Bruiser Chong

Honestly, I think it's going to be a three or four team race in the NL East the rest of the way. If one team happens to break away from the pack, it'll be after the trade deadline. Right now, three games seperate four teams. No way are the Marlins going to become sellers within the next week.

Right on. Not a great movie, but certainly an overlooked '80s flick. I just picked up: - Adventures of Robin Hood 2-Disc - Treasure of the Sierre Madre 2-Disc - True Romance 2-Disc

Five games isn't enough, IMO. Agreed. So you're saying that Zambrano purposely hit Edmonds to load the bases in the first inning of a HUGE game because of past experiences? Please. Zambrano may have a horrible temper and ran the risk of really putting the game out of the team's reach with his 8th inning actions, but there's no way he'd run the risk of fucking over his team like that so early in the game. Five games sounds about right to me. Sounds like a lot, but with starting pitchers, it needs to be at least five games so the pitcher doesn't just sit out a game in which he wouldn't have pitched anyway. Speaking of suspensions, LaTroy Hawkins got a three-game vacation for his uproar on Tuesday. It's slated to begin tomorrow, which is bad news, since they begin a three game series with the Phillies tomorrow; a series in which a good closer is probably going to be needed, as I can't see either team really blowing the other one out.

Jason Schmidt has given up six earned runs through just three innings, including a 3-run shot to Jay freaking Payton. Everything I ever knew or thought to be true has been false. And Greg Maddux throws his second straight complete game. He's starting to look like vintage Maddux as of late.

It's all or nothing with the Cubs' offense. This is a team offensively built around the homerun ball. When they don't get it, they usually lose. When they do, you'd better watch out. Case in point, 10 of the Cubs' 12 runs have come from the homerun this afternoon. Encouraging to see the Cubs getting on base to set up something other than solo shots, though.

The Cubs hit for the homerun cycle, as Ramirez hits the grand slam in the 6th to put the Cubs up 12-2. I was able to see the slam in between WGN's stupid technical difficulties. I should point out that every Cub has scored at least once today except Sammy Sosa. Slump or not, his offensive lows since his return are starting to stand out more and more.

I didn't get to see anything past the third inning, but I thought both starters were getting similar calls. Clement walked a few guys, so it's not like the ump's strikezone was that bad. Factor in the heavy rains and it's likely that the ump's strikezone grew, since they wanted to get the game in. Which is a shame if it means that it sends Pena back to the bench. He's been one of the most productive guys on the team as of late. If Cincy isn't going to play him, they should ship him off, since he's looks like he'll be a very good player once someone smooths the rough edges.

But it's the Cubs, so you know they never actually execute on these things, Steve. Today's loss, was by far, the worst one of the season. To have a six-run lead go by the boards is inexcusable, regardless of how hot a team is. My girlfriend and I went out to eat after the second inning and I just had a feeling when we returned, the situation wouldn't be good. My concerns were justified, as I got back in time to see that the game had just been tied at 8 all. Knowing the heart of the order was due in the ninth, I figured it was over. Simply put, the Cards have put it all together, and the Cubs are slowly falling apart. It's going to take a miracle to win the division at this point, but honestly, I think it's all over. The Cards are too good and too healthy to let a double digit lead slip away this late in the season. If the Cubs don't get a grip, not to mention make a move or two before the deadline, they won't be getting into the postseason at all. And something's gotta give with Sosa. To have an eight spot on the board and the team's star player to be 0 for 5 is ridiculous. A slump's one thing, but Sosa is getting way too much cash to be this mediocre at the plate and poor in the outfield. If it weren't for the screwy nature of the playoffs, I'd call the Cards to take it all the way they've been going since early June.

Yeah, that's why I thought it was set up like that. The Dodgers could be a scary team if they made it into the playoffs. Their starting rotation isn't what it was last season, but their pen is lights out and they're definitely improved offensively.

I'd definitely take the WC at this point. How are the playoffs set up, though? Is it the WC team against the team with the best record in the league? Because if that's the case, they'd probably be playing the Cards.

Considering the situation within the division and that the Cubs' strength lies in their starting pitching...that was definitely one of the dumber moves I've seen in a while. And, as disappointing as the Cubs have been, weren't the HOUSTON ASTROS guaranteeed the division, league, and World Series crowns this year? Jimy Williams was shit-canned FAR too late. I agree it was a dumb move and I think he's going to need to check his emotions and put it towards a positive energy before he's a great pitcher. That said, while the Cubs still lost the game, it didn't hurt them any further that he was out of the game, since Remlinger and Hawkins were lights out. That's not usually the case, so I figured they'd crack the game open once Zambrano got the hook. One aspect about the Cards' success that everyone seems to be overlooking is Tony Womack. They'd probably be winning without him, but with him and his knack for finding a way on base at least two or three times a game, has really help set the table for Renteria, Pujols and Rolen. Think back to last season and their leadoff man (I believe it was Marlon Anderson most of the time) and how he didn't reach base nearly enough for a leadoff guy. We've seen what having a good / great leadoff man can do for a team. Womack's a big reason why the Cards won last night, as he was on base for both two-run shots. I think that's an area the Cubs could desperately fill. You look at the homers for Sosa and Alou and most of them seem to be solo shots. And I think blaming Jimy Williams for everything is stupid. The Astros simply aren't the team we thought they'd be. Clemens is great, Pettitte has been disapointing, Bagwell's having a horrible season, Berkman and Kent have been slumping for months and they traded away a guy who got hot right after the deal.

Watching the Cubs/Cards game tonight, it's become almost obvious that it's going to take a total meltdown of the Cards and a hot Cubs team down the stretch if the Cubs are actually going to take the Central. Even taking the two-game series wasn't going to mean a whole lot, but as it is, if they lose tomorrow, they're 10 out and basically finished in the division. Not many excuses can be made, either. They were hitting much better than they've been in recent weeks, but couldn't put it all together for a big rally. And still, the Cards are the more stacked team offensively and defensively. Don't wanna throw in the towel, but as we near August, something amazing's going to have to happen (and a significant change in Chicago, too) for them to take the division. And while the Phillies are only a game out, I think they should be grouped with the Cubs and Astros and the bigger disapointments this season. The way they were all being hyped, you'd figure at least two of them were in the postseason, easily.

They won. Even the best hitters don't bat anywhere close to 1.000. Shut the hell up.

I wasn't necessarily referring to just him when I said that. An incident like with Milton Bradley a few weeks back was a perfect example of overreacting simply for attention. On a brighter note, Maddux looked like the Maddux of old today, throwing complete game shutout en route to a 5-0 Cub win. And Houston lost again. Time to start selling, me thinks, as the wild card is even starting to look too tough to snag.

I'm not on the umpires' side, but when someone blows things so out of proportion as Ortiz did, I can't help but feel he's just trying to cause a spectacle and make the highlight shows. It's nothing more than overpaid athletes acting like infants because things don't go their way.

A lot of umps have been provoking situations further by barking back and perhaps, egging others on this year, but that's still no excuse for coming back out of the dugout and throwing a pair of bats at them.

I don't think the ump's strike zone was all over the place. It was just incredibly small. At any rate, there was no need for Ortiz to go crazy like that. Bad calls are annoying, but throwing baseball bats around is stupid, especially when they come to as close to hitting others as they did last night. And Ben Sheet's scoreless inning streak comes to an end, as Sosa homers in the first and Alou homers, as well. Good to see, but I still can't help but think how bad the Cubs would be if they didn't hit the homerun ball. Three hits against the likes of Sheets isn't out of the ordinary, but if they could get guys on base, these homers would be a bit more comforting. Of course, when you've got Paul Bako, Rey Ordonez and Corey Patterson in your lineup, not to mention the pitcher, three hits looks damn good.

That's a shame about Thomas and I say that with no sarcasm. I'm not a big Sox fan, but it was nice to see Frank bounce back from a couple of bad years that looked to be the end of his career. Now, he's basically done for the regular season, just when his team will need him most. As for today's baseball, the fact that it's Maddux vs. Sheets is the main reason I was upset that the Cubs couldn't muster a win yesterday. Maybe it's just me, but watching the Cubs in recent weeks, it seems that all of these injuries have gotten to them. Not because it's hurt their offense and defense, but just mentally, they seem to not be in it and appear lethargic. Like them or not, it's pretty amazing that they've managed to stay well above .500 after every big name they've had aside from Alou, went down at one point or another during the season. I don't think they're going to be in the race for the NL Central title, but if they can't get something to spark them, they won't be in the Wild Card chase either. I think a somewhat significant trade is needed, not to mention the obvious need to get Aramis Ramirez back in the lineup stat, as I think they've felt his absence more than they did for Wood, Prior or Sosa.

So basically, you're taking pleasure in the injury of an individual, who by all means, seems to be a stand-up guy, just because you don't like the team he plays for? Oookaayyy.

I'm starting to regret trading for Prior after he returned. More importantly though, if this is a serious thing, I think the Cubs are in a lot of trouble unless they make a move that would bring another ace to their starting rotation.

Any idea on what the cost of tickets to the AS game is? I'm only two hours outside of Detroit, so if it's feasible, I'm definitely going to make an effort to get there for it.

I'm torn here, because on the one hand, I wanted the NL to win and for this to be a good game. On the other, I don't like Clemens at all, so I was glad to see him get shelled so quickly, especially in front of the home crowd. Say what you want, I don't think Clemens was truly deserving of the start. I figured I'd be watching the game all the way through this year, but the relitively short periods of time where the game was actually competitive weren't enough to save it.

To their credit, they did have the shot on Abreu swinging and whiffing three times. With only two innings left and the likes of K-Rod and Rivera in the pen, this one's over.

I also don't understand why Jason Schmidt hasn't been used yet. He threw a lot of pitches two days ago, but I would've put him in there for an inning, instead of Pavano for two.

Kolb was only in there because Clemens was so horrible. The plan was for Clemens to go two and Johnson to go two. Kolb dealt with the same lineup that Clemens struggled with and had no problems at all.