The Song Remains the Same
For Bazillionth Time, Cubs Get Good Pitching/Bad Offense, Lose Game

Jerry Lai/US PRESSWIRE

We're going to just start cutting and pasting descriptions from game to game: [insert pitcher's name] threw a quality start and deserved to win, but the offense let him down and the Cubs lost [insert score, with Cubs' runs likely less than three]. Last night, the unfortunate Cubs pitcher was Randy Wells, and the score was 3-2. What else to say? Starlin Castro hit well (2-4) but committed another error, and Aramis Ramirez went 0-4 and whiffed in the eighth with runners on second and third. The Cubs are now six games under .500 and have lost eight of their last nine games.

ESPN Chicago: Nolasco, Marlins send Cubs to fourth straight loss [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Cubs hitting woes continue in 3-2 loss
Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs need to shake it up
MLB: Despite Wells' effort, Cubs dropped at home [+ video]

With Or Without Boo
Were Cubs Fans Big Meanies for Booing Young Castro?
Apparently tired of waiting 102 years (and counting) for a World Series victory, the Wrigley Faithful have been booing with increasing frequency lately. This came to a head after Starlin Castro committed his third error on Monday night. This did not please the blogosphere: "Congratulations, Cubs fans. You've officially hit an all-time low," wrote A League of Her Own. Cubs fans "will run Starlin Castro out of town before long," said Another Cubs Blog. "Last night [Cubs fans] set the bar lower than it has ever been set before," wrote Talking Chicago Baseball. But maybe this is all a big misunderstanding: Maybe they're saying "Boo-urns."

A League of Her Own: Take a good look in the mirror, Cubs fans
Another Cubs Blog: Starlin Castro's defense
Talking Chicago Baseball: A new low for Cubs fans

Tales from the Mullet Side
What It's Like to Suddenly Switch Allegiances and Become a Sox Fan
Traitor Former Cubs fan Rick Abplanalp (does that name look like an anagram or what?) decided recently to head south and become a Sox fan. He's been chronicling his new life for Gapers Block, and his most recent column asked the eternal question: "Are Sox fans a-holes?" After hearing one distinguished gentleman bellow, "Hey Pods, yer wife has CRABS!" at former Sox/World Series hero Scott Podsednik, Abplanalp concludes that yes, indeed, they are jerks. "But it is different when they're your jerks," he queasily rationalizes. Whatever, dude. Enjoy that Molly Hatchet.

Gapers Block: My new friends

Trade Expectations
As Season Slips Away, Will Cubs Be Making Moves?
Clearly, the Cubs' bullpen — hell, the team — is not exactly what we call "good." So can GM Jim Hendry make any deals to save the season? Agony & Ivy looks at some possible moves, and none of them will likely set your loins aflame. How about former Cubs like Juan Cruz, Bobby Howry, or Aaron Heilman? No thanks. Also, Ken Rosenthal compiled a list of players who could be traded, and the Cub there is... Ted Lilly?!?! What the? Rosenthal concludes the Cubs will likely keep Lilly. As for any other moves, stay tuned.

Agony & Ivy: More Suggestions on How to Fix a Leaky 'Pen
Fox Sports: Deal or No Deal: 10 Trade Candidates

The Ring's The Thing
Ryno Says Quest for World Series Ring Motivates Him
So Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman and current triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg verbalized what everyone's been thinking: He wants to be the Cubs' next manager. "I'm not doing this to be a lifelong minor league instructor or manager," he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, referring to his minor-league work. Sandberg also noted that a World Series visit (and, theoretically, a win) is the straw that stirs his drink, the thing that gets him up in the morning. "That's one thing I'm striving for now in this capacity. It's something I think about all the time," he said. Interesting.

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Series Still Drives Former Star

Check out the prospects at Wrigley on July 7, when the Peoria Chiefs play the Kane County Cougars in the "Road to Wrigley" game. Maybe we'll finally see a team score some runs. Grumble grumble...

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