Casey and the Bat
Rookie Recovers from Shaky First, Cubs Win 5-3

Steve Mitchell/US PRESSWIRE

We thought the Cubs' game was over in the first inning, when Casey Coleman loaded the bases courtesy of a double and two walks. But the rookie escaped with only one run allowed, then settled down and pitched a solid game. His final line: six innings, three runs, five strikeouts, four walks. The Cubs also scored on a bizarre play in the fifth: Starlin Castro walked with runners on first and second. But Tyler Colvin on second was running with the pitch, and the Marlins catcher overthrew third base. Crazy. Bottom line: Cubs win.

ESPN Chicago: Cubs win five straight... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Happy homecoming for Coleman
CSN Chicago: Cubs, Coleman surviving auditions [+ Coleman video]
MLB: Coleman impresses in Cubs' fifth straight win [+ video]

Getting Defensive
Castro's Glove Might Cost Him ROY Award
At the plate, Starlin Castro's numbers stand up next to any other rookie's. He's currently batting .309, and hitting .344 since the All-Star break. But there's something that might cost him crucial Rookie of the Year votes: His errors. He's got 27 miscues in 112 games, which is, you know, a lot. "When the ballots are due, voters will have to weigh [his stats] against his defensive issues, which will be hard to ignore," CSN Chicago notes. But the site also points out that Miguel Tejada had 26 errors in 104 games his rookie year, so you never know.

CSN Chicago: The catch to Castro's Rookie of the Year push

Saving Grace
Former Cubs Star Backs Ryno for Manager
The opinionated Mark Grace has a take on who the Cubs should hire for next year: Ryne Sandberg... with a caveat. He doesn't think Joe Girardi will leave New York, so the Cubs should just go for Ryno. "For four years now he's been riding the buses and paying his dues," Grace said. "In my opinion, it's a one-horse race." Grace also has this ultimate recommendation: "He's a Cub." And while we're a little ambivalent about Grace, he played with Girardi and Sandberg, so he does have some insight here.

SB Nation: Grace: Girardi likely stays put, so hire Sandberg

The Final Countdown
A List of Some Top Cubs' Prospects
So the Cubs are actually pursuing a youth movement. Great... but to have a successful youth movement, those young players have to actually be good. Another Cubs Blog looks at Baseball America's top 30 Cub prospects and analyzes the prospects ranked 21-25. The list features the usual suspects like Sam Fuld and Esmailin Caridad. But there is one pitcher who seems especially promising: Brooks Raley. He's a sixth-round pick that most had figured as a second-rounder, but the fear that he would bail on baseball for college scared teams off. Hmmm.

Another Cubs Blog: Baseball America's top 30 Cubs' prospects, part 2

Paint It Blue
Want to Win a Cubs' Painting? Read On.
The blog Cubby-Blue always has great illustrations, like the one of Sean Marshall, or this awesome animated illustration of Mike Quade and Tony LaRussa. And check it out: You can win one of the artist's drawings. The blogger, Tim Souers, is holding a contest, and the prize is a 16" x 12" acrylic and ink illustration on canvas. To win, go to the blog and predict who will be named the manager and what he'll say at his first press conference. The closest entry wins. Good luck.

Cubby-Blue: Cubby Blue competition with original painting as prize!

Casey Coleman is 2-2 with 4.15 ERA in his first six starts... The Cubs have the third-best record in the majors, 16-7, since Mike Quade took the reins... Did you make it to either of the concerts at Wrigley Field this weekend? Well, it appears Jason Mraz brought a Cubs choir on stage with him, while the Dave Matthews Band kept one lady dancing up in the cheap seats.

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