By the way, Brian I would be pissed too if the game I went to this year was Saturday's game too.

Unfortanately your story kind of fell into this conversation being the one bad game out of good series.

Whos missing the point. I say that the Cubs are playing better.

And I get bashed. THEY DONT HAVE A CHANCE, THEY DONT HAVE A CHANCE.

I already said that I dont think they will come back.

But I'm glad they are playing better and I was right that if Ramirez and Lee played better they would start winning ballgames.(which was also stolen by Joe Morgan last night)

Product of trying to work and post at the same time.

But I'm not ranting I'm attempting to answer you comments.

Bryan I had 13 different things to say. So what. Thats the best you can come up with.

You guys totally miss the point.

I've seen someone post back when we had the 4 game win streak that we still sucked because we only one by one run each game. Now we have a good series and you guys are still complaining.

Ask yourself, what would make you happy. Because I surely dont know.

I dont care about rants. Brian's little rant posts I find to be pretty amusing.

I'm talking about no matter what you guys aren't going to be happy.

You guys get mad everytime they take Sit Colvin or Castro(lou suck) why didn't they bring up this guy or that(Lou Suck, hendry). Every prospect that comes up if they dont work out its Lou's fault or Hendry. Come on 9 out of 10 young guys aren't going to make it. COME ON. A four game win streak and you say that it wasn't a good four game win streek because we only won by one. Thats the best example I got.

It is really wild. There based on generalizations with a real negative undertones. Nothin will make you happy.

We could be in first place right now and you would be complaining about something.

I am not even going to engage in this.

GO CUBS...See Happiness and excitement :)

Geesh.

13 out of 26 posts. And you have the nerve to talk about rants on this site. Geez.

The cubs have played better in the last two series then all season long and we are having this discussion.

MY POINT IS MADE.

The Cubs are done this year. This mini-winning streak is about a bunch of guys trying to play for their next contract or next team. Time to back up the truck, get younger and develop a plan for next year and beyond, including the manager. Only untouchables are Colvin, Cashner, Castro, Soto, Gorzelanny, Marmol and Marshall.

Agreed.

What ever happened to that rumor about trading Marmol???

Cloy, with every post you prove my point

After the Cubs 2 series win in a row. All you got to talk about is the 10.5 GB losing record to the pirates, blah, blah blah.

Just stop watching the rest of the year you may enjoy yourself more. Because you aren't going to be happy with anything the rest of the season.

Even if they did make the Historic comback that has happened 3 times in the last 5-6 years(not to mention the Mets in 69 comeback which was even more impressive) you will complain about something.

Lets try this, and I wont even give teh Reds adn Cards losing records for the rest of the season.

Reds 35-35

Cards 35-35

Cubs would have to go 45-25

And that's if they both go .500.

Didn't say that it wouldn't be huge for them to do it. But it does happen. Whitesox this year. Colorado did it a few years back, Houston did it a few years back(even though I dont think that they made the playoffs but got close)

But you prove my point by saying that all 11 teams will have an above .500 record.

You have missed the point. The point was to look at what the Cubs would need to do to reach 90 or 88 Wins to take a theoretical division or wild card title, respectively. I has NOTHING to do with what other teams have to do. The point was that nearly every other simply has to play at or near the pace they have played all season, while the Cubs have to make a miraculous 180 and play 20+ games over .500 (as apposed to 10 under).

If Ramirez and Lee keep playing like they are doing and everybody else keeps playing like their playing.

Its not a stretch that we will have a winning record for the second half. Probably not good enough to get us back into it but they should have better results from this point on.

FOR ALL YOU HARD HEAD OUT THERE,

I HAVE ALREADY SAID THAT THE CUBS ARE NOT COMING BACK THIS SEASON. Ive already said that 3-4 times.

But it is possible it has happened 4 times in the last 6 years that is not historical. It is plausible.

BUT IT WILL NOT.

Keep posting your junk just dont expect to have and respect for what you say.

I got to get to work. This isn't a discussion. You just throw whatever junk out there.

No I was pointing out his "facts" that he used were unrealistic numbers to make his point seem more plasible

Kinda like you saying what you did about Joe Morgan just to disprove my opinion and not being crazy.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the White soxs historical run that happened this year too.

Lighten up, man. I was poking fun at Joe Morgan who, outside of Cinnci, is widely thought of as a homer and obnoxious color man by constantly reminding everyone that he is in the HOF.

Opinions are just that, they cannot be disproved only disagreed with. That is what we are doing here. My opinion is that I don't care what Joe Morgan's opinion is, the fact was Tyler Colvin is playing real good baseball and had a very good day hitting leadoff against on of the best pitchers in this decade. OK?

Oh yeah JC,

I was going to mention. His comment was so simular to my post I almost would say that he went through blogs to prepare for the game and picked out my comment to use.

I mean down to using examples of "pitchers finding holes in there game" and "having problem hitting the breaking ball" etc. etc. I mean it was scary.

By the way, one hole I see in Castro's game. Likes to chase the low breaking ball. Watch for it.

I will agree with you on Colvin and Castro's performance last night.

But I did expect somebody to say that about that my comment. I jumped to conclusion

Sorry.

But, I will put this is a better way this time.

The jury is still out on Colvin and Castro until next year. If they can still perform adequate next year then they can bruch off the "for a young guy" tag. But I am getting negative.

They did very good last night.

P.S. I'm not saying there aren't negitive things to comment about this year. But not every darn post. And the over-reactions, and the over-statements. It just drives me crazy.

And the last two series have been something to be happy about. now I got to get back to work.

They are

Sorry. seriously

Not trying to be negative, but while the Cubs are proud of getting 3 of 4 from the Phillies, the Cardinals were taking 4 of 4 from the Dodgers.

All those comeback teams had something the Cubs don't, and that's a bullpen. It is the main cause for this year's downfall, and it continues to be so. Take the 4 games they just finished with the Phils. 11 runs allowed in only 8.1 innings for an ERA of 9.90 The only thing I got from the last series is that the Cubs will win most games that they score double digit runs in. There is just no chance to gain momentum from an extended winning streak with the pen they have.

Gary, in a way the bullpen issue is kind of on Rickett's. If he would have given JH just maybe a 1m more he probably could have signed Matt Capps. But intead, Capps went to Washington to close. I'm sure he could have been swayed by a little extra money.

Now before every one jumps me, I know JH put himself in that position by those other big contracts.

I just feel the season could have taken on a different tone had we not had struggles in the bullpen early. I think players started to press and it just snowballed from there on out.

JMHO

Paul, with all due respect I do not blame the Ricketts family for the bullpen. Hendry knew the budget he had and then handed out a 2-year deal to John Grabow worth $7.5 million. Grabow is still owed $4.8 for next year which makes him untradeable. While the family sets the budget, it is up to the decision makers to allocate it properly.

I did not hear of one team that was going to offer Grabow that much money ... but the Cubs did.

Hendry could have added several veteran arms for what he spent on one.

I was saying almost the same thing at the start of the season

Agreed Gary. I'm just saying that if it did happen that it wouldn't be the GREATEST COMEBACK EVER IN SPORTS HISTORY.

Wow I didn't realize the bullpen did that bad this last series. I'll take your word on it.

Even though I think the bullpen is better than that. OK the reason I think it wont happen other than the 9.5 game hole we are in is that the offense will go back to struggling. Even in our good years we had runs that the offense struggled. Clutch hitting more than actual numbers.

BUT I AM HAPPY THAT THEY ARE PLAYING BETTER RIGHT NOW. It much more entertaining to watch.

Oh yeah, by the way.

Joe Morgan mentioned almost exactly what I said about Colvin.

As he plays more, pitchers will adjust to him. Paraphrased of course.

Somebody said that I was wrong because they never heard an announcer say that.

Plus, all 11 teams are not going to be over .500. That is ridiculous. Half maybe 3/4. But the Cubs only need 2 to have bad second halfs. You saying that its impossible for them to gain 3 games a month. How many did the White Sox do last month? But it makes your point sound really good.

And I also think it won't happen. But its not as out of the queation as you make it out to be.

Thanks for paraphrasing the Morgan comment because the last thing we need here, on the CCO, is Joe Morgan talking to us!

I mute the TV when for ESPN games.

Because whatever Joe -the greatest player of THE GAME- Morgan said, and you agree with, I'll take Colvin getting 3 hit games against the best pitching in THE GAME.

You trying to say that Halladay doesn't know how to adjust? Now Jerljr, you have to decide, do you give credit to the Cubs for hitting well OR did they get lucky and meet Halladay on an off night? Which is it? It's one or the other, but be careful, the wrong answer may make sound like you are being negative after a good win...

To answer your question, Both.

Off day for Halladay and the Cubs took advantage.

I figured you would say that. I cant remember exactly how he said it but, that is was a kinda normal thing that young guys that start out good, cool off becuase pitcher adjust to them.

But its more then Joe Morgan. And as usual you dont like him because you disagree with him.

Even though I got to admit I'm not real big on him either. But its more than just him

Its not an attack on you as a person as you are making it out to be, overreacting again!!!!

But the Cubs go 3 out or 4 in a series and are playing better and every post is about how they dont have a chance to get back into it. Its not Koolaid drinking to be happy that they are playing better. Its what your suppose to be hoping for.

Its negitivity. Its comments like,paraphrased well they played good but they dont have a chance. They won but its too late.

NO, they are playing good. If when there playing good and winning you still got nothing to say but negitivity tehn why watch.

Are you or are you not going off because somebody said taht they still might have a chance.

Plus I like(to prove your point) that you make it sound almost impossible by giving every team that the Cubs would have to catch a winning record. Its beyond belief that some teams might go under .500 for the rest of the year. So all 11 teams ahead of them are going to be over .500.

So your big rant just proved my point about you and since Aaron is right there with you I guess him too.

Your not going to be happy, period. Win or lose.

I LOVE IT!!!!!!! I state positive things on Talkin Live on Friday and I get called out by name asking when my last positive post was... hey Scroll up!!!! Paraphrasing "For some reason I have lost the feeling of dread when they go down 1-0 early in a ball game". Geesh people, it's like you don't even read the post, just see the name and assume. I have avoided personal attacks especially from the bespectacled kool aid drinkers but let me clarify something for you once and for all!...

I watch almost every game I can, when I am at work I follow on game cast and Talkin Live, and at home I bought the package. I wear Cubs gear most every day that I am not working. I say to my family see this is what real fandom is, when they suck soooo bad, but you wear the logo, and you hope that today is the day that the mythic run begins. Hear that... you still HOPE!!!

When I watch games I cheer like a mad man when they do things well, and I scream like a scolding parent when they do not do well. And you know something...I have done a lot more scolding that cheering so far...wanna know why? 10+ GAMES UNDER .500, a losing record to the woeful Pirates, 10 plus games back.

So to call me out kinda says something, either A. You enjoy losing. B. You can't tell the difference. C. You are the most unwavering, unflappable optimist in the world.

Either way I don't care. But friggin read my posts before calling me out. I am positive when it calls for it, I am negative when it calls for it. I blame those that I feel are responsible and I praise those that play well. I am a fan and that's what we do.

Let's play a fun simple game of math. I am going to throw out an arbitrary number of 90 wins to win the division.

St Louis would have to go 39-31

Cincinatti would have to go 39-30

The Cubs would have to go 48-21...48-21!!!

Impossible NO, Plausible not really.

OK How about the Wild Card, let's again throw out an arbitrary number of 88 wins.

Mets would have to go 39-31

Phillies would have to go 40-31

Florida would have to go 44-27

Cards would have to go 37-33

Reds would have to go 37-32

Cubs would have to go 46-23

Colorado would have to go 38-33

Giants would have to go 38-32

Dodgers would have to go 39-31

GET IT YET???????????? It is going to take a historic run.

What do I want... I want em to pull it off, have a big Crow for thanksgiving, have them take the momentum from that historic run and win the freaking world series!!!!!!!!!!!!

I recall a post from Suzie last year that said when it happens noone is gonna see it coming. Well here we go! And all of you Koolaid drinkers can have a big case of I told ya so.

Irregardless. Go Cubs!!!

Very well said...couldn't have said it better.

Nice article on Cubs Top-30 Mid-season prospects. Article is very positive on depth/quality of our system, particularly in power arms and middle infielders

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/7/18/1575305/mid-season-chicago-cubs-top-30

3 of 4 vs. Phils next 8 0f 10 on the homestand! Kelly Johnson paging Kelly Johnson we need a second baseman!

Well stated by Herb Gould.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/2509124,CST-SPT-herb19.article

Wow, good find man...Good 'ole Herb must be smoking some herb though.

I agreed with everything he said until he stated that he has a gut feeling that Ricketts will get it all right. What has he been watching?!? I certainly haven't seen that with him. He's given every indication that not only would he retain Hendry's services, but he'd also retain Piniella if he wanted to return.

I also disagree with the "no changes til the end of the season" argument. Other teams have made bold moves that got them into the playoffs or deeper in the playoffs simply by managerial changes. Recent examples include the Brewers and the Rockies. Obviously, at this point, no managerial change would work, because this team is saddled with a bunch of overpaid, underperforming veterans, while both the Rockies and Brewers had good solid cores of young players.

The Yanks need a starter or two . . . maybe we can move Z. I hope he shows great stuff in his minor league start so we might get some interest in moving him out.

I'd really like to see Z and Lilly moved before the deadline. Let's get Diamond up here and see what he can do.