Rick Monday saves the Day

The Cubs come back from behind victory yesterday afternoon was nothing short of inspiring. I could almost cry. A 10-9 win over Colorado. Jim Edmunds lives to play another day in Cubbie Blue. A home-run and a double, topped off with Derosa's go ahead homer. Nice work out of the pen, and a great way to make Ted forget that one. I was sent this e-mail, and thought this is worthy of a watch. Rick Monday of the Cubs saves the day.

Cubs look good at home, need to improve on the road

Today the Cubs go for a sweep against the Dodgers at home with Carlos Zambrano on the bump. They also have the Best record in the National League with a handful of teams right there as well. What is alarming is the Cubs 21-8 record at home during very cold months in April and May. Impressive for them. They are in dire need to improve on the road at 10-13. Divisional rivals St. Louis and Houston are hanging around, much to the disgust of Cub fans. The Cards and Astros are a combined 28-26 on the road, and truly a thorn in our side.

The Cubs have been explosive on offense, and have exceeded expectations on the mound. The Cubs lead the N.L in batting with a .284 team batting average, and a team on base percentage of .366. They are first in hits with 523 and look to have all the confidence in the world. I don't doom players coming to bat in pressure situations this year. If unsuccessful, they will get em' next time.

I will break down but one pitcher, and that is Sean Gallagher, who in four starts is 2-1 with a 4.5 e.r.a. He gave up only one run last night, and averages 6 strikeouts per game. Already better than Marquis in my opinion, and should be allowed to stay in the rotation as long as these results keep coming. I fully expect Jim Hendry to try and trade for a reliable starter sometime after the All-Star break. Greg Maddux has been rumored, and I would be just fine with that. In overall pitching, the Cubs are 3rd in the N.L. They own the third best e.r.a. with a 3.62, and are third in strikeouts with 380. Walks are a trouble spot, and complete games are a relic. The rotation has to go deeper a couple times a week to give a break to this bullpen which any team in the league should be envious of.

A couple players of note besides great production From D. Lee and Aramis Ramirez.

Ryan Theriot currently is second in the N.L. in singles with 49, only behind the 53 from future hall of famer Chipper Jones. Not before Ron Santo you don't Jonsey! Great job, and perhaps may solidify that 2 hole.

The real story to me is Geovanny "Han" Soto. He is making a case right now for the All-Star game. Brian McCann seems to be the starter right now, but I see Soto easily being the Reserve. Look at the Stats. 52 hits, 17 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 35 rbi's and 29 walks. His strikeouts are a bit high at 47, but hey, he's a rookie after all. .304 batting and .403 on base percentage. Both better than Derrek Lee, and right round Aramis. Impressive, truly impressive numbers. Go Cubs, Go!

Jim Hendry Aqusition Makes No Sense

With the back end of the Cubs pitching rotation in question, and proving difficult to trade for quality before the All-Star Break, Jim Hendry decides to tinker with an offense that is clicking , while weakening the defense at the same time. Jim Hendry signs Jim Edmunds Wednesday night. Cub Killer. World Series Winner. He is now our back-up centerfielder? This risk is one that makes no sense at all.
At 37 years old, Jim Edmunds is a stone’s throw from a wheelchair and a frontal lobotomy. In 2006, Edmunds suffered from post-concussion syndrome. He played 110 games that year. In 2007 his toe hurt, and more importantly his shoulder went out. This season he started on the DL with a strained calf. Upon coming back, all reports say he cannot hit the fastball, and his arm is weak. The last time I checked, Felix Pie in the least could hit a fastball, and is the Cubs best defensive outfielder. Reed Johnson has an on base percentage of .341! Edmunds obp is .265, even lower than Pie’s .286.
In 90 at bats this year, Edmunds is hitting .178, with 16 hits and 6 rbi’s. Felix Pie has 63 at bats, 14 hits and 7 rbi’s, while batting .222. Reed Johnson has been very serviceable in 121 at bats, with an average of .256, and on base percentage of .341, with 31 hits and 17 rbi’s. Reed has also plated three times as many runs with 19.
The stats don’t lie, and Lou Pinella likes to play the percentages. Why demote Felix, whose only problem is hitting in a lineup that makes up for him? He destroys the minor leagues now. He needs to be here.
In the end, I am not in the front office, but simply a fan. With a winning record, I suppose I can weather the acquisition for now, and root for our new Cub. The question is how much better can he really be?