Bruiser Chong

And that became quite clear during the postseason. You may not need a bench right now, but when someone goes down and the biggest bat off the bench belongs to Rey Sanchez, surely you'll be thinking otherwise.

The Yanks have a real soft schedule the rest of the month outside of three games with the Red Sox.

Right now it looks like the game will be decided on Neifi's two erros in the sixth inning. The first was a tough play but the second error was one of the easiest groundballs you'll ever see.

Cubs are such an aggravating team to watch sometimes. You put things into perspective, but their refusal to work the count is their biggest issue right now. They've been popping pitches up all day, with the latest one coming from Corey Patterson on the first pitch with two outs and the bases juiced in a tied game.

Word is that Zambrano's injury was the recurring cramps in his arm. As some may recall, it stems from dehydration since Big C seems to think he doesn't need water (which he stated and said he wasn't gonna start drinking it). He's got great stuff, but his attitude is a real detriment to him and his team.

Just accepting that this probably isn't our year (again) and hoping some serious efforts are made in the offseason, makes it a bit easier to swallow. If this season's a bust (which it has the makings of being), I doubt the fans will sit idly by and let nothing be done in the offseason.

While all signs say I should be worried, I guess I'm not just because he's had this sort of thing happen a few times and been fine after. At any rate, I've stopped holding expectation for success so it's all gravy.

So I'm seeing Carlos Zambrano went 3.1 innings and threw 64 pitches. I'm left to assume that he left with some sort of injury (since the box score doesn't mention any ejections). Awesome.

I'm not sure. I was driving home yesterday and managed to get the game on the radio. I wasn't sure if I even had the game for a few minutes because Ron was rambling on about something unrelated to the game.

Have you listened to Ron Santo? I try not to.

I don't get to watch many Phillies games, but does Michaels get in the ump's face EVERYTIME he's called out on strikes?

The White Sox announcers are such homers it makes my head hurt. Jackson called Garland's third strike on Tejada "the pitch of the season."

I like Adam Dunn only seems to do well when I face the team that has him in my fantasy league. Two homers, five RBIs, and Al's torn hair on the ground as the Reds lead 6-3.

Griffey's no longer a superstar, but he once was so I don't know if he qualifies, genius. MLB: Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Zambrano. I'm too insecure to really back anyone who's not a Cub, although I'm quickly becoming a Yhency Brazoban fan.

I'm looking for the opposite, as I can't wait for the Sox to go away.

Someone forgot to read their women's handbook.

I remember Steve Stone saying at the outset of the season that if the A's fall out of it, the Cubs would pursue Dotel. Personally, as many saves as Dotel has blown, I'd still take him over anyone else we've tried in the spot the last decade. I'm afraid, though, if we end up acquiring a closer, it'll be the "proven" Jose Mesa.

Kolb is a hell of a closer. Question for the Braves fans here: Do you prefer having a solid starter in Smoltz in the starting rotation or the stability of the ninth inning that's no longer there?

I'm gonna have to start stalking Derrek Lee if he keeps hitting like this. That's the Cubs, though. Bases loaded, one out, no score. Nobody on, and we can win with the longball. And to think I was cursing how he kept fouling off ball four.

I hate being right.

It's not a good thing that with the bases loaded and one out, it's still a 50/50 chance the Cubs score.

Don't worry. With the wind blowing in and our inability to adapt to such conditions, it's no sure thing. Hollandsworth makes more enemies, unable to even lay down a bunt. To me, that's something every Major Leaguer should be able to do, but many can't. I'll bet LaTroy feels a little better knowing that others suck in the closer role, too. Shouldn't be surprising that the tying run walked earlier.

I get the feeling that the Cub pen is gonna blow another game for Prior.

The real kicker is that Dotel and Foulke are the only two closers I have on my fantasy team. Their terrible outings the last two days have negated all the good my starting pitching has done.

Whatever gets your mind off the fact that you manage the Kansas City Royals.