Even though the Cubs are more known for their failures, mistakes and screw-ups, every once in awhile you have to give them credit. We probably should do so more than we have, but the acquisition of Matt Garza is one we definitely have to view differently than we did at the time. That doesn’t necessarily mean it was a good …
Lollygagging Chicago Cubs (56-71) vs. Fun-Having Atlanta Braves (76-52)
Bobby Valentine doesn’t think much of the Cubs, particularly Starlin Castro. He must have just watched bull Durham or something. Bobby would definitely support the Cubs’ strict “no dinners” policy, so I fully expect to see him named to be the next manager as long as the Cubs include an expense acount for his disguises. Meanwhile, the Cubs are going …
Aramis Ramirez caused the US debt downgrade (also, mini Cubs-Braves preview)
Cubs Legend Todd Hollandsworth shot his mouth off on the radio today (recap at HBT). Then you bring into question effort and that’s one thing in the game of baseball that really is inexcusable. One hundred percent effort all the time, there’s really no reason for you not to have 100 percent effort. He’s got impressionable kids around him right …
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 …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (43-65) at Pittsburgh Pirates (54-52)
The Untouchables (h/t @thecubreporter) head to Pittsburgh to lose in beautiful PNC Park. Pittsburgh improved itself at the deadline by adding former foes Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick to the squad. The Pirates picked up Lee for an unranked by BA A-ball first baseman, and Ludwick was acquired for a PBTNL. The Cubs largely failed to improve their farm system, …
Batman-abbreviated Series Preview: Iowa Cubs of Chicago (42-63) at St. Louis Cardinals (55-50)
I was going to write a longer preview, but I got sucked into this whole “Batman Equation” thing that was running around the internets today I tried reproducing the result, but the plotting software did not like the equation very much (laughing). In my mathematiciany opinion, the Batman logo probably does solve the equation….but it’s not the only …
2012 NL Central Champion Cubs, part 3
Wreckard took a look at how the 2007 Cubs improved compared to the 2006 team and what kind of improvements this current team would need to make for next year. In the first part of this series. we took a look at payroll and named several players the Cubs should keep if they plan to contend next season. The second part …
2012 NL Central Champion Cubs, part 2
In part 1 we found that there were currently 13 players on the Cubs roster that the Cubs want to keep assuming they try to contend next year, which they will. We left off talking briefly about Aramis Ramirez and the club option the Cubs hold for $16 million (or a $2 million buyout). Using Ramirez’s .354 rest of season …
OV Pic of the Day: Are We Having Fun Yet?
The Cubs lost to the Phillies 4-2 after blowing a 2-0 lead and another outstanding pitching performance by Matt Garza. After the game, Garza said he is still having fun: “It’s baseball,” Garza said. “If it was a given, it wouldn’t be that fun, would it?” (Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune / July 19, 2011) It certainly looks like you’re having …
Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood working on stuff
I’m not sure why it made me laugh, but I saw on cubs.com today that Kerry Wood was working on stuff to regain his form. CHICAGO — Kerry Wood has been a little inconsistent, but Cubs manager Mike Quade said the right-hander is healthy and just needs time. “He’s obviously capable of dominating and pitching a lot more efficiently than …