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mrschroeder08 partyvancaptain pee_callus25 Tags 2010 Preview 5 Million Dollar Black Hole AAAA Aaron Heilman Aaron Miles Alfonso Soriano Andres Blanco Angel Guzman Aramis Ramirez Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves B.J. Ryan Baltimore Orioles Bob Brenly Bobby Scales Bonehead Booing Boston Red Sox Brett Jackson Bullpen Canadian Concoction Captain Kneejerk Cardinals Carlos Marmol Carlos Silva Carlos Zambrano Chad Fox Chad Tracy Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Indians Cold War Colorado Rockies Contracts Cubs-Cardinals Rivalry Cubs sale Cubs Curtis Granderson Daniel Herrera David Patton Derrek Lee Designated Hitter Detroit Tigers Disabled list Dominance ERA+ ERROR Esmailin Caridad ESPN Sucks Eternal frustration Eternal Optimism Farewell Farney Florida Marlins Free Agency Future Gatorade Geovanny Soto Geovany Soto Gerald Perry Grades Houston Astros I-Cubs Injuries Jake Fox Jason Marquis Jason Waddell Jeff Gray Jeff Samardzija Jim Hendry Jim Wolf Joey Gathright John Grabow Jose Ascanio Kansas City Royals Kerry Wood Kevin Gregg Kevin Hart Kevin Millar Koyie Hill LaTroy Hawkins Legendary Lineup Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles Dodgers Lou Piniella Luis Vizcaino Man Crush Mark DeRosa Marlon Byrd Micah Hoffpauir Middle Infield Midwestern Bias Milton Bradley Milwaukee Brewers Minnesota Twins Minor Leagues MLB 2K9 Neal Cotts New York Mets New York Yankees Oakland Athletics October Offseason Opening Day OPS+ Payroll Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates Playoffs Randy Wells Rant Rich Harden Ryan Dempster Ryan Freel Ryan Theriot Sam Fuld Sam Zell Sammy Sosa San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants Sandy Alderson Sean Marshall Seattle Mariners St. Louis Cardinals Steroids Strikeouts Suckiness Tampa Bay Rays TBS Texas Rangers Tom Gorzelanny Tom Ricketts Toronto Blue Jays Trade Tribune Company Tyler Colvin Von Joshua Waivers Walks Washington Nationals WTF Xavier Nady RSS Feed After the first week in which the eighth inning was so cruel to the Cubs, today's was a nice flip of the script. The offense had its second straight good day, and while Randy Wells had issues, facing Dave Bush and LaTroy Hawkins sure helps counteract that. If only the Cubs could face those two every day. Today Ryan Theriot earns today's Curtis Goodwin Player of the Game award. Four hits and two stolen bases from the leadoff spot really helped key the offense. I do have to note however that I was not a fan of the decision to steal in the eighth. It seemed like a needless risk that could have taken the Cubs out of a golden opportunity. But this award is given for results, and Theriot got results and helped get the Cubs over the hump. As far as the four hits go, he did it all by being Ryan Theriot. He hit four solid singles, and did not try being Babe Theriot like he fell in the habit of last year. If he and Fukudome can continue to get on base like this, it will go a long way to making this team a real contender. Of course history tells us that is not necessarily the smartest bet. The "Hang Your Head" award definitely goes to a pitcher. I was thinking Randy Wells because of 10 hits and 1 bad walk to the pitcher in 6.1 innings is pretty bad. I think Jeff Gray edges him out though, because he nearly put this game well out of reach in a pitiful Cubs debut. This is also another indictment on the win stat as he got the win today simply because the offense bailed him (and Wells) out. First, Gray gave up a hit to a man who was 0-for-the year. I know, I know: it had to be somebody. But to follow that up with two triples? You simply cannot have that. The eighth continues to befall the bullpen. Fortunately, an old friend had an even worse time of it. Say what you will about LaTroy. He is a decent reliever, and he has been around long enough to prove that point. He was put in a position that was not optimal for him (closing), and he failed. I do not begrudge him as much as other Cubs fans do, but man, there is something about facing that man. Last year he had 2 blown saves and a 6.00 ERA in 6 innings against the Cubs. After today, he has a 6.46 ERA against the Cubs since being traded away in 2005. Again, I think he is pretty quality, and I wouldn't mind having him back considering the current bullpen situation. Then again, Cubbie blue seems to be his kryptonite. Also, good to see that indeed Soriano and Soto got some licks in today. Soto especially is noteworthy with two walks and a home run. His plate approach was nice today, and with Jeff Suppan going tomorrow, Soto has a good shot to continue this. As far as Soriano on defense, well let's just say he is a DH at this point, but bless his heart he is trying. Posted in: Ryan Theriot, Jeff Gray, LaTroy Hawkins, Geovany Soto | ||