Chicago Cubs Week In Review

After sweeping the Brewers in Milwaukee and giving the Cubs some much needed breathing room in the National League Central, the Chicago Cubs returned to Wrigley Field with the hopes of avoiding a let down. During the past week the Cubs have won 4 of 6 games at home and managed to avoid losing their 5 game lead over Brewers and Cardinals.

Alfonso Soriano has been a huge reason for the Cubs post All Star game success. Soriano has given the Cubs the boost that they needed when they started to faulter in mid July. 21 home runs for a man who has missed six weeks of the season is quite impressive, and his personality on the field seems to rub off on the rest of the Cubs lineup.


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The Cubs bullpen went through a tough overworked spell after Kerry Wood couldn't recover from his aggravating blister on his pitching hand. Carlos Marmol was having trouble finding the strike zone, while the rest of the Cubs bullpen have been shaky at best. Since the all star break, Carlos Marmol seems to have regained his location and is once again being the reliable set up man that the Cubs need. Kerry Wood has been activated from the DL and recently pitched one scoreless inning in relief, and more importantly his finger appears to be fine. The Cubs may have to use Kerry Wood sparingly until they are confident that his finger has completely healed. The Cubs will need Wood during their stretch run in their quest to make the playoffs.

Bobby Howry has been a headache for Lou Piniella all season. Howry has the "stuff" to be a solid set up combination with Marmol, but he hasn't shown any consistency on the mound. His most recent bullpen implosion cost Rich Harden another win, and may have lost any remaining confidence that Lou has in him. Chad Gaudin may be the man who replaces Bobby Howry in the role of holding the lead to pass on to Marmol and Wood in late inning relief.

The Cubs get the rare opportunity to enjoy a day off (their first day off in three weeks) today, and hope the the day off will have the Cubs ready and rested as the St. Louis Cardinals roll in to town in a very important divisional match up.

Ryan Theriot hit a ball off of his foot yesterday and appeared to be in a lot of pain. Ronny Cedeno replaced Ryan Theriot in the seventh inning. Today's day off will hopefully give Theriot some time to rest his foot and be ready for the St. Louis series. Theriot has been an integral part of the Cubs success this year, getting on base consistently for the Cubs RBI men in the middle of the order.

Rich Harden Strikes Out 11 In Cubs Debut

Chicago Cub fans got their first taste of Rich Harden on Saturday against the San Francisco Giants. Rich Harden struck out 11 Giants in only 5 1/3 innings. Expect a lot of 5-6 inning performances, since Lou Piniella will be keeping a close eye on Rich Harden's pitch count. Harden was held to 96 pitches, but if they can keep Harden healthy, then you will be hard pressed to find any Cub fan complaining at all! Order A Rich Harden Chicago Cubs Jersey


Chad Gaudin, who some may overlook may prove to be the "steal" in the Hardin trade. Gaudin is a young and talented relief pitcher that can pitch several innings out of the bullpen, or even get an occasional start. Chad Gaudin is only 25 years old, and he could give the Cubs big three relievers (Howry, Marmol, and Wood), some much need rest during the dog days of august.

Chad Gaudin is sorely needed at a time when Carlos Marmol can't seem to find the plate on the mound. Marmol gave up a five run lead in the ninth inning to erase Rich Harden's strong performance on the mound. Marmol clearly needs to be shut down until after the all star break, to rest his arm and to get his composure back.

Reed Johnson saved the Cubs from a heartbreaking defeat by singling to right field, scoring Mark Derosa who led off the 11th inning with a walk.

The Cubs jumped on the San Francisco Giants early and often jumping out to a 7-0 lead, led by Jim Edmonds 4 rbi's including a homerun. Jim Edmonds has provided much needed power from the left side, and can still play a superb center field. Order A Chicago Cubs Jim Edmonds Jersey
You have to give Jim Hendry some credit. His moves thus far have helped mold a "good" Chicago Cubs team, to quite possibly the strongest team in Major League Baseball.

A healthy one, two, three punch of Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, and Rich Harden can much up against any team in baseball during a playoff series. Lets all just hope the Cubs continue to play good baseball, and it comes down to that.