Sunday, September 21, 2008

Cubs Clinch--now what?

After popping champagne until what I can only assume was about fifteen minutes before the first pitch of todays game against St. Louis, most of the Cubs regulars were granted the day off. So, I can only assume that Lou will give the players a few games off--but not enough to allow the team to get too rusty...easy to say, but really what is the right formula in this situation? No manager truly knows--I mean, could you imagine if one of the major players gets hurt in a meaningless game this week?
Fukudome has been having trouble hitting over the last month and a half or so. It would be great if Lou would get him plenty of at bats over the next week. If nothing else, it could help him gain some confidence at the plate.
How about Big Z? Unhittable against Houston--shelled against St. Louis. He's scheduled to go on Wednesday, do you think we'll see him go more than 5 innings? Personally, I just don't see it happening. I think we'll see Zambrano, Harden, Dempster each get a few innings in their starts to keep them fresh...especially given the extra care the team has given to the first two in the recent weeks.
Now it's time to play the "if the season ended today" game. If the season ended today, the Cubs will go up against the New York Mets (best of 5). Johan Santana has never been lights out in the playoffs (then again, neither has Zambrano), but does Pedro Martinez strike the fear of god into anyone anymore? The Pedro Martinez that we all remember as the "take no shit from anyone" pitcher hasn't been himself in five years (and that's being gracious). Carlos Delgado strikes the fear of god into me, especially given the way he's carried the Metropolitans over the last month or so.
So, just touching base here (no pun). The division is wrapped up--another week until the second season gets going...I cannot wait, and I know you feel the same way. As the playoff picture gets clearer, there will be some analysis...some, but it's time to make some history. It's gonna happen.

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