(Cue the Theme from Rocky) Two of the three best teams in the National League square off tonight in Milwaukee for the first of four to close out the month of July. While the next four games will not decide the division with two months left to play in the season, both the Cubs and Brewers figure to leave nothing on the field between tonight and Thursday.
Both managers set their rotations out of the break for this series, both markets are so fired up, the Bears and the Packers first week of Training Camp has become second page news....even the little story surrounding a certain signal caller will be brushed a side for the next four days.
So while both teams try to underplay the series, here is a little for the Faithful as the clock ticks down for the first of three big match-ups between the Cubs and Brewers over the final 57 games of the season....
http://chicagocubsonline.com/audio/Theme From Rocky - Gonna Fly Now.mp3
The Brewers have the upper hand playing 7 of the last 10 games of the year at home against the Cubs. And while the Cubs have struggled on the road this season, in recent years they have played quite well in what has become known as "Wrigley Field North".
Both teams are not playing their best ball right now. The Brewers had won 8 straight until losing 2 of 3 to the Astros at home over the weekend and the Cubs have won just 4 of their last 10. Both starting staffs have performed very well over the past week, but the Brewers continue to mash home run after home run. The Brewers were unbeatable at home, like the Cubs, but are 0-2-1 in their last three series at Miller Park.
For their part, the Cubs have shown flashes since the break of what led them to have one of the best records in baseball for the majority of the first half. The Cubs offense has yet to show any consistency while their starting pitching has been just short of dominating for the last 10 games.
Depending on which expert you listen to or read, either team is favored to win the upcoming series....and the division. So while the Cardinals will receive a boost with the return of Chris Carpenter on Wednesday while they face the Braves, the other two teams vying for the crown in the central will duke it out over the next four days....
If any player on either roster can 'get up' for this series, they should probably find a new profession.
ESPN's Baseball Tonight on the Cubs-Brewers Series
I just wanted to reiterate that whoever claimed to be me last night on the game recap was a fake.
My passion comes through on this forum quite often. But I rarely drop f bombs or speak like that.
You'll probly hear this again from me over the next couple of hours. But I just wanted everyone to know that I'm not like that.
I'm a passionate Cubs fan. But I never am that malicious or vulgar and I apologize that someone had ya'll believe that it was me.
Neil, Bryan and anyone that person offended. Sorry about that. But again it wasnt me and I can't wait tp talk Cubs with ya'll again tomorrow. Go Cubs!
Neil, to prevent that from happening again:
Is there anyone we can move to a password and protected profile format on the site anytime soon?
I'm pretty peeved about last night and I don't want it happening again.
anyway*
not anyone.
Sorry, I get typo prone when I get pissed.
Anyways. I have real information to pass along.
I went to the Tennesee Smokies (Cubs AA) game last night in Mobile.
It seems the Smokies are having the same problems their parent teams are having. Great pitching that gets no backup from the Cub bats.
Esmilio Caridad pitched a no-hitter into the 6th inning. And he looked great. He probly is not one of our upper prospects and his pitches don't have much velocity. But he was changing speeds and moving the eyes up and down and the Diamondback's farm hands couldnt hit it at all.
However. The hitting was atrocious. The Smokies lost 3-2 due to the lack of offense and Sam Fuld's horredous fielding on a play. A double cleared the bases but Fuld's errant throw to third allowed the eventual winning run to score.
On the bright side Doug Deeds and Jake Fox went yard for the AA Cubs' only two runs. Fox got beaned in the 6th in what was obvious payback.
Tyler Colvin pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth and grounded out to 2nd to end the ballgame. I didnt realize how young and small he still is to be such a power hitter.
In any case. Here is something interesting news.
I was seated in the club seats next to two scouts. They wouldnt tell me who they were with (so take this story with a grain of salt) but they were looking heavily at Fox and Nate Spears.
They had a notepad and brought up their names alot.
So take it for what its worth guys.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. And again, I'm sorry for the earlier misunderstanding.
Here is the official story.
http://www.smokiesbaseball.com/news/news.asp?newsId=1155
I'm so amped for this series!
One more thing guys.
(Sorry, lots of posts)
Does anyone know where in WalMart I can buy a scorecard book? Like, which section? Thanks!
Matt, thanks for the info. I would go to a sporting goods store or try to print one off the internet.
As far as someone else using your name....I will look into it.
Matt, try this site:
http://www.baseballscorecard.com/downloads.htm
I got it off one of Wikipedia's links.
As for yesterday's comment, I wrote a reply to your initial apologies. Basically, no worries.
Also, I have a feeling there's quite a bit of tension building up from the previous series, and i would not be at all surprised if an all-out brawl develops. Especially since I'm sure Soto still vividly remembers being pummeled by Fielder. I was watching replay's of the hit and I still think it was a cheap shot with Fielder's right elbow catching Soto below the chin. Anyways, if a brawl ensues, I hope we don't lose anybody of importance.
Awesome scorecards!
Thanks.
I was dreaming last night that C.C only went three innings.
He got shelled in the third for 7 runs and lost it.
Back to reality....
Hopeing for a LEAST a split.
Not to get technical Neil but isn't it the two best (record-wise) teams in the National League squaring off tonight?
I don't know if I would use the Rocky comparison since the Brewers would have to be considered Rocky with us being Apollo Creed, since we are the current champions and the Brewers are the challengers trying to unthrone us.
But Lou kinda looks like Stallone and Rocky did lose in the first one. As long as there's not a Rocky II.
I too am so pumped for this series. The day can't go by fast enough. We really need a good start (similar to his last two) from Ted.
Drew, you are exactly right. I just never count the Cardinals out, no matter their record.
Jerljr....I did not think of that comparison, I was just thinking heavyweight fight music. With all of the moves made by the Brewers, I would think the Cubs are the 'underdogs' this week and all of the pressure is on the Brewers.
I'm optimistic that the Cubs can get to CC tonight, if anyone has looked into his career stats against the Cubs he has done absolutely horrible against us. And plus he is due to have a bad game after pitching 3 straight complete games.
I'd prefer to think of it as being more Ali/Frazier than Rocky/Creed. Tha Thrilla in tha Milla!! (miller park...not sure if that was clear or not)
Matt, I apoligize. I was not impersonating you. Our first and last name just happens to be the same. I was upset with Bryan's post. He makes one comment as it seem as if Bullpens are the deciding factor. They are not.
I live in South Carolina. No one hardly looks into Cubs baseball down here. If the "F" word inferiates you, then I won't use it. You, however say "Screw the Brew". That seems to be vulgar. Don't scr**, if you don't want to hear fu**.
Neil, I appoligize to you, also. You always seem to use clean language. I can't say the same of many others.
My birth name is Matthew Keith Haggard. I was born December 30, 1989 in Columbia, SC. I got hooked on the Cubs in 2004 and just I was there to appoligize to you in person.
No harm, no foul. My friend, dusty dixon, is here too! He respects y'all.
hmmm...well...then...welcome other Matt Haggard. (bizzarro, I love you bizzarro). Sorry...SeaLab 2021 reference.
Neil, thanks for the Rocky theme music link! Made this a multi-sensory reading experience!! Now if only you can program the taste/smell of hot dogs and beer into this, you'd have your bases covered!!!
For anyone interested Pie has his average up over.280!
the Hoff is at .350.
I also saw Murton was sent down to Sacramento after starting 3-30 for the A's. They called up E. Patterson and yesterday he played left and lead off. He had 2 walks and a run scored.
Man I hope we win tonight!
To whichever "Matt" is writing these days, I don't know what your issue was with my post from yesterday on our bullpen. All I stated was that three hard-throwers of the Shark, Marmol and Wood would be great. What's your problem with that?
Umm, that's cool I guess.
But would you mind going with MK Haggard or something???
This is just weird...And it will get confusing if something doesnt give.
I'm so glad I've taken some time away from this site. The drama, language, etc. is so bush-league. This is just a sport, not life or death, not Rocky VIII, etc.
I've been a Cubs fan since the early 60's, and have seen the good and way too many bad seasons. It's paid entertainment. While we all would like our home team to win, how about stopping the whining and belligerence.
And for those of you who "join in late in the game, and want the rundown", or "just came from the softball game of your own", do we really care?
Let's show some courtesy and professionalism to this site, city and team. Grow up!
Furthermore. Fuck and Screw are heardly the same. One is a word our mommas dont mind. The other..not so much.
And I really don't want to continue typing "The Real & Original Matt Haggard" and I have a feeling no one else wants it either, haha.
Off to see the Smokies again tonight. Will write more stuff that I see and maybe take some pictures. Am gonna catch the game on tape dealy so Im gonna miss is live again. But you cant beat a hot dog and coke with a game in person.
My birth name isnt Matt Haggard. I was born February 17, 1989... what am I saying..Good lord. I had to =D
BTW...
Screw the Brew
By the way..the past 2 comments belong to the "real and original..."
Ugh..habit.
Annoying...
How about all the Matt Haggard's take the rest of today off!!
Geez.
Sorry..
=(
I think we are going to need a DNA sample from both Matt Haggards to decide this. By the way my birth name is Michael Jordan, you wouldn't believe the confusion that leads to.
Mike, what is wrong with people who come in late wanting to know a small recap of the game? That seems pretty harmless.
Thanks Mike for injecting some reality in to a harmless overindulgence of drama. Of course it's just a game. I think we all realize that. If the Cubbies don't win this year, we'll be heartbroken, but life goes on. I had this same conversation with the wifey the night of the All-Star game (albeit 6 beers into the game, and many obscenities later...I'm talking to YOU Uggla!). Of course it's just a game, but for me it's fun to dramatize it. But, my life is pretty boring, though, so I suppose it's easy to see why. Nevertheless, it should NEVER get to the personal level, and personal insults have no place in a discussion about sports.
I appreciate the comment, Mike, I do. I just think you might be coming down a little hard on a coupla guys (and girls??) who wanna get together and talk about our favorite thing. But I definately agree we should KEEP IT CLASSY!
P.S. does this mean I can't refer to them as the goddam Cardinals anymore??
MarioC - loved the Sealab2021 reference. Love it!
This will be my typed name from now on. Let's just make peace now that we are 2/3 through the season. John Kruk said if the Cubs beat CC, they may very well sweep the Crew.
However, Cubs have not trailed the division for ONE day since they were 29-21, and that was only bt 1/2 game. I believe 3 Cub wins out of 4 would make the Crew sweat too. Buts let us sweep the Crew.
CC could stand for Cubs Cruise.
I reckon it'll do.
So weird.
Lets go get em.
Okay...now that you guys figured out there IS two Matt Haggards. How about this....Matt H - SC and Matt H - AL (I think). Would that be fair?
MarioC...great Ali/Frazier reference. I was actually born on the night of the "Fight of the Century'.
LOLOLOLOLJeff in AZ!
Hey I know we all want this to stop but I have a brilliant idea...How about we call the new Matt: NEWMATT? Brilliant! and good old Matty stays like Matt Haggard?[I actually could figure this out because I went to college and got a degree!]
Hey if we sweep the stinking' Brewers I'll change my name to Mattthree...just to have more fun!
Come on Lilly, let's get out of this.
Woops, posted that in the wrong thread.