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Comments, News & Rumors - 2004 July
Archives
Headlines
Garciaparra joins Cubs! - 7/29/04 3:57pm
Garciaparra rumors heat up again - 7/29/04 6:45am
Maddux wins 299th - 7/27/04 10:19pm
Nets to be installed at Wrigley - 7/27/04 10:10pm
What the Cubs need - 7/25/04 9:54pm
Wrigley Field falling apart? - 7/22/04 8:32pm
Suspensions - 7/22/04 8:10pm
Deadline coming soon - 7/22/04 6:50am
Wendell's job is ok, for now - 7/22/04 6:44am
Pack it up, pack it in? - 7/20/04 7:11pm
Prior Expected to start sunday - 7/20/04 7:05pm
Its up to Alex - 7/20/04 6:21am
Latest trade rumors - 7/17/04 8:51pm
Prior and elbow shin splints - 7/17/04 8:53am
Update on Mark Prior - 7/16/04 3:41pm
Cubs First Half Report Card - 7/16/04 11:09am
Prior departs after two innings - 7/15/04 7:40pm
Garciaparra? Aurilia? Cabrera? - 7/15/04 7:07pm
Wrigley Field Tour - 7/14/04 6:53pm
Cubbies 2004 Mid-Season Review - 7/13/04 4:30pm
Trade Rumors - 7/13/04 10:40am
Cabrera coming to Chicago? - 7/13/04 8:15am
The Importance of Kenny Lofton - 7/12/04 6:40pm
Sneeze.. Sneeze.. Bless You Sammy - 7/12/04 6:00pm
Sweep and then? - 7/11/04 11:55am
7/29/04 3:57pm - Garciaparra joins Cubs!
Fox Sports has reported the Nomar Garciaparra was traded to the Cubs in a four-team blockbuster deal.
The Red Sox sent Garciaparra, minor league outfielder Matt Murton and cash to the Cubs. The Red Sox
obtained shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Montreal Expos and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz from the
Minnesota Twins. Chicago dealt shortstop Alex Gonzalez, relief pitcher Francis Beltran and infielder
Brendan Harris to Montreal.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/29/04 6:45am - Garciaparra rumors heat up again
The Nomar Garciaparra vs Matt Clement rumors are out again. Several weeks ago, the Cubs assured Clement
that he was not going to be traded for Garciaparra, however, the Boston Globe is reporting that talks
have continued between the two ball clubs. Garciaparra seems like the #1 focus for the Cubs, but the
trade still remains a distant possiblity. It looks like the only way the Sox would trade Garciaparra is
for Clement and possibly a prospect in the Cubs organization. Hendry insists that that will not happen. This
shifts the focus on Orlando Cabrera once again.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/27/04 10:19pm - Maddux wins 299th
Greg Maddux won his 299th game Tuesday and continued his domination since the all-star break. Destined
for the Hall of Fame, Maddux, now 10-7, has a chance to win his 300th game on Sunday at Wrigley Field against
the Philidelphia Phillies. "He knows it's going to happen sooner or later," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said of
the low-key 38-year-old veteran. "All he has to do is live and breathe, and he's going to get it."
Maddux will become the 22nd member to the 300 wins club.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/27/04 10:10pm - Nets to be installed at Wrigley
Cubs officials have ordered that nets be put up at Wrigley Field in response to three separate claims that
chunks of concrete have fallen from the historic stadium. The City of Chicago asked Wrigley officials
to conduct structural inspections and report back earlier this week. Department of Buildings spokesman Jack
Beary said Tuesday that the city expects to receive further details on the installation of the heavy mesh netting
Wednesday. The city still has the power to cancel the scheduled game for Thursday at Wrigley against the Phillies.
Other arrangements are possible, which could include moving the game to another field.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/25/04 9:54pm - What the Cubs need
The first question that everyone is asking is: What is wrong with the Cubs? Several ingredients are missing
so far this season.
1) They do not have the leadoff man that they had in Lofton last year. Since the season started, they have been
platooning leadoff men in Walker and Grudzielanek. Grudzalanek, since coming back from the DL, has not been the
same player ye was last year when he batted .314. If you remember last year, towards the end of the season, the
Cubs would score in the first inning just about every game. They had a hitter like Kenny Lofton that consistently
got on base. This year that is missing.
2) Their bullpen has been terrible lately. Latroy Hawkins blew another game Sunday, and at one time last week,
he had given up 11 runs in 10 innings. Borowski did not look the same early this year, so the Cubs placed him
on the DL with an undisclosed injury. Most people are still unaware what the injury may be, but Borowski may
be given another shot.
3) They need to choose a second baseman. Walker came into the season as the backup, but it is time to give him
the full-time gig. He has been consistent and Grudzalanek has not been consistent.
4) They need to change their batting order. With no leadoff man, struggling #2 hitter, and inconsistency from Sammy Sosa,
the Cubs need to change things up. The only problem is that Dusty Baker will not do that. It should be Walker,
Patterson, Alou, Ramierez, Sosa, Lee, Barrett, Gonzalez, Pitcher. Until Sammy Sosa starts to hit again, he should
be moved down in the lineup.
5) Dusty needs to take charge. Dusty Baker is a player's manager. He is loved for treating his players as men,
but it is time Dusty puts a scare in some players and let them know that they are a better team what they have
shown.
6) Stay healthy. With a constantly changing starting rotation for the first half of the season, the Cubs were
without their #1 and #2 starters for a good portion of that time. Now that everyone is coming back, the Cubs
need to focus on staying healthy. After a few starts, Prior and Wood should be able to return to playoff form
where they were virtually unbeatable.
These are a few of the things that need to change for the Cubs. If anything, it will shake the team up and get them
focused on winning.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/22/04 8:32pm - Wrigley Field falling apart?
Cubs officials will begin a thorough inspection of Wrigley Field on Friday after two separate instances
of chunks of concrete falling near fans. No one has been hurt to this point, but the problems have led
to Mayor Daley making several statements about the 90 year old ballpark. A headline in Thursday's Chicago
Sun-Times had a message from the Mayor to "Fix Wrigley or I'll shut it down." Cubs General Manager and CEO, Andy
MacPhail said, "We don't require motivation nor should anyone else that you create a safe and as pleasant an environment as you
possibly can for the fans." "We are doing and have done in the past and will continue to do everything in our power to provide a safe and a pleasant
atmosphere as we can. Any area that we've identified as a problem, we've fixed." "We will start (Friday)
at 6 a.m. a hands-on inspection to try to reveal any potential problems that we can visibly see,"
MacPhail said Thursday. "I can't even begin to tell you the time, energy and effort spent year
round to keep this place in as good condition as we possibly can." Each season, the Cubs thoroughly check
the stadium's structural support system. Some have suggested that the bleachers are also having some
structure problems. The first instance occurred June 9th after a chunk of concrete landed near some Iowa
senior citizens. After repairing the spot, another instance was reported July 9th after a chunk of concrete
just missed a Plainfield, Ill., man and his 5-year-old son.
- Jason @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/22/04 8:10pm - Suspensions
The results of the poor showing against the Cardinals this week have both Carlos Zambrano and
Latroy Hawkins suspended. Zambrano was suspended for five games for intentionally throwing at
Jim Edmonds in the eigth inning Monday. Zambrano said he expected the suspension said he should
be punished for what he did. Hawkins was suspended for three games for his outburst at plate
umpire Tim Tschida in the ninth on Tuesday of the Cubs-Cardinals game. Both pitchers are expected
to appeal their suspensions.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/22/04 6:50am - Deadline coming soon
The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has stated the Cubs are
the Wild Card favories. ''You can't go about this like, 'Well, we can't catch the Cardinals,
but we're a good bet for the wild card,''' Hendry said Wednesday. ''We have to play good
baseball. But even if we played outstanding, we're no lock [for the wild card].'' Hendry also gave no
hints a blockbuster deal is coming before the July 31 trade deadline. The speculation remains
he could acquire Montreal shortstop Orlando Cabrera and trade Alex Gonzalez, or that he could
make a swap at the wire to get Detroit reliever Ugueth Urbina if the Tigers have fallen out of
their race or even settle for Pittsburgh's Jose Mesa, even if he isn't the Cubs' first choice.
The Cubs also have inquired about Cleveland shortstop Omar Vizquel, but Vizquel appears to want
no part of approving a trade from the Indians. The Cubs also don't expect to get Boston shortstop
Nomar Garciaparra, unless talks unexpectedly heat up between Boston and Arizona that include Randy
Johnson and allow the Cubs to be a three-way partner to get Garciaparra. What Cubs fans must know
is that no major deal is coming -- unless you really like Cabrera, who could sign the multiyear
contract with the Cubs that he doesn't want to accept as an Expo. Hendry won't identify specific
players he is pursuing, but admitted he is working to add one or more players this month.
That could be a boost to what some think is a clubhouse that isn't as close as last year's
and may benefit by shifting personalities.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/22/04 6:44am - Wendell's job is ok, for now
The Chicago Sun Times reported that according to Jim Hendry, Wendell Kim's job is safe for now.
This was the fourth questionable move by Wendell this year. Known as "Waving Wendell" to the fans,
Kim has become a focal point for fan's criticism as of late. Kim admitted afterward he shouldn't have
tried to score Aramis Ramirez from second base on Michael Barrett's sixth-inning single to right,
mainly because Ramirez had just returned from a groin injury and was left vulnerable to reinjuring
himself in a collision at the plate.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/20/04 7:11pm - Pack it up, pack it in?
The Cubs came to win, but have they started packing it in? The frustration has started to show with the
Cubs after half of a season riddled with injuries, low run performance, and below average bullpen help.
After the Cards took the past two games, the Cubs now fall 10 games out of first place. Their frustration
showed in the series after Carlos Zambrano hit Jim Edmonds twice on Monday. Latroy Hawkins followed up
on Tuesday by being tossed after aruging with the Umpire. Can the Cubs come back to take first? Can
they even win the Wild Card the way they are playing? Expect Jim Hendry to make a move quickly to give
a spark to the struggling team. What do you think? Post your comments and questions on
the messageboard.
- Jason @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/20/04 7:05pm - Prior Expected to start sunday
A few days after leaving in the 2nd inning, Mark Prior threw a 5 inning, 73 pitch simulated game Tuesday.
Prior hopes to be back with the Cubs Sunday after missing one start. Prior felt no discomfort and insisted
that he felt ready for Sunday.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/20/04 6:21am - Its up to Alex
It looks like Alex Gonzalez's fate is in his own hands. Depending on what he does within the next week or
so may determine if the Cubs attempt to upgrade the Shortstop position. If he struggles, Jim Hendry may
give serious consideration to a trade with Montreal for Orlando Cabrera. As for Nomar, it seems this deal
has been blocked by Boston. Both sides have talked about a possible trade, but have not mentioned player
names. Recently, these talks have cooled off, so don't expect Nomar to be wearing Cubbie Blue.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/17/04 8:51pm - Latest trade rumors
The Arizona Republic has been reporting that one of the latest trade rumors has the Diamondbacks interested in
Cubs prospects Felix Pie and Angel Guzman in a three-way deal that would send Randy Johnson to Boston and send
Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs. According to the experts, this trade seems unlikely, but it still seems like a 50/50
shot that the Cubs will acquire Garciaparra.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/17/04 8:53am - Prior and elbow shin splints
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Cubs officials have explained the latest ailment for Mark Prior
as something relative to shin splints. While painful, the Cubs do not expect Prior to land on the DL. They
expect him to be able to make his next scheduled start on Tuesday. Doctors who put Prior through a battery of MRIs,
X-rays and bone scans Friday seemed convinced Prior cannot hurt himself further by pitching unless he does alter his
motion and hurts some other body part. But the tests also showed the injury was the same one that plagued him
at times during spring training, at least when he wasn't bothered by his Achilles' tendon. Prior will be given
treatments of ice, heat and ultrasound.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/16/04 3:41pm - Update on Mark Prior
The Associated Press is reporting that the MRI taken Friday, on Mark Prior, has not revealed any damage
to Prior's ulnar collateral ligament or his ulnar nerve. "There is absolutely no possibility of 'Tommy John'
or ligament reconstruction or anything like that," Hendry said after talking with team doctors. Prior also
had a regular X-ray that showed no stress fracture and underwent a bone scan, the results of which were not
available before Friday's game with Milwaukee. The team is not sure how long Prior
will be out until the full test results can be read.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/16/04 11:09am - Cubs First Half Report Card
Hitters
Corey Patterson -- C+
Even with all of the boos and trade talks, Corey is
putting together an above average season. He got
injured last season in his 83rd game. He has played
84 games thus far this season. His on-base percentage
is the same (.329), his strikeouts are the same (77)
and his walks are up this year (25, up from 15).
Derek Lee -- A-
His defense has been spectacular. He is hitting .304
this season, thanks in large part to a .385 batting
average in June. His homers are down from a year ago,
but he has as many doubles as he did in the entire
2003 campaign.
Mark Grudzielanek / Todd Walker -- B-
This second base combo has proven to be steady during
the first half. Grudzy only has 70 at bats, spending
most of the year on the DL, but combined they are
hitting .283 with 12 homers and 55 runs scored. One
major down-side is that they have a combined total of
0 stolen bases. Not very good out of your leadoff hitter(s).
Alex Gonzalez -- D+
Playing in only 25 games this year, Gonzo is hitting
.244 with 3 homers and 7 rbi's. His fielding has been
sub-par as well in the limited number of games he's
played (2004: 1 error every 6 games; 2003: 1 error
every 14 games).
Michael Barrett -- A-
Filling a void that has been the #8 hitter in the Cubs
lineup for what seems like forever, Barrett has been a
huge surprise this season. Hitting over .300 for most
of the first half, putting up good power numbers and
driving in runs. He only throws out 33% of his
runners, but that is mostly due to the Cubs pitching
staff. And his 3 first-half errors more than make up
it.
Moises Alou -- B
A horrible June/July dropped him a letter grade...and
his batting average about 40 points. His homer
numbers are way up from year ago when he only hit 22
(he's at 19 right now). Playing solid defense and
working the left-field crowd at Wrigley like nobody
else can.
Aramis Ramirez -- A+
Hands down having the best season on the Cubs this
year. He is batting .326 with 15 homers and 56 rbi's
and playing a third base that nobody in Chicago
thought he could (only 6 errors in 79 games). He has
been the clutch hitter when they needed it and the
spark plug when things were spiraling down for the
ballclub. When Sammy got hurt in the middle of May,
Aramis stepped up and filled in as the Cubs main run
producer.
The Lemons (Hollandsworth, Goodwin, Martinez, Bako, Macias) -- A
Hollandsworth has put up the most numbers from this
group after the most playing time when Sammy was hurt.
Bako has been deemed Maddux's personal catcher and
thus gets a start every 5 days. Martinez has also
gotten a lot of playing time with the injury's to
Gonzo and Ramirez and has played above average ball.
Macias and Goodwin are good bats to have off the bench
and position players ready to step up if a player
needs a day off.
Sammy Sosa -- C+
After missing almost an entire month from the whole
sneezing incident, he has still managed to get 16
homers. Sammy has also lost the knock about not being
able to hit in the clutch. He shrugged that monkey
off his back during last year's NLCS game 1 when he
hit the game tying 2-run homer with two outs in the
ninth at Wrigley. He's continued that this season
with a homerun to tie the game in the ninth against
Cinicinatti and an extra-inning homer to beat the
Astros at Wrigley. He still more strikeouts than hits
and is a nowhere close to warranting $16.5 million a
year.
Pitchers
Carlos Zambrano -- A
Coming off his first full season in the majors, nobody
really knew for sure what Carlos would do. 9 wins and
the third best earned run average in all of baseball
is no sophomore slump, that's for sure. He was
awarded with his first trip to the All-Star game in
Houston, hopefully the first of many more to come.
Joe Borowski -- D
Blame it on the fear of losing his closer's job, or
the fear of facing the media and admitting that he has
indeed lost velocity on his fastball, Joe has not a
good season. He only has 2 blown saves on the year,
but that number is quite deceiving. His e.r.a. is
over 8 and his strikeout to walk ratio is barely over
one. He has indeed lost velocity on that fastball and
he just is not getting the hitters out like he did a
year ago.
Greg Maddux -- B-
Not incredible. Not horrible. Not bad for what
should be your 5th starter in the rotation. I predict
Maddux having a much better second half of the season.
He will be able to get comfortable pitching in
between the power pitchers Wood and Prior
Matt Clement -- A
For a pitcher that had been dumped by two teams prior
to becoming a Cub, Clement has proven his worth. His
123 K's rank 5th overall in the major leagues and he
is 7th overall in earned run average (2.91). If his
run support wasn't one of the worst in the league (3.6
per 9 innings), his 7 wins would be more like 11 or
12.
Latroy Hawkins -- B-
Taking over for the struggling and disabled-list bound
Borowski, Hawkins hasn't quite become the dominant
closer that everybody was hoping he would be but has
still pitched pretty well.
Middle Reliever Crew (Farnsworth, Beltran, Merker...) -- C/C+
Not pitching lights out, but they don't put fear into
anybody. Not even Farnsy and his 100 m.p.h. fastball.
Kerry Wood / Mark Prior -- Incomplete
No grade can be given on the duo that has only started
15 games between the two of them (Wood with 8 and
Prior with 7).
Dusty Baker -- A
Having six starters (Wood, Prior, Sosa, Gonzalez,
Ramirez and Grudzielanek) and 11 different people on
the disabled list in the first half, Dusty has brought
his team together and actually has a better record
than last season at this time. Lets see what he can
do with his original 25 man roster in the second
half...
- Billy @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/15/04 7:40pm - Prior departs after two innings
Mark Prior left Thursday's game after 1 1/3 innings. After breaking to 1st base, Chicago
trainers came to the mound to have a conversation with Prior. After several minutes, it seems they convinced
him to come out of the game. It was reported that he had discomfort in his elbow. As soon as more
information is available, we will have it here.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/15/04 7:07pm - Garciaparra? Aurilia? Cabrera?
Well, the rumor mill has been working overtime for the past few days. Rumors have been going around
about a possible 3 team deal that would put Randy Johnson in Bonston and Nomar Garciaparra in Chicago.
Rumors have also been going around about a trade to the Expos to get Orlando Cabrera. According to the
Oakland Tribune, Rich Aurilia was designated for assignment by the Mariners. It seems the Cubs will
be getting someone soon.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/14/04 6:53pm - Wrigley Field Tour
Interested in seeing Wrigley Field? I mean really see Wrigley Field from the
broadcast booth to the locker room? The Cubs offer 90 minute trip through Wrigley, which
takes you to the clubhouse, visitors clubhouse, dugouts, mezzanine suites, press box,
bleachers, playing field and security headquarters. Take the opportunity to stand in
"Sammy's Spot" in right field. Though they do not let you walk on the infield or warning track,
they do allow you to bring a camera and glove for once in a lifetime pictures of historic Wrigley
Field. Visit Wrigley Tours
at cubs.com for more information. Proceeds benefit the Cubs Care charity.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/13/04 4:30pm - Cubbies 2004 Mid-Season Review
Wood, Maddux, Prior, Zambrano, Clement. This was the starting rotation
everybody was talking about in spring training. The one that a major
sports magazine said was going to take the Cubs to the World Series...and
win! Guess how many times these five pitchers have pitched in sequence
during the first half of the season. Once. When Kerry Wood came off the
DL and made his start in St. Louis the last day before the All-Star break,
he concluded a 5 game stretch that saw all 5 of the Cubs' prominent
pitchers start their games. If you would have told me that fact at the
beginning of the season, I would have made a guess that the Cubs would be
sitting at about the middle of the pack in the NL Central race.
As it turns out, the Cubs are in second place behind the red-hot St. Louis
Cardinals. The Cards are playing their best baseball in years having won
31 out of their last 42 games and turning that into a seven game lead over
the Cubs in the central. A lot of people are worried. After 87 games
last year, the Cubs were sitting in the exact same spot: second place,
behind the Cardinals. They even had 3 fewer wins last year than they do
now, and look were that team ended up. It's safe to say that Wood and
Prior will combine for more than 6 wins in the second half. Fear not Cubs
fans.
- Billy @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/13/04 10:40am - Trade Rumors
Several trade rumors have been passed around as of late. We have heard about Cabrera for
Gonzalez, and now we are hearing more about possibly acquiring Garciaparra. I have also
heard about Ugueth Urbina or Jose Mesa possibly coming to the Cubs if their bullpen problems
continue. Upgrades to the Cubs bullpen and short stop positions should definitely help, but
imagine if Garciaparra came to Chicago. Their lineup is full of power and players who hit for
average. Adding Garciaparra to a position that needs improvement would definitely help the
Cubs' recent problems. Several names have been thrown around including Gonzalez, Clement,
Beltran, and Farnsworth.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/13/04 8:15am - Cabrera coming to Chicago?
The latest we are hearing at CubbiesBaseball.com is that Orlando Cabrera will be
coming to Chicago soon. This brings up the next question. What will the Cubs do
with Alex Gonzalez? In the final year of his contact, Gonzalez is earning $5.75
million. At 29, Cabrera earns $6 million. A few things may happen. The Cubs may
send Gonazlez to Montreal in return for Cabrera, or they may try to work a three-team deal.
Either way, Cabrera's contract is up this year and it would be likely that if he did come
to the Cubs, his contract would be extended. Cabrera, who is only batting .237 with 4 HR's
and 36 RBI's batted .297 last year with 17 HR's and 80 RBI's. Though Gonzalez is popular in
Chicago, especially with the ladies, is batting .244 with 7 RBI's and has been on the DL since
May 6th with a fractured right wrist. Gonzalez, known for his defense and walk-off home
runs, has always had problems with consistency at the plate. Discussions with the Expos
are currently ongoing.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/12/04 6:40pm - The Importance of Kenny Lofton
How important was Kenny Lofton last year? If you look back at the playoffs
last year, it seemed the Cubs scored first just about every time. The 1st
inning of each game, they seemed to score. This was because of Kenny
Lofton. You barely ever saw him strike out, and he would get on base from
walks or hits all the time. He was the greatest possible replacement for
Corey Patterson who tore his ACL after a good start to 2003. Now in 2004,
we have been missing that solid lead off hitter and consistent center
fielder. Yes, Grudzalanek and Walker have done well, but they can not match
up to how good Lofton was for the Cubs in 2003. I consider him to be the
main reason why the Cubs went as far as they did in the Playoffs. Now there
are rumors about a possible trade for a new center fielder. With Corey
Patterson struggling most of the first half of the season, the Cubs may look
to upgrade the center field position.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/12/04 6:00pm - Sneeze.. Sneeze.. Bless You Sammy
Just like everyone other Cub fan, I hope Sammy wins the Home Run derby
during the All-Star week. However, why on earth is Sammy even in it? He
just came off the DL after sneezing and straining his back. Now he is going
to step up to the plate and take 100 enormous swings for the fence? It
sounds like I am whining, but does he really need to do this and risk
another possible injury? Lets face it, if something wierd is going to
happen, it will probably happen to sammy. 1) Sammy breaks bat and cork
flies out. 2) Sammy sneezes and goes on the DL. I hope there is not a #3,
but I can see it now. 3) Sammy swings in home run derby and strains back.
That would force most of us to "Wait until next year".
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
7/11/04 11:55am - Sweep and then?
Ok, so we sweep the Sox and then we get swept by the Brewers? What is going on? Now we are on the verge
of being swept by the Cardinals to fall nine games back. Ok, so we are still in the hunt and we are one
game back in the wild card race. Is anyone worried? I don't think you should be. Everyone predicted that the Cubs
would have a great shot at the World Series this year, but due to injuries and a slow starting bullpen, the
Cubs are struggling. Now that they are finally getting their stars back, I predict things will change. The
best thing for the Cubs is to have the All-Star break where they can re-group. Prior is back, which is good,
but he is struggling to find his pitches and control that he had last year. Sosa is back, but in a slump. Why
he is competing in the home run derby is a big question to me (that is another story). Wood is coming back,
but will he be as effective with the arm strain? Even our team MVP so far this year, Ramierez is hurt. Trust me,
the Cubs will be back after the All-Star break.
- Bryan @ CubbiesBaseball.com - Return
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