RIBL

The Radical Islam Baseball League had to shut down today. They ran out of baserunners after a gross misunderstanding of the "suicide squeeze."

Turning point

That was a statement, a turning point, and a very decisive day yesterday --

Congrats to Big Z for tossing a thoroughly dominating no hitter. That was awesome.

Even more awesome, though, in the grand scheme of things, was beating Houston while Milwaukee tanked two to the Phillies to complete their anti-sweep of that series. We are now 7.5 up on the Brewers, 9.5 on Houston, and St. Louis, well, they're done.

We still have some important games to play and some good teams to beat -- don't get me wrong -- but we are in a very good position now to get it done. A lot less doubt is swirling this morning than there was last week.

Question. It was Doc R who said that sports fans are superstitious and that he's one of them. He said that if he takes a sip of water before the pitch and Big Z throws a strike...he takes a sip before the next pitch. Remember? Well, I am starting a petition to keep him in Cozumel forever. Under the circumstances, it makes sense. We're 3 and 0, with a no hitter on our side since he left. None of the Brewers, Astros or Cards have won a game in that time. It's the least he can do. He can come home in the off season, but I'd like him back there by April.

Even DLee had a good game. Big two run double in a situation when the 3 hitter needs to come through. Plus he made a great play. He's off the hook. For a day.

For those of you that were on the Ohio State bandwagon...I hope you didn't get injured jumping off it. And, no, Ohio State isn't that bad. USC is just that good.

Let's hope that Lilly can repeat his last outing. Our chance to win it all is on the back of our pitching...let's beat the Astros again today and get ready to put the Brewers away once and for all at home this week. Our other home, Wrigley. Not Wrigley North, the one in Wisconsin.

have a great day...celebrate the lead and celebrate the no no.

best to cb

js

Cozumel

Cozumel weather for the week -- temperatures in the mid 90s, and thunderstorms everyday.

Sounds like fun.

Once upon a time, we had baseball to talk about. At least we didn't lose ground yesterday...and the Brewers were also postponed.

best to cb

js

D Lee

0 for 5 with 6 LOB -- he killed that first inning...striking out with runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs. Have to make contact in that situation.

I demand to see Hoffpauir at first base.

Let's hope Wood can hold them...

JS

Finally!

Cubs win. Cubs win.

Barely. Why didn't Lilly get to finish that game? He had thrown only 90 pitches. Wood almost blew it. Just wondering. Is Lou using the Dusty Baker book of "Gotta use the closer, no matter what?"

Speaking of Dusty -- damn them for not sweeping the Brewers.

Pie played well. On base three times. Good to see. Start him again today.

Lots of LOBs for Lee and Theriot yesterday. Theriot is a table setter...Lee's job is to knock in runs.

Re: Hoffpauir. Was that it? Two games? Didn't go 6 for 8, so back to Fukudome? Will he ever get to play first base? I want to see this guy play. I want him to get 30 at bats over the next two weeks to see what happens. Come on, Lou.

Ted Lilly was terrific yesterday. The key was the two inning game last week. Maybe he needed the rest.

Time to go on a win streak. Come on, Rich Harden -- give us a great game today and keep it going.

best to cb

Sherm

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you this special post

It's a baseball blog, y'all. More specifically, a Cub blog. Whilst I, too, enjoy a good chatterboxing about what's on the telly, this is not the forum for that. If you'd like, I will start a new blog and call it Shermstellypicks and we can go on and on about Dexter, The Shield, et al.

Alas, I am concerned also about Smitty. He's either constipated or Homo Joe. Either way, that's kind of disturbing.

And now, back to Shermrants, already in progress:

...and that's why I think the Blue Jays and Astros are the two best teams in baseball right now. Unfortunately for them and their fans, it's too little, too late.

The Red Sox are better with Jason Bay than they were with Manny. How is that possible? Chemistry? Look out Rays, here come the Sox. Kotsay was a great pickup for them.

We should go get Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays -- I don't mean trade for him, I mean kidnap him. No one knows what he looks like anyway, because he's played his whole career in Canada, so we change his name and use him. Thoughts?

We need to beat Kyle Lohse tonight. He's been tough on us this year...and I still don't think he's as good as his record indicates. Start the youngsters...I demand to see Hoffpauir in the starting lineup. Personally, I think we should start Pie and Fontenot, too.

Soriano (because some things are sacred)
Theriot
Lee (because Lou can't think past this)
Ramirez
Hoffpauir (rf)
Soto
Pie
Fontenot
Dempster

Give DeRosa a night off. Give Reedmonds a night off. Give Bailodome a night off (again)

Get get 'em!

best to cb

Sherm

The secret

to clinching, I think, is off days. Another 12 or so, and we might just wrap it up.

Thanks to the Reds and props to the Brewers bullpen.

I just finally got into Springfield, Mass -- thanks to O'Hare for stopping traffic. That was a mighty drizzle. Wouldn't want to fly in THAT.

Not sure what to do now, as I usually get up half an hour ago (it's 4:10 am here) -- suppose a few hours of sleep are in order.

We've had a couple of obscure comments, but I'll address those in the comments...so not to bring down the quality of the posting.

hope that all is well with everyone...especially little cb

more later...

js