Hopefully Baltimore's bull pen is a little tired since they had to go early yesterday. Let's score runs off Liz and their bull pen.

Today's lineup:

Patterson - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Edmonds - CF
Soto - C
DeRosa - RF
Fontenot - 2B
Marquis - P

Everyone is talking about the "best trade never made" but the Cubs are not worse off with Brian Roberts on the team. Granted it's hard to say how much better we could be when we have the best record in the majors, but could you imagine a lineup of Roberts, Fukudome, Soriano, Ramirez, Lee, Edmonds, Soto, Theriot with DeRo as a supersub? Gallagher has been huge this year but I can't say he's irreplaceable. Cedeno started off hot and is a nice utility player, but DeRosa would be our utility guy with Roberts. Marshall hasn't done anything this year worth talking about. Imagine we went a step further and did the "proposed" Bedard trade. Bedard hasn't been an ace this year but he's an upgrade in our rotation. Meanwhile, who would really miss Rich Hill and Felix Pie right now? My point is the non-trade has worked out better than we could've hoped for, but everyone that is saying we're better off isn't really taking into account just how good Roberts could for this team. Honestly, I'd do the trade today if it wouldn't affect team chemistry.

I would like to see Cedeno in at 2nd today. He must be deep in Lou's dog house.

Speaking of 2B, Fontenot came two men shy of the ML record in LOB with 10 last night

I am sure Lou is playing the percentages, batting LH hitting Fontenot against RH pitching Liz. I think he goes overboard on that.

Hi all,
With all the talk about acquiring good pitchers, I was surprised to see that our pitching staff is the best in the majors with an ERA of 3.68. I think we are fine just the way we are right now. I'll probably get a lot of replies for saying that.

Let's go get 'em...

Good start Marquis...

Nice quick first inning marquis, lets get to this rookie right off the bat, ha get it, "right off the bat". Sorry that was pretty bad.

I'm watching the game on gameday..why didn't Edmonds score on the Fonty single?

It looked like He had to hold up a minute to see if Roberts was going to catch it or not.

Duas...you make a very good point and a lot
has to do with the magical season Dempstser
is having and to wood and marmol.
I am one however, that thinks that we are very
good as a whole (5)men rotation but an ace short to go with Big Z in a short playoff series. Teams never use them all because they have time in between to rest. So in order to be
as tough as other playoff caliber teams like the
dbacks or Boston we need another guy with Zambrano like stuff.

combo of our first 3 is

Not one of Marquis' better innings.

Loading the bases sure did work as planned.

That was ugly...all 5 runs with 2 outs

5 runs on 3 hits with 3 walks, 1 intentional

Ooo..the scary Nick Markakis...you've gotta be kidding me. Don't intentionally walk a guy and then walk the next guy..why wouldn't u go right after Millar?

Those should be added to Lou's ERA..

I would have taken my chances with Markakis..

Neil, when I submit a comment with a portable device (PSP, phone, PS3 etc.) it says it is my first time commenting everytime. Whats up?

I don't like to question Lou, but I think he is getting a little over obsessed with this match up crap.

That inning was a disgusting example of team indifference. Edmonds didn't hustle on Roberts single. Fontenout (or Theriot) didn't cover second--allowing Roberts to move to second. Marquis proved that major leaguers will walk and can hit fat pitches.

Agustin is right re needing a top pitcher. We need another guy who is not likely to give up 4 or 5 in a short series.

Man Marquis is back to form. [This is another reason why we need another solid arm]

On a side note...can you guys belive this Todd Wellemeyer? 7innings again 1 earned and no walks. Is Duncan that good or is Rothschild incompetent? Not throwing anybody under the bus, but wow!

I was about to say we may see Lieber soon when he and Cotts got up in the pen.

Time to sell the farm for C.C.

Seriously. The saddest thing about this Marquis outing is that it's not surprising. We all knew it was coming.

That sucked. Not a great inning at all, especially since our bats have not woke up yet today.

The last few starts for marquis have been the exceptions not the rule. We can't expect to maintain the division lead with a guy like this pitching every 5 days. He had done this all year with the exception of 1 or 2 starts. He gives up 4 or more runs in an inning at a very alarming rate. Even our offense can't put up 7 or 8 runs every single time he pitches.

Who is your second choice, Show? We don't have enough farm for C.C.

show, i agree. I am afraid we have held our chips too long and now they are not worth nearly as much as they were in the off season. We have always been afraid to trade certain prospects but other times we give 3 pitching prospects for a one year rental of pierre. We need to get what we can for these so called prospects of ours before everyone else realizes they are not top major league talents.

JimK I think we do have enough for CC. The Indians know that he is a 1/2 year rental and will get only a draft pick if he stays. If somebody gives them 2 solid prospects and is a better option than the pick, i believe they have to go for it. You don't?

Listening to Dan Patrick and Tom Verducci. They think we have enough.

I think we have enough.

My question is this:

Is CC worth it? That ugly start to the season worries me.

And Harden's health worries me. To me, there is no sure thing top of the rotation starter availiable.

Matt, I do not know. I do not have any problems. Are you using the same email address?

Injuries are hurting...but several players must start performing.

ST. Louis has taken the lead in the 9th...2-1

Yeh, Ive tried numerous addresses.

I get that "comment submitted for approval" line.

Its cool though. I was just wondering.

EPat is having a bad game

Come on D-Lee...stay out of the GIDP

D-Lee grounds into DP...who saw THAT coming?

Lee needs to get his head out of his ARS!!!!!
*long sigh*

Detroit tied it in the bot of the 9th...2-2

Pujols went 4-for-4 on his first day back in the line up...

E-Pat should've walked there...on the plus side he's shown plate discipline we've never seen from a Patterson before. We need to hit and run every time Lee bats because he grounds into more DP's than anyone I've ever seen.

Good news though Franklin blew the save for the Cards.

D-Lee got taken out on the double switch...
Was he taken out just for the double switch or is Lou trying to make a statement as he often does when somebody doesn't perform?

Well, Lee got yanked, maybe that will wake his ass up.

If I weren't more into bowel movements than any other kind, I'd now be looking elsewhere for some afternoon delight. More team indifference in the top of the 5th.

Agustin, I have two if's on C.C. I would not trade young guys Gallagher or Vitters. And, I would want the budget to try and sign him to an extension. My guess is that someone like the Dodgers will trade Kemp their 3rd base prospect (the one who is injured) for him.

If we can't get C.C. or a top starter, I would trade to make our pen capable of giving us 4 innings in a short series. I've mentioned Marte and Wolf (who I'm guessing can start or relieve). We would then look for Lilly or Gallagher to give us 5 strong innings and win with the pen.

And Wuertz continues to raise everyone elses ERA!!CAN WE PLEASE SEND HIM PACKING FOR IOWA!!

This is just getting down right ugly.

Barring a HUGE comeback, it is still impressive that this is our first series loss at home since the first week of the season. It was bound to happen sooner than later. Now let's just go on the road and turn it around.

Yes, Cubs fans, we are looking at the team with the best record in baseball. And yes, fans, the "inefficient" O's have now left 15 runners on base. No sugar coating here, but we are experiencing one of the two or three "laughers" that are beloveds will deliver this year.

Cedeno is guy who delivers what we need. He knows we need a dozen base runners and he held out for a walk.

Your right JimK, there will be one or two more of these like this one this year.

Cards lost 3-2.

To add insult to injury by Lou emptying his bench now my fantasy team will will take a huge hit...yes I have Soto, Lee, Aram, and Fukudome in my starting lineup today...well at least the Cards lost.

Next 10 games on the road, 3 @ White Sox, 4 @ S.F., and 3 @ St. Louis, we better not play anywhere near as bad as we did today!

Living in New Orleans, there's not much baseball enthusiasm around...and I've been talking so much smack to my friends about the Cubbies this year. I just hope none of them are watching today...I'll never hear the end of it.

yes this things will happen every now and then...
I haven't gotten over the rays series though.

Let's have a couple big innings and then win this one...Yes...drink on the Cubbie Kool Aid

Cory I have Lee and Soto in my team too...but IMO it is not a great idea to have more than two of any team in your team...even our beloved Cubs!

Loves me some kool-aid, I'll have some...

Hell, pass it around to me too.

If anything for the series this weekend.

Ah yes, more rain falling on my parade. Not expecting sympathy, but my school, Indiana, just announced that the athletic director has resigned--following the NCAA adding a "Failure to Monitor" charge to our Kelvin Sampson related issues. We do have the NBA draft in an hour or two--so there is something to look forward to today. And we do have Tom Crean taking over the basketball program.

This just in, The Cubs will take 2 of 3 from the White Sox and have a winning record on the upcoming road trip.

I'm just wondering what to think about this. Granted, our entire starting outfield is on the DL, plus our #1 pitcher. So, it doesn't surprise me that we sort of underperformed. But, when Marquis starts to suck pond water, and the bullpen consistently fails to get us out of it, and before you know it, the game is over...well, the answer is obvious. When we constantly hold our breaths in innings 4-7, the answer is obvious. I would LOVE to see another starting ace...but I would much rather a bullpen upgrade

Fellow Hoosier, eh JimK? Sweet. Class of '01, here.

MarioC....just one bad game and series.

Very rare this year....shows the importance of getting production out of the entire roster.

Don't read too much just yet.

Show... No wonder ours are posts that often make sense. I've got you by 42 years on the graduation year ('59 here). I wasn't born in a log cabin, but my dad used to say that when he saved a few dollars, we would move up to one. Where are you now?

Noblesville, IN ... just north of Indy if you aren't sure where that is.

You?

And Mario -- I actually think the bullpen is fine. Like my fellow IU alum stated earlier, we'll get two of three from the Sox and be back on track.

But yeah, we need to trade for a Marquis replacement. Probably will happen about a month from now. Z, Reed, Fuku, and Soriano will all be playing by then, and the rest of the NL had better watch out when that deal happens.

well,

minus today's game, this was a series we should've won 2-1 against the Orioles. That first game was brutal with RISP and less than 2 outs...the second game was even worse, yet we still won, and the third game, much of the same.

the last ten games we have a .500 record=not very good for the supposed "best team" in all of baseball. If that's the case, then you MUST dominate games against weaker teams. Keep in mind, these games we lost were at HOME---which is where we do our best....we can't even play .500 ball on the road....THis does NOT bode well for us, especially an emotional letdown like losing to the ridiculous Orioles. We are a sweep away from being out of first. The Brewers and Cards are tied with their records, so if we get swept in any series, we have the potential of going all the way to third place.

Guys, stop drinking the juice....seriously!!! Even Piniella told Cubs Nation to stop getting excited, because there was a lot of holes that he saw we had...I believe he was referring to the rotation outside of Z and Dempster, and the entire pen outside of Wood and Marmol. I mean, seriously, when you can ONLY count on two guys in your pen to get the job done, you're in SERIOUS trouble.

Wuertz, Fontenot, Marquis, Cotts, Eyre, etc. all need to be traded/released/sent down. Get someone in that can get the job done. If you need any indication how bad our pen is, just look at the ERA of the Cards' pen, and you'll see why they're where they are.

I'm tired of losing to teams like the Orioles, Jays, and Rays. Look, if we get swept by the Rays...a team that closely resembles our success this season, and supposedly we are World Series bound, then we have serious problems....we are NOT WS-worthy.....don't kid yourselves

Just got caught up on all the posts.

I think we shoot big, JimK. I do think we have enough players and will have enough money in the offseason (when the sale becomes finalized) to re-up with the big man.

If not, I'd love:
1. Harden
2. Bedard
3. Guthrie (looked pretty comfortable in Wrigley the night, no? Of course, he may not be on the block).
4. Burnett
5. Wolf
6. Meche (again, may not be available)

Aaron -- The "ridiculous O's" are 40-37 in a much stronger league than the NL. The Rays are only a half game behind the defending Champs.

The Cubs have a 4.5 game lead. I'm not sure how you figure we are a sweep away from third place. Could you show me that math? We could lose four more in a row and have the Cardinals win four in a row and still be in first. In the entire NL.

Plus, look at all the injuries.

Again, this is why people make fun of Cubs fans. I'm not saying everything is perfect and rosy, but to suggest cutting six dudes after the first lost home series in almost two months is just plain stupid.