Since I -- and most of you -- love to bash ESPN and ESPN.com, I thought I'd give them equal time when there's actually a good article on ESPN.com about the Cubs. Wayne Drehs has an excellent take on yesterday's game, which as of early this morning was the featured lead story on their front page.
After yesterday's game, the White Sox were whining about the call on Orlando Cabrera's drive in the 7th, claiming it might have been fair. No way. I was only about 30 feet from where that ball landed. It was 100% foul.
Yesterday, Alfonso Soriano was on the field before the game tossing a ball around for a few minutes. He'll be examined on Monday to see how close he is to returning. Also, that article says Daryle Ward may be activated in time to DH at next weekend's series at the Cell.
In case you are one of those saying "WHYISNTHENDRYDOINGSOMETHING!!?!!?!11", Barry Rozner writes that Jim Hendry is looking for deals every single day:
"I try to go to work every day open for business and thinking this could be the day we get something done, not that we're actively seeking anything," Hendry said. "I think you have to operate like that because some of our best deals have come out of nowhere, and weren't even on the map a day or two before it happened.
"It's all about timing and opportunity, and what people speculate about is often something that's impossible and not in our hands. The best deals are often the ones not on anyone's radar."
So whether Zambrano misses a week or a month, or somewhere in between -- they'll announce that decision today -- Hendry won't be forced into going after C.C. Sabathia or any other big-name starter unless the terms are right for the Cubs, too.
More significantly, Hendry said he's got the cash necessary to do anything possible to win the World Series.
"At $120-something million on our payroll, I'd have to get something cleared to add a lot more (payroll)," Hendry said. "But I've been assured that if we need to add a piece or two, we'll be able to do it.
"There's no doubt we have the money to get something done if we need it."
Hendry has done a fine job putting together the 2008 Cubs, so far. I have confidence that if & when the right deal appears, he won't waste time making it happen. (Note, the emphasis in the above quotebox was added by me.)
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Yesterday's hero, Aramis Ramirez, is the active Cub who hits Contreras the best -- .455/.538/1.364 (5-for-11, a double, 3 HR). Contreras is 1-2 with a 4.23 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs.
Don't ask what Jason Marquis' lifetime record is vs. the Sox. It's bad. OK, so you asked. It's 1-1, 10.06. However, that includes this 2006 game in which Tony LaRussa left him out there to "take one for the team" and he allowed 13 earned runs in 5 innings. Take that out and the ERA drops to 4.50, closer to Marquis' career norms. Marquis is 4-0, 3.09 in his last six starts. A lot of the Sox have hit Marquis hard, but again, a lot of that dates to that June 2006 game.
Today, national viewers can see Len & Bob on WGN. The Sox announcers will be on CSN, so if you don't have WGN but do have EI, you'll see them. Also see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)
MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Today's overflow comment threads will post at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.