Cubs lose series to Houston

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs lost today 4-3 in 12 innings and with that lost the series to the Astros winning just 1 of 3.

We had our chances to say the least. We wasted a quality start by Ted Lilly. With a win today we could have won our first back to back series of the year. That pretty much sums it up.

After last nights come from behind win with Aramis Ramirez having one of his career nights with 3 home runs you might think we would have been riding high. But in the last 3 innings we had the winning run on in each inning, at times with none out and couldn’t get it done. 7 left on in the last 3 innings that could have won.

The Cubs are doing better but not better enough. They have had a hard time all year hitting with runners in scoring position. Today that was the story. Yes the bull pen gave up 3 runs but they should not be blamed. Lou Piniella used the entire bullpen. The bullpen is not the problem.

So enough said on this and move forward. The St. Louis Cardinals come into town on Friday with Randy Wells scheduled against Jeff Suppan. The Cubs need to do well here. Have no idea what is the trade situation but with just 10 days  left before the trade deadline the Cubs better give some reason to Jim Hendry not to trade the club away.

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Cubs win series over Phillies

Posted on July 18, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

Can you sign “Go Cubs Go”?

The Cubs have a new look. They are scoring runs. Yes, yesterday’s game did not have a good ending with Carlos Marmol blowing the save and the the Cubs win. But I can handle it when the Cubs bounce back with a stunning win against Roy Halladay.

They took 3 of 4 from the Phillies and scored 28 runs over those 4 games. Twice scoring more than 10 runs in a game. Even though he didn’t hit well tonight, Aramis Ramirez is hitting again. Going into tonight he was 17 for 40 in his last 10 games which is .425. He also had 5 home runs, 14 RBI. I think Aramis is back. Now a little more from Derrek Lee and who knows.

The Cubs have been getting production up and down the line up. Geovany Soto now has 11 home runs with 3 in the last 10 games. Alfonso Soriano leads the team with 17 after hitting another one tonight. Marlon Byrd continues his hitting with 2 more tonight and leads the team at .318. Tyler Colvin hitting in the lead off spot which he seems to like had 3 hits. Starlin Castro moved up to the no. 2 spot also collected 3 hits.

And let’s not forget Tom Gorzelanny and another quality start. Gorzelanny went 6 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs, 2 earned. He out pitched Roy Halladay. His only real mistake was walking Roy Halladay who later scored.

And is anyone missing Carlos Zambrano?

Houston comes in for 3 games followed by St. Louis. This is the home stand the Cubs need to do something.

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Carlos Zambrano Tirade

Posted on July 18, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

What is the latest on Carlos Zambrano?
We all saw the blow up in the dug out at US Cellular Field playing the White Sox on June 25th. Jim Hendry and the Cubs suspended him and after review by MLB and the Players union Carlos Zambrano was put on the restricted list effective June 28, 2010.

What exactly is the restricted list? From what I have read it is similar to the disabled list but I don’t see a time frame indicated. I would think there is one like the DL which has 15 or 60 etc. It seems to some extent that it is a negotiated between the club, MLB and the Players Association. How much the player and/or is agent is involved in this I am not sure.

In any event Carlos Zambrano is coming back. The question is what will the Cubs do with him? And how is it going to be in the club house? Lou Piniella says he is going to the bullpen.

Reports are that Carlos Zambrano has finished anger management and is went down to Mesa to get some work since he hasn’t pitched since.There really isn’t any news I have found that would suggest when he could be with the team.

Derrek Lee hasn’t said much regarding the matter but he did say he would not hold any grudges. That is typical Derrek Lee and my hat is off to him.

You would think the best thing to do is trade him. Jim Hendry has a big problem is what team wants him and we are not even talking about his salary. He is not the pitcher that he was when the Cubs gave him the big contract. Carlos Zambrano has over $45,000,000 coming to him at this point. Jim Hendrey was able to trade Milton Bradley and I thought that was impossible. Can he do it again?

For a moment put the issue on the side and ask what is wrong with Carlos Zambrano’s pitching? Can Larry Rothschild work his wonders and figure out why a pitcher that did have star power and the ability to be the ace of the staff lose it all. Well that is a bit harsh but Zambrano has not performed as he did when the Cubs made him a rich man. He is only 29 and has been with the Cubs from the beginning. Does he still have his stuff?

Of course Carlos Zambrano has been criticized for his outburst to say the least. He should have never got into it with Derrek Lee. I would say he was frustrated with the way the Cubs season has gone, how his season has gone and now the big series with the White Sox and gives up a 4 spot in the first inning. Anger problem yes. Misdirected yes. But why isn’t any other Cub that upset?

On one hand you could analyze that more Cubs need Zambrano’s anger. You could also argue the players are playing hard but in some ways trying too hard and that is getting in the way. I am a fan and that makes me an expert in my own opinion, what ever that means. Losing and under performing heaps onto itself and it doesn’t get any better until you break the spell. Momentum builds onto itself and the Cubs are in the losing end of it.

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Cubs Win 4-3 and 12-6 over the Phillies

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs come out of the All Star break by winning the first two games. They won today behind Ted Lilly and last night with Ryan Dempster.
The main attraction was Aramis Ramirez. He went 3-4 with a game winning home run and a double for a total of 3 RBI. Last night he went 2-5 and 4 RBI with a pair of doubles.

Monday night the Cubs came out swinging with the wind blowing out they had 16 hits including 3 home runs, 4 doubles and a triple. I don’t remember the last time the Cubs scored 12 runs.

Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly each pitched strong games. Ryan Dempster going into the 7th inning giving up just 2 runs and had 9 strikeouts. Ted Lilly went 7 innings giving up 3 runs on just 4 hits while striking out 10. Both nights it was Ryan Howard hitting 3 home runs and that was basically most of the Phillies offense.

The Cubs looked good both nights. Marlon Bryd, Geovany Soto, Aramis Ramirez and Alsonso Soriano are swinging the bats well. The pitching is good and Carlos Marmol struck out the side to today’s win and he couldn’t have looked better.

So we are off to a good second half. Can the Cubs keep it going? What is Jim Hendry going to do? At one point it looked like the Cubs were calling it a season and backing up the truck.

This home stand will tell alot. The Cubs have the Phillies for the weekend The Houston Astros for come in for 3 games MTW followed by the St. Louis Cardinals for the weekend. That will be 10 home games to start the second half of the season.

If the Cubs show some life and put together  nice winning streak then who knows what Jim Hendry will do. If this is just a flash in the pan then I would say the Cubs and Jim Hendry will be looking to dump some payroll.

Saturday afternoon Randy Wells will go against Coley Hamels. Hope the bats continue as Randy Wells has pitched very well of late but has had not run support.

Sunday the Cubs get another ESPN game. Next Sunday against St. Louis is another ESPN game.


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All Star Break Time

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan




The Cubs are 39-50 in fourth place 9 1/2 behind the Cincinnati Reds. It has been a disappointing season so far. Which leads to a number a questions of what next. The trading deadline of July 31 is coming up. I would think that the Cubs are in the selling market a compared to buying. Is it that obvious?

Are Owner Tom Ricketts and GM Jim Hendry ready to call it a season? We will soon find out as the trading deadline gets closer.

Let’s assume the decision is to start dumping payroll. Basically that is what it will be about. Money. Do the Cubs have anyone that another team is going to want? Let’s face it we have a huge payroll and the stars are not performing to the level needed to win baseball games. The Cubs have 8 players earning over $10,000,000 a year

Alfonso Soriano     $19,000,000  signed thru 2014

Carlos Zambrano  $18,875,000  signed thru 2012

Aramis Ramirez        $16,750,000  signed thru 2011

Kosuke Fukudome   $14,000,000  signed thru 2011

Ryan Dempster         $13,500,000  signed thru 2012

Derrek Lee                   $13,250,000  signed thru 2010

Ted Lilly                       $13,000,000  signed thru 2010

Carlos Silva                 $12,750,000   signed thru 2011

Reviewing the salaries note that the amounts are for 2010 and multi year contracts will usually increase each year. A person could make a case that not a single one is worth the money being paid. The pitchers maybe except for Zambrano of course. Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly have been excellent starting pitchers for the Cubs. Carlos Silva has been a big surprise. Part of his salary is being paid by the Seattle Mariners–at least that is what I read somewhere.

So I would say Jim Hendry has a big job ahead of him if the Cubs are planning on getting rid of their high priced players. The Cubs payroll is the 3rd highest in the Major Leagues with only the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox paying more.

So what does everyone think? Is there going to be a sale? Will Jim Hendry be able to pull off the unbelievable?

The next question is what is going to be done with Carlos Zambfrano? He is on the resticted list. From what I have heard and read about the restricted list is the Cubs are still paying him but they can replace his as a player on the roster. He is not on the restricted list forever. In fact he will be coming back after the All Star break. He is suppose to be going through anger management therapy but I have not read anything on the progress. Lou Piniella stated he will not be in the starting rotation and will be in the bullpen. How that will work out is another question.

As you can see lot is going on and I am sure the Cubs could use the break. They started out great on the road trip but finished up losing 3 of 4 to the Dodgers.

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Cubs going for sweep against Diamondbacks

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs are looking for a sweep of the Diamondback on the road. Is this the same Cubs that have trouble winning a series let along a sweep. Or winning the first game of a series. A sweep tonight will be the first since April 23-25 against Milwaukee.

Ok, a little surprise but a very good one. The big difference is the Cubs bats. They must like the desert air and Arizona pitching. It is a hitters park. It was great to see Aramis Ramirez hit two out. Kosuke Fukudome also seems to like Arizona pitching as he hits very well against them. But lets not get to full of ourselves, Arizona is struggling as a team just like the Cubs. They fired their manager and Kirk Gibson is the new boss. But will take what we can get. The Cubs have won 5 of 6 from Arizona and looking to make it 6 of 7.

Winning these games by scoring 15 runs in two games as compared to 6 runs in the last 5 games is much needed. The starting pitching hasn’t been as dominant but it was enough to get the wins.

Gorzelanny got the win in the first game giving up 3 runs over 5 innings. He walked 6 and gave up 5 hits so he was pitching out of a lot of jams. But what really helped was the Cubs jumped to a 4-0 lead after 2 which sure helps the pitcher. Had to go to the pen with 5 pitchers who did a great job. Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol  each struck out 3. Sean Marshall came in the 7th and also pitched the 8th. Carlos Marmol pitched the 9th and struck out the side. Cubs need to get the lead and give the ball to Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol for the 8th and ninth.

It was good to see Kosuke Fukudome go 2-3 with a home run (7)and 2 walks. Geovany Soto went 3-4 and a triple to knock in a couple of runs. Alfonso Soriano came off the bench to hit his 14th of the year.

Carlos Silva went 6 innings to win his 9 game against just 2 losses. He gave up just 2 runs and 4 hits. He left after 6 innings because of a recurring tightness in his right calf. His ERA is 2.96.

But when you have Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol you have a real good chance of closing it out. Marshall had a little trouble but an error by Starlin Castro didn’t help. Marmol gave up a hit but struck out the last 2 batters to end the threat. He struck out 3 in the ninth but one was on a wild pitch. Don’t be too picky.

Kosuke Fukudome had another home run. That sure has been missing. And Aramis Ramirez hit 2. Is Ramirez back? He has had 10 hits in the last 10 games.

Tonight is Ryan Dempster who believe it or not has not beaten the Arizona Diamondbacks in 10 years. He plans to change that.

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Cubs lose 12-0 to Reds

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs played even with the Reds for 6 innings. Then game the seventh and the wheels came off. And as usual the Cubs bats were silent. It is just amazing to see  this team of talented hitters to not score runs.

Ryan Dempster lost it in the seventh and was not able to get anyone out. He walked two to start the inning, Fontenot mishandled the ball trying to tag the runner going to second and the bases were loaded. Dempster then walked a run in after striking out Stubbs. The Cubs were only down 2-0 but the bases were still loaded. The rookie B. Schlitter came into relieve but then the flood gates opened.

To make an ugly story end the bottom line is the Reds scored 9 runs on 3 hits and 1 error. Oh, did I forget the 6 walks (1 intentional). The Reds would add another 2 in the eight. End of story–Reds 12 Cubs 0. End of story.

That’s right 0 runs on only 2 hits. We are 1 and 4 on this home stand. 12 games below .500 and in fourth place.11.5 behind the Reds. Tomorrow will be the 81st game and the half way point in the season. This season is not over but the first half was a disaster.

The pitchings has been good, especially the starters and closer Carlos Marmol. Not going to say much about Carlos Zambrano at this point. You have to wounder if the Cubs plan on dumping some players as the trading deadline approaches? Is it time to change managers? I don’t believe this is Lou Piniella fault but the manager is always blames. And I just don’t know about Rudy Jaramillo. I know his reputation but for some reason the Cubs bats have in a slump all year. You tell me.

Watching the Cubs today on WGN had one very interesting side line. Coverage today included the Direct TV blimp. The aerial pictures of the Chicago skyline were just magnificent.

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Cubs avoid sweep with 8-6 over Sox

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cub’s bats showed some life scoring 8 runs for the first time in a while. Ryan Dempster pitched a great game. Tyler Colvin is making a name for himself with another home run with 2 aboard to give the Cubs the first lead of the series. Tyler drove in another run for a 4 RBI day.

Derrek Lee knocked in a couple of runs. Geovany Soto had a 3 hit day.  Alfonso Soriano had 2 walks and a home run on a towering ball to left. The only player not to get a hit was Jeff Baker who had an awful day with 3 strikeouts and hit into a double play.

The Carlos Zambrano saga continues as the front office is waiting to hear from MLB and the players association. I guess the only question is how long the Cubs can suspend Zambrano. The bigger question is what happens when the suspension is over? What is Zambrano going to do and what are the Cubs going to do? If he stays with the club how is everyone going to react? Lou Piniella has already stated Zambrano will be in he bullpen.

I don’t know how many of you watched the game today as it was on WGN America. But I noticed that there was something different both today and yesterday. The Carlos Zambrano incident may have been a blessing in disguise. After what went down Friday it is good to step back and digest what it all means. There really wasn’t any news today or yesterday. The dust is settling. There aren’t really that many options the front office have. But the play was different, especially today. The Cubs played well Saturday but lost on a late inning home run by Konerko.

What is up with the dinner Friday night between Carlos Zambrano and Ozzie Guillen?


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Sox 6 Cubs 0 Zambrano Supended #cubs

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

Never a dull moment when the Cubs play the Sox. The Sox are playing great. The Cubs are not. Today told a lot.

The Cubs lost to the Sox 6-0. But that unfortunately was not the story. The Sox have won 10 in a row. The story was Carlos Zambrano. His melt down. His blow up in the dug out after the first inning. The aftermath of what happens next.

When something like this happens it news and everyone is talking about it, writing about it, watching. Same here. The consensus is Zambrano was way out of line. Not his first time. He is a volatile excitable personality that lets his emotions get the best of him. This is not news. It is also not the pitcher he once was. I don’t think he is the ace of the staff. Just the most expensive.

Jim Henry suspended Zambrano indefinitely. What that really means I am not really sure. I assume the time frame is just not indicated right away. With the contracts the players have I think the ownership has limited options. Not like normal jobs where they can fire a player. And with his contract of $17.5 million a year it would be difficult to trade. But we thought the same with Milton Bradley.

The only difference between Bradley and Zambrano is Bradley was really hated by the fans and he spoke out against them. Zambrano no so much. But that may change here soon.

The other day I wrote in this blog about looking for a spark. Today Cubs TV analyst Bob Brenly said the team has been dead all year. I agree. But this is not the spark they need. Winning needs at attitude and losing is a disease. If you are winning you can feel it. When you are losing you don’t feel anything and I think that is what is going on with the Cubs. Zambrano is frustrated in the team but I would say is more frustrated with himself if he could only admit it. He wanted to blame other players today but it was him who was the person to blame.

This will be a headline story for a while. How the team reacts is anyone’s guess.


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Cubs win in Seattle in 13

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Chicago Cubs Fan

The Cubs are limping back home from Seattle avoiding a series sweep with a 3-2 victory in 13 innings. That’s the good news. The bad is they lost another series. The Cubs are floundering having won only 1 of the last 8 series.

The bats are still silent and the defense is a little shaky. They hung in there yesterday and Ted Lilly and the bullpen did a great job. Marlon Byrd had a great at bat and drove in Alfonso Soriano who had walked.

Still waiting for the team to get it together. It has already been a long frustrating season. The Cubs are in Chicago to play the White Sox who have been on fire winning 14 of their last 15 games. But the Sox were in the same position the Cubs are in, even worse. The Cubs can do the same as the Sox have done. Winning builds momentum just like losing does. In the back of my mind I saw a little spark in the series against the Angels and Oakland. They came back in the 9th to beat the A’s and came back in the 9th but fell short against the Angels. It showed that there was life.

But that just didn’t seam the case against the Mariners. Yes the Mariners have excellent pitching in a ball park built for pitchers. Especially in the first two games the Cubs could not get the hit with runs on base. It has happened all year and it was  so apparent against Seattle.

I am hoping the return of Aramis Ramirez will provide the spark that is so missing. Aramis Ramirez has been absent all year and his clutch hitting and RBI’s are so much needed. And still waiting for Derrek Lee to find his bat. He is still only batting .233. He has usually by this time found himself after a traditionally slow start.

We have some bright spots. Marlon Byrd and Tyler Colvin have been great additions. And Carlos Silva has exceeded all expectations. Carlos Marmol has also been all we had hoped he would be as the closer. A little scary at times but he continues to come through.

Sean Marshall has been a favorite with his attitude in doing what has been asked out of the bullpen when he really wants to be a starter. Randy Wells has had his troubles and not sure if Tom Gorzelanny might be a better choice at the moment in the starting rotation. Andrew Cashner is showing well with 1 run in 10 innings.

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