The Chicago Cubs lost their second game in a row as they lost to the Washington Nationals 5-3 on Friday night.  Bob Howry gave up a two run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Nationals went on to win.

Will Nieves took Howry deep to right field when Nieves swung at a ball that was high and outside.  He said he was just trying to move the runner along, but got good wood on the ball and it went over the fence.  Howry’s record dropped to 0-2 on the season.

Ryan Dempster had started the game for the Cubs and pitched seven innings while giving up three runs (two were earned).  Dempster gave up a two run home run to Nick Johnson in the first inning but then settled down the rest of the game.

Ryan Theriot, Aramis Ramirez, and Matt Murton all had RBI for the Cubs.  They stranded 19 base runners as they had plenty of chances to put more runs on the scoreboard, but they just didn’t come up with the big hit when they needed it.

The Cubbies will try to get back on their winning ways Saturday evening when they take on the Nationals once again.  It will be Carlos Zambrano vs Matt Chico.  I think the Cubs come out and win this game without any trouble.  What do you think?

The Chicago Cubs completed a three game sweet of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday with a 13-6 victory.  Ryan Dempster picked up the win to improve to 3-0 on the season.  Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Theriot both had a good day at the plate.

Theriot had four hits, including two doubles and two RBIs, while Ramirez contributed three hits and four RBIs, including his fourth homer of the season, a two-run shot in the fifth.  Derrek Lee and Matt Murton both had two RBI while Ronny Cedeno had one RBI.

In the games on Friday and Saturday, the Cubs picked up 3-2 and 13-1 victories over the Pirates.  On Friday, Rich Hill picked up his first win of the season as he tossed five innings.  On Saturday, Jason Marquis picked up his first win of the season as the Cubs crushed the Pirated 13-1.

After the three game sweep, the Cubs are tied for first place with the St. Louis Cardinals.  Keep on playing good baseball!

Manager Lou Piniella told the media today that Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster would be in the starting rotation.  I am suprised to see both of them in the rotation and Jon Lieber working out of the bullpen.  I would rather have Lieber in the rotation, and then one of the other two out of the bullpen.  Maybe this is just to get Marquis some work, so hopefully the Cubs can eventually trade him.

Piniella also said that Kerry Wood would start out the season as the teams closer.  He was in a battle all spring with Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry.  Wood proved to the coaches that he could pitch on back to back days and did a good job so he earned the spot.  If Wood struggles, look for Marmol to be thrown into the position.

Sorry I haven’t been able to get an update on the blog lately regarding spring training. I have been pretty busy the past week, but I’m here now, and ready to talk Cubs Baseball!

It was interesting to hear Lou Piniella say it would be a three person battle for the closers role as pitchers and catches reported.  Piniella mentioned Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, and Ryan Dempster would battle it out.  Make you think what is going on as Dempster is supposed to get a look as a starter as well.  Then out of nowhere yesterday, Piniella said that Bob Howry would be the closer if the season started today.  Lol, does anyone know what is going on with the closers role?!

I thought it was pretty funny that Carlos Zambrano was wearing Fukudome’s jersey as the Japanese reported to spring training.  After playing with Fukudome for a little bit, Big Z then gave him his jersey as they all had a good laugh.  Gotta love a little joking around to keep the players lose.

As far as the starting rotation, it looks like the Cubs will be going with something like this:

1.  Carlos Zamrano
2.  Ted Lilly
3.  Open
4.  Rich Hill
5.  Open

Piniella really wants to split up the lefthanders Lilly and Hill.  I would probably pencil in Jon Leiber or Jason Marquis into that #3 spot and then the other in the #5 spot.  Leaving out Sean Marshall unless Piniella wants to have back to back lefties in the #4 and #5 spots.

How do you all feel with the pitchers?  What is the best rotation Lou can set up?  What is the best option for closer at this point?  Leave us a comment and let us know your opinion!

Pretty much what everyone was expecting will happen during spring training.  Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, and Ryan Dempster will all battle it out for the closers role for the Chicago Cubs.  I would hope that either Wood or Marmol are the closer, with the other guy being the setup man.  I don’t want Dempster anywhere near the mound for the Chicago Cubs.

Who do you want to be the closer for the Chicago Cubs? Leave a commend and let us know!

There has been another prediction from a Cubs pitcher at the beginning of Spring Training.  Last year Carlos Zambrano said he would win the Cy Young award and the Cubs would win the World Series.  Well of course neither of those things happened.  And now this year, on the first day of that pitchers and catchers reported, Ryan Dempster said the Cubs will end the 100 year draught and win the World Series.

As I read that, I just think what in the hell are you talking about Dempster?  The team would be better off without you on the roster in my opinion.  I do wish Dempster the best as he is still with the Cubs, but c’mon how many fans out there can really say they want Dempster on the team this year?  I suggest he get some control of the ball and actually help this team out in the beginning of the season, and stop saying the Cubs will win the world series.

Cubs fans, what do you think about Dempsters comments?  Good to be thinking that way?  Or would you rather just have him be quite and get ready for the season?

The regular season is over for the Chicago Cubs after the dropped a 8-4 contest against the Cinncinatti Reds on Sunday.  I wouldn’t put much into the final game of the season as the Cubs were just playing in a tune up for Wenesdays opening night game in the playoffs.

Alfonso Soriano led off the game with a lead off homer as he set a Major League record with his 7th lead off homerun in the month of September.  Soriano led the game off for the Cubs this year hitting 12 homeruns.  Soriano also singled in the 2nd inning that scored two more runs.

Two players that got into the game that I am very worried about however is Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster.  Marquis pitched 2/3rds of an inning and allowed four hits and four earned runs.  Dempster wasn’t much better as he pitched one inning allowing four hits and four runs.  Terrible performance once again by Dempster.

I don’t want to see Marquis or Dempster with the ball in the playoffs to be honest.  Let Bob Howry be the closer of this team.

Before the game Lou Piniella said that Carlos Zambrano would pitch game one against the Diamondbacks, and Ted Lilly would get the ball in game two.  I would expect to see Rich Hill get the nod for game three which will be in Chicago on Saturday night.

GO CUBS GO! - Chicago Cubs Blog

After splitting a day night double header with the Cards Saturday, the Cubs beat St. Louis 4-2 on Sunday to take 3 of 4 in the series and push the red birds 7 games back in the Central. The Cubs scored all 4 runs in the 3rd inning on a 3 run homer by Matt Murton and an RBI single by Ronny Cedeno. Jason Marquis went 6 1/3 innings giving up only 5 hits and 1 run. Mark Mulder got the loss and Ryan Dempster picked up save #28. The Brewers kept pace with a 5-2 win over the Reds who come to Chicago for 3 to start the week.

-Mike

Tonight’s Cubs/Cardinals game should not have come down to the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th with the winning run on 1st for the redbirds, but it did. Either way, Aaron Miles grounded out and the Cubs hung on 5-3 while the Brewers lost 6-3 to the Reds, pushing them to 1.5 games back. The Cubs scored first in the 4th when Mark DeRosa’s bloop single scored Aramis Ramirez. Albert Pujols homered off Carlos Zambrano in the 6th to tie the game at one. Cliff Floyd answered in the 7th with a solo blast of his own, his 3rd straight game with a HR and 8th of the season. Lou Piniella had to make a key decision in the 9th when the Cubs loaded the bases with 2 outs and Zambrano due up. Daryle Ward came up big with a 3 run pinch hit double to make it 5-1.

Ryan Dempster gave up 9th inning homers to Jim Edmonds and Ryan Ludwick, but managed to get 2 outs. That’s when the fun began. Yadier Molina singled bringing the tying run to the plate and ending Dempster’s night. Russell Branyan and So Taguchi then hit back to back pinch hit singles off Bob Howry, loading the bases for Aaron Miles. Howry induced a 6-3 groundout and got credited with a save in the 5-3 win. Carlos Zambrano’s brilliant 8 innings earned him his 16th win. Adam Wainwright got the loss. The Cubs and Cards play a day night double header Saturday with game 1 at 12:10 CT and game 2 at 7:10. Ted Lilly and Sean Marshall will start for the Cubs.

-Mike

It was another tight ballgame for the Chicago Cubs tonight as they held on to defeat the Houston Astros 3-2.  It was a rocking 9th inning for the Cubs and Ryan Dempster as the tieing run was at thirdbase with 1 out but Dempster was able to get a double play to end the ballgame.

Rich Hill pitched seven great innings only allowing one earned run on three hits and seven strikeouts.  Exactly what the Cubs needed and it was nice to see Rich throw a gem tonight.  Way to step up and help out the ballteam!

Cliff Floyd had a solo homerun into the upper deck in right field to lead the offense tonight.  Ryan Theriot had the other two RBI’s for the team in the 2nd and 4th innings.  The Cubs only scored three runs tonight and we always want to score 4-5 but tonight it held up with the outstanding performance by Hill.  Lets hope for a big game out of Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee tomorrow.

The Cubs are back in a tie for first place with the Brewers now.  I have a feeling this is going to go down to the last 2-3 days of the season. Say your prayers Cubs fans!