Back on track. I expect a completely different team to show up in LA today, not the AA team from games 1 and 2.

Cubs are 6-7 favorites, or are .565 to make a series out of this thing.
Go Cubs.

Manny must go down!

"Ordinary's just not good enough today."- Our Lady Peace
"Superman's Dead"

Pedal, metal. Let's not make this the last time for six months we get to request that pairing.

I intentionally stayed away from BTF for the last couple of days because I didn't want to watch the trolls dancing around our possibly soon-to-be grave. But in retrospect, I missed out on some massive hilarity. I don't know which was funniest:

* Retro offending the "moral sensibilities" of Harris, MHS, and others by claiming he wasn't going to pay up on his bet. (I spent about a year playing poker for a living, and still play semi-seriously, so I believe highly in keeping your word when it comes to the wagering of money...and I still find welshing on a bet to be less distasteful than intentionally poking and prodding a group of people who are already unhappy and trying to push them over the edge through snark and ridiculous arguments.)

* Kyle's insistence that the reason the Cubs were losing all of these playoff games and badly underperforming had to have some sort of meta-organizational or "supernatural" reason. From August 30-September 5 this season, the Cubs, in the midst of rolling up a .602 win pct. and scoring 855 runs (5.28 runs/gm), went 0-6 and were outscored 14-36. Curse? Organizational problem? No. Really good teams can play horrifically bad over short stretches. It happens ALL the time.

"Lowe is better than Dempster, Billingsley is better than Zambrano, Kuroda is better than Harden, who says the Cubs are better than the Dodgers right now?"- I'm not attributing this to any one person because I believe I've seen all of these statements from different sources. (I know that "levski" contributed the question, or something close to it). Could someone please point me in the direction of an article written BEFORE the series started, that stated that the Dodgers were far superior statstically to the Cubs, and that this would be an easy L.A. win? Thanks!

NO ONE

"NO ONE SAW THIS COMING"- way to accidentally hit the "send" button somehow. :P

This series has been an overall disgrace and an embarrassment. But I'm not giving up on this team just yet. I'm not willing to say "#### these guys up the ass, I'm not watching this #### anymore". (Although I have cast many epithets in the direction of the "fans" who were at the 2 games; booing the team in the 5th inning of game 1 was beyond pathetic.) I don't realistically think we're going to win three in a row and come back in the series, but no one should be worried about that right now. It all comes down to winning one game at a time, and we've got Rich Harden, our "October prince" on the mound, vs. Hiroki Kuroda. I'll take that matchup.

I don't think y'all can dance on our grave just yet.

It begins tonight. Win this, we play tomorrow. That's all that matters.

Let's make Dodger Stadium our own:



I get up, and nothing gets me down.
You got it tough. I've seen the toughest soul around.
And I know, baby, just how you feel.
You've got to roll with the punches to get to what's real
Oh can't you see me standing here,
I've got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen.
Oh can't you see what I mean ?

Might as well jump. Jump !
Might as well jump.
Go ahead, jump. Jump !
Go ahead, jump.

Aaa-ohh Hey you ! Who said that ?
Baby how you been ?
You say you don't know, you won't know
until we begin.
Well can't you see me standing here,
I've got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen.
Oh can't you see what I mean ?

Might as well jump. Jump!
Go ahead, jump.
Might as well jump. Jump!
Go ahead, jump. Jump!

Might as well jump. Jump!
Go ahead, jump.
Get it and jump. Jump!
Go ahead, jump
Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!

"Just one more fight about a lot of things,
and I will give you everything.
'Cause I have had enough of this.
And now I'm pissed."

"I'd love to be the one to
disappoint you
when I don't fall down."

The height of desperation = quoting Limp Bizkit lyrics.

(I was 21-24 when they were popular. I liked them. Sue me.)

These game chatters are one of the things I'll miss the most about this season. Good times.

I was thinking that even though the Cubs have absolutely #### the bed in the first two games, it can't completely override the season as a whole. I know they'll be remembered by most as the team that looked like World Series material for six months and then like a AA team in October, but this was/is a very talented, exciting team to follow. Who knows what happens from here, but at least it wasn't a stressful journey to get here.

True, although I regret Lou putting the brakes on at the end. It would have been nice to have a 100 game winner.

True, although I regret Lou putting the brakes on at the end. It would have been nice to have a 100 game winner.

Bah.

Hmm, I'm not so sure that there's any mojo to that Pedal to the metal thing. We seemed to limp into the playoffs, even before we clinched. And then the last week was so-so. All that time, the chatters have been started with pedal to the metal. Maybe we should try something else...

We seemed to limp into the playoffs, even before we clinched.

Between Sep. 10 and Sep. 22, the Cubs went 9-2, and increased their lead from 4.5 to 10.5 games.

Not only that, but in the final two weeks the "slumping" Cubs put up a 9-6 record while the "red hot" Dodgers went 7-7.

anyone know where Kemp is going to hit in the order tonight
I'd put him in the 8 hole expecting 3/4 K's thinking he might run into one

Huh, why was I thinking we sucked? We did suck right before clinching, right?

or rather there was a time we sucked before we clinched

I'm just posting because I did last game and it turned out great (i.e., Cubs loss)...but are those the lyrics to a Van Halen song I see up thread? Oh, what sad times are these when passing Cubs fans can quote Van Halen lyrics at will on BTF. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who detest and loathe Cubs fans are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.

But boy are we lovin' the fact the Cubs are down 0-2. McLovin' it bigtime.

or rather there was a time we sucked before we clinched

There was the long slump at the end of August, but I don't think there's a correlation with the Cubs' performance in the last two games.

Is Fukudome in the lineup tonight? ;)

I hope Harden has it tonight. He could turn this entire series around if he comes out and dominates. We traded away Gallagher for this start tonight. Let's see if it is worth it.

The game in Milwaukee has slowed to a snail's pace. What happens if it goes long? Will TBS switch over to a different station?

If the game in Milwaukee isn't over, I believe that the Cubs - Dodgers game will start on TNT.

Well, it will take a quick finish for the game to end by 10:07 EDT.

I'm doing my part in shaking things up for the Cubs, with my first Manhattan of the season.

But what about Titanic? I hope they don't cancel part of that outstanding film...

Soriano
Fontenot
Lee
Ramirez
Soto
Edmonds
DeRosa
Theriot
Harden

The game will start on TNT.

Looks like a winner...I still say that Fontenot will make an impact on this series. Maybe tonight he spurs an offensive breakout.

In his post-clinch tryout, Fukudome hit .238/.304/.381. This was enough to get him starts.

Milwaukee in trouble.

Is fontenot considered an upgrade to the D over DeRosa?

Play ball!

Managers don't play in the games, idiot, so feel free to shut up about Torre's alleged mastery of Piniella.

Post 31...I'd say about even...although Fuku is better on D than DeRo in RF

The Brewers pulled it off.

Who are the announcers for this one?

So they switched away from "Titanic" to show the beginning of this game. Fitting.

Man, he almost got it.

Lee flashing some power! Seems like it's a double or a DP with him recently

Okay, the Dodger Stadium walls don't look at all how I remember them. I guess I didn't pay much attention to the NL West this season.

C'mon Aramis...get us the lead.

So they switched away from "Titanic" to show the beginning of this game

Somewhere, all of my ex-girlfriends are angry.

Who are the announcers for this one?


Dick Studdard, Terry Gwynn, Ron Dahlen

Post 40....that's because you wanted to watch good baseball. The West was awful this year.

This towel crap has got to stop.

Go Cubs.

For those of you that like to fake out the nanny, I found out that both "Dick" and "sucking" seem to get through. I found that out while commenting on Mr. Stockton...

I'm ready for the Cubs to win this game.

Who are the announcers for this one?

Darling, Gwynn, and Stockton.

Kuroda is a douche....the 1-2 pitch was nowhere close

I think it's about beer o'clock in my house.

Game flipping to TBS.

I know they didn't score, but I at least feel a little better about the approach the hitters took that inning. Baby steps.

Now we need dominant Harden to show up.

Now we need dominant Harden to show up

and of course the defense needs to show up. Sad that I have to even think about that...

Yes we do...what was Hiroki's pitch count? He'll eventually miss with that 2 seamer and we'll get ahold of one.

Voxter--you talk abotu beer a lot.

Are you just a raging alky?

No stuff against the Cardinals, no command against the Brewers, neither against the Mets. Let's hope the decision to put Harden on ice for five weeks actually starts working.

Only 89 MPH on the first pitch?

The Cubs rest in Rich Harden's hands.

Mow 'em down kid. And sail one at Manny's doucher head.

Kuroda is from Hiroshima. Um, are we allowed to say that we hope the Cubs blow him away tonight, or should we choose a different phrase?

Velocity wasn't Harden's main problem; it was the fact he was walking so many people his last few starts.

Voxter--you talk abotu beer a lot.

Are you just a raging alky?

The biggest flamewar I ever got involved in here at BTF was about beer, actually.

The answer is no, though. It's just Saturday night my friends are all married / out of town. So: baseball, and a couple of beers.

This is the weirdest-tasting beer I've ever had.

Manny is just frightening.

This is the weirdest-tasting beer I've ever had.

Sorry, that empty bottle was by my computer and I didn't want to miss the 9th inning of the Brewers - Phillies game.

He was out...what kind of call was that? Great play by Sori.

Oh, at first glance that didn't look like the best call of all time. On replay . . . I can't tell.

Little sloppy by Ramirez at third to save Martin's rear end

He was out.

Kuroda is from Hiroshima. Um, are we allowed to say that we hope the Cubs blow him away tonight, or should we choose a different phrase?

I'm going to Hiroshima next month. Good thing you're not coming with me.

After all those replays I still don't know if he was safe or out.

Good call, but he easily could have been called out there.

How did he avoid being out?

Harden is looking very hittable.

Filthy change to retire Ethier.

I thought the ball beat him but Ramirez didn't get the tag on him.

I'm sure people still get blown in Hiroshima from time to time.

How about learning what Harden throws, Ron?

How did he avoid being out?

Hand got in, Ramirez tagged him in the side after Martin had already touched the base.

Gwynn and Darling? Is this affirmative action for ex-major leaguers with weird voices?

That pitch to Martin was actually really bad. In fact, it was the Bob Howry problem of throwing "too good" of a pitch. Soto went into the "stand up" position, and Harden threw it right over the plate.

(I know it's late, but my comp. is lagging tonight and I really wanted to make that point to refute Tony "that wasn't that bad of a pitch" Gwynn.)

Harden up in the low 90s now. That's good.

I'm so glad I'm not watching the "All-Disppointing Pac-10 Bowl" right now.

Darling seems not to have watched a baseball game in 10 years.

####

Someone want to tell Darling there are 2 outs?

####. Sigh.

I believe that's what they call "chooglin'".

Bad throw, up the line.

The first call was just barely right, I think.

Ugh, what a miserable cut-off throw. They had Manny by a mile if that throw is within 5 feet of the plate.

####. The Cubs could drive anyone to drink.

Always next year.

Were they playing "I don't want to work" for Manny?

I still think he was out at 3B.

Gee--Manny's bad wheels seem just fine and dandy all of a sudden.

Doucheb@g.

Sorry, but the first double and the play at third are omens that this is not gonna happen. The double could've easily been a groundout or a foul. The play at third looked very close. I hate this crowd, too. And James Loney's ##### ass looks like Raven Simone.

Ugh... at least they scored them honestly... the lousy throw from DeRosa notwithstanding...

Good God, it's Leonardo DiCraprio and Russel Crowe in one movie! It's like a giant vortex of suck.

Its only 2 runs. Just need to get some sh1t rolling is all...

F*ck you Manny. One more time. He's zooming around the bases like he's 24 back in CLE.

DiCaprio was good, once, before he became a certified superstar.

He's out by a mile if the throw isn't ####.

That was only eight inches outside.

What's wrong with Crowe? Crowe is great.

Loney's ##### ass looks like Raven Simone.

I don't really see it.

S

orry, but the first double and the play at third are omens that this is not gonna happen.

I'd say that Harden threw a bad pitch that turned into a double, and then hung a "breaking change" over the plate to Loney instead of burying it, are more signs that it's not going to happen, rather than an "omen".