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He's Ba-a-a-a-a-ck
Zambrano Returns to Ace-like Ways in 5-3 Win
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
So it looks like Carlos Zambrano just needed some couch time. Big Z improved his record to 4-0 since his team-mandated exile, going seven innings and allowing two runs while striking out eight. Starlin Castro notched his sixth consecutive multi-hit game by going 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base, and Aramis Ramirez hit his 21st homer of the year (surprisingly high number, no?). The Cubs are now 8-3 under interim manager Mike Quade.
ESPN Chicago: New-look Big Z, Castro lead Cubs past Mets [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Zambrano calmly leads Cubs to 5-3 victory over Mets
Daily Herald: Zambrano, Castro lead Cubs over Mets 5-3
CSN Chicago: Ramirez, Cubs offense aid Zambrano in fourth win [+ video]
MLB: Big Z, Cubs enjoying renaissance [+ video]
Same Time, Next Year
Cubs Might Keep This New, Improved Zambrano
The Cubs have two options with Zambrano: Trade him in the offseason and hope they'll get something decent, or keep him around and hope this version is the new Big Z. The Sun-Times explores the latter, noting Zambrano coolly handled the situation when Castro missed a tag on a stolen base (again!). ''I talked to him after that play and he apologized, but I said it's OK,'' Zambrano said. ''It's good as a veteran on the team that you say something to a young kid like that."
Chicago Sun-Times: Fly in 'Z' Ointment
Beyond Compare
Castro Likened to All-Star Miguel Tejada
It seems the Cubs have the real deal at shortstop in Starlin Castro. After he became the first Cubs' rookie to have six consecutive multi-hit games since Don Johnson in 1944, manager Mike Quade compared him to six-time All-Star Miguel Tejada. "Miggy was probably a little bit stronger physically, but my point with that comparison is where they're at development-wise," Quade said. Pretty good company for a 20-year-old, no?
Chicago Tribune: Castro draws favorable comparison to Tejada
Daily Herald: Quade can't resist comparing Starlin Castro to Miguel Tejada
The Color of Money
Are Cubs Destined for Financial Woes?
Here's a question: What if the Cubs start losing money? The blog Cubbie Doctor's Examiner points out the team is around $450 million in debt, which is more than many teams in baseball are worth. Noting the issues facing the Dodgers these days, the blog says, "The Cubs probably have the highest amount of debt of any team, and will probably need to do a renovation on the ballpark that will cost between $100 and $250 million...which will probably have to be financed as well." We're not worried, but it's something to keep in mind.
Cubbie Doctor's Examiner: Debt is everywhere in baseball... not just the Cubs
Not Fade Away
Fukudome Surprises with a Strong August
Everyone takes it as a given that Kosuke Fukudome starts out hot and then fades as the year goes on. But as the blog And Counting points out, Fukudome had a pretty solid August. He hit four homers, batted .365, and put up a whopping on-base percentage of .467. That means he reached base almost half the time. The blog concludes that "Kosuke should be pretty easy to trade at this point, although his salary is sizable." Well, "pretty easy" might be pushing it, but we're glad to see the improvement.
And Counting: Fukudome: Not just for April anymore
Carlos Zambrano moved into third place on the Cubs' all-time strikeout list. He trails Charlie Root and Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins... Rotation update: Casey Coleman will pitch on Monday with Carlos Silva making his return on Tuesday... Ryan Dempster tries for his 100th victory today.
"I'd like to see Ronny Santo singing the 7th-inning stretch because... he needs no reason."
-Johna Sheperd Molley
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