naivin

CV maybe just wasn't ready? I'd doubt that, but who knows?

The only real question here is which Cub is going to hit the HR to win it? I'll go with Fox in the 9th.

yeah, you have to send him on that.

Anyone think the Cubs won't have the lead after this inning? Anyone at all?

Soup's gotta hit here, right? 80 pitches?

The good news is McGehee will hit a grand slam next inning.

Good grief.

Man do we need another bat on this team.

Agreed. Opposing pitchers are far too willing to come up and in on Fielder and Braun in particular. Its not coincidence that they are both near the top of the HBP list.

If Zambrano hits another batter, intentional or not, he'll be gone.

When that nut job is the opposing pitcher, its a good move. he's just stupid enough to get tossed.

Gonna be very interesting to see if Zambrano can keep it together (especially with Suppan due up).

Very smart by Suppan there

What a joke!

On two pitches no less.

Well Hardy hasn't been slapping the hits around, he has been hammering the ball around the last few days, with the exception of last night, and he dropped him to the 8 spot. I know he doesn't have great hostory with Z, but it does seem a bit odd.

My hope is that they are just keeping him around until the impending roster move necessitated by a trade for a 2B/lead off man.

Gatorade machines have been removed from the dugout. Only coolers now. Given the heat and such he has received since Sunday, I am assuming Z will give up about 2 hits today.

Seems a bit odd that he would drop Hardy but keep McGehee in there considering the pathetic nights they both had last night. I assume Hardy has not hit Zambrano well, just as I assume Kendall has. Not sure why you wouldn't want to get another LH bat in there. Anyone know what the wind is doing?

Is Bill Hall the Brewers' poster boy for the steroid era?

One the one hand I agree, on the other hand, if we can get sustained production out of the lead off spot (something I don't think will happen with Counsell into July/Aug/Sep), the entire offense gets better. Right now because they don't have a lead off hitter, every day sees at least one guy at a spot in the order for which he is not really suited. I like the idea of a difference maker, but I just don't see how it happens from the perspective of the price both in dollars and prospects. If you get a solid innings eater that can get you to the bullpen with a chance to win, and score enough runs, is that enough in a bad division? As far as the roster spot, easy for me to say because its not my money, but both in terms of what could be here now (in theory), and what is coming up behind him sooner than later, I think its time to swallow hard and say goodbye to Bill Hall. The only purpose he is serving now is getting in the way with that huge useless contract. This is probably equally as stupid as eating Hall's contract, but it seems like you almost have to cross your fingers and hope that Parra can pull it together and come back before long and be that difference maker. Let's face it he was the wild card and the key to success before the season started and that seems to still be very much the case. The Brewers needed production from him to have a chance. Still do. I dunno. Maybe they're just screwed, and at the moment the inability to improve can probably be pointed squarely at that ridiculous contract they gave Bill Hall.

It would be an unbelievable move for the Brewers, but Bill Hall's contract would likely prevent it. I just don't see anyway they can make any significant moves on the infield unless they are willing to just eat that thing. Too bad too. Heck, Macha even chuckled during the pre-game last night when he referred to Counsell as their "typical lead off hitter."

It seems to me Hall is hurting the Brewers in a couple ways. First with his bad play, and second with his pathetic contract that is going to make it extremely difficult to acquire a 2B/leadoff hitter. In an ideal world they simply wave goodbye to Billy to make some room and replace him with an everyday 2B and lead off hitter. I just don't see them eating the contract, so that seems almost impossible at this point. Counsell in particular has held down the fort nicely, but here we are at the 4th of July, and they need to get him some help soon. There are guys that would seem to be available that would likely be significant upgrades over what we can likely expect out of Counsell the rest of the year...Freddy Sanchez, Cristian Guzman, Felipe Lopez, maybe Julio Lugo. Getting those guys seems impossible as long as they have the Bill Hall albatross hanging around their necks. Imagine Freddy Sanchez or Guzman leading off, with McGehee/Gamel playing 3B, and Counsell available to play all 3 IF spots. The offense would be deep and stellar.

The Price for Bedard is probably not something the Brewers will be willing to pay. Same probably goes for the Cardinals. The way they have been talking the last couple days however, especially after last night, I will be pretty surprised if McClung makes another start. Options are obviously limited, so things could get interesting. I really hope they don't try to rush back Bush or Parra though. I don't think they will.

Wasted opportunities, but definitley McClung was just bad, and compounded by Smith throwing one 89 down the middle to the only Cub hitter who can seriously hurt you.