Everybody expected some high scores in the game tonight as the wind was blowing out. Final score: Washington 3, Cubs 1. Shut us right up. (Chris Sweda/ Tribune / August 9, 2011) In fairness to all the pre-game predictors, all of the runs were scored on home runs and Michael Morse’s still hasn’t landed yet. So there’s that.
Club option on Aramis Ramirez ***UPDATED***
Since Aramis Ramirez has started hitting again and hitting it quite well, it seems more likely than not that the Cubs will keep him around next season. However, I don’t think we can be certain the Cubs will just exercise the option and move on to other business. The Cubs are currently at about $100 million in payroll, which includes …
Series Preview: Washington Nationals (55-59) at The Untouchables (49-66)
Now that the winning streak is over, time to get started on a new losing streak. Not only did the Cubs gain no meaningful ground on the Brewers, who were also playing quite well in that stretch, but the Cubs are still 6 games back of the Pirates despite their losing ten games in a row. This should be familiar …
OV Pic of the Day: Byrd =/= Wyrd
It looked for a short time like the Cubs might have somehow pulled their 8th straight win out of their ass, but then they finally remembered they were the Cubs. Among many plays that the Cubs probably wish they could have back, was the slip and fall of Marlon Byrd that turned a fairly routine out into a double for …
Starlin Castro Year 1 and Year 2
All numbers updated through games ending on August 6th. Starlin Castro has nearly had as many plate appearances this season as he did last so it seems a good time to compare the two seasons. In 2010 Castro made his big league debut in early May and went on to hit .300/.347/.408. His wOBA was .325 and his wRC+ was …
OV Pic of the Day: Joey Haz a Sad
This may be my favorite Pic of the Day yet. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)
Your moment of zen
Perusing the interwebs tonight and saw this. Not sure how to embed a Youtube video here, so you’ll just have to click the link. Hopefully it’s not someone you know. Wonder what Al Yellon thought of this one?
Series Preview: Cincinnati Reds (54-57) at Chicago Cubs (47-65)
BREAKING NEWS: I heard the 49ers are shopping Taylor Mays Just 18 more wins in a row until the Cubs are back at .500! It’s Gonna Happen. Where have things gone wrong with the Reds? It seemed like just about everyone (smugly: not me) was picking them to win the division in the preseason. Let’s look at their team stats …
The Cubs and their trade deadline decisions
Last week we had a heated debate and/or argument on here about the decisions the Cubs made about not trading certain players. I wanted to write something about this immediately, but wanted to collect my thoughts and not let emotion guide me. I also wanted to make sure I hadn’t just planted my feet and was arguing something just to …