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Cardinal Offense
Rookie Pitcher Can't Contain St. Louis' Bats
Jeff Curry/US PRESSWIRE
The Cubs started out on the right foot last night, scoring two runs in the first off a two-run single by Marlon Byrd. Then rookie Thomas Diamond pitched like a rookie, needing 87 pitches to get through four innings. He allowed four earned runs, walked six batters, and gave up a dinger to (who else?) Albert Pujols. Could the offense bail him out? Good one! The North Siders managed only a meaningless Derrek Lee solo homer in the eighth, making the final score 6-3. For those keeping track, that's 14 losses in 16 games.
ESPN Chicago: Cardinals beat Cubs for fourth straight win [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Rookie Diamond roughed up in Cubs' 6-3 loss to Cardinals
Daily Herald: Piniella: Young players will see game action
MLB: Cubs can't climb out of early hole vs. Cards
Sub-Titles
Can Starlin Castro Win the NL Batting Crown?
Starlin Castro is only 20, but he already has a chance to make history: If he can win the NL batting title, he'll join Ichiro Suzuki as one of only five rookies to ever accomplish the feat. But totaling a high average is only half the battle, because he also has to get enough plate appearances to qualify. If he keeps playing everyday, he has a good shot at reaching the minimum of 502 at-bats. He's now hitting .319 after going 1-4 last night, which puts him in third place. Hey, there's something to cheer about!
ESPN Chicago: Castro on verge of batting race
Chicago Sun-Times: Rookie Castro might contend for batting title
On the Bright Side
Giving Hendry Credit Where It's Due
Jim Hendry takes a lot of heat, and many rabid fans blast him no matter what he does. But lately, two of his more controversial trades are looking pretty promising. Everyone went crazy when Hendry traded Mark DeRosa. But Chris Archer, one of the pitchers Hendry got in the deal, is 14-2 with 126 strikeouts in 118 minor-league innings. Then there's Brett Wallach from the Lilly/Theriot trade, who had his third start in Single-A and threw six shutout innings while striking out six. We'll keep our fingers crossed.
MiLB: Smokies' Archer dominates in Double-A
YouTube: Prospect hot sheet: Chicago hope [video]
Peoria Journal Star: New Chiefs pitcher impresses, but Beloit scores late to...
Live and Learn
What the 2010 Season Has Taught Us
Let's face it: 2010 has sucked and we all want to move on. But let's remember the saying, "Those who forget history are doomed to fall 20 games behind the Cardinals." Or something like that. Goat Riders of the Apocalypse chimes in with some lessons for Hendry, including: Alfonso Soriano isn't quite as bad as we all thought (but he's far from great), and our closer and shortstop are looking pretty strong. Unfortunately, our defense is brutal and we need more power. The most depressing lesson: "2011 is going to look a lot like 2010." Dear God, no...
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse: Top ten lessons learned in 2010
Migrating South
Should Cub Fans Switch to the Sox?
So here's a hypothetical question: Should Cubs fans root for the White Sox, since they have a chance at reaching the playoffs — and, frankly, are playing way better? The Rock Report, by WSCR 670-AM's Rock Mamola, takes a look at what makes up a "real" fan and the loyalties that come with it. The blog concludes that while it may be tempting, you should stay with the North Siders. Maybe in an ideal world we'd all sing "Kumbaya" and cheer for both Chicago teams, but going to the Cell? No, thanks.
The Rock Report: Should Cubs fans support the White Sox down the stretch?
Derrek Lee was activated from the bereavement list yesterday and Micah Hoffpauir was sent back to Triple-A Iowa... Lou Piniella was back with the team last night after being with his ailing mother in Florida... Recent call-up Darwin Barney went 0-4 in his Major League debut... Aramis Ramirez missed another game with a sore oblique muscle, but is expected to play today.
"While Tony LaRussa is suspended, I hope he gets a haircut that doesn't look like Robert Reed circa 1976."
-Walter Bearstradamus Brzeski
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