Don't Call it a Comeback
Zambrano Shaky in Return to Rotation, Cubs Lose

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Carlos Zambrano was back where he belongs last night, taking the mound as a starter for the first time since the short-lived bullpen experiment. Overall, Big Z was a little shaky and then settled down, allowing 3 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. He pitched well after a rocky first inning and the bullpen did its part in throwing a shutout the rest of the way. It was the offense that lagged... again, in the 3-1 loss. Aramis Ramirez had another O-fer and left four runners on base. With the bases loaded and a 3-1 count in the third, A-Ram popped out with a swing that brought back memories of Manny Alexander (not pretty). It took his average down to .158 and the Cubs' record to 24-30. Ugh.

ESPN Chicago: Paulino, Astros ruin Zambrano start for Cubs [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Cubs' Zambrano loses 3-1 in comeback
Chicago Sun-Times: It's a fresh start, stale finish
Daily Herald: Piniella promises changes after Cubs lose to Astros
MLB: Big Z takes loss in return to Cubs' rotation [+ video]

Headed to the Bench?
Angry Piniella Ready to Make Changes... Again
Lou is starting to boil again and this time he might blow his top. After the loss last night, Piniella had some harsh words for Geovany Soto, claiming the Cubs need someone in the lineup who can at least throw out baserunners. Yikes. Expect to see backup catcher Koyie Hill in the lineup today as well as Tyler Colvin, who will apparently replace struggling Kosuke Fukudome who is 2 for 16 in his last five games. Pretty soon Lou will run out of combinations and might need to start Big Z at first base to spark the offense... that's the only lineup switch that would top his playing of Sean Marshall in left field that one time.

Chicago Breaking Sports: Fed-up Piniella may bench Fukudome, Soto

High School Musical Chairs
Will Cubs Rob the Cradle with 16th Pick?
With the MLB draft coming on Monday, Cubs fans are wondering who will be on the board when the 16th pick comes around. Is it going to be a future Carlos Zambrano or a Luis Montañez-type pick? Several sources predict it will be high school pitcher Karsten Whitson, who can gas it up to 96 mph. Or there's Stetson Allie, another high school prospect with some serious heat. Either way, the Cubs need to be careful when picking raw high school talent. Baseball America thinks the Cubs could try to lure 5-tool Austin Wilson away from Stanford. Let's hope this pick works out better than Ryan Harvey, Brian Dopirak, Bobby Hill, etc.

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Cubs Draft Profile: Karsten Whitson
Bleacher Report: 2010 MLB mock draft
Baseball America: The BA Draft

Holy Cow!
Harry Caray was a Classic
We remember listening to Harry Caray go off on all kinds of tangents when he called games for the Cubs, and some were way more entertaining than others. And Counting decided to celebrate the legendary Cubs broadcaster so beloved by Cub fans around the world. In the first video, Harry is in classic rant mode going off on Cracker Jack boxes with no prize inside. In the second clip, we see an 80's version of Wrigley Field as Harry gives it his all during the 7th inning stretch. God bless Harry Caray — we'll always miss him.

And Counting: Harry Caray was awesome

The Second Coming
Can Bryce Harper Live Up to the Hype?
If you don't know who Bryce Harper is yet, just nod your head and pretend you do — it's for your own good. Harper is the 17-year-old phenom who is set to be picked first by the Nationals in Monday's draft. The hype is off-the-charts and, as usual, there are questions about whether or not the young man will come through. We heard this with Mark Prior and tons of other prospects over the years — but this guy feels different. Maybe we're jumping on the bandwagon, but you can't help but fall for the kid they call LeBryce.

ESPN: Yeah, he's that good

While Marlon Byrd runs the bases fast after a homerun, a player in the minors took his sweet time and started a brawl... The Cubs will soon require wristbands for beer in the bleachers... If the Blackhawks somehow blow it in the finals, would it be worse than the '69 Cubs? Does anyone else see the blonde locks, baby face, and easy gas coming from Andrew Cashner and immediately think Kerry Wood?

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