Three The Hard Way
I don't know what to say.
Wait, wait. Yes, I do.
The beginning of the Yahoo recap of the Cubs' 7-4 loss to the Marlins read as follows, before they just changed it:
September 26, 2007
MIAMI (AP) -- Panic, Cubs fans.
The Cubs' grip on the NL Central lead became shaky Wednesday night, when they were shut out over the final 5 2-3 innings and lost for the second night in a row to the last-place Florida Marlins, 7-4.
I reloaded the page just before I started writing this morning, and now it reads:
September 26, 2007
MIAMI (AP) -- Alfonso Soriano dressed slowly. Aramis Ramirez hunched over his postgame meal. Mark DeRosa sprawled on a couch. All focused on the TV in the corner of the clubhouse, hoping for help.
I'm glad they changed that (apparently an AP editor got to work this morning and chastised Mr. Wine for editorializing in a game recap!), because panic is one thing that we should NOT do -- I haven't even read the game thread from last night yet; I'm almost afraid to -- and I know one thing about the 2007 Cubs: Lou Piniella won't LET them panic.
Last night's game, really, turned on one play: Mark DeRosa's errant throw on what should have been an inning-ending double play in the second inning. Only one of the three runs that subsequently scored was unearned, because you can't assume a double play on such a throw, but let's say the Cubs turn that DP.
In that case, the Cubs get out of the inning with a 2-1 lead and maybe Jason Marquis settles down. He didn't pitch great, but he wasn't all that bad, either -- when he left the game for pinch-hitter Sam Fuld in the sixth, the Cubs trailed only 5-4.
Then, unfortunately, Carlos Marmol chose a really bad time to have one of his worst outings of the year -- Miguel Cabrera's two-run HR, only the third HR Marmol's allowed all season and the first since July 22, put the game away after it had gone into the seventh inning, still agonizingly close at 5-4. Marmol's been so automatic, so good -- he hadn't allowed any runs at all in his last 18 appearances, that we find ourselves shocked when he looks mortal.
But the bottom line is: do not panic!! I happened to be out last night for a while, and so missed a lot of the carnage on TV -- and when I got home, I found myself yelling, screaming at my TV, rooting for the detested Cardinals when they put their 7-3 win over the Brewers away with a four-run eighth inning -- all four of the runs scoring with two out; in doing so the Cardinals, our bitter arch-rival, helped us reduce the magic number to three.
Now how weird is THAT?? I'm glad I don't have to do THAT any more this year.
The NL playoff race is nothing short of bizarre. If you think the Cubs are having a tough week, imagine being a Mets fan -- they just got swept by the Nationals... at home. The Pirates, who came into Wrigley Field and got swept and got outscored 30-13 by the Cubs, have just won two straight from the Diamondbacks, who entered the series with the best record in the National League. The Colorado Rockies, who were 6.5 games out of first place and fourth in the wild card race eleven days ago after losing two straight to the Marlins AT HOME (!), have now won ten games in a row and stand two games out of first place and one out of the wild card lead. Oh, and what did the Rockies do after losing those two games to Florida, in so doing being outscored 17-8? They beat them 13-0 -- beginning their current ten-game winning streak.
That puts seven teams (Cubs, Brewers, Mets, Phillies, Diamondbacks, Padres, Rockies) within two games of a playoff spot with four games remaining, and not a single spot wrapped up. It's the tightest race there has been since MLB went to the three-division-wild-card setup thirteen years ago.
It is exciting, and I remind you again:

Keep the faith, keep believing, know that this team does know how to win, and we'll move onward. I'll have a game thread up early this afternoon.
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Comments
Today
Its time to change that TODAY!
by adam316 on Sep 27, 2007 8:19 AM CDT 0 recs
Ummm yeah
by adam316 on
Sep 27, 2007 8:21 AM CDT
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-"Just take it easy man"
-"YEAH, WAVING THE F*ING GUN AROUND?"
"Calmer than you are."
-"Will you just take it easy?!"
"Calmer than you are."
Anything and everything I need to know came from this fantastic movie
by NittanyCub on Sep 27, 2007 8:21 AM CDT 0 recs
Nothing's f***ed here, dude.
by mrsmiff on
Sep 27, 2007 8:35 AM CDT
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10 year olds dude
The greatest movie of all time!
by Les Lancaster on
Sep 27, 2007 10:51 AM CDT
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have a refreshing
by kylejo on
Sep 27, 2007 8:46 AM CDT
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No, The Big Lebowski
by Jettero2112 on
Sep 27, 2007 8:50 AM CDT
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AWESOME FLICK!
The dude is in the bath with a white russian and candles lit and the ferret patrol comes in and starts bashing his furniture/furnishings with a baseball bat...
The dude peeks around the corner and says "Uh, this is a private residence."
Always has me laughing out loud!
by Kinky Reggae on
Sep 27, 2007 10:21 AM CDT
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My fav scene
by Les Lancaster on
Sep 27, 2007 11:14 AM CDT
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The Dude
by tk5446 on
Sep 27, 2007 12:01 PM CDT
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They have been...
by HIGGY on
Sep 27, 2007 8:48 AM CDT
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re: They have been...
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 27, 2007 8:51 AM CDT
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Shmoer Shavis!
by HIGGY on
Sep 27, 2007 9:06 AM CDT
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OVER THE LINE...OVER THE LINE!!!
by crw89 on
Sep 27, 2007 9:25 AM CDT
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Her life is in your hands dude...
He asked me to repeat it. Her life is in your hands.
GREAT flick
as long as we're on the movie tip, I suggest if Trachsel gets snippy and gets shelled, Piniella beats him with a hotel towel full of oranges like that scene in "the grifters"
by BigJimSlade on
Sep 27, 2007 10:24 AM CDT
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It feels like the Marlins...
by Orval Overall on
Sep 27, 2007 11:33 AM CDT
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A win today
by SouthsideCub on
Sep 27, 2007 11:44 AM CDT
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That is not the preferred nomenclature.
"What do you need that for, Dude?"
by Cool Hand on
Sep 27, 2007 11:47 AM CDT
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When I'm on another board...
by michaelb on
Sep 27, 2007 12:27 PM CDT
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yesterday was a good day
time to remove head from arse gentleman and go grab a win this afternoon.
by kylejo on Sep 27, 2007 8:21 AM CDT 0 recs
It's hard Al,
Go Padres!
by mrcubsfan on Sep 27, 2007 8:24 AM CDT 0 recs
The Padres
by Ihatethecards on
Sep 27, 2007 8:39 AM CDT
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I'm not the type
If you do read the thread from last nights game you will notice several ledge jumpers in there. I hope they all made it though the night. :)
Here is an article that says Hart and Soto may be considered for the playoff team. It also says Hendry refuses to talk to Lou about the playoff team until they clinch a postseason berth.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/577077,CST-SPT-cubnt27.article
by sue369 on Sep 27, 2007 8:25 AM CDT 0 recs
wow, considered?
by kylejo on
Sep 27, 2007 8:27 AM CDT
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yeah, that's crazy
by Orval Overall on
Sep 27, 2007 11:35 AM CDT
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Don't Panic
by Jaxxonfan on Sep 27, 2007 8:29 AM CDT 0 recs
nothing like
by kylejo on
Sep 27, 2007 8:47 AM CDT
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Thanks Al
I also think you need to add to that the fact that the Dolphin looks like one of the most depressing places to play baseball; in Bob Howry's words on Boers & Bernstein yesterday, it's "the deadest". That's not making THE difference, but I do think it makes A difference.
Look, say what you will about Trachsel, but if there's anyone I want on the mound right now, it's a seasoned vet who, if not the most consistently impressive, you know is at least capable of a few surprises. Hey, if Estes can do it, Trachs can do it.
I'll be listening to Pat and Ronnie on my way up to Miller to watch that game with my buddy who's probably the biggest Madres fan in Chitown. He assures me this Cassel kid can get the job done against an imploding Brew Crew. Let's hope he's right.
by mrsmiff on Sep 27, 2007 8:30 AM CDT 0 recs
Soto
by Slakkr on Sep 27, 2007 8:31 AM CDT 0 recs
I was surprised to see that, too.
by Al on
Sep 27, 2007 8:33 AM CDT
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today is a day game after a night game as well
and I think those in attendance last night would say that you're being very very kind to Jason Marquis
he was awful last night, and you cant assume a DP on that ball with Hanley Ramirez running down the baseline OR that MArquis would've gotten out of that inning. He was pitching away from contact and when he was getting hit he was getting hit HARD
Marquis has been much better than i imagined this year and i would mark year 1 down as a victory for this signing, but his overall numbers are also misleading lost in his 4.43 ERA are also 13 unearned runs which he's allowed which are far more than any member on the staff
and while they dont count against his ERA they still count... the meltdown in Atlanta comes to mind where those runs were unearned, but really his fault with a throwing error
Again, the Marquis signing on a whole has been a positive one this year, but those that have suggested they feel most comfortable with him on the mound in a big game, etc must not be watching the same guy i'm watching... Rich Hill, Ted Lilly, and Big Z are all FAR SUPERIOR pitchers to Jason
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Sep 27, 2007 8:44 AM CDT
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Not so sure about Hill...
by Al on
Sep 27, 2007 8:56 AM CDT
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take a closer look
In 16 starts this year he's allowed 2 ER's or less
in only 7 of Hill's 31 starts has he allowed 5 runs or more (not just ER's)
Marquis has 15 QS in 33 starts
in 13 starts this year Marquis has allowed 2 ER's or less
in 11 of Marquis starts he's allowed 5 or more Runs (not just ER's)
your eyes and your gut are deceiving you
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Sep 27, 2007 9:12 AM CDT
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I'm not susrprised.
by Fraggin Judge on
Sep 27, 2007 10:06 AM CDT
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this seems contradicting
but then you're saying he's quicker to realize the young talent over the veteran????
it seems like Lou is going back to Kendall by naming him his starter the rest of the way (as others have alleged in this thread)
seems to me to be pretty much the same as Dusty.... took Riot a long time to overtake Izturis...
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Sep 27, 2007 10:08 AM CDT
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Veterans
by BrownE34 on
Sep 27, 2007 8:39 AM CDT
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Kendall's
he's now down to .275-.366-.365 which is still better than anything we've gotten PG (Pre-Geovany) and better than Kendall was with the A's... but he's not even close to Soto offensively or defensively right now and his 4.27 cERA with the Cubs is worse than Michael Barrett
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Sep 27, 2007 8:47 AM CDT
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yeah
by kylejo on
Sep 27, 2007 8:49 AM CDT
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it appears Kendall had a sore thumb
Ironically the Suntimes has some notes of whether the Cubs go with 11 or 10 pitchers and if 10 they are going with 3 catchers....just what I was told a few weeks ago.
Watch for a fast hook today and Hart inserted.
by Ivy Walls on
Sep 27, 2007 9:45 AM CDT
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I Think Part of The Decision...
Let's get some early runs, and tack on often! Seal the deal.
Go Cubbies!
by initram on
Sep 27, 2007 9:33 AM CDT
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Cardiac Cubs
DeRosa looked so crest-fallen in the post game interview...yet all the while he has been so terrific this season.
The Baseball Gods smiled on us, so I hope the guys can dig down and pick each other up and get this done!!!
Go Cubs Go !!!
by coral on Sep 27, 2007 8:31 AM CDT 0 recs
That alien...
Dan
by dtpollitt on Sep 27, 2007 8:45 AM CDT 0 recs
I think we all feel a little dirty...
As I mentioned earlier in the game thread yesterday, however, there could be no Cardinals win last night. If they won the game, they'd only be helping the Cubs -- hardly a victory for them. And if they lost, well, they lost.
But they didn't lose. They won. And they made Yost and the Boo Hoo Crew look like a bunch of whiny babies in the process. Thank you, Deadbirds!
by dat cubfan daver on Sep 27, 2007 8:49 AM CDT 0 recs
I fired up my notebook too...
I felt dirty celebrating for the Cards but hey, it helped the Cubs and it helped me go to bed not angry and frustrated!
by HIGGY on
Sep 27, 2007 8:58 AM CDT
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re: I fired up my notebook too...
I just pray we all have something to happy about later today. This losing streak against the Marlins has gone from annoying to downight ridiculous.
by dat cubfan daver on
Sep 27, 2007 9:07 AM CDT
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You're brother goes to St. Norbert's?
by eamuscatuli1881 on
Sep 27, 2007 10:17 AM CDT
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Yes he does...
by HIGGY on
Sep 27, 2007 10:34 AM CDT
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For one game...
I couldn't care less how many Cardinals get plunked. LaRussa has made a career out of plunking people, so a little payback is fine with me.
As for Cubs fans, I am sick and tired of seeing screen names for the first time when the Cubs are losing.
Listen, you bunch of daisies, either show up when it's good and bad or don't show up at all. I can't imagine the sick pleasure someone takes in only being critical.
We support OUR team. We criticize teams like the scumbag Cardinals and the immature Brewers and the snotty Marlins and the satanic Mets.
by lancaster99 on Sep 27, 2007 8:56 AM CDT 0 recs
Thanks Al,
p.s. Mike, love the socks...
by ballhawk on Sep 27, 2007 8:57 AM CDT 0 recs
Agreed...
Take your superstitions and shove them. You can have my magic number when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers!
by lancaster99 on
Sep 27, 2007 8:58 AM CDT
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Keep the number!
by bison on
Sep 27, 2007 11:52 AM CDT
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Al, please talk me off the ledge.
Despite all the positive feelings we are sending them from this site, they look horrible right now. They had to figure that the Brewers would win last night and they still couldn't get it done. We all are very lucky today the leads not down to 1. Now we are counting on Trachsel? If the bats don't get it done today, we are in trouble.
Also, to all the posters who speculated on the cardinals tanking, I hope you watched the game last night. Pujols played when he's hurt and the Cardinals really took it to the Brewers. Remember the unexpected help we got from the Brewers in '03?
by Mapmaker on Sep 27, 2007 9:04 AM CDT 0 recs
I give the Cardinals no credit
Yeah, they won. Gave us a lift.
But I'm not ready to vote them playoff shares because they actually did what they are paid to do.
There is no history that matters. That garbage is for fans and media. Players don't care.
The team is putting pressure on itself. But it's not doing so because of 1969, 1984, 1989 or 2003.
by lancaster99 on
Sep 27, 2007 9:08 AM CDT
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Chill dude...
And we are playing just fine, they only reason it seems that we are not is because the playoffs start next week.
And to address your weight of history? The players are probably more excited to BE history this year, that worry about history. They are all imagining what it would be like to win a World Series with the Cubs, thus making them more motivated to win.
by HIGGY on
Sep 27, 2007 9:11 AM CDT
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I'm not talking anyone off any ledge
More beer for me on the bandwagon.
by lancaster99 on
Sep 27, 2007 9:13 AM CDT
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Well said, Higgy.
by Al on
Sep 27, 2007 9:13 AM CDT
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I think Pujols played ...
Still, it's a weird day when I cheer for the fellow and I immediately felt like I needed to shower after ...
by Littlerock Rynofan on
Sep 27, 2007 9:41 AM CDT
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No wonder they didn't win
They didn't have their towels!
by salparadise23 on Sep 27, 2007 9:08 AM CDT 0 recs
We're still 2 up w/ 4 to play
Today is not a MUST win either for the club. Certainly for their confidence they need to win, but as far as the standings we could very well lose this game and take 2 in Cincy and be fine.
The Padres will be fighting and HAVE to compete today and tomorrow no matter what happens to the other teams.
Remember we're looking down, not up in the situation. Good pitching will get us through the last four. All the little breaks went Florida's way last night, those breaks should come back our way and hopefully before we get to Cincy.
As Al said, KEEP THE FAITH!
by The Ryno and I Know on Sep 27, 2007 9:09 AM CDT 0 recs
I'm sick of this MUST WIN garbage
You guys just set yourselves up for the suicide hotline when you attach MUST WIN to something.
If on Monday, we're in a playoff, that's MUST WIN!
If we get down to an elimination game in the playoffs, that is MUST WIN.
Everything else is just IT WOULD BE NICE TO WIN AND GET IT OVER WITH
But that doesn't sound as good in a chalk-talk.
by lancaster99 on Sep 27, 2007 9:10 AM CDT 0 recs
Here here
We can cheerfully lose every last game, so long as the Brewers do the same. THEY are the ones with "must win" games.
Anyways, did anyone REALLY expect the Cubs to win the rest of their games?
by MikeIowa on
Sep 27, 2007 9:30 AM CDT
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Considering...
by HIGGY on
Sep 27, 2007 9:46 AM CDT
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Don't Panic?
by DudeVf11 on Sep 27, 2007 9:11 AM CDT 0 recs
Look at it this way
Look what happened after that.
Too many of you are channeling Mariotti.
by lancaster99 on Sep 27, 2007 9:12 AM CDT 0 recs


