The New York Post is reporting that Fukodome, Soriano and Soto have been elected as starters for the All-Star game. They are also reporting that Brandon Webb will be the starting pitcher which I don’t get. Haven’t Volquez and Lincecum had better first halves?

and I plan to take advantage of it. My heart breaks tonight but wasn’t this game a metaphor for all our ups and downs? We still have tomorrow.

Apropos of Al’s observation about turning off the TV, I started out of the stadium as soon as Ankiel made contact.

So frustrating. Let’s get ‘em tomorrow.

We win tomorrow and this is fine. Sometimes this crap happens during the season and you need to put it in perspective. Same lead we had two days ago….

Now we need to win tomorrow. Let’s go get em!!!!!!

Just pissed MR. HGH won it for them.

and it’s not the end of the world, either. We won yesterday, so both games taken together are a wash. We’ll get ‘em tomorrow.

Woody did not have his good fastball…plain and simple.

Molina was out….plain and simple.

Lee was in the wrong spot…plain and simple…

We will get them tomorrow. We are too good of a team to let this get us down. It happens.

There simply isn’t a team in the National League – at least for right now – that can go out and completely blow away the competition. There’s no 1976 Reds or 1986 Mets or 1995 Braves in the bunch. No team is flawless, and each club has holes in its game one way or another.

Unfortunately these holes can creep up at inopportune times, like in today’s Cub game and the Brewer game last Thursday. Seems that the Phils have had their rough patches as well, and Arizona and Colorado have fallen on hard times. So I wouldn’t count on any team at any time being a lead-pipe cinch, whether they’re facing the Pirates next Tuesday or each other in October.

One one hand this makes for an exciting pennant race. On the other hand, it also means there’s no relaxing and thinking things are in the bag. Not until the last out in the final NLCS game will we know who’s going to the World Series. So if you’re like me, you’ll have to either patiently watch the rest of the games with this in mind or just stay away from the TV/radio/computer until the World Series and watch it only if the Cubs made it.

Cubs have already had too many demoralizing losses to the Cards and the Brew Crew. What I don’t understand about the 9th inning today is why Kerry Wood did not slow down when he got into a world of hurt. It seemed like he couldn’t wait to get the ball back from Soto and immediately fire to home plate. Why not step off the back of the mound for a moment of self-compusure?

Anyway, like I said, way too many tragic losses to the Cards and Brew Crew already.

but it’s not the end of the world. They aren’t going to win every series. I’m not going to look back only looking forward. I hope Kerry puts this one behind him and moves on too. Life goes on.

Don’t worry, this isn’t some “Lou must go” post, but there were some pretty glaring mental errors today that I just find unacceptable. First off, I was sitting at home saying to myself, “Lilly isn’t paying any attention to Pujols, he’s going to steal 3rd.” 4 pitches later, that’s exactly what happened. Probably didn’t make a difference, as he scored on a double, but still, if I can see that from here, why can’t anyone there? Secondly, why wasn’t Lee protecting the line in the 9th? You cannot give up a double there. That could, and should have been a double play to effectively kill the rally. Is that on Lee? Or the staff for not moving him?

The overriding thing that just grinds my gears is why, and this has been going on all season, Marmol and Wood get so slider happy. They both throw in the mid 90’s. HGH Ankiel will swing and miss at high fastballs until the cows come home. So why back to back sliders? After you fool him so badly on the first it would seem elementary to blow one past him now that his bat has been slowed down. Is that Soto? Probably not, pitchers can shake a catcher off. Rothschild’s ethos? Probably, as that dude doesn’t have a clue.

There, blew off some steam.

I am sorry for the way I acted in the Game Thread after the loss. These kind of losses can do that to you. I also overracted when the Brewer fan came over here.

Hopefully we make a worthwhile addition to this team at the deadline and I think we’ll be good to go.

Here’s Lilly working to Pujols. Got a couple of others, but might as well just leave it at this for today.

He was looking back over his shoulder at the outfielder.

This was not the Cubs’ best game even prior to Wood’s poor inning.

Time to score some big runs tomorrow.

One of those gut wrenching, “oh my gosh why do i like this game at all” loses.

Bright side: we play them tomorrow. There are games left even after that one. This isn’t a soul crunching loss, however much it hurts today.

Woody had converted the last 12 save opportunities before this one. 12 out of 13 is doable. We’d all love perfection, but it isn’t happening.

So everyone have some food if you’re so inclined go blow some fireworks up, and be ready for the game tomorrow.

Lets take this series! Go Marshall!

I’m the type that prefers to think there’s a reason for everything, so is it pitch selection, mental durability, needing to develop a third pitch?

Ugh. That was painful. This was the first game I’ve been able to watch in awhile too. Man, I am worried a little bit. Not so much of the Cardinal’s coming and knocking us out of first place, but just because it seems like this team… well, it beats itself. Almost like we’re too sensitive or fragile. I’m more worried about the Brewers than the Cards down the road, but the fact that our last month schedule is horrible… with us being at home for only like 6 or 9 games…. well… I’m worried. Get a player or two who has that “killer” instinct… we need it for the road.

first off Molina went around on that swing. Had that been a strike out we would have most likely won that game.

Ankiel really makes me mad. ESPN praises the guy and his “Cinderella” story. This guy would not be in the league if it weren’t for the use of HGH. He is a PROVEN cheater. Rant over for now..

Just because of the who beat us and the situation. Winning tomorrow could ease the sting but I don’t like the match-up. Does Marshall have a win?

It seems like we’re finding different ways to lose almost every night.

Hardly. Disappointing, sure. I think painful is when your left fielder has the final out in his glove in Pittsburgh only to let it drop, and we subsequently lose. Pittsburgh!! (Not hating on Soriano, that’s just an example to make a point.) The Cards are a legit competitor with actual talent. Should it be so shocking that they can score three runs when you spot them two baserunners?

I agree with Al on this one. The guys on the team should learn what they can from this one, and come back and win tomorrow. The fans, who feel awful, should shake it off as well.

I have a good feeling about Marshall tomorrow. I know that the Cardinals have had a weakness in recent years for lefties. We will need to score some runs tomorrow, however, as some of our key relievers may not be available.

If they win tomorrow. Their track record has been to loose a close one, and then blow the series. If they lose tomorrow, this was a devastating loss. If we take the series, the, “it happens.”

but, at the same time, it didn’t make the world come to an end.

We might as well look at the positives; Marmol’s solid outing, Ramirez hopefully breaking out of his slump, another solid performance by Lily. Plus, the Cardinals supposedly have problems with soft tossing lefties-they’ve had trouble with Marshall in the past-tomorrow’s game is definitely winnable.

Woody seemed to stay away from the heater a bit. When he walks the first two guys (guess it would be worse if he hit them both) and has already thrown 15 pitches, nothing good can come of that.

There were other games that he went heat, heat, heat, and only a few offspeed pitches in there, maybe at only a 20-25% clip.

Just have to shake it off and move on. Woody has been real sharp the last month and a half. Unfortunately living on the East coast I got the wonderful Yanks/Sox, followed the game on the computer till the Derosa HR, had to go to church, then came home and got the last inning on the computer. Couldn’t get the feel of the game. Did see the highlights, and Edmonds hesitated on the sac-fly. I agree with the rest, why was Lee not closer to the line? I guess the Cubs rational will be Woody throwing gas Kendeny won’t be able to get around, but he did.
Lilly continues to throw well, Marmol got a good inning in, Ramy went deep, Lee is hot, so some good out of this horrible loss.
Move on, get the game tomorrow.

Peoria’s streak stops at 11 with their lost tonight. More on this with the minor league wrap.

Last time I checked Vitters had a nice game in Boise, also.

In my continuing upcoming rotation obsession I can report that not only won’t we face Volquez in the Reds series but we will also miss Lincecum in the Giants series. I will thankful for small rotation favors.

Also to no surprise I see that MLB is no longer listing Marquis as the Tuesday starter Unlike many of Lou’s moves I don’t disagree as this gives Dempster and extra start over Marquis though I would still have preferred Marquis to start over Marshall tomorrow.

And a belated thanks to Fox for the blackout as unlike most of the rest of you at least I did not have to watch today’s debacle.

I love Woody but as a closer you can’t walk people. I am sure he would be the first to say he didn’t have it today. Real Tough Loss – God I totally despise Pujols and the Cardinals. We need to go and get ‘em tomorrow. This day sucked – first the Cubs blow it and the Jeff Gordon is wrecked on the last lap at Daytona. Ay Carumba!

Wasted opportuinities….story of the Cubs the last 2 (oooppss. 100) years

Ankeil…the dope dealer…..HE DOESN’T leave guys on base….he steps up and gets meaningful hits…....

Fukudome leaves 3 on
Ramierez leaves 3 on
Edmunds 2
DeRosa 4…..

There;s your game…....a hungry youg punk who wants to win vs. a bunch of overpaid “nothing muck else to play for guys”.....

i hope you all enjoyed your night, and we look forward to a good game tomorrow

I was at the Cubs/Sox game last Sunday when Marshall pitched. You may have been unhappy with the outcome but Marshall pitched a good game, IMHO.

I’d expect Marshall to pitch a good game tomorrow as well.

I went to see the Get Smart movie and liked it. Be adviced, though, if you’re expecting a reprisal of the original series you’ll be disappointed. To me, the movie stands on its own but you can tell the hidden references and jokes from the TV series.

Back to baseball tomorrow. Games like today’s happen. At the same moment that Wood loaded the bases with walks, Mariano Rivera was loading them up in NY. He got the third out that escaped Wood. That’s the frustrating part in this game that we all love.

We could have buried the Cardinals but we didn’t. Credit the Cards for that. In fact, we may be in for a tight three-teams-race the rest of the way. So, let’s enjoy the thrill, OK?

From the flagship station in Wausau, Wisconsin – WSAW NewsChannel 7...

Brewers G.M. Doug Melvin also confirmed that the Crew have made an offer to the Indians for reigning AL Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia. Details of the offer have not been confirmed, but is believed to center around Double-A outfielder Matt LaPorta, their #1 draft pick last year.

Nothing really new, other than this might be over soon, instead of dragging on to ‘til the trade deadline.

I was at a wedding reception yesterday for a couple who got married in the Bahamas in May and had a Chicago area reception for family and friends who didn’t go.

I had to make a toast right after I saw the score on my cellphone. I had a bad feeling when it was getting to be 27 minutes after the end of the 8th. (end of 8th update at 526 end of game at 553). I was not happy but still made my toast and then word was spreading in this Cub loving crowd about the game.

Only relief was a mistaken report Kerry was hurt was wrong. That caused my worry than anything.

Today is a big game. They can shake this completely by winning the game today.

It’s not the end of the world.

only a few highlights/lowlights. The only thing I can say is that it was defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. The 2 lead off walks set the table and the Cards did what you’re supposed to do with 2 on and no outs in the 9th. The D backs did it to the Brewers on Thursday. If the Cards get the first 2 men on via hits and Woody was pitching well, then I can live with that. He didn’t have it yesterday and good teams are supposed to beat pitchers that don’t have their good stuff. That’s the only thing that irritates me is that they were walks. Hell, groove them a 92mph fastball down main street, the odds are still in our favor they all aren’t hits. A walk is a 100% way to get on base. If we win today, mission accomplished. We simply have to keep winning each series, St. Lou and the Brew Crew will never catch us.

the Cubs will be leaving St. Louis with the lead in the division, Marmol pitched better and the team is starting to get healthy.

We did lose one of our best players (Soriano) for an extended period of time and have maintained the division lead. I’ve always liked Marshall, hopefully he will make me like him even more today.

were calling for Kerry’s head after the loss.

These had to be bandwagon jumpers who thought the Cubs would go 162-0.
This stuff happens, the good teams can rebound.

And, if we think the Cubs might hold first place ALL season, you might be a bit thrown again. Do you reasonably expect that? Slumps happen, just as hot streaks come about.
It’s part of the ebb and flow of a season, and everything is magnified if your team is a spectacular winner or a horrible loser.

Here, a couple of wins over the D-Backs, and suddenly—the Padres think they are a contender again. Please, that’s NOT the case. We lose a heartbreaker, and it the feeling here is that Cubs will lose the next 20 in a row.

Just take each game as 1 event. Marmol looked good. A-Ram may be out of his slump. The team is getting healthier. Soriano—who is badly missed, regardless of what is said here from time to time will be back.

If I had the “don’t panic” icon, I’d post it.

Random Post Game Thoughts

Even I admit we miss Soriano….

Wood is fine….

Jim Edmonds cadiallacking to home is unaccpetable

This team looks tired…

I am one who would rather see no Cubs make the all star game… Get three days of rest

It is a long season and we need reinforcements….

Marmol finally looked good

Where’s Ronny Cedeno?

Suggested that we should not be shocked if Freddy Garcia would be a guy the Cubs take a look at? He mentioned that Lou managed him in Seattle and he is an unrestricted FA right now.

To be honest, I had all but forgotten about this guy. Another intriguing option might be Washburn from the Mariners?