Cubs turn it around, Soriano hits 2 homeruns

I'm glad the Cubs have returned back home. They look somewhat better than their misfortune time on the road. A sweep against the Pirates won't happen since dropping the first game 2-1. I'm not sure what the guys in blue are doing on and off the field. The hitting is still lacking. Yesterday Alfonso Soriano's 2 dingers made the difference. Otherwise the Cubs would have struggled more at the plate. Tough competition is what the Cubs have face. They have yet to see the best of it though.

Ted Lilly pitched another fine-tuned game, going around 7 innings with a run allowed. He bumps his record to 3-6. His track record speaks for itself. He's been good with his record improving all season so far. The middle of the order needs to provide the run support needed for starters. Randy Wells didn't receive much either. Xavier Nady can use days off as Lou need to scratch off a few names on that lineup card. Right now the Cubs don't even average 4 runs per game. Their timing is just off at the plate. I expect more from Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome, and Alfonso Soriano.

The hitting has to be consistent. Too many stranded runners still. With the Cubs are ahead in the count the bats must respond. Since the injuries have been here and there it's for a run explosion for a series. I like the idea of Mike Fontenot hitting extra chances in the lineup. Walks have to be drawn with more patience in the box. The defense is fine for now. Whenever they get Zambrano back they better have the kinks worked out. I understand the rough patches on offense. They ought to through with those dry spells and start cranking out the runs.

Cubs take a licking, keep on going with 8-6 win

Singing praises isn't happening in Wrigleyville. The Cubs have a long way to go before they truly impress anyone. At times they've looked awful on offense. Yesterday the lineup turned it around. Tyler Colvin had a very good game at the plate. Hitting 3-for-5 with a homerun and RBI double helped big time. Derek Lee also added a few run driven in as well. The good news is Aramis Ramirez is back from his minor league rehab stint. A truly short one at that.

Ryan Dempster recorded yet another win, pitching well for 7 innings and mowing down 8 batters. He's now 6-6 with a 3.01 ERA. The run support was there Sunday afternoon. Another salvaged series for the Cubs. Alfonso Soriano lifted a homer out to left field later in the game. I'm not seeing much from Kosuke Fukudome when checking out the game on TV. Not sure if he's that healthy now.

The team still has spark and spirit. They have yet to show it as well as their best on the field. They lost the last 3 series which is only a disadvantage viewing the standings. 4th place isn't where the Cubs should be at the moment. The Brewers and Reds are playing too well for Chicago to take it for granted. Today the Cubs start a series back home with the Pirates. With Zambrano suspended indefinite another starter will be determined later. They really need to bring it strong against an NL Central opponent this time. No messing around for sure.

Cross-town not kind to Cubs, loss a downer

For a short while I thought the Cubs understood what a good streak meant. They still do in a way yet aginst the White Sox they haven't appeared to care enough about winning. Given they've had tough pitching from the opposing side. Well, the Zambrano situation happened and now he's suspended. That is a bummer. Have no idea what caused to react the way he did. This will again hurt the Cubs. I'm pretty sure he's mad about the total lack of run support. Defense generally not the problem.

If words could only convey how I felt about the game telecast yesterday. This stranded runners business has GOT to stop!! What in the world has to sink in for this 2010 team to put hitting streaks together? I'd just assume wrapped the contest up after 5 innings because no happened good for the Cubs. Now blaming it on the weather or pitching faced isn't right either. I doubt that was it Friday afternoon. The team can't ill-afford to keep slipping. Before we know it as Cub fans they'll be toward the problem of the division.

I'm wondering how long it's going to take. To let it sink quick enough. Hitting win tight ball games and good timing is getting too seldom for them. Coach Piniella has got to find a way to get more than inspiration to the men in blue. If only walks worked to the Cubs' favor. Patience is key too. Removing a few young bats from the lineup may help. Tyler Colvin is a problem solver, that's what I can tell you. Should the franchise top heads be concerned with holes in the lineup?

Damn right the Cubs got offense issues. They better be caring in the clubhouse after these pitiful games with scoring droughts. No one can feel sorry for a team that has exceptional talent yet can't combine efforts together enough to win. I'm sure on days a spectator can take a cinder block and toss it further to the outfield than the Cubs can't hit a baseball. I'm looking for the good approach where accomplishs occur. No doubt the franchise has wheels turning in the wrong direction. The Cubs need to learn to fight and scrape out runs again. Good luck in Saturday as

Another slide occurs, Cubs lose big in Seattle

All isn't well in Wrigleyville Cubs' fans. The lineup looked rough for the last 3 series. The struggle for balance again with the offense continued in Safeco Field last night. 8-1, the final summed up the lack of timely performance. Derek Lee tried in the early innings to help to no avail. One thing is sure; the Cub bats have to stop swinging so soon in the count. They also have to relieve the starter of mass run production before the mid-way through. The young batters looked bad going after bad pitches.

The Cubs do have tough pitchers to face such as with Cliff Lee Wednesday night. Stranding a numerous amount of runners isn't always horrible. After a later point they had good chances with runners in scoring position. Instead of delivering they came up empty. How the heck can they continue to happen? Soriano is doing okay for now yet still need to help propel the offense. The top guys right now for the Cubs I believe are Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, and Ryan Theriot. Forget Xavier Nady for now as most of the prospects too.

Later in towards the end of the month if Chicago is more than 10 games out of first place then it's still not good with the lineup. Coming up with a higher-powered lineup card is the answer. I feel trades and waivers are in orders right now! There is no sense in having a bunch of players on the bench not contributing and only filling space in a lineup. Sure, Randy Wells didn't pitch well either in the loss to the M's, allowing 10 hits and 2 walks for 6 earned runs. Still the offense has to produce and the energy surge has yet to appear. I have no idea what is going to become of the infield. Keep something the same there. Who knows what in the world Lou is planning to do.

Cubs spank Angels 12-1, salvage series

Well, what do you know? The Cubs actually brought out the lumber and whooped up on the Angels. They enacted a little redemption after getting shutout the prior day. All I can repeat is lets see this hitting more often. Derek Lee had a good game, 4 RBIs. Geovany connected on his 10th homerun. What a performance from Big Z too! Not only did he manage to fan 7 batters with a sole run allowed, but also went 2-for-4 with a RBI. That prime time for Zambrano. The game worked out well for the Cubs.

Also, getting in on the hitting was Alfonso Soriano (2-for-5) and Ryan Theriot (3-for-4, 3 runs). I'm impressing with that showing. Chicago gears up to face Seattle in the next series to played on the road. They'll face tough opposing pitchers. The opposite ends game might help. When the Cubs play strong time-consumed hitting and are totally different in the batter's box than the other team it work wonders. Despite yielding 8 hits Big Z was the top player yesterday. Sure the ERA is over 5 and needs drop down. I want those bats to come around again big and stay that way.

Cubs cinch win, 3-2

All isn't unwell for the Cubs. Sure they looked kinda bad against the White Sox yet made good in the series with the A's. The 3-2 victory was nice yesterday. Still they're 6 under .500. A few sweeps with adjustments at the plate, given the long ball occurs sometimes, it's going to be favorable for them. The Cubs finished the game Thursday with a game-winning hit by Fukudome after a few hits and walks tallied. Right now Chicago is 30-36 with room to grow. Lou may want to put less in the starting lineup with the young talent and add a few more left-handed or veteran bats to the mix. Look for that to aid the offense. Keep it up Cubs!

Cubs drop lazy game 9-5, put off by weather

The outside conditions took their effect with unfavorable weather last night. What in the world has got into the Cubs' bats? Again they fail to deliver in tighter run scoring situations. I'm not about watching this team lose big games before the All-Star break. The talent is clearly there. Carlos Zambrano also needs to get it in gear. The opposing runs were not his fault for the most part yesterday though. Those walks do come back to bite the Cubs. The main dilemma still remains run support. As I look down the lineup there are holes identifiable.

Derek Lee went 0-for-4 as Ramirez still remains out. Chad Tracy serves as the replacement at third. I'm not sure why though. A few good pinch hitters are there. However, it's nothing stellar about the Cubs' starting lineup. I don't see it getting better until the outfield situation is resolved. Putting in too many young guys who are still prospects so to speak isn't the answer either. Kosuke Fukudome has got to pick up the pace too. He'll have his days on the bench too.

9 hits tallied in the boxscore for the Cubs. How can they not rebound from their previous experience in the home stand? There is no sense in the franchise not noticing the constant misplacement of it's best talent. I believe finding the right group in the outfield defense is worthwhile. I can't speak for every Cubs' fan, but 28-36 isn't what I anticipated. Third place in the NL Central is okay for now. The A's got the first game of the series and can't be their difficult to beat.

Dempster takes the mound tonight in Chicago. Lou might as well set up a consistent lineup for a short while and let the top hitters swing away instead of for the fences. It's irrelevant how the team scores yet can prove successful when they do. If it takes rubbing bats with pine tar then go with it. Slumping is the problem with games played. It's still lack of good constant contact at the plate with runners in scoring position. One thing is certain when the men in blue at Wrigley hit homeruns the results are typically good. Marlon Byrd is helping in that regard yet may need a little time off when the other star hitter (Aramis) returns. Keeping refreshed and energizing bats is best for now.

Lilly nears no-hit bid, Cubs prevail 1-0

What a quick game it was yesterday. Ted Lilly had a sensational performance on the mound. He etched in a 1-hitter! Definitely had a no-hitter wrapped up until the freaking 9th frame. I don't get it with the pushing your luck theme still with the Cubs dugout. How many times can they leave it up to switch-a-roos and chance to not to score efficient runs? I like how Marmol maintained his control in the last inning to uphold the meager lead. Lilly finished the game with 8 innings pitched and 3 K's to his totals.

The young prospects are getting their time to contribute early in June. Yet haven't showed too much yet in the time through the starting lineup. The up and down type of mentality with the young energy has to change as well as with the veteran leadership. I believe the Cubs needed to take the series 2-of-3 because gaining a step up in the Central is important. As far as a defined outfield situation I have no idea with Lou will do until after the break period in July. If good sense and planning fall in place GM management and all can look to getting somebody like Jason Bay or Brandon Inge. Those guys will be wise investment. Until Wrigleyville has to see the team gaining vital ground in the division.

Back at it with Interleague Play, Cubs fall in opener

Hello again Cubs fans and visitors!

A long time back I updated this page. Whew! It's enough hassles I've experinced since then. Anyway, looking at the boxscores and catching the action on the field sometimes I see the Cubs are slumping again. Also noticed the trades which occurred. Losing to the White Sox wasn't good in any shape or form yesterday, 10-5. So the management team decided to bring in Xavier Nady and few other players. Not too bright when the starting lineup isn't settled yet.

I can't believe the pitching let the game get away from the Cubs at Wrigley Field Friday. They've still to work out discrepancies with the pen situation. Sean Marshall I presume is still available. Don't know much about the new acquisition in Randy Wells. Find other talented guys have been moved. Whenever the Cubs manage to hit at 4-5 runs early it's typically a good sign. They got to get control the starting rotation though. Wells fell to 3-5 with the loss as Soriano drilled his 10th homerun to reach a milestone 300.

Too many lead changes is never too good for Chicago. With the WhiteSox in town for 4-game series it to come clear to the Cub bats' to get runs in the early going. Having Kosuke Fukudome struggle as well as other potent hitters has to end. For a while the Cubs will licking the outskirts in third or fourth place. Lou Piniella may decide to get in on the trade talk before the All-Star break. Working out the differences in the infield and outfield rotation is still extraordinary significant. Dragging through games is never the answer. Time for the energy to surge sometime from the Cubs' starting lineup. Until that happens, bare and grin it.

Go Cubs Go!