A Cubs/Cards clash

Today the Cubs begin what is undoubtedly the biggest week of their season. Obviously if they survive this week, then next week will become the biggest and so on, but looking at the schedule, these next seven days will make-or-break the North Siders playoff chances. Thee games at Houston sandwiched between a monster five-game, four-day clash with the St. Louis Cardinals, meaning the Cubs have no room for error. Since the Cubs are already one game behind Milwaukee - who goes to Pittsburgh and is home versus the Astros his week -the Cubs must win at least three of five vs. the Cards and two of three versus Houston to stay in the race (St. Louis is three games out of first). Here’s a breakdown of Cubs versus Cardinals, the fiercest rivalry in the National League and the biggest series the Cubs have had in three years.


LINEUP: The Cubs offense is kind of like a three-year old kid. Sometimes they can be hyper and active, never letting up, eventually pounding the opponent to death. But other times they can be slow, impatient and just plain annoying. So which one will we see this week? If the last month and a half has been any indication, it’s going to be a majority of the slow, impatient, annoying kind. Even though Alfonso Soriano is hitting well now, I don’t have any faith in anybody besides Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez to come through with a big hit. The Cardinals on the other hand have a pretty solid, consistent attack. You know that Albert Puljos, who absolutely killed Cubs pitching the last time the teams faced off, is going to hit and that Tony LaRussa will find somebody else to drive in runs. The key will be stopping the St. Louis hitters at the top of the order, who always seem to drive the Cub pitching staff crazy.
ADVANTAGE: CARDINALS

BENCH: In the last week, the Cardinals lost two players to season ending injuries and one of their players is now under investigation for taking illegal steroids. Now their bench consists of players like great Brendan Ryan and the immortal Ryan Ludwick. The Cubs actually have a better bench then lineup. Depending on Lou Piniella’s mood, the bench could have any combination of Cliff Floyd, Matt Murton, Craig Monroe, and Jacque Jones, as well as the fast Felix Pie, the dangerous Daryle Ward, and the solid Mike Fontenot.
(BIG) ADVANTAGE: CUBS

STARTING PITCHING: Two weeks ago, this would have been a no-brainer. The Cubs had a solid one through five rotation and the Cardinals had the worst starting pitching ERA in the NL. But then the Cubs pitching fell apart. Something happened to Rich Hill’s curveball that made it stop dropping, Ted Lilly has been shakier this past week then he has been all year long, and Carlos Zambrano can’t seem to pitch well in back to back games. (Though his last start was strong) We brought in Steve Trachsel and all that he’s done is go a combined eight innings in his two starts, allowing thirteen hits and nine runs. Steve, your plane is now boarding. But its not like the Cardinals have been that good either. Outside of Adam Wainwright, who is pitching very well now, none of their starters have an ERA under four.
(SLIGHT) ADVANTAGE: CUBS

RELIEF PITCHING: In a close game, the only Cubs relievers I feel comfortable with are Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol. Michael Wuertz is OK, but can be wild, and Scott Eyre is all right in short doses. But really, after the sixth inning, all I want to see is Howry and Marmol, the only two of the group that aren't afraid to challenge hitters. The St. Louis ‘pen has been pretty good, even though I have never even heard of most of them. Ryan Franklin’s ERA is under 2.4 and none of their relievers walk too many people.
ADVANTAGE: EVEN

CLOSER: Jason Isringhausen has more saves, a lower ERA and has allowed fewer home runs than Ryan Dempster. He’s been in more tight games over the span of his career then Demp and has the trust of his teams’ fans, something Ryan does not. I don’t dislike Dempster, but lets just say he’s been known to give Cub fans a heart attack from time to time.
(BIG) ADVANTAGE: CARDINALS

MANAGER: For the first time in a decade, this isn’t an obvious choice. Tony LaRussa’s next stop after he retires is Cooperstown. He’s won over 4,400 games in his career, been to the World Series five times and took home the trophy twice. Lou Piniella might be one World Series victory from joining LaRussa in the Hall. Sweet Lou has won over 3,000 games and led the Seattle Mariners to an impressive 116 win season in 2001. That’s the history. If we just went on this year though, I would say Lou has the edge. LaRussa has gone through so many hardships this year (Josh Handcock’s death, Encarnacion’s tragic eye injury, his own DUI arrest) that it might have made him crazy. His whole pitcher batting eight idea doesn’t make too much sense to me, and it just seems he doesn’t have the same focus he has had in years past. Piniella though has been great. After watching the incompetent Dusty Baker for the past four seasons, it is great to watch a skipper who knows when to make a move and what kind of move to make. (And I’ll come out and say it, I liked Dusty. He was a great players manager, he just didn’t know how to control a game from the dugout.) Last week Piniella did a double switch to bring Felix Pie in for defense in the seventh inning of a close game. And wouldn’t you know it, but the first two outs of the inning were fly balls to center that Craig Monroe probably wouldn’t have reached. It’s just a pleasure to watch.
(SLIGHT) ADVANTAGE: CUBS

HISTORY:
Cardinals last World Series---2006
Cubs last World Series----1908
(BIG) ADVANTAGE: CARDINALS



I have nothing more to say, other than if the Cubs don't play well this week, I might check myself into a mental institution.