Highway to Wells
Embattled Hurler Pitches, Hits, Wins

Jeff Curry/US PRESSWIRE

To say Randy Wells has been bad lately is quite the understatement — before last night, he'd won just once since July 23. But he had the Cardinals' number, going eight innings and giving up only one run in the Cubs' 7-2 win. Even better, Wells drove in two runs with two RBI singles. Xavier Nady continues to make a case for next year, going 3-for-5 and driving in three runs, and even diminutive Darwin Barney got in on the fun, going 3-for-4. With a managerial record of 13-7, Mike Quade continues to impress, no?

ESPN Chicago: Jeff Samardzija nabs 1st win, 1st RBI of season... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Wells goes 8 strong innings as Cubs dump Cardinals 7-2
Chicago Sun-Times: Quade, Wells roll for '11
MLB: Wells lifts Cubs with terrific homecoming start [+ video]

Build It, and They Will Contend
A Solid 2011 Team in a Few Easy Steps
Everyone is assuming the Cubs will suck for a while. But Agony & Ivy points out that the team actually could actually contend next year if a few key things happen. For starters, the expensive players (Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, Kosuke Fukudome) have to play well. Then the young talent — Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin, etc. — has to continue to blossom. Then GM Jim Hendry has to make a smart off-season move or two, like picking up Carl Crawford and improving the bullpen. And voila! Instant contender. Right...?

Agony & Ivy: Building a winner is not a zero-sum game

Twin Killing
Can Cubs Model Their Team After Minnesota?
Ryne Sandberg said it himself: The team the Cubs should try to emulate is the Minnesota Twins. They're always in the mix, and most of their talent is homegrown. But the Beachwood Reporter seems to think the Cubs aren't up to the task — right now, at least. The blog says they'd have to fire Jim Hendry, completely revamp the minor-league organization, and create a "style" of play to really be like the Twins. And the blog knows the perfect manager to lead this new Minnesota-centric direction....

Beachwood Reporter: Cubs vs. Twins

East Is Least?
Cubs Will Play in Fenway, Yankees Come to Wrigley
Major League Baseball released its schedule yesterday, and there are a few interesting elements worth noting. For starters, the Cubs will head east for their first series at Fenway Park since 1918. Also, the Yankees will come to town in June for the first time since 2003 — remember when Hee Seop Choi collided with Kerry Wood and had to be taken away in an ambulance? That was crazy. The MLB season also starts in March in an effort to play the World Series in October. Which is good, because Wrigley Field gets cold in November. (Get it?)

MLB: Cubs' 2011 schedule
ESPN: 2011 schedule sends Cubs to Fenway

The Joy of Six
Cubs Now Going with Six-Man Rotation
The Cubs said they want to try different things this season, and boy, they weren't kidding: Unlike most teams, the Cubs will likely be going with a six-man rotation for the rest of the season. The names: Wells, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Casey Coleman, Tom Gorzelanny, and Jeff Samardzija. Of those names, only Dempster doesn't need to prove something for next year. Which is fine, but if these are the candidates for 2011, who's the ace? Dempster? With all due respect, he's not exactly Cy Young....

ESPN Chicago: Cubs now have a 6-man rotation

Tom Gorzelanny will likely rejoin the rotation next week. Meanwhile, Carlos Silva will continue to take treatment for tendinitis in his right elbow... Reports say Aramis Ramirez will re-sign for next year... The Cubs will interview former Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Bob Melvin for next year's managerial position... Former Florida Marlins' manager Fredi Gonzalez has turned down the chance to interview for the Cubs' position... Get the inside scoop on Chicago Magazine's exclusive interview with Sammy Sosa at their 40 Bottles of Beer event this Thursday at 6:30pm at Murphy's Bleachers.

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