The winningest Travis Wood in Cubs history.

It’s one thing to get knocked out of first place. It’s quite another to get knocked out of first place and be on the verge of being swept by the worst team in baseball:

David DeJesus hit a two-run single sparked by aggressive baserunning and Starlin Castro made an incredible catch to back Wood and lift the Cubs to a 2-1 Interleague victory Tuesday night over the White Sox.

It was payback time. The Cubs have won the series, and also the most games on the South Side since 2007, when they swept the road portion of the series. The White Sox won all three games at Wrigley Field in May in this home-and-road crosstown showdown.

“I enjoy it big time,” Castro said of the intracity series. “That’s why everybody plays hard — you want to win. You don’t want to lose to the White Sox in this city.”

Wood (1-3), making his seventh start, scattered four hits over six innings for his first win with the Cubs and first in the big leagues since Aug. 19, 2011.

(Snicker)

In other Cubs news, Darlin’ Starlin Castro is creeping on Troy Tuloqweqwsdsaski’s territory:

» Continue reading “Cubs Wednesday Headlines: Ouch, White Sox. OUCH”

So that was fun. Not that I expect it to last or anything, but still.

CHICAGO — The Cubs’ revamped lineup Monday night produced season highs in runs, hits and home runs, but there was one problem, as far as Matt Garza was concerned. The pitcher wasn’t in the hitting lineup. After all, they had to play by American League rules at the White Sox home park.

“I was a little upset,” Garza said, smiling.

They didn’t need his bat. Luis Valbuena hit a three-run home run, Bryan LaHair and Starlin Castro each hit two-run shots, and Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto each hit solo homers to power the Cubs to a 12-3 Interleague victory over the White Sox.

LaHair moved from first base to right field and David DeJesus shifted to center, which is a configuration the Cubs will likely stick with against right-handers as they prepare for the arrival of top prospect Anthony Rizzo.

“One way or another, depending on what we do at first base, I think LaHair’s going to be out there quite a bit with DeJesus in center field against right-handed pitchers,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.

It worked and it was hilarious. When Soto is smashing dingers and Tony Campana is getting actual hits, you know your pitching really sucks. I only wish I’d been listening to the White Sox feed so I could have heard Hawk’s take on all this.

» Continue reading “Cubs Tuesday Headlines: So That Was Fun”

The Cubs announced several  . .  things today. And I’m not sure I got all of it, but the gist of it was something like this: Dempster to the DL with a “tight lat,” (read: Dempster to the DL to make sure he doesn’t get hurt while we’re trying to trade him), Soto activated, Castillo sent down to Iowa, Scott Maine recalled. Randy Wells to start for Dempster on Wednesday.

So much for Dale’s big speech about carrying three catchers. I have a feeling he finds out about these things roughly around the same time we do.

The Dempster move is interesting. One the one hand, it seems like a no-brainer that Theo placed him on the DL to make sure that he doesn’t get hurt and screw up any trade possibilities. On the other hand, what team wants to trade for a player who is going to be on the DL for two weeks? On the OTHER OTHER hand, it’s really only two starts. So . .  I guess I really have no idea why they put him on the DL.

The Cubs head into dangerous territory (literally) tonight, as they travel to 35th & Shields to take on their crosstown rivals, the hated White Sox.

The lineup? Like so:

DeJesus CF, Castro SS, LaHair RF, Soriano DH, Clevenger 1B, Barney 2B, Valbuena 3B, Soto C, Campana LF

First pitch is at 7:10 pm CT on WCIU. Let’s hope they can keep the feed up for a solid three hours this time.

In other fun news, I’m going to be playing in Nike’s Northside/Southside 16″ softball game Thursday at 6:00 pm in Lincoln Park. Ryan Dempster and AJ What’sHisFace will captain their respective sides. If you want to see some high comedy, come on out!

Facing a sweep at the hands of the White Sox, the Cubs entered Sunday with their backs to the wall. They didn’t move, and got beat 6-0. Dale Sveum, any words of wisdom?

“You know Peavy is going to be tough,” said Cubs manager Dale Sveum, “he’s one the best pitchers in the league. But with the wind the way it was blowing, you thought [we'd] have some contact … get a solo home run or something.”

Great. Now Dale sounds depressed. He was just hoping for a solo home run. At least we’re getting some honesty from him.

“We’re at about a week stretch of no wins and obviously getting swept by the White Sox at home is about as low as you’re going to get through a seven-day stretch,” Sveum said. “You hope the fans understand and stay patient the rest of the year.”

Carrie Muskat, do you have any historical context for this depressing homestand?

 The Cubs went 0-for-the homestand. The last time that happened for at least five games was June 13-18, 2006, when they went 0-6 against the Astros and Tigers.

2006. Why does that sound familiar? Oh yeah, they were 66-96 that year. It’s going to be a long, brutal season.

» Continue reading “Cubs Monday Headlines: Swept Away”

The Twitter is all aflutter this morning with news that Anthony Rizzo could be a June call up. I’m not exactly sure where this news started or why, but it’s what the Cubs blogosphere has been saying since Spring Training. Nice of you to join us, beat writers.

So, we have yet another chance to get our brains blown out by the White Sox today, which is actually less fun than it sounds. Knowing that this team couldn’t really compete (even in the NL Central) doesn’t make watching them lose any easier. With Kerry gone, Marmol, Castillo, Clevenger and Soto on the (official or unofficial) DL, and the return of Koyie Hill and Randy Wells, the reasons to watch this team on a daily basis continue to dwindle.

I get it.

» Continue reading “Cubs Sunday Game Thread: Let’s Just Get This Over With”

Yes, it’s only Spring Training. Yes, by the 7th inning, Hawk and Stoney were referring to unknown Cubs players by their numbers. And yes, wins probably won’t be so easy to come by for the Cubs during the regular season. But it’s always fun to beat the White Sox, especially when said win is accompanied by Hawk Harrelson’s futile insistence that the White Sox are oh-so-good and that Robin Ventura is EXACTLY the best manager the White Sox could have hired.

I enjoyed it.

Edgar Gonzalez, Marlon Byrd, and power-hitter Steve Clevenger homered off the White Sox, lifting the Cubs to a 5-1 victory over the Sox at Camelback Ranch.  Travis Wood had a decent start for the Cubs, allowing only 3 hits over 2 and one-third innings, though the box score doesn’t show how many warning-track fly balls he gave up. Because let me tell you, there were more than a few. Randy Wells sparkled in relief, pitching two and two-thirds scoreless innings. I can’t remember the last time I used the word “sparkle” to describe anything having to do with Randy Wells.

Check out the full box score here.

» Continue reading “Cubs Saturday Headlines: Cubs Beat Sox Into Submission”

Before we get to today’s Cubs/White Sox game information, we have yet another $50 BP gas card to give away from the good people at BP. The question this time was “What Makes Chicago Baseball Special?” The winning entry goes to Karen, who wrote:

Baseball in the summer in Chicago is special to me because it brings my whole family together. In college, a roommate from the far northwest suburbs and I would meet at Wrigley as a means to re-connect during our summer breaks – I lived on the North Shore. This began my love for the Cubs. These were the summers of Ryne Sandberg and Jody Davis (Jo-dee, Jo-dee Davis, catcher for the Cubs). And then Greg Maddux came – swoon – I was going to marry that man!

Fast forward and my family is scattered on the north shore and northwest suburbs.
There are 15 of us all together. My parents “winter” in Phoenix from October to May, and the 7 grandkids participate in numerous sports and activities. We can rarely all get together. But, once a year all 15 of us will take the El down to Wrigley for a game. We have been doing this for the last 20 years or so.

We get to the bleachers early and watch batting practice and eat peanuts. We take goofy pictures and try to catch the home run balls. We teach the kids how to keep score. We play the $1 cup game (does it have a name?) where you put a dollar in the cup and pass it along with each at bat. When someone gets a hit, if you are holding the cup, you get what’s in it. We eat hot dogs and nachos and ice cream and drink lots of beer. We get sun-burned and sweaty, and laugh at the drunks. We talk about friends and sports and school and work. Just a nice summer day with brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The kids are growing up…the oldest is 17. I hope that we can continue this tradition of gathering among the ivy to watch our Cubs. We will add a member here or there to be sure, but the family nucleus will be together. Summer baseball to me is so special because it is a means to re-connect with those I don’t see enough of. To talk of a common love of baseball with my 12 year old nephew. To have a somewhat civil conversation with my brother. To just be a family, and watch some baseball.

» Continue reading “Cubs Live Game Thread: Garza Tries His Hand At Shutting Down Sox”

The White Sox role into Wrigley this afternoon for the final three games of the BP Crosstown Cup. As I mentioned this morning,due to the rules regarding a tied series, the Cubs must sweep to bring the Cup to the North Side.

Today Randy Wells (1-2, 6.25) will take the mound for the North Siders. For the Sox, it will be Edwin Jackson (4-6, 4.13).

Today’s lineup for the Cubs is as follows:

1. Fukudome RF
2. Barney 2B
3. Castro SS
4. Ramirez 3B
5. Peña 1B
6. Soriano LF
7. Johnson CF
8. Soto C
9. Wells P

Thanks to everyone who submitted their favorite Cubs moment of all-time. I hope everyone has a much fun reading through them all as I did. From the Ryne Sandberg Game to Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, it was great to re-live those memories through your points different points of view.

However, the winner is . . . .  .

» Continue reading “Cubs Live Game Thread: And The Winner Is . . .”

Our current TWO-GAME WIN STREAK aside, it’s been a rough summer for Cubs fans. We’ve lost, and lost, and lost some more.  What’s worse, we’ve had to listen to the Cubs’ front office tell us how much they adore this team.

To be honest, none of us have enjoyed it.

But hope springs eternal on the North Side, and, let’s be honest, if there’ s one thing we can get excited about, it’s the prospect of beating the White Sox.  Am I right?

I’m right.

And, to get you a little more pumped up ahead of this weekend’s BP Crosstown Cup, BP has been kind enough to give us a bunch of BP Gas Cards to give away. And let’s be honest, who among us doesn’t want free gas?

To try your hand at winning our first $50 gas card, simply go to the comments and tell us what your favorite moment in Chicago Cubs baseball has been. Ever. I’ll pick the winner, and a bright, shiny, new $50 gas card will make its way to him/her post-haste.

» Continue reading “Looking Ahead To BP Crosstown Cup: Who Wants Prizes?”

The Cubs might not be winning, but according to Doug Davis, they’re one happy family.

“I think everybody’s pulling for everybody right now,” Davis said. “It was different a month ago. We are winning as a team and losing as a team. Let’s continue to push each other and back each other on everything.”

Well, at least if you can’t win, you can make friends! Ice cream for everyone after the game!

“Not really it just didn’t seem like everybody was on the same page,” Davis said. “We’ve had a team meeting since then and things got straightened out. We are all on the same page and working for each other. Everybody is pitching in and giving us a chance to win a ball game. That’s key for us, turning a new leaf over.”

The most exciting part of last night’s loss was probably A.J. Pierzynski and Jake Peavy having a little disagreement in the dugout.

The battery mates exchanged some harsh words and carried their dispute into the tunnel leading to the Sox’ clubhouse after the top of the sixth inning.

Peavy pitched OK in his first start since coming off the disabled list with a groin injury and ran his record to 3-1. He allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in 5â…“ innings.

As he headed to the dugout after being pulled, Peavy appeared to turn back to the mound and point and yell something at Pierzynski.

“It’s a Cubs-Sox game, so we have to make something happen,” he joked. “It’s not a big deal. I don’t think it’s going to be an issue. I think it was something about signs.”