Nate in FL,

I think you're wrong.

Like I said, put him in to get his confidnece when we are up 3+ runs to get his feet wet. He has a great arm. He was in today and looked unhitable. There is so much that comes into play when you are a ML pitcher, confidence is BIG especially when you have good stuff. ANY major league hitter can hit a fastball. He is, hopefully, going to be good, but we better not ruin him.

It is so huge to go into this series with a 1 game lead. If somehow we can win the series we'll be right back to where we were before this minor slump. Rest up boys! It's gonna be a fun week!

That was an exciting finish with the Shark throwing some NASTY stuff up there, what a catch by Hollywood! The Brewers are getting clobbered and we should all feel better.

Now that was pitching. Gee, someone who can throw strikes. Can you say "goodbye" Howry.

Great win.

Feel good win.

Screw the Brew!

NATION REPRESENT!

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!

JIM EDMONDS!!!!! What a CATCH!!!

The Shark....6 up, 6 down. 1st career save in second big league game

HOLLYWOOD!!! HOT DAMN

wow that catch was crazy

that last pitch to Hermida was FILTHY

if the shark finishes the game ou when go u guys think he will next be avaliable? tuesday?

I think Marmol is unavailable....

JJ...I think start with the Shark.

Marmol is not available today.

and i think the cubs easily lead the mlb with the least "tack on runs"

and actually i would rather have someone else close the game out im sure were going to need the shark in the brewrs series so have eyre close and if he stuggles bring in marmol? and this lindstrom guy can really bring it

Shark Attack! I like this guy

1 more inning from jeff?

What I like about Len and Bob is that they polarize each other.

Len is the sabermatician. Bob is the spur of the moment guy. Two different styles and they bounce things off each other really well.

And I love me some Sneaky Powered Pocket Rocket!

I would give Pat and Ron a 10. They are hands down the best to me. Just perfect together...

Good start for Jeff ND

Nate, as for Len and Bob, together I'd give them an 8. I think they are very fair and objective in their broadcasts and don't get in the way of the game. They do their homework and always come prepared. For the most part say smart things, (they're only human), and they have developed good chemistry. Plus...Len went to Marquette.

wow finally!!let's hold this please.

By the way....Len & Bob get a 8 from me. I think they do a great job. Pat Hughes is my favorite.

Now let's take advantage of that gaff by Cantu.

all in favor of fontenot being the number 1 pinch hit man?

Gotta keep tacking on....

Fontenot!!!

Man, Marquis gets rocked and the Cubs win... Harden dominates and can't get 2 runs... Go figure

LITTLE BABE RUTH is right!! Gotta love Ronny: "Little Babe Ruth, how bout that!"

HOW BOUT THAT!!!!

LITTLE BABE RUTH!!!!

Little Babe Ruth!!

Nice hit Mike!!!

I'll throw my two cents in about the Len and Bob....

I've always liked them for the most part. I'd give Bob an 8 or 9 and Len a 7. Bob gives great relevant coaching experience info and I don't think he is a kiss up. I think he tells it pretty straight but without coming off as bitter as Stoney did.

I like Pat Hughes better than Len by far, just something about Pat's voice and demeanor is better. Santo is fun to listen to occasionally but sentimental feelings aside, I don't think he really adds a lot to the broadcast.

MEANWHILE: THAT'S THE WAY LEE!!!!

Kosuke...bad at bat, first pitch swinging.

Will Piniella call on Ward to hit for Blanco?

Jason B!!!

Haha!

That was great!

Not a great bunt...

Why?!?! Why?!?! Jimmy Ballgame with a bad decision.

How is you call that Crow?

DLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

DERREK LEE!!!!!! number 17

Ramirez with a single to right...

I can read lips, and I am fairly certain Lee said this, as he crossed home plate: "how you like them apples, Nate?"

Thanks D Lee. I needed that.

man you guys gotta get off d lees back YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

LET'S GO OFFENSE, LET'S GO (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)!!!!!!!!!

Geez, I didn't mean to kill the conversation here with a movie trivia question.

Let's get something going here, Cubbies.

It's simple really...it's encouraging to watch Ramirez and Soriano because you know that even if they are struggling, they come up with big hits. You know that when you are watching them take their at-bat that they have a chance of coming up with a big hit with runners on. And simply put, you know Lee won't. He just won't.

Jeff I also like the reference, but wasn't the Grey's Sports Almanac only up to 2000? Or did it go all the way to 2015?

Lol agustin...

That's what Cubs fans do. It's our pathetic attempt at reverse psychology, thinking that if we say "we don't care if they win or lose" that it increases the chances of God allowing the Cubs to get there.

Well, jj, that's because most of the time, they ARE home runs.

Jason B, I like your prediction...but how can you say you don't care if we win or not as long as we get there? YOU DO, I KNOW YOU!

Jeff....great Back to the Future reference!

If Soriano and Ramirez get it going, then there is light at the end of the tunnel. I felt it coming for Soriano, becuase he had been making good contact and not striking out (more than usual). I still despise Marquis though.

am i the only one who whenever someone hits a fly ball off marquis thinks its a homer?

I love Brenly, and would give him a 7.

I'd give Len a 1. I think he is absolutely awful. Len Kasper as the Chicago Cubs broadcaster. Are you kidding me.......he was the best?

Jason...lol, I agree whole-heartedly though I think Brenly truly does care (he was there years ago in the booth with Harry).

Have you guys ever listened to Pat and Ron. Talk about passion...lol RON.

Oh, and Steve Stone - 10 as a color analyst. He is by far the best in the game (McCarver is in 2nd). By far...you'll learn more in 5 seconds than you would an entire week with Brenly - and I like Brenly. Len is always talking about things that have NOTHING to do with the game and I swear it seems like he is not even watching. He never sticks up for the team, as he is scared to do so. Every call is the right call, every strike must actually be a strike because the "umpire said so". Any announcer that repeatedly resorts to talking about articles of clothing should not be the Cubs announcer.

If you can't find someone better to replace Len, why not Pat Hughes with Stone/Brenly. I understand Ron is a little too vocal and unpredictable for TV, but I love him. The Cubs have too much history to have Len as our broadcaster. Think about how much Pat loves the Cubs and their history. With the Cubs, its about passion, not about a "good voice".

Marquis plain ol'sucks.

Inning eaters=lots of runs allowed

Marquis plain ol'sucks.

man marquis that didnt take long

SO-RI-ANO (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)!!!!

Okay....get Marquis out

It was nice to tie the game at least for a few minutes.

I gotta jump ship for a family function. Hope this comeback continues. Go Cubs!

If Soriano and Ramirez get it going, then there is light at the end of the tunnel. I felt it coming for Soriano, becuase he had been making good contact and not striking out (more than usual). I still despise Marquis though.

8-4 astros!

It wasn't as scoff Jason, remember Marquis still needs to do his part. :) I hope he does. Otherwie you truely are the chief prognosticator of Cubbie Land. How do we know that you didn't get a hold of a time machine ands steal that sports book from Biff Tannen?

Ok guys...time to jump on the Jason B. from AZ prediction bandwagon.

I am on fire this year.

I am fairly sure I predicted the Rich Harden trade back in April or May...so way ahead of the curve on that one.

I predicted Soriano would redeem himself after his return from injury in April, and he was out of this world.

I predicted Lee was a solid player, but likely would never return to the 2005 form, whether it was his concern for his daughter, or his wrist injury, and finally his age.

I predicted today's comeback as well, to which my counterpart in AZ, Jeff, scoffed at (oh ye of little faith!).

So here are my final two predictions:

Aramis will finish the year at .290+ (so you do the math and figure out what he has to hit the rest of the way). In other words, he is going to have a nice long hot streak, at the same time as Soriano.

The Cubs will make the World Series, thanks to Zambrano, Harden, Lilly, and Dempster.

I can't predict if they will win the World Series or not, but I don't really care if they do or not anyway...just as long as they get there.

Lee will get a single because there are 2 outs and no one on.

brewers are loosing. I have to say I did not expected that from sori!!!

hes back?

SorianoOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

They just showed Lee Smith. Only man in baseball to walk as slow as Lou Piniella. Except Lee did it from the bullpen...so a much longer walk as well.

I think Len and Bob are kiss-asses. I very rarely listen to the game, but when I have, that was the impression I got. I also have the mlb.com package, so I don't always get the Cubs announcers anyway. Typically I have the game running on my computer while other stuff is going on, so sound is not essential.

I think Chip was sort of dorky, but it came off as genuine. And you knew Stone was telling you what was on his mind, but he did it in a thoughtful way, and a way in which the fans could relate easily.

NICE

lets to cubbies!!!!

Oh, and by the way...I live in FL now and have to deal with the Marlins.

You think you hate the Marlins................lol.

8, Nate.'

I love the guys.

Since Edmonds had not played in a week I don't think I would have batted him 5th.

OKAY - I'M VERY CURIOUS:

POLL:

On a scale of 1 - 10, how would you rate Len and Bob as our WGN commentators? (10 is the best) Rate each commentator separately if you want.

Lol, not that anyone cares, but I won't let you know what I think just yet...

Mark:

Real quick. You're wrong. They had one solid hit in that first inning. Cantu, Hanley hit a 20 bounce ground ball up the middle. That was awful pitch calling on Soto's part. AWFUL. Cantu, in that at-bat alone, was showing a extreme propensity to pull the fastball on the outside corner, and hit it extremely well, though foul, a couple times before he got the hit. Soto was continually calling for the fastball on the outside corner. Samardzija never shook Soto off. Why? It's his major league debut, like he was going to shake him off! Cantu had already shown that he was swinging at the breaking ball low and away. Soto called for 5 or 6 fastballs on the outside corner.

He gave up one run on 2 hits. Only one hit was hit well.

Look at the second inning. Dominant. Watch him today when he comes in, he'll be dominant.

I just remembered why I disliked Hendry acquiring DeRosa for him to be a starter at 2B, despite his career .277 average and 15 career SBs.

He is mediocre at best, but a good utility/bench guy.

The fact that DeRosa starts, along with a 40+ yr old Edmonds, just proves Hendry always wants to catch lightning in a bottle, instead of going for the sure thing (with the exception of the Soriano signing).

I miss Chip Carey.

Still a travesty that the attitude of the 2004 team led to Stone and Chip's departure. What a shame.

Hey...they are talking to Larry. Did they ask him how he keeps his job, when he can't develop talent (Rich Hill), that players regress under his watch (Marmol), and that pitchers can't stay healthy on his watch (Guzman, Wood, Prior)?

Hopefully he at least autographed some towels...

Only hope for a comeback will depend on Marquis ability to pretend he is a major league pitcher for a couple innings.

Jeff:

I can easily understand why my comment on Edmonds would seem unwarranted but I'll tell you why it's not.

It ISN'T because of who we could be playing instead. Obviously he isn't usually in the lineup against lefties, when Reed is in Center and Fukudome/Derosa is in right.

Okay, so what about when a right-handed SP is on the mound? We have Fukudome solidly in right, Soriano solidly in Left. Center is open. Easy decision. Why cling to a 280,000 idea right now who is barely healthy when we have the possibility of a solid major leaguer in the bat of Hoff? There would be no pressure on Hoffpauir which could allow him to do even better than I would expect him to do. I do agree though - we already have gotten our money's worth. I like Edmonds, and he has had some huge hits for us. We don't have to release him, but compare the upside for Edmonds and the upside for Hoff (all this is under the assumption you put Fukudome in Center). You can't possibly tell me Edmonds' upside wins. Then, compare the downside. Sentimentally it makes sense, I also want Edmonds to do well, but when you approach the problem with the preceding mindset, it becomes more clear.

By the way, by no means release him. It just seems like we're clinging to the idea of Edmonds and the possibility of him hitting 15 HR's in the second half. Hoffpauir has been overlooked the whole year. He was leapt over by the showcased trade bait in the form of Eric P and Matt M. The Cubs always have had a problem committing to young hitters, especially in recent years. Speaking of Edmonds, he is getting cookies right now and he is missing them. The young hitters have to be great, and great immediately and consistently for us to commit to them (Soto). At the very least, Hoffpauir deserves a chance.

hrumph...

Ok...how about a DeRosa HR here?

how about an opposite field HR for Edmonds here?

I was going to predict a comeback before Lee and Ramirez got their RBIs...

no...really.

Another miserable day!

4-1 brewers bottom of 3rd....this sucks

Why is there all this tralk about bringing up Samardzija? He's up now and blew the game 2 days ago. He has a great arm, but look what the Marlins did with his 95+ fastball....they hit it. To be an effective major league pitcher, you have to develop ie. changeup, slider, along with confidence and experience getting yourself out of situations etc. to be effective. He's not ready. He'll have his chance but I wouldn't have put him in the game like we did on Fri. You put him in when you have a 3-4 or more run lead or if trailing by the same.

Bottom of the 3rd. Brewers 4 Astros 1

Perhaps Lou should save the bullpen and accept the loss today and keep the arms rested for the Brewers series

i dont think ive ever been so depressed as a cubs fan

Good God!

Game over.

at least i can get my workout in a little earlier and before it gets to 100 degrees.

Well, I STILL hate the Marlins.

And now....your second place Chicago Cubs.

I've always said Marquis had the stuff to give some quality bullpen outs.

I just worry about his mentality to thrive under pen pressure.

But thats a move that I've wanted as well.

At least we are making this guy throw some pitches. :)

After Woody's blister heals, I would love to see Marshall in the rotation with Marquis in the pen. Eyre is back so we can afford to make that move. If Marquis doesn't like it, that is two bad.

I think we are going to get to this guy second time through the order.

'fraid not. =(

3 year deal.

is this the last year of Marquis's contract?

so the offense has barely been able to score 2 runs in most of the losses since the break...hmm...i'm trying to get used to the taste of 2nd place...doesn't taste good...

Harold Reynolds, commentating on TBS, is noting how Marquis is using one lane for his pitches (inside to rightys and outside to leftys)...and the Marlins have figured that out. can we get Gallagher back?

Marquis has always been a mental midget. I think Marshall or Samardzija could easily out perform him.

Marquis however, is a different story...

I think the Edmonds comment was unwarranted Nate. He hasn't even played in about a week to do a sore knee, and I believe that we have already gotten our 280,000 dollars worth.

Nate, get off the rooftop.

He's hitting .280-ish as a Cub. He's a couple of days removed from a HR in a losing effort. Hollywood is fine. He's been off as he was injured and before that he was hitting.

Man, we're attracting the extremists lately..

Lets dont get crazy, people. Just relax.

Why does Marquis still have a job in the majors?

It's time to end the Edmonds idea. He was doing well for a while, but we can't afford to wait for him to "find it, AGAIN". Fukudome/Reed in Center, Hoffpauir (PLEASE GET HIM SOME DANG PLAYING TIME)/Derosa/Fukudome in Right, Soriano in Left.

I can't wait to see what Samardzija does in a starters role. He's the future NL version of Justin Verlander (his breaking balls/off-speed induce ground balls AND SO's). When Harden needs that extra day, put Jeff in. With the Cubs it never really mattered how well the SP was doing, as evidenced in the play of the Cubs over the last week or so, so why should it make a difference if every now and then we have a 6 man rotation when we have 12 consecutive games with no offday?

Go Cubs. Please win, my hatred for the Brewers grows more and more with every passing minute. Ryan Bug-Eye Braun........really though, I just threw up a little.

YEAH! MARQUIS! LOVE YA MARQUIS. FIRST TWO ON , NO OUT! 3-2 to the next guy! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.