I don’t know about the rest of you, but Wednesday can’t come soon enough. I’m already trying to figure out if I can get the H E double hockey sticks out of work early to make sure I’m at home in time to catch the first pitch. The last two playoff appearances have left a bad taste in my mouth, and I’m ready to see some butt whoopin’ from what is probably the best Cub team we’ll see in our lifetimes. Which is kind of a strange thought, considering all the complaining we do about them.
This is the first time in a long time, that I was really stuck to the TV all weekend long. Not to watch the Cubs, but to see how everything else played out. It still amazes me that after 162 games, it still always seems to come down to the last day. I hated the Wild Card when it was introduced, but I’ve certainly warmed to it the past few years. It really has made baseball more exciting. That’s the single best call Bud Selig has made.
As for the Cubs, I like the match up with the Dodgers. It’s going to be interesting to see which team can break through first against two very good rotations. Speaking of which, did Ted Lilly just make one heck of a statement for being in the playoff rotation over Zambrano? I think he did. I guess Lou thinks otherwise, since Zambrano is scheduled for Game 3.
Rest up people, although I don’t think this ride is going to be as bumpy as 2003, it’s going to be exciting, nailbiting, and one that makes us reach for the Pepto regularly.
Go, Cubs, Go!
Hi everyone. Remember me? Anyway, I just want to say congrats to the club for back-to-back division titles. A special shout out to Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry. And congrats to Ryan Theriot, the first Cub shortstop to hit .300 (100 or more games) since Ernie Banks! What? Dunston never hit over .300? Stunning.
TBS isn’t sending their #1 team to cover the guys. They opted for the Red Sox (big surprise). I have work meetings at 6:00 and 7:00 on Wednesday so it looks like the ol dvr will be working overtime. Which means I can’t watch Pushing Daisies. Maybe I can find it online on Thursday somewhere.
Yeah, I wish it was Wednesday already. I’m already finding myself becoming increasingly nervous and if I have too much time on my hands that will just get worse between now and then. So I’ll stay busy by asking some burning questions.
1.) What do y’all think are our strengths against the Dodgers in particular? I don’t mean the Cubs strengths overall, but specifically vs. the Dodgers. I have to admit I wanted it to be the Mets, for no other reason than because I know more about them. (And I won’t be able to stay awake for late night west coast games!) But those aren’t really good reasons and if you guys are happy with Dodgers then I am confident you are right and it will calm me down to hear why!
2.) What makes you nervous? I can’t be the only one biting my nails this week. There are two main things that scare me. First is Carlos Zambrano. Love the guy, but his volatility makes me nervous. I agree that Lilly made a better case for himself recently than Zambrano. Of course there was that no hitter …..
The second thing that makes me nervous is Lou’s apparent love of Howry. I’m afraid he’s going to use him in a close situation. Heck I’m afraid he’ll use him in a not-so-close situation. I’m all for giving a guy a chance to work himself out of a funk but I don’t know how many chances you give, especially during the playoffs.
Anyway, that’s my thoughts. I am not an expert but enjoy reading all the comments from those who know way more than me!
The Dodgers are a better offensive team than the numbers say. It’s not JUST because of Manny, but because they also stopped playing offensive sinkholes Andrew Jones and Juan Pierre. Our offense is still better, but not by that much.
Our rotation gets the slight nod, and bigger one if it goes 4-deep. Lilly has been very sharp lately, and if good Carlos shows up, we are better.
If we lose this series, I predict it will be in the 6th and 7th innings. Though Marmol and Wood are good, after that as you know Cub fans we have been very shaky lately. The Dodgers on the other hand have Saito and Broxton late, plus Kuo, Wade, and Bemiel, a nice mix of LH/RH and some good strikeout guys. Middle relief is our achilles heel. If Samardzija can return to form, or Marshall can step up, or someone come out of nowhere to help (Guzman? Weurtz?), we can survive. But this is my biggest concern personally.
RE: Howry, this is the decision I am dying to see when post-season rosters are out. What we don’t see Cub fans is that Howry is a stand-up guy personally, so that makes it harder for Lou to demote him so badly. Lou sees the same ineffectiveness we do. The other problem is, who would you put in his place? Guzman? Wuertz? Hart? Not exactly money in the bank.
The other decision is Pie or Hoffpauir. If DeRo is ready, I would bring Hoffpauir. If not, I think we have to go with Pie. Defense and pinch-running are more important in the playoffs, and Pie does help us in both categories.
Juan Pierre hit .287 this year with 40 steals. That’s with almost 400 ABs. Juan is still a good hitter. Geez, Matt KIemp had 35 SB, second behind Pierre. If those guys get one, it could be trouble, since our staff has a tendency to not like to hold runners.
Let’s not forget that the Dodgers played the majority of their games in the awful NL West. Numbers are probably a bit skewed, both offensively and pitching wise.
I like Pie better. He could be the 2008 version of Doug Glanville. Let him play D and run, any offense he gives is a plus.
I think my grandmother could have no-hit the Astros in those circumstances and she’s dead!
Howry again: I put a lot of stock in the “stand up guy” thing, probably more than I should, so I do understand that part of the dilemma. I have no patience with attitude or ego and heaven knows there is a lot of that to go around, so Howry being a good guy is a big plus in my book. But man I sure wish he could be a nice guy and not give up those home runs!
I might be mistaken but I think the Howry decision has already been made? I do think I read somewhere, maybe cubs.com, that he WILL be on the roster. My worry was whether Lou would actually use him. Then that begs the question then why have him on the roster. But I do think that has already been stated. Maybe not in stone though.
Tommy: your grandmother rocks
Lou decided last week to have Howry on the roster. I think it’s a good move, especially to have a veteran presence out there in the bullpen. Also, you never know, he may do extremely well. Playoffs are a whole different story. Also, Z is slated to go in Game 2 not 3.
Juan Pierre is awful. He is fast, and that is about it. His OBP is just .323. His SLUG is just .329.
If you need a bunt hit, or a stolen base, he is the guy, but beyond that he hurts your team.
Juan Pierre is average at best. .323 is a subpar on-base percentage, especially at the top of the order. Plus, he can’t throw anybody out. He is one of those guys you can win with if you have a great team around him.
THIS IS THE CUBS YEAR. EVERY OTHER TEAM WILL HAVE TO TAKE A NUMBER. WE HAVE DEPTH,CHEMISTRY,DESIRE AND THE DETERMINATION TO NEVER GIVE UP NO MATTER WHAT THE SCORE OR INNING.
How can you not take Hoffpauir for the playoff roster? I’d say its more between Pie and Ward. Ward is very limited, and Pie can be used at a PR and a late Def. replacement. Hoffpauir is hitting the crap out of the ball vs. LHP and RHP. Plus he can play LF, RF, 1B. He deserves it. Like Soto deserved to catch last year b/c of his september. I’d rather see Guzman than Howry.
Well, to be fair to those who don’t want Hoffpauir, he can’t really play LF or RF. He is as bad as Daryl Ward out there.
DARYL WARD CAN HIT THE BALL A COUNTRY MILE BUT HE IS VERY LIMITED ON DEFENSE. HOFFPAUIR IS NOT SUPER ON DEFENSE BUT HE SEEMS NOT TO BE AS INJURY PRONE. I AGREE PIE SHOULD BE ON THE ROSTER, HIS BLAZING SPEED AS A PINCH RUNNER COULD BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER IN A CLOSE GAME.
THERE IS NO NEED TO YELL!!!!
I WOULD NEVER YELL. I’M JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE CUB FANS. I THINK 2008 IS OUR YEAR. I HAVE HAD MY HEART RIPPED OUT SINCE I WAS 11 YEARS OLD AND NOW MY 10 YEAR OLD IS A CUBS FAN. IF OUR CUBS PLAY TEAM BALL NO MATTER WHO ENDS UP ON THE ROSTER THE WAIT WILL BE OVER.
Then quit yelling!
Well, I am glad that you are excited, but using CAPS is really annoying.
I am very sorry. I did not pay that any attention.
I could handle Hoffpauir + Pie at the expense of Ward but I think Lou was pretty clear that those who were around all year will be around for the playoffs. That burst my bubble as I would have favored demoting Cedano also. No good statistical reasoning, he just makes me nervous when he’s in there.