermo Mota blew the game in the bottom of the 8th, 2-2. The game is now going in to extras, and if the Brewers lose, the Cubs are (tied) in first place. Let's go Mets!! Well, until Friday that is, when the y come over to Chicago.

Thanks,

Ryan

ESPN, The Nationwide Leader in Sports

July 30th, 2007

Cubs; ESPN; 7:05 PM ET; vs. Phillies; Hamels, 11-5, 3.63 ERA vs. Lilly, 11-4, 3.46 ERA

Today, in game 1 of the 7-game home stand, Ted Lilly faces off against the hot Cole Hamels. Hamels has pitched well all year, and while some what inconsistent, Lilly has been very good lately.

The Brewers have an off day today, and are only 0.5 games ahead of the Cubs. If the Cubs win tonight's game against Cole Hamels, then they share possesion of 1st place in the NL Central with the Brewers, which would be a very large divisional comeback, if I may say so myself.

Thanks,

Ryan

Rubber Match

July 29th, 2007

Cubs; WGN 9; 1:00 PM ET; vs. Reds; Zambrano, 13-7, 3.69 ERA vs. Belisle, 5-7, 5.28 ERA

Today the Cubs take on the Reds in game 3 of this series in Cincinnati. It is a pivotal game for the Cubs as they can gain ground on the Brewers who are at risk of losing 3 of 4 to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Carlos Zambrano, who was promised an NL Cy Yound by Jim Hendry by the end of THIS season may be well on the road to get it. If he wins today he will lead the MLB in wins, and also his ERA isn't too shabby.

The Cincinnati Reds took game 1 of this series, only to have Aaron Harang leave the game after 1 inning yesterday and take the loss, his 3rd of the season, and today face a rubber match against the red-hot Cubs, who I think have a good chance, as Matt Belisle, (5-7, 5.28) takes on Carlos Zambrano (13-7, 3.69).

Thanks,

Ryan

Losing is News for the Cubs

July 28th, 2007

Cubs; CSN Chicago; 7:10 PM; vs. Reds; Marshall, 4-4, 3.25 ERA vs. Harang, 10-2, 3.45 ERA

The Cubs lost to the Reds 5-4 yesterday after a 2-run 9th inning comeback that tied them at 4. Bobby Howry then came on to pitch and with 1 out in the 9th, he gave up the walk-off run. That's dissapointing because we played a good defensive, offensive, and pitching game. Hill surrendered 2 over 5 throwing 104 pitches, 63 for strikes.

If we lose another game, expect it to be this one. Harang is a pitcher who wasn't great in Oakland and really came into his own in Cincinnati, where he has a chance to sign as a premier pitcher. He can help the Reds return to glory if the Reds can stabilize their rotation with some other quality pitchers.

No matter what happens, today's game promises to be a good one, so enjoy the game.

Thanks,

Ryan

Hill vs. Arroyo

July 27th, 2007

Cubs; CSN Chicago; vs. Reds; Hill, 6-6, 3.58 ERA vs. Arroyo, 4-11, 4.58 ERA

Well, yesterday the Cubs finished off the series against the Cardinals by losing 11-1. The good news is that they won the series, 2-1. Marquis had an awful start, and he's lucky that his ERA remains 4.20.

Today the Cubs start the 3 game series against the Reds, with Marshall pitching tomorrow, then Zambrano. Today though, Rich Hill faces off against Bronson Arroyo, who's ERA is 4.58, exactly 1 run higher than Hill's. Let's hope that this stat comes to life in today's game.

Thanks,

Ryan

The Cardinals Really Do Suck

July 26th, 2007

Cubs; CSN Chicago; 8:10 PM ET; vs. Cardinals; Marquis, 7-5, 3.92 ERA vs. Looper, 7-8, 5.09 ERA

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Tonight Jason Marquis, having a fair year, faces off against the Cardinals 2nd best starter? Compared to last year's Carpenter's, and Mulder's, and Suppan's, their Looper's, Reyes's, and K. Wells's suck. Their hitters aren't the best in the world either.

Not to say they can't beat Marquis. Afterall, he is the Cubs worst starting pitcher, Marshall being arguably the best, next to the flaming Carlos Zambrano, the streaking Ted Lilly and the tall Rich Hill.

Well, fans, I also have encouraging news. Yesterday the Padres lost, the Brewers, lost and, heck, throw one more loss on the pile for the Brew Crew today and you have the Cubs 1.5 back in the Central, 0.5 back in the Wildcard.

Enjoy the game and I'll post tomorrow.

Thanks,

Ryan

Lilly vs. Wainwright

July 25th, 2007

Cubs; ESPN 2; 8:10 PM ET; vs. Cardinals; Wainwright, 9-7, 4.18 ERA vs. Lilly, 10-4, 3.51 ERA

The Cubs enter play today 3 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central. They also enter 1.5 games back of the San Diego Padres in the Wildcard. Not too shabby considering how much time the Cubs have to actually overtake these teams in the standings.

There are no teams standing in the way of the Cubs in the Central, and in the Wildcard it appears that only the Braves will make a ripple through the quiet water. Not that I am begging for excitement, far from it, I want this to be as easy as possible.

With yesterday's win, Zambrano ties himself for the major league lead in wins. With 13, he is tied with 3 other pitchers. Tonight Ted Lilly aims for his 11th win, which would put him ahead in the un-official stat 'Most Wins With New Team', which just gauges how he's doing with the Cubs so far wins-wise.

Thanks,

Ryan