Just want to weigh in with a few thoughts:

1)Anytime we beat the Cards...it's a great day...no matter the circumstance.

2)We are at microcosm time...it means we know we are not going to win...so let's win today...just for the day...there is still much enjoyment to be had from that...on the season...I am 2-0.

3)Bryan...reading your post from a few days...where you think Lou should be fired...I disagree at this point...let him ride the dwindling wave to the end and start fresh in the offseason...From my Marquette Days....Al McQuire announced his retirement at the beginning of a season...where he actually had the LEAST talented team why I was there....They had MORE LOSSES than

they ever had during my tenure, but just squeaked into the tournament and won it all with a bunch of squeakers...

Lou is no McQuire...and while this team has more talent than they've shown...we are NOT a championship caliber team...but the table can be set for one...I just wish JH wasn't setting the table...I'd rather have him, do the dishes.

Great win today against the hated Cards...too little, too late, and unfortunately, this means Hendry STILL won't make any trades because "we're still in it"...LOL...but, still nice to see them beat the Cards, and beat them rather convincingly with Wells and Marshall doing the job.

But before we get carried away, realize that we did, in fact, just beat Jeff Suppan (now 6.18 ERA), and we don't face one of their two aces until Sunday when Dempster goes against Carpenter. If we lose tomorrow against Hawksworth, he of a 4.85 ERA, then if Hendry doesn't make changes, people should be protesting outside his door, because it's criminal with the way this season has gone that he hasn't made one damn trade.

Also, I just want to give credit when credit is due, and here are a few numbers for you to ponder:

Castro: .300 avg, .352 OBP, 2 hr, 28 RBI

Soto: .294 avg, .410 OBP, 14 hr, 36 RBI

The reason I single these 2 guys out, is if memory serves me correctly, both of them had their averages dip to around the high .260's if I'm not mistaken...Castro for sure, Soto might've been low .270's, and look at how far they've brought them back up. What does that tell you about those 2 that it might not tell you about a veteran in the same circumstances? What it should tell you is that at their young age, they were able to break out of their respective funks before it became problematic, and they actually made adjustments, which is highly encouraging.

Often times veteran players, because they're so set in their ways (Ex: Lee, ARAM), they can go through several month-long funks and not really adjust at all, because they think they know it all, but look at what Castro and Soto have done...that should be most encouraging.

Andre Dawson...the total HOF package.

Seeing those career highlights again brings back great memories. Not too many players like him anymore.

There never WERE that many players like him , Bryan.

HELLO Diehard and Augustin

Good to hear from you Suzy

It was nice to learn some history, too.

On

this day, July 24, 1962, Europe got to enjoy its first satellite signal, ever. Thanks to JFK and his relentless push of a space program, the world was finally linked together through an American satellite.

Guess what's the first thing our friends across the Atlantic sea were watching? A baseball game: the Phillies played the Cubs, at Wrigley Field.

Pen that in, Neil:

Jack Brickhouse chimed in with his own greeting. "Well, we realize that all this doesn't make sense to you folks in Europe, but if we hadn't shown you a bit of our national game on this first transAtlantic show, we'd have never heard the end of it. As a matter of fact, right now, our colleagues who are doing the translasting are going crazy trying to say runs, hits, and errors in Swedish and Italian. Anyway, here it is - brief glimpse of American baseball played in the biggest arena in the world. All the way from Wrigley Field in Chicago to the Colosseum in Rome!"

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-baseball-stories/2010/07/telstar-the-cubs-and-europe-sees-wrigley.html

It is always a GREAT day with the Cubs beat the Cardinals!

Cubs Win!

Good game!!!

Good all around game.

And if he does will he be as effective????

I think he's earned the right to get a spot. And he would have to lose it.

Good outing for Wells

Wow, I didn't realize Marshall's ERA was that low 1.84. I knew he was knocking them down but WOW.

Do you think he will get a chance to start next year????

It's good to hear Ernie LIVE and jubilant. A healthy Ernie is a gem that Cubs fans can treasure. Hope some of you will enjoy his Fantasy Camp...

Good baserunning by Theriot

How dare I say something positive about the Cubs. What, we drink Koolaid if we want the Cubs to do good.

You got mad becuase I said they were playing better when they had the 4 game winning streak.

If thats the only argument you got against me then I'll take that it. You can hate me for wanting the Cubs to do good. You can keep secretly wishing they do bad so that you got something to complain about.

OK I'm done. There playing good today. I'm going to sit back and enjoy it. It wouldn't be gameday without me and Aaron getting in a little spat.

Gotta love Theriot

SO-RI-A-NO!!!!!!

#18

SORIANO!!!

SOTO!!!!

SOTO!!!!!

Wells dodged one there.

No big surprise that vets Lee and Soriano (real keys to success)fail to come through in the first....so it goes.

soriano walked on four straight balls. its called plate discipline

I'm sure tired of reading about who gets who and what is speckulated as a return player(s).Garbage In- Garbage Out;Period!!

Nobody wants our trash and over paid $$$$$!

Players can be had from other teams without all the money and contract hadaches that we carry as baggage in a trade.

We are going to see all these players we wish we could get rid of playing at wrigly field til yr.2014 and those bbbbaaadd contracts are over.

Manny teams are in the same boat as we are!Over-Priced vets who are under achievers.This Gray cloud hovers over above and prevents the farm teams from advancing good young players.

Iwant the Cubs to be a good well balanced team without the hundred million dollar players!

MLB. was never chartered as a financial institution and should not allow it self to be used as such.Cap your payroll, lower your tickets,merchandise,and conceesions and bring baseball back to where a family can afford a great day at a MLB.game.

NOBODY AND I STATE NOBODY IS WORTH A MILLION(s)TO PLAY BALL.YOUR GLORY SHOULD BE A RING AND A FAN HERO TO KIDS.YOUR REWARD FOR GREAT ACHIEVEMENT IS TAKING THE FIELD TO THE CHEERS OF THE FANS AS YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY THOUSANDS WHO APPRECIATE YOU AS A PERSON,PLAYER AND AN ABOVE AVERAGE ATHLETE IN THE SPORT YOU PLAY IN!

We the fans are tired of your demands for millions of $$$$ and gauranteed multi. tear contracts that result in under achievements but the money is in your bank regardless of performance!

SPORTS are all about being competative and skills.However I repeat!!!!!!

NOBODY IS WORTH MULTI- MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACTS!!NOBODY NOBODY NOBODY!!!!!!!!

DO YOU GET IT FIELDER ,OSWALT,PULHOL,SORIANO,ZAMBRANO,MAUR,D.LEE,AROD,SABBATHA,ETC.

YOU AND THE LIKES OF BORAS HAVE RUINED BASEBALL AS I GREW-UP LOVING IT AS WELL AS PLAYING IT.

Tony Larussa qoute:

"You're not into the last two months of play yet," he said. "The only time you'd ever say a team is not in the race is if you're talking about the last six weeks or maybe even the last months, or if you had somebody that's 30-40 games over .500. Look at what the White Sox did. They got back in it in about two weeks. The Cubs have got a really nice club. Lou (Piniella) does a really good job."

HMMMMMMM I've heard that before somewhere.

wow man...seriously, for all that is good and holy, please lay off the kool-aid

I'm the one thats got broadcasters and well respected managers basically saying the same thing I'm saying.

But keep ignoring anything that doesn't go along with your sad world.

I stated several times and will once more for you Aaron. Because I know anything positive gets you freaked out.

The Cubs will, more than likely, not get back into the race this year. So stop with the Koolaid comments.

Who must be a White sox fan or Cardinal fan???? Not me.

I'm not the one complaining when someone says something positive abbout the Cubs

Its not Koolaid.

If you could read you would nto for the hundreth time that I said that they are not coming back.

I'm making the point that you freaking out because I said that it wasn't out of the realm was wrong.

And now I find a quote form Tony Larussa saying the same thing.

COLVIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#14!

Much better start for Wells this time around ...

eecsolaunt!

One week to the trading deadline and Nady, Lilly, Lee, Theriot, Baker, Fotenot and others are still Cubs. If we don't see some house cleaning, Ricketts decison to keep Hendry is a bad one. Why not get something for Lee and Lilly, they are free agents at the end of the year and they ain't coming back.

It would be just like the Cubs to look like world beaters in this series, sweep the Cards and pull within eight games of the division lead ... I'm sure Hendry already believes in his delusional mind that his team is about ready to take off, and a sweep would delay the inevitable rebuilding job that is greatly needed.

Of course, we all know that if they do sweep the series, they'll follow it up by dropping 2 of 3 to the Astros ...

i don't know if i just missed it or what but did we ever get our PTBNL for Andres Blanco?

Idk if anyone saw this but big z will be back by the end of the trip to Houston. Lilly's start is the second game, maybe Z's back sooner than Colorado to take lilly's spot for an upcoming trade trade?

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5404538

Sorry Cory, but I don't put a whole lot of stock into your minor leauge pitching analysis. What did you expect Big Z to do his first time out pitching to live hitting. I'm not a big fan of Big Z but I think you have to be realistic and hope for the best. Because Big Z isn't going anywhere soon. Your post on down on the farm about Samardzija by the way you spelled his name wrong was I believe inaccurate. If you read my response you will see that the numbers don't match your analysis.

Steve I could care less whether you take stock in my "analysis" as you call it. I was just giving my OPINION on what I saw in person at those games. I wasn't attacking Z, I just said he's only topping 91 and Fuld saved his ass.

Barney looks like he's 16 years old and is barely 5'8" and 150 lbs soaking wet and is a singles hitter, aka Hill.

The Shark is a GREAT AAA pitcher who's fastball is as straight as Farnsworth's with average breaking stuff. I know his numbers are good...IN AAA! I just said I don't think he's got big league star material...in my OPINION and i'll start spelling his name right when he starts earning the huge salary he's getting paid!

Lighten up dude we're kicking the Card's a$$!!

Big Z looked pretty much the same last night. His fastball topped out at 91 and like Neil posted earlier, if Fuld hadn't made a spectacular catch, crashing into the centerfield fence, he would've given up at least 2 runs and again Barney is another Bobby Hill.

That why I think they will keep Theriot and/or Fontenot. For next year. Baker I'm not sure about.

LOL, I can see it now. We will sweep the Cards, getting everyone's false hope up again, and then we will head down to Houston and either get swept or lose 2 of 3 to a far superior Astro's team!

Sorry, that series still pisses me off, that and our record against them.

If the Cards get Oswalt, and it looks like that's what Roy O wants, Look Out! Wainwright, Carp, Oswalt will be real tought to beat.

Especially with the way they are playing right now. Cards would be tough.

Bradon Wood has been on my radar - as a potential for the Cubs - for a couple years. LAA is certainly tired of him and he just cannot get it straight there. He absolutely raked at every level except ML.

Maybe Rudy could straighen him out. The Cubs certainly need to do something to address 3B soon.

But I also have to wonder if he maybe an Alex Gordon and just may never make the transition.

At any rate, I would do it for Lee. It is the most upside they could possibly get.

While Byrd is certain to decline from this year's rampage, he is exactly the kind of guy that a team needs in the clubhouse if they are going to bring up young players. He does everything and does it right. I think he value as a leader and role model can out-weigh the decline in his produciton.

Also, I wanted to throw this one out there for you....

How about this trade:

Lilly and Nady to the Mets for one top prospect (preferably position player), one mid-level, one-high ceiling prospect, and a swap essentially of Nady for Francoeur, who they've soured on

Francoeur wants out of there, and Nady sucks, and hasn't gotten much playing time either. They essentially make the same salary, so it'd be a wash. Plus, Francoeur is just 26 years old, and can still turn it around, whereas Nady is 31, and likely has seen his best days long behind him.

What do you think?

Also...

I'd do a straight up trade of Derrek Lee for Brandon Wood with the Angels.

Theriot to the Tigers

Fukudome to the Red Sox where we take back Lowell, then ship him to the Rangers for a mid-level prospect, plus take on some of Lowell's contract

Then, we approach the Jays about a swap of Wells for Soriano, with them absorbing enough of Wells' contract to equal them out.

Franceour wouldn't be bad. I'd like to see him walk more, his OBP is kind of low. But he is young and has potential.

So that means Colvin moves to 1B ?

Does any team have a young first baseman out there willing to trade for Lilly ?

That's what we really need.

I think if Mike Lowell was moveable the BoSox would've moved him already. Texas declined him for health concerns in like January

Hi! First time on, so be gentile.

I think the issue is that the Cubs want to get out from under some of these long term contracts. I believe that Lowell's contract is up at the end of the season. If that is the case, then it doesn't matter if he never plays an inning for the Cubs. They will have gotten rid of Fukudome's contract

Welcome to the CCO!

Hmmm,

* Lowell could actually be a back up at 3b/1B . If seen enough of Fukudome.

* Lee needs to go, I'd take Wood.

* Hendry, should also see what he can get for Byrd while his value is high.

couple things Neil.

First of all, I think this move to bring up Schlitter and option Stevens is totally going to turn our season around. Know why? Because, pitching, as we know, has been our problem all year....while our offense has been absolutely perfect, right? LOL

Secondly, of course Suppan will get his first win today. How do I know that? Because the Cubs are in the business of giving up a LOT of firsts this season, so it's only natural it continues. In addition, we also make mediocre pitchers look like Cy Young.

And, because we know how Piniella likes to open a book, and go by the numbers in his lineups, I expect something like this:

Theriot-2B

Baker-3B (you know, to give ARAM a day off)

Lee-1B

Byrd-CF

Nady-RF

Soriano-LF

Castro-SS

Hill-C

After we lose, he'll be asked what gives with the lineup, and he'll say: "Look, it's a long season, and you have to find ways to get your guys a rest sometimes, and we decided to give ARAM, Colvin, and Hill a rest"

Then, he'll be asked why they needed a rest after an off day, and he'll say: "Look, what do you want me to say? I forgot it was an off day? (chuckles kind of nervously)...is that all you got for me?"

A reporter steps up and says he's not through with him, and asks why sit Colvin when he said he was committed to using him and Castro at the top of the lineup, and he says: "Look, what are you gonna do?!? I was playing the percentages today sitting Colvin. He hasn't done that well against Suppan, so I say, let's give him a day off to clear his head."

but the reporter interrupts, saying that Colvin is batting .600 against him, to which Piniella replies: "I subscribe to the same theory as our GM that all these new-age stats can be a bit deceiving. I like to go more with the eyeball test, and it's worked more times than not."

...the reporter interrupts again, saying that averages have been around almost since the inception of baseball, and as far as the eyeball test goes, it's clearly not working for a team that missed the playoffs last year, and is sitting 10 games under .500, to which he replies: "Look, I'm retiring at the end of this season, so you can bug the next guy with questions (then he somehow finds a base in a closet nearby, and chucks it at the reporter, and leaves the stage)"

What was the purpose of that.

So in your opinion guys are not suppose to get days off?

And then you rag Pinella when he dont put the hypotetical lineup out there that you say would be a bad lineup(basically putting the lineup you think should be out there)

Nobody said that the Schlitter callup is a big move.

Just dont get your post.

And you wonder why I give you hell.

I wasn't going to respond to you, because it just wasn't worth it, but for your sake (for functioning in your life), you clearly have to know when people are joking around, being facetious, right?

I mean, you do get that, don't you?

Enough said!

Its not like you have blown up becuase Colvin wasn't in the line up or they didn't call up Hoffpauer or Tracy or(insert name) How dare they not bat Casro in the second position.

At least your a little more upbeat today but still with the negitive undertones.

I know your joking around. But its still based on your misconception that Lou always makes the wrong moves.

Whatever I dont have time for this today.

Today's lineup:

Colvin - RF

Castro - SS

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Byrd - CF

Soriano - LF

Soto - C

Theriot - 2B

Wells - P

Brian Schlitter was recalled from Iowa and Jeff Stevens was sent down.

Dammit, I was wrong with my hypothetical lineup....LOL...but you could totally see Piniella doing that, right?

No, only you

so much for not having "time for this today"

if thats the case stop trolling for an argument and get over it