***Official 2009 N.L. Central Thread*** Congrats to the Cardinals***

[sickickz23]

Originally Posted by FIRST B0RN

You know this is the best division in baseball when the Cubs are in first. The only thing I am surprised is that we won a game against the Phillies. We should have been swept. The Dodgers and Stos are going to beat the %!!$ out of us

"Fixed"

arstyle......waiting for that pic

 

[arstyle27]

Cubs Find Their Way Back to First
Cubs Beat Reds 5-2

The long road to first place has been a bumpy one for the Cubs, who have endured hitting slumps, injuries,Gatorade-dispenser incidents and a slew of Milton Bradley controversies along the way.

But they finally arrived at their appointed destination Sunday after a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, taking ahalf-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central.

Rich Harden allowed one hit over six innings for his third straight victory since the All-Star break, and Kosuke Fukudomehad two RBIs as the Cubs won their fourth straight and 10th in their last 13 games.

A crowd of 41,528 seemed to enjoy the fact the Cubs overcame a lot of adversity to get to the top spot, though some, like Bradley, downplayed theaccomplishment."It's nice, but I don't think we're going to get any nicer articles written about us," Bradley said. "But we're in firstplace,so you can't find a negative in that."

It really means nothing, after all the Cubs have gone through?

"Am I going to get more cheers now?" he said. "Are we going to stop getting bashed by everybody, articles about our lineup and how it was betterlast year and all that garbage. Last year's team is sitting at home, just like everyone else. There's just one champion."

Actually, Sunday's lineup included seven players from last year's team, and Bradley was cheered after making a nice headfirst slide into home in thethird and a running catch of a foul ball in the fifth.

"I don't notice it," he said.

While the chip remains cemented onto Bradley's shoulder, catcher Koyie Hill took the opposite approach.

"To go through some adversity, it can build a lot of character," Hill said. "But you can go one way or the other. I'm proud to be in theposition we are in, but there's a long way to go, a lot of baseball to be played."

Hill had his first career triple in the two-run eighth inning that sealed the win and was credited with a swipe tag of Edwin Encarnacion on a throw fromFukudome for a double play that ended the top of the eighth.

Plate umpire Laz Diaz blew the call. Replays showed Hill's glove never touched Encarnacion.

"We were fortunate it turned out the way it did," Hill said.

Harden's pitching was the story. After serving up a two-out home run to Joey Votto in the first, he retired the final 16 batters he faced before beingremoved after 90 pitches. He struck out eight and walked none in his first win at Wrigley Field since May 12.

"During the day too," Harden offered, poking fun at the controversy over whether he can pitch only in night games.

Harden said all the commotion over his day-vs.-night stats was "pretty ridiculous," though it was manager LouPiniella who first brought it up. Before the game, Piniella said if Harden pitches like he did in his last two starts, "he can pitch on the equatorin the daytime and still get people out."

Harden finally got the daytime monkey off his back, sending the Cubs into first for the first time since they were tied April 21.

"We're starting to play good baseball when you need to start playing good baseball," Piniella said. "There's a long couple months aheadof us, but we're headed in the right direction. It feels good to be on top. It's only half a game, but we're on top."

The Cubs being back in first place after three months is unbelievable. As bad......no, as horrid, as this offense wasfor much of the year, they have finally found some consistency and find themselves at the top of the division. It's no coincidence that our hot streakstarted pretty much when Aramis came back. He is that valuable to this team. Soriano is starting to get hot. Combine that with Lee, Ramirez, and a betterBradley, and this Cubs team can get on a mighty roll. The pitching has been phenomenal. Hopefully, Lily can come back strong, and Dempster stays injury freefrom here on out.

All that being said, this division will come down to the last week or two. I don't see St. Louis or the Booers going away any time soon.

Game on folks !!!

 

[arstyle27]

Originally Posted by sickickz23

Originally Posted by FIRST B0RN

You know this is the worst division in baseball when the sorry as Cards are in second. The only thing I am surprised is that we won a game against the Phillies. We should have been swept. The Dodgers and Stos are going to beat the %!!$ out of us

"Fixed"

arstyle......waiting for that pic

I got you.....I was doin it while you were posting..

 

[Retroballer]

Monday, July 27 [img]http://houston.astros.mlb.com/images/schedule/icon_ticket.gif[/img] Wrigley Field | 7:05 PM CT

Wandy Rodriguez, LHP (10-6, 2.72) Astros (50-4 @ Carlos Zambrano, RHP (7-4, 3.4 Cubs (51-45)

Scouting Report: Astros: Rodriguez became Houston's first 10-game winner this season by winning his fifth consecutive decision last time out against St. Louis. He had his scoreless innings snapped against the Cardinals in the second inning but didn't waste any time in starting a new one. He had not allowed a run in 18 1/3 innings until Mark DeRosa hit a solo home run with one out in the second frame. After that, he did not allow another run, tossing seven innings, allowing four hits and giving up just the one run while striking out five. He has faced Chicago twice this season but has received tough-luck no-decisions in both starts. Last time out against the Cubs on June 10, he worked seven innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out six. Rodriguez has a 1.38 ERA over 13 innings against the Cubs this season. Cubs: Zambrano gave up a season-high 10 hits but got enough run support for a change to pick up his third straight win in his last start. He beat the Phillies, giving up five runs (four earned) over 6 2/3 innings. Big Z also struck out seven. He didn't get a hit, which is a surprise. Zambrano has faced the Astros twice this year, winning on Opening Day, April 6, and not getting a decision June 10 despite holding Houston to one run on three hits over eight innings.

Tuesday, July 28 [img]http://houston.astros.mlb.com/images/schedule/icon_ticket.gif[/img] Wrigley Field | 7:05 PM CT

Roy Oswalt, RHP (6-4, 3.66) Astros (50-4 @ Ryan Dempster, RHP (5-5, 4.09) Cubs (51-45)

Scouting Report: Astros: Through six innings Oswalt was spectacular against the Cardinals, efficiently throwing 59 pitches through six, but he ran into control issues in the seventh, allowing two runs in the inning to be out-dueled by Chris Carpenter. He would allow three runs on seven hits and strike out four over seven innings, taking and receive and no decision. He has faced the Cubs twice this season, going 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA. In his last start against the Cubs on May 16, he tossed six innings allowing three runs and striking out seven to receive a no decision. In his career, Oswalt is 12-12 with a 3.90 ERA in 28 appearances, including 27 starts against Chicago. Cubs: Dempster has been on the disabled list since July 8 because of a broken right big toe, but his rehab went well, and he will be activated about a week earlier than expected. The right-hander warmed up with a simulated game last Wednesday in Philadelphia, throwing 60 pitches, and was to throw another side session over the weekend. Give him credit for keeping his arm in shape during his rehab time.

Wednesday, July 29 [img]http://houston.astros.mlb.com/images/schedule/icon_ticket.gif[/img] Wrigley Field | 1:20 PM CT

Mike Hampton, LHP (6-7, 4.74) Astros (50-4 @ Randy Wells, RHP (6-4, 3.10) Cubs (51-45)

Scouting Report: Astros: In his last start against the New York Mets, Hampton wasn't able to work out beyond the sixth inning, allowing four runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings, but he did provide the Astros with a boost at the plate, hitting his first home run since May 8, 2005, and the 16th of his career. He's faced the Cubs once this season already, taking the loss on May 6 after allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. In 24 career appearances, including 20 starts, he is 9-5 with a 3.07 ERA against the Cubs. Cubs: Wells seems to like facing National League Central teams. In his last start, against the Reds, Wells picked up his ninth quality start and a victory. So far, he's 2-1 with a 2.39 ERA against NL Central teams and 6-0 when he gets four runs of support or more. Against the Reds, Wells' only mistake was serving up Aaron Harang's first career homer. Wells was kicking himself after the game for the slider he hung. He's still a rookie.

Thursday, July 30 [img]http://houston.astros.mlb.com/images/schedule/icon_ticket.gif[/img] Wrigley Field | 1:20 PM CT

Russ Ortiz, RHP (3-5, 4.75) Astros (50-4 @ Kevin Hart, RHP (2-1, 2.0 Cubs (51-45)

Scouting Report: Astros: Ortiz labored through 4 1/3 innings against the Mets last time out. He threw 96 pitches, allowing six runs on five hits and walking four in his outing. Ortiz has three appearances, including two starts against the Cubs this season, posting an 0-1 record with a 5.06 ERA over 10 2/3 innings versus the North-siders this year. In his last outing against them on June 11, Ortiz allowed no runs and just three hits over 5 1/3 innings but recieved a no decision. In his career, he is 3-5 with 5.23 ERA in 13 appearances, including 11 starts, against the Cubs. Cubs: Hart thought his days as a starter would be over upon Ryan Dempster's return, but with Ted Lilly going on the DL, the Cubs will be counting on the rookie right-hander. Hart picked up his second win in his last start, against the Reds on Saturday. He posted his longest outing, six innings, and gave up one run on five hits. In his first two starts, Hart had walked 10 and struck out four. Against the Reds, he said he found his groove -- as well as his offspeed pitches -- so he didn't have to rely on his fastball alone. This is a makeup of a postponed game against the Astros.

 

[651akathepaul]

^ Pretty good matchups. Should be a fun series.

 

[statis22]

Zambrano owns the Stros. We might lose 3/4

 

[Retroballer]

Originally Posted by Statis22

Zambrano owns the Stros. We might lose 3/4

i got faith in Wandy
but expect a split the 1st two then the next two are wild cards

 

[statis22]

Russ got beat up pretty good yesterday and Mole man today. To the freakin Mets SMH.

Maybe the pitching may be coming back down to earth

 

[CP1708]

Dempster already back huh? Well, that's some good news.

Need to get Soto back, and then Lilly. Lilly has been so damn durable the last 3 years, I guess it's only fitting he get a couple weeks off to get right.

Soto is the one I want back in the lineup. If he gets his bat going, and can give us some insurance at the C position since we are very thin right now,especially when Lou starts Fox at a different position.

Come on Z, need a solid game from you tonight man.

 

[clutch 713]

Thanks RetroBaller for posting the Matchups.

Gonna be a good Series, May the best team win.

Lets go 'Stros!

 

[joe billionaire]

z got this

 

[arstyle27]

Rodenbagger, Rodawinkle, Roolengardner

 

[shabooyah1124]

Just to give y'all a heads up, Rookie of the Year is on AMC

 

[secretzofwar]

Hendry should and will get canned by the new ownership. Not fair the Sox have four playoff appearances and a ring. BRING IN KENNY WILLIAMS!!!

 

[Retroballer]

Originally Posted by shabooyah1124

Just to give y'all a heads up, Rookie of the Year is on AMC

im watching it as im waiting for San Andreas to download.
you can tell the movie is fictional. The cubs win the world series at the end

 

[flintgrey]

I hope Dempster's foot is fine for tonight. I still think he's a moron....lol.

First place baby! This division is going to come down to the wire.

 

[Retroballer]

I hope Lee starts to heat up in the second half.
He was on fire last year until he broke his leg

 

[statis22]

^^ He broke his hand

 

[Retroballer]

right, my mistake, leg the year before from Everett sliding into his leg

either way he was on fire

 

[statis22]

SMH at Wrigley and their stupid ivey screwing Miggy out of a 3 bagger

 

[Retroballer]

Blum

 

[statis22]

^^^ Why you like the Packers? Texans winning 10 this year *hopefully*

 

[Retroballer]

Originally Posted by Statis22

^^^ Why you like the Packers? Texans winning 10 this year *hopefully*

im from new england (maine)

so when i was like 5 my favorite players were Favre, Biggio and Bagwell, Hakeem and Messier
so i just became a fan of those teams

 

[statis22]

Sampson

 

[Retroballer]

nice way to waste Wandy's start