A few seasons back, we had a term for the “good Chicago Cubs,” you know, the Chicago Cubs that showed patience at the plate, executed fundamentals on defense and the base paths, and managed not to give up 37 runs in the 9th inning. We called them the “Pod Cubs.” You know, as in the real Cubs are being kept in a pod somewhere by aliens (or something) and these are the fake Cubs who have been sent to play in their place.

(Actually, I’m not even sure what the original plot is that “pod” is supposed to suggest. Did the real people get kept in pods? Did the aliens come from pods? What movie is this even referencing?)

Anyway, the point of all this is that yesterday the Pod Cubs showed up:

Anthony Rizzo and Alfonso Soriano homered, Welington Castillo knocked out a career-high four hits and Carlos Villanueva earned his first victory with the Cubs, allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings in his third straight quality start.

“It was ugly,” Villanueva said, referring to the weather. “We had no idea (if we would play). We heard (Wednesday) we weren’t going to get the game in, and it was going to be tough. I tried to keep my guard up. You never want to drop your guard and then all of a sudden, ‘Hey, the game starts in 20 minutes and I’m just sitting at my locker not thinking about the game.’

Hey, that’s kind of like me. I was sitting here, watching TV and reading when Doc said “By the way, the Cubs are playing baseball right now.” Carlos Villanueva and I have so much in common, though he does have a way better mustache than I do.  I’m working on it.

The weather today is pretty miserable again, so perhaps we’ll see the Pod Cubs again? Maybe they’re activated by water, like Gremlins?

» Continue reading “Chicago Cubs Friday Headlines: Rain Brings Out Pod Cubs”

Today marks the second day in a row with no baseball being played. My fear is that with nothing happening, we may all go crazy and wind up in some Lord of the Flies situation. I hope I can dredge up enough news to avoid that. First up today, David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays sure seems to think that Matt Garza will be traded, and he hopes that it’s to a team in the AL East.

“Honestly, I talk to him about that every single day,” Price said of his former Rays teammate prior to the All-Star Game. “He’s one of my best friends in baseball. I hope he comes to the East, just so I can hang out with him. I told him whether he goes to New York or Boston, I hope he doesn’t go to Detroit, because the only time I’d see him then would be in the postseason. We’re done with [the Tigers on the schedule]. I hope he does. I hope he goes to one of those teams and I get to see him again. I told him if he goes to New York or Boston and we come there, I’m just going to stay with him. He said that was fine. I would like to see him pitch.”

Mr. Price, would you also like to make sure that one of these teams sends a great prospect return for Mr. Garza? We all like having him in Chicago, but we’re willing to part ways if it makes the future brighter. Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times also is writing about the future, and made a short list of players the Cubs definitely won’t be trading this month. Though I’m not sure he’s all that familiar with who’s actually on the team.

Right-hander Matt Garza is another big piece that will draw interest, but no player in a Cubs uniform is really safe, unless the back of their jersey reads “Sveum,’’ “Rizzo’’ or “Castro.’’

One of these things is not like the others.

» Continue reading “Cubs Thursday Headlines: Crickets Chirping”