Red-Letter Day
Offense Again Blah, Cubs Drop Yet Another Series

Jeff Curry/US PRESSWIRE

Here's some dispiriting news: The Cubs have played 10 series this season, and they've lost seven of them. True to form, yesterday's 5-3 loss meant they dropped this three-gamer against the Reds, too. Ryan Dempster and the Cubs were actually up 3-2 until he served up a three-run bomb to Joey Votto in the seventh. Meanwhile, the Cubs' offense was unimpressive again, with one of their three runs coming on a wild pitch. (The other two came via a Tyler Colvin homer.) The Cubs are 11th in the league, batting only .257 with runners in scoring position. 'Nuff said.

MLB: One swing sends Dempster, Cubs to loss [+ video]
Chicago Sun-Times: Losers against the losers
Chicago Tribune: Piniella sticks with Dempster, and Reds' Votto sticks it to Cubs
Daily Herald: Dempster stays in, ball goes out; Cubs fall to Reds

Das Boot
Should Cubs Send Piniella Packing?
Cubs' manager Lou Piniella came to town with a stellar track record, including a World Series win in 1990. But the Cubs have gone 0-fer the playoffs, and are four games under .500 this year. Bleed Cubbie Blue has had enough, saying it's time for Lou to get the axe. Who should replace him? None other than Greg Maddux. "Why not? Maddux is already working for the club, already knows the players and the organization, and has one of the best baseball minds, if not the best, of his generation," the blog writes. Hmmm.

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Lou Piniella: This one's on you. Time for a bold move...

Farewell Fonty?
Diminutive Second Baseman Could Be Traded
Since Starlin Castro walked on water across Lake Michigan to play for the Cubs, the North Siders have a surplus of second basemen: Ryan Theriot, Jeff Baker, and Mike Fontenot. As funny as he is in this clip (we love when he tells the would-be groupie "I really have a soft spot for puppies"), Fontenot might be the odd man out here. Will the Cubs trade him and his "sneaky power," as Ron Santo describes it? The way this season is going, we'd listen to offers for anyone.

MLB Trade Rumors: Will Fontenot Become Trade Bait for Cubs?

Poison 'Pen
Despite Slump, Piniella Says He's Keeping Big Z in the Bullpen
The rationale for moving Zambrano to the bullpen was based on two things: 1) The other starting pitchers would continue to kick ass, and 2) Zambrano would be lights out in the bullpen. Well, the starting staff's ERA is 6.91 over the past 10 games, and Zambrano got lit up on Saturday night like a joint at a Phish concert. But there are no imminent plans to move Big Z out of the bullpen, according to the Sun-Times. And this season's woes are typical of Hendry's inability to put together good bullpens, the Daily Herald says.

Chicago Sun-Times: Lou won't consider pulling 'Z' out of pen
Daily Herald: Cubs' bullpen needs some saving

Turn That Frown Upside-Down! LOL!
These Clips Will Cheer You Up. For a Moment, Anyway.
There have been surprisingly few Cubs highlights this year: Starlin Castro's stellar debut, Marlon Byrd's ridiculous catch in centerfield... and what else? What else jumps out at you? Not much. To put some spring back in your Cubs' step, check out these clips of 10 great moments in Cubs history. We would have put Ryne Sandberg's amazing 1984 game higher than #6 — the best part is when you see former Cub pitcher Bruce Sutter freak out right after Ryno hits the second homer. Ahhh, memories...

YouTube: Prime 9 looks at the Chicago Cubs all-time greatest moments [video]

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