Monday September 17

Jason Marquis was terrific going 6.1 innings and Ryan Dempster nailed down his 28th save in 31 opps. 

Matt Murton provided for the winning margin with a 3 run HR.  Big Red has been clutch over the last month in his limited role.

Two weeks to go:  The Cubs survived an exhausting week on the road going 5-2.  We are still tied in the loss column with the Brewers.  Now we have an equal amount of home games, 6, as we do road games.  The Brewers play 14 games and have half of them on the road.  So the home game edge the Brewers had is now gone.  So the Cubs are in the driver's seat, right?  Not so fast...

You could argue it both ways.  Those that like the Cubs argue that we play against teams that are totally out of contention, while the Brewers play 4 against the Braves and 4 against the Padres.

Those that favor the Brewers point to the fact that the Brewers miss Roy Oswalt in Houston, on paternity leave, and Jake Peavy of San Diego.  While the Cubs catch both Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang twice each (the Brewers missed both of them this past weekend).  Also, the Padres could be resting their guys for the playoffs by the time they make it to Milwaukee next weekend.

I'd go crazy trying to project the last two weeks, so I'm just going to enjoy the ride.  I'll have fun no matter who wins this thing...wait, I'll have a whole lot more fun if my Cubs win, but I am going to enjoy the journey.

Da Bears: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, do not risk Devin Hester on offense.  The upside is not worth the extra risk of injury.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.  Hester is the single most important player on the Bears.  They would not have gotten to the Super Bowl last year without him, and would not have beaten the Chiefs yesterday.  He is the best return man ever to play the game.  Bar none.  He brings back memories of Gale Sayers running through the 49er's.  PLEASE.

Yesterday's Results:

Cubs 4, Cardinals 2     Box:  http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2007_09_16_chnmlb_slnmlb_1

Brewers 5, Reds 2

Standings:

Cubs          78-72            --

Brewers      76-72             1