The Trade(Finally)

Definitely not a blockbuster, but atleast we made a move! You won't hear any complaining here. I did like both Hart and Ascanio all right, but when everyone is healthy, we really didn't have much need for either. Now we're deep with lefties. Too bad we couldn't ship Heilman out! A look at the numbers:

John Grabow-lefthander-3.42 ERA 41 K's and 28 walks. Tom Gorzelanny-lefthander-5.19 ERA out of the bullpen in 9 games. 3-1 record. That doesn't sound very good, but he was 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA in 2007. Maybe when he gets back to the starting rotation he can find his old form? Don't forget it's so far so good with B.J. Ryan in Iowa too. With Bradley, Soriano, and Ramirez hitting along with Lee and Theriot, we'll get Soto back soon and let's get Fox some AB's and this looks pretty nice!

It Never Ends!

We're finally playing good ball, but the injuries just keep coming! The Cubs have had 13 players go on the DL 15 times. Now Reed Johnson is out with a fractured foot for a month. Maybe not the most valuable Cub, but I think very important to keep Kosuke away from lefties. Now I guess we have no choice? They may recall Sam Fuld who I like, but also a lefthanded batter. The Pirates continue to give their guys away, and we just stay out of it. Now they've dealt Snell, Wilson, and Sanchez. Man, I'd like to get in on Duke, Maholm, Capps, Grabow, someone! I'm even more annoyed with LA putting up the big turd against the Cards. That really hurts. On the good side, how hot is Ramirez!? Having him back and Soriano hot again is pretty scary. How good is Randy Wells? I'm starting to love that guy. B.J. Ryan tossed a shut out inning in his Iowa debut. Reports are that if things go well he could be called up in a week or so. Man, that would be nice if this works out! Sounds like we could have Soto back by mid-next week.

Here's the match-ups in the final Houston game today and the upcoming Florida series:

vs. Russ Ortiz(R)

CF-Fukudome(2-3)

SS-Theriot(2-5)

1B-Hoffpauir(1-4)-Lee = 3-33

3B-Ramirez(.375, HR)

RF-Bradley(.375)

LF-Soriano(2-10)

2B-Fontenot(2-5, HR)

C-Hill(4-7)-I've given up hope that Fox will start!

vs. Chris Volstad(R)

CF-Fukudome(1-7) - Maybe Fuld here?
SS-Theriot(2-8)
1B-Lee(2-8)
3B-Ramirez(2-5, HR)
RF-Bradley(1-3, HR)
LF-Hoffpauir(Soriano = 0-9)
2B-Fontenot(4-8, HR)
C-Hill(0-2)-I've given up hope that Fox will start!

vs. Ricky Nolasco(R)

CF-Fukudome(0-3)
SS-Theriot(2-3)
1B-Lee(1-3, HR)
3B-Ramirez(2-4, HR)
RF-Hoffpauir
LF-Soriano(4-10, 2HR)
2B-Fontenot(1-3, HR)
C-Hill-I've given up hope that Fox will start!

The 1st Place Chicago Cubs!!!

It is such a strange feeling to me for these Cubs to be in 1st place. I've thought all year we had the guys to do it, but it seems like we've been so bad. Seems we are nowhere near where I thought we should be and somehow here we are! If Soriano, Bradley, and eventually Soto can get where they should be along with Lee, Ramirez, and Theriot...then throw in Fox, Hoffpauir, and the Fukudome/Johnson platoon, and we're pretty tough. The bullpen has improved and the rotation is solid. All that said, I've heard the rumors now. George Sherril from Baltimore, Victor Martinez, Heath Bell, Dan Haren, Adam Dunn, and the Pirates-Duke, Wilson, and Sanchez. What are your feelings of the liklihood of any of those deals and how bad would you want who? I'd like comments and votes over at the side. Here's a look at the Houston series(I like that we face 2 lefties):

vs. Wandy Rodriguez(L)
CF-Johnson(.182)
SS-Theriot(.476, HR)
1B-Lee(.444, 2HR)
3B-Ramirez(.231)
RF-Bradley(2-12)
LF-Fox(Soriano 1-14)
2B-Baker
C-Hill(1-2)

vs. Roy Oswalt(R)
CF-Fukudome
SS-Theriot(.333)
1B-Lee(.291, 3HR)
3B-Ramirez(.254, 4HR)
LF-Hoffpauir(2-3, HR)
RF-Bradley(3-8, HR)
2B-Fontenot(.286)
C-Hill(1-2)
*Soriano = .231, 3HR - maybe he starts for Bradley or Hoffpauir?

vs. Mike Hampton(L)
CF-Johnson(1-2)

SS-Theriot(0-3)

1B-Lee(.226, 3HR)

3B-Ramirez(.267)

RF-Bradley(.294)

LF-Soriano(1-5)

C-Fox

2B-Baker

Let's Make A Deal!

I know reports are that the Cubs have said they aren't going to make a move. I know that we have the talent to win with what we've got, BUT if we're going to fight for the division, we have to show we're serious! As I've said all along, I think that may be the most important reason to do it. Show the players and fans we're serious. Then we can look at the fact that the Cards picked up DeRosa and Holliday! The last straw should be the latest with Lilly. Atleast Hart has been pretty good and they say Dempster will be back Tuesday, but Todd says word is Lilly would be out 3 weeks or even the rest of the season should surgery be necessary. I don't know where he saw that because I can't find it, but Hart can't be our long-term answer if we're serious! Anyone heard when B.J. Ryan is going to pitch in Iowa? Any more meat behind the Heath Bell trade? I still say keep Bradley out most of the time vs. righties and we face 2 pretty good ones coming up. Soriano is 0-7 vs. Owings though. Get Fox some AB's! I say we need to sweep the Reds heading into a big series with Houston and their top pitchers. I do like that the Astros throw out 2 lefties though. Here's a look at the match-ups:

vs. Johnny Cueto(R)

RF-Fukudome(3-12)
SS-Theriot(.438)
1B-Lee(.400)
3B-Ramirez(2-9)
LF-Soriano(.333, 2HR)

C-Fox
CF-Johnson(2-5)
2B-Fontenot(0-4)

vs. Micah Owings(R)

CF-Fukudome(0-4)
SS-Theriot(4-9)
1B-Lee(2-9)
3B-Ramirez(3-8)
RF-Bradley(1-7) (Soriano 0-7)
LF-Hoffpauir(1-4, HR)
2B-Fontenot(1-5)
C-Hill

vs. Wandy Rodriguez(L)

CF-Johnson(.182)

SS-Theriot(.476, HR)

1B-Lee(.444, 2HR)

3B-Ramirez(.231)

RF-Bradley(2-12)

LF-Fox(Soriano 1-14)

2B-Baker

C-Hill(1-2)

vs. Roy Oswalt(R)

CF-Fukudome

SS-Theriot(.333)

1B-Lee(.291, 3HR)

3B-Ramirez(.254, 4HR)

LF-Hoffpauir(2-3, HR)

RF-Bradley(3-8, HR)

2B-Fontenot(.286)

C-Hill(1-2)

*Soriano = .231, 3HR - maybe he starts for Bradley or Hoffpauir?

vs. Mike Hampton(L)

CF-Johnson(1-2)
SS-Theriot(0-3)
1B-Lee(.226, 3HR)
3B-Ramirez(.267)
RF-Bradley(.294)
LF-Soriano(1-5)
C-Fox
2B-Baker

Phillies Series

Soriano finally gets it going and he makes an ass of himself in the field! Gotta be worried about Lilly at this point. Any word on if Ryan has pitched yet? Any more on the Heath Bell trade rumors? The Phillies changed the pitching match-ups though so we have to feel much better facing Joe Blanton than Cole Hamels! We really should hit these next 2 guys. Lou said Bradley will be out vs. the righty today and back vs. the lefty tomorrow. I like that. Notice Ramirez is 0-10 vs. Moyer and Johnson has hit both of the next 2 guys very well. I'm hoping Fox will get the start in the last 2 games. Here's my proposed lineups:

vs. Joe Blanton(R)

CF-Fukudome(0-2)-Johnson is 5-10 with a HR, so maybe he gets the start here or in RF?

SS-Theriot(0-2)-Blanco has been better so I guess this could be a start for him?

1B-Lee(0-2)-If Lou wants Johnson and Fukudome in it could be a start for Hoffpauir here?

3B-Ramirez(1-3)

RF-Hoffpauir

LF-Soriano(4-11)

C-Fox

2B-Fontenot

vs. Jamie Moyer(L)

CF-Johnson(11-33, HR)

SS-Theriot(.222)

1B-Lee(4-8)

RF-Bradley(.350, 2HR)

LF-Soriano(.220, 4 HR)

3B-Fox (Ramirez 0-10)

2B-Baker(1-3)

C-Hill

Go Cubs Go!

Well, the bad news is that Soriano is now hurt too, but I'm not sure how big of a deal that is. If we platoon Fox and Hoffpauir out there, do we really lose anything. They're saying it will only be a couple days anyway. Other than that they say Dempster and Soto are looking to be back earlier than expected and we still have 2 more games vs. the Nats! Now the news is hot and heavy that we are going to get Heath Bell from SD. He has a 1.69 ERA with 23 saves and 42 K's in 37 innings with only 15 walks. Please let this happen!

Nationals

Edit on the opposing pitchers and lineups. We really should rock these guys!:

vs. Craig Stammen(R)

CF-Fukudome

SS-Theriot

1B-Lee

3B-Ramirez

RF-Bradley

LF-Hoffpauir

2B-Fontenot

C-Hill

vs. Jordan Zimmerman(R)

CF-Fukudome
SS-Theriot
1B-Lee
3B-Ramirez
RF-Bradley

C-Fox
LF-Hoffpauir
2B-Fontenot

vs. Garrett Mock(R)

CF-Fukudome
SS-Theriot
1B-Lee
3B-Ramirez
RF-Hoffpauir
LF-Soriano
2B-Fontenot
C-Hill