So the Cub's go out West now, to face the Padres. It should be a very different type of series, playing in The Huge ballpark in San Siego's Petco park. Baek, who will be getting his first start, faces Zambrano in game one, giving the Cubs a nice chance to extend the 7 game winning streak. Sad Diego was supposed to be a good team again this year, but they have been a disappointing team to their fans. Khalil Greene has games where he is teriffic, but they come less frquently this year. Brian Giles is still good. Jody Gerut has played way better than most people might have guessed he would, when he took over for Edmonds for them. I thought they made a nice move to get Iguchi too, but all in all, it's not a team with a lot of pop. Plus, we get a nice break, with Peavy still on the DL. He will definitely miss this series, as he just threw 30 pitches off a mound for the first time since going on the DL. He is scheduled to throw off the mound again on Tuesday, after which they will decide on whether or not to then send him out for a rehab start or two. In any case, he will not pitch in this series. I believe, we get Maddux again in the last game of this series. He pitched well in his last start. Pitching in that big ballpark is a real advantage for him. But as much as I like the Mad Dog, I hope he gets beat around early and often on Wednesday. May the sweeps continue...

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Go Cubs!!!!

I think this park plays into the Cubs' hands. I've seen lots of line drives off the bats, some of those leave the park. As long as they continue to hit the ball hard, they will be fine. The one guy who may struggle is Soriano, as his balls rarely leave on a line, they are more of the majestic flyball shots. Those just won't carry here.

If there defense can pick up on the road they will get it done.

Let's see if Zambrano can shut out the Padres tonight like they were on Sunday night through 7 innings. I'll take Zambrano over Baek. Lou better keep Zambrano's pitch count down though. Well, maybe that's up to Big Z.

It'll be interesting to see how they do on this 7 game road trip. Padres suck and Dodgers are so-so. 4-3 I would think Cubs fans would be happy, but Im guessing you guys are wanting 5-2 or better with the way this team has been playing. I'd be very surprised if they lost tonight.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I would be happy with 4-3, and thrilled with anything better than that.

1 batter in, and Soriano already has misplayed a ball. Brenly once again calls him out and says he could have caught it.

Z looks insane. He's not following through. He's all spastic.

Sometimes I think he's taking upers before games. Maybe it's just 10 red bulls since they test for greenies now.

But he's on something. Maybe he found something they don't test for.

yeah he's on something...

A TRIPLE?!?

Zambrano was truckin'. Ramirez should watch him run the bases.

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https://twitter.com/DrKenCast

It amazes me that they keep pitching to Zambrano like he's a normal pitcher. He is hitting over 300, he makes solid contact, and they keep throwing fastballs to him. Good for you Baek, you dumbass.

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Nothing to fear but fear itself, and me.

I just hope Z can settle down now and get through 6 without any more damage. They have the momentum now, even though it's just tied, just want to see them keep it.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Gotta love Z bustin it down to first to beat the throw. Even though it was an out, it was a productive one, when Soriano flew out to right to score a run and get another runner to third. Up 6-3 now, it looks like things are settling down a bit. Zambrano only got through 5 but last game he threw 130 pitches, so it's probably a smart move by Lou.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Gotta love the hussle no doubt! It was also nice to see Big Z settle down after the rocky first inning.

Also, it is really good to see Edmonds having another nice night. It seems the adjustment Gerald Perry and he worked on has paid off nicely.

Oh look, Marmol gets us off the hook again.

Oh look, I jinxed him. North will be happy at least.

That's gonna shoot up Marmol's ERA. 1/3rd of an inning and 3 runs.

Might have cost him the all star game.

You need to be below 2.00 to make it as a set up guy.

Barrett gave me a scare, but Wood gets the save (only his second on the road).

Now the Cubs need Marquis to actually go like 7 innings tomorrow instead of his usual 5 1/3 innings.

Cool with me. Let him rest!

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Stupidity irritates the crap outta me... and yes, I irritate myself far too often.

He's now at 2.43 - you are correct sir!

well, zambrano struggled all night, marmol had a blow-up game, and they still won. good thing it was the padres, or zambrano would have had a heap of trouble in this game. those type games are good to win, and are a little easier to forget for z and marmol than if they had lost it in the end.

everything the cubs touch right now is gold. even clunky old jim edmonds is contributing. i loved hearing the padres fans boo every time he got on base.

Actually, Marmol got the last 2 outs in the 8th inning and one in the 9th, so he gave up 3 runs for 1 innings work. Definitely not good for the ERA, but if it's going to happen, it's nice that it did, when they could afford it, with a 4 run lead. I am starting to wonder if I wasn't wrong about Edmonds. When he got 3 hits in the game last Friday, including a homer, I chalked it up to a very strong wind aiding his hits. But he has now had a couple games in a row since, with 2 extra base hits in each game. With 3 doubles and a triple in those games, it has me thinking that Hendry may have made a better gamble than I thought. I would be happy to have been wrong about him. If he can keep hitting, it can really make a big difference.

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Go Cubs!!!!

What was the gamble again? The Padres are still paying the majority of his salary.

Fucking Marquis. He walks the pitcher, balks to move him to 2nd, and then throws a wild pick off attempt to allow him to score. Lou has the 'pen up in the 3rd, just what they needed tonight.

Im getting a bad feeling that the pitching staff will start having their arms fall off in a month or two. That, or we will have three broken necks between Hill, Marquis and Lilly from turning their heads for every homer.

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THROW A FUCKING STRIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never want to see Jason Marquis again. Ever. Not even in future retrospectives about the 2008 WS Championship Chicago Cubs.

Trade Marquis for some used chewing tobacco.

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Go Cubs!!!!

God I love when Lou comes out and gives it to Marquis. Wish Lou would just punch him.

Big Home Runs by Soto and DeRosa. They may win despite Marquis being in trouble nearly every inning and giving up the 3 early runs. Ahead 6-3 now, things are looking up. I thought when I saw the match-up and Ledezma was up against Marquis, that the streak might end with the great eight. But a very fine number nine is looking possible.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Watching Marquis pitch is considered torture in some countries. Every inning is agonizing to watch with him on the mound. Can we have at least one 1-2-3 inning?

It's nice to see Barrett still can't catch or throw. The Cubs look like the '85 Cardinals tonite with Barrett behind the plate.

What a blast from Soriano!