If the Mets can’t beat the Cubs and Marshall with their ace on the mound, in a must win game, they don’t deserve to make the playoffs.

To piggyback on the Merkle anniversary, CSN had an excellent piece on it this morning, talking to historians and Merkle’s daughter. I thought it was pretty good – until they tried to tie in a ‘Merkle Curse’. But aside from that, it was pretty informative.

Pie should definitely be the one to go, I agree completely. Remember, he lifts the teams’ spirits which is a good thing too for the postseason I think.

referred to it as “the Fred Merkle ‘Bonehead’ game.” What a boner.

Glad for Marquis, the guy takes the ball, seems to never miss a start, and for the most part for a 5th starter keeps the Cubs in the game. I am sure his worth is not under appreciated in the clubhouse.
 Pie is and should be on the roster, no brainer.
Thanks again Al for a nice piece on the history of the Cubs. I troll around other sites, and nothing comes close to the “Blue”

So that is where AJ Pyrzinski learned that dropped third strike play!! Just a slight permutation in application. I knew noone in the White Sox organization was smart enough to come up with that on their own.

I insist because it’s so evident. It’s incredible that the national press hasn’t focused on this for so many years. Forget about goats and black cats. If you believe in curses and superstitions (I don’t), then it’s obvious that the Cubs were cursed by Merkle after they won the 1908 World Series. It’s a “You may get to the World Series but won’t win it” curse, from a man villified for a play that denied his team (and himself) the chance to play in the 1908 World Series. The Cubs haven’t won since and if you believe in this sort of things, then your conclusion would be that the Cubs haven’t won another World Series because they haven’t adrdessed the correct curse. Maybe someone should go to the place where the play happened or to Merkle’s tomb and “reverse” the curse.

I won’t and won’t worry because I don’t believe in this. What I can’t understand is why the media relegate this obvious “curse” to focus on cats and goats. I guess those two are easier to explain; and more ridiculous , too

…and his ability to take the ball and get the job done in the playoffs, given a starter’s collapse, injury, or inability to finish five or seven innings. Sure, he’s gonna give up a moon shot or two (kinda like Lilly), but is a better choice than some other guys (Howry?), and is sure as hell better than any other team’s 4th or 5th starter.

Pie on the roster is a no-brainer. I can understand Micah, but I like Daryl much, much more in the situations that a Micah or Daryl will be called upon to hit. Casey, hell no. Colin, can I get an “Amen!”?

And on this topic of our first round opponent…it is essentially between the NL East Wild Card winner, and the Dodgers, correct? I would most like to face the Brewers, simply because I think we’ve demoralized them enough that they don’t have any gas in the tank to beat us, but that’s not possible. I would then prefer to face the Mets, and I don’t see the Mets losing their WC spot, or gaining the division over the Phillies.

Essentially we are gonna beat up on the Mets, maybe they will lose their WC slot for now, then we will beat up on the Brewers, and all will be balanced out. At least that’s how I see it.

Dan

…………about McGehee, and Hoffpauir is simply not that good. Both are limited at the plate and liabilities in the field.

Pie makes far more sense. Speed, defense, versatility and perhaps a meaningful stick.

has been building up for his redemption in the playoffs. Hoff and McGehee simply do not have enough suckage yet for this to be their year. Seriously though, the only thing Hoff could be used for is to pinch hit, then likely immediately replaced for defense. It just doesn’t make sense. McGehee over Pie should not even be a thought.

Do you think there is a reason the LaRussa left him off almost every playoff roster when he was with the Cardinals. I would much rather see Lilly.

Nice to see Riot get back on track. 3-3 plus 2 walks….
DeRo was crushing the ball last night.
DLee hitting one like he used to.

I had to laugh at Marquis’ GS. Not even shocked any more when these things happen this season. LOL.

I think Pie has earned a spot. He looks like a completely different player at the plate. (Speaking of which, that foul ball to the chin HAD to hurt!). I don’t see why you take Micah with so many LH ph’ing options.

Good to see Marquis’ outing, as well as clutch plate production from DeRo and Lee. There’s always a fear with clinching early but this group seems poised to stay sharp leading up to next Wednesday.

It’s a good time to be a Cub fan.

The Cubs new moto – or goal is to win the last game we play this year.

I am really happy for Marquis, he deserves this especially all the hatred that he has recieved.

Anyone notice yesterday after Theriot scored on the GS that Lou was barking something at him and smiling, and Theriot went right over to Lou and they had a discussion? I tried to read his lips but i am not sure if i got it right but it was something along the lines of that is how you F’in do it. Nice job. Then the camera went away.

Since Santo didn’t make the trip to Shea since the Cubs already clinched, it was interesting to hear Pat and Cory Provus calling the game…I thought Cory did a nice job doing color commentary, a role I had never really heard him in before…

Here’s what I think…

Rotation….Dempster, Harden, Zambrano, Lilly

Pen….Wood, Marmol, Samardzija, Cotts, Marshall, Marquis (he goes), Howry (I see Lou keeping him), Gaudin (if he is healthy, otherwise Wells)

Bench…Blanco, Johnson Ward, Kosuke (Fontenot is more the defacto starter these days), Cedeno (even though his three brain cells need a talking to every game)

I do see the Cubs going with 12 pitchers. If by chance Lou changes course and Gaudin doesn’t make the cut, then Micah Hoffapauier is along for the ride.

….they would make it much more likely that the makeup game in Houston would have to be played since the Astros are at home against Cin and Atl and they are 3.5 games back of NY and 2.5 games back of Mil. There are quite a few incentives to losing at this point. If the Mets and Brewers could (this is the biggest if) overtake the Phillies, then the Cubs wouldn’t have to go to Houston and would end up playing the Dodgers and the winner of a Mets/Brewers series. I’m thinking this would be to their liking.

Again, I’m not arguing that they lay down, but if they do go on a skid here at the end, there might be some light in that tunnel.

I have to laugh every time I read some of these columns here in ChiTown. And that goes for the others not just the south side pamphlet. Gordon’s comments that Al references clearly shows the reporters’ complete misunderstanding of the players’ capabilities with respect to their peers.

It has gone to the point that over the last several years, I read the papers for comic relief as much as trying to get some insight. Cubs fans take solice in this a bit as my grief come hockey season is 10 times worse. I have yet to find a reporter who fully understands that sport played on a thin sheet of frozen water.

I just read that Niese (starter last night) was born on the day that the Mets won the world series in 1986 (OCtober 27). That’s ironic.

and then is forced to go deep into his final regular season start bc the mets are in a “must win” situation…..therefore he’ll be tired for the postseason….sound good?