So long Nomar

This off-season the Cubs have already made one good move. Getting rid of Nomar as a free agent has spared extra revenue for player salaries. With the option pending the Cubs can go out and retrieve another starting pitcher or reliable outfielder. Besides Nomar was barely active on the roster for 2 years. His contribution when he did play was dismal and didn't matter since the Cubs were out of the race. He was eating up money he didn't even earn. No one anticipated his injuries, but I say let the Dodgers have him. I think the Cubs are better off without him. The Cubs GM still needs to make wise deals before the season.

The trade to acquire OF Juan Pierre didn't really solve any problems in the slugging department. Yes, he is speedy and gets on base with consistence, but he's not going to drive in many runs. To fill a slot in the lineup in place of Nomar and provide comforting insurance for Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez the Cubs must find another decent slugger. Jim Hendry fails to see the "Big Picture" for the season. He should ask himself, can this team legtimately be a contender in the NL Central and enter the playoffs or will this team start off with promise then gradually slide downhill with a crushing thud like so many times in the past? These are vital questions that should be given deep consideration. At this point in history this franchise ought to be sick of losing and do everything possible to make a drastic turnaround. If the right deals are made 2006 can be the start of a new tradition.

Playing the role of spoilers

One game is left on the schedule for the regular season. What a tragic year for the Cubs. They really have disappointed Cubs fans. Finishing up the season tommorrow in Houston, the Cubs will try to play the role of spoilers and infuse a tie in the wildcard between the Astros and Phillies. They lost 3-1 Saturday. Roger Clemens made good on his promise by going 7 innings, allowing 1 earned run. What do the Cubs have to lose at this point? Having a 79-82 record is wretched enough, but they also are in 4th place in the Central behind the Milwakee Brewers. This is a shame. How a team can fall to such a new low level with the greatest of ease is astounding.

For some crazy reason the Cubs have signed Ryan Dempster to a 3-year $15 million contract extension. Okay, Dempster did a splendid job as closer this season, but agreeing to this extraordinary salary is beyond stupid. What the hell is the General Manager and Owner thinking? He pitches ONE inning on average per game and will not to erase the team's main weakness you freaking dumbasses! This is not the direction the team needs to be going in terms of player salaries. Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood have already signed big contracts. Trades need to take place. It's time for new management to take over and for pink slips to be served to incompetent jackasses not doing their job right!

The Cubs should at least enable the Phillies and Astros to square off in a one game playoff tie-breaker. This is a enlightening incentive to make the NL season finale more entertaining and interesting. Oh yeah, Dusty: don't put Corey Patterson in the starting lineup Sunday. He doesn't deserve the opportunity because he hasn't played worth a shit all year. Put some of the youngsters like Murton in the starting lineup instead. They've shown their capabilities and potential. And for heaven's sake let's start making smart changes, capturing real talent and star players with proven success.

Being a thorn in the Astros' side

If the Cubs can't enter the postseason at least they can be spoilers for other teams gunning for the wildcard. Thanks to Derek Lee's 45th homerun of the season and Jeromy Burnitz's 2-run dinger the Cubs defeated the Astros 3-2 Sunday afternoon. Andy Petitte and Jerome Williams went head to head for a good six innings in a pitcher's clash. It looked to be a show of urgency for Houston like, "We've got to win this freaking game or our season may come to an end soon." Petitte gave up 1 run until he was replaced by a Houston reliever. Note: Nice snow cone catch in center by Corey Patterson today. Now if he could get his swing back for next year and not let us Cubs fans down again.

With the loss, the Phillies move up a game in the wild card. At this point desperation sinks in for these National league teams. The best thing about it is the Cubs don't have to sweat it since being out of the race. They can come to the ballpark relax, clear their mind, and have fun playing baseball while earning those big, fat paychecks. Well, for all the regular starting players anyway. Being pressure free should make these guys loose. Time for the management to work on off-season deals and restructure. THERE IS NO NEED TO RETRIEVE LOW-MARKET PLAYERS! Such players have never helped put this team at the top so forget about the notion. A close eye can be kept on up and coming prospects since they're the future of this club. The team owner must shell out the big bucks to get better star talent. Hendry, don't act like the revenue is not coming in because attendance is always high. Dump Kerry Wood if he's still not healthy and get rid of Jeromy Burnitz, Jose Macias, and Todd Walker. That'll free up enough money for payroll. Let's stop going through the same crap each season.

Inching down to the final two weeks

With summer coming to a close soon the regular season of baseball is almost over. Well, it's been another disappointing season for the Cubs, but what's new? There is not much to talk about here except for the outstanding year of Derek Lee and Carlos Zambrano. These are the only guys worth mentioning. I'm sure the hate mail and postings on the WGN blog are still piling up. That's what happens when key star players get injured for most of the year, role players don't perform on a regular basis, conflicts arise with coaches and management, and team again is unable to clinch the playoffs. Man, it sure does suck to be a Cubs fan right now. Usually some fans would say this every year, but I was content with their last two season performances. They did finish 89-74 in 2004 even though they didn't make the playoffs. That's how things unfortunately worked out. Their record won't be as good in 2005.

The Cubs play the Brewers starting tonight in Milwakee. This a team they've had slugfests with in the past. Both clubs might as well continue the routine because neither is facing any pressure to win. I'd like to see Corey Patterson start to look like a hitter again instead of swinging wild at pitches at eye level, low and away, or that land in the dirt. He's better than his performance has shown. Doug Davis pitches for the Brewers as Jerome Williams gets the start for Chicago. I guess the two teams will fight out for third place in the Central division as if it hold significance. That's one motive to win if nothing else. So hitters, swing for the fences and crank out those runs.

Cubs struggle to get back to .500

Failing to sweep the Reds has put a dampen on the Cubs record. Of course they've had their opportunities to win more games at home, but this is not apparent in the 2005 season. Another bummer of a lost struck the Cubs last night in the 12th inning. The night game on Tuesday, the Cubs won an extra inning game in the 10th. It seems like they've played 20-25 extra inning games so far. Some of which were 1 run decisions. This team has lost around 25-30% of their games this year by such a slim margin of defeat. In my mind there is no reason why the Cubs shouldn't be at least 3 games over .500 at this point. The desire to win crucial games just isn't visible. Anyway, besides all the bad news and normal struggles the players still have a job to do. Whether they're happy or not is not important now, all that matters is performing to their highest ability like professional athletes are supposed to do each day. These lackadaisical efforts on the field by infielders who fling the ball across to first and second or don't make enough contact because they swing at bad pitches all the time are deplorable.

The Cubs play the Cardinals for a 4 game series at Wrigley. Mark Prior takes the mound for Thursday's game. Derek Lee continues to sparkle in a career year as he builds on his homerun total, now at 42. He's been to the Cubs what Sammy Sosa was to them in 1998, a lone hero. Other guys have not stepped up besides Aramis Ramirez(injured) to deliver the team from the desolation on offense. Finishing the year on the high note is what's best for the Cubs. There is no room for any resentment or bitterness on the team, this is reserved for the fans. (Oh, they're so loyal the disappointment will be forgiven before next season). My hat is off to the pitching staff. They've done a terrific job of keeping games close and displayed some notable pitching performances. Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux definitely deserve props. It's time to handle those lucky St. Louis Cardinals.

Hits hard to come by in loss at Wrigley

The theme of the season for the Cubs this year is 'lack of run performance.' This offensive struggle was still apparent on Monday night in the 5-2 loss against the Reds. Greg Maddux pitched a good game for a 38-year-old veteran who's seen better days. Going 7 strong innings and giving up 2 runs didn't help the cause as the Cubs offense failed to produce. Maddux(12-12) has put together a fine second half of the season even though his record shows otherwise. The run support has just not be there for him or other starters for that matter. Where would this team actual be in the standings now if they'd averaged 4 or 5 runs a game? If Nomar didn't get injured? The Cub's road record is better than their home record. This doesn't make sense for a home ballpark where homeruns fly out left and right on windy days. They also have the Cub fans full support.

Yesterday's loss was crucial for the Cubs in their reemergence back in the NL wildcard. At 71-73 they're trailing 6.5 games behind the Marlins, Phillies, Nationals, Astros, and Brewers. Their focus should be finishing the season with a respectable record. Obviously the team is in dire need of third basemen, Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood is out for the year due to arm surgery. The young guys like Ronnie Cedeno and Matt Murton ought to be playing most of the remaining games. Dusty Baker needs to let them get the exposure. This opportunity will allow them to show their value and creditability to the team. Corey Patterson and Jose Macias are in a slump anyway and not contributing much. Carlos Zambrano(13-5) will try to improve his record tonight in game 2 of the series. Do your thing Carlos.

Next Stop: San Francisco

Making quality efforts to finish out the regular season is what every team should do. The Cubs are sure trying as they come off a 3 game series in St. Louis, winning 2 of 3. This strikes me as incredible for this 2005 team who got dismantled by the likes of low level competitors such as the Rockies, Reds, Mets, and Dodgers. What the hell happened to this team in those games? Though they can beat the Cardinals, taking each series at home and away and also win 2 of 3 against the World Champion Boston Red Sox in an interleague series in June. I just don't understand it. Maybe the players didn't feel any pressure to perform in the first few months or other teams didn't give as much a shit as they do in late July through late September. This is an issue of motivation and bad decision making by management.

Standing at 67-71, the Cubs look like a more relaxed team. (I guess after any team blows their chances of entering the playoffs they'd feel the same way). Derek Lee hit his 40th homerun Wednesday night. Tonight Chicago matches up with the Giants, another team who has been Bond-less for much of the season and suffered some of the same problems the Cubs have. They're also out of the playoff picture. Carlos Zambrano(12-5) takes the hill in San Francisco and will have to work his strength in power pitching to avoid giving up the longball in the bay area. One thing is for sure, nobody will be chasing after record breaking homerun balls hit by Barry Bonds. That will have to wait until next year unless Bonds decides not to play because of the negativity brought on by the media. Go Cubs!

Zambrano: the pride of Wrigleyville

Time after time Carlos Zambrano continues to go the extra mile and impress. Despite the outcome for the team, this animated Venezuelan is having another defining season. With the 9-5 victory today over the Pirates, Zambrano earns his 12th win of the season. Sure this isn't comparative to the records of pitchers like Chris Carpenter(20 wins) or Dontrelle Willis(19 wins). Unlike these guys Zambrano pitched 5 or 6 excellent games earlier in the season and didn't get a decision. That was his teammates fault because they didn't provide decent run support. In the future, Zambrano will be a candidate for the Cy Young. There is no doubt about it if he can stay healthy. His intensity and determination on the field is a testament to his top quality overall performance. With the win at Pittsburgh he finally got more than 1 or 2 runs from the Cubs offense. While he did give up 4 ER, the Bucs' hitters were rung up for 9 strikeouts. The man was on point. Well, it's good to see at least 1 or 2 players striving for excellence. We all know the team as a whole is not. The good news is Todd Hollandsworth was traded to the Braves. Good riddance to a wasted position in the outfielder. The Cubs retrieved 2 minor league pitchers. Maybe they'll materialize into resourceful talent in a few years. One can only hope.

Prior Tries To Shut Down Dodgers

Playing to avoid a sweep against the Dodgers, a team who's performance has been less than mediocre Chicago looks to out duel them. By that I mean Mark Prior and Brad Penny go head to head in a game that doesn't matter concerning a playoff spot for either team. (Note: Earlier this month a fan at Yankee Stadium tried to catch a foul ball, fell from the upper deck and landed on the protective netting on the corner of the field. It's beyond me why a Dodgers or Cubs fan hasn't already pulled this stunt. Not to catch a foul ball, but to committ suicide). Nomar Garicipara has hit a homerun tonight. Wow! This guy may not be completely useless after all. It's good to see him improving even though it's too late to actually help the team! Losing Game 1 Monday night the Cubs will work to split the series. To recap Monday's game, Cubs starter Jerome Williams pitched less than 2 innings before being replaced by a reliever from the pen. Giving up 7 runs without breaking a sweat doesn't insure victory for the home club. The Cubs lineup hit 4 homers, all solo.

It was announced yesterday that Kerry Wood will undergo arm surgery. This is a smart move by the club organization. This way he'll be fully recovered and healthy before the beginning of next season. That is unless he pulls a "Nomar" on us: plays 4 or 5 games then gets injury for 4 months or the entire season (That unreliable, injury prone former New England, Chowder eating bum). As a Cubs fan having a successful surgery is the best you can wish for Kerry. There is one silver lining for the Cubs though, Derek Lee is setting career highs in homeruns(39) and RBIs(89) while working towards achieving the Triple Crown. With his average well above .300 this feat is possible. Give us something to be happy about Derek and help us to momentarily forget about the countless, agonizing years of a losing history.

Derek Lee congratulated from Jose Macias after blasting a homer. Photo- J. Roberson 

With dignity intact, Cubs wallop the Marlins

The season has not turned out the way the Cubs organization or fans expected. Their trials and tribulations continue for another season. There had to feel a little bit better after beating the Marlins 14-3 Sunday afternoon at Wrigley. Carlos Zambrano pitched 8 significant innings, allowing 3 runs on a homerun, moving his record to 11-5. After Josh Beckett departed the game in the 5th it opened the flood gates for the Cubs to go a hitting spree. Derek Lee gulfed 2 homeruns(*reached 200th career homerun),had 3 hits with 3 RBIs on a day where Ryne Sandberg no. 23 was retired. His presence or day of honor, which ever it may be insighted the rampant offensive outburst that was nonexistent for most of this year. (Why couldn't they have play this way all season long?) Ronnie Cedeno, called up from Iowa(AAA) got the start at shortstop and produced 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Nomar has made the switch from short to third since the injury of regular starter Aramis Ramirez. He even played more up to par Sunday. Being 62-68 is no where close to being satisfactory for this team. They've got serious work to do in the off season. All fans and management can ask at this point is for the Cubs to play with a full, committed effort and try to finish on a positive note with a decent record.

Season falling straight into the crapper

What a way to continue a mounting streak without making the playoffs in back to back seasons! Unable to score sufficient runs, having players swing at the first pitch(whether bases are empty or loaded),poor execution, assinine managerial decisions, conflicts in the clubhouse between coaches and players, and usual shaky relief pitching is what has done the Cubs in this season. Basically this is almost the same as every season. By dropping two games in Colorado against the Rockies, a team who's significant talent is only Todd Helton and then failing as on cue to outscore the Braves Monday night at home has sealed their fate of clinching a playoff spot. This is unacceptable and should be embarrassing for each player, coach, and the Chicago organization. The reemergence of Nomar and Corey Patterson back in the lineup has hurt the team more than it's helped them. With back problems, Nomar is a non-factor while Neifi Perez and Todd Walker can't ever get on base consistently. The guys that do get on base are stranded because those behind them (Corey Patterson, Jose Macias, Jeromy Burnitz, etc.) in the order think it's always a good idea to swing at every damn pitch they see.

The most frustrating part of this vicious cycle is having the starter pitcher, Carlos Zambrano get upset with himself after giving up a few runs because he knows his unreliable teammates won't score enough runs for him. In his mind he's already lost the game. Sure this is a negative way to think, but 90% of the time it's true! There were a ton of scoring opportunities for the Cubs that they let slip by and buckled under. Even with the injuries to Prior, Wood, and Nomar this team should have worked harder against their competition. They've allowed teams like the Mets, Nationals, Brewers, Reds, and Diamondbacks to walk all over them while combating struggles of their own. The only teams noted above in contention for the wildcard are the Mets and Nationals. With Mike Cameron out most likely for the season and Carlos Beltran slumping the Mets will fold with 2 weeks or less left in the season. At this point though they'll probably finish with a better record than the Cubs.

I'm still waiting just as other Cubs fans for the GM Jim Hendri to stop signing and trading for low market, run of the mill talent nobody else wants. This is not a knock on players like Jeromy Burnitz or Matt Lawton, but everyone with a grain of salt for a brain knows these guys aren't going to put a team over the top, becoming championship caliber. Hendri: If you would stop being such a stupid, blind cheapskate and grab some actual real proven talent the Cubs might become a winning contender in the National League. Haven't Cubs fans suffered enough over the past century? If the Red Sox can reverse the curse of a wretched losing history so can the Cubs. The challenge is the Cubs organization must develop a team that can handle pressure instead of one collapsing year after year.

Prior rears back and fires a fastball to the plate. photo- Jack Dempsey 

Prior paves the way for victory

Thanks to the sure handed pitching of Mark Prior Friday afternoon at Coors Field the Cubs win their 3rd straight game. Trying to ignite a winning streak is one goal of the Cubs and the other is staying close in the wild card race. With 40 games left it may come down to the final week with 5 or 6 teams fighting for the playoff spot. Mark Prior (9-4) had one of his better pitching performances in the seoond half of the season, striking out 10 while rendering 2 runs as he obtained the win. Kerry Wood came on in relief again and pitched a scoreless 8th inning. His control is looking good so far. With him throwing 90-97 miles an hour with his fastball and getting batters out he may be a key factor in the Cubs final outcome for the season.

The quest for the wild card isn't getting any easier. With the Marlins, Phillies,Astros, and Mets playing better in August the tension is tightening in the National League. After finishing out the 3 game series in Colorado, the Cubs will return home to play the Braves, Marlins, and Dodgers. They should be weary of a guy named Jeff Francoeur who's on a tear of late, fueling the Braves offense with Andruw Jones and be able to contend with the hot pitching of the Marlins' Dontrelle Willis if they face him. (Hopefully they can avoid seeing him in the rotation this time). It's weird how the Cubs were able to win 2 of 3 from the Astros and the Cardinals, but get sweeped a few weeks ago by the Reds and the Mets. Faltering by losing too many games in a long streak will do them in for sure. Avoiding the most humiliating record the Royals hold of losing 18 games in a row is in their best interest. For once though when the Cubs make obvious horrendous mistakes and players display poor performances I'd like to see the broadcasters on the major television networks get fired up, expressing their anger, call them on their flaws, and use constructive criticism. This will get out of their usual routine of pretending it's no big deal with a team is getting clobbered or is on the verge of collasping. It'll make the baseball experience for fans watching at home or may be even motivate the players to play with more intensity.

Overhead view of Wrigley Field 

No answer against Carpenter at Wrigley

Just as momentum was building, the Cards' Chris Carpenter contains the Cubs' offense and garners more than enough run support to get the win, 5-2. As a result Carpenter becomes Major league's baseball first 17 game winner in 2005. The Cubs are handed their 61st loss of the season, moving five games below .500. On the bright side, Aramis Ramirez homered to score the team's only two runs. Albert Pujlos hit a 3-run homer to give the Cardinals the lead. Jerome Williams pitched 6 quality innings, giving up a 3 earned runs as he record dropped to 3-4. It was a decent pitching performance, but the Cubs once again failed to provide the necessary run support. So they weren't able to go for the sweep in Chicago, the chance to win 3 of 4 at home is theirs for the taking. The Cubs have 7-10 games left with the Cardinals.

Up next on the agenda is the Houston Astros, who are storming in full force with a purpose. They're in second place due to the persistent, worthy performances of Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite. It also helps them having a second basemen in Morgan Ensberg putting up career bests in homeruns and RBIs. Whatever quarreling going on in the dugout or behind the scenes in the Cubs organization will have to be ignored or "put on hold" until the end of the season if this team is going to make a serious run. Dusty Baker, the players, and the GM can sort issues out later. It's time to play like there is no tommorrow and don't hold back anything. Give Cub fans a real reason to be proud and faithful to this team.

Losing Streak Ends

Finally the Cubs were able to stop some of their bleeding as they beat the Cardinals 11-4 Thursday. This snapped their 8 game losing streak. Greg Maddux picked up the win, improving to 9-9. Derek Lee launched 2 homeruns and knocked in 4 runs while Corey Patterson, back from a extended visit to the minors collected 3 hits and a RBI. At this point, it's no big deal for the Cardinals. What do they have to lose? As of late, controversy is surrounding the issue of whether to keep Kerry Wood in the bullpen and positioning him back in the starting rotation. All I know is the rookie, Rich Hill will not suffice in the rotation. He doesn't have enough experience or talent yet to help the Cubs coming down the stretch. Glendon Rusch may be the guy to take his place. His role on the club is flexible and he's had proven success earlier in the season as a starter. As a collective group Chicago needs to work out it's problems and strive to compete with their best efforts. The offense can't settle for any pitches and give up so easily in scoring opportunities. Patience in hitting goes a long way for a team. With Patterson returning to the lineup, his speed and ability to get on base can possibly open up the door to scoring more runs. Nomar and Neifi can switch duties at shortstop instead of only one of them playing the majority of the time.

Tumbling in losing skid

With the extra bat in the lineup and sure handed shortstop Nomar Garicipara back the Cubs' problems are yet to be solved. With 2 losses to the Mets at Shea Stadium this weekend, Chicago is losing sight of their ultimate goal in the regular season: reaching the playoffs. Greg Maddux (8-5) pitched a well-rounded game Saturday, but it wasn't enough. The middle of the Cubs' order went 0-4. The starting pitchers are simply not receiving the necessary run support to win games. It also helps when the defense doesn't make errors due to mental mistakes. Second basemen Todd Walker and Nomar know how to make smart plays on the field, though against the Mets they made bad judgment calls. Throwing home on a ground ball instead of to second for a double play and trying to make a difficult throw to third rather than first lacks clear thinking. Mistakes do happen, but the team can't afford to make but a few. With Saturday loss the Cubs drop to 54-56. The Brewers have a better record as they moved into third place in the Central division. The Cubs concentration is wavering, not focusing on the little intangibles which wins games.

Now is a good time, more than ever for Dusty Baker to do some hollering, slamming, and verbal lashing with occassional cursing to get points across and ignite a fire in this team as a form of motivation. Either that or start docking each players' pay(There really ought to be a rule for this in baseball). Singling out one or two players never works nor is it right. Throwing a chair against the wall, causing it break then telling all the players that's going to be their ass if they don't start playing to their total capacity will have a strong influence. (Still seething a bit over the recent offensive scuffling). Players need time to redevelop their skills and abilities and they will have their opportunities to redeem themselves. The problem is time is running out. 50-60 game are left in the season and it's absolutely essential that this team rebound and make a run. Luck may change tommorrow as Carlos Zambrano(9-3) gets the start at Shea against Victor Zambrano (No relation). His passion and performance might motivate his teammates to play harder. We'll see what happens.

Zambrano's pitching helps nip the Phils

After the off day the Cubs snatched a victory over the Phillies Tuesday night, 2-1. Even with dismal run support garnered Carlos Zambrano (8-4) stills pitched 8 shutout innings to pick up the win. He's the work horse on the team. Who knows where the Cubs would be in the division without him. I've said this from the start of players injuries. The mountain to climb ahead seems to be getting steeper for the Cubs. Serious consideration and recognition needs to be given to the Astros. They're playing like a team possessed right now. They are being a thorn in the Cubs' side. The race for the wild card also is becoming tighter and tighter. Obviously only one team will clinch this playoff spot, but it may go down to the wire on the final day of the season to determine the wild card winner. At least the Cubs have another good bat in the lineup in Matt Lawton. He's not going to put up big numbers, but he will get on base which sets the tone for Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. Lawton went 2 for 5 in the game against the Phillies. This enabled them to score one run. Today Jerome Williams (3-4) takes the hill looking for his 4th win of the season. The decline in run production must be turned around for the team to flourish, winning a long string of games. They must avoid trailing late in games or letting their opponents strike a tie to move into extra innings. When this happens their chances of winning are below 50%. So let's get some runs tonight and keep them coming Cubbies!

Cubs Get Stomped 13-6

The outcome of Sunday afternoon's contest was disappointing. The Cubs again failed to score runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks went on an offensive rampage. Greg Maddux had a bad outing, departing during the 4th inning after surrendering 5 runs. Brandon Webb's sinkerball keep him rolling through 6 or 7 innings as Cubs batters resisted being patient at the plate. Cub middle reliever Mike Remlinger entered the game and served up a fastball right down the middle of the plate to the Diamondback's catcher. He spanked it to deep left centerfield for a grand slam. (What the hell was Remlinger thinking?) The Cubs drop to 53-52, a mere game above .500. This is pathetic, but it should be expected since they drop back like this every year at this time. Being positive about the team's playoff chances is difficult when they play so poor consistently. Aramis Ramirez did leave the game early due his nagging quadracep injury, but the Cubs could only muster runs from sacrifice flys and groundouts until the 9th inning. Then they collected a couple of hits, but fell short of a long rally.

While the Cubs are scuffling with their offense to win games the Houston Astros are red hot at the moment. All of a sudden this team is flowing with a great resurgence. Andy Pettite has won his last 8 games and allowed no more than 1 run in those starts. Then there is Roger Clemens, need I say more. Anyway the Cubs once again look to be up a shit creek without a paddle. The good news is the Cubs made a trade. OF Jody Gerut had a short stay in Chicago as he was sealed and delivered to the Pirates in exchange for OF Matt Lawton. All the sports analysts and gurus are talking about how this is a good deal for the Cubs. Yes, the Cubs did need a good leadoff man or position player to get on base and add another source of dependable hitting. That's just dandy and all, but Lawton is not going to help this team score 3 or more runs per game. He's a likeable character and holds veteran experience, consequently this won't give the Cubs the edge they need. Why can't the club's management retrieve higher market players that can give the team a big boost in 2 months or less? Pressure can be relieved if Nomar comes back fully healthy and is able to go on a hitting tear. This team has got elevate their level of offense. It's going to be main reason whether they lose or win enough games.

Ramirez comes through with a big hit. 

Cubs Do It Again

Failing to score enough runs in games in the past week has resulted in late inning lead changes for the Cubs. Luckily they've pulled out victories by driving in runs in the 8th and 9th inning. Thanks to shaky relief pitching from the Diamondbacks Friday afternoon and patience from the Cubs batters they tied the game with a hit through the left side of infield by Michael Barrett in the 9th. Aramis Ramirez provided a clutch game winning infield single off the bench as a pinch hitter. For much of the season Chicago has scored the majority of their runs via the long ball. They showed today they know how to win through patience and solid contact which yielded base hits. The tricky hops on the field helped too. Derek Lee's average dropped as he went 0-4, but the victory is more important to him and his team. The home stand will give the Cubs a chance to show whether or not they can play high winning percentage baseball at Wrigley Field.

In the wild card at the time being they are 3.5 games out. The Nationals, Phillies, Astros, and Mets stand in the way. Washington appears to falling back in the NL East whereas the Astros are can't seem to lose. After the series with Arizona the Cubs can help themselves in the race as the New York Mets come in town. All these teams will face each other for several more games up until the end of September. When Kerry Wood returns he is expected to serve a role out of the bullpen. This may not be a wise decision if he continues to lack pitch control. The biggest challenge the team still faces is finding other reliable options for scoring more runs. With the trade deadline nearing, the Cubs management better make a move on the best available talent (preferably outfielders) even it means dealing away one or two of their quality relievers. Pitching makes a team strong, but runs are needed to win close games. The Cubs have played many neck and neck games this year with good and bad outcomes. By using sound judgment, the Cubs management can hopefully make the right decisions before the trade deadline.

Note: Cubs fans WGN will be broadcasting a television special on Ryne Sandberg this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The tribute will include career highlights and his induction into the Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown. Finally another day to honor and celebrate the career of one the Cub Greats and the best second basemen of all-time. This is a chance to watch vintage Ryno during his prime so don't miss it.

Comeback Victory In Final At Bat

Pulling out another come from behind show at Wrigley, the Cubs finally made good on big opportunities. In the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs Jeromy Burnitz laced a double down the right field line to win the game for the Cubs. The team got some revenge on former reliever, Latroy Hawkins who got charged with a couple of runs and failed to get batters out as the Cub fans at Wrigley booed him every minute while on the mound. Hawkins reassured the Cubs management that they made the right move by sending to the Giants earlier in the season and that he still is stinking up the league. It was a toe and nail scrape fight for the series with both teams scoring few runs and tying each game. Derek Lee picked up to 2 more hits in Wednesday day game. Drawing a couple of walks in the series wasn't surprising, but geting intentional walked was a bummer. If the guys in front of Lee would start reaching base more consistently the first basemen would have over 100 RBIs at this point instead of 83.

The outfield situation is improving slowing, but surely. Rookie, Matt Mirton, called up from Triple A Iowa had 3 hits and a walk in Tuesday night's game which encountered a 2 hour and 43 minute rain delay. Look forward to seeing Nomar soon. Right now he's playing in Triple A, planning to be back on the roster in about a week or two. His offense will be needed to play a big role in the Cubs run production. The Cubs will host the Mets and the the Diamondbacks next at home. This time they may have to push harder to get a sweep. They almost pulled it off in St. Louis to the surprise of the Cardinals. With the season dwindling down to a precious 60 games or so the Cubbies must be determined to win as many games possible to stay within range of their main goal.

The Lee-Ramirez connection high fiving. Photo- Al Behrman 

Fending Off the Red Birds

The road trip so far has not gone to plan. That doesn't mean the Cubs can't handle their rivals in St. Louis. The ball club will try with earnest efforts to win 2 of 3 before departing back home to face the Giants, who remain without Barry Bonds. With a victory earlier in the day the Astros have sneaked a game and a half in front of the Cubs. Chicago needs to stay on pace. If not for a tie-breaking, game winning suicide squeeze Friday night by the Cardinals' David Eckstein a sweep could have be possible. Thanks to the double play off the bat of Albert Puljos in game 2, the Cubs barely scathed by on the hair of their chin. Mark Prior(7-3) is set to go against Jeff Suppan(9-7) for the final game of the series. Relying on the bats of Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, who are both sizzling may not be enough to stop the Cardinals.


An injured Scott Rolen and Reggie Sanders does help the cause, but without these guys there is plenty of offense left in the Cards' lineup. With Prior bringing his best stuff he can keep the scoring to a minimum. His presence is the rotation means so much to the team. His contributions is a major in winning. A good approach for Prior facing the Cardinal hitters is this: throw Jim Edmonds high fastballs away, use breaking ball when needed, don't give Albert Puljos anything over the middle of the plate to swing at, keep him guessing with pitches on the outside corner or throw up and tight to back him off the plate, keep the lead off batter from the getting on base, and let your teammates handle the rest of the load. When these two teams meet during the season it's always a spirited,competitive affair.

Ramirez extends his arms, hitting the ball to left field. 

Progressing Day By Day

Taking advantage of an opportunity is what the Cubs are doing on their road trip. Winning 2 games against the Reds in Cincinatti things are looking up. Building more and more confidence moving further into the season seems to be making the team grow stronger. The offense has picked up as Aramis Ramirez hit two homers Tuesday night, providing five runs driven in during the game. The Cubs win 7-3 as Mark Prior earns his seventh victory of the season. With the hitters springing to life and supplying ample hitting to score runs it's not going to be long before they ride a winning streak. They've had their tumbles here and there, but with Lee and Ramirez hot along with Todd Walker swinging well this may lead to a breakout in scoring. People need to give the Cubbies credit, they're still hanging around in the NL contrary to their season already being over predetermined by skeptics a month ago.

With the win at Cincinatti the Cubs improve their record to 48-45. Ryan Dempster collects another save in his role as closer. Derek Lee hit 2 doubles and single to push his batting average over .380. This guy is having his best season ever and continues to lead the league in several categories(homeruns, RBI, batting average,etc.) The possibility of him receiving Triple Crown honors is not unlikely. His main focus rather than obtaining such a prestigious award is helping the Cubs win as many games possible to grab a playoff spot. The big series in ST. Louis is coming up which the Cubs are looking forward to this week. Having the Cards drop a couple of games in a row wouldn't hurt. Has this team had a slack period this season? Anyway, seizing the opportunities presented and scoring early in games throughout the road trip is what the Cubs need to do. The competition is only going to be get more tenacious. Just keep up the hitting, go Cubs!

Cubs Take 3 of 4 Against Pittsburgh

In a hot, sunny day at Wrigley everything went the Cubs way. The starting lineup knocked the Pirates' Kip Wells from the mound in the third inning. A flow of 5 singles in the row and a double plated 6 runs in the inning. Carlos Zambrano had another fine outing, pitching a strong eight innings of work, allowing one unearned run plus swatted a 2-run double. Derek Lee, Jeromy Burnitz, and Aramis Ramirez all homered. Michael Barrett added 2 hits and an RBI after returning to the lineup after a few days rest from a sore shoulder. With the 8-2 win Zambrano improved his record to (7-5). Nearly sweeping the series at Wrigley looms heavily in favor of the Cubs. Right now they need to win as many games as possible. I know they don't need to be reminded of this everyday. The young relievers Sergio Mitre and Will Ohman got some work in towards the end of the game. Thanks to the effectiveness of the rotation the bullpen has gotten some rest this week.

On deck next in the schedule are the Reds and Cardinals. Tommorrow Jerome Williams will start in Cincinatti. The hitter friendly surroundings of the Great American Park should satisfy the Cub hitters. Even though the Reds are in last place at the moment their lineup is stacked with power and excellent hitters. Adam Dunn is having another great season and can take a pitcher deep in a hurry. (Holds record for longest homerun hit at Great American Ball Park, over 500 ft.) The same goes for Ken Griffey Jr. who's production has slacked off a bit, but still possesses the pop in his bat. There are other young, budding stars like Austin Kearns and Willy Mo Pena the Cubs need to pitch careful to as well. Then the Cubs travel to St. Louis to face the Cardinals, where they will have a chance to fight for redemption and ground in the division. Derek Lee will be a prime factor in these games. If he goes on a tear maybe it will lead over to the other Cub hitters. I think if Dusty will move Aramis Ramirez behind Lee in the order the Cubs will score more runs. Ramirez is heating up, already with 21 homers and over 60 RBIs. He's been a big lift to the team.

Help may be on the way as Ben Grieve was activated from the Iowa Cubs(AAA). His bat and presence in the outfield is needed. With Grieve available a balance can be made with outfielder Todd Hollandsworth. Jerry Hairston will most likely remain in centerfield since the absence of Corey Patterson (deployed to minors- Iowa(AAA) earlier this month). With the expectation of a return soon, Nomar may be back in early August. The Cubs can't have too much offense. With their prized starting rotation, it will be essential in order to win games. The current situation looks gloomy, standing 13 games out of first, but they're much closer in the wild card race here in July. They'll have to wait back and watch the teams in the NL East beat the living crap out of one another and then slip in first place in late September. This is if there is no chance of catching the Cardinals. Time to outplay those Reds and storm into Busch Stadium and send a loud, clear message: Oh yeah, we're bringing it bitch!

Kerry Wood rears back and delivers on the mound. 

Long Ball Helps Defeat the Bucs

Josh Fogg and the Pirates were in for a rough afternoon at Wrigley. The Cubs bats did some damage, scoring 7 runs with a grand slam coupled with a three-run homer from Jerry Hairston and Aramis Ramirez. Kerry Wood pitched a solid game once again, going six innings and giving up one run. The final score was 11-1. Moving a game over .500 still puts the Cubs at least 11.5 games back in the Central depending on the outcome of the Astros vs. Cardinals game. The main concern for Chicago is keeping the offense roaring, being productive. The starting rotation looks fine after coping with the injuries. They are just missing one or two elements that can put them over the top. Coming down the stretch, the Cubs must play well rounded, full team effort baseball. Their schedule is never easy in mid August and September since they normally play the toughest teams in the National league(Dodgers, Braves, Cardinals, and Giants). Since injuries and problems have plagued contenders in the west, it takes a little pressure off the Cubs.

Tommorrow poses a challenge as Pittsburgh will start Zach Duke, a young, talented rookie that was called up recently from Triple A. He is a flame thrower that relies on his fastball. Derek Lee and the boys in Wrigleyville will see if they can handle the young right hander's heat. Closing out the month of July with a sense of renewed confidence and a decent record bodes well for the Cubs. I'm glad that the owner didn't decide to trade for Preston Wilson, who went to the Nationals last week. The guy wasn't right for the club nor would he have been the kind of player that produces big in the clutch. For once in the team's history, the owner and GM need to stop being so cheap and pick up a real quality budding star who could reap major dividends. It's time for these guys in the front office to get jerked or smacked around until they come to their senses. Enough is enough, it's time to create a successful winning team that can win a World Series. There is a valid, dispensable source of revenue constantly growing because the fans contribute to rising attendances each summer, not to mention the profit made from merchandise and food at the ballpark. So there better not be any damn excuses about lack of money. The 2005 season is a good 2 and a half months from being over and with the right changes the Cubs can still be in the race and clinch the playoffs. First they'll have to get through this month avoiding a losing skid.

Derek Lee cranks his 27th homer of the year. 

Lee, A True Bright Spot in '05

The sensational performances of Derek Lee for the first half of the season have positioned the first basemen as one of the top players in all of baseball thus far. If there is a sliver lining for every unfortunate series of events, he is that for the Chicago Cubs. It's hard to disagree that he doesn't have the best chance of any major leaguer to win the Triple Crown. Batting .378 with 27 homeruns (tied with Andruw Jones) and 72 RBIs speaks for itself. This is a good full season for most everyday players. Without him, the Cubs would be up a creek without a paddle and not be anywhere close to their current record of 43-44 heading into the All-Star break. This team experiences it's share of problems every year, what's new? At least they have a leader on the team with a positive image that can motivate his teammates, picking up their level of play. He belongs in the All-Star Game, getting the start at first base over Albert Puljos. (It's such a crying shame, boo-who Cardinal fans).

Glancing at the Central division standings doesn't reflect a good season prediction for the Cubs, however their final outcome up to September rests on their shoulders. Their season is far from over unless they quit or say the "hell with it." The All-Star break should give the team time to think about taking a stand and vowing to turn their season around. Manager, Dusty Baker may have to get the whip out and crack some skulls. Obviously, his "special" water medicine was a some form of mental/psychology scheme in attempt to rid players' of slight injuries. That was a waste of time. Drilling information on how to play intelligent baseball into their heads then practicing it on a regular basis will prove to be most effective. Corey Patterson and Jason Dubois learned that their lack of productivity was hurting the team so they were shipped on assignment to the minors. There they can figure out how to hit consistently again then be able to return to the roster if ready. Coming off the sweep against the Marlins, the Cubs have the free time to do some serious soul searching and reflection. Doing so by drinking liquor at all-night bars though wouldn't be a good idea. Before having to get serious in the second half they can enjoy the moments of the Mid-Season Classic along with the fans.

Aramis Ramirez cracks a 2-run homer. 

Cubs Roll Into Atlanta With A Purpose

Last week was tough for the Cubbies. They've slipped back further behind the Cardinals in the division, now stationed at .500. Sunday was another heart breaking game as Cubs fans watched the gutsy Washington Nationals get a lead and maintain it until the 9th. The heroics of Aramis Ramirez wasn't enough as he blasted a fastball out in left center for a homerun in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs. Then the game reached extra innings. There the Nats scored two more runs as the Cubs reacted by tying the game again with a single off the bat of Todd Hollandsworth. However, Nationals catcher Brian Schneider homered in the 12th to seal the game. Why did the Cubs have to run into the Nats when they were on a hot streak? How is this team doing so well? (Already with 50 wins and over a .600 winning percentage, this is a ridicilously impressive for a expansion team).

Well, all that ended with misfortune in the last week needs to be forgotten. The team has to focus on the task at hand: catching up with those damn Cardinals. Why can't a player besides Larry Walker get injured? I normally wouldn't wish this on anyone, but they've got way too much depth. Someone needs to be put on the shelf. Now it's on to Atlanta to face the likes of Andruw Jones who has been hitting the daylights out of the baseball. His 25 homeruns leads the National League and he's not going to stop there. Taking 2 at the least from the Braves can give Chicago new life just before the All-Star break. The lack of production from Todd Walker, Corey Patterson, and Neifi Perez is really killing the Cubs. Starters are losing games or not getting decisions because these guys are not scoring enough runs for them. This has to change soon. It's definitely time to work with the hitting coach to correct swings and timing. Showing some patience at the plate wouldn't hurt either. Come up guys, let's turn this season around and start scoring some runs!

Lost To Brewers Doesn't Dampen Players' Spirits

Unable to end the series in Milwakee with a sweep, the Cubs still have to feel pretty good. Kerry Wood is available, going off a surprising pitching performance on Wednesday. His 1-1 record is not a reflection on the real Kerry Wood. This is because he has missed the majority of starts for May and June. Derek Lee has bought a prominent appeal to first base. He also is one of the leading vote getters for the All-Star break, trailing only Albert Puljos. The man is on a tear for the season, posting a league leading .382 batting average and has already smacked 23 homeruns. This amazing outburst hopefully can be kept up for the second half of the season. The Cubs at the moment stand at 40-37, a decent record considering the injuries they've dealt in the early going. Sooner or later they will have to pick up the pace to outlast St. Louis.

The team owner and GM are contemplating trading before the deadline for an outfielder. This is the main position where they are weak. I still disagree with the idea of acquiring a player like Preston Wilson. His presence wouldn't be much of a factor in the long run. The organization should consider all possible options and look for the ball players with a proven track record or the most potential. A great deal can go down for the Cubs if the right decisions are made from the front office. They know a common, everyday low market player is not going to cut it or make the difference. The team has the key essentials for winning: strong pitching, power, speed, veteran leadership, balance of talent, and determination. If they can make a big run moving towards mid-July and August they'll been fine. It's up to the players to perform and execute. With the All-Star Game fast approaching teams will be looking to add an extra advantage at all costs. Jumping on limited opportunities available will be in the Cub's best interest.

Wood Set to Return This Week

News keeps getting better and better for the Chicago Cubs. The flaming throwing Texan that's been on the DL for most of the 2005 season has finished his stint rehabing in Iowa (AAA). With Mark Prior making a remarkable recovery and filling a permanent slot back in the rotation and having Kerry Wood's arm healthy and ready to go brightens the horizon for a team who's season skeptics concluded was over before July. Now these loud mouthed, "jump to conclusions" clowns have their foot in their mouth. Hey, morons feel pretty stupid counting the Cubbies out too soon, huh? The Cubs are used to this kind of scrutiny or shadow of a black cloud hanging over them. After all the franchise has yet to win a World Series in over 80 years! The players are constantly reminded this by the media. They get sick and tired of hearding this crap. This year, like many others their hope has not diminished. 2005 is a different year with more promise and higher expectations than ever for the Cubs.

The organization is on a mission to overcome the obstacles this season due to injuries and setbacks. The city of Chicago is optimistic, let's face it they should be after rooting for a ball club owning the longest streak without winning a World Series in baseball history. (It's the truth, but this will change soon). That nagging statistic will not stop the players like Derek Lee, Mark Prior, Corey Patterson, Carlos Zambrano, and Kerry Wood from playing the game with passion and full intensity. The work horse pitching staff is the difference maker on the team. Their contributions are unmeasurable. Harry Carey, if alive today would be proud of this ball club, expressing his convictions about their transformation into a top contender. There is no doubt, his old saying, "I'm a Bud Man and a Cub's fan" would carry through the broadcast waves on television and radio. In honor of Harry Carey, let the Cubs rise to glory this year adding a toast with his beverage of choice. Take it to the next level Cubbies with shining moments of victory that deserve a, "Cubs Win and Holy Cow!" chant.

Prior, fired up after a play on the field. 

Prior Sparkles In Big Game Return

Coming off an injury in late May, Mark Prior stole the spotlight against the White Sox. The Cubs won 2-0, getting their source of offense from Corey Patterson who hit a solo homer. Prior's early unexpected return to the mound showed that his arm looked plenty healthy. He allowed only 1 hit while striking out 3 batters. (Strike Outs totals are normally higher, but it's his first game back since the injury). His reemergence in the rotation gives the team a lift, providing another sharp pitching arm in the rotation. With Derek Lee swinging a hot bat and Aramis Ramirez's clutch, power hitting the Cubs look to be in good shape for mid-season. Beating the team with the best record in baseball 2 of 3 games is a daunting task the Cubs achieved. It also builds a load of confidence. That's exactly what the Cubs need to boost their level of play.
The fractured elbow Mark Prior's suffered at the hands of the Colorado Rockies almost a month ago looked to put the Cubs season on the brink. His quick recovery was practically a miracle for the Cubs. They needed him as soon as possible. If Carlos Zambrano can get hot again, this team will be a tougher force to reckon with in the National League. Getting 7 or 8 games over .500 by the All-Star break will put the Cubs right where they should be in the season. The relief staff is further developing and improving, becoming more of a strength late in the game. Finding an answer to those high flying Cardinals is still a major challenge. They've just got too much talent and experience. However, they are not the best team in baseball and can be beat. Their rival clash with Chicago later in the season will prove who is the better competitor this year.

Taking Care Of the Brew Crew

Pushing for the sweep in Milwakee, the Cubs look to make it 3 wins a row. Carlos Zambrano will get the start after yesterday's shift in the rotation. New acquistion Jerome Williams, traded from the Giants had a good outing, enabling the Cubs to maintain a lead and go on to pull out a victory. If Zambrano brings his A game, it's going to be a rough night for the Brewers. He deserves to get more run support as in recent starts it has been dismal for the young, animated right hander. Good news enters the clubhouse and is spreading through the team's organization. Mark Prior is determined to make his return much sooner than expected. This is great news for Cubs fans. Now if we can get a healthy Nomar back and decide what to do with Kerry Wood. I've said it before, if Wood is unable to reinvent himself or be able to even pitch Chicago needs to trade him. He is one of my favorites still on the club, but the ultimate goal for the team this year is to clinch the playoffs then work from there.

Too many times before the Cubs management has waited back and not made the right decisions until late in the season. There remains a void in the outfield. Part of this is the lack of Corey Patterson's offense in the lineup. That's not the only problem. Todd Hollandsworth is not the typical everyday starter nor is Jason Dubois who came up from Triple A(Iowa) earlier in the season. Sure, Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee have been providing the pop though the Cubbies need another guy to deliver in crucial situations. Tonight they can gain some more ground on St. Louis by sweeping the Brewers. The Cards don't appear to falling into a losing spell any time soon so it's going to take a all-out team effort to keep a short distance. These teams will meet later on for a couple of series which will be huge for both clubs. (The schedule always pans out for the Cubs to play the Cards in mid July and late August, just their luck). Zambrano should be strong enough Wednesday night to crank out a at least half a dozen strikeouts or more. Go Cubbies!

Carlos Zambrano reacts with emotion after a strikeout.  

Cubs Drop Second Straight Against Yankees

Being in Yankee Stadium again only brings back bad memories. A good luck charm hasn't fell upon the Cubs at this stadium ever. The Cubs played well in the first game scoring runs, but middle relief couldn't hold a lead. Saturday afternoon, Glendon Rusch pitched a decent game, but left the game in the 6th with the bases loaded. Then Joe Borowski entered the game, made a big mistake over the middle of the plate, and Derek Jeter hit a grand slam. (1st in over 130 at bats with bases loaded). This was the crushing blow as it put the game out of reach since the Cubs offense was unable to get charged up. The 8-1 loss will probably set Chicago back another game in the central division. The Cubs can't afford to let the Cardinals gain too much control moving into July.

Rumors about the Cubs trading for outfielder Preston Wilson pose as a distraction and may place the club in the wrong direction. If these are speculations, it will be best to leave them as that. This will not be the answer for the Cubs. With a rejuvenated, healthy Mark Prior expected to return in a month or sooner the Cubs management needs to examine star top quality outfielders. Lee and Ramirez would benefit, seeing better pitches to hit with another source of thunder in the lineup. Burnitz will get his share of homeruns, but his batting average usually sinks mid-way through the season. Corey Patterson is scuffling right now and really needs work closely with the hitter coach to regain his stroke and learn to correct his mistakes. He's still young and has yet to have a break out season. This is only a matter of time. There is no denying his talent. Winning at least 1 out 3 against the Yankees will be in the Cubs best interest. Tommorrow the young rookie, Koronaka most likely will get the start. Prior: For Cubs fans everywhere, keep that arm in good condition and don't overwork it. We'll need it in second half of the season. Will the old Kerry Wood reemerge healthy too?

Todd Walker makes a terrific play while sliding on the grass in the field. 

Cubs Bomb Red Sox 14-6

It was a day to remember as two notable teams squared off for the second time since the 1918 World Series. This game did mark the first time ever that the Red Sox have played the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Exploding for 20 hits the Cubs took the upper hand in the opener. Greg Maddux had a splendid pitching performance. He held Boston to 3 runs plus added a homerun for extra measure. This looked like the Greg Maddux of old. The starting roster is holding up their end of the bargain, providing fundementally sound pitching and keeping games close. The interleague meeting Friday afternoon was a classic. Despite the final outcome, the Cubs and Red Sox are almost evenly matched. Their records are similar as well as their starting rotation situation, both of which have their top aces injured. This series could of been even more thrilling if Prior, Nomar, and Schilling were playing. The rest of the series will kept fans on the edge of their seats. Boston will play with avengence on Saturday to counter the whooping they received in the first game. If it's another windy day in Chicago, do expect the Red Sox to get their share of runs. They've learned more about playing in the field now and how the ball carries in certain alleys in the outfield. The Cubs struck first, now it's on. An all out frenzy or war may break out, you never know so be ready!

Greg Maddux delivers a pitch towards the plate. 

Zambrano Shuts Down San Diego

Coming off a one hitter to the Dodgers, Carlos Zambrano pitched a 3 hit shut out while adding 7 strikeouts against the Padres to close out the series Sunday afternoon. The Cubs take the series 2-3 ending their west coast road trip. What would the Cubbies do without Carlos Zambrano? This guy is of the best young pitchers in baseball. Despite the 4-3 record, he has a 2.93 ERA and is one of the main reasons why the Cubs lead the National league in strikeouts. His presence and amazing efforts are keeping the team alive. The 4-0 win in San Diego should give the Cubs more momentum heading home to face the Blue Jays. The schedule is going to tough for the month of June as the Cubs will face the Red Sox, *(first time in regular season) Yankees, and WhiteSox. This is not a favorable interleague schedule for the Cubs. It will serve as a test to see how well they compete with the top teams in baseball.

It's still early in the season, but the wild card is wide open for several teams in the National League. The Cards continue to out perform most of their opponents. They remain atop the central division, five and a half games ahead of the pack. If the Cubs can get back a healthy Kerry Wood I think they can cut down on the lead even more or climb in front for the # 1 spot. This all depends on how effective Wood will be when he returns. With continued timely hitting and smart decisions on the base paths, the Cubs can stay within range until late August or early September. That is looking ahead too far probably. So much expectation was put on them to achieve new loftier goals from the beginning of the season. Right now they're playing like a top competitor. Whatever you guys have been doing in your routines and pre-game rituals keep it up, it's working. The series at Wrigley Field against Boston is going to be a memorable, exciting event. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Cubs Win 10 Inning Thriller

With lack of run support, Carlos Zambrano pitches a marvelous 1 hitter while going 8 innings Tuesday night. Neifi Perez got the big hit in extra innings with a single to pull the Cubs ahead 2-1. This helped the Cubs go on to win their five consecutive game. Everyone seems to have counted the Cubs out already without the arm of Mark Prior for an undetermined amount of time. They were lucky to beat the Dodgers last night due to the low run production. That definitely needs to turn around soon. Due to this Zambrano didn't even pick up the decision as he struck out 9 in his sterling pitching performance. Dusty, give Jeromy Burnitz a day off and give the other young outfielders a chance to gain some exposure. The Cubs will see Derek Lowe Wednesday night and better score on him early. This guy is a proven talent at the mound and has plenty of veteran experience. Hit the Dodgers where it hurts Cubbies and make it six in a row!

Carlos Zambrano fires a strike to home plate. 

Game 2 in L.A.

Opportunity is knocking in the series against the Dodgers. With Carlos Zambrano (3-3) on the hill for the Cubs tonight, their chances are looking good if he has control of his pitches. Chicago won the first game in L.A. 5-3. Aramis Ramirez provided most of the offense with a mammoth blast to left field and also added a double and single. Brad Penny (2-2) is slated to start for the Dodgers. Gaining some ground on St. Louis in the central divison is important now so they won't run off with 1st place like last season. The Cubs attention though is on the Dodgers for the moment, trying to take the series and move on to San Diego with a bode of extra confidence. If the offense kepts producing they should be fine. With changes in the role of the closer, placing Ryan Dempster at the assignment the late innings have gotten less hectic and tighter. Having a guy that can be counted on to to close out the game is a big relief. Zambrano can go for 6-8 innings if his pitch count doesn't get too high or his arm is feeling okay. Look for a possible pitchers duel tonight if the two young starting pitchers get into a groove. It should be an exciting contest.

Offense Comes Alive

Hitting wasn't a problem for the Cubs Sunday afternoon in Wrigley. Homeruns from Aramis Ramirez, Jeromy Burnitz, and Todd Walker helped fuel the team to a 11-6 victory over the Rockies. Derek Lee, who has been hot of late had 3 hits with a RBI, increasing his batting average to .366(second active in majors). This is the type of high scoring affair the Cubs needed as a confidence booster. The loss of Mark Prior was so devastating, he surely will be missed. Until his return the team must be able to hit and score enough runs on a consistent basis. There is still life in the pitching staff as Zambrano, Maddux, and Rusch remain in the rotation. These guys are capable of keeping the Cubs afloat in the Central division. With a loss by the Cardinals today, the Cubs advance 1 game. The starting lineup performed well against Colorado, though I think Corey Patterson should still be batting in no. 2 spot. Dusty Baker could experiment more with the lineup. Neifi Perez will be able to hit in the top or bottom half of the order. Getting the most of their power and speed can be the difference in close games. Hopefully Chicago can continue scoring more runs everyday and carry their winning streak over into the next series.

Derek Lee hits a line drive 

Upsetting Loss At Wrigley

The Cubs fell short against Colorado, losing 5-2. Todd Walker returned to the lineup for his second gane since being on the DL. He drove in one run. Carlos Zambrano lasted 7 innings, giving up 3 earned runs. The starting lineup yet again struggled to provide ample run support. Lack of production has been a lingering problem. Corey Patterson should be moved into the no. 2 spot in the batting order. He's starting to get on base. He can provide the spark in the Cubs lineup. Other players like Aramis Ramirez and Jeromy Burnitz must get hits for the team to score more runs. The new acquisition, Enrique Wilson is a good utility player to have on the field for defensive purposes, but he's not a true hitter. The Cubs GM needs to start looking for possible potential trades now. I think Chicago could afford to pick up another proven outfielder. With Prior on the hill tommorrow, pitching well of late the Cubs have a good chance of attaining redemption. In the mean time, wake up the bats Cubs and get some runs!

side view of historic Wrigley Field 

Late Inning Comeback

The Cubs bounced back from a 2-0 deficit, rallying in the 8th to score 4 runs against the Astros. Jeromy Burnitz's two-run single drove in the go ahead run. Roger Clemens' departure from the game in the 5th due to tightness in his groin allowed the Cubs to take advantage. Starter, Sergio Mitre pitched a decent game, giving up 2 runs while striking out 5 batters. The Cub relievers finally came through in the late innings. The team has won 3 games in a row and looks to close the series with another victory. Chicago has a favorable schedule for the rest of May. They'll see the Rockies, Padres, and Dodgers. Hopefully their streak will continue for a while. Keeping Carlos Zambaro healthy is the team's main issue. He's been advised to lower his time on the computer in regards to causing problems with elbow. Todd Walker is expected back soon and will add another solid bat in the lineup. Cubs, make this a season to remember!

Corey Patterson takes a full cut at the plate 

Cubs Win in Windy City Interleague Matchup

The cross town rivals, the Whitesox didn't get the sweep for the series on Sunday. Thanks to Mark Prior, the Cubs picked up the victory as he went the distance for nine innings for a complete game. Allowing only 3 earned runs, Prior showed that he was determined to pick up the win despite the collabrative efforts of the Sox. If not for the homerun off the bat of Jason Dubois, the Cubs could have dropped the series and continued their losing streak. That was not the case though much to the delight of fans at Wrigley Field and all across the country. The Astros come to town for the next home series. The productivity in the starting lineup is lacking. Corey Patterson, Aramis Ramirez, and Derek Lee must take charge and drive in runs if the starters are going to get run support. Otherwise the outcome of games will rest in the hands of the bullpen, who have been unreliable without question. Cory can energize this team by getting on base frequently. It is up to him to improve his approach at the plate and start hitting better. This in effect I think will lead to stolen bases and more runs since he is the fastest guy on the club. Now let's go take care of those Astros!

ATTENTION: Cubs and baseball fans feel free to post your comments, opinions, news, etc. here. I would like to start a fan/writers forum if possible.