The Cubs get to enjoy their off-day with a nice come from behind win yesterday and a 5-1 road trip that puts them on the right side of the .500 mark away from Wrigley. They'll play 16 straight starting tomorrow, 13 of those coming at home and the three road games at Pittsburgh. It seems like a great time to increase their lead in the Central, but the Brewers have a pretty easy go of it as well. The schedules through September 4th (three game series unless otherwise noted):
Cubs (16 with 13 at Home): vs. Reds, vs. Nats, @ Pirates, vs Phillies (for 4 games), vs Astros
Brewers (14 with 9 at Home): vs. Astros, vs. Pirates, @ St. Louis (2 games), @ Pitt, vs. Mets
Cardinals (13 with 7 at Home): vs. Pirates(2 games), vs Braves, vs. Brewers (2 games), @ Astros, @ Diamondbacks
So that's looking forward, but what about taking a look back at the 2008 season. Peter Gammons on Friday brought up Geovany Soto's name as an National League MVP candidate and it got me thinking about who is the Cubs 2008 MVP.
Your candidates after the jump...
0-7 with 3K soriano vs chapman brought on to pinch hit with 2 on, 2 out, in the 9th.
make that 0-8 with 4K...cubs lose by 3.
...not like there was much better options, fwiw. meh.
Return of CRUNCH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jGpauNUaWY
c.granderson (NYY) broken left pinky after HBP...unbelievable.
no hitter gone after 8.1
a.sanchez (
CHCDET) no hitter through 7scott feldman 2r HR (1st career)
...cubs pitchers are rather awesome hitters this season. a few doubles, a couple homers...15 rbis for cubs pitchers.
cubs up 3-0, top 2nd.
Phil,
Will you give us a scouting report on the young Latino pitchers at Fitch. Do any of them impress? Thanks.
Hot Sheet Chat:
What is Jorge Soler's upside and or MLB comp? Thanks
Jim Shonerd: Scouts do worry about his swing mechanics a bit, but overall he’s got plenty of power and blends it with a feel for hitting. His offense was in a bit of funk after he got back from his suspension, but now he’s hitting .324 in May and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him end the year in Double-A.
Soler and Baez at #11 & 12 on Baseball America's weekly hot sheet.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-hot...
Give jd a few years and put one of his kids in the Cubs system, then compare them.
Soriano's lack of awareness carries on past the diamond....
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/24/alfonso-soriano-is-tired-of...
says he's tired of losing, doesn't want to be on a team with a bad record
yet is still on team with bad record after not wanting to be traded to Giants last year
a bit hard to hear...and a heavy on "bad" language (and humor)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Q8xga6P_0
Black Like Me By Mark Grace
http://deadspin.com/old-scouting-report-on-mark-gr...
a little less than 2 weeks til the draft...
M.Appel - 98.1ip 77h 21bb 121k - 2.20era
J.Gray - 110ip 69h 21bb 127k - 1.55era
K.Bryant - 203ab 69h 12db 30hr 60bb 38k 7/11sb - .340/.504 avg/ob% (9 errors/55 games playing 3rd)
Glad the love wasn't directed toward Gracie. Slumpbuster or jail bait.