Another Blast From The Past
Somebody apparently forgot to tell Dontrelle Willis this is 2007, not 2005.
Two years ago Willis dominated the National League, winning 22 games (he and Chris Carpenter, who won 21 that year are, in fact, the last NL pitchers to win 20 games) and losing out on the Cy Young Award to Carpenter, likely because the Cardinals made the playoffs and the Marlins didn't.
This year Willis has been bad -- his numbers coming into last night's game would have been, by far, the worst on the Cub staff -- but he looked like the pitcher that we Cub fans often lament "how did we let this guy get away?" in allowing only three hits -- one a "maybe we can get back into this thing after all" two-run HR by Craig Monroe, his first as a Cub, and the Marlins beat the Cubs 4-2, cutting their division lead to two games after the Brewers blew out the Cardinals for the second day in a row, 9-1.
So I sent Mike an email with one line: "This had better be a one-day aberration."
This is what I got in reply:
I think he's got it just about right, don't you? We've hesitated calling games "must-win" on this site, but tonight's, I believe, really is. That'd keep the lead at two games no matter what the Brewers do, and I don't see them running the table either.
Ted Lilly actually didn't throw too bad of a game last night; he was victimized by two bloopy little hits that probably both should have been caught, and after that the booming two-run double by Jeremy Hermida that wound up providing the winning margin for the Marlins. Other than that one bad inning, Lilly gave the Marlins only three other hits. Michael Wuertz and Kevin Hart did a fine job of keeping the game close and at least giving the Cubs a chance to come back -- and if Cliff Floyd's ball, caught on the warning track for the final out, had gone another twenty or so feet, we'd perhaps be having a different conversation this morning.
Give credit where credit is due: the Cubs ran into the same buzzsaw last night that they showed the Pirates all weekend -- outstanding starting pitching. And go figure -- the Pirates go home last night riding a nine-game losing streak and beat the team with the best record in the league, the Diamondbacks. This wacky season may get even wackier in its last five days.
So this may not feel very good, but somehow, I don't feel as bad this morning as I did last night, or than maybe I should. Jason Marquis, who didn't throw very well in his last start on Friday, will get another chance to redeem himself this evening. After that, though, Lou says the rotation may change:
"I said [Wednesday's] starter is the same," Piniella said. "I haven't said anything else. And I haven't said the rotation for Cincinnati either."
Well, that's interesting, isn't it? Rich Hill, who was originally slated for Friday's game in Cincinnati, could go on normal rest (he last threw on Saturday) in Miami on Thursday; then Carlos Zambrano and Lilly would also be ready on normal rest to start the Cincinnati series, if needed. Or:
Makes sense to me. In the meantime, there is work to be done, and I do know this: there's no manager who is going to have his team better prepared and focused on the task at hand tonight than Lou Piniella. I believe in him and trust him to get the job done.
As for the Brewers, despite their big wins the last two days, they seem unfocused on the race. Check out what Prince Fielder had to say after he hit two HR last night to get to 50 for the season:
"That's why I'm so passionate about playing," Fielder said. "I don't mind them comparing me, but I'm totally a different player. Hopefully one day, whenever they mention my name, they won't have to mention his."
"Here, they've never had too many good teams to earn the right to boo. We're the best team they've had in a while. But they pay for the tickets, so they can do what they want. It's their freedom of speech."
Earn the right to boo?
Finally, I need to say a few things about some of the comments that I have seen in the game threads. We're all a little on edge because of the tightness of this race. But that shouldn't mean that we snipe at each other, call names, or not get along, because we're all here for the same reason -- to root for our favorite team, and hopefully in a few days, to celebrate a division championship. I know there are quite a few new posters here, and I am going to ask them to review the BCB Community Guidelines, which are not meant to be any sort of Draconian absolutes, but simply this: to remind us that everyone here is a human being, that there's a real person behind each and every post, and sure, you can disagree with someone else -- but please do it with civility. I don't think that's too much to ask.
Thanks. Go Cubs. Let's win this thing.
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Comments
Umpiring
He obvisouly knew he sucked by tossing out ARAM for very little. Really really bad game.
Otherwise, the Cubs sucked last night. Starting with the fact that Soriano took the first 2 pitches of the game that were not even close and didnt have the presence of mind to take a strike and that was the way the day went swinging at crap and not letting a wild pitch pitch himself into trouble.
On that NOTE, GO CUBS
by Hammer on Sep 26, 2007 8:46 AM CDT 0 recs
Prince Fielder
All joking aside, he sounds like a pretty angry guy. Hopefully he can find a way to put the bad stuff with his dad behind him and enjoy his life and his playing days.
by mike on Sep 26, 2007 8:54 AM CDT 0 recs
Wow....
by dacubsfan76 on
Sep 26, 2007 9:09 AM CDT
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Fielder focused on division race.
As for the Brewers, despite their big wins the last two days, they seem unfocused on the race.
It's extremely dishonest of any writer, of any talent level, to suggest that because someone answers a question honestly, it's the most important thing in their mind. Especially when the evidence to the contrary is just a few paragraphs down.
Fielder admitted he was looking up at the scoreboard.
"You take peeks, because that's what it's up there for, to look at," Fielder said. "But really, that's out of our control anyway.
Yost also focused on division race:
"Ned is fine," Attanasio told The Associated Press, declining to elaborate.
"We're in the middle of a pennant race right now and that's all I care about," Yost said.
Good luck cub fans, try to enjoy the rest of the season, and don't worry too much about Prince Fielder's family issues. It's going to keep you distracted as fans.
Cheers.
by jacob on
Sep 26, 2007 9:27 AM CDT
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i won't worry about it too much
by mike on
Sep 26, 2007 9:34 AM CDT
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how is it...
by rm463 on
Sep 26, 2007 9:38 AM CDT
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Well...
by Damen Jackson on
Sep 26, 2007 9:42 AM CDT
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I read....
by HIGGY on
Sep 26, 2007 9:48 AM CDT
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His quote...
Fielder said he was "serious" about trumping his father, adding, "A lot of people said that's the only reason I got drafted. That's what drives me. People said I was too big and all this, and the only reason I got drafted was because of the name.
"That's why I'm so passionate about playing. I don't mind people comparing me to him but I'm a completely different player. One day I want people to mention my name and not have to mention his."
As for the recent comments from his father, Fielder said, "You've got to look at who's saying it. Let's be honest. He's not really the brightest guy."
by Damen Jackson on
Sep 26, 2007 9:50 AM CDT
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re: Fielder focused on division race.
That doesn't really do much to negate Al's point. And I'd remind you that we Cubs fans have a certain amount of experience dealing with guys with big egos who put up huge power numbers but don't really do a lot to help their team win championships.
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 26, 2007 9:58 AM CDT
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Hmm
by TheJay on
Sep 26, 2007 11:22 AM CDT
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Slow over at Brewcrewball?
by HIGGY on
Sep 26, 2007 11:26 AM CDT
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Wow thanks for the insight jacob
Gimme a break. If one of the Cubs was to go off on some rant about his family matters and explain that he hopes he gets a certain number of HR's so that he can shut up his father, RATHER than say that 52 HR's would surely help this team salvage a horrid second half, I WOULD BE PISSED, not defending him.
It is BS and you know it. WHO FREAKIN CARES ABOUT HIS DAMN PERSONAL ISSUES! I would also be pissed if I were a teammate and this is what someone chose to discuss. But you go on with your bad self jacob, seems you are a bit distracted too.
Oh well...here's to hard nosed, FOCUSED, play for the next 5 games...for the Cubbies!
by Kinky Reggae on
Sep 26, 2007 12:21 PM CDT
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Al's quote is "lying"?
From his comments, Fielder may be another example of a spoiled and entitled player. Many of these players would do themselves a favor by coming to grips with the realization that no one worth anything to them actually "respects" them because of their perceived status. I am sure that there are many people out there willing to tell a millionaire player how incredible and wonderful he is no matter what the truth may be, and if you chose to listen to it and guid your life by it, well you may end up becoming the bigger fool.
The Brewers not deserving to be booed because they have never won? That's hilarious! It's the perfect get of jail free card--we have alwasy sucked, you should expect it, we have delicate egos so therefore you cannot express your displeasure ebcause you are used to our incompetence. Michael Vick needs to hire this guy for a P.R. position. "I just pleaded guilty to a Federal crime, the State of VA. is now after me--so why the heck are you surprised that I got tested positive for weed? You should expect nothing but the worst from me. Excuse me while I down a keg with some friends and then go for a drive." I can see Fielder saying "yes, he gets it!"
by DudeVf11 on
Sep 26, 2007 2:52 PM CDT
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absolutely classic
by kylejo on
Sep 26, 2007 3:16 PM CDT
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Right.
Apparently, when a team is losing, whining becomes common. The Cubs had that discussion in less favorable times and now the Brewers are having it. They must be feeling the pressure.
by Fraggin Judge on
Sep 26, 2007 4:28 PM CDT
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parental estrangement
The best mantra for a father comes from a movie "Guess who is coming to Dinner" when the father who gave all for his son to become a great doctor suddenly has problems with his son's choice in a bride. He talks about how his son owe's him for his sacrifice of carrying a postman's bag.
The son then states (as a widower and former parent) that the day he was born his father owed his son and that all he owed his parents was paying the the debt forward to his children...(in essence paying it forward, not back).
My father then did something that totally broke the trust in my family (even though in his mind doing the right thing but in reality he was simply playing out decades of wrong presumptions and prejudices) after proven wrong he has never apologized or acknowledged the hurt.
Until he apologizes to my family for the pain and broken trust we can never begin to reclaim a relationship. Sure we talk periodically but only on the surface. Whatever was done in the Fielder's family can only be rectified when the father submits, and seeks forgiveness, he is in charge of initiating and setting the parameters of the relationship not the son.
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 26, 2007 9:30 AM CDT
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Thanks for that, Ivy
Prince has a policy of not talking to reporters about his dad. It is a blanket "If you can't say anything good..." type policy. No doubt this only came up because of the record set yesterday as the first father and son to hit 50 homers in a season.
by zambranofan on
Sep 26, 2007 10:51 AM CDT
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It's a messy situation all around.
But Stacey Fielder - mother and wife - isn't exactly a hero here, either. This article is a pretty good summary:
In sworn documents filed with the court, Fielder claims his wife was "physically and mentally abusive" to him, hitting him with a broomstick, stabbing him in the side with a fork, threatening to get a gun and shoot him, and telling him she had stood over him with a knife as he slept, thinking about whether to stab him.
Fielder also claimed his wife lost $500,000 in a failed venture to open a bank, and redecorated their mansion four times in seven years, at a cost of $4 million.
In her filings, Stacey Fielder alleged her husband had engaged in "an avalanche of misconduct" that caused her angry outbursts, and asked the court to enjoin her husband "from dissipating any more assets."
So, essentially what we have here is a case where a spouse beats and threatens the other, and their reasoning is "They deserved it." If the situation was reversed, as far as gender and physical condition, it would be a textbook case of spousal abuse. (I still get chills every time I read that bit about the knife.)
And Prince seems pretty much to side with his mother on all of this. So it's easy to see where neither side is really in a hurry to get past this.
by cwyers on
Sep 26, 2007 11:48 AM CDT
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I don't necessarily think
Cecil stole most of Prince's amateur signing bonus and gambled it away. (Prince originally used his dad as his agent.) Prince got pulled off of a minor league diamond one day so that Prince could be served with papers pertaining to a lawsuit involving his father.
Now Cecil blames his ex-wife for the fact that Prince won't talk to him, but that may be part of the problem. Cecil has apparently refused to take responsibility for the way he wronged his son.
by Josh77 on
Sep 26, 2007 1:45 PM CDT
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I looked up "dysfunctional family"...
by MN exile on
Sep 26, 2007 2:17 PM CDT
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FOR KARMA'S SAKE
I am posting this in desperation:), as the magic number that is posted in the corner of BCB is causing my much grief. As you are aware the posting of this, from now on referred to as the, # a few weeks ago caused the cubs to play poorly
for a few days, resulting in the # not decreasing. It was suggested by several folks that this # be removed until the # was 5 or less.
I am here to plead with you to please remove this # from the site forever and ever! We all know the # and it was decreasing just fine until it was put back on the site.
Baseball has and always will be a game of superstition and this is no different! Please consider this idea!!!
PS: Feel free to post the Brew Crew's #!
by BigZ 4 Cy on Sep 26, 2007 8:57 AM CDT 0 recs
Yeah, I thought about this.
by Al on
Sep 26, 2007 9:00 AM CDT
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Fair Enough!
by BigZ 4 Cy on
Sep 26, 2007 9:22 AM CDT
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I am not superstitious.
The problem with the "magic number" is that a number 4 with 5 games to play isn't much. It only means that the Cubs can still lose one more game and still control their fate by winning the rest. But if the Cubs lose two, then they are at the mercy of what the Brewers do or don't do, even if we win the other three games.
by Fraggin Judge on
Sep 26, 2007 9:57 AM CDT
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Maybe it's not the number being posted...
Makes about as much sense...
by ballhawk on
Sep 26, 2007 6:52 PM CDT
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The rotation
by rlpete on Sep 26, 2007 9:03 AM CDT 0 recs
Lou is situational and doesn't care about feelings
Marquis is up tonight, he was flat and distracted with trying to make his religious committment he will do well tonight. Cubs will play their regular RHP lineup.
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 26, 2007 9:09 AM CDT
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I doubt
Sometimes good athletes have bad days.
by tharr on
Sep 26, 2007 1:26 PM CDT
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WHY WHY defensive execusion is so important
MLB.tv replay of Marlins 4-run inning
After striking out Lilly gets tagged for two hits, then Willis hit a high pop in short right center, if Murton had got a good jump like he would have made that catch, not saying Floyd would have made the catch but Jones would have. Now the biggest faux pas was DeRosa who should have deferred to Murton to catch it as he was coming in but DeRosa knows Murton is suspect fielding so he went for it....that is the second out and then the third out is deep fly ball and Cubs escape with one run.....
BUT giving an extra out possibly two....Lilly is tagged for 4-runs.....
DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE.......wins championships.
In my humblest opinion is that right now getting the outs is more important the getting more offense. I think Monroe should be playing in RF and not Murton, sorry RED HEAD lovers, then have Jones playing CF even with a left hander on the mound.
by Ivy Walls on Sep 26, 2007 9:05 AM CDT 0 recs
It's true that bad defense...
by Fraggin Judge on
Sep 26, 2007 10:01 AM CDT
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I agree...but being down 1-0 is different
Today knowing the experience of this club, tonight they are facing a young pitcher who has one good start in 4...Barone; last start he got he gave up 4-R's in 4-IP to Atlanta, bombed in Cinci back in late August; 3-IP 9-ER, a great start against StL 8/16 7-IP 1-ER, and AZ 4-ER in 4-IP and 2-ER in 4.2 IP.
Cubs should have no mercy and hit him hard and early....get into the Florida bullpen and get this game done. The seem to come to the game ready to hit with Marquis so I am confident.
Tomorrow we wake up and Cubs are 2 up with 4 games to play, even if Brewers sweep. Depending on Brewers outcome if they win Lou starts Hill on the last game of the series.
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 26, 2007 10:20 AM CDT
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I could not agree more
Granted, 2 runs ain't gonna win you many games, but that play wasn't good.
by SouthsideCub on
Sep 26, 2007 10:19 AM CDT
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Why do bad plays frequently get labelled loafing?
It's similar to last week when someone blamed Rich Hill for not properly covering bunts as laziness. He's a bad fielder. I'm sure he would like to be a better fielder but right now he is not. I don't think Hill stands there on the mound thinking that other players should make the play.
by rlpete on
Sep 26, 2007 1:14 PM CDT
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Hear HERE
The play was Murton's. In RF he gets slow jumps off the bat, I know the Cubs know this and i suspect tomorrow when the face Olsen, Jones will be starting in CF and Monroe in RF.
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 26, 2007 1:30 PM CDT
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re: Hear HERE
Would it be crazy to suggest rolling the dice on Pie's bat and starting him tonight?
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 26, 2007 1:34 PM CDT
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Pie appears to be on the edge
They are working him for next year and getting what they can out of him this year. I am certain Lou would like to put him in CF almost entirely and then platoon Jones in RF but now he can't.
Over the year the RF'er have not hurt us too bad, they are run and retrieve for the most part unless the ball is hit in their area. Murton and Floyd play so deep that they give up a hit a series.
Ironically for 36 hits in 171 AB's he has 26 runs and 19 RBI's, now compare that to Murton who has 21 RBI's and 33 runs with 64 hits and 227 AB's....or Jones who has 59 RBI's and 51 Runs with 121 hits in 441 AB's....and you see the potential.
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 26, 2007 1:56 PM CDT
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im with you man, but
by kylejo on
Sep 26, 2007 1:56 PM CDT
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Lou gave Pie his at bats.
by Fraggin Judge on
Sep 26, 2007 4:32 PM CDT
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Yes this is why the Brewers are in a two-hole
by IllinoisCubs on
Sep 26, 2007 11:39 AM CDT
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That's nonsense
by tharr on
Sep 26, 2007 1:29 PM CDT
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you are too harsh with small sample sizes
at one time we said Jones was a bust...in June he has 51 AB's 9 hits, and then he turned it around.
Let's see in June Theriot had 76 AB's and 17 hits, (.224 BA) and he is celebrated, why because he is celebrated and he turned it on in July and August, but in September he again is 19 for 82 batting .232.
In July and August the mighty Derrick Lee was basically a .253 hitter, (.257 and .250) for the two months, was he a bust then going 18 for 70 and 27 for 108?
Monroe is a role player but he can play a better RF than Floyd or Murton and that is not nonsense
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 26, 2007 2:05 PM CDT
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Sorry no facts allowed
by rlpete on
Sep 26, 2007 2:16 PM CDT
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LOL....
Monroe is not a godscend right now....bad year all around, that does not mean that yesterday's HR could not shoot confidence into him where tomorrow with another start he goes 3-4...and a couple extra base hits....
Suddenly he is 13 for 47....batting .276 and his numbers don't look bad.....
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 26, 2007 2:41 PM CDT
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The issue is Monroe
With Det .222/.264/.637
With Chi .227/.306/.692
That's over 387 ABs
Murton .282/.356/.783
If you look deeper, you'll see that the reason he has a small sample size is because he's no longer a decent player. Do you really suggest that Detroit would dump him in the middle of a playoff race if he had value to them? It's hard to expect much value from a player who was DFA'd by a playoff contender. And that's what we got.
by tharr on
Sep 26, 2007 4:25 PM CDT
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granted...his 2007 numbers are not good
the answer is not offense, but defense, he is a better defender than Murton....period....last night Murton showed what his liability is, he gets poor breaks on balls, worse than he did in left field where he was adequate...Murton should have had the duck snort with bases loaded and then there were three outs...the double would have led off the next inning.....
Murton has produced 5.63 runs per 27 outs, roughly right next to Randy Winn, ranked 5th out of 10 of regulars in the NL....but DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.....that is not nonsense
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 26, 2007 5:19 PM CDT
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If defense wins championships
I reality, it's a mixture of offense, defense and baserunning. There are much better defenders than Manny Ramirez and Dunn and Bonds and Alou.
And that's no nonsense.
by tharr on
Sep 26, 2007 5:41 PM CDT
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D Train
6th row.... The Home Plate Umpire Fletcher is
a good case for K Track. D Train had a good
game he was as usual all over the place that
is why he can be hard to hit.
Lilly I think I can hit that big looping slow
curve out .... it comes up there like a 16"
softball in slo mo......... attendance 16k
mostly Cub Fans..... going again tonite.
by FlaCub on Sep 26, 2007 9:08 AM CDT 0 recs
Finally relaxing
by AndHart120 on Sep 26, 2007 9:09 AM CDT 0 recs
Exactly.
by Fraggin Judge on
Sep 26, 2007 10:04 AM CDT
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Motivation may be there
by Cajuncub on
Sep 26, 2007 10:27 AM CDT
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As the Marlins b-cast team
He was (with a tad bit of help from the HP ump) dominating. I fully expect the Marlins to deal him off, and I think this performance just upped the ante a bit. Or, perhaps -- renegotiate and THEN deal him off.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on
Sep 26, 2007 1:48 PM CDT
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ive heard this from many people
by kylejo on
Sep 26, 2007 3:19 PM CDT
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i was there
tons of well hit balls... they just happened to be right at guys
a wide strike zone that allowed him to get ahead early and forced hitters to "protect" late led to a much better performance on paper than in person
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Sep 26, 2007 3:23 PM CDT
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Breaks
Game of inches, or in Andy Fletchers case, 6-9 inches.
by Hammer on Sep 26, 2007 9:10 AM CDT 0 recs
LOL
by JB 23 on
Sep 26, 2007 9:16 AM CDT
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The difference
The Cubs still looked very focused.
Lou will have them relaxed and focused on what the goal is.
I feel good about the last 5 games. Just work on the next one and worry about eh next 4 one by one.
by Scott G F on Sep 26, 2007 9:11 AM CDT 0 recs
yes, al...
by rm463 on Sep 26, 2007 9:12 AM CDT 0 recs
Agreed
BTW, that ballpark is so bad and so depressing to watch and probably depressing to play in.
by Hammer on Sep 26, 2007 9:14 AM CDT 0 recs
wow, i feel much worse this morning.
so, the cubs have to win 3-5 at least. and if they can't win tonight, well then it's going to be tough, especially since they still have to face harang. i'm on board the must win train. let's hope we see the good marquis today and he goes about 7 shutout innings. and let's hope we see about 8 cub doubles. don't swing for the fences boys, swing for the gaps.
how bout we finally beat the marlins. have we really lost 8 in a row to one the worst teams in the league?
by buckmulligan on Sep 26, 2007 9:15 AM CDT 0 recs
oh, and i don't feel good about the cardinals
by buckmulligan on
Sep 26, 2007 9:18 AM CDT
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