Maybe?

[weeghman]

This forum has had an extremely different feel the past week than it did the previous 4 or 5. Understandably so! The Cubies have been playing real bad baseball. The Bullpen, whom I think were largely responsible for the success June through most of July, have been unwatchable. And the offense has been terrible.

HOWEVER, maybe, just maybe todays game can be a catalyst into the weekend. Maybe the offense can get a little more consistent. Maybe the bullpen can hold a lead. And maybe, hopefully, the starting pitchers can work further than the fifth to give the bullpen a small breather.

The Cards are scary. They all of a sudden have a solid lineup and their pitching has been phenomenal. But, how great would it be if the Cubs could get back to their fundamental baseball form of June and July. I am not ready to start worrying about football yet, so I am remaining hopeful.

I am an idealist though.;)

[LeeEila's/rant]

The one thing we have going for us is that LaRussa tends to choke with Lou sitting in the opposing dugout.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Even though they lost yesterday there was alot of positive things that came from that game. The offense was there against a lefty that they all had limited swings against. They were able to knock him out in the 3rd. This team has consistently struggled against lefties and rookie pitchers. The last two days showed that they are capable of hitting them. I think the big question down the stretch is going to be pitching (starting & relief) That portion of the team needs to get it figured out fast because the offense is not going to be able to put 10 runs a day up to save them.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Jones and DeRosa have been great, we all know that. But Murton has been pretty good as well, when hes not fumbling balls in left :) . The Offense was having a really hard time the last 10 days or so but it cannot be blamed on Soriano's injury. It can be blamed on hitting W/RISP. Its strange because that was a real strong point for most of the season. The guys did really good against lefty pitching today.

[SKIPPER 11]

Yep, the pitching is a big question mark right now. Another thing is our bench. Since Soriano has went down, our bench really seems bad. Floyd being out hurts too. But with our roster now- Pie, Foxx, Hill, Cedeno, Ward or Fontenot. Cedeno and Hill are both hitting in the low to mid .100's. Pie isnt doing much better. I just wonder when everyone gets healthy who will be sent down between k. Hill and Foxx. I think Fox catches some. With Kendall catching about everyday now, Fox seems to be the better choice because of his versatiliy. But our record is something like 17-8 with Hill catching- which is outstanding.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Yep, the pitching is a big question mark right now. Another thing is our bench. Since Soriano has went down, our bench really seems bad. Floyd being out hurts too. But with our roster now- Pie, Foxx, Hill, Cedeno, Ward or Fontenot. Cedeno and Hill are both hitting in the low to mid .100's. Pie isnt doing much better. I just wonder when everyone gets healthy who will be sent down between k. Hill and Foxx. I think Fox catches some. With Kendall catching about everyday now, Fox seems to be the better choice because of his versatiliy. But our record is something like 17-8 with Hill catching- which is outstanding.

I think Hill is staying put. Fox will be sent down, but Cedeno is a middle infielder and he is needed for double switches, speed and spot start. So, your guess is as good as anyones. I wish Hendry would go and find a good veteran for the bench like Brenley said yesterday, Jeff Conine not going to a contending team is a head scratcher. Ward can get it done as well as any pinch hitter. Wily Mo Pena cleared waivers I think, so maybe he can come in. He is a hitter with high tower power coming off the bench, something we could use. Your 100% right, the bench needs help right now.

[SKIPPER 11]

Yes, Ward is a big gun off the bench. I like Fontenot there too. The problem with this is when to use them. For example, last night we had the lead and he hit Font for Lilly in the bottom of the fifth. I thought it was too early to use one of your 2 best bench players. I would have loved to had Font hitting later when we were behind or tied. The short bench ties Lous hands and he is forced to make really tough decisions on when to shoot his bullets.

[TheriotSterio]

Big win today. I think it was very important to stop the bleeding and get the momentum turned in the right way before one of the biggest series' of the season. Hopefully the Reds can continue playing well against the Brewers. Harang will be going in game 3 of that series. If the Cubbies can pull out 3 out of 4 I will be damn happy.

[Drockvb]

Well whatever happens, i can at least be a little happy that the team made something of the season. Before June i thought this team would finish last or near last in the division. But they clawed back with a hot month and a half. Hopefully they will get clicking on all cylinders again and finish the season on another hot streak. The central is theirs for the taking but they aren't exactly taking it right now. But maybe...

[weeghman]

Looking at the pitching matchups, if everyone pitches the way they can, the cubs should win few of these games.

[SKIPPER 11]

I really like the matchups in this series. Edmonds and Ankeil are really hot right now- so our 3 lefties should be able to hold them down somewhat. Z is coming off 2 bad starts- I dont think it will be 3. Reyes and Wells are their hot pitchers right now, while Looper has been really good vs. us this year. The matchups are good, but with the first three games all of our pitchers are looking to get back on track.

[ryno4ever]

I haven't been on in the last few days as my son and my summer is really winding down with lots of stuff going on, but I will be able to catch up on everything soon!

Okay, as far as the team... it is there.... they just have to believe in what they have and have confidence of what they do have! It's like the media told them that they were going to suck without Soriano, and it was a self fullfilling prophecy.

BUT as much as the pen has struggled, as much as the offense has been spotty, and as much as our starters have really been in the basement, WE ARE ONLY .5 GAME OUT OF THE DIVISIONAL LEAD! We, thankfully, are in the Central when anything can happen this year. The team needs to get hot...starting today...as this series is going to mean a LOT on how the rest of the season gets laid out. We really need the team to come through and do everything they can to win this series against the Cardinals to push them back in the standings. We need a team effort...on all aspects...and take this division over!

[taz57]

This four game series could make or break the season for the Cubs. It was good to see all the offense in Thursdays game following a late night finish the night before. The Cubs have been able to handle the Cardinals for the most part the last couple of seasons. They need to at least get a split in this series, but 3 or 4 would make a statement. The Cardinals are playing well right now, but I think they will come back to earth soon. It was not too long ago that they were swept by the Nats.