The White Sox currently lead the race to the BP Crosstown Cup two games to one. Â In order to take the Cup home, the Cubs have to sweep the Wrigley series, due to the “last win wins” rule.
But before we get to today’s series, let’s get to the big news. What is wrong with Z?
CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano had to leave Thursday’s game in the second inning with lower back soreness that he was feeling before the game and that he’s been experiencing throughout the season.
Zambrano was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital to be evaluated, and Cubs manager Mike Quade said he didn’t know if Zambrano will have to miss time.
“This has been an ongoing thing from time to time with him,” Quade said.
Zambrano wasn’t feeling right when he arrived at the ballpark.
“He got here this morning, [and] I think he was a little cranky when he talked to us,” Quade said. “They worked on him extensively hoping he could loosen it up and give us what he could and hoping they wouldn’t bunt on him because that was going to give him trouble bending over too much. And he threw quite a few balls up. He just didn’t have the freedom and flexibility that he normally does.”
This basically tells us nothing. Let’s just hope Z is back up and ready to go sooner rather than later.
In somewhat amusing news, it looks like Tom Ricketts has been reading the newspapers lately, because he finally admitted that things are not all gumdrops and lollipops in Wrigleyville:
Tom Ricketts acknowledged his disappointment in the Cubs‘ performance in the first half of this season, but the team’s chairman did not want to divulge any specific plans for the team as the trade deadline looms.
“Obviously we are not happy with the way the season has gone so far. We just haven’t won enough games. We haven’t played good baseball. And that’s tough,” Ricketts told the Tribune after addressing a group of students at the Inter-American Magnet School in Chicago Thursday morning.
Hey–that’s something! Acknowledgement that more than just injuries has doomed this team. What else did he have to say?
Asked specifically if the Cubs plan to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, Ricketts said, “I’m not going to address that one. That’s Jim (Hendry) and that’s a few weeks away.”
The Cubs entered Thursday’s game against the Giants with a 33-48 record in fifth place in the NL Central. Asked what his expectations are for the Cubs the rest of this season, Ricketts said:
“We’re just now starting to get healthy. Let’s get everybody on the field and see how good we are. That’s all I am looking for at the time being.”
(FACEPALM)
Tom, you had me. I was with you. And then you lost me. Because here’s the thing: improving this team for the future and Jim Hendry are diametrically opposed forces. Hendry wants to win now to save his job. He’s not going to make the moves necessary to improve this team at its heart going forward. For crying out loud, his minions are even talking about being BUYERS at the trade deadline. You cannot leave this in the hands of Jim Hendry! Â More importantly, you can’t leave Crane Kenny in charge of Jim Hendry! Please! I beg of you! I BEG OF YOU. . . . Â .
Hey, before the game starts today, head down to this post and tell us your all-time favorite Cubs moment. Â The winner will get a $50 gas card from the good people at BP. I’ll pick the winner at 1:20 pm today, and then we’ll start another giveaway. Also, keep your eyes open for trivia questions in today’s game thread, because we’ll be giving away more prizes throughout this weekend’s BP Crosstown Cup series.
Don’t miss Wrigley Talk Friday today–we’ll have plenty to talk about on the Ricketts front. Obviously. We’re up today at 1:30 pm CT. Â (347) 989-8945 to call in.
Finally, it’s Friday, which means we want to hear your iPod 5. Â Hit shuffle and give us the first five songs that show up. No cheatsies, no judgment.
First pitch today is at 1:20 pm CT. Y’all come back now, ya hear?
A couple of days ago I did a check and the Cubs would need to play .650 baseball the rest of the season (106 win pace), in order to win 85 games.
I’m fairly sure that at least one of the 4 teams that are currently over .500 in the NL Central will win at least 85 games this season.
What this tells me is that, even if this team plays a very good 2nd half this year, it is IMPOSSIBLE for them to win the division, and we shouldn’t even talk about the wild card which will probably take closer to 90 games to win.
Here is some more perspective on this. The best team in baseball right now is the Phillies. They currently have a winning percentage of .622 for the first half of the season. That would mean the Cubs would have to play way better in the second half than the best team in the first half has played just to achieve 85 wins. Now the numbers need to be adjusted a bit since they won the last two games, but over all the point hasn’t changed much…
THIS SEASON IS LOST!!!
.650? That should be no problem. After all, we’re getting healthy. Just ask Tom Ricketts.
oh. ok.
To update this…the Cubs would need to play .638 ball the rest of the season…so with this new information, it’s quite probable that the Cubs will win the world series now.
DUH.
I’d like to wish our favorite Canadian, Ryan Dempster, a very wonderful Canada Day.
[img]http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/c/ca.gif[/img]
Thanks to LOHO, I have had the Frazier theme song in my head since yesterday. Specifically the part about “tossed salad and scrambled eggs”. Thanks LOHO!
Five songs for today:
1. You’re The Inspiration-Chicago
2. Come Together-The Beatles
3. The Search is Over-Survivor (apparently it’s a cheezy love song kinda day)
4. Jimi Thing-Dave Matthews Band
5. Chariot-Gavin DeGraw
I take no responsibility for that, because I spent most of the night singing the score of the “HMS Pinafore.”
He remaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaains an Englishman!
“and a one and a two and a . . .”
iPod…
Evil Eyes – Styx
Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
Dust in the Wind – Kansas
So Cruel – U2
Those Showbiz Shoes – The Guess Who
Jessie’s Girl -> Best Song EVER
My favorite Cubs moment: the day they fire Hendry.
No, I’m not kidding. That’s my submission.
Also, I can’t read…. since it’s on another post >_< and the ugly day continues.
I probably should have specified that we aren’t looking for future/imaginary moments.
I’m going to disregard the ‘imaginary’ part. Mainly for my mental stability
Hey Doc, You posted “I guess I didn’t realize that Z threw a 95 mph ceremonial first pitch at the softball game last night” on Twitter. Seriously?
no…I was was joking because some people were so upset about Z throwing out a pitch at the game last night. I respect him for actually showing up at the game that night after suffering the injury. Most players wouldn’t have bothered if they had been in the hospital getting x-rays just a few hour prior to that.
My Ipod is feeling old:
1. “Come Together “- The Beatles
2. “Desire”- U2
3. “Midnight Rider”- Greg Allman
4. “Something”- The Beatles
5. “If I Could Turn Back Time”- Cher
We both had “Come Together” today. I don’t know about you, but my former ’60′s hippie mother would be so proud……
Ipod shuffle 5
Carribean Queen-Billy Ocean
Fly Like an Eagle-Steve Miller Band
They Don’t Know-Jon B
Vogue-Glee Cast
Tyrone Live-Erykah Badu
Bonus Track***Darling Nikki-Foo Fighters
My Friday five, we don’t give up five in the first inning today…
Say Man — Bo Diddley
Words of Love — The Beatles
Synchronicity II — The Police
This Is Where It Ends — Barenaked Ladies
Our Lips Are Sealed (Stripped) — Jane Wiedlin
So, is it just me or the fact that Jane Wiedlin did a “stripped” version of Our Lips Are Sealed is funny as hell since she is now a domanatrix???
Go Cubs! Make Ozzie cry!
“Dignified and Old” – Modern Lovers
“What She Came For” – Franz Ferdinand
“Cold Light” – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
“Eat That Question” – Frank Zappa
“Love Long Distance” – Gossip
Five for Friday
Who Will Be the Next One – Dixie Chicks
Addicted to Love – the late Robert Palmer
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
I’m So Afraid (live version) – Fleetwood Mac
The Kids Are Alright – The Who (sounding like the Beach Boys)