The last few weeks of baseball in Chicago.

"Three Weeks of Baseball left on the North Side"

&

Some of what Happened

With 24 games remaining on the Cubs schedule the most faithful of Cub fans have thrown in the little white towel and are just hoping this team can play out these last few weeks with pride.The Chicago Cubs have had their opportunities since falling out of first place in the first few weeks of August this year. This team has experienced a ton of injuries during this season which most definitely caused many nights of decision making for Lou Pinella in playing the rite lineups on the field. We can sit here and break down the many errors passed down from management to on the field although even though not excusable I really think much was learned about the team and the players of this 2009 roster. Going into 2010 I would most expect Tom Ricketts to keep Jim Hendry on board and to clean up his mess from the 2009 personnel changes. Lou Pinella may be back but again upper management needs to decide if Lou can take this team threw another season in 2010 and get these players to respect him and get the job done on the field. Tony Larrusa and Dave Duncan both becoming available come October 2009 may just look elsewhere outside StLouis to coach Tom Rickett's Chicago Cubs team. Mr. Rickett's should seriously look into seeing if those two would be open to managing this cub team and bringing the magic they preached in St Louis up here to the north side of Chicago. St Louis has done some miraculous things over the last many years and with this Cub teams window just about closed this may be that time to make this kind of move. So big decisions are be made in coaching and management of the Chicago Cubs.

Somehow someway even many of the small things didn't work for the Cubs early on and really with the loss of Aramis Ramirez on May 16th and the inconsistent offense that showed up on the field day in and day out it made for a long summer early on. This Cub team has been lucky or even some would say spoiled in that the last few years having minimal injuries and players producing, gave Lou Pinella very little to be concerned with on the field. This has been a learning year for the coaching on this club. Pinella being the veteran coach and coaching his 3rd year with this team you would think he would have control and know what lineups to play on the field. Things just didn't happen and it was hard to watch and see those mistakes being made game after game. We all tried to understand Lou's coaching but as the season went on this team just never seemed to gel or respond.

Now we look to finishing strong and giving management and the players some confidence going into next year. There is no more pressure for the Cubs and playing well everyday as
the real possibility of the post season is just about done. I have taken the time to put together
a letter to Tom Rickett's explaining what i and some some others seen in all capacities of the team to best describe whom they are and where there going and how to make them better.
I'm assured and also feel positive with that this club will rebound for 2010. Jim Hendry in history has always taken the Chicago Cubs back into the post season after having a failing 2010 season with respect to his personnel moves.

I would like to hear comments from all whom have followed this team and has a good feel for
what it will take to make this team successful for 2010.

please email comments to: cubswinnow@ameritech.net

The Cubless team cant adjust to the air volume out West

On this day after the opening game with the Rockies we see more of the same troubles playing

on Pinella's Chicago Cubs.

Most Chicago Fans from the bottom of the 1st in Coors's field seen this might be a long night which would add up to another pitiful defeat and bump rite into 2nd place. I'm a cub fan and each and every game I and other cub fans try and explain the good the bad & the ugly. With Carlos Zambrano being scratched from the game with back stiffness, this was all the Rockies needed to have their chance in stealing a baseball game from the Chicago Cubs and more.. There wasn't a doubt that they had the edge in starting pitching. Matter a fact the cubs couldn't find way to get to Jimenez as his pitches were their all night and when needed. Pinella decided to use Jeff Samardijga to eat up some of the inning's but at what expense. This fellow hasn't shown improvement in how many innings now. Well this was only the beginning and the end for the cubs as they mustard a small 2 runs in 9 innings. Chicago hasn't played well on the road this year and it starting to take shape.As the media and fans try to understand where all the problems are and how to cure them the club continues to baffle themselves and the baseball world.

In Game 2 the Cubs get Marquie the off-season trade by Jim Hendry to the Colorado Rockies.

Jason has more than a win to get in the game he starts but more than that he needs to show again to Jim Hendry 'see what you were giving up'. Jason has done very well in a park that is very hard to pitch well in. The Cardinals mind you haven't felt they're rhythm yet and once they do the Cardinals will use August's weak schedule to win and put a distance between them and the cubs.

For Cubs Fans somehow I ask you to find a way to put this season in the rears. There is just to much Bad & Ugly to be seen with over 50 games left. Phil Rogers just mentioned that the cubs were on a projected path to win 87 games. The Cubs will be lucky to win 79 game this year. The slow transition of selling this club helped in keeping the team out of focus. With that being said the lack of a new owner in place and not having that one person to overlook the Cubs management really put the team in an awkward position. Come 2010 I'd expect new pieces of this team which I hope take the organization in to a new frontier.

Phil G

It's only August but feels like September in... MLB

Chicago Cubs fans we wake up this August 2nd Monday with more questions which

continue for the bullpen and specific relievers and closers. Playing baseball in southern Florida in August is brutal without a doubt. The Cubs had a chance to sweep this series regardless of the final score.Questions surrounding this pen and whom can take the ball in the 7th, 8th or 9th is most definitely up in the air rite now. This Pen actually is much better than some think. The Cubs have multiple arms in which aren't being used in critical situations but yet Lou Pinella still goes to the highly paid money guys. Aaron Heilman was a disaster before coming to Chicago and why he is here ? this makes no sense at all. The New York Mets released Heilman as his Era was higher than the sky and couldn't get the job done. Why would a GM spend money on a player whom can't get it done when he takes the ball on the mound. Is it that he is a Notre Dame guy ? The Chicago Cubs can't and wont get very far with Aaron Heilman as he has been horrific in games where games are very tight meaning 2 runs or less. Mr. Hendry what were you thinking once again ! Other relievers like Kevin Gregg is another player whom has been successful following the all-star break getting 10 saves. Now let's keep in mind these were teams mostly whom were playing sub .500 baseball. The Marlins were the first team for Gregg to face whom had a winning record following the break and it was clear after getting spanked two nights in a row to the Marlins the Cubs certainly have their real concerns now.

In baseball this is suppose to be a team game where all 25 men are used to accomplish the objective of winning ball games. The Cubs have other arms like, Stevens, Berg, Guzman, Grabow,Marmoul & Marshall whom can be used to get the job done more in the late inning's. Marmoul has had some command issues but from a psyche view getting the ball in a closer role may just help him enough to get the job done. There is also a Kid in Bj Ryan whom is still pitching down in Triple A however will his stuff be good enough to be the killer B in the ninth ? Many of the Critics wont go down that path as Bj hasn't even pitched for the cubs of yet in the Majors. Can one our Starters need to come in and get the job done in the 9th ? if be YES !!

Cubs Fans this team has the roster to win this division and go into the post season. It would be a far shame if this ball club continued making mistakes down the stretch. Pinella has to be more flexible and let some of the young talent get the chance to help this team. Forget about the baseball politics and play your team Pinella. There is NO doubt Jim Hendry the master behind building this team has possibly managed his last year as the Chicago Cubs Messiah.

Lastly, with 59 games left to be played much can happen in baseball. The Chicago Cubs and there management have the time to reinvent part of their bull pen for the late inning's by using some of the talent rite before their eyes. You just never know how any player will respond once he is thrown into a role. It's very clear that Jeff Samardijga is either not ready or really doesn't have the STUFF to make it the Bigs. This month of August is here and within a few weeks the cubs destiny will be in front of us.

Phil G

" Is it all coming together early on for the Chicago Cubs "

For the Chicago Cubs so much concern was going on within this team before the All-star break. After their 9th game there 7 of 9 in the games played since the All-star break. After today's loss for the StLouis Cardinals to the Phillie's 14-6 the Cubs are in a real possibility to take over 1st place in the NL Central by the end of the weekend.

With Five games left on this home stand you would just hope the weather continues to help their bats find the bleacher seats in the outfield. The returning of Aramis Ramirez was like a real acquisition with his big bat in the middle of the order starting to take effect.

How Long will the Bats continue to rise to the occasion or will Pinella stimulate the lineup day to day to keep the bats finding the holes up and around Wrigley field. Cubs Fans have been waiting patiently for their team to play with consistency to a certain degree and give their injured the time needed to heal before reentering the lineup. With all but one starter going on the DL thus far this team has had Big Z, Lilly, Dempster, Harden, Hart, Wells & Marshall too contribute in keeping the Cubs close or giving them the opportunity to win each and every outing they take the mound.

Ted Lilly whom is the latest casualty will ne out for a minimum of 2 weeks and Kevin Hart with the like of Sean Marshall and or Jeff Smardgia will take the reins until Ted returns.

Pitching will continue to be the key to the Cubs success. As they showed us all year that with their consistent rotation the cubs had every chance to win although the clubs bats were anemic for weeks at a time. The change outside the pitching has been the otherwise alteration to their lineups. A simple change by moving Soriano down to the 6th hole and using Fukedome in the lead-off spot really augmented this teams chances in not only hitting but driving in runs in key situations. The Cubs have the talent on and off the bench to mix and shake to equal offense. The addition of Jake Fox and Jeff Baker has indeed put again more chances to make runs. Lou Pinella has an arsenal at his right pocket.. Let's not forget the little talented Sam Fuld whom has jumped back & forth to Iowa and back. Sam has sparked this team in the few games played... and these games were important for the psyche.

We now have a fairly large # of Bullpen relievers ready to help this team when their number is called upon. Somehow I still think we will see Sam Fuld up again to help aid in specific scenario's where his bat & glove can be used early and later in ball games.

With less than one week left before the trade deadline not much is expected in the Cubs making any type of large trade. Somehow Jim Hendry has a way of using his phones to

overcome any obstacle which refrains the Cubs from getting that one body or player whom can further add stability or depth to this team. The addition of one added left handed bat off the bench and or another short lefty reliever is something I'd expect for this week is out.

The Chicago Cubs are right where they want to be and with the rite coaching along with Sharpe management, their is NO ! reason the Chicago Cubs can't not only win this division but with the NL. Some will say the Dodgers and Phillie's are the two big boys whom will win this crown. I say let the Cubs slip under the radar and use all their resources to get the job complete. I wanted to finally say the one area of concern is the 7th hole or 2nd baseman position where we are the weakest offensively. Again Mr. Jim hendry will I hope go find a replacement to fill this void and even out the chemistry in the lineup.

For the starting pitching this is if not the most solid deepest rotation in the NL assuming our

starters like Big Z, Lilly, Dempster,Harden & Wells all get back playing together...

The Bull pen has really come together with Marshall, Guzman ,Marmoul and Gregg leading the way. Heilman and Jeff Samardzija are the two that are a concern. Whether or not BJ Ryan will help pitching from the left side, we have three relievers in Justin Berg, Jeff Stevens & Kevin Hart whom can fit the need and answer the call when Pinella calls on them. Again readers the key to this team making a serious run is how there resources are inserted and the talent is put to use in at what extreme.

Baseball has it's ways of playing it's own game without notice. I suppose all anyone one can do is try and make the moves prior to avoid bad situations. Put aside Stats for a minute and just know this team is built to scorer runs and more so stop the bats from scoring them...

just go do it is the game.

PHIL G

The Cubs have some concern

" TO GOOD TO BE TRUE FOR THE MEN IN BLUE"

Coming into Monday nights series with Philadelphia most fans and critics

knew that the previous 4 game sweep against the Nationals was nothing more than practice games with one of the worst teams if not the worst team in all baseball. Talking with the majority of the Cub faithful I heard how the Phillies series would test the teams integrety and character.

Lou Pinella and Jim Hendry were both scratching their heads in the first inning of game # 1 as their was two outs and Ibanez the Phillies big bat and aquistion from the off season showed his worth by sending a pitch from Ted Lilly with a count of 2-2 over the farthest part of the ball-park in Center field. How could this happen with Ted Lilly are All-Star ?

Jim Hendry must have been once again reminded of all the in-consistent moves he made in the off -season for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs have had one issue followed by another thus far and spending millions on Milton Bradely really strapped his check book in correcting those errors and putting in place those players which would fine tune the make-up of this team.

Just this weekend it was written that both Jack Wilson & Freddy Sanchez were available for the rite price. Jim Hendry can quickly improve the balance of the cubs with inserting Mr. Sanchez on to this roster allowing at a blink to increase hits and runs immediately. There would be no more weakness at the 7th hole and joggling Sanchez and Fukedome/Sam Fuld in either of these spots being the 1 hole or again 7th gives Pinella alot of flexibility.

Mr. Hendry also along with other GM's around the NL can make a run after George Shirrell of the Baltimore Orioles. The numbers of this closer whom is lefty are unremarkable and with George having a spot on this roster also gets Sean Marshall back into the starting rotation or spot starts/ long relief for Pinella's Pen.

As we know the Cubs don't have a owner as of yet and the story goes on and on. Cub's fans are frustrated day in and day out as they go from one extreme to another. With NO ! owner in place can the cubs sign anyone or fill a spot which is required to allow this team to have the resources to make a big run threw this second half and possibly get past winning the NLCS ?

Really the fans of this city deserve a team whom can provide this city with the talent to just make it happen. For some reason as much as some seeing this Cubs team play well and going to win a championship, their is just not enough chemistry on a daily basis to see this threw. Their are just to many players not playing and playing not playing and playing which just causes too much interuption on this roster on a daily basis.

Let's suppose we will have a owner sometime before the end of the year, Well where will the Cubs be then. Will Jim Hendry be around ? and further will Lou Pinella resign to the fact that his days are getting old and this franchise just may need a new younger body to put this team on another track ? Lou Pinella has made many errors while key players were down and not playing like the Jake Foxe's to replace Aramis Ramirez which would have clearly with his power and Sam Fulds spray hitting would have without no doubt assisted in winning the close games we lost by one lousy run or if at the minimum won 1/2 of them which still puts this team in 1st place and easily leading this NLC.

THE CHICAGO CUBS WERE NEVER FAR FROM BEING A VERY GOOD TEAM...

I WILL SAY IT OVER AND OVER... MANAGEMENT FAILED US AS THE JOB DIDN'T GET DONE. WITHOUT QUICK INTERVENTION FOR THE MEN IN BLUE, THERE WILL BE NOTHING TO CHEER ABOUT GOING INTO SEPTEMBER. RITE NOW THE CUBS ARE JUST THOSE FEW PLAYERS AWAY FROM BEING SPECIAL...CAN JIM HENDRY & CRANE KENNEY ALONG WITH PINELLA ORCHESTRATE A SPECIAL RUN ? AT THIS TIME THE TONE IS QUITE SOFT AND IT NEEDS A LIFT ...

The Chicago Cubs don't play well in Philly Land so dont expect s series win. Hope for 1 win before coming back to Chicago to take on the Reds. By months end we will know if were buyers or sellers..

"Baseball Just About Half Way in Chicago "

BASEBALL IN CHICAGO ON 4TH JULY WEEKEND

Whether you’re a Cub Fan or Sox fan their has to be some feeling of hope that either one of these teams or both will play well into or past the All-Star break.For the North Siders there is 85 games left and to win at least 90 games the Cubs must win 52 of the 85 game left. The Cubs are 1 game over .500 and 2.5 games back of the Cardinals. The North siders have there belovedAramis Ramirez coming back to the lineup most likely come this Monday at home against the Atlanta Braves whom are also making things interesting in the NL East. The Cubs are 22-13 at home and clearly play better close to home. Now with Reed Johnson and Angel Guzman looking to be added to the roster come Monday Lou Pinella will finally have the roster he once had since opening day. Jim Hendry has made some minimal trades to beef up the bench. Jeff Baker the recent acquisition from the Rockies is someone whom can play the whole field just as Mark Delrosa did but doesn’t have the numbers as Mark has. Jeff has had dome injuries this year but is fine and took hit first at bat off the bench against the Brewers Friday afternoon but was unsuccessful hitting a soft grounder to second base. With the ownership quest coming to end here soon the Chicago Cubs will have the Ricketts family to overlook many of t his teams interests come early August if all goes as planned. This Cubs team doesn’t look to make many trades before the July trade deadline except for pitcher Rich Harden whom I predict will be gone being in a contract year . The Cubs will have to refer to their Triple A talent to help overcome any needs or weakness’s. We all know the cubs up to this point have been just a average team at best and are still trying to identify whom they really are. Most Cub fans are hoping we will see this club finally play with the capabilities they show on paper and the way they did in spring training. Baseball is a game of adjustments and variables. Chemistry is key in baseball and let’s see if the warms winds of Chicago summer will activate their gloves and bats.

Now let’s talk South side and the Chicago White Sox.
It wasn’t just a few weeks ago that the White Sox were struggling with pitching and inconsistent hitting.
Much was talked about how the Sox may be trading Jermayne Dye among others needed to help stabilize this team and improve it.
Funny as baseball is Pitching is the key in baseball and really when the sox sent Jose Contreras down to Triple A to find his arm and Alexi Ramirez benched as he wasn’t finding the little white ball the Sox were so close in reinventing their team. Injuries have been some of an issue with the Sox with mostly Carlos Quentin having feet trouble, however he is making his way to the roster after his minor league assignment is complete. Thankfully Scott Podsednik has been the firing stick in driving this team out of there funk. Since April 14th when coming to Chicago he has been a blessing just hitting the ball at will. Scott is hitting a strong batting a solid.317 and playing a strong outfield. The Sox for most of the spring were trying to find a go to lead-off hitter but Ozzie couldn’t get the production he expected. Now going back to May 18th the Sox were in trouble and Kansas City and Detroit were going strong 1 and 2. The Sox were 15-22 in the standings and 5.5 games back of the pack looking to just tumble. Baseball is a crazy game and with Kenny Williams using some of their young talent such in Gordon Beckham, the Sox have turned things around going 27-16 since then and now sitting by themselves in 2nd place behind the Detroit tigers only 2.5 behind. Again as mentioned what sparked this team was an implosion of good hitting and Quality Starts. The White Sox starting rotation especially Glavine Floyd has definitely gotten it done recently after starting slow and with good steady pitching from Danks, Buehrle and Contreras with come threw hitting has given this Sox team a chance to win daily..The Sox Since playing in the cross-town classic have seen to amplify there game but saying that the Sox play in the weakest division in the AL . The white sox will be tested once they play teams outside their own division where the competition goes up a whole lot !! once the sox prove they can bring their A game to all the American League and play well, then watch out for this Team as they will have a chance to make a run into post-season.

Both Chicago teams have different teams and require much more depth form specific areas of there rosters. With just about half of the season completed both teams are finding themselves closer to being good teams.

THE DEADLINE IS APPROACHING FOR THE CUBS

“ WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON THE NORTH SIDE AS THE DEADLINE APPROACHES AND BEYOND”

The cubs have been playing just average baseball since the loss of Ramirez. Aramis's return may help but not complete the fix. The Chicago Cubs have many issues to contend with and mostly with offense as the players you would expect producing is lacking terribly.

The Cubs with 90 games left have as many teams in the Central have the chance to make changes to get them playing better ball. The Cubs just a few weeks back were leading with quality starts from their rotation but lacking with offense causing them to lose 14 games by one run.

It's really easy math if this cub team who wasn't and still isn't playing on all 4 legs could be leading this division comfortably by just winning half of these 1 run games. This gives the cubs all they would need to take over in the Central.

I see the final findings in that this team will excel and win this division. Now saying that ! ” If and only if " Aramis comes back along with more consistent hitting I see the Cubs making a big run and going into late summer playing real good ball. Most of why they will make this run is simply their starting pitching. Most teams are starting to see the wear and tear on their starting rotations. The Cubs have an exceptional staff , so this is why they will have the upper hand as the rest of this division don’t have the arms. You don’t have to have a super over- powering offense in baseball. I don’t see the Cards, Brewers, Houston & Reds making such moves that will make this division anymore competitive. Most teams are in the hunt this year and wont be willing to let go of those players needed to help them win.

Somehow this baseball team from management down to the bench players should come together, unlike last year play better as the season goes on where many forget how the cubs played poorly last season going into the last of August and September. They only won the central due to the fact that Milwaukee lost 12 in a row.

Rich Harden will be traded by the July deadline for 2 proven lefty relievers and Marshall will take the 5th spot. We may see one or two other moves but really don’t expect to much from a team that has spent 137 million already and why should they have to at this point. The Cubs have the talent waiting to explode. The questions are ? Will the Pinella and Hendry use this team and their resources to make Chicago a real winner.

We will see how it all comes together, but as a Cub fan and realist I know anything can happen.
The good thing is that my gut is positive about this teams near future unlike last year where most baseball enthusiasts were in denial that the Cubs were better than on paper..

Chicago Cub Fans, We all should just hold faith and hope things workout and then watch for the next few weeks where the Cubs play majority of their opponents from the NL Central. This could be a key sign of how things may turn for the remainder of the season.

One moment please...