Westward Ho!
The Cubs are back home to start a 2-week stint playing teams from the NL West. The Cubs are 7-2 vs. the West so far. They'll play 7 of these games against the Dodgers, a club that is 26-23, 3.5 behind Arizona in the West. It's a banged up team, with star players Jason Schmidt, Nomar Garciaparra, Andruw Jones and Rafael Furcal all on the DL. Their bullpen has been really good, so you don't want to trail late. Surprisingly, the top of their rotation has struggled--Brad Penny and Derek Lowe have ERAs in the 5's currently. But their first
2 starters in this series, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda, have pitched well in spite of losing records. Also, you have to contain their running game, let by former Cub Juan Pierre. They have 47 stolen bases, good for 2nd in the NL.
Should be fun...Lou Piniella vs. Joe Torre...let's hope the Cubs get back on track here at home, where they've gone 19-8.
Len
Comments
Dempster wiggles and waggles his glove as he is preparing to deliver the pitch to the plate, why?
Posted by: Kevin Traub | May 26, 2008 2:00 PM
Soriano's bat isn't enough to make up for his 5 cent head.
Jim Edmonds is an obvious flop as a Cub as well.
Posted by: Brad | May 26, 2008 3:08 PM
Hey Guys.. It's Memorial Day and we are honoring our vets and our Flag. Could you please show one of the GREAT moments in Cubs history when Rick Monday "saved the Flag"??
A proud Viet Nam vet..
Dick Carlson
Posted by: Dick Carlson | May 26, 2008 3:47 PM
Soriano has no business in left field, he can't run, it's evident in everything he does. Bring back Murton. Jim Edmonds has no business in the lineup, he can't hit. Put in Johnson, cut Edmonds and recall Pie. Kerry Woods has become "scarey woods", leave him in for now. He's still learning. We need another starter but who doesn't. Go Cubs!
Posted by: Jeff D | May 26, 2008 7:23 PM
I'm glad you all agree with me on Sorry-clowno and Calamity Kerry. Well, its better late than never, I guess, so you're all forgiven. But they're not consistent enough to play with us anymore, are they folks?
Bonnie O will be shocked to read this, but I totally agree with her (in an earlier post) on Murton. Matt's currently hitting over .350 at Iowa. I would platoon him and Hoffpauier in LF. Both of them have paid their dues in the Cubs organization and I believe both are more than capable of playing good ball at the MLB level. Instead of sending down a position player, though, I'd send down or realease/trade a pitcher. We're carrying too many pitchers (12) now and this nonsensical decision is exposed when the game goes to extra innings. And to think Loser Lou Pinata wants to carry 13 pitchers? Oh please, we struggle to get guys out with 12 pitchers! Wake up Lou!
As for Felix Pie, I think we should let him get squared away at AAA before we get him back to the Big Cubs. He's currently hitting only .114 at Iowa, but does have a homer and 2 SBs. I know this is not a popular thing to say, but lets stick by Edmonds for awhile. I'm disappointed that Cub fans are booing him at Wrigley. There are plenty of Cub players to boo who've earned their infamy the ole fashioned way. Edmonds hasnt been here long enough yet. (And remember, if he doesn't work out, he'll be released anyways.) If he screws up over a period of time, lets let him have it. But lets give him a chance, what do you say? Just a suggestion.
Go Cubs! You can do it! Oh no, I'm a rah-rah Cubs fan now. Uh-oh....
PS - No, I'm not a relative of Jim Edmonds
Posted by: Anonymous | May 27, 2008 3:22 AM
Knowing the Cubs need another LH starter, with Hill and Marshall injured, do you see any prospective trades the Cubs could make? What if Edmonds never heats up? Do you think Fukudome moves to center and Hoffpauir takes over right?
Posted by: Chuck May | May 27, 2008 8:04 AM
For some reason, my Matt Murton post above seems to be listed under 'Anonymous'. I admit that it may'be been an operator error, however, that is an extremely rare occurrence in this household. LOL
Posted by: A Ray of Reality | May 27, 2008 3:13 PM
Well, well, well, Paul or Ray or Anonymous or whatever name you're using today, finally a positive comment from you (at least in part of your post).
Yes, Murton and Hoffpauir should be called up and yes, I agree with you (who's shocked now?) Edmonds should stay in center field and Pie should stay in the minors for now. But which pitcher? Maybe Howry.
Posted by: Bonnie O. | May 28, 2008 6:33 AM
I saw the stats WGN posted the other day about the huge payroll the Dodgers have on the DL. Boy am I glad Hendry traded Nomar. Can't say I feel very sorry for LA. Just one of those teams like the Yankees you just can't seem to like. Torre looks as prim and proper in his Dodger uni as he did as a Yank, maybe it's left over from years of playing against the Red Sox, the team that epitomises sloppy looks. Don't remember him in a Cards uni but maybe he was the same back then.
Posted by: Holly | May 28, 2008 12:55 PM