Chicago, The Cubs are much better than most admit.

Now Cub fans I have heard it all lately and yes at times i have been wanting to pull what's left of my hair however I looked at last years #'s and yes there offense has showed more life than this anemic looking squad. Though last years record was 43-24 at this time and 19 games over .500 this team won the close games or the games with 1 run making the difference. The Cubs starting rotation was very good threw the first few months and mostly it was they had chemistry.

Today's club has one main issue in offense but we have seen games where they had offense and their bullpen would fail or they would hit and the few games the starting rotation failed it would reflect in the final score. Now we have 105 games left and this NL Central is really well bunched. Know one team has ran away with things and more than likely know one will until the Cubs really get it going. The Chicago Cubs really with the big injury to Aaramis team were very much effected. We have seen finally why Aaramis is the most valued player on this team. Since the loss of Aaramis Jim Hendry has been trying to provide Lou Pinella with the best fit player to fill his position at third. While we haven't seen any real replacement by any imagination we have for the most part have seen good defense. The acquisitions of Milton Bradley whom wanted simply a chance to zip those critics whom said he wont live up to the contract of 30m over 3 years and thus far he has been just awful thus far.. Milton Bradley has been a sore eye for offense. A guy whom suppose to be the answer batting before Derek Lee and Ramirez seems to not be a athlete whom can play in the National League do to his fragile anatomy. Bradley will bounce back so even as it appears he wont , I believe he will be part of us going to the post season.

The other small parts of this team with Ryan Freel, Reed Johnson along with Aaron Miles really haven't added up to much except for Reed Johnson whom can play stellar defense and come threw in a pinch. Bobby Scales and Blanco have been helpful in some spots but they haven't been the pieces to spark this offense. Thankfully Fukedome has been consistent for the most part but not a real reliable go to guy with his bat. We as fans are going to have to hold on and hope until Ramirez gets back the guys like Soriano, Lee, Soto, Theriot, Bradley, Hoffepeuir and Fonteaun are going to get things popping and fairly quickly. Their Schedule doesn't get any easier so with being 2.5 games back from the leading Brewers just take it one game at a time.

The perfect synerieo would be to see the cubs take advantage of being home and using this interleague series to get it rolling in a good way. I really think we will see one or two moves before the deadline but these will be pieces to hold the fort together. The Chicago Cubs lead baseball with a all star rotation throwing a 3.65 era overall and in the last 9 games .98. Pitching and this rotation is how were going to hold on until it's time to take off. Lou as i feel this offense will find their sweet spots on the bat and this club will be the team we expected to see before the season began. Try to refrain from the criticism you hear from sportscasters whom are either
Bias towards the white sox here in Chicago or are just making noise to gain exposure in the media market.

I decided to write a synopsis weekly on the cubs vs. a daily as baseball changes all so fast daily.

You can find me on Chicagocubsonline.com in the Community section or look me up on face book.

I love to talk baseball and the Chicago Cubs. Come August this team will be firing on all cylinders.

Until then hope for a great winning home stand.

Philg

cubswin000@aol.com

Fix it now OR WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR

The Chicago Cubs have two things going for them , Injuries and one run games.

With Lou Pinella trying to find a player or two in sparking this offense it seems he runs into

a wall time and time again. With all the comments I have read and multiple opinions from the top baseball critics it's seems to me the Cubs are treading on thin ice. Starting Sunday morning 4.5 games behind the top dogs of the NL Central Milwaukee Brewers one would have to see that the Cubs whom were suppose to be able to run away with this division aren't running anywhere.

We Have played threw a 1/3 of the baseball season in 2009 and with plenty of baseball left the Chicago Cubs with the injury to Aramis Ramirez have been trying to replace his glove and bat since his injury back in May at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ryan Freel was suppose to help at third with his spray hitting and favorable glove . With Freel on the DL Mike Fontenot and Bobby Scales have shared some of the job at third and it's been not all that bad although Mike Fontenot's error in the first inning of Saturday's game lead to 4 unearned runs and the play in the bottom of the 11th which cost the cubs the game. In question is how much longer this team can tolerate poor defense, inconsistent hitting and a bullpen outside Angel Guzman, Carlos Marmoul & Shawn Marshall ? How will this club keep pace with the teams to the north in their division ?

Steve Stone earlier this past week on Chicago Tribune live was very sure of his comments reassuring cub fans and all other critics in that the cubs will win the NL Central I quote "comfortably". Steve Stone whom I think is the best baseball critic in the world I sense is being somewhat bias making those kind of statements. I still think Steve would rather be announcing on the North side of town as in my opinion his heart is with the Cubs vs. the White Sox.

Now as we move into the second week of June the Cubs will enter interleague play which will be tough going up against the Twins, White Sox & Indians. This schedule isn't favorable for the Cubs but what schedule would be for this team. The Cubs are at the bottom in batting average and OBP % along 90% of all other categories. Chicago's only real positive is their Quality starts from the rotation they have in place. Some would think you get this offense to be more productive and things could really change in a fast way and good way. Saying this Chicago hasn't found their stroke so we either wait and hope they find the bats or we start and look at Next year. With little money for Hendry to make the moves needed to correct some of the pieces and very little movement with the Zells\Ricketts transfer of ownership, Chicago is stuck to use what they have in house. One would think when your spending 130 millions dollars to players whom are suppose to help bring a championship to the city of Chicago what more is needed. Well,.. the players aren't performing with the acquisitions of Jim Hendry and have back fired. If the Chicago Cubs fail and go know-where well questions will be made of Jim Hendry and those changes he made will be scrutinized and will be in question.

For the Cubs to super glue the problems on this roster, somehow Jim Hendry has to find a bat and more secure a glove to play third. The Bullpen is in question and the need of a real middle of the road closer/reliever is most needed period. One real veteran whom is proven is the one piece this team needs to settle on. With the Cubs difficulties they're still hanging around but unless the team intact can turn things around with tweaking the lineups ect or Hendry is able to go get a Delrosa or someone equivalent this season will be over and soon sorry to say. I'm somewhat positive management and the coaches will be able to steer this team into winning and winning allot come the later part June but we have no guarantees. My gut feeling is a good one.. The players themselves need to start earning those millions they collect and provide the fans of this club much more than being shown and look like they want to WIN.

On paper the fixxe's look easy but baseball is the one sport that adding the rite player or players doesn't fix or add up to more wins. It's called chemistry !! Go find it Lou .................

Phil G

cubswin000@aol.com

What is the Prognosis ?

CUB FANS ARE STARTING TO SPARE THEIR FACES WHEN IT'S BEEN ONE LOSS AFTER ANOTHER !!


If I were a betting man I would predict the Cubs to come out swinging tonight. With the teams character being tested this road trip, this may indeed help this clubs desire to bond and realize the few games they played poorly which put them into this early season funk , may just allow them to go deep into this season once the wounded get back into the lineup. The cubs roster is filled with ball players whom are competitors, expect this club to lean on each other going forward and to get back to playing the Chicago Cubs can play. From tonight's game going forward I'm assuming Pinella don't have the magic speech for jumping out of this funk except for taking things one game at a time.. Ain't that how us people living everyday dealing with life's messes and the set backs we go threw.

Phil G- The Man in the middle

Jake Fox He Awaites his call !!

Lou Pinella and Jim Hendry what are you waiting for ??

Now for the second time in two days we have seen comments regarding Jake Fox of the Chicago Cubs. Both Paul Sullivan and Dick Van Dyke of the Chicago Tribune continue to make sure his name is well noticed in their columns. As Jake Fox 26 years old waits for his turn and he may be waiting for a bit. With this Cubs roster fairly full General Manager Jim Hendry and Lou Pinella have no place to get him on the roster , they say ! This reminds me how Micah waited patiently for his number to be called last year as he batted ( .362 ) with 25 homers and 100 Rbi's in only 71 games played. Let me remind you Jake Fox is batting (.431) with 17 home runs and 50 RBI's. Furthermore his OBP is (.513)with a slugging % of (.964.)Jake leads Triple A with his offense and is hoping he will get his break soon, as he should. 

We seen Bobby Scales get called up and Ryan Freel get acquired by Cubs management and surely it may take a key injury or cubs collapse for his chance to come up and play be for real. I do question Jim Hendry as when your big bopper Aramis Ramirez is sitting for sometime. it only makes sense to replace this loss with a player whom can be a difference maker. There is room for Fox to come up to the Majors. Fox does have a glove as some people will say he cant play in the field. Jake has played some time at third for Lou in Spring. He has also played behind home plate and first base. In addition he can play the outfield corners if need be.

As were still early in the baseball season the cubs and most major league teams have no reason to panic if indeed their teams are playing inconsistent or just average ball. As cub fans hope this team not only can win while there star players are out, they just hope they can gel more as the season goes on and to surprise many of the opposition in the NL.

For Chicago without Zambrano getting put on the DL and Aramis Ramierez going down how would have we been able to see Randy Wells show his excellence and Bobby Scales a 11 year minor leaguer waiting for his chance to show his talent. Both of these players will now be key resources in the cubs season. Fair or unfair Jake Fox's #'s are more than proof to bring him up and help this team. There are multiple options in using Jake off the bench or platooned with Derek Lee whom isn't producing along with Bradley whom hasn't yet found his golden bat. For Fans and the team is just doesn't make sense to keep a caliber type player in Fox down in Triple A. I do really hope something will trigger Pinella and Hendry to just get this guy up. I can sit here and hand out all the ways in utilizing Jake but nothing matters unless Hendry pulls the trigger and brings this man up.

Finally, as Jim Hendry is a great GM,their is know doubt he has his favorites and also makes questionable moves. You ask yourself why did we trade for a Guy in Aaron Heilaman whom stats are less than good... Then we bring up a youngster in Jeff Samardgia whom isn't yet ready for this relief role as he is still learning and you have another fellow Jeff Stevens whom is throwing lights out and could really help the middle part of this bullpen.

I would like to see Guzman, Wells, Marshall & Stevens leading this pen. Cotts and Heilaman should find another place to pitch outside the confines of Wrigley. With all this said will see how things work out by middle of June. For the cubs sake it may be better for them to play subpar just so they can have these other players down in Triple A come up and play their game.

It will be another month or so before we truly know where this club stands.

let me know your thoughts !

PHIL G. 

Can the Magic Continue on the North Side !

Randy Wells,  Guzman and Marmoul get the job Done !!

What about our Closer Kevin Gregg  ??

After Yesterdays drama in the 9th one would still have to be reminded that no lead for the cubs is a safe one with Heilman and Gregg on the mound. Randy Wells has thrown 11 innings since subbing for Carlos Zambrano spot in the rotation and yet has his first major league win. Wells has developed his sinker to keep the batters off there toes. Wells job well done can be for many reasons but since most teams haven't seen his stuff just yet it makes getting his job done somewhat easier early on. Saying that Randy has really along with Soto scouted his competition to a tee before pitching a game and it has worked.

This coming week when Carlos Zambrano comes back into the rotation it will very hard to just throw Wells back to Iowa so expect Randy to be either a 6 man in the rotation or come out of the bullpen to help that muddy bullpen get cleaned up. Lou will have some decisions to make here real soon with both Marshall and Wells,either way these are good decisions to have to make.

Now with all being said most Cubs fans have to be up in the air a bout Kevin Gregg. Last season he used his knee injury to blame for his collapse in Florida's bull pen blowing 9 saves. Kevin Gregg was in a no save situation yesterday afternoon and used another excuse that his outing wasn't a real save situation so the lack of "intensity"  really was at the core of why his performance was brutal ! In addition to this he made a comment that he will have between 90-97 save opportunities this season and their will be times you just don't have it.Fans,some of what he says may be true but with the cubs not winning this season with games there ahead by 1-2 runs, management and Lou have to have that certain someone to plug in that can keep that lead whether it's a one run lead or 4 run lead and have the passion every time there on the mound..

The magic will continue for the Cubs for as long as they play solid baseball however the bullpen and the closer have to be consistent as when you get into post season many of those contested games are won or lost by 1 or 2 runs.

I suppose the cubs middle part of their pen will be tweaked as the cubs and Jim Hendry will make sure the components are their for Pinella to make sure each and every game played is winnable.

With the Chicago Cubs playing threw some of there soft spots in their schedule beware that this will change over the next few weeks and the cubs will see how they match up with some of the more competitive teams in the National League as well as inter league play coming up.

The Cubs Take an important Game 3 in Milwaukee !

The cubs with all the bumps and injuries there still hanging in there... Now With the addition of Ryan Freel whom is 1-1 with a base hit today looks to add speed and depth at infield.  Ryan is a player whom wants to help the cubs win. With tomorrow and Derek Lee having is MRI lets wait and see how this turns out. If it’s bad Lou will DL- Lee and want to replace that power quickly whom we have Jake Fox down in triple A. Jake belongs on any top roster in the Majors. The Cubs just didn’t have a place for him as Micah Hoffepeuir didn’t and look how he is where he belongs and is getting his time.

 

How about Scales again 2-3 today. This guy has been waiting for sometime and again has shown value.

 The Cubs at this time last year were only one game ahead in the win column. Cubs fans should relax in that even though there are concerns, The cubs are 3 games above .500 and once Lou fixes the middle part of the bullpen as he quoted “ will be done “ this team will end up showing up allot of people here in the next few weeks. This is baseball and sports so unfortunately the cubs will have to tough these injuries and wait for management to fix up the middle part of the pen and also wait for key players to rejoin their team. Randy Wells will be added once Zambrano gets back as his stuff is better than good, as Friday’s outing proved he has real good stuff shutting out the Brewers. This may is one pitcher to help settle down the middle part of the pen.

 

The cubs with all the bumps and injuries there hanging in there. Now 

Cubs fans I’m convinced the cubs will go threw some shaky times until the trade deadline but this club with be the club one thought , the best in the NL.

I know it will be hard as some of the next few games might hit a nerve or two but again only back 2 .5 games with over 130 remaining is more than enough to jump start this club and hold on until we get some of our key players back in the lineup. Also expect Hendry to go out and either make some key trades and or bring up some young talent to help the pen be more complete. Jim Hendry wont lose sight of the small window to win this division out rite and go to the post season. This isn’t the South side where like the White Sox whom wont get better as there management is holding out for a new direction. Here on the North side Fans demand talent and wins.  This whole bumpy road for the cubs will ultimately help them later in August.

 

Next Up Jake Peavy Tuesday night Padres..

 

 

Now with Ramirez being out what will happen to this team..

The Cubs as many know now lost there catalyst of there offense and team. Ramirez was not only arguably the best third baseman in baseball his offense as a third baseman was stellar. The Cubs received a great pitching outing in Rand Wells whom was pitching in Carlos Zambranos spot. In all honesty Wells had the Brewers on the ropes at times with his fast ball and command at the corners. Threw 5 innings the youngster looked poised and in control of his game. After the cubs took a 2-1 lead, there were multiple chances of the cubs getting that 1 additional insurance run. The cubs floundered those opportunities and invited the Brewers rite into taking over this game.

 It was obvious to me when Aaron Heilman came into this game in the 8^th inning and put the first batter on base I spelled problems. The Cubs problems as I voiced over many times in the last week in this middle of the road bull pen they put on the mound. Jim Hendry must go get someone somewhere to come in and be that go to guy to shut down the opposition. With Marmoul and Gregg being the only two closers that wont cut it. Guzman came into this game with a 2-0 lead by the cubs. As Angel has a power arm he seems to make mistakes with his slider and change up putting the ball rite where the batters can quickly send the ball out over the fences in any ballpark. Saying that Angel has been productive but in these most important 1 run games you have to rely on someone to keep the momentum with the North Siders and hold the lead. Jeff Stevens,  whom came over from Cleveland with the Delrosa trade is ready to come up from triple A and help this team in these middle innings. The time is now Hendry !!

 Now more than ever Chicago needs there ball club to step up. With the loss of Ramirez for at least 8 weeks Ryan Freel the recently acquired utility man will be asked to play third for the missing Ramirez however he is no Ramirez. The Cubs will need to address the missing power in the Lineup. Jake Fox is the answer in Triple A and has showed great power consistently over the last few years and is in a zone knocking the cover of the ball with 13 homers and 33 Rbi’s. Many say where will we put him on the field and there are answers. Soto isn’t playing well and or is hurt. DL- him and let Koyie Hill play as he is doing the job period.

We also could DL-Lee if he continues to suffers from the Disk in his neck. There is room and don’t worry about hurting one ego. This problem needs to be taken care of now and furthermore the boys that have came up thus far like Wells and Scales have done more than ok. We seen Scales hit a Triple and score the 1^st run in the 3-2 loss at Miller Park. He has been a great addition since being up from Triple A.

 Chicago still has the edge in the division and are rite in the thick of things. Pinella being in this situation in previous seasons while managing knows I believe how to get the most out of his bal club. Saying that Henry working hand in hand with Pinella shall hold the Cubs in check so they wont see this season unfold on them. one would say that injuries are part of any game and some of them you have no control over. Now we will see how the Cubs respond after losing Mr. Ramirez to the DL.

 For all you Cubs Fans- Somehow someway the Chicago Cubs will find there way into the playoffs. I’m confident this team will work threw there team injuries and all will come together. I just hope we take advantage of those talented players awaiting us to give the cubs that boost they really need rite now. Thankfully we have 120 games to get all the loose screws tightened.

 Game #2 Brewers vs. Cubs. 7pm Saturday night- Dempster Vs. Gallardo

Please comments welcomed or call 815-790-3451