Bruiser Chong

That's because most teams have the right to celebrate a bit about going to the postseason. I know if they don't win it all, it's a complete and utter failure (in your eyes), but those elite eight who make it should be proud to be there. And I think the Cubs are just about done. They've had two runners on a couple of times and haven't gotten anything done. With the wind blowing out, no less. I'll be pulling for the Giants to get the WC spot over the Astros with a Cubs loss today.

So, just because it's easier to get new announcers, they should do that instead of improving the actual team? I'm sorry, but that's a really weak argument. I've watched the nearly all the WGN telecasts this season and these two have never really said anything that wasn't the truth. It's not like Stone is talking about how horrid Ramirez is if he strikes out once. He points out what everyone's seeing anyway. I'm tired of the announcers catching flack for pointing out the obvious, just because it's not positive.

The exact phrase was "big move." So I'd assume it's not so much of a trade as it is a move involving someone currently with the club. Stoney usually doesn't talk out of his ass, either, so I'm curious.

If shipping's included and you take paypal, I'll be interested in the Austin DVD.

My friend was going on and on about it. Isn't she pulling down the front of her pants or something (not so much that you actually see anything, mind you)?

If he is, he simply must share some health secrets with me.

I'm behind the Giants, too. I don't like them, but I will not watch the Astros prove just about everyone wrong, citing that they were finished on so many occassions. They're the best team right now (going by the last month or so), but I just couldn't stomach them in the postseason. So, of course, they'll be there. Cubs fans, I guess we gotta look at it like this. This team just isn't going to work. There's so much talent, but they never clicked during this entire season. They're a slightly-improved team, but changes need to be made; I think everyone agrees on this. So perhaps it's better for the Cubs to not make the postseason, instead of getting there and then blowing it on a much grander scale. It hurts quite a bit to not be there because you couldn't finish off the Mets or Reds, but in retrospect, it may be better than this flawed team couldn't get to the playoffs and create the smokescreen that they're a team they really aren't. I dunno what they're gonna do, but I can almost assure you that not making the playoffs like this is going to result in more changes being made than if they had gotten there and then lost. Alou's probably gone and hopefully they'll pursue someone like Beltran with that extra coin from that contract. The pitching's fine, for the most part, but we need a closer who'll get the job done most of the time. The middle infield's going to be interesting since Grudz, Nomar and Walker are all FAs. I think Grudz will be gone and there's a good chance Nomar will be, too. On paper, this was a team that looked like they would cakewalk towards the World Series. Hasn't worked out that way. That's what happens when half of your overall game relies on one offensive tool. We'll see what goes down, but it'll be a long and interesting offseason. As an aside, in the postgame show, Stone questioned Baker's motives and decisions in that 12th inning during their interview. At least someone isn't gonna verbally blow him for once; to his face, no less.

I'd like to add that although it'd never happen, Steve Stone would be a great manager for this team. He basically knows how to play out every situation and questioned why Remlinger was in there to face Dunn, to watch out for Dunn to steal (which he did) and was dumbfounded why they didn't walk Valentine to get to the next hitter in the 12th. All of those things eventually played a role in the outcome of this one and ALL of them were foreshadowed by Stoney. And yet, he's Enemy Number One when it comes to the Cubs. And those MLB boards are so maddening (because of the immature morons who act as if they are incapable of being adults just once) and humorous (because some people are such drama queens). Here's a line from a poster that made me crack up: Haha, wood poisoning? Classic.

The choke is complete. They're still technically in it, but even if they sweep the Braves and the Stros lose one to the Rockies, there will still have to be a one-game playoff. Disgusting. I know I've been one of the most negative people who watches baseball around here, but this is just inexcusable by all accounts. Baseball's not an easy sport, but the inability to do the small things is just something that can't be condoned for professional athletes. Baker deciding to keep Remlinger in to face a guy with an .800 batting average against him and then taking him out AFTER he singles off of him, makes no sense. Not keeping an eye on a guy who has the ability to steal makes no sense. Not walking a guy to get a guy who hadn't hit the ball out of the infield all day with the game on the line, makes no sense. This entire team makes no sense. Fuck the longball. It has effectively ruined this team; a team that's been so focused on hitting it into the stands that they forgot there are other, more important elements to the game than just that. An entire reconstruction of this team isn't needed. A team who MIGHT get to 90 wins isn't without its pluses. But some changes need to be made. More emphasis on the finer points of the game must be had and right now, I don't see it changing with Dusty and his personal coaching staff running the show. I'm at a loss right now, but I shouldn't be. This is the Cubs we're talking about, after all. But then again, they've got that ability to suck you in, making you think each time is going to be different and in the end, it never is. Just disappointment.

So Prior goes nine, gives up a run and struck out 16...and he won't get a decision, again. He's gone at least seven his last three starts and has one decision to show for it. Prior doesn't get a CG even though he pitched nine, since it's gone to extras, right?

Steve Stone jinxed it! Two down in the 7th and he said he thought Prior would make short work of the inning. Couple pitches later, Kearns homers to tie it. I HATE AUSTIN KEARNS! Prior has 15 K's, by the way.

This team is just so embarrassingly bad offensively if they can't get the longball. On that note, Sosa plates the first Cubs run with his 34th homer. Glad to see him hitting better the last few days, but this last week in mind, I need to see a couple more runs on the board before I feel comfortable.

For those of you who haven't been paying attention, Adam Dunn has been getting closer to the all-time strikeout record. Welp, today's the day. He K's in his first two at-bats, making that record all his. Can't say I'm surprised, though, as Prior's struck out eight through four.

Lineups for the Cubs game have been posted. Barrett's not in the lineup (presumably because he caught all 12 innings yesterday) and Lee's batting seventh. Interesting. But this is it. They lose today and you can call it a season for the Cubs.

Indians pitcher Kyle Denney got shot and is in stable condition.

Half Ukraine, 1/4 German and 1/4 Irish.

Astros finish the sweep and the Giants are up 2-0. Oy.

The Cards lead came from a two-run homer from Rolen off the first pitch after Clemens threw a bit of a hissy fit for not getting a close call in the last at-bat. Suppan had been solid until the seventh, where he walked the leadoff man and eventually gave up two runs.

This must be so satisfying for the Cards. The Cubs were the main reason they didn't make it to the playoffs last year and while the Cubs had their own faith in their hands, the Cards are trying to be the icing on the cake, as they seem to be laying down against the Stros for the third night in a row. Clemens takes the hill, so what's LaRussa doing? Benching Pujols, Walker, Womack and Sanders. While the Cards have deserved a break before postseason, you gotta believe this is one last double bird from them to the Cubs.

The Braves will surely pull no punches, as they'll have no mercy on the team that saw to their early exit in last season's postseason. I agree, though, unless the Cubs win the rest of their games, they'll have the rest of October and all winter to think about how they dropped the ball big time in the closing weeks of the 2004 campaign.

I'll defend him, but not as a closer. He was lights out as a set-up man, but has been real bad in one-run games all season. Anyone know if Alou's got an option on his contract? I'd hope today was just another example of why he shouldn't be brought back next season. Invest the money in Beltran.

Don't worry, we do, too. At least you guys are going to postseason. The Cubs have choked and that's all you can say. Mr. Clutch, Moises Alou deflates a 12th inning rally, grounding into a doubleplay that scored one, but left the Cubs but with one run to work with. It's a shame, too. Up until Saturday, the Cubs had seemingly put it all together, winning just about every game on their road trip. Since then, they've dropped four games to the Mets and Reds and will have to welcome a Braves team that is quite hellbent on keeping them out of the postseason.

Welp, barring a comeback in the 12th, the Cubs will lose their fourth game in the last five days. Not a good sign when your opposition is the Mets and the Reds and it's the last week of the season. Looks like that Mets choke was our undoing, as it's been nothing but hard times since. If the Astros take the Cards tonight, they've gotta become the odds on favorite to take the WC. How depressing.

Hawkins blows another one-run save. He got Casey and Dunn with no problems and then gave up a triple to Jimenez. He got two quick strikes on Kearns and then gave up a double. Fantastic. And of course, he gets the next batter with no problem. Cubs fans let him hear it as they go off the field and rightfully so. He's been absolutely terrible in one-run games.

Giants win and with five days left in the season, a half game is all that separates three teams in the NL WC race. How bout some calculations, Al?