Now that the Cubs have finished the latest homestand with a win against the Marlins - or as I've been calling it, live batting practice - it's time to move on to the latest nasty baseball rivalry. Maybe it's the proximity, the overflow of Cubs fans in Miller Park when the two teams play, or perhaps it's just that raw feeling from the Cubs beating them out for the NL Central title last year. Whatever the case, it's ugly; and in a way that even exceeds the disdain that Cubs and White Sox fans have for each other. Now don't get me wrong; I like the Brewers. Good team. Nice pitching. Really potent offense. Personally, I don't think that they can sustain well enough to take this division, but that's more a function of a troubling defense and a little inexperience than anything else. And I do think that they are playoff bound. However, I'll say though that if the Brewers do come back to take the Central this year, this rivalry will look very much like Cardinals/Cubs when the 2009 season rolls around.
And as for the series itself? Split. Honestly, I keep looking at the stats and thinking that the Cubs are primed to lose this series, however the Rich Harden vs. Dave Bush matchup Thursday just looks like a deal breaker. Bush - career 9-9, 4.88 ERA against the Cubs - looked great in his last start, but given that the Cubs have beaten him so badly over the last few seasons, this series looks like a draw. I suspect the fight is going to have to be decided in the September 16th - 18th rematch.
But it's a big week for Bob Howry, who has been absolutely dreadful in 2008. While the reports are that GM Jim Hendry is standing pat at the trade deadline, it's entirely possible that he's bluffing. Even if not, a roster move will need to be made once Kerry Wood is activated from the DL sometime later this week. Another bad outing, and it might be time to consider shutting him down for awhile, or possibly even DFA'ing him. Personally I think the bullpen is screaming for Ron Mahay, a lefty that I suspect Lou Piniella is more inclined to trust than Scott Eyre. But this time last year, Lou rode the hot arm of Kevin Hart into the playoffs, even leaving the relative unknown on the playoff roster. If Jeff Samardzija performs anything like he did yesterday over his next few outings, look for the same thing this year, quite possibly at Bob's expense.
And speaking of relievers, can we all just agree that Jon Lieber isn't a fit, and trade him? He likely won't return next year, he won't bring compensation back when he leaves this off-season, and someone can use a starter to pitch a few stretch-run innings. I don't know what he's done to not get more appearances, but admit it's not working, activate and trade him, and move on.
I think umpire Rob Drake shouldn't work anymore Cubs games this season. Better yet, considering that he's tossed Ozzie Guillen too, how about no more Chicago games at all for awhile?
And in ex-Cub news, Matt Murton has been optioned to AAA by the Oakland Athletics. I've been a big fan of his for a long time, but at this point, maybe it's time for us to acknowledge that he has had chances to win a starting job, and failed.
Looking around the league....
I can only dream of having been a fly on the wall as the negotiations between the Boston Red Sox and Scott Boras - agent for Manny Ramirez - on a contract extension got to the point that they would so blatantly choreograph this latest Manny being Manny moment. Now, I get the idea, as some quick math indicates that Manny could probably either get at least a extension similiar to the Tori Hunter contract now, or walk away at seasons end and get it in a new deal. So, at 36, and with those options looming, Manny could lose 25-30 million dollars from this arrangement without trying. But seriously, who the hell needs him right now, and more importantly, who'd give back anything of value after this latest contract nonsense? Any chance of some monetary arrangement to resolve this?
And really, if you had that kind of talent to deal and money to spend, and the need for a left fielder, wouldn't you be leaning toward Matt Holiday anyway?
Congratulations to the 2008 Hall of Fame inductees; Rich Gossage, Williams, Bowie Kuhn, Walter O'Malley, Billy Southworth, and Barney Dreyfuss. As a kid growing up in Chicago, I can't tell you how exciting it was watching Goose pitch in '88. He was a little scary, but he always rated high on the coolness scale. It probably was the statch. Now, I understand the rest of the inductees getting in through the Veterans Committee, but I have to ask what took so long for WIlliams?
St. Louis Cardinals, we're waiting. It's great that Chris Carpenter returns Wednesday, but after this most recent freefall - losing six of the last seven - maybe it's time to get a little help. Just saying.
And as for the series itself? Split. Honestly, I keep looking at the stats and thinking that the Cubs are primed to lose this series, however the Rich Harden vs. Dave Bush matchup Thursday just looks like a deal breaker. Bush - career 9-9, 4.88 ERA against the Cubs - looked great in his last start, but given that the Cubs have beaten him so badly over the last few seasons, this series looks like a draw. I suspect the fight is going to have to be decided in the September 16th - 18th rematch.
But it's a big week for Bob Howry, who has been absolutely dreadful in 2008. While the reports are that GM Jim Hendry is standing pat at the trade deadline, it's entirely possible that he's bluffing. Even if not, a roster move will need to be made once Kerry Wood is activated from the DL sometime later this week. Another bad outing, and it might be time to consider shutting him down for awhile, or possibly even DFA'ing him. Personally I think the bullpen is screaming for Ron Mahay, a lefty that I suspect Lou Piniella is more inclined to trust than Scott Eyre. But this time last year, Lou rode the hot arm of Kevin Hart into the playoffs, even leaving the relative unknown on the playoff roster. If Jeff Samardzija performs anything like he did yesterday over his next few outings, look for the same thing this year, quite possibly at Bob's expense.
And speaking of relievers, can we all just agree that Jon Lieber isn't a fit, and trade him? He likely won't return next year, he won't bring compensation back when he leaves this off-season, and someone can use a starter to pitch a few stretch-run innings. I don't know what he's done to not get more appearances, but admit it's not working, activate and trade him, and move on.
I think umpire Rob Drake shouldn't work anymore Cubs games this season. Better yet, considering that he's tossed Ozzie Guillen too, how about no more Chicago games at all for awhile?
And in ex-Cub news, Matt Murton has been optioned to AAA by the Oakland Athletics. I've been a big fan of his for a long time, but at this point, maybe it's time for us to acknowledge that he has had chances to win a starting job, and failed.
Looking around the league....
I can only dream of having been a fly on the wall as the negotiations between the Boston Red Sox and Scott Boras - agent for Manny Ramirez - on a contract extension got to the point that they would so blatantly choreograph this latest Manny being Manny moment. Now, I get the idea, as some quick math indicates that Manny could probably either get at least a extension similiar to the Tori Hunter contract now, or walk away at seasons end and get it in a new deal. So, at 36, and with those options looming, Manny could lose 25-30 million dollars from this arrangement without trying. But seriously, who the hell needs him right now, and more importantly, who'd give back anything of value after this latest contract nonsense? Any chance of some monetary arrangement to resolve this?
And really, if you had that kind of talent to deal and money to spend, and the need for a left fielder, wouldn't you be leaning toward Matt Holiday anyway?
Congratulations to the 2008 Hall of Fame inductees; Rich Gossage, Williams, Bowie Kuhn, Walter O'Malley, Billy Southworth, and Barney Dreyfuss. As a kid growing up in Chicago, I can't tell you how exciting it was watching Goose pitch in '88. He was a little scary, but he always rated high on the coolness scale. It probably was the statch. Now, I understand the rest of the inductees getting in through the Veterans Committee, but I have to ask what took so long for WIlliams?
St. Louis Cardinals, we're waiting. It's great that Chris Carpenter returns Wednesday, but after this most recent freefall - losing six of the last seven - maybe it's time to get a little help. Just saying.
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