When You Come By, Bring My Stomach

Oh, and how lights-out has Bob Howry been as of late? I haven't quite noticed it, which might be a compliment(or that he just doesn't get on the mound that much), but he hasn't given up many runs when he's in, to the point where I haven't even bothered to check up his stats.

Stat lines:

Last 28 games- 2 ER, both solo HRs, over 14 innings for a 1.29 ERA

1st half of ball - 22 ER over 42 and a third innings for a 4.68 ERA in 39 appearances

2nd half of ball - 6 ER over 31 and a third innings for a 1.72 ERA in 32 appearances

Since August 1st, 1.64 ERA with 4 runs over 22 innings.

Hooray Bobbay!

i just hope lou has him on a short leash--and that the offense has a night.

When will the late-season surge finally come and put them over the damn Brewers once and for all? As a potential playoff team should they not be pounding last-place teams like the Astros into submission?

Bullpen has used Howry & Dempster two nights and I wonder if Lou sits those two and has Marmol as the closer with Wuertz as the fireman?

The other roles in a relief core are LOOGY (lefty one out guy), late inning set up, middle reliever, mopup, closer and long reliever/swing.

Wood is a middle reliever although has done set, Eyre is emerging as the LOOGY, which was Ohman but he has emerged ineffective, both are crap shoots now, Howry is the set up and Marmol the fireman along with Wuertz being fireman #2.

Next year I can see the Cubs moving Dempster to a starting position and Marmol to a closer and keeping Wood, Wuertz and Howry. They will have to find a new left hander as contracts force them to keep Eyre, Hart might be interesting as there is some 99mPH guy in A-ball along with the Shark.

I thought he threw like 8 shutout innings in a must win game.

TONIGHT, bring out the lumber Im calling 3 homers for the Cubs and a convincing win, if not I will be drinking Hacker Schorr so that will soften the blow.

Well, needless to say its great to have her on board, especially because the only reason she came around originally (she's from columbus, oh) is bceasue it gave her something to talk about with her old roommate who dates the d-ray's Brendan Harris, who is good friends with Demp.

Of course, I always knew there was potential with her when she walked by the tv one summer day in '05 and sighed "Ugh! Why do they keep putting Glendon Rusch out there. He sucks!

Welcome aboard, hun.  Can't wait to enjoy the next 2 1/2weeks and 40 years with you and the boys in blue.

I was sure it was either a sac fly or a fielder's choice scoring the run, but then -- hark! -- three outs were indicated at the top of the screen. And then -- lo and behold! -- a description of the play appeared. And I could tell just by reading that description that something truly magical had occurred.

Ah, the joys of baseball in the 21st Century.

This may make me captian obvious to some, but tonight will either panic or placate.

While I'm weary of the Brewers applying pressure to the Cubs, I love seeing the standings and seeing 1st place in September.

(Dempster really didn't have to perform this feat, but Jack loved that phrase and nobody under the age of 40 understands it, so I just had to throw it in.)

He'll face the Cubs this way, and he's still scheduled to make four more starts regardless. Kip Wells will "pitch" Thursday against the Reds.
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I love that Kip Wells part

That's your two-time World Champion Marlins. I don't even think a new ball park would help. Get that team and the Devil Rays out of Florida. The Sunshine State is fine for Spring Training, but useless anytime else, unless a World Series stops by.

I understand the teams are run by idiots. I know that...but how long can this go on?

Time for out-of-the box thinking....why not Mexico City as a site for an MLB team?

I don't think the Cubs have the greatest squad this year either. We are a flawed team. But all I asked for this year was for them to be competitive, a realistic goal that, seeing as it's now 9/13, they have achieved. That's a successful season. Not a great season, just successful. But my idea of "successful" seasons changes year to year, as do most of our expectations, much like the team's ability. Next year, I'll expect more, because they'll be in a better position going in than they were this year.

To sit back and say the Cubs will blow it and lose, even if they make the playoffs, is ridiculous, because their chances of winning it all aren't all that great in any given year. Same goes for almost every team in the league. It's easier to bet on them losing than it is on them winning. That's where hope comes into play, and that's where many of us long suffering fans get our patience and ability to take the good with the bad, and sometimes the bad with the bad, too.

5-4 Reds.

And now the Reds announcers are criticizing Buck Coats' handling of the play.

Reds win 5-4, sweep series.

And Chanman? Cubsbak is right. Enjoy school while it lasts. I just turned 34 and still teach part-time at university, and there's nothing like those years in college. Worst thing I ever did was graduate.

As Hakim Bey once said, "These things make wonderful toys but terrible addictions."

I can't say school is any harder/easier than it used to be, but I don't think the current methodology is working too well. Far too much "teaching to the tests," etc. You learn a hell of a lot more through careful reading, discussion/debate, and writing than you do filling in circles.

Ivy, empire is as empire does, whether it's blatant or under the table. And while I agree with your ideas, I don't think many parents have their priorities straight enough. Sure, they're capable, but they are not willing. Hence, 99% of all families are two-income families, the kids are sent off to daycare, school, etc. What's given importance, simply by the choices the parents have made, is work, monetary gain, material wealth. Only the best families - like maybe Hawk's - can keep a comfortable balance between this and a caring, nuturing household that fosters independence, thought, and freedom of the self. Damn, I feel like I'm lecturing so I'll stop. Interesting discussion though.