Ace in Your Face
Zambrano Tries to Reclaim Ace Status in 8-3 Win

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Once (and future?) ace Big Z continued his strong ways, going 6 1/3 innings and giving up two earned runs while whiffing five. Those might not be "ace" numbers, but they're arguably ace-esque. But Bad Carlos returned in the seventh: After a Bobby Scales error, Big Z walked a batter, hit a batter, then walked another dude. That led to three runs, and he was clearly pissed when he left the game. But it was OK, given the Cubs had already scored eight — with four of them coming on an Aramis Ramirez grand slam.

ESPN Chicago: Aramis Ramirez's grand slam chases... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Ramirez's slam helps Zambrano win his 8th straight
Daily Herald: Slam by Ramirez leads Cubs to 8-3 win over Astros
CSN Chicago: One more night of Zambrano being Zambrano
MLB: Ramirez's slam helps Big Z finish strong [+ video]

Take a Stab
Colvin Looks Back on Gruesome Injury
Despite getting stabbed by a flying bat, Tyler Colvin looks like he's made a full recovery. He told WGN radio he's not allowed to lift weights yet, but, "right now, I feel great," he said. "Once they took that tube out, the breathing got a lot better.... But early on it was kind of tough. I was afraid to sneeze." He also said he doesn't favor banning maple bats, and buried in the story is this tidbit: Flying is still out of the question for him. He can't go up in an airplane? Man, that was serious.

Chicago Breaking Sports: Cubs Colvin on incident: 'Early on, it was tough'
Daily Herald: Checking in with Tyler Colvin
MLB: Colvin improving after bat incident

At First Sight
First Base Still a Question Mark Next Year
There aren't too many question marks in next year's lineup... except first base. The Outfield Ivy looks at the Cubs' top five options there, and some names might surprise you. Paul Konerko? What the...? We guess he makes sense, though. Other names include two Adams, Dunn (duh) and LaRoche (meh). The blog concludes that the team should keep the not-too-sexy Xavier Nady at first, then go great gonzo after Adrian Gonzalez the following offseason, since he'll be a free agent. We like the idea, but what if he re-signs with San Diego?

The Outfield Ivy: Who's on first? The Chicago Cubs options at 1B for 2011

Get 'Er Dunn
Zambrano Says Cubs Need to Sign Adam Dunn
So in addition to "possible staff ace," Carlos Zambrano needs to add another line to his business card: "GM-in-training." After notching his eighth straight win last night, Zambrano said the Cubs should try to sign Washington's big-ass slugger Adam Dunn. "I want that guy," he said. "I think we need another good hitter to protect (Aramis Ramirez) and Marlon (Byrd)." Zambrano also gave an inside scoop: "Two years ago he told me he wants to play at Wrigley Field badly, after he was traded to Arizona from Cincinnati." Are you listening, Hendry?

Chicago Breaking Sports: Big Z calls for Cubs to sign Nats slugger Dunn
Chicago Sun-Times: Was this Carlos Zambrano's finale?

A Thousand Words
Check out Some Cool Shots of Wrigley Field
We've all seen Wrigley Field from the standard angles: Looking out at the field, checking out the old-school scoreboard, waking up passed out under the trough urinals... (uhhh, we've all been there, right...?) But Bleed Cubbie Blue went onto the field as part of a Cubs promotion that invited Wrigleyville residents to explore the Friendly Confines. The results: Some really cool pictures of angles you probably haven't seen before. And check out how a ball could hit the left-field foul poll and still be considered foul. Interesting.

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Cubs Wrigleyville neighbors day: A photo essay

Looks like the Cubs interviewed former Seattle and Arizona skipper Bob Melvin for the vacant manager job... Want to win an original Cub-oriented painting? Today's the last day to enter at Cubby-Blue.com... The complicated NL playoff picture has come down to the last day... A reminder: Cubs Fan Report will still provide your Cub-related goodness during the offseason. Just a little less often.

Submit your Rant on Facebook
*Don't be a Sox fan... be clever. If it's smart enough, we'll publish it here.
What's this?