The series starting Tuesday, is going to be a challenge. Not because the Orioles are a great team, but because its always a challenge avoiding a let down, after a big series, where emotions ran high. Having the day off today should help. Sean Marshall starts against Jeremy Guthrie on Tuesday night. Marshall did a pretty good job last year in the 2nd half of the season ans will be trying to show he belongs on the big league team. Guthrie is 3-7, but his ERA is a very good one, 3.51. They just dont score runs for the guy. Hope that continues. It will be key for Marshall, Lilly and Marquis, to contain Nick Markakis in this series and keep Brian Roberts off the bases. It's gotta be frustrating for Roberts-who wanted to come to Chicago, to come here and see 40,000 plus fans and a team 20 over .500 that he could have been a part of. Who knows, perhaps it might still happen at the deadline. But it seems to me, that another top of the rotation starter would be the priority now.

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Go Cubs!!!!

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In Games 2 and 3 the match-ups are more favorable than in game one of this series. In game 2 it will be Brian Burres, facing Ted Lilly. Burres is a Lefty, with a 6-5 record. His ERA is less than impressive, at 5.24. His last time out, he went 5 2/3 innings and gave up 3 runs, a better than average start for Burres. Lilly 7-5 with a 4.71 ERA. He went 6 2/3 innings vs the Sox last time out, giving up 3 runs. The start before that, he went 6 innings vs the Blue Jays and did not surrender a run in a start he only gave up a single hit in.

In the final game of the series, Radhames Liz, will face Jason Marquis. Liz is 1-0 on the season, but he has a high ERA-6.27. In his last start, he only got through 2 plus innings before getting yanked. He gave up 5 runs before his exit. Marquis has won his last 4 straight, and now stands at 6-3 on the season. He has a 4.43 ERA. Hard to believe that his ERA is now better than Lilly's. Radhames is a fly ball pitcher. He has recorded 28 fly ball outs vs 12 ground ball outs. So if the wind id blowing out, the Cub batters may have a big day on Thursday.Though most important, is that Marquis keep on the roll he's been on of late.

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Go Cubs!!!!

The more I read about tonights starter, Jeremy Guthrie, the more I am amazed he does not have a winning record. Last year he did. On a bad Orioles team too. He was 7-5, with a 3.70 ERA. He pitched 175 innings, walked just 47 and struck out 123! I'll be at the game tonight as well as the day game Thursday and am going to be very interested in seeing Guthrie in person. Of course, Guthrie is going to be facing a different kind of offense than he normally might face. This Cubs team is very patient and will make him work. Plus, they have the kind of talented hitters to hit even the better pitchers. Hopefully the home win streak goes to 15 tonight!

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Go Cubs!!!!

The Cubs announced that Felix Pie was demoted to AA after hitting just .222 at AAA. They also announced that Jeff Samardzija was promoted to AAA . Samardzija may be on track to make it to the bigs before September call-ups. Gotta run to the game now. Hoping they can make it 15 straight.

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Go Cubs!!!!