Kiss Of Death, and Open Thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Wednesday 6/6, 1:05 CT

Well, you guys were right. My comment in yesterday's game thread that Alan Trammell was undefeated as Cubs interim manager was indeed the "kiss of death" -- the Cubs' baby winning streak was snapped at two with a 7-5 loss to the Brewers.

So I'm trying to think of things I could give the "kiss of death" to today -- maybe I should say something like:

There! That ought to do it.

There's not much to say about last night's game except that it seems to be a role reversal from the way the club was performing earlier in the season, when the starting pitching was outstanding, but either the bullpen failed, or the offense couldn't get going. Last night, the offense was fine -- scoring five runs, having ten hits including three doubles and a HR, and having four of those "innocent little walks". And the bullpen did a pretty good job (apart from Michael Wuertz), throwing three innings, allowing just two hits, a run, and striking out six, and even Scott Eyre threw a scoreless inning.

But Ted Lilly, who was so good in April and early May, was awful last night, allowing six of the seven Milwaukee runs in his five innings, and three home runs, none of which was hit by Prince Fielder. The hole he dug for the offense -- 5-0 after three innings -- was too big to dig out of.

One last thing -- it looked like Lou Piniella was wearing the same shirt in the suites last night as he did on Monday. Was this for luck, or because he forgot to pack extra clothes?

I'm posting this short recap and game thread early today because shortly, I will be leaving for Miller Park for this afternoon's game. It's pretty cool right now in Chicago -- 58 degrees, so likely cooler in Milwaukee -- but temperatures in Milwaukee are expected in the low 70's with a slight chance of rain, so who knows whether the Miller Park roof will be open or not.

Today's Starting Pitchers

C. Zambrano Cubs vs. J. Suppan Brewers 5-5 W-L 7-5 5.62 ERA 3.71 51 SO 39 34 BB 24 13 HR 9 vs. Mil -- vs. Cubs

As noted elsewhere, Angel Guzman is headed to the DL and Sean Gallagher will be recalled and join the bullpen. Gallagher is not on the 40-man roster, so a corresponding 40-man roster move will also have to be made. My guess is that Wade Miller will be released.

Schedule note: the Cubs/White Sox game at the Cell on Sunday, June 24, originally listed as TBA (meaning it might have been selected for ESPN's night game), will be a day game at 1:05 CT.

This is worrisome:

This sounds just like Z -- being over-macho to prove a point. Hey Z -- how about throwing strikes? Just get outs. Just win.

Jeff Suppan threw eight shutout innings against the Cubs on April 24 at Wrigley Field. He is 5-4, 2.93 lifetime vs. the Cubs in 14 starts.

Today, meanwhile, also a day game, is on WGN and at the Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2006 version)

Discuss amongst yourselves.