awful game. Glad we got that out of our system before St. Louis.

Always have been always will.
Marmol: IMO, his control obviously right now is horrendus, and when he falls behind in the count, which is about 80% of the time, his strikes are belt high. The last two homeruns to Durham and Aurila both belt or just a tad higher. If he is physically fine, what do you do? Hell you still have to run him out there. Sending him down to me is not an option. I agree he is a huge part of the Cubs success.
Lets have a good weekend, Ramy is back, and Reed Johnson, who is vital for this team is back. Any Idea if “Z” is on any type of pitch count?
Go Cubs!

............the game yesterday, but it looks like Cotts pitched well. Especially with Eyre out, his performance is going to be critical.

The Cubs have to face the Cards so-called three best pitchers. Frankly they’re all back end guys, but they’ve managed to perform so far. That said, Looper and Wellemeyer were both hammered their last times out, and perhaps that pattern can continue.

(And probably teeming with icky micro-organisms, if you look closely enough.)

Heck, we aren’t even to the ASB yet, and it seems like every series brings out terms like “must-win” and “season-defining.” I hearken back to Al’s wise reminder that our Boys in Blue are still the most patient team in baseball. Can we as fans say the same for ourselves?

Many games to come vs. the Cards and Brewers, many opportunities to control our fortunes.

“Fill ‘er up!”

Cubs would do well making that deal for Burkett that is probably available and if Toronto is correct they want a SS in return, plus probably two players in replacement to the supplemental draft. Cedeno is the target of course so if the Cubs are going to step up to the plate they probably will need to deal something of value like Marshall and two prospects.

Then the Cubs can go ahead and trade for Vizquel later in the month as they will need a SS back up for certain.

Marmol has lost a bit of confidence. He needs a good all star break.

and realize that this stretch on the schedule even before the injuries was going to be really tough anyway. If we take 2 of 3 this weekend, I say mission accomplished. Use the ASB to recharge and evaluate our weaknesses to make the 2nd half a strong one.

Couldn’t watch the game yesterday, but when I saw the score on the crawl I figured Gallagher just didn’t have it.

Hard to believe that the Cards are pretty dominant on the road and we just can’t get it going. As well as we pound teams at Wrigley, you would think that some of that would carry over on our away games, but it’s far and few between. We don’t have to be a juggernaut on the road, but if we don’t have home field advantage in the playoffs, it’s gonna be extra tough to win each series.

...is Z is too pumped up and tries to overthrow. Breathe in, breathe out, Z.

Marmol is a big concern. He’s, obviously, not getting any better. We’ll need someone to step up (Cotts?), if this continues.

And you could see the Aurillia HR was demoralizing to the team last night. You could see a collective shoulder slump by the team after that.

But, hey, what’s past is past. Let’s get the bats going this weekend and win at least 2 of 3!

of the team can change quickly if Z pitches well and the Cubs are able to take 2 of 3 this weekend. I say half full.

This is one of hopefully only 2 or 3 tough times in the season, the Cubs are still 2.5 up and finally everyone is getting healthly. The only thing I am actually concerned about is Marmol, I think he will turn it around but without him being himself the bullpen becomes very average.

Is whether the glass is filling up or leaking. While at first glance we all may say it’s leaking, when you look at all 162 games, this is hopefully just a blip. All teams go through spells when they don’t hit, don’t pitch as well as other times. Becoming healthy will go a long way to starting to fill that glass back up. This team will bounce back and I hope the Cardinals are the potion to get us going. Winning 2 of 3 would be huge. With 28 home games and 22 road games until the end of August we need to position ourselves for September with some cushion.

BTW, we need to keep CC from going to Milwaukee!

And I think this mini-slump is coming at exactly the right time (a few weeks before the trade deadline) so that it exposes what the Cubs’ real needs are and Hendry goes out and does something. Had they cruised along, there might have been a tendency to not get a certain player and opt for something else.

I think another reliever is a must. I’d go after Brian Fuentes. Now that Marmol has come back to earth the team needs Wood insurance now more than ever, and I’d rather Howry stay as one of the effective set up guys instead of moving him. Obtaining Fuentes serves many purposes- another lefty, because let’s face it. we hold our breath when Cots goes out there and Eyre hasn’t stayed unjury free; he’s a very good set up guy and confuses both righties and lefties with that delievery; and he’s got closer experience in the event that’s needed. I’d rate Fuentes the number one priority. Look at all the games lately that the Cubs led or were close, like yesterday, and then boom!

Spitballing here- is Vizquel worth Cedeno? I think so. If this was covered elsewhere in the last few days I apologize, but I don’t think Cedeno’s head will ever completely be in the game. I’d love to be as physically gifted as him, but the other day, rather than toss to the second baseman for a double playrelay, he ran to the base and lost the out at first, thereby extending the Giants’ inning. It seems he is now making up new ways to mentaly mess up.

Since I live in Long Beach, the Angels have quite the logjam in the infield, still. Macier Izturis will likely never play regularly for them, and he’d be a great everyday shortstop for someone. The guy also plays third and second as if he was born there, and playing under Scioscia, mental mistakes just don’t happen. I’d love to see him in Wrigley, but I don’t know what the Cubs have the Angels would want.

The Cubs are still in first place after losing 7 out of 10. Had the Cardinals won 7 out of their 10, I would not be so optimistic. The Cubs still have the best team in the division. I’m confident the Cubs will get another quality starter. If the Cubs can’t get CC, try AJ. He could really help the club. Yes, AJ has a history of injury problems. No, Burnett hasn’t had the career of Sabathia. AJ would be a good fourth starter for the Cubs. While Marquis has had some good games such as his last start in San Francisco, I trust Burnett to be more consistent than Marquis.

We just went through the toughest portion of our schedule, without Zambrano and Soriano. Not to mention no Reed Johnson, Daryl Ward(for a time), Ramirez missed three games, Marmol is in a slump and we are still in first place.

Why didn’t Trammel bring in Eyre to face Thome in the last game at the Cell? Eyre seemed to be ready in the pen, the game was still within reach, and we would of had a lefty/lefty matchup.

Instead he leaves in Ascanio, Thome hits a 2-R HR, and then the game is out of reach. In the top of the 9th, if you remember, the Cubs had a double (I think Soto) and had guys on 2nd and 3rd. Now a single wouldn’t matter as much.

It was just something that I’ve been thinking about since then and it feels good to get it off of my chest.

Not worthy of its own diary here, but the Braves sent him down to work on his hitting. Holy moly.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/07/04/bc.bbn.braves.francoeur.ap/index.html

Felix Pie, you think you got troubles…...

He gave up a bloop hit and wasn’t able to make a great play on a bunt. No reason to take him out.

Jose Reyes and Keith Hernandez (now a broadcaster for them) are getting into fights on planes.

if we can get through this 32 game stretch (23 on the road) at close to .500 with as many injuries as we have had—and with D(GIDP)Lee in a funk in the early part, and ARam in a funk now (0-21), I think we will all be happy to just move on. We have lots of games at Wrigley in July.

The fact that we will get through this 32 game stretch with virtually no contribution from Marmol will be amazing. I will say again that the Cubs need a good pitching coach who can work with players and fix problems. Larry Rothschild is no Dave Duncan. But he is not even 50% as good. We are at a HUGE disadvantage in this one position in our coaching. I have said this for three years.

This team is probably the best home team in baseball, and that’s led us to where we are at this point in the season. The starters get deep into the game, the hitters convert runners in scoring position, and the bullpen holds leads. Unfortunately, once they leave Wrigley, the opposite happens far too often for a team of this depth, flexibility, and talent. They know they can win at home, they’re hoping they can win on the road. Once they learn that they’re a good baseball team, and it doesn’t matter where you play, then we’ll all get the championship we covet.

While I don’t login to BCB worried I will find notices from Al he heard from family members of regulars that they have jumped off the Sears Tower like I do on other sites with the overreacting we have to realize that every team goes through tough stretches,

The team has had a tough stretch. They may have spoiled us somewhat in the early going this season but I think even the 27 Yankees probably had a few bad weeks.

I judge the quality of a team based on 2 1/2 months not 2 weeks.

All the pundits saying the Brewers are going to get CC are the same people that every time they turn on the Cubs are surprised Brian Roberts is not playing 2nd base.

Most predicted Zambrano and Ramirez would go elsewhere. Last time I checked they are both still here.

Here I am again forgetting something until after I hit post.

We’re hearing how great the Cardinals are. They were 3.5 games behind us when we started this rough stretch and now they’re 2.5 back. we hear on and on how they didn’t have Pujols. Well he’s been back for awhile while we didn’t have Soriano, Zambrano and Johnson.

If Marmol has to have issues now is the time to have them. Get them taken care of and come back after the break ready to play. Hope the second half of the season keeps this team this team healthier.

I just hope Z doesn’t come out wound tighter than an 8 day clock tonight. Just go with it Z and you’ll be fine.

I watched the game Sabathia pitched against the Sox because of all the talk. He looked awful.

That is my summation of things. Cubs are going to have to make a big move or two to add to this pitching staff. Especially with Milwaukee apparently on the cusp to acquire CC Sabathia. THIS is the year for the Cubs. We are a veteran ballclub with a host of key players in the zenith of their careers. The opportunity to win will never be better than it is right now. Hendry needs to pull out ALL THE STOPS.

Last I checked the Cubs were in the top 5 in ERA and BA against.

The Cubbies have some concerns, but which team doesn’t?

It’s July 3rd and the Cubbies are in first place. Half full.

1) A while back I offered this strategy for beating the Cards – “you have to out-Cardinal them”. In other words, the Cubs need to avoid the serious errors in the field and have good at-bats and basically not beat themselves. That seems to be the Cards’ formula for success, so I feel if the Cubs can combine solid fundamentals with the pure talent they have then they’ll maintain first place.

2) Since it seems pretty likely that CC is going to Milwaukee, the Cubs’ best option might be to fortify their bench and bullpen and strive for a stronger overall team as they head into the dog days. Maybe they even add a Maddux-Wolf-Padilla caliber starter as well. I’ve always believed that teams win championships, so the more well-rounded you are the better.

3) Please, everyone have a safe and sane day today! Enjoy yourselves but use good sense.

4) I lost one of my dogs last night to congestive heart failure. The doctor said there was no suffering at the end, thank goodness. My wife and I have no children so our pets are our “kids”. BCB has helped take my mind off things, so I want to thank Al and everyone here.

After a really loooooong 4-day work week, the last thing I needed last night was a Cubs loss. But, Al’s recaps often help me step off the ledge and this one really did the trick. Thanks Al. I have a good feeling about this weekend. Scarlos Z. coming back will be the shot in the arm the Cubs need to get back to winning baseball. “Say hello to my little friend, Cardinals fans!” LOL.

when we move into our first house together on the 14th. Any suggestions on it? I’m getting the sports pack along with my DVR. The people who have it, do you like it?

hope everyone has a good 4th. please. stay safe!

go cubs!

This may sound crazy, but assuming that there’s nothing physically wrong with Marmol, why not reverse his and Kerry Wood’s roles for a few games? i.e.bring in Wood for the 7th and/or 8th and then use Marmol as the closer. A save or two would really restore Marmol’s confidence. And if he were to continue in his funk and blow the game, we wouldn’t be any worse off than if he’d blown it in the 7th & 8th. In any case, without Marmol, Cubs are toast. He’s really the one constant in our second half sucess last year and first half this year.

Brewers leading 9-1 in 8th. I think they will hold this lead.

If we win, we don’t have to look down.

I told you so.