Tejada is still really good, Carlos Lee is also, Hunter Pence is a good player, Berkman (when not hurt) is still good. Pudge Rodriguez is still better than average. Wandy Rorriguez is having a career year and Oswalt (when not injured) has been at his usual top notch level. It's not a WS contending team in my opinion, but they are still at least an average team. To say the Astros blow, is really not accurate. The Cubs did very well to beat Wandy in the first game and caught a break (even though they didn't take advantage of it) when Oswalt got hurt. This team has shown a pattern of getting hot in August and September in the past few years, so they may not be out of it yet. In any case, with all the games against the various contenders (Cubs, Cards and Brewers) left, they will surely have some say in who does win the division.

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Go Cubs!!!!

randy wells tied for the lead in wins among rookies. he should have closer to 10

If he had been around all season, he might well be leading the ROY race. As it is, he still has a decent chance at it. He's really saved their asses and yes, he should have 2-3 more wins at least. He had several very good starts early on,where either the bullpen gave it away, or the offense did not produce for him. He's not a flame throwing, dominant, scary guy on the mound. But he is effective.

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Go Cubs!!!!

The game today is on shaky ground as far as I am concerned. Hart's ERA looks real good on paper, but his whip (walks/hits vs inning pitched) is not so good. he gets into trouble too often. I hope he continues to progress, as he definitely looked better his last time out vs the Reds, than he did in the previous start vs the Nationals. Ortiz has an ERA of just over 5 vs the Cubs this year going 0-1 in 2 starts. But in his last start against the Cubs he went 5 1/3 and did not give up a run. So who knows which Ortiz shows up today. With the 3 run homer yesterday, Soriano has 19 Homers on the season and 7 of them are against the Astros.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Ortiz is old and bad at baseball I wouldnt be shocked if this is another slug fest.

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both Hart and Ortiz are looking like crap. Cubs where lucky to only have 1 run scored in that inning.

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

Someone needs to check on Cecil Cooper. I think he may be trapped under a piano.

Wow just wow I did not think the Stros where this bad?

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

This is nearing the funny stage. The 'Stros look terrible the last couple days.

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Wow this Astros team has been exposed this series. Decent hitting. 2 good starters one of whom is hurt and a good closer but everything else on this team is crap. Terrible 3 4 and 5 starters and just god awful middle relief.

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I just hope this continues into the weekend.

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

Exactly why did the Cubs try to steal home when they had already scored 5 runs in the inning and have a 6 run lead?????

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My guess is that theriot was running on the pitch. Lee struck out, Theriot was totally toast, Kosuke headed home to get the run before the tag at second, and was gunned down.

Must have been a crossed signal - I can't see a hit and run with the bases loaded less than 2 outs and a 6 run lead? Or am I crazy?

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Does your cat make too much noise? Try KITTEN MITTENS!


Charlie: Oh shit. Look at that door dude. See that door right there? That door marked 'Pirate'? You think a pirate lives in there?
Dennis: I see a door marked 'Private.'

Nuff said.

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

Or twice. I'll take them any way they come as long as they end up in a W

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

Fuk is looking good in the leadoff spot. Keep him there

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

I hate to rain on the hit parade but the one downside to the Cubs absolutely evicerating the Astros bullpen is that tomorrow they head to St. Louis for a 3 game set.....Not going to be alot of fresh arms down there for that series.

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It appears that having Fukodome's Japanese hitting coach here helped him. Fukodome seems to have bottomed out a few weeks ago... hopefully he can keep his avg in the .270-.280 range.

Wow the Astros suck. I guess all that talk of them making a run can end. They must have made this run against bad teams, because their pitching really blows.

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Fuck Edwards and Zobrist

STL just danced for 15 innings the other night. They're not going to be fresh as daisies themselves. Admitedly, HOU is in much deeper kimchee than the Cards. But, we can always hope for a bullpen burner tonight against the Dodgers. It would be nice if the Dodgers showed up tonight.

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

I think thats true. I wonder if they can arrange for more frequent visits. I know they have already arranged for him to return in September. He seems to make a real difference. I like the way Kosuke is attacking the baseball now. I know Houston looked like crap in this series (except for game 2, when they won despite losing Oswalt in the 2nd inning) but the fact that the Cubs beat Wandy Rodriguz in game 1, was the key to taking this series. Zambrano did a nice job in that game and got things off on the right foot. Beating the Nationals and Reds got this team some momentum. Now, they look like a confident bunch. I hope this continues.

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Go Cubs!!!!