Marquis Mark: Cubs 2, Pirates 0
Stop what you're doing right now and look around you, remember where you are, what you are doing, because this is an historic day in Cubs history.
You'd have to be over 70 years old (and there may be a few here, but not many) to really remember the last time a Cubs team was 33 games over .500. It was on September 30, 1945, the last day of that pennant-winning season, when they finished 98-56, 42 games over .500, the highest-water mark of that year. It's not likely the 2008 Cubs will get that far -- but who knows, this team has surpassed any hopes even optimistic me had at the beginning of the season. This team is by far the best Cubs team in my lifetime.
So you are experiencing things that you never have, and that no Cubs fan has for decades.
Today, in a snappy two hour and seventeen minute 2-0 shutout of the Pirates, the Cubs turned to "small ball", as likely they, and the Pirates as well, were tired from last night's marathon and the short turnaround to a midday start today, under threatening skies that never did rain on Pittsburgh -- the game was short enough that the Cubs players might even be home for dinner tonight. It completed the Cubs' eleventh series sweep of the season (ten sweeps of three games or more and one two-gamer, the abbreviated series vs. the Mets in April).
The Cubs left RISP in the 1st, 4th and 5th innings and ran themselves out of another when Alfonso Soriano got picked off in the third. Let me not complain about Alfonso today, because he did have two of the Cubs' seven hits. By the time the seventh came along in the scoreless game, though, it was the bottom of the Cubs' order with many reserves and platoon partners playing that produced the winning rally, and it was bunts that were most important. Reed Johnson bunted his way on base and Mark DeRosa doubled him to third -- and then on a contact play, Johnson raced across the plate on a slow roller to third by Ronny Cedeno, and then Henry Blanco laid down a perfect suicide squeeze to score DeRo, Blanco's tenth RBI of the year. Henry has 97 at-bats and is having the finest offensive year of his career, in addition to providing valuable backup behind the plate to Geovany Soto, who got a well-deserved day off.
And that was enough for Marquis, who was outstanding today. Throwing only 95 pitches and walking nobody, he probably could have finished, but Carlos Marmol (16 pitches) and Kerry Wood (11 pitches, 7 strikes) finished up efficiently, Wood posting his 27th save, which is now tied for fifth in the NL despite the fact that Wood missed almost a month.
So that puts the pressure on both the Cardinals and Brewers as they see the score posted before they take the field tonight in St. Louis. Hard as it is to root for either of those teams, tonight I'm squarely in the Cardinals' corner, hoping they will help put Milwaukee six games behind the Cubs as the Cubs begin a seven-game homestand against the Phillies tomorrow at Wrigley Field. There are a couple of real interesting pitching matchups ahead of us this weekend, including the match between former A's teammates Rich Harden and Joe Blanton on Friday, and on Sunday junkballer Jamie Moyer will face Carlos Zambrano. Moyer made his major league debut on June 16, 1986, when a young Z had just celebrated his fifth birthday a couple of weeks before. (Do you think he smashed his face into a piece of birthday cake back then?)
Celebrate, everyone. Enjoy this, every moment. We're entering the last two months of the season flying higher than any Cubs team has in decades. And the best is yet to come.
Read Related
Comments
First!
Ha!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 27, 2008 3:51 PM CDT 0 recs
i really get a first and it's snaked by Al?
WHACK!!!!
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 3:54 PM CDT
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opps *rarely instead of really
typed while i was talking
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 4:01 PM CDT
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there's no
reviews of technical balks in baseball!
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 4:34 PM CDT
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Cool!
I get a technical balk? I always wanted one of those.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 27, 2008 4:00 PM CDT
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Oh, Al!
if only I’d known, I’d have gotten you WAY more.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 4:34 PM CDT
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i posted this in the last thread
but my favorite stats from today are
jason marquis struck out 3 over 7, while marmol/wood strucky out 4 over 2 haha
and
the cubs have won 13 of 14 on the road…..impressive
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 4:00 PM CDT
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That last part
a favorite, definitely a favorite.
by TheRamZamDLEE on
Aug 28, 2008 2:48 AM CDT
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Good win for the team.
Good to see Marquis go seven, and the game go only go 2+ hours after last night. Go Cards, and bring on Philly.
Go Cubs Go.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on Aug 27, 2008 4:04 PM CDT 0 recs
Elemination (magic) number over the pirates and reds
pirates 4
reds 6
"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"
by MerlinDog on Aug 27, 2008 4:04 PM CDT 0 recs
this is silly....
…..do you real see either of those 2 making a run the final month of the season?
The only stats I care about are the ones on the back of a baseball card
by carmen_fanzone on
Aug 27, 2008 4:48 PM CDT
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Don't underestimate the Reds.
Corey Patterson could explode at any moment.
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 27, 2008 4:51 PM CDT
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where's the sign?
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 27, 2008 4:52 PM CDT
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I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 27, 2008 4:53 PM CDT
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Have you made it a point to steal EVERY picture I've ever posted?
Or is this one long series of coincidences?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Aug 27, 2008 4:56 PM CDT
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if i plagarize, i apologize
i just googled sarcasm and picked that one.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 27, 2008 4:57 PM CDT
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I'm just busting your balls man....
![]()
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Aug 27, 2008 4:59 PM CDT
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i figured as much.
i’m wincing just looking at that…
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 27, 2008 5:00 PM CDT
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No
But it’s something to do until the real Magic Number gets low enough to talk about
"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"
by MerlinDog on
Aug 27, 2008 4:54 PM CDT
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its posted on CST's sports page
it was a bit jarring to see it already.
i keep forgetting we’re in late august already.
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Aug 27, 2008 4:55 PM CDT
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Last I checked
there’s only ONE month left in the season.
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on Aug 27, 2008 4:05 PM CDT 0 recs
Really?
I’m hoping, myownself, for TWO more months of baseball.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 27, 2008 4:06 PM CDT
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Didn't say I wasn't hoping for it
but when no post season berths have been solidified the cubs season is … as of this moment… scheduled to end in a month.
/throws salt over shoulder or whatever floats your boat
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on
Aug 27, 2008 4:10 PM CDT
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There had better be 2 more months
If I had to chip on a playoff ticket deposit already.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 27, 2008 4:08 PM CDT
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Two months from today
Would be perfect, and it would be at wrigley
Cubs Win!! Cubs Win!
by Ihatethecards on
Aug 27, 2008 4:12 PM CDT
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LSA
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 27, 2008 4:13 PM CDT
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My preseason prediction
As it is every single season, was 100 wins and then 11 more tacked on.
Most of the time, this is out of the picture by the all-star break. This year, who knows? Damn fun to watch, though!
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Aug 27, 2008 4:15 PM CDT
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ouch - 111 wins hits close to home...
1954 Cleveland Indians set a then AL record by winning 111 games in regular season. Then they got swept by Willie, Monte, Dusty (Rhodes, not Baker) and the rest of the New York Giants in the World Series.
I repeat – ouch…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
Aug 27, 2008 4:23 PM CDT
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Well lucky for us
My prediction is just for 100 regular season wins… and 11 scattered throughout the postseason :)
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Aug 27, 2008 4:24 PM CDT
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cant find
our season win total thread where we predicted. anyone help me out.
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on
Aug 27, 2008 4:21 PM CDT
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Couldn't find the 'contest thread'
But I did find Al’s MLB predictions… check out his pick for AL West!!!
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2008/3/30/387719/2008C2A0majorC2A0leagueC2A0baseball
AL – How could you!?!?!?!?!?
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Aug 27, 2008 4:30 PM CDT
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Well, in Al's defense...
…he’s not the only one to make such predictions. As I recall, many (if not most) pundits were looking favorably on Seattle in the AL West and Detroit and Cleveland in the AL Central. The Rays have made a lot of knowledgable people redfaced as well.
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 27, 2008 4:35 PM CDT
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The Rays shouldn't of been a surprise
I know a few publications predicted 85-90 wins for ’em. The rest of us just laughed it off, though
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Aug 27, 2008 4:37 PM CDT
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everyone said they'd be better
but i didn’t expect their bullpen to get THIS much better. It was historically bad last year.
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Aug 27, 2008 4:37 PM CDT
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More can be found
here (new window)
When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
by gwood on
Aug 27, 2008 4:36 PM CDT
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I think I predicted 92 wins
for the Cubs. Hopefully, that was way too conservative. Looks like it might be.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
by danimal15 on
Aug 27, 2008 4:44 PM CDT
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When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
by gwood on
Aug 27, 2008 4:51 PM CDT
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I predicted 91 wins.
Looks like they’re going to prove me very wrong – and I like it.
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 27, 2008 4:53 PM CDT
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huh
I must have missed that thread, because I don’t see my name.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on
Aug 27, 2008 4:54 PM CDT
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You apparently
weren’t cool enough at the time ;)
When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
by gwood on
Aug 27, 2008 4:57 PM CDT
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hmm 95 was my guess
oh young cubswynn, you were so sweet and innocent back then
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 5:09 PM CDT
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Mine was 92
Which was even more ill-informed
When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
by gwood on
Aug 27, 2008 5:10 PM CDT
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Holy crap
I predicted 100 wins but underestimated Theriot, it seems.
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 27, 2008 8:20 PM CDT
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Join the club on Theriot.
I grossly underestimated his batting average and OBP.
Yes, sir!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 27, 2008 8:22 PM CDT
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I had 100 wins, and his BA at .307
so I think I’m still in the running.
by sackings108 on
Aug 27, 2008 8:52 PM CDT
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I have 99 wins and a .313 average
where the hell did i pull that from?
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 27, 2008 9:30 PM CDT
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Damn, I love sweeping the Pirates.
Not particularly challenging these days.
Let’s go get the Phillies this weekend!
by DWChaney on Aug 27, 2008 4:08 PM CDT 0 recs
Seems obvious the Bucs phoned it in
after the Cubs scored — especially in the manner that they did. Bucs came out literally, first-pitch swinging. I’m surprised Lou didn’t let Marquis continue on — since it sure looked as if the Bucs all had LUNCH reservations…..and wanted out ASAP.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on
Aug 27, 2008 8:56 PM CDT
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15-14
gives us 98 wins and that is so attainable. Keep winning series, keep getting on mini-rolls and we should reach the century mark in wins with no problem.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
by mrcubsfan on Aug 27, 2008 4:09 PM CDT 0 recs
Truly a special team...
and impressed with the way they are taking care of business. Go Cards!?!?
You ARE freaking out MAN!
by crw89 on Aug 27, 2008 4:10 PM CDT 0 recs
Glad to see the Cubs won
In a meeting all afternoon so couldn’t follow along. These low scoring affairs are always very nerve wracking, so it was probably better that I wasn’t at my desk. Congrats to Marquis for a fine outing. I haven’t had time to read the game threads, and I don’t mean to nitpick, but what was the error we committed?
by dedfishflote on Aug 27, 2008 4:10 PM CDT 0 recs
Soriano played a single into a double in the 1st inning (I thiink)...
grounder went under his glove.
by hokie316 on
Aug 27, 2008 4:11 PM CDT
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he thought he was too rich to have to bend all the way down to field the ball
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 4:12 PM CDT
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But he also had two of the team's few hits.
make/art
by neverAcquiesce on
Aug 27, 2008 4:15 PM CDT
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i was kidding
like i always say, it didn’t ultimately change the outcome of the game and thus i do NOT care
by cubswynn on
Aug 27, 2008 4:16 PM CDT
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Clean it up
dont want to be captain negative after a series sweep against a double A team but we gotta clean it up alot. We badly need to make a statement against a very possible playoff team this weekend. I’ve seen all the baserunning and defensive blunders I wanna see. I love Sori but he needs an old-fashioned ass chewing. Lets sting them Phillies and knock them out of contention for awhile and we will make it up to them when we sweep the mets next month.
p.s. anyone have audio problems during the game today? drove me nuts.
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on Aug 27, 2008 4:10 PM CDT 0 recs
Seemed Fuzzy to me...
Then again, I constantly have issues with CSN… bad picture, blips in the feed, bad audio, always something…
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on
Aug 27, 2008 4:12 PM CDT
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The last time the Cubs faced a truly good team...
… was the Brewer series at the end of July. We swept ’em.
I guess you could also count the Cardinal series, where we won two of three. I suspect the Cubs will raise their game against a tougher opponent than the Pirates.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 27, 2008 4:12 PM CDT
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thats why i think having the tough schedule down the stretch
with lots of decent to good teams is a good thing. we’ll have to go down the stretch playing up to teams and to our own potential.
The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Aug 27, 2008 4:51 PM CDT
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and up to the level
we would be required to in the playoffs
When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
by gwood on
Aug 27, 2008 4:52 PM CDT
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I commented on the audio probs
in the gamethread. It was like watching the game through flipped cards. Awful. Switched over to CSNHD and it went away (I don’t normally watch HD because I’ve got an old fashioned set that purports to be HD but my eyes tell me differently).
by Emelie on
Aug 27, 2008 4:49 PM CDT
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I am really looking forward to the series with the phils
Go Cubs! It is going to tell us where we stand vs. playoff competition.
by jajonez77 on Aug 27, 2008 4:14 PM CDT 0 recs
The way I see it
The Mets, D-Backs, Dodgers, Brewers, and White Sox are all potential playoff competition.
We’ve swept each one.
Any more questions? :)
There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!
by sanantonecub on
Aug 27, 2008 4:16 PM CDT
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Sorry...
I meant recent games vs. playoff competition. I think Al said it best in his reply directly above my post :)
by jajonez77 on
Aug 27, 2008 4:20 PM CDT
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This will be the first
I’m probably going to be the first and most likely the last person to take a quote from a book about the wedding of Charles and Diana and adapt it for the Cubs but here it goes
“It will be worth all the waiting for the one most winning”
The wedding quote was most loving.
Go Cubs
by cubstoseriesby100 on Aug 27, 2008 4:14 PM CDT 0 recs
To help the Cardinals win tonight I wrote a little song
Hey St Louis what do ya say, the Cards are going to win today
And they’ll


