So it happened. Despite expectations not being terribly high this season (after being the worst in the NL last year), my Cubbies clinched the NL Central last night after a Cubs win and a Brewers loss. It was a great moment. It warms my heart to see the images of champaign in the clubhouse.
So here we go. The Postseason. Hopefully they can stay hot (the pitching has been masterful the last 2 games) and make some noise in the Division Series against whoever we might face.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
It's Gonna Happen
My Cubbies have been on a major roll. Despite the national sports media constantly talking smack, my Cubbies have won 9 of their last 11 and only have 3 less wins than the NL East leading Mets. So much for saying no one wanted to take control and win the NL Central. My Cubbies are making a push in a major way to take control. The hitters are hitting like I've never seen. Mark DeRosa's batting average rose 10 points in the last 10 games, including 5 points against the Reds in a 3 game series (he was 9/10)!
Despite being at the bottom of the league in homers all season, the Cubs are leading the league in homers in September. Aramis Ramirez hit a pair of 3-run homers yesterday and a 2-run shot today. The Fonz has hit 4 dingers in the last 3 games and 12 this month!
These offensive outpourings have masked a couple pretty bad games by the staff (the last 2 days). The Cubs have scored 22 runs against the Pirates in the first two games of the series. Unfortunately, they've given up 13 to the lowly Pirates. Hopefully another rest day on Monday will give the bullpen some rest and the starters can get it under control. We have got to have Z, Lilly, Hill and Marquis all clicking if we are going to make the playoffs and make a run. Converting Traschel (The Rascal as CubsTattoo calls him) and Marshall to long relief pitchers in the postseason could be a huge advantage.
So start the countdown (I've been doing it for 2 weeks now; I taped a schedule to my door). The magic number is 7 and the Brewers game vs. the Braves is just starting (Braves up 2-0 early). Any win by My Cubbies or loss by the hated Brewers brings the magic number down by 1. When the magic number is 0, we have clinched.
Just a week left in the season... things are looking really good... so here we go... I'm going to say it... It's Gonna Happen.
Despite being at the bottom of the league in homers all season, the Cubs are leading the league in homers in September. Aramis Ramirez hit a pair of 3-run homers yesterday and a 2-run shot today. The Fonz has hit 4 dingers in the last 3 games and 12 this month!
These offensive outpourings have masked a couple pretty bad games by the staff (the last 2 days). The Cubs have scored 22 runs against the Pirates in the first two games of the series. Unfortunately, they've given up 13 to the lowly Pirates. Hopefully another rest day on Monday will give the bullpen some rest and the starters can get it under control. We have got to have Z, Lilly, Hill and Marquis all clicking if we are going to make the playoffs and make a run. Converting Traschel (The Rascal as CubsTattoo calls him) and Marshall to long relief pitchers in the postseason could be a huge advantage.
So start the countdown (I've been doing it for 2 weeks now; I taped a schedule to my door). The magic number is 7 and the Brewers game vs. the Braves is just starting (Braves up 2-0 early). Any win by My Cubbies or loss by the hated Brewers brings the magic number down by 1. When the magic number is 0, we have clinched.
Just a week left in the season... things are looking really good... so here we go... I'm going to say it... It's Gonna Happen.
Friday, September 14, 2007
September, 2007 (Oh, What A Night)
Sweet Bajesus! The Cubbies are now up 2 games in the Win column and 1 in the Loss. Tonight's game against the Cardinals felt in hand the entire game, until the bottom of the 9th (and a split second in the 6th). In the top of the 9th, Zambrano had thrown a 4 hitter giving up 1 run through 8. A true Ace performance from our ace. That's why he gets the big bucks.
While up 2-1 in the top of the 9th inning, the good guys had the bases juiced and Sweet Lou had to pull Big Z in order to get Ward in the game for a pinch hit. It was not a foregone conclusion with Z only having thrown 90 something pitches and a doubleheader tomorrow (it would be nice to rest the bullpen). But as always, Lou made the right move and pulled everyone's favorite 90 million dollar man for Daryl Ward. Ward rewarded the skipper by clearing the bases with a hard hit gapper for a double.
Now (after Fonzy Ks) the score is 5-1 in the bottom of the 9th. Bum Ryan Dempster comes in and gets Pujols out. Gives up a homer to Edmonds. Gets an out. Gives up a homer. Now it is 5-3. When one of the Catchin' Molina Brothers singles, Lou finally pulls Dempster. What an outing! Comes in with a 4 run lead and puts the winning run on deck. 2 outs and a man on first, Howry comes in. Then the winning run comes to the plate, because he gave up a single as well. Taguchi pinch hits and hits a frozen rope to center. Wunderkind Pie comes up throwing and actually holds everyone on. Bases loaded, 2 outs and finally Howry gets a ground out.
Kaboos Akata, so I switch over to the Brewers game. The Brewers happen to play my 2nd favorite team every night. Tonight it is the Reds. It looked in hand because the Reds had also been up all game. 6-3 in the 9th. The Reds get 2 quick outs, but then give up an infield hit and a homer. Now 6-5 in the bottom of the 9th. Luckily this one didn't get as crazy and the Brewers left the tying run at the plate. 1.5 game lead for My Cubbies.
So that game's over and I switch to the Yanks and Sox 4 hour and 43 minute epic (2 minutes shy of the MLB 9 inning record). I won't go in to too much detail, but the Red Sox were up 7-2 in the 8th when the Yankees batted around and took the lead for good at 8-7. What a night of baseball! There is nothing better than baseball playoff races and October. I love it!
While up 2-1 in the top of the 9th inning, the good guys had the bases juiced and Sweet Lou had to pull Big Z in order to get Ward in the game for a pinch hit. It was not a foregone conclusion with Z only having thrown 90 something pitches and a doubleheader tomorrow (it would be nice to rest the bullpen). But as always, Lou made the right move and pulled everyone's favorite 90 million dollar man for Daryl Ward. Ward rewarded the skipper by clearing the bases with a hard hit gapper for a double.
Now (after Fonzy Ks) the score is 5-1 in the bottom of the 9th. Bum Ryan Dempster comes in and gets Pujols out. Gives up a homer to Edmonds. Gets an out. Gives up a homer. Now it is 5-3. When one of the Catchin' Molina Brothers singles, Lou finally pulls Dempster. What an outing! Comes in with a 4 run lead and puts the winning run on deck. 2 outs and a man on first, Howry comes in. Then the winning run comes to the plate, because he gave up a single as well. Taguchi pinch hits and hits a frozen rope to center. Wunderkind Pie comes up throwing and actually holds everyone on. Bases loaded, 2 outs and finally Howry gets a ground out.
Kaboos Akata, so I switch over to the Brewers game. The Brewers happen to play my 2nd favorite team every night. Tonight it is the Reds. It looked in hand because the Reds had also been up all game. 6-3 in the 9th. The Reds get 2 quick outs, but then give up an infield hit and a homer. Now 6-5 in the bottom of the 9th. Luckily this one didn't get as crazy and the Brewers left the tying run at the plate. 1.5 game lead for My Cubbies.
So that game's over and I switch to the Yanks and Sox 4 hour and 43 minute epic (2 minutes shy of the MLB 9 inning record). I won't go in to too much detail, but the Red Sox were up 7-2 in the 8th when the Yankees batted around and took the lead for good at 8-7. What a night of baseball! There is nothing better than baseball playoff races and October. I love it!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
It's ours to take
Took the last 2 from the Strohs now bring on them reeling cardinals. BTW nice stretch run by the birds, losers of the last 7. Poor Scotty. RIP. After the cards we play the Reds & Pirates at home then play the Marlins & Reds on the road. These are all 2nd tier crappy teams.
The Brewers have to play Atlanta and the Padres.
Our ace is starting tomorrow's big homestand. This title is ours for the taking. If we can't get 2 or 3 from the birds, then beat these 2nd tier teams at the end of the season, then we don't deserve to be in the playoffs. BigMoney Z needs to be the Ace and the hitters need to start hitting like we know they can. Go CUBS!
The Brewers have to play Atlanta and the Padres.
Our ace is starting tomorrow's big homestand. This title is ours for the taking. If we can't get 2 or 3 from the birds, then beat these 2nd tier teams at the end of the season, then we don't deserve to be in the playoffs. BigMoney Z needs to be the Ace and the hitters need to start hitting like we know they can. Go CUBS!
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