The Cubs have not been in trade talks much this month. There were rumors going around about moving some players. Derek Lee among others had come up. After careful review management decided to keep him locked on the team. Carlos Zambrano has made it back to the roster after going through rehab and a new program advised by the Cubs front office. His appearances so far are cut short and has pitched out of the pen. Nothing as far as signings and good trades have occurred.
Wednesday the good sensation at the plate wasn't there. The 8-1 loss to the Cubs showed them slipping a bit in the NL Central. They must get more out of their lineup. Run scoring support was enough on the homestand before facing Houston. Striking for 3 runs in the 6th the Astros took advantage as the Cubs scuffled for timely hits. Ryan Theriot did go 3-for-5. No real good RBI chances though. Fukudome got the start in the outfield. Without an advance on the scoreboard in late innings the Cubs yielded another 3 runs in the 8th. It just wasn't a favorable pitcher's outing for Ryan Wells. Cubs will try to make better for the rest of the series.
Friday, July 30
Friday, July 23
Transitional possible move for Cubs: Ryno for Lou
Lou Piniella has made his decision as known for a short while to leave the Cubs after this season. He's has a short tenure in Chicago. His line of GM duties have served well. He's won Coach of the Year award for 3 separate years. His departure will be to the dismay of the Wrigley faithful. Player injuries and contract signings haven't enabled his coaching leadership to reach top goals in 2010.
With interest Ryne Sandberg is a possible replacement in management. His minor league experience in affiliate ball will pay off later. Daytona will make their decisions for restructuring and give Sandberg their blessing if all falls into place. Lou Piniella will end his valued coaching career for retirement. He's lead the Cubs to the postseason to see them get knocked out in the first rounds. Fans and him hope for a late season advance before any other new developments. At the time being the Cubs are in 4th place, looking at further changes before season end.
With interest Ryne Sandberg is a possible replacement in management. His minor league experience in affiliate ball will pay off later. Daytona will make their decisions for restructuring and give Sandberg their blessing if all falls into place. Lou Piniella will end his valued coaching career for retirement. He's lead the Cubs to the postseason to see them get knocked out in the first rounds. Fans and him hope for a late season advance before any other new developments. At the time being the Cubs are in 4th place, looking at further changes before season end.
Monday, July 19
Cubs use long ball to enact 11-6 win, take series
The Phillies showed up at Wrigley Field at the right time. Last night with a nice wind in the outfield the Cub bats came alive and took advantage. Geovany Soto started the hit parade off with a 2-run homer. Later Alfonso Soriano notched his 17th through mid-innings off Roy Halladay. The good news is the Cubs got to him early and padded a nice lead for starter Tom Gorzelanny. Pushing the count good he turned in a fine performance, yielding 5 walks and racking up the strikeouts. The run scoring was what needed to happen.
With the win the Cubs take 3-of-4 to finish out the series against the Phils. They're not looking good in the standings, still hanging around that 9-10 game margin behind. If Derek Lee picks up his swing (3-run double yesterday) and Aramis Ramirez they can get this team on a run. They haven't won 4 in a row all season. It's time for Chicago to exceed that goal. Lou is still experiencing with that lead-off spot, moving guys around. I'd like to see what works out there this week.
The Astros head into Wrigley for a 3-game series. They have struggled as of late. Bringing the offensive output against them will make the Wrigleyville faithful feel better. When Zambrano gets back it will bring the Cubs extra strength out of the bullpen if not the rotation. The Cubs benefit from having his gamer mentality and streaky lifts he provides. After Houston they'll see a few other NL tough opponents before meeting up with their rival Cardinals.
With the win the Cubs take 3-of-4 to finish out the series against the Phils. They're not looking good in the standings, still hanging around that 9-10 game margin behind. If Derek Lee picks up his swing (3-run double yesterday) and Aramis Ramirez they can get this team on a run. They haven't won 4 in a row all season. It's time for Chicago to exceed that goal. Lou is still experiencing with that lead-off spot, moving guys around. I'd like to see what works out there this week.
The Astros head into Wrigley for a 3-game series. They have struggled as of late. Bringing the offensive output against them will make the Wrigleyville faithful feel better. When Zambrano gets back it will bring the Cubs extra strength out of the bullpen if not the rotation. The Cubs benefit from having his gamer mentality and streaky lifts he provides. After Houston they'll see a few other NL tough opponents before meeting up with their rival Cardinals.
Saturday, July 10
Cubs lose 9-7 in L.A. as it makes 2 straight
Darn these tight-fisted small leads the Cubs keep getting then lose. When they had the game cinched up the other night the Dodgers came back with a 2-run homer to beat them. Then yesterday I don't know what happened with the offense early. They trailed most of the game in the 9-7 defeat. Marlon Byrd came to hit unlike most of the others. He went 3-for-4 with a couple RBIs. Down 8-3 in later innings the Cubs managed to force in 4 more during the last two innings. A ground ball that scoring run here and an RBI triple there didn't work for the road team.
Seeing how the Cubs didn't win Game 1 the series isn't going to the favor in the least bit. Ted Lilly had a bad outing Friday night. Giving up 5 earned runs in just over 3 innings doesn't cut it. Still where and when is the problem with the offensive output. They've got to score more runs. 38-49 isn't where it's at now in the season. Okay it's nice to have an extra man available like in Koyie Hill yet the Cubs don't have the right depth still. A trade is definitely in order and I won't stop with that idea. I bet they'll still have problems until the put the best lineup out there and add a few new hitters on the bench. Got to have for the offense to really churn.
Seeing how the Cubs didn't win Game 1 the series isn't going to the favor in the least bit. Ted Lilly had a bad outing Friday night. Giving up 5 earned runs in just over 3 innings doesn't cut it. Still where and when is the problem with the offensive output. They've got to score more runs. 38-49 isn't where it's at now in the season. Okay it's nice to have an extra man available like in Koyie Hill yet the Cubs don't have the right depth still. A trade is definitely in order and I won't stop with that idea. I bet they'll still have problems until the put the best lineup out there and add a few new hitters on the bench. Got to have for the offense to really churn.
Thursday, July 8
Cubs send boom to D-backs, complete sweep
It was all Cubs offense for the 3-game series in Arizona. They sent it strong to the D-backs. Compiling 23 runs in that time span the Cubs really turned on the offense. The energy was good for a change. Playing small play they got out to a 2-0 lead last night. Marlon Byrd delivered a RBI double which plated Derek Lee. Later the lineup came back again through mid-innings to score on a 2-run single by Starlin Castro. The Cubs had the offensive juices working.
Ryan Dempster had a good outing, getting the win. He advances his record to 7-7 backed by good support. He managed to get through 5 innings of work and fanned 6 batters. He helped his old cause with a bunt to get an RBI on a fielder's choice. Once he left the game the bats continue to pound away at Arizona pitching. In the 9th Aramis Ramirez cranked a 3-run shot which hit the seats in left field. That's makes his 9th homerun of the season. Finally the right components were out there on the field for the Chicago Cubs.
With the sweep this week the ball club moves up a few games in the NL Central. Both the Cardinals and Brewers lost last night. Still the Cubs aren't where they should be right now. Getting that consistency from the lineup one game after another is the key area to stick with. Nobody can stop them when they play sound fundamental ball. 10 hits were tallied against the D-backs in the 8-3 victory Wednesday. They did it with only one left-handed batter in the lineup!
They're slated to face the Dodgers to continue the road trip this week. That will be a real tough series. The way it looks the Cubs can use a few extra left-handed hitters. They do have the options with Mike Fontenot and Tyler Colvin off the bench. Still I've got to believe the market is good for them to pick up a few hitters prior to the trade deadline. Adam Dunn may be a certified candidate. Same with a few other choice selections. Thinking big then acting upon it with a real good decision is the answer. Keeping the offensive turning on all cylinders will be good for the upcoming series in L.A. Just bring the octane for the offensive firepower. Go Cubs Go!
Ryan Dempster had a good outing, getting the win. He advances his record to 7-7 backed by good support. He managed to get through 5 innings of work and fanned 6 batters. He helped his old cause with a bunt to get an RBI on a fielder's choice. Once he left the game the bats continue to pound away at Arizona pitching. In the 9th Aramis Ramirez cranked a 3-run shot which hit the seats in left field. That's makes his 9th homerun of the season. Finally the right components were out there on the field for the Chicago Cubs.
With the sweep this week the ball club moves up a few games in the NL Central. Both the Cardinals and Brewers lost last night. Still the Cubs aren't where they should be right now. Getting that consistency from the lineup one game after another is the key area to stick with. Nobody can stop them when they play sound fundamental ball. 10 hits were tallied against the D-backs in the 8-3 victory Wednesday. They did it with only one left-handed batter in the lineup!
They're slated to face the Dodgers to continue the road trip this week. That will be a real tough series. The way it looks the Cubs can use a few extra left-handed hitters. They do have the options with Mike Fontenot and Tyler Colvin off the bench. Still I've got to believe the market is good for them to pick up a few hitters prior to the trade deadline. Adam Dunn may be a certified candidate. Same with a few other choice selections. Thinking big then acting upon it with a real good decision is the answer. Keeping the offensive turning on all cylinders will be good for the upcoming series in L.A. Just bring the octane for the offensive firepower. Go Cubs Go!
Tuesday, July 6
After losing home series Cubs sock it to D-backs
Yesterday was a nice change of pace as the Cubs won 9-4. On the road the Cubs have to fight their way into a better standing. They haven't played well on the home series nor the road. It's time to really pick it up if they want to gain any ground. Too many standed runners with lack of wlaks piles up just too many losses. Providing the boom on offense Monday against th e Diamondbacks were Alfonso Soriano who connected on his 14th homerun. Geovany Soto helped too with a 3-for-4 display and 2 RBIs. Up and down the lineup there are still weak points. Preferably towards the end there needs to be changes.
The starting is typically tuned up nice. It provides enough to hang around in close games. Tyler Colvin has played up to standard, provided pop here and there. Kosuke Fukudome also homered in the victory yesterday, making it his 7th as was positioned in the lead-off spot. Today the Cubs have to manage with Carlos Silva (89-2) pitching. The offense can;t go soft. Getting 4 runs early will be a great benefit to them. The Cubs are still working around absence players. Aramis Ramirez is need, the same with carlos Zambrano. The Cubs have to crunch out those runs if they want to succeed.
The starting is typically tuned up nice. It provides enough to hang around in close games. Tyler Colvin has played up to standard, provided pop here and there. Kosuke Fukudome also homered in the victory yesterday, making it his 7th as was positioned in the lead-off spot. Today the Cubs have to manage with Carlos Silva (89-2) pitching. The offense can;t go soft. Getting 4 runs early will be a great benefit to them. The Cubs are still working around absence players. Aramis Ramirez is need, the same with carlos Zambrano. The Cubs have to crunch out those runs if they want to succeed.
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