As disappointing as it was to have the Nationals take two of three in Washington, it wasn't all that terrible. Lilly pitched fairly well and went resonably deep into the game. Zambrano continued his early season success. Plus, while it was a team that the Cub's should have beaten in the series,Washington wasn't one that likely got the team real motivated to play their best.

But this series against the Brewers features the team that should be the Cub's chief rival for the division. The Cub's should be very motivated.I'm glad Lilly just pitched, as the Brewers are 5-0 against lefties, including Lilly and Johan Santana. I'm also glad that Lou is skipping Hill for the same reason. It will be all right handers that will face the Brew Crew. This is the time for the Cub's to step up and play their best. One of the best things about the just completed series that the Cub's played in Washington, may be that the bullpen was not overworked in it. They should be ready to go and hopefully will be the difference in any close games, as that has been a weakness for Milwaukee so far this year.

The Cub's End The Wait in 2008!!

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Go Cubs!!!!

I wouldnt call it a big series, but I would like for the cubs to continue their winning ways at wrigley.

every series with your main divisional rival is big in my opinion. these games are worth as much as the ones in september, and i hope that they are taking it seriously. if they can take 2 or 3 of these games, they can pen up some early daylight on the brewers, and i think that would make a big difference. i am worried about tonights matchup, though. sheets is tough, but marquis has been solid early on, as predicted. the cubs should come out firing, though, after the nationals debacle.

looking forward to the series.

cubs sweep.

It is a big series in a sense that is will set some kind of tone and build confidence for later games. Additionally, the Cubs will play the Reds & Cardinals this home stand...so important division games...important home games.

One cool think is that Lou P. is very pro-active. He looked that far ahead and made sure our lefty's were not in the rotation against the Brewers. That is a solid managing move regardless of the outcome.

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Proud to be UNVERIFIED.

If the Cubs get swept this series they will still win this division. No way the Cubs don't win it. So it's not a big series. I'm an objective Sox fan observer. You guys have it in the bag.

Now, if you're a fan of the Cubs you don't think that way. I understand that. I wouldn't either. I'm just telling you that you're in the playoffs.

Ben Sheets will be back. Cubs get swept.

I wouldn't say its in the bag, but its certainly thier division to lose. Its baseball, stranger things have happened. They play 162 games for a reason, but the Cub are clearly the front runners to win this division by quite a few games and anything less is a terrible failure.

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I wonder about the health of Sheets, will he be on a pitch count and will the cool weather affect him?

Hopefully the cubs hitters can continue to show patience and pile up Sheets' pitch count. Keep the games close throughout the series and get into the Brewers bullpen.

I would like too see Pie in center, Johnson in left and Cedeno at second. Get some speed into the lineup. I haven't liked what i have seen from fontenot lately.

Sheets may be back, but no way the Cubs get swept. Your Carnacian abilities are quite questionable anyway.

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Stupidity irritates the crap outta me... and yes, I irritate myself far too often.

I just hope it not too cold for the Cub fans to show up at the game tonight!

They need to right the ship this series after that poor showing against the Nationals. Like Ned Yost mentioned this morning on Silvy & Waddle, it's a big series because you win the series this week then it's less games you'll have to win down the stretch. Getting two or three wins can make a difference down the road (now, you can also say that about every series throughout the season). I would like the Cubs to be patient with Sheets and make him throw a lot of pitches and get his count up. I also wonder if the cold weather will affect his tricep (or forearm, or whatever it was that was ailing him). I'll be happy with two out of three.

Marquis does his usual and gives up a quick run.

Poor Felix Pie. He had surgery on his nuts and it looks like he just took a knee there running the bases. Jeez.

He gets an RBI in return, although in a most painful manner.

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Stupidity irritates the crap outta me... and yes, I irritate myself far too often.

What happened to the Ump? I'm flipping back and forth. Len and Bob said he had to leave the game but they didn't say why.

Pat and Ron don't know yet either.
In other news, Marquis has discovered his late July/August form early this season...

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Stupidity irritates the crap outta me... and yes, I irritate myself far too often.

Marquis is garbage. Gets a 2-1 lead, and comes out and gives up 3. Wish Hendry had the stones to release his ass.

The Cubs continue to be patient, 5 more walks so far. That is good to see. Maybe Pie can come through.

Marquis blows.

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We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

what's maddening about marquis is that he can hit. there are a lot of times when he'll give up like 5 runs in 4 innings, but he'll give you a run back making a clutch hit or something...and there are times when he looks good.

but whenever he takes the mound, i hold my breath.

Think its time for Hart to go to the Minors, and Wuertz should be right behind him shortly after.

Looks like there were plenty of people there to watch the Cub pitching staff get shelled.

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Why do Sox fans bother to chime in on a Cub's message board section?? Do they even bother to contribute to the Sox section? Or do they just chime in here on the Cub's side when things go poorly and shut up, whenever things are going well for the Cub's??

Marquis stinks. He should have been traded for minor league talent in spring training-if such a deal could have been made. Lieber had the best spring ERA 1.82-and should have gotten that spot. That said, the Brewers are one of the best hitting teams in baseball and can make a lot of pitchers look bad. Marquis was going pretty well, before the delay in the game caused by the umpire getting sick. Perhaps that delay threw him out of the rythem he had found. In any case, he makes 7-8 million a season if I am not mistaken, so I'm guessing that the Cub's will want to see a few more starts, before making any such move. He definitely is not the same pitcher he was early last season.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Was at the game last nite, it was pretty damn cold and of course it had to be the longest 9 inning game of the year. I left after the Brewers made it 8-4.

The Brewers seemed to hit every ball hard, even their outs seemed liked they were all line drives.

This was going to be a tough matchup for the Cubs, but with Dempster and Zambrano going today and tomorrow the Cubs can take the final two games.

Like to see Fukodome get going, it seems like he is a little less patient at the plate now compared to the start of the season. But I love the patience Ramirez is showing.

I desperately seek kerchungathunk's attention and am not smart enough to figure out a positive way to get it.

1 down, to to go.

I still need one more loss from the Tigers.

That's all Sox fans are concerned about, "What are the Cubs and Cubs Fans doing? Why do people like them more than us? Are we not good enough?" The only think I don't like about the Chicago White Sox is their fans. That's what make the Sox a 2nd class (fans NO CLASS) team. They just need to play in there own sandbox and be happy.

i was watching the game last night, and i think it was fairly umpired for both sides, but i noticed that the home plate ump was consistently very tight with the outside corner (for right handed hitters, inside edge for lefties), and very loose with the opposite edge. when he got into position for each pitch, he was looking over the catchers left shoulder, meaning he had a great look at the loose edge, yet he was liberal with the calls, and tight on the other side.

not a complaint, just an observation. the ump was fair to both sides.

this is an idea, i am not saying i advocate it entirely, but it does have some merit i think. with todays technology, other than tradition, what would stop MLB from having balls and strikes called from an official in the booth, with the conventional centerfield camera angle? or even a split screen with an overhead of home plate? wouldnt that potentially make the strike zone more consistent, and the ball and strike calls more accurate? it seems like an ump could make a quick ball strike call quickly and accurately. i guess that the only hold up would be on big breaking balls, on where exactly they crossed the plate. wouldnt you think that with all the technology there is out there, they could very closely monitor the strike zone in some way?

before i get shredded into a million pieces for this idea, i am just suggesting it from a technical standpoint, making more accurate calls. i know it would change the face of the game forever in many other way. i think you could pretty much perfect ball-strike calls, though.

The last two replies here are the silliest, dumbest, most ridiculous posts I have ever read on this board.

Ever.

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Thank you Frank for proving my point. Sox Fan trolling Cubs thread is see what Cubs Fans are saying and doing. Typical!

WYC, badger?

http://score670.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=20571

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If it pleases the court, I present exhibit A, B, and C.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!