As I watched the rain continue to fall Monday afternoon waiting for the Cubs-Brewers game to start and noticing the flags were blowing out, I figured that we were about to see a high-scoring ballgame even with Zambrano and Sheets pitching. Obviously, that did not happen for the first eight innings before the ninth inning craziness. Let's begin the ninth inning discussion with Kerry Wood. Maybe it was a letdown for him not pitching in a save situation but it's Opening Day and the first pitch you throw hits Weeks in the back. That is not going to help to win any games. Let's hope he settles down before his next scheduled appearance. I never thought in my wildest dreams that Fukudome would go 3-for-3 in his first game in the U.S. nor did I think there was any chance he was going to hit a game-tying three-run homer. He looks impressive for the first game at least. Fukudome has trouble with pitches that move a lot and Sheets' fastball is dead straight. I love what I saw but I want to see what he does next time around. The bullpen looked a bit shaky to say the least with Howry giving up the run in the 10th that allowed the game to get away. Marmol is the lone sharp piece in the puzzle so far but right now is no time to get rash and start switching everything up one game in. Last but not least, it's time to get Big Z a sponsorship with Aquafina or something. Drink more water, big guy! I'm excited to see what happens Wednesday on a much nicer day for baseball and maybe get a victory by the shores of Lake Michigan.

Continue reading "Reactions from Game 1"

So three games down and the Cubs are 1-2. Take a look at the standings and you will see some interesting things early on. The Nationals are 3-1, Royals are 3-0, Tigers are 0-3. Today's win was very important, Dempster looked strong after his rough first inning and the offense is starting to pick it up some. It was crucial for Wood to get the save in the 9th, he needs to continue working on his confidence as a closer and today was a great start. The Brewers are looking tough but beatable. As Cub fans, it's time for a deep breath and relax and get ready for the Astros tomorrow afternoon. 3-3 on Monday will be just fine with me.

Continue reading "Now is not the time to panic"

As the Cubs open a three-game set in Pittsburgh, the North Siders will see their first two left-handed starters of the year, it will be interesting to see how the Cubs fear against these two. The Cubs faced the fewest number of left-handed starters in the league last year and were under .500 under them. Having Reed Johnson will be a help and is it not interesting that Johnson has started the last two games heading into today. No Pie, could it be that it is overswinging for the fences already? Very likely. Pirates are playing pretty well right now with Nady and McLouth, I see the Cubs winning 2 of 3 in the Steel City.

Continue reading "Time for the lefties"

Watching yesterday's game was like being taken on a ride that you didn't agree to. The beginning of the ride is fun and you are excited but by the end, your heart is in your foot. How do you blow a 7-0 lead which none of us got to see by the way with the great WGN broadcast and allow the Pirates back into the game. Ted Lilly did not pitch as well at all as soon as he got the big cushion and there is more expected of him this year. He can't afford to pitch like this all the time or the Cubs will go nowhere this year. I was quite impressed by Jon Lieber's performance, 3 scoreless innings to get the game to Marmol in the 12th. Let's all be thankful that today is an off day and relax and hopefully tomorrow night will be better.

Continue reading "Heart Attack Special"

This has been a good time to be a Cubs fan with the club winning 8 of the last 10 games. Last night's offensive outburst in the first 3 innings were great to see along with Zambrano's effort with the wind howling out. Many people may believe that the Soriano injury is going to derail this team. I think this may allow the team to be more complete since Soriano has a tendency to swing for the fences every time up. I'm always up for a 1-0 lead after 1 pitch and he put the team on his team many times last season but if he wants to swing like that, hit him in the 5 hole. Let's have Theriot lead off and Fukudome hit 2nd while Soriano comes back but we shall see. Until then, let's enjoy the winning streaks of the Cubs and wait for the Cardinals to falter and hope it happens before the All-Star br

Continue reading "Rollin' along"

This season's Cubs team has begun this 2008 campaign with a 11-6 record, already better than last year's 10-win April. As action gets underway today, the Cubs are a half-game out of first place behind the Cardinals. It will be interesting to see how long the Cardinals can make this start last. How long can Cub castoff Todd Wellemeyer pitch as well as he has or Braden Looper or some of the other Cards starters. If the Cards hang around through the All-Star break, I'm sure they will welcome the return of Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder to their staff so it is imperative that the Cubs find a way to get some distance between themselves and the Redbirds. Carpenter is not going to be back at his 2006 form right away but he will bring a stability to their staff that they don't have right now and

Continue reading "A much better start"

Today was a bit of a letdown for me watching the Cubs lose in Colorado. After how great they have played over the last couple weeks, you almost expect them to win every time they go on the field these days. Should Theriot caught the ball from Cedeno? Sure. Did Fukudome look bad against Fuentes? Yeah. What more can we expect out of these guys at this point? Best start since '75, got a game and a half lead on the Cardinals. Life is good at this point as a Cub fan. Now, it is imperative that they go to Washington and sweep. The momentum would be big with the Brewers coming back to town and heading to St. Louis after that.

Continue reading "Can't win them all"

When you're hot, you're not and when you're not, you're not. That phrase was perfect for the Cubs this past weekend playing in Washington. They seemed like they had lost some of the power that had got them to the top of the NL Central. Now comes a crucial six-game stretch with the Brewers and Cardinals. It is early but it is big to at least win 4 of these 6 games. April is almost over with May coming around. Now is not the time to see things start to unravel for the Northsiders.

Continue reading "A lost weekend in D.C."