Jake Peavy...WHAT?

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Win

Yesterday (4/28/09) the Cubs beat the Diamondbacks 11 to 3, with a great pitching performance from Carlos Zambrano and Angel Guzman with his 2 innings of work to finish the game up. There were 3 home-runs yesterday; a 3-run homer by both Alfonso Soriano and Mike Fontenot and a 2-run homer by Big Z in the 7th. Bradley also got the swing of things with a 2-4 day with a walk.

Next game: It will be Ryan Dempster (1-0, 4.88) VS Doug Davis (1-3, 3.67)

As of now it looks like Ramirez might need another day or two, but could talk his way back in the line-up this afternoon. Derek Lee could be back as well, And Lou might give Soto another day with how Koyie Hill is playing.

Its a 2:40 start time at Chase Field on CSN.

April 28, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi Cubs	0	0	3	4	2	1	1	0	0		11	15	0
Arizona	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0		3	10	0

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

4/27 update

Update: Milton Bradley will be back Tuesday in the line-up, according to Cubs pre-game show.

According to reports from the Sun-Times...Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Milton Bradley are out for tonight's game. Carlos Marmol tossed a bullpen session and is "feeling 100% and will be available on Tuesday". The Cubs will have only Koyie Hill and Joey Gathright healthy and available. Tomorrow's starter, Carlos Zambrano is listed as an extra hitter for tonight's game.-CCO

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Injuries..Bradley..

UPDATE 3: Derrek Lee left the game in the bottom of the first with neck spasms and is listed as Day-to-Day.

UPDATE 2: Carlos Marmol had a MRI and it was revealed as a grade 1 strain in his knee and could return mid week. Aramis isn't in the starting line-up.

UPDATE: Aramis Ramirez will be out at least 3 days according to Bruce Levine. As far as Marmol is doesn't look like he'll go on the DL as he killed that rumor. But both will be re-ovulated later on Saturday.

9:37: Carlos Marmol left the game with an apparent foot, ankle, or leg injury. It seems he was taken out as precautionary reasons.

8:29pm: Aramis Ramirez left game in the fifth with a left calf strain. Update 8:50 he is day-to-day.

Bradley won't return until he's 100%. Words from Bradley:

"It's been frustrating," Bradley said. "You come in here and all [the media] want to talk about is how often you get hurt and your attitude and everything. I've given them an example right off the bat. I just don't feel like getting caught up in all the negativity.

"I'm a positive person, an upbeat person," he said. "I'm trying to focus on what I'm trying to do here. My teammates are behind me and the more reporters get in my face, the more I talk, the more things get written the way I don't say them or they're taken out of context, and that's when you lose teammates and you lose fans. The best strategy for me has always been to not say anything.

"I can sit here and think about the questions I'm going to get and the perfect answer to come up but when it comes to that time, and somebody throws a question at you, just the way they ask it or the question, might make me look perturbed at the question they're asking. I just prefer not to talk. I told Peter [Chase, media relations director] and everybody, and they suggested I talk. But I just don't want to do it.

"When I turn around and people are standing at my locker every time, I'm trying to figure out why because I've already told them I don't want to talk. That's the only thing -- I never had a problem with the media until I started reading stuff that wasn't what I said.

"I never had a problem in my life until I started playing baseball. All of a sudden, there are all these things. I just want to be me. I just want to be that guy who plays baseball and enjoys his teammates and has a good time. That's what I do."

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs to Call up the SHARK..Bradley.....Bullpen

UPDATE: Luis Vizcaino has been DFA'd.

The Cubs will call up Jeff Samardzija on Thursday so he can join the bullpen. Paul Sullivan is reporting that Milton Bradley will be back in today's game against the Reds. In order for Shark to join the bullpen someone will be released, traded, or sent down. Sullivan also notes that Cotts and Marshall wont be sent down. Good bye Luis Vizcaino? Maybe. Find out tomorrow.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Hot Topics

Lets start off the first edition of "Hot Topics" with a moment of silence to the late great Harry Kalas who died early this week on Monday.

One fan carried a sign that read: "What radio frequency does Heaven have?" Another said: "Harry the K, you hit a long drive right into our hearts!"

Hot Topics:

• Ken Kadokura, briefly with the Cubs, is headed to Korea.
• David Wells has signed a multiyear deal as a TBS analyst.
• Former pitcher Mark Fidrych was found dead at his home today at age 54. The cause was an apparent accident working under his pickup truck.
• The White Sox agreed to a minor league deal with Scott Podsednik.
• One source suggested the sale of the Cubs to the Ricketts family may drag on past May.
• The Red Sox claimed second baseman Travis Denker off waivers from the Padres today.
• Mets GM Omar Minaya, who said he has permission from ownership to increase payroll if necessary.
• The Pirates acquired outfielder Delwyn Young from the Dodgers for two minor league players to be named later. Young had been designated for assignment on Monday.
• The San Francisco Giants are looking to unload the $44 million they still owe Aaron Rowand through 2012.
• With the injury to Xavier Nady, the Yankees' right-fielder may need season-ending elbow surgery.
• Geoff Jenkins wants to play, and will probably cost only 400k.
  
• Alex Gordon is out 10-12 weeks due to hip surgery.
• The Twins claimed reliever Juan Morillo off waivers from the Rockies and designated Philip Humber for assignment.
• The Nationals are closing in on an extension with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.
• the Pirates traded utility man Andy Phillips to the White Sox for minor league pitcher Michael Dubee.
• Austin Kearns or Jason Repko could become options for the Yankees if they decide to look outside the organization for outfield depth.
• Jed Lowrie will have his left wrist examined today in Arizona. (Most likely out for season.)
• Vladimir Guerrero will miss at least a month.
• Astros pick up Cecil Coopers 10' option.
• Red Sox appeal to Jake Peavy?
• Pedro in no rush.

SOURCE: MLBTR

Hot Topics will be back next Sunday.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Bradley Suspended

BREAKING: Milton Bradley has been suspended two games and fined an undisclosed amount for making contact with umpire Larry Vanover during Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

Update: Bradley has appealed the suspension. Only time will tell if it will be a smart move.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Chat, 4/18

Not a fun day at the office, Card to be next

Today the Cubs lose to the Rockies 5 to 2. Lets break it down.

Today Rich Harden pitched for the Cubs against Jason Marquiz and the Rockies, but unfortunately for us and Rich, he pitched like crap. But lets take the good out of the bad, he had 8 strikeouts in 3 innings (wow, what if he had some sort of arm strength, he would average 15-20 strikeouts per nine innings.) It was really just a bad start in my estimation. Some of the talk show/radio host are saying that Rich could be hurt cause he doesn't throw like that when healthy, so there assuming he's injured. In fact I think Rich had to much strength so he over pitched due to his occasional 97+ MPH fastballs, in which he rarely reaches that height.

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Harden (L, 0-1)	3.0	5	4	4	4	8	1	5.00

The red indicates something he usually doesn't do or does a game.

The Cubs we're pretty boring today, besides Derrek Lee's bomb in the ninth inning. Another positive in today's game was the bullpen and especially David Patton who is really coming into his own. Stats below;

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Patton	2.0	1	0	0	1	3	0	2.25
Vizcaino	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Cotts	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	3.86
Guzman, A	2.0	2	1	1	1	3	0	5.79

----------------------------------------------------------------
Cardinals are in town starting Thursday at Wrigley, below is info for each game.

Cardinals (7-3) Cubs (5-3)

1. STL Adam Wainwright, RHP (1-0, 1.74) @ CHC Sean Marshall, LHP (0-0, 0.00)1:20 CSN
   
2. STL Kyle Lohse, RHP (2-0, 1.13) @ CHC Carlos Zambrano, RHP (1-0, 3.00) 1:20 WGN
   
3. STL Todd Wellemeyer, RHP (1-1,4.50) @ CHC Ryan Dempster, RHP (1-0, 4.50)2:40 FOX
4. STL TBA @ CHC Ted Lilly, LHP (2-0, 3.86) 7:05 ESPN
   

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs off day, Notes

Today is a scheduled off-day for the Cubs, and they will continue the series with the Rockies on Wednesday and finish it up. Jason Marquis will square up against Rich Harden at 1:20 on CSN.

Notes:

1. Geovany Soto is still expected to be back on Wednesday. He's been out for nearly a week because of a sore right shoulder. He's eager to get back. "I'm bored out of my mind," Soto said.
2. Lou stated that Gregg is sharpening up.
3. Milton Bradley will be back by the latest on Friday, but is just day-to-day. Aramis Ramirez will be back on Wednesday.
   
4. A couple of newspapers outlets have said that the Cubs sale could drag out past May.
   

From MLBtraderumors.com; here are some possible trade candidates:

• Jake Peavy
• Roy Halladay
• Erik Bedard
• Rick Ankiel
• Adam LaRoche
• Miguel Tejada
• Adrian Beltre
• Matt Holliday
• Jermaine Dye
• Brian Giles
• Aubrey Huff
• Kevin Millwood
• Magglio Ordonez
• Vernon Wells
• Dan Uggla

I will be having a Chat this Saturday at noon till the start of the Cubs and Cardinals game at 2:40, which is a national telecast game.

Also, starting this Sunday "Hot Topics" will premiere.

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Bradley out for Monday

Breaking News: Milton Bradley will miss the Cubs home opener and is listed as day-to-day.

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This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Win

The Cubs 6 The Brewers 5, what a douse.

The Cubs scored in each of the last 4 innings to come back and win the game by a final score of 6 to 5. Kosuke Fukudome had another great game going 2-5 with a double and a home-run, as well as Ryan Theriot who is now batting .563.

Chi Cubs	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Soriano, LF	5	2	2	3	0	0	2	.280
Fukudome, CF	5	1	2	2	0	1	2	.421
Lee, 1B	5	0	0	0	0	0	1	.091
Bradley, RF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.063
Ramirez, A, 3B	4	1	1	1	0	0	1	.333
Fontenot, 2B	1	1	0	0	3	1	0	.389
Theriot, SS	4	0	2	0	0	0	2	.563
Hill, K, C	4	0	1	0	0	1	1	.231
Zambrano, C, P	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
a-Hoffpauir, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	3	.333
Guzman, A, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Cotts, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Heilman, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
b-Johnson, R, PH	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.500
1-Gathright, PR	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Marmol, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	36	6	9	6	3	6	14

The Cubs entered the ninth inning trailing 4 to 5 with 3 outs remaining. first-up is Koyie Hill flied to center (1 down), up comes a pinch hitter for Aaron Heilman in Reed Johnson who hit a fastball right back up the middle. Next up is "the man of the hour" Alfonso Soriano who hit a tape measure home-run to left field to give the Cubs the lead 6-5. After the Cubs made two outs, Carlos Marmol came in to close and did a great job. Cubs Win, Cubs Win!

I'll have some notes later in the day.

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Lose...4/11 Matchup.....

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi Cubs	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0		3	9	1
Milwaukee	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2		4	4	0

The hitting wasn't the problem since we blew the save in the ninth inning, but the Cubs should score between 5-6 runs per game on average. It was nice to see K, Hill and Milton Bradley hit home-runs this season.

The pitching performance by harden was a gem, if only he had arm strength on 115-130 he'd average 15 strikeouts a game. Kevin Gregg blew the save but lets not get are panties up in a bunch just yet, I'd give Gregg the month of April to "win" people back or show people that he can do it. Personally I want him to be the closer because Marmol is sick nasty in that 7th/8th inning role.

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Harden	6.0	3	2	1	2	10	1	1.50
Heilman	0.1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0.00
Cotts	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6.75
Marmol	0.2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0.00
Marshall	0.0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0.00
Vizcaino	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Gregg (BS, 1)(L, 0-1)	0.2	1	2	2	2	1	0	13.50

----------------------------------------------
The Cubs face the Milwaukee Brewers at 6:05 CT at Miller park on CSN with the pre-game starting at 5:30 CT.
Pitching Match-up: (from Cubs.com)
CHC: RHP Carlos Zambrano (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
Zambrano can take a deep breath. He finally won on Opening Day, beating the Astros, 4-2, in his fifth season-opening assignment. Big Z gave up one run over six-plus innings and struck out six. He was 1-0 with am 0.43 ERA in three starts against the Brewers last year. The last time Zambrano pitched at Miller Park was Sept. 14, 2008, and he threw a no-hitter. That game was against the Astros, who were relocated because of Hurricane Ike. The last time he faced the Brewers on their home turf was last July 29, when he threw eight shutout innings, giving up five hits and striking out nine.

MIL: RHP Dave Bush (0-0, 18.00 ERA)
Bush starts the season as Milwaukee No. 5 starter, but he's better than that, going 33-31 in his three-year Brewers career, with a 4.57 ERA and at least 185 innings each season. His strength is his ability to limit baserunners. Bush has finished in the National League top five in WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) in two of the past three seasons, finishing fifth last year at 1.14, behind league leader Cole Hamels (1.08) of the Phillies, Ricky Nolasco of the Marlins, Dan Haren of the D-Backs and Derek Lowe of the Dodgers. The rest of the top 10 reads like an All-Star team: Johan Santana, Ben Sheets, Tim Lincecum, Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy. "You can't score runs if you don't get guys on base," Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "I'm very impressed with him. I saw him pitch when he was in Toronto, and he knows what he doing out there. He's got a lot of equipment to get you out a lot of different ways." Bush has really struggled against the Cubs, going 1-7 in his career, despite a respectable 4.84 ERA. But he is excellent at Miller Park: 28-20 with a 3.82 ERA in 71 appearances, vs. 15-26 with a 5.18 ERA on the road.

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Notes....Nick Adenhart

• Geo Soto could be back as soon as the finale in Milwaukee, no DL time will be needed
• Peavy...A matter of Time. Read article here.
• The Cubs took 2 of 3 in Houston.
  

Today the Cubs face the Brewers in Miller Park at 3:05 on WGN. In today's match-up Rich Harden will square up against Braden Looper.

Yesterday was a sad day for baseball when young phenomenon Nick Adenhart was killed in a hit-and-run car crash, the offender was caught shortly and hospitalized. I hope the Felon is thrown in in jail for life for taking not one but three lives of Thursday morning. Adenhart and friends Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson were killed. The fourth friend, Jon Wilhite, was taken to the hospital in critical condition. This event was a couple hours removed from Nick Adenhart's game of his life aganist the A's.

Notes

Notes:

• According to Buster Onlney (#2 on the list) on Jake Peavy; he "feels like it's only a matter of time before he winds up in a Cubs uniform."
• Big Z beats the Astros and faces them for the first time since his no-hitter.
• Big Z is playing the role of team leader for the Cubs, writes Chris De Luca.

If anything breaks, develops or breaks it'll be posted here.

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Money in the Bank.....

USA Today's annual baseball salary issue listed the Cubs' 2009 payroll at $134,809,000, third highest among Major League teams behind the two New York clubs, Yankees and Mets. Carlos Zambrano is the highest paid Cubs player at $18.75 million, and ninth among all active players.

How far have players come? In 1989, Rick Sutcliffe was the highest paid Cubs player at $2.34 million, which ranked sixth overall in MLB. The Cubs currently have 12 players on their 25-man roster who make more than Sut did then.- Carrie Muskat

Higher then the Boston Red Sox? Wow, that's big! Get job Cubs!

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This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Win...Milestone.....

April 6, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi Cubs	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1		4	9	0
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1		2	8	0

Big Z pitched great last night, and here's what he said:

"I wasn't thinking that today was Opening Day," Zambrano said. "I was not in a panic, not nervous. I was just in control of myself. I was thinking it was another game, another game of my career, another game for the Chicago Cubs. Just go out there and have fun, perform good."

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Zambrano, C (W, 1-0)	6.0	5	1	1	3	6	0	1.50
Heilman (H, 1)	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Cotts (H, 1)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Marmol (H, 1)	1.0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0.00
Gregg (S, 1)	1.0	2	1	1	0	0	0	9.00

Soriano and Ramirez both had home runs in the fantastic game, here are the hitting stats.

Chi Cubs	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Soriano, LF	5	1	2	1	0	0	5	.400
Fukudome, CF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Gregg, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Lee, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Bradley, RF	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	.000
Ramirez, A, 3B	4	1	1	1	0	0	1	.250
Fontenot, 2B	4	2	3	0	0	0	0	.750
Soto, C	4	0	1	0	0	1	2	.250
Theriot, SS	2	0	1	1	1	0	2	.500
Zambrano, C, P	3	0	0	0	0	1	3	.000
Heilman, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Cotts, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Marmol, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
a-Hoffpauir, PH	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	1.000
Gathright, CF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	34	4	9	4	2	4	14

MVP: Carlos Zambrano for his great pitching performance against the Astros, and for getting his first opening day win in 5 try's.

LVP: Kosuke Fukudome and Derrek Lee for both going 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Ramirez's home run was the 250th of his career and his 174th as a Cub. Congratulations Aramis for your great career so far, keep it going. (He is 31 years old.)

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Opening Day Line-up, Predictions, and a Former Cub

Here's Monday's lineup:
LF Alfonso Soriano
CF Kosuke Fukudome
1B Derrek Lee
RF Milton Bradley
3B Aramis Ramirez
2B Mike Fontenot
C Geovany Soto,
SS Ryan Theriot
P Carlos Zambrano

Right now, the roof is open at Minute Maid Park but it's 56 degrees and a little chilly. No word on whether it'll stay open.

Now It's time for the Predictions!

Individual stats: (stats go HR, RBI's, BA)
Derrek Lee- 27, 92, .301
Mike Fontenot- 13, 62, .293
Aaron Miles- 4, 41, .309
Ryan Theriot- 0, 39, .315
Aramis Ramirez- 37, 128, .292
Geovany Soto- 23, 96, .283
Alfonso Soriano- 46, 89, .293, 34SB
Kosuke Fukudome- 10, 69, .286
Milton Bradley- 31, 105, .322
Micah Hoffpauir- 14, 55, .274
Joey Gathright- 0, 38, .279
Koyie Hill- 4, 28, .229
Stats have changed on a regular basis for me. But this is my final version.

Starters
Zambrano 19-7 2.99ERA 194K
HARDEN 13-3 1.92ERA 183K
LILLY 18-11 3.97ERA 201K
DEMPSTER 15-7 3.63ERA 195K
MARSHALL 13-12 4.12ERA 157K

BULLPEN (wins will not be added in)
Gregg 37 saves, 3.15ERA, 77K
Marmol 11 saves, 2.29ERA, 112K
Cotts 3.40ERA, 50K
Patton 3.74ERA, 42K
Vizcaino 3.97ERA, 52K
Heilman 3.12ERA, 129 (starts will add some of those K's)
Guzman 4.31ERA, 49 K

NL Central:

• 1. Cubs
• 2. Cardinals
• 3. Reds
• 4. Brewers
• 5. Astros
• 6. Pirates

NL West:

• 1. Dodgers
• 2. Giants
• 3. D'backs
• 4. Rockies
• 5. Padres

NL East:

• 1. Mets
  
• 2. Phillies
• 3. Braves
• 4. Marlins
• 5. Nationals

AL Central:

• 1. Indians
• 2. Twins
• 3. White Sox
• 4. Royals
• 5. Tigers

AL East:

• 1. Yankees
• 2. Red Sox
• 3. Rays
• 4. Blue Jays
• 5. O's

AL West:

• 1. Angels
• 2. A's
• 3. Rangers
• 4. Seattle

Wild-card in Bold.

My bracket:
NL

Cubs
Phillies

Mets
Dodgers

Cubs
Mets

Cubs make it to the World Series!

AL

Yankees
Indians

Red Sox
Angels

Red Sox
Yankees

Red Sox make it the the World Series!

Cubs
Red Sox

Cubs win World Series in 6 games with Marmol going 3 Innings (7, 8, and 9) with 9K's.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to congratulate Matt Clement for a good career. He has retired at age 34 with a lifetime record of 87 wins and 86 loses.

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This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Release Chad Gaudin, Option Samardzija.

BREAKING: Cubs have released Chad Gaudin and optioned Jeff Samardzija to AAA, giving the final two spots in their bullpen to Angel Guzman and Rule 5 pickup David Patton.

Well done Jim Hendry and Lou for doing the smart thing. GO CUBS

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Big Z Want's New Stadium...Notes...Blog News

At new Yankee Stadium Carlos Zambrano made a plea for change in Chicago. That change is that Big Z wants Wrigley to be replaced. Here's what he said:

"You come into a ballpark like this and you see great things."

"You wish that Chicago'd build a new stadium for the Cubs," he added.

"People are used to Wrigley Field," he said. "As a fan it's hard to think of a new ballpark."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella couldn't agree less with his Opening Day starter. The former Yankees outfielder and manager was enchanted by the new ballpark in the Bronx, but can't wait to return to Chicago for the first home game on April 13.

"I don't see why," Piniella said when asked if the Cubs need a new stadium. "Wrigley's got its own uniqueness. There's no question the facilities need to be redone but that's going to happen.

"My favorite time of year is when the ivy turns green. It's really a great environment to play a ballgame," he said.

Special thanks to ESPN.com

Notes:

• The roster will be finalized today at 2:00pm. Between Patton, Shark Boy, Guzman, and Gaudin, which two will make the club? My Guess is Patton and Guzman.
• The Cubs were selected 3 out of the 21 writers by ESPN to win the World Series. But 6 of the 21 say t hat the Cubs will be in the World Series.

Later Today I will have a recap of the Cub predictions from "MLB Tonight Predictions" show on MLBN.

Remember the FIRST Sunday of the regular season which is on April 12, is the first edition of "HOT TOPICS" which will be hot DUH.

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This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Notes...News...

Notes:

• The Cubs beat the Indians 9-8 with a shaky start from Ryan Dempster. On the positive note, Alfonso Soriano hit a lead-off home run today.
• The Cubs released Ken Kadokura.
• Some indications out there are that the Cubs are interested in Mike Lamb who cleared waivers after being released earlier in the week.
• Chad Gaudin is still being targeted by select teams, and his value is shot at best and in my estimation, we should cut him loose.
  

Please read this article I wrote earlier in the evening. Click Here

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This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Blog News...

Blog News: Starting this Sunday through the end of the season I will have a post called "HOT TOPICS" which will be news surrounding the Cubs and all twenty-nine other teams. The post would be about:

• Recent injuries to MLB players.
• Players who have been DFA'd, waived, traded, and signed.
• Records on the verge or that have been broken.
• Controversy in MLB.
• My player (s) of the week for all of baseball.
  
• Teams that are hot and cold.
• Occasional analysis.
  
• Players sent down to the farm.
  
• Occasional plays of the week (Video for ESPN.)
• AND all NEWS that surrounds baseball and it's players, teams, coaching staff, owners, fans, and etc.
  

Including, at the end of each month a team ranking of all 30 teams.

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This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Rockies Looking to Acquire Chad Gaudin

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune; Word out of Denver is that the Rockies have major interest is Chad Gaudin.

"If that happens, the Cubs could keep both Angel Guzman and Rule 5 pick David Patton, and send Jeff Samardzija to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs probably aren't expecting much back for Gaudin, who hasn't pitched well since his mysterious fall last August put him on the disabled list with backs problems."-Paul Sullivan

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Notes...Cubs Tie...

Notes:

• Old news~Chad Fox will start the season in AAA as insurance and to build strength in his arm.
• The Cubs traded Rocky Roquet to the Oakland A's for a player to be named later on Wednesday.
• The Cubs also released Ed Campusano on Wednesday.
• There have been several media circuits claiming that the Tigers and Padres as well as mystery teams interested in Chad Gaudin and Angel Guzman.
  

The Cubs ended with a tie with the Oakland A's in today's game. Soto has a great game with a grand slam and a solo bomb. Alfonso has woken up with a 2-hit game. Carlos Zambrano did fair in a tune-up game, stats below.

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Zambrano, C	3.1	2	1	1	2	1	0	3.20

What you like is only 1 run, and only 2-hits allowed, what you don't like is 1 K.

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Cubs April TV and Radio Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time (CT)	TV	Radio
Note: Spring training games are listed below in green.
April
Wednesday, April 1	@ Athletics	3:05 PM
Thursday, April 2	vs Indians	2:05 PM
Friday, April 3	@ Yankees	6:05 PM	MLB.TV, MLBN
Saturday, April 4	@ Yankees	12:05 PM	CSN Chicago, MLB.TV	WGN 720
Monday, April 6	@ Astros	6:05 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Tuesday, April 7	@ Astros	7:05 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Wednesday, April 8	@ Astros	7:05 PM	CSN+	WGN 720
Friday, April 10	@ Brewers	3:05 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Saturday, April 11	@ Brewers	6:05 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Sunday, April 12	@ Brewers	7:05 PM	ESPN	WGN 720
Monday, April 13	vs Rockies	1:20 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Wednesday, April 15	vs Rockies	1:20 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Thursday, April 16	vs Cardinals	1:20 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Friday, April 17	vs Cardinals	1:20 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Saturday, April 18	vs Cardinals	2:40 PM	FOX	WGN 720
Sunday, April 19	vs Cardinals	7:05 PM	ESPN	WGN 720
Tuesday, April 21	vs Reds	7:05 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Wednesday, April 22	vs Reds	7:05 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Thursday, April 23	vs Reds	1:20 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Friday, April 24	@ Cardinals	7:15 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Saturday, April 25	@ Cardinals	3:10 PM	FOX	WGN 720
Sunday, April 26	@ Cardinals	1:15 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Monday, April 27	@ Diamondbacks	8:40 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Tuesday, April 28	@ Diamondbacks	8:40 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Wednesday, April 29	@ Diamondbacks	2:40 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Thursday, April 30	vs Marlins	7:05 PM	WCIU	WGN 720

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This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson