Results tagged ‘ Cubs ’
Cubs Curse? Help Me Reverse
I don’t know how to add a video to the MLBlogs but please visit my other blog and watch my video to help Reverse This Curse.
Time is running out – it is only a best of five series.
Cubelievable
What a game, what a series and I’m sorry but the blown save couldn’t have happened to a better player. With two out and two on in the bottom of the ninth with the Cubs down by three, Torres serves up a pitch to Soto that was in his wheel house and he unloaded on it.
Why am I glad it was Torres that blew the game? Because back on September 10th I wrote about Torres talking smack about catching the Cubs, and with his team one out away from taking two out of three from the Cubs in Wrigley Field he BLOWS IT!
But I digress, the more important part of this game is the character the Cubs showed coming from four runs behind to win. The truth be told, this game did not mean much to the Cubs. They were eight behind in the loss column with eleven games to play. Even if the Brewers run the board the Cubs would have to go 3-8 to lose the division.
But in the top of the 12th with Brewers on second and third, the Cub’s pitching and defense, highlighted by the run down at third, gets out of the half inning without any damage. Then in the bottom of the 12th, with two outs and a two and two count on the man everybody is screaming is not a clutch player, Derrek Lee, gets a walk of single scoring Marquis.
And the crowd goes wild…Cubelievable…Cubs Century Is Here!
Zambrano No-Hits Stros
Let’s set the stage; the Cubs were playing as the away team, in Milwaukee’s Miller Park, in the home dugout, against the Houston Astros playing as the home team in the away dugout, with at least 20,000 of the 23,400 fans rooting for the Cubs. All this while the Brewers were in Philadelphia losing a double header against the Phillies. With the stage set all Zambrano did was…no-hit the Astros.
Since Zambrano’s early exit in his last start the questions started swirling as to the extend of his shoulder problems. How bad was it? When would he return? How effective would he be? These questions were answered in a way only Big Z could answer them; with the first Cubs no-hitter since Milt Pappas did it in 1972.
Zambrano started out a little shaky and I have to admit I though he might be rusty and over throwing. Big Z went 3-0 to Houston’s first batter Erstad. Then after finding the strike zone with his fourth pitch for a called strike, he got Erstad to ground out for the first out of the game. Zambrano would walk one and hit another batter but with two outs in the ninth the no-hitter would hinge on retiring Darin Erstad again. The first two pitches were out of the zone but Big Z would ultimately get the count to 3-2 before striking Erstad out on a low and outside pitch. Big Z would get all the help he needed from an offense that has struggled lately.
The timely hitting was started with Soriano going yard in the first inning. Then in the third the Cubs would get back to back singles by Cedeno and Zambrano. The next two batters would be retired before Lee would drive in both runs with a double. Ramirez singled to left, scoring Lee and after a bad throwing error Ramirez would go to second. Soto doubled in Ramirez and the scoring for the game would end.
The Cubs have now won three in a row and have been progressively getting better with each win. Let’s hope they keep that trend going and continue to work out the kinks that have put them in their most recent dry spell. The Cubs stay in Milwaukee to play one more against the Astros and then head to Chicago to host Milwaukee. Go Cubs! Cubs Century Is Here!
Pitching, Defense Gets Cubs By Cards
Hang on, let me put my diphibulator away…
Another game in which that bats just really could not get going. The Cubs score three runs but two are unearned. In the top of the fifth the scoring went as so; walk, error, walk, walk, fielder’s choice. Two runs without the benefit of a hit. The good news is that most of the Cubs are being patient and taking pitches, something that can be difficult when you are struggling to score runs.
In the next inning the Cubs showed some signs of emerging from the black cloud that is this slump. DeRosa starts the inning with a double off the right field wall. I hate to slam DeRosa, being a fellow MLBlogger of the Pulse, but it appears he’s a bit too anxious at the plate lately. Until his a bat in the fifth Mark had not taken a pitch and his swings are long and choppy. That said DeRosa was the first Cub to get a multi-base hit in over a game and a half. Lil’ Babe comes up next and with a pretty swing slams it to right and DeRosa scores. That was it, the only earned run.
As far as pitching, Harden looked great again giving up two runs, one walk and striking out three.
Samardzija quickly retired the first two in the seventh before, this series’ Cubs killer, Izturis stroked a line shot to left for a single. Schumaker lined out to DeRosa in right and the book is closed on Samardzija.
Marmol gave up a couple of well hit balls, but thanks to the defense both men were retired. The mighty Pujols, hit a line drive to left and is robbed by Soriano with a diving shoestring catch. Soriano was able to get up throw to first and just missed doubling up Miles. One batter later Lopez hits a high fly to right that has Fukudome drifting back, back, back then leaping up, slamming into the fence and making the catch. Marmol would get out of the inning without a run scoring.
Wood would get me charging my diphibulator just to make sure it was ready. It was almost needed. First batter, Ryan with a 1-0 count, gets a double on a line drive to right, and the tying run is in scoring position. Next up, current Cub killer, Izturis squares to bunt and on the first pitch pushes it hard toward Lee who scoops it up and without hesitation goes to third. Ramirez is late with the tag but when Ryan over slides the bag Ramirez applies it for out number one. Schumaker singles and Izturis goes to second. Diphibulator check, all’s good. Wood gets Miles out on three strikes. Pujols steps to the plate. Re-read the diphibulator directions and give it a dry run, praying that if needed I will somehow be able to self administer. First two pitches are outside and inside respectively for balls, 2-0 count. Grab diphibulator pads and tape them to my chest. Next two pitches, Wood stays inside, one called strike, next one fouled off. Hand on diphibulator “Charge” and await next pitch. Wood goes back inside with a 97 mph fastball, Pujols swings…and pops out to DeRosa.
Quickly remove tapped pads off my chest while wondering if I can make it to the end of the season. Next Century Is Here.
Cubs Barely Survive
The good news is we got a win, the bad news is; only because the Cards gave it to us.
More good and bad; the good is Lilly pitched a great game. After getting rocked in two innings during his last outing, Ted Lilly did exactly what the Cubs needed him to do, go deep into the game with few runs. Lilly ended up going eight innings and only giving up one.
Which brings me to bad number one, what was Lou thinking taking Ted out with only 90 pitches and bringing in Wood who blew his last save opportunity? Don’t tell me he was trying to show Kerry he hasn’t lost confidence in him. Wood is a big boy, if he needs Lou to blow smoke up his back side in order to feel good than he is in the wrong business. We needed a win and Lilly was pitching lights out, if it’s not broke don’t fix it. If he was looking to get Kerry innings then wait until tomorrow when Harden pitches and he goes his standard five or six. I know it worked but I still question the move.
More bad; the bats are still dead. I know we got four runs but without the two errors we get one and this game is a loss. We have to get more timely hitting and more multi-base hits. Not just home runs, although we are not hitting them anymore either, both some gappers for doubles and triples. The guys that looked the best at the plate today; Felix Pie and Ted Lilly, yeah I know it sounds crazy but Pie went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and Lilly put down two great bunts.
We needed a win and we got a win. That is definitely a step forward in getting out of this horrendous slump. Let’s take the next step, get a win and earn it. Next Century Is Here.
Cubs In Big Time Trouble
I’m trying to say positive about this season and I definitely won’t blame any curse or voodoo BUT, this team is in trouble. They have lost eight of their last nine and I don’t see a glimmer of the team that started the second half on fire.
The pitching has been steady but with the little run support they have gotten every mistake is being amplified. This game should have been won which makes two games in a row that the Cubs have straight out blown. This is not what a team should be doing in a pennant race!
Sunday you could blame Wood or Cedeno, I don’t care. Bottom line; a game that should have been won was a lost. Today the bags were left loaded in one inning and in another Soto bunted into a double play. Also, in the fourth Soto was on second with two outs. Dempster gets a base hit to left and…Soto is held at third! Ankiel doesn’t pick the ball up cleanly. In fact he runs past the ball and has to back track to get it. It doesn’t matter because Soto is walking back to third with his head down and never sees it. To quote Santo, “…you gotta stay in the game!”
Look, Lou can talk all his, “…we new it wasn’t going to be easy” crap but the bottom line is somebody has to kick these guys in their butts. Their heads are not in the game and they are without a doubt underachieving. I know the Cub players are not happy with losing, but neither are the Pirates. The difference is the Pirates don’t have the talent to be a championship team, the Cubs do.
I’m trying to type slowly to see if I can get an outcome to the Brewers game but the Reds can’t get any timely hitting. The game is in the bottom of the ninth and the it’s tied up 4-4. The last two innings the Reds have had men on base and did nothing. This is what is pissing me off, I’m waiting to see if the fifth place Reds can beat the Brewers so the Cubs don’t lose ground. If the Cubs were talking care of business I wouldn’t be loosing my hair over a Brewers Reds game!
The Cubs magic number is 15 which means if we don’t win again the Brewers have to loose 15 of 18, the Cards have to loose 11 of 18 and the Astros have to loose 10 of 17 for the Cubs to take the division. I’m not laughing either.
Reds Helping Cubs
After taking 2 out of 3 from the Chicago Cubs in Cincinnati, the Reds go into Miller Park and take game one of a three game set with the Brewers with a dramatic come from behind win.
Trailing 4-1 in the top of the eighth, Votto homers to bring the Reds with in two. Then in the top of the ninth the Reds add on three more to take the lead. The Brewers would go one, two, three in the ninth and the Reds would win three of their last four against the top of the NL Central.
It appears the dog days of summer have hit a little late for the Cubs and Brewers as both teams are struggling to put any kind of winning streak together. The Cubs have to take advantage of this parallel rut and turn things around before the Brew Crew does.
The best place to start is in St. Louis, with Dempster going against Lohse it should be a good game. Go Cubs – Next Century Is Here!
We Got Tagged – Cubs Lose Series Vs Reds
The day after the Cubs re-introduced their mighty bats and beat the Reds 14-9, they lose a heart breaker 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth. The majority of the burden falls on the shoulders of hero turned goat Ronny Cedeno.
After hitting a clutch two run double in the top of the seven to break a 1-1 tie, Cedeno misplays a chopper up the middle (originally scored an error, later changed to a hit) and two runs score to tie the game 3-3. With runners on second and third Cabrera hits a line shot to left and the Cubs lose a rubber match for the first time in the second half of the season.
The rest of the burden falls squarely on the cumulative shoulders of Piniella and Wood. Piniella for not getting Wood enough playing time to keep the rust off and Wood for not finding away to make sure he is game ready all the time. Wood just could not find the strike zone, and when he did they were slamming it. In the end Wood’s line looked more like that of the recent outings of Cotts; IP:1/3, H:3, ER:3, BB:2, SO:0
The Cubs misfortunes were happening just moments after Chris Young of the San Diego Padres gave up a long ball to Kapler in the bottom of the 8th with two outs. This home run spoiled Young’s bid for a perfect game and ultimately was the only blemish as the Padres would go on to win 10-1.
So the good is that the Cubs did not lose any ground to the Brewers. The bad is much more comprehensive. After the explosion of the bats yesterday the Cubs take a step backward with their sprinkle of hits today. They lose a series to a weaker team and have now lost seven of their last eight. All this and now the Cubs have to go into the never friendly confines of Busch Stadium to face the Cards. Grant it the Cardinals haven’t been lighting up the scoreboard lately either, but they have beaten a tough Florida team the last two days and it’s always tough playing the Cards no matter what the records are.
The Brewers host a three game series against the Reds so the bottom line looks like this; we failed to take two out of three from the Reds, because of this the Brewers gained a game on us. Now we are in a situation where we need to take two out of three from a much tougher Cardinals team. If not and if the worst scenario of non-favorable sweeps happen the Cubs could find their selves just a mere one game up in the standings.
I felt good yesterday when the Cubs came out blasting, but it appeared that they fell complacent again today. The rubber is hitting the road now and the Cubs are going to have to show the character needed to prove they are a championship team. Next Century Is Here so it is time to take the next step.
Cubs Character Getting Tested
There have been several test for the 2008 Cubs; the home series against the White Sox, the series against the Brewers in Miller Park and the most recent home series against the Phillies. The Cubs did well in all these test, but these were tests of skill. For the first time this season the Chicago Cubs have a new challenge; a test of character.
When teams are hitting and pitching well, it is easy to be positive and focused. But when the wheels start falling off the cart a little and the team starts losing, things have a tendency to change. Fingers start to point and collars start to get ruffled.
With a six game losing streak under their belt going into todays game, the Cubs appear to be holding together rather well. In fact, veteran Jim Edmonds has been telling his team to stay positive and realize that you can’t just expect to win, you have to want to win. The Cubs will need help from veterans like Edmonds and Derek Lee who have been in the World Series to keep them positive and focused, because as I’ve said before, if the poison starts to spread, there is no end.
Alright guys let’s get back to basics, shorten up that swing, get on base, move runners over, play tight defense and keep our eye on the prize; Next Century Is Here.
Justice Looking for Justice
Richard Justice, a sports columnist for the Houston Chronicle, wrote an article today stating that the “…baseball gods decided to have their fun with the little Cubbies?”
Richard points to it (the Cubs not catching a break) as being tradition. That is why, in his opinion, the Cubs have lost five straight, Zambrano is suffering from rotator cuff tendinitis and Harden is “resting” his dead arm. Here we go again; this is the exact kind of talk and writing that has poisoned the minds of Cubs and Cub fans for 100 years. Once somebody says it or writes it the poison spreads and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
The fastest spreading example of this was the Bartman incident. As soon as Bartman touched the ball you could see panic spread through the players and the fans. Guess what, stuff happens and winners overcome, loser point fingers and make excuses.
Were the baseball gods having fun with Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series? Gibson had severely injured both his legs in the NLCS and was suffering from a stomach virus. What did he do about it? When called up to pitch hit with a man on, two outs and his team trailing 4-3 in the ninth, Gibson hit one of the most memorable home runs in the history of baseball. He hobbled around the bases pumping his fist. He had put his team up 5-4; they would go on to win the game and the World Series.
Were the baseball gods having fun with Curt Shilling in 2004 during both Game 6 of the ALCS and Game 2 of the World Series? Shilling’s tendon sheath was torn in his right ankle during his Game 1 ALDS appearance. Consequently, in future games, he required sutures to stabilize the tendon. As the games progressed the sutures would tear open and bloody his sock. With this injury Curt would go on to win Game 6 of the ALCS which forced a Game 7 that the Red Sox also won. Shilling would then win Game 2 of the World Series suffering from this same condition. The sock that Shilling wore during his victorious Game 2 appearance was placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Red Sox would go on to become the World Champions for the first time in 86 years.
So Cubs players and fans, when the poison from the likes of Richard Justice start to seep from the cracks of the woodwork, do me a favor, don’t listen. Instead, realize that Next Century Is Here, and the true championship nature of this team will overcome the adversity it faces. Remember, a champion is not made without challenges. If it was everyone would be a champion. A true champion is won because of its challenges. The place is Chicago, the time is now, and history will be made. To quote a fellow die hard Cub fan, “It’s Gonna Happen“!
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