Talkin' Cubs Live

Game One Hundred Sixty-Two: Cubs (71-90) vs. Padres (70-91)
Game Time - 7:35pm CDT
Coverage - TV: WCIU - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - PETCO Park, San Diego

Ryan Dempster (10-13, 4.53/1.43) vs. Wade LeBlanc (4-6, 4.83/1.44)

This is it ... the Cubs final game of the 2011 season.

The long journey that began in February in Mesa comes to an end tonight with game 162. Q's Cubs ended their three game losing streak on Tuesday night with a solid win over the Padres and will shoot to finish the season 18 games below .500. The Cubs are 3-2 against the Friars with one left to play. A win tonight would also give Q's Cubs a winning record for the second month in a row and a .500 road trip to end the season. After posting a 16-13 record in August, the Cubs are 12-12 in September.

Ryan Dempster should reach his goal of 200 innings for the season tonight in what could be his final game with the Cubs ... Dempster is 3 1/3 innings short of 200 for the fourth season in a row. Dempster could elect free agency instead of exercising the option that would pay him $14 million in 2012 ... reports in recent days have suggested Dempster could land a three to four year contract on the open market worth $9 - $10 million per season.

Look for Mike Quade to run out his right-handed lineup with the left-hander on the hill for the Padres. Reed Johnson, Jeff Baker and Luis Montanez could be making their final appearances in a Cubs' uniform tonight.

Not only could tonight be Dempster's final game as a Cub but Aramis Ramirez figures to sign elsewhere in the off-season ... and tonight should be the last game for Mike Quade as the skipper of the Chicago Cubs.

Starlin Castro reached base for the 39th game in a row on Tuesday night and extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Can Castro close out his first full year in the big leagues by reaching base safely in his last 40 games?

For the last time this season ... it all begins with Ryan Dempster.

Game One Hundred Sixty-One: Cubs (70-90) vs. Padres (70-90)
Game Time - 9:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - PETCO Park, San Diego

Matt Garza (9-10, 3.35/1.27) vs. Anthony Bass (2-0, 1.66/1.27)

Two games remain on the Cubs 2011 schedule ...

The Cubs will shoot to end their three-game losing streak tonight behind Matt Garza. The Cubs have stopped scoring runs and have plated just three in the last three games. The Cubs are not showing any patience at the plate and are stepping into the batter's box swinging the bat ... basically Q's Cubs are just playing out the schedule.

Aramis Ramirez is expected back in the starting lineup tonight in what could be the last game of his Cubs' career. If Ramirez can keep from aggravating his strained right quad he will play in the season finale on Wednesday night. Quade is expected to run out his vets for the last two games

While Ryan Dempster's quest to reach 200 innings has made all of the headlines, Matt Garza enters his last start nine innings shy of the 200-inning plateau and unlike Dempster, Garza has publicly stated he would like to finish with a .500 record and 200 innings ... Garza has completed nine innings in each of his last two starts. Matt Garza has been the Cubs best pitcher this season, one look at his peripheral numbers proves that statement.

Starlin Castro reached base for the 38th game in a row Monday night (47 of last 52) and is just five games short of tying Jerome Walton's mark of 43 in a row set back in 1989. Castro recorded his 204th hit of the year on Monday night and is looking to become the youngest player in the history of the game to lead the National League in hits ... and the first 21-year old to accomplish the feat.

Former Cub, Charlie Hollocher (1918-1924) currently holds the record as the youngest player to lead the National League in hits in a single season. Hollocher (22 years old) recorded 161 hits in 1918.

For the sixth time in the last 15 seasons, the Cubs have lost at least 90 games. As the battle for draft position continues ... it all starts with Matt Garza.

Game One Hundred Sixty: Cubs (70-89) vs. Padres (69-90)
Game Time - 9:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - PETCO Park, San Diego

Casey Coleman (3-8, 6.64/1.79) vs. Mat Latos (8-14, 3.60/1.21)

Three games remain on the Cubs 2011 schedule ...

It is "Kid's Day" for the Chicago Cubs at PETCO Park. Prior to Sunday's finale in St. Louis, Mike Quade said the first game in San Diego would feature a lineup full of the younger players on the Cubs' roster.

D.J. LeMahieu should be at third tonight and probably Tony Campana in center. Will Quade start Bryan LaHair in left and give Tyler Colvin a start in right? With the Padres sending a lefty to the hill on Wednesday, Colvin figures to get only two chances to start in the last three games. Steve Clevenger is expected to make his big league debut behind the plate tonight. Clevenger has not stepped across the lines since joining the team last week.

Will Rafael Dolis also make his big league debut tonight? Dolis, like Clevenger, has been with the team for a week and has not seen any action. Quade should use Dolis and John Gaub before the likes of Ramon Ortiz and John Grabow.

Aramis Ramirez is not expected back in the starting lineup tonight. Ramirez appears to be targeting Tuesday to return to the lineup ... if at all this season.

After Casey Coleman tonight, Mike Quade is expected to send Matt Garza to the hill on Tuesday with Ryan Dempster getting the ball in the last game of the season. Bud Black has penciled in Mat Latos (tonight), Anthony Bass on Tuesday and lefty Wade LeBlanc in the final game on Wednesday.

Starlin Castro has reached base safely in 37 straight games ... can Castro reach base in the final three games and take a 40-game streak into 2012?

The Cubs and Padres faced off at Wrigley back in April ... and Q's Cubs won two of the three games. The Cubs took the first game 1-0 on a RBI single by Tyler Colvin in the 10th. After rain postponed game two, the Cubs split the day-night doubleheader with Reed Johnson delivering the winner in the day game.

Let the battle for draft position begin ... and tonight it all starts with Casey Coleman.

Game One Hundred Fifty-Nine: Cubs (70-88) vs. Cardinals (87-71)
Game Time - 1:15pm CDT
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Randy Wells (7-5, 5.09/1.41) vs. Edwin Jackson (12-9, 3.85/1.45 - 5-2, 3.73/1.49)

Four games remain on the Cubs 2011 schedule ...

The Cubs will suit up for the final time on Sunday this season ... and try to bounce back from Saturday's loss against the Cardinals. The Cubs gave the Cardinals life in the NL Wild Card race but a win today could make life a little more difficult for Tony LaRussa's team.

The Cubs have already lost the season series against the Cardinals (5-9) but still have a chance to win a series against their longtime rival ... plus with two more wins, the Cubs will guarantee themselves a winning record for final month of the season (11-10 in September). Since July 31, the Cubs are 28-23, five games over .500.

Prior to his last two starts, Randy Wells was in the middle of the best stretch of his big league career. Wells was pitching with confidence and command and barely resembled the pitcher that struggled last season and got off to a bad start this year. Wells needs to finish he season on a positive note with a quality start and a win this afternoon against the Cardinals.

Starlin Castro ran his streak of reaching base safely to 36 games with a 1-for-4 performance on Saturday. Castro has already set the mark for Cubs' shortstops ... Jerome Walton is next on the list. Walton reached base safely in 43 straight in 1989. If Castro runs the table this season, he would be three games short of tying Walton's mark.

Will Mike Quade run out a lineup today with younger players, such as D.J. LeMahieu and Tony Campana that might give him a better chance to win or will he stick with the vets that have provided virtually the same results all season?

The Cubs are 7-17 on Sundays in 2011 ... and today it all begins with Randy Wells.

Game One Hundred Fifty-Eight: Cubs (70-87) vs. Cardinals (86-71)
Game Time - 12:10pm CDT
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 89
Location - Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Rodrigo Lopez (6-6, 4.71/1.52) vs. Kyle Lohse (14-8, 3.47/1.18)

Five games remain on the Cubs 2011 schedule ...

The Cubs will shoot for their third straight win today behind Rodrigo Lopez. Q's Cubs will face a desperate team this afternoon. The Cardinals are hanging on by a thin thread in the NL Wild Card race and enter play today three back of the Braves with five left to play ... Atlanta's magic number is just three games. If Q's Cubs can take care of business this afternoon they would all but end the Cardinals' quest for the post-season.

Rodrigo Lopez is making his final start of the season this afternoon ... and should be making his final appearance in a Cubs' uniform. Rodrigo Lopez has appeared in 25 games for the Cubs this season and has started 15 games. The Cubs must add pitching in the off-season and say good bye to the likes of Rodrigo Lopez, Ramon Ortiz and John Grabow.

The Cardinals have had Lopez's number this season to the tune of a 0-3 record with a 10.13 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP. This afternoon could end up as another 'Bullpen Day' and if it does maybe Rafael Dolis will make his big league debut.

Geovany Soto is expected back in the starting lineup this afternoon ... and is penciled-in to start four of the final five games. Steve Clevenger is scheduled to make his first big league start on Monday in San Diego.

The Cubs rotation over the last five games is to be Lopez, Randy Wells (Sunday), Casey Coleman (Monday), Matt Garza (Tuesday) and Ryan Dempster (Wednesday).

For the last time, today it all begins with Rodrigo Lopez ...

Game One Hundred Fifty-Seven: Cubs (69-87) vs. Cardinals (86-70)
Game Time - 7:15pm CDT
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Ryan Dempster (10-13, 4.63/1.42) vs. Chris Carpenter (10-9, 3.66/1.30)

Six games remain on the Cubs 2011 Schedule ...

Q's Cubs begin the final road trip of the season tonight with the first of three against the recently cooled off St. Louis Cardinals. The Redbirds had won four straight coming into the series finale against the Mets on Thursday. In the process they put themselves right back in the thick of the NL Wild Card race. The Cardinals took a 6-2 lead into the ninth on Thursday ... but the bullpen gave up six in the ninth and the Mets won 8-6.

The Cardinals begin play tonight two games behind the Braves for the NL Wild Card and the Cubs could put a big dent into the Cardinals post season plans. The Cubs have not fared too well against St. Louis this season (4-8) and have already lost the season series ... but a sweep or two of three from the Cards this weekend would be a good way to end a bad season.

Starlin Castro is one hit shy of becoming the youngest Cub to reach the 200-hit plateau. Castro has been one of the few bright spots for the Cubs this year and has shown improvement in the field along the way. If Castro is able to get one basehit over the last six games, he would become the first Cub since Juan Pierre in 2006 to record 200 hits in a single season.

Aramis Ramirez's status for tonight's game and the final six games is uncertain. D.J. LeMahieu is expected to receive a bulk of the playing time at third if Ramirez cannot play.

As for the rest of Mike Quade's lineup ... Will Koyie Hill be behind the plate for Ryan Dempster tonight? Will Quade remember that Tyler Colvin, John Gaub, Steve Clevenger and Rafael Dolis are on the active roster? Steve Clevenger is expected to start one of the three games in San Diego.

Around this time in 2007, the Brewers played the Braves in Atlanta while the Cubs hosted the Pirates at Wrigley. Every time the score changed in Atlanta that weekend, the crowd at Wrigley did the Tomahawk Chop ... and cheered on the Braves. The Braves helped out the Cubs and took three of four from Milwaukee that weekend ... while Lou's crew was busy sweeping the Pirates.

Four years later a lot has changed but maybe the Cubs can help out the Braves this time around and in the process knock the Cardinals out of the playoff picture.

Tonight it all begins with Ryan Dempster ...

Game One Hundred Fifty-Six: Cubs (68-87) vs. Brewers (91-64)
Game Time - 1:20pm CDT
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Matt Garza (8-10, 3.51/1.29) vs. Randy Wolf (13-9, 3.45/1.28)

The last game of the season at Wrigley Field ...

The Cubs will suit up for the final time this season in the clubhouse at Wrigley Field ... and many of the players will be playing their last game as a Cub at the Friendly Confines. John Grabow, Rodrigo Lopez and Ramon Ortiz do not figure to be in the Cubs plans moving forward and all three are free agents at the end of the season. Alfonso Soriano could also be playing his last home game at Wrigley. The Cubs will reportedly try to move him this winter ... and are willing to eat a majority of his remaining contract. Marlon Byrd said he knows he could be traded.Reed Johnson will be a free agent and his future with the team is unknown.

Then there is the Cubs' manager ... most feel today will be Mike Quade's final home game as the skipper of the Chicago Cubs.

Aramis Ramirez left Tuesday's game after the sixth inning with a mild strain in his right quad. Ramirez is doubtful for today. Following Tuesday's game, Ramirez admitted he's probably played his final game as a Cub at Wrigley Field.

Prior to the beginning of the homestand (3-2), Starlin Castro said he would like to reach the 200-hit mark in front of the home crowd. Castro collected no. 197 on Tuesday and will have at least four at bats to reach his goal this afternoon. Castro also enters play having reached base safely in 33 straight games.

Mike Quade mentioned Monday that Bryan LaHair would likely get the start today at first base. Quade said he wanted Carlos Pena to face Chris Narveson in the opener and would give LaHair the start against the Brewers' other southpaw, Randy Wolf, this afternoon.

Steve Clevenger will get at least one start before the end of the season, likely against the Padres in the final series of the season. Clevenger is expected to compete for the backup catcher's job in the spring ... which puts Koyie Hill's future with the Cubs in question as well.

The Cubs are 38-42 at Wrigley this season ... and the Cubs last home game of the year begins with Matt Garza.

Game One Hundred Fifty-Five: Cubs (68-86) vs. Brewers (90-64)
Game Time - 7:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Randy Wells (7-4, 4.93/1.40) vs. Shaun Marcum (12-7, 3.40/1.14)

Updated 3:32pm CDT - The Cubs named Bryan LaHair and LHP Jeff Beliveau the organization's Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year on Tuesday.

The Cubs announced Gary Hughes, long-time special assistant to Jim Hendry will not return to the organization following this season.

Weather permitting ... The tied for fourth place Chicago Cubs will shoot for their second straight win over the Brewers tonight behind Randy Wells. With Monday's win, coupled with Arizona beating Pittsburgh, the Cubs enter play tonight tied with the Bucs for fourth place in the division ... yes, this is what the season has come to.

Regardless of what happens over the next two games, Q's Cubs will not have to watch the Brewers celebrate their first division title since 1982 at Wrigley Field. The Brewers magic number remains at four after the Cardinals beat the Phillies on Monday.

Starlin Castro inched closer to 200 hits on Monday night. Castro collected hit no. 196 on Monday and reached base for the 32nd game in a row. Castro is on record saying he would like to reach the 200-hit plateau at Wrigley ... he has two days to reach his goal against two difficult starting pitchers.

The Cubs added two players to the active roster on Monday. Steve Clevenger was added to the 40-man roster and called up from Double-A Tennessee. Rafael Dolis was recalled from Double-A and added to the pen. The question now is, will Mike Quade use either player over the next eight games?

Kerry Wood's season is over after he felt a pop in his left knee on Saturday. Wood will have his knee scoped next week and is hoping to be re-signed by the Cubs in the off-season.

With only eight games left on the 2011 schedule ... tonight it all begins with Randy Wells.

Game One Hundred Fifty-Four: Cubs (67-86) vs. Brewers (90-63)
Game Time - 7:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Casey Coleman (2-8, 7.06/1.87) vs. Chris Narveson (10-7, 4.40/1.37)

Updated 3:18pm CDT - Cubs selected contract of catcher Steve Clevenger. Clevenger was added to the 40-man roster and called up from Double-A Tennessee. Cubs Recalled RHP Rafael Dolis from Double-A Tennessee. With the addition of Steve Clevenger, the Cubs 40-man roster stands at 40 players.

Updated 4:31pm CDT - Kerry Wood is out for the remainder of the season after feeling his knee pop on Saturday. Wood has a torn meniscus and will have surgery next week. Wood is hoping to return to the Cubs in 2012. Wood said if he does not pitch for the Cubs next season he will likely retire.

After taking two of three from the Astros over the weekend, the Cubs have only three home games remaining on the 2011 schedule ... and they are against the division leading Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers have a chance to clinch their first division title since 1982 over the next three days ... their magic number is down to four.

With Sunday's loss to the Astros, the Cubs are 37-41 at Wrigley Field this season and will finish the year with a losing record in their home park ... and several players, the manager and coaching staff could be playing their final games at Wrigley in a Cubs' uniform.

John Grabow's days as a Cub are likely over next week and the same could be said about Ramon Ortiz and Rodrigo Lopez. Tom Ricketts has a big decision to make about Aramis Ramirez and the new GM will have to decide on the futures of Alfonso Soriano, Kerry Wood, Jeff Samardzija, Reed Johnson, Marlon Byrd, Koyie Hill, Blake DeWitt and Carlos Pena. Ryan Dempster is expected to exercise his player's option and return to the Cubs for 2012.

Starlin Castro collected hit no. 195 on Sunday and is just five short of the 200-hit plateau. Prior to the homestand, Castro said he wanted to record his 200th hit in front of the home crowd. With Chris Narveson, Shaun Marcum and Randy Wolf scheduled to start the series, it will not be easy for Castro over the next three games. Castro reached base safely for the 31st game in a row on Sunday and is three games shy of tying Woody English's mark (34-game hitting streak in 1929) of 34 straight.

Mike Quade adjusted his rotation for the final nine games ... and Ryan Dempster will get his wish. Dempster will make two more starts that should take him past 200 innings for the season. Dempster will start Friday in St. Louis and the last game of the year in San Diego on Wednesday, September 28.

The Brewers have already won the season series against the Cubs (9-4) and tonight it all begins with Casey Coleman ...

Game One Hundred Fifty-Three: Cubs (67-85) vs. Astros (51-100)
Game Time - 1:20pm CDT
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ryan Dempster (10-12, 4.66/1.43) vs. Brett Myers (5-13, 4.52/1.31)

The Cubs will shoot for the three-game sweep of the Astros on the next to last Sunday of the baseball season. In order to sweep the 'Stros, Q's Cubs will have to do something a Cubs team has not done since August 1, 2007 ... beat Brett Myers.

With Saturday's victory, the Cubs guaranteed themselves both a series win (2-0) and winning season (8-6) against the Astros. While the first two games have been anything but a clinic on how to play the game, this afternoon's finale should be a little better with Ryan Dempster and Brett Myers on the hill.

Prior to Saturday's game, Mike Quade hinted at giving Aramis Ramirez a day off and starting D.J. LeMahieu at third this afternoon. With Alfonso Soriano's career numbers against Myers, it might be a good day to slide Bryan LaHair over to left and start Tyler Colvin in right. Colvin is 6-for-21 in his career against Myers with two doubles, three home runs and a walk.

Look for Carlos Pena to get a majority of the starts at first for the remainder of the season. Pena is two round trippers short of 30 for the year and Quade is going to give him every opportunity to hit 30 home runs this season.

Starlin Castro collected hit no. 194 on Saturday and is just six shy of 200. Castro also extended another impressive streak. Castro has reached base safely in 30 consecutive games and became the Cubs first shortstop since Ernie Banks in 1960 to reach base in 30 straight games. Derrek Lee (2009) was the last Cub to reach base in 31 straight.

In other news ... The Smokies avoided elimination and forced a fourth game in the Southern League Championship Series with a come from behind win. Tennessee scored three in the bottom of the eighth on Saturday night and beat the BayBears 4-2. Nelson Perez hit a game-tying pinch-hit home run in the eighth and Rebel Ridling singled in James Adduci with the go head run. Trey McNutt will start game four this afternoon. First pitch slated for 4:00pm CDT.

On the final Sunday game of the season at Wrigley (Cubs 7-16 on Sundays in 2011), it all starts with Ryan Dempster ...