No-No Means YES YES!
Well my friends, records and landmarks continue to fall for the 2008 Cubbies. Carlos Zambrano tossed a no-hitter last night and 1972 has been erased. For years, opposing batters, pitching coaches and teammates have speculated that Big Z had the stuff to throw a no-hitter. Maybe it was only a matter of time. But after a twelve day layoff because of shoulder issues? On a neutral site against a team who had just won 14 out of their last 15 games?
That’s impressive.
This wasn’t against the Royals or against a team out of the playoff hunt and starting a bunch of no-name rooks; this was against a surging Astros team with Berkman, Tejada and Cub-killer Hunter Pence. Impressive. Just another piece to an already amazing season. However, let me reiterate what I said last week: there’s only one way to finish a season like this off properly and fortunately Z feels the same way…
“All my pitches were working great today. I was watching the [radar] guns the first inning. I was throwing 99, 98. I said, ‘Let’s get it on.’ ”
“Next stop will be the World Series…”
The special thing about this team is that they really do seem to believe in the team records falling; just as proud to have put forward eight all-stars as they were when Eyre pitched 32 scoreless innings or even Zambrano pulling a Milt Pappas.
Hey, and special cheers to 2008 NL Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto, he already had the ROY locked up and just added calling a no-hitter to his rookie resume, they may as well give him the award now.
Now the races begin
The question of who will win the NL Central has been answered. Taking two out of three from the Redbirds in Busch was huge. Not only did it spur confidence again by reminding the team they can take the close big games, but it practically eliminated our friends in southwest Illinois. I like.
Listen, the job LaRussa and Duncan did to have STL even close is impressive, but they simply don’t have enough talent and their bullpen is bad. Pujols will have to watch the MVP go elsewhere, but he’s still be best player in the NL.
Other races are becoming quite interesting and these next two weeks are now all about who the Cubs will be facing in round one. The aforementioned Houston, before failing to get a hit for nine innings last night, are on fire. They are now two games back of the red hot Phillies in the Wildcard race.
Speaking of the Phillies, just a few days ago, the Mets looked like they were in charge of the East. Not so fast. No one expected the Fightin’ Phils to take all four from the fading Brewers. Now it’s a toss up.
Who will win the East? Philly? New York? Maybe the wildcard won’t come out of the Central. Maybe it will, but it won’t be the Beermakers. Lots to watch for in the next two weeks. In the West, the Dodgers have gone 8-2 in their last 10 while the Dbacks have gone 2-8. What does that mean? That means it’s likely the Cubbies won’t be anywhere near Phoenix in October. LA fans are feeling good and their dodger dogs are tasting a little better in Chavez Ravine… 4.5 game lead.
Predictions
Looks like LA has the West. I’ll make no predictions about the Wildcard or the East. I’ll tell you this, though. Philly and Houston scare me. New York, Milwaukee and LA less so.
Readers, who do you want to play? Who do you not want to play?
Either way, the Cubs will have to be prepared. Lou should be able to start resting regulars in the next few days. Maybe just one a day. Harden, Zambrano, and Dempster will be shortened up and Wood and Marmol used selectively.
For now, let’s countdown together.
1 comments
Dan Schreiber
Philly and Houston scare me
It’s all about when their bubbles burst. Teams can’t stay hot forever, so ideally, they stay hot until the playoffs, then start their inevitable slump.
Of course, the Rockies came out of nowhere last year, and stayed hot all the way to the World Series, but they did eventually hit their brick wall.
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.