S**t on wheels...

Hopefully they will use him in pinch hitting roles. Seriously, the team fared well in August with his absence from his normal form. Yes it is a loss, but a Marshall replacement would balance the rotation with righties and lefties. If we get Z back before the playoffs and fresh, that is a bonus. We need to hit with men on base and play good defense to get to the post season. From there, our pitching needs to step it up even more.

GO CUBS!

I'd sit him out until his arm feels better.

What a terrible loss again last night, and another lost opportunity to regain a game in the standings.

Interesting to read all the posts from the game. Regardless of Zambrano's early mid 90's velocity, he had little control of his pitches throughout his wonderful 5 innings (nice ace on the staff as many here have proclaimed), and struggled all night. The thing about Z is that he personally tinkers with his arm release point, and now I believe it's caught up with him relative to poor mechanics. Similar to our "bright stars" of a few years past, where is our brainstrust pitching coach to tell a Zambrano "stop screwing with your success". So now we have a .350 hitter (and do we really care what he was hitting) likely on the shelf for a bit in the home stretch. And let's watch the infamous Cubs "spin and dance" on this. Z is indeed injured, and so likely is Harden, but the Cubs brass never fess up to tell the truth.

And while I have full optimism that our Cubs will reach the playoffs (in some capacity), it's still amazing to read the kool-aid drinkers here who continue to think that Derrick Lee is so key to this team. One thing about Cub fans (and I've been one for 40+ years), we always fall in love when a player has that one great year. Derrick Lee today is in no-way the player he was in 2005. Watch his bat speed, ability to really turn on the inner half fastball, etc. Realize that Soto and DeRosa have better stats, and certainly create consistent opportunities at the plate. I wish this group would please stop defending a gold glove 1B with now limited offensive skills. We need fresh legs and attitude, so time to send a message by giving Hoffpauer his at-bats, continue to bench Fukodome, and get into the habit of taking Soriano out in the latter innings for defensive help.

Lastly, I predict we're due to see a meltdown by Lou with the press shortly. Just watch.

So here's my lineup for today:

DeRosa 2B
Theriot SS
Hoffpauer 1B
Ramirez 3B
Soto C
Soriano LF
Edmonds CF
Johnson RF
Dempster P

Sure!

Mike, I agree with the majority of your comments, and personally really like the lineup you proposed. But that won't happen. Lou's ego won't prompt him to move Mr. Captain/aka Lee, out of the lineup. Better that we let him "figure it out" during game time. I'm just glad that this team has built a solid lead, particularly with the wild card, because right now we'll limp towards the playoffs.

And while we fortunately have seen the Brewers lose two to the Mets, recognize that their schedule gets much easier after their series while we struggle against the Stros.

But don't worry, the optimists here will soon post that we still have the best record in the NL, are still up 4 1/2 games, etc. So no need for any of us to worry. Let's all sleep well. We have seen this all too many times before.

What really gnaws at me is that on Monday the team (and Z) claim that he has no soreness and just needed another day of rest. 24 hours later the guy is leaving the game (after a less than stellar outing), and conveniently talks of soreness. Can't a manager, pitching coach, and player please be honest for once?

This was not the news I was hoping to see this morning.

I am a DLee supporter and fan, but I will recognize that it is time to give him a break, or more importantly for Lou to move him out of the three hole. Move Ramirez to the three spot and Soto (who is red hot) to the four whole.

My linuep would today would be this.

Soriano-LF
Theriot-SS
Ramirez-3B
Soto-c
DLee-1st
DeRo-RF
Johnson-CF
Fontenot-2nd

Soriano is not going to be moved from the leadoff spot, and why would he, it has been working all year for us. I agree the lineup needs something, but in my opinion Soriano is not the one that needs to be moved.

Now let's end the bleeding and get a win tonight!

You know, Im not in panic mode yet.
But, I do think something needs to be tweaked.
However, Im not terribly sure the lineup needs to be overhauled.
Id suggest two modifications: 1)We got Hoffpauir just sitting there, use him some. See if his hot hitting streak. D Lee just needs some rest. This is temporary.
2) Instead of putting Howry in to pitch, again, put in anyone. ANYONE!!!! This includes most anyone on the roster, pitcher or not. Im not trying to be negative here, but I cant remember a time when Howry came in, and shut down the other team. We scored what, 7 runs last night? Shouldnt 7 runs be worth a win?
Why would we then make a major change in the batting lineup?
Ok, time for me to calm down.......Breathe......
Tonight we need a win. Period.
Go Cubs

I'm not going to second guess Lou yet because he has more information than we do. He also probably really likes Howry as a guy, and wants to see him succeed. Players appreciate that, and will go the extra mile for a manager that manages that way.

That being said, it wouldn't surprise me if Lou has made up his mind that Howry won't see a high-leverage situation again. Wuertz and Guzman look like better middle-inning options, and that has only become apparent in the last couple days. Howry has disappeared in the past only to turn it around, you have to really be sure before you write him off. I think Lou has handled him fine to this point. But after last night, that should be it. If he uses Howry AGAIN in other than a blowout, THEN I will second guess Lou.

RE: LEE, Soto and Marmol both turned it around after some rest. Lee has played almost every inning this year at First. He needs time off. We finally have a guy on the roster than can play a good 1B and hit (Hoffpauir). I will be very surprised if Lee plays tonight.

Our season (the Cubs' and the Faithful's) depends upon how we handle adversity and the games yet to be played. Going ahead, Lou, JH and the Faithful must deal with our realities credibly, realistically, and clearly focussed on finishing strong and doing well in the post season.

IMO, DLee's productivity in the clutch is an issue, but the idea of trading him (even with others) for 20 game winner Cliff Lee passes no test of possibility. CLee was available last winter following a horrible season, but a 20 game winner making less than Marquis and under contract for 2 more years isn't going to be traded--let alone clear waivers.

My guess is that DLee's back is limiting his success, and the leap he made last night to spear Aram's throw (maybe saving a run) hurt him late. Rest may not help a bulging disc, but taking him out of the three hole or playing Hoffpauir to see if he is more productive may help the Cubs.

I too have been saying that Howry's skills are gone. But Lou's choice to use him last night wasn't totally stupid going into the inning. Howry gave up nothing in his 4 prior appearances, including 3 recently against the Phils where, in 4 IP, he gave up 3 H and O R while walking none and striking out 4. He was terrible, as we know.

Z's pitch count as the issue with Z is much less the issue than the condition of his shoulder or arm. Since one Faithful's month ago thought about PC's, Z has averaged 96 pitches in 6 starts--about in line with Harden's pitch count of 90 to 100. It could be that Z's pain goes away after a few days, but returns after a few innings of high stress. Z had more than adequate control last night--especially in the first 4 and he was consistently hitting 91-94 on the speed gun. At least the TV speed gun that Kasper and Brenley were noting.

I disagree with Lou pitching both Marmol and Wood for two innings last night--leaving us no closer tonight. Maybe Lou was driven to get what seemed like a winnable game--knowing that tomorrow (I think) is an off day and D may give us a strong outing tonight.

I too want to cite deals not made and lingering weaknesses pointed out by me (and ignored by JH or Lou), but what does it add to the rest of the season. What we see is what we have to work with and manage as well as we can. Of some consolation is the fact that the other teams have issues too. I do like Nick's lineup and Mike's giving Hoffpauir a shot. But Mike isn't likely to move Soriano out of the leadoff spot.

A little good news, bottom of the first and the Brewers are down 6-0 already.

I logged on today to state emphatically that Lee needs to be moved to 5th in the order. My follow up to that was to log a batting order that is indentical to Nick's. It's nice that others are seeing it - finally! I also agree that Hoff needs to be used and give Lee a break. Theriot, Ramirez, and especially Soto need more time off this month.
A 9-game lead in the wild card is plenty safe.

As JimK pointed out, Howry's previous 4-games looked positvie, but I never would have given him the opportunities Lou has. I was done with him 4-weeks ago. I hope this ices it. Blow-outs and emergencies only from here on out.

I'm usually not a very big fan of Steve Rosenbloom, but his blog on the Trib today was "right one". Who do you regret more being in a clutch situation....Howry or Lee. Derrick, as Steve points out, has just one homerun since July 27th, and no RBI's in the last week...and this from our #3 hitter.

I wish Lou would stop reading from the Dusty Baker "loyalty to Neifi Perez" playbook, and move Derrick down to 6 or 7, or get him some rest on the bench already.

It would be really, I mean REALLY, nice if we can capitalize on what looks like another Brewers loss today. C'mon!!!

OK I'l take the bait,

Here's the Kool aid as Mike and David would put it,

We lost 4 games. We do have a the best record in the league and the best team.

And guess what, we got the 85 wins doing it the way we have done it. Not with Derosa leading off, Lee in the 5th spot or on the bench. Soriano in the 6th.

Every team has losing streaks. Hell, I bet '27 Yankees lost a game or two.

If you would tell me at the start of the season that we would have two 4 game losing streaks and that would be about it for our droughts, I would say that we did pretty good.

We have the best record in baseball, and thats not Kool-aid, thats a fact!!!!

And believe it or not, we did it without the next coming of Christ, Hoffpauer, starting at first base.

Just please stop panicing. Its not time to start a rookie over a 10 year vet. I dont care if he hits home runs or not. As long as he has a productive at-bat(which I'll admit he needs to do a better job of). But switching the whole lineup around disturbs everybody. Then we could have everybody struggling. Its not like we're getting shut out every night.

Now if only Zambrano is hurt we will be OK. But if Hardin is hurt as well, that could be a problem.
We can limp into the playoffs. But, I dont think anybody wants to do that.

Of course I missed last night's game. So I probably would be venting too.

Lee will come up with a key basehit in a week, then we'll love him again.

I'm certainly not looking for any debate here, as I'm hopeful of a WS win as anyone! I bleed Cubbie blue like all of us here.

But we need to accept the obvious that either Lee is tired or is just showing age, because he's not an effective #3 hitter anymore. Kosuke has obvious offensive flaws, and can't seem to adjust (language issues or not). Soriano (when hot) can spark this team, but when he's not hot, he's a rally and on-base killer, and is always a defensive liability (wouldn't we like to have those couple W's that he cost the team with his glove).

So it's a team sport and a team game, so I still applaud the remarkable contributions of Soto, DeRosa, Ramirez, Theriot (our prior "little leaguer") and the duo of Johnson/Edmonds. And certainly kudo's to great performances on the mound by Dempster, Lilly, Hardin, Marmol, Sz and Wood.

I just grow tired of the smokescreen that Cubs management throws at us (this looks like "Prior talk" all over again), and us as faithful not facing the truth about guys like Lee.

Without getting too down on Derrick, it is hard to keep penciling him in as the #3 with those HR and RBI stats the last 6+ weeks. Maybe moving him down to 6 or 7 would relax him a bit.

And, Mark, I really loved your Neifi playbook reference. Funny, and true!

I too believe that Lee needs to be dropped in the order and given more time off. I think he should bat 6th behind Soto and in front of Edmonds vs. RHs/DeRosa vs. LHs. One stat that leaps out at me is the number of runs scored by Theriot who has batted in front of Lee most of the season. With Theriot's OBP, he should be leading the team in runs. I think Lee's stuggles with the GIDP and batting with men on base have cost the team runs. Sometimes it isn't glaring because the rest of the team has been productive.

Howry is worthless. I too would rather see anyone else unless the game is out of reach. Was it last year that a fan went after him? I have had those kind of thoughts myself this year when I see him in the game. I don't condone that kind of behavier, but the thought is definitely there. I guess that's when you know that you're taking this game too seriously as a fan.

Aside from Howry, I am optimistic that the entire roster (Z and Harden included) will perform well when needed in October.

The ONLY real concern here should be Z's arm. Why tinker with a team that has already won 85 games. Makes no sense. If Z is out for an extended period of time, however, that would be a problem.

Anyone have the pitch counts, per start, for Zambrano this year?

I seem to recall a few above 120+, and the general explanation from Rothschild/Piniella was that Z was "a bull" and we didn't have to worry about his pitch counts.

Any word on Z yet?

Jason B....Go to the Cubs site, click on stats, scroll to and click on Zambrano, click on game-to game log--and there are his individual game stats for the season. He was over 120 once (125 on 7/24). In 6 starts starting Aug. 3rd, he is over 105 once (119). I suspect Z has some sort of strucural or arthritic damage that could shut him down or limit his innings the rest of the way. I sure hope that isn't the case, because Marshall isn't close to what a healthy Z is.

We've seen an 86 win Cards team win it all and a 114 win Mariners team get bounced. I think the 85 wins the Cubs have in the NL, mean nothing unless they prove the Cubs are the best team in baseball. They will make the playoffs, but will they win the World Series? If they don't, who cares how this season went. Is this Cubs team, in it's current configuration, built to win it all? There are visible holes and I see no problem using the last month to experiment with lineups and batting orders to find the best possible combinations. Plus, the Cubs can't pluck a diamond or two from the I-Cubs, best team in the PCL?

Bardo, I doubt we'll hear anything on Z's condition until tonights game. I'm sure it'll take several hours for the brainstrust to figure out how to "spin this one".

If Pinella, Rothschild or Hendry provide a press announcement with throwing towels over their shoulder, then listener beware.

Good thoughts Gary, but playoff rosters are set as of August 31, unless an injury occurs. If so, players can be substituted for the injured.

So how about a win tonight to get back to 5 1/2 up!!

Thanks Steven. I am pretty sure you can choose any 25 for the postseason, from the 40 man roster though. Right?
I got a great idea for the Cubs. They shut down Zambrano and Lee until the end of the season. Then they bring them back for that "Willis Reed" team boost which will sweep them to victory in the World Series!

Well said jerljr. BTW it also a lot easier to relax after another Brewer loss.
Let's stop this [insert bad word of choice]loosing streak today. Go Dempster step up.

The teams that get to the WS are the hottest's teams at that time(ex. Rockies). Plain and simple.

Gary I do agree that the season doesn't matter when you get into teh playoffs.

But yes the team is built to win the world series.

Are you guys forgetting that just two weeks ago we had a 6-7 winning streak. JUST TWO WEEKS AGO!!! last week we went 4-2. Been killing teams. haven't lost a series in the last 10. So now all of a sudden we suck and aren't even going to make the playoffs and should make drastic changes. You are over-analyzing. Man, you are fustrated with a few losses as a lot of people on this site seem to be today. This isn't Kool-Aid talking.

And Yes, this is a bad time to be adjusting the lineup and experimenting. This is the time to be winning the division and get some momentum for the playoffs.

So true,We were flying by teams last month.
Maybe get this losing streak out of the way now and make a run for it.